The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1908-19??, 1915-12-03
A Parent-Teacher Association.

A Parent-Teacher Association,
The Parent Teacher Association is
national movement by which par
ents may have the opportunity af-
forded them to study the science Of
chlld-nurture, as we'll as to study
childhood's needs in the home, the
school and community. To inform
the home of the purposes, methods,
plans and devices of the school, so
that there may be intelligent, SYM
pathetic, prompt and open endorse
ment and cooperation between home
and school is just one of the MANY
aims and purposese of the Parent.
Teacher Association.
Some reason why PARENT Teacher
Associations are north while.
l. Home and School are the two
great agencies in the education of
the child; their aims are identical.
neither can work effectively in igno-
rance of the other.
2. Certain problems arise in the
school which teachers should not b,
obliged to decide. Where Parent
Teacher Associations exist the re-
possibility is readily placed upon the
parent.
3. The intelligent demand of the
school patrons for improvements of
any sort will often meet with atten.
ton from boards of education where
that of teachers is ignored.
a. A child's loyalty to the school
is almost invariably a product of
home understanding.
5. A fixed and regular date of
meeting is saving of time for both
parent and teacher The latter can
present a problem or explain a point
as quickly to fifty parents as to one.
The former can be sure of getting the
desired information without intrusion.
6. A ready means of suggestion
from trained teacher to unframed pa
rents should be provided; one day
each month when parents regularly
assemble in the school house gives OPP
portunity for discussion containing
valuable hints for the home
7. The reaction of the child to his
school work is seen fully only in tn
home; the teacher who has no point
Of contract with the home loses the
best opportunity of testing the value
of his work.
Things a Parent-Teacher Associa-
ton may consider:
l. A good library for the school.
A library is matter of growth-of-
ten of very slow growth. When a
beginning has been made, the thing
to do is to geep right on with the eff
fort to have new books added every
year. Our own library needs so many
books-standard works-which could
be procured so easily, if only some
such organization as the Parent
Teacher Association were in existence
to handle such matters.
2. Vocal music in the school.
There is no doubt in the mind of the
writer that if the matter of vocal mu-
sic could have been handled by a Pa
rent-Teacher Association this past
summer, we would now have vocal
music in the Palatka public school.
and all that was gained last year
would not be loss as it is.
3. Medical inspection. The recent
legislature enacted a law for medicol
inspection of school children, but fail
GU " lllt-fE an dIpitD lelG W llVFL
the necessary expenses. The relief
lis supposed to come from the State
Board Of Healths using a part of its
funds for the purpose, but so far
rothing has been done. Perhaps if
the various Parent-Teacher Associa-
tons of the state We're to get right
in behind the Board of Health we
would have medical inspection.
4. A new school building for Pa
latka. What an opportunity for good,
effective work right here! Every
one recognizes our need and wants q
new school house; every one is asham-
ed of our present building and would
be proud Of a new one. yet no one Is
talking the matter. A hopelessness
seems to possess every one, Some
one has got to get to agitating. Mo
Tiers, it is up to you. The women
of Tallahassee built their handsome
new school building-that is, they got
the movement started They made
the community realize that a new
school house was an imperative ne
cessity, and soon it was an absolute
reality. The women of Palatka can
do the same.