The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1892-10-05
OUR pusLrc SCHOOLS.

4 The teachers for the county have 81 been
elected, and after the 81 Of October all the
schools viii be in regular session for the
term. More than ten thousand boys and
girls will be found in the g75 schools Of
Somerset county, doing the important wcTk
oi ezrly liis-fraizisg ~ i,sfelli ieHf and ss.s
ciii-easkip. In the Interests Of these boys
and girls, write this article with tie hope
that ii may reach the homes from whence
they come. In the interests Of better schools
we seek an intelligent and cordial eo-opera-
ton Of al Tie factors Of educational prog
ress. As the schOoIroom holds the dearest
treasures OF the home and the most sacred
trust Of the commonwealth. so it rightf1ily
claims Che helping hand Of the citizen, and
the controlling and directing Influence Of tie
state
Good pubic schools sh0uli Be- he highest an
bition Of erary eomrsssaitg. Nothing 50 touch
Is the vital interests Of every household. or
exerts so great an influence in perpeiuatiRg
| intelligence and morality in any eomnuni-
ty as the well conducted, well attended snd
well supported public school The work OF
TIE teacher is a subject offregGsnt discussion
His motives, TO be worthy shoaid be high
and selfinspiring. His worth as sn in
strucsor should be marked with a oouscien-
tiOus regard for duty and 4 EhOle-sonled
esrneS;ness in each days work. His school,
TO be successful, requires thought snd toll
and patience and, too ofe1. self sscrihoe-
The teacher, whatever his environments,
must ever remain the most potent factor in
the success Of his school, and while We seek
not TO lessen the burden OF bis duty or re-
spoHsibiliiy, We desire TO note here few Of
the related needs essential TO good school
REGULAR ATTENDANCE
Regular, continued and pane,ual attend
ance IS essential to the progress Of a school
as a whole, As well as Of each individual
pupil. Disconnected and frsgramentary
lessons are almost worthless when compared
with the valne OF systematized knowledge
and drill. Every day lost from the school
room breaks the chain Of progress, cripples
theelass work and retaris the whole school.
Parents should be willing 10 make sacrifices,
if need be, 10 have their children regularly
a; school. II it pays 70 send them to school
st all it certainly does not pay TO send them
half the tern, with many absent marks IN
the record. Il is false estimate Of the val
ue Of common school education to keep
children from school 50 long as work can
be found for them to do at home. The
school should have the first claim upon their
time and talents, and the Lessons Of the
schoolroon are Of more vslae to them in
the true economy Of life, than the few dol
lars that may be gained at the expense OF
regular school work. Therefore, let the boys
and girls. large and small, go 70 school reg
ul4riy and for the fall term
THE TEACHERS RIGHT AND Duty TO GRADE
AND CLASSIFY rHE SCHOOL
All successful school management is bas-
ed upon the teachers privilege to determine
what books are to be used and what branch
e are to be pursued b. each p1p.l. We do
not reflect upon the iaieliigeacs or the per
sonsi ambition OF any parent when Ee ask
that this right be conceded always and with
out question. The teacher IS presumed 10
knoE-and does know-the needs Of each
individual pupil, and from the very nature
Of his position, has the least reason 70 be
unfair or injadiciOus. Many q school has
been only partially successful even with a
good teacher, and the progress OF pupils
very much retarded, because parents and
pupils hSve not been wiling TO get eli the
Textbooks called for By the teacher. Free
textbooks would avoid all these difficulties
and yet cost the people ouly about half Of
what S nov paid for books. let Us howev-
er, adspt ourselves to present conditions and
ss Pstrons Of the sahOols cooperate with
the teachers hy getting such books-sad oHly
s'ioa-ss may he called for.
The same principle applies to the grading
OF the schools. Every school in the county
viii be fully graded this year and regular
course Of study followed. Every grade re-
quires certain amount OF work and oer-
tain textbooks The completion Of the
whole course leads 10 graiu.tion, and We
hope 70 have Limited number OF graduates
n every district az the close Of the present
term Of school. We hope, too, 10 secure
thereby more regular attendance, and lar
ger number Of the older and more advanced
pupils, who viii remain in the common
schools until they shall complete the course
Of study ereditably. Let parents encourage
and sustain the teachers in their efforts to
carry into effect IS fully as possible the re-
quirements Ofthe graded system. Il can bring
only good to the schools, and IS ackuoEl-
EDGED 10 be the most decisive step in the ed
aeational progress Of recent wears.
ENCOURAGE TIE TEACHERS.
Il Is human nature % look for and 10 de-
sire proper appreciation OF earnest effort
and good work No where viii nerited
praise and encouragement bring more i'm
mediate results than in school work. Let
the teacher be made TO feel that he IS work-
ing not only FOR, but cits his patrons. Let
his good work be commended, his faults
and short oomiugs be pointed out 10 him
kindly-snd to him only-and if he Is
worthy the name Of teacher, he viii do more
and better work than if leh severely alone.
Oaly harm and mischief can come from in
discriminate kult-fnding and complaining.
Directors have joint ofi,iaI interest in |
the sueoess Of every school With the citi- !
zens, they can greatly aid and encourage the |
teachers BY frequent visits to the schools, by !
words Of oommendatiol itly spoken, by /
timely advice kindly given, and BY hearty 1
interest and cooperation in al local insti-
tuies and educational meetings.
oBsEEvE C0LCNuUs nAT.
Friday the 2lst Of October presents a spec
ial opportunity in every district TO bring To-
gether the patrons and friends of the school.
This q i-,.fr.a .ba ,ls.,f -,Ls,,. ., - - I