Wichita eagle., 1889-09-22
PUBLIC SCHOOL NOTES.
The Sentiment OF Different Persons Ha wing
4 knowledge OF the schools Reported
Verbatim

The grade meetings Of the teachers of
the public schools have been held and full
instruction in the classification, course Of
study, management, government and care
of the children has been given. Three
text books have been dropped from the
list of requisites aud oral instruction has
been substituted, The teachers seem to
have begun their responsible work with
enthusiasm ami with determination TO
more than fill the expectations Of the
members Of the board and the reasonable
demands of the people. In the classified
tion of the schools, in order to give to each
teacher no more different grades than he
could handle with advantage to the pu-
pills. it has been necessary to distribute
some of the higher and smaller classes. The
consolidation Of these classes makes
individual instruction possible. The in
convenience of going greater distances is
of little consequence as compared with the
superior Opportunities offered. 4 teacher
with several different grades can do little
more than keep school" and make the
conditions such as will enable the children
TO gather from the text book what they
can without any particular training to
The large mum ers IN grades of the first
year and the want of suitable accommoda-
lions have made it absolutely necessary to
divide each school into two classes. one Of
which can attend the morning and the
other the afternoon session. No teacher
can do any sort OF justice 10 over sixty
children who have entered the schools for
the first time Besides physicians very
generally agree that children between the
ages OF and should not be
confined in the school even when rooms
are well ventilated aud warmed longer
than three hours per day.
The departments Of music and drawing
have not yet been organized. II ! under
stood that II is the sentiment Of the board
that when organized they shall be thor
oughly done. That these subjects shall De
so taught that they shall be of the great
est practical value for the culture of the
youth of the city. Il has truly been said
that q school without music Is like gar
den without flowers. To train the child
rem iu the science and art of music IS 70
carry the most refining OF ali influences
into every home. besides aiding in that
vocal culture which should be one Of the
should be. tue family, the school. the
church and all social and musical circles
will soon see the beneficial effects Of the
instruction gwen children. Time spent in
music need be no greater than Is neoes-
sary for rest from other less inspiring
studies.
The board has wisely introduced draw
ing. No subject, il properly taught, can
be Of more practical value. Those under
standing the elements have the foundation
for d large number OF the more than three
hundred different occupations To car
penters, joiuers. cabinet makevs--workers
in wood and ir0a-2rcLitects. civil en-
Zileers. ulachiuests. etc, il ) iodispe1sa-
bic To many kinds CO womaa's vork.
other than the ornamental, the knowledge
i, valuable. Without the knowledge and
culture derived from drawing no one can
te as expert il interpreting 4 picture. Il
these DAYS half Of our ideas aad pleasure
come from reading pictures. The beard o:
education ! 20 lie commended for the in
PRODUCTION Of this subject i1to tie course
Of study.