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The Exeter Times-Advocate, 1952-02-28, Page 11THE T1MES-ADVOCATE, EXETER, ONTARIO, THURSDAY MORNING, FEBRUARY 28, 1952 Principal Defends Program, kmmu a tvBoard Encourages Interest Jr By CLAUDE BROWES Principal, Exeter Public School Almost a year* has .passed since the public school population— 340 children and nine teachers (we could U8e ten)— moved out of the obsolete structure, now in its last stages of being razed, to the ultra modern building which we now occupy. Almost overnight the general morale of both stu dents and staff improved immen sely, not to mention the general health conditions (mumps ex cepted ). One reads with considerable interest the criticism of our pre sent curriculum, sports too much emphasized with not enough im portance attached to the three “Rs”. The swing of the last few years has definitely been direct ed towards the so-called “Fancy Subjects”—music, art, atheltics etc. In my opinion, this has been well merited. Enthusiasm in school activities must be main tained and through the medium of the above, this has been at tained and sustained. When one considers the trend of modern times to switch move and more the responsibility of disciplinary measurers from the home to the school, any movement directed towards making the teacher’s lot happier in this respect shoula call for sympathy on the part of t||e parents and teachers. Athletics create a safety valve outlet for pen-up energy and en thusiasm and properly channel!, ed and supervised and evenly balanced with academic activi ties create the perfect set-up. In our school, I contend we have the situation under control, Activities Each teachpr with her class uses two one-half hour weekly physical activity periods in the gym. The senior girls receive in struction. in folk, old and new time 3:30 ceive and same functions under the direction of Mr. Wilson at James Street CJhurch Sunday School each Tues day evening. At present an Operetta entitl ed “Cinderella” is in the course of preparation and will be pre sented in the school April 3 and 4. This is a co-operative enter prise shared equally by the staff and students. A public speaking contest for grade seven and eight pupils has become an annual event schedule for May. In 1951 this was spon sored by the local Home and School Association. Awards fot track and field meet champions are awarded annually, thanks to the generosity of interested bus iness people. The Kinsmen’s awarded annually on Dominion Day, for the best school in. the parade was grade five in 1951. The E.D.H.S. provides tion in Shop Work and Home Economics for grade seven and eight boys and girls respectively, two hours A silver cup presented to the Fee Wee Hockey League was won in the season 1950-51 by the Maple Leafs captained by Billy Pollen. At present the Red Wings, captained by Jim Rus sell head the league standing, which consists of teams repre sented by the Leafs, Hawks, Canadians, Indians and Red Wings. Dur.ing the ice season the children enjoy skating two after noons a week, 3:00 to 4:00, where instruction is given not only in the art of muscular coor dination but an advanced course in shoe finding ad lace tying find a place on the curriculum. This period of skating is fol lowed by two-half Pee Wee hoc key matches, conducted by inter- .ested teachers who offer extra curricular activities for free., Recess and noon-hour periods are supervised in and out of school during all seasons. This is ft good will gesture by the staff. Last fall, the first regional music festival was held which proved to be a decided success. Twenty-three pupils graduat ed in June, from Grade eight to Grade nine, About two dozen pupils from outside municipalities use bus transportation services. The par ents pay a monthly fee per pupil to partially offset the cost of in structional supplies, provided by the local trustee board,Yes, report cards are still in use in the E.P.S., the prime pur pose of which is to show a child s progress in his academic and so cial life rather than a means of comparison with the neighbour's child—which leads me to add the story about Bobby who re dancing one weekly period, to 4:00. The senior boys re instruction in basketball volleyball twice weekly, period. A junior glee club silver trophy fancy dressed won by instruc- weekly. Ry R. E. RUSSELL Chairman, E.P.S. Board From March 4 to 10, the im portance of education is stressed, as the foundation of good citi zenship. Education has correctly been described as an investment in people. All of us in this com munity are interested in improv ing the level of properity and our standards of living. But per- suf- 6uU* haps we have not been fieiently concerned "Wltll til6 ..... cational investment in our peo ple required to bring about improvement. To be sure, the control of cation lies with the various pro vinces, but providing education is essentially a community re sponsibility, and we should be working hard to study our local community's educational