Ashtabula telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1874-1880, 1876-03-17
nook CHEEK.

/
ROCK GREEK.
Eds. TsL-My attention has been called
to paragraph in the Ashtabula Sentinel
Of last week, written from this place by
some unknown scribbler, under the sigma
ture Of 'sR. NJ, . which reads as follows:
saOur school closed last Saturday, and so
far as about two-thirds Of the scholars were
concerned it might have closed two months
ago. The attendance has been so small
that it is q wonder the teachers did not get
disguised and quit.
We have a good corps Of teachers here,
but our School board, we learn, viii not
make rules strict enough to compel parents
to either send their children regularly or
keen them at home. The result Is, that
SQUADS Of boys wander over town during
school hours instead of being at school, and
the scholars in general are encouraged, OF
course unintentionally, yet really so, by
their parents and the Board, to become lazy,
and we think it about time we had re-
form"
So far as the Board of Education is con-
eerned the above paragraph would have
passed unnotieed; but when the character
and reputation of our school is falsely as
sailed, and an attempt made-''of course
not Intentionally, yet really SOTO de
grade it in the estimation of the public, it
may be well enough to give the paragraph
and its writer passing notice. / ask per-
mission to do 50 through the Ashtabula
Telegraph as it is more extensively read in
this place than the paper in which the par
agraph appeared.
Truth and candor compel me to admit
that the attendance through the winter was
not as great as we could have desired and es-
pecially, that nearthe close of the term there
was adininished number on the roIl. In
order to favor the older pupils, many Of
whom could only attend in the winter, the
Board decided to prOlohg the winter term
to fifteen weeks, and make the spring term
proportionally shorter. The experiment
has not proved an unqualified success
Some of the pupils, who were quite pune
tual in their attendance during the usual
period of three months, found it Necessary
to leaFe school before the close, TO engage
in or prepare for the pursuits of the coming
season.
This broke up, or diminished the interest
in some of the smaller classes in the High
School department and q few. absented
themselves on that account. And then, on
the last week of the term the County Musi-
cal Convention was in session here, and
several of the advanced students ayailed
themselves of that opportunity to improve
their musical talents. These were among
the tehief causes Of the seemingly diminu-
ton Of interest in our public school.
Yetwith all these drawbacks let us look at
the facts and figures, as drawn from the
School Register, and see to what extent
'sR. NJ" was justified in saying that $50
far as about tioO thirds Of the scholars
were concerned it might have been closed
two months ago, The attendance has been
80 small that it is wonder the teachers
did not become disguised and quit. !"
Whole number enrolled during the.
term. m..-.................. .lz6.
Average weekly enrolment. ........l l25.
Average daily attendance. ......... Iii.
Number in attendance at the close Of
school. ........-......... .lUU,
notwithstanding the attractions of the Mn-
sical Convention.
have no statistics at hand by which to
make an accurate comparison, but i very
much doubt if'any village school of q like
number Of pupils can show abetter record
Soon after the winter term commenced
it came to the knowledge Of the Board OF
Education that there1Eas too much irregu-
lsrity in the attendance of;some of the
pupils; and as there is no statute in this
State to authorize compulsory education,
and as 'sR. N. I" had not then informed the
public that ''the School Board could make
rules strict enough to compel parents to
either send their children regularly or keep
them at home, ,, the Board had supply OF
slips printed which read as follows:-"The
Beard Of Education Of the WALLACE of Rock
Creek, and the present efficient corps Of
teachers, are desirous of promoting the
highest and best interests of the pupils Of
our Public Schools. But the best results
cannot be obtained without good degree
Of punctuality in the attendance Of schol-
ars, To this end the cooperation of pa
rentssand guardians is desired m E.
The teachers viii make a weekly report
showing the tardiness and absence Of the
pupils, that, if it is not necessary, the, pa
rents and guardians may correct the same;
and it is expected that they win be regular
and prompt in signing and returning the
reports, and thereby assist the Board and
teachers in securing the desired result.
These printed slips were sent home by
tho teachers, in connection with the week
ly reports, and in some measure remedied but
did not entirely eradicate the evil. a rad
seal cure is still desidsr0tum. VIII ''R.
NJ" discover it and crown himself with
honors.
In conclusion let me say that there viii
be at least three vacancies in the Board to
be filed on the first Monday in April--two
by expiration Of term and one by removal
from the district-and other vacancies viii
then and there be made by resignation. il
the best interests Of our School demand it;
and 1t is Of the utmost Importance that the
best men for the place be elected.
II "R. NJ" has the manly courage to
throw of his Snco0nitO, and the moral in
tegrity to speak and write the truth, and can
give aresonable assurance that he viii inau-
gurate the reform" which Is 80 devoutly to
be wished for by us all, be may count on the
vote and influence Of every member Of the
present Board TO secure him prominent
place on the new Board to be organized on
the third Monday Of next month.
Morgan, Mar. 18th 20. A. N'cAUsLAEp.