DEAR FRIEND Letters 1960

Pine Mountain Settlement School
Series 17: PMSS Publications (Published by the School)

DEAR FRIEND Letters 1960 May & December


TAGS: Dear Friend letters 1960,Burton Rogers,fundraising letters,Berea College,consolidated schools program,PMSS history,William Creech quotes,future of PMSS,enrichment program,PMSS needs


CONTENTS: DEAR FRIEND Letters 1960 May 23

Header: “Pine Mountain Settlement School, Inc.
Pine Mountain, Kentucky
Affiliated with Berea College”

Sketch: Fir trees and mountain range

May 23, 1960
PMSS Director Burton Rogers begins the letter stating that this week is the end of 47th year of PMSS and 11th year of “concentration on service to the entire elementary and junior high school population of this part of the valley north of the mountain.” as a result of the cooperation between the Harlan County School District and PMSS.

An impartial survey committee was appointed by the PMSS Board of Trustees to achieve “a hard-headed projection into the future.” In its report, the committee expressed appreciation for the PMSS’s contributions to the consolidated school: teachers with excellent qualifications and their mentoring of Berea student teachers; and the “enrichment program” which includes:

“Housing and environment of a type to attract high-quality staff.
Excellent library (with a circulation this year of well over 50 books per child).
An inspiring and gracious food service and dining room.
Audio-visual room and facilities.
Augmented medical care.
Summer scholarships for teachers.
Exposure of student body to surroundings of an uplifting nature, plus some practical farm observation.
Extra-curricular activities such as crafts, Boy Scouts and woodwork.
Extras of classroom space, such as the cultural alcoves and exhibits.
Loyalty and flexibility of the non-teaching staff of the Settlement.
Extension of influence through the Principal’s responsibilities as supervisor of two other schools down the valley.
Enrichment of the school life through student teachers from Berea College.”

PMSS BOT report of the School’s achievements, 1960. [1960May23BurtonRogerstoFriend.jpg]

Rogers lists other “satisfying” developments: weekly folk dancing, evening woodwork classes for community boys, expansion of the athletic program by two teachers, addition of a third playing field for boys and men, development in leadership ability in the young people, a new Literacy Council, the Boy Scouts program.

Rogers then gives credit for the well-done work of a devoted staff, recruited from the area whenever possible.

Rogers ends with an appeal for funds before the fiscal year ends on June 30th, then lists the School’s special funding needs for the teacher scholarships, youth projects, a truck and the community clinic.

“Gratefully,
[signed] Burton Rogers, Director”

GALLERY

Dear Friend Letter 1960 May 23. [1960May23BurtonRogerstoFriend-scaled.jpg]

CONTENTS: DEAR FRIEND Letters 1960 December

Page 1
Header: “Pine Mountain Settlement School, Inc.
Pine Mountain, Kentucky
Affiliated with Berea College”

Sketches: Fir trees and mountain range; pioneer man looking at mountain range

“December, 1960”
“THE PAST” PMSS Director Burton Rogers tells the story of the Pine Mountain School: Quotes from Founder William Creech about his life, concerns about educating his family and the preacher Reverend Lewis Lyttle who approached him about starting a new school, and the purpose of his donation of 136 acres of land for a school.

Page 2
“THE PRESENT These same ideals have been our challenge and our inspiration in developing the new program, now embarked upon its twelfth year.” Rogers reports that ALL school-age children in the surrounding communities are served by the joint endeavor and provides statistics of its success. He tells of new ventures: a high school student supervising summer activities program for the young people, a large new recreation room in the wing of one of the teachers’ residences, and the formation of an athletic association by the men teachers and community.

“THE FUTURE [The School looks ahead] to a future that will perpetuate the vision of its founder in the form of whatever services are most needed…and most appropriate…. Even now we are cooperating with our neighbors in community development through community leaders, and also other agencies in our common interest to finding solutions to the severe economic crisis in which this entire region is caught. …”

Rogers ends with another quote from William Creech and an appeal for donations.

“Sincerely yours,
[signed] Burton Rogers, Director.”
Sketch: Children playing basketball & tenting in front of mountain range

GALLERY


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