Pueblo chieftain., 1922-01-27

rural school system. 1t has accomplish
ed wonders in the past few years
and the goal is set for very much
greater advancement for the year
(which begins today.
The great desire of tho county su-
perntendent of schools is to profess
equip each one.
A brief and general summary of tho
activities of this most important ac-
tivity of an enlightened people, is made
possible thru a. survey made by County
Superintendent Lillie o. Baker and As
slstant Superintendent Arthur a.
Johanson, following personal visits to
all the second and third class school
districts of the county.
But a few years ago there were no
jhighschools in Pueblo county outside
the city; today there are sixteen in
which high school courses of from one
to four years are offered. This work
is being so successfully standardized
that it is being recognized in the state
universities toward college entrance
credits.
| Largest of these high schools is that
at Boone, which tho established In 1921.
has an enrolment of fifty pupils. IN
this case three districts were merged
into the consolidation, a very fine high
school building was erected and now
ten teachers are employed. Domestic
science, commercial work; manual
training and laboratory work are pro-
/
port the pupils from vast agricultural
farea in all directions.
Lakeside. Pleasant View. North
'Avondale. South Avondale, Beulah, Rye.
Pinion. Lime, Verde and Wilson
schools are doing high school work,
and the first six of those named ara
giving two or more years. The greatly
Increased attendance of schools as soon
as they are placed in the high school
class. is proof that rural children. no
higher education not heretofore Afford
ed them In the proverbial and prinevaI
little red school house" in the lane;
Several definite achievements in this
rural school work of this country dur.
ing the past year are noted, amonR
them being tho increase In some cases
of the school years length from to
months. to and q. In soma OF this
overcrowded one-room schools assist
ants have been provided. and this has
helped to considerable degree IN thu
solving of the problems of the over
burdcned schedules. In a few in.
stances schools have been esta blished
in outlying areas thus bringing schools
to the children who before were de-
prived of school privileges, still bet
ter. several of the schools are trans-
porting their children this year.
Wherever 1t is practical. high school
subjects and provided with tho curri-
culum enriched in other cases by ths
Introduction Of home economies man
ual training and tho commercial
course.
More than half of tho rural schools
OF this county have but ono room:
they are equipped practically In the
same manner they were when the
grandparents OF tho present pupils
went to school, and when tho thres
RS practically covered tho course.
Just thc'same as then except so years
tho worse for wear of buildings and
equipment. About the only improve
ment Is in the higher class of teachers
both in education and experiences. and
therefore better results: almost with
out cxceptiorpGthey arc high school
graduates. All of them hold certi-
fcates emitting them to teach in Colo
RADIO schools. a large number of these
teachers attend normal and summer
schools and institutes during tho vaca-
ton periods which supply them with
admirable advanced education. A con-
siderable number Of these rural teach
ers nre graduates Of normal schools,
and not few hold degrees from
standard colleges and universities. the
number of these Is increasing each
year.
Yet tho obstacles standing in ths
paths of these highly qualified In
structors are In some cnscs practically
insurmountnblc; some Pueblo county
pupils are still Obliged to walk from
I
school Many OF the teachers arc re-
quired to teach all tho subjects in
from six to eight grades. Some OF
the one-room school houses are poor
ly ventilated. heated and lighted. and
arc crude and unfinished In point OF
decoration. lacking in proper books.
seats and supplies necessary to modern
i school work. and almost universally
lacking I'm organized Fairgrounds or
equipment for physical education and
drili.
But a silver lining to the frame OF
! this dinGy picture IL beginning 20
become visible. The people are be-
coming more and more willing to pay
| for better schools, realizing that un-
less they do they must do without.
| The systems OF consolidation and
| transportation of pupils are becoming
more popular each year. Such
| school as that at Boone. and as that
which Rye Is contcmpla ting are won
derful incentives. a union high school
| in the Nineland-I.akeside vicinity
seems probable before next autumn.
Tho length of the school year now
not less than eight months, will re-
suit in further substantial improve
ment. and the new minimum salary
law will help tho poor and small dis
trIcts by causing the large Industries
to help support them instead OF only
tho district in which the industries
are located.
Consolidation Of tho smaller dis
trlcts and schools is at the present
the most urgent need: this will insure
adequate buildings and equipment. an
efficient faculty and sufficient attend
ancc to Justify n full four years high
school course. Plan on foot to merge
the several small high schools east OF
Pueblo. in the Nineland- -Avondnle-
Lakeside area, into ono large union
high school. will make possible ~
good "A high school as can be found In
any of tho cities.
Three factors are the rctardinc in
flucnccs which arc holding hack the
much desired consolidation and con-
'raiizstion conditions 40 necessary for
educational advancement:
First. a relat ivclN snnhll assesned