◆ SpookStack

. SHCE : L the education and development of intelligent labor leadership through- - t out the entire South. Through this program, the school hopes to assist ~ : in bringing about the economic and political democracy that is the ' heritage of the finest American tradition. EARLY YEARS. When Doctor lillian’ ohnson, pioneer southern educator, gave her frame house and farm land"to the new School, the founders resolved not to create another formal institution, but to de- velop ar. educetional and cultural center to mect the needs of the students themselves, and of the community. Hence, during the first few weeks, the house served chiefly as a community center, where neighbors dropoed in fer a social evening of songs and friendly discussion with +h + the teachers. Later, a fow of the neighbors asked for a discussion class, and during the first winter, evening classes dealing with psychology, economics, and current events, grew naturally out of ths interest of the community folk. A few resident gtudents began to live at the school and to be given individual instruction in writing and speaking, In addition, each selectcd a community activity ranging from music classes and a dramatics club to educational meetings among the miners and relief workers in neighboring communities. Thus, the three aspects of in- terrelated activity which the school now carries on, grew out of the demands cf the first year: I - the residence program of short courses and weekend conferences for workers. II = the work in the community. | III - the extcnsion program, in which students and staff carry the educational work to other rural and industrial areas. Toye PRESENT PROGRAM 1. RESIDENT COURSES. Resident Terms for Workers are the backbone of the year-round program. In the summer and in the spring, the six weeks term of intensive resident courses is con-= ducted for trade-union students. Students are drawm from Southern labor unions, with an occaSional student from outside of the South. The qualifications for admission are: the ability to read and write and devotion to the laber mevement. No student is accepted without the recommendation of his or her union. The purpose of all the courses is to provide factual inform tion bearing on the practical problems faced by the students in their; unions. Sharing the experiences and discussions enables students to , -5-