Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-11-06
A READING CIRCLE.
Circular Being Issued to Teachers
In wapeno Comfy.
NOTICES OF NEW LIBRARY LAW.

Beniah Dimmitt, Superintendent Of
Public Instruction in Wapello coun-
ty, Sends Official Notification to
Teachers and Officers.
Beniah Dimmittt, superintendent of
public instruction in Wapello county,
rs today sending out number of cir
culars to the teachers of the county,
IN the interest of the Teachers Read
Ing Circle, the organization of which
was begun during the last session of
normal.
Superintendent Dimmitt said today
that he expected to have township Or
CARNATIONS if possible, and if that is
not accomplished the organizations
will be made in towns thruout the
county. The meetings, in all probable
ity, will be held monthly, and the pro-
grams will likely include something
on the order of a teachers round-table.
Mr. Dimmitt believes that much
good can be accomplished by such an
organization as the one formally
launched in the county during last nor
NAL, and gives many valuable sugges-
tions in the following circular on sub
ject:
To the Teachers.
Dear Teacher
cat the normal institute, called
your attention to the Teachers Read
ing Circle, stating that the work would
be pursued by the teachers thruout
the county. A large per cent of the
teachers enrolled at that time-some
have enrolled since. l desire to call
your attention to the matter again, in
the event that you have not given the
matter any further consideration. The
nature of the work is pedagogical and
literary; there is no expense attached
to the organization and work except
the books for reading.
"The demands of the times call for
better teachers, for better trained and
better equipped teachers, for teachers
with greater fund of knowledge and
literary accomplishments. therefore
ask you to enroll for this professional
work and to send to this Office your
enrolment card, which is enclosed,
that you may be given due credit. For
obvious reasons every teacher in the
county should enter into the work
with enthusiasm, read at least two of
the three books In the course-say
"The School-Master in Comedy and
Satire" and Roark's Method in Edu-
cation"
II would like to suggest that you do
not wait for someone else to take the
lead-let every one take the lead and
the work will be very interesting and
instructive. 1t would be good plan
for the teachers of each township, to
unite into local club, and if there is
a town or village in the township, it
might be the most central or the most
logical place of meeting; otherwise
meet in some central school house or
pass from district to district. The
meetings should be held at least once
a month or oftener if possible. The
work should be outlined for the whole
year, and the different assignments
made, so that every one will be pre-.
pared, SO that the study may result in
definite progress.
Besides the literary benefit derived
from the study, each teacher would re-
Iceive much sympathy and assistance
from the fact that they meet together
and can talk over questions relating to
|school work, such as discipline, meth
DDS, needs, comparison of schools
grades, progress, etc. would fur
ther suggest that general invitation
be extended to the patrons of your re
spective districts to meet with, and
confer with you in questions relating
to the school in general; that you in
sist that the school board of the dis
trict wherein the meeting is held, meet
with you and have frank, open discus
sion of school needs and problems.
cannot emphasize too strongly the
great satisfaction that will result tc
all concerned; it results in co-opera
ton and system.
II shall be glad to meet with the
teachers, upon their request, and rem
der any assistance in the way of or
ganization, etc., that is within my pow
er. I hope and expect that every
teacher will act upon these sugges
|tions, and that may receive prompt
response as result of this letter.
Assuring you of the hearty coop
Grafton of this Office, am
Every respectfully yours,
Beniah Dimmitt,
County Superintendent"
served NOTICES.
County Superintendent Dimmitt is
also sending out notices to the secre
taries and presidents of school board.
thruout the county relative to the new
library law. The several boards il
Wapello county are also being provid
ed with catalogues furnished by the
state and distributed thru the Office
of the county superintendent. A meet
|. ing of presidents and secretaries will
be held in the office of Mr.. Dimmitt a
the court house Saturday morning
.,ovember "a, for the selection of sail
books.
The circular on the subject is al
follows:
"Ottumwa, Iowa, Oct. 25, 1900.
Dear Sir:-Some time ago sen
you amendments to the school laws o