The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-03-02
SUPT. RILEY HAS
AN Innovation
STARTS NEIGHsoRHoop EpUcA.
TloNAs MEETINGs-FIRsT WAS
HELD AT MAPLEToN AND WAS
A SPLENDID succEss-oTHERs,
WILL FOLLOW.


j. w. Riley superintendent Of schools
for Cass county, has started an limo
walton in school work in this county.
1t is the holding Of neighborhood school
meetings. The first meeting was held
at Mapleton and Mr.. Riley explained
there that the objects of these meetings
| is to raise the standard of the rural
schools and thus interest the farm
young people to remain on the farm.
| BY raising the educational standard
| equal to that of the city schools 1t
| will be necessary to send the country
| young people to the city to educate
! them. Another fact which was empha-
sized in the meeting was the need of
cooperation of parents and teachers
and the introduction of subjects into
the schools that would be useful in life.
The Napoleon meeting was called to
order at 1875 in the forenoon and
America was sung by the assembly,
after which Rev. Mr. Haas offered
prayer.
The first address was by Superin-
tendent Riley. He spoke of his first
plans for such a meeting and stated
that his object was to get the parents
and teachers together to discuss the
school work in the rural districts. 1.-THE
larger school conventions" he said,
take the city schools into considera-
ton and shoot right over the heads
of the small schools"
Ventilation was one of the phases OF
his subject that he dwelt upon. In
stances were cited in which he proved
that this great necessity of the rural
districts was least attended to. The
speaker mentioned many Of the incon-
veniences of the country school that
were unnecessary as well as very detrl-
mental to the health of the children.
at is our duty" he said, Ito bring
about these conditions for the public"
After this address the children of
one Of the departments sang several
songs. How to Promote Better Attend
ance at School was the subject next |
taken up and handled very capably by |
Miss Henry, one of the Mapleton |
teachers. After this excellent paper |
free discussion of the facts brought out
was allowed.
The next paper was on The Course |
of Study, by w. A. Sautebin of Maple
ton district. The subject was well /
handled and brought out the idea Of
subjects adapted to the better fitting
of the country youth for life in his own
district.
Another teacher. Miss Kjos, read s
clever paper on Story Telling She
said: Fill the mind with good stories
and there will be no room for trash"
Miss Pearson gave a talk on Primary
Reading, clearly bringing out the objec:
of good reading. After this a song by
Mrs. Fait and the Misses Kjos and
Stavely was heartily received, and the
meeting adjourned until D. m.
The afternoon session was opened
by a quartette of Mapleton singers
very fittingly and the first subject In
the afternoon was on Geography in the
Seventh Grade, by Miss Gibson. This
was followed by solo by Miss
Stavely.
Professor Randlett of the A. G. gave
an excellent talk on Agriculture in
the Rural Districts. showing plainly
that although the farmers paid nine
tenths of thfir taxes for educational
purposes, they did not receive just
as agriculture was one
Of the subjecSs least taught in our
schools. He highly recommended agri-
culture for the rural schools as a rem
edy for future poor farming, and COM
nended those who were instrumental
In establishing corn and strawberry
contests.
Another good paper was given by
Principal Fait of the Mapleton schools
on The Value of Cooperation Between
the Parents and the Teachers. Home ,
training was one Of the biggest features
Of the speech, and he strongly brought
put the fact that pleasure should not
go ahead Of the school work.
The last speech of the afternoon was
oy Principal Suvaine of Casselton, who
spoke on Manual Training. and ably ;
brought out it's great necessity in the {
smaller schools, especially for the bows
N the grades. Re used his own school
1T Casselton to show the interest. taken
oy the boys and the influence Of man.
lal training over them.
After this excellent speech the ses-
sion was closed with The Battle HYMN X
Of the Republic, sung by the entire
company, who felt that the day had
been we'll spent and that the needs of
he rural districts would be realized [
oy the teachers and those in charge
IF the schools I
1
PM 4