The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1909-07-20

the class work among two or more
teachers, thus approximating graded
work and special instructions.
In order to consolidate the schools,
OF course, the same territory prev
lously served by two or more scat
tered schools, must be served by
one. Consequently, the distance
travelled by pupils going to and from
school must be greater. But let us
not forget. schools are always so
widely scattered in the country that
some Of the pupils are forced to walk
or ride one or two miles in the hot
sun or over the snow. so the con-
solidation does not remove the school
from easy access over brick sidewalks
to an unconscionable distance.
In order to make consolidation of
schools possible, it is necessary for
the school trustees TO make some
provision for hauling the children to
and from school. 1t is scarcely pract-
ieable to purchase or hire automobiles
for the purpose. though no one
doubts the additional comfort and
speed of these modern vehicles. Since
spring wagons are the only means of
conveyance in the country of suffic-
lent capacity for the purpose. 1t is not
surprising that the trustees contract
ed for the use OF spring wagons to
haul the children to school.
We realize that where any public
enterprise or undertaking. designed
for the benefit of the greatest num-
Der. conflicts with established custom
and personal interest, it arouses OPP
position, usually more vehement than
its defense; and we realize that in
saying a good word for the county's
project TO consolidate rural schools,
the Evening Sun may be misunder-
stood. by those, who conceive IL to
their interest to oppose the project.
We recognize the further fact that
Arcadia, being a suburban district
and, therefore, possessing a less scat
tered population. presents conditions
not found in most rural precincts.
where the closing of the school would
not mean a much longer journey for
some of the pupils, who have to
trudge a mile or more, anyway. Yet,
admitting the peculiar grievance.
which the people OF Arcadia conceive.
IL they will remain a rural COM
munity, and not come into the city.
where we endeavor 10 plant the
schools in centers of population, they
mist make up their minds TO adapt
themselves to rural conditions.
We would not minimize the incon-
venience to former patrons OF the
Arcadia school; yet we trust the in
lconveniences may be modified and
the pupils of the consolidated school
may reap benefits from the expert
ment. which will more than make up
for the loss of school close home.
As to the means OF conveyance
spring wagons-sometimes we wish
our town kids might have a good
jolting in the open air in the morn
ing before school and in the evening
after school. As a health giving ex-
ercise It is not to be sneezed at In
any curriculum.
Were not Arcadia a suburban dis
trict. we could laugh at the idea OF
children being exposed going to and
from school, for country youngsters
Frequently trudge a mile TO school in
all kinds OF weather: they live most
ly in the open and ride farm wagons
more frequently than they do any
other kind of vehicle. We refer TO
this, because we feel that the whole
idea of school consolidation has been
attacked before the experiment has
been tried.