The gazette-times. [volume] (Heppner, Or.) 1912-1925, 1920-03-11
HOME CREDIT SYSTEM
FULFILLS ITS MISSION

Jmatiila, Oregon-1
1n the long march OF the centuries
up the sleeps Of human attainment,
education arms the workers, faith in
mankind beats the time, while com
manding personalities rally the hosts
about the standards of new ideas,
In this course Of progress every
man who has dared to try out some
dynamic idea for the betterment Of
mankind, has had his problems to
solve. Great statesmen have come TO
look upon the home as the funda-
mental institution Of civilization, and
the school as the supplement Of the
home, the latter always keeping in
close touch with the home life, and
bringing into its work such material
as would make the work Of the school
real.
This is probably the vision that
prompted l. R. Alderman, former
City Superintendent of the Portland
schools, TO initiate a plan whereby
some recognition might be given the
child for the home work that he does
outside of school hours, in order to
change his attitude toward the COM
mon every day duties Of life and to
bring the school and the home into
closer relationship.
1t is not the purpose Of the writer
to give comprehensive treatise on
the home credit plan. history Of its
adoption in many of the states Of the
union. and in several foreign coun-
tries, but to point out some Of the re-
suits of his own experience.
During the year 1910 visited the
famous Spring Valley school in Polk
county, then under the supervision OF
A. l. O'Reilly, now County Club Lea
der of Twin Falls county, Idaho, and
studied the plan as first class evi-
dence.
Encouraged by the splendid morale
and interest displayed by parents and
pupils, | decided that the Fair View
school in the adjoining district, would
be benefited by the same system.
Since l was the third grade teacher
employed there in the same year,
was somewhat dubious about adopt
ing new scheme. However, I am
happy to say that the system produc-
ed marvellous results, and l was re-
employed for the ensuing year.
In addition to the carrying on OF
the work satisfactorily in the school
room, they did the chores nights and
mornings at home and, in this way,
began a system of industrial educa-
ton that surprised and pleased the
patrons. In nearly all homes where
Home Credit was tried out, the par
ents found their children anxious to
do work that heretofore had seemed
drudgery. The Spring Valley
school plan was changed in some re-
spects to meet the needs of the COM
munity. Hardness on the part of any
pupil doing the work meant loss OF
so many credits already earned. Dur
ing the previous year without home
credits, the school had fifty-seven tar.
dies. The home credit year was re-
warded with record attendance OF
ninety-five per cent and only eight
tardies.
Part Of the credits were given for
sleeping with the windows open, care
Of teeth and hair, washing dishes, do
ing errands, mending clothes, etc
In many schools the pupils we're given
half holiday each month for the
completion of a certain number Of
credits.
During the following two years
continued the plan throughout all Of
the grades in the Buena Vista schools
For eight years l have followed uE
this plan to the end that the bond be-
tween school and home might be brot
into closer union, and the testimon
ials Of hundreds of parents convince
me that my efforts have not been il
vain. Industrial club work and home
credit have fulfilled a pressing neet
of the age.
The Oregon Tubercular Associa
tion, the Red Cross, and other agen
eies have adopted many vital point
taken from the Home Credit Health
charts.
The coming generation will consis
Of the boys and girls Of today. l
they grow up strong physically, men
tally, morally and spiritually, thi
country will be we'll taken care of il
their day, but if they are dwarfed ant
corrupted then we may look with IN
easiness TO the future as the founda
tion of society will be placed upon {
bed Of shifting sands.
Those objecting to the Home Credi
plan-that plan whereby the daugh
ter is taught to wash the dishes TO
her tired mother instead of spendin
all her time at the piano, or occupy
ing the plush chair in the parlor, per
haps forget that development of char
acter is the great purpose of life
What a responsibility is given thos
who mold the lives Of boys and girls
AS omar tells US:
"The moving finger writes; and hav
ing writ,
Moves on; nor all thy piety nor wi
Shall lure 1t back again to cance
half line,
Nor all thy tears wash out word @
It,"