The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1920-09-10
MERIDIAN sCHoO44 NOTES,

Inquiries have been made regarding |
The compulsory school law. The pro-
Visions OF this law have been publish. |
ed in this paper and Section 100 ans
wers all the questions so far brought
to the superintendent. The lew aims
to protect the child in his right to an
education. He can not have this right
II he must miss the beginning or the
end OF the school year Every days
work is important. A weeks loss of
time places him at a great disadvan-
tage in the class. The teacher must
take time that belongs to other pupils
II he is to catch up in most cases. This
does not seem to be fair to those
who have attended regularly.
Beginners in the primary work must
enter very early in the term. New
classes can be formed only during the
first two or three weeks OF school.
AS we do not have the mid year pro-
motion plan these classes will be the
permanent classes of the year.
Perhaps a short discussion of the
agricultural work will help any who
have questions to ask. The Smith
Hughes Act is law passed by con-
gress with the aim of helping voeat-
ional work in the schools of the en-
tire country. In the agriculture line
the government and state together
will pay $1,000 toward the salary of
the Instrucor In case we keep him
occupied with work exclusively In
that line for his entire time. This
means that we must have students
enough to do this.
A student enrolling for this work
must devote one-half of his time TO
agriculture, part of the time in class
work and part of 1t In project work.
This will give him two units of credit
toward the four he must make each
year. In case he wants to go to col
lege after graduation here he will be
especially we'll equipped to enter the
agricultural department. II he thinks
| he will prefer some other line In col
lege, he can carry vocational agricul-
ture for three years, present hts six
units of agriculture together with
nine units in other lines when he en-
ters college, and he can take up any
/ course he may desire provided that
lhe has chosen his other high school
lines according to the entrance re-
| quirements of the particular college
he wishes to attend.
There is nothing to prevent any ag-
Iriculture student from taking all the
English, mathematics, physical set-
lence, social science, and foreign Ian
guage required for entrance to any
first-class western university. Or
Icourse, If he does not wish to so to
college there is plenty OF work IN
commercial and manual training
Hines that he may take.
n To the parents / would make the
suggestion that they encourage the
boys to take agriculture if the lat
tier have an inclination toward 1t and
there is opportunity for project WORK
at home. The item of saving in the
salary is worth considering, but the
chance to make this one of the most
NOTED vocational agricultural centerf
lin the state is worth good deal more
iNo rural community in the state mas
a better opportunity than we nave
now. In fact many of the education
. al leaders of the state are watching
our work with great interest. Let's
make the most of our chance.
The Smith-Hughes law requires
thoroughly trained ana experienced
men as teachers. The men must NEE
the requirements of the government,
! superyisors or the district canno
draw the money. We have met th'
: requirements in every respect and W.
} believe we can give you the class o
: work that will satisfy you.
Yours truly,
GEO. w. GOULD, Supt.