Plainfield High School - Hermiad Yearbook (Central Village, CT)

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18 p The Hermiad SELF GOVERNMENT AS A THEORY fHazel Salisbury-19251 Self government among pupils, if introduced, would be an innovation to say the least, as well as a distinct, but not unpleasant, surprise. Perhaps many students are in ignorance as to just what the term implies. Summed up briefly it is this: The school as a whole elects a council which lays down certain laws to be obeyed, and on the misdemeanor of any particular pupil, the council decides on the form of punishment to be meted out to the mis- creant, without interference from a teacher. That last statute may move some of our elders to raise doubts as to the advisability of adopting such a plan. In their opinion pupils left to their own devices would doubtless create a riot. However, that point may be de- veloped later. The idea of installing this plan of self government is to allow the boys and girls to feel a sense of their own responsibility, to know that in their hands lies the means of executing justice, that they alone must set the ex- ample. ' Still the elders argue- Would students be willing to assume the re- sponsibility ? The answer is, By all means, Yes. The upper classes, knowing it their duty to set an example, would naturally rise to the occa- sion. To know that their word was to be obeyed would be all the incentive required for them to administer punishment or reward with the greatest justice. Therefore, self government is something to be met with instant appre- ciation, as revealing the stuff our boys and girls have in them. It may well develop in them a true sense of values and a. comprehensive grasp of the meaning of the word responsibility. COURTESY fGertrude Wilkinson-19251 One of the most important things in school life which is overlooked by many of the pupils of today, is courtesy. The idea of working and behav- ing' merely for one's own advantage exceeds all other thoughts in the minds of youthful members of the present generation. A few days ago I was waiting for an electric car. A group of high school students was standing near by, waiting for the same car. There was much chattering and snowballing until the car came. As everyone was eag- er to be the first one toq enter, there was a wild rush for the door. I was standing' a few feet back from the crowd and was easily able to watch all proceedings. One of the boys who was about to enter told a friend by his side that an old lady was coming and that they must wait. A rather elderly lady, with a timid look at the group of young folks waiting for her to alight,

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The Hermiacl 17 and many times trying to make ourselves heard some distance away, seems quite trivial. In many cases it would be if it did not affect anyone except ourselvesg but in school as in other phases of life, our conduct affects others. Many people cannot concentrate on their work unless the room is quiet. While pupils are whispering' the room is not quiet. Whispering disturbs the whole room, distracts the attention of other pupils and makes it doubly hard for the teacher to continue teaching. .When whispering one is discourteous. probably not intentionally but just thouglitlessly. Teachers may overlook it several times, and in children many times, but from boys and girls that have reached the high school age one would expect more respect. Whispering is also an act of dishonesty. To break any rule when a teacher is not looking is an act of dishonor and the rule against whispering is included. 5 We come to high school to train our minds and to make us fit for the work that we will have to carry on in the world. None of us will or can escape responsibilities. If we have had practice and training in smaller responsibilities in school we shall be more capable of shoulderinz larger ones when theyQome upon us. Personally I believe that the reasons given above would suffice to make one refrain from whispering. STUDENT GOVERNMENT Q Games Wallace, 19255 My idea of a student government is to give to the student as much as possible the management of the school without interfering with the regular school work. To make this possible the whole-hearted support of the student body is essential. The best way in which to adopt this form of government would be to follow the organization of a city government and give the student a practical demonstration in civics. Have the three departmens, executive, judicial and legislative: a managerg a board of aldermen to pass rules to govern the school: a. police force to see that these rules are enforced: and a court to exact punishment for infringements of these rules. These officers could be elected by the students and given help by the faculty, The students under this form of zovernment would be able to take care of the corridors, the study rooms and the lunch rooms. This would take a great deal of work from the teachers and would make the students take more real interest in the school because they would feel that they had an active part in its oper- ation. It would also tend to give the students a different idea in regard to their teachers and to create a greater spirit of co-operation between them.

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, N v The Hermiad 19 came to the door. She was about to step from the car when the boy who had so carefully given the advice to his neighbor suddenly jumped up, near- ly upsetting the little old lady, and dashed into the car. Eager to procure a favorite seat, he had forgotten his manners and had, as a result of his thoughtlessness, made a bad impression upon the minds of those who watched him. Many people have failed to gain their share of the good things in life because of discourtesy. Large firms often forfeit great profits because of the discourtesy of employees. It would be well if there were some way to impress upon the minds of high school students the importance of courtesy not only in school but at all times since courtesy is a habit that may be cultivated to advantage by all. 4'