The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1897-07-16
BASIS OF PROMOTIONS.

BASIS OF PROMOTIONS.
We have largely discarded the system of
examinations to determine fitness for pro-
motion. We wish our teachers to recognize
the fact that 1t is power to think and to do
on the part of the pupil that we seek, rather
than stufiing the mind with book state
ments. A pupils ability to do, combined
with the degree of effort that he manifests,
constitutes better criterion for promotion
than any other system used.
MORE READING.
One thing greatly needed is greater
variety of good reading material for the
pupils, especially in the first four grades.
They could rro6tably use four times Las
much reading matter as they now have. 1t
would be profitable investment for the
city to own sufficient number of sets of
supplementary readers, that this serious
defect might be largely overcome. We
now have few sets but $500 expended in
this direction would be as profitable an in
vestment as the district could make.
SCHOOL BOOKS.
During the past two years there has been
large saving in the cost of school books.
Readers were previously sold at publishers
list price, but other books were sold at an
advance of about 20 to 25 per cent BY
special arrangement with publishers, se-
cured through the city Board of Education,
dealers can now sell all books at publishers
list price. By change in method of in
struction as we'll as change in time when
certain books are commenced, each pupil
now uses from three to five books less in
taking the whole school course than were
formerly used.
AN OBSTACLE.
A serious obstacle to good results and
progress in class work is the large amount
of outside attractions for the pupil. From
November to April there seems to be one
continuous round of entertainments. The
pupil scarcely recovers from one before
another is launched. We believe in enter
tainments for the young people, but we
would advocate that they come in moderate
doses with proper interval for work.
Unless parent co operates with school in
this respect there is a serious waste in
school opportunities.
BUILDINGS.
The buildings are now so carefully
looked after by those in charge that the
expenditure for annual repairs has become
a trifiing sum outside of defective roofing,
plumbing and furnace repairs.
MUSIC.
The introduction of music during the last
half of the year now closing has been step
in the right direction. The expense thus
far has not exceeded forty dollars, and the
work has been successfully carried on in
every room below high school. During the
coming year some inexpensive books should
be purchased by the pupils that the work
may be carried forward Systematically.
This work is manifest in other studies.
1t aids in better precision in reading. The
exactness required in the reading of music
produces higher degree of exactness in
other things Music is worth more than all
it costs in the matter of discipline alone. 1t
produces harmony in all things and takes
the rough edge from many things that daily
occur.
SCHOOL MANUAL.
The close of the year brought with 1t the
publication of the School Manual, pamph-
let Of 100 pages. 1t gave an opportunity to
put into permanent shape many of the reg
ulations and much of the school history that
previously existed in circulars or in unwrt-
ten form.
The courses of study for the grades and
the high school have been carefully revised,
and the suggestions to teachers concerning
their work embody the latest thought of the
best schools. We believe our schools are
up to date in every essential.
THE TEACHERS.
feel no hesitation in saying that our
teachers have worked Loyalty and faithfully
in building up the schools we have had a
corps that was not surpassed by any other
in the state. say this from knowledge
of the facts. The same has been the freely
expressed opinion Of many school men and
women who have examined our work. l
regret that the offer of better salaries else
where is taking several of our best teachers
from the city. A really good teacher can
not be estimated in dollars and cents.
sincerely hope that the. high standard of
our schools will not be lessened by cheap
enng the individuality of our teaching
force. Retrogression is much more rapid
than progression.
While much more could be said regarding
special lines in our school system, enough
has been mentioned to show the progressive
character of the work.
In closing, wish to thank the Board of
Education and the patrons for the hearty
cooperation rendered in the management of
this important work.
Resp'ly,
j. w. SIMMONS,
Supt. Schools.