Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1906-10-12
BRATTLEBORO LOCAL
THE WORK OF OUR HIGH scHo OIL.

Some Of the Things said and Suggested
by Principal Smith in an Hours Talk
With the Parents on Wednesday Even
ing.
The invitation of Principal e. B. Smith
to parents and others interested in the
work of the schools to meet him in the
high school room Wednesday evening
for an informal conference on the work
of the high school was responded to by
an attendance which filled nearly every
seat in the room Mr.. Smith called his
audience to order soon after o'clock
and spoke for nearly an hour in a per-
sonal, conversational way of the work
which the teachers of the high school
are trying to do and of the general
principles which guide them. He said
that an attempt was being made to hold
the work of the pupils to a consistent
and uniform standard, and in further
ance of this idea special reports were in
future to be sent, at frequent intervals,
to the parents of children whose work
was not satisfactory. This was done to
prevent misunderstanding or injustice,
and so that parents might be informed
promptly of anything that was not going
right. The college certificate privilege of
the school has recently been renewed for
three years, and it was the purpose of the
principal to have the certificates mean
something when given pupil. 1t was
not the first or chief thought to have
pupils go from the high school to col
lege though the teachers believed that,
as a rule, If a boy or girl had the requi-
site native equipment. the pupil could be
of more service in life to himself and his
friends If he Cor she) took a college
course Many regretted that the course
of high school study did not include
commercial course, such as Is given in
the business colleges. This was not now
expedient but Mr.. Smith had reason for
saying that he believed 1t would come
Emphasis was laid on the necessity of
pupils having regular hours of study, and
the parents were reminded of their own
obligation to look after their end of the
work at home. The parents were espe-
cially and repeatedly reminded of the
Importance of their coming promptly to
the teachers whenever they found any
thing going wrong with the work of their
children, or IL there was anything they
did not understand The principal could
always be found in the schoolroom for
an hour Monday afternoon, and one or
more of the teachers would be found
there every afternoon.
The question of manners and morals"
and of the general department OF the
children was taken up and the duty Of
parents not to neglect their own re-
sponsibility in this respect was plainly
urged. In the matter of discipline Mr.
Smith said he acknowledged and was
ready to assume full responsibility in the
school building and on the school grounds,
but he emphatically took the position that
his responsibility ended at the foot of the
steps which lead up from the public
street. He would correct any misbe-
havior which he personally witnessed on
the streets, but he would not assume the
functions of a policeman. 1t is the duty
of the village bailiffs (and of the parents)
to look after that. Mr.. Smith felt
strongly, as did the members of the
school board, that the people of the VII
lage were derelict in their duty in not
providing a public playground for the
children of the schools, adapted for all
athletic sports. and separate from the
athletic grounds for adults. 1t had been
decided to secure for the boys the use Of
the island for such sports in lack of a
more suitable place. The question OF
school amusements was taken up, tnclud-
ing the socials held once month or so
in the laboratory hail. and the dances in
Grange hall-the teachers believing that
these diversions meet a natural desire on
the part of the young folk. In view of
past experiences no more out-of-town
outings would be permitted, and this
would include dropping the annual sleigh
ride. The decision of the present year
graduating class to take a trip to WASH
ington in the Easter vacation-this to
take the place of the usual graduation
reception-was noted.
Mr.. Smith met his audience in a spirit
of frank and friendly confidence, stating
freely his own convictions and the prin-
ciples which guide his work. but without
assuming any dictatorial prerogative over
the opinions of the parents, and 1t SEEM
ed apparent that he had the full sympa-
thy of all his hearers To state the CEN
trail thought of his remarks in the brief
est terms we should say that 1t was the
duty and the necessity of mutual conf
dence, mutual effort, and the recognition
of mutual responsibility between teachers
and parents in all the school work.
A half hour of comment, suggestion
and endorsement from several persons in
the audience, including Mr.. Osgood and
Mr.. Adams of the school board, followed
the principals remarks, and the hope
was expressed that meetings like this
might be held often in the future. We
have never seen any occurrence or devel-
opment in connection with our schools
more helpful or more satisfactory than
the interest and the spirit shown at this
meeting.