The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1855-10-11
G0nlationai.

! Al ~ iast IepoII PROMISED nt som
future time, to write more fully concern
ing the evils of irregular attendance a
school. But as Charles Northend ha
written on the same subject much NOR,
ably than possibly could, I would re
quest you to insert the following extrac
from his Teacher and Parent" Tha
there is need of awakiog public mind OIL
the subject is evident from the report
During the month, one scholar who i.
studying Geometry, recited but nine les
sons. Some others in other studies did
worse. LEWIS d. VAIL.
A Teachers appeal to the Parents of his
Pupils.
Respected Friends The intimate re.
lation which subsists between US, as pa.
rents and teacher, induces me to address
you in relation to some of our mutual du.
es,-upon the proper appreciation and
duo performance of which depend, in q
great degree, the future success and well
fare of your children. feel that we are
mutually engaged in great work; work
which demands our most serious consider
alton, and one wbic loudly calls for the
exercise of our united wisdom and hearty
cooperation. This work is the training
and disciplining the objects of your dear.
est affections. SO that they may become
virtuous and happy citizens, and "act well
their parts" on the stage of life; alike an
honor to themselves, to you, to me, to the
community, and to their Creator.
As, therefore, we are engaged in a
work at once so important and so inter
esting in its results, it seems to me cx-
tremely desirable that good understand. :.
ing should exist between US, and that we
should cooperate in every suitable man
ner, and on every proper occasion. In
sending your children to my school, you
have placed them under my care, and ex.
pect them to spend many precious hours
Of their youth under my immediate in.
struction and influence. You, doubtless
expect much of me; and, if you faithfully
perform your duties, you have a right tc
expect much.
feel, | trust, to some extent. the i'm
mense responsibility of my situation, and
will seek to labor "with all diligence" in
the discharge of my arduous duties; and
/ hope shall be enabled to answer eve.
ry reasonable expectation on your part
But. that / may labor more successfully
as we'll as more cheerfully, will you allow
me, in plain, familiar manner, to cal
your attention to few particulars in
which your cordial cooperation is most
earnestly and. afectionately solicited
will endeavor, on my part, not to ask fol
anything which will not tend to the great
est advancement of your children, and tc
the promotion of their welfare.
l. Respectfully invite you to aid me in
securing the constant and seasonable attend
ance Of your children.
| have reason to believe that some pa.
rents have not given merited attention tc
these points. Do you not think that chill
dren are often kept frcm school, or sen,
late, without any sufficient reasonl Per
haps you have never fully considered The
evils incident to inconstant or unseasona
BILE attendance; and, if SO, allow me tc
call your attention to one or two of them
and others will readily suggest themsolve
to your minds. Let US, then, notice tn,
tendency. or some of the consequences, o
frequent absences.
/. If childIen are allowed to be ab.
sent, for insufficient reason, they are vir
tually, taught to look upon their schoo
and its duties as of quite secondary i'm
po.tance. If the doing of some trifinl
errand, the making or receiving visits, o
the participating in some pleasure excur
sion, is allowed to interfere with schoo
exercises or obligations, your children
will, most assuredly, consider the engross
ing object, or objects, as Of paramount
value. Of course, their interest will b.
diminished, and their progress retarded
in degree proportionate to the exten
and frequency Of the Infringement upol
the claims of the school. If you wishe,
for lad to assist you on your farm, il
your shop, or counting-room, you woul'
insist upon having his undivided time AM
attention. This would be requisite 70
tbs good, as we'll as for y0urs.
If you had in your employ an appren
tice, who should frequently absent him
self, and allow unimportant engagement
or amusements to absorb the time and at
tention which should be devoted to gain
ing knowledge of his trade, you would
at once, conclude that he would never be
come proficient in it. And will it no
be the same in school affairsl Are no
your children apprentices in the school o
knowledge, which is designed to prepar
them for the work of lifei And have yo
ever considered that only the prompt ant
faithful discharge of the duties of appren
ticesbip can qualify them for workmen
that need not be ashamed of their work
when they shall have served out thei
time, and taken their stand with the fire.
actors on the stage of lifel IF you hav
not, let me beseech you, as you prize th
good OF your children, and wish thei
greatest advancement, to pause and re
feet.
2. IF children are often absent, the
will fall behind their classmates in thei
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