Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1910-12-09
the PARENTS MEETING.
Addresses by Inspector
Alton and Prof. Rankin
Were Instructive

Inc paIouCo "0otlu8 ~ t4o 01Ku
school building tuesday evening. was
highly successtul. a large number of
the parents taking this occasion to get
into closer touch with the school work
and the teachers.
Superintendent White in opening
SAID that he hoped that this me citing
would prove forerunner of many
more such occasions.
George B. Alton, inspector of high
schools, was the first speaker. He
noted the difference IN the building
and surroundings since his first visit
here II years ago, and believed that
we were awakenening to the high
school needs-and that the schools here
have kept pace very we'll. He SAID that
the methods and courses Of study we're
practically all left to the community
through their board Of education and
superintendent-a the only thing that
the state did require was that the high
school course be four years, and that
English be taught the full course.
While the high school is toward
practical things the central thought
should be the upbulld,ng of happy and
prosperous homes. AS for whatever
the school might dc, the character OF
the pupil is bu1lded by the home in
fiuence.
He said that many of the text books
were gotten out on higher plane and
more complex than they should be-
and should be cuiled out by the super
intendent.
The high school effort goes out IN
two dlrectloDs-money making and the
home. 1t takes money to keep up tho
home, and any part of the curriculum
that will help to mainaln the home IS
proper. Bookkeeping, commercial
arithmetic, commercial geography and
shop work were proper courses. he
commended the snop work highly,
stating that out of 2O6 high schools
visited 1875 have opened shops. The
idea of giving the boys the use of tools
should be extended, as this knowledge
will be of some direct benefit It was
a good thing to mix up the work with
books. He believed that the reason the
farmer boy was so successful was on
account of the proper mixture of work
or the right kind OF boy will not be
produced. There is TODAY shortage
OF men in mechanical lines, and he
stated that not only would this be Of
great benefit, but would tend to
crowd out dudeism, and impress the
students that man to live in this
world should work and not live by
his wits.
;. III q word to the girls, he said that
while men make the home possible all
wealth and effort could not make a
home, without a good woman. All
girls should learn to sew and cook at
home and there should be a school
kitchen with pans and other utensils
shining. The environment of such a
kitchen is an excellent influence, and
the time put in IN learning to bake a
good loaf of bread was GOOD invest
ment. He did not believe that these
additions to the school were fads or
luxuries, but that in so doing it was
practlcing common sense.
Mr. Alton also smoke good word for
J practical agriculture.
Prof Rankin of the university of
/ Minnesota said that children as rule
! did not know what calliE g they wished
to follow and was much matter of
mistits. The aim of the modern high
school was to aid the pupil to tind him
| 81
school course based on three things
traditions. needs and ideals. He laid
stress on the fact that to have good
working brain, good muscular
system must be present, for tiabby
muscles make flabby brain. nor is
one likely to be morally good unless
muscular and mentally good AS con.
diti0ns are different than years ago,
provision has to be made tor the
ply sical upbulldlng. He thought that
possibly some OF the subjects now
taken could prohtably be dropped for
something that would be more practl
CAL
T. T.. Gordon. who spoke on 1.-THE
Needs of the Little FallsHighSchools'
said that tho previous speakers had
taken up his line of thought very much.
He told of the instituting of manual
training department at the Lincoln
school and that this idea should bf
taken up at the other schools at least
In the grades; also the domestic
science idea should be pushed to 8
conclusion. He also stated that there
had already been steps taken in the
matter of an agricultural school. He
trusted that there should be many
more get.to- gether meetings. as he
was sure that they would rebound tc
the benefit of all concerned.
During the evening piano duet by
the Misses Lucille Butler and Gladys
Brown; q vocal solo by Miss Rose
Bourassa and a piano solo by Miss
Irma Warren, were pleas1ngy rendered.
After the meeting those present
assembled in the chemistry room
where u pleasant hour was spent in
conversation after which light refresh.
ments wree served by the seniors.
B0rn-TO Mr.. and Mrs. John Back.
iund Saturday, Dec. 8, son
Born-1o Mr.. and Mrs. Alex Setter.
strOm Saturday. December 8, q
daughter. ..