Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1876-02-16

The fact then seems very plain
that If the parents Of these YER
irregular pupils have these social
ed rights, those who send thei
children regularly have not an,
rights-that is the very regularit,
with which pupils attend school
causes them to forfeit their rights.
!. III it is unjust for one man L
keep his neighbors' children frc.I
advancing as fast as they other
wise would, then it is unjust TO
him to keep his owr children on
of school, excert for the most i'm
portant an. unavoidable reasons.
There are absences which Occur
] q. course, which are necessary anC
unavoidable, but while these ar,
perhaps the occasion of nearly a.
much hindrance in proportion tC
their frequency, no one is dis.
posed to take especial notice o.
them, or at least regard them a:
unjust. But when regular, faithful
earnest pupils are cheated out Of
the time and instruction which be.
longs to them, just by the unneces.
airy absences Of some class-mate,
then some remedy ought to be ap-
piled.
1t is probably a truth that most
persons are not aware of, or do not
appreciate the fact, that the alb
sence of their children does always
hinder the class to which they be-
long. There are very few persons
probably who would claim as a
right, a privilege whose exercise
is so manifestly unjust in its re-
suits, If they were aware to what
extent they were interfering with
other peoples rights; neither would
those little missives, which your
teachers in accordance with your
rules and regulations send always
with the very best intentions, meet
with so cold perhaps in some cases
| should say warm) reception. A
little attention given to this SUBJ
ject by the people, at least sufficient
to acquaint them with the princi-
Piles which enter into the frame
work of our graded schools, would
lead every reasonable person not
only to cheerfully comply with all
regulations tending to result in reg
ularity of attendance, but also to
oppose with energy, that selfish
and pernicious doctrine that every
body has a right to send his child
rem when lie pleases, or keep them
out when he likes, and it is no.
body's business.
Considering the fact that all the
teachers Of our schools have been
engaged during the past term in
schools taught last year by others,
It is not to be wondered at perhaps
hat there should be some cases of
deficiency noticeable. These cases,
Is you are aware, were in those
over schools where the over crowd
I'd condition and multiplicity of
he classes rendered it q difficult |
matter TO do anything like justice |
10 the schools. This over crowded
condition of these schools will be
.e.ieved if possible at the opening |
# next Term, though it must be
lone at the expehce Of the highest
In order tC attain the !
most satisfactory results, there
hould be in each school but two
lasses of about twenty pupils each.
With these there should generally
'e about eight recitations day or
en- at most, besides general exer-
ises and writing. This basis Of
Justification has been practically
on account Of the num-
'ers in our schools being consider
bly, above this.
In our schools as you know, pupils
re transferred to higher grades as
Don as they are prepared to do
ne work Of those grades. Pupils
( more than average ability or
mbition may, If they choose, push
trough the course and complete
or any portion Of it in consider
bly, less than the prescribed time.
n point Of fact almost any pupil
Tho is reasonably regular in at
enhance and is of fair diligence,
ill easily do the work of the
chool course within the allotted
me. This you know as laid down
] our school course is ten years. {
low if a pupil enters at the age
five and is possessed Of fair
Dility and attends regularly, he {
i'll be able to complete the tenth
rade during his sixteenth year.
would seem to me to be the part [
wisdom to make complete pro- 1
sion for pupils to the extent in
cated in the course of study and I
Ist as rapidly as classes shall seem s
require it. 1t would seem to {
e manifestly unwise to so legis- /,
to in the affairs of our public (
hools as to close their doors to I
! respectfully diligent pupils as {
'on rs they arrive at the age of '
urteen or fifteen, and yet, IL all [
lose studies except such as are
'dinarily pursued in our country {
; district schools are ruled out, it G
i'll amount to nothing short of
is. l would therefore most re-
,ectfully urge, that every pro- i
sion be allowed for the study of |