Grand Rapids High School - Tomahawk Yearbook (Grand Rapids, MN)

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SENIQR HIGH SCI-IDOL PRINCIPAL

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DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT

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RURAL SUPERVISORS lll'1lllCMAN M. W. VIHS'l NDF School District No. One maintains as efficient a system of rural schools as is to be found in the State of ltlinnesota. This efficiency is due in a large measure to the excellent staff of super- visors in the employ of the District. ldach one has had considerable training for this particular work in addition to years of practi- cal experience in the field. Each supervisor has complete charge of the schools in his territorv and makes periodic visits to each school. The most important duty of a supervisor is to render constructive criticism to the teachers in the various schools. In addition a supervisor has many other dnties to perform. He checks attendance, helps to enforce the compulsory attendance law. checks his teachers monthly and daily plans, assists with discipline problems, arranges the pro- gram In conform to the State Course of Study, visits the homes of the children, checks on the supplies and needs of the: e A. ol' takes part in the teachers' institute, takes charge of the Achieve- ment liay exercises, dia sbpupil difficulties and offers remedial suggestions, gives stand- ardized tests for corre2L'tk-.pupil placement, suggests proper and helpful teaching technique be- sides other details. Many' and varied are the problems of a rural school teacher. Her job is a big one. The fact that she has a supervisor to whom she can go for help is a big satisfaction in itself. - All of the rural schools in the District are now accredited. In other words, the State De- partment of ldducation recognizes the pupils of the rural schools as being on a par with those in the graded elementary or village schools. All teachers in the ungraded elementary schools have had at least two years of training beyond high school. Their training qualifies them to teach in graded elementary or city school systems. 1 The school year in the ungraded and semi-graded schools of School District No. One begins officially with the assembling of the teachers for a day in Grand Rapids with their superintend- ent and supervisors. At this meeting the superintendent gives his directions, assignments and suggestions to all. Following this general meeting each supervisor meets with his respective teachers for conferences from which the teachers are dismissed to go to the schools assigned. As soon after the close of the first month of school as is possible the same teachers with those from the rest of the county are called in for the county institute. Provision is made for this by the State Institute Law. ln Itasca County this has come to be a one day meeting. One or more institute instructors sent out by the State Department of Education present and discuss with the teachers the curriculum material decided upon in the year's program. This is done quite intensively so that the teachers like Peter in Bird's Christmas Carol go out feeling: If you tell me one more thing l can't set up and eat . The exchange of ideas with others engaged in like work and the suggestions from experts in the rural field serve as inspiration so that all return to their work fired with greater enthusiasm. An outstanding event for hundreds of pupils in more than fifty outlying schools of the dis- trict is the annual achievement day. Achievement day is in reality a combination of an academic meet and a field day where one may find an exhibit of maps, class- room projects, posters, sewing and manual training. It is largely' fiom this display that exhibits for the county and state fairs are chosen. LDNA I. MURPHY There are thirteen of these meets held in the district each year with as many as eight schools represented at each center. The morning program includes declamations and spelling. The winners in thesis events represent the center at the county spelling and declamatorv contests at Grand Rapids. Winners at the county contest are an-ardell medals or trips to the Minnesota State Fair. Musical selections and novelty numbers on occasions are added to the morning activity. Athletic events distinguish the afternoon program. Activities are planned for all ages. ln fact a group of primary youngsters may be engrossed in playing Farmer in the Dell on one section of the playground while the married men are completely outclassing the single men in Tug-o-War out long-side the school. The day offers an opportunity for the pupils, teachers and parents to mingle with each other, make new acquaintances and become a bit more familiar with the things others are doing. - 52--