The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1922-01-26

cy in preparation for their work. Then
witness the result. Teachers are hui
man being. always have been. When
you curtail the pay that they are gen
erously earning, you dampen their
ardor, you strike blow ut his ambi-
ton. Then no longer will our normal
schools and colleges be filled to over
flowing, and the unframed. meagerly
educated teacher will be seen in place
of those that now labor for the ad.
vancement of your children. The
choice lies entirely with the citizens of
every community, and il is their priyi-
lege to choose wisely and we'll"
NJ. C. Foss. the popular principal OF
Bingham High School, was to be the
next speaker Mr. Foss being called
away by the serious Illness OF his
father, the paper was read by Hon.
c. w Dutton. member of the bingham
school committee.
BY M. c. Foss, Prin. bingham High
School
WHAT THE MODERN HIGH SCHOOL
MEANS TO TIE COMMUNITY
Only few years ago it was uni
versally recognized that the mission
of the high school was to take d Sc
! lected few from the mass of our young
| people and prepare them for college
The modern high school recognizes
its true mission and takes the mass
of our young people and prepares them
| for life. The question is often asked
me why It is necessary for us to offer
! in our high school curriculum such a
i variety of subjects. Both parents and
pupils ask. What is the good OF
studying Latin? Why study Geometry
do not wish to study Chemistry. be
cause do not intend to be physi-
! clan or druggist"
| Questions or statements like the
above, show that we have a wrong
conception of what real education is.
| had anticipated that quite n large
number of the parents of my pupils
would be present at this meeting and
it is TO them, for the most part, that
my remarks will be directed. although
| hope everyone present may find
something of interest in it, if 1t is not
particularly entertaining.
My paper is divided into two sec
tions. First: What we are attempting
to do and why we are attempting 1t
and second How We are attempting il
To show you what things we are
! attempting and why we are attempting
them | am going to quote at length
from an article written by the late
william De Witt Hyde formerly pres
ident of Bowdoin College: What is il
that. as taxpayers, az parents. as
members of school committees, as
teachers. we are trying to do for the
children and youth committed to our
charge?
! DO we support the public schools
i for the sake of training intelligent
voters, DO We pretend that Latin .anl
French and chemistry ,an1l lIhysics, ant
Il the twenty or .&hirty Subjects fahSla
in the modern high school are nee
essary to fit boy or girl to east an
Intelligent vote, We have long since
lsft this motive far behind, in the, lib
iernlity of our provision for public
obstruction, The political motive is
Inot large enough To explain ONif de
votion to our public schools.
y do we then support the public
| schools in order that the children may
be trained to earn their own living
aud thus not become DuTuehs-nboH
, charity of the State. We frequent,
\ hear that motive assigned, But WI
. all know perfectly welI} that tot biall
: the subjects taught An aour Npnblis
schools have any direct bearing on the
ability of the boyt 3st GIRLS To eafT
n liylihood We Ahves gone far }ln
yond the industrial ideal OF public
education
Let me try once more. Do we sup
port the public schools because VT
3 wish that these children who are tt
be our neighbors and fellow citizens
shall be intelligent, self respecting
public spirited neighbors and citizens
that they shall be good husbands ant
: thrifty wives; that they shall be wis,
= fathers and mothers; that they shall
= he interested in what is noble an,
pure: enthusiastic in support of wha
: is generous and just; that thei
homes shall ring with healthful laugh
= ter and happy song; that their @orl
shall be wrought in integrity and tina
their recreation shall be healthful ant
uplifting, is anything less than tfH'
the ideal we really cherish? viii any
thing lower or narrower justify TIL,
splendid efforts We are making fol
public education?
Without our knowing 1t, the socia
ideal of an intelligent, full, free, happ,
life for every boy and girl born oil
brought into our midst has game
possession of our minds and hearts.
This world in which we live is es
tablshed through wisdom: founded OF
truth; governed by law clothed il
beauty and crowned with benificience
The business Of the school is to opeI
= the mind to under. tand that perfec
wisdom; to appreciate that wandrou'
, truth. to respect that universal law
to admire that radiant beauty; t.
praise that infinite benificience.
Humanity, of which We are all mem
hers, has brought forth great mel
and glorious deeds; it has formet
languages and reared civilizations; i
has expressed its ideals and aspira
tione on canvas and in stone; 1t ha:
uttered it's joys and sorrows, its hope,
and fears, in music and poetry. The
province of the school is to interpret