Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-03-03
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Educational
Column.
GUY STANTON FORD, Editor.

GUY STANTON FORD, Editor.
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The people of Grand Rapids, contnu-
ing their present progressive policy
before the neginnng of the twentieth
century, should have:
|. Made permanent the policy Of pro-
fessional supervision by one man who
makes supervision his sole work.
II, They should have made minor
improvements in the high school build
ing-hardwood floors, single seats
throughout and. if possible. better
lighting facilities.
III. Each grade should have either
ITS own reference library or a wide
rang of supplementary books. This
work should provide the seventh grade
with a good equipment of books in
geography and the eighth grade should
have supply of suitable works Oh Am
erlcaG history.
". Every room should have been
made as pleasing as its architecture will
allow. Tinted walls, good pictures and
well selected casts indicate our needs.
V. The school system should be
completed by the establishment and
maintenance of kindergarten.
-
Applications are already coming in
from persons seeking positions as teach
ers. The selection of teachers is one of
the first duties of the new board elected
March q, its first meeting for organiza-
ton coming April g.
-
4 the last meeting of the board
Judge j. A. Gaynor was elected to fill
the vacancy in the board membership
from the third ward.
*a*
The graduating class of last year has
lived up to its motto, "Find out your
task, stand to it." OF its twelve mem
bers five have taught or will be engaged
in the work this spring, two are en-
plOyed in stores, three are at the Nor
NAL school and two at the University
They have kept up their class friend
ship by means of circulating letter to
hich each contributes then forwards it
to the next member. They expect to
gather again next spring when the class
of '9S graduates. Why can't other
classes that have graduated from the
Howe High school make the commence
ment Of 1898 time for class rennions?
*x*
Speaking Of class reunions, why
haven't we an alumni association of the
graduates of our high school? 1t is too
bad that those who 90 oct from "the
old stone building on the hill" have not
taken this means Of renewing what
must be pleasant memories. The or
ganization is simple, the work light
simply that connected with arranging
an annual banquet. By making the
high school faculty eX-officIO members
and putting the responsibility Of execu-
ton on the younger, able members OF
the local alumni, the alumni would be
assured Of the cooperation of those
permanently interested in the success
Of the ASSOCIATION and could feel that
the younger alumni in charge would
make the arrangements and execute all
plans with vigor and despatch. The
great body of the alumni, whose names
were given last week, could then as
sumo the responsibility Of getting to
the banquet and enjoying the toasts and
"reminiscences. We have two ex-prin-
cipals residing here and their interest
in the institution they once directed
can be counted on. Two other prnci-
pals are in towns not far from Grand
Rapids and might be induced to attend
an alumni meeting next spring. All
that is needed is q meeting of the local
alumni to make a few preliminary ar
rangements and the organization could
be well started at the commencement
of the class Of 1898. No other high
school Of any prominence in the state is
without an alumni association.
The Forum last Friday evening pre-
sented an excellent program. The
work this year is being prosecuted with
Vigor that equals if it does not excel
previous years. Our efforts to get a
joint debate with some leading high
school have not been very successful.
Madison would have been glad to meet
US but had already made arrangements
with Ishpeming, Mich. It is possible
that debate may De arranged yet. 1t
would furnish a fitting close to the lit
eTary work Of the year.
~
More people have expressed their
agreement with what we said last week
about high school graduates in country
schools and at teachers examination
than wessupposed read the column. 1t
leads Us to suggest another idea and
that is that country school teachers have
among their many responsibilities the
duty Of encouraging their better pupils