Democratic Sentinel, Volume 1, Number 38, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 November 1877 — School Matters. [ARTICLE]

School Matters.

The school trustees submit for* the consideration of the patrons of the Rensselaer free school a few items gleaned from the superintendent's l>ort for the two months ending October 28,1877. PUNOTUALITT. The enrollment is 246 and average attendance 203, while the enumeration shows 325 pupils. The average attendance is only 62 per cent, of the number within school age, and 79 pupils have not attended school at all. This showing is not satisfactory and results somewhat from prevalent sickness. The last month shows a more regular attendance. In Primary A the daily attendance was 94 per cent, of the enrollment, in Primary B 97 per cent., Intermediate9s percent , Grammar School 91 per cent., and in High School 95 per cent. Parents should regard school as of primary importance. The teachers have handed us the names of pupils whose report has been 3 for the last month as follows:

Primary A.—Gertie Clark, Ida Shriver, Nellie Hopkins, George Cole, Albert Fendig, Miller Grautaud Benhart Leopold.—7, Primary B.— Artie Hopkins, Albion Miller, Bertie Hopkins, Inez Hutson, Birdie Hammond, Minnie Warner, Ora Hopkins, Fannie Wood, Gracia Reeve, Lucy Healy and Nellie Kelley.—l 2 I NTEKMEDIATK.— Louisa Platt, Nellie Reeve, Minnie Peacock, Maggie Healey, Myrtle Henkle, Charlie Spitler, George Holingsworth and Katy Green.—B. High School —lda Parkinson and Louis Holingsworth.—2. It does us good to keep a record of those who can conscientiously respond 3 every day. Why not have the list a long one? Teachers should report in this list none but the worthy. CONDUCT. Our report is not definite on this, item of school management. In this behalf progress is the word. The school regulations have been substantially carried out without any occasion for severe disipline. The government of the school in the main has our approval. We hope patrons will do all they can to aid our teachers in teaching the art of good behavior. This is very important. study. This branch of school work is not very cleverly reported. The plan of study has been such as to induce home work. Home study should become the universal custom. Evening meetings have been avoided and patrons would do well to totally discourage and prevent night meetings on the first four evenings of the school week at least. The school needs the careful attention of all. We have incurred great expense to provide a worthy school. It has progressed thus far in a manner commendable to the teachers and all concerned. The future success of the Rensselaer free school requires your continuous aid and encouragement. We ask you to study carefully the course of study, regulations and suggestions, and do all that can be done to sustain the plan outlined in the published Catalogue. Mordecai F. Chilcote, Ralph Fendig, Simon P. Thompson, School Trustees. We, the teachers of the Rensselaer free school, cordially approve the above suggestions of the trustees in regard to attendance, punctuality, good behavior and home study. G. W. Allen, T. P. Wright, Myra H. Price, Mattie Benjamin, Candace Boroughs.