The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-05-26
RELATION OF PARENTS
TO THE SCHOOLS WORK

members of the association rarely 40
out except to these meetings. ana
therefore welcome this pleasant recre-
ation. Moreover, it fastened to pro-
duce genial effect over the whoic
gathering.
Not only, however. iiuvc these meet
. inss brought the home and school Into
happy corporation, but they have also
iuinlled the second OBJECT OF TINS as
ISOLATION namcly--to instruct the par
ents concerning the care of their
children. The main address of each
meeting has been devoted to such Ill
struction. During the year there have
been five lectures on the physical de-
velepoment of tile child, and two on
the E1ornl.
DIR. Arthur II. Fairbanks, the medical
Inspector Of the district. gave a course
Iot lectures entitled How to Keep our
Children Well" "The Signs of Disease
ana Their Meaning to tile Child" and
The Clothing, Food and Habits OF
Life OF the Child. and Their Influence
on It's Health and Growth" Although
scientific and consecutive. these lee.
lures were simple, and appealed direct
~ to the needs of the parent
training, was given by Miss Laura
White. of the Girls High school, who
gave practical suggestions about cook.
ing, mentioned simple foods that are
Especially nutritious, and emphasized
the importance of sending children to
school well fed
The fifth lecture, already spoken of,
was that given by George e. Murphy,
4 on the habit of cigarette smoking
among boys. The two lectures OH the
moral growth of the child consisted
| of one on Moral Training of Girls.'
by DIR. Julia Morton Plummer who
gave an especially beautiful presenta-
ton of the subject. and one on choral
Training Of Boys" by Rev. Reuben
kidner. who cited personal incidents
| in the West End. To this meeting the
fathers We're especially invited, and
several came.
The sherwin Hyde Association has
proved, not only an adequate means OF
| bringing the home and school together,
and instructing the parents. but it has
also fulfilled its third object; namely,
/ to promote the special interests of the
Ineighborhood. Reference has already
been made to this in describing the
part which the parents have taken In
the meetings
There is an active cigarette com
tmittee, having q member from each
section OF tn edistrict, who feels re-
lsponsible for her section. watches the
boys who smoke, and finds out. If pos
| sible. where they obtain the cigarettes.
Members Of the committee have talked
with several dealers who they know
are violating the law relating to the
sale of cigarettes; and, although their
efforts have not stopped the illegal
trade. they have restricted it. More
! than all, the members of the committee
have been welcome visitors at the
homes of the boys who have tho cigar
cite habit. In all this work the teach
ers have actively co-operated with the
parents.
The second committee, which aims to
work constructively for the interest OF
Y No,
vacant lots. AS with the cigarette
committee, this has a member from
each section of the district So Gar, the
work has consisted of an investigation
of the actual conditions: and. both
through the meetings and the efforts
/ of the teachers, the committee has en-.
ideavored to work up n sentiment in
1 favor of clean yards, clean streets and
slightly vacant lots.
| The interest in this constructive
work is one OF the most encouraging
features of the association: for the par
lents and teachers see that n moral.
clean. refined neighborhood has good
influence on the home, which in turn
affects the children and the school
! The attendance at the meetings has
averaged between three and four nun
dred, while the membership has con-
tinually increased throughout the year.
until now it numbers two hundred and
/ forty-four. The financial statement OF
the treasurer is no less encouraging
than the earnest enthusiasm of the
members After paying the expenses of
the association. consisting of the
amount spent for tea, sugar and milk,
washing. packing and expressage OF
dishes. printing and other incdentals,
the treasury contains $3.50. out OF
which is to be paid the expenses OF
printing this annual report
| The members of the SherwinHyde
Parents Association, appreciative OF
the benefits derived from such an or
ganization, are eagerly looking forward
4 to the work next year, hoping for
greater activity in more extended
II field. an increased membership, and the
support of the fathers, as well as the
mothers. Of the district. Indirectly the
fathers have aided the work but the
association wishes this support mani
Tested in active membership. 1t is
gratifying to note, however, that al
ready few have Joined the associa-
Ition, and evening meetings have peen
arranged for next year, in order to give
the fathers an opportunity of becoming
actively interested.
This first years work has proved
the value of making the school rad-
Iating centre for the neighborhood. The
parents association is the natural and
logical link that connects the school
with the home, and the home with the
community.
(Signedl
FANNIE FERN ANDREWS
President.