Evening star., 1915-01-14
MORE INTEREST URGED
IN SCHOOLS BY PARENTS
Mrs. Giles Scott Rafter Also Advo-
Gates Expansion Of Vocational
Education.
Makes Address Before Chaplin Chap
ter, w. c. T. U.-Dr. Jager and
Mrs. DOGGY Also Speak.

ter, w. c. T. U.-Dr. Jager and
Mrs. DOGGY Also Speak.
Need for greater interest on the part
of parents in the work of their chill
dren at school and need for the ex-
pansion of vocational education were
two of the points emphasized by Mrs.
Giles Scott Rafter, in an address be-
fore Chaplin Chapter, W. C. T. u, at
a meeting yesterday afternoon at the
headquarters of the w. c. T. u, 522
9Th street northwest. Mrs Rafter has
charge of the "home and, school, work
of the District Congress of Mothers
and in her official capacity has been
instrumental in the organization OF
a large number of home and school,
parent-teacher and similar organiza-
tions.
You wouldn't believe me if I told
you the number of parents in Wash
ington who do not know the name of
their child's teacher or the grade their
child is in," she declared. so many
of our parents are SO busy trying to
keep up with the times they have no
time to think of anything else.
Parents should be educated. Had
been an educated parent l know there
are many mistakes l might have
avoided. l believe we are at last get
ting to the real education of parents,
however. We now have seventy home
and school and similar organizations
in Washington"
Would Properly Train Children.
Seventy-five per cent of the children
leave school while still in the grades,
she asserted, and it is to meet this con-
dition that she wishes to see vocational
education extended, so that these chill
1ren may have an opportunity of
earning a living wage" She told of
work along vocational lines which is
already being done in this city.
Many children go to school underfed
and not properly nour1shed; also, often
not properly clothed she said at an
other point. "A large number have not
proper facilities at home for studying.
Then, too, one may find scores of chill
dren in the motion pictures when they
should be getting healthful sleep. 1t is
not the shows which hurt them SO
much as it is the running of their
health"
AS remedies for existing conditions
she urged that a certain time be set
apart in the home for study and that
learn how to balance properly a diet.
In conclusion she urged that "all work
together to get vocational work well
started in the schools"
Motherhood Greatest Vocation.
Motherhood is the greatest of all vo-
cations according to the belief ex-
pressed by Dr. Sallie Jones jaeger. She
urged her auditors to teach their chill
II 1t n Nf ,t,,
inherited as much as physical quail
ties. she said. and each child. no matter
how humble. has inherited some gift.
These gifts should not be stifled, but
rather developed" she added. Many
children have marvellous powers of
imagination, but their parents. think
ing their children are given to telling
falsehoods, check an imaginative power
which one day might have made the
child great writer or poet. Imagina-
tion should be guided. not checked"
Mrs. Helen Nelson DOGGY, president
of Chaplin Chapter. who presided. called
attention to the fact that vocational
training is one of the features Of the
schools in Switzerland. said to be the
finest in the world. Mrs. DOGGY also
explained that Mrs Emma Sanford
Shelton, the District president of the
w. c. T. u, and Mrs. Margaret Dye
Ellis, national superintendent of legis-
lation and petition. who were to have
spoken, were unable to be present be-
cause of the fact that Congress was
considering the proposition to enact
prohibition for the District.
To Aid g. A. 3. Fund.
Plans for raising 500 to contribute
to the Board Of Trades fund for the
G. A. R. encampment here next fall
hrfa hv Mrs
She explained that several luncheons
are to be given for this purpose. She
stated that in addition to contributing
to the fund. the members of the w. c.
T. L.. are to keep open house, and
that meals will be served to any old
soldiers free during their stay here.
Mrs. Theresa A. Williams. one of the
delegates to the recent national w. e.
T. U. convention in Georgia, invited
convention of the District organization
at Vermont Avenue Christian Church
Tuesday when echoes from the conven-
ton" are to be given Other delegates
who attended the convention are Miss
Jennie Smith, Miss Gussie Nichols and
Mrs. Charles P. Grandfield
Mrs. James M. Tibbets was elected
corresponding secretary and Mrs. Mil
dred Shinn was chosen superintendent
of foreigners. Mrs. Rachel Tongate
City Beautiful" Miss Alice Stewart
sang, accompanied the piano by
Miss Anna Belts. Miss Rebecca Chap
man was elected a member of Chaplin
Union. others taking part in the pro-
gram were Mrs. A. H. Tyson, Mrs. S.
A. King and Miss G.. Nichols.
Following the program a social hour
was given at which the hostesses were
Mrs. Rachel Tongate Beck, Mrs. Mil
dred Shinn, Mrs. Bert Van Moss, Mrs
| A, H. Tyson, Mrs. A. e. Miley, Miss l..
| S. Weightman. Mrs. Theresa A. Will
| liams, Mrs. A. A. Maxim, Mrs. Philip
Steele. Mrs. James Tfbbits. Miss Mary
Kyle and Mrs. Ruth Thompson.