The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1863-04-03
Our Union School-The Importance Of Reg
ular and Large Attendance.

At the annual meeting of our Union SchooI
District, Wednesday evening, the subject of the
attendance of scholars was considerably discussed,
but so few were present that it may be OF some
service to give the public in our village some of
the facts which were elected.
The whole number of persons between the ages
of four and eighteen years in the district, is $50.
'The daily average attendance on the school during
the past year was 800 The number Of different
scholars during the year was about 402,-though
Droblbly somewhat greater than that figure. This
average attend nce, and the attendance OF differ
eat scholars, were much smaller in proportion to
the whole number of scholars in the dis riot, than
the same attendance in the other districts in town
and as a consequence of this while the Union dis
nict drew less than one dollar and a half of pub
lie money to schoer, the other districts drew
some ofthem,f not all lover two dollars. It's quite
evident rom these facts that, if we consider our
pockets alone, it is important such measures
be taken as can properly, TO secure larger aver
age ATTENDANCE 1pon tt school hereafter.
We Ines tnst, 10 a village like bis, there will
always be more scholars out Of school than IN the
smaller districts, away from the village More
BOYS, under Is years of aye, are inclined, or com"
pelled, to do duty as clerks, or in similar ca
pacity, than in such Districts and foSsl5Iy more
young la les are sent away to finish their eouca-
ton" at some boarding school," Notwithstand-
Ing these diminutions, however, the great bulk OF
abseutees are those who night and would be in
school, il they or their parents could oe made to
comprehend the importance OF it. Many of these
are among tho foreign population, though enough
OF than, we fear, are among our own nationality
But, Considering all these difficulties to be over
come, the fault is mainly our own, if large mum
bers Of children allowed without an effort, tc
absent themselves nom the school room.
What shall be done But trihe more thar
onehQlf of the scholars in the district attenC
school, the average number of absentees being
within twenty Of he average number present
The evil demands remedy. But as we have N
law in this State by which attendance at schoo
can be compelled, the work must be accompshe,
by other instrumentaltes; and we are endeavor
Ing by this article, to attract attention to it, and
if possible, awaken an active interest in the sub
iect. We do not expect that all, or nearly al
scholars can be brought into the school, but tn
average attendance ought TO be raised to at .es'
400 II 1850 different scholars are present duIin
the year, daily attendance Of 400 ought to az
pear upon the record. And while ne have n
pl4n at present, to propose, we trust that th
friends of education, as well as those who pa
the taxes, will set on foot some scheme b
i which the $50 absentees, or a large portion
them, may be got into the school-room; and wac
the d istrict generally can be made 10 understan
themportance of this, the work will be half a
complished. The meeting authorized the Pr
deutia Committee to take such measures as,
their Judgment, would conducs to this result, b
they cannot accomplish it alone. The Poop
must take hold of it.
b We have not spoken OF the benef
10 tho scholar and to the community to flo
from mo,e general attendance upon the schot
nor Of the evils which come from allowing CHI
dren to yun about the streets when they ought
hsh some profitable study. We hope there
no need to enlarge upon this incentive. If 1t
Worth while to have schools at all. il Is wor
while to to bring directly within {! iaen
"masy children as possible and amani
understand this when theyg '"r 81
Consideration at ALL And havln. uow go At I
Ac'' which they were be fore doubtless ignora
Of We think they cannot fail to make a beti
showing in the school registers for the year