Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1905-03-23

Tlltn. ~
Sixth. .............. 5i
Seventh. ...........,... 30
ElShth ......,.... fl
Nineth, high school. ....... 30
Tenth ..... .......
Eleventh. ........... 40
Twelfth 49,. ............
From these figures we see there is
no grade which caa occupy the base
nent room and other accommoda-
tons must be provided. In the
above estimate we counted only the
probable increase in the primary
grade, while there may be number
move into the district during the
summer months, and again we
understand there will be great
number entering from the Catholic
schools next year. These must be
provided for.
A few points on our eighth grade
and high school should be taken into
account and considered. We have
adopted the regular state high
school course, but have been unable
to offer only the Latin course in our
school. No matter how badly a
pupil detests Latin and the higher
mathematics and desires to study
the more practical studies, such as
book keeping, higher arithmetic,
commercial geography, English, etc,
yet, he must take all the four years
OF Latin if he graduates. There are
no elective subjects. All must
take the Latin course, the English
course is not offered, and cannot be
given until we have another teacher
in the high school. If we had the
assistance of another teacher, book
keeping, commercial geography,
higher arithmetic, more UnitedStates
history and science could be offered
those who do not desire so much
Latin, and who must go out into the
world to take up the practical affairs
of life. Both courses, by all means,
should be offered our pupils.
We are proud of the fact that our
high school ranks with the best Of
the state, but let us take note OF
some of the difficulties we are labor
ing under to keep it SO. AS it is
today in order to cffer even the full
Latin course, we are obliged to COM
bine and double up our classes in
the first and second, and third and
fourth years work. Now this can
not be done next year because of the
size of the first and second year
classes. Again, the eighth grade
teacher is compelled to give one
third of her time to high school
work. This is not fair and just.
The eighth grade is entitled to a
room and teacher of their own the
same as any other grade in the
school. If such were SO the pupils
could be given more individual
assistance and many, who otherwise
fail to pass, would be able to make
their grade. But as it is and has
been they often times become dis
couraged and drop out of school.
Then, too, there is no United States
history taught in the eighth grade
but such must be given next year, as
the pupils finish only half this year
in the seventh. Something must be
done somewhere, in order to relieve
this crowded condition and provide
accommodations for our high school
| if we wish to maintain our present
standard.
The seating capacity of our
assembly room is only "a. At pres
ent the eighth year pupils are seated
in the above room but we are obliged
to place some in a recitatio n room
apart from the others because of
lack of seats. But next year, there
will be at least Ill, and room will
necessarily have to be provided for
the extra q.
A remedy for all the above could
be found in placing q teacher in
charge of room made up from the