Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1900-12-25
CITY or SCHOOLS.
The Teachers iii Orr Prb1ic Schools and
what They are Doing.


what Tkcy are Doing.
Classical Corvallis is city of schools
hence destined to be community o
scholars. Two thousand population
four hundred public school children arc
an increasing army OF four hundred ir
the college on the hill; such is Corvallis
steadily advancing on the grand march
toward refinement and culture. Mon
day vacation is on; aud nearly thous
and boys and girls-over onethird O.
our population-haveb been turned loose
to enjoy national week of rest, to take
up their work again after New Years
day, when the busy hum will begin
anew.
Patrons should visit our schools more
and more SO shat they may become ac-
quainted from personal observation with
the needs of the children, the embryo
voters, housekeepers and lawmakers ol
the country. However, it may be safe
to say that it is impossible for one to
visit our city schools without being
gratihed with the excellent work being
done. There seems to be good degree
OF push and energy, and order and sys-
tenn pervades every department.
In conformity with the state course OF
study, which has been authorized by the
board of directors as the course for the
Corvallis schools, the work has been
divided into three departments-the
primary. embracing the first, second and
third grades; the intermediate, embrac-
ing the fourth, fifth and sixth grades
and the advanced, embracing the seventh,
eighth and ninth grades.
Each grade is sub-divided into two
divisions known as the A class and the
B class) and consists of one years work,
or nine school months. The year is
divided into two terms of eighteen weeks
each, thus providing one terms work
for each class. 1t will thus be seen that
a pupil, entering the first grade, B class,
will complete the work for that class in
eighteen weeks and be promoted to the
A class. At the end Of the second term,
the pupil, having finished the work of
the A class, is promoted to the second
grade, B class, and so on through the
grades.
SsBy this systematic arrangement the
work can be made thorough as every
class has definite amount OF work to do,
y ot,
grades or take the work over. Parents
and pupils see the importance of pune
tual and regular attendance, and are un-
der constant stimulus to do the best
work possible.
But the organization of school may
De ever SO perfect, il there is lack of
energy, or it the well laid plans are not
closely followed, the school is failure
or after all, the success of school work,
ike everything else, depends very large
y upon the amoant of push and energy
pack of, it. System is the track upon
which the engine of energy draws the.
Dad. Both are essential and each use
ess without the other.
Upon visiting our schools one is i'm
pressed with the spirit of work evident
II all the rooms. The energy and push
10 essential to good work are not lacking.
Every teacher is teacher of successful
A most excellent spirit of
20 operation and harmony is-noticeable.
Prof. Mcdonald, the principal, informed
IS that there has not been word of dis
,ord among the teachers, thus far.
Mrs. May J. Nelms has charge of the
irst grade. She was born in Ulysses,
Potter county, Pa. Having come to Ore
,en when quite young. She was edu-
:ated in Corvallis and Monmouth. She
began teaching before her sixteenth
birthday, and by hard work and applica-
ion has secured state life diploma.
Her twelve years experience in the city
schools of Independence, Moscow, Idaho
ind Corvallis, renders her exceptionally
trong in her work. She has been teach
ng in the Corvallis schools for the past
tx years, this being her third year in
he first grade. Primary work is her
pecialty.
The second grade is in charge of Miss
da Maxwell. Miss Maxwell is native
having been born near Hal
ey in Linn county. After receiving the
benefits of the country schools, she en-
cred the Albany college .for one year.
She graduated from the Oregon State
Normal School at Monmouth in 1889,
after which she taught successfully in
he schools of Linn county. She held
he position of first grade teacher in the
Albany schools for three years, and
ave excellent satisfaction. Last year
he graduated from the Dread Ins titute
# Household Science OF Worcester, Mass.
She holds a state life diploma, and is an
strong teacher.
Miss Lena Mccormick, the third grade
eacher, is graduate from the Scientific
of the Albany College, class
o.. She also graduated from the nor
nal course of same college, one year
ater. She holds state diploma and
las had six years of successful teaching.
This is her fisst year in the Corvallis
schools.
The fourth grade teacher is Miss Alice
Lettie Wicks, native of Illinois. She
resided in that state until she was four
;een years of age, when she came to Ore.
yon. She graduated from the 0 A G in