The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1862-01-31
VISITING SCHOOLS.
poor matters
Point TO Iieh ends" !sAakspsaye.

Point 10 rich ends" Shakespeare.
The teacher and parent sustain a near rela-
lion 10 each other; and they, ir their respec-
tive capacities from and build up the mind
that is to sway powerful influence throughout
future generations. They both have great
work to GO, and their stations are f-anght with
great responsibilities. When the child leaves
the parental roof and is under the care of the
teacher, the parents obligations 60 not neces-
sariy all deyoIve on the teacher. 'ris true,
the teacher is recognized IN loco pareafis, but
10 him are not delegated oH the duties and re-
sponsi6iities Of the parent The parent has
still task 10 perform, and one which is SO very
much neglected, viz: visiting his children at
school. We believe il 10 be the imperative
duty 0: all parenis TO visit the schools, but how
Jew consider II such. Every where we hear
teachers complaining that their schools are not
visited by the parents of children under their
care, ard the teachers naturally infer that none
are Interested in their work but themselves, and
become discouraged.
But some persons look upon the school room
as kind of reserved place, into which none
5u, the teacher aud pupils are allowed TO enter.
This is fatal mistake. Our schools are en-
phatically free schools; free and common 10 all;
and all have, or stionld have, common inter
esl ia their welfare. For four long months
the teacher IS impoundet with his pupils and it
= rore foi1 hat
single parent find his way 10 the school-room
to impart word of encouragement, or by his
presence 10 indicate that he has an interest IN
what is there trauspirng. ln fact parents have
no idea OF what is being done in the schoolroom,
except what they gather from report--which
IS often exaggerated and untrue, e,-andl if the
teacher is not OF the right stamp, II he performs
not bis whole duty toward bis pupils, their
e.s~saiasii. 4laafal- faYsieal, and intellectual,
will be wolully neglected. $3.50
"But," says teacher, "my school is occa-
sionaly visited, for it was bat the other day
that Mr.. SENSITIVE came flying in, and, because
| had taken occasion 10 rightfully punish bis
son John, was SO enraged that he threatened
my very existence as teacher" Such unlaw-
iul visitatons should not be tolerated by the
teacher, ard much less attempted by the pa
rents. etlbem come, not for the purpose OF
iniimidatmg the teacher on account of some inn
aginary wrong which he has committed TO-
their children. but to examine for themselves
The rachinefy OF the school room, and see
':whelher these things are so''; aud they will
go away, pleased with their visit, and convinc-
ed that the teacher is reasonable being after
all, and not such cruel monser as some would
represent hlm 10 be.
! What an amount o: misrepresentation would
| be checked if The schools were visited by the
parents What an encouragement. It would be
10 the pupils 10 That t.tsir parents are really
interested. in their going to school; and what a
stimulus 10 greater exertion*to the teacher, TO
have the assurance that bis labors are apprecia-
ted l, would be ray OF sunshine to the pu-
pll, Illuminating his dark path up the rugged
sleeps oflhe Hlloi Science!
Parents should make IT their duty to visit the
school regua rly; and nothing would be more
gratifying 10 the teacher than 10 see one or
more of them at bis school every day. They
will be most cordially welcomed, both BY the
teacher and pupils.
Parents, Try II! Il is SIMPLE experiment
aud will cost you nothing but a little time,
which you connot better employ; and the re-
suit will FAR exceed your most sanguine anti
cipations. lis influence will be as "bread cast
upon the waters, that shall retufn 10 US alter
many days"
PITRAI NJ.