The Pestalozzian.

The subscribers, induced by the urgent solicitations of many the friends of Education in Ohio and also by a desire to render themselves more extensively useful, propose to publish in the village of Akron a semi-monthly paper, bearing the above title, devoted to the improvement of common schools and the promotion of popular education as a national object.

2. It is believed that such a paper is greatly needed to arouse public attention to the condition of our Common Schools and to produce efficient action for their improvement.

3. No effort will be spared to make the Pestalozzian a vehicle of correct and valuable information on all subjects, conducted with the business of education. In addition to our labors we have secured the co-operation of able and experienced teachers from whose contributions we expect important aid. It will also be our object, by selections from scientific journals, and standard works, to make our paper, valuable and interesting to the general reader.

4. We intend from time to time to make full and free disclosure of the various and complicated errors and obstacles that now check the progress of primary education, and also to give full development of the different Philosophical, inductive systems of instruction that are now in successful operation in many parts of Europe and the United States.

5. We are aware that the undertaking will be necessarily attended with much labor and expense and that without liberal patronage, we shall not fail to receive from the friends of the cause we advocate, an adequate support.

6.  The Pestalozzian will be published semi-monthly at Akron, Ohio, on or about the first of May, on a Medium quarto sheet, C each paper containing eight pages; making over 200 pages per volume, at one dollar per year, payable in advance. Address, Post Paid.

Egerton & Sawtell

Akron, Feb. 1838

     His method of instruction, and his benevolent plans, however,, came at length to be regarded with more favor. In 1798, he was patronized by the Helvetian government, and invited to establish a school for poor children, at Stantz. The following account of that enterprise is given in his own simple language.

     After a year this establishment failed. Pestalozzi was subsequently at the head of a flourishing institution, commenced to Burdgdorf, and afterwards removed to Yverdun, which acquired great celebrity. He died Feb. 17, 1827, in the 82d year of his age. 

COMMON SCHOOLS.

A general sentiment seems to prevail, that something efficient ought to be done to raise the character and usefulness of our common schools. Societies have been formed in several towns and counties in furtherance of this object. The impulse comes from the right quarter C from the people. The legislative provisions as regard to pecuniary aid, are already ample; and were they doubted, they would benefit but little without a more hearty co-operation in the districts. If we depend on the legislature, or upon others, to do for us, it remains undone, or but badly done. But if we resolutely resolve to do our duties, they are likely to be well done. Call not upon Hercules till you have put your shoulder to the wheel. The work of improvement is begun, and we hope everyone will give an impetus to its motion. It needs it.

SCHOOL EXAMINERS

Upon consultation with Mr. Lewis, Superintendent of Common Schools, it seems that under the statute of 1836, School Examiners are regarded as township, not district officers, and that therefore the School Examiners appointed by the Court of Common Pleas, under the new statute, can at once enter upon their duties.

In large towns where from four to five hundred scholars can be conveniently collected at one point, a school house should be erected large enough to accommodate them all. The house should be at least three stories high, and if the numbers of scholars is very large, four stories. In each story there should be two departments, male and female, each one of which should have its separate teacher, and if necessary, an assistant. Over the whole of these should be placed one general Superintendent. That Superintendent should have the oversight and direction of the whole school. The basement story should be fitted up for scholars in the first rudiments of education, and teachers whose qualifications would not be equal to the task of teaching scholars more advanced, should be employed. By this we would not be understood as giving countenance to an ignorant, incompetent teacher; but the contrary, none should be employed who are not in every respect qualified to discharge with propriety the important trusts confided in them. But that there are persons well qualified for instructing in primary departments, whose early opportunities, or perhaps other causes, have rendered them entirely inadequate to the task of teaching on the more advanced stages of education, no one will deny.

When scholars in the primary department have made sufficient progress, they should without respect to age or size, be transferred to the next higher department, and so on, until they attain the highest point aimed at in the school. The highest point attained by every scholar in such a school, should be PRACTICAL acquaintance with every branch of useful knowledge which engages the attention of men in the discharge of the various duties that devolve upon them as citizens of a free Republic.

