Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1915-12-20
NEW SYSTEM IN
SANTA f COUNTY
DOING WONDERS
Moonlight Schools introduced
BIZ Superintendent Conway
Show Pat etc Struggle Of
People for Education

Young men ana young women F4stA1-
parents .viciug with grandparents Do
learning the Euglish alphabet and
spelling out words n the primer I'm
practically every rural district OF san
tn re county. old ana young are EoIns
90 the moonlight schools established
lbs County superintendent John ".
CONWAY. The teachers are jCyously
giving their time ana effort without
compensation and in the lwinkhns OF
Ian eve have become real community
leaders, whose advice IS sought ana
whose counsel is followed. j is
lNer.tablc transformation and il can
Doe proclaimed even in TINS hour th0l
J illiteracy virtually mas h'eh "4p'"
iout in Santa Fe county, outside oi the
icity.
Pathetic stories might pc l''u' ana
tales IN which smiles chase me '''rs
+ hut paramount ls the easeIh'sS VIII"
which men ana ""ln' h' @halI'o ~ 'He
land hard work drink Up the instrue-
ton for the iifst time in lh''F il'es
offered them Progress M 'Il' S.i',''',
is more rapid IMAM e""lo Dr. 'NP'e's"
+ III some cases ana more $40" ~ ''f-
Icts StF'hAe 20 s.'|' y T. ivy
iyuunEor men and women VINO learn
Imost rapidly on are me most 'u'ii,lSi-
iastic in their study Ihere may ''l'vi
IAN, be something In IN" view Ialey
expressed that i Were better loT boys
and girls To get down 70 ac'ual me
work much earlier than is me custom
and 10 catch up WIN lher s'uulea
when they nave developed TASTE anu
real desire for culture ana NORMA
1 ton
lllitcraey Percentage small
4 A lteracy census just taken by
+ County superintendent Conway shows
THAT there are comparatively te"
adults In Santa Fc county who cam
not read or write In some language
This makes it easier to teach English.
/ The most difficult task is TO over
leone the diffidence which Is such "a
Ipronounced trait Of the Spanish Amer
liam in the rural settlements, but
fwhor that is accomplished, practically
IAN the adults in the community attend
the night school. except some Of The
Younger men who glory IN their ignor-
lance.
/ Fortunately the way had been
naved for the nlucracy campaign by
iMr Conway building in each district
IA new schaolhouse, equipped with
real furniture in place of store
Ihoxes and with real stoves or heat
ing systems This makes the school
house the most attractive gathering
Iploce. MS a rule. In the entire village
The night school makes 1t a commun-
itv center The older people like to
Icome together. they are greIarious
land here is the opportunity Of Che
videaWake teacher A community
spirit is created that extends beyond
learning the alphabet. the spelling cut
Of words and studying addition and
subtraction. civic pride has its birth
lin these moonlight schools. politi-
icians win find il more difficult to be-
IguiIp the voters after this for reason
is being enthroned reason guided BIZ
ipatriotism. IL is almost unbelievable
how sweeping the transformation even
lin the daily lie is wrought by the
moonlight school
The wonder OF it an is that this
work. epochmakiug. one might call il,
lis being done without cent of in-
crease in taxes, without the issuing of
any bonds just as the new school
houses were built in every district.
volunteer labor on The part of the
icouny superintendent the teachers,
the members of the Santa Re Wom
ans club is the main factors. to-
eether with the eagerncss of the older
Spanish to leurn 10 read
The newspapers and books, to step on
la higher plane Of culture
Woman's Club Active.
These activities have been planned
and are directed by the county super
intendent and from the Palace Of the
Governors the state museum by the
Womans club. At a recent meeting
in northern santa Fe county Of Par
rent teachers association, which, like
1.-THE moonlight schools, is novelty,
the wife of the governor Of the state.
Mrs. McDonald the governors pri-
ivnte secretary. Miss Olsen; the wife
iof the manager of the republican Off
cial weekly az the capital. Mrs sta
Min. Miss Conrad a woman of means