Evening star., 1941-12-14

on a bleak, cold day IN February
1897, It's very wise founders set l
"objectives" which they proposed to
use as working model for their
activities These five objectives are
practically the same today as then;
only slight change in wordage has
been made in one, which in nowise
alters its meaning. For the benefit
of those unfamiliar with the OBJ
jectives, submit them:
ITO promote the welfare of chill
dren and youth in home, school,
church and community.
ITO raise the standards of home
life.
TO secure adequate laws for the
care and protection of children and
youth.
ITO bring into closer relation the
home and the school, that parents
and teachers may cooperate in
telligently in the training of the
child.
TO develop between educators
and the general public such united
efforts as will secure for every child
the highest advantages in physical,
mental, social and spiritual educa-
ton"
Program Is Reviewed.
Even cursory reading of these
objects should convince any reader
that the program of the Parent
Teacher Association has been one
of conservation; one of construction;
one of welfare; one of defense.
For it has conserved the youth of
our country by elevating health
standards, food habits, mental
habits; by teaching personal and
community responsibility; it has
furnished many types of adult edu-
cation courses, attended by thou
sands of women; it has conducted
physical examinations of hundreds
of thousands of pre-school children
during the more than a quarter of
up has been in force, and through
these examinations has been able to
direct attention of parents to re-
medlable defects, which in the ma
jority of cases have been corrected;
it has held dental demonstrations
to provide the means for teaching
proper oral hygiene to school chill
dren; it has been pioneer in the
supplementary milk lunches and in
the free school lunch program; it
has cared for thousands of children
through its Student Aid Committee
work; 1t has never failed to align
itself with accepted educa ational
methods and programs; it has CO.
operated with other organizations
in bringing to an effective conclu-
sion legislation which would operate
to the benefit of children.
These and many other instances
may be cited as evidence of the
effectiveness of the parent-teacher
program as defense contribution.
individuals Aid Agencies.
In addition, individual members
have co-operated in countless ways
with welfare agencies; with Red |
Cross projects and membership |
drives; and T. B. seal sales; with |
Community Chest campaigns; with |
safety programs-in fact, the roster
is so full it would be impossible to
enumerate here all of the projects
which have fallen within the scope |
OF their activities.
Therefore, may I state that it is
the belief of the members of the
Board of Managers of the District
OF Columbia Congress of Parents |
and Teachers, that we parent |
teacher members can be most ef- |
fective in civilian defense of our
country by continuing our work in
the future as We have in the past:
by performing the duties which fall |
to our lot as housewives and mothers
and teachers; by maintaining in
our homes and our school rooms as
nearly normal an atmosphere as it |
is possible for us to do; by prevent |
Ing, so far as we can, the burden
OF this defense program falling upon
the slender shoulders of our chill /
dren, who should be given, so far
as 1t lies within our power. everv
opportunity to believe in the security !
OF their homes; the sancity of their |
hres1des-but there is not men, |
Der OF this great organization who
does not stand-ready and willing
to accept whatever responsibility |
the defense of our country may de- |
mand
And last but not least. if we do
these things effectively. we shall be
standing shoulder to shoulder with !
our men folks, by making of their
homes a haven of serenity and nor
malcy-a living symbol of the thing
that makes our country worth de-
Tending.
Kingsman-P Pierce.
The association will meet tomor-
row at 8 pm. in the Kingsman
School. A Christmas play will be
presented.
Powell Junior High.
Plans have been completed for the |
Red Cross frst-aid course which |
will start on January 5. There will |
be afternoon and evening classes.
Congress Heights.
Donations for the Christmas bas-
kets will be received at the school |
on Wednesday, Thursday and Fri |