Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-05-09
PTA Farley Backs
.3O-Point School Plan
College Sought
For Truinine
Of Teachers

The District of Columbia Con-
greSs of Parents and Teachers
today unanimously approved a
30-point program asking Con-
gress for money for educational
facilities.
The organization, meeting in
its 43d annual convention, re-
solved to work for congressional
appropi iations for enough teach.
ers, school staff, teachers SAL
aries, expansion of services and
equipment
On the list of items for which
the group wants money are a
new central administration
building for the District school
system, a new teachers college
with authority to give post
graduate degree, facilities for
children who are wards of the
Board of Public Welfare, and
textbooks and supplies to meet
each pupils needs. These items
ARE new on the groups list of {
appropriation requests it makes
each year.
Record Attendance
About 1000 delegates from a
District schools registered for the
three-day convention. This il
the largest number of represent
tatives in the 51-year history of
the Congress.
The convention is meeting at
Madison Arms, 1920 G street
NV.
The fatal shooting last week
Iof a Maryland school teacher
by Billy Ray Prevatte, a 14-year-
|old student, was described last
night by a well-known local
educator as a tragedy of our
times"
who is really responsible for
such terrible acts-the parents,
the schools or the churches?"
The question was asked BY
Canon Charles Martin, head
master of st. Adams School,
while addressing the opening
session of the PTA group.
I'VE still don't know where
the real fault lies," Mr.. Martin
told some 300 persons who at
tended the first session of the
three-day meeting.
Suggests denomination
The killing last Friday of Fra
ger Cameron, a 32-year-old
teacher at Maryland Park Junior
High School, was described by
the headmaster as a vivid dram
latization of the need today for
determination of community
life on all levels.
"The shooting was a tragedy
Of our times" Mr.. Martin said.
1--WE are building for destruc-
ton in chaotic times, and mean
while we forget the responsible
tiles of community institutions.
Most of our delinquents are
adults"
He called for stricter discipline
in the home and at school.
Discipline is the only way to
teach young people their highest
capabilities and respect for the
other person." Mr.. Martin said.
| He hit at progressive educa-
tors, who have let sound educa-
ton go out the window" Educa-
tional opportunities for all
children was one day looked
upon as magnificent American
vision, the educator said, but the
public remains unwilling to pay
the price for it.
He urged all groups in the
community to help provide "the
basic needs of youngsters: The
feeling that they belong, the
feeling they are valued for what
they are"
Gangs Are Alternative
The failure to do that has led
to the forming of gangs" Mr..
Martin said. The youngsters
seek attachments and a stand.
ing in the scheme of things
which they don't get at home.
Mrs. Temple Dunn. a seventh
grade teacher at Jefferson Junior
High School. and Mrs. Robert
Van Deusen. a Health School
parent, discussed the role of the
school and home. Mrs. Josephine
kyles OF the Washington FEEDER
alton of Churches and Mrs. A. T..
Spencer, president of the board
OF Bakers Dozen Youth Center.
spoke on the church and recrea-
ton. DR.. Calvin Linton, associ-
ate dean of Columbian College,
George Washington University.
was moderator.
Among those present we're Jo-
seph A. Hunter, national vice
president of the congress, region
2, and Howard Rees, program
chairman for the convention.
John B. Gillilland, president of
the congress. presided.