Church and school interest went hand in hand in pioneer times. Many of the early churches were organized and held their first services in some of the rural schoolhouses. The concern of the church for education was evidenced by a meeting called for November 13, 1865 in the Presbyterian Church of El Paso "for the purpose of considering the general interest of education in this place; the providing of academic and graded schools and perfecting the general cause of education." This meeting was represented by the pastors of the Presbyterian, Methodist, Baptist, Christian and Congregational Churches.
Regret was expressed by the west side school teachers that so few of the parents, citizens and friends attended the opening of a new school year. The new building was just about ready for occupancy and special opening exercises had been prepared in anticipation of the event. According to the report, only Reverend Mr. Williamson, Mr. A. O. Shur and Dr. Adams attended.
But with the years parent and citizen interest grew and with it came active participation in Mother's Clubs, Home and School Societies and the National and State Associations of Parents and Teachers. Through these various organizations parents and other citizens have become acquainted with new educational trends and with local school needs. A pre-school group of mothers studies the problems of their offsprings and finds considerable comfort in the fact that child behavior follows a pretty well-defined pattern, the study of which helps to make for better adjusted children. Curricular advancements, such as
McKinley Grade School, 1954.
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