Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1879-01-15

The lowest per cent. of tarliness
was in Miss Dixon's school, it being
Ia OF one per cent, or in ia ar
rivals there was but one case of
Hardness. In that school, during
the entire term, there were but %
cases Of tardiness-the same as at
Campbellville. The total number
OF cases of hardness, for all the
schools, was G25 for each school,
Ten per cent. of the pupils have
been promoted from their classes
and placed in higher ones. The
number Of visits from Members of
the Board was 19-not one school
being missed. Three schools re-
ceived three visits, three received
two, and four received one EACH
Total number of visits from other
parties, not including mere calls,
90.
The per cent. of attendance du~
ring the past term is lower than
usual. being only about IS. The
unusually large number of cases of
absence has been caused by sick
ness and fear of diphtheria, so call
ed by some. The measles and
whO0ping cough visited fully one
half Of the scholars, and compelled |
them to remain away. This being
unavoidable, was endurable, but |
when the report of the prevalence
of diphtheria took ont fully one.
third of our pupils and kept them
ont from three days to three weeks,
it suggested that there was extreme
or something else some
where. There is nothing, perhaps,
productive Of more mischief in
school than frequent absence
Those whose attendance is regular,
very rarely fall behind their class,
while those whose attendance is
irregular, not only frequently fall
behind into lower classes, but are
usually dead weight where ever
hey may be. A few from whom
better things could reasonably be
expected, have placed themselves
n this class. No amount of school.
ng can ever educate them. If
pupils carelessly come three DAYS ,
n a week, and carelessly remain ,
way two, they will do themselves
10 good, but will do the class a
,reat injury. They have no more
light to take the teachers time
rom the pupils, to explain what +
'as explained to the class, during f
heir absence, than they have to \
AXE their playmate's property
rom his desk or pocket. The -
eacher's time is the pnpils' pro- @
'erty. Almost every day absentee
SIN robs diligence and punctuality 4
I their legal possessions. 1t also Y
lakes them wait and sit in the i
lass in idleness until its tagging +
BOT steps are pear. All this is un- 7
ind, unjust and unreasonable, but i
OF unavoidable. Necessary alb "
ence is tolerable and usually not j.
cry miscbievons, while unneccpss- =
~ absence usually afllicts those !
ho cannot afford TO lose a moment. 4"
his latter might lie corrected if a
nrents would give heed TO a most J,
nportant duty and maintain com Il
'ete control Of their own honse-
DID. A little teasing and coaxing "
I'd wbeedling and laxity do an !"
lormous amount Of mischief and
'adually wither MANY of the -.
'ightest prospects. 1t affords -
me consolation, however. TO know "
at parents, who are thus managed.
e comparatively few, while the ~
eat number Of parents who ex- n,
else every diligence, even amount .,
g to self denial, to give their n
Ii!dren an education, are entitled :.
the warmest thanks of the teach :"
5, and will enjoy the rich fruit of . ..,
cir diligence 10y their own pleas ~ ',
I fresiilcs. I"
Respectfully submitted,
f. S. DEWEY, 'e