Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-09-12
VILLAGE SCHOOLS.
The Directors and Teachers
Meet in Conference.
An innovation Which Will undoubt-
eddy Benefit Our Schools.
'fse Hour Session and Severn, O.her
Good Ideas Arc Advanced. .4

! iestcroay morning. occurred an in.
hovation in school methods in Augusta
wHich promises much to the future
welfare both of the schools and the
scholars themselves. Answering an IN
vtation from the Village School Board
the teachers met at the custodiar.s
room in the public building for con
terence and school of instruction
which lasted fully three hours and
eeepiy impressed all those in attend
ance.
when the meeting was called to Or
der, Hon. Chas. E. Nash, the chairman
handed Mr.. Stinson some papers and
asked him to state the object OF the
meeting
Mr.. StinsOn said that the condition
OF the schools had ,caured,, much
thought and many conferences ON the
part of the board; and that they hat,
carefully taken the matter up with a
view to make our system much more
effective After cpmpllinenting the
teachers as giving the best school sys-
tenn in the State. he said that he would
read for their instruction prepared
iettcr to broadly state the position of
the board. He also asked that they
shouid ASK any questions that the read
ing should suggest. In order that no
misunderstanding might be had.
Before reading the paper. MIR. Plais-
ted said that the board had agreed
upon these notes; but wished to point
out that the individual responsibility
OF every teacher was the expectation
of the board: and that upon this gen
oral nrincinlo -, -
the whole system. Acting as secre
tary. in place Of Mr.. Plaisted. who was
somewhat indisposed, Mr.. Stinson read
the following letter of Instructions
from the board to the teachers:
To the Teachers of the Village School
District:
At the commencement of the new
School year. it has been thought best
by the board to call you together fer
certain instructions. which will be
given you verbally: and In order that.
under slightly changed conditions, a
fun understanding may be had of the
situation. which we desire to be taken,
this letter is written to briefly outline
the intentions of the board in the gov
eminent Of the schools under its &C n
troll
The object of the common school is
to give an education. which will be Of
practical use to the boy or girl when
grown into manhood or womanhood
1t is the duty of the State to provi .e
for the needs of the child to that ex-
tent.
The tendency in teaching at the pres
ent time is to enrich, embelliSh and
expand to a degree which many people
believe to be a detriment to the real
intention of public schools. There is
a growing belief that there has been
ar expansion, which might be looked
on as rather an establishment than
as of actual use.
1t is not necessary to consider the
mistakes Of the past but. gaining by
experience. to shape the course of our
public schools in the lines of utility.
1t is unfortunately a fact that many
children do not go beyond the Gram
mar school. The registration of this
city shows that % per cent. of the chill
dren never so further. in school life
than our tenth grade: from to per
cent. pass some time in the High
school: and the average of less thar
> per cent. graduate from it.
hose figures are given not to take
away the value of the High school
work. which should always be encour-
aged: but to show the absolute neces-
sity of good practical education in our
graded schools. which are essentially
the schools of the people, to fit chill
dren for the business Of life.
We wish you. therefore. to note that
it is the intention Of the board. that
the. object Of the viiiase School Dis
t,ict is to bestow such education in a
practical way upon the scholars in it's
charge: and it is your duty as teachers
to bend every endeavor to make the
child's education one that would ben
eft him or her. and give him or her
an advantage in actual contact with
the business Of life.
The object of the INSTRUCTION. and the
end to be attained il not SO much the
idea Of higher educa ton. as to face the
fact that most. of, these children Will
never go beyond the Grammar school.
and to give them preparation to make
them competent in. ordinary business.
TO this end we ask you to drill and
to drill thoroughly. in arithmetic. read
ing. writing and spelling: the very es-
We desire gradual elimination Of
much work. which takes the time and
attention of both teachers and schol-
ars: and which. pretty in itself, does
not seem to be to US what is most 'es-
sential for the chld's welfare. You
will realize that, there has gradually
grown up a great. deal OF eXhioiting.
which takes just so much OF both the
teachers and the childs energy, ana
which may be looked on as SNOWY
rather than prao teal: and which serves
only the purpose OF making a pleasant
entertainment: and which does not in
form the parents. who may attend.
what the schools are actually accom-
pishing. or what the children are
learning.
We particularly desire that there
shall be thorough training given in the
elementary English education; and
that good letter writing. and prompt
expression in language and compost
ton. and observation may be culti-
waited. rather than continual attention
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