The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1923-01-24
SCHOOL AIMS
RELATED BY
SUPT. SAXVIK
''Snap" Courses Have Been
Supplanted by Stricter
Requirements
NOME HELP NEEDED
Practical and Frank Discus
sion of School Affairs
Before Rotary

ii. y. SaXvik, superintendent of the
Bismarck public schools, urged closer
cooperation between the home anG
the school system at the MONDAY
luncheon Of the Rotary club at the
Mckenzie hotel today. He told what
had been done to strengthen the
course in the high school so as to
eliminate the practice Of students d.
rocting their own courses and seoul
ing diploma without effort on some
of the fundamental subjects.
"More than 700 students were
dropped from the University of Min
nesota," he said, because they could
not meet the requirements of tn.
freshmen course. This is sad
commentary upon the high schools
of the Northwest.
1--WE have nu.sSer Of students
who when asked why they are in
high schools do not know. They be
lieve they are there merely to get
the required credits which will en-
title them to diploma and recog-
milton. This is the wrong concep-
ton. We as teachers and you in the
home must impress upon them that
they are in the school to get an edu-
cation and that education after all l.,
the incubation Of ideals that a citi-
zenry ma" be produced that will sus-
tain the nation.
81 believe we have good teaching
staff in Bismarck, but you all can
assist by coming to the schools and
assisting in making them serve you
better. More money is spent each
year by GU on the schools than in
any other single effort and you
sho"ld be interested in ascertanins
if the money is we'll spent.
Owe have by a resolution of the
board Strengthened the high school
course so that student now must
study fundamental subjects recog-
nized IS essential to entrance into
schools Of higher learning or to equip
student for his career in life.
1.-THE mid-year graduations have
been abolished. 1t was not long ago
when mere infants were permitted
to enter the kindergarten. Childre:
1-2 years old were entered. do
not beliece it is the functions of our
schools to act as day nurseries am,
the home must share part Of the bur-
den and responsibility. The age has
been increased to FIVE and no child
is allowed to enter the grade schools
under six years.
"We are seeking to rid the schools
of the practice of rushing students
through by forced promotions. 1t IS
more essential that the grade schools
and high schools prepare student
that will be credit to the system"
Touching on the expansion of the
school system, he said that it would
be necessary for Bismarck to adop,
a building program covering a SER
les of years. He lamented the lack
of gymnasium facilities and an ath-
letic field.
The restoration Of examinations to
the schools he praised as a necessary
factor to discipline students and to
force upon them greater sense OF
responsibility.
He declared that the cooperation
between the home and school had
broken down in the last few years
and the admonition that used to fol-
low the child to school that if he
got whipping in school il would be !
followed by one at home was lacking |
now. He declared that greater back
ing in the home was necessary if the |
schools were to produce efficient stu
dents.
Chairman J. L. Bell of the Rotary
club appointed T. r. Atkinson, George
Dullam and Judge Nuessle to advise
ways and means by which the Rotary
club can better cooperate with the
public schools. Supt. Saxvik made an
excellent impression upon the Ro-
tarians and they heartily endorsed
his frank discussion of the needs Of
the school and the work the board of
education under his advice and guild
ance were trying to do in the schools
Of Bismarck.
j. j. NJ. MacLeod's birthday was
celebrated, Geo. Dullam giving the
sketch. MAC" responded with an
address telling of the work being
lone by him among the boys of the
,ity.
Phil Meyer head of the "Go-to.