The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1912-01-11
u ~ - - u
VISIT THE SCHOOLS
Manual Training Department
Sends Cordial Invitation.

1t has been truly said that the cit.
izen of today knows less about the
school work of today than he does
about the pedigree of his favorite
horse or dog.
This is in no wise justifiable. 1t is
for this reason that We extend to you
this cordial invitation to visit our
Manual Training department - for
three reasons:
The first is to extend to you
schools as a whole, but especially tc
invite you to visit the Manual Train
ing room and see for yourself the
progress we are making and to keep
in touch with the work we are doing.
Second. To put you in posses
sion of certain startling facts pertain.
ing to the future Of this young gen.
Grafton. Did it ever occur to you
that IS per cent of the people who
finish the Elementary grades never
enter our colleges and universities;
chat about Go per cent of those who
start to school drop out before the
high school course is completed? Al.
so that about 35 per cent drop out
before even entering the high school?
This Is an alarming situation and
needs the help of every citizen and
taxpayer. With this vast number OF
young people who throw themselves
upon the world without, you might
say, any preparation, is it any won
de that We have so many unpaid, un'
skilled men and women to deal with!
Third. We want to outline briefly
| just what we and the Manual Train
ing movement are trying to do. Pre-
| marily, we are trying to give all
| broader education, by means Of teach
| ing them to use their hands and mind
together. Also to cultivate in them
| the necessity of accuracy, and the
power to appreciate the skill of the
| skilled workman in executing Ger
tain piece of work, and in this way
bring into closer fellowship the cap
Install and the skilled labor.
1t is not our aim to turn out a fin
ished, skilled workman, but we are
striving to give this 60 per cent that
leave school before finishing the high
school some fundamentals which will
help them in dealing with the daily
problemsthat beset them, and to turn
out those who have a better under
| standing of industrial life, ready to
grasp easily and adapt themselves
readily to any occupation they should
see fit. -.. rs.
Let us say just word as to the
department facilities. We have 16
benches equipped with plane, square,
gauge, 2 chisels, hand saw, back saw,
hammer, etc. -s .-
We also have three wood lathes
| for turning any articles that may be
desired. For instance, card plates,
| jewel boxes, napkin rings, goblets,
are just a few of the many thing.
that are undertaken.
You. should feel very much repaid
for the time spent in visiting the de-
partment, besides the knowledge
you would gain concerning the work.
We also give course in Mechani.
cal Drawing in connection with the
Manual Training, which is proving to
be very interesting as we'll as help.
ful in the work.
Let us again call your attention to
the fact that the schools should have
the faithful support of all.
Will you do your part and spend a
few minutes in thought of the above
statistics and then COME and SEE
how we are trying to overcome this
alarming condition.
Let us again invite you to call at
ANY time. If you find it impossible
to call and feel that the work should
or should not be increased, we would
be pleased TO hear from you concern.
ing the same.
CONE and bring your friends at
any time. Respectfully,
A. A. CUSHING.
Manual Training Committee; F. F.
Parker, chairman; j. II. Perry.