The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1911-09-29
GnLEsp1E AND Son, EDrroRs AND PuBInmRs
OPENING EXERCISES
OF CITY SCHOOL.
Increased Attendance Shown IN Every
Department.

Last Monday morning the pupils Of
Jefferson Davis School resumed their
studies and begun the work of tho
l9ll-1912 session. The opening exer-
cises were held in the spacious audi
torium, which was crowded with pupils
and patrons to launch Oh the sessions
work.
Promptly at nine o'clock the pupils
were marched to the auditorium and
the exercises begun. The invocation
was said by Rev. Hal s. Spragins, Of tho
First Methodist Church.
Pursuant to custom, the J. 2. George
Chapter. U. D. c., presented the Jeffer-
son Davis School with handsome por.
trait of one of Mississippi's prominent
soldiers or statesmen. This year it
was a splendid likeness of the lamented
Ex-Governor John NJ. Stone, being elo-
quently presented by Mrs. Gen. Monroe
McClurg on behalf Of the Chapter. Al
ready the walls Of the auditorium arc
spotted with handsome portraits of our
states leading historical characters,
which should serve as an inspiration to
the students as daily they attend chap
el exercises. Supt. Saunders accepted
tho portrait ON behalf Of the school, A.
surfing this excellent Chapter of ladies
of the schools and his keen apprecia-
tion of their many kind remembrances.
There were 525 students enrolled at
the opening day, and already the en-
rollment has been augmented to 625,
which. according to Supt. Saunders, will
aggregate the average attendance for
the 1911-1912 session. This is a decid-
ed increase over last year, and the
need of the new school building is more
urgent than ever, but the faculty hopes
to make the very best of conditions un-
til same is completed. This 625 does
not include the attendance that will be
given the North Greenwood School,
whirh building is fast nearing compile
tion, and it is calculated that there
will be easily 500 white children In at
tendance DUNG tho session just begun.
This session finds every available
room in the school occupied, classes
being instructed in the auditorium and
in the library. Under such conditions,
the success this session can not meet
expectations, but upon the completion
Of the additional $4,000 building, just
north Of the present structure, will
give Greenwood the best school facili-
ties of any city in the State.
The Jefferson Davis School has
splendid faculty of nineteen instructors.
Supt. Saunders has as his assistant this
session, Prof. Rumble Smith, LIB, B.
A., of the University of Mississippi. /.
Prof. Smith has had several years ex-
perience in public school work. and will
make this school a valuable instructor :.
The other members of the faculty are
as follows: Misses Mary Martin, Of
Starkville, Annie Purcell of Black Hawk
Lillian Ellineton, of Gulfport, Lena ELL
ington, of Columbus, Bette Boyd, Of
Water Valley, Susie Irvine of this city,
Mary Gayden of this city, Mary Love-
joy of Oxford, Bertha Jones Of Schlster,
Jennie Weaver Of this city, Jessie Mai
Lomax OF this city, Jennie DeLoach Of
this city, Vestry King of this city, An
ME Mayhem Of Memphis, Annie Mitch
ell, Eunice Branch in elocution, and
Mrs. r. A. Topp in the music depart
ment.
With such a spleEdid corps of teach
ers and with such an auspicious open.
ing the 19l1-1912 session promises to
be another success that will be added
to Supt. Saunders career as dean Of the
city schools, and their work. will be
watched with keen satisfaction by the
patrons and friends of all the schools.