Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1913-02-07

the wlnter montha especially, purips
the present school year three new
rural school buildings have been
erected, one in No. l, Hawkins, north
OF the village, and one in No. IL,
Thornapple, and one in No. 10, Thorn
apple. They are equipped as first
class rural schools. With few eXcep-
tons, the school buildings are in
good condition, and are maintained
thus by healthy public sentiment
among our people in favor OF the
best for their school children; how
ever, there are few. unsatisfactory
school houses remaining which are
70 be replaced shortly by modern
structures. Three buildings We're con-
demned by the State Superintend-
ent, one at Conrath, one III Dist. No.
/, Rusk,. and one in Sub. Dist No.
/, Lawrence.
Conrath will erect four room
building, and Rusk, a two room wood
en- frame, each building to install
a furnace.
New High Schools
Hawkins and Weyerhauser have
each organized, and are now opera
ting, Free High Schools, with full
four year courses of study. The first
named district is joint with Law
renee, and KEENAN, in Price Coun-
ty; the latter with the towns of
strickland and Stubbs.
Course of Study
The last edition OF the Common
School Manual isused by the State
Superintendent makes some impor-
can't innovations in the course of
,tudy tor rural schools.
TO reduce the number Of daily
.ecitations in the larger schools,
number of subjects are now being
carried one-half year only, and GER
tain subjects are alternated with
others two or three times per week.
We are striving to make the work
of each grade more practical by plac-
ing emphasis only on the essentials
and deyoting some time to simple
iorms Of hand work, and to the con-
sideration of life on the farm.
Better qualified teachers as the
result of the professional training and
a high standard Of scholarship re-
quired to secure certificate, aid
materially i'll exemplifying the work
outlined in the course Of study.
An increasing number OF school Of
flores are insisting upon more cap
bic teachers and better schools, Sc
getting those teachers who show their
iitness for the work. This is q good
omen.
Changes In School Laws
Tie following changes and new
laws We're made at the last session
If our legislature: Chapter IA re-
luires that school rooms and ont
houses shall be thoroughly cleaned
before school opens each term and
as often as necessary.
Chapter 14S, that Board OF Super.
yisors may condemn for school pur-
poes not to exceed four acres of
ground. Formerly but one arce might
be condemned.
Chapter 22S provides that school
games and amusements shall be
taught and supervised by the teach
er Of each school,
Chapter 1923 creates a teachers in
surance and retirement fund. All
teachers first beginning teaching af-
ter Sept. l, 1911, or who taught out
side of Wisconsin during the winter
and spring Of 1911, must contribute
to this fund l per cent Of their sal
airy during the first ten years teach
ing. and 2 per cent thereafter until
twenty five years services shall be
completed. They will then be entitled
to an annual annuity for life.
Chapter 400 requires that the His
tory OF our state shall be taught In
all schools.
Chapter 421 provides for more
effective enforcement of the com
pulsory attendance law.
Chapter 514 provides that school
houses may be used as social CEN
ters." These, and few other new
laws, are operating in the main for
progress in the public schools of this
state.
School Visitations
One hundred fifty eight official Wis
itations have been made since my
last report to this Board, consid-
cradle number of schools were Wis,