Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1894-05-19

themselves conduct the exercises. In
the primary departments. the pupils
should be required 70 sing several
times each day. In all the depart
ments, let singing form a part Of the
opeuing exercises.
suggest the following as a suitable
outline for The opening exercises, and
trust, that, in the interest Of uniforms
ty, if for no other reason, all teachers
adopt the plan at the beginning Of the
session in September next:
l. Reading a chapter from the So
cred Scriptures.
2 Silent prayer.
,. Singing.
4. Calisthenic exercises.
THE APPOINTMENT OF TEACHERS.
In some cities the Superintendent
appoints all the subordinate teachers.
This law is based upon the principle,
that the Superintendent, as a teacher
himself, is better qualified to decide
correctly as to the efficiency or ineli-
cheney Of applicants. than are the
members Of the School Board, few Of
whom ever had any practical expert
enee in teaching,
am not ia favor of a law of this
character; yet, | do believe that tho
Superintendent and Principals should
have a controlling influence in the Sc
lection Of all teachers.
l subiait the following as my views
upon this, n of tue most important
questions relating to the welfare Of
our public schools:
/. The Board shonld elect a Super
ntendent for the full term Of four
wears. There are many good reason
who he should be elected for a term Of
years; there are no valid reasons what
ever why he should be elected Cor but
one year. Elect him for four years;
il he prove inefi,ient, remove him; if
he prove efficient, you give him time
aud opportunity to perfect his plans
for the Advancement and upbuilding
of the schools ever which he has super
vision.
>. The Superintendent should have
The power to nominate the Principals
of the several Ward Schools, and the
assistant teachers in the High School.
The Board of Education should have
the right to confirm or reject the nomi-
nations made by the Superintendent.
If the Board reject a nomination, let
the Superintendent name another, and
so on, until he nominate a teacher
whom the Board is willing to confirm.
3. The Principals of the Ward
Schools should be allowed to nominate
their own assistant Teachers, tho
Board, as before, having the power to
confirm or reject any or all nominal
tions thus made.
Aside from the fact that none are so
well qualified to judge Of the merits OF
dement's Of teachers, as are teachers
themselves, 1t stands to reason, that.
If the teachers are in sympathy with
each other, the character Of the work
accomplished viii be much moro salts.
factory.
Again, while it should not be so,
yet nevertheless it is too often true,
that the Principal is censured for dis
order and confusion occurring within
an assistants room. If a subordinate
teacher fail to govern the pupils in
his immediate department, tho Pfinei-
pal not un~froqueutly is held response
bic. Moreover, an incompetent as
~sistant imposes upon the Principal an
amount of disciplinary work all Of
which should be adjusted by himself
in his own room.
In view of these incoairovertible
facts, ! urge the adoption of the above
suggestions; and beg leave to venture
the. assertion, that, if adopted, the
school year OF lS04-'05 will prove to
be the most pleasant, prosperous, and
popular year in the history Of the free
schools of Martinsburg.