El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1912-08-24

foremost training schools in the coun-
try, The kindergartens are run ON the
halt session plan.
Mention should not fail to be made
of the Music and Art departments OF
the public schools. These subjects
when inst introduced were regarded as
''fFills", but are now considered essen
tial in the harmonious development OF
character. What g source of pleasure
and entertainment the well-drilled
easions! Many a dwelling, too has
been frightened by the skill with
brush and pencil which had its ineip-
ieney in the Art Department of the
public schools.
Pictures in Schools.
Few schools west of the Mississippi
river can boast of pictures the equal Of
those of FL Paso. During the past
year about $500 worth of pictures aid
casts were added to our already SPLEEN
did collection. 1t has been the policy
to place in the schools only copies OF
the best pictures. Credit for this is
due not only to the untiring efforts
of teachers and principals, but to the
children as well, who have taken
keen interest in helping to raise funds
for this purpose
The Mesa, Highland Park, Sunset
and Villas schools have 1ourish1ng
parents clubs. Such organizations can
be of incalculable benefit to the COM
munity. Mrs. B. B. Bailey, principal Of
the Mesa school for % years, was the
originator of the movement in FL PaSo
county, and the Parent-Teachers' as
sociation of the Mesa school stands
today as the realization of her ambi-
tions.
Physical Welfare of Pupils.
The physical welfare of the public
school children is not being neglected
as is proved by the tennis courts.
basketball courts, open air gymna-
Sums, football field, etc, about the
schools. There is an enthusiastic ath-
letie association of the high SCHOOL,
The Grammar School Athletic league,
under the direction of the principals
and Y. NJ c. A authorities combined, is
doing good work The pledge the boys
are required to take not to smoke Gig
arets and drink Intoxicating liquor
in any form has already induced many,
many boys either 10 give up the per-
niciOus habit Of cigaret smoking OF
better still not to take up such a prac-
tice while they are yet children.
Among the improvements contem-
plated by the board of education may
be mentioned the creation of a de-
partment OF scientific physical culture
under a competent physical director.
Exercise will not be a haphazard az
fair, sometimes eFerdone, and some
times otherwise; but thorough instruc-
tfon in the graceful and harmonious
development Of the body win be given
.uch instruction means so much for
the girls.
To Add Spanish.
Spanish will doubtless be added to
the curriculum of the grades in the
near future. 1t can deadly be seen
that the subject has great practical
value in this community The idea OF
introducing the subject meets with the
approval of the entire board.
The school finances are under splen-
did control With an auditor and
bookkeeper, and a new and uptodate
set of books based on the recommend
ations of the United States Bureau OF
Education, there is nothing to be de-
sired in this line.
schools in Southwest.
What has been said of FL Paso ap-
plies in general way to the whole
Southwest No section of the country
is more alive to the Importance of edu-
cation than is this. Years ago in the
older sections of the country, especial
" in the small towns, the school house
could be spotted as being the most
oilepidared bGilcDlg slt'iated in the
most barren Place in the community.
Not so with the southwest a trip on
the train through West Texas, New
Mexico and Arizona viii enable one
to see many, many thriving hamlets,
and always will be seen the neat, sub
stantial and attractive school building
occupying a conspicuous position. In
almost every enc of them the school
house is about the first building to be
eercted and the church next, or the
two are erected together.
The curriculum is thorough and com
plete. Many OF the pupils from the
New Mexico and Arizona schools on
entering the schools of this city con-
tfaue III the same grade, and there is
no break in the work. The teachers
of the southwestern schools are i'm
bued with the spirit that has made the
west. Progress is the watchword. In
the more settled communities, every
thing is crystalized. A teacher must
follow the course that precedent has
established; but in the southwest in
dividuality is encouraged, and there
is always a place for the teacher with
ideas.
Good Buildings are Education.
Good buildings, splendidly equipped