The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1918-01-16
Com. Hillegas Issues Letter
Calling Attention to Their
Wartime Duty
COMING MONTHS
WILL BE TRYING
Teachers Must Be Made Conscious That
Their Efforts Are Not Wasted and
That Their Efforts Are Appreciated
Special Reports Prepared.

MONTPELIER, Jan. l6-Commissonerl
Of Education NJ b. Hillegas has sent to
the superintendents OF schools in Vermont
The following letter in which he explains
the need Of cooperation IN every branch
Of the work that the educational depart
ment may do its most efficient work:
The coming months are certain TO be
most trying to teachers and supenntend
,nts. Teachers will see their companions
enter occupations that viii appear to them
10 be more closely connected with the pa
triotic service and naturally they Will
question the value Of their own services IN
The school Superintendents VII eNperl-
ence increasing difficulty in keeping
schools supplied with teachers and many
of those who are secured will be an
trained Supervision viii he put to a
crucial test Teachers must be made con
scious that their efforts are not wasted
and that their services are appreciated.
pur aims and purposes must be made 80
clear To the public that they VIII under
stand and cooperate. ] am confident
that our schools have improved under
the changed conditions.
Ii We are TO emerge from tins war
with education in Vermont trcngthened
| II i clearly necessary 10 SHIFT the cmph;I
81 now placed on some subjects that hav,
| been considered i the greatest Importance
| Ia others whose place in the public
| school curriculum has been IN doubt. The
/ last nine months have shown more
| clearly what things are essential than ?
| years Of peace could possibly have done
| We have felt that agriculture, con>erya
ton thrift and right living were impor
| tant and should be included in oul
school work, but how important they ar
and how strongly they should be empha
sized was not realized until the presen
crisis came New that compellin.
force provides the motive for aeecntlna
these and like phases ot education, "
must decide how to shorten the eNlstlnl
routine SO as To allow for more attention
10 these subjects how 10 reairange TN
work in the other school branches 50 tina
each one may help to bring about tn
desired results: aud how to teach them
one and all So that they may assist j
making 81 cur boys and girls intelhgen
and useful citizens OF democracy.
In order that the supefintendents an
teachers OF Vernon, NIGH, have som
suggestions 70 help them n this ar1angr
ment. the commissioner OF education
} called together groups Of individuals rel
resenting the various phases OF the wor
To be considered and requested them {
offer plans Tor making the neccssar
changes with the least inconvenience an
the greatest economy These reports vi
take the form OF practical suggestion
and viii bc sent TO each superintendent
There will he a sufficient number I
place them in the hands al ali the teacl
ers ii the superintendcnts consider 1t d
sirable and SO request The various r
ports viii be sent out separately from Il
commissioner office in the order in whic
| they are completed SO that there ma
be no ayoidable delay III beginning Il
| work
. The first report will deal with admit
, | istration and management and will ST.
, gest practical plans 70 economic tin
and eliminate wasted efforts on the pa
, Of teachers and pupils
: please request from this office any a
sistance that We are able to offer