The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1896-04-17

than the one for our schools. 1t is a
handbook of rich suggestions for
teachers.
At West Mankato, Principal A. H.
Emerson has six grades in four rooms.
Two grades are overcrowded, but the
people know they have good school,
not one whit behind those in the
heart of the CITY, There are order,
work and growth in every room. The
teachers and pupils take special pride
in the library put in by them. We
are astonished at the growth of this
school.
The primary school in East Manka-
to, we learn, is making a good record
for the year.
The High school has larger
faculty, more students and better
equipment than ever before, under
Principal Searles. 1t will soon gradu-
ate a large class, although it has re-
Gently lost several members from
sickness or removal. The depart
ments of science, English and Ian
guage are we'll established. The high
school, as well as the grades, is max
ng Mankato more place sought for
as residence than ever before. The
superintendent reports two such cases
this week. There is no question but
tho q nd rd IF cohnn1C iS 6ai1u
more nearly doing the work for which
it is supported. The work by pupils
in reading, spelling, language and
arithmetic is acknowledged by all to
be especially well done. All are
urged to give much attention to more
good literature, elementary science
and hygiene 1t is said that at every
gathering of the teachers the superin-
tendent urges more thoughtful, rea-
sonable, practical, helpful work for
the children, better term than ever
before, more study of the duties of
teacher. Prof. Kenaston believes
that punishment should be used only
as last resort, that the school hours
of the day should not be shortened,
that children should have a recess
for free play and that time should be
proportionally divided between the
all important subjects. We used to
hear of punishments, trouble with
children and parents, but now a tone
of better government prevails. The
superintendent believes that proper
interest in studies, proper methods OF
teaching and management will make
the school place children will love.
1t is evident from Prof. KenastOn'S
address to the convention of teachers,
printed in the FREE PRESS, and
which has been most highly praised
by some of the strongest educators,
that he has high ideals for the
school. And it is these high aims and
earnest work which have given more
Importance, influence and worth to
the city schools. Even the children
show his thought, spirit and zeal and
quote him in every home. To talk
with him moment one sees that he
is imbued with what he calls the new
education and for using the very best
teaching and books for the instruc-
tion and development of the entire
child. In our writeup of the schools
over a year ago we said, she is man
of large and varied experience, splen-
did equipment in all that university
and professional study would give and
of restless energy for the management
and building up of system of schools
in Mankato." He is aggressive and a
continued advocate of the best that
approves itself in the utterances OF
the best educational thought. He
says that "the best any system of
schools proves valuable is none too
good for Mankato children"