The Sunday telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1914-1927, 1916-04-02
Are You Interested in Improving
Clarksburg's Public Schools?

that is in every way disadvantage
to them.
From n modified examination sys-
TEN nothing but good could come.
Lesson would be given more time and
thought. timld children would develop
nerves" at the mention OF test, as
they do now. fairer grades could be
obtained without humiliation to any
and all benefited by the frequent re-
views.
Since preparation for later life is
the main object of education 1t is not
80 much the pupils grade while in
school as what he takes with him in
memory's halls for future use, that
makes OF 1t q failure or a success.
Since the great burden OF support
Ing Clarksburg's public schools is
borne by Clarksburgs citizens why
should their children be Disseminated
against unjustly?
Investigate just little and you will
ind that the most Of the pupils who
are in advance of the regular course
are from other countries, other states
md Cities, or from nearby country or
suburban schools. This fact Is so
well known by all conversant with the
workings Of school system that the
mere mention that Mary Jones entered
high school at twelve and Johnnie
Brown finished sixth grade at nine
brings the explanation "Oh! they are
out Of town pupils
Are Clarksburg's boys and girls
mentally or physically inferior? We
do not think there is any unusual
weakness inherent in our children,
but in the system under which they
acquire the rudiments OF their educa-
ton, system which expends most
Of its strength in self preservation.
We do not know how the schools Of
foreign countries are conducted. but
we do know that their. pupils often
outrank OURS.
The country teacher we know some
thing about, he Is not hampered by
red tape, he Is not afraid OF the man
higher up nor jealous Of the one lower
down. his salary is usually little less
and his term little shorter than
that Of his city brother, but he has SO
much more time for individual in
struction that he actually gets ac-
quainted with all his scholars. finds
himself Interested in their progress
and fear OF over application or at
tainment on their part worries him
not at all. Consequently when our
country pupils enter Clarksburg's
public schools they often find them
selves far ahead of those who work
under system where only luck or
fav0ritism make opportunity.
Our children must later pay for
much of their public school education.
Would 1t be more than fair to let
them get the most they can out OF it?
Who is interested in improving
Clarksburg's public schools?
The citizen who has accumulated
much property and contributes largely
to the support Of Clarksburg's public
schools wants the coming men and
women to receive the best training
possible, that the interests he has
created may be fostered and the fai,
city he has helped to build may grow
faircr and greater when he works
no more.
The parent is doubly Interested, he
wants his children to add lustre to
name already bright or bring honor
to one unknown. II he is wealthy and
, busy he looks forward to the time
when he can shift part of his load
to capable young shoulders. II he is
poor there is pleasure in looking for
ward to the time when his children
will be. at least, self supporting.
Clearly all Clarksburgers are Wit
ally interested in having their public
schools as good as they can be made.
The need Is urgent, especially SO
since our children can not enter from
any local private school under con-
ditions as favorable as those accorded