Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-10-16
AN EDUCATIONAL
CHAUTAUQUA EXPLAINED
TO AUGUSTA ROTARY

terestinq Addresses at Friday Eve.
ming Meeting at Augusta House
An Educational Chautauqua, it's
aims .and the results accomplished
were explained in an interesting and
entertaining manner to the Augusta
Rotarians at their regular session
Friday evening at the Augusta House
by two of the club members. Harold
A. Allan of the State Department Of
Education. and j. Francis MacNichol
who has been recently appointed
State director of music by that de-
partment Both have just returned
from a tour of the State, accompany
ing State Superintendent Of Schools
A. o. Thomas and other members of
the Maine Educational department
at a series of IS teachers meetings
held in that number of days in II
different counties, and they gave
sidelights on these gatherings from
an educational and musical stand
point. There was an unusually large
attendance of members and guests
to enjoy the splendid program fol-
lowing a bountiful Rotarian dinner.
The new plan adopted by the State
Department Of Education of holding
these meetings in the various cou2-
ties closely following each other was
explained by Rotarian Allan who
paid a compliment to Mr.. MacNichol
for HIS efficient services in leading
the music programs. At the morn
ing sessions there were conferences
for the teachers of the elementary
schools. the High schools and the ru-
raj schools. while the afternoons
were given over to more general
meetings at which the school patrons
were invited. Every noon, a feature
copied from Rotary was a get-to-
gether dinner with a musical pro-
gram at which, as Mr.. Allan ex-
pressed it. Musical Director Mac
Nichol shone.'
One of the principal purposes of
these meetings was to interest the
communities in the schools, and Incl
dentally to get the teachers inter-
ested in the schools at the very be-
ginning of the year. At Bangor at
the State convention where about
1000 teachers gather. the teachers
hold actually the largest convention
in the State. At this series of meet
ings there was a regular troupe" as
the speaker referred to it, attending
to the various details from the post
ing of bills to the actual speech max
ing. State Superintendent Of Schools
A. o. Thomas attended the meetings,
together with others from that de-
partment. The normal schools were
represented and at different meetings
each of the Maine cofisses was rep
resented by its president. State Lib.
rarian Henry z. Dunnack was pres.
ent to add hts enthusiasm to the pro.
grams. And one of the very evident
results of this new plan was the
doubling of attendance from last
year. At Portland over 1900 were
present. The meeting for this Sec
ton was held at Waterville and was
an unqualified success.
One of the things which a special
effort was made to emphasize was
the State program for physical edu-
cation which requires that hereafter
there shall be instruction in physical
education for the pupils. The start
is made in the school itself. to pro
vide for it's being safe and sanitary
At the gatherings groups Of young
sters were present to demonstrate
the physical exercises and the recre-
ational programs.
The idea of the close cooperation
between the county and the State
associations, and also the National
Educational Association, was brought
out. Among the matters explained
at these sessions by DIR. Thomas
were. Federal aid for schools, the
Smith Towner bill for the encour-
agement of schools through Federal
funds to be paid through State chan
nels: and other suggestions that he
emphasized were the need of 81
weeks of schools in all places, large
tendance-that there should be al
least 80 per cent. of the pupils com
pIeting the work of the elementary
schools. and at least 60 per cent. OF
those who enter. completing the High
school course. Regarding the finan-
cling, the necessity Of the burden be-
ing eaualized was pointed out. and
also the need of the State assisting
to even a greater extent than it il
now. Mr.. Allan's remarks were ac-
corded warm applause.
In a lighter vein, Mr.. MacNichol
SpnLo NJ thu EArcot{nraI Cha,to.