The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-12-18
SCHOOL MELANGE:.

AS the close OF The FIRST term Of school
comes on apace those pupils who have
not studied as they should have done
are trembling for fear their average in
their studies will be too low for the spe-
cial promotions that are generally made
about this time of year, while those
who know they have made good use Of
their time are spondingiy happy
In the consciousness OF knowing that
they viii take a Well earned step for
ward. 10 know Just who TO promote
and when to promote Is one OF the diff
tcult problems confronting both prlncl-
pals aud teachers OF our ward schools.
II Is one OF the drawbacks % system
of graded schools that the Individual is
lost sight of In the teachers paying at
tentlon to classes, from which two evils
arise, viz: Bright pupils are retarded in
their progress while very many dull
ones get beyond their depth In the gem
| eral promotions that take place at
stated times, 1t is the successful
teacher who Is able so 10 know her pu-
| pills that they may all be kept so that
| they may become stronger In all their
work and still be able to make such
| progress that they are not discouraged
| by the way. That teacher who studies
her pupils that she knows what in
! struction to give and also knows Just
when 1t is properly digested, !. e., per-
fectly understood by the pupil Is to be
the teacher Of the near future, and those
engaged in the work may us well realize
| 1t first as last and SO prepare themselves
that they may retain their positions.
ChIid study has become part and par
Gel OF the teachers preparation for
work Our boards of education are
awaklrg TO this fact and are selecting
| teachers on account OF their fitness for
| the work and not by flvOritlsm, as has
been often the case Ia the past. May
the Wheeling board of education be
governed thus in all selections OF teach
ers from this time henceforth, and our
schools will show the good effects, and
that right early.
What are our public schools for any
how? Why do the taxpayers pay their
taxes year after year TO support these
schools? Is 1t in order that our
boys and girls may get q knowledge OF
the branches merely? No. Yet this Is
necessary. Is ii in order that they may
pass through the schools from the low
est primary grade through the highest
grade of the high sehoolP No; though
this Is "a contamination deyoutly to be
wished" The great OBJECT is higher
than all these. II Is that our boys and
girls may be so taught, led and guided
while in these schools that they may
leave them on the sure way to become
full, rounded men and women IN the
race OF life. How important, then, that
full, rounded men and women be their
guides for the from eight to twelve
years spent In our public schools The
state has established a school system
In order that good, Intelligent citizens
may come from them, and expecting
this 1t is the states duty as well to see
that men and women In the truest sense
are selected as instructors.
Taking for granted that the forego-
ing Is true, what should guide us in the
selection OF teachers for our public
schools? Should they be good scholars
merely? This Is a requisite. but many
good scholars are very poor teachers.
They should be this and much more.
No one should be selected who has not
some practical Knowledge OF the child
and whose heart does not beat in SYM
pathy with child nature. No one who
hates children has any business In the
school room as teacher. The teacher
should not only love children but her
heart should 20 out especially for the
unfortunate ones who come from homes
where the sunlight OF love has perhaps
never shed its rays; from homes where
all influence tends to degrade rather
than elevate. To lift UP such as these
should be the special aim Of the teacher,
and 1t Is a noble work. Some one has
said that three duties of the teacher are
to protect the weak, to reclaim the Vi
To tho iunn1nnf
A very Interesting meeting OF the A,
II and grammar teachers ofRltchle was
held In the Office at the main building
on Friday morning. Superintendent
Anderson was present ana gave one OF
his characteristic talks on school man
agement in general. He spoke espe-
clally of how important 1t Is not to over
tax the younger pupils with too much
| work. The subject of punishment was
also discussed briefly. These meetings
are of great benefit to the teachers.
While the teachers did not request It,
| they would have been very much pleas
| ed to have had school dismissed on
Thursday evening next so that they
| could have Friday to prepare for Christ
mas. There will be hut n slim attend
| UUCe on HIluuNs l'l Nht hNVlhSN ''S'
especially, will have have at least one
day to prepare for that holiday that
only comes once year, and comes just
at this time each year. but did he know
that he would have Friday to himself
he would attend school on Thursday.
on Friday afternoon very pleasant
performance was given by the first class
Of the Longfcllow Literary society
Some OF the Rotations were above the
average.
The entertainment and reception
given Mt the high school was success
every way. This was the first of quite
a number to be given during the year.
THE PEDAGOGUE.
---e-.--------
AFTER hearing some friends con-
t'nually praislng Chamberlaln'5 Cole,
Cholera aud Dlarrhoea Remedy, Curtis
| Fleck, OF Anahelm. California, pur-
chased bottle of It for his own Use
and Is now as enthusiastic over It's
wonderful work rs anyone can be. The
% ard 80 cent sizes for sale by drug
glsts.
TUE Best ChrlS'mHS Flush Caps for Mcn
md Boys zoe, Sc. ut Mtfhdduh's.
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prrftimrry,
gorvhoi's gI~ nInrd warranted nntInI