The Oskaloosa herald., 1913-02-20

high school will be given in the even.
ing. The program at the high school
will be participated in by student
members Of the literary societies, mu-
steal organizations, and by the pa
triotic societies as well. A large at
tendance is desired and expected.
Those who cannot attend the after
noon exercises are especially urged
to attend the evening program in the
assembly, al the high school building.
More detailed announcement will fol.
low.
- - - ,
Patrons and friends of the school,
generally are familiar with the fact
that for some years past, department
tai work has been carried on in the
upper grades of the city. schools. As
all may be aware, departmental work
means the teaching of few subjects
by single teacher in several grades
rather than the teaching of all sub.
jects in given grade or class. Ow-
ing TO the addition of supervisor in
drawing and one i'm writing, as well
as for other reasons, IL has been
thought best to contine the depart
mental work to the seventh and
eighth grades, except in the Webster
and Grant schools, where the sixth
grade is also included. Previous to
the persent semester, some OF the
lower grades We're included The
Glasses and teachers affected by the
change are now adjusted TO the new
order of things and work is moving
along in satisfactory manner. -
- - -:-....g.
The growth of high schools through.
out the state and nation both in num-
her and enrolment, within the recent
years, has been remarkable Certain
ambitious communities, however
have sought to establish a two, three
Tor even four year high school, when
perhaps they were barely able TO car.
ry on satisfactorily regular grade
work. Often in such places one
teacher Is expected to do not only
grade work, but also some high scnool
work, and as a consequence both de,
partments suffer. This over.reaching
has come about In some cases, in or
der to avoid the payment of tuition
to another district supporting a regu.
lar high school course. Quality of
work has been sacrificed TO quantity,
and the work has been very poorly
done. feeling, growing in strength,
Is that work should be well done
rather than that too much should be
attempted. The time is not far dis.
tant, we believe, when any work pro-
perry belonging to high school cur
riculum being well done will be ac-
ments of any standard college. At
the same time student graduating
from one, two or three year high
school and desires entrance to four
year high school should receive credit
for his work done in a lower grade
school. In order to restrict these
communities to secure the approval
of the department of public instruc-
ton, before they can be classGd as a
high school. This is an important
ruling and one that should be made
effective, as in no other way can the
interests of the children be properly
safeguarded.
- - -
AS noted previously all grade teach.
erS in the city schools are carving
oh correspondence Work In penman-
ship, receiving instructions from a
central office at Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
This is done that they may fit them
selves TO instruct the children eff.
GENTLY in the Palmer Method of Pen
manship On the completion of the
course, or in other words when quail.
flied to instruct proficiently, each
teacher is entitled to a certificate and
we are glad to report that Miss Cora
Louise Ryan has won the first teach
ers' certificate, Nearly all are earn
estly at work and 1t is expected that
many of the local force will have in
their possession teachers certifi-
cate by the end of the school year. a.
+. w. ELSE, u ...... ...
Snpt. City Schools.