Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1886-11-04
To Patrons of our Public Schools.


Now that our school is thoroughly organ
lied in all its departments, we extend most
cordