The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1891-07-23

Maria Washington teacher. l found very
small church. poorly equipped with benches,
No desks. and rather small. The roll showed
60 enrolled, with daily attendance of 3O.-
Text books mixed. The teacher l fear is not
devoting as much time, and as many hours
each day, to her sehOOl as II deIua nI' g.
recommend to the patrons that they look after
the school little closer, and fit up better
seats and benches, blackboard. &c.
There are several other schools have not
been able to visit on account OF time lG was
late in the session when was appointed, ana
I haze not been able to make 1t around 10 all;
but hope the schools | have failed to visit
will not think it was lack of interest, for
assure them would have visited their schools
if l had had time, but my professional duties
required some of my time. have devoted at
least two months almost exclusively to school
work in some shape or form.
Now, gentlemen, have not sugar-cOated the
school question. and tried to make you believe
that we are gettinng on fine, when in fact we
are not. l fear We have had too much of such
report already. Ihave stated facts as found
them, without regard to person or locality, as
| think it my duty to do. Some of our schools
are doing very WELL but some of them are
farce, and the sooner our people realize this
fact and take more interest in their schools
and the selection of good competent teachers,
the quicker will our schools begin to improve.
It ia utterly impossible for the Superintendent
and School Board to do it all, the people must
help us, and when they employ teacher let
them go at It like they are buying horse, and
not say swell, don't like this teacher but
she is good girl, or good boy, or good old
man." as the case may be, "and as she or he
suits the rest, will not kick. We must get
out of this sentimentality and look to the in
terest OF our boys and girls, for they are to be
looked after as we'll as the teachers When we
help one teacher maybe we pull back % girls
and boys. So let US think of this and take
-. -
mean nothing personal, but do say our
schools should be better, and unless we take
more interest in our schools we shall never
raise the standard above what it now is. do
not mean by what have said that it is absO-
lutely necessary that the grades of our teach
ers be raised, for / am candid when say some
of our 3rd and 2nd grade teachers are among
the best teachers in the parish. But there are
other qualifications besides a text book qualfi-
cation.
Those who have done their duty will not
take this to themselves. Those who have not,
| will please accept it.
One great fault in our schools is lack of
| proper discipline. Without discipline there
can be no school. Whenever children find out
that there is no discipline in school. you had
as well let them go home, for tell you nine
persons out of ten must be controlled by some
| law
There is one important question / would
| urge on the consideration of our Parish Board
and that is the question of good school houses
| and comfortable seats and desks. ] found
most of the schools without desks and suitable
| benches, Many of the benches have no backs,
and some have just one slat nailed on back and
strikes the little fellows just back of the neck
and makes them bow backed and hump
shOuldered. Besides, unless a child can be
made comfortably he can't study. Often 25 or
20 children have to crowd around one little
| stove to keep warm. A cold and uncomfortable
child can't concentrate his mind on his studies
i find great many children at school with
out books. A child had as we'll be sent to the
field to pillow, without pillow. as to be sent to
school to learn without books and other con-
| venience.
Now, / make this recommendation: That
the Board pass a resolution that all the schools
| be required to furnish good houses. well fitted
up with good comfortable benches, desks and
| blaekbOards, &c, before another term of pub
lie school be let out, and that when each school
applies for public school, they furnish sat
| istactOry certificate of these facts before a
school is granted, and if any neighbOrhOOd fail
| to provide these, that enough be taken from
their part of the public fund for that scholastic
| term, to repair the house and fit it up with
benches, desks, blackboards, &c, and let all
who furnish these have their full term. There
must be something done To sit here and pay
ont money when we see our children are not
reaping the benefits that they should, does look
| like poor economy. The men will build good
| barns and stables for their horses and cows,
and let their children make out as best they
can at school Actually few parents know but
little what their poor little fellows do have to
go through with. Make the children comfort
able and then they can study
Another question I'd call your attention to-
| is the question of examination of teachers
| There should be a certain week set aDart AZ
opening of public schools for examination OF
teachers, and all teachers should come for
ward and be examined at one time, on the
same questions and by the same committee
Then all would be fair and each teacher have
an equal showing. The superintendent should
not be allowed TO raise grades on his own mo.
ton. and over the head of the Committee
Gentlemen, believing this covers all the
points l wish to report, respectfully submit
this as my quarterly report.
Very truly,
Al MURFF,
Sup't and Sec'y of Public Education in and fol
BOssier Parish La.