system-, to understand its needs, and to make our own schools an inter- gral part of our community's life. Yes, Education becomes u community responsibility. The election of the best possible citi zens to serve on school boards is important. The problems of administration, finance, and sour ces of revenues, the problems of adequate planning and budget ing for future growth and deve lopment, the problems of secur ing and retaining .the most cap able men and women teachers; recognition of their important status in the community, and the close co-operation among par ents, teachers, business and in dustry, are all matters which should be studied' carefully. The citizens of this commun ity can do much to assist those charged with the responsibility for education in our towns, cities, and villages, to do their work better and to bring in gen- of and eral a better appreciation what is being accomplished, of the task that lies ahead. During Education Week, this edu- During Education Week, an opportunity is given to re-evalu ate our Canadian school system . . . our local schools in this community, for Education Everybody’s Business, H.S. Curriculum Has Two Aims is By H. L. STURGIS Principal E.D.H.S. The first two years of high school may be regarded as the completion of a course begun in grade seven of the public school. This period likewise marks the beginning of the high school course proper culminating, in grade twelve with the award of the High School Diploma. In our school we are now at tempting to distinguish between these two aims and evolve dif ferent courses of study for each. This would be impossible in a curriculum without options and without some freedom in choice of content of courses. When pupils enter high school they are given an educational test. This, along with the co operation of the public school in supplying candid reports on each pupil makes it possible even in Grade IX to advise Students as to whether they should take a foreign language or spend more time on English and mathema tics. In this way students are more likely to take work geared to their needs and abilities. During their first year through classes in vocational guidance and student interviews the goals and educational needs of stu dents are further clarified. When the student is ready to enter Grade X he can see which of the three courses available to him are best suited to his needs. All three courses have .an ob ligatory core of subjects. This is an assurance that the three “Rs” or educational fundamentals are not overlooked, The student aim ing for higher education will choose an academic course of study Which will give him most scope for abstract thinking. A student who is at all doubtful as to future educational plans is urged to take one practical op tion so that he may leave school with some utilitarian value. The student whose high school car eer is likely to he less than four years is wise in choosing all the practical * subjects possible as —please turn to Page 12 turned home from .school with his report card for his mother's inspection.“But dear,” she said, the trouble? Why have poor grades this time?’ “There's no trouble, mom. You know things are always marked down after the holidays." “what is you such EDUCATION WEEK focusses attention ©n the problems and achievements of education generally. It is designed to bring the Canadian teacher and Canadian parent together, to generate greater mutual understanding, and to bripg about a wider appreciation of the gift of education. On this page, local leaders of the community, educational officials, parents and interested citizens present their views on “Education — Everybody’s Business”. Parent-Teacher Understanding Home And School Objective By MRS. ERNEST If. JONES President, Exeter Home And School Association Next week marks the sixteenth observance of Canadian Educa tion week. The object of educa tion is growth and development toward maturity — a maturity wliidh involves tho ability to make decisions and to assume responsibility. Education is a co operative endeavour, the child ren bring together the parents and the tecliers. During recent years- parents have shown an in ceased interest in the work^ of the schools. Gradually it is being realized that “education is every body’s business”, and not just that of the teachers. Exeter sociation 180,000 teachers ther in the interests of all child ren to provide boys and girls. Our children family life. As moves from the helpless stage of the infant toward being a help ful member of the family group His first teachers are his par ents, and how eager he is to en ter with them into the give-and- take of family life! Im his home the child gains his first know ledge years child as to years Home and School As- members are among Canadian parents and who are working toge- what is best for need to share in a child grows he of co-operation. During the of formal education, the is taught to think as well read and to write. As the progress he is trained to earn his own living