The Nome nugget., 1903-12-19

Some time ago the following question was sent to THE NUGGET, but I post poned the answer until such time as could visit the schools and see for my self the work being done.
 Cues. Being informed that you are from Harvard (Thanks, J. P. w. be- lieve you are capable of answering the following questions:
 1st.-Are the public schools of Nome as graded, up to the standard of the average city schools in the States ? That is, if a student passes the fifth grade here in Nome will the scholar, on entering a graded school in the States, be far enough advanced to go into the sixth grade?
 2d.-Is there existing among the the teachers lack ot harmony which tends to lessen the efficiency of their work
 3d.-Do you believe the school board exercised due diligence in their selec. tion of teachers?
 4th.-Is the money expended by the school board, outside the salaries for teachers, in accordance with the prin. ciples of economy, from your point oi view: PARENT.
 Ans.-lst. - Yes. After spending nearly whole day visiting the differ ent schools, 1 must say that the work as being carried out by the teachers under the direction of the principal, is at least up to the standard of graded schools in the States, with a tendency towards advancement.
 was somewhat unfortunate in select. ing my day to visit the high school, as all the boys were out with a petition for the parents to sign in order to set. tie controversy of the school board as to the holidays. Prof. Traphagen went over all the work done by the students, and the work laid out for the future, which, to say the least, is standard, and taking into consideration that the classes under his instructions have to construct all of the apparatus for their work in physics, they are to be compli. mented on results obtained. 1 will add, that any student completing the high school course as laid out by the principal. should have no trouble in passing the entrance examinations to any of the universities in the States. In conclusion, will say that am pleased with the work being done by the schools and not having any axe to grind, can say that great credit should be given for the selection of the princi- pal for our schools. As disciplinariau Prof. Traphagan excels, and his work stands for the advancement of pupils and schools, and he should be given the hearty support of all parents.
 2d.-I failed to find the lack of har mony you write about. or wish to know for all the staff seem to be on the bes, Of terms, and their work bears out 6 harmonious relation, not only among the teachers, but with the pupils, which is noticed at glance, when one enter! the school rooms. made inouirie. into the lack of harmony, and from tn, answers received from pupils and par ents fail to find any cause for the ques tiOn being asked.
 Not being a member of tn, school board l cannot answer the aues tion, but if the question can be answer ed by the good work being done, ant results obtained in all the grades, i could be no other than yes.
 4th.-The answer to this uuestio, should be obtained from the gran, jury, or some person who has locke, into the matter and examined tn, books, not from me.
 will say that some doubt exists i, my mind as to whether the amount ex pended by the board in fitting up room in the attic would not have pai, for puttinp m an addition to .h. ,.;,