The Oakes times. [volume] (Oakes, N.D.) 1906-current, 1906-07-19
School Officers Meeting.

The sixth annual meeting of school
officers was held at the court house,
Saturday, July 18th. There was good
attendance considering the fact that it
is busy season for the farmers, there
being over fifty school officers present.
President Ira A. Barnes called the
meeting to order shortly after eleven
o'clock and after roll call the presidents
address and informal discussions oc-
cupied the time until noon.
The association reassembled at one
O'Clock and the regular program was
taken up. The subject Of Teachers
Wages was ably discussed by Benz.
Porter, who favored the employment of
the best teachers obtainable in recogni-
tion of the g.sat influence teacher
has in the formation of child's char
acter. He advised never letting a good
teacher go for difference of five or
ten dollars per month.
A Modern One-Room School Building
was discussed by L. c. Smith, who, in
connection with his business, has visited
hundreds Of rural schools and was there
fore well qualified to discuss the sub
ject. He advised locating the school
in spot well drained. The lighting be-
ing such an important matter he recon-
mended that the windows be all massed
on the north side. The entrance and
two windows should be on the west
side, this west end being cut off for
cloak rooms. The seats should face the
east so that the light will come over
the left shoulder. This arrangement of
windows will prevent the cross lights
so detrimental to the eyesight. In view
of the fact that there will be seven or
eight new school houses erected this
year, these suggestions are timely and
full of value and it is hoped that such
plans will be used in the new buildings.
In buildings having windows improper
ly arranged the light can be regulated
and air admitted by the use of Venetian
blinds.
Mr.. Smith further discussed the sub
ject which was assigned to him Heat
ing and ventilating." He is engaged
in installing.a a heating and ventilating
system into rural school buildings which
gives a uniform temperature and keeps
the air at all times pure. His system
has the sanction of State Superintendent
Stockwell, who says that it ought to be
in every school whether heated by
stoves, furnaces or steam.
"Shall Elementary Agriculture Be
Taught in Our Schools" was discussed
by Jos. Hollan, who is we'll known to be
one of Dickey county's progressive
farmers. He did not favor teaching it
as county children get practical know
ledge at home and teachers should be
instructed first before they could impart
any valuable knowledge.
Some Of the directors favored such
work as school flower gardens. Other
topics discussed were School Libraries,
School Census, Care Of School Property,
Improvement of School Grounds, Nee
essary Equipment of School Rally.
In connection with the latter subject it
was suggested that each district con-
tribute one or two dollars to help de-
fray expenses of the school rally which
was conceedd to be Of great value in
arousing interest in school work. The
directors present entered into these
discussions freely and ably.
Mrs. Lowell outlined her plans for the
coming year as the closing feature of
the afternoons program. The election
of officers resulted as follows: President,
Ira A.:Barnes; vice president, w. B.
Knox; secretary, Mrs. ]. S. Campbell;
treasurer, H. F. Dinsmore.
Mrs. G. M. LOWELL,