Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 245, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 October 1919 — PUBLIC SCHOOL NOTES. [ARTICLE]

PUBLIC SCHOOL NOTES.

High School. The football ‘‘team is practicing faithfully every night .. under the splendid direction of Coach Hadley. They feel' confident that they will be in * excellent condition for the game Saturday, October llth,<. K when they pl»y the team from Gilman, 111., here at Rensselaer. October 18 the Watseka, 111., team will meet Rensselaer on its own gridiron and this promises to be for Watseka is known by its heavyRev. E. W. Strecker spoke to the high school Friday afternoon.. From time to time talks are to be given to the high school pupils by the citizens, and they are always found interesting as well as beneficial. For some time it has been felt that some means ought to be devised by which the standard of spelling might be raised among the high school pupils. This year two spelling lessons are to be given each week and by this means it is hoped that the trouble may be mitigated. The first lesson was given Wednesday and the following represent the averages for the four classes: Senior 93.6 Junior 87.6 Sophomore -------84.7 Freshmen 80.2 The 'music classes are enjoying the Victrola. They fmd-greab pleas- ’ ure in listening to the world’s great artists. ■ ; Grammar Building. Theboyain the eighth grade agriculture are studying wheat. On Wednesday afternoon the class, with Mr. Nave, took a little run into the country four - and one-half miles north of town on the Jackson highway to get data for their year book, which they are making and preparing themselves. They found a very good 50-acre field of wheat and the boys pronounced it an A No.-l good job on the farmer's part. The only criticism they made was that the wheat had been drilled north and south, instead of east and west, according to their text-book. The Eighth Grade club, which was recently organized, will be known as “Good Cheer.” Geraldine Roth is president; Max Robinson, vice president; Virginia Kresler, secretary and Ellen Kresler, treasurer. Miss Miles has made two trips mthe woods and fields with the sixth grade, studying Mother Nature. These trips are very interesting and much good is resulting. Miss Sage is very busy with her “Girl Scouts.” You have missed something if you have not seen them take their “hikes” across field and wood. Yes, we do some classroom work also; visit Miss English’s physiology and geography classes and see where she “stars.” Abe Martin says: The worst thing fer a town is a pore cup o coffee,” but Miss Atwood says: “Nigh on to a pore cup o’ coffee is pore cokin’ and so’in’.” Martha Randle has been on the sick list since Tuesday. We hope she will be able to be in her classes by Monday. This building paid a fitting tribute to “Riley Day” by reading some of his poems and living over again the old«days of the Jloosier poet. Primary Building. Miss Brjidyj s frorn l-Jn&y-* Ar, vißited - the primary department of the Rensselaer schools last week. Up to date there have been eighteen visitors, friends and patrons of the school.' The teachers urge those interested to come, assuring them a cordial welcome. The total number of pupils absent in the primary building were 103; total number of days, 193%. The health of the pupils has been good for this time of year; that of the pupils on the lower floor being better than that of the pupils on the upper floor. Tonsilitis, a few cases of influenza and bowel disorder seem to be prevalent. The teachers are co-operating with the health -board by sending home children who are able to be at school, Tor fear of spreading colds or other diseases. , Riley day was appropriately observed in all the rooms of the primary building. In the first grade the pupils learned the significance of Riley day. They became familiar with some of his rhymes for children and the Victrola Tecord of Riley’s “Bear Story.” In the fourth and fifth grades poems and Riley’s biography were given, the pupils using the latter for language work.** A number of short selections were read and recited from memory by pupils for 1 prevention day was observed in our department October 9th. Each teacher, in a short talk to the pupils, reminded them of the results of carelessness with matches snd inflammables. A strong patriotic appeal was made and the program was made more vital a 1 fire drill.