This southern gal has spent the last four days on the road with California Daughters. The California State Society Daughters of the American Revolution chartered a bus to tag along with the National DAR buses for the tri-annual trek through the Appalachian Mountains. Why? Is that what I heard you ask?
The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) has a long standing commitment to education which is included in its overall objectives. Part of this commitment include supporting six unique schools, one of which we visited today. Over the next several days, we’ll complete the tri-annual visit by buses of Daughters to five of the six schools.
Today was our first stop and it was at the beautiful campus of Hindman Settlement School. I wrote briefly about this school as the Colonel Joseph Winston Chapter Regent during my DAR chapter’s 110th anniversary. But today was my first opportunity to visit Hindman. This school has a history as rich as the beauty of the mountains in which is nestled.
Hindman Settlement School was the first rural settlement school in the U.S. Settlement Schools were built in rural Appalachia in the early twentieth century. It’s goal was to provide an education for mountain children who may not have easy access to schools in isolated mountain towns. As a matter of fact, all the school we visit on this trip were established in poorer mountain communities. In 1902, May Stone and Katherine Pettit 
founded Hindman. These ladies helped preserve the local mountain heritage whole also providing an education to the children. Mary Stone was one of the first generation of women who joined DAR. Undoubtedly, Stone’s active involvement in DAR brought Hindman’s Settlement School to the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution. Which is why we are on campus today.
“Our mission has remained the same over the years, yet programs have evolved to meet the changing needs of the region. The Settlement’s work today includes education and service programs that address the critical needs of youth and families while promoting Appalachia’s rich cultural heritage.” (Hindman Settlement School literature)
Hindman combats dyslexia with one-on-one Reading Labs for children in grades K-3. The children’s instruction is specially designed to meet their unique needs. Kids in all grade levels can also participate in the Summer Reading Program which focuses on reading, writing, math and comprehension. A third weapon against dyslexia is the After School Tutoring Program. The weekly tutoring sessions are offered at sites throughout central Appalachia extending Hindman’s reach beyond the settlement school. Finally Screenings and Training are offered. Screenings for dyslexia are provided monthly with periodic professional development offered to teachers as well as parents and school administrators.
What especially wonderful about the dyslexia programs is that generous donations – including from the lovely DAR ladies – allows Hindman to offer the dyslexia intervention services to hundreds of students every year. But here’s the real exciting part. Regardless of ability to pay, no child is ever denied.
Doesn’t that just make you want to reach for your checkbook?
A Robynn’s Chirps 