The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1913-12-05
THE COUNTRY SCHOOL AS A
COMMUNITY BUILDER.
Thy II. w. Foght)

The present day rural school is
striving to fit itself into the neeus
of the community where 1t is round.
The school of the open country
which fails to root itself to the soii
ia no longer worth while. The schooi
must be leader in every hay az
ricuitural life or ii will be stamped
a failure. One Of the many schoois
which is doing real work for couh-
try uplift is found in western Chari-
es Mix county, South Dakota Ihe
school is 20 miles from the nearest
railroad station, and has been 40
ing remarkable work for the com
munity for more than 20 years. AZ
was established as a postoffice when
took its name Academy from the
school itself. The school is organic
ed on the academy OF high schooi
plan and is strong enough TO give
the people of the western section Oh
the new State all the education they
really need for successful farm ire
The founder OF the school. Kew
l.. e. Garfield, has been seer e.
nough to understand that the couh-
try districts ought 10 have schools
so complete in themselves that larm
children should not be Obliged 10
go to town TO complete their educa-
ton, since this generally means a
weaving away from the farm.
The time when the school was
established was period OF panic. OF
low prices, and mortgaged farms and
chattels. Still out OF their poverty
and need, the settlers gave, every
one, little for the school. The TO-
cal church helped to furnish teach
ers-ihe pastor and the pastor =
wife who had been college teachers
taking part in the work from the
first The pastor from a nelghboring
parish also devoted part OF his
time 10 teaching The school receiN-
ed assistance from the church. and
in It's turn lent aid TO the church,
In short while. as smaller district
schools were established. these came
to be feeders Tor the Acadmey. which
insisted on teaching the universal
subjects in very thorouShSoine
manner.
From the school went out In a
short time teachers for the entire
country community and practical
men OF affairs in other lines. A
school farm was added at very
early date. Here regular lessons In
farm building construction. repair
ing, the use OF machinery. tools, etc
were given. Indeed, general farming
was oo-ordinated with classroom
practice in relating the education OF
the school 10 the life OF the com
munity. The work OF the school was
practical from the first, doing Ia
utmost to answer the needs OF the
community Its enrolment grew from
q few students TO las In a few
years. As old buildings were out
grown, the students took an active
part In building the new,
A school home life was developed
and the teachers have done a great
work as companions and leaders OF
the students BY giving them indiyi'
dual help and encouragement. Tt
this may be traced some of the real
ly remarkable men who have gone
out from this community. All this
household cares and duties of the
school are organized under the de
partment of household economics &C
that tn care OF kitchen. dining
room, laundry. and the living rooms
is left largely TO the women stu
dents under the direction of a com
petent matron.
One of the things OF special ap
peal is this. The pastor who cams
to the community in the early day.
has remained throughout the years
preaching and teaching, building ant
farming The Christian spirit of re
spect and reverence for work. FOL
knowledge, and for duty is strong 4
the school and equally strong in tbs
community. Here can be seen. then
a typical rural community -satisfiet
country homes, and a country schoo
and country church. each doinf
ils share In helping the people e
love the soil and make the most o.
themselves.
Inspired young men and womer
who have the real vision OF country
life needs may find opportunities II
every part OF our country to do the
work that these pioneers have done
30 successfully in poor western
pioneer district.
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