In this way, all the benefits of an elementary and classical education may be attained, at an expense not much exceeding what is now indispensable in the acquirement of the most superficial education.

In portions of the country where the inhabitants are thinly scattered over a large territory, these advantages cannot be realized to a very great extent; but that they are entirely beyond their reach, is not a fact. Several districts have been known to unite and establish a central High School, while the District Schools were conducted as before with the exception that the Principal of the High School had supervisory control over all the rest. The experiment has been tried with great success in New York and the eastern States.

We believe our village is in every respect properly situated for such a school. The time is a favorable one as some such plan must be adopted, or several new school houses must very soon be erected.

AKRON HIGH SCHOOL

We attended the examination of the pupils of this school on Friday last, and were much gratified at the evidence they gave of improvement, and of the judicious plan of instruction which has been pursued by Mr. S.L. Sawtell, the instructor. Although this school has been established here but a short time, yet we are pleased to learn that the number of pupils has been rapidly increasing, and that it may now be considered as permanently established; and from the ability of Mr. Sawtell as a teacher, & his devotion to the cause of education, we feel assured that he will make his school worthy of the patronage, not only of the inhabitants of this town, but of those at a distance, who wish to secure to their children the advantages of a competent instruction.

THE OHIO COMMON SCHOOL DIRECTOR

No. 3 of this valuable work is before us. This is well filled with articles from the pen of the Superintendent, and can not fail of aiding to place the newly adopted system plainly before the People in all its bearings. We give the closing article of the present number.

THE CAUSE

The Superintendent has just returned from a months tour through fourteen counties, and if he had room could give a most interesting account of the disposition manifested by the people, both in words and actions. His route lay over the mostly hilly part of the State, where the roads are at this time bad. The waters high, and but a few bridges. He has been compelled to adopt every device to keep up with his appointments, and when no other plan was left, has rafted creeks and swam his horses.

The spirit of the people, from the humblest cabin to the most splendid mansion, in favor of schools, amounts almost to enthusiasm. Mothers and fathers especially speak of the education of their children with the utmost zeal. School houses are going up C teachers are being sought after C school officers are generally zealous and patriotic, and every thing proves that the work is onward.

May Heaven speed the cause of common schools, has been the prayer of many hundreds, as they bid me farewell. Heaven had heard and is answering the prayer. -- Journal & Register

HOW WAS THE SCHOOL LAW MADE?

This is much misunderstanding of this point; it was not the work of one, or of a few. Committees were appointed by the Legislature, five from the lower, and three from the upper house. These gentlemen were from different parts of the state, and had long been familiar with the condition of schools. Mr. Van Hook, from Butler, was at the head of the committee of the House, and Judge King, from Trumbull, at the head of the Senate Committee. These committees met jointly, and discussed every principle proposed; and with very few exceptions, the different sections in the bill obtained the unanimous vote of both committees.

After the bill was agreed on in principle it was referred to a sub-committee to prepare in form, and when so prepared, was reported to the House. Here it was taken up and discussed, section by section; some provisions were stricken out, others added, and some materially modified, so that when the bill passed the House, it was in fact the work of the whole body, rather than the bill reported. When it went to the Senate, it again underwent the close scrutiny, first of the Senate committee, and afterward by that body in discussion. Some twelve or fifteen amendments were made by the Senate, which were afterwards concurred in by the House; and thus the bill became law, by the votes of very large majorities in both Houses. Not a man in either House opposed the general principle of common schools; those who voted against the bill, did it avowedly on account of objections to the details of the bills. Some men were more active than others, but a large majority in both Houses took part in preparing and perfecting the measure; and all I presume, acted in conformity with the will of their constituents. -- C. S. Director

WESTERN RESERVE COLLEGE

We are happy to learn that the former sum [$15,000] has already been given; five thousand by General Simon Perkins of Warren, and five thousand by his sister Mrs. Kinsman of Kinsman. It is confidently trusted that a liberal public will not fail to provide what ever may be necessary to render instruction in this department efficient and complete. The increase in favor with which this College is regarded by the community is evinced by the fact, that within little more than a year, and during a period of unparallel commercial embarrassment, forty eight thousand dollars have been pledged to its funds. -- Herald and Gazette

COMMON SCHOOLS

The Superintendent having prepared the fourth number of the Director for the press, leaves to-day on a tour through the middle, eastern, and northern counties. The plan of action pursued by the Superintendent is, to make his appointments several weeks in advance of his visit, advising with county Auditors thereof, to the end that general notice may be given, and all school officers and others feeling an interest in the subject of common schools may confer with him at their respective county seats. He has, we understand, with but two exceptions, addressed the people in reference to the business of this department in each county visited by him.

