The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1922-12-01
HOW MY DISTRICT SCHOOL
COULD BE IMPROVED
First Prize ESSAY

First Prize Essay
The school about which | shall
endeavor to write is a one room
rural school located in the town Of
Rutland three miles north of Rut-
land City.
The name Of it is the Post
School.
1t cannot be classified as a
STANDARD School," on account Of
the size of the school room and the
heating plant.
At one time there was a jacket
around the stove but not being
properly constructed, the school
room could not be suitably warmed
and consequently the jacket had to
be removed.
The stove now in use is in very
bad condition.
We have eight windows in our
school room, properly arranged so
as to give light from the left and
back of the room.
The ventilation does not prove
very satisfactory, as fresh air can
only be admitted by raising the
window and in cold weather is liza
BILE to strike directly on the backs
of the pupils.
Better results could be obtained
in my estimation by the use of
window boards or by an air pas
sage at the top and another at the
middle between the sash.
We have three slate blackboards
in very good condition.
Through the kindness of our
Superintendent we have a School
Library.
Our drinking utensils could be
greatly improved, having only a
tin pail; the children use Individual
drinking cups, but they cannot be
sufficiently protected from dust
and consequently in many in
stances are unsanitary.
Many improvements can be sug-
gested which would greatly improve
my school.
The following are few prac-
teal improvements which | have
in mind and their estimated cost.
First of all the school room needs
to be made considerably larger to
accommodate the number of chill
dren which attend school.
AS | suggested before Window
Boards should be used which
should not cost more than the
stock.
A jacketed stove from $125 up.
Chair desks or adjustable desks
from $3.50 to $11.50 up.
A teachers desk with plenty of
drawer space and working locks
1914 up.
Suitable chairs for adults, $3.50.
Protected shelves for lunch boxes
can be easily made at home.
Bulletin board; should be made
to fit a designated space, smooth
board with dark green or brown
burlap COLOR chosen to harmonic
with toning of the school ROOM
stretched over. Edges finished by
molding. Can be home made.
Cost depending upon labor.
A Globe-suspension preferred
70" S11.25.
Drinking arrangements should
consist of a covered pail with faucet
$3.50. Paper cups $3.50 per 100.
Shoe Scraper-A flexible steel
mat 1S"x30' $1.35, is better than
a sharp shoe scraper and serves the
same purpose with less danger.
x Door Mat-Braided Cocoa 80"
SO" 1926.
A Clock $500 up.
First aid 1885 up.
Apparatus for organized play, |
both indoors and outdoors is needed. |
Many indoor games can be home
made. Bean bags and balls are
popular with most pupils.
individuals in communities can
be interested to put up swings, |
ropes and rings, teeters and other
apparatus, sometimes bearing the
entire expense. Manufactured |
play equipment is usually costly.
Play is now regarded as one of
the most important factors in the
education of children. Up to the
present time it has not been as
widely used as it should be.
Every rural school should have a
play ground. In many instances
the school playground affords coun-
try children the only opportunity
they have of engagement in play of
this sort.
In deciding upon the equipment
for any particular school, the size
of the grounds and the number of
pupils must be taken into consid-
Grafton. Where the playground is
large. provision can be made for