Putnam patriot. [volume] (Putnam, Conn.) 1872-1962, 1917-05-11
A CONSTRUCTIVE
ADDRESS
"How 70 Make Pabd Schools Rofth
While. lha Sabiz1
Dr.. Holme o. Mount vernon. y Y
speak to pareni-Teachers Neeiing

nHow 10 Make Punle Schools Worth
While was The subject discussed ~
pr. Auham II Holmes, superintend
ent Of schools in Nj Vernon, y Y, at
the meeting Of the Parent Teachers
Association Wednesday night ia High
school halt II is 10 be regretted that
there we're not more people present 10
hear Dr. Holmes informal talk, as IL
was full Of constructive information
that would be helpful to parents and
teachers alike.
DR.. Holmes opened his discussion
sy stating that that education is
worth while that furnishes the boy
and girls the equipment to help solve
problems OF everyday life. The speak.
~ said that there are certain tests that
can be Iappied which show what is
worth while in education, and he con.
sidered five Of these les.
Education, he stated, is worth while
in that IL promotes the health OF the
child and the community, aud there
are two agencies for the promotion Of
sealth: medical inspection and proper
physical training According to The
speaker, the value OF medical inspee
ton cannot be over estimated. Mt.
Vernon has the lowest death rate for
city of over 10000 in the state OF New
York, AND DR.. Holmes feels that this
m some measure Is due TO the efficient
inspection in the public schools. Here
the eyes, ears, nos S, Threats and teeth
81 the school children are carefully ex
smined. Along this same line comes
fbe serving OF lnoutishing lunches in
schools II has been found that the
giving OF proper nourishment 10 the
snderfed children is just as important
n fresh air. Regarding physical train
ing, Ur. Holmes said that II should be
feund In every elementary school H.
we'll rs high school He also spoke OF
supervised play which he said taught
leadership, honesty and respect for
sthefs.
school give knowledge of things close
nj hand; of The flowers and birds?'
Inc lime is not far distant, DR..
4oimes is convinced, when compui-
sorry course In general science will be
taught In every school.
As his third point DR.. Holmes said
pAsl the schools should teach the boys
nsd girls their civic duties. The child
should be taught TO appreciate its dn-
s,es as well as its rights.
Vocational guidance WAS next dis.
snssed. 1.-THE world owes no man Il
I,ving,n said DR.. Holmes, "but the
world owes ali boys and girls the right
10 find the work for which he or she
Is best fitted through vocational train
ing. The ibest education allows the
COY 10 try himself cut in several lines
Of work so that he may adopt that
which best suits him. Or. Holmes
explained the School of industrial
Arts in MI. Vernon. Here The boys
during the FIRST year spend ten weeks
each learning carpentry metal work,
electrical work and printing At the
segir ming OF the second year the pupil
selects one OF these and continues ia II
" the choice is a happy one he goes
ahead; II not, TeHdjusgment IS made
snttl the boy finds The line best fitted
fof him.
Or. Holmes last point Was IN con
sidering the personal culture that the
schools should furnish He tlsst spoke
Of the culture OF the heart which en-
a6les the possessot TO avoid social ffie-
zion iand teaches him TO be gentle
=aan at all times, Allied with this is
culture of intellect, the appreciation of
shst which is great In art, science, lii.
srsture and music. Ii is the great
work of the schools 10 lead pupils 10
know the best In these lines, and DR.
itolmes said that the opportunities
that teachers OF these subjects have are
manifold.
In closing the speaker spoke OF
school organization, which he said
aust be had,above all Modern edu-
cation, be said, realizes that boys and
girls are not all the same; some are
nentally defective some are back ward
~ percent are normal and some are su.
pstnormsl. All these, said the speaker,
cannot be treated alike. The deficient
must have separate instruction. lie
told OF his class of boys in MI. Vernon,
all mental detectives, that is doing
work under trained teacher whom
he characterized as "truly wonderful
The backward children must also be
treated separately and teaching must
be individualized for all whether de
feetive or normal "lndividualigs
instruction, - said Dr. Holmes, "means
so much for the pupils lie also
spoke of responsibility and said that
by giving children responsibility, men
eonld be made of them.
Sponsloility concluded Dr.
Holmes, ais the greatest word In the
English language, aud tile greatest
kird OF responsibility Is the response
bitily OF parents towards the educa-
lion OF the boys and girls
Or. Holmes was introduced by q.
Harold GilpatEic. nr. Holmes was
formerly principal of the Putnam
High school, and nearly every memo eT
of the class OF 80, who IS now located
in Putnam, wasI present st the meet.