Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-01-09
YOUR CHILD
In SCHOOL
By DR.. Frank ". BnILOu.
Superintendent Of Schools. Washington.


A spirit Of sympathy and close CO.
operation must exist between the par.
ent and the teacher II an intelligent
understanding and proper procedure
is to be established in the education
of our boys and girls
Parent and teacher together are
vitality interested In child training as
a whole. The interest of one cannot
be viewed as existing apart from the
interest of the other. Neither has a
sphere which Is separate and distinct.
1t should be apparent to the
thoughtful observer that the parent
and the teacher are seeking the same
objective. namely, the proper training
of the child. The parent Is exerting
an influence over the child In the
home and at other times outside of
school hours, while the teacher is I'M
dertaking to provide systematic edu-
cation and training for the child
within the school. and. in some re-
spects. outside OF actual school hours.
a II parents take the view that the
education of the child is exclusively
the responsibility of the teacher, and
render the teacher no assistance in
her work. the classroom instruction
Is going to be immea surab bly, less eff
fective than it should be. II, on the
other hand, teachers proceed on the
assumption that they do not need the
advice, counsel and sympathetic I'M
Outstanding of parents, the success
Of the school will fall far short Of
those high standards Of Accomplish
ment at which educators aim.
Fortunately, successful teachers do
not take such a narrow view of their
place in the educative plan They
know that they can succeed with
their share OF the great task Of train
ing the Nations youth only by a
thorough understanding Of the chill
dren conf1ded to their care. They
know that their success. and the sue.
cess Of the children. depends on an
intimate knowledge Of the problems
| Of the individual child obtained
child. not only in school. but In his
environment in the home, on the
playground and wherever else he may
| be found
! When the teacher becomes per
sonally acquainted with the child s
parents, has learned of their ambi.
tons for him. and knows something
of his problems and capacities, the
teacher Is in a. better position to pro.
vide proper instruction for that child.
| Such personal acquaintanceship be
]
brings about mutual confidence, the
parent knowing what the teacher Is
| trying to do for the child, and the
teacher realizing that the effort OF
| the classroom is receiving proper
parental support at home.
| Meetings of parentteacher associa
lions provide opportunities for parents
and teachers to become acquainted
and furnish occasions for the discus.
sion Of educational matters of mutual
concern. Both teachers and parents
should take advantage of the oppor.
tunity thus offered OF becoming mem.
bers of parent.teacher orga nizations
and show their interest by regularly
attending meetings.
In addition to parentteacher meet.
| ings, most schools set aside certain
times for the receiving and enter
tanning of parents. Special assem-
| bies and school entertainments, OF
various kinds furnish parents with
| opportunities to visit the school and
become acquainted with the institu
ton in which their boys and girls
spend so much Of their daily lives.
Moreover, In every progressive
school system parents are encour
aged to visit thA public scheols n