Putnam patriot., 1920-10-01
Shower For Miss Clifford

have time to be idle.
 The objections brought forward were the expense of another teacher, transportation and fitting the Acad- emy for more pupils; the inequality of advantage to those in outlying dis tricts; the hardship of transportation. The burdened taxpayer and the sad state of today's method of education as entrusted with the glories of the past were cause of much eloquence.
 The sole expense was shown to be the teachers salary, S900-Sl000- and over 45qs of this would come from the state-since transportation was promised by pupils attending, and since there was an available room at the Academy As attendance was to be voluntary, no pupil would be fore ed to undergo the hardships of long trip to the Academy. In his district he could have the present eighth grade instruction. Refutation of the inequality argument rendered elo- ouent some who favored the plan. Democracy it was maintained, means the maximum opportunity for the largest number possible. It cannot mean equal advantages for every in- dividual. there cannot be school in every dooryard The proposed con solidation would give better advan- tage to those who would go to the Academy; it would take present ad- vantages from none. And as the South parish pays more than half the taxes of the town, they would pay for the benefit that proximity to the Ac- ademy gives.
 The vote stood twenty-nine in favor to seventy against. It @as an unus- ual town meeting.
 Senexet Grange favors Plan
 The plan of establishing an eighth grade at Woodstock Academy was brought up as a subject for discussion and debate at the meeting of Senexet Grange, held Wednesday evening, September 22nd. Following lively and interesting discussion among the members the following resolution fa- voring the plan was adopted.
 Be it Resolved That this Grange go on record as favoring center school for eighth grade pupils of Woodstock and approves and endors- es the proposition for effecting such organization as was discussed at the special town meeting held at North Woodstock on the 4th inst, to wit, the organization of an eighth grade class at the Academy building, open to all eighth grade pupils in Wood stock, but with the continuance of eighth grade work in any and all dis triet schools where the parents of pu- pills may so request.
 That authority is hereby authorized for the transmission of copy of these resolutions to the town school com mittee and their publication in the Putnam Patriot and Windham Coun- ty Observer.
 Among the advantages of the plan as related by those who took part in the discussion were:
 Stronger eighth grade work in longer recitations for at the Acad- emy three hours would be given to actual teaching periods, while at the grammar schools only about 40 min utes is given
 Second-Stronger district schools with fewer recitation periods due to eliminating the eighth grade, allowing more time to be given remaining grades.
 Third-At the Academy the depart mental work will be taken rp, mathe- matics will be taught by a trained mathematician and history by a teacher specially trained in that branch and so on throughout the diff ferent branches taught.
 Thus eighth grade pupils will re- ceive the benefit of instruction under expert teachers in each subject, and the Academy work will be strengthen ed.
 Fourth-The Academy now holds a college certificate so that pupils who graduate can enter most of our col