The log cabin Democrat., 1912-05-02
SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT
 RAJ COMMUNITY.

A rural school and forty pupils, three school directors, one teacher, a single room, unpainted school house. unfenced school grounds, and you have the picture of school house be- fore being treated to school improve .nent.
 When a teacher meets with failure in her first attempt to enlist the pa irons to organize an s. l. A. and tries again we may look for results.
 The first effort to organize was at tempted by having the children write invitations to their parents to meet ing. On the day appointed one mother appeared. The meeting re- solved itself into an association of two members. the mother as president and the teacher as secretary. Plans for raising money were considered.
 The first entertainment was suc- cess, socially and financially. Fifteen dollars was cleared. However, the greatst gain was the active interest created.
 The young people begged for an other party A good time was still the first object After four entertain ments at the school nearly sl00 was in the S. I. A. treasury and every body wanted to know how the school would be improved and when the help ing hand could best be used.
 The interior of the school was transformed by the addition of needed equipment and decorations. The floor was painted, the walls were treated to a tinting of soft green the window panes were replaced and eight of the best window shades were purchased. On these the children were taught to stencil borders em- bematic of Washington's birthday. Thanksgiving. Christmas, etc.
 A l4arkin club as organized. from which maps and charts were secured A teachers desk, blackbcards, copies of good pictures and reference books became the added property of the school. A bench was placed in the rear of the room, and on this was placed a chest containing the first aid to the injured The wash bowl, pitcher and soap were in evidence. Also at this juncture the school di rectors decided that grounds must be drained, the pine stumps removed, va ks and outhOuses repaired and the grounds fenced.
 All this created talk. The people who lived in the attractive county seat, seven miles away, were interested. A lumber dealer decided the work Of the children was so meritorious that he gave handsome flag to the school This gentleman also offered flag and flag staff to any $. |. A. in the county
 After all the above work was ac complished the spirit to beautify was awakened to still greater efforts. The teacher went to the county treasury, acquainted herself with regard to the funds of the district and reported that there was remaining enough money to meet the salary for a month longer term of school than contracted and still $40 over, and she advised the painting of the house with this.
 The house was painted. The girls planted flowers. All the garbage and rubbish was collected by the small children and burned. The floors were swept daily by the children. Within and without the school was made at- tractive. With the flag flying to the breezes, the village school, seven miles out of Paragould. Greene county, with Miss Meda McHaney as teacher, is standing evidence of cooperation, through s. l. A. work in a rural com munity.