The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1914-05-22
CLEANUP DAY IN OXFORD.

Why not have . 'Clean-Op Osy u
|. Greenwood,
Oxford recently had 4 "'Ciesn-Ui
I, Day" and the plan. and results, a
/ given out by George Hurst, Supt Of
the public school Of that place, wer,
simply astounding. The plans were a
follows:
i. We mailed ~cirulsrs to every house
holder in town explaining fully the alsn
2. We got board of mayor and alder
men to pass resolutions or ordinances
This gave the plan official backing.
3. We got each club to discuss III.
matter at a meeting and appoint a mem,
Der to become onr Of Il genera! com.
mtrtee for the whole city.
l.. Appointed 4 dinner committee OF
20 Iadies, five from each ward. and
divided among all churches. clubs. so,
c~Ietics, sets, etc. so there could be nc
sort Of suspicion that credit Of the affair
would rebound 10 any clique or set Of
men or women.
s. Collected money for prizes for
the children. It being understood that
the money would 20 to the benefit Of
the whole school, A good plan was to
divide with the Athletic association so
that you could get some boy interested
who would otherwise be lukegarm.
s. Divided the whole school into
four squads and either selected the
captain or SLOWED the squad to elect
the captain. ! suggest that the captain
be each a pupil Of n high school grade.
The captain then for the 18th grade
takes the 18th grade. the captain from
the llth grade takes the 18th grade
and so on. Then each grade of the
grammar school is divided into four
equal parts and each captain takes a
fourth. This matter was arranged to
suit the convenience Of the individual
teacher.
7. Had county health officer and state
inspector present If possible.
S. Suggested to ministers that on
Sunday preceding they mention the
matter. they commended or preach
from the text Cleanliness is next to
Goodness"
3. Got property holders to give per-
mission for workers to 60 on premises
and let 1t be indicated by q small United
States flag somewhere about the front
of the premises.
10. Met at school building and form
ed into squads by twos. Marched to
center of town and and proceeded from
there to work. A large school march
ing through town by twos gives an i'm
pressive idea OF its size and makes the
whole matter important.
II. Got the mayor or one alderman
to become responsible for plenty of wag-
ons to remove trash. This is very i'm
portant Sc that there may be no delay.
Delay of any sort kills enthusiasm.
IL. Have alderman from each ward
accompany the squad in his ward.
10. Had plenty pictures made Of
trash wagons, squads at work on bad
places before and after taking, heaps
of rubbish fact, everything that
was suitable and had cuts made for
the local papers.
Superintendent Hurst gives as fol-
lows the results Of the day:
/. The best cleaning and the only
thorough cleaning we have had since
the yellow fever. One hundred loads
of trash collected in n dsy.
q The school was made the most
important thing in the whole city.
8. The squad captains got a most
valuable lesson in the difficulties Of
leadership as well as its rewards.
4. The children learned the boun.
daries of the city wards.
5. Zach child learned how the other
one lived In his W back yard.
6. The children know who are the
moss backs Of the city and are arrayed
solidiy against them.
l.. Social lines and distinctions are
absolutely obliterated and all are work
ing for a common purpose.
6. Enthusiasm at white heat has
fixed in minds of children. entirely new
purpose of the school. The school has
now become q powerful and effective
agency for the public good, as well AZ
for teaching things out Of books.
3. City and school pride are running
than ever.
10. A new conception Of the schools
in the minds of the people.