The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1918-12-27
MODERN TECHNICAL SCHOOL
BUILDING Is NOW COMPLETED
Affords Wonderful Advantages to Educational
Interests of Blackfoot and Vicinity. Every
thing Modern and Convenient
A CREDIT TO OUR TOWN

In spite Of the great disadvantages
In carrying out building operations
during the past year the progressive
spirit OF the citizens of Blackfoot
has been successfully expressed by
the erection of q fine technical school
building located on the high school
grounds at the corner of Francis
street and University avenue and the
school trustees deserve high COM
mendation for their perservering ef-
forts which Is considerably to their
credit. -
During the past quarter of q cen
tury there has been a marked ad-
vance in the design and planning OF
school buildings. The methods OF
education have changed and this has
necessitated a complete transition or
the building to keep pace with the
changed methods of teaching, re-
sulting in more convenient planning,
better lighting and ventilation ana
other improved standards Of design.
The severe forbidding aspect OF
the schools of thirty years ago, de-
pressing in appearance and stero-
typed in design, which reflected IN
their iail-like aspect, and the harsh
discipline of those times is now hap
nily a thing of the past. We nave
substituted a saner method OF teach
ing which allows greater freedom
for developing the initiative OF the
pupil and eliminates the feeling OF
fear and the monotonous routine
which was common in the past. Ad-
vanced educational metnods nave
also reduced the number OF puplis
taught by each teacher, giving
greater individual instruction ana 1or
developing Individual initiatlve.
More subjects have been added 10 tne
school curriculum and this has neces-
stated a group system OF planning
90 that the various departments may
work harmoniously without interfer-
ino with each other. For the Doys
a great development has been AZ.
tanned in the direction OF manuai
training which teaches the hand ana
+ha ave TO work together and gives
great opportunity OF aaVance ~ ~
those whom 1t Is dffncult 10 iea.n
nv the more studious exercises, pe-
sides giving the pupil excellent prac-
tical training, so that ne Is NOT
merely theorist but an efncient
nractical thinker developing lnltla-
tive and resourcefulness. An ae-
+amnt is made as far as possible 10
obtain the conditions which would
nravai, in the ordinary workshop
and the pupil's work is finished with
any 10y depree of perfection. The
chiecf of manual training Is not 10
SaveIone a finished mechanic or 10
teach a boy a particular trade, put
10 MANNED with the idea OF giving
him an all round instructlon AZ :ne
general principles OF CONSTRUCTOR
and the skillful handling OF mechan
ical equipment. If the student SHOWS
particular ability he may later az
fond an advanced school where the
subject is carried further into detali.
r. night he remarked in passing tnaU'
there ia a great lack OF good me
chanics in the country and the tecnni-
col high schools appear to be the
onlv training grounds for the teach-
ing of craftsmanship.
To touch upon another department pm
of school work: The prevalent is
noraxce amongst young girls respe..
ing household management ana econ-
omv has been the means OF Drlneins
intorest into to bear on the subject o,
domestic science and hygiene, ana
1rrch valuable work Is now peing
dona IN this direction. Every Klno
~ annaratus is provided and tnoro
y. ntp@ ntp hv nractical demonstration
ia given in the different types =.
household duties, so that inteiilsent
work on these lines may Re accomp-
,;shed. and the pupils by being "a
miliarised with the various nISo ',l 10
of efficiency in the kitchen VIII Ce
adequately trained for practicai WIN
in the home.
Considerable credit is due to the
oreater intelligence of our public oi-
Sc,als and the benefit of their COLA
horation with the architects. In the
orchitecural profession school plan
Ming ia to a great extent specially,
inst as surgery Is specially In inc
medical profession. !,
Tn the new building just completed
the marked progress In design anu
Manning is shown definitely: Ine
nroblems Of lighting, ventilaIion' >
safetv against fire and other essen
+;aI factors in school planning nave
heen well considered and we nave q
building that represents the most
modern and intelligent tnought IN
planning of school buildings.
The new school is one story
structure eliminating the defects OF
stair climbing and physical Iatlsue
and giving 4 sense Of security rom
the effects of fire, besides making
better arrangement for administra-
tive purposes.
The various departments OF the
school are conveniently isolated units
with separate entrances for each de'
spartment. The west end Of the Dulld.
ing is taken up by large manual
training workshop with lumber room
at the rear, with separate door fol
taking in materials, and to the real
of the workshop are the finishing de
partments, sanding and vanishing
rooms, we'll lighted and ample pro
portions. A fine well lighted draft
i,g room occupies the central por
tion Of the front, with built-in lock
,ers, cupboards and book cases.
large bay window giving q mos