Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1904-07-21

he work was heavy, but yet | think
he results were good and Justlhed the
effort
Because of the fever epidemic in But
Ter our Teachers Institute was put
back until February s-12, 1904.
None but the very best instructors
had been employed or our institute
would have been failure, through the
lateness of the date and the absence of
of teachers; but from the words of so
many am convinced that more sue
cessful and more appreciated institute
was never held in this county.
Our first annual Directors Conyen-
ton, as required by the late law, was
held in Butler Nov. 81. and was attend
ed by about 125 local directors. This
we think was a large number to attend
a meeting in a town which at that time,
because of the fever epidemic, was
Stunned by everybody.
A very good program had been ar
ranged and was carried out by local di-
rectors ably assisted by Hon. John Q.
Stewart of Harrisburg and Supt. James
Fruit of Mercer county.
Last year we had 80 teachers of
230 were females, II were beginners and
95 had taught for FIVE years or more.
Eleven new school rooms were built
and several houses were repainted and
refurnished. We need some advance
work along this line of fixing up our
school property in many places.
take it that no ground can be too
rich nor smooth for the play ground; no
floor can be too bright and clean no
walls can be too richly decorated. and
no house made too much home-like for
our boys and girls whilst in school, for
they are worth more than gold.
The most important lessons for life
are TO be learned in school and are not
found in our text books. Such princi-
Piles as truth, politeness, respect, mod
esty. love and virtue are hard to instill
in boys and girls hearts when the sur
roundings and environments are not
what they should be. A little money
carefully used in cleaning up and beau
tifying school properties would aid very
much along this line.
The three township high schools were
more successful this year than last. both
in attendance and the kind of work
done
Commencement exercises were held
in the Penn township and Franklin
township schools The former gradual
ing a class of ten and the latter a class
of six. The Muddycreek township
school did excellent work but had no
graduates this year.
Each year we name two days to be
especially known as visitors days, at
which time most of our teachers made
special efforts to get the parents into
their schools. Some parents visit their
schools without this extra inducement,
but yet so many do not that we are led
to think that some good comes from
this effort.
When parents and teachers fully un-
derstand the relation that really
exists between them in the school and
home; when they remember that the
one cannot exist without the other, and
that he who neglects the one thereby
wrongs the other-then l think the
matter of school visitation will largely
solve itself.
Because of the long siege of sickness
through which had to pass l was not
able to get into all our schools this year
/ was 10 see over 200 schools, several of
which were visited after my sickness
/ And here l wish to publicly express
my hearty thanks for the many kind
words and loving deeds shown to my
Sell duu ldIiily ny 30 many ucdI lilcAuS
during my late illness.
Human sympathy is strong cord and
helps support many one in time of
trouble.
Directors and teachers, pupils and
patrons, the ministry and the press of
this county, you, each and all, have my
thanks for the interest you took in our
schools this year.
We look upon education as the hope
and fore-runuer of advanced civiliza-
ton, and with this ideal in mind it
should be your purpose and mine to
give our hearty cooperation in all
things that tend towards elevating our
schools.
All teachers are cordially invited to
attend the educational meeting and
hand shaking at Alameda Park on Sat
urday, Aug. 20, at 10 o'clock.
Yours very truly,
HOWARD /. PAINTER.