Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1896-01-08
OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Nearly Five Thousand Pupils Now
Enrolled.
Some IDEAS Advanced by Local
Educators as to the Needs OF the
System, and Some Criticisms OF
Minor yet Important Matters.

] MINOR y 9B important 0lc5O ..
In the march Of industrial progress in
Wheeling it is gratifying to all that its
citizens have not neglected educational
facilities. although some Improvements
in the same can, perhaps be desired,
reminding us that progress in such mat
| ters is the text presented. To sum up at
tae present time, Wheeling has eight
public common school buildings, .nclud-
ing the Lincoln school building, for col
ored scholars, and not including the
Catholic parish schools of the city. In
these schools there are IN attendance
about 4.60O children including about 225
colored children. the number OF girls
predom:nating somewhat over the num-
I Der of boys. About 100000 may be re-
presented as the value of the school
/ buildings. sites and fixtures. ElSAJ
/ principals and about one hundred ana
I twenty five assistant teachers are en-
/ pi1yed in The schools, they receiving
/ about $4,000 per month as salaries LOT
/ each school month Aside from the So
called public schools Of the city, are tne
schools under the charge OF the Catho-
| lie church. Mrs. Harris private school Tor
/ Young ladies'. the L.nsiy Institute and
Two business c0ll6ga SO that wheeling
. affords ut The present time, and mas IN
the past. exceptional advantages for at
least educational courses, outside OF
those offered AZ purely professional ana
university seats of learning. There
Anevar was a time in the history OF the
city when there was more money invest
Ell i'm school property than now, and tha
attendance VII correspond with tl3J OF
prey0us years, while there never was
time in the history Of the city when
more complete and thorough courses IN
an the modern branches and facilities
of a common school education were
taught then at the present time, and
fully up 10 those in any city Of the coun-
try. Our schools are prospa and
but few children for The population and
1 manufacturing interests OF the city are
kept from Attendance upon the same.
IL IS possible that Wheeling, early and
nc the present time has I'm the matter Of
her public schools q system in some re-
sDec-s entirely of our own creation. Some
changes and additions are forcing them
selves upon the attention Of the public
and the patrons of the public schools in
this city. There would seem TO Zoe de-
m9nd for special and more extended in
/ suuction In penmanship and forms of
business letters: also such an addition
90 the present course rs VII permit
scholars TO fit themselves IN the public
schools Of the city for entering college
or higher semtnar.es Of lelrnig, so
Ithat they viii not be obliged after grad
Ua-i1g In the schools of the city, to
spend two or three years more time in
preparing for entrance TO such colleges.
Tn other words there would seem to be
p demand for a so-called high school
J -n the city or such an addition to the
grammar or present excellent English
course as VIII permit those scholars who
go TO higher and classical colleges to
finish their education, TO prepare for en-
terirg the same in tn pubic schools
of the city. Again, those who instruct
advance the plan to- some extent that
study hours should be provided, so that
the pupils may learn better how to study
and receive instruction In reference TO
application and INVESTIGATION OF the sub
ject and courses pursued
The idea for some of the more adj
v7ucad classes I'm the various courses Of
the public schools TO receive better prac-
/ teal instruction as far as is possible
i'm those branches. IS also suggested 10y
The teachers and those who have to do
with school instruction matters. Some
complaint is also made with reference
ito the use I'm the schools of the Thin
textbook SERIES and also the present
system OF monthly examinations.
Those who instruct I'm The public
schools also mention that parents and
those in charge of children do not visit
the schools as often as they should. and
/ become as familiar as they nigh. with
school matters and the progress Of their
children, and in this connection It is
suggested that those IN business in the
professions would add greatly to educa-
ti0aal matters fin the public schools if
they would visit the same and make
short talks TO the advanced scholars.
It IS quite noticeable that those who in
sruct I'm the public schools of the city
more fully realize than ever before that
they are members Of a profess. On-that
of the common school teacher-and elias
ses are formed of the teachers for study
and interchange of ideas and methods of
/ teaching anu government i'm the school
room. and the future VIII most assuredly
see great progress made by them i'm this
direction. The remark was frequently
made 10 the Register by those interested
I'm educational matters of the city "Why
/ dies VhealingD1- have q college or mad
ern university for professional and class
zeal r3ining?' Certainly the location
/ and population of this city and vicinity
would support such am institution and
/ the future VIII do doub, De as progress
siyo for Wheeling IN this respect as in
o,her matters of public moment
Pod stifel g. go-s,d,+c,co r+,,,.s