The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1897-01-28
REPORT OF PUBLIC SIHCOLS.
ITO be Continued.)


est. manifested by the citizens of
our county. irrespective of daily vo-
cation or occupation, in the Public
Schools of the county, u few words
concerning the work performed thus
Tar IN this term may not be amiss.
All the schools in the county have
been visited once aud u goodly num-
Der twice. If health permits those
schools not as vet examined the sec
ond time will be visited in due sea-
son. The Compulsory Law for
which great many good citizens en-
tertained u sort of mystified fear
and gloomy anticipations, am glad
to say, has proven itself very sa-
lutary and beneficial statute. In
many schools the regularity of at
tendance as we'll as increase in num-
Der of pupils is remarkable,-the full
credit for which must in the larger
measure be given to this wise law
and III many instances to the en-
forcement by school boards. In
some districts, there seems to be an
inclination to leave the law 20 BY
default, which experience has sho wn
me to De sad mistake.
Parents, who are deeply interest
ed in the welfare of their children,
need no law to compel them to ap-
preciate the blessings flowing from
our free public institutions. They
have and always will avail them
selves of their privileges, law or no
law. But those children, who seem
to have nJ 0ne interested in their
future who are permitted to grow
up without any conception whatever
as to what tho world will expect or
demand OF tho,i until they have at
tanned man and womanhood's estate,
when it is entirely too late; who are
allowed the privilege of dawdling
away the precious time of youth,
laying no foundation for usefulness
and happiness, but idly inhaliug the
air of carelessness and indifference
which ultimately, too frequently,
eliminates in pauperism and crimes,
these are they to whom thus law ex-
tends warm and friendly hand.
Should 1t not even with its faults
aud objections be heartily support
cd and upheld in every part and
parcel of our county? Should it not,
at least, be given n trial in every
school district in the state, the re-
suits to be the test whether it shall
be condemned or commended? A
number of districts have placed new
and varied apparatus in their schools
which is Il very gratifying sight.
Without improved machinery IN the
school-rcom there positively cannot
be the intelligent teaching that
should he proven. In the absence
of apparatus, teachers are driven to
the necessity of explaining and re-
viewing points aud principles con-
tinuously, which, in the presence of
scientific apparatus, graphically
demonstrated, the pupil would be
able to grasp aud hold forever in
perhaps single recitation.
l am glad to be able to report that
that quite a number of districts have
recognized this fact. Nearly all the
schools are now equipped with
standard dictionaries many with
charts, globes, maps and mathemat-
ical blocks; some with numeral
frames and kindergarten supplies,
but, too frequently, the teachers
are compelled to purchase these les.
ser devices themselves, if they have
them at all, and their wages being
very meager, in many instances,
they cannot obtain by any means
what they should use in exemplif-
cation of the several branches,-|
especially is this true in the ma
majority of mixed or ungraded
chools.
However, am glad to state that
there seems to be an arousing, up
ward tendency, among many school
officials, along this line. This has
been one Of the most encouraging
signs Of the present year. Our earn
est hope is that it may continue
thus until our schools are as we'll
equipped for thorough, scientific
work as the schools of any of our
neighboring counties, yea, if pos
sible exceed them.
F. 9. BowERsox.