The Iowa transcript. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1858-1866, 1863-03-26

MIR. EDITOR.
AS the weather doubtless prevented
many from attending the examination
exercises OF our school, it may not be
in; ppropria,e for me to say few words
my patrons through your columns.
kept during the term daily roll, a
class roll, and conduct roll. Upon
these were recorded the attendance Of
pupils upon all their school duties-the
degree Of perfection of each member OF
the classes in recitation, and the general
good conduct dnrins school hours. The
standard Of excellence was 10. And
since absolute perfection was not ex
pccted from any, all where marked 10
who were considered as having done
in every respect rs well as they could,
under the circumstances Those who
occasionally or habitualy failed were
marked ., s and so an down to or
While, with scarcely an exception, all
have done remarkably well, and stand
high upon al! my rolls, none in fact in
the general averaging Of their accounts,
falling below 5. l wish particularly to
mention tic names Of those whose reyn-
lar attendance and good conduct have
secured for them the highest standing.
LaIics-M. J. IlrllingShcad, A. Rines
II. llillmon, {. Fisher, 4. N. Morton,
\. Townsend, NJ. Townsend, z. Peasly,
L. Harrison, NJ Carpenter and NJ Cary.
Gentlenen-W S. Townsend, J. II.
Crawford, A. Bailey, F. TIillman, ].
Bishop, Q. Crosby and L. Staley.
Owing to irregular attendance some
have not made that progress in their
studies, which they could easily have
made. or which was reasonably espec
ted, and heir s;andin. wasconsegarnt!v
lower than it would otherwise hav"
been. | wish the Importance Of strict
punc'nnli'v in the performance of all
school ,ln'!es was more generally known
and appreciated BY parents. Children
are too often allowed their own way in
this respect. And If the teacher Is a!
Ill strict il his requirements, the tempta-
tiotls are increased for abscniiny them
selves from their Rotations for slight
and insufficient reasons. The advan
tages arising from thorough under
standing of the fundamental branches
pursued in schools are too apparent 70
nee proof. But it is Impossible to OBJ.
tain this tho:oughncss without complete
regularity il learning and recitns each
lesson in order The omission for what
ever cause, Of even one IN two weeks,
destroys the connection, lessons the in
iercSt and materially retar,lS the al
vance of the pupil; while the attendance
Of bu; three or tour days in each week
actually does more hunt than good.
For II, tar tie especial accommodation
81 such delinquent nhpiis, tie teacher
l,nts the whole class back, lie will most
certainly weaken he interest which has
been awakened il The E,i..Is Of the other
mcmsers, by such slrw and hitching
progress OF course the necessity of
Attendance IS not 50 great with the
very Young pupil who is often sent to
school that the parents may for few
hours be rid of the care and trouble
of managing him at home or who is
learning simply to read and spell:
but in the study of arithmetic, Gram
mar or any higher branch, the pre-
sence and attention Of each pupil
curing every day anil every lesson in
the term is requisite TO the most COM
pcte success.
Yours very Respectfully
{. W. BURTON.