Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1898-07-14

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up this year by a considerable class.
Presumably q class in advanced French,
as well as class of beginners, will be
taught next year. This will entail an ad-
ditional burden upon the teachers already
having sufficient. Each of the teachers OF
the High school, save the principal, has
had eight recitations per day during the
principal for visiting the grades. The
need OF this period should be made i'm.
perative. AS there Is no village superin-
| tendent of schools, the principal should
keep himself closely in touch with all de-
partments OF the school, and the allow
ance of reasonable amount OF time for
this purpose Is legitimate and proper.
The teachers course, which has been
taught in the school some years, has not
been taught the past year, no one wish
| ing to take il up. Several have signified
their desire to do so next year.
Physiology which has been taught In the
| High school, was excluded and the time
devoted mostly to English. Too much
time is given to this branch in our schools.
According TO the course OF study, IL is
taken mp during eight years In the grades
and one term In the High school. Yet
this is according TO most courses OF study
of ten or twelve years ago, but Is, In my
opinion, unwise.
One year in the grammar room should
be sufficient for physiology.
The school is weak in rhetorical work,
as indeed are most schools, and CAREFUL
training is needed.
The library of the school is in fair con-
ditioD, but is in need of constant repIen.
ishing to keep it abreast OF the times; as
the town library is small, the school IL
brary is much used and should not be
neglected. The proceeds OF debate we're
expended ON classical dictionaries, OF
frk. rat fral daofffnfa
A set OF classical maps would prove a VAL
liable addition to the classical depart
ment.
The district offered to buy singing books
for the High school, and the required
number were obtained, but none Of the
teachers have proven capable OF directing
singing and this branch has not been OF
much value during the year.
The grades do but little In music, owing
to lack OF books and OF musical knowl-
edge on the part OF the teachers. / rec
ommend to the board that, IL possible, the
teacher OF music for the next year-if
there is one--bs a teacher OF drawing also.
The value OF drawing is coming more and
more to be appreciated Ia our schools. and
/ consider its utility greater than that OF
music.
The modern tendency In schools is
noticeable here--a tendency away from
the ancient languages and toward the
English studies and French.
A revision OF all the courses OF study Is
needed. The work as laid down for the
grades is, in several instances, OF form
considered obsolete at the present time.
The High school courses contain too many
subjects, so that necessarily not enough
time is devoted to some, particularly to
several of the sciences. Scientific appara-
tus Is almost entirely lacking, and a
small sum OF money would be well ex-
pended In improving what Is now possess
ed.
An endeavor was made at the begin
ming OF the year to arrange the teaching In
the High school by departments; and
during the year, for the most part, each
teacher taught those branches which
came under his department, with the in
tention that each one might have charge
OF that work which he was best fitted to
teach. With the exception OF a few
studies, this gave English, history and
French to the second assistant, math-
ematics and the sciences to the first as
sistant, and Latin, Greek, psychology
assistants in the High school are except
ionally well fitted for their work.
Much improvement has been noticed
during the year in making the students
more attentive and earnest workers. A
popular aud time onored fallacy exists
here-that when the student has reached
the High school, he has reached that
stage in his educational career where he
may follow the bent of his inclinations |
with propriety and dignity. His own
to be the only criterion OF I
his conduct. As a natural consequence |
much time is wasted by the student, and !
he drifts into bad habits OF work. Thus |
the young person is practically untitled
for all work that needs self-reliance. Pre- |
Stunning that it puts self-reliance in |
the foreground, this training or lack
of training ruins one for posi- 4
tions where great self-reliance is need
ed for one OF the most important lessons |
OF self-reliance is obedience and respect |
for authority. Placed upon his own re-
sponsibility as he is in college, the stu
dent is aimless and vaciilating. He fails |
not so much because of his lack of knowl-
edge as because he never has acquired
the power and ability to WORK correctly.
school battalion was formed dur
ing the spring term, and semi-weekiy
drills were held. Through the liberality
and public spirit OF one interested in the
welfare OF the town, twenty Springfield
cadet rifles have been bought, which how
ever, are considerably less than are re-
CURED, and equipments are entirely lack
ing. Several methods for raising money
to procure the required articles are under
A company of thirty five
boys over the age OF fourteen might be
in connection with the school,
provided the proper equipments can be
obtained. Regulations OF a military
character are carried out in connection
with the organization, and the boys are
made prominent in its management. The
advantages Of military drill are coming
more and more to be appreciated in large
When the student has become
thoroughly accustomed to moving in an
orderly manner with others, he prefers it
o the disorderly manner.
SUGGESTED IMPROVEMENTS.
The third story of the High school
building might be used for drilling the
Joys when the weather is inclement, and
lso for a gymnasium, or for classes in
manual training, il it were ceiled and
Ioored. trust that this can be done be-
ore many years have passed. II
The easements of the two buildings are
n an unhealthful condition. The refuse :
4 many years is there collected with the
of dirt. These are not OBJ I
ectionable when exposed to the open air, :
ut unhealthful odors are generated when
onfiDed within a cellar. Cement or con-
rete floors should he placed in the base I