Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1910-02-09
CORRESPONDENCE
Rural Schools as Preparatory.

hufdl OClOOlS dS preparatory.
The ideal country school does not
only prepare as large a percentage
for High School as does The prepara-
tory graded school OF town or city, but.
what is Of infinitely more importance.
the country school prepares its pupils
for the real practical life. because Of the
environments being closer 20 nature and
actual associaiing his or her book
knowledge with the real practical prob
lens Of life
Moreover. ] assert, without fear of
successful contradiction. that much
larger percentage OF country taught
children who never enter high school
prove TO be much better prepared TO
solve the practical problems Of life than
the town or city taught child who never
enters a high school department
Now then, when the futher fact is
known that less than ten per cent Of our
entire school population ever graduate
in high school OF college. therefore shall
we use such a bulk Of our General fund
in behalf OF the ten per cent as arain-l
the ninety per cent who are the bone
and sinew Of any country. applying
their ability both mentally and physical
ly in wealth producing practical man
ner. furnishing the labor iu time of
peace and fighting the battles I'm time e
war, too often brought on by the -o-
called smart professional SET of less han
ten pc cent We should Therefore main
tain our country schools and bring them
up TO a point of most practical efficiency
in equipment. which has a refining moral
influence. Thorough ventilation, uniform
heat in school rooms, and sanitation in
surroundings. are the factors which
develop the physical Having these, we
can and viii command the best Of teach
ers 20 develop the mental
Now, how about accomplishing sll
this, on basis OF economy and justice
10 all:
First. Longmarsh school Board has
paid Bsitletown School Board over
$4,000 OF its disiric, funds for pupils
going there from our district. paying for
a long time S40o 81 year. One-hslf. in
my opinion, would amply have paid
Batiletown for all pupils entitled. by any
process Of reasoning based on equity. 90
have gone there. Having two splendid
high schools In our county, and as there
is special appropriation made by the
State 10 al high schools providing each
has the required attendance, which
would be exceedingly doubtful without
the attendance from the other two dis
tricts-Longmarsh SO Berryville and
Greenway al Boyce.
Should not tie parents OF those child
ren receiving the benefit Of that special
state fund. paid by ali taxpayers. supple
ment Il sufficiently
Now. as 20 the pupils from our lis
tricts attending In Tie grades al the said
schools. I ask, j. it right for our distric,
10 pay for al who choose 10 20 % Ber.
ryville from any and all parts of our
district, and thereby dcplc,e our school
fund and defeat the very object for
which our rural free schools were es
,ab,ished. Givin- ten per cent min,
months schooling. while jlc ninety pei
cent receive only 81 six months term.
! SIN Tor justice 20 an and ~pecia
privileges TO none There must be ~
adjustment
Second. Let us see 20 II tha, ever,
child in the district is listed by Oh,
/ Ca~.,-s I-r,,-,.-s..-. 90 .r., lr,......- ...