The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1900-05-18
To the Patrons of the City
Schools.
BY SUPT. S. G. BURKHEAD.

schools, with your children. From
the pleasant way in which they have
generally responded to our directions
we think they must be we'll advised at
home.
l have hoped to visit you all before
the close of the year, but | now fear /
shall not be able to complete the cir
cult before next fall. I have not much
time to talk or write at this, time, but
in view OF our commencement exercis-
es, | wish to say few words: The pro-
motional exercises, or graduating ex-
ercises of classes below the senior
grade have been arranged to come at
different times so as to accommod ate
the greatest number of parents and
friends. These exercises are entirely
free, and we hope to see parents pres
ent. 1t is just as much for a beginner
to graduate from the first step to the
second as for the senior to step out
and up. In fact these first steps are
chief. Let us not neglect the little
ones.
The public exercises at the school
house occur as follows:
Rooms l and ?, Monday May q,
a. m.
High school, grade TX, Monday May
q, p. m. -....
Room 3. Tuesday May %, a. m.
High school, Grade X, Tuesday May
%, p. m.
Room 4, Wednesday May %, a. m.
High school, grade XI, Wednesday
May %, p. m.
Room 5, Thursday May "a, a. m.
Now in reference to the "Graduating
Exercises" | have this to say: | be-
lieve that if we had room large
enough to hold them and make it COM
Portable for the seniors, themselves,
and their friends, it would be the sem
timent of the Board of Education to
invite everybody free of charge, but
there is no room in the town large
enough to hold half the people. A
similar condition obtains in most other
places, and it is generally customary
now to charge small admission fee
to limit the audience to those most
Most children like to go
wherever there is a crowd without be-
ing Of an age to appreciate the object
of the meeting. It has been thought
wise to ask those below the age of ten
years to abide their time to permit the
room to be occupied by their elders,
capable of understanding the import
of the exercises. Though not a money
scheme, the proceeds will be used,
exclusively, for defraying the expenses
of Commencement" and for the bene-
fit of the school, SO in lessening taxes
the money is really refunded to the
district. All the people are, undoubt-
edly, we assume, interested in these
young people who are to graduate
Thursday evening, May "a. Some OF
them may have been born here. Most
OF them have walked s'to and fro'
before you for years. We most earn
estly desire that their last public
school act, as pupils, shall be per-
formed under the most favorable cir
with environments condu-
Give to their utmost success, in this
their supreme home effort. Hence we
desire quiet, attentive, appreciative
audience, on time at 7:3O, from start
to finish without interruption by late
You have observed that all public
speakers demand uninterrupted atten-
ton, and are easily disturbed, how
ever trained, by even an occasional
"tardy one." Some Of our good girls
and boys are weak-voiced. Please,
for this once, give them the best possi-
BILE chance by being ready to hear them
from the first. So arrange your busi-
ness. Let the little ones stay at home.
We wish all the room filled by fathers
mothers and older friends.
All will have an equal chance to
get seats, NO RESERVED SEATS, except
the very front seat for the pages. The
pages and graduates should be present
as soon as 700. The pages are to re-
ceiye and place the presents, as in
structed by the Supt. Each graduate
shall have definite place assigned
for gifts at the front of the platform.
Now in reference to promotion. Do
not for moment think that every
teacher would not like to see every
pupil promoted. Every one Of aver
age ability, with regular and prompt
attendance, good health and, accidents
aside, unless in grade too hard.for
him should be promoted. A record
has been kept through the year and
every one who has completed the work
satisfactorily will be moved for
ward. Others who may be able to
make up their deficiencies will be
examined next fall. We have no