970 



Rural School Leaflet 



In order to do good work one must be inspired by a good motive. My 

 reason for the work in District No. 9, Canandaigua, was that the school- 

 house and its grounds were the most neglected places in the neighbor- 

 hood. A beau tif 111 lake shore drive passing homes with all modern improve- 

 ments which were a pleasure to look on, presented in marked contrast 

 the place in which boys and girls, the best assets from these homes, were 

 receiving their education. The schoolhouse was built in 18 19, the deed 

 calling for no more ground than that on which the building was to stand. 

 The outhouses were on land that belonged to the public highway. 



Section of library. Note individual drinking cups 



At the time I took up the work, many of the school patrons felt that the 

 wisest plan was to close the school and send the pupils to the town. I do 

 not believe in this method when it is possible to avoid it. I believe that 

 children are better cared for near their homes than when they go to and 

 from school in a carryall with an indifferent driver and no supervision; 

 remaining in town all day, where in order to maintain order and a fair 

 citizenship we must have churches, Y. M. C. A.'s, and a police force. 



Very often the reason for closing the rural school and sending the children 

 to town is because it is cheaper and the patrons are not willing to assume 

 the duties of the school and dignify those duties by their interest and 



