The Washington herald., 1914-10-21
EACH PUPIL GIVEN
CLOSE ATTENTION
Individual Instruction in the
Public Schools Explained
by Supt. Thurston.
CO OPERATION IS URGED
Congress of Mothers and Parent
Teachers Association in First
Fall Meeting.

Closer cooperation between the moth.
ers Of Washington and the public school
authorities was the spirit Of the FIRST
fall meeting Of the Congress of Mothers
and Parent Teachers Association at the
Raleigh Hotel yesterday afternoon.
The principal address. following the
transaction Of general business, was by
Ernest L. Thurston, superintendent of
schools
The schools Of today are getting away
from the idea OF instructing students as
mass, but are coming more and more
to give their attention to the Individual
correcting his faults and looking more
after his needs and wants" declared
Supt Thurston.
This Is true not only as to the spIr-
itual welfare Of the pupil from the kin
dergarten on into the vocational and reg
ular schools, but Is so OF his physical bet
terment"
Fairgrounds Work Explained.
Supt Thurston then gave a short re-
sumo OF the work of the Fairgrounds,
which are not alone Fairgrounds, but
which are places where practical things
are taught, such as basket weaving, car
pentering. etc" OF the 5000 children who
frequented the parks Of Washington last
year more than LOO OF them were taking
these practical lessons. he said, and add
ed that they made 2.679 different arti-
cles.
supt Thurston also laid great stress
on the health of the children, pointing
out the work OF physicians. doctors and
dentists, many Of whom were giving free
advice and attention to the children of
poor parents.
In connection with this, he spoke OF
the Inauguration Of the open-air schools,
where. in special wraps and clothing,
the pupils studied in a free atmosphere,
unconfined by walls.
The superintendent created interest
when he announced that a movement
was under way to have all schools here
after built in the suburbs contain
special room as a library, no: only for
the students, but for their parents as
well. He emphasized the need of more
interest being taken in libraries by chill
dren and adults. and told OF the good
work that had been accomplished SO FAR
by she local institutions.
At the close Of his address, Surt.
Thurston invited the women to ask him
questions regarding tire work Of their
in the schools. and much val
liable advice was given in this way.
suEEests UnIvrrHnI Study Hour.
Mrs. JiIesscott Rafter. president Of the
congress, following up his speech. deliv- |
cred a short address in which she suS-
yested that a universal study nour be |
established in every home in the city, |
when for a certain time the children |
would apply themselves entirely II theI- |
studies and not be required to do small |
iuties about the house.
At the business discussion. Mrs. |
louise Harding EarIl secretary OF the |
congress, and a leader in the W. c. T. |
T.. was chosen to take charge Of the |
Social Culture Story Hour meetings, |
which are proving so great success. |
Mrs. Earll gave a short talk in which /
he said the purpose OF the meetings /
vas to bring the child closer to his |
lome by his hearing the practical
tories and to give him a greater inter
st in school work.