West Night High School - Echo Yearbook (Cincinnati, OH)

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THE AIM OF THE MODERN SCHOOL. Essay by Alma Rolf. our modern school much that compelc. his attention. The modern school is attempting tn unlve modern problems in education It deals with a come munity having new standards and whose individuals have widely differing histories. The student body of our schools represents many nationalities, and the schools are endeavor ing to make loyal American citizens of these children of foreign parentage. The Standards of this heterogeneous mass of people are varied, and the demanclx' of the com- munity upon the schools must differ widely. The schools represent the ambitions and at the same time the limitations of the community, yet the trend of the common school is always in the same direction : it is endeavoring to keep pace with civilization. Many of the new developments in our present educational System are directly traceable to the fact that the children are not wisely cared for at home and, therefore, need in the school the care which the home should have given. A11 interesting instance of the truth of this is. the. already extensive movement in favor of medical inspection in our SChOOiSV 'For example, the dangers which arisei from the too frequent neglect of childrenE; eyes. investiga- tion shows that many children have failed in their work, not because they were dull, but because they could not see GEE most casual observer of the times must find in

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It will be necessary to enforce more restrictive laws against .the influx of foreigners, in spite of our sympathies with them. We do not object to those coming over here to seek a haven or, as a result, to free themselves fromtpolitical or religious persecution; but we must ever oppose the coming of those who use our native land merely as a place t0 accue mulate a fortune at the expense of our native laborers. The Burnett Bill is expected to be in our Honorable President Wilsonls hands Within a muhth or so for his approval, and, in the eyes of many of our great Citizens, it is indeed more than a necessity that he approve it. A law such as the Dillingham-Burnett Bill would pro- mote the coming Of :1 better class of immigrants to our shores: a class which would in time make good and useful citizens. The restriction of immigration of today is a necessity, and the sooner more safe and same immigration bills are passed and put into operation the better it will be for our country.

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the text Which they were supposd to be studying. Again and again ehiidren who failed to pass from grade to grade were reported as dull, inattentive or stupid, and a5 possess- ing less ability than their neighbors, simply because they were required to perform tasks which the condition of their eyes rendered them unable to accomplish. A simple test by the Visiting physician revealed the difficulty, and, the proper remedy having been applied, the children made rapid headway and soon were classed fairly with their mates It is, Without queetion, 0f the greatest importance that children also have clean and healthy mouths The actual condition of children's teeth can be best Studied in our schools. The YiSitng physician discovered upon examinm tion that in a great many cases the ill health of the children was due to their decayed or diseased teeth. A notable ine crease in the general phsyieal health of the children has been apparent in the schools where defective teeth have been made and kept clean and efficient, The modern school also provides a means whereby the children may receive valuable inStruction during the sum- mer months Walk through the hot, dusty 'StI'ECtS of the city in the vacation season and Observe the Cl'lildrenegath- ered in alleys. chatting on the eurhstones and you will turn with satisfaction to the open school buildings, with their Clean, coal schoolrrmms, their cheery teachers, and the wholesome occupations which have lured more fortunate children from the interests and associations of the streets. Since the attendance is not compulsory, the Occupations of the vacation schools must present intrinsic interest, from the Childis point of View. He mast think it worth while, or he will not exchange for it the freedom and excitement of the streets. The schools are therefore driven to learn What children consider worth while It may be wnod-working, which Claims their attention and attendance, or basketa weaving, sewing, cooking, or the weekly trips to the coun- try. that proves tithe tie that binds The vacation schools and playgrounds, with their 21th- letie :tlhlrements, unite in endeavorhig to give an oppor- tunity for making the vacation enjoyable and beneficial to the children whose home advantages are limited, whose parents are at work eLii'd cannot give them sufficient care, or have not the meansiitn give them the opportunities of a vacation in the country. Continuation schobls afford anbther example of the solution of modern problems in education, These schools are not continuation schoolrks in the sense of being places where the instruction of the elementary school is continued and reviewed. but a continuance of the chiidis education under new conditions and from a new point of view. Neces- sity forces some children to leave school at an early age, and these schools make it poseihle for such children to eon- tinue their education, even while employed, Each child is given instruction in the theory and practice of the industry or occupation in which he is engaged. The children are required to attend the continuation school a minimum of four hours. a week, and in nearly every case their employers willingly allow them this time without making- a deduction from their earnings, because they realize that such training