Gilpin observer., 1906-01-25
SCHOOL NOTES OF INTEREST.
Very Few Changes in the Program From
That Of Last Term.

On account of numerous adjustments
necessary at the beginning of the new
term it has been impossible to print the
names OF all those who were promoted
in this issue. The complete lists will be
ready by next week and we hope to be
able to print them in full.
Several members missed the lecture of
Mrs. Ida Kruse McFarlane last evening
because they had not seen the notice OF
the date. Those who were present we're
well entertained. There are many who
would like to see the course continued.
The new program is in working order.
In the High school there are few
changes from last term. Miss VanGil-
der will have the General History class
and Miss Taylor the beginning Geometry
class. Friday afternoon will be given
up to rhetoricals, music and drawing.
We we're looking at the children on
the playground above the Clark school
the other day and wondering in what
way if any they were influenced by their
surroundings. Have you ever noticed
sac Pioec pdi "A SIODy
street, descending at a sharp grade; on
one side a gray wall, surmounted by
stone church and school house; on the
other side, flight OF narrow stairs lead
ing to the street below: the caves of the
building barely overlooking the parapet;
picture that would not be out of place
in Switzerland or southern Italy. There
is scarcely room for good game of leap
frog, and yet the activity on that play
ground is astonishing. 1t is a swarm
ing mass at times, but the economy of
space is little short of wonderful. There
are few collisions and fewer accidents.
The youngsters have adapted them
selves to conditions. Teams attract lit
tie attention and no one has ever been
run down. 1t may be said in passing
that the street is not easy accessible to
automobiles.
Narrowness and lack of levels are
faults, but there are compensations.
Eastern children are denied the variety
of view. 1t is seldom that play ground
is terraced into successive steps, SO that
as you mount the educational ladder,
you do it literally as well as 6guratively,
and fsom the giddy height OF. the Fresh
man class in High school, you are able
to look down on the play places of your
youth, where the figures moving about
seem very small. indeed. There is as
sociation with those who are more or
less ones equals. There is less bullying
of small boys than we have ever seen on
other play grounds. The small boy has
place of his own below, where he div
ides space with the girls. But even
that enclosure is terraced, and the
strong hold the higher ground. 1t is a
constant struggle towards the top. How
very few OF that great cor course of
youngsters in the lower yard will ever
play on Second High street! Jamie
must stay out to work. Copmendable
notion,-if the thing is necessary. And
Mary thinks she had rather clerk in the
store than keep up the grind. This one
a COW boy. Out of class of sixty, six,
perhaps, finish the High school.
1t has been figured out that out of
800 graduates of the Grammar school,
one succeeds in life. That out of thirty
graduates of the High school, one sue
ceeds. How ones chances are increased
by a few years free schooling! Did you
ever think of that before? The schools
are free all the way through the High
school, into which you cannot be forced,
and there is terraced play ground with
splendid view.