Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-09-22
MUST MAINTAIN.
SCHOOL EFFICIENCY

DR.. Augustus Q. Thomas, the state eu-
perintendent of public schools, has just
issued the following statement on the
necessity Of maintaining the efficiency OF
our public schools:
AS a measure of present defence and
for the future welfare of the country, as
well as for the individual benefit Of the
. children themselves, it is of the greatest
. importance that our schools be main
tanned in the highest standard of ef1cien-
cy while our country is at war. To this
end we are calling upon experimenting
school committees, superintendent,
teachers and parents to join US in CAM
paign to conserve the usual standard of
the schools Of the State Of Maine.
During 1916 our school enrolment in.
cluded l52.i7o pupils and it is our duty to
sustain this record even in the present
situation. If the attendance is re-
duced. the future strength of state and
nation will be correspondingiy impaired.
During the early part Of the term school
of1lcials should compare the attendance
register with that of last year and with
the census report, and il falling off is
, revealed a special effort should be made
to secure the usual number or even to IN
crease it. Parents should not take ad-
vantage of the present situation and
make it an excuse TO seek to keep their
children out of school. but should CO.
operate sympathetically with school au-
thoritles in their attempt to maintain the
standard of the schools. 1t is important
that children give prompt and regular at.
tendance to school duties.
The normal schools and colleges shoula
not be overlooked. I would urge ALL NJ
the young people Of the State. who can
possibly do so, to find a way to continue
their college courses Should the var
continue for some time as 1t may AMI
the full strength of our resources be
called into service, an education will
prove most valuable asset to those VIII,
are unfortunate in war. Not only as n
selfish consideration, but as a patriotic
duty our young people should continue
their education. we have faith that ou.
boys In the trenches will make the worl
safe for democracy, but the schools of
oru country must see to it that that de-
mocracy SO highly priced and SO dearly
bought be perpetuated.
| However, our schools must bear their
share of the present burden and we must
adjust our programs in conformity with
the needs of the times The children of
the schools may materially increase the
man power In the channels of production:
there should be no idle hands II IL i'm
portant that the out-of-schocl hours be
advantaseously employed. Rather than
an unWarranted delay in opening schoo,
this fall. we should adjust orr program to
earlier sessions or to part day classes in
localities where the older children are
needed in harvesting and in preserving
the crop School authorities and inter
ested citizens should get together ami
plan program which will prove mos.
advantageous to the community.
There never was an opportunity such az
the present affords to teach the rising
generation In forceful manner the conser-
walton of time, energy and materials and
to engender lessons Of thrift Of enduring
value. To the teachers OF the State II be-
comes duty to present the lessons of
the hour in a manner which will secure
the sympathetic cooperation Of the chill
dren themselves.
After the schools are fairly open we
may send to school officers for a compari-
son Of the enrolment and attendance of
the present with former years