We are pleased to learn that the Superintendent has secured the cooperation of President McGuffey, a gentleman who has identified himself with the subject of education in Ohio. That gentleman will join the Superintendent here, and together they will journey and lecture. Mr. McGuffey is extensively known as a popular lecturer, and ardent advocate of Common Schools and while he will in some degree relieve the Superintendent, he cannot fail to increase the interest and usefulness of the tour.

The Pestalozzian  - Akron, O. August 18, 1838

EDUCATIONAL CONVENTION

     The committee appointed by the Convention at Ravenna, in August last, to call another Convention, hereby inform the friends of education in Portage county, that another Convention will meet at Ravenna . . . to consult and devise measures to promote the general cause of popular education. . . and not teachers, only, but parents also will be greatly benefited by hearing the discussions. Roswell Brooks, Darius Lyman, E.M. Sill - committee

The Pestalozzian  - Akron, O. August 18, 1838

     Portage county in the character of its schools, ands in the interest manifested by its citizens, in the cause of general intelligence, , , and yet, we have no county organization for the promotion of popular education. The Convention last year did good; but most the time was occupied in the discussion of one particular method of instruction - common schools received little attention. At the approaching Convention we hope that common education will be the topic of engrossing interest - and that the friends of education will devise some means of permanently improving district schools, where the mass of people receive all the education they ever have.

The Pestalozzian  - Akron, O. August 18, 1838

WESTERN RESERVE TEACHERS SEMINARY AND KIRTLAND INSTITUTE

     We have received a circular containing the course of study, expenses, &c. Of the above named Institute, which is soon to go into operation at Kirtland, Geauga county, Ohio. The use of the “Mormon Temple” recently vacated by the removal of these people to Missouri; has been obtained for the accommodation of the school, for the term of five years. The “Temple” is spacious and has one room sufficiently large to seat well, two hundred students. . .

     A model school for the Institute of those under 14 years of age, and designed to be a suitable model for common and select schools will be connected with the Institute. . .

     We need at this moment hundreds of teachers, persons of character and influence, filled with the spirit of self-sacrifice who shall go forth as the apostles of education, to instruct the ignorant, to arouse the indifference, and to warn the stupid of their danger.

The Pestalozzian  - Akron, O. August 18, 1838

ANECDOTE: At teacher from the central part of this State, once traveled on the Ohio and Erie Canal, engaged freely in conversation with the steersman of the boat. Among other things he inquired of the man at the helm, what wages he got, and whether he found his business profitable. “My wages, during the boating season, are not very high,” replied the man, “but I do better than most who go on the canal, for I always calculate to teach school in the winter.” What! Thought the teacher, is this man, with his vulgarity of manners, and ignorance, of which his conversation gives palpable evidence, to be transferred from scenes like these to the school room, and there to become the educator of the young?  Are such men as these to form the minds and manner of the youth of our country, merely because they can be hired cheap?

     But was there nothing to commend? Were there not, here manifested aspirations, as the newspaper-puffer would have it, worthy of the man and the occasion?  Not contented with swaying the helm of a canal boat in Summer, he must needs sway the helm of intellect in the Winter. A noble ambition truly.

All the friends of education may be invited to sit and act with the convention; yet it is important **** two or three persons in each town should be fixed upon and designated as delegates, that they may feel the more responsibility and not fail of attending.

ROSWELL BROOKS, DARIUS LYMAN, E.N. SILL Committee August 1, 1838.

SCHOOL MEETING - NEW LAW.

