Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1895-10-05
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
All VIII SOOl Be ReOpen9d---But Lit
tie Work Has Been Done Thus Far,
but the Outlook is Very Encour-
aging.

On account of the smallpox, our
schools have as yet done but little, as
far as real work is concerned. The
week beginning September I'd was
spent at Institute, as proftably, per-
haps, as it could have been spent, for
Messrs. Gordon and Little, and Misses
Parsons and Jones cannot be eXcelled
in their special lines; and the universal
verdict was that it was one of the very
best Institutes ever held in Wheeling.
The schools north Of the creek have
been in session for two weeks, the
Eighth ward school one week, while
Webster and Centre begin work on
Monday next. The enrolment in none
Of the schools opened is equal to what
it was last year at the opening Ritchie
school, for instance, had but S34 en-
rolled during the week; last year there
were 912 present on the first day Of
school. The difference can be account
ed for only because of the smallpox
scare-many parents thinking the dan
ger is not yet past. AS ten months
work IS to be done in the schools, and
there are but nine months in which to
do it, both teachers and pupils are
alive to the fact that good work must
be done on the part Of both, and they
are beginning with the determination
of having the best school year of their
lives thus far.
1t is a question whether it would not
be better to change our school law so
as have our schools begin the middle
of September and close the middle of
June, or begin the first of October and
close the first of June. In this way one
month of hot weather would be avoid
ed. If this were done and properly
carried out, the years work could be
better done in that time than it now is
One of the best moves made for
years by the Board of Education is re-
curing the principals to spend only
one hour a day teaching regular classes
and to spend the remainder of his
time going from room to room. assist
ing the different teachers in their work,
and knowing just the amount and the
kind OF work being done by the differ
ent teachers under him. The principal
is responsible for the success or fail
ure Of the school, and should therefore
have the chance to know what is be-
ing done all along the line Of work.
Our schools will feel the great benefit
OF this before the year closes.
A meeting Of the principals was held
on Thursday afternoon at the Office Of
the city superintendent except one
being present Quite a number of mat
ters were talked over. The superin-
tendent insisted on a strict construc-
ton and a rigid application Of the
rules of the Board as to following the
course of study. From all the schools
that have been in operation came fav-
Orahle reports in regard to the Prang
drawing system, lately introduced into
the primary rooms. The little folks
are perfectly delighted with it. The
clay modelling brings back to the boys
and girls the days Of mud pies" in
which every little boy and girl has
taken part. The clay furnished is not
satisfactory, but the boys of each
school can get from our pOtteries. at
very little cost. all the clay that is
needed. It is wonderful how soon the
smallest boys and girls will make APP
pies, peaches, pears, tomatoes, etc, and
DO il we'll Miss Parsons. the drawing
teacher. will visit our schools once
each month to see the progress made
in the work. Samples of work done
will be kept by the teachers for her in
spectiOn.
No doubt the educational space at
our State Fair next year will be filed
with fine specimens Of art from the
Young artists in our schools.
Waitman T. BARRIE, field agent Of the
University. has been in the city for
several days past and has visited some
of the schools. He will be welcomed at
all OF them at anytime.