The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1892-05-13
PUBLIC SCHOOL COMMENCEMENT

The first commencement of the
public schools of Bloomsbury was
held III the opera house last evening,
Thursday, May I2th 1t was intend.
ed that those who are interested in
the welfare of the public schools
should have comfortable seat, hence
tickets OF admission were provided,
but with all the precau,ion there was
a great crowd. The pupils of the
high school were given the first six
rows of chairs, and the patrons all in
the rear; no seats were reserved. On
the stage was seated the Board of Di.
rectors, including the newly elected
member; the principal of the schools,
l.. 7. Sterner, Rev. ID. J. Waller, ir..
who gave the address of the evening
Prof. Butts, teacher of mu: C at the
Normal School, and who had charge
of the music upon this occasion Rev.
w. c. Leverett, of the Episcopal
church and Rev. p. A. Hcilman, of
the Lutheran church; the graduating
class; Prof. Johnston, county superin-
tendent; together with a number of
officials of the town. 1t was about
eight o'clock when the exercises were
commenced and the following pro-
gramme rendered.:
Recitation, "a Convict's Christmas
Eve" Emma Cadman; Essay, 81
Didn't Think" Hattie F. Carpenter,
Recitation, paul has run off with a
Show" Theresa He'll; Music, "Sweet
the Angelus is Ringing II. Smart /;
Recitation, "The Three Lovers" Min
ME He'll; Essay, Beauty in its Rela
ton to Home Life" Gertie c. Briggs
Recitation, "The Farmer and the
Wheel" Kate Peifer; Music, 81 would
that my love-" Mendelssohn; Recita.
tion, "Herve Reil," Jessie B. Ent; Es-
say, "Class History" Irene L. Girton;
Music, ave have Wandered" Glover.
DIR. Waller, state SUP erintendent OF
Public Instruction, then gave an in
teresting address to the graduates,
members Of the school and the pa
irons. The DIR. is very enthusiastic
in his work as a public educator, and
is trying to bring the Public Schools
Of Pennsylvania, first of any state in
the Union. We should like to give
his address in full. Following the
address was a choice selection OF
music, entitled, "Voice of the Western
Wind" The president of the Board
of Education, after thanking the prin.
cipal and instructors of the Normal
School for the valuable assistance
given them, addressed the graduating
class as follows:
To-day marks step of progress fol
you. You have made it possible fol
us to celebrate this first commence.
ment of the public schools of Blooms,
burg, because you have been prohcien,
in the branches of study set apart fol
the senior class in our high school. l,
is therefore especially proper that last,
ing impressions should be made upon
this occasion.
A little over year ago the School
Board thought that our schools had
too long remained in comatose state
that we had kept schools long enough,
and now we must start out with a dis
tinct purpose. A course of study was
prepared, printed in convenient form
and freely distributed throughout the
town. Imperfect though it may be, it
was the first step in the right direction,
and the Board feel gratfed at the re-
sult-a class of eight marking the first
commencement of the Public Schools.
1t is a matter of history, that in the
towns where Normal Schools are locat
ed, the Public Schools have been in
ferior to those of other towns of same
size or smaller. The only reason that
can be assigned for this is that of pat
ronage of the Normal School, leaving
the Public Schools take care of them
selves, and the breech widening be-
tween the two. The past has shown
us the error. The two should work in
unison. Not more than four pupils of
the Public Schools of Bloomsburg an
nually enter the Normal School. This
year we advance eight, all of whom
we believe will enter the Senior class
at the Normal School and graduate in
the Elementary course in one year.
Had the same earnest thought and
work been applied in the past, instead
of class of eight we might have had
a score or more. This march in our
Public Schools we hope will move on,
and on, until every child who enters
the lowest grade, may continue step
by step, with no interruption, until
they take part in these commence
ments.
1t seems strange that events of this
character, when pupils have completed
the branches as prescribed in the high
est department, should be called COM
mencement. The word climax would
seem more appropriate. But the ex.
pcrience of those who have endured
tLa ctr,,oo,Iac NJ l,fa ta,ch re III n