The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1922-12-01

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Any one who is at all familiar
with the nature of school work un
derstands the very great import.
ance of having suitable equipment
1t is as absurd to try to conduct q
school without the necessary aids
such as | have mentioned, as it is tc
try to run farm without nipple
ments or to build house without
tools. Yet a great many schools
are not supplied with the things
needed and the reason frequently is
that there are no funds with which
to buy material. 1t most fire.
quently happens however that the
lack of funds is due to lack of inter-
est on the part of the people, es-
pecially in rural districts in helping
to promote the school usefulness to
the community. The value of or
ganized effort is being well recog-
nized and the practice of forming
organizations of various kinds has
become quite common. Here it
usually takes the form of parents
association of some sort. In rural
districts only a beginning has been
made, and few have succeeded in
forming and maintaining a par
ents' organization of some sort,
while great majority Of such
schools are still deprived of the
benefits that come from well Or
ganized systematic effort for the
improvement of the schools.
We have already learned that the
lack of funds is one of the chief
drawbacks to the school in many
localities. The teacher is con-
fronted with the problem of how to
raise funds with which to buy the
equipment necessary to the success
of the school.
In case the school-board hest
tates or refuses to provide suitable
equipment there are many other
means which may be used. Ice
cream socials and basket suppers
are among the oldest and most
widely used. Popularity contests
are sometimes conducted, the usual
plan being to offer a cake as a prize
to the most popular lady present.
Stereoptican entertainments, lee
lures and musical programs are ex-
cellent methods Of raising money
for school purposes.
The school bazaar is another
method which has given good re-
suits in many cases. This method
consists of having sale of articles
made by the pupils, such as aprons,
handerkerchiefs, candy, etc.
A vegetable day for the collec-
ton of products from the school
garden. Entertainments appro-
pirate to special days have been
used successfully.
A school play, a home talent
play, an old folks spelling match,
athletic contests with other schools
are methods used for raising money.
In attempting to raise money for
the school | would suggest that the
following objects be kept in mind
(1) To equip the school for bet
ter work.
(2) To bring the people of the
community together at the school
house for a common purpose.
81 To make patrons more fa-
miliar with the actual work and
conditions of the school.
az To arouse a public interest
and pride in the school.
In order to obtain Standard the
teacher must be endowed with a
will to accomplish results, and a
personality that will cause tax
payers to have faith in her ideals
and her practical ability.
Rural schools should be brought |
to high state of efficiency. In
order to achieve such efficiency
certain stipulated educational and
building requirements must be met.
The children are not only bene-
flied by these changes from a dis
NAL barn-like structure to an "Im-
proved Rural School," to say
nothing of the incidental benefits
received by the community as a
whole if they would but realize it.
l also believe that a higher stand
ard will arouse interest and ambi-
ton and that many more pupils
than formerly will be encouraged to
go on to the high schools of the
state, and thence to colleges and
professional schools.
What has already been accom-
plished along this line is a notable
step in the right direction.
AGNES M. SARGENT,
Rutland, Vermont.
R. d. No. l, Post School.