The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1892-07-21
FROM THE COUNTY SUPER
INTENDENT.

A few words from this Office at
this time will, l think, be in ORDER
l am very sorry to state that mud
and bridgeless streams prevented
me from reaching all the schools
before they closed.
AS I visited the various schools,
I was extremely gratitied to note
that the series Of teachers meetings
held last year were fruitful Of good
results. [ saw many Of the~points
made and suggestions offered at
these meetings, put in practice in
the school room. We hope to be-
gin another series Of these meet
ings soon after the fall institute.
l found that some Of the school
boards acted upon the suggestion
l made last year with reference to
black boards and dictionaries.
Black boards and dictionaries first,
and then if you have any loose
money, put in a limited supply Of
good maps and charts, and before
you invest very much money in this
line of goods, consult the Superin-
tendent, or some other person who
ought to know what is needed in a
school room. Do not take the word
Of some canvasser who is on the
road for the money that is in it.
There is a cheap dictionary being
put in the schools. Let me warn
you against this. It is no good
worse than useless. Do not buy it.
1t seems to be tho rule in this
county to change teachers every
term, regardless Of their ability,
experience, or service rendered.
This is a mistake, and one which
will block the way to the upbuild-
ing of our schools if not remedied.
Good teachers should not be
changed to suit some impudent boy
or girl, or satisfy the whim of some
unreasonable or cranky parent,
which is often the case.
The appearance Of some Of the
school houses, both inside and out
side, show neglect on the part OF
those whose duty it is to look after
such matters. As I hauled my RIG
up to these buildings, I could moi
help but feel that the enthusiasm
which should pervade the district
for the success and good results o1
the school was, if not dead, sleeping
| Make your school rooms pleasant
inviting and wholesome. Curtain
the windows, and adorn we'll white
washed walls with a few sugges
tive pictures. Teachers might dc
great deal in this direction i
they would only try.
In many cases l found the ou
houses nothing more or less thai
vile holes of infamy. Dirty, filth,
and covered with hieroglyhics from
the Internal regions. School board
and teachers alike are to blame fo1
these fostering spawn beds Of vice
l do not approve of the doubl
building. Two separate building
should be erected on every schoo
ground, and if the teachers do no
. sec that they are used in conformit
with decency and modesty they arr
unworthy of the name of teacher
There is room for missionary wor
) in this direction, and as a man VIII
} has studied the habits and tempta
: tions of school children, 4 send on
this warming cry with the SINGER
hope that it will be needed.
3 Last year I experienced som
trouble in getting reports frol
. some of the clerks, which I hop
= will be avoided this year. Blanb
have been sent out, and I shall loo
9 for a prompt and accurate repor
9 There is a clause in the scho,
Q law which says that every cle1
must notify the county superinte'
dent when a school begins. If til
part Of the law had been compile