The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1911-04-14
What Can BE- Done!

ing to make ScnOOl houses nOlleS, uOt
novels; places of beauty, not places
of ugliness; places of comfort, not
places of discomfort; places of clean
liness, not places of uncleanliness.
Such conditions can and should be
realized in every school in South Car
olina, whether it be in town, city or
country district. 1t does not require
much money to bring this about, but
it does require interest, effort anc
sympathetic cooperation. This COOP
Grafton is what we have tried hardest
to secure, and the people have re-
sponded nobly.
Each year definite work along Varl-
Gus lines has been planned and pro-
NOTED. For several years the State
association has offered prizes ID the
school of the State making the most
decided material improvement dur
ing a given length Of time. The VOL
derful results from year to year have
amply justified the wisdom Of tbs
plan.
For two years, the money for these
prizes was secured from the Peabody
board, and for the past three years
the money has been given by the
State legislature. In 1908 the library
act was so amended as to give to the
association the surplus of the library
fund, for prizes: The State board. OF
education granted $4,000 to the asso-
citation for that year, and the same
amount for 1909. Last year, the
board granted $4,000 which was Of
fered in so prizes--10 of 500 each
and 90 of $50 each. Schools from al
most every county in the State en-
tered the contest There were 81 ap-
plicants, and it was with great dlh-
Guilty that the committee made the
awards. I wish it were possible to
give some Of these splendid reports
in full, but time will not permit.
It is estimated from the reports
made that during the year material
improvements to the amount of more
than 100000 we're made by the COM
peting schools. Gould $4,000 have
been better invested anywhere? Sup
pose the teachers present carry nome
these figures for their pupils to work
out the percentages realized by the
State on this investment. And do not
forget that each of these 81 communi-
ties throughout the State received in
spiration that will keep on yielding
thu commonwealth a dividend in many
vavs we can not estimate in dollars
and cents.
Work of Field Agent.
Through the generosity of the Pea
body board, the State educational
campaign committee was enabled to
employ field agent for the associa-
tion, whose work since last April will
be reported by her at this meeting.
Since her work has been that Of or
ganizing associations throughout the
State. will not touch on that line
of work, as it will be fully covered
in her report.
I am glad to announce to the asso-
citation that the Peabody board has
provided funds for a field agent for
our association next year. A bulletin
of general information and interest
was issued by the field agent during
the year. Copies may be had upon
application to her.
We are gratifed at the results ac-
complished during the year; but |
believe that the future holds still
greater possibilities in store.
Recommendations
Therefore, I make the following
recommendations
l. That the county associations be
reorganized and encouraged on wise
plans for putting them on a safe fl
nancial basis.
2. That it be the duty of the field
agent to aid in reorganizing these
associations and, through enlisting
the help Of teachers and public spirit
ed women, to get local associations
organized and interest stimulated.
3. That the field agent, organizers
and officers of county associations
prevail upon the public-spirited men
and women Of each county to offer
prizes to the rural schools of their re-
spective counties for the greatest pro-
gress made in material improvement,
attendance, school exhibits, etc., dur
ING a. given length of time. For in