Minneapolis Spokesman

Schools Need Parents' Help

Millions of our children are now in the first week of the new school year. The importance of the school in the molding and training of the men and women of tomorrow cannot be over-emphasized.

In America every child of school age should be in school learning the rudiments of training that are so necessary for life in these times.

Thousands of parents send their children to school without thinking that it takes a combination of interested parents, good schools, good teachers and good curriculums to get the best out of the child.

Many thousands do not recognize that the best results come from the interest that the parents have in providing for their Johnnys and Janes the best schools the tax dollars can buy.

Such interest must not be limited to the casual first day visit of the parent of the kindergarten tot, but to a week by week interest in what the student is getting in school, and close contact with teacher and principal in solving some of the problems which come up every day in the life of a community and in its schools.

Many of us do not take time to affiliate and work with the Parent Teachers Associations. In some communities these organizations play an increasingly important part in helping the schools and their staffs do a real job for the pupils.

Many of us never visit the school except when some disciplinary action is contemplated or there is some specific individual problem involving our own child which needs our attention. Too often on these brief appearances we approach the school building with "chips on our shoulders" or with the feeling that we are going among strange people of another planet, instead of public servants who are our neighbors, and have the great responsibility of training our youth.

Parents who get close to teachers and principals of the schools where their children spend a great part of the average day find that such contact pays off in Johnny's or Janey's grades and attitudes and acceptance of school. Very few of this group ever regret the time they take to become familiar with the school, its curriculum, its staff and program.

Parents could, with great profit to self and their children, make it a must this school year to get closer to our educational institutions and remain close, ready and prepared to help the schools do a successful job for the children we entrust to their care.