The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1896-01-15
Educational.

EDITOR III iERALD:-Perinit me through
the columns Of your paper TO call public
attention tn 4 few matters Of general ed
ucational interest.
PERMANENT CERTIFICATE coMMTTTEE
In harmony with a recent legislative
enactment. the State Superintendent of
Public instruction has appointed COM
mittee to examine applicants for perIna-
nent certificates. The persons appointed
and commissioned are,-J. ]. Brallier, of
Salisbury, w. II. Kretchman, of Berlin,
Miss Ella X. Vogel, of Somerset. These
three teachers will constitute the exam
ming committee for permanent certifi-
Gates for three years, subject, however,
TO removal by the State Superintendent
at any time.
Applicants for permanent certificates
must have taught for three successive
terms in the public schools of the State
Immediately preceding the date of their
application, hold a valid professional GER
tiiicate, be recommended by the respec-
tive school boards for whom they have
taught, and also by the county superin-
tendent. The proper blanks will be
mailed upon application.
II is suggested that the permanent GER
tificate committee meet in the near fi-
ture, organize, and arrange for holding
an examination of such applicants as
may present themselves.
APPLICANTS FOR GRADUATION.
As suggested at the county institute, a
preliminary test of application for grad
uation is thought desirable. Sample lists
of questions will be mailed 10 all teachers
who write for them before February Ist,
on which date all questions will be mail
ed. The object in holding these prelim-
mary examinations is to fix more deiin-
itely the standard of graduation in the
common schools, and TO enable teachers
TO recommend applicants with a reason
able degree of certainty rs to required
qualifications.
The questions will be mailed free to all
teachers who write for them. In order
ing questions LEI a stamped and properly
addressed envelope be enclosed. This
will avoid any mistake in mailing.
All applications for graduation should
be forwarded not later than the 18th of
February.
THE BCRRowEs MEMORIAL.
DIR. Thomas II. Burrowes was the first
State Superintendent OF Public Instruc-
ton and served with great distinction
and ability. "a man of immense faith.
unseliish enthusiasm, wise counsel.
broad learning, high courage, and great
executive ability his work and lis
worth deserve to be gratefully remem-
bered by the teachers OF the common
wealth. Great was his influence In
shaping the grand school system of " hich
all true Pennsylvanians are Justly proud:
but he himself sleeps in an unmarked
grave. i worthy effort is being made
by the teachers of TIE State to erect a
suitable monument ovor his grave. as
was done for Dr. Higbee a few years ago.
Already many counties have responded
literally. Somerset county contributed
S5i to the Highee monument, Sl5 to the
Wickersham Memorial Library, and we
believe will do her share in this equally
worthy cause.
Circulars were handed % the teachers
at the county institute with suggestion
that a contribution was contemplated.
We hope those circulars have been read.
Let the matter now be brought before the
local institutes. The Burrowes' Memoir
ial may be made the subject of an inter
esting paper or a general discussion,
bringing ont many important facts con
nected with the school history Of Penn
sylvania. After such presentation of the
matter, voluntary contributions should
be re .eived. Any teacher or other friend
of education contributing twenty-five
cents or more will receive a fine portal.
of Dr.. BIrroweS, aud als) a memorial
volume. Any contribution, however,
will be received Persons giving twaa-
ty-five cents or more should have their
names and post-ofiice addresses forward
ell that the portrait and memorial vol
une may be sent them. In order that
the county may receive due credit all
contributions should he sent to me. and
they will be acknowledged through the
press, and forwarded 10 DIR. Schaeifcr, the
chairman of the State committee.
Let us remember that anything we
may give towards this memorial will
will beaefit-nOt the worthy dead. bat
the living who thus cultivate a grateful
regard for those who have doae 50 much
for posterity.
Teachers, find out all about DR.. Bur
rowes and then send in such a con.ribu-
ton from your districts as shall measure
your appreciation Of his noble services
for the cause of popular eudcation.
Respectfully submitted.
J. NJ. BERKEY.
Berlin, Pa, Jan. s, 1S96.