The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1890-01-25

e'>A - = VIC eSA0
necessarily left without the means Of
educatioH.
Schools, however, are in operation
! wherever there existed, at the time
they were organized and located, a
reason to suppose that a large attend
ance of pupils could and would be Sc
cured.
During the year the commodious
and G structure known as the
Matthews school, and the erection of
which Is due III great part to the en-
erg,y and liherallty of Mr.. Clas Mat
thrWs than whom no one in this pa
Isli has more actively interested aim
self III behalf of our public schools,
has been completed. Important i'm
provenents have been inaugurated on
the fine school house in Lockport.
Two lots Of ground have been sener-
ously donated for the use of our pub
lie schools, one by Mr.. Francois
BarllleauN. and the other by Mr.. Lor-
enza Cherami.
The Guion Academy has been fur
nished with modern patent desks pur-
chased from the Kane Company of
Chicago with funds arising from the
proceeds Of the fair. organized and so
successfully managed by Mrs. Lam
bert. Mrs. Stewart, Miss Levron and
Mr. Micllelet, for which p~raiseworthy
acts on the part of these energetic
teachers the board should render its
thanks.
As there WAS reason to believe that
Il certain number of teachers were not
qualified to discharge properly the du-
ties of their position, I'LL applicants
for positions as teachers in the public
schools OF this parish for the coming
school session were required to pass
an examination during the months of
November and December 1889. Ac-
eoldlng to announcement in the pub
lie prints OF Thibodaux, no exception
was made IL favor Of persons holding
certificates. This examination. while
not embracing subjects that are not
usually required or expected to be
taught IN country schools designed to
give III education in the elementary
branches, was, nevertheless, more
FlSid and thorough than any exam
lnation that has, At any previous time.
been held here for the purpose of test
lug The ability and competency of
those who have filled our teachers
desks.
Realizing that success in teaching
depends III 4 great measure upon the
practical teaching ability of those
that arc intruSted with the manage
ment of our schools. and fully i'm
pressed with the prime Importance Of
the automatic truth that good teach
are a prerequisite of good schools,
the eNaI'Inatlon was conducted with
a G Of not only ascertaining the
scholarship Of the candidate who ap-
reared for examination, but also of
determining. as much and az well as
it could be done by the mcansa hand.
the character of such a candidate, and
Ills tact IN management us we'll as his
aptitude to instruct.
One aim Of the examining commit &.
tee has been to secure. If possible. the ,
services of teachers possessed of the ,
qualifications requisite and the energy !
essential TO accomplish such results in ;
classroom as to cause our public !
III due time to come abreast of ,
educational requirements of the :
Iliar III which we live. :
Whatever progress toward the end ,
m view may have been accomplished. :.
still am not free from the apprellen- {
SION that the examination may have
III some instances. to realize the ,
result aimed 1T. desired and expected :
y the examiners. and for that reason. !
such applicants rs were accented be =,
,atSe Of the competency apparently :
upon examination, are made :
% understand that their employment :
$ merely probationary. and that If :,
hey prove inefficient, they will he !
dismissed to make room for others who !,
promise to show aptness in teaching. ;,
Owing to the strict manner in which p,
he examination has been conducted !
he supply, SO far as regards the M :;
n>flcal force OF our teaching corps. =
HIS halelN been able to Keep pace |
With the demand. :
It is gratifying to be able to saw !,
hat IN the last few years the interest :
manifested in schools and the cause of 6
education has steadily, if not greatly. :,
increased. We have ample evidence :
IT this fact in increasing attendance. :,
md in the multiplying of private /
ell"ols some of which afford instruc- J
Of excellent, ii not of the best !,
description. !.
In concluding my report, l take the !
liberty OF offering to tlie board the u
GLOWING recommendations: ]r
That the school known as the IN e
er Choupic school be abolished. mas i
luch as all efforts to find IL teacher :
to be assigned to that school
tor the past year proved %ineffec- 4