Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-01-07
Clerical Help for Schools

I'm In bit Of quandary. and the
more / think about it. the more con-
fused become. have just noted the
story on the Elementary Principals
Associations request for clerical help,
and noted especially the phrase,
begged for clerical help" Is this our
modern America? And especially, is
this our Capital City?
On the occasion of the dedication Of
the Memorial to the Overseas Press
Correspondents, on the very evening
of the day Of the principals meeting.
the eminent historian, Carl Sandburg,
gave stirring presentation. He spoke
of freedom Of the press, the search
for truth, the search for information.
and that inner desire to be of service
to mankind These are the precious
things for which these correspondents
gave their lives. Where did these great
men learn Of the heritage of our fore
fathers? Wasn't 1t through the per-
sons who guided and directed their
education?
Every newspaper. every magazine,
every periodical has, some time In re-
/, cent months. made reference to the
freedoms" the Importance Of passing
on to the citizens of tomorrow" the
true meaning and understanding and
appreciation of the sheritage Of our
forefathers," and have stressed re-
peatedly that this is most important
factor in the basic foundation of our
democracy. Is 1t not, then, dificult
to- understand the why" of the beg
ging for clerical assistance?" Are we
again following the old adage Of do.
as we say and not as we do?" Should
these administrators have to beg" for
an opportunity to devote their full time
to the teaching or supervision OF the
teaching Of our youngsters?
The formal requirements for the adj
ministration of our elementary schools
and women. dedicated to the education
of children, and with a deep feeling for
and sincere understanding Of the needs
Of children are qualified to undertake
this work. They are q corps Of trained
professional people, who accept the
many demands made >of them-part-
time parent, welfare worker, health
officer, social worker, nurse, community
worker, and thousand and one other
similar taskS-in addition to their re-
sponsibilities Of guiding teachers, car
rying out teaching principles. teaching
citizenship, and submitting detailed re-
ports to their supervisory officials. Is
it within reason, then, to demand even
more Of these people? Should they be
forced to relinquish any Of their time
to tasks which prevent them from full
filing the duties which require years
Of professional training and expert
ence?
Somewhere along the line we have
lost the most important point Of our
educational system. These administra-
tors, principals Of our elementary
schools, are trained personnel. needed
to guide teachers in building the char
acter and molding the minds of our
growing children. To make use of their
training and understanding, that
inner desire TO serve mankind" would
be Justification Of their efforts.
have no doubt as to the effect 1t would
have on the education Of our young
sters.
Let's give the school administrative
staff and the teachers q real oppor-
tunity to do the jobs for which they
are trained and employed.
Mrs. Frank Wool.
Chairman. Area II. Commissioners
Youth Council.