The Penn's Grove record., 1906-03-09
An Interesting school Meeting


The meeting of members OF the Boards
OF Education throughout the County III
Penn's Grove school house last Friday
afternoon was largely attended. severai
members were present from Salem Ailo-
way and as far as Pittsgrove. Including
citizens there were $50 present.
County Superintendent of Schools, j.
A. Wentzell presided. Alter prayer by
Rev. Dir. r. B. Stephenson, Hon. g.. j..
Baxter, State Superintendent OF Pubic
instruction, OF Trenton, was introduced
and spoke ON Waste.
He SAID in part there was in New Jers-
ey twenty-three millions Invested III
school properties and 1886 buildings at
an average value OF $ll ,562. Ii takes ten
million dollars to maintain the school
n 50, 800 900 to pay teachers. There is
waste in employing weak teachers. New
Jersey is loosing Its best teachers who go
to New York and elsewhere where they
get better pay. We have fots OF money
and If we had pride we would put a stop
to it. 1t is waste to employ weak teach
ers. Teachers are needed n are well
trained for their profession and who have
enthusiasm to inspire pupils to learn. The
schools are kept open $50 days III tie
year and a child which stays away twelve
or fifteen can nullify all taught them.
Children should attend regularly and
their every thought and energy should
be used during school hours, which
shculd be both IN the morning and alter
noon. 1t is popular to rush through and
get away but an injustice to the pupils.
Early withdrawal Of children from
school is a serious waste. During his 70
years experience as a teacher 1t was his
constant grief to see so many quit school
at the age of IA to IL when instruction is
worth most to them.
1t is waste of time to have children
marching and the bell ringing. Economy
OF time should be practiced i'll the school
room. A parent should give a child to
understand that he or she must not be a
burden to the teacher. A child has no
right to tax the energy aud strength of a
teacher to maintain discipline.
Diversity of employment is a great
benefit to pupils. No one can engage i'll
constant mental effort from morning I'M
til night successfully. Where manual
training has been introduced it has been
a success and a benefit to pupils.
OF the teachers in New Jersey 1900
have one years training or less, and Of
ten a teacher needs help, needs supervis-
ION. While a conscientious teacher is do
ing her best there are times when she
needs assistance. Some teachers have
fads. Some will devote much time to
drawing, others to geography, to the neg
leet OF other studies, A supervisor over
sees that all studies are kept up in the
grade so that the pupil can advance uni
formly. A man is needed for such posi-
ton who will assist the teacher and in
spire the pupil.
Mr.. Herman A. Stees, of Beverly, sup
erintendent of Schools in Burlington
County. spoke on the benefit of abolish.
ing district schools and of having a CEN
trial consolidated grade school in country
districts, and having the distant pupils
carted to the school.
He was interesting and instructive.
Supt. j. A. Wentzeil expressed his ap-
probation OF the large number present
and said that>Peun's Grove school had
the largest average attendance per teach
er OF any school in the county, during the
past school year. Elmer was next. He
spoke OF the need OF increased school
facilities.
W. B. Moon, of Philadelphia, agent for
school supplies, spoke on the needs OF
the school room. He said education should
be made more practical and not looked
upon as a necessary evil.
The meeting was very interesting and
instructive to all present.