The Alaska daily empire., 1914-09-02

 TALKS OF SCHOOLS

Juneau Public Schools:
 The Public Schools of Juneau are about to enter upon another year of activity. It Is impossible to conceive of public school system which can accomplish anything but good in the life of community, when properly managed and backed by strong and favorable public sentiment.
 What the Juneau schools may have becn in the past and the good which they have accomplished are both mat ters of history. With neither of them are we of the present day vitally con cerned. A new year lies before us and our present salvation lies in tho use we make of present opportunities. Let us, then, treasure the good of the past, bury the bad, and turn whole heartedly to the work of the present day.
 k It shall be our aim to operate the schools with as little unnecessary fric- ton as possible. System Is necessary in the conduct of any business. The system which We shall adopt Is the one best suited to the needs of the community. There is a vital con nection between the home and the school To secure the greatest pos sible good in both. 1t is necessary that the school reach into the home and that the home reach into the school, We shall endeavor to perform our part Of this double obligation. The patrons of the schools can assist in the fitting of the system to our present needs, by cheerfully complying with all req ! sonable requests which, although they appear to be of minor importance when considered in themselves alone, yet serve as important connections in the working out of the whole,
 Punctuality and regularity are of utmost importance in any responsible walk of life. We most earnestly urge that the patrons assist us in the de- velopment of these two prime qual- ities, which are of such vast i'm portance in the molding of a well rounded character.
 It shall further be our aim to oper. ate the schools with as small an ex- penditure of money as is consistent with the public good and the com munity's responsibility. One thing, however should be kept in mind at all times. As is the life of an indi. vidual, so is the life of a school. In neither are there periods where com. l placency and inactivity are desirable. We either move forward or backward. A listless satisfaction with present conditions is sure evidence of decay.
 A few words as to the course of study. The regular branches will be offered throughout the grades with the possible addition of a course in sewing for the upper grades. During the first semester, a course in Pen- manship will be offered throughout both the grades and the High School under the supervision, of MT. Poore. This promises to be very interesting and beneficial addition to the regular work. Mir. Poore has been, until re- gently, connected with the Behnke- Walker Business College of Portland and we are especially fortunate in se- curing him for the work at this time.
 The High School will occupy the entire upper floor of the City Hall. It will offer two courses-a classical or academic course and scientific course. Work in bookkeeping. short hand and typewriting will also be available throughout the year both to regularly enrolled high school students and to special students who may wish to enroll for these subjects alone. Such students are urged to call and arrange for the business course as early in the term as possible. Short hand and typewriting will not be of. fered to Freshmen. Successful work in these subjects is possible only af. ter definite English foundation has been laid.
 Sewing will be offered to the girls of the High School if the demand for such a course is sufficiently great.
 Because of crowded quarters and limited equipment, it has been deem. ed wise to discontinue work in Do. nestle Science and Manual Training during the year. All thinking people of the present day recognize the value of clean, we'll regulated athletic sports in connection with school work. Such sports will be encouraged in so far as our facilities will admit of work along athletic lines. We would es. pecially urge those of the city who are of high school age to enroll with us for the years work. Our high school plant and corps of teachers can readily accommodate an enrolment of one hundred students. The year promises to be highly beneficial and all should avail themselves of the opportunity presented.
 We invite the public to visit and inspect our work at any and all times and ask their cooperation in what. ever may seem worthy of support.
 Respectfully,
 L. D. HENDERSON,,
 Superintendent of Schools