Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1903-03-19

we'll knOw1 that the habit OF reading
good Wholesome literature, will if
| formed early, do much TO guard
| against the evils of the literature
which is denoralizing. Regular work
in library reading has been carried
on in the grades and in the high
| schools during the present year.
Lists of books suitable for pupils in
different years of the school course
have been prepared, and teachers
haye co-operated earnestly in the
work. In this work valuable assist
ance has been given by the librarian
OF the 7. B. Scott Free Public library.
The result has been a much larger
use OF the best books IN both the
school and the library. 1t is hoped
that this work may be continued and
that even better results may be Sc
cured in the future.
The work of the high school will
need to be expanded along several
lines in the near future. The city
has wisely and generously built for the
future in the new high school building
soon 10 be occupied. The high school
will have when the new building is
occupied and the new departments
are organized, for which space is there
provided, an equipment equal to that
of the college of few years ago.
We now recognize the fact that the
training offered by a business or
commercial course is quite equal in
mental discipline to that offered by
other courses. 1t enables pupils to
take a large part of the work of
regular four years high school course
and also TO secure training in lines
which will be of more immediate util-
ity, than that afforded by some of the
other departments in the high school.
1t will appeal to a class of boys and
girls whom we are now for the most
part failing to reach effectively.
This department it seems to us should
be organized just as soon as circum-
stances will permit.
The same reasons for making be-
ginning soon in manual training in
the grades, apply with even greater
force here.
We will have in the new building a
gymnasium, which will if properly
equipped and properly managed,
offer facilities for the education of
both body and mind, which have
heretofore necessarily been denied.
To secure the best results from a
gymnasium, quite as much depends
on its proper management by one un-
derStanding gymnasium training and
It's possibilities for eack individual,
as on its equipment. 1t will also
place our schools where we may hope
tor more excellent results from
athletics than ever before. But de-
sirable results in gymnasium and
athletic work can not be secured wi TIL
out careful supervision by one who
is Qualified to do the work. It is Of
the greatest Importance to the boys
and girls in the high school, as we'll
as for the reputation of the
school, that provisions be made for
this work.
Increased laboratory facilities will
be afforded in the chemical laboratory.
This when equipped, will offer wider
range of work in the science depart
ment of our high school. This will
in turn appeal to larger number of
pupils, and thus make the school of
greater value to the community.
Along some or several Of these
lines d beginning should so0u be
made. It should Of course be made in
such a way IS to secure maximum
of results for the money expended,
for it will necessarily involve ad-
ditIonal expenditures. In conclusion
permit me 20 quote the words of the
State High School Inspector, who
visited our school recently. He said
Il trust that the people of Grand
Rapids realize that the school system
there has future commensurate
with the future of the city and that
the plans which you are now making
for upbullding of your school system,
will be broad and generous
a report of the attendance in the
various departments is herewith ap-
pended.