966 Rural School Leaflet 



IMPROVEMENT OF RURAL SCHOOL BUILDINGS AND 



GROUNDS 



The Editor 



There was a child went forth every day; 



And the first object he look'd upon, that object he became; 



And that object became part of him for the day, or a certain part of the day, or for many 



years, or stretching cycles of years. 

 The early lilacs became part of this child. 

 And grass, and white and red morning-glories, and white and red clover, and the song of 



the phcebe-bird. 

 And the third-month lambs, and the sow's pink-faint litter, and the mare's foal, and the 



cow's calf, 

 And the noisy brood of the barn-yard ****** 

 And the apple-trees cover'd with blossoms, and the fruit afterward, and wood-berries, and 



the commonest weeds by the road; ****** 

 And the school-mistress that pass'd on her way to the school, ****** 

 The village on the highland, seen from afar at sunset — the river between, 

 Shadows, aureola, and mist, the light falling on roofs and gables of while or brown, three 



miles off, ***** * 

 These became part of that child who went forth every day, and who now goes, and will always 



go forth every day. 



WALT WHITMAN 



Throughout the United States effort is being made to have school sur- 

 roundings fitting places for boys and girls. New York State should be 

 one of the foremost in this movement so vital to better citizenship. Every 

 individual who takes part in such philanthropic work will be making 

 history that will count toward progress through all time. 



The matter of consolidation of rural schools is being considered in many 

 places and seems to be a wise plan for some communities. There are, 

 however, many persons who feel that the niral school, if properly cared 

 for and under the direction of a wise teacher, has many advantages over 

 the consolidated schools. Which is the better will doubtless be demon- 

 strated in the future. At present it is the duty of every individual in 

 country districts to take an interest in the school surroundings, whether 

 the plan for consolidation be worked out or whether the district school 

 be made a place in which boys and girls are getting the educational oppor- 

 tunity that is their right. 



To tell what can be done and what should be done to improve school 

 buildings and grounds, is not so convincing as to tell what has been done. 

 We wish, therefore, to call attention to improvements made in a rural 

 school in the neighborhood of Canandaigua. All persons interested in 

 the development of the rural schools of New York State will be impressed 

 with the results of the efforts made by Mr. C. F. Booth and his associates 

 of Canandaigua, who have placed before the State a concrete piece of 

 work that reflects credit on the public spirit and is certainly a most valuable 

 contribution to the entire neighborhood. Doubtless, in many other 



