Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1900-05-31
Talks Oh School Affairs.

liver snce man has arrived 1T any
degree Of civilization and luxury he
has demanded for himself something
more than the Tartar's tent or
shepherds hut and out of mans de-
mands for something more than mere
Protection, was architecture born"
With every system Of religion that
mas appeared. corresponding system
of architecture has been developed
and yet after nineteen centuries Of
Christianity has left their Impressive
are still without any definite system
as regard the symbolism aud ma
terialization Of our school buildings.
OF al types Of buildings. the school
building stands out most conspicu-
ously in itsawant OF rational treat
ment; churches. theaters and office
buildings each have had the best tai
ent of the civilized world expended
on the problem Of their construction.
but the school building. 50 important
an element in the prosperity and
progress Of our country. is far from
receiving this measure Of attention.
To secure a perfectly sanitary, use
full. convenient and lastly ornamental
structure in a school building deserves
the serious attention Of every right
minded architect and every public
spirited man connected with the
school system. The architect has
duties, but, 20 also, has the school
board for which he labors.
The school ground with few eNcep-
tions, are bare, harsh and cherries,
devoid in most cases of trees, shrubs
and even grass. This condition is
due perhaps. IL some measure. Il iu-
difference or lack Of appreciation OF
the beautiful, but chiefly no doubt,
to the prevalent opinion that it wovld
be useless to attempt any improve
ment or ornamentation ef school
grounds in view of the apparent dis
position on the part Of boys and girls
to ignore such mild Injunction as
.Keep off the grass. Thoughtful
persons. however. are persuaded that
school children can readily be in
duced to respect that which they
may feel is intended a. a pleasure to
themselves as well as an improvement
to the grounds
In improving our school grounds
we should plan, not only to make
them attractive, but to select such
plants. trees and shrubs as may be
useful for instruction.
A child may become interested in a
tree and admire the handsome foliage.
but he loves flowers. Their study is
the most refreshing. instructive and
refning for this reason let US have
flowers and plenty OF them.
Do we ever stop to ask ourselves
why we observe Arbor Day in our
schools The observance Of this day
should be the occasion for the awaken
ing 81 thoughts, ideals and interest
that shall unfold and ripen intodeepcr
reverence for life in its myriad forms:
into wider sympathies and into gen
tier manners.
la the planting Of trees. making IF
flower beds, in decoration Of school
rooms and clearing up Of rubbish
from school grounds, there is devel-
oped a taste and love for order. neat
ness and beauty that viii prove in
valuable.
The efforts of pupils and teacher TO-
wards beautifying their school home
will not be lost on the community.
In many instances their efforts.
brought to the notice Of parents and
mem bers Of the board have developed
a sentiment which has resulted in
more frequent cleaning OF walks.
floors and furniture. in fresh coat
Of paint for the building or a fence for
a ward. ard what is Of still greater
Importance it has established that
feeling Of hearty cooperation on the
part 0f parents and teacher 50 much
to be desired.
But neither pictures. shrubbery nor
architectural appearance can take the
place Of order and cleanliness; no
beauty II ornament can Offset the
bad influence Of carelessness in this
respect.
Letu- see t. it that all these forces
work together 50 tharthe school days
OF our children may not Is reminis-
cence Of tacks IN seats jackknife