Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1895-11-05
Arbor Day Exercises at the
Graded School

Friday, November LIST. was Arbor Day ut
the Charles Town GRADED School, and red
letter day for teachers, scholars and The few
favored visitors Owing to the large number
of pupils in attendance the whole school
could not be present at one time, SO the pri-
mary grade, large school OF itself, assem-
bled at nine o'clock, A. NJ. and had their
Arbor Day exercises.
The beautiful order maintained, the excel
lent music, and the exceptionally good recita-
tions of the little ones spoke admirably for
their training. Too much cannot be said in
praise Of the teachers in this department of
the school, nor too much in commentator of
the children whose aptriess in receiving the
good seed so faithfully sown-brought forth
such admirable results, Would that more
intimate acquaintance enabled us TO mention
in detail the little people who acquitted them
selves SO admirably.
After the Rotations, etc. were over the
children repaired to the school yard, and
planted their tree. then their happy hearts
found vent in merry gambols and Joyous
shouts, until the little ones were sent to their
homes to give place to the pupils of the Inter
mediate and Higher Grades.
These last assembled at 1880 and went
to their several class-rooms, where the rolls
were called. In most of the rooms every
pupil responded to his name. and at the
sounding of the gong they filed down in their
opened by the Rev. Mr.. Cole, who impress
sively read some selections from Ezekiel, with
reference to s'trees." Rev. Mr.. Triplet.. of
Duflelds, offered an impressive prayer, a
hymn was sung by the whole school, then the
song Planting The Tree, !" to the familiar air
of ..Auld Lang Syne," in which the fresh
young voices united in a volume of melody
that would have delighted the ears of the
most critical. The recitations, essays, etc.,
that followed were of a high degree of excel
lence.
Mr.. Pennock, one of the members of the
school board, next gave the scholars an in
structiye lesson in tree planting, by which all
present were edited. The Rev. Mr.. Stump
then followed in most felicitous address in
which he called forth peals of mcrriment by
his humorous account of the mode of instruc-
tion in the "oncc upon time" Old Field
schoolhouses. His remarks upon the inn
provement in pronunciation, diction and elo-
cution since ''ye olden time" was gratifying
tribute to teachers of the present period.
Upon the decision OF the appointed commit
tee, Revs. Stump, Triplett and Cole and
Messrs. Barr and Pennock, the medal for the
best recitation was given to Miss Jennie
Webster of the eighth grade.
The exercises then closed with "Dedica-
tion Soug,' and teachers and scholars re-
paired to the yard where the trees were
..In n,,d
with the help of our very successful horticul-
turist, Mr.. Pennock, whose attachment to,
and interest in the school has ever been I'M
varying.
If the citizens of the good old county of JEFF
ferson need any confirmation of the wisdom
of their action in establishing graded school
for the better education of the young people
in whom lies the future welfare of the COM
munity, it is n pity not more of the afore
mentioned citizens were present ut the Arbor
Day exercises. They most surely would have
come away thorough converts, not only to
their own presence, but to the ability and
fidelity of those to whom was Entrusted the
task of inaugurating this excellent, far reach
ing improvement in our educational system.
The discipline OF the school is perfect, and
Notwithstanding the ProneDess of the average
schoolboy to give vent to his enthusiasm in
uproarious and unseemly applause, better
order is never maintained anywhere than
always prevails during the public and private
exercises of this school. 1t speaks volumes
for the principal, Prof. Denny, as a disciple
marian, and evidences too, not the AFFECT fear,
the result of martinet's training, but an
esprit de corps" and an altogether admira-
hle desire to maintain the dignity md excel
lent reputation of the school.
Too much cannot be said in praise of the
efforts of Mrs. Fowle, who deserves the credit
of training the children, and whose efforts in
clecutiou has given such good results in the
school.
There is a great difference in the
appearance of oYercoats. You will