Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1916-02-24
THE DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL.
Flew May the District High School
Rest Meet the Needs Of Rural
Community.
(Jas. F. Henderson.

I0t heen a part of the social process.
l. was usually that Of place "hefe
the young people of the community
were being prepared for life and that
it had nothing to do with the 1mmedl-
ate activities. People did not pay
much attention to the working OF the
school and took it for granted that
,he bovs and gisls were being educat-
cd properly and that after "hlle
they would be ready to be sent out
! in tho world to achieve great things.
They did not seem to realize that the
young people should lie educated for
! heir own community, and to take an
active part IN it's development.
They have allowed their chllEren
% be educated away from the farm
and small towns and not for them.
They did not seem to realize that the
school was preparing the next genera
ton Of citizens for the community.
The school should be the center OF
interest and activity for all the peo-
Dle Of the community. 1t should
stand for the development CT all
phases of community life The
school should not be that Of as pre-
pairing for life but life itself and
should be one of the main parts OF
the life of the community.
We should add to the school a
library, not only for the pupils but
fer the old people IS well. In the
rural communities the older people,
as a rule. have not had good school
advantages and they should be given
! a chance for advanced ENLIGHTENMENT.
The school should be the expert
met station, the library, the debating
iclub, qhe art gallery for The whole
{ community, aa@ should crystal he the
community lie and unity III III a
.Egreat many communities the people
are wide apart. seem to have a dis
trust OF each other, and wise schoo!
administration along the line sug-
gested can do much to remedy such
conditions. The teacher should know
and represent the community life; he
! should be a person capable Of giving
advice to the people on the things
they must do and the way they
should live. He should know about
farm life and the great advantages to
farm growth that can come thru the
knowledge Of up-to-date methods.
The people must have confidence In
their school and must be satisfied
that the work is going to be bene1t
before they will invest their money
for the desired equipment. When
the people get this confidence, the
school is free TO do real constructive
work. The Superintendent is then
able to go to work in tactful way
and remedy the defect. If great
changes should be made, he should
be gradual about it. This winning
the proper attitude toward the school
is not only the beginning but it solves
ali the problems.
If a new course is needed like do
mestic or manual training. and 1t
should be in the course, if possible
flor the country boys and girls must
do most OF this kind Of work in the
ho1e), it would be a good plan TO
have a community meeting. bring IN
an expert, if possible, and after dis
cussing the plan, the people viii feel
that these new things not only be-
long TO school but TO them. as we'll.
People Will not hesitate to spend
money for equipment for new courses
ii they see what results can be Oh
rained and that the results VIII he 4
great benefit to them.
Summing UP the general work OF
the =: III School. We find: The school
should be one OF the main parts OF
the social process that the teachers
should be close students Of the COM
n1ur:ty needs. thai the people be
made to see the advantage OF the
work OF their school and feel their
par, in it's development. that il the
community can be used to function
the instincts Ct children 10 be toge;h-
e. and enjoy the best OF society life,
they will be conteated TO stay al home
and enjoy their lot.
Now. we shall look TO the content
Of work to be persued 10 bring about
the requirements OF life. namely: to
make a living and life worth living.
This can be brought about By teach
irg boys and girls 10 think. to Sc. =,
feel. 10 work, 20 enjoy work. TO make