Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1932-06-30
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Opinion of Others
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Scandinavian requirements at MIN
nesota university.
Has this work then been worth
while?-If so, then why set 1t aside In
a state where our university offers ad-
vanced work in this course? Why
should we not give the children Of
our community, who have this won
derful talent. an opportunity to de-
velop it without in any way detract-
ing from their development of the
English? i would advise a similar
course in a German, Irish, or any
other community.
America, the American people, Is
in the making. Each people from
Europe has its good talents to con-
tribute. Many speak of the Melting
Pot" but forget. that the outcome de-
ponds upon if anything worth while
is put into it. But how are we OF
the second, third or fourth generation
going to be able to contribute the good
traits and talents of our race when
these talents are being buried fast?
We of America should profit by the
experiences and the thought of the
through the study of their literature
and history.
Is this clannishness when we seek to
give our children as complete an eng
lish education as possible? American
patriotism" does not mean narrow
ing of vision, but an enlargement OF
vision. For the sake of greater
future and nobler American thought
the noblest on the face of the earth.
let us give our children today
chance to bring into American life
their heritage.
Is there no demand for the Scan
dinavian course this coming year?
Yes, even greater than in 1880. Be-
fore the close of the last school year,
Mr.. Jensen showed me a list of names
of 20 boys and girls who had chosen
to enter this course next September.
Now this does not mean 90 students
out of the total high school enroll
ment, but out of the tenth and eleventh
grade enrolment. The course is an
elective and only open to the two
grades, in accordance with the wish
es of the state inspector. Danish was
dropped in 7th and Sth grades be-
cause of the great number of studies
required in those years, but we had
hoped to arrange for the Scandinavian
course in 9th and 10th grades to &C
commodate more of the students who
later drop out of high school. For
some reason, however, the inspector
objected to this.
1t seems sheer foolishness not to
give as many children as wish it the
chance to further develop the knowl-
edge of Scandinavian they already
have acquired in their homes and in
the grades. They have a possibility
of advancing much farther into the
understanding of the culture of their
fore-fathers than if they were to be-
gin to learn any foreign language.
And why not let them apply this
knowledge to their credit? If the
board needed more assurance of de-
mand why did they not send out ques-
tionaires as for Domestic Science?
Was there no possibility of engag-
ing an instructor with the necessary
qualifications for the Scandinavian
course? According to Supt. Graffel-
mans statement, they could have
hired teacher with full high school
requirements and recommended to
them by as well-known a man in this
community as the Rev. S. D. Rodholm,
former president of Grand View Col
lege.
Finally, was the cost Of carrying on
this course prohibitive? The total
cost of extra equipment for this spe-
cial course was very little more than
$1,000 for the two years. Books for
extra reading were borrowed from
the Danish Folk Society's local Ii
brary without cost. Miss Elna Peder-
sen and H. Jensen had three periods
each week in Scandinavian and were
paid their salary as teachers in the
high school. My work of two lectures
each week was donated free of charge.
But all the equipment now on hand
would have been sufficient for the
next four years for the same number
of students. Therefore the course for
the coming year would practically
cost only that part of one teachers
salary, which any other course would
cost.
Can the board arrange for Domestic
Science and Manual Training at less
cost?
These, and other questions, should
like to have answered before school
election.
A. E. FROST.
Askov, MINI.
LAND O'LAKES, THE FARMERS