Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1910-11-08
RURAL SCHOOL SUPERVISION.

| York countys rural schools are
probablv as good as those of any 9TH
er county in the state; but they are
not nearly as good as they ought to be.
| York countyS rural schools nave made
great deal of progress during the
past forty years, and great zeal
more progress in the last ten years
than during the previous thirty; but
the point so far reached is long
| way from the goal to be sought. The
| people of York have cause for cOngrat-
ulation and for pride I'm what has been
accomplished; but York county cannot
afford to felicitate herself on congrat-
ulations or rest on her pride, for there
| is a great deal more to be accom-
plished.
| There are a great many people IN
York county who realize the SITUATION
suggested more clearly than it is de-
scribed: but Winthrop college is TAX
| ing the matter more to heart than
ANYBODY else. That institution wants
| to see a fastening of the day of i'm
| prOVcment and to that end has gone
actively into the field to see what can
be done. The recent action OF VIM
| throp in furnishing Miss Leila A. Rus
| sell of the college faculty, as a county
supervisor of elementary schools, has
been previously mentioned in The En-
ouirer, and there has also been some
mention of Miss Russells work; but
| it will probably be some time before
the patrons of the schools generally
begin to appreciate the full SlSnlil-
canoe of this movement.
The ENQUIRER had a pleasant visit
from Miss Russell last Friday after
noon. She had already visited quite
| a number of schools in different parts
of the county, and during Friday
i l., IF
schools in York township. In her
round she had discovered the very
important fact that The Enquirer is
more generally circulated and read in
York county than any other newspa-
per, and the special object OF her WIS.,
| it was to secure assistance in bring
| ing the people as quickly as possible to
comprehensive appreciation OF her
| work.
| Miss Russell said she had commence
| ed work in Catawba township, accom-
panied by Prof. Tate, state supervisor
of elementary rural schools. and that
she had been into BullOck's Creek.
Broad River and York townships. 1t
was her purpose to return to Rock Hill
Friday night, but she had made ap-
|pOintmcnts that would this week take
| her back to the western and nortn-
western part of Broad River township.
Further appointments would depend
somewhat on circumstances: but she
intended to he busy during the week.
| In discussing conditions as she
found them, Miss Russell made it very
clear that while there is little that
seems to come up To what 1t should be,
there are many evidences OF most
credtable progress, and teachers ana
patrons generally seem to entertain an
earnest desire for Improvement ana
are willing to be shown. There are
still many school houses that do not
reflect much credit upon the districts
that own them, and others that are
quite creditable: but none that are up
| to- the much higher standard that could
| be easily attained upon the develop
ment of proper ncighbOrhoOd interest
| and enthusiasm.
In explaining her work, Miss Russell
said il was first t. try to make SEN
timent in favor of better school houses,
then to secure neater and more cheer
full appearances inside and out: then
there must he more comfort, better
light and better ventilation, then there
should lie better desks. pictures on the
walls libraries. maps, globes, black
boards, etc. and along with these when
ever possible, consolidation of schools
and improved methods of teaching.
She points out that there is lots of
room for outcome in various direc-
tions. hut believes that if those most
interested, even only be fairly started