The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1900-03-12
SCHOOL MELANGE.

the undersigned any topics you may
wish discussed at the next meeting Of
the superintendents' and Principals
Round Table, to be held at Moundsville,
w. Va. April 6-7. 1900. Topics should
reach me by March Is. The card Is
from D. T. Williams, member Of the
executive committee.
These meetingH are growing better as
the ears 90 by. All teachers are corr
daily welcomed and there should be a
large turnout at the coming meeting,
and there doubtless win be. Mounds
vile Is a good place to go, at any time.
but especially Is first class place to
hold an educational meeting. Not only
the teachers, but many Of the citizens
are always in attendance.
The present term of our public
schools closes Friday, March go on
that day and the day preceding, the
parents and friends OF the schools are
expected to attend and to be entertain
ed by the pupils and teachers. The
writer has often thought that perhaps
It would be better to have the regular
exercises OF the school on that day, but
| OF later years he Is convinced that one
day at least, Of the school year Is we'll
spent in Just such exercises as are
given on parents day In our schools.
Parents come to be entertained and
were the schools to follow the every
day exercises we would have but few
parents as visitors. 80 let the show go
on" and let the boys and girls have
this one school day OF the year for real.
genuine enjoyment Boys and girls
love to perform the parts they are call
ed upon to perform in many Of these
exercises We are kings, queens, gem
erals, lords and ladies', Just as 1t hap
pens. They enjoy It, even II they do
have to say at the close Of the day:
"our parts are performed and our
speeches are ended;
We're monarchs and courtiers and
heroes no more;
To a much humber station again
we've descended,
And are now but the school boys you've
known US before"
The teachers throughout the city
seem very much exercised over the fact
of having to stand an examination dur
ing the first week of July This is sure
~ unnecessary worry. Any teacher in
the city ought to be able at any time to
stand a fair examination In any Of the
branches taught in our schools. II not,
they surely ought not to think Of occu-
plying tho position of teacher. But
say some, will we have fair eXami-
nation? To think otherwise will be re-
fleeing on our worthy superintendent,
who Will have the supervising Of the
whole matter. 1t may be that some
teachers have become rusty, but this Is
not likely. at least Of any one who has
kept herself well up in the profession.
AS has often been said in these notes,
there IL no etandstill in the profession.
A teacher either advances or retro
grades. and IL he or she retrogrades.
the retrogresslon ought to SO far
enough to place that teacher in some
other profession. The work Of the
teacher is too responsible work to be
done by any one whose whole heart is
not in 1t. II we have teachers who
have become so forgetful as to not
keep themselves prepared at any time
for an examination. II will at least stir
this class to make an effort in the right
direction, so good will be accomplished.
1t was the privilege as well as the
pleasure of the Pedagogue to meet Prof.
]. NJ. Skinner, principal of the West
Liberty normal school, few days ago,
and he was more than glad to hear such
good report concerning the school.
There are at present over one hundred
students in attendance. This is surely
good showing for the winter term Of
the school. The attendance will be
largely Increased In the spring, as quite
number Of the students are now en-
gagged in teaching. and many new stu
dents are also expected. Prof Skinner
is a man well qualified to fill the posi-
ton he holds, and the school will no
doubt continue to prosper under his
management.
The opening of the New York City
hall Of education was made great
event, educationally, In that city, on
February %. Many educators were
present, and many addresses were
made. After the formal presentation
and reception Of the building. DR.. w. r.
Harris, United States commissioner Of
education. made the first address. in
which he lauded New York as being the
great center OF exchange for the contl-
nent of North America. Mr.. Charles II.
KNOX. an ex-presldent of the board OF
education said Of the course OF study In
the schools: Special branches ought
TO be learned by specialists. The prob
lem in the schools is the greatest good
of the greatest number. Art, music
and the rest are very interesting. Yet
remember this, most OF our pupils
must be bread winners at fourteen.
They get none Of the benefits OF higher
education. They must be able to spell,
to write legibly and to speak grammat-
lcalIy, or they viii fail at the start.
They need to know few things well,
not many specifically Both teachers
and pupils are suffering to-day from too
many subjects II is time to call halt
ON the multiplication Of studies. Let us
20 back to fundamentals. Let US teach
the three RS" Richard Maxwell. city
superintendent of schools, was the last
speaker, and In his remarks he spoke
as follows concerning Mr.. Knox's state
ment that the child who leaves school
at fourteen gets none Of the benefits OF
higher education: Does not the
youngest child get something from his
teacher who has had the benefits Of
higher education The most important
agent in education is the teacher. Mag
Nifty his office. Grant him confidence
and honor. The teacher is the school.
No sumptuousness of equipment can
make n good school II II has not the
right teachers. To bring ouR children
under the influence Of good teachers Is
the prime business OF education. May
we all, from the highest to the lowest.
direct our efforts toward making all
the influences which surround our chill
dren, influences Of uprlghtness. Thus
only may the American republic be
perpetuated."
m. Ice. ,,.oni, tI,o ,,.,,,o, 10 ,.,,5