Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1889-03-15
MIDDLEeURY's SCHOOLS.

REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT PALMER.
Fello,c Citizens-By the new school
law, passed by the recent legislature, the
office of town superintendent of schools
is abolished after the Both of next June.
In presenting this, my final report, |
wish to return thanks to my fellow
townsmen for the courtesy and support
have received from them In the dis
charge of the duties of my office and for
the kindly heed given to the suggestions
have made for the Improvement of the
schools and school property. | have
sought to encourage and assist the teach
ers in their work and to improve the con-
ditiOn of the schools so far as possible
under the circumstances. 1t has been
pleasure to me to become personally ac-
quainted with your children in the school,
room and to note the progress they were
making there. There are in these dis
trict schools children with bright intel
lects and of much promise. who ought to
have the best advantages of education
that can be offered them, and who will
make good return for whatever is in
vested for them in this way.
1t has been my purpose to show to all
the advantages of education and to en-
courage them to do faithful work and to
thoroughly master those studies which
shall be of practical use in life. | fear
that our schools are not accomplishing
all that might be done in this direction
and it ought to be subject of careful
consideration by school officers and pa
rents how they may be made most eflec-
tive and of most practical benefit to our
children. Permit a few suggestions which
may not be new, but which are of sufli-
cient importance to bear repetition.
Parents should be more interested in
the school and cooperate more heartily
with the teacher. | would strongly en-
phasize this point. An occasional visit
TO the school-room would show your in
terest and be an encouragement and slim
ulus to both teacher and scholars, as well
as give you a better acquaintance with
the work done there. a talk with the
teacher about her school work and espe-
cially about the work of your own child
rem in school and kindly word of COM
mendation would be great help and en-
couragement to her, and | think often
times Misunderstanding and trouble in
school might be prevented in this way.
y ou may help, also, by talking with your
children about their work in school and
by keeping yourself informed as to
whether they are doing that work prop
erly and thoroughly so as to be making
real progress. But there is need OF wise
caution here. Suppose you find that they
are not doing AS well as you think they
ought in school, do not hastily conclude
that it is wholly the fault of the teacher,
and especially do not criticise the teacher
in the presence of your children, for that
will certainly result in injury to the
school. 1t is far better for you to have a
personal interview with the teacher, and
in friendly manner, present your re-
quest or make such suggestion as you
may think will be for the good of the
school. have no doubt that any sug-
gestion, presented in proper manner
will be kindly received. But in all school,
matters the authority of the teacher
should be recognized and no arbitrary in
reference or dictation, even in regard to
your own children, attempted. If any