Bridgeton pioneer., 1899-03-23
BOARD OF EDUCATION,
Every Effort to be Made by Which the
Best Results Can be At
tanned,

In the absence of Mr.. Hancock, the
Secretary called the meeting to order,
when Mr.. G. F. Reeve was chosen Presi-
dent pro tenn.
The roll call showed the following pres
ent: Messrs. Lambert, Silvers, Johnson.
Hankins, Rice, Service, Reeves and Supt.
Turner
The following applications for census
takers were received: Frank D. Paullin,
Edward s. Moore, Andrew Zane, Helen
B Getsinger, w. L. Silvers, Jr., w. L.
Evans.
Miss Margaret Marrs, of Burlington,
applied for position as teacher
Supervisor Hitchners report was read
and filed, from which we extract:-
Home Study.
The Teachers Committee have had no
meeting, but Mr.. Service has interviewed
some of the teachers, and talked with all
the other members of the committee that
he could see. The concensus of opinion
seems to be that pupils in the 7th grade
and those above, should be required to
do some work at home. The chairman
requested me to bring the matter before
the teachers, and request them to exer-
else much discretion, in the character of
work, and if possible, arrange programs
SO that geography, language or something
that by reasonable amount of effort.
could be gotten out at home, while
arithmetic and algebra, might (as it
shouldD be prepared under the immedi-
ate direction of the teacher. I did this at
the teachers meeting on Thursday, and
it is hoped that just cause for questioning
the school work in this direction may
grow less.
Another Room in Vine st.
In Miss M'Galliard's room, 1st grade,
In Vine ST., are sixty-one pupils regu-
larlv attending. Twelve pupils are
waiting, and their parents are inuuiring
earnestly when they can be admitted. 1t
is probable that there are besides the
twelve waiting, others who would come
were it understood that room was open.
Taking twenty-one from Miss Meal
lard, would leave her with nice work
ing number, with enough left to start
smother room economically; and it is
recommended that this be done.
Parents and the Schools.
TO quote Mr.. Platts. There is no sub
ject of equal importance upon which in
telligent people are so little informed, as
that of the public schools. I think this
is true, and will take minute to men,
ton some of the graver instances, try to
show how they conflict with successful
school work, and suggest plan whereby
it is hoped matters may be much i'm
proved.
Teachers grope blindly in ignorance of
child's physical peculiarities, which
parents understand. Defective vision
and imperfect hearing bring children
under severe censure at school A word
of explanation from the parent, would
locate the child in the school room at the
most favorable point for overcoming
the defect. Parents may know that their
child possesses a nervous temperament
which they have found way of mitigat-
ing, but not of controlling. The wise
teacher will gladly cooperate with the
parents in the use of like methods OF dis
cipline.
On the other hand, parents are fire.
quently blind to habits and tendencies
which the teachers practical eye detects.
Parents see their children in the home.
where their acts are unmodified by the
presence of other children. Thus it often
happens, that parents and teacher are
each putting a different estimate upon a
child, and each estimate right from the
different standpoints. Parents do not
understand that pupils develop certain
characteristics at school, which they do
not manifest at home.
Parents do not always realize the im-
portance of regularity in school. Pupils
are sent on errands that might be done
out of school hours with no inconvenience
to the home. By means of such unneces-
sary Interruptions, lessons are not pre-.
pared, interest in school wanes, and care.
less habits are formed.
A Sup't of schools in a western town
things by something like the following
plan: A teachers and parents meeting
would be held at such time and place as
is most convenient for fathers, as we'll as
mothers to attend. Some parent or
teacher would be asked to prepare a short
paper on some topic of interest, when all
would discuss it, the parent from his
standpoint, member of the school board
from his, aud a teacher from hers.
Some topics suitable for our schools
would be "Should children be required
to study at home?' "The discipline of
the home and of the school," 1.-THE rights
of children and the rights of Others"
THE importance and value of habits of
regularity.
BY taking an active part in these meet
ings, parents would be led to follow up
line of thought that would broaden their
Q lucational horizon, and increase their
interest in the schools while the teachers
would learn much from the fathers and
mothers, for they have many experiences
that most teachers only theorize about.
The following hills were ordered paid: