Evening star., 1923-04-01

members. Constructive work for the
b, tterment OF the children in our pub
lie school has always been the pur-
pose and object of the Parent-Teacher
Associations.
AS the work has been assuming diff
ferent aspects during the past two
years, and the various clubs have
been engaged in doing the active To-
cal work of their several communities.
the wider, more universal aspects
have been in no way neglected.
Each Parent-Teacher Association or
Mothers Club. the case may be.
meets once in every month in their
own public school building. On the
third Tuesday in each month these
local clubs come together in the large
parent body, the District Of Columbia
Congress of Mothers and Parent
Teacher Associations. and bring to
the large group the results and effects
of their activities in the local COM
munities. 1t is in such gatherings
that ideas are exchanged, and
through such exchange OF ideas that
a new and wider vision is effected.
The current year has been produc-
tive of much good to both parents
and teachers. The range OF actiyi-
ties has been very wide. and the
benefits derived are without measure.
The Congress is about to issue a
year book, which will be designed TO
answer anxious questions which are
daily coming to the president, Mrs.
Giles Scott Rafter. concerning the
work in the Nations capital. The
requests for information come from
state universities, state superintend-
ents of schools. private institutions
parert-teacher organizations and
many individuals.
The year book Will give In detail
the many activities covered in the io-
cal communities. Every channel
through which the, child may be bene-
flied Is thoroughly canvassed and
competent and efficient help secured
TO put all beneficial ideas into prompt
execution.
Many schools have been equipped
with electric lighting fixtures. as the
year book will show. In several
cases school yards have been sur
faced for proper play space. Teach
ers' rooms and small kitchens have
been fitted up, so that a comfortable
place is insured for rest and recrea-
t!on during the lunch hour. Vic
trolas and player-pianos. with neces-
sary records, have been supplied
through the efforts Of the parent
groups. Furniture where needed has
been secured.
The health Of the children has been
the special charge of the parent
teacher associations. Scales for the
weighing and measuring of the chill
dren have been furnished in many
StHOOlS, anu Illih AVl llAC
short recess and hot lunches for the
noon hour have become regular in
stitution.
The year book. which Is being ably
edited by Isabelle Geddes Smith, VIII
tell at a glance the great amount of
real constructive work which has
been accomplished by the Congress
of Mothers during the school year
now rapidly drawing to a close.
a very comprehensive program will
be outlined in detail and Will follow
the following general lines: The
Great Problem of Child Welfare. "
Literature in the Home Thrift In
the Home" Social Life OF the Child. .
Parent and child" 'Art in the Home"
and The Influence Of Good Music in
the Home
The great value OF the program as
outlined will be seen to lie in the
fact that the influence OF II will de-
velop a love for the home and for
the things that center in and around
the home. all Of which have unfortu-
nately been removed from the home
circle and environment through mod
ern invention and modern methods
of living.
The great object OF outlined pro-
grams for a years work in parent
teacher groups is that through their
influence the home is made d better
place and a more attractive place for
the child in his social and leisure
hours, and the school Is made more
effective for his academic training.