GREETINGS FROM THE STATE PRESIDENT

It is a great privilege to send through this bulletin a message to the parents and teachers of the State. The North Carolina branch of mothers and parent-teacher associations is indebted to the University and the editors who have made this bulletin possible.

Our State Association should forge ahead with a constructive program so that the children of North Carolina may be understood as they should be, loved as they ask to be and developed as they might be. As an orgainzation of parents and teachers, we believe that Education-physical, mental and moral-is no longer the privilege of a favored few but a necessity for all. Let us seek, therefore, to reach each city, village and rural community so that there may be an active Parent-Teacher Association in every public school in North Carolina.

Flossie H. (Mrs. J. F.) Spruill, Pres. N. C. Congress of Mothers and Parent-Teacher Assns.

PREFACE

This bulletin has been prepared with the idea that its use would promote generous coöperation among local community groups; that it would prove of value as a book of suggestions and sources; that it would stimulate the use of other materials and of original ideas; and that it would aid in developing a State-wide allegiance to the State Association. There are several new ideas given in this revised edition. The grade-mother plan, ideas for county and city councils, hints for high school units, and an illustration of how to obtain funds, are a few of the new features. Every thought has been to make it of practical value to the local unit. It is hoped that by these additions this issue will have been improved in its desire to serve. In this plan of working together and of utilizing the best resources the North Carolina Parent-Teacher Bulletin is of special importance. It is published monthly by the North Carolina College for Women in coöperation with the State Parent-Teacher Association. Its issues give generous promise of future good. It is therefore expected that this hand-book will be used in close correlation with the North Carolina Bulletin.

H. D. M.

PART I

THE PARENT-TEACHER ASSOCIATION AT WORK

Ideals and Purpose

There is this happy circumstance about parent-teacher associations: they deal with fundamental human relationships. In the long road of the gradual development of human welfare, the child, the school and the home have constituted a large factor. In the long and trying history of the development of the school, the home has always played its major rôle; and in the slow but sure evolution of the teacher the parent has provided many an intermediary stage. And always the community itself has been a determining factor in the extent to which success has come to the school and the home and the child in their midst. Thus have these relationships been inseparably involved in the increasing approximation of the larger public welfare.

Likewise in the development of the individual himself there has always been a close relationship between the two social institutions, the home and the school. The child leaving the direct environment of the home enters, for the next step in proper growth, into the school. There the teacher is introduced to the child and becomes an agent in its development. So it can be easily understood why there should exist complete coöperation between parent and teacher. To further this end parent-teacher associations are established. Here, in an association whose ideals tend to promote the welfare of the child, parent and teacher meet for sympathetic understandings, for frank discussions of child problems, for the development of a greater love for childhood, and for making constructive criticisms and practical suggestions. All is done in full coöperation for the best interest of the child. Here personal rivalry is abandoned. The child is the central thought; selfishness and jealousies give

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way to the advancement of the child. Here no politics exist. Here is an association full of the true spirit of democracy. It welcomes all parents, it invites constructive criticism, it calls for sincere interest and helpful efforts on the part of all who are interested in the real development of childhood.

If parents thoroughly understand the school, its teachers, its methods, its program of work, and its aims, ideals, and problems-if they would become acquainted with the teacher, visit the school, take active and sincere interest in its development, certainly many of the petty troubles of school relationships would vanish. And the clear understanding that will be obtained will bring about a greater and more vital growth in the work of the school and in its relationship to the child and the community.

If teachers, school supervisors and other school officials understand better the parent, the home, its environment, home methods of discipline, health conditions, community environment-if they would visit the parent, visit the homes, mingle more with the people of the community, study community problems, customs, relationships, certainly many of the troubles of parent relationship would not arise. On the other hand proper relationships would be established and community progress would result. The parent-teacher association endeavors to establish this type of relationship. In this way it hopes to foster the better community, the community of prosperous homes and happy, healthy childhood.

Organizing a Parent-Teacher Association

There are about one hundred parent-teacher associations in North Carolina. Should there not be an association for every school and as many members as there are parents, teachers and school patrons? "A Parent-Teacher Association in every school and every parent and teacher a member" is a good slogan for the year. The state association will scarcely be satisfied until this goal is approximated.

What then are the next steps? Should each community wait until a group of parents realize that there are certain outside

needs in the school for the proper development of their own children? And that these needs cannot be met except by means of the combined efforts of the community of parents and teachers working together? Or should all parents and teachers, assuming a greater need for all the children of the community, begin such an organization without awaiting some emergency or personal gain?

Preliminary Steps: The preliminary steps to the organization of any club are important. Here foundations are laid, understandings are begun and aims are set. At the very beginning it should be clearly understood by all that unity is the greatest factor in organization. In an association of this type, dealing so closely with complexities of human nature, perfect understanding and unity are highly desirable.

Since the association is a combination of parents and teachers and since it originates, in most instances, as the suggestion of parents, it is best to have close coöperation and support of all educational authorities of the state, county and local groups. Especially is this true of the local corps of teachers. With the full support of teachers a big forward step toward success is already made.

The next step is the call for the preliminary meeting. Through a clear understanding of the initial group, a preliminary meeting is held with representatives from such leading organizations as may be chosen, to which should be added also a representative group of teachers. It is best to have this meeting at the schoolhouse. It is understood that this is not the first official meeting of the association but an informal group to discuss the feasibility of organizing such an association.

Preliminary Meeting: At this meeting preparations are made for the first general meeting. It will be found best to work out every detail. Have it understood who shall start the general meeting and select the persons best fitted for temporary chairman and temporary secretary. Have it understood that a few leaders will make short and enthusiastic talks at the first meeting on such subjects as: History of parent-teacher associa