The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1905-12-08
What Our Schools Are Doing.

BEL AIR, Dec. D.
To THE EGIS:
Taking for granted the people of Har-
ford are always pleased to hear from our
schools, and especially gratifed to learn
of their general condition and progress, l
venture to give some information from
the observations of one in close touch
with the teachers and their daily duties
in the schoolroom.
Owing to the exceptional character of
the weather, and the excellent condition
of our public roads throughout the fall
months, have been enabled to make a
large number of official visits, thus OBJ
serving so far the work of nearly one
hundred of our teachers.
Notwithstanding the fact that num-
Der of teachers are beginners, the schools
under their care are under good control,
and the progress of study very encourag
ing. With very rare exceptions, l have
found the schools so far visited under
management that bids fair to bring valu-
able returns for the scholastic year. The
holding of our annual institute at the
very beginning of the school year has the
effect of sending our teachers out to their
respective fields of labor with new ideas,
and with their professional interest and
enthusiasm freshened and aroused.
The advantages of this preparatory
week have never, in my official connec-
ton with our schools, been more appar.
ent than in the term just closed. The
teachers are putting their theories into
practice with vigor and earnestness
that is commendable. This does not
mean that room cannot be found for i'm
provement, but it does mean that our
teachers, as rule, are aiming toward
higher standard.
The exact enrolment of the schools for
the fall term has not vet been tabulated.
but we think it will be in excess of last
year for the same period, while the ex-
ceptional weather has permitted the pu-
pills to maintain a high average attend
ance.
give the record of few schools as to
enrolment and attendance on the days
visited them: South Delta, enrolled sc,
present II; Jarrettsville, enrolled 81,
present II; Perryman, enrolled y, pres
ent CT; Upper Cross Roads, enrolled 20,
present 20; Jefferson, enrolled %, present
%; Chestnut HILL enrolled 81, present
54; Boothby Hill, enrolled SO, present
80; Bleak Height, enrolled 25, present 81;
Havre de Grace, enrolled $50, present
SIS.
We trust our people will recognize the
supreme Importance of regular attend
ance on the part of their children, since it
is utterly impossible for any school to
make even fair progress whenits average
falls far below the enrolment. The pu-
Pill who is frequently absent loses not
only valuable instruction, but all interest
and pride in personal progress. The con-
tinuity of the work being broken, inabil-
ity to do the tasks assigned necessarily
follows.
1t has been gratifying to note the great
interest taken by many of our teachers in
the collection of libraries. During my
visits last year, secured information as
to the number of books in the district
libraries located in the schools of the
county, and found that in SO collections
of this kind, there is a total of nearly
5000 volumes. These, it must be under
stood, are distinct from the textbooks
furnished by the County School Board.
Many of these libraries are being annu-
ally increased through the efforts of ener-
getic teachers, aided in their worthy &C
tivity by donations on the part of the
School Commissioners.
In these circulating libraries many in
telligent patrons manifest lively and
helpful interest. 1t is clearly beyond
question that through the reading of
this higher class literature refining and
elevating influence is diffused throughout
the county, and taste tor intellectual
culture beyond the range of mere text
books is cultivated. Hoping to discuss
in the future other phases of work in our
schools, l am,
Very truly,
CHAs 7. WRIGHT, Supt.