Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-06-02

and Parent Teacher Associations
together with plans by which the
branch may broaden the scope of it's
work were brought forward and
given wide discussion at the State
meeting which was opened Wednes-
day afternoon at the State House.
Speakers of note in educational mat
tiers and oficers in the National As
sociation addressed the sessions Of
the day which were we'll attended
ana at which large amount of en-
thusiasm for the work was mani
tested.
The Maine Branch was organized
in 1915, but since the war has not
been active. Miss Nettie E. Bauer
Of Providence, R. l., an organizer,
has been engaged in the State since
the first of the year in making ar
rangements for the reorganizatio
OF the branch, and with the interest
which was shown at yesterdays
meetings there is every evidence that
the work will be carried on with
doubled energy. Delegates from %
OF the local associations answered
the roll call.
sessions were DR.. Payson Smith, the
commissioner of education of Mas
sachusetts, who spoke upon the sub
iect, Partnership in F,ducat ton"
Mrs. Milton p. Higgins of Worcester.
Mass, president of the National
Congress of Mothers and Parent
Teacher Associations; Mrs. Edward
Moulton OF Providence, r. T., presi-
dent OF the Rhode Island Branch,
and Miss Bauer. Mrs. Hugh Ross
Hatch Of Fairfield. president of the
Maine Branch, presided.
The State meetings will be con-
t.nued today. Reports from local
associations will be given, Miss
Bauer will make her report on the
State organization and there will be
election of officers for the ensuing
year. A fine program of addresses
hes also been arranged for today.
Opening Program
The conference was opened at o.
clock, Wednesday afternoon in the
Senate Chamber at the State House.
being called to order by the presiding
ofhcer, Mrs. Hatch of Fairfield Dr.
SIDING. Prayer was offered by Rev.
howard Fl. Brown Of Augusta.
The very efficient work of Miss
Bauer in encouraging the old associa-
ton and building up the new associ-
alton branch in the State was 10
ferred to by Mrs. Hatch and she
spoke of the Importance of ms
work being done by personal contact.
She then introduced as the frs.
speaker on the program. Mrs. NJ. =.
Higgins of Worcester, Mass, presi-
dent of the National Congress #
Mothers and Parent Teacher Associ-
atoms. whose subject was "Phat Pa
fent-Teacher Associa tons Have Ac-
complished in Other States"
Mrs. Higgins is very impressive
speaker and very devoted to the
cause. and her address was ill u
with helpful suggestions for the new
ly organized Maine Branch. She told
OF the start of the National Organi-
zatlon Some 4 Years ago and of me
first convention which was held at
Washington, d. &. State organizd-
Dons and local organiza tons were
later formed. She described the re-
lationship existing between the ma
ticnal. state and loacl bodies.
Co operation, she pointed out, is
the keynote of the Parent Teacher
Association The Association has no
right TO go into tho schools and crit
cize their methods or curriculum
The universities andn ormal schools
can do that. The Association is
merely an avenue by which the
homes may reach the schools and the
schools may reach the ONES. The
teachers have their chance to get
their suggestions into the homes. and
the homes have the opportunity to
reach back at the schools by training
their children so that the knowledge
which the the children get from the
teacher, will sink into good ground.
Mrs. Higgins spoke Of the matters
which are constantly coming before
state legislatures and before Con-
gress and which affect the children
and the schools, and she referred to
the Shepherd Towner and the Smith
Toxner bills.
Regarding the work of the asSocia-
ton in other states. the speaker stat
ed that in Memphis. Tenn. a member
Of the association has been appointed
judge of the juvenile court and Judge
Lindsey says that this woman is the
best Juvenile court in the United
States. Judge kelley's idea is for
the improvement of the character of
the children rather than for punish
ment. In one of the municipalities in
Florida lunches are served to the chill
dren a noontime for 10 cents a plate
and any child who is unable to pay
even that sum is not deprived of a
lunch.
The universities in some or tho
western states are very active in their
support of the Parent-Teacher Asso-
citation movement, and the students at
Wisconsin University have been send
ing out organizers.
The speaker stated that there is
need in the country Of greater inter-
est in the schools on the part of the
communities and of informing the
communities upon which fall the duty
of paying for better teachers ut high
er salaries. The Parent-Teacher AS
ISOLATION gives the opportunity for the
communities 10 become acquainted
with what educated people. are doing
fer the children.
In some of the states. including Col
orado, Oregon and South Dakota, child
welfare commissions have been carried
on and paid for BY the states These