The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-05-26

Mr.. NJ l.. BOnlam, Jr., prlnc!pal o
the Nicholson School, has kindly fur
nislicd -1ho Tmies-Dispatch with
copy of the first nnual report Of TIN
Shcrwin- Hyde Parents Association
which treats In such direct way O
several important school matters tina
IL Is given space on our cducationa
page, 1T says:
Organized in May, 1905. the Sherwin
Hyde Parents Association completed
its first year of work on May 10, 1906
Its aims are three fold: To bring tn,
home and the school together. to In
terest the parents concerning the care
of their children, and to promote TIL,
social interests of the neighborhood nc
accomplish the first object, efforts
have been made to acquaint parents
with the teachers work in developing
the child intellectually. physically and
I morally, and on the other hand to cX-
plain to the teacher the problems with
which the parent has to deal. This has
been brought about through talks
given by teachers and parents at the
monthly meetings of the association
and by means of teas. held after every
! meeting, when parents and teachers
! come together in social way for In
! torchange of thoughts
At the first meeting last autumn, Ed
ward p. Shute, master of the Sherwin
! School presented n blef outline of the
! course of study, and the aims OF the
teacher In physical and moral train
ing He emphasized the necessity of
corporation between teachers and
parents. Mrs. Emma s. CULVER, first
assistant of the Hyde School. pointed
out specific instances where the par
ents can sist the teachers. She eX-
planned how a tired and hl><gry child
cannot do the intellectual work of the
school, and that strong body, nur-
turcd in a moral atmosphere, is i'm
perative If the child is to receive the
greatest benefit from the school.
At the next meeting, Silas @. stone,
master of the Hyde School, gave talk
on the evil results of children's play
ing the street, and cited several in
stances where street company had COM
pletely overcome the good influences
of the school.
The next month Walter S. Parker,
assistant superintendent of the district,
gave an Illuminating talk on How
Parents Can Cooperate with Teach
ers." At the next meeting, Caspar
Isham, submastcr of the Sherwin
School, talked on Cleanliness in the
Schoolroom," telling just how clean
teachers expect boys to come to school
He pointed out that soiled and torn
clothing and an unkempt body lessons
the child's self-respect and places him
below the moral standard of the school.
At the following meeting Mrs Emma
S. CULVER reported upon an investi-
cation carried on by the teachers of the
Sherwin-Hyde district, concerning the
way in which the children of this dis
trict spend their evenings. The inves-
tigatlon showed that one hundred and
siXty-one boys and siXty-five girls go
to the theatre two or more times u
week; and, further. that the theatres
attended are usually those of ques-
tionablc character. Mrs. CULVER di-
rected most of her talk to the evils of
theatre going for children, telling how
the loss of sleep cntailed by this
amusement renders the child incapable
of performing the work of the school
next day; that the moral effect on the
/ boys is to make them restless and
eager to initiate the sensational acts
| seen in the theatre, and on the girls to
create a longing for the stage. She
! cited several instances where grammar
! school girls, becoming infatuated with
! play-acting, have left their homes to
go on the stage.
| A stirring address was given at 4
later meeting by George E. Murphy.
submaster of the Hugh O'Brien School,
on cigarette smoking among school
children. He showed how this habit
rendered thousands of boys physically
unable to perform their school work.
At the close of the meeting the fol-
I lowing resolution was adopted:
Resolved. That strong, prompt and
vigorous action be taken by this asso-
citation to suppress cigarette smoking
among boys, and that committe be
appointed to take this matter in charge
and TO see that the laws relating to
the sale of cigarettes be more strictly
enforced.
Such then, are the efforts which have
been made by the teachers to acquaint
the parents with the problems of the
school. At every meeting, on the other
hand, the parents have stated many
plans for corporations. thus, In the pro-
grams of the meetings themselves, both
the school and the home have been
jointly represented
At the first meeting of the year, adj
dresses were made by Mrs. NJ Papen,
Mrs. NJ. Hight Mrs. A. Howard and
Mrs. a. Thomas. each stating a particu-
lar problem with which the parent has
To deal. suggesting ways by which the
teacher might cooperate, and outlin-
ing plans By which the parents in the
neighborhood might work unitedly for
The best interests of the school and
community. One Of the mothers spoke
81 the lighting among boys in the
neighborhood; another OF gambling and
I cigarette smoking; another OF novel
I reading; another Of theatre going; an
/ other Of the habil of spending of pen
MES for cheap candy; another Of chill
4 dren's playing in the street. AT this
meeting, committee was appointed
To find out what opportunities In the
Z evening for amusement or education
I were open in the neighborhood To
boys and g!rls. This committee was
70 cooperate with the settlement
hougeE gymnasiums. etc. In the neigh
oorhood- At the next meeting. the
chairman. 5ira, Thomas. gave report
~ the work Of the committee. men
tloning several places where children
nl!gh. probably spend their even
!a@s. ana recommended that the teach.
"rs inform their pupils OF these places
whefc they might 20 for healthfu!
Amusement Or instruction. This was
chesrfujiy done. At one meeting, ono
NJ The mothers spoke OF the flthy
%onqllla1 Of SONS ot the streets, yardl
apd vacant lots Ia the neighborhood
saying that dirt and disorder lowers