Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-09-14
The Door of Opportunity.

ing. this week. to millions of the ma
TONS next generation of government
and industry makers. the schools are
of utmost Importance and interest. 1t
is quite the common thing for pastors.
editors. and others who have the public
ear, to- advise the dparentssof the land
to dc this and do that, with their
children; TO hold bong parleys with
them and attempt to make them I'M
derstand; that they are going through
here but once and the sooner they
really take hold of the game of life
the better chance they'll stand of liv-
ing tin they die. But it isn't sol
Most parents have interest enough
in their children to do all they can
for them, according to their own light.
With the mighty advance Of eduea-
ton In every generation, each crop
Is understanding better how to make
the most of the advantages for their
children. Influences in the average
American home of today are vastly
more refined and softened than they
were in the homes OF the fathers and
mothers of this generation.
Our fathers did the best they could
for Us; We do the best We can for our
children and they, in turn, will do
all they can for their offspring. But
neither could our fathers, nor our chill
dren understand the vast difference
between the opportunities and envi-
ronments of the extremes. We are
in that advantageous position. Let. US
make it as wide as possible.
Educational topics are of exceptional
interest at this time, and one of the
most interesting school enterprises of
the times is reported by the United
States Bureau of Education from
Colebrook, N. II.
Colebrook Academy is located in a
town of about 1000 population in
northern New Hampshire. Starting in
the .irst third of the century as a pri
waite school. it later became part of the
public system of education. For years
it has successfully done the work ex
pected of high school in the tradi-
tional branches of the New England
school. Now it is trying to do some
thing more. Without lowering its
standards. without .eeasing to furnish
the training necessary for those going
into the professions, it is endeavoring
to provide an adequate education for
the great mass. Of boys and girls who
ought to remainland grow up with the
country IT is seeking. in other words,
to readjust itself to the needs of the
particular community in which it is.
inst what this reimbursement means
may be seen from the following four
significant additions to = the school
plant; the greenhouse, the dairy lab
oratory, the domestic arts department,
and the workshop, including earpen-
ter and blacksmith shop. Complete
courses are given in agriculture and
domestic science. Colebrook is the GEN.
ter OF a rural district, and these are
the vital interests of large part of
the population.
Colebrook Academy does not propose
TO become vocational school. 1t re-
mains general high schooi. The
courses in agriculture and domestic
science exist side by side with thor
ough courses in the traditional high
school subjects. as well as the COM
Dercial branches. Its purpose is not
primarily TO make good farmers, or
skilled mechanics, or professional
housekeepers," says Hon. ii. c. Nor
risofi, State superintendent of New
Hampshire, THE primary object is
the education of the boy and girl to
become a sincere and efficient and
happy man and woman, capable OF
becoming an educated worker with
material things, capable of getting
LIES happiness, out of work rather
than out of the leisure which comes
after work, IL indeed it comes at all
A further purpose is to educate the
strongest youth toward the farm ant
the industries instead of toward tn,
professions and business exclusively.
In the work of the school il is re
peatedly emphasized that the ney
courses are established in the belle
that there is just as truly a cultura
development of the individual to b
had from competent instruction il