The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1892-12-09
City Schools


We have in our city an institution of
great Importance to the public, and one that
Is doing It's work quietly but effectively.
We refer TO the city schools.
AS our city has grown in other ways, the
schools have kept pace with the spirit of
progress. Twelve new rooms have been add
ed within three years and our very Efficient
corps ~ Instructors ROW numbers thirty
four
Sickness and unfinished buildings prevent
ed full enrolment, yet there have been
enrolled this year 1850 different names.
The high school has reached an enrolment
of 1G4
The irst four grades are known as pri-
mary; the next four as grammer; and the
| remaining four as High School. There are
| eighteen primary teachers, ten grammar
teachers, five teachers in high school and
one superintendent. Our schools prepare a
person for the work of teacher, for BUSH
ness pursuits, for the general work of life,
| and for higher work in our State University.
They are conceded by persons at home
and abroad as being as good as the best in
the State, and that is saying considerable.
Our superintendent is state secretary for
the Pupils Reading Circle an organization
having for its object the placing of good
pure reading in the hands of young people
and now numbering its thousands of MEM
bers.
He is also president of the State Supern-
tendent's Association and is connected with
several other educational organizations,
not the least of which is as member of our
County School Examining Board.
Our other instructors are ladies and gen.
teman of either University, College, State
Normal, or High School education. Several
are specialists in their line of work.
One unacquainted with the school system
might think the teachers work began at
nine O'Clock and closed at four. Such is
far from the real condition of THINKS. Both
before and af,er school, the teacher must
make special preparation for her daily work.
Our superintendent does not believe i'm mere
plodding, routine work. He believes that
power to think and do is of greater impor-
tance than to merely accumulate and
mem0rize facts. We are glad to note that
our teachers share this same opinion with
him. To teach school after such ideals
means investigation, study, personal i'm
provement
TO further this plan and give needed as
sistance to the individual teacher. the su-
| perintendent holds general meeting of all
teachers, once each two weeks, for two
hours, on Wednesday evenings. At present
they are studying an essay entitled "The
Ill.
Each teacher is expected to take part in
the discussion and bring to the meeting
such facts as he or she has gained from
study or observation.
In addition to the general meeting, grade
meetings are held on special subjects, and
methods for teaching the same are advanced
| and explained.
Yet above all this is the organization of
the teachers Reading Circle or Club.
This is special organization for our own
city schools. On the reading room tables at
the Central school, we found the Scientific
American, Chemical News, Electrical World,
School Moderator, Popular Educator,
Journal of Education, School Journal, The
Institute, Popular Science Monthly, Review
OF Reviews, The Forum, The Academy,
Educational Review, Education, Geograph-
ical Magazine, And0bous Magazine, The
Statesman, and several other magazines,
books and papers. This means work and
of the best kind.
The superintendent speaks very highly of
his corps of teachers and says they willingly
enter upon this special work and are always
ready to carry out such suggestions as he
may make.
One thing is very noticeable In our schools.
There is no wrangling among the teachers
and the pupils speak well of their depart
ments.
Suspension from school has been an un-
used term during the present administration.
Punishment is rare thing and the schools,
are run upon higher motive or principle.
We do not claim that our schools are per-
feet. ImperfectiOns to certain degree ex-
list in the best managed enterprises.
The superintendent says the schools are
not what he desires them to be, but there
are governing circumstances beyond the
control of officials.
Pupils can not give large part of their
time to other things, be irregular in attend
ance, and then expect to do good work in
classes. Parents should recognize this fact
and act accordingly.
The right step has been taken by the
Board of Education i'm giving distinctive
names TO the several schools.
1t gives an added pleasure to the pupils
life. as well as to the city.
In the future, the school in the first ward
will continue to wear its time hOnOred title,
The Central The school i'm second ward
will be known as the The Emerson. The
third ward school as The Washington.
The fourth ward school as The Bryant.
Three of these names are historical,
Washington needs no introduction to our
readers. Emerson and Bryant gained high
building of their fellow men. Emerson
lived at atCOncord, Mass, and from his home
a strong Influence has been exerted upon
the thought of the present age Bryant
welded the pen that gave character to
many of the journals and magazines
of New York.