and to take his place as an informed citizen in the community. Thus the home, the school and the com munity share jointly in the edu cation of the child. Home and School urges all in the community to strive for the goal of a sound educational pro gram, Members are studying the reports of the Royal Commission on Education and tin Commission on Arts, L# Science and in addition ticipating in the Curriculum vision. Home and School is ing its part in helping to mote a sound educational gram. Exeter Home and School sociation has its own educational program: at the request of Exe ter’s Recreational Council, a committee of Home and School has undertaken to organize a series of Saturday morning clas ses for children between the ages of five and twelve. A program of story-telling, games, crafts and physical training has been ar ranged, with the mothers doing most of the in structing, assist ed by some generous members of the teaching profession, and also by a group of hard-working teen-agers. A threefold aim has been kept in mind: 1. That the children enjoy them selves 2. That the mothers find this contact with, their own and Mas .ters are ■ .ssey and par- Re- do- pro- pro- As- Parents Define Obligations, Criticize Current Curriculum I By A PARENT | Education is as much the par- I ent’s business as it is the school’s. I expect the schools to teach my children certain skills, but I cannot expect it to take j over my responsibilities for me. I For example, I expect the school to teach my child to read ■ and to read well, but it is my j job as a parent, to encourage his {reading for pleasure, to develop to of > his tastes in reading, sure that in addition 1 books he has a wealth • reading available. I expect the school make comic other other people’s children a no vel and rewarding experience. I my child to write legibly andtoteach icwjuwug Bipoiiruce, > uiy vimu iu wins usgiuiy uud That teen-agers gain from this ?to spell correctly in all subjects, opportunity, experience in ! but nly job to see to it that dealing with children, and be has opportunities at home for thus form a reserve of leader- oeat and careful writing as he ship to be available for fu- ’ writes his brief thank-you notes ture plans in Exeter’s Youth to his aunt or a letter to a lonely aProgram Exeter Home and School As- ciation has heard speakers on By MRS. RALPH BATTEN A Parent When parents consider the present day method of education they are likely to judge its mer its by comparing it with that of the “good old days” and the effect it has upon their children. When our education policy was so drastically changed about thirteen years ago the plan was to make the curriculum so palat able and the method of teaching so enjoyable that going to school would be a pleasure. In former days we learned what an island and a lot of other things were in half-an-hour and we re- embered them, or else. Now to learn the meaning of an island the pupils must draw it, colour it and construct it with plasti cine etc. This requires probably two class periods. Thus the children are learning less and therefore accomplishing less in a school term. But they are en joying themselves! Is it any wonder that young people in the world of labour are striking for less work under conditions most pleasing to them. One of the most outstanding defects in the pesent course is the very limited amount of geo graphy that is taught. While it may be of no lasting benefit to a pupil to know the names and position of the counties of On tario the rivers of the United States or the mountain ranges of Europe it will at least, make him a more intelligent world citizen. The ignorance of the ‘geography’ of our own Dominion of Canada Shown by High School graduates is appalling. Our Minister of Ed ucation is advocating a return to the three R’s. Let us return to geography. Parents appreciate the trend to teach such practical subjects as Home Economics and Work. Knowledge gained these subjects is useful to regardless of the kind of they do in the future. Our Home and School ciation is to be congratulated on its efforts to create an interest in education. storegrandparent, or even list for me. I expect the school to of of so teach aritli- being to st a ing health, guidence, curriculum, I activities and problems of teen- L. ... , agers, hooks for children, art I and democracy. The local asso-jciation has sponsored two cloth- I *)1Ca£1°nt’1 an<i be,ionie ing drives, a march of diapers > gJinnjn- it* tob\s a^ar* and a soap campaign for other i skiPP’^g. It is my job as. a Par" world-citizens less fortunate; a I banquet was tendered to the gra- hVL/fn duating class and pins were pre- own^^Smll aL cATitpri tn flip **i*aduate^»’ kitchen I age, tmough ins ovn. small al equipment was purchased for use Jowance, by permitting him to in the school; a tea was held for ; the mothers of pupils in the Kin dergarten classes; in conjunc tion with the Ontario Depart ment of Education a three-night Leadership training course was sponsored to prepare