The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-10-11
ATTEND PATRONS DAY.

Their. are many problems connected with tho
public school system. but none which cannot be
volved. There are many improvements needed
nut none that cannot be made. There are many
difficulties In the way OF progress IN methods
but none that cannot be overcome,
The one great reason that more OF these
problems have not been eolved; that more OF
these improvements have not been made; that
more or these obstacles have not been brushed
aside lies in the fact Of the too great indiHer-
ence OF the public. OF recent years much OF
this Indifference has vanished, but not all
Patrons of the schools have begun TO take deep
interest in the welfare Of the schools. but not
enough and not in sufficient numbers
Few parents will send their sons and daugh-
tiers to college or preparatory school without
investigation. Most Of them consider number
OF colleges before making a selection and many
make exhaustive Inquiries OF catalogues, OF Of
acials of the various schools and of men who
have attended them, and some even make long
trins to the scene of the college to learn Of its
advantages and It's drawbacks at close range.
How many take this interest in the public
schools? How many know anything about the
building to which they send their seyen-year-old
child for five days in the week?
The child is Of SCHOOL age, there's the school;
send him.
That's the attitude of most who forget that
public institution does not run Itself. but must
be run by the public and according to the inter
est of those who pay the freight, so will it be
it,YsSn IF
reaching Importance has received so little at
tention from the people in whose interest 1t Is
conducted and who should conduct IT, That so
much progress has been made and so much good
done is a monument to those who have been In
trusted with the work OF conducting 1t for the
public.
The nubIic school officials realize the value OF
nuhlic interest in the school system. The more
interest taken the more insistcnce there win
be upon progress and Improvement. The aver
age American likes for his public enterprises to
be successful He likes for them to be modern
He likes for them TO lead the world II he can
but be stirred into live. active interest In the
public school system: If he could be excited once
about the matter as he is excited about political
campaign, the school system would be greatly
benefited.
One means the officials and auxiliary organ
tzations have taken to create this interest is the
setting aside of one day each year Patrons
Day. On the day appointed parents gather at
the school buildings throughout the State TO
hear songs and recitatisns by the pupils and
public addresses by citizens who have taken more
then ordinary interest In the work of the schools
In many cases it is an all day affair, the parents
remaining to see the children at work and at
MAY, to observe the teachers, 10 learn of the
schools equipment and to leave probably with
some ideas for Improvement and certainly with
more interest In the system than they brought
with them.
Patrons Day is fixed this year for Friday,
October 3fst. Indications that 1t will be
observed In every county in the State. IT should
be observed In every school. Its Importance
has been demonstrated by previous obseryances.
Public spirited citizens should DO all within
their power to make 1t success, accepting in
yitations to speak, to serve on committees or to
be present. Just being present is the most i'm
portant part. Of the day, for that is the purpose
OF the day. The idea Is to bring the patrons
and the schools more closely together, to
interest, to show the people what the schools
are doing and what the schools do under
ideal conditions.
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