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Teachers of the county .were in Front Royal Friday to attend a meeting entitled “Look at Oar 8chools.” ■ *
(The following is a report from the office of H. B. Winfrey, principal of Rappahannock County * High School.) Peeping At Onr Schools
The outstanding consensus of opinion at the "Look at Our Schools” meeting in Front Royal was that many big problems were hastily touched upon and as hastily left dangling in order to get along to all of the other points mentioned. This meeting may' serve a valuable purpose if other meetings follow up this general summai icing of outstanding problems, and if the meetings are held in tits same general spirit of honest inquiry and earnest effort toward solution. It is important to be aware of the fast that many' of the problems posed have no quick solutions but must be worked out Over a period 'of .yelrl through patient, intelligent, dedicated effort of everyone involved. . ' As one chairman expressed it, the teachers told what was wrong with the parents, the parents told what was wrong with the teachers, and the children told what was wrong with both. Despite some selfishness, prejudice, bombast, and obvious lack of perception, most of the opinions were given in a way to stimulate the best thinking of the various groups. There was indeed enough food for thought to supply the most insatiable appetite. . . and to give it indigestion! That the problems are being recognised by so many, ' who are willing to devote a part of their time towards helping to work towards a solution, is the healthiest sign to emerge in the public school morass for many. years. The membership of the various soups was about 25. - This undoubtedly facilitated some Of the very able summarising, which might serve well as guideposts for future meetings. Indeed , this meeting will have significance ? only if It ie followed up in some. way: either in similar fashion or by having the local PTA’x further, clarify the findings.
The subject of overcrowded facilities was loudly indicted as being conducive to many of the . most pressing problems. It was heartening to hear that many felt the teachers were doing the best! they could under these very trying conditions. Divided opinions as to what could constitute the curriculum offered by our schools, apparently clear only in the untrammelled minds of the pupils, is one problem which will not play at "hide and seek" much longer; for n showdown is imminent, it would - seem, as to what is most important in the curriculum. Until there is a meeting of the-minds of the educators and the parents > as ' to what the children should learn, other solutions would seem to pale into insignificance. * Many lay people expressed> themselves as Having been en- ■' lightened as - to what the schools i are; trying to do. Some seemed to realise that the graduate of today cannot be compared to the graduate of yesterday; for where- • as today’s public school educates" all of the children of all of the people, yesterday’s school educat- ’ ed only the better academic minds further than' grammar ‘ school. Naturally the caliber of the finished product was higher ' then, as it would be now if the , same candidates for graduation presented themselves. According to the stSte school law, we do not "screen” applicants for a high school diploma in the public school* which belong to "the people.” The questions of promotions, report cards, homework, provision for the brighter child, public relations, religious instruct tion, and free text books were ' .raised. .While no-defmite"tonciu-r‘J •mas®, wage tegriiaiffiTlWNfrapTMlm paved for further efforts to be made along this line. v
Louis Spillman, - editor of the Waynesboro News-Virginian, very •bly presented the topic for the day. His humor and good borsesense added greatly to the appeal of his remarks which swept over his hearers as a very refreshing breexe. He commented that his interest in the “fundamentals” was obvious; for if people could not read, he would have to go out of business. ' i i
He stated five goals that should, bo held very prominent in edu-' cation—along with the Three R’s:
1. Providing for sound physical and emotional health of the indithe
art of
living Vldual;
4 Fostering together; <&"" *2. Training for participation our economic set-dp: .• Teaching sitl/-discipline arn^
in
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