Rock Island Argus., 1895-12-07
OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
Mrs. Nora L. Hamilton Writes an Interest
ing Article Pertaining Thereto.


cral interest TO the citizens of any
community than the public schools.
Much has been said in their praise.
orators have declaimed as to their
merit. and the ..little red school
house" has been landed far and wide.
Rock Island is in NO wise lacking ia
these patriotic sentiments. end its
citizens early manifested their inter-
est and appreciation. In 1857 law
was enacted and charter obtained
for the establishment Of the present
school system. Since that time the
people have cheerfully paid Heavy
taxes in order that the schools
may be conducted in accordance
with the best and most approved
methods. In no profession has there
been greater development OF thought
with regard to methods and under
lying principles than in that of the
teacher, and to those who attended
school in, the little building in Spcn-
Ger square in the early SOS the
schools cf today would be a revela-
tiation. Not only are the days Of
shot gun and blacksnake whip over
and order and discipline maintained
with but little recourse to corporal
punishment, but the manner of pre-
senting the subjects to the child's
understanding has undergone a com
plete change. To the true teacher
the individual child, with his varied
capabilities. is the object of constant
study, and the best possible deve!-
opment of all his faculties is the re-
suit desired.
No other profession is so exacting
in its demands. The ideal teacher
must be able not only to lead her
pupils along the path of knowledge.
but to see to it that the moral and
physical faculties are also developed
IN their true proportion. She sees
in the child before her the future
citizen, whose character will fit or
unfit him to do his part to make the
world wiser and better. For one
brief year is entrusted to her the
moulding of this character, and she
seeks to make her influence such that
it will control the evil tendencies
and develop the good. OF necessity
religious instruction cannot be given,
but the great principles of truth and
morality, underlying all noble man
hood, must be taught. To be able to
do this requires no ordinary talent:
too often the home influences are a
hindrance instead of a help.
Interesting statistics in the Times
Herald of u recent date disclose the
fact that the profession of teaching
is passing largely into the hands of
women, and also that the states en-
ploying the largest percentage of
men teachers have the greatest per
cent of illiteracy. This would seem
to indicate the special fitness of
women for this work, but allowance
must be made for modifying circum-
stances and conditions.
Under the supervision of Supt. j..
+. Ament there are at present en-
ployeG in the city schools 67 teach.
| ers, of whom G3 are women, and to
their credit it may be said that no
more faithful and conscientious corps
of teachers can be found anywhere.
1
proud of her school buildings. Six
substantial ward structures, well
lighted and ventilated, and second to
none in the state, are pointed out
with pride to visitors from abroad.
These with two small frame build.
ings accommodate the 3, 500 pupils
below the High school. In these
! m; tn -,
ally and carefully the usual branche:
OF English. and in addition element
ary physiology. the rudiments Of
botany and other sciences. The
study of literature is not neglected
special attention is paid to the birth
days of the American poets and
great men of the nation, on which
days exercises of patriotic order are
usually held.
| Systematic Study OF Literature.
| 1t is the wish of the superintend.
en-: and the board of education tc
introduce the systematic study oi
American literature in the grades be-
low the High school. The refining
and educating power of good book:
is generally acknowledged, and tc
have formed taste for good reading
is considered an education OF intel.
lectual growth. This taste once
formed is one of the best safeguard:
against the pernicious and vile liter.
ature which Hoods our land, and
whose debasipg influence is every
where noted. The systematic study
of literature is usually confined tC
the High school. But the great ma
| iority Of the children in our school.
never enter the High school. but ge,
their common school education be
tween the ages of 6 and IA. What
should be done for them? In the
words OF prominent educator OF oul
own state, "If there are choice
stories. epics and histories which
have power to impress youthful
thought, fancy aud feeling, let the
early years reap the full benefit. In
each grade the children should be led
through some Of the garden plots o.
literature, leaving rich memories be