Valentine Democrat. (Valentine, Neb.) 1900-1930, 1904-12-01

l
| their own weaknesses in more
pronounced form in their offspring,
though it is likely that they more
often see their own good qualities
better brought out. However
much the tendencies and inclina-
tons are due to heredity, the in
f1uence of another strong force is
easily recognized by both parents
aud teacher, that of environment.
Much that is unusually attribut-
ell to heredity may be due to en-
vironment and much that is I'M
usually attributed to the influence
of associates, may be due more
largely to inherited tendencies.
These two influences sometimes
lead in the same direction, some
times indirectly opposite direc-
tons, but they often extend into
each other and overlap each other
| in such a manner that the real
force of each cannot be measured.
1t is important, however, in the
organization and management of
schools to know that youth is in
huenced by surroundings, both geo.
| graphical and social, that the ten
denotes and inclinations of children
may be modified, the good quail
ties strengthened, the evil tenden-
cies lessened by surrounding them
with right conditions and with
proper influences. No further
suggestion is necessary to call at
tention to the influences of these
forces on the work of the school.
Children boz, n with the right kind
of mental and moral fiber meet the
first requisite for the best school.
Next to that, nearly, if not quite
as essential, is the influence of en-
vironment, home environment,
street environment, neighbOrhood
environment, book environment,
school ground environment, in fact
all outside and inside influences.
The best measure of a cOmmun
ity as we'll as of school /, the in
terest that is taken in the educa-
ton of the youth. know nothing
that speaks more highly of a dis
trict, town or city than a genuine
interest in the public schools; men
cheerfully paying their school
taxes, providing literally for the
support and management of their
schools. Fortunate are the child
rem born Of such parents and into
such an atmosphere.
The parents have their share of
| responsibility in the education of
their children, though the teacher
stands for a portion of the day in
the place of the parents, this can
| neve: dissolve them from their
duty to their children. Children
are the gifts Of God" to the
home, and parents are their natur-
al educators. If the demand of
civilization have caused a division
! of labor, hereby making the schools
a necessity, nevertheless the re-
sponsibility of parents in the edu-
cation Of their offspring can never
cease. The schools are never able
to perform their full mission ex-
cept where parents fully cooper
ate with the teacher and with the
board Of education.
Some towns have built around
the court house square, the court
house being the point of greatest
interest. How much more ap-
appropriate, fguratively speaking,
to build around the school. The
school building should be the best
building in the town. The equip
ments should be of the best. The
school should be the center of in
terest for the entire community.
Its welfare should be considered
of the utmost Importance The
best compliment that could be
passed for a certain town was By
travelling man who said the Who'll,
town was crazy over some school
affair. Even the business men
closed their places of business to