The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1913-12-20
s. ]. C. /. Notes.

With last Friday the first term of
the school session ended and the
students We're dismissed until Jan.
8. This term has been a most sue
cessful one in every respect. The
best of spirit prevails among the
pupils and the regularity in attend
ance is unsurpassed
Strict and unbending discipline has
been the first law, and has ever prov
ed most efficacious in inspiring in
the students a feeling of admiration
for Ghe school, of esteem for the fac
ulty, and of respect Of themselves,
and it is the primal source of the
institutions renown and appreciation
in this section of the country.
As emulation is one OF the most i'm
portant factors in the maintenance Of
real, live, healthy school, many
means have been adopted, and have
continually proved themselves most
beneficial in awakening and main
tanning spirit of friendly rivalry
among these means are the monthly
tests, which are conducted in the fol-
lowing manner: The monthly pro-
gram of the studies for each grade
is mapped out and given to the teach
er, whose business is to have it car
cied out by the students. AS the
program is the product Of collective
experience Of the teachers, no one is
allowed to trespass it's limits. When
a teacher has completed his allotted
portion, the remaining days are en-
ployed in reviews, oral drills, in a
weak specially and in coaching up
the backward pupils. The tests are
conducted by the principal. He takes
each grade separately, and after re
viewing by cross questions all subject
matter passed over during the month,
proclalms the results in public meet
ing Of the students; and useless to
add, the greatest enthusiasm can cas-
lily be made to reign in sway SUI
preme. The following week the
names Of the pupils who have obtain
ed 100 per cent in the test are pub
lished in the local newspaper. The
next morning, the course of studies
for the coming month is given out and
And SO On for the rest of the ses-
sion. The above plan has been fol-
lowed during the first part of the SEES
sion and has produced effective and
fruitful results.
In order to enable the pupils of
the higher grades to become better
acquainted with the best authors, and
make themselves more proficient in
English reading, free library will
be opened after the Christmas holi-
days. All the students, from the
fifth grade up, will not only be given
freedom to the library, but will be
required to follow set course of
reading. During the test week the
pupil will be required to relate, in
composition form, a short account of
the book or books he has read dur
ing the month. These compositions
will be examined by the teachers and
rewards properly bestowed on de-
serving pupils.
A nice program of music, including
the beautiful Christmas hymns, has
been prepared by the altar boys for
the early mass on Christmas morn
ing.
It is with genuine pleasure the
ASulUSlS- vi LlG .. j. W 4. 1dChiey
extend to the parents and pupils
their best wishes for merry Christ
mas and a most happy and prosper
Gus New Year.
No doubt the students are looking
forward with eager anticipation for
some signs of the erection of a new
building to replace the old S. J. G. l.,
and it is hoped in due time the struc-
ture will be seen going. up in bet
ter and more suitable site than is at
present occupied by the old building.
At mass meeting of the citizens
Of Donaldsonville held last June, a
subscription list was opened and a
number of substantial contributions
were pledged to a fund to build a
new school. After the grinding sea-
son is over another Ist#Will be start
ed, and it is hoped every person in
town will give a generous contrlbu-
ton. so that immediate preparations
can be made for the new building.
A personal letter will be sent to all
members of the Alumni Association
of the school, asking not only their
financial aid, but also their generous
cooperation in having the project
carried out.