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"Dissension exists in some of the districts, we are sorry to say, but as they are out of our province to cure, we will not dwell on them further than to say that 'harmony is always essential to prosperity.'Who's to blame? The District Committee return too many of a suitable age whose names never appear on the School Register. Now and then one is schooled at home, but we recommend that all who are absent from school should be noted by the District Committee and reported to the Selectmen if thought worthy, to be dealt with according to the law provided.
"Much has been done the past year of a commendable nature. A new school house has been erected in the Second District and though it is not a model to follow or all that could be desired, still it furnishes the school a commodious and convenient room. The 5th and 7th districts have repaired largely so that their houses make a more suitable appearance, and it is to their credit that it was done with voluntary effort.
"The 11th or Red Oak District have also enlarged their house to furnish a Sunday School & other religious purposes. More labor will be required to make it available or even suitable for a winter school."
"We could not fail to notice one new feature not commonly found or practiced in our schools. We allude to the introduction of singing and we would recommend its adoption by all other schools. Every child should be learned to sing and every one tries sooner or later to do his own singing. So long as there is an inherent desire to sing, we say cultivate it by all means. If your teachers are not competent, let them learn, and let us set the thing in motion now.The annual reports from 1861 --1865 all cite the need for greater public support of the district school committees. The 1865 report cites a new school law which requires that the prorata cost to a scholars parents should not exceed $6.00.
"If needs be let us have public singing schools where the old as well as the young may be taught how to bring out the melody that is in their hearts. Give us singing in our schools we say if possible, and let some plan be devised to teach our scholars how to sing. In Germany the whole thing is regulated by law. Everyone is required to attend school and all are required to sing as well as read. So that an entirely illiterate or unmusical German is never to be found...
"Your committee of education has determined on a standard series of books for all the schools. Every school will be notified, and as fast as new books are wanted, they will conform to that standard, and thus save a multiplicity of books as well as expense, while we shall reform a great and increasing evil."
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