Bennington banner and reformer. (Bennington, Vt.) 1903-19??, 1903-08-27
or scientific or professional schools.

for scientific or professional schools.
The English course is wen adapted 10 the
great majority OF the students who are unable
TO carry their education beyond the high
school. This course includes practical in
struction in bookkeeping and business arith-
metic, commercial geography and business
law, with typewrtting as an optional study
and such other studies as are fitted TO produce
intelligent, practical men and women.
The teachers course which is conducted
under the direction OF the State Board Of Nor
NAL School Commissioners, gives thorough in
structlon in psychology, history OF education,
methods and school management and grad
yates from this course receive teachers GER
tihcate emitting them to teach for two years
in the schools OF this state. This course, which
forms one Of the elective studies OF the senior
year, has proved both popular and valuable for
those intending TO teach
While there are many nonresident pupils I'm
the lower grades the number in the high school
is particularly noticeable, forming during the
past year about three-fourths OF the school.
The pupils come from Arlington, Sunderland,
Shaftsbury Bennington, and White Creek, N.
Y.
The first class to graduate from the school
was the class Of 20 The whole number OF
graduates is 1856. Many OF these are still living
In this town or In neighboring towns, and man
ifest their interest in the school by their fire.
quent attendance at the graduating exercises
Some OF them have children In the school, An
alumni association is maintained, and their an
nual reception to the graduating class forms
one Of the pleasantest features OF the gradua-
| tion.
The school has been fortunate in its princi-
pals. The first principal, William w Phillips
| began his work just before the new building
was occupied. He is now living In Brookings
South Dakota. He was followed by Elias W.
| Howe, who remained at the head OF the schooT
for eighteen years. He has now retired
active business, and resides in Medford, Mass
After him came W. W. Howe, who is now
principal OF the school at Whitehall, n "
| His successor was Herman A. Dressell, Jr,
now superintendent and principal at Spring
| field, Vt. Then followed Charles II. Phelps,
| who is now living at Melrose, Conn; Frank p
| Dawson, now superintendent Of schools at
| Montague, Mass; and the present principal
| j. Francis Allison. Mr. Dawson, while here,
held the ofice OF examiner OF teachers for
| Bennington county, and Mr. Allison has recent
| ly been honored by an appointment TO the
same ONCE.
| To mention all Of the teachers who have
| taught in the school would require too much
space. Those who win be in charge for the
coming year are as follows J. Francis ALI
son, A. NJ, supervising principals Miss Edith
! Williams, a. b., high school assistant and
teacher OF singing; Mrs Helen G. Wright, gram
mar grades; Miss Mary E. Craig intermediate;
Miss Erin A. Mattison, second primary; Miss
Nellie L. Harty first primary. Mr. Allison and
Miss williams are college graduates; all the
other teachers are graduates OF normal
| schools.
The prudential committee consists OF Her
bert s. wulbridge, chairman; w. r. Worthing-
con, secretary, and George B. yelling They,
as well as the teachers are receiving the
hearty support OF the village.
No sketch OF the school would be complete
without mention OF its benefactors. To the
Hon T. W. Park the school owes the fencing
and grading OF the grounds; TO c. G. Lincoln il
is Indebted for the shade trees TO the Art
League. established In 1898, II owes the beau
tifyng OF the rooms with artistic and costly
pictures and ornaments and the piano recent
ly placed in the high school room.
But even more than to all other causes, the
school owes its excellence to the hearty inter
est in its welfare shown by the people OF the
district. II is their interest in the school, and
their readiness to grant all money necessary
for its proper maintenance that has given the
village a school such as is rarely found In VII
| lapes of the size of North Remington.