Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1910-12-28
ESTABLISHED 1855
U, Z IONAL WORK PRAISED
General RO Z Visits and Writes Of the
bile Schools

VIC "lolb AAC puDiiC ana GOLGf
q room, the beginning of life's work.
Miss Hamilton playing the piano, the
klnders sitting in a circle. being in
structed in child's song, and learning
the harmony of music. Suddenly the
music quickens, when the little people
in the circle rise and march in cadence
as well as a child's mind can direct.
They sing, the teacher leading Christ
mas carol. They swing their little
arms, and in merry walk around the
circle we note the innocent child mind
and comprehending more,
each day improving, and my heart was
filled with gladness.
Next, into the First grade, the sec
ond step in life, the onward march with
the millions to higher educAion Miss
McDermott, teacher, forty pupils, busy
with the little folks promoted from the
Kindergarten, studying lessons and
blackboard instruction. The teacher
showed tact and ability to instruct the
forty little beginners. The room was
pleasantly decorated with little orna-
ments made by the children.
Upstairs, we enter the Second grade
room, the third step in lfe's work.
Miss Coffiand with forty-four little
bright-eyed children, girls nicely and
clearly dressed; boys will be boys, and
nature cannot easily be changed. The
room tastefully decorated, the black
board showing much skill in drawing.
The little people, as their names were
called, stepped quick ~ the front and
read with amazingly clear voice and
good accent, the instructions splendid,
the attention superb.
Third grade, Miss Hawley, with forty
four little folks, half of them with
hands uplifted, the signal 81 can tell. "
AT this remarkable young age the
little ones were quick to answer. The
room cheerfully and nicely decorated,
instruction good and attention extra
good.
By circuitous route found the do
nestle science room, Miss Moore, teach
er. Twenty young misses were being
taught the correct principles of cook
ing, and how TO cut and make dresses,
skirts and aprons. The young future
house-keepers were cheerful and happy
in the work nature has so instinctively
fitted them toperform. This department
Is conducted in addition to class studies,
and is an invaluable adjunct TO the high
and grade school. 1t was great plea
sure te see the girls in such happy
mood, learning the science of good
cooking and sewing.
Entering the manual training depart
ment, now with elbow room, MIR. Car
yer experimenting 1863 boys, showing
unusual interest with tools, making
many useful articles. When boy can
work at bench with tools the ques-
ton is solved there is something doing.
Entering the commercial room, Miss
Wolf, instructor, found seats full, with
boys and girls learning stenograghy,
type-writing and bookkeeping a full
commercial course.
Following procession of thirty or
more high school young men and wo-
men, to class room, we listen with
interest to questions by Mr.. jerks, and
prompt answers N commercial geogras
ply. The text books are of recent
write up and the field of operations in
the sea with its mysteries; the earth
and wealth far down where beds of
coal rest, where lakes and rivers of oil
are stored far down in the depths,
where gas is confined in great tanks
made by the laws of a higher power
than man. The instructor had the les
son well memorized, while the class
showed interest and much study in the
wonders of commercial geography.
Taking seat in the Eighth grade,
Miss Gerhard, found forty-four pupils
working hard to enter the high school
in 1911. The class was reeiting in
grammar and doing good work. That
uneasy age was under the influence of
good discipline; the room cheerful and
bright.
Nine O'Clock a. M, take seat in
the main room. Miss Thomas, pianist,
the superintendent on the rOstrum with
baton in hand, poised high over his
head, leading two hundred voices; the
pianist fills the room with sweet music,
the leader swings his baton, his voice
leading the chorus which fills the room
with the harmony of piano and two
hundred young voices, growing stronger
and better every morning. Suddenly
the music turns to a quick step, when
the classes march away to the several
recitation rooms. The girls march and
sing many points of gracefulness, and
volume of voice, above the boys.
Visiting the Medieval history room,
found large class of young men and
women with lessons well studied, being
taught by Prof. Colburn, who is a
masterful teacher and eminently skilled
in all class work, and especially strong
as a superintendent.
Being close by the teachers training
school, we enter and find Professor
Smith and assistant, Miss Wilson, busy
instructing fifty pupils, largely young
women, bling taught the science of
teaching. They fill two rooms in the
loft. Fifty young women, anxious to
be trained as teachers, are on the wait
ing lists. This school is taught by two
experienced instructors, preparing
teachers for the ungraded district
schools located in every town in tie
county. Its Importance is not realized
by the county board. The county sup
erintendent of school has repeatedly
recommended a training school to sup
ply the country districts with teachers,
especially trained to teach, and has
stated: NO normal graduate has ever
taught an ungraded school in Vernon
county, neither would they teach an
ungrtded school. The normal training
has fitted them for higher work with
more agreeable surroundings than the
lonely school-house by the roadside. "
the Importance of building
~ the training school,
The Viroqna high school is offering
an excellent opportunity to those who
wish a college education. Below the
high school are eight grades and
music, manual training,
domestic science, a commercial course,
stenography and typewriting. at cost
of 800, 600 a year, with an additional
s., 900 each year appropriated by the
city of VirOqua to maintain the library
which has 5000 volumes adaoted to all
ages and reference: also many daily