The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1940-09-05
BACK AT
SCHOOL
LAURA GRAY

LA UNA UNA
There was a stir down our street this
September morning, a sort of breath
lessness in voice and step, as boys and
girls ran out from houses on both
sides. Carefully washed and combed,
with shining faces and most of them
in new shoes, they walked-not with
the abandon of holidays, but with new
purposefulness. Happy, eager conver-
sation showed that school, for them,
was ali enjoyable adventure-despite
the popular idea that it is dreaded and
disliked.
At the entrance of her front yard,
young Mrs. Bently stood for long
time, shading her eyes toward the
school, as if loath to have her precious
six-year-old out of her sight. She turn
ed toward the house, then came back
again and stopped big boy, in new
brown suit, who was whistling joyous
notes, "Jim, have an eye for my Tom
my-won't you? School is new to him.
Don't let anyone pick on him or bully
him."
"Sure, I'll look out for Tommy, Mrs.
Bently." Jim Strengthened, touched his
brand new cap, then strode on
whistling.
More doors opened; little girls with
fresh frocks and long legs, and eyes
full of laughter, came out, joined
others and focked up the street.
Then the doors of the big, gray
schoolhouse were closed, and the street
was quiet-so quiet. Only few lonely
dogs were left, and they lay on the
sidewalks, noses between paws, point
ed toward the school, waiting hope
fully for their playmates to come
back.
What can we members do to help
our children who have gone so eager
ly to spend the best hours of the day
in the big, gray school? Is there any
thing we can do? If mothers could be
teachers for while they would soon
know that a pupils success depends
very much on the home from which
he comes.
First we can help him physically.
You have only to look into the face
of child to know whether he has
had full nights sleep, been properly
bathed, and had an adequate break
fast-with plenty of time to eat it..
If, so, it will tend to make his eyes
gfisten, to make him alert, to give
him grip on life and a conscious
ness of his rightful place among his
fellows. Remember, attending school
is real work.
We can help the school child social
ly, too. Some boys and girls have
way with them that wins friends
Immediately; others like them, trust
them. Almost at once they are chosen
leaders in various activities. Other
youngsters stand aloof-shy, timid,
unhappy, perhaps even sullen. Why?
The home should find out and bring
about a reversal.
Clothes have marked place in
school life, just as they have in other
kinds of society Untidy, unclean, ill
fitting clothes give the school boy or
girl an inferior place in his own es
timation, as well as in that of teach
ers and schoolmates. Unusual apparel
clothes unlike those worn by the ma
jority-mark boy or girl as "queer."
Youngsters do not often complain of
these things, but they suffer much
from self-consciousness. Let us, as
far as our means will permit-and it
is usually not a question of means,
but of understanding and care-enable
the student to face the day, his teach
er and his comrades, unconscious of
his clothes. He will, if they are not
noticeably unlike those of his mates.
You will want your child, also to
have happy, genial outlook on life,
with readiness to help others. Con-
slider that he can hardly do this, if
he hears unfavorable remarks against
school, teacher or pupils, at home. 1t
will help him if we welcome-get to
know-the friends he brings home,
and it will help to keep him at home
if we manage to have some place
shed, basement or garden-where "the
gang" can and will come to play.
A quiet, warm, well-lighted place
and a set time for study will be about
all the help required of us with re-
gard to the child's homework. And if
we are alert, ready at all times to do
for the child all that belongs to the
home to do, it is not likely that we
shall be disappointed with the results
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