The courier., 1901-11-09
CLUB NOTES
THE WEEKS REVIEW

work FOR women is the increasing abil-
lty to look at both sides of a question.
TO consider d subject from all points of
view, to comprehend not only it's iso-
lated significance, but it's relations to
other subjects and conditions, is un-
mistakable evidence of broadening
mental power. The intelligent and ami
mated discussions which are prominent
features of all club meetings. radical
differences of opinion freely ex-
pressed without feelings of personal in
jury, whatever the decision, are an
advancement over the conditions of
twenty-five years ago. Club women be-
come less selfish and self centred with
every year of organized activity Con-
certed effort is the enemy of Iittleness
AT the recent meeting in Springfield of
the Massachusetts State Federation,
one session was devoted to discussion
of The Relation of Club Women
to the Public Schools" OF vital inter-
est to all club women, this subject was
ably handled by Mrs. Ella F. Adams
and Miss Maria Baldwin, both of Cam
bridge. Said Mrs. Adams, speaking
from the mothers point of view: Our
relation is of twofold nature. First,
we have a duty to perform as citizens;
secondly, We have a personal duty,
owing to the fact that the schools are
carrying on the work which We have
begun in our homes. The mother re-
luctantly faces the separation which
school involves. but finally throws too
much responsibility upon the teacher.
The mother needs to be vigilant. be-
cause great evils may creep into the
schools.
Many women hesitate to interest
themselves in the public schools lest it
should be called interference. But the
schools are the hope of our republic.
When they represent the best charac-
ter of our people, they are adequate to
raise the unpromising material sent to
us from other lands.
The mother helps by keeping in close
personal touch with the teacher. She
can open the eyes of the teacher to the
human needs of the child. She can
emphasize the value of ethical train
ing AS her work in the home is the
making of character, she can draw
the attention of teacher and school Off
Ger to the frequent disregard of this
goal.
The mother can be influential with
the school committee. That body gen.
orally welcomes the intelligent views of
the community. 1t recognizes the right
of the mother to make suggestions up
on broad lines.
The work of the mother is especially
dwelt upon, but all women have a great
responsibility in the matter. Since
women have the school suffrage, they
may control the schools if they choose,
and that they do not largely avail
themselves of the right seems to show
a deficient civic sense, as well as an
indifference to the welfare of the
children
Said Miss Baldwin, speaking from the
standpoint of the teacher: There is
at present among those who are con-
cerned with public school educa-
ton a conviction that the school and
the community should be brought to-
gether in more intelligent and helpful
relation. A superintendent in a town
near Boston directed his work chiefly
to the end of bringing the best people
of the town to appreciate and advance
the aims of the schools. A large
teachers association in Boston has for
it's expressed purpose the acquaintance
of parents with teachers and their
work. Each of these movements ex-
presses the dependence of school edu-
cation upon an intelligent public in
r-n5onbta1ly this deDenience