The Roswell daily record. [volume] (Roswell, N.M.) 1903-current, 1905-03-21
THE PUBLIC
"a Communication.)

Editor Observation-Disclosures belong
ing t the negligible quantity in our
great and free population. constitu-
tionally disposed of in the criminal,
imbecile and Indians not xed cate
CORY. 1 would like to offer an idea for
consideration by he patrons of the
public schools concerning the coatin-
uance of the schools by private sub
scription and contribution.
The generous expressions and of
fers of the business men and infu-
entail citizens at the recent meeting
10 consider this subject show that it
is easily possible to continue all the
departments of the schools as long
as deemed necessary. But before pro-
ceeding to this determination of the
matter. | believe another side of the
question should be considered that
appears not to have ben touched
upon.
Is il necessary to expend consider
able sums of money to prolong the
term to the full length in the lower
grades?
II is a well known fact. to educa-
tors. that the average of learning is
higher in country schools with shor-
ter terms than in town schools with
their unduly prolonged terms.
We mercilessly compel our little
children to endure unnatural and of
ten ~unsanitary conditions for one
half of their waking hours. The arti-
fetal. though necessary restraints of
the school room are not conducive
to the best mental and physical well
being of young children.
A nine months school is more of a
fad han a necessity. A ten months
school is a physiological crime against
teachers as well as pupils of any age.
besides being subversive of sound
economy. Money expended for the
last month of a nine months. term
is money worse than thrown away
1t is money employed to work a prac-
teal injury.
The desire to prevent BLACK eyes,
10 our city is most commendable. but
a desire to conserve the best inter
ests of our children is most necessa-
~. And it is not to the best interests
of primary pupils to be over-taxed in
school work and over-restrained in
liberty.
The brain of a normal child cannot
safely be stimulated to activity be-
yond the natural point of saturation.
To quote Eugene Ware. the brain
clogged with redundant learning gets
left"
To iIlustrate; My little daughter is
eight; has been in school three terms.
counting the present term; has eight
or nine studies and receives average
grades but a little picking below the
surface shows regrettable def
ciencies. When called upon to pro-
nounce sit she called it speak"
"h-i-t' was rendered spit" witt.
wet: cam, sam; mann. man; nan.
IA so on through a long list
OF simple words of two and three let
tiers. Now this is not intended in dis
arrangement of any teacher; the fault
does not lie with the teacher. neither
with the child. She is simply being |
taught more than she ought to at
tempt TO learn at her age.
A child's education nsis in go
ing to school and receiving tuition
and staying at home and devising
means of getting dirt on his clothes
by his own intuition and it is just
sane TO deprive him of the one pri-
vilege as the other. So the contention
I make is that his time should be
fairly divided between these
great educational factors than
under the present fashion of
long terms of public school.
Continue the upper rooms. and es
pecially the graduating class, Until
he end of the full term, If you choose.
but have mercy. ! pray you. on the
title oDes- 4
Ex-TEACHER-