Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-07-04
|URSTON THANKS
EOPLE0F DISTRICT
E0RCO-0PERATl0N
ught to Perform Highest
Service to Public and
= Took Joy in Task.


deep debt of gratitude to the
Dc for its cooperation and support
Ene his administration of the pub
echools is expressed by former Su-
ntendent Ernest L. Thurston in
etter addressed to the people of
District" and made public last
ht, on his return from Lumberton.
p,w Mr.. Thurston pointed out that
old call ever come again to serve
p6ob1e Of Washington in public
ac1ty it is his earnest hope that
shall be free to answer it,
&c Thnrston made it clear in the
erSth4t the board of educa ton ter
at6d his services as head of the
boil system contrary to the CLEARLY
reSsed wishes of the community.
ling, the school controversy. he
lashe sought to avoid taking any
, Involving a personal attitude. and
Rvdid as far as possible ANY dis
b4hce of the morale of the great
be of the public schools
Though hampered and restricted in
|hxsways. Mr.. Thurston pointed out
t. during his reign over the schools
entire organization became pro-
sejre and alert. Foundations" he
He ~have been laid for even larger
hss and under right conditions Wig
|us growth would undoubtedly con-
Contrary to COmmunfty's Wish.
Acting contrary to the clearly ex-
|sssd wish of the community" the
Ter read. "the board of education
terminated my service as super
lendent of schools. In view of my
3 connection with the public school
ITEM, extending over a period OF
fnty-six years. and in view es.
Tally of the incidents of the last
months, 1t seems to me entirely
ing that I should say just few
|rds to the public at this time.
Daring my years in the public
|oiO3s, in positions of steadily in
hsing responsibility, I have come
look upon my work as Offering OPP
fttfnity for public service of the
fhe4t order. The public schools are
.public's schools. They stand al
foundation Of the community. te
lew Its life and to train its citi-
(rN. ANY man who serves in a
bition :.of authority in the public
kools should feel a deep and true
kse- of responsibility to his COM
nifty and should recognize clearly
duty of serving it with his whole
Lrt
"A worthwhile school officer is
Ire and more measured by the
vice that he renders rather than
the position he happens to hold.
Fsonaiiy. I felt this sense of re-
Pndbility to the community very
ply. It has. governed my thought
my action. Personal feeling has
no time weighed in my decisions,
simply what was best for the
ools and the community. all things
sSidered. / have sought to weigh
personally and in absolute fair
IsIsthe matters which have come
n& for decision.
I@ringt the last few months OF
ess In the public schools, when
'fessional self-respect and I believe
good of the schools, demanded
It ] defend myself vigorously be-
e the public, sought earnestly,
Tar as / was concerned, to avoid
IiHS any step involving a personal
lee any disturbance of the morale
FOOLS. My thought has been the
of this great school
stem. into which I have put ny
" s1ife for more than a quarter OF
,eptury.
Joy in Meeting Tasks.
n has been my privilege to serve
chief executive ofiicer of the pub
schools during the most difficult
Fiod the system has ever known
to have had to solve more varied
1 >pefplexing problems than have
to the lot Of any other
pesfntendent of schools Of the Cap.
Il city. No one not in the public
aool service can have any concep-
n of the difficulties which had tc
met during the war period AND
ring the period Immediately fol.
ving. Difficult problems, however
} q challenge to real executive
aAye felt a genuine joy in meeting
efH and, in cooperation with tn,
,ce of school employees and with
} hacking of a helpful community
Rfinging the schools through thu
,st difficult times unimpaired IL
'ength and efficiency.
Moreover. the shoots have not oni!
Id their own during the difiicul
speaking. they 'hav,
'ogfessed far more markedly thai
any preceding period With tn,
-oDefation Of many within tn,
h0Ba system the whole organization
Is become progressive and alert
aus defnite educational advance
ID administrative adjustments hav,
ZEN made tending to increase tn,
efficiency of our work
ID sjfpportant new educational op
'rtNnftie have been opened and de
Hoped These are so well know
the public that they need not b
tied here. Although hampered an
stricted in many ways. foundation
right conditions vigorou
,oStth would undoubtedly continue
Co-Operation with Public.
Il, am a very strong believer Il
70 co-operation of the public wit
Ie schools. / have sought in ever
ay possible, during these years o
les public informed of development
itiifh the school system and to en-
,urage that close personal contac
stHeen the school and. the HON
hicA by partnership OF effort re
llts-in the fullest development O
lie child Probably no other larg
immunity has developed a cleare
i'd more Intelligent interest in it
.hools than has Washington.
L owe a very deep debt of graft
de to you people of Washington
uring these weeks of stress you
rdial support and cooperation
Lsed on your very clear understand
& of the issues involved, hay
ought happiness and strength t
e. As I have come to feel the res
an, of our community, 1 have. fe]
at u have been passing throug
10 OF the wonderful experiences q
fe. Especially during these las
weweeks when you have given m
,HSgreeting and expression of con
lence in public ASSEMBLIES, thrpug
le abtfon of civic and other associa
ons - and through the persona
ords of thousands of individuals.
ave come to feel that I have ra
ON you the greatest reward the
lntcome TO a mantle real conf
snce and good will of a great com
unity. 1t has been a labor of low
serve you. Should the call eve
,me to me again to serve you in
1hlic capacity, it is my earnest hor
lat ] shall be free to answer it,
ADMIT CARRIERS NEEDS.