Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1912-09-05
THE SCHOOLS Open
FIRST DAY SHOWS AN ENROLL.
MENT OF 342.
MANY COME FROM COUNTRY
Hupt. Rice Predicts Successful School
Year-Urges 90 Operation
Of Patrons.

Good feellng and bright prospects
marked the opening Of school Monday.
Though seven new teachers made the
school seem little strange to some of
the pupils, we believe they will soon
feel at home on becoming acquainted
with the new teachers. Three hundred
and forty-two were present on the first
day, which is about the same number as
last year, but the distribution is sligh-
tly different, there being few more
in the lower grades and few less in
high school. The enrolment in the
high school is a little disappointing in
one way, and encouraging in another.
Several town folks have dropped out of
school, but the number from the coun-
try is larger than usual. In some cases
we are forced to believe that the pa
irons of the school are not supporting
the high school as it should be support
ed, thinking, l suppose that high school
is not worth it, yet the effect of the
absence of good high school would
be very detrimental to the town. We
have greater expense this year in
teachers and equipment to make bet
ter high school than before. We think
our hopes in this respect will be realiz-
ed, but it appears that the people of
the country are more conscious of the
quality of the high school than those
in town. If our home people don It give
us loyal support, how can Grangeville
make and keep the record for the best
high school on Camas prairie2 Ex-
cepting new building we have every
thing necessary for first class high
school with, perhaps, another possible
exception in the few who are not giving
us loyal support. Pupils of fourteen
years of age are not old enough to go
to work, nor are they prepared to enter
any trade or profession. Years ago,
the high school was established for the
masses, its main purpose being to give
a suitable education to those who could
not and did not wish to go to college.
1t was designed to be useful in the
broadcast sense to all the people. In
time, however, through the influence
OF the college and normal school, the
idea grew up among people that the
high school served no other purpose
than that of preparing pupils for col
iege or teaching. At this time there is
swinging back to the original idea.
The high school is for the whole people
whether pupils are to enter the trades or
the professions. Courses Of studies are
being designed to fit pupils to earn
hying and at the same time to give
them the culture of good citizens. We
are, as fast as possible, working toward
this aim in Grangeville. 1t cannot
be- done all at once, as it requires a
greater cost in building, teachers and
equipment. With the progressive spirit
In Grangeville backed by our present
progressive school board, it is safe to
predict great improvement in the
school within the next few years.
In this year 3 work we shall always
oe glad to receive parents as visitors
70 talk over their children g welfare,
and in all ways work with them for the
welfare of the individual. Don't you
know that we desire as much as you to
10 all we can for the child 3 welfare,
so we undoubtedly could get together
In our work if you would give us a
enance to talk matters over with you.
We do not wish to do thing that
would not be to the best interest of the
enid. Come, then, to see US when you
think it is necessary, and come, too,
wnen you wish only to show us your
good will by visit.
D. r. r RICE Supt