The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1903-07-15

work here IL has seemed to me nttlng
to call your attention for few moments
to Mothers Clubs in general and OF the
great benefit they may be in COM
munity in assisting and making more
effective the work Of the public school.
am aware that TO many of you here,
the work Of the Mothers Club is com
paratively new. In this age of organi'
cations when societies and clubs are
being formed for almost every purpose
under the sun, we may wonder whether
1t is necessary to add another one to
swell the already long list. But when
ever we are in doubt as to the benefit
or value of thing, it is well TO ask the
question, what is it's object and aim
| Is IL needed ?
felt the great lack OF interest and sym
pathy in their work by the parents.
There has always seemed to be Il great
lethargy on the part Of parents in the
workings of the public school, the
place where for many months of the
year their children are being trained,
laying the foundations of their charact-
ers, in fact their whole future lives
Many parents send their children to
school, and from the beginning until
the close OF the term, never step into
the school room, get acquainted with
the teacher or interest themselves in
any way with the school, unless it may
be to listen to every idle complaint the
children may bring home, and, of
course coincide with the child, thus
weakening the influence OF the teacher.
In fact they know little, and appear to
care less, about the school work. This
is all wrong. The parents and the
teacher should work hand in hand in
the education of the child To remedy
this, organizations known as Mothers
Clubs have sprung up all over our land.
And just here l can not do better than
to quote to you from the constitution
It's object 1.-The object of the Mothers
Club shall be to promote educational
sentiment in the community, and to
render more effective the work OF the
public school, by extending such
cooperation to the teachers as may be
deemed advisable"
With such an object, do we need to
ask the question-Is it needed ? Does it
not supply long felt want ? What is
more needed in the cause OF education
than to bring the mother and the teach
or in closer touch with each other, uni
flying and simplifying the work.
This being an organization in which
both the mothers and teachers are
members, in the monthly meetings the
mother and teacher may meet, get ac-
quainted and talk over the welfare of
the child, thus establishing a common
bond of sympathy and interest. which
is too often sadly lacking. Subjects
are discussed which are of vital inn
portance in the education and training
of children. Often both mother and
teacher look at a question in one sid
ed way. In these monthly meetings
conclusions can be reached that would
never have been thought Of. The
mother sees the matter from the teach
ers point of view and vice versa, which
is certainly a good thing and cannot
affairs in both the home and the school.
Then, again, the mothers visit the
schools, get acquainted with the needs
and the attention OF the public is called
to existing affairs, and there will be an
effort made to secure the needed APP
paratus as far as possible. The month
ly programs are also printed and people
of prominence in the town secured to
take part, thus calling the attention OF
the public to tho fact that such an or.
: ganization exists, and that some one Is
taking an interest in the public schools
besides the teachers and school direct
{ ors. In fact there are numberless ways
whereby Mothers Club may be bene
ticial and result in great good to Q
community. But am to tell you o
our club here.
The Reynoldsville Mothers Club was
organized Jan. g. 1902, through the
5 earnest efforts OF our former principal
Prof. G. w. Lenkerd. In response t.
q his invitation 20 ladies met in this hal
}. and formed themselves into club be
Q coming the charter members. 1t wa
/. decided to meet each month, securing
@ as speakers the pastors of the churches
teachers, and others interested in edu
cation. We have had discussed a
these meetings such subjects as physi
cal culture, music in the school, HON,
study, home entertainments, wha
i, books to read, ethics, morals and man
? ners, etc. There has always been
;, chance given for open discussion, ant
I both mothers and teachers have fel
!. free to respond, giving their opinion