Daily Kennebec journal., 1914-01-19
Shall Gardiner, Me-, Have A
New High School Building? =?

f. Evening classes could also be eS-
tablished in such a building for the
benefit of all who are outside of the
day-school work. Some of the regular
studies could be repeated and many
others might be added, all of which
could be made self-supporting, thus
greatly increasing the enrolment OF
our student life. Such wise and ex-
tended use of our school building has
long appealed to the practical sense
of our American people and has al
ready become a beneficent reality in
many communities throughout our
country.
g. A way must be found for ade-
quate moral and religious instruction
in our public school system. This is
the great crying failure of our present
system of instruction. We must pro-
vide for a full education to body, mind
and soul. If for no other reason than
mere social efficiency and proper in
dustrial service, the moral and spirit
ual nature of every child should be
properly trained in the high things
Of religion.
We are not ready yet to employ the
different ministers or special teachers
to give such religious instruction. But
we can at once recognize and make
the courses of Bible Study in our dr.
ferent parishes a definite part of our
High school curriculum. Let these re-
ligious studies be conducted under the
official life of each of our churches,
definite requirements prescribed ana
clear eXamina tions held; then let
credits attained by pupils in every
parish be recognized as advanced work
in the regular courses of our High
school.
h. Moreover there could and should
be added to the courses considerable
number of elective studies in History,
Art, Political Science, Industrial and
Municipal problems. These could be
taught without expense, by the minis
try and by other professional men OF
our city Their position and associa-
ton as part of the teaching force
would be a decided blessing to them
selves and have most helpful and far
reaching influence upon our whole
school system and thereby upon the
whole civic life.
l. There are also q considerable
number of clubs and classes existing
every year in our city whose sole or
primary aim is intellectual or cultural.
These clubs and classes should be
identified with our educational re-
sources, so far as possible meet and
study in such a proposed building
thus giving the inspiration and fellow
ship of their studies to the whole stu
dent life Here as in the cases men
toned above we should continue to
add substantial enrichment to our
courses of study and to the student
body without additional expense.
i This normal and benefcent ex-
tention of the High school into a Civic
University would he of immediate
blessing to three classes of our peo-
pie. It would furnish an altogether
new inspiration and a wider variety OF
opportunities to our present student
body. 1t would help our graduate stu
dents in continued vital ard helpful
relationships to the expanding prlVl-
leses of the educated life. Finally as
an object greatly TO he desired II
would establish bonds of contact and
cooperation between the older people
and the children of the city around all
the common trials and glories of grow
ing intellectual powers.
K. These proposals are not tho dream
of any sluggish or excited fancies
| They are entirely possible and practi-
cal. They require not vast eXpendi-
lures of money but only a new group
ing of forces now unhappily scattered
and unrelated. Let such a change take
place in the mission of our High
school, and we should at once see a
decided uplift in the tone and power
Of the educated life of our community.
The meaning, power and responsible
ties of citizenship i'll all its relations
and duties would become greatly en-
riched and strengthened.
LANGDON QUIMBY.