Ranchester High School - Rustler Yearbook (Ranchester, WY)

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“SCHOOLS OF YESTERDAY AND TODAY Many changes have taken place in our schools since the days of the Horn primer; Webster’s blue back speller, and McGuffey readers and Ray’s Third Part of Arithmetic. All, the best to be had in their day, passed with the old type school building. Within the log walls of the early schools, the 3-R’s made up the curriculum. Puncheon floors, backless benches, goose quill pens and the Biblical rod were all a part of the colonial school equipment. The itinerant pedagogue whose chief qualifications were in the 3-R’s and the ability to wield the birch rod served to enlighten the people who were busily engaged in fighting Indians, clearing land, building houses and rearing large families. Times were hard. Men were stern and cared little about education except as it served in the interpretation of theological doctrines or disputes in common law. Frills were for the leisure class of which the New World was almost barren. As time marched on men had more wealth and a greater need for educa- tion. School buildings were improved, school equipment was not only more comfortable, but seats more bearable. Floors that were airtight and smooth took the place of the old puncheon floors. Heat came from an iron stove instead of the huge fireplaces. Steel pens replaced the quills. Teachers were required to have certificates. Education was a little less painful for the mischievous urchin who now had a schoolhouse of frame, brick or stone instead of logs. Now the school buildings are properly constructed, evenly heated and ventilated. Modem schools provide free training for several hundred children varying in age from 6 to 20 years. Teachers with college and university degrees now guide and direct the learning. The 3-R’s have expanded into a diversified curriculum with the idea of making school and learning synonymous with play and happiness as well as preparation for earning a living. The rod has been cast aside long ago. Fear of the teacher has been replaced by the love, faith, and the cooperation of parents, teachers, and children. All are happy and enjoy working and playing together. Yes, playing together, for we now recognize that fact that “all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” Physical develop- ment has become quite important. This is secured through exercise on play- grounds or in a well ventilated gymnasium. Competitive games of an intra- mural nature are encouraged more than contests between schools. Fun, thrills, and school spirit serve as sauce for the often dull facts—history. grammar, math- ematics, etc., while the school bus adds more pleasure because large groups of students can go to ball games, plays, or on tours of an educational nature. To live completely is the aim of modem education. So interested have all become in trying to equip the modem youth for life that local communities, counties, states and the National Government have taxed themselves to make it possible for even the most isolated farm lad or lass to secure training that compares favorably with that of their city cousins. During the recent period of depression our schools have not been forgotten. Many districts have taken the opportunity for securing PWA money to build a new school house or remodel the old. To prevent boys from loafing or idling their time away and perhaps becoming vagabonds or criminals, the government established CCC camps for nearly a quarter million boys. Employment is pro- vided, if possible, for those discharged. Obedience, usefulness, and respect for law and order are instilled. There are many organizations outside the public school that do all they can to provide food clothing, shelter and education for those less fortunate than the great mass of the American people. The National Youth Administration has and now is making it possible for young men and women to work their way through high school and college. With such a background as this, it behooves all to use their time wisely; rS6 ?dvantagf.of the opportunities; to be eternally grateful for the flae that floats over this country, and for this great democratic nation. All should do their very best to be worthy citizens in the greatest nation on earth. It is the greatest because of its schools, which were founded and maintained from the colonial days until now. Hold high the torch of learning so those who follow may have just cause for praising the work being done now. Resume of 1939 Class History as given by Bob Rawlings. May 18, 1939.

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