The Rice belt journal., 1916-11-24
REPORT ON INSPECTION OF
SCHOOLS IN JEFF DAVIS

(Tha schools OF this parish were pre-
vlo-g inspected in May, 1879.
Jefferson Davis parish is chiefly
prairie country, tic ebeing the prln-
c.ral and only extensive crop. 1t is
roDaiatcd in certain localities by i'm
micrarts from northern or western
states, probably forty per cent of the
total population coming from those
sections; the native population is al
most entirely Of Flench descent. The
2aria h has developed from a few scat
tered settlements fifteen or twenty
wears ago to one Of the best agricuL-
tural parishes cf the State. A recent
bond issue of $5O0,000 will pay fol
.he construction Of approximately one
hundred miles Of grayeiled road with
many miles of lateral dirt roads Of
GOOD quality. The crop Of the current
rear is luge, prices are good, and the
PEOPLE are prosperous.
The following schools were visited:
JENNINGS, Southside: This is a
plain. Iour-room building, frame con-
sarucuou, comfortable, but lacking IN
g few modern features. The equip
Tie site is one JlocI, without improve
maa-. City water is supplied at bub.
meut IS scaut but Of good quality
..- .o.n.ains. The two toilets are
deep pit type. This school &C
9dato5 the overflow from the
| .arra brics. building on the north side,
.n-u pupils in grades I, 2, 6 and Z,
iaa.- lay sessions being necessary for
| g.. .-o lower grades. The enroll
..... was lZ1 with 1l2 present, in
/ .a.aa Of foar teachers of high quail
ac1Gons. Owing to the fact that the
/ chool had been in operation but few
iGavs and was rs yet not well organ
ed, no tests were given; the work
II The teachers, however, seemed to
| .e OF excellent character If this
school is to be continued the building
rhould he remodeIed in accordance
with modern principles, quite a good
lcsl OF additional equipment in the
way Of Iibralies, supplementary ma
.ogial for reading and other work,
| t.-caiar aids. etc, should be installed,
OAK BAYOU: Since the previous
inspection, reported on page 1876 Of
| May. 1915, bulletin, this building has
been enlarged to two rooms, the light
| mo- defects remedied, painted inside,
ONE little equipment added and two
deep nit toilets built. Thirty-one Of
IrLe thirtv-iva enrolled were present,
| Grade limitation is enforced, play Is
| supervised, and the course of study
| followed. Tests in fifth grade arith-
Insgjc showed fair results, but third
| grade reading was poor. The teach
| ers were advised to stress work il
| these subjects.
| THORNWELL: Since the previous
| inspection, reported on page 1856 OF
| Nav. 1915 bulletin, this building has
| been enlarged to three rooms, add.
liona. windows inserted, repainted
modernized throughout. Deep pit toi-
let's are soon to be built. Very little
if anv equipment has been added. Ot
the seventy-three enrolled there were
seenty-one present. in charge of three
excellent teachers, all Normal gradu
atcs. Grade limitation is observed
clubs will soon be organized and super
} vi7ed, as will also the recreation peri
DDS. The daily schedules were sub
iect to some minor adjustments, anC
the course Of study was being fairly
well followed. Fifth grade arithme
tic class made a fair showing only il
a brief oral test. The cshool needs
teaching aids in variety, and supple
mentary material for reading, com
munity studies and geography partic
} ularly. We consider this a goot
school and predict a highly success
full year.
FENTON: This building has beel
constructed since the previous inspec
ton. a result of the consolidation o
two schools. 1t is a two-story bricl
: of excellent design and construction
with two class rooms, an auditorium
, with folding partition, cloak rooms
library room, and hall. Patent stove
would be more in keeping with othe
! conditions than those now in use. TIL
equipment is modern and ample a
= fay as il goes. Additional materia
is soon to be ordered and will prob
; ably include supplementary readin
\ sets and other aids in teaching com
munity studies and geography. TIL
7 siet contains five acres, is fenced an
) other improvements planned. Toilet
( are Of the deep pit type. At presen
7 water comes from a nearby residenc
} but a we'll is contracted for. Forty @
: the forty-one enrolled were present
: in charge of two teachers. Grade lin
7 itatiou is observed play is supervised
: the course Of study fairly we'll fo
!, lowed, daily schedules subject to bu
Z few unimportant changes, and club
J will be organized and SUPERVISED
y Brief tests in fifth grade arithmeti
and third grade reading indicated ths
? the children were not as skillful
} the fundamentals Of these subjects 8
< they should be. It was suggested ths
= much attention be given them. TIL
, school should and likely will soon b.
: come one Of the best of its size in tn
: parish. There should later be Il
2 augurated work in domestic scienc
} shop and garden. The superintenC
< ent has such ends inview.
( WOODLAWN: This school, il
Y equipment and conditions general
} ar fully described in a previous repor
< page 202 of May, 1915, bulletin. Onl
= few minor improvements have bee
? made since. The building is almoi
new, modern in very detail, attractiv,
other conditions harmonic with Il
: excellent building. Sixty Of the sixt!
( one pupils enrolled were present