The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1917-04-14
HIGH SCHOOLS INSPECTED,
Continued from page one.)

well as they can, but the work land
that is the final test) does not come
ND to proper standards. After hear
ing great deal of the work, we are
of the opinion that practically every
grade, from the fourth to the
eleventh, inclusive, is weak. And,
while we will not at this time make
such recommendation, we are
strongly inclined to the belief that
sweeping demoting Of the whole
school, from the fourth grade up to
and including the eleventh, would, IN
the end, work to the benefit OF every
pupil. Undoubtedly, lack OF room,
lack of teaching force, and lack OF
sufficient equipment are largely re-
sponsible for the backward condition
of the school, The citizens OF tins
community should not permit this
condition to continue. The children
are as bright as those found IN other
places; Gonzales has, relatively speak
ing, as many good, substantial ana
progressive citizens as any other
place; the children here are entitled
to the same educational facilities that
other children are enjoying; and the
community is as able to provide SUIT
able school facilities as are the nun
dred other communities that do pro
vide them This community has
| launched two great movements look
ing to the drainage of the town and
surrounding country and to the build
ing of good model roads. This is
commendable. We are loath to be-
lieve that this spirit of progress and
| development will SO confine itself to
material things that the hlgher,
spiritual life of the community will
| be neglected; we refuse to think that
any community in this state is more
concerned in the physical and mate
rial development Of that community
than it is in the educational and in
tellectual growth of the citizens OF
| that community. On the other hand,
we have reasons to think that the
parental affection, the community
pride, the patriotism, and the pro-
gressive spirit in Gonzales land IN
the surrounding country will soon
unite to tear down the barriers now
standing between the children OF that
section of the country and the higher,
better educational opportunities
which they need and to which they
are entitled. The high school enroll
ment is forty-one; that Of the grades,
319. Three teachers are doing the
high school work; six, the elementary
work. There are seventy-tWo pupils
in the first grade in charge of one
teacher; fifty-six in the second grade
| in charge of one teacher; forty-three
| in the third in charge of one teacher.
ffty-seven in the fourth in charge OF
one teacher; thirty-eight in the fifth
| in charge of one teacher; fifty-three
| in the sixth and seventh grades IN
charge of one teacher. The pupils
record cards for several years back
were found incomplete = lacking
much useful information. This is
very regrettable fact.
P. L. Guilbeau, state inspector of
agricultural schools, in his report for
| the month of February makes the
| following remarks concerning the
Oak Grove school in this parish:
II found this school in very good
condition and splendid work being
done in both the classroom and on the
farm. | was present during two
periods of agricultural classroom
work and found good preparation
| both on the part Of the teacher and
students. I also visited the domestic
science department and found the
work very good. / was strongly I'M
pressed by the interest shown by the
girls in their work One thing no.
ticed with pleasure was the cleanll-
ness of the schoolhouse. Not speck
of dirt or litter was visible anywhere.
The farm work is good and very we'll
advanced. The fall crops are among
the best seen this year. The land not
planted to fall crops has already been
prepared for the spring planting. The
garden, however, was ruined by the
cold. A good piece of land will be
nlanted to Irish potat toes. a portion OF
the seed having been raised on the
farm last spring. The young mule
raised last year is now fully worth
1925. The mare is due to foal again
very shortly. This farm has been
making money the several past sea-
sons. It is a great pity, however,
that about ten acres more land can
not be secured, as they could be Gull
tivated without any additional cost.
The hogs are in good condition and
are proving nice source OF revenue
to the farm. Preparations are al
ready being made for the fall fairs. ="
Boost your own town.