The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-02-11
A VISITORS IMPRESSION !. !
OF LAKELAND'S SCHOOL

In the Keyport IN. - Weekly
Mrs. John W. Keough, Of that cit!
; writes her impressions of a visit sht
made to the Lakeland school, which
we reproduce with the editors in
troductory note:
Mrs. John w. Keough, who, priol
to her marriage was one of the ef
ficient teachers at the local high
school, has never lost her interest
In matters educational and while in
Lakeland, Fla, last week for visit
with John C.. Keough she very nat
urally did spot feel that ;ner. trip
would be complete without visit
to the schools of that southern town.
Mrs. Keough has written us very
interesting account of her impress
sions, gained in "a Day in the Lake
land Schools" and it is with pleas
ure that we herewith reproduce it:
A Day in the Lakeland Schools
1t was our privilege yesterday to
visit the Lakeland schools. We met
the affable and courteous principal,
Prof. c. w. Jones, who is a teach
er, not mere keeper of school-a
true disciple of the Great Teacher
He loves his profession and those
under his care. He realizes that
boys and girls, are but human, and
thus prone to mischief, nut he d.
reefs that energy into the proper
channels.
When the welltuned strings of
harp are touched by a master hand
most helightful strains are evolved;
thus SO perfect is the accord between
principal and children that the en-
chanting chords of system and or
der, which is Heavens first law"
come forth.
We were told to go wnere we
pleased and remain as long as we
pleased. School begins at $50 a
M. and dismisses at 2:3O D. m.
There are one thousand pupils who
are very poorly housed at present,
owing to some unfortunate techni-
cality of law which held up the large
appropriation for new buildings.
This tangle has now been straight
ened out and next year they hope to
have the new school. Six or seven
grades are in frame building SIM
liar to our Government Row." but
inferior to it. The building leaks
so that at times the water stands an
inch deep on the floor. Other grades
are occupying the first school built
in Lakeland; here some are with
out desks; then the H. S. building
is cvercrowdeh, there being fifty in
the freshman class.
For opening exercises the pupils
above the primary marched quietly
and orderly into the assembly room;
each pupil always occupies the same
seat; thus confusion and disorder Is
avoided.
About a dozen young ladies seat
ed on the platform led the singing.
Two songs were sung, chapter
from the Bible was read, the Lords
prayer was recited and the children
returned to their rooms. =
Three of the high school instrucI
tors are men in their early twenties
and marvellous is the respect shown
them. In every room the pupils
evinceh such interest in their work
that it could not fail to be success
full
On the campus are two basketball
courts, one for the graded school
and one for the high school.
In the afternoon we accepted an
invitation to basketball game be-
tween Lakeland and a neighboring
town. One of the instructors played
On the Lakeland team, while anoth-
er led systematic cheering whenever
good play was made. And how it
was patronized Parents, grand
parents, all other relatives and tour
lists by the hundred were there to
enjoy the occasion and encourage
the young people.
Prof. Jones allows Just enough