SUNY at Fredonia - Fredonian Yearbook (Fredonia, NY)

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JUNE THE NORMAL LEADER 1918 pot will pour them forth into a new mould. Democracy will re- sult as people from all races, creeds, and stations of life stand shoulder to shoulder in battle. But while war is in progress by establishing a common ground between Americans and foreigners a great step toward reconstruction can be taken. Through factory schools, through night schoo-ls, through children in the day schools the teachers must do their part in bringing the people together. It has been said that we need not fear-the racial. future of our country so long as die child of European parents loves the flag, longs to become a voter and boastsof the fact that he -is an 1477'Zq61'iCCZ'7l. In ways such as these the teachers, if they but realize it, have within them the power and opportunity to build up a better nation. In the keeping of the public schools are many of the things most es- sential to our life as a nation. lt is the pupils of the schools of to- day who are to establish the world anew. Dr. -Finley brought back from France this message. Do not let the needs of the hour, how- ever heavily they fall upon men and women of the day, permit neg- lect of the defenses of tomorrow. May teachers give some strength to those defenses through the best instruction of their boys and girls. The pupils should be taught not to fear hard work, to re- joice in effort, to practice self-control and to appreciate the value of civic character and public spirit. In the use of self-control the child not only feels the desire to do right but he has the will to keep him from doing wrong. Civic character and public spirit must grow out of an unselfish dealing with all men,'enemy as well as friend, and an adherence to a principal though at a sacrifice. VVe as a class of teachers should inculcate these qualities in every student. VVhile the soldiers are fighting for world demcracy' the schools should make that democracy lasting. They also serve who only stand and teach. The principles and spirit of the new democracy must be ftaught or else in the hands of an ignorant people such democracy will die In this we find our challenge. Wfhether it be met courageously and hopefully depends upon us as individual teachers. ln our own way We must create the spirit in our pupils to transmit this country, notonly not less, but greater, better, and more beautiful than it was transmitted to them. Thus we shall each do our part that the govern- ment of the people, by the people, and for' the pupil shall not perish from the earth. ' ,I Again, we bid you welcome. Y

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JUNE THE NORMAL LEADER 1918 and intelligently and who act on their' own convictions. The boys and girls of otu' schools constitute the source from which a thinking citizenship of this kind must be developed. ln their hands rests the future destiny of the state. All countries recognize the duty of the state to provide for the education of its royal families. Every child of the United States belongs to the royal family. Each is growing up to become a gov- ernor in a self-governing nation. So it is the duty of the State not only to enable him to become fit for this citizenship but to compel the parents and employers of the community to respect the right of the children to such an education. U One of the lacts revealed by the war is the serious condition of illiteracy in this country. Secretary Lane says that the condition is one of urgency upon which the country should. act. It is a sur- prise to many of our citizens to find that we have a great body of our own people, nve and one-halt millions who cannot read or write the language of this country. Of these a million and a half are native born. Since 'April lst, last year, forty thousand men have been drafted into the army who cannot sign their names, cannot rea.d orders post- ed. on camp bulletin boards, cannot study their manual of arms, and cannot understand the messages of the Signal Corps in the time of battle. Vlfhat a hindrance and what a retardation this means to the -training camps alone. Americans have long prided themselves on the high intelligence of this country. But we must awaken to the fact that here are cer- tain conditions of illiteracy to be remedied before we can boast of our intelligence. But how are we to meet this situation? Insteadot a majority of states with compulsory education laws we must have all states with such measures. Besides the children subject to these laws there are ,the adult aliens in our land who must be assimilated. America has been called the melting pot ot the nations yet the process of melting has not been satisfactorily accomplished. Can we gather together people of diderent races, creeds and customs into one social unit? lf not we fail as a nations The land of liberty must not: become the landi of ignorance. The cause of Russials disaster is the ignorance of her people, eighty per cent of whom cannot read or write or par- ticipate in her public aHa.irs. NfVe feel that the war which has cast 'all nations into a melting

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JUNE THE NORMAL LEADER 1918 , OVER THE TOP Over the top with the best of luck, Thats what we're going' to do. Over the top with the best of luck, And XVQ,1'G, doing it all for you. as F lbistorv of Ube lllormal cttw of 'is Alice Marion Johnson A Two years ago- 'we were just beginning to grasp the extent and purpose of this great world war. The question naturally arose, Wl1at can We do to be of the greatest aid to our country? If our Republic is to be a success it is necessary that our citizens be educated so' that they will be better able to solve the eveiirising -problems and to -carry the greater responsibilities. So patriotism was one o-f the motives which made us choose the teaching profession. The unique artistic atmosphere and superior advantages of the cantonment pitched at Fredonia led us to select this as our training station. September Sth, 1916 found a large number of' individuals standing at the door of the cantonnient. Every type-of girl was here represented so it did not take us long to make long and lasting friendships. Among the things that made these first few confus- ing days bearable were Mrs.Rose's kind advice, Florence's smile, Ruth's pleasant, Good morninguand the good-natured twinkle in Mr. Freemans eye. . The hrst day! That never to be forgotten first day. It was .a continual hurry and hustle from one part of the camp to the other. After a brief interview with General Dana we were ordered to register with Major Freeman. 'Wfe inquired from at least a half dozen rookies equally as bewildered as ourselves as to the position of his barracks. It was Hnally located and we found our-