The Press., 1917-01-25

comfortable and attractive, whil 8 others are lack ing in all of thes
 things.
 In these remote districts of only , few pupils the cost per pupil O
 maintaining a school is excessivel, high. Where there is an enrollmen
 of five or six pupils the annual cost pe pupil is about $75 to $1OO, while thu cost at the school here in the borougl is less than $25 per pupil. The cos in the small rural schools numbering from five to ten pupils, as many oi
 ours do, is two or three times tho . average cost for the town. The average cost per pupil in the whole
 town last year was $25.48, while
 many rural schools exceeded $50 per
 pupil. Although the expense is
 greater the results generally are not
 so satisfactory as those in the larger
 schools in the villages. For this
 reason a number of these rural schools
 have been closed and the pupils are
 now transported to the villages. These
 conditions have been brought about largely by economic changes. They
 are continuing and will grow worse un.
 less constructive and far-siRhted plan of organization and systematization of these schools be undertaken By a plan of reorganization of districts, by
 improving the village schools many of these romote schools could with economy to the town and the better education of the pupils be closed. If
 it were found necessary to maintain any of these, they could then be inn proved and made more attractive,
 more comfortable, and the subjects taught be better adapted to the needs of the rural child: the building could be provided, with proper means of heating and ventilation and equipped for sanitation and bodily cleanliness.
 The pupils attending these schools are in need of instruction in correct habits of life; in proper food, in suitable and becoming dress, in bodily cleanliness and in work with the hands. These schools should foster ideals and teach ways of doing things They should be workshops. The pupils come from a distance and remain at the school during the noon hour. Many of them suffer from lack of balanced, we'll prepared diet. In cold weather they must eat cold lunch These schools could be fitted with a r. 1un0b ing an oil stove and utensils for pre- pairing a simple meal for about $50 The teacher could be trained for giving instruction in cooking and on cold days, especially, something warm for lunch could be prepared. The instruction in scientific methods of preparing simple food and a warm lunch are going to do, more good for the individual than to be able to trace the circulation of the blood or locate the Samoa Islands. A small shop could be fitted out with a few simple tools for giving the boys training in practical mechanics and many simple improvements and repairs to the building could be made by the pupils. The addition of these things would add much to improving rural 1 life conditions. Adjoining states and a number of states in other sections | of the country are advocating the building of home for the teacher in the rural school and employing one who will make home in the district. l This enables them to secure teacher who is prepared for the work and one who can and will stay. It is now impossi ble to secure suitable board ing place in some of our rural schools. l
 Before a plan for the reorganization of these rural schools is undertaken careful survey of the community | should be made and the building so placed and so built as to aooomodate | the pupils of the romote sections that could not be more advantageously | transported to the villages. Some l plan such as the above would give the rural child as good opportunities for education us the village child.
 Our village schools are better housed and more fully equipped; the teaching as a whole is better; the course of study is better suited to the needs Of the village child
 The sanitary conditions about many of the schools are very unsatisfactory. In the borough school there are oondi- tions that should not exist Other buildings have outside toilets poorly arranged which produce unsanitnry surroundings. At the Pinney school the toilets are so placed that the drainage flows directly from them to the rear door of the school where the pupils assemble to enter the school rooms.
 The heating and ventilation of many of the buildings is any thing but good. The Pinney school is the only one that has good system for heat and ventilation. An improperly heated and poorly ventilated room is a menace to the health as we'll as to good work.
 Iu all the schools the courses of in- struotion could be materially improved by the addition of courses in practical arts. This work is especially needed in the grammar grades and in the high school. More work of a prevo- cational character should be added.
 Teachers are sadly underpaid. The town is especially fortunate, however, in it's present teaching force, consider ing the low salaries. Gnod teachers will not continue long at low salaries but must be replaced by inexperienced ones. Schools paying low salaries often serve as a training school for the teachers of other schools.
 The kind darnartan anartrnant is