Durango semi-weekly herald., 1901-08-15
SCHOOL MATTERS.
Superintendent Downs Reviews Educa-
tionai Work.

A Herald reporter this morning en-
joyed short conversation with Su-
perintendent Edgar E. Downs. who re-
turned to the city Friday last
Mr.. Downs spent his vacation be-
tween Denver and Boulder, first at
tending Prof Dicks summer school,
where six Durango teachers put in
a couple of months. 1t was his inten-
ton of taking in the n. e. A. gath
ing at Detroit and then the Pan expo
sition, but the hot weather scared
him out, having had experience in this
line at Charleston last year.
Vile in Denver Supt. Downs spent
considerable time comforting with
school officials and educators of Dis
trict No. /, gathering all information
possible concerning the latest meth
DDS of instructing the younger as well
as older pupils. In the first place he
found a tendency to lengthen the
school day instead of shortening it..
For some time the Denver school
hours have been half an hour less
than Durango, closing at $3.50 in
stead of 4.
Another thing: He found a great
er tendency to employ men in the
grades below the high school where
women have held sway almost exclu-
sively, except in the mater of prin-
cipals. and in this they led. Schools
all over the country said Mr.. Downs,
erly and the indications are that this
will be further adhered to-"
"One feature of the public schools
today is business. A business edu-
cation is demanded. Only a small
per cent are able to take college
course. Book learning is all right.
but the idea of the present time is to
supplant ii with commercial and in
dustrial ideas. both practical and the
oretical Every school where facil-
tiles can be secured should furnish
pupils with an education that will
serve them in useful ways in after
life.
Another idea is to make the school
building attractive and also the
grounds. 1t has tendency towards
neatness in pupils. Sovenly.kept
buildings and grounds are not con
ducive to neatness in the younger pu-
pills, and to this end school authori-
ties are making it point to ornament
the school grounds. having certain
space for play and amusement and
the rest given over to neat lawns,
shrubbery, etc. 1t adds greatly to
the appearance and to the city"
Supt. Downs will open his Office at
the high school building in a few days
and put in the time between now and
Sept. 3. Tuesday. preparing for the en-
suing term. Grades have to be re-
arranged and pupils located and much
other work accomplished.
The North Side improvements are
being pushed. and Contractors Peter
son and Vandegrift will have every
thing in readiness when school day ar
rives. The addition will add greatly
to the appearance of the building and
the North Side and afford ample
room for that growing part of the city
Taken all in all, Supt Downs looks
forward to progressive school year
Teachers have been making the best
of their vacation and will be fresh
for the work. In this connection
MIR. Downs says, all things being
equal, or nearly so. he is in favor of
giving Durango graduates the prefer
cnce. and is in favor of the rule where
by teachers are given leave of abb
sence for one year believing it to the
best interests of the school for keep
ing in touch with advanced methods
and then to build up home coterie of
instructors. This plan is in vogue in
many places and works well.