South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1880-05-14

The Relation Of Parents to
Schools.


For sAe South Branch TntelIisencer.
Mn. HARrsR 1T rs quite generally
supposed by parents, that when they
have Furnished their share Of the chii-
dren for the School. their duty is com.
ple,ed, aud nothing further can reason.
ably be asked of them. Sometimes. 1
havo heard parents feel quite indignant.
to be requested to furnish new additional
books for their children, as If the teach.
er were n reservoir Of knowledge. and
could from his abundance, overflow into
the receptive mind of his scholars. thus
obviating the need of books. Or. il the
children have any books of the same
name "a those In the school, they think,
that IS all reason can ask. / think good
farmers do not set their hired men to
cutting grassor grain with hoes, or axes,
or knives, though grass or grain could
surely be cut with those tools. They
understand that scythes, or mowers, or
reapers, arc just what is required for
that object, and 50 they procure those
| implements. aud the success OF their Ia.
Dor proves their wisdom. Books are the
to ls with which most of tho labor of the
school is accomplished; IF these are all
of the best kind, 50 Ear the success of
the school is rendered certain; or, if
they are all Of the same kind, so that the
teacher can adapt himself TO one style,
or have the time which different books
on the same subject, would inevitably
fritter away, to devote to fewer classes
in the same book. it is plain that the
| progress of the scholars must be more
rapid and uniform. In somo of the
schools, the diversity of Arithmetics used
| is as great AMI about as confusing in its
re ults, as if farmer should send forth
to cut lns grain, one man with n reaper,
another with cradle, third with
sickle, fourth with all axe, and o fifth
with knife without any handle. The
last mans punishment is greater than
he should bear. Here, then, is one re-
spect III which the parent bears a very
close relation to the school. If parents
realized the gratitude, teachers would
feel for the relief and the wider prospect
of usefulness afforded them. by having
the scholars furnished with the useful
books; or il they could appreciate the
impulse it would give to the effort and
ambition of their children, to supply
them with all requisite aids. they surely
would not fail To perform so wise and
good a deed, if within their power. A.
gain; those who employ men to work
for them in a shop, or on farm, think
1T necessary occasionally TO visit them
to salty them selves, that every thing is
being done properly and so as to pro
mote their interests. They manifest their
concern in matters b. personal attention
and oversight, This is natural, neces-
| - 4. I
ly import nt, that interest should be felt
and expressed in the prosperity of your
children Are fields of grain, however
large and profitable, more worthy Of re-
gard and thoughtful consideration than
the immortal beings committed TO your
care, dependent upon your protection
your supper, your guidance ? How
many bushels OF wheat per acre are e.
| quail in value TO the we'll educated man !?
How much land would you consider an
equivalent for q good education for your
child? The manifest answer to these
and similar questions, shows the almost
Infinite worth Of good, practical edu-
cation. 1t also suggests the propriety
and duty of parents visiting their schools,
to see for themselves, if their children
are obedient, diligent, respectful, and
progressing suitably. The ri ght class of
teachers are glad to have parents visit
them they feel greatly encouraged, and
labor more cheerfully under the inspira
ton of the thought that their efforts are
appreciated. They will feel sure of more
efficient study by their scholars, Of main.
tanning good order more easily, Of ava
kening deeper interest in education in
the minds oil. all. These are two quite
important considerations if they are
regarded duly by the parcnts, the Gus
todians of tue management Of the free
schools, and the teachers generally Of
Hampshire county, the benefit of the
schools will be greatly increased in use
4 fulness, and parents themselves. and oil
others concerned will experience the sat.
/ isfaction that ever follows generous, wise
action. Give us good shoot houses. coin.
petcnt teachers at liberal salary, and the
standard must go up.
Mr.. HARPER I'm our next writing.
we propose a continued treatise on-Ig-
norauce -~Kno wledge Wisdom; provi-
| ded, however, that we can have the free
use Of a column in your excellent paper
once week OCCASIONAL.
----@ . e------
HoNoR FROM EUROPE. 1t Is conced-
ell on all sides that DIR. Ayers Pills are