Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1913-04-16
ITEMS OF INTEREST
TO COUNTY SCHOOLS
Continued from page L.

CONTINUED from page ID
expected to read his essay before the
State Agricultural Convention. In adj
dition to the first prize carrying a
trip to the State Agricultural Conven-
ton and appearance on the program,
other special prizes, such as pure bred
calves, pigs, sheep, chickens, seed
corn, and other articles will be offer
ed to those taking high rank in this
contest.
Teachers Reading Circle Books.
| The books adopted by the Iowa
Teachers Reading Circle for the year
1913, are as follows:
The Recitation by Hamilton.
Brief Course in the Teaching
Process, by Strayer.
Practical Nature Study and Ele-
mentary Agriculture, by Patterson.
These books will be at the superin-
tendent's office, and may be secured
for reading.
Public sentiment, as we'll as our
present certificate law, require the
reading of at least one professional
book each year. AS a matter of fact,
for the renewal of any grade of uni
form county certificate, the superin-
PENDANT must positively state that the
applicant has been doing profession
al reading.
Rural Graduation Examination.
In the preliminary examination for
rural graduation, one hundred and
sixty sets were called for. Out of
these ninety were sent to the office.
Thirty received passing. marks.
The next examination will be given
about the first week in May, so we
will have time to prepare for the
graduation exercises. Teachers should
send in their requests for questions
in plenty time.
Teachers Minimum Wage Scale.
Daily wage based upon two and one
half cents for each per cent of gen.
eral average grade on the certificate
of third grade, two and three quar-
ters cents on the average of second
grade up to and including a general
average grade of eighty-five per cent,
and three cents on first grade.
Every teacher, holding either a
second or third grade certificate, who
has taught successfully for one year
and attended an approved Normal
training school for a period of six
weeks following, shall upon proper
certificate of such attendance, receive
a credit of three points in estimating
the salary due, and to be paid, but
such credit shall not operate to raise
the grade of such certificate.
The lowest general average grade
for certificate is 65 per cent.
65 per cent general average grade
at two and on half per cent is $3.50,
with three points added, $4,000.
70 per cent general average grade
at two and three fourths cents is
S41.25, with three points added, $42.-
80.
IS per cent general average grade
at three cents is $500.
All grades above the minimum av-
erage will be figured on the same bas-
is, the greater the average the great
er will be the wages.
Arbor Day.
The governor of our state has des-
ignated Friday, April 25th, as Arbor
Day.
Thirty years ago the legislature en-
acted, THE board shall cause to be
set out and properly protected twelve
or more shade trees on each school
house site, where such trees are not
growing"
How neglected the school premises
appear without tree to offer shade
in summer! Arbor Day should be OBJ
observed in our schools, let the boys
and girls devote the afternoon in spe-
cial exercises. Let them plant trees
and try to arouse a desire to know
more about nature.