The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1897-06-16
THE FIRST ANNUAL REPORT
or the Principal of Reynoldsville Public
Schools, Year Ending June /, 1897.
REYNoLpsvILLE, JUNE /, ~.

~ IDIIlN ~ WVl' t''NF'' f'fI'''iEs
GENTLEMEN.. In compliance with |
rulc eight or Duties of Principal"
Rules aud Regulations adopted Aug. >,
1906. have the honor to submit here
with the first annual report of Principal
for the school year ending June /, 1897.
1t is source of great qualification to
note the rapid evolution of the public
school system of Pennsylvania. II is II
matter of common comment among OBJ
serving people that the public school
system of our state is making more rap
id strides in the direction Of progress
than any other institution u the com
monwcath. For this condition of
affairs our gratitude is due largely to
the men in the Department Of Public
Instruction at Harrisburg, who are put
ting forth every effort to secure favora-
BILE legislation and to stimulate activity
along educational lines.
This report, however. il devoted to
the public schools OF the borough Of
Rcynoldsvllc and recommendation for
their better advancement. The course
of study adopted by the board on Aug.
3, 1896. has been faithfully carried out
by the teachers and principal. The
schools were not up to the course Of
study at the beginning OF the year and
some Of the grades may not compare
with it yet in II few Of the minor details,
but in the general plan Of work the sew
eral grades conform now to the course
Of study laid out. 1t was scarcely to be
hoped that the work Of one year would
bring the schools to the standard set
for them.
The rules and regulations have been
judiciously enforced with as little devia-
tion thcrefrom rs possible. We believe
that the School Catalogue which was
printed and distributed at the begin
ming of the year has been instrumental
in producing many good results in disci-
pline, in that IL is the means by which
the patrons Of the schools are informed
of the general plan of the years work
and of the rules to which their children
are expected to conform, thus securing
cooperation Of parents that otherwise
might be lost
by the teachers are in accord with the
spirit of the times. While pursuing
the latest and most approved methods
OF instruction and discipline, experiment
al ,,athnIp hayn Iaav,
avoided. We believe that judicious
conservatism is necessary in methods of
teaching in order to maintain school
equilibrium and to secure constant
progress.
Teachers meetings have been held
weekly during the school term. These
meetings have been well attended by q
great majority of the teachers and have
been the means of securing earnest and
effective cooperation among the corps
OF instructors. The many problems
arising in school management and the
best methods Of instruction are dis
cussed at the meetings of the teachers
1t is earnestly recommended that dur
ing the next school year the teachers IA
body adopt and pursue course o
professional reading and that discus
sions be carried on along the lines o
the reading course, in the teachers
meetings.
1t is very gratifying to report als'
that we have been accorded the mos
hearty support of the patrons of tn,
schools. This is evidence that the earn
est efforts for the improvement OF tn,
schools are being appreciated by them
The lecture course and other publ,
entertainments were we'll patronized
We believe that the good influences o
these public entertainments have beef
felt in many homes and that they viii
continue to bear good fruits in the fu
ture. II this be true they are certainl,
strong educational factor in the com
munity.
Early in the year an alumni associa
tion was formed. This organization
was composed of persons who, though
not regular high school graduates, hat
received diplomas for work done in thu
schools and those who, having passed
through the public schools, had receiv
ed certificates qualifying them to teach
To these were added AT the close o
the school year, the first graduating
class of the high school. The prime
object OF this association is not, as man.
suppose, to have an annual reunion, bu
TO enhance by every honorable mean
the interests of education in this place
The alumni association has enrolled u
present 26 active members. Each clas
when graduated will be eligible to mem
bership.
A specialist In the art Of Reading ant