The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1901-03-16
OEfO'S CENTRAL. SCHOOLS
AN EXPERIMENT IN EDUCATION IN
THE RURAL DISTRICTS.

Better Attendance and Higher Per-
centages Among the Benefits Secured.
DIR. II. II. Longsdorf. of Camp Hill.
Penn, by request of the Commissioners
of Schools and Agricultural Secretary
Of Pennsylvania, has been investigat-
ing the workings Of the rural central
tied schools of Ohio.
In the New England States. likewise
in a few Ohio districts, town sys-
TEN, by which children living In coun-
try localities are transported to the
nearest village for educational pur-
poses, has long been employed; but q
complete system by which the schools
of rural township, remote from
town or city, are combined into one
graded central school, is used In but
two places Of the United States. Green,
Ohio, and Gustavus, Ohio.
| Many townships throughout Ohio arc
opening their eyes to the fact that
Capitalization is practicable metnod
for helping country pupils to better
educational advantages. Last April
complete law to provide for the CEN
tralization of township schools and
provide a high school for the same was
passed by the Ohio Legislature. The
law defines Capitalization as "sys-
tenn of schools in township providing
for the adjustment of all subdistricts
and the conveyance of pupils to one
or more central schools" 1t requires
that the question of Capitalization be
submitted to a vote Of the qualihed
electors of township. If the yeas"
are in majority, It then becomes the
duty of the Board of Education to
proceed at once to the Capitalization
of the township schools.
The Board of Education under GEN.
trail school management consists OF
five members elected at large In a
township. It Is required to support o
, graded course Of instruction and furn'
/ ish Transportation to and from school
} to all pupils living more than three
, Quarters of q mile from the centra
building.
) Greene and Gustavus have sold a
auction their little red school houses
4 of sentiment and have supplantet
them by handsome new building II
e the heart of each township.
9 Greene's $4,000 edifice Of brick ven
eering with stone trimmings Is abou
r all that need be desired In the way o
a rural school building. II contain
T. seven rooms, besides an alcove, library
II cloak closets and spacious halls. 1t I
l. heated with steam and has many o
&c the equipments of q modern Cit,
% school.
- Competent teachers have been hire
IL for the primary, intermediate, gran
70 mar and high school grades, whic
c. each occupy room.
a Three years Of instruction are II
,e Guided in the high school course.
TO graduate therefrom will be admitte
at to the average college.
d, A music teacher goes the rounds
ou the central building twice week tn
the rising generation Of Greene ms
ry know how to sing.
an In covered vans. having glass WI
an dows at front and back, 100 pupils
ng Greene township are carried to scho'
~ A van driver announces by the shr
.er blast of a horn his arrival at HON
on stead. Five minutes Is the limit
ry time allotted to tardy children
lid each stopping place. Usually punct
nd al. the children Chamber up some ste
Int and pass through door at the re
ew of the wagon to take their places
ess the seats stretched along its sides.
in Almost on the moment Of $50 Of
school day morning eight vans ruml
ND the drive leading to the cent
ge, building. Having backed against
INT platform the wagons unload their D
wo dens of noisy boys and girls. FIR
!aii here the children pass dry and Gle
tne into the sheltering haven of tn
-. school rooms.
'h Before the dismissal Of school
night the wagons are waiting by
az platform for their passengers.
The drivers are in the main
-. bilious farmers of Greene. anxious
40, fatten their slender pocketbooks. II
l '.,a proyide their own vans and rece
,.st monthly salaries Of SIG.
tho When farm work presses. the WOE
ron, often lend hand in driving the VI
who The eight school routes OF Gre
hole have been apportioned as fairly
acts possible. The wagons covering
and four and five mile routes carrying
the fewest pupils.
af- In winter, when the air blows
ting and roads are rough tne cnAu
i to still be snug in their tedious jour-
to and from school; for heavy carr
heaps Of blankets and hot bricks
add to the furniture Of the kid" '
was ons.
nj , driyora have specified r