The Delta independent., 1907-12-27
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
Speaks Encouragingly of Record
Made-Appeal to Parents
Supt's. office. Central Bid,
na1ta Colo

To the patrons of the Public
Schools:
1t seems wise to submit report
Delta county, at the close of the
schools for the regular holiday va
cation, and. at the same time write
Il few suggestive thoughts for your
consideration. For we believe you
are interested in your public schools,
and are desirous of doing your part
to make the Delta schools all that
they should be.
You are sending your children to
us to be educated. 1t is pertinent
to ask, "What is Education?"
Many master minds have given
an answer to the question. Huxley
saws: 1.-The most valuable result of
education is the ability to make
yourself do the thing you ought to
do, when it ought tie be done,
whether you like to do it or not"
Spencer has the same idea where he
tells us to educate the child for right
living, From some of the defini-
tions we read such expressions as:
education is the elevation of
thought refinement, forming
of right habits,' energy of pur-
pose" "the gathering of experien-
ces that function in after life"
Thus prominent educators are one
in concluding that the end of edu-
cation is to develop the highest
type of character and to train the
pupil into proper habits, and sound
views of life.
After four months of close associa-
tions and directing, | am impressed
with the honest purpose of each
teacher in these schools.
The true teacher does not limit
his work to the formal studies
within prescribed hours, but desires
the continued good of the pupil,
standing ready to help the pupil
wherever and whenever possible.
With the corps of teachers 1 ap-
appreciate the hearty support we
have received from the board of ed
ucation. We urge upon all patrons
to visit the schools as often as pos
sible for the purpose of consulting
with the teachers and superinten-
dent, and to inspect the work.
We have made mistakes. This is
human. We don't propose to stand
still for fear we will make more
mistakes, but go right on with our
efforts to build the schools correct
| ing our mistakes when we know
them. To my mind the responsible
ity of directing II system of schools
| is very great. 1t is both operative
and speculative combining secular
| affairs with the training Of mind
and heart. The teachers duties
make great demands upon the nerve
| forces. hence is exhausted to mind
and body.
We believe that the child feels his
or professional man feels his. For
the reason that the child is sincere
! and inexperienced in life. He has
not yet learned to accept conditions
and pass them as incidents in his
life. Thus the teacher needs sup
port, and children need constant
care, sympathy, and encouragement.
1t is IA mistake to permit children
to attend school parties or public
meetings on evenings preceding
school days. The older children
should have fixed hours for study
and nothing should be permitted to
interfere with these hours. Home
study beginning with fourth grade
and continuing through the high
school should be required of the
pupil. The time given to study
should be from thirty minutes in
the fourth grade to one and one
half hours in the eighth, and in the
high school from two to three hours,
There is time for play AS well
as. for work. Play in the open air,
in the sunshine, where games re-
auiring skill and activity are played
to health, and good health is para
mount to everything else.
My experience with school child
rem has taught me that parents
make II mistake in constantly urg-
ing the child to make promotions.
Thoroughness and stability are the
elements that need emphasis.
If the pupil is regular in attend
nnce and has acquired study
habits, and, is restrained by his
parents from overindulgence, his
promotions take care of themselves.
The fin,l reports Of the teachers
for the month ending Dec. 20, show
r.II