leaders for the Saturday morning activity classes. It is the hope that many of these activities will become an nual occurrences, for Home and School lias a definite place in the life of thecommunity. May these .partners, Home, School and Community continue to co-oper ate wisely end enthusiastically in all efforts affecting children. wide range of subjects includ-i metie and, at the risk I called non-progressive. OPEN HOUSE At Exeter Public School Wednesday, March 5, 1952 1:30 to 4:00 Displays of Children’s Work, School Program, Guided Tour of the School Which Will Be in Regular Session ALL PARENTS AND FRIENDS CORDIALLY INVITED *> School Includes Spiritual Aid By REV: P. R. SINCLAIR Secretary, Exeter Ministerial Association The pupose of the school is to provide for the growing genera tion a balanced education such as will equip them, as far as it is .possible, to take their place in society as mature adults with balanced personalities. Such edu cation seeks to combine with the academic instruction of the class room a reasonable proportion of physical training and athletics, art, music and drama, in an deavour to meet the needs both mind and body. Even the best of academic struction and recreational pro grams, however, do not in them selves produce properly balanced personalities such as are so greatly needed in this modern age. There is a normal and Spiri tual side to personality as well as mental and physical, and this must receive its due attention too. History, ancient and modern supplies plenty Of examples of the fallacy, and danger, and training the minds and bodies of youth while neglecting their spiritual needs—or training them in the wrong direction. A society composed of the finest .phsiques and intellects can still be a so ciety dominated by evil purposes. The kind of society we desire, however, principles dominate, that sets ciety in their proper relationship en- o£ in- one in which the Christianity pre is of , _ for it is Christianity the individuals in so- Must Supply Good Facilities By W. G. COCHRANE Mayor of Exeter The responsibility of the muni cipal governing body for the provision of up-to-date and at tractive educational facilities has been keenly felt by those in pub lic office in Exeter through the years. No surer evidence of this feeling could be required than the two new buildings housing South Huron District High School and Exeter Public School, which are monuments to not only those in office during their con struction, but to every citizen and ratepayer of South Huron. Let us not forget, however, that there are other phases of education besides “book - team in' ”. Out of the most important of these is to provide for the education of our children to be come better citizens and to equip them to cope with the many problems which beset the the world today. It is therefore otir duty as municipal officers and parents to provide such other facilities as may be re quired to develop our children as strong and persevering citi zens of the future. With these thoughts in mind we should take stock of our municipalities as well as our schools and homes and assure ourselves that future generations are not permitted to fall prey to forces of evil which ate con stantly with us. to one another and to God. The .< Commuters’ hub.: Montreal, school, then, in seeking. to pre-1 some 40,000 people enter and pare young people for life in a —Please turn to Page 12 leave Montreal each day by con muter trains. Prevent Disease Through Schools By DR. R. M. ALDIS Huron Medical Officer of Health The prevention of disease and promotion of health is a com munity affair just as education is everybody’s business. Your County Health Unit’s chief job is In finding way and means to prevent disease and promote health throughout the community and the school of fers an important area where these aims may be practical. The School Boards, Teachers, and Health Unit all recognize that your child’s learning is greatly dependent upon his health and the hygiene of the school. The Medical Health Officer looks to the school to check on the number of children immun ized against disease and to ar range that immunization clinics be held in order that as many as possble be pro tected at an early age. The Medical Health Officer also depends to a considerable extent on the teacher for the control of common communic able diseases within the school Physical examination of school beginners is carried on as much as possible since the starting off to school is such an important step in the child’s life. In the secondary schools, an nual tuberculin testing is now routine. The Sanitary Inspector checks on the school environment, the lighting, cleanliness of the water supply, sewage disposal, etc., since a clean, well-arranged, bright school reflects on the hap piness and health of the pupils and their ability to learn. The Public Health Nurse Visits — Please. turn to Page 12 j shop for me frequently and [ count the change or to figure how much lumber his father will need for