Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1875-12-16
For the Gallipolis Journal.
To the Patrons of the GaIlipolis
Public Schools.

the irregularities ought not to cease.
1t is not the object in this article
to prove that these Irregularities are
evils, nor particularly to discuss
them, but to draw the attention of
patrons to the regulations of the
Board of Education respecting them,
and thus, if possible, to secure a
more hearty compliance with those
by those interested.
The rules adopted by the Board
are in substance: that absentees
shall furnish ralid excuse for such
absence; that unexcused absence for
eight half days in the Primary
grades or for six half days in the
others, shall be reported to the Su-
perintendent, who may at his discre-
tion reinstate the delinquent; for a
second offense the pupil must go to
the Board of Education. In apply
ing this rule two tardiness are reck-
oned as one absence.
The difficulty is to get valid er-
cuse. Most of the requests sent are
in the following form:
Miss Smith,
Please excuse Peter for absence.
n. JONES.
1t is to be observed IN the above,
that no cauSe is stated. Certainly,
such is not cdlid eccWse.
Some parents seem to regard it as
a personal affront, if teacher OBJ
jecting to such paper seeks to know
the cause of absence. 1t is true,
that, in some instances, there may
be reasons that the parent, from
sensitiveness, dislikes to state.
These, we think, can not be numer
Gus, and in many cases the delicacy
may be false one.
A pupil would not render an ex-
cuse to the teacher and was referred
to the Superintendent; when ques-
toned as to the cause of her absence,
she said it was because she had no
shoes. A sufficient reason, surely
but why might not the parent state
the same on slip Of paper sent to
the teacher? A mother told the Su-
perintendent that her boy was absent
because she was so overburdened
with work that she could not get his
clothes ready. Satisfactory! but
why not say it on the paper that was
sent?
Other parents are grieved because
the teacher does not receive the
acord of the pupil as ample explana-
tion and valid excuse, without any
paper.
A boy was reported yesterday as
neglecting to bring an excuse. He
told a reasonable, and, as it proved,
a true story. He was directed to
bring a written excuse. 1t was
brought; but it was accompanied
with the significant remark that the
parent hoped that the boys acord
would be taken in future. Now, we
cannot always discriminate wisely
enough, to Justly decide what pupils
may be. and what ones may not be
believed.
Some of the fairest stories that pu-
pills have told us, Investigation has
shown to be false, and some of the
"strai2 2htest" looking notes have
proved forgeries. Under the circum-
stances, but one rule can be adopted,
and that must apply to all alike.
Another difficulty is this: Very
many parents permit the children
to write their oaon excuses, and sign
thereto the parents name. What
ever may be the reason of this, it GER
tainly opens the door for any pupils
so disposed, to absent themselves at
pleasure, and manufacture their own
excuses.
Now, in all this matter, we know
that the parent has rights that teach
ers are "bound to respect
We know perfectly well, that par
ents have rights in the matter of de-
tanning their children at home, if they
see fit to do so, and that, too, without
an excuse to any one. The
schools, too, have their rights which
all good citizens ought to regard,
and defend. Legislators, under
standing how important and how
delicate are the interests entrusted
to the keeping of the Boards of Edu-
cation, have conferred upon them ex-
traordinary powers. The law states
in substance. that these Boards shall
have the power to make and enforce
all needful and just regulations for
the management of the schools under
their care. So common is the neces-
sity for regulation respecting tar
diness and absence, that all the
Boards in the State, so far as are
known, have adopted a rule similar
to that in force here.
There is no doubt about the legal
right of Boards to make these rules,
and even more stringent ones, and to
from school privileges, un-
der certain restrictions, those who do
not comply with them.
In order to make this matter plain,
we will say that what we desire is:
that the request for an excuse shall
state the cause of absence; that it
shall be in writing and signed at
east, by the parent or guardian, if
not written by him, and that it be
brought by the pupil on his return to
school. If, sometimes, the reason
;annot be given, let the request state
hat the absence was necessary, if it
vas so.
E. E. SPAULDING,
C,~f