The Republican., 1925-12-03

ceive the opportunity of giving the
teacher invaluable information in re-
gard to their children. They learn the
existing conditions of the school and
can very often, by important sugges-
tions enable the teacher to overcome
many irregularities.
No one person or group can more
successfully influence public opinion
and public school officials than inter-
ested, enthusiastic patrons. The Par
ent-Teacher Association gives them
/ aid in this by bringing before them
the school conditions and possibilities.
After learning the new methods of
teaching, the parents will have fav-
orable attitude toward the aims es-
tablished by school authorities and
will give assistance in obtaining those
aims. They will have a better view
point toward the consolidation of
school and school tax problems
The people soon learn the condi-
! tions in other communities and from
them they gather new ideas which
enable them to carry out their plans
more easily.
! The teachers can exercise their in
fiuence with the parents and arouse
them to greater efforts relative to
the daily needs of better education.
They need to know about what the
parents are thinking and feeling, the
courses of study in school, the meth
DDS Of teaching and the discipline of
the school before they can do their
work properly. If they are acquainted
with the environment of the child
they teach, they learn his special
needs and difficulties.
When physician attempts to i'm
prove the health of child, he con-
suits and co-operates with the child's
parents. A teacher needs to do this
too, in an attempt to promote the
childs physical, mental and moral
growth.
Teachers must have the social con-
tact and goodwill of the community
IN order to promote its general well
fare and advancement. The only way
they can obtain this is through
Parent-Teacher Association which
should meet regularly to discuss such
matters.
After understanding the needs and
potentialities of their students, the
teachers become more sympathetic.
They appreciate the help given by the
patrons in promoting child welfare
and are more willing to perform their
tasks.
The association sees that the teach
ers are well trained in every school
position. 1t also increases the facil-
tiles for the training of teachers. BY
such inducements it will draw to this
profession men and women of the
highest character and ability. Such
an awakening of the realization of
the Importance and value of education
will elevate teaching to a higher
plane.
The parents and teachers, together,
will urge the child to form good hab-
its, which he will keep through life.
Thus a Parent Teacher Association
is means of developing good citizen
ship-the key to the success of our
government.
The organization is civic in its
broadest and highest sense. 1t works
in an organized manner for a higher,
nobler national life. This can be at
tanned only through the proper train
ing of the child.
Through the Parent Teacher Asso-
citation the social system becomes
more unified, more progressive and
cooperation is strong between par
ents and teachers. Without such an
organization there will be ignorance
and misunderstanding between the
school and the community. The
schools will be hampered by lack of
funds to meet the legitimate needs as
q IGSull VI Cil4S lS llOldIlSG anu lnlSul-
derstanding.
With the Association the energy
and efforts of the administrative and
teaching staff can be devoted almost
entirely to the improvements of in
struction for the children Of inter
ested, sympathetic parents. On the
other hand, community in which the
school staff is constantly the target
for destructive criticism, puts the
teachers in the position of defending
themselves and their work, which, in
deed, prevents school progress.
Through the Parent Teacher Asso-
citation, the school becomes a social
center. All the meetings Of the AS
sociation can be held in the school
building. The public may use it, thru
the Parent Teacher Association, for
socials and meetings of educational
value. Money, for the Improvement
of the school may be earned by charg-
ing admission to these entertain
ments.
The Parent Teacher Association
brings the rich and the moor into