Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1903-05-28
Praises For Progressive Spirit.

e were S6DU mere Dy The clJl-
ZenS of Kankakee, lii, to see.
learn and criticiSe. We wanted
to see the mistakes you may have
made in the building of your high
school that we might profit
thereby. What will our report
be? You have the finest. most
complete school building we
have ever seen. You certainly
have cause to congratulate your
board as well as yourselves for
your achievements. Kankakee
will pattern after the building
you have here. DIR. G.. f.
Smith.
President T. B Pray, of
Stevens Point Normal, spoke on
the Cuisines of Teaching" He
emphasized the Importance of
popular support to increase the
usefulness of the schools. PreSi-
dent Pray showed how the
courses of study in the schools
had developed and how the
methods Of teaching were
steadily improving. Doing"
he said, "iS vital part of learn
ing. Manual training and
domestic science will do much
for the child-it Will give him
clearer knowledge of his sur
rOundingS, make school inStruc-
ton clearer, influence the pupil
to remain in school longer.
Learning how to do things will
develop a strong manly nature
and lift the Child up to a higher
plane of thin king. Even if the
pupil does not remain in school
until graduation, the system of
teaching that combines knowing
and doing, will enable him to
know more, enjoy more, and do
more"
II had hoped until this morn
ing | could go to Grand Rapids
to be with you tonight. [ find
it impossible, and | regret it
sincerely. | did wish to extend
my hearty congratulations to
my old friends in Grand Rapids.
L believe the building of your
fine high school means great
things for Grand Rapids. 1t
means that your people have the
wisdom to fOresee a grand
future for your city, and that
they have the courage of their
convictions. 1t means that the
days of non-progreSsive knockers
have passed, and that hopeful
and benetcent forces are in con-
Grol. L rejoice at this. and as
citizen Of WauSau am glad we
have a rival in this valley who
will put us on our mettle. Of
course you may think all this
foreign to the real object of
giving the youth Of Grand
Rapids a proper place for deve-
Looping the best that is in them.
L appreciate this, but | appre-
cIate the progressive Spirit
which has made this possible,
for these children more than
anything else, for it is the sure
augury of future greatness for
your community. Once more |
regret cannot Say this to YOU
and to other friends. &c. d.
Jones, WauSau.
The men who have had the
building of this school in charge,
will not receive the fullest
thanks due them-they must
find that in their own bosoms.
look for their rewards within
themselves. | came here thirty
years ago as teacher. We had
very few of the ADVANTAGES in
those days that you now have.
Iwenty-eight years has passed
since the first class graduated.
The seven members who made
up this class are today respected
members of the communities in
which they live. Ii the average
class that graduates from our
schools in years to come will do
as well, this building will not be
in vain. We should ALWAYS
remember with pride that old
rickety log school house that
did such good service for us in
the early years of our history,
as we move into this tine new
home. Judge j. A. GaynOr.
1.-The best high school build
ings in the state are found in
the Wisconsin river valley.
This new building is as complete
as you can make it. You will
always find that your generosity
toward your children will be
rewarded with increased pros
perlty. L am glad you have a
kindergarten-I believe in it.
| congratulate you for the evil
dence of splendid enterprise and
spirit you have shown. / trust
that the time will not be far
distant when your city can be