Charlevoix county herald., 1918-08-23
School Commissioners
Notes
May L. Stewart. Commissioner

AS school activities come TO the lore
ground, Greetings! The commissioner
has had very active and pleasant
summer, with ten days Of much appre-
ciated vacation, taken in two install
ments, and is ready for the change of
work which September will bring.
Back of the great movements OF the
day, the school formalities are quitely
caring for themselves. Triplicate re-
ports are in early, almost without ex-
ception, and so far have been just a
little freer from mistakes than in any
former year. AT the time this goes to
the editor, Aug. 18th, reports have
been received from cities of East Jor-
dan, Boyne City and Charlevoix, from
the townships of Chandler, Hudson,
Bay, Evangeline, Wilson, South Arm,
Marion, Norwood and Peaine.
Thirteen candidates wrote on the
August examination in Charlevoix, and
ten of our girls wrote with permission
in other counties having their papers
forwarded here for corrections. Board
of examiners meets in Charlevoix at
200 a. m. Saturday, Aug. IL, to award
certificates and consider renewals and
| transfers.
Arrangements are under way for
big three day institute in October, to
take the place of the usual mid-wnter
institute. All with whom the commits
sioner has talked with seem to rejoice
over the fact that the state is now work
ing with us in our desire to avoid the
winter drifts. Also if present plans
hold, we shall combine with the school
officers meeting one day, and shall
have the very best talent available.
Five or six splendid men have been
promised us, but altho we are pretty
sure we must wait for formal appoint
ments before printing the lineup. A
big picnic has been suggested to take
the place of the usual banquet.
Eleven schools have not secured
teachers for the coming year There
are however more than eleven appli-
cants still without schools. The trouble
is to bring the two together for trained
teachers who up to the present time
offer their services out OF patriotic rea-
sons, still hesitate to teach for less than
$50 unless all other circumstances are
very attractive. Our smaller schools
feel scarcely able to pay this but COM
promises may be reached someway.
The Mackie school will transport their
children to Springvale, and the Thumb
Lake school will close.
A patriotic song book with the new
popular songs included is being pre-
pared by the state department for free
distribution among our teachers. A
new Course of Study is now in the
hands of the state printer, not so differ
ent as to necessitate weeks of labor in
the mastery but such as will demand a
little REIMBURSEMENT.
The commissioner has already placed
an order with the department for
quantities of both of the above and for
supplies such as listed in last years
directory.
Our lists of drafted boys showed us
palmer than ever before what the
schools could and did not do for its
boys. England and France saw the
same situation and Immediately began
the remedy. We have a Children's
Year before us, and our country will
spend millions of dollars this year to
decrease the death rate, to upbuild the
health of our growing young Along
this same line few of our school dis
tricts are continuing the work which
we had begun before the war.
Marion No. is remodeling the fine
cement block building to make it a
standard school. II already has new
roof, left side bank of windows, is new
ly plastered, being tinted, and is having
new furnace with ventilating system
installed. Visitors at Barnard will be
interested in seeing the new building.
Cedar Valley is lengthening the
school building, and providing a pro-
tected entry, toilets, etc., building
anew according to a state approved
plan which they submitted in 1917
The Ironton school is having new
cement floor in the basement and car
ing for little necessary things about the
building.
The Wildwood school will have cor
rect shades of tinting on walls and cell
ing.
There are no doubt many other inn
provements in progress which will soon
be discovered
Shouts Of JOY give the pessimist a
headache.
The gentle CULVER of a girls voice
often holds her beau.