Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1906-10-12
A HELPFUL GATHERING.
Interests of School Pupils Discussed
Wednesday Evening.

About $50 parents and Others inter
ested in the Brattleboro schools re-
sponded to Principal +. B. Smith s in
vitation to meet in the high school
room Wednesday evening to discuss
the interests of the boys and girls in
school and out. The conference proved
| helpful and inspiring, and it is hoped
il is but the opening session of school
for parents. Everyone present was
thoroughly in sympathy with Mr..
Smith : remarks. In everything he
said he showed his sound judgment and
sane ideas on the relations of teachers
and pupils, Mr. Smith believes that
the authority of the teacher over the
pupil ends when the child leaves the
school grounds. After that authority
should come from the parent. A good
deal of unjust criticism is directed to-
ward the teachers for things that are
done out of school. The school directs
the child and aids the parent but 1t is
not the source of ultimate authority.
The blame for manners and morals
should not be laid upon the schools as
is often the case.
Mr.. Smith laid particular emphasis
on the lack of suitable athletic
ground. He considered this an impor-
tant factor in the development of boys
and something for which the town
ought to be responsible. The island
was suggested as being the most ac-
cessible ground for the purpose, Mr..
Smith expressing the belief that school
sports should be conducted separately
from town sports. In regard to the
social life of the high school pupils
Mr.. Smith believes the teachers can
and should help the parents. He thor,
oughly approves of class meetings held
in the school building, also of high
school dances on condition that these
festivities are out at an early hour,
making il point to see that this rule
is carried out. He does not approve
of going out of town for school fun and
does not think sleigh-rides advisable
for many reasons.
After Mr.. Smith S talk several others
took part in the discussion. The ad-
visibility of having regular study
hours out of school was strongly urged.
L. f. Adams urged the parents to show
outward appreciation of the teachers
by sympathetic cooperation, 1t being
well-known fact that teaching is the
least appreciated of any of the profes-
sions. Rev Z. Q. S. Osgood asked that
parents and friends of the school show
their interest by visiting the schools
more frequently in order to come in
closer touch with the work that is be-
ing done. He spoke of how much 1T
meant to the children to have some
business man visit the schools, also of
how much it would mean if one men,
Der of every family represented in the
high school would take pains to visit
the school at least once year. Col.
C. A. Miles, L. w. Hawley and several
others took part in the discussion and
everyone expressed himself as thorough
" in sympathy with Mr.. Smith s views.
The keynote of the conference was
cooperation of parents and teachers.
Mr.. Smith urges that parents come to
him and talk over matters frankly. lie
is always to be found in the high school
Monday afternoons. The graduating
class of the high school is planning a
trip to Washington this year, the event
to take the place of the graduating re-
ception. Efforts will be directed to
raising money for a common fund to
meet the expenses of the trip. Stereop-
ticon lectures have been arranged for
Nov. |, s and Is to be held in Grange
hall for this purpose.