The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1916-02-25
THE PARENTS and
TEACHERS MEETING

StEOuS VI AMpIOfAAS InO ochOOAo 0h0
educational conditions, of both par
ents and pupils, assembled Friday
evening, in the high school for per-
haps the best of the parents and
teachers meetings, thus far. The
seventh and eighth grade students
rendered two songs and Miss O'Brien
sang.
The high school was represented
by Sidney Parkinson and Port
Arthur. Their papers on, What the
Father can do for the Boy" were
well prepared, we'll given, contained
much excellent advice and thought
and were indeed credit to the
young men. Sidney's talk concerned
more of school life, the immediate
present, while Ports talk was taken
on a broader field and dealt more
with matters outside Of school. Both
these papers will be printed in this
issue and we hope will be read by a
great many people, because we
realize that there is much truth and
necessary good to be derived from
them.
The parents were represented by
Rev. J. G. Austin and Harvey ALL
red, who talked on, What the Boy
can do for the Father" Both
speeches were very individualistic;
however, the principle idea expressed
by both speakers was that it was the
duty of every boy, when given the
opportunity to put perfect trust and
confidence in his father, who would
hi nd no MI ~ al in,
of his boy with undescribable Joy.
"A discussion was then taken up on
the need of individual medical and
dental inspection in our schools. The
chair appointed committee of three
to- consult with dentists and doctors
of the town in order to find out what
could be done by them in regard to
this matter, and to better these pres
ent conditions in the schools. The
meeting then adjourned to meet
again on the afternoon of March 8.
Sidney Parlkinson's Paper
II am to discuss for few minutes
the subject, what Father can do
for his Son." What l have to say
will deal directly with school matters
and with things of the immediate
present. and to that end shall point
out only few definite, specific ways
in which father can and should
assist his boy.
"Upon entering high school, no
mater how decided his inclinations
matter how decided his inclinations
council and advice concerning his
course of study. 1t is the duty of
those conducting the school to aid,
but there is no one that should be
able to do this in a more satisfactory
and intelligent manner than the
father, because as father knows the
boys natural qualifications, he
should be able to- give advice both
to his boy and to his boys teachers
to high degree of efficiency.
II say that the father should do
this for his boy. This means, how
ever, that long before this high
school period is reached, the father
has availed himself of every oppor-
tunity of discovering his boys powers
and capabilities. 1t is his duty to
do so. A boy should not be left
by mere chance to whim@ Of his
own, or to the advice Of strangers in
preparing himself for his life's work.
This is the reason there are so many
misfits in life's activities among men.
Sometimes, however a boy will find
his calling in life and make good,
notwithstanding the bad direction
and management of his father, but
these are glaring exceptions. Charles
Darwin was educated for the minis
| try. but found most of his studies
in the great "book Of nature" and
became the worlds greatest scien-
tist. Joseph Hayden was to be edu-
Gated for the church, but fortunately
his father did not have his way and
there was thereby saved to the world
one of its greatest musicians. But
in most cases the ruin and loss
wrought by bad direction or lack of
any direction by the father Is be-
yond all possible computation. If
the father would study his boy and
his education, good scientists would
not be trying to preach, and good
farmers would not be trying to plead
law.
"The choosing of life work, inn
pOTLduL dS IL 10, SllOulu UO 5uAuCu, hoe
NEARLY by natural qualifications, but
as we'll by fundamental facts. There
should be as clearly as possible an
understanding of the possible diff
culties that are sure to lie In the
way. We can truly believe that
many a man has failed where he
ought to have succeeded, because he
did not know or understand the diff
ficulties that early beset him in his
career. He did rot conquer these
difficulties, but was conquered by
them. Again the boy should under
stand somewhat and as much as pos
sible the reward that is likely to
come to him from a chosen field OF
work But his choice should not be
guided by the hope of reward alone
He should consider the service ne
will be able to render his fellow men
| Now, after the course Of study has
been intelligently decided upon, the
father should not sit by the rest OF
the year or years, and never inquire
Into the progress his boy is making
Ibut on the other hand, he should SEE
| to it that his boy is making good
and is interested in his work. 1t Il