The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1918-06-06

plicable. Only general policies and
principles may be adopted for the
country as whole.
The Elementary Schools.
| 2. There appears 10 be nothing in
the present or prospective war emer-
gency to justify curtailment in any
respect Of the sessions of the elemen-
tary schools, or of the education of
boys and girls under IA years of age,
and nothing which should serve as an
excuse for interference with the pro-
gressive development of the school sys-
TEN. Teachers and puik may be en-
couraged to find ways Of performing
in the schools some service having war
value, such as activities connected with
the Junior Red Cross, War Garden
Work, Boy Scouts, War Thrift work,
and the like. Opportunities should be
found to introduce into the school ac-
Invites having real educational value,
which at the same time link up the
public schools with the ideals Of ser
| vice and self-sacrifce actuating our
people, and bring home to the con
seriousness of teachers, pupils, and par
ents the essential unity of the nation
in this great crisis.
8. In view of the progress that has
been made in this country in the enact
ment of compulsory education legisla-
ton, it is assumed at the outset that
there is no question that in the country
and villages all girls under II years Of
age, and all boys under IL, might well
continue in school through the sum-
mer, wherever the condition of the
school funds makes this at all possible.
A. In the cities, there would be no
interference with the supply of needed
labor if all children under Il con-
tinue in school to the end Of the re-
gular session, and through the sum-
mer as we'll; and there would be but
little interference if all children under
1e continue in school. With reference
to boys and girls over these ages, the
recommendations which follow indicate
certain directions in which it is be-
lieved the, school program may be
modified when necessary to meet emer
gencies.
The Secondary Schools.
S. One of the places in which there
appears to be immediate demand for
} modification of the high school program
} is in respect to the need for agricultural
labor. Much valuable service can be
rendered by carefully selecting and
training boys to assist in meeting this
! demand. 1t can not be too strongly
urged, however, that each pupils case
be considered individually, and no pupil
should be excused from school for this
purpose except with the written con-
sent of the parents, TO accept specified
employment for definite term, under
responsible supervision by the school
OF by other approved agencies of the
conditions of employment.
6. 1t would be helpful in cities, and
especially in industrial communities, if
for boys and girls over IA years Of
, age in or out of school there could be
; introduced certain definite courses
looking toward cooperative half-time
plan of school attendance and employ
nent throughout the year.
In General.
/ z. In general, it is believed that
wherever school boards can find the
means, tire present emergency is an
opportune time for readjusting the
schools on an all-year-round basis, with
q school year of 4s weeks, divided into
four quarters of IL weeks each. The
schools would then be in continuous
operation, but individual teachers and
pupils would have the option of tax
ing one quarter off at prearranged
periods for needed change.
s. If it is not practicable for the
schools to change at once to the all
year-round program, a much-needed SER
vice can be rendered in many localities
By organizing special summer and eve
ming classes to train young people for
the civil service, and to train steno-
graphers, typewriters, clerks, and sec
retaries for the commercial world. In
many communities will be found num-
, bers OF adult women who are free to
avail themselves of special training
to fit for various kinds of positions in
: office and clerical work, taking tenn
: porarily the places of men called to the
colors or to other employment.
9. Some schools should consider the
possibility of arranging schedule for
certain groups of students having de-
finite prospect of service, in accordance
with which the summer months would
be spent in school, leaving the stu
dents free to work ON the farms dur
ing planting time in the spring and
again during harvest time in the fall.
In still other cases, particularly in the
smaller communities, time may be Sc
cured for farm work by ommitting the
usual spring vacation, by holding
: school on Saturday, and otherwise
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