River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1915-02-04
GREATER EFFICIENCY OF The
PUBLIC SCHOOLS
BY H. C. Army, Principal

conditions and the regular school
lie OF pupil is too short time in
which to remedy this evil, even if
we could do it unaided. But here
evidently is another place of con-
tact between the school and the
home and we look to you for aid
Then the intellectual life, facts and
truths of knowledge are much more
intimately connected than ever be.
tore The study of Physics and
Geometry and German is no longer
for cultural values alone, but their
application to useful life is now
the necessary justification for their
place In the curriculum. Under
modern conditions, practically every
sphere of learning may impinge at
any point upon the conduct of life
Formerly a doctor or lawyer left
school with all the training he would
ever need for his profession Now
his study must go right on if he is
to meet changing conditions. SINH.
larry, though not quite 50 obvious,
each person, to fill his place in so
ciety, must continue his study be-
yOnd school Hence the school and
the home must be SO closely welded
together that graduation from the
one will not mean a discontinuance
of study, but that the home will
take mp the work where the school
left eff.
Perhaps enough has been said to
show the necessity for the assist
ance of the home if the schools are
to prepare for the adjustment to
these changed conditions. Now in
what way can the people of River
Falls bring this about?
First of all the schools need the
moral support Of all parents. Wheth-
er you think your teachers are do
ing the best possible work or not,
talking about them will not remedy
m tiers. Perhaps talking to them
will. But you all know the demon
alizing effect of a careless word
about the teacher spoken in the
home; how the seed of disrespect
for the teachers authority is thus
wn, to be scattered perhaps
among other pupils and perchance
grow into open revolt and disobedi-
ence. SO here is the way in which
the home may assist, and perhaps
a growing respect for the teachers
authority may counterfeit the in
creasing disrespect for civil and
parental authority and bring us
back to a proper reverence for the
sacred institutions Of home and
church.
Then we need an extension of the
school into the home. Our curricu
lum is so crowded that six short
hours for five days of each seven
and but nine months of the year
are all too short hours for teaching
what we are expected to teach.
Hence the necessity for asking that
a short study period each day be
provided by the home and in the
home. Modern educators appreciate
the overworked condition of b e
average boy and girl, and we ask
not tor protracted study at home
but short, regular, supervised
period each evening, say from seven
to eight for high school students
and from $50 to for grade child
rem. This would not interfere with
play and would do more than you
think in establishing a habit of
study, as well as lessening the
work of the already overworked
teacher IN the schOolrOOm.
The church and the home, too,
can brighten the lot of the teacher
by taking her into their social life
and helping her forget the worries
of the school room The people of
River Falls are to be congratulate ed
that you open your best homes to
board and shelter your children's
trainers and that you do 5ccept the
badge of our profession for entry
into your select social functions 1t
has already had benefcent effect in
bringing able teachers to your com
munity, as we'll as in the general
increased efficiency brought about
by group of contented workers.
Then, too, we need the inspira :
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