The Wenatchee daily world. [volume] (Wenatchee, Wash.) 1905-1971, 1910-03-07

children, especially the girls. A num-
Der of parents present asked that this
be published. and 1t is as follows:
Our teachers have asked us to come
together today that we may become
better acquainted with them and with
each other; that we may know what
our schools are doing. We cannot
find this out by staying at home and
making our deductions on what our
children report. Do not understand
me that our children willfully mis-
represent. Have you ever watched
children playing school" and noticed
| the most prominent feature of their
play? Is it not invariably the fla
grant disregard for rules, and the
punishment that follows, that seems
to afford them the keenest enjoyment,
until we would almost be led to be-
lieve that disorder, lack of discipline
| and spectacular punishment were the
only business of the school. Now.
| why is this? 1t is just the reverse
| of what it seems, to a mere observer
We know that the usual routine of
the schol is patient, orderly work
| the breaches of good behavior being
SO rare that they make a very vivid
| and very lasting impression upon the
pupils; therefore it is the unusual
that is emphasized in play because
tbs the unusual that makes the deep
est impression.
Now that we are here to investi-
gate at first hand I ask you, why
are we sending our childrep to school
at all?" You say, ITO get an eiuca-
ton, to be sure" But what is an
education?
All, there's the question that is yet
to be answered to the satisfaction of
the great body of patrons of the pub
lie schools. theoretically it may be
'the art of right living"
Every child has the inherent right
to make the best of himself, to the
end that he may be efficient-living
for himself, for society, for the race.
This efficiency does not come to him
through instinct: he must be taught.
taught that which will make him, the
individual, efficient, and consequent
ly happy.
The boys are better educated than
our girls, for the boy is early given
to understand that he must prepare
himself for some vocation, and our
educational system has been working
to that end in the establishment of
manual training, athletics, trade
schools, etc. But the training of the
girl is sadly tagging in the rear, AMI
1 hope to lead you to see that upon
the education our girls get, depends
the efficiency of the coming genera
lions.
Now for a plain question, perhaps
it has not yet come to you, and de-
manded an answer:
What are we educating our girls
for? Is it to get out in the world and
stand shoulder to shoulder with our
boys in the wage earning throng?
Pause long enough now to think
and solemnly ask yourself, what is
the future of my girl? What is my
fondest wish for her?''
I know that we mothers will agree
almost to a unit on the whole or
part of the answer:
First, want her to be happy"
Then are we educating her to that
end? Because the first requisite for
happiness depends upon health, and
health in turn depends upon a well
balanced body and mind.
She must be taught-yes, taught
to eat, sleep, work and play in a
| wholesome environment. This is the
whole subject in nutshell. But be-
| fore we are through with it We shall
| find that the nut is a very large one,
and it is up to us to get it out Of
F, its thick shell of tradition.
Do you or I know positively that
your girl or mine has not some ply
steal defect that will be a hindrance
| to her development and education?
A defect which an experienced ply
steal director would detect because of
special education in that line and
years Of active, careful observation
Of thousands Of children?
And would we begrudge a living
salary to such director who would
help your girl or mine to escape
hours, days and perhaps a lifetime
of suffering, all on account of some
| defect in vision or hearing which was
preventable If corrected in childhood?
The erect carriage that comes only by
| patient daily training is priceless to
| girl or woman, but it must be ac-
| CURED in the growing years. This
surely is an important item in our
schools
| Domestic Science follows by giving
| the girl a knowledge of what to eat,
how to prepare it, ETC., so that the
body is properly nourished. Why
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