New Britain herald., 1919-10-07

progressive savings banks. Banking hours are from 8:30 to 10:30 daily, and the work is done by the pupils under the direction of one of the comm ercial teachers. All pupils in l the school take a great interest in the bank, and high percentage of them are depostors. The habit of thrift is cultivated. and pupils learn from experience how banking is done in a regular established savings bank. When an account is credited with one dollar, the student is encouraged to withdraw it from the school bank and open an account in one of the local institutions. Students in this course make marked progress in eff ciency. The great variety of experi- ences serves to bring out the latent talents in each child. and one is strongly impressed with the business like habits which result
 One will readily observe that the school offers unusual advantages for the development of boys and girls in personal efficiency It will be noted that the very great variety of activi ties fits them for full citizenship. As a contributing factor the Civic league stands out conspicuously.
 This league was organized three or four years ago to afford an opportun- ity for pupils to participate more fully in the administration of the school. Each section or class room elects a president, vice president, sec retary and treasurer. These officers, with two teachers, chosen by them, constitute the representative commit tee, which elects the officers of the league--president, vice president, secretary and treasurer. There is score of standing committees appoint ed to supervise the various activities of school life. Among them are the traffic committee, health and attend ance committee, athletic comittee, and scholarship committee. Special committees are appointed by the president with the approval of the di- rector the principal and the assistant director and instructor appointed by the director whenever occasion de- mands Many meetings, lectures and entertainments are conducted by the league during the year. The presi- dent presides regularly at league meetings.
 As a means of developing school spirit, and as medium through which students gain responsibility
 
 not surpassed by any other activity of the school. Experience shows the need for such an organization as a democratizing influence. Superin- tendent Holmes sets forth the ad- schools in one of his annual reports as follows:
 Preparation for citizenship should be one of the important aims of edu. cation in the schools of America. The right kind of citizenship Is based up- on a proper sense of social obligation and this sense is best acquired through youthful participation in so- cial experiences. The person who learns through group activities to serve his fellows and to cooperate with them makes a better citizen than he who is deprived of these ex- periences in childhood and youth. If the school IS to do it's full duty by the individual and by the community it must not fail to provide, through various organizations under the con- trol of the school, numerous oppor- tunities for the exercise of the social instinct through legitimate and wholesome social experiences.
 "(a) Much has already been done to this end In the schools of New Britain. During the past year. de- velopment in the socializat1on of the schools has been 8 marked feature of our school progress. In the ele- mentary grades, the organization of the boys and girls in branches of the Patriotic league has been effected In each of the school The chief aims of the Patriotic league are: First, good character; second, good con- duct third, cooperation: fourth, courtesy, and fifth, patriotism. Meet ings are held at frequent Intervals. They are in all cases in full charge of the pupil officers of the organiza-