Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1885-12-04
COMMUNICATED.
A TALK TO PARENTS.

There are three factors in the school,
the parent, the teacher and the pupil.
No one of these can make successful
school without the cooperation of the
other two, but either party can cause
school to fail. The best results are OBJ
tanned when they all work together in
harmony. Each has work to do. 1t is
the duty of the parent to send his child
to school regularly, and see that he is
supplied with the necessary books. 1t
is the duty of the child to obey the
teacher and prepare his lessons. ills
the duty of the teacher to instruct the
child and maintain order in the school
room. Their duties are not conflicting,
and so long as each party performs them
properly, all is quiet. The trouble be-
gins when some one transgresses upon
the rights of the other.
The teacher is supposed to understand
his business. If he does not, he should
not have been employed, for an ineffi-
cient teacher is dear at any price. In
the school-room he is the supreme head,
and is held responsible for the success of
the school. A general is not response
BILE for the defeat of his army unless he
is permitted to command his men as he
desires. Neither should the teacher be
condemned for failure unless he is per-
united to conduct The school in his own
manner. His methods and discipline
may be quite different from what you
have been accustomed to but it does not
necessarily follow that they are wrong.
You should think twice before finding
fault with the teacher. He, most as
suredly, is working for the good of the
child. If he is not he has no business
in your school-room. The teacher who
has not the welfare of your child at
heart and has no sympathy for children
is not worthy the countenance. of hui
mainly much less the name teacher.
Do not say anything against the
teacher in the presence of your chill
dren. Many parents sow the seed OF
discord'by thoughtless remarks. Even
if you think your child has cause to
complain, it is not best to sympathize
with it until you know all the facts in
the case. Teachers are not monsters. A
true teacher really loves your child.
He would not, he can not mistreat one
whom he loves. Go to him or send for
him to come to you. He will listen toyou
attentvely and, moreover, will thank
you for any information concerning
your child's difficulties. Perhaps he has
made a mistake, for teachers are only
human. After such talk you will I'M
derstand each other better, and your
work will be more in harmony. Have
you never made a mistake in correcting
your child? If so, you should have
charity for the teacher. ''Let him that
is without sin cast the first stone"
If your school is not what you think it
ought to be, help the teacher in making
it so. If your teacher is not filled with
that enthusiasm for the advancement of
your children and the upbuilding of
your school and school system, dismiss
him at the earliest convenience.
If you have hard working teacher,
stand by him, encourage him by visit
ing his school often and giving any as
sistance you may be able to give. En-
courage your children by holding up
before him the advantages of an educa-
ton. Instill within their bosoms a love
for good books and the beautiful-that
their teacher is their friend and stands
next to the parent in love and sympathy
for them.
Every community can have just the
| kind Of school it wants, if the people of
that community will join heart and
hand in the work with some good teach
err. Turn over new leaf and labor more
earnestly for your children, and they
will bless you for it. GULLY.