Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1906-04-27
Suggestions for Organizing and Maintain
InQ School Improvement Leagues

In accordance with a general need
manifested by sundry local education
associations, it has been thought ad'
visable to issue certain suggestions in
regard to the nature. purpose, interest
and work of an association or league.
The general object of league is to
unite the friends of public schools.
pupils, teachers. school officers and
other citizens in an effort to secure
school imprOv ements.
l. The specific objects include the
entire circle of school interests as pro-
vidlng for the social, civic and lierary
training of the children.
2. 1t does it's work directly in the
local school.
8. 1t seeks to make the pupil, the
parent and the teacher partners in the
work of bringing the school into it's
hest estate.
4. 1t would hold each community
responslb BILE for the improvement of its
own school in the effort for literary
and material improvement.
After organization, election eff off
GERS, adoption of simple constitution,
the fixing of annual dues, let the asso-
citation take up one definite work, how
ever small, as indicated by the need Of
the local school.
Appoint ~ membership committee
whose work shall be to secure new
mem bers.
(2) A ground and building commit
tee, whose oversight OF house and
grounds should be manifestly COM
mensurate with the needs of same. In
many cases the walls need whitening,
windows cleaning and shades hung;
the stove and pipe need polishing; the
desk and appliances need mendinR;
scrapers .and doormats at the door;
grounds cleared and wood pile at the
rear; wood shed built; screening OF
outbuildings; a supply from trustees)
of good blackboards, wall maps, globes,
ETC., and particularly the provision of
good water. cooler or covered bucket.
with pitcher, basin, tumblers or tin
cups, soap and roller towels. These
are suggestions which arise from past
observation of such pressing needs. In
communities where local school i'm.
provement league exists many, indeed
all, of these improvements have been
met by the contribution of either the
work or material by individual MEM
bers of the league. In many cases the
work has been done by committees OF
pupils who are made members Of the
league without the payment Of annual
dues.
(S) An entertainment committee, to
raise money by subscription or enter
tainment for pictures. books, ETC..
also, to arrange a series of entertain
ments, free for all, with music, read.
ings, recitations, thus endeavoring to
make the school the centre of helpful
community life. 1t is also suggested
that at each meeting some member,
nom member, or visitor i'll the COM
munlty be appointed by invitation to
give talk or read paper on some
subject of historic interest i'll that
county, or some event or person Of note
in that section; or else on which by
giene. or school bsautifying, OF any
subject whatsoever which may meet
the approval Of the committee and
league.
1t il we'll to have clear idea and a
we'll defined plan before expending q
penny of the money which may be
raised, or which comes from members
dues. Let the essential things be done
first and let those that are simply de-
siraDle wait.