Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1900-03-01
THE HOME SCHOOL.
EDGAR G. DOUDNA, SENIOR CLASS.
plattcyilc Normal SCHOOL,

Pattcyile Normal SCHOOL,
As a mans motives are judged by
his actions, so the enterprise OF a
community is judged by its public in
stitutions. A spring cannot rise
above its source, neither can q school
rise above the community in which it
exists. Too often it falls far below
this level, and is consequently not u
matter of pride to its patrons. We
praise the patriot who seeks to adj
vance the material prosperity OF the
country, let US also praise the patriot
who raises the social standard and
helps to make life more useful and en-
ioyablc. Upon the schools OF this
country, more than upon It's armies,
depends its future. 1t is the duty then,
OF every citizen to support not only
financially but morally, the school of
his own district. 1t should be II mat
ter of pride to him that his school is
us good as possible under existing
circumstances. We are better pro-
tectcd by school houses than by forts,
educated citizens than by soldiers.
Let us take the axiom, "Therc's moth
ing too good for the school," and
insert the word "Our' and then make
it the basis OF our actions. Give the
home school the best teachers that the
district can afford to hire; make the
school house and grounds neat and
homcIilIc: and you have furnished the
strongest incentive for the children to
attend the school and enjoy it.
There is n tendency to undcr-csti-
mate the country school. Admitting
that there are some advantages in Il
graded school, we can also sec advan-
tagcs in the country school. The
braincst men of this country are the
products of the farm and the alumni
of the district school. Eighty-four of
the ninety United States senators be-
gan life on farm, and their own
humble school directed the develop
mcnt of the minds that now guide the
ship of state. If such men have been
the product of schools of the past,
what may we not expect from those OF
the present?
The child begins his school life
fresh from homo Influences; then he is
entrusted to persons who know little
of his passions and tendencies. Yet il
Is in these early years that the char
actcr is made or married. How inn
portant then that the teacher cooper
itlc WIN lnc parent ana Inau uoScthcf
they give the child the best to which
he is entitled and he is entitled to
the best the world can give him. Most
of the trouble besetting II teacher may
be traced to some misunderstanding of
his motives. If parent and teacher
would meet ON common ground and
discuss impartially the difficulties en-
countcrcd in the management of the
child, one of the greatest obstacles to
success would be surrounded.
The point we desire TO make is this:
In the effort to make the school of
your own district the best possible,
the parent and teacher must unite
forces for the good of the child. by
this course the social side OF the com
munity will be improved, the school
will become II matter of pride, and the
character of the child and future citi-
zen will be shaped under favoring
conditions. Nothing else can so GER
tainly ensure the safety Of the nation.
No need then to
"Fcar the tyiant's blgot rulc
Whore near, the church spIrc stands the
school"