The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1908-05-15
TEACHER AND
FATHERS TALK
Discussion Of Problems ca Edneatios
aud Government, Of Boys a. High
School Building Last
Evening.

I lAr iAfhttN iutNfAtk w tAN Astl sNHes
room last evening was well attended and
much Interest aud enthusiasm were shown
Ia the discussion that followed the adj
drrss Of Principal y, burr smith. Qaes'
tions which teachers have 10 lace IN deal.
/ ing with boys Nrrr discussed aud Mr..
smith came down % the practical points
without much introduction and from be.
ginning 10 end hi- talk was characterized
ny sound common sense. What is the
matter with the boyl Why doesn't he
get alongs ls the hrst Question, said MT.
smith. Something is the matter with
either the boy or the teacher. The pur-
pose OF this meeting Is TO Ind out where
that wrong hes. After the change 20 the
high school, the boy Is confronted with
new conditions. Perhaps the greatest
problem 10 be successfully mastered IL
that Of personal responsibility. In the
lower grades almost all the studies can be
learned IN school, IN the high school from
two 10 four hour should be spent in
study outside OF the school room. To
make the pupil feel that the responsible
ity is his, that he must get those lessons
on his on initiative, Is something that
the teacher needs the help Of the parents
To accomplish. In college, here this prin-
clple Is Tar more important than II y IN
the high school, the merit OF the efforts
IN the secondary schools in this particu-
lar is apparent. The high standard set
by the requirements for a certificate 70
enter college was explained az considerable
length. Mr.. Smith brought out the lack
OF the present system in the failure 10 do
enough for those who did not 90 10 col
lege. He hoped that the beginning OF
next year would see business course
started and the elements OF business
training offered the student.
The second part OF Mr.. Smiths address
had to do with things that go on outside
OF school for which the parent is almost
wholly responsible. In the way OF amuse-
ments he said one OF the greatest evils
is the cheap show and in particular the
week stand variety. Bad pictures are lett
in the youthful mind, false suggestions
are given the boy and he sees life and
conditions portrayed in way that puts
a premium on wrong conditions OF hie.
An essential feature in the growth OF the
child's mind is the kind OF picture life
presented, and what is thrown up before
the child in the cheaper class OF shows
is anything but healthy material to feed
on. Emphasis was placed particularly on
the choice OF plays.
Smoking was dealt with in a vigorous
manner. The practice was not condemned
except for those whose minds had not
yet been developed and whose physical
life had not taken on maturity. Smok-
ing hinders boys in their studies, hurts
their nervous organization and Injuries
their mental faculties to such an extent
that the practice ought to be stamped out
with the assistance of the fathers. The
cigarette in particular leaves its mark on
the physical makeup OF the boy and takes
away from what would otherwise be
healthy, vigorous spirit. In connection
81 81 al nf ha
il was brought out how great is the ne
cessity of an athletic instructor whose en-
tire time and attention may be gwen TO
the work. Athletics are now developed
better than heretofore but not enough
is done. A playground and well equip
ped athletic field should be maintained by
the district for the benefit of all the
pupils. The spirit and enthusiasm among
the boys is excellent and should be fos-
tered.
There seems to be an opportunity for
congratulatlon In the dlmnutlon OF tne
cheap novel. Bad literature is fast giving
place to something better and the minds
OF the pupils are being fed on more
wholesome reading. Perhaps this, more
than ANYTHING else, accounts Tor the
small amount of foul talk that is heard
and the almost entire lack Of swearing.
Personal purity was a subject that came
home to the father and to nobody else.
On him is placed the duty OF imparting
knowledge of the vital matters OF lie,
free from false modesty or artificial EN-
barrassment. A clean mind, a healthy. body
and wholesome attitude will result in
almost every case where confidence and
trust are interchanged between father
and son. .,
Discussion followed by Col. G. A. Miles,
Rev. H. R. Miles, l.. w. Hawley, FL
bridge Knowlton. Charles A. Harris, Rev.
L. O. S. Osgood and j. Harry Estey. The
announcement was made by Mr.. Osgood
that in all probability commercial course
would be introduced next year. He
thought that in few weeks I, public
meeting would be held for further dis
cussion on the subject. In connection
with the problems relating to boys the
most important suggestions had to DO
with the furnishing Of good books to the
boys and girls, books which dealt with
the facts Of life.