Palisadian. [volume] (Cliffside Park, N.J.) 1906-current, 1915-10-30
Parents Meeting
At Palisade School
Wednesday Evening

auspices OF the woman CluD, dC Ciio
Palisade Public School, on Wednes-
dav evening last, while fairly well
attended, did not bring out half
enough, considering the great educa-
tional value of what was presented.
Charles Logan was introduced by
Mrs. Purdon, of the Woman's Club,
and sang a base solo in his best style,
evincing much improvement. He was
enthusiastically received and was
forced to sing an encore. He received
many compliments. His clear, cor
rect enunciation, and the fine quality
of his tone, especially his lower
register, make Mr.. Logan a most
promising voice.
Mrs. Purdon was in charge OF the
program, and ran it off with many
touches of humor, as we'll as being
serious enough throughout, for she
has devoted much time to school
matters in Palisade. She said she
had asked R. R. Brown to make a
talk, but as he had positively re-
fused" she chad" to call on DIR. q.
P. Berkey, who talked at the parents
meeting last year. DR.: Berkey
most agreeably accepted the invita-
ton, and gave valuable talk on the
relation Of parent, teacher and
pupil. This was the fundamental
thing in schools, and if these rela-
tions were not of the best the results
were correspondingly unsatisfactory.
He said the only thing he ever re-
membered said by DR.. Northrup,
president of the Minnesota Univer-
sity, to the student body, that it is
not what you are now, but how far
we have brought you along from what
YOU were. That was his idea of ef-
ficient teaching. DR.. Berkey deplored
the lack of parents in Palisade TAX
ing an interest in school matters.
They should all come to these meet
ings and help You mustn't blame the
teachers, he said, if the parents don't
shoulder the responsibility and help,
also. He then read the seventeen
characteristics of good teacher as
named by the New York City Board
of Education. The success of all
teaching, of course, is in the results
with the pupils-the basis of what
the pupils have done. The object of
our schools is not to train teachers,
but to turn out pupils efficient for
the duties of life. In America we
are training our boys and girls, he
said, to take on the important and
self-reliant part of citizenship. We
teach them how to measure and
weigh facts; to take an interest in
things and to have opinions on the
things of life. DR.. Berkey's talk
was full of good, sound things, as
he always puts into his work, and it
was greatly enjoyed.
Mrs. Purdon thanked the school
board members for their many cour-
tisies and efficient work, co-opera-
ton, ETC., and called attention partic-
ularly to the superintendent of the
public school system of Fort Lee, Mr.
Chase. She said he was remark
able man and was trying to do great
good for the schools. She then in
troduced Mr.. Chase, who made a
short and interesting talk, touching
mainly upon the progress OF the
work he was doing.
Among other things Mr.. Chase
said he was trying to improve every
thing in his humble way, to make all
the scholars more efficient. Much OF
the success lay with the teachers,
and a great deal with the parents.
He spoke of the ideal location of the
Palisade school, what he hoped to do
for it. 1t was cnducted more like a
private school than a public schoo,
he said, due to the fine methods OF
Miss Maud Brady, the efficient prin-
ciple. Palisade had reason to be
proud of it's school, for there were
very few like it. He had introduced
music, he said, which should be of
great value; also sewing for the
girls, and mechanical training Tor
the boys. Also, he said, he hoped
to introduce organized play, and
wanted aid in putting in swings,
sliding boards and other outdoor ap-
paratus to help keep the children
healthy and rugged during the re-
cess periods. Mr.. Chase spoke of the
need for library growth. There is
small nucleus for a small library
started, with some 200 books. For
every ten dollars contributed to the
library, the State of New Jersey will
give another ten dollars. The value
of pictures, he said, was great and
this feature of the school should be
enlarged. Mr.. Chase said the medi-
cal inspection was more complete
and regular. Each pupil was ex-
amined, and this frequently resulted
in finding some physical condition
that needed attention. He said ne
was interested in his work and
loved it.
Mrs. Binner made a report on her
recent visit to the Leonia school
meeting, which began at p. M, she
said, and ended at $3.50. She told
many interesting things she found
there.
At the open session talks were
made by R. R. Brown, d. A. Carson,
Miss Brady, DR.. Berkey, c. I. Logan.
Refreshments of cake, coffee, and
sandwiches were served by the Wo-
mans Club. The evening was pro-
nounced success.