Newark post. (Newark, Del.) 1910-1969, 1916-03-22

ject of an inspiring article in a
recent number of the Popular
Educator. The school described
has been built after campaign of
three years, in Eatonville, Wash
ington, town of one thousand in
habitants.
In July 1915, the residents of
Eatonville, celebrated the laying
of the cornerstone of a new 49,
900 dollar high school building.
Nothing unusual, in these days of
modern school buildings, perhaps;
but the school equipment has been
estimated by agents of publishing
houses, by its own directors, and
by the county Superintendent of
Schools of Pierce County, Wash
ington, to be the finest in the
United States, irrespective of the
size or wealth of the community.
This" the writer declares, sis a
startling statement"
Country schools all over the
United States are introducing vo-
cational education, social service,
community centers and similar
ideas, and town which can lead
them all surely must have enor-
nous wealth.
The surprising facts about the
school development of this town
are that so much has been done in
so short a time, in so small town.
Eatonville itself has a population
of about one thousand; the school
district is a large one, including
three townships; transportation is
furnished outside the two-mile
limit, and several private cars
carry pupils over five miles to
this school. The district is prin-
cipally timber; one large saw mill
furnishes the industry of Eaton
vile, besides, of course, a number
of farms, mostly on newly logged
off land.
Two years ago last spring,
Eatonville had an average country
school system employing eight
teachers. There was no such
thing as domestic science, manual
training or agriculture, although
these subjects are required in the
State of Washington. There was
no accredited high school. The
school system was held back by
conservative directors. Following
an election Of an enterprising
member of the board, a principal
with push was secured, and i'm
mediately had the first two years
of high school accredited.
From that time, things happen
ed rapidly. Ten thousand dollars
was voted for a fireproof gymna-
sum, which cost twenty thousand
dollars before it was completed,
but this was all done without a
bond issue. This gymnasium was
finished in January, 1914. 1t is
built of hollow tile, with tin roof,
hard maple floors, best of plumb
ing. 1t contains an auditorium
with balcony and twenty lap RUM
ing track. A prominent feature,
especially for a country district
is the swimming tank, eighteen by
fifty feet; with shower baths and
dressing rooms also. Certain even
ings each week the gymnasium is
turned over to the public; the
swimming tank is public and the
children have a regular schedule
during school hours for exercise
swimming and shower baths. The
Eatonville Lumber Company Bal
Team uses the school diamond anC
has the use of the gymnasium.
In the fall of 1914 two more
teachers were added and courses
were offered in manual training
domestic science, and agriculture
1t is a peculiar fact that in a large
number of rural schools, agricul-
ture is somewhat taken for grant
ed. Pupils are expected to absorb
enough of it from home surround,
ings, without much more than a
little textbook instruction n
school. Here, however, were idea
conditions for teaching real live
agriculture. The school grounds
cover fourteen acres, two of which
has been cleared, and one acre
fenced. Streets had been survey,
ed through this tract, but by Civ
a different right of way along one
side, these were all vacated anG
eight acres were fenced and five
more cleared and plowed. With
seven acres as background, agri
culture began in real earnest-ag
riculture which is being learned
not only by school children, but
by their parents and any one il
the district who will learn. Eaton