The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1904-06-24
A TWO YEARS. REPORT
Superintendent Coursey Makes an
Interesting statement of the
School Conditions.
School Conditions

SclOOI touultlOIS.
Hon. G. ". Nash. Superintendent
of Public Instruction, Pierre.
Dear Sir: Pursuant to your request
of recent date for information CON
ceruing the educational progress of
Dawson county for the past two
years, l have the honor to submit
the following report
Teachers, For the past two years
we have each year employed fifty
three teachers. They have all been
good, faithful workers. lmbued with
a spirit OF pro~gresslveness, and much
has been accomplished.
Salaries. Teachers salaries are
gradually, and sincerely trust, per-
manently, advancing. This year,
wages ranged frcm. s2S TO s75 per
month. Most of the first grade
teachers received $40. Next year,
the wage standard will unquestion-
ably be higher, ranging from $40 to
$50 per month. The increase in
wages has enabled US to keep our
best teachers at home, and this has
added greatly to the efficiency of our
work.
Organization. Our schools never
were in a better organized condition..
This is attested by a large increase
in the per cent Of enrolment OF the
total number of children of school
age, as shown by the census returns,
by a splendid advance in the aver
age daily attendance, by a correspond
ing diminution in the number of
days absence, by the large and reg
ular attendance at u teachers
meetings, held three times each
month during the major portion Of
the school year, and by our Reading
Circle enrolment, which is over 200
per cent of our teaching force. 1t
will thus be seen that the work of
the county has been a unit. Teach
ers have learned to realize their in
aividual responsibility; learned that
they are the county superintendents'
trustees; that upon their respons-
Weness to his suggestions depends
his success; upon their indifference
his failure.
Spelling Schools. - September Is,
1903, [ convened all the teachers in
the county at the court house in the
city OF Mitchell, to explain to them
the exact plan of work | desired
them to carry into execution during
the year. One of the main things
sought was a revival of ''the old
fashioned spelling school, it being
evident that the teaching of so much
written spelling was not getting the
desired results. To this suggestion,
our teachers responded right royalty.
Each township was taken as a unit,
and the schools in them were pitted
against each other. Public mention
is hereby made of the renown won
by Miss Agnes Scheich. who stood
for over four hours without being de-
3eated. We hope for a continuation
o. this class Of work next year.
Libraries and School Furniture
The library law grows i'm public
favor. A larger number of books were
read and re-read last year than ever
before. The circulating feature has
not been put into effect, it being
deemed inadvisable by the library
board and l think time has already
demonstrated the wisdom of their
actions. School entertainments. as
sociated with basket suppers, have
been held throughout the county
and for the two years ending June
30, 1904. nearly $500 has been raised
at these gatherings, and expended
for additional library books. book
cases, pictures Of distinguished men
and women. large school bells, differ
emit kinds OF school furniture and APP
%paratus, and for large flags and flag
stats.
Patriotism AN patriotic days.
such as the birthdays of Washington.
Lincoln and Mckinney. Decoration
LAY, ETC., nave been honortd by
patriotic programs. Flags, 6xl2
Feet, have been unfuried above 10
per cent of ou1 school houses. A
strenuous effort will be made by the
present superintendent whose second
term in Office expires at the close of
this calendar year, to have flags and
poles purchased fer the remaining 35
ger cent of the schools of the county
before he goes out of Office.
Certificates of Award To en-
courage regularity in attendance
large Autographed certificates of
award have been issued to each pupil
Who attended school for sixty consec-
ative days without being absent or
tardy and whose department has