The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1903-10-22
LETTER FROM SUPT.
JOHN WASHINGTON,
HE APPEALS TO THE PATRONS
AND FRIENDS THE PUBLIC
SCHOOLS OF CAROLINE
COUNTY
He Offers q Prize 10 Teacher Making
Best Report the Coming Session

/ To The frce Lance
At the beginning of another session /
again appeal 10 you 10 manifest more IN
terest in the education OF your children
and in the places where they should live
for the next five or six months, the pub
| lie school houses and grounds. Last seq
sion the patrons Of several of the schools
met at their school houses. cleaned up
the grounds. white washed the houses,
adorned the walls with suitable pictures.
and in some instances put up curtains At
| the windows.
AIN certain those who took part IN
this meritorious work felt that il was
short time. q little labor and money well
spent. and the impression this great i'm
provement made on every one was most
gratifying
That close observer and ardent a1vO.
cate Of whatever II for the good OF Caro'
line. "The Free Lance. made this com
ment: I'VE ~ joice To see the people man.
ifesting more interest in the education OF
their children ~
Am still further certain that this i'm
proyement Of the house and grounds had
most inspiring and refining influence
on the children IL tended 10 promote
neatness. careiulness and order, and they
seemed instinctively to cultivate polite
ness and courtesy This was an IN
speakable comfort and encouragement
to the teacher. IL made her ieel the pa
irons were interested in and anxious 10
do all they could 10 promote the efuca
ton of their children tell you. IL Is
great trial 10 teacher % see 40 little IN.
terpst among the patrons Of the school.
Now most earn' -tly appeal 10 every
patron. yea. every friend II the pnbiir
school to begin ~ once the improvement
ia the appearance and comfort Cf tht
school homes tell you. the school oili.
cials cen not do the work a. badly as II
is neeied. with the very limited funds
given them The patrons and friends ct
Of the sch ool can DO the work and with
very little cost and labor, and at th'
same time the interest thus manifested
will he m 'st helpful.
II we make onr SCHOOLS thesuccess they
can be made, and hence ought 20 be made
il must be- done by the hearty and ariivr
co operation oi patrons, friends anc
school officials | would so love 20 So
each school house in Caroline cemon
strate by its appearance. that the people
are aware OF the great Importance ~ th'
education OF their children and are doing
all they can 10 accomplish II. When
read Of what in being done in other coun'
ties Tor the education Of the children hnc
hen Sc, what IL being done or rather
/ II undone in Caroline. il makes my
heart sad. IknOw there are as GOOD aud
q lN.... rl.l l..Fn
do not know why they ARE apparently
80 indifferent about education.
Let me beg you for this session. rcsoly'
Won will do what you can - promote
education in Caroline. First: By se'inl
that the children attend school every da.
the school il open and are punctual
Second: Doing what you can TO add o.
the appearance and comfort OF HOUSES
and grounds. Third: Writ your schOols
frequently, not allowing your actions I"
Indicate Indifference. Your presence III
the schools is inspiring to the children
and encouraging 10 the teacher. Fourth
Impress upon the child that the teacher
has your endorsement and support
Fifth: ltyou are pleased with the teacher
work, tell her so; she needs every wOrd
of encouragement you can give her. II
you do not approve OF her work, go L"
her in kindness and in spirit showing
you appreciate her very difficult work
and position.
DO this, only this, and, my word Tor IT
we will have the best schools ever had In
Caroline.
To the white teachers of the Public
Schools Of Caroline To the teacher VIII
makes the best report, will give a trip
Of two weeks to the School OF Methodr
at Charlottesville next session. Condi-
tions to be complied with:
/. Beet percentage OF attendance.
2. Report OF most visits to schools by
patrons.
3. Greatest improvement in house and
grounds.
Only legal schools, ie., with enrolment
of twenty, will be considered Teachers
to make report OF their work When
they send in their term reports. shall
request Judge E c. Moncure, Mr.. +. X
Coghill and Mr.. A. b. Chandler to decide
the matter.