The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1922-12-07


stirred a iittlei
You aing OF your rat and cost ans
+ SO 10 il. ever muscle cracking aul
al Of a sudden Hurrah. 4
gives way on end has distinctly
moved. lifted. The whole obstrac
ton Is several inches farther out 81
its hole It's not a ledge, II can d.
moved, Now sou know you can
handle It.
Is there any more cheering mo-
ment than that
Just such a cheering moment has
come in the struggle to improve Yer
mont rural schools. and all Vermont
ers ought 10 know about IL. 50 they
can give a hurrah. along with the
workers In the field. over the frst big
result Of the push for better schools.
At first, the more the question was
investigated, the more discouraging
things looked Nobody had any idea
that so many rural schools in Yer
mont were in such bad shape. The
job was bigger and harder than had
been thought. Last June. six months
after the survey Of rural schools be-
gan, we OF the State Department OF
Education were frankly startled at
the size of the obstacle over which
Vermont teachers and children were
forced painfully TO Chamber as they
tried to climb up to an education
II was a big job. Would Vermonters
put their backs into clearing IL out
of the road? Individual action here
and there wouldn't make much i'm
preston. II would take all the indi-
vidual action possible. and concerted
town action, too.
Well, after various small encour-
agements here and there, individual
schools brought up to standard, pri-
vate organizations taking an inter
est. the first big push has ben made.
One whole corner OF the rock has
come up with a jerk. furnishing the |
proof that Vermont energy and pub |
lie spirit are keen enough and strong
enough TO roll away out OF the road 1
Of progress. the hateful old condi- /
tons which have so long been
stumbling-block TO our children's
feet.
The town OF Hartford has gone
over the top with a shout, all flags
lying. There are seven rural schools
n Hartford, and in the course of the
asst year, every one has been brought
Up to standard indeed six out OF
even are not only standard but
superior.
What does this mean? II means.
irst and most important OF all. that
very one Of the eight teachers is
thoroughly well-trained, competent,
nd decently paid. No pinch-penny,
heap economy there at the expense ,
/ children who can't help them !
elves. Next, 1t means that every
has been put in good shape, /
nth adequate toilet facilities, with ,
heating arrangements, /
18th desks and seats that NJ the chill
rem, with enough textbooks TO 20 ]
round tyou would be shocked to [
now how seldom there are enough {
chool-books in Vermont rural S
,hools) with sufficient blackboards,
it'll smooth floors and tight win I
ows, with some good reading mat s
n and good ordinary facilities for L
seess-time playground outdoor c
IN.
Thus every child in Hartford has a 4
iir chance TO get the education e
hich every American child ought to a
ave, and which so many Vermont i
,untry children do not have. After
,lishing on a splendid job Of that RI
,rt, Hartford people must be sleep a
e better nights. and looking at n
.eir children with pride and not C
it'll apologies.
If | were Hartford woman n
ould feel an inch taller They have Y
t a shining example for other towns q
the state 10 follow Will they do 3.
? All over Vermont interest is ris-
g in this great and vital question. II
Women's Clubs, In Parent-Teach- Al
Associations. in organizations like a
e d. a. r.. in country homes. in 6,
ceilings Of school directors, plans
e being discussed to help rural N
hools. The town Of Hartford has r.
! the way, and the rest Of US will d
/ be slow TO follow m
Every local school-board in Yer
mt ought to send one Of its mem OF
rs TO Hartford 10 look al those Ia
lools. Every woman club ought %
see them; every Vermont teacher 81
ght to know about them There
-as - 80 81 ..-4.s.-.r5fg.-. 80 NTr~r-rns