The Newtown bee., 1905-08-04

| THE HIGH SCHOOL, FAITHFULLY USED,
GIVES THE YOUNG MAN AND THE
YOUNG WOMAN A WIDER SOCIAL EN-
PERIENCE, A HIGHER OUTLOOK INTO
| THE WORLD, AND A LARGER PRAC-
| TICAL TRAINING.
| have been requested to write some
thing on the future of our public
schools.
One of the most significant events
in the history of Newtown, especially
in this connection, was the first an
nual commencement of our High
School. Not only was it notable in
itself, as being the first, and as reflect
ing honor upon the school, and upon
the people of the community: but in
it's promise of potency to produce GER
tain far-reaching results in the years
to come. The thought was happily
expressed by the Rev Mr. George, chair
man of the High School Committee,
on presenting the diplomas, that the
graduating class of five young women,
and one young man, would be the seed
Of good things to come in the progress
of the town. These are the tirst-fruits
of the three years since the school
began. These are prepared for high
er service in the world than they could
render without the privileges they
have had: and ali will enter colleges,
and SO grade up to the standard of the
highest and best service Of man to
man, and of all men to their Maker.
The higher education, for those who
seek it, and are capable of it, is no
but an accepted and necessary priv
ilege, to prepare the rising generation
to meet the duties which await them
as they come to their manhood, woman
hood, and citizenship. Not to be
schooled for the services of ones day
and generation is to meet with almost
certain failure and disappointment in
the struggle of life. The world is run
by those who have been trained to per-
ceive, understand, and accomplish the
! work that needs to be done.
This is simple matter of fact the
| best, and most important services to
| the State and to the Nation, are those
who have had the most and the best
education. The leaders of the people,
and those who fill with honor the
highest place of trust in our great
country are those who have had liberal
training and culture in colleges and
universities. And they could not give
the services they are rendering had
they not been schooled and prepared
| for the work they have to do.
To graduate is to grade up to GER
tain standard of attainment and prep
aration for social and civic service.
Even the common laborer needs to
know certain things which the schools
teach. But at its best the common
school is only the beginning of educa-
tion. The graduate of the grammar
school may be prepared for certain
grade of service; the High school
opens up larger field Of opportunity |
for usefulness; the business college |
prepares for special kinds of work; and
the university trains men and women
for the professional, and higher official
life, which leads to national and inter- |
national services in the largest rela-
tions of the world.
Not everyone wants, or needs col |
lege course. The man, or woman who
gets only what the common district
school, at home can give, may be use
full and honored, and content. The
grammar grade may we'll satisfy a
ma jority Of the boys and girls, who
become true and respected citizens in
every community. But the High |
school, faithfully used, gives the young
man, and the young woman wider
social experience, higher outlook
into the world, and a larger practical
training to enable one to earn an hon
est, good living which to-day is &C
knowledged by all intelligent people
as being not only desirable for the in
dividual who needs it, but of the high
est value to the general public.
The true ideal is that of complete
system Of State Education, beginning
with the kindergarten, and ending in
the university. The State does SO
much for the instruction and training
of it's youth that it should wisely do
more. Nothing can be more important
to the commonwealth than the evolu-
tion of the highest types Of manhood
and wOmanhOOd which are the true
glory of the nation. The safety and
welfare of the State depends chiefly
upon the wisdom and moral character
of it's citizens. The public spirit, en-
terprise, improvement and prosperity
of the people depend upon the quality
and extent of our public school system,
instruction and culture. AS Hum
boldt said: "Whatever we wish to see
introduced into the life of any nation
must first be introduced into it's
schools. And as Milton declared: IA
complete and generous education fits
a man to peform justly, skillfully and
magnanimously all the offices Of peace
and war;"
That the future of our public
schools, in this town, as in the whole
State, will be shaped along this line
which we have traced in part seems
evident. The High school, which
bears evidence of having come to stay,
if it does not become the prey of po'-