Rocky Ford enterprise., 1906-06-01

Rocky Ford schools were exception
ally good. but that the teachers were
hampered by most miserable and alb
surd text books ever imposed on a
long suffering pubiis. The higher
schools of the country do not use the
spiral system Of mathematics. Rays
arithmetic Is coming in favor again:
S. w. Crcssy had only praise for
Superintendent Boiles. but deplored
scraps between teachers before the
children. II the faculty cannot work
rogther peaceabiy there should be
some changes. He thought the schools
should be 80 conducted that pupils
would not wish to go elsewhere to
complete their high school education.
He asked number of questions of n
critical character. all OF which were
not answered. A study which Is once
adopted should be finished. or the
study cut ont OF the curriculum.
| During one OF Mr.. Crowley's talks
he referred to the fact that the High
School exhibits had taken first prem
ium at fairs wherever exhibited.
a communication was received from
Mrs. G. NJ. Hall and Mrs G. NJ.
Lawson asking the establishment OF
kindergarten department. saying ii
would be a valuable addition to the
/ school work.
Mr.. Davenport would have the cx-
animation system changed. and
strongly opposed the vertical writing.
This method was neither rapid nor ar
,is,ic. Lcgibili'y was its only claim
TO usefulness. The vertical system
destroys all individuality of pcnman-
nuisance. lie regretted the with
drawai OF drawing and music from
the course OF study. Many scholars
have too many studies. In colleges
| four or five studies only are given to
students. while in our high schools
pupils from ten to sixteen years have
cigh, and ten studies.
Mrs. Whi;tcnburg would like to sec
/ music restored, and did not agree
with the statement that the children
were ovcrcrowicd with studies. There
were wrorpS in the High School dur
/ ing tho past year which should he
rcmeiicd. She thought, parents made
great mistake in encouraging the
I supposed grievances OF children. l;
/ is better to take tn. side of the
, teacher.
Mrs. Dr.. Wolfe asked in regard to
the csiablishmcn; OF kindergarten.
|, seems that kindergarten cannot
be added without sncciai levy.
I. d. HHlr rraiscd the schools.
| DIR. Z. NJ. Pollock slid you wo:ilti
go long wav before finding better
I schools. and that higher salary for
the PRINCIPAL oi the High School
/ womld he good move.
| Mr.. Fcnlason thought il would h-
n rood move TO practically abolish
thc societies. icttirg the rivalry he
between the individual students rath-
or than the societies.
Mrs. Whi,tcnburg said the debates
were all right. but the rivalry he
tween tho Scriciirs. vas objectionable.
DR.. Pollock though, the societies
were useful as affording line OF ac-
tivity in harmony with college life.
| Mr.. Crcssv thought the societies
could be dispensed with with profit.
a. c. Conner said that when beat.
en- in debate the defeated party should
be manly and courteous. II may II"
their turn to win next tive. lie
thought too many studies. were given
the pupils.
l.. r. Fcnlason suggested ,ha, i,
would add to the efficiency Of the
High School course ii, during the las;
three months the common branches
of the eighth grade We. reviewed
4
! trrcs on ordinary bookl;ccring. ard
other practical lines com--or 70 cv.
c-- d1v life. He had hca-i of Grad
u,tcs from the Denver hiph school
who wc-r not able 10 pass cxamina.
tion in the common br7rrhcs.
There was ono general discussion
, of the value OF instruction in gram
mar outside of the text books.
| +. NJ. Wciland said that the text
books. and especially the arithmetic
were Objectionable.
Mr.. Nelson was opposed to Rays
arithmetic. and thought the Grammar
used was quite objectionable.
Several ccccntricities OF teachers in
connection with school management;
I cave in for criticism.
The school play given during COM
! rcnccrcrt week Ind a nu-rbcr oi
critics aud no defenders. tho cv-
~-csscd o-irions being that the High
School should keep ont of the theat-
! rical business.
Mr.. Fcnlas.on thought that This
/ meeting would bring good results
md that other simil'r meetings might
be called with profit
There was sor,c general discussion
gard to tho salaries raid teachers. but
few i1urcs were given.
Mr.. Evans said that the board vas
trying to spend as little as toossiblc.
and at the same time maintain the
hirh grade of the schools. Tho in
debtrdncss had been reduced, and the
district was now on a cash basis
Last year the school levy was reduced
Senator Crowley offered rcsolu-
ton of confidence in the board and
agreement to stand by them in their
work, which was unanimously adopt
cd.
The above is not full report OF
the talks made at the meeting. There
were number of personal references
and some details of unimportant mat