The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1922-11-08
VIRGINIA MAKING
RAPID STRIDES
In the Consolidation of
Schools and in Matters
Educational


the consolidation of schools. In dis
cussing this important consideration,
DR.. w. 7. Sanger, Secretary State
Board of Education, lcatcly explain
ed, obviously there are isolated
communities in Virginia which for a
number of years will not be able to
support the consolidated school.
Small standardized one and two
teacher schools will serve these COM
munities effectively. MS better hous
ing, better equipment, and better
teaching can be secured Again,
there are sparsely populated areas
provided with fairly good roads
which may be able to support con
solidated schools Of the usual type.
but the movement in Virginia is to
ward judicious consolidation. am.
glad to say.
Consolidated schools" Secretary
Sanger continued, naturally involve
the transportation Of pupils. In the
older days transportation was ef-
fected by the use OF horse-drawn
school wagons These are rapidly
being replaced by motor trucks with
we'll constructed aud comfortably
equipped school bus bodies. This
form of transportation is almost as
/ comfortable as the railway coach.
The State Board of Education last
year began the appropriation OF
500 toward the support of school
wagons maintained in Virrinia.
Three hundred and forty-cight such
wagons last year operated under this
plan. This aid is offered again this
year.
One is often asked for a brief
statement Of the advantages of the
consolidated school as over and
against the one and two teacher
schools. To my mind, Secretary
Sanger stated. these are some of the
outstanding advantages of the con
solidated school; There is better
building and equipment, with a jani-
tor to care for the building; less
hardness because OF transportation
of pupils; stronger school organizn-
ton; longer school term; better quail
flied teachers and superior nstruc-
ton; more adequate grading Of pu-
pills; sufficient teachers to give prop
er instruction; better playground ia
cilities, with organized athletics;
less sickness through better school
supervision, improved sanitation,
of pupils without exposure to the
weather; often there are high school
privileges stimulating children of the
grades to prolong their schooling;
about the same opportunities provid-
ed as for children living in towns:
larger classes contributing to supe-
iior class spirit; supervision Of play;
improved attendance and strengthen
ed school morale; Il stimulating
school atmosphere; greater liveli-
hood OF developing community lead
ership because of stronger school
leadership; the cost is ordinarily less
than similar advantages provided in
the city; greater likelihood of Sc
grcgating the backward pupil for
special instruction.; better living con
ditions may be provided teachers
through a teacherage; an enriched
course of study can be provided with
vocational instruction in agriculture
and home economics.
In addition to these advantages
aceruing from consolidated school,
there are several other noteworthy
advantages; for example, farm val
es are increased through the develop
ment. of the consolidated school
Statistics show that the consolidated
school is an incentive to home own
ership in the school area. Children
attending the high school department
of the consolidated school are en-
abled to live at home instead OF
boarding in town. The school be-
comes the center of community life
in all of its aspects, with music and
recreation emphasized. This school
produces salutary effect upon road
building and maintenance.
Whether these advantages will
obtain in every community" said
Secretary Sanger, will depend upon
the character of the community, the
size of the school population, and the
cooperation that the school receives
at the hands of the school patrons"