Evening star., 1924-12-14
CENTRAL SCHOOL
! BODY ORGANIZED
Parent Teacher Association
Started Six Months Ago
Perfected.
.-tl

Organization of the Central High
School ParentTeacher Association
started about six months ago. was
completed at a meeting last night
of group of parents and teachers
in the Ella Morgan memorial room
of the school. Officers were elected
and a general program of activities
outlined.
Frederick l. Fishback, former
president of the Central Alumni As
ISOLATION and one of the most ardent
supporters of the school, was unani-
mously elected to head the new or
ganization. Mrs. Andrew Stewart
was chosen general vice president
Paul E. Lesh, general treasurer, and
Mrs. Lillian Ross, general secretary.
-Four pro tempore Woe presidents also
were elected to organize groups of
parents and teachers representing
the first, second, third and fourth
year classes
These groups will elect permanent
chairmen who will automatically be-
come vice presidents of the associa-
ton. The vice presidents pro tenn
pore are Walter Trey, Mrs Allard H.
Gasque, wife of Representative
Gasque of South Carolina; Alvin w.
Miller, assistant principal of Central,
and Mrs. William f. Bannerman.
Defends Youth of Today.
stephen F.. Kramer, principal of
Central, told the association that the
greatest asset TO a school is "synpa-
thetic, understanding people" and
took occasion to defend the youth OF
today against the attacks of social
reformers. "All this talk about the
degeneration of children Is just pure
rot" declared Mr.. Kramer. Your
boys and girls are Just as good as
those of other generations. The only
difrerence is that the children of to-
day are more intelligent.
They are leading a complex life.
Childhood as profession has out
grown parenthood as a profession.
Any one who says anything about
the degeneracy Of Centrars students
has got to prove it, because we are
their guardians"
An outline of the functions of
the paernt-teacher organization was
given by Dean William C. Ruediger
of the teachers college of George
Washington University. He empha-
sized that such body should not
be a social club.
The parent-teacher association
said Dean Ruediger. forms a medi-
ating acquaintance between the home
and the school and supplants the now
passe custom of the visitation of the
school by parents. While there is
corporation between the home and
the school," he added, the latter
should not attempt to manage the
home. The reverse also is true
Parents should not attempt to run
the school. The running of the
school hos to be done by the regular
and organized channels"
Function of Organization.
An effective parent-teacher asso-
citation, Dean Ruediger pointed out,
should devote its time to considera- :
tion Of school improvements. aid in
the regulation of the social life of a
student and handle disciplinary
problems. 1T also is all right for
the parent-teac acher organizations here
in Washington to buy pictures, sup
plies and other things for the schools
when Congre ssional appropriations
Rre lacking" he said. IF this was
any other city out in the United
States I would not feel the same
way"
Mrs. Giles Scott Rafter, president
OF the District Congress of Parent
Teacher Associations, explained that
there is definite line of work for a
parent-teacher body. Such an organ
ization, she said, should confine it's
work to school problems and leave
community problems to the citizens
associations.