The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1897-03-10
Some Very important
Changes Have Been
Made
I'm the Grammar Department
n Laurium Han Is Candidate for
Jastice OF the Peace-Other
local News.

Important changes have been made
recently IN the higher grammar grades OF
the public school. The study OF English
grammar has been discontinued, for the
present, and Latin has taken its place.
An an interview with the superintendent,
he said, in sub tance, that it is believed
that students really get a better knowl
edge Of their own language while study
ing foreign tongue. This idea is in
harmony with the Judgment OF the ia
nous committee of ten, which reported
on this subject more than a year ago
and is not wholly an experiment, as
many schools have already tested it
thoroughly.
Another change is combining the
work in Denmanship with the study of
book keeping. The idea is that the prin-
ciples OF book keeping can be as well
learned in the grammar grades as to
wait until the pupils have reached the
high school, and as many drop before
reaching that department, this plan GER
tainiy seems well adapted to the MAORI
ty OF pupils. This also makes it possible
to put penmanshIp into practical use.
Two years ago algebra was introduced
into the grammar grade in February.
This change has also proved beneficial.
These changes have awakened a lively
interest in school work, in the minds of
the pupils, as the change from branches
studied SO many years. gives variety,
and bring stimulus much needed. The
monotoDy OF grammar schools Is the chief
cause why so many pupils drop out be-
fore completing even the grammar
grade work, and there is little wonder. |
Tvhea We consider the fact that pupils
study arithmetic and language for a
period of six years.
Supt. Cooley stated that his chief aim |
IN introducing these branches at this
time is to awaken more interest 10 school |
work, and thus bridge over the break he
tween the grammar school aud the high |
school. So MANY pupils drop out just |
before entering the high school, and it is |
believed by some added stimulus many |
pupils may be induced to continue their |
studies longer, and possibly to complete !,
the bigh sch ,ol course OF study. This
can never be realized without first doing |
away with the idea that the grammar
school is q finishing school, in any sense
at the word, or that it completes a GER !
nd hn nd AL l..
By actually commencing high school
work during the last part Of the gran. :
mar grade, it is expected that tie gap
which has heretofore existed may BE-
osed. II this much can be accomplished
there will be sufficient reason for this
early introduction OF these branches.
.1-eady the effect is quite marked, and
pills are taking up school work with
new zeal. Calumet should be proud that
her school is the only one in the Upper
Peninsula that has az yet taken this ad-
vtnced step, though others are contem.
plating doing SD.
The class which is expected to enter
the high school next September numbers
about sixty pupils, This is a marked
increase during the past few years, and il
& topped that the new studies, together
with the proposed Manual Training
= hool, may prove sufficient inducement
{ hold a greater number of the young
y OPT from year to year. Ii is a matter
worthy OF com neudatIon that the upper
grammar classes have increased 100 per
cent. during the past four years. The
high schoo has also more than doubled
its membership during the same period.
This speaks well To- Calumet, and
shows that our people appreciate the
privileges offered to the children. by
keeping them in school for a longer
~ Jod.
Calumet should, however, be able to
-"stain much larger high school than !
ma at p en-. With an en- rollment
IN all the grades Of about 800 there
q ,ubid n arly 800 enrolled in the high |
eri OIL This would IT'LL be below the |
ave age ia almost any community in the |
Stste. The only obstacle in the way is |
a lack Of interest sufficient to hold the |
boys and girls in the grammar grades |
winch is the sole purpose in making |
al se changes,
~
A Candidate for Justice.