Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1913-10-23

stitution and bylaws that We are
al present working under It was
at this meeting that the election Of
the present officers took place.
l have given these initial steps.
together with the dates, the reasons
for the formation of the associa-
toin. and also the names Of those
women and men actively interested
in the bringing about of the forma-
ton of this association, in order
that in days to come these matters
may be of record clear and without
dispute.
The association has been in ex-
istence for ten months and the
past ten months have been construc-
tive ones. One of the first prob
lens that presented itself to the
association was the matter of put
ting the organization properly be
fore the School Board and obtaining
the cooperation Of the Board of
the matter Of the use of the Lincoln
High School buildings for meetings,
both business and social. AS you
all know, there was some misunder-
standing regarding the motives Of
the association, all of which, happi-
", was cleared up to the sausfac-
+iop ~ ovorvbo5y- ooncor1o1 Tboro
is no doubt but that the association
stands before the community as a
constructive body of earnest men
and women who are giving liberal
ly Of their time and means for the
benefit of the public school prob
lens This matter of establishing
reputation is of some great con
Germ. To be properly understood
in motive is a great deal like stat
ing a problem, which, when well
stated is half solved. To have the
community understand that the par
ents of the school children in Grand
Rapids propose to take a deep and
abiding. interest in all that affects
the public schools goes a long dis
lance towards solving various kinds
of problems which confront schoo
authorities | doubt very much
whether we all really understand hoy
great a benefit the organization Of
the Parental Association has beer
to the officers and teachers of the
public schools and l have received
with gratitude, the assurances thai
the work of the Association has con
| tributed materially to their peace
of mind and been an inspiration il
! the efforts made by the officers anC
teachers for the benefit of the chill
dren in our schools. The vision thai
confronted the officers of your Asso
| citation was a big one. There was 81
| much to be done, there We're so man
problems to attack, there were 81
| many appeals to be considered tina
/ it was hard to decide just wha
ought to be done first. Like ever!
! other great humanitarian PROPOSE
ton, the conservation and up-build
ing of the child life through th1
public schools is a staggering on1
/ when one tackles it earnestly.
We gave foremost consideration t.
the question of the Social and CiviN
j Center Movement and to that ent
arranged to have Mr.. Ward presen
the social and Civic Center Move
ment squarely before the people o
Grand Rapids. Mr.. Ward came herr
twice. The first meeting was poor
1 ly attended because it was not prop
erly advertised. The second meetin!
was well attended and Mr.. Ward:
earnest communications were tax
Ell under serious consideration. A
the expense of repetition l want Il
recapitulate the main features o
the Social and Civic Center Move
ment because it seems necessar.
to emphasize them. Through thi
movement the school property, Whic
is the common property of all tn
citizens of a community, is throw
open for community meetings Of al
kinds, particularly social and civi
meetings. In those communitie
where the plan is very advantage
ously operated, the schools are use,
as community club-houses with bill
lizard tables, reading rooms, brancl
libraries; and the large assembl,
rooms are used for moving pictur
shows and lectures; the gymnasi