The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1916-10-21
fractional part of the entire enroll

fractional part " JIG
ment.
II is evident from the foregoing
paragraph that at some time IN the
mast q great deal of constructive work
was done in the consolidation Of the
MANY small schools that at one time
were scattered throughout the rural
districts. Only a few children are
now ont of reach Of good graded or
modern high school. The establish
ment of the central schools has been
taken up again by the new superin-
tendent. During the past session the
Barton school was closed and the pu-
oils are attending at Donaldsonviile
nearby; Melancon has recently been
consolidated with st. Amant, and the
upper grades at Singletary are now
required to attend the same school. 1t
would be we'll to effect the complete
consolidation of Singletary as soon
IS possible, and further build up st.
Amant as large central school.
Johnson, located between two and
three miles equi-distant from Galvez
and Oak Grove, should be taken un-
der consideration by the board for
consolidation with the two adjoin-
ing schools.
We find that the school authorities
have taken the preliminary steps look
ing to the enforcement of the COM
pulsory attendance law. The pro-
visions of the law have been plainly
stated to the children and many Of
the patrons, and the teachers have
been instructed to visit all families
who fail to send their children and
supply the names to the parish board.
For the present session the efforts
will be largely for the purpose of as
certaining the facts about who fail
to enroll, instructing the people fully
about the law, inviting all to attend,
and making a serious attempt to
keep all who enroll for the entire SEES
sion. The superintendent and teach
ers report that they do not expect
any trouble or opposition in getting
practically all Of the pupils in school.
In only few places will the full force
Of the law have to be resorted to.
The school authorities have sue
ceeded in improving the finances Of
the board Certain economies have
been made and specially notable is
the increase of the annual police jury
appropriation by more than $4,000.
While the schools need great many
things better houses, more equip
ment, larger Libraries, higher salaries
for teachers, etc.-it was decided to
use the additional funds to increase
the length of the session to full nine
months for all schools. This is a
great gain when we remember that
many of the country schools had but
six months the session previous.
The regulations with regard to
grade limitation are being enforced
generally in the schools. This is cor
rect and is evidence that the board
and people have come to realize that
the multiplication of grades in small
schools deprives them of the condi-
tons that are essential to the best
work
The daily programs in the several
schools visited were examined and
where necessary changes and recon-
mendatlons were made. We found
all teachers with programs that were,
as rule, quite satisfactory. The
| course of study is being followed with
due care and attention.
Some schools have very good IL
braries considering their. condition
and size, but we would recommend
that the teachers give some time and
attention to improving the libraries
| by keeping them in better order. pur-
chasing more books and specially
getting supplementary readers in sets
to assist; in the teaching &c reading sssaaiiifts,
geography, community studies and
history
AS the several questions relating to
the buildings, equipment, sites and
other physical conditions were fully
stated in the previous report, very
little need be said here. Some Of the
houses are badly in need of new ones
or general repairs; a good deal more
furnishings are necessary and much
now III use needs replacement: some
OF the sites are now being improved
others need it badly. We want to