The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1889-12-27

ZOE UeStCHeT6, Il dU Gne euu VI VAe ySaii
asked permission OF the citizens to use
the public school as model and prac-
tice school. The request was speedily
granted, ard the result has been most
gratifying. The teachers Of the public
school have ever since been chosen with
reference to their fitness to direct and
superintend the practice teaching of the
normal students and claim that the
Spearfish public school is by far the
best one in the state Of South Dakota.
The statement in circulation, however,
that the normal school supports the
public school is not, and never has been,
true, except to a very limited extent.
The third year opened September 6,
1886, with more than ninety scholars,
while the seating capacity was only
seventy This year, besides Miss
Bertha Youmans in the model school,
Miss Margaret A. Thompson, most
estimable lady and teacher ofrare ability,
was added to the faculty. At the close
Of the year q class q ten received dipfo-
mas, six OF whom are teaching at the
present time. During the winter the
legislature had appropriated $4,000
for the erection OF a much-needed build
ing. It was completed the following
fall and is a stately and beautiful edifice
of solid brick with stone trimmings and
metal roof. 1t contains a splendidly
lighted main school room. 68x51H feet,
a chemical laboratory, 3Ox4O feet,
beautiful room for drawing and the'com-
mercial department, 27x52 feet, and six
large recitation rooms besides wardrobes,
carpentershop, apparatus room, library,
principals office and three corridors.
1t is an exceedingly well-planned build
ing. A common remark OF those who
examine it is that it is the best building
for the money they ever saw.
Since the second opening Of the school,
not term has passed without increased
attendance over any previous cores
ponding term, more regular attendance,
increased devotion on the part OF pupils
and teachers, and, in short, marked i'm
provement in all desirable particulars.
have wide acquaintance with normal
schools and unhesitatingly claim that
this school is doing as good work as the
best school ofits class in the East.
believe it is doing honest thorough work
that it is proving to be a beacon light tc
the boys and girls from the country, by
whom it is largely patronized; and that
with reasonable support, it will soon be
a powerful agency in meeting the grow
ing demand for trained teachers.
A strong four years course OF study
has now been fully introduced. Nearly
every subject is taught by a trained
specialist, and alarge number OF foptional
studies in addition to and beyond the
regular course is offered to all students
qualified to take them. Among these
studies are, advanced elocution, ad-
vanced bookkeeping, advanced penman.
ship, solid geometry, trigonometry
shorthand, typewriting, German, Latin
advanced vocal music, and commercial
law. Particular attention is called tt
this feature OF the school. It gives spec
ial students long list Of attractiv
studies to choose from; it enables tn
strongest, most advanced student i
each class to take one or more extr
studies; it renders it profitable for th
graduates to remain one or two year
aftercompleting the regular course.
I am very sure that if all parent
knew the merits OF our instution, few,
any, young men and women OF the Hill
would be sent to eastern schools, i
most cases not nearly SO good, in prefer
ence to coming here.
The unanimous verdict Of visitors
that the school far exceeds their expet
tation. This fact is well illustrated b.
the visit of the Methodist ministers c
the Hills a few days ago. They came il
body, stayed half a day, some OF ther
nearly day, and then passed the 10
lowing resolutions:
RESOLVED, that we are highly please
with the general management an
thorough instruction which we have OF
served IN our state normal school; tina
we are greatly gratifed with the big
moral tone which pervades the institu
ton, and that it is with unusual pleasur
that we give unqualified Endorsement c
the principalship OF Prof. F. L. Cook"
Very truly yours,
C.l Ca1 -