Middletown transcript., 1892-06-09
MAt AtM'sa,sstsiYt
MESSAGE no THE PUBLIC
SCHOOLS OF AMERICA

MESSAGE no THE PUBLIC
SCHOOLS OF AMERICA
FROM THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEES
APPOINTED By THE sUPERINTEN-
DENTS OF INDICATION.
ToMe Scholars ofthe Public Schools Of
the United States, the Executive Com
mistee ofthe Columbian Public School
Celebration sends the following Mes
sage:
The 18th Cf October, 1892, the
400th Anniversary OF the Discovery Of
America, ought TO be observed every.
where in America.
The day win be marked in Chicago
by the dedication Of the Columbian
Exposition grounds. The day also
may be signalized in every town and
village in the Republic by y local
celebration Of which the Public School
is the centre.
The Public Schools of the Republic
will form the most fitting centres for
all these local celebrations. A nation.
al Public School Observance stimuli.
taneons with the Chicago exercises
will awaken q popular interest in the
coming Exposition. Far more inn
portant is the fact that the Public
School has the right to occupy the
most prominent place in the celebra-
ton. The Public School is the one
characteristic institution which links
all Deighborhoods together. and can
thus furnish common bond for q
national celebration. The Public
School is the ripe fruit Of the four
centuries Of American civilization.
The Public School Of to-day sways the
hundred years to come.
The first approval ofthis suggestion
came from the public school scholars
themselves. When the plan was first
proposed by The Youths Companion,
January, 1891, thousands of letters
were received, tsstifying to the enthu.
siasm with which the scholars re-
spondsd.
The Worlds Congress Auxiliary Of
the Columbian Exposition then took
up the proposal, calling upon all the
people Of the Republic to observe the
day in their own localities, and sug-
gesting that the Public Schools be
everywhere the centres Of the celebra.
ton.
The Superintendents of Education
were the next to recognize the fitness
Of giving to the Public Schools the
first place in this Columbian Anniver.
sary. AT their National Convention
in Brooklyn. In February, 1892, they
took charge Of the movement, and ap.
pointed the undersigned an Executive |
Committee to lead the schools in their
commemoration.
This Executive Committee now ap-
peals to the scholars themselves to be
the FIRST to move. It is for you
Of the American Public
TO arouse sentiment in your,
for this grand way Of
celebrating the Finding Of America.
Educators and teachers will meet you
from their side But it is for you to
begin.
You will make it succeed if you
lniteto say that it ought to be done.
The interest Of the public will be
awakened If the scholars join in the
earnest request that the school be
lliowed to be the centre of the days
observance.
There are Thirteen Millions now in
he Public Schools. You have the
,hance to conduct q patriotic move
nent which will have place in his
ory, and will strengthen the Republic
through the coming century.
The first thing to do is to determine,
'hen you read this Message, that you
'iH do all you can to induce your ,
chool to enter the celebration. Then
how this Message to your teachers ,
very patriotic teacher will be glad to
elp you ifyou show yourselves in !
arnest. Take the Message to the
chool Committee and the Superin-
sndent; their consent and aid are
ldispensable.
After you secure the support of all 4
lese, then let the school vote that it
i'll enter the celebration
The next thing after this public !,
ote will be the appointment of a
rong committee to take the charge. Il
bis committee should be made up T
intly from scholars, teachers and A
lends of the school. The committee a,
lould in all cases be made up of .,
lose who are most in earnest. go that ii
e work may not be checked by any
'ssible change of teachers during the f
miner. v
A programme Of exercises will be m
rnished by the Executive Commit 6,
.. It will be simple and adapted to .,
y school, yet so arranged that more .r
aborate exercises may be added "
ienever desired. The aim of this =,
iiciai Programme will be that cer- :,
In leading exercises may be the