The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1861-12-18

once month, to see how faithfully he
was attending TO the duties assigned him
Even wood-chopper would be daily
looked after to see if his work was prop
erly done, nor would any hearsay reports
be satisfactory--nothing less than per.
sonal examination. Yet parents and
guardians place their highest treasure in
the care Of the teacher, frequently stran-
ger, and never knows only from report
(Which is quite as likely TO be false as
true,) what is transacted in the school
room, know nothing of the habits and
characters their children are forming un-
der the hand of the teacher.
1t hardly seems necessary to mention
the benefits resulting to school from
frequent visits Of citizens and parents,
yet most assuredly they are not under
stood, or their visits would not so much
resemble angels" few and far between"
No one but tho teacher knows the pleas
ure and encouragement it affords him to
have the parents of his pupils drop in
without formality, witness his method OF
conducting the exercises of school, and
speak with him familiarly in regard to
his success, and of the progress and de-
pertinent of their children, thus exhibit
ing a sympathy with him in his work,
which is usually one of peculiar trial and
anxiety. And again it is very cheering
TO the scholars to witness the presence OF
parents, and greatly serves as an incen-
tive in study for them to know that their
recitation is quite likely TO be made be-
fore them
The excuse so generally made (the
want of time,) for the neglect of this du-
ty is not in fact valid one. l put it to
the consciences of the people of Ottawa
County if there is scarcely week during
the year that you could not spend few
moments at your school-room? Come
then at any time when you may chance
to be the nearest, not stopping to send in
your card, but please remember our latch
string is always out-business hours from
nine till four.
There is another very large class who
excuse themselves from visiting the school
room upon the plea that they have no
children in school, and, consequently, feel
no interest in its operations; but what
contracted, unpatriotic spirit is this
Have they no interest in the moral and
mental character of the coming generation,
upon whom rests the perpetuity Of the
civil and religious institutions of our coun-
try? Do they ever demonstrate against
being taxed for the building and support
Of State Prisons, and Asylums for the
insane and blind, or feel no interest in
the manner in which they may be con-
Quoted, because, perchance, they have no
child connected with any of these institu-
tions9 But might they not do so with
just as much reason as they can neg
lect to show any interest in the general
education of the young7
Another very grievous drawback to the
highest prosperity of our schools is the
irregularity of attendance Of scholars.
This is very general fault, and one that
should receive the attention Of every pa
rent and guardian. From an examina-
ton, upon this subject, of the schools in
Ottawa County, find that the absentees
are twenty per cent Of all tho scholars
or, in other words, that only four-ffths Of
the scholars are in school that ought to
be there!
Many parents retain their children at
home TO receive from them some little
service, or allow them 10 remain from
school for some trihing reason, forgetting
that their loss of days study takes out
link in the chain of connection, COM
pletely uniting the scholar for his place
or again coming into school, and thus thcy
become so many dead weights, retarding
the progress of all with whom they are
associated.
A little thought upon this matter
would certainly enable all TO see some
thing Of the magnitude Of the fault, and
doubtless would lead in a great measure
TO its correction. Citizens who generally
impose upon themselves heavy Tux for
the support Of free schools, have a right
TO demand not only that their own chill