Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1913-12-05
WHAT CAN BE DONE TO
MAKE OUR SCHOOLS BETTER

The above caption is the title of a
paper read at the School Survey meet
ing in District No. 2, Dover, on Fri
day, November 14th, by Meta Huber,
aged 16, an 9Th grade pupil of the
above named school of which Ross
Shaffer is the teacher. The paper is
interesting as giving the pupils point
of view in regard to how the school
might be made better and also as
sample of the literary attainments of
the eight grade pupils. We publish
the paper herewith:
"When children reach the age of
six or seven years they enter the
public school and become subject to
its rules. Law and order are every
where necessary to the peace, safety,
liberty and happiness of the people.
A school district or sub-district is a
certain portion of the town or coun-
ty laid off and set apart for the pur-
pose of establishing and maintaining
a public school. 1t exists for educa-
tional reasons only, and is the unit
of educational work. The public
schools are supported by funds rails
ed partly Nby the state, which dis
charges this duty by dividing the
county into districts of such size
that school house and a public
school is within reach of every child.
Every child should attend school reg
ular throughout the entire school year
and be at the school house at nine
O'Clock. In order to have a good
sent or tardy half of the term, for
not keep up with their class. 1t is
tho pinht nd onos of fha hinboof
of every child to attend the full ses-
prevents him from exercising this
right commits an olense against the
child and against the state. The
state taxes its citizens to maintain
system of schools for the benefit of
every child and so every child has
right to all the state has provided
for him.
AS it is the right, it is also the
duty of all children to attend the full
session of the public school or of
some other equally as good. They
should yield prompt and cheerful
obedience to the school government,
not because they must, but because
they are willing to DO it. Every child
should be orderly in the school room
and about the school yard. Every
child should be supplied with books,
tablets, pencil, etc. They should new
er take these things that do not be-
long to them without the permission
from the owner. Every pupil should
be provided with handkerchiefs. No
one should think of going to school
without one. They should make it a
rule of taking one just as they do
their lunch. Every child should be
polite to the teacher and scholars,
showing that he has been taught man.
ners at home. All the larger pupils
should show respect to the smaller
ones and be kind to them, thus win
ming respect for themselves. This all
helps to make better school.
No school can be made better by
the pupils alone, but must have the
help of the teachers, school district
and school board. The directors
should\see that there are good stoves
in the school house and that they
are cleaned at least once term, for
| do not think there is one on the
school board that would like to come
to school in winter and them have the
stove to smoke so you cannot see
each other. Either we must open the
windows and almost freeze or leave
them shut and have the tears rolling
down the cheeks.
Now I am going to ask just one
question. Would you like to sit in
such school room and study? No,
| know you would not. For you must
know what is not very pleasant for
yourself is not very pleasant for the
pupils. A thorough examination
should be made of the school house
before school commences each term
and see that it. is thoroughly cleaned
and that no windows are broken You
must realize by this time that it not
only requires the help of the pupils
but also the teachers and school
boards help to make good school.