El Nuevo mexicano., 1918-01-31
TEACHERS ASKED TO AID IN
NEW MEXICO THRIFT CAMPAIGN
BY WAR-SAVINGS SOCIETIES


State Superintendent OF Public In
struction j. II. Wagner, wishing to
assist in the movement to teach
thrift, and to cooperate with the
campaign i~naugurated by Hallett
Reynolds. Of LAS Vegas, state chair
man of the war savings certificate
committee, to dispose of New Mex
ico's quota Of war savings stamps
during the present year, has prepar-
ed the following paper to be sent to
the superintendent and teachers OF
the state;
What the Schools Can Do For Saw
ings and Why They Should Do II
Educational institutions-from the
country school house to the great
uniyersity-are the most powerful
agencies to teach the great lesson Of
thrift and economy that the govern
ment desires to bring home to the
American people. No child reaches
maturity and the responsibilities OF
citizenship without passing through
the school. Upon the school, In a
large degree, depends the holding
of character and the dissemination
Of the ideas and principles upon
which our democracy is founded. A
national opportunity is now present
ed to impress upon the minds OF
students the fact that not only the
successful termination of the war,
but the future welfare and strength
Of the nation depends upon the thrift
and savings of each individual citi-
zen.
Schools have shown that they can
become vital centers of national serv-
ice, and that they respond quickly
and effectively to the calls Of the
government. There has been no
more significant and patriotic ez-
preston than that Of the teachers
and children of the schools OF Amer
lea in the successful prosecution Of
this war for democracy. 1t is easy
to impress ON children what money
means in terms of war supplies-in
soldiers and sailors meals, in uni
forms, coats and blankets, in hos
pital supplies and other articles OF
minor cost used to maintain a great
army and navy. We must demon
strate to them that American money
must fight as we'll as American
men: that in order to have money 1t
is necessary to save; and that, in
order to saw one must go without
many desirable, but not essential
things. Children will thus . see,
through the veil of war finance, the
simple fact of important individual
service through the saving of dimes
and quarters.
Observation-Disclosures nrtnafna1o and
teachers will quickly devise ways
and means for promoting this cam
paign in a ann best suited TO
their respective communities and
surroundings. 1t is thought, however,
that few suggestions will be found
useful as a foundation for broader
and more comprehensive pleas than
can be outlined here.
1. The formation of ~war-savings
societies by the school, as a whole,
or by grades, rooms or classes.
2. The use in the classroom OF
problems in mathematics on govern
ment finance, and essays on thrift
conservation and economy.
8. The use of the school house or
the school room for public meetings
for promoting war savings.
A. Encouraging school children to
talk over with their parents their
essays on thrift and war savings,
thus extending to the home the ben
eft of the school campaign
8. Teachers and pupils may be IN
d~ividually helpful in promoting war
savings throughout their respective
communities.
Each school in New Mexico should
ORGANIZE al least one w~ar-savings So
ciety. Upon the size of the school
depends the number Of the societies
that may be formed by the pupils. In
schools in large towns or cities, war
savings societies may be formed by
the grades, or classes, or by a group
of each. When more than one socfe-
ty is formed in a school, it will be
helpful for each society to compare
their monthly savings account, the
attendance at their monthly meet
ings and other activities. Monthly
meetings may be held either after OF
during school hours. While this
suggestion may appear to interfere
with the regular course of studies,
it is felt that rather than interfer-
ing it will help and be of real value
to the school life. In many schools
evening classes or meetings may be
held and occasionally an open meet
ing might be called at which time
the parents of the children could 10
invited to attend.
War-savings societies in schools
should, when practicable, be officer
ed by the pupils. In some Of the
elementary grades it will be neces-
sary for the teacher to be the execu-
tive officer and keep the records and
the, accounts. In some Of the
smaller communities a local banker,
business man or professional man
may find time to act as treasurer.
AS the objects of the war savings
society are embodied in the pledge
to be signed by members, it Is sug-
gested that pupils be asked to take
the pledge card home to be read by
the parents or guardian 81 that the
fundamental principles of warsaw
ings may be known in the home.
In school societies the principal or
teacher may delegate members to
prepare essays in the elementary priD-