The Republican journal., 1918-07-18

Limited, OGDENSBURG, NY.
Much loss has come to the country
school because it has not had the benefit
of the class supervision that has been
available for the schools of cities and
large towns, and lay out course of study
that should be taught in rural schools.
The law, providing for the union of
towns for the employment of superin-
tendent of schools, who must be specially
fitted for the work and must give all his
time to it, is one that holds promise of
much good for rural towns
AS it becomes necessary to consolidate
schools in order to secure educational
efficiency, the interest of the child should
be held paramount to every other consid-
Grafton. School authorities and parents
should cooperate so that there will be no
sacrifice of the physical we'll being of the
child or of his educational privil eyes. 1t
sometimes happens that it is better to
keep open even very small school, be-
cause of the extreme youth of the chill
dren. Such conditions the school author
tiles should and will consider. On the
other hand they should allow no personal
nor selfish interest to stand in the way of
the superior educational opportunity that
may be made possible through school
consolidation.
There is one more thing of which l feel
justified in speaking of and that is our
school buildings and equipments. Very
many communities, however, are still
willing to allow their school buildings to
remain unfit for occupancy. The out
buildings are i'll kept and indecent. have
had superintendent bring papers into
school for the children to take home to
their parents, telling them how to keep
their home sanitary, Now most of our
children come from well kept sanitary
homes, and remain in school where the
outbuildlngs are not sanitary. Cloak
rooms are not provided. There is fail
ure to supply reasonable equipment of
the necessary school apparatus, such as
maps, charts and globes. In many in
stances there continues neglect of the
school grounds
1t is simple and reasonable demand
that all these defects Re corrected in every
school. 1t is the first duty of each par
ent to use every influence to secure for
the rural school, as we'll as for the village
and city school, physical conditions that
will promote, rather than retard the edu-
cational process
The country boy may become later
citizen of the larger town or city. The
quality of the educa ton he is receiving is
to be reflected in the quality of his later
citizenship. The city looks constantly to
the country to replenish its supply of
men and women. Without this supply OF
citizens from the country it is generally
admitted the city would lose in physical
and intellectual vigor.
bat
would lead the community to shift from
itself the main responsibility of educating
it's own children would be repugnant to
the sturdy sense of independence of our
people. The people of the rural districts
should understand that they themselves
are mainly responsible for the character
of their educational system. School can
be good only when they have behind
them this sense of responsibility.
Certain mans requirements can be en-
forced by the law, but the real spirit OF
educational progress is not to be secured
by statute, it is to be found only in the
people. If it is not present there, it is
likely to be found wanting in the schools.
All over the country boys and girls are
leaving school because of economic pres
sure at home, and students of ability are
going into occupations which are open to
them, but which offer them no future.
While speaking of keeping children in
school, do not forget, nor would have
any one forget, that necessary immediate
service to the country must have preced-
ence over all else. But when this i'm
| mediate service can be rendered by others,
| those who are preparing for such service
as can not be rendered by most, should
continue their preparations with as little
interruption as possible.
make this appeal to all young men
and women who can do SO, to continue
their studies to graduation so that they
may be prepared to render the fullest and
best service in the years of war if they
continue, and in rebuilding our country II
the years of peace, which will surely come
Farmers Will Win the War.