Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1910-04-20
NEWS OF CITY SCHOOLS
Preliminary Announcement of the
Exercises of Commencement
Week.
SPELLING CONTEST RESULTS
Interesting Items OF News Concern
ing the City Schools, Reported
by superintendent j. c.
Richter.

The spelling contest between the
Sd, 4th, 9Th and 9th grades of the
West Side and those of the high
school building occurred Friday af-
ternoon, with the following results;
Sd grade-Harry Berratz, high
school building, spelled all down.
Average number of words per pupil
missed-West Side, 3 2-13; written,
1918; high school building, aver
age in all, 2; written, 7-39. In the
4th grades-Nora Bergeson and
Dagna Olson went down on the same
word, thus tying the grades; the
average missed by these grades
West Side l 10-11, written, 1 5-11;
grades, high school building. Miss
Cornell, l 1919, written 1913; Miss
Anfinson, 1 1924, written l 1-6
5th grade-Florence Burtis spelled
down all. Average, West Side, l and
S2-100; written 2 36-100; high
school building. l 1928; written,
1928 9Th gfade-Matthew Schnei-
der spelled down all. Average, West
Side, l 2-3; written 2 13-1O0; high
school building. 1 93-100; written,
3 55-100. You will note that the
total results show that in the firal
rnctrItC hA 9Th CiIn
won, and tied in the 4th and lost in
the Sd and 5th. The strangeness
of the room and surroundings no
doubt Handicapped the visitors some.
On a whole, we feel that the extra
interest taken in spelling was worth
while and that results were COM
mensurate with the efforts put forth.
A splendid good nature was shown
by all the pupils in the contest. A
number of visitors were present
from beth schools.
= A. suggested last week the class
which completes the course in June,
will present as their class play an
adoption of THE College Widow"
Mr. Bert Morss will have charge of
the play and will be responsible for
the training of the class. This will
assure a splendid production. The
class which completed their work at
Christmas, but who have not re-
ceived their diplomas, will give a
class program On Commencement
night. Both classes will be award
ed their diplomas at that time. At
recent meeting of the Board of
Education 1t was voted that in the
future the classes must appear in
cap and gown for graduation. This
is change that is in keeping with
all of the leading high schools in
the country. The reason for this
position with Boards of Education
is primarily to protect the child and
parents who have made great finan-
cial sacrifice in completing the
course and who must follow up the
pace in dress established by the
members of the class who are very
much more able to provide elaborate
commencement gowns and dress.
The cap and gowns do not interfere
with those who wish to follow up
the practice of elaborate dress, in
either case. (and at times those
who are the least able are the ones
who are the most extravagant) but
gives them an alternative of doing so
or not. just as they wish.
We wish to acknowledge the re-
ceipt of number Of books from
patrons. Editor Bailey places
number Of reports on astronomy, in
Guiding an extended treatise on the
solar eclipse of 1900. The latter is
a compilation made by Milton Upde-
graft, U. S. A., former resident of
Decorah and a graduate of the High
School. l.. l.. Caldwell presents a
statistical atlas, and number of
special reports of the census, in
Guiding a special report upon
wealth, debt and taxation of the
United States. compiled in 1907.
These books will be kept for refer
ence in economics and other work
as 1T may come up. Rene Rosen-
thai has also left a large map of the
United States which he received
some time ago.
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