The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1898-04-06
JEFFERSON PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
Report to the State Department of
Public Instruction.

Public Instruction
The past year has been one of graft
flying success. While all that could be
desired has not been accomplished. yet
there are substantial evidences that the
schools of this county have been in the
line of progress.
A uniform course of study was placed
in all the ungraded schools OF the
county, and, as II result, marked i'm
provement was manifested in order,
study and interest.
Reports and classiiications of the
pupils of nearly all the schools, together
with suggestions rs to the reviews and
the coming years work, are in the
hands Of the directors for the benefit of
the succeeding teachers. Public sup
port and the cordial and active coop
Grafton of teachers will hiring our coun-
ty schools to the front in work and
worth. Sixty-one applicants for gradu
alton were examined and twenty-three
diplomas were granted.
The standard Of qualification for Il
teachers certificate was advanced as
far as circumstances would permit.
Many Of our teachers have sought to
better prepare themselves for their
work by attendance during the past
year at normal schools or other well
equipped institutions. That the teach
er must be Il person OF broad scholarship,
sound morals and great energy. and
that he must possess skill in instructing
and managing is universally admitted.
Teachers possessing these qualifications
cannot long be retained in schools
where terms are short and salaries low.
The only way we can hope to increase
the efficiency Of our schools is to
strengthen our teaching force. Keep
the same good teacher in the same
school as long as possible.
The division of the county into ten
local institute districts, and the appoint
ment Of committee for each district,
was noteworthy feature of the years
work. Meetings were held in all OF
these districts with one exception.
These meetings were largely attended
and did much towards cultivating
healthy school sentiment in the locali-
ties in which they were held.
The new building at Reynoldsville
was occupied this year. 1t is of brick
and stone, three stories high, contain
ing fifteen rooms, and an assembly hall
that will comfortably seat four hundred
and fifty persons. This is one OF the
best buildings in this part of the State
1t is heated and ventilated by the Smead
system. These buildings reflect credit
not only upon the directors under whose
administration they were erected. but
also upon the intelligence of the COM
munties in which they are located.
Our schools have been materially
benefited by compulsory education
yet we find that there are some persons
who antagonize it. Notwithstanding
the slight opposition, it has been
great means for good, and is growing in
favor. The enforcement of this law
was not what il should be, some few
irregularities preventing the best re-
suits. We hope for better enforce
ment during the coming year, and urge
all citizens to assist directors by their
hearty cooperation.
In submitting this, my first annual
report of the schools of this county, it
affords me pleasure to state that my
duties have been pleasant, and though
the position is attended by constant
labor and anxiety, yet have enjoyed
the work of the year.