The log cabin Democrat. [volume] (Conway, Ark.) 1901-1982, 1913-10-23
EXPLANATION FROM
SUPI. OF SCHOOLS
ANENT PUPILS EXPENSE
COST OF SCHOOL SUPPLIES
SREATLY REDUCED, SAYS
PROF. WOMACK.

IL has been suggested that | write
word of explanation of our plan of
providing supplementary reading,
ink, busy work material, ETC., for the
pupils of the public school. l do not
understand that there is opposition
ito the plan, but / do know that some
do not understand it, hence this note
Heretofore each child in the lower
grades has been required to buy two
readers year, a drawing book, a
copy book, etc. We undertook to i'm
prove the supply of reading matter
and at the same time reduce the cost.
We asked each child to buy one book
and 10 bring the price of reading
book and let us buy for him. We
asked also for small sum for ink
| 10 cents each.
That we have improved the read
ing supply you yourselves may judge
at the end of the year. How? By
results. That we have reduced the
cost is evident now. For example,
grade one, lower section, has bought
one 5ool, each and that with the 25
cents is to be the entire cost of books
and other supplies for the year. Mind
you, ne will not be asked to buy even
pencil nor a tablet Can ony one
complain at an annual book bill of
i 50 cents?
The saving in the other grades is
not so marked, but in every case it is
no less real. Suffice it to say that
each child in the first six grades will
be better supplied tina never before
with reading matter, and no child
will have TO pay more than he has
been paying; in majority of cases
he Will pay less.
The ink fund was in excess Of the
need, but the money will be carefully
expended for things the children will
use. Ordinarily the teacher buys
dozens Of things each year for the
children, and pays for them out of
her ali TOO meager salary. And Of
ten she has to furnish pencils, colored
crayons, drawing paper, and even
books, for children whose parents
cannot Or will not provide those
things. That is not right. We think
we are not misusing the extra four
or Ave cents per child when we use
them to buy the little things that
are needed from time to time during
the year. And each teacher keeps a
carefully kept account of the money
that passes through her hands.
l have, written this in the hope
that may be spared the necessity
Of explaining the matter personally
and in detail to patrons who do not
understand. l am not making a
speciality Of cheepness, but l thought
! it not amiss to relieve the apprehen-
sion manifest in some quarters that
! | am reckless and eXtravagant in my
requirements.
And now permit further word.
Do not send money to any teacher
until you have been notified, either
through the press or by personal
note from the teacher that money is
wanted for supplies. We do not ask
pupils to bring money. So wait un-
| Ill notice has been given. In another
school | had pupils who would ask
for money to carry to the teacher,
anG then buy candy, ice cream, show
tickets, etc, with the money. AS a
result the teachers were sharply crit
licized for their eXtravagant demands
and knew nothing of it till the oc-
casion had long passed. Since then
| / REQUIRE formal notice as a precau-
ton against a possible recurrence OF
the experience.
Prospects for the Conway public
school are bright. We shall have a
great wear. But do not be too sure
Of II. Keep a close watch for sign
Of carelessness or neglect on the part
OF the children while in the home,
stand loyalty by their teacher, and
we shall do things worth while.
Very respectfully.
p WOmack