Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-06-12
Rural Schools

Every agricultural school should
have a normal department for the sole
purpose of training teachers for rural
schools" declares j. l.. McBrien in his
Arkansas report.
Trees for beautifying school grounds
are furnished free to rural schools in
California by the Chico State Normal
School. Chico will also send, on re-
quest. man to lay out school gardens
in rural communities.
Kansas State Agricultural College
has a campaign on for enlisting 10000
Kansas boys and girls in agricultural
and home making contests this year.
A special State organizer has been ap-
pointed.
E6gecombe County, n. c., has re-
Gently held a series of Community up
lift meetings" under the auspices of
the educational and agricultural de-
partments of the county. The county
commissioners appropriated 500 to-
ward the work Another item of prog
ress in this county is the provision for
a woman assistant superintendent of
rural schools at a salary of $3.50 per
year.
more than 10 years a law authorizing
consolidation of schools, consolidation
is not looked upon with favor, accord
ing to J. C. Muerman, an official of the
Bureau, who is now stationed in the
southwest. Two of the schools visited
by Mr. Muerman had only 6 pupils
enrolled. The teachers received $40 a
month Both schools had good libraries.
Hawkins County, Tenn. recently &C
compl:shed a notable feat in CONSOLE
dation Four schools were consolidat-
ed; and the new building provided is
$4,5U0 structure with six acres of
sood land, located on pike road. Two
Of the old schools were converted in
to residence for the principal The
land was donated with the understand
ing that ii should be worked as a
demonstration school farm. The prin-
clpal is hired for Il months in the
year.
State Superintendent Harris, of Lou
isiana, in a recent official letter com
mends the Natchitoches Parish School
Board for inviting the country boys
from all sections of the parish to as
semble for a week to study agricul-
tural questions under the direction of
agricultural experts. The boys of each
rural school elected one or more repre-
sentatives to attend this institute. The
68 farmer boys were given free enter
tainment in the homes of the people of
Natchitpehes. These boys were in
tensely interested in the work of the
institute and Joined intelligentty and
| earnestly in the discussion of agrieul-
tural questions.
j, c. Timberman, of Chester, w. Va,
tells of a certain school in his State
where 40 pupils We're enrolled. All 40
| pupils attended school the 6 months
| required by the compulsory attend
ance law. but 10 stayed away the last
months Of school, Now it cost just
as much" argues Mr., Timberman, ito
operate this school the last months
with the reduced attendance as it did
when the entire 40 attended. There is
| a loss of % per cent, of the entire ex-
pense of the school, The teacher re-
ceived SIS; and % per cent Of sos is
s13.75 per month loss. Multiply this by
three and you get loss of SHIPS for
| months. The district has Is schools
/ The taxpayers therefore lose SAL Is
multiplied by IS, or s742.50 each year
| through weak compulsory education
law and negligent aparents. Do you
| think any private business would per-
NIT such a wiIlful waste? If such
criminal waste is not good for private
business, why Go we permit it in pub
lie husiness?"
A school census for rural districts
has been put into successful operation
by superintendent Morton OF Concord
township schools, Frankfort, Ohio
The census card used gives more facts
than the usual registration card. 1t
| shows whether glasses are worn OF
| not; whether eyes have been examined
and when; whether the pupil has been
vaccinated and when; and physical de-
fects of any kind. In explaining why