Gloucester County Democrat., 1906-10-11

having one study back are required to take
that one and all Of the ninth year 50 that
they may be regular tenth year pupils next
year. This upon the whole seemed the best
thing to do under the circumstances, Pupils
have been encouraged and urged to become
regular in their work. Regularity in years
would make it possible to avoid much of
the confusion which would otherwise be
ineyitable. With the separation Of eighth
year and high school regularity Of eighth
year will be made easier.
This brings me to the subject of elections
think it has always been yonr policy
here to have some required studies in your
high school course, and some elective.
The freedom Of election has made it diff
cult for a new man with new teachers, to
put matters into proper working order. |
have been little undecided as to the best
method of dealing with the subject Of elec-
tions. Il seems that pupils begin selecting
their studies in the ninth year, and some
times they take them from different years
say two or three in ninth, one or two in
tenth, and possibly one in eleventh. They
may make any selections desired from the
entire list. This in year or two makes
great difficulty in arranging schedules of
work, and it is apt to multiply classes be-
yond the number of hours allotted for reci-
tation. Within the past ten days have
had calls from half dozen students for as
many subjects of study. We cannot satisfy
ali Of these calls. We want to do the best
thing for the pupil and for the school.
There are some advantages in elective
studies, but it is important to know who
shall elect and what shall be the limits in
selection. Should the parent select the
child's studies, should this be the busi-
ness of the teacher or Principal? Should
the pupil do it /? Should there be union Of
two or more of them II seems to me that
elective studies should not be numerous in
high schools, that the course, or courses If
it be possible to have more than one
should be made out with some care and
chat when pupils are started on one Of
these, they should be kept pretty con-
sistently at it year by year till it is done.
Or il changes in their course are to be made
let them be made for sufficient reason and
with little regard for the whims Of the indi-
yidual pupil. The high school pupil-the
average one-has arrived at the age of one
Of the most critical times in his life, and be
needs as wise guidance as parents and
teachers can give him.
We can add study or two to those we
have already started, bat we haye been
slow to do this, purposely slow, so that
some pupils would be definitely settled in
the work offered without regard to things
that might be put in, which they could
elect.
AtanotheT time, if desired, will GO
more into detail upon the course Of stndy'
But you have my general idea-uniform
work in all rooms Of the same grade
parallel work both as to amount and kind.
In the high school limited opportunity o.
selection Of studies and no selection with
out the advice or consent of the Principal
and teachers. Il seems to- me that this
will tend in the direction of advancement
in your schools All work should,of course,
be Of the highest standard possible with
present. facilities. But in all things here
am subject, and cheerfully subject, to your
direction.
/ am ambitious, gentlemen, that Wood
bury shall be known as having the best
schools Of any city Of its size in the State,
that it shall be recognized by our educators
that this is true. Why should it not be SO,
Ii know no reason. We are hampered at
Epresent Of course in the matter OF building.
hbut better facility and acommodious build
hing will come, have no doubt, and With
these Woodbury. ought to stand second to
none in It's schools. We shall work with
this end in view during this year 1906-'07