The New York herald., 1922-07-02

One OF the real proDiems VI eo"
tion nowadays is the protection OF the
public schools from outside or Irregular
calls in special activities. During the
war and even more since appeals OF all
kinds have multiplied. some OF superior
worth, others straight impositions. one
cannot say Eyes" or mo" to all. Each
demand must be passed upon according
to It's own worth.
AS illustrative of the extent OF this
problem the following list Of calls and
special activities-it is not complete
is significant. They have all come dur
Ing the school year 1s21-22. Some. 1t
will be noted. are already established
Institutions or customs. particularly the
list of special days. A number OF
others are intended by their sponsors
to become permanent. The list IN
cludes patriotic. hygienic. social, civic,
economic, charitable. advertising. So
ciety, personal. propagandist and sub
scription propositions.
Some represent purely adult interests
that children are asked to promote.
Some are activities that belong to other
institutions, such as church and home.
or to other civic departments-police,
fire and public safety. Some. while
commendable in their nature, have q
commercial purpose The majority OF
these calls come from persons not
charged with responsibility for the edu-
cation OF children but interested in pro-
noting some special cause. While some
calls are admittedly Of inferior or harm
full nature, others are OF very great
value, contributing effectively to the
welfare of the community and the coun-
try. reacting to splendid advantage upon
children and giving vitality and point
to school instruction. The pertinent
question is, Which measure up to sucll
standards of worth?
1t will be seen that Interruptions
campaigns, contests, holidays, celebra-
tions and special exercises may easily
consume an excessive portion of the
school year unless vigilance and good
judgment are exercised.
Because the school system is well or.
ganized and effective, public and easily
accessible. and because children are
naturally enthusiastic and active, there
is strong tendency for those inter
ested in promoting a matter Of a genera
or even a limited public nature to turf
to the schools for assistance or as the
institution in which to disseminate doc
trines and propaganda. Moreover. i
must not be forgotten that the teacher
Is really the one on whom these calls
are made. In addition to her exactine
task OF instruction, discipline, care o.
health and morals OF children, care o
school room or building. records, reports
home buildings, &c. she is the one OF
whom falls the real burden OF success
fully putting these extra things across.
Following is a partial list OF requests
demands and suggestions for participa
tion Of schools in special activities which
were raserred to the office of tho Com
missionsP of Education of Vermont dur
ing the school year 1921-22:
l. WEEKS
| l. National Safety week.
| .. Fire Prevention Week.
3. National Education Week.
4. Child Labor Week.
3. American Speech Week
| o. Children's Book week.
Z. Cleanup Week.
s. National Song Week
0. Physical Culture Week.
| 10. Forest Protection Week.
srrcIAL DAYS AND EXERCISES.
| 1. 'Pre-Columbus Day.
.. Pre-Armistice Day.
| 8. Pre-ThanEsgivng Day.
4. State or County Fair Day.
5. Christmas Exercises.
@. Lincoln Day.
I. Washington's Birthday.
8. Grant Day.
0. Pre-NIemorial Day.
10 Flag Day.
IL Bird Day.
L.. Kindness to Animals Day.
| 10. Arbor Day.
IA. Thrift Days.
age ten or more.
| CAMPAIGNS AND CLUBS.
1. War Savings Stamp campaign.
| g Anti-tuberculosis campaign.
3. Relief of unemployment campaign.
4. Disarmament campaign during
Washington Conference).
5. Junior Red Cross with contribu-
tions.
o. Health Crusaders
Z. Canning, garden. poultry. pig. &C..
clubs.
8. Audubon clubs.
q. Americanisation Foundation.
10. Drink more milk campaign. .
IL. Careful railroad crossing campaign.
CONTRIBUTIONS.
l. Reileau wood Memorial.
Q. Foch Modal.
3. French restoration.
, 4. Near East Relief (prize essays re-
quested).
8. Bigger Smithsonian Institution and