Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1846-05-01
Communication.
A RECIPE FOR DES PROVING CON.
MON SCHOOLS,

Mr. EDITOR Some writers in the Annals Of
Education lays down the following plain rules,
which, if followed, he assures us, will prove sue
ccssfu in working the complete destruction Of
Common Schools. AS we have been inviting.
ly applying these rules for years i, may both
interest and prof, your readers to perusc them.
With some slight notifications, will give them
to you, 10 dispose of as you think proper
l. When meeting is warned, in district,
with a view Of making provisions for term Of
school, let all parents, who are soicilous of hav
ng good teacher and a good school, take care
to be absent. Any little hndrance will do for
an apology.
,, Procure a teacher at the lowest price pos 8.
sibIe. Don't be solicitous about his morals, in.
tcllcctual qualifications, or capacity for teach-
ing. Let the qualification that eclipses all 9th.
ers he cheapneSs.
3. Let the School house and all its fixtures
be inconvenien', unpleasant and uncomfortable
Seek TO throw no attraction around he place
where five siXhs of all our children receive
heir first and last, and all their school nstruc-
tons.
4. Never get new books for your children, or
if you do, pay no regard to their character or
adaptation to your child. Ifyou can consistent.
w. defer the purchase ofany books til near the
close of the schoo'
.. EnconraIe The appointed visitors and ey.
aniuerS to b. very ud Is'rlous and spend very
little time II the schonlS th,' they may know
in "a.
ter OF the school. or do Just NJ god to teacher,
paren or pupils. FINS ~ II tend, most Directly 10
truStrale all tn. good euds sought in their ap.
ppinjmen'.
6, Above all, let every parent keep as far as
possible from the school-housc. They may new
err think Of visi'in. or assocaing freely with It's
inmates, any more than with those OF the county
jail.
7. Ii parents would see our schools in ruins,
they must never CO operate with the teacher in
his elljrts to improve their children; must new.
er sustain his authority and discipline, but, on
the contrary, do what they can to feat his in.
tentions. II Thomas complains that he has
been unjusly punished, you should take it for
granted Never 20 TO the teacher and, in a
friendly manner talk with him about it, but find
fault in the presence Of your children, or 20 and
censure hum TO your neighbors.
s. Never converse with your children about
their studies, or any topic by which you will
NANTES, the least interest in behalf the school
You may laud as you please, the Seminary,
Academy, College or some Private School but
if you wish to make The destruction of the
Common Schools speedy and sure, never lisp
word in their praise. Know and say as little
about them as possible.
y. Are you Christian parent, never pray for
The Common Schools, or their teachers. You
may pray much for one hundred Academies,
Semnarles, and Colleges, but never for these
low institutions. For the great mass Of on,
chi'dren are IN them. In them not only is the
"lw'g bent so as to give permanent inclination
10 the future tree" but in them are educated,
so lar as educated at all, five-sxhs Of our en-.
tire population. Be sure then, Christian, and
never oier one icrvent petition in their behalf.
I'D, Never read or inform yourself what has
been done TO improve our schools You can't
afford to spend time and money to inform your.
self on this subject.
H. II there are funds sufficient to sustain
your district school three or four months in the
summer, and as long in the winter. place your
Whole reliance on these funds. Never think of
expendIng more. For the moment you con-
tribute money from your own resources, you
will begin to feel an interest to know how your
money is expended, and this interest will rise
or fall in proportion to the increase or diminu.
ton of your contribution.
II. There is one thing more to be observed
lfyou would make the destruction of our schools
complete, it is, that all those parents and guar
dams who feel that our Common Schools are
very far from being what they ought to be, and
who have intelligence, virtue and pecuniary