American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1915-12-16
REORGANIzH RURAL SCHOOLS
TO INSURE BETTER RESULTS

youth that he will want to stay on the
land.
The most lasting impressions are
made on the minds Of the youths, and
these impressions are very largely in
fluenced by environment. The more
attractive the environments, h more
desirable impressions are made and
the more pleasant memories VIII be
recalled.
Practically every enterprise or what
ever nature has undergone q remarks
BILE change within the last quarter Of
a century, but In many localities the
rural school house, with its unattrac-
tive surroundings, is the same as 1t
was twenty-five years ago. Many OF
us are able to recall when we trudged
through mud and rain over roads that
were seldom worked, for W % or three
miles, to the little country school
house, heated by one large stove which
almost roasted those sitting near,
while those further removed had to
wear wraps in order to keep comfort
able.
In the corner, on n end OF a long
bench, sat the tin water pail, in which
was a long handled dipper. out OF
which teacher and pupils quenched
their thirst These vessels, like the
floor, were seldom ever washed n
had the appearance Of a fairly well
kept pig pen. The school house was
sadly in need Of paint and the grounds
we're either barren Of vegetation or
a growth of unsightly weeds was the
only thing that greeted the eye.
The pupils were taught "readin', rit-
in and rithmetic," in the same old mo-
notomous way, and took about as much
interest and pleasure in their work as
does the farm horse that is hitched TO
the pillow. The teachers pointed to
such examples as politicians, lawyers
doctors, etc, as worthy characters for
their pupils to emulate, and indirectly
inferred that a boy or girl who would
STAY on the farm was practically vast
ing his or her time in school, since all
the farmer needed to know was to
plant, pillow and harvest.
In many states these conditions nave
undergone a radical change. The
school house is modernized, and the
grounds are kept in a most attrac-
tive condition; pupils in the rural
schools are taught that the farming
industry is most dignified and noble
and to become g successful farmer. a
thorough and scientific preparation Is
| required.
Unfortunately, in many rural dis
tricts the old style school house, with
its barren environments, is to be seen
and within the %antiquated methods are
practiced. The directors employ any
inexperienced city girl whom they can
get for the least money, and who mas
absolutely no knowledge OF agricui-
ture. This girl teacher experiences
great difficulty in securing a boarding
place and often is forced to trudge
miles through stormy weather ano
over rough roads to reach her school
After the teacher has been en-
ployed and the load Of wood or coal
is thrown out on the ground near the
school house, the directors and patrons
feel that their duty has been ais
charged, and they are seldom heard
from during the entire term unless II
Is to mako complaint on OF
we'll deserved punishment meted GU
to Willie or Mary. They feel that the
teacher who is receiving perhaps $3'
per month, is being overpaid, n tina
in addition to her school duties, sht
should lead In church and social work
and visit every patron, regardless o
the distance to be walked OF the ex'
posture to Indictment weather.
1t Is no wonder that, under such un'
favorable conditions, and where suci
lack of enterprise and intelligence arr
shown on the part OF patrons, boy
and girls are discouraged with farn
life and decide to take to the cities al
soon as they reach the age OF maturit!
Farmers of this class, who feel lik'
the kind of "schoolin' that they go
is good enough for their children ar
really responsible for the crowded con
dition OF the houses Of correction. tn
iails and penitentiaries. since younl
people VINO go 10 the cities from sac'
places are unprepared to fill position
Of responsibility. and many OF then
soon become discouraged and go iron
bad TO worse, and at length are foun'
mingling with the very dregs OF societ
1t is possible and not difficult 10
any rural district to have a schoo
house that is modern In many Respects
well equipped and its grounds plante'
10 ornamental trees, flowers. grass
and present a most attractive appear
ance With a little increase In salar,
a fairly competent teacher can be sc
cured, and with a little further ex
penEe and energy. a neat cottage 10
the teacher can be constructed o
oroupd Attaining the school house