Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1895-03-15

fitted. Our own Vermont history pre-
pared by Mr.. Conant and also the gen
eral history of these United States, its
constitution, its civil government, its
declaration of Independence we most
cordially welcome IN these times as need
full for higher citizenship and patriot
ism, law-making and law-loving and
abiding.
As to some practical drills in gram
mar, geography, physiology and his
tory by maps or charts or backboards,
it has wrought up new, lively interest
among not only the older scholars, but
the very youngest, especially in some of
ouI schools, nearly all of whom are the
foreign element; this enthusiasm among
them has been particularly noticed,
owing to special drill and wake-up on
these lines on the part of the teacher, thus
showing marked adaptation and proof
of such a teachers fitness for the work.
We are aware that In our times, so diff
ferent from 30 years ago, when scarcely
home, that it needs special tact to han
die this element in oui schools to make
both good scholars and good citizens.
This wise, careful teaching with this
class we have noticed in the Hamilton
and Crane districts and in every district
Il studied adaptation to all classes of our
own and other nationalities, thus show
ing good common sense not only, but
kind, wise reaching after all the pupils
to make the most of them. just as it
should be, make the most of them in all
true gentle ways IN our public schools
and they are going to loye this land and
its beneficent institutions and thus help
defend and be true to the old flag. With
pardonable pride, without calling names,
in same school or not, as doing first
class, thorough, conscientious work,
every one maintaining good order eX
cept in the first term of the Hamilton
district, but everything there moving
well since. But of our new teachers OF
our own town we cannot speak toe
highly as to their conscientious, ener
getic aim to do their best, and certainly
their management and success compare
favorably with all the others. And a:
mind in every true thinker and worker
is progressive, so as superintendent
commissioners, teachers, pastors ant
parents there is room for better and bet
ter work on the part of us all.
Suggestions hanging on the little wore
best and according to our means: 1t il
hoped, as provided by law, that every
school room be made convenient anC
most the only one not so made. 1t ha
been a winter of discomfort there t.
both teacher and scholars, and we trus
it will be the last. Our central vlllag
school room hardly BELTS the times, an,
we trust that as our free high school /
such success, that this room, the on
we now meet in today, be made into ant
fully equipped with modern seats, ap
paratus and conveniences. While W
feel grateful to the MasOns for the rent
ing of their room, yet both teacher an
scholars have been hindered from wan
of school desks, seats and needful aI
planes. But make this room into
regular high school room and grade it
lower school In reference to it. That Is
Lot al I, !,
graded with reference TO advance
studies in this room and have i'm thi
room such English studies and classics
as to fit the scholar for college and thu
stand on a par with Middlebury hig
school. Thus new ambition would
seen on the part of the scholars below t
, get here and have these new free hig
school studies according to the ne'
system. Shoreham, that has but tw
, rooms in their high school, has made it
graded school, and let us not be benin
} in the very things we need. a gran
. opportunity for the town to keep II
money and children home, good OF
| portunity to give them this high grad
! of academic instruction free. So | woui
grade every district school in the tow
: so that any scholar therefrom may g
| directly into the high school. | woul
l suggest that dictionary webster
} academic, $3.50 be placed in ever
= school room for the benefit of both teaci
, ers and scholars. There are but two
the schools of the entire town, one
these furnished by the teacher in ii
; Converse district.
As to absences from the schools {
those of school age, have taken son
( pains to inquire both of scholars an
parents why, and in all these instance
| except one the excuse given was "nt
2 suitable or comfortable clothing enough
E and this other one father needs me
9 home" ! hardly think we have a case
; real truancy, yet there may be. Whetl
p err liking the teacher or NOT every or