The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-03-09
RESULT OF THE UNITED EXPORTS
OF MOTHERS CLUBS OF THE
CITY.
BETWEEN THE HOME AND SCHOOL
VIII BE Promoted Closer Sympa-
thy Than Is Now Employed
Curtis Heard From.


of union between the teachers of the
the parents and citizens interested in
the welfare Of the schools. This
point was evidenced last night by the
large and representative gathering,
which assembled at the Central High
school building for the purpose of
forming a school union. The meeting
had been called by Mrs. C. M. Power
as chairman Of the committee appointed
at a former meeting to formulate plans
along which the organization will work.
The meeting was called to order by
the Rt Rev. NJ. N. Gilbert, who was
selected to act as chairman after the
election of Thomas Polleys as secre-
tary. Bishop Gilbert introduced Mrs. G.
M. Power. Mrs. Power spoke Of the
former meeting, at which the committee
was appointed, and of the discussion
which had taken place at that time on
the subject, what can the parents do
toward the betterment of the schools
and the school children" and then
read the following report as the find
ings Of the committee:
On the afternoon Of JAM %, 1897, a meeting
was neiQ at the assembly nall OF the ST.
Paul Central high school, composed of repre-
sentatives from the several mothers clubs
in the city of st. Paul, and likewise of the
principals of the various schools in the city
to consider the following question:
What Can the Parents Do For the Public
Schools?"
This question was quite thoroughly consid-
cred and discussed. and it was voted that the
chairman of the meeting be authorized to
appoint committee to formulate a definite
plan of organization, and that this commit
tee report at further meeting to be held
at as early date as possible. The chairman
of the meeting appointed the following COM
mittee in accordance with that resolution:
Ri. Rev. M. N. Gilbert, DR.. G. H. Bridg-
man. Prof H. W. Slack. E. E. Woodman,
Miss Sarah c. Brooks, Miss Flora Austin,
Mrs. G. M. Power
The committee organized by appointing
Prof. H. w. Slack chairman, and Mrs.
c. NJ. Power as secretary and in accordance
with the resolution whereby they were ap-
pointed they submit the following report:
The committee are very earnest in the be-
lief that an organization should be formed in
this city for the purpose of cooperating with
the teachers Of the public schools in order
that better understanding between the
parents and the teachers may be brought
about, and with the idea that parents, teach
ers and pupils will all be materially bene-
flied. We therefore recommend that such an
organization be formed and that its name
be THE st. Paul Public School Union"
We further recommend that its object be to
promote a broader knowledge of the science
of education and a better understanding of
the methods now employed and a closer sym
pathy and cooperation between the home and
the. school ..:,.t. A+- .t-E sr-s;t> 81. ss.
AS brief outline and plan for thissorgani-
cation, we recommend that constitution be
adopted similar to those which have been
adopted to advantage in ether cities. and
which, with some possible notifications, we
| believe will be found applicable to the
situation as it exists in st. Paul. This pro-
posed plan is very simple. and provides for
the appointment of board of officers con-
sisting of a president and vice president a
secretary and treasurer, who with FIVE
known as an executive board This execu-
! tive board is intended to have the oversight
and supervision of the work throughout the
city, but it is also recommended that an aux
Hilary committee be appointed consisting of
one or more representatives from each school
district, which shall at all times report to
and be under the direction of the executive
board. 1t should be the duty of this executive
board to arrange for the holding of confer
ences in the Central high school, and also
from time to time in the school houses in the
several districts
1t is also of Importance that standing com
mittees be appointed to have in charge vari-
Gus matters of vital interest to the public
schools, and such subjects as Child Study -
1.-The Morals of the Public Schools f" oFphy-
steal Training School Libraries ''The
Sanitary Condition of the Schools and MANY
others OF similar nature will readily sug-
gest themselves as being subjects that ought
to demand the serious attention and careful
! consideration of every parent and of every
| person who has an interest in the schools.
Some OF these matters may cCme more
| properly within the Jurisdiction of the com
| mittee upon permanent organization but
! they are suggested at this time because they
| are OF such Importance that they ought not
! to be lost sight of in any plan of organization
| 1t is of course understood that our pro
! posed plan is by no means experiment,
! but that 1t has been thoroughly tried in sew
eral different cities in the country. There is
an active, fOurishing society in Brookline
Mass, and there is also a society of a similar
nature in Milwaukee and in Chicago, and the
committee has arranged with different per
sons tC state to this meeting something about
these various societies The organization in
| Detroit was not success for reasons which
will be particularly called to the attention Of
the meeting.
1t is entirely proper for US to say that a
society or organization Of this nature must
not only be kept free from political infiu-
ences CT every sort but must also be very
careful not to NEEDLE in any way with the
practical, everyday management of the
schools themselves. 1t is not our purpose
the least with the administration of the
schools with the work as 1t is carried
forward in the schools, but the primary pur-
pose and object of the association should be
at all times to establish practical cc-cpera-
| tion between the teachers and the parents
and also to make plain ID the pupils that the
parents are interested in an active sympa-
thetic manner with everything that they are
! doing or undertaking to do in their school
work. 1t is possible for intelligent parents
| and for good citizens to render invaluable
aid to the teachers in the public schools, pro-
vided they sufficiently in touch with the
| schools themselves to know what subjects
! are being taught from day TO day and the
| methods that are being pursued in this teach
/ ing. We suggest that it is not toe much to
! ask that each parent spend a few moments
each day with the definite purpose of assist
/ ing in the mental and moral DEVELOPMENT If
! his child, and in thus carrying forward the
work of the teacher, and in experimenting
that work in the most practical and efficient
manner This means enthusiasm on the part
| OF the pupils, encouragement to the teacher
and higher and better moral tone in all
| the schools of cur city.
What We have suggested in this reoort ia
OF course OF the most general nature but if
! this primary purpose and object be adhered
| to we confidently believe that the detafNs can
| pc worked out without serious difficulty
We respectfully submit this report for the
| consideration Of the meeting
| After the reading Of the report Rev.
| Mr.. Gilbert announced that action on
Its rejection or adoption would be post
! poned pending the individual reports
! OF several Of the members CT the ccn-
mtttee on the methods employed in the
| various school societies in other cities
and introduced Miss Sarah c. Brooks
| Who gave brief outline Of the work
done by the Brookiine Educational So
Getty, Of Brookline. Mass.
! Miss Brooks said that the Brookliue
| society Mad been born much as the
| st. Paul society was being brought into
existence. The main object of the So
| ciety was to form a band Of union he
| tween the teachers and parents and
assist them In their york A lecture
| course had been established and s1c-
| cessful1y carried on and committees
had been formed having in charge the
elementary training of children. intro
! ducing works of art. Kindergarten vro,r-
| and physical training. She said that