a shelf. So much for the three R’s. In the matter of attitudes and character building, I rejoice when my child tells me of Bible reading and explanation at at school, but I cannot expect the school to be entirely respon sible for his religious education. I expect the school io insist on my child’s being punctual and attending regularly, but I cannot expect it to make much impression on him if I show him that I do not think it matters greatly whether he is on time or not, and if I allow him to miss a half-day here and there on some flimsy pretext. •I expect the school to require honesty of my child, but I can not expect much .progress in that line if I have not always been completely* honest with him myself, or if I have made marks seem so important that he feels he must cheat on xaminations in order to make a standing of which I will be proud. I expect the school to create and hold my child's interest in learning, ^but I cannot expect that interest to remain if I am too busy with clubs and organi zations to take time to share it. I expect the school to demand hard wdrk of my child and not to encourage ihim to avoid a sub ject simply because it may tax his brains a- bit. Here again, I cannot expect the school to suc ceed where I have failed, if he has never been allowed to do his share of household tasks, even the ones that seem mere drugery. I expect the school to encour age a spirit of courtesy and co operation in my child, but if I have constantly sneered at his teachers and their efforts, how can I expect these miracles? I expect the school to help my Child to understand democracy and our priceless legacy of free dom, but even by the time he is ready for school I must have taught him democracy in action —the simple truth that he is not free to pick our neighbour’s flowers because then our neigh bour is not free to enjoy them^ ’ that he is not free to leave his toys around for me to pick up because then joy a few other words this freedom of ours extends only so far as it does not interfere with another’s freedom. Education, goes on through life, but in the early years it is that as I I am not free to en< moments* rest. In he must learn that everybody’s business. In business the parent has fully large a share as the school. Shop from them work Asso- Inspector Praises Two New Schools By G. G. GARDINER Public School Inspector For South Huron The people in the province of Ontario are vitally interested in education. Education is truly everybody's business. How edu cational methods in our schools may be improved is of great im portance, not only to those dir ectly concerned in educational tasks, but to employers and .par ents as well. How the maximum value may be obtained for the increasing number of dollars spent on education is every tax payer's problem. . The Town of Exeter may take pride in the fact that two modern schools serve this community. The best educational service pre vails where the people of the community are interested in the schools and in the teachers who teach in those schools. A ipupils progress cannot be accurately translated into a series of sym bols, be they mafks or letters on a formal report card. At best only a portion jof the story is told. Many misunderstandings may be avoided if the parent visits the teachers at the school. The attitude of pupils toward school attendance has under gone a healthy transformation in recent years. Fhw pupils absent themselves, willingly, from the school. Such relationship between, teacher and pupils may be fos- tured, and mayi serve as the bas is of that widelr relationship be tween teacher • and parent and other members of the com munity. In the Report of the Royal Commission on Education in Ontario, 1950, the following statement is made. Education is everybody’s bus iness. .In our s'oeiety we all go to school, and later most of ua have children’ in whose educa tion we are particularly interest ed. No on© can be entirely indif ferent to the processes whereby young people learn to feel, to think, to behave and to act. Our schools, together with the two other essential institutions, home and the church, are direct- I ly charged with the grave re- sponsibility of educating our | youth.”I Education week extends over I a period of seven days this year. Sorority Interested In Better Education By GWYN WHILSM1TH Beta Sigma Phi Sorority The Beta Sigma Phi sorority is particularly interested in Educa tional week since the principles on which this built are Life Friendship, The Sorority _____ ___ _ 000 members that the only right they have is be useful and that the minds of everyone should be „ ___ __ _____, cleared of such destructive fore- r Education extends over a period —Please turn to Page 12 | of 366 days this year. organization is Learning and teaches its 100 of 360 days this year. This Page Is Prepared By Exeter Home And School Association In The Interest Of EDUCATION WEEK , MARCH 2 TO 8 The Association Acknowledges With Appreciation The Contributions Which Make This Page Possible the