Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-01-16

The friends of Col. f. c. Stevens,
superintendent Of public buildings,
viii be sorry to learn that he is con-
fined To his home by illness.
In addition 10 the lectures which
Hon. ~. W. Stetson. State superin-
tendent Of schools, is to make in this
state he Will also speak in Boston in
February at the meeting of the AS
scciation Of Training School Teachers
of New England; at the meeting of
the National Superintendent in
Chicago the last Of February, and at
tnc@ next session of the Connecticut
Teachers Association in Hartford. He
spoke before this association last
year. He will deliver the commence
rent address at Wilmington, Della
ware. in Juno. and has been invited to
address, the Schoolmasters Club of
New York city in April
Mr. Stetson has just issued a pam
irhlet which he is sending to thevarious
schools of the State giving information
concerning gains made by Maine
schools and outlining some Of the
lhincs the school should do for the
child. He also gives some suggestions
on the study Of United States history
and arithmetic.
THAT there has been an increasingly
Intelligent administration of our
schools during the past few years ad-
.nits Of no question" says Mr.. Stet-
son. Parents are insisting that
efficient teachers be placed in charge
IL the instruction of their children:
that school officials discharge the du-
ties devolving upon them with the
| faithfulness which characterizes the
methods used by the prudent in
.iividual in the management of his
private affairs: and above all, they are
assisting in their personal efforts and
gifts. in making the school grounds
more attractive and in supplying the
ichoolrooms with books and pictures
| for the use, not only of the teachers
ana pupils, but also of the people of
| the community in which the school IS
| located.
| school officials are also making
studies Of school sanitation; are urg
| ing towns to make Improvements in
out buildings and school buildings:
arc exercising greater care in purchas-
1 ms lf-A' sNIANt ~ NtiiiA-4S AS'
teachers who are enthusiastically and
professionally fitted TO render accepta-
NE service in the schoolroom. Teach
ers are attending Teachers Institutes
and summer schools In larger num-
bers than ever before. They show
the liveliest interest in learning the
best methods of instruction. and they
are providing themselves with the
latest books on pedagogy and the
most useful magazines on school,
re ON work. Even the children seem
to have caught the spirit which so
largely influences those who are striv-
ing to improve our common schools.
Nearly $1,000 members have been
enrolled in the School Improvement
Leagues of Maine. The work done by
this organization is valuable because
Of the results accomplished. but is
still more useful in that it is develop
ing a local interest in the local school
which in time will result in making il
the literary and art center of the COM
nunity in which 1t is located
| Mr.. Stetson does not believe in chill
dren being sent to school at too early
an age. He thinks that better wors
would be done If study was begun
later than has been the custom; ant
he closes a strong argument in sup
port of his contention in the following
= language:
I'VE shall, one of these days. see tn,
unwisdom of sending the child t.
school when he is five years of age
, The historian of the future will furn
:: ish in proof of our semi civilized state
; the fact that we did not allow our chill
dren their first and greatest right. tn
! right to grow. Before many years
the age when the child may ente
school will be raised to six: later, vii
be advanced to seven and before tn
present century closes will be fixed Z
eight sears. The years now devoted I
tie T. imary grades will be given to
modified form of kindergarten train
ing. This work will be so admin
ifstered that the child will becOm