New Britain herald., 1924-11-15
OPEN HOUSE WEEK
 IN THE SCHOOLS
New Britain to Observe Ameri,
 can Education Week

Every resident Of New Britain is invited to visit the public schools during the week of November 1T, President Coolidge has proclaimed this week American Education Week, and its observance will be nationwide,
 A committee representing various school departments has made plans for its observance. However, each school is planning its own activities along the lines suggested by the committee, since one of the purposes oi the observance Is to show actual classroom work,
 Every day in the week, morning and afternoon, IS visiting day, For those whose daytime duties prevent their attendance at the regular sessions, sessions on appointed even ings will be held in the high schools and the State Trade school. Evening schools may be visited on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings from 7;30 10 9:30. Printed invitations. urging parents to visit school, have been distribut- ed, and posters made by the art department and displayed in promi- nent places, second this Invitation. 1 Pamphlets containing the history Of New Britain's schools and pictures Of schools, pupils and school facul- ties, will be sent out next week. Special meetings of Parents and ! Teachers associations are being called announcement of which will be taken home by pupils. Since the fundamental idea Of American Education Week Is pa triottsm, letters have been sent 10 civic clubs, including the Business and Professional Women's club. the Woman's club, the Chamber of Commerce, the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Common wealth club, and the Lions, Kiwanis, and Rotary clubs inviting their CO., operation. The American Legion will furnish speakers for the schools and for the Parents and Teachers hSsOCldtlOn meetings.
 The general aims Of open-house week in the schools have been summed lip as follows:
 l. To give general information in regard to the aims and methods of public education.
 2. To bring about closer CO., operation between the parents and teachers.
 8. To promote The interests of the boys and girls of our city, and thereby build more perfectly for the future.
 Aims Of the Public
 The aims of the public school are stated in bulletin of the Research division of the National Education association as follows:
 l. The public school recognizes as its first aim the development of character through fixing right habits of conduct" This aim is particu- larIy emphasized in New Britain schools.
 .. The school aims 10 give all children a good command of the fundamental process--the three R's." Sometimes N1e criticism is heard that the three R's are no longer taught, but modern schools give children better grasp of the three R's in a shorter period of teaching time, and time is left for instruction in the basic life activi- ties.
 5. 'The school aims to give chil- dren the health habits and attitudes essential to healthful living" The . Connecticut law regarding instruc- ton in physical education Is very , definite.
 I. The public school recognizes the development Of good citizenship as one Of its primary tasks" 5. The school aims 10 give training essential to effective home life"
 $. The foundation for vocaaon- al efficiency is laid in the public . school
 I. The schools aim to train chi,- , dron for the effective use Of leisure time.
 8. "The public school aims 10 in- crease the general mental efficiency Of all children.
 Facts About New Britain Schools
 New Britain schools are planned 10 educate the children Of New Brit , ain. The many problems that arise : require careful study. particularly that Of school accommodations which every growing city faces.
 In four Of the largest elementary schools the platoon system is in use. This system provides for the accom- modation Of more pupils in the same school than the old system would provide for, and is particularly adapted 70 schools with auditoriums ard gymnasums. Instead Of one teacher teaching all subjects to one group, she teaches one subject 10 many groups, becoming more or less Of specialist and giving her pupils the benefit of better teaching. Tho auditorium is in use all day. giving children training which g small room does not allow for.
 visit 10 the library of one Of these schools is interesting. Here are found tables and chairs in place ot desks, and several hundred VOL tunes furnished by the New Britain Institute, supplemented bv books owned by the school Children Of all grades except the first receive h. structjon in the use of books and enjoy the activity indulged in hy every lover of hooks-b browsing Something ot interest mentioned in the science class is looked up, or e partly-read story is finished. Illus- trations for q history lesson are fCDDd Nr a gtCry-bcur r1av he n,7-