A HANDBOOK FOR THE PARENTS OF PUPILS OF FRANCES E. WILLARD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL A Project Presented to the Faculty of the Sehool of Education The University of Southern California In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Science in Education by Lawrence E. Brewster June 1950 UMI Number: EP45752 All rights reserved INFORMATION TO ALL USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. In the unlikely event that the author did not send a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. UMI' Dissertation Publishing UMI EP45752 Published by ProQuest LLC (2014). Copyright in the Dissertation held by the Author. Microform Edition © ProQuest LLC. All rights reserved. This work is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code ProQuest ProQuest LLC. 789 East Eisenhower Parkway P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106-1346 8rvr P'-V VJ This project report, written under the direction of the candidate’s adviser and approved by him, has been presented to and accepted by the Faculty of the School of Education in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Education. Date .... Adviser <CL~(R.'2U/f Dean CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION A handbook for parents ±3 a device the use of which will help bring about better understanding and closer co­ operation between parents and teachers and pupils and teach­ ers. Certainly a handbook of this type is a sound means of making school life and experiences more worthwhile and pleasant through orientation of the parents as well as the pupils. I. THE PROBLEM Statement of the problem. It was the purpose of this handbook to (1) acquaint parents with the physical plan of Prances E. Willard Elementary School and its personnel; (2) present pertinent information concerning school policies, regulations, and activities; (3) inform parents, in an organized manner, of their children's privileges, duties, and responsibilities as members of this school. Importance of the project. A handbook for parents has an inherent value in interpreting to the school publics, as effectively as possible, what is being done by those responsible for the education of children. Many problems often arise because there is not a clear understanding of the school’s procedures, policies, activities, and philosophy* By knowing more about their child’s school, the parents can assist the child in becoming more rapidly adjusted to the school* Since there is no such compilation of information available to the parents of pupils' of Frances E. Willard Elementary School in Long Beach, California, the need arises for developing closer cooperation with the school through a better understanding of the school. There are many values of a parent handbook but its most out-standing value is in public relations since whatever binds the community to its schools contributes to democracy's strength. Organization of the Project* The need of developing stronger public support and appreciation of education was the prevailing issue behind each phase of organization of the handbook. Before the project was undertaken, the investigator spent considerable time establishing a complete understanding and background of handbooks in general. Next, school officials and teachers were contacted and with their gratuitous assistance all pertinent information was assembled and organized* The result follows in this project. This handbook will be useful only if the readers who need the information it contains can readily understand it. A deliberate effort was made to use a vocabulary which was as unpretentious and non-academic as possible* Care has been given to the selection of words which the writer be­ lieves are familiar to the majority of the parents* Foot­ notes have been omitted for the reason that they may be con­ fusing to the lay reader and would serve no useful purpose* k ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Without the generous assistance and constructive criticism of many persons, the handbook could hardly have been prepared. Grateful acknowledgment is given to the large number of school officials and employees who so read­ ily provided information regarding the manner in which various school functions of Long Beach Schools are per­ formed. In particular the writer is indebted to Miss Adda Anderson, Principal of Franees E. Willard Elementary School, and Mr. George L. Geiger, Director of Elementary Schools of Long Beach, California. »OFF TO A GOOD START Frances E» Willard Elementary School Parent Handbook 1949-1950 6 CONTENTS Law of Kindness.................................... 9 Introduction ................................... 10 Board' of Education ..................... 12 Faculty ............................................ 13 Assistants............................... 1I4. Our Philosophy of Education ............... 15 Main Building Floor Plan........................ 17 History of Frances E. Willard Elementary School • • 18 School Calendar ................................ 20 Tentative Bus Schedule............................... 21 Enrollment Procedures ............................... 23 Transfers ............................. 2i_j_ Change of Address ........................ 2if Regular School Day Schedule ........................... 25 Rainy Day Schedule............................. 25 Instructional Program................................. 26 Special Music .............................. 29 Rythms................................................ 30 Garden and Pet farms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Radio Listening ................... . . . . . . . 31 Audio-Visual Materials....................... .. . 32 School Library ........................................ 33 Camp Hi-Hill ........................................ 3ij. 7 Reporting Your Child*s G r o w t h ................... • 37 4 Behavior at School . ................................ 39 School Cafeteria .................................... Ip. Cafeteria Lunch Prices ............................ ip. Lunch Procedures................. if2 School Services.................................... I4J4. Health Program.................................... J4.6 Safety Program..................... ij.6 Speech Correction ................. ip> Counselor ................................ ip6 Home Teaching Service..................... ij-7 Attendance........................................ 1+7 Prances E. Willard Parent-Teacher Association . . . 50 Student Activities .................................. 52 East Long Beach Boys Club Unit................... 52 Cub Scouts................. 52 Brownies............. . .......................... 5^ Student Government ................................ 55 Playground........................... 60 Play Area ....................... 60 Public Schools W e e k ................................ 6ij. General Information ..................... . . . . . 66 Fire D r i l l s ...................................... 66 Bicycles............................. 67 Lost and Pound ............................... 68