New Britain herald., 1929-11-15

! finest in America. They are an in stitution greater than many colleges. | They are about three times as large as Wesleyan and the Central Junior | high school is more than three times as large as Trinity,
 They are just as important to 1 the future Of America as the rank and file of those in Wesleyan or 1 Trinity.
 Jr. II, $. an Important Unit often l have teachers come to me 10 apply for a position in the senior high school. l say, We can give you a job ip the junior high school They tell me they will take q junior high school job if can as sure them it will be a stepping stone 10 a senior high job. 1 tell them we won't give any such assurance. We don't use our junior high schools for that purpose. We want teachers who are interested in teaching ] Teaching in any one school is as important as teaching in another There IS nothing more important than the job Of being a mother Of q child in the prc-sChOol age. Benefits of Modern system
 'Thc junior high school can do infinitely more than the old fash toned grammar school The old grammar school had no gymnasium for the Childrcn's physical activi- ties, it had no auditorium for So- cial activities, it had no shop for in diVidual expression, it had no social ized school activities. There were not enough students to form a good sig ed club ill the whole ninth grade.
 "The junior high school of today fits the boy and girl of the adoIes- cent or mid-adolescent age better than any other organization. They are away from contact with the smaller children Of the elementary grades and also from the older chill dren of senior high school age. They are masters of their own fate. They assume responsibilities.
 Less Artificiality Now
 "The Junior High school is the best kind Of a school anyone yet has found, private schools not excepted, for the -adolescent and mid adolcscent age.
 The modern, well conducted jun for high school emphasizes friendly
  pupils and between pupils and teachers, and teaches them vital experiences compared to the old time grammar school. where we spent most Of our time committing to memory what was in the book. artiticiality-we try to make it real That's the kind Of teaching that sticks.
 "These are days Of rapid change and we don't depend so much on our memories. The geography of , years ago IS useless today. Science We were taught years ago is out of date today. We must teach children tO be adjustable to a life of change.
 We try to develop a spirit Of CO., operation. Boys and girls in our junior high schools arc willing 10 help their fellow students, teachers and school.
 Teachers Interested in Pupils
 "The teacher in the home room has a personal interest in the pupil, her interest is that Of a kindly friend
 There are many clubs in the junior high schools. They are just as natural as life. Here the chil- dren band together under leaders of their own choosing. The teacher is just q friendly adviser"
 He explained how the boy Of an earlier generation received his education in school, chopping wood at home, working on his grand fathers farm and in many outside activities. The school contributed very little to his complete education. he stated.
 The old text book method has given way to the modern assign ment system, There is a greater freedom"
 All Admit Whispering Looking down at a gathering of about 20H school children in the room, MT. Holmes suddenly askcl How many have whispered today" 1 There was an embarrassed pause. l Finally one after another practically i all hands went up, amidst much ! embarrassed laughter. Tn my day 1 they didn't permit whispering in l the school, Therefore the biggest l liar in the room got off the best i and the poor little simpleton who i told in" truth got it in the neck. 1 We don't say rise. turn and so on, i giving orders like they do to prison CTS in q state prison. We walk out 1 or classrooms now like human be- ings.
 "I read in the newspapers recent 1 ly that one school official in another i city was in favor of abolishing 1 home study, I think home study ] .I, ,I |. t,,.