Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1910-04-08
if desired. The plan is simply to allow

!
the morning and afternoon as soon
as their class work is finished. This
makes it possible to dispense entirely
with the last study period, both at
noon and at night. The programme
is as arranged that no one can go home
early both morning and afternoon.
A few are through with their work in
the morning at the end of the second
period. These are permitted to leave
the building quietly. They are not
allowed to whisper while in the build
ing, so that there is no trouble in this
regard. Then at the end of the third
period those who have no class are
dismissed, leaving the assembly room
empty. save for a few pupils who
bring their dinners. These are allowed
to remain in the room with the under
standing that they must be orderly.
In the afternoon the same plan is
carried out. All pupils must report
both morning and afternoon at the
ringing of the last bell, whether they
have class in the first period or not,
to avoid confusion in marking absence
and hardness.
The only question that arose when
discussing the feasibility of the plan
was whether high school pupils could
be trusted to study without superyis-
ion. To meet this difficulty as nearly
as possible the superintendent pub
lished a notice of the proposed plan
in the local papers and then sent a
personal letter to each parent stating
the time their son or daughter was
supposed to start for home both noon
or night. Most of the parents must
be cooperating with the teachers or
else these particular pupils can be
depended upon to do the work of their
own accord, for after months trial
of the plan all the teachers report that
they can see no difference in the kind
of classwork they are getting. The
pupils, too, are well pleased with the
plan. They seem to be in happier
and healthier frame of mind. There
is no need of recess because they
are not confined to the room long
enough to injurs their health. They
are careful not to abuse their privileg-
es, for fear they will be taken from
them. Naturally. some little points
of difficulty have arisen, but these
were all easily surmounted. For in
stance, one country boy was found
who could not go home until 4 O'Clock
because he had to wait for his brother,
who had class in the last period. He
is allowed to remain in the assembly
room and study. He appreciates the
privilege and has never attempted to
abuse it. Others have been allowed
to remain occasionally to look up a
library reference or other matters of
that kind, but in no instance has any
one created disturbance of any kind.
While this plan was worked out to
meet the present needs in Cresco, there
is no reason why it would not work
equally well elsewhere if conditions
demand it. In all schools the average
pupil is restless and accomplishes but
little during the last study periods,
especially at night If, as in many
schools, it is absolutely necessary to
hold classes in the assembly room, the
work can be made much more effective
if the pupils who haye no classes are
dismissed. The plan is certainly work
ing successfully in Cresco. and with
proper supervision might be we'll worth
trying.
EVERGREENS.
Largest stock in Northern Iowa.
Will lO0-rate or furnish car load lots il
desired. Evergreens such as Jack
Pine, Norway Pine, White Pine, Aus
trian Pine, Bull Pine. Norway Spruce
Juniper, Larch, .and Norway Poplar
from one to five feet in height, from
SIS to $40 per hundred. Write fol
special prices on larger amounts.
Apple trees, six feet, at at Is cent: