The enterprise. [volume] (Harlem, Mont.) 1899-1926, 1914-05-28
Review Of Past Years School
Work,
Malta, Mont. Nav 25 1914

Another school year is nearly
ended. About 125 of the boys and
girls of this community have received
one more year Of school training. III
spite Of handicaps your children's
teachers have labored faithfully,
cheerfully, and, it is hoped wisely, to
make the best use Of the positions i'll
which you placed them.
Coming to the school last fall stran-
gers to tile children and to each other.
your corps Of teachers has worked
harmonjously. This cooperation. to-
eether with the knowledge that the
board OF trustees stood ready to as
slst at all times, has made efficient
work possible. Changes have been
deemed necessary. The high school
course was altered to make teaching
more efficient and to permit the addi-
tlon of eleventh grade work. New
and up-to-date texts have been pur-
chased where needed. Many volumes
nave been added to the library, all for
the improvement of the intellectual
side OF the school. The physical side
has been taken care of by the erection
OF teeters and swings for the younger
children, and the encouragement of
active games among the older pupils.
FINALLY, the acquisition Of. perhaps,
the most cultural value is a splendid
VIctrola with several first class rec
ords. Both the Victro|a and the
playground apparatus were pur-
chased from moneys secured at the
school play given before Christmas.
While it is pertinent that we re-
view the achievements of the year
now, it of still greater Importance
that we turn our eyes toward the
future.
Next fall the twelfth grade of work
will be added. We shall not have al
accredited high school, but it will be
step IN that direction. To become
accredited, more teachers and more
equipment is necessary. That can
not oe expected next year.
There is one department of the
school, however, to which attention
should he given. That is the primary
room. Everyone is acquainted with
the conditions that have prevailed
the past year. In this room for the
entire year the attendance has been
much too large. At times there were
twice as many children as Miss Mont
gomery should be asked to teach. In
the Grammar room, the work is
harder than it should be. The teacher
must handle three grades, and that is
more than one can do we'll. The
board of trustees have known all
tlirouh the past year that another
teacher must he added next year to
relieve the situation, and they are
planning such move.
But new teacher will necessjtate
another room. Where will it be?
That is the serious problem before
;he trustees. That is the question
asked by every citizen who is inter t
'sted in the advancement of the Z
1t is a question which the ,
'oters of the community may be S
'alled upon to solve. q
There appear to be four possible
Ways out of the dilemma. First. a
'ulldlng or room might be rented for
year or two. Second, a ,one-room c
might be erected to fill the t
eed temporarily. Third, All addition v
alght be made to the old school t
ouse. Fourth, Il new school-house a
arge enough for probable future '
eeds might be erected. There are p
easons for believing the first three il
chemes impractical. 1t is difficult t
D rent a room which would be at all D
t for school purposes. 10 erect a d
ne-room building and then tear it "
own I'D year or two would be II
'aste OF money. TO add to the old c,
uilding would not be so bad as the tt
rst two plans, yet when the fact is I'll
onsidered that the old building is in 81
|any ways inadequate, it looks like v,
ewing new cloth OH an old garment. II.
he only solution remaining is the is
ew building. which would involve a L
owe to be carefully, yet speedily, til
'nsidered- carefully on account of &C
cation, size and finances, speedily, lie
'cause it would be a matter of six
eeks before building could actually
gin.
A new building might he erected in .,
me playground is available. 1t -, -
ould have to be roomy. and should
up-to-date, with steam heat and ~:
nitary equipment, both of which "
II be most cheaply installed at the
esent. 1t would do away with the
penslve hot-air system of heating.
lough kmoney would be saved on 10