Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1882-04-14
a WORD FOR THE PEOPLE IN
TOWN

TOWN.
The teachers of the public schools
are desirous Of clear and thorough
understanding with the parents OF
their pupils. Believing that both
parties, teachers and parents, have a
common object, that the interests Of
both, 20 far as the children are con.
ceIned, are identical, they desire to
encourage the fullest expression Of
opinions and wishes Oh the part 81
parents, and on their own part, to
render to the parents all the infor.
nation possible regarding the chill.
dren's progress. If both parties
could be put in possession Of the
facts known to one and not the other
there is no doubt that both could
accomplish more for the childrens
welfare. Better results still would
follow the adoption Of plans ma
tured by the careful study and free
and familiar conference Of both.
There are hindrances to the teachers
work which, if parents were aware
If, they could easily remove; on the
other hand there are, doubtless, cir
cumstanccs in which the children
are placed, Of which If teachers were
cogniant, they might render their
own work Of much greater value to
the school.
It u the object at this time to
point out to tire parents one or two
If the obstacles that have stood III
tile way of the teachers, and to ask
their cooperation ii removing
them.
4 notion that prevails to some ex-
tent, and one that seriously hinders
the efforts Of teachers IN the primary
departments, is that it makes little
difference whether the smallest chill
dren begin at the beginning Of q
term, or some time later; whether
they are regular III their Attendance.
III ~ To school III intervals az they
or their parents find convenient.
Even III families where much inter-
clt ID taken iii the regular attend
ance and progress Of Older members.
il is 10 he feared that this idea has
some influence upon the manage
lnent IF the little ones a little re-
lection must convince any one hold
ing such M opinion of his error
Tie little onrs who begin with the
first day Of tire term form a class
which in two or three weeks will
have rcache such stage in their
advancement that the new ones who
enter ut that time cannot be claSsed
with them without great disad-
vantage To both The only alterna-
tive II IL make If the aew corners O
separate grade. But this process, ii
continued through the year, would
make necessary more than half a
dozen grades III the lowest primary
room 1t is not difficult even for
those least acquainted with school
economy To- perceive the disadvant
ages against which teacher in ont
Of these departments, with such at
tendance, must labor The teachers
IN these rooms urgently request tn,
parents Of the little ones To send al
who arc to come during the term Al
the beginning. And they ask toe
that the attendance ct this class
may be rs regular rs that of Older
ones. Baa habits can he taught a
easily ut this age rs any other; and
irregularitv Of attendance is certain.
II not 4 good habit
The teachers of the higher grades
and especially those in the High
School desire the influence and as
slstance If tic parents Of their pu.
pills III maintaining and increasing
their children's interest in Their
school work. TIE degree of inter
cst that prompts thr simplest III.
Jury by the parent as to the child
progress is often a strong stimuli.
II effort Ii il not strange that chill.
dren whose parents never manifest
sufficient interest To converse with
them IN regard 20 their studies art
destitute III enthusiasm. Ii woulc
seem unnecessary 10 represent t
those in middle life, those who ar,
accustomed to reasoning regardin,
their ehildren's highest good, thus,
even who have sometimes regretted
their own lost or wasted opportuni
ties, thr importance III increased If
fort Ia incitc in their children .
higher ambition and more thor
ongh devotion t. their own educa
ton, yet there is too much evidenc,
that home teaching has either been
neglected or has failed Of lis object
Notitcahly during the last tern
other interests than those Of school
usurped the highest place III tn,
minds of considerable number 81
the pupils. The desire for promo
ton, ordinarily strong motive fol
dlllgent study lost its power with
these, and nn incentive could i,
found sufficiently powerful to coun.
teraet the effect of interests thai
sprung from other sources. In nine.
tenthS Of all cases Of this kind. the
cause Of this unfavorable state oi
things was directly traceable To tn.
manner ii which the children spent
their time out of school-especial
their evenings. The boys and girls
who spend their evenings at home
with parents devoting part 81 the
time t. study and reading. and the
nther part TO such amusement as
n can be enjoyed III the family cir
Gle, can always be relied on to do
their full duty Mt school. While
the teachers have no legal response
bllity III regard to the children out
OF school hours, and desire none.
they are unwilling that the parents
should remain in Ignorance Of the
causes that operate against their chill
dren's progress. They therefore ask
that they give this matter their at
tcntlon, and solicit their freest *.
preston OF opinion in regard to it.
It will 1t all times give them pleas
ure 70 confer with tie parents on
this subject Or Others connected with
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