The Penn's Grove record., 1916-03-17
MORE DISCIPLINE NEEDED
Supervisor Snyder Tells What He
Heard At Educational Convention

l had the good fortune to be in attend.
ance at the National Superintendent
Association meetings IN Detroit, Mich,
where 1000 Of the ablest school men
We're gathered together for the purpose
OF discussing the topics of interest and
concern to the schools of the country.
Among the speakers l listened to were
DIR. Nicholas Murray Butler, president of
Columbia University DIR. Z. p. Claxton,
United States Commissioner of Educa.
ton; Governor ~Brumbaugh, of Pen,
H%Sylvania Governor Willis, of Ohio !;
Governor Ferris, of Michigan. All three
OF these Governors are old school men.
The topics they dwelt upon and laid most
stress on were Physical Education, Voca-
tional Education, and Obedience to
Authority.
Governor Ferris stated that what we
need is more physical exercise, good
healthy sports, for both male and female.
IN order to develop a stronger race in
generations to come, rather than a weak
err one. Every school system of any
size at all should have its physical d.
rector and a physical training depart
ment. 1t is just as essential as a COM
mercial and classical department, because
without sound bodies, it is impossible
for a pupil to develop mentally. 1--WE
need more fresh air and outdoor exer-
else" he said.
Governor ~Brumbaugh, who was form
erly one of the foremost educators.
stated that we were sparing the rod too
much these days and spelling the child.
There is not the same respect for auth
GRITTY shown as used to be. As, a conse-
quence the children are not getting the
mental training and development they
should. Too many realize that they can
do as they please; practically without
any interference, other than being sent
from school. If they could be made to
submit to authority in the school room.
' like they were compelled to formerly, we
would have better boys and girls, better
men and women.
f. l.. Keller, State Superintendent of
Michigan. stated that his State had
profted much by the example of the old
er Eastern States, but that they had gone
a step farther. In the West and Mid
dlewest, we are not tied so tightly to our
traditions, but we branch out along new
lines. try out new ideas, and as a con-
sequence we can show marked improve
ments along certain lines, such as spec
il classes for detectives, of all kinds,
open-air classes, continuation schools.
where 80. 40 and even 50-year-old per-
sons are taught. We are never too old
to learn. One of the chief things before
the convention was the Americanizing
of the foreign born and foreigners born
in America.
DR.. Chadsey, Superintendent of De-
tpOit cfatad fhaf in that 0ifw IN 00l
foreigners of all ages and nationalities
are in their night schools alone, where
they are being taught the English Ian
guage, respect for law and loyalty and
patriotism. In one school with thirteen
different nationalities represented, it is
a sight well worth seeing to observe
these people reverently s%aluting the Stars
and Stripes and pledge allegiance to our
beloved country and flag.
Practical courses should be offered.
such things as pertain to every day life.
especially for the larger pupils and
adults.
Prof. King, of the State Educational
Department of Pennsylvania, gave the
following on short industrial courses
"Grown-up persons need a little educa-
ton as well as the kids in practical
ways. Our night schools found so many
women who would come to a six-lesson
course on bread making and a ten-day
lesson course on tailor made skirts, that
we had to institute a whole series OF
such courses.
snow we are teaching everything from
How to pack dinner pals in three les
sons, up to How to raise a baby in
twenty lessons. We also teach carpenter
and the painter and the printer and the
housewife who doesn't know how to cut
meats and many other things they don't
know. And when theory is handled this
way you can be sure it will be put in
practice the next day"
Such things like the above could be
worked out in a very practical way, es-
p~ecially those which pertain to every day
life, if we had our domestic science and
industrial departments in our High
School established.
The New Jersey delegation held a ban
quet on Monday evening in the Hotel
Statler, at which over 200 New Jersey
men were present. in honor of State
Commissioner Kendall, just ~reappointed
for another term. All pledged him their
hearty support during the coming term
in his efforts to build up an educational
system second to none in the United
States. We were all greatly benefited
by the instructive. inspiring lectures and
talks and return to our duties with re-
newed energy and determination to better
serve the children and the community
for having been permitted to participate
in this wonderful educational gathering.
l want to thank the Board for sending
me; | appreciate the privilege and trust
that | may serve them better for being
sent.
W. D. SNYDER,
Sunervising PRINCIPAL