The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-06-18
SCHOOL RALLY FRIDAY.
PROF. w. X. TATE, SUPERVISOR
OF RURAL SCHOOLS, MAKES
ADDRESS.
Miss Mary T.. Frayscr of Winthrop
College Speaks on Need OF Prac-
tical Branches I'm Rural Schools
Prof. Tate advises Consolidation of
Singleton with JOrdOn School.

A school rally in the interest of the
Jordon schools was held at Shady
Side Friday. a number of the pa.
irons and pupils of the two schools
being present, together with a num-
Der Of visitors. A picnic dinner was
given at the close of the speaking
and the occasion proved very inter-
Isting and enjoyable one.
Owing to the good weather for the
first time in the week, affording the
! farmers an opportunity to work on
their farms the attendance was not
so large as was expected, but it was
sufficiently large TO prove that the
people were interested in the move
ment to make their school better
one.
Prof. Tate was introduced by DR..
j. Herbert HaynSworth, County Su-
perintendent of Education, and made
a practical talk referring to himself
as a consulting physician come to
advise with DR.. Haynsworth as to the
best methods of curing the patient
making a single school of the two
schools and a better school than any
which the patrons and pupils had had
heretofore.
He first stated that this district, No
10 70
plish efficient work. 1t was always
advisable, he said. to so divide the
district into the largest possible space
with one good school in it, convenient
ly placed for all of the pupils. He ad-
vised the county board to cut up the
school district into four districts, hav-
ing the Jordon and Singleton schools
in one district and combining the two
into one school.
He then proceeded to enumerate
the advantages which resulted from
having a consolidated rural graded
school, which might, if it fulfilled
certain conditions, secure State aid of
5000 each year. He advised the pas
sage of the extra two mills levy,
which would place the school in line
for the 5000 State aid. BY having a
!, larger school, the two teachers could
divide the grades and, having fewer
classes each, could give to each one
, more time and do more efficient work.
, And thus having a better school, the
pupils would have the services of a
better teacher, as a good teacher
would not come to small school
where she knew she could not do her
best work. A strong point Prof
Tate pointed out was the fact that a
consolidated school would increase
the enrolment, as pupils loved to be
together, and because, possibly, a boy
or girl would not attend when there
were not other pupils in his or her
class, they would be glad to attend
when there were other boys and girls
of their own age to be in a class with
them. 1t also increased attendance,
as one pupil did not like to fall be.
hind another in the class.
He advised the combining of the
two cchools. using the Jordon school
as school for both until next Christ
mas. He stated that if this method
was adopted, he would advise the use
OF covered wagon to take the pupils
from the Singleton neighborhood to
the school every day during the term.
If this system did not operate success
fully and the pupils and patrons did
not find it satisfactory. he would ad-
wise that it be discontinued at Christ
mas and some other system adopted.
At the close of his address a vote
was taken of the patrons and taXpay-
ers present and all seemed in favor OF
adopting this system and of levying
the two mills extra tax for school
purposes.
Miss Mary E. Frayser made a plea
in behalf of the teaching of man
ual training, sewing, gardening. cook
ing, and bench work, in the rural
schools. The boys and girls needed
something to do during their vacant
periods, when they were not studying
or reciting. and if there was a travel
ing teacher to instruct i'm the indus
trial branches once n week, the bows
and girls could carry on this work
by themselves at other times, as they
only needed To he shown what to do
and how to do it,
efficiency means content" said the
speaker, and what we need in our
schools is that practical education
which will develop efficiency"
DIR. j. II. Haynsworth stated that
he was in favor of improvements