Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1914-03-19
Their Needs the Subject OF Con-
ference at the University.
Archibald G.. Uurd and Prof. George
q. Groat the Principal Speakers Mt
Second Days Session Annch-
con, Reception. Banquet


of the state was represented Tho morn
ing session was given over to tho sub
iect OF "rhe School as a Social Center
The topic was intelligently and interest
ingly dealt with and by people who knew
whereof they spoke. Archibald e. Hurd'
who Is regarded as an expert, through
his activity in Windsor county where ne
has been identified with the Y. NJ G. y.
movement to reach the community life In
the smaller towns through the medium Of
the schools, made the principal address
and gave first hand evidence of what has
been accomplished and indicated what
may still be done. Miss Caroline Wood
ruff of st. Johnsbury discussed the sub
ject from the teachers viewpoint and
Mrs. George II. Smile Of Montpelier who
Is president of the State Federation of
Women's Clubs, enlightened her audience
from the viewpoint Of the patron of the
school as social center Superintendent
H. A. Hamilton of Newport told how the
school superintendent regarded the sub
feet and how he could be useful I'm pro-
noting the movement.
Mr.. Hurd said that many had regarded
the church as the proper place for a COM
munlty center but it had been found that
there were factions which could not pos
sbly he combined in a community church,
but schools representing the children of
every type OF faction and people are the
logical centers for the expression of COM
munity thought. In the past the school
houses had been the social centers. He
said he had often heard his mother tell
OF the many things that had been said by
! people and the many events which hap
| pence in the school whore she was
| teacher When he visited the building he
was surprised to find that it was d very
small structure. scarcely able to accom-
modate 70 or II adults. still he was con-
WINGED that his mother could really have
written a book about what had happened
within it's walls. Now the school has mar
rowed its scope of activity, which is de-
plorable. as there is no single institution
| that so cheapens community life as poor
! school. To cause a return Of former con-
| ditions the people of the community must
be reached through the children of the
| schools and among ways of doing this are
to have increa sed social activities in the
school building, circulating library on
agricultural topics there. holding fruit
shows and agricultural fairs and conduct
ing the lyceums Of the community under
the auspices of the people themselves with
speakers from the people.
The experience in Windsor county has
/ shown that an inexpensive course could
be provided whereby there might be five
or six lectures at the schoolhouse dur
ing the winter at the price paid to a
single speaker from the outside.
The boys who work day times and
who have been wont to sit on the cracker
boxes in the country store in the evening
have been interested in night schools
where civics, English and business arith-
metic are taught 1t has been found that
circulating Libraries are most effective
when circulated through the schools
School gardens and Improvement leagues
are also helpers in connection with i'm
proNement leagues. Mr.. IIurd suggested
in connection with Improvement leagues
that camera clubs he formed I'm the schools
and SAID tHat the experiment Would nc
tried IN windsor county. Inc ldea Woul0
De Tor the pupils to take an eNp!orIhe
tour around the neIghporhoou' some WIN
camera ana some with pau ana ph"to-
graph ana note condluohS OF "elIs' 4eHceS'
buildings etc. the material gaNheIeu u
." WORKED up IN q Iecture anu TIE P'1'"i =
taken SHoWh~oh inc screen Inns "o"''
De more eHectlNe IMAM 'he WIN VI O
heaIth oI'lc"r ever 'ou'u De- rae spun ~
tHe Naiue Pl oI"iilatic socle'ies' N'''' '"S
exercises meetings OIL farmers '.""'' .oi'
SHOWS etc'' IN 10 pe p,I' VI '''p 91''' -,
me anu '"c Sc'"oi 'u''''"79 ~ 10
o''c" enterprise !i'
o"" county '""' III ',''
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= speaker Is u serve '"o '''i'"' 1i'''' ''''
there must ne as many points Vi
, as possible ihere uoes h'I eAiS' Il
Ferhioill 'o-u'Iy III any r''''''''''''' '''
2 orsaiiZatio" tn't "'ee'S '''e 'oi'i''' an,
heeus. 4" "ii'usoi COUNTY ~ e., =
heishooriioouS o"' "o i'ei9 i'o'' ''i'eSS' ~
people 10 "o' seem W van " . ~
ana '"e' uo Ho' nave '"e "i''
, ooliiiuo i0e III c''" o'"ei ''i'' t'eS s"ou''
, nave y Town n'e''ins wa "l'NeS9eu W
, the spe"Ne' I'''nt,E anu ~ was a.
WrnhelhE anu S'iile s'i'p'I pe''i"S'
'nose present o'u "ol '9.'i' '"O'
o'"e', i"e uaSS ""e', ''e'' So
TO ra'Se BARNS anu 'ho "onie', n't io'
'neir qui'u"s oee' arc soi''' Luz '"'t
are many way VI i'S'o' MS '"' 'o''