Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1891-07-17

three months apart Ut the beginning
Of the year, were so handled that
they could be united for the next
years work.
PRoMorIoSs.-Owing to the large
number Of children entering the
primary oo,n during the year, the
promotions in the lower rooms were
necessarily forced rather than natu-
raj; and, in two or three grades, the
children are not 10 fur advanced as
tile course Of study would indicate.
Promotions have been based entire
y on the pupils power, as ascer.
tanned by c~lasswork, examinations
throughout the year, and the teach
er's judgement Of ability. Outside
OF the high school, the principal has
only had general oversight and, has
for the most part. looked only after
individual cases Of failure caused by
attention being diverted by society
relations, by failure Of the mental
powers to develop rapidly enough
to take up advance work, by i'll
health or rapid growth etc. These
instances Of failure have been few as
pupils have usually shown a will
ingness to do extra work when nee
essary, and teachers have been dis
posed to give tho backward ones
special attention both in class and
after school hours.
NUMBER OF GRADES PER ROOM
During the year we have worked
with two grades in each room. Plans
were laid early in the year whereby
each Of the primary rooms would
have a grade and a half and the
high school three during the coming
year. On account Of SO large a num-
Der Of children entering the first
| primary a a result of the change in
the school age, we now find it nee
essary to begin the next year with
only one grade, consisting Of two Of
more classes, in this room, and with
two in the second primary as dur
ing last year.
HIGH ScHooL.-The requirement.
for entering the high school have
been raised one year go that pupil
were compelled, before being ad
mitted, to pass an examination on
set Of questions prepared for teach
ers. The curriculum in this depart
ment is excelled by few ifany schools
in the State, ours being n Of eigh
high schools whose graduates ar
admitted at the University witlou
examination, and one Of three 0
four whose course Of instruction ex
tends through the twelfth year. TIL
constant effort has been and will b
to increase the attendance, not. b,
lowering the standard Of require
ments, but by inspiring the youth
Of our city and the surroundin
country with a desire for advance
learning.
Co-oPERATIoN.-One Of the mos
pleasant features OF the years worl
as we'll MS one calculated to max
the schools prosperous, has been tn
very general cooperation among tn
teachers. All have felt that tn
welfare Of the schools depend in
large degree OH their ability to wor
we'll together, and the effort to do s
has been most successful. Nor hs
cooperation been wanting or til
part Of the School Board; and "
feel that a large part Of whatev'
I success the schools have enjoyed
due to their efforts.
THANKs.-This report would nj
. be quite complete without extent
. ing to School Board, patrons an
. teachers our thanks for the ver
, general support and aid given du
!, ing the year. Our thanks are ali
| due to the Leader and to the Cou'
Ter for many favors.
PRosPEcTs.-The encouragement
8 have been more and the discourag
ments fewer than usual during Il
: yeer, and with the knowledge game
concerning the schools, the can
support by all, and the same zeal
Z the work displayed by teachers. v
shall certainly be able to make Il
: work of the next year more effecti'
3 aud beneficial.
B Respectfully submitted,
B. FINK, Prin.