The election of school directors under the new law, takes place on the third Friday of September. It is to be determined at the same time whether the districts will build new school houses, buy lots, repair buildings and raise money to supply fuel, &c., &c. These directors have the management of the schools and school money in the districts, and it is important that practical men who feel an interest in the cause of education sho=d be selected.

Another matter, which is of importance to incorporated towns should be looked into. By the new law they have some important privileges. Every incorporated town or city is created a separate school district, to be under the supervision of the corporate authorities of such city or town, and the directors to be elected on the third Friday of September. It is made lawful for the Trustees of any township in which an incorporated village is situated, with the consent of the school directors of the town, to attach thereto such parts of the townships as lie adjacent to them. This we think will be advantageous to such towns as have a large quantity of lands in their vicinity, owned by non-residents, lying waste an unimproved, and otherwise doing no one any good C by attaching them to incorporated town districts they can be taxed as high as the inhabitants of the town are willing to tax themselves. We have called attention to this subject, with the hope that people will see in it enough importance to have it attended to.

NOTICE: Is hereby given to the Electors of the Borough of Akron, qualified to vote for School Directors, that a meeting will be held at the room of B. W. Stephens in Akron on the 3^rd Friday in September, at 1 oclock P.M. to choose the School Directors of said borough in pursuance of the act of the last legislature and to elect such other business as may be necessary to organize under said law. Directors Cyrus Newton, J. W. Stephens E. N. Bangs, Alva Hand - September 10, 1838.

Rev. Rufus Nutting of Western Reserve College in Hudson - E. C. Sturevant, of Tallmadge -

Rev. R. Brooks, of Cuy. Falls - Rev. Mr. Nash of Ravenna - Mr. Clark -  Rev. Mr. Potter -

Rev. L.C. Rouse of Hudson - Mr. Skinner - Mr. Foljambe - Rev. G. E. Pierce, President -

Solomon Day, Vice President - Geo. Kirkum, Vice President - Rev. R. Nutting, Secretary -

Saml Foljambe, Treasurer - Prudential Committee;      E. C. Sturtevant,  R. Brooks,  R. Nutting

E. N. Sills, Saml Foljambe

COMMON SCHOOLS.

We wish to call the attention of our citizens to the subject of Common Schools. We are, to say the least, in a deplorable state, in reference to schools. We are to have a meeting on Tuesday next, which we hope every house holder will attend and assist in voting a tax of $3,000, to build a School house of such dimensions, that every scholar in town may be properly accommodated. Such a house, in a central location, away from the bustle of business and remote from the Canal, is what its interests require.

SCHOOLS

Have all our schools supplied themselves with first rate teachers? Have those teachers passed the ordeal of inspection by our examining committee; and have they got their certificates? Are all the School houses in perfect repair for a writing school? Have the roofs been mended, the interstices been chinked and daubed, and the dutch backs fixed up, the legs that were lost out of the slabs, which serve for seats, have they been replaced. In fine, are you all ready to go forward the coming winter and give the school law a practical trail, and know whether it is as its enemies have represented it to be, a great evil. We say to our friends, one and all, give the school law a fair and efficient trail and we assure you that your hopes of its utility will be realized.

OHIO EDUCATION CONVENTION

The Education Convention for the State of Ohio, will meet in Columbus on Wednesday the 26^th of December next. Teachers, and friends of education. Generally, throughout the State, are earnestly requested to attend. By a vote of the last Convention, female teachers, and other females friends of education, are particularly invited to enroll their names and sit in the convention as corresponding members, and to communicate in writing, to the Secretary, such suggestions, quires, remarks, as they may wish to have presented to the Convention

SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT

Suppose a district school usually kept three months in a season, and at an expense of twenty dollars a month, should be continued but two an a half months, for the season, and the ten dollars thus saved to be appropriated to a few specimens for a school cabinet, and a few simple instruments, such as a small globe and a set of geometrical solids, can any one doubt an increase amount of instruction as the result? Of course their would be a gain by such a measure for one season, or one portion of the of the school year. If so, the gain in the course of a year, must be very great simply on account of economy.