The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1920-12-30
FRANKLIN SCHOOL
DEDICATION
INTERESTING EVENTS YEsTER.
DAY CONCLUDED IN BAN
QUIET AND COMMUNITY
DANCE.

5. 1t is estimated that over 1,50(
/ people crowded the classrooms, cor
ridors, auditorium and gymnasium
of the new $S8,0O0 consolidated
school yesterday afternoon and even
| ing to witness the dedication of a
structure that stands out in bold re
lief, ten miles south of Madison, a
symbol of new type rural education
People from every one of the old
districts that combined were out in
full force together with more than
half hundred interested persons
from this city.
Every minute of time from the
afternoon program till the close of
the well attended community dance
there was something to attract the
visitors eye and cause favorable com
| ment. -,
Parents and friends Of the school
began arriving in auto in the early
afternoon for the inspection of the
| new plant that has been pronounced
the most complete and efficient it is
possible to erect in any rural COM
munity. For the occasion all rooms
were freely strung with streamers
representing the schools adopted col
ors,- purple and gold. The visitors
iwere made welcome by teachers and
pupils alike, all of whom We'd in be-
coming ushers and guides and in
expanding upon the many conven-
fences placed in the new building.
They pointed with pride to the fine
new slate boards, the groups OF new
model study desks found in each
class room, the well oiled hard wood
floors, the floods of light, streaming
in from windows set just right to
regulate its inflow for study, the new
heating plant, the. .ventilating system,
the spacious gymnasium, and its
equipment, the shower baths. the
electric lighting system. and, finally
their neat but spacious balconied au-
dftorium with its raised stage fittings
and the beautiful scenic curtain that
was the gift of a number of Madi-
son business men. Not only did the
teaching force make every one feel
at home but the members of the
board of education upon whose
shoulders fall the responsibility of
the business end of the school also
exhibited the results of their labor
and planning with noticeable pleas
ure and satisfaction.
Following inspection the afternoon
program, consisting of class exer-
cises, songs, music and recitations,
was given to an audience that pack
ed the auditorium to the very limit.
Along about 4:30 p. m. two OF the
school buses came up from the
school for the purpose of conveying
people of this city and incoming
speakers back for the evening pro-
gram and supper. Over half a hum
dred passengers were gathered up at
the Lake Park hotel and the ride
south was most enjoyable one.
Upon arrival at the grounds the
school yard was literally filled with
automobiles bringing in families
from many miles in all directions.
The banquet for that happy occa
sion was spread in the gymnasium
which is 30x so feet. Dozens Of la
dies and girls from the combined
districts waited on the long line of
folks that filed past the food laden
tables for their portion of baked
beans, pickles. generous slices of
prime roast beef. mashed potatoes.
gravy. buns, coffee, butter and
cream. Over eight hundred people
partook Of that sumptuous repast.
Four quarters of beef were used and
stacks Of cake and bread. George
Farrand, chef at the Lake Park ho-
tel supervised the serving and made
himself generally useful at supper
time. During the course of the meal
a mixed orchestra discoursed the
liveliest of music.
The speaking occurred in the au-
ditorium on the upper floor, Mr.. J.
Kremer. president Of the board act
ing as program chairman. A very
pretty song exercise was given by a
class of primary tots before.
l.. G. Atherton, the first speaker
commended the people of the dis
trict on their latest achievement in
supplying such modern means for ef-
fective rural education. He con-
graduated the board for their
strong school organization and adj
vantages that are equivalent to those
of most high schools. He delineated
the sociaIizing effect the school
would have on community life. Fol-
lowing him Supt. Nickle Of the Ma
Olson schools urged the organization
of teacher-parent association that
might bring the home into closer re-
lation with the work of the school.
Prof. b. N. Lawrence, instructor at
the normal mentioned the willing
ness s0f the normal's management