Imperial Valley press., 1916-11-04
RURAL SCHOOLS
ADAPTING PUPIL
To USEFULNESS
At RANCH HOME
Mt. Signal Pupils Engaged
In Hygienic Study +
Their Teeth II
INNOVATIONS NOW IN
THE RURAL SCHOOLS
Magnolia School Busy With
Home Credits With All
Well Satisfied
NOW IN
THE RURAL SCHOOLS

Education along practical and use
full lines - The order of the day in
thc I'm: erial County rural schools and
IA tim er O. innovations are being
given It tn, time. In recent tour
of the schools, County Superinten-
dent P. Shibley discovered some or
'iginal ideas being promulgated.
At the Mt. Signal scholo, where
well known dentrifice and toilet man
ufactUrer had sent samples of tooth
cleanser, it was found that competi-
tives classes had been formed for the
purpose of systematic care of the
teeth.
The teacher in charge of the work
has stimulated interest by offering
small prizes for the best results. The
importance CT this higienic study is
Illuminated by the teachers with the
result that the cleansing exercises
lose the form of a disagreeabe habit
end become pleasing and educational
operation.
Intensive gardening the big idea
at the Lone Star school, at which
place an acre Of highly cultivated
soil has been placed at the disposal
of the students. The plat is prepared
for planting by running ridges the en-
the length Of the tract. Two pulls
are assigned to each ridge. The COM
mon garden variety of vegetables
have been selected and in addition to
learning the art of reproduction the
returns from the land have been so
prolific that many homes in the vi
cinity have been supplied with fresh
vegetables.
The upper grades in this school are
spending some time in the study of
manual training. A novel departure
has been made by the instructor, l.. M.
Cak. Instead of devoting the time,,
tools and material to the manufacture
of fancy cabinets and ornamental fur
riture the students are turning out ar
ticles used atthe home and ranch.
Miss Florence A. Durham, resi-
dent of the county board of education,
is also teacher at the Magnolia school.
Miss Durham is endowed with many
original ideas and possesses spirit
CT industry which is diffused among
lie pupils. A system of home credits
have been adopted at this school. In
addition to credit marks receievd at
school, certain duties performed at
the home entitle the student to mer
its. Miss Durham reprots that the
plan is working very successfully and
has been the means of promoting un-
usual enterprise Ok the part of those
attending school.
1t is claimed that the home credits
make a connecting link between the
school and farm. For instance driN-
ing a team on the ranch carries with
IL so many credit marks per hour. An
amusing incident in connection with
tie plan was related last night by
the county superintendent. One young
nan at the Magnolia school had grad
uated from the team driving school
and hand mastered themechanical in
Il icacies of the tractor. Upon re-
porting to the teacher his time of en-
Iooyment on the gas engine he anx-
icusly inquired as to the number OF
merits earned. The tractor was not
listed and the teacher unwittingly
granted the same number of merits as
would accrue from driving a team
The young man was not devoid OF
lumor and insisted that in as much
as the tractor had been six horse
power that he should have triple the
number of credits. A reorganization
O.. themerit schedule was Immediately
made.
Prof. Shibley has visited about fiji
teen schools so far this fall. A ma
iority of the schools have completed
the seventh week of the term.