Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-03-05

could have done 1t In a more bust
ness-like manner.
The speaker then referred to the
matter of providing a suitable build
ing for the high school students, say
ing that the present high school is
inadequate for the present needs of
the students, being overcrowded and
the light and ventilation being poor.
The varied courses at the school are
limited but the book courses are all
right. In the manual training class
today there are but eight students
when there should be over one hun
bred and fifty. There is no room at
the high school building for this pur-
pose and the class is held at the Jail
workshop.
With regard to the evil Of cigarette
smoking which Is more or less prac-
ticed by the students CT the school,
he said that the law in the statute
books, which makes 1t unlawful to
sell cigarettes to persons under 81
years Of age, is constantly being vio-
lated and that it is almost impossible
, to enforce this law.
In closing the speaker stated that
the home, church and school should
provide for the physical, social. men
! tai and moral welfare of the stu
F., dents.
Superintendent Of schools Fred W.
| Burrill, spoke along the same lines.
He expressed his confidence in the
| judgment of the people of Augusta
| whom he feels are anxious to have
their children receive every opportu-
! nifty to get an education.
He advocated a longer school day,
either in one or two sessions. prefer
ably the latter. He recommended
| the school day should be from $50
A. NJ. to $50 P. NJ. with a period at
noon to allow the children to go home
to dinner or to partake of a lunch at
school which would be possible II a
cafeteria were established. A school
session of this length would give one
hour and thirty minutes more school
ing a day than under the present
system.
Superintendent BurrilI advised a
broader curriculum with more cours-
es. more teachers. more room and
| longer time in which to carry it out.
He stated that 1T is a most difficult
problem to decide how this should be
brought about.
At a recent convention Of school SUI
! norintendents which he attended in
| CHICAGO from 10000 to 10000 were in
attendance. and the tendency was to
lencthen the hours Of the high school
student. He said that tho sentiment
| is strong in the middle west for jun
/ Tor high. In answer to inquiries sent
out by Principal Perkins to cities of
about the same size as Augusta. it was
| found that siX-seventhS of the schools
are on a two-session day, stated the
! speaker.
advocated the two-session plan and
| that it's advantages outweighed its dls-
advantages. The board feels that the
narents will be willing to do what is
best for the children. A new high
school is greatly needed to relieve the
| present congestion. continued the
speaker, and a Junior high should oc-
cupy the present high school building
! In closing. the speaker said he wish
| ed the parents to discuss the idea
among themselves and that those in
! favor would spread the propaganda rel
ative to q new high school and two
! session day. With the two-session
; day. while it would not do away with
all home study. it would greatly re-
lieve the present situation.
| The fathers Of the students at the
! Lincoln school came to this meeting as
! guests of the ParentTeacher Associa-
ton, but so enthusiastic were they
over the work being done that when
they left large number had signed
| the charter and joined tho organiza-
| ton.
The week of March 10 to H. inclu-
sive. was designated at this meeting
as Visiting Week. during which the
parents may visit the school. sill
yer collection will be taken during the
week for the general expenses of the
association. and the parents may con-
tribute as much as they desire. Ger
tain pupils of the school have been APP
pointed to have charge of this collec-
ton.
The hostesses at this meeting were
Mrs. Guy Dow. Mrs. Tribou. Mrs. +. T.
Holmes and Mrs. G. A. Royal. After the
business meeting and speeches. delight
. full refreshments of sandwiches and
coffee were served by the hostcsses
and social hour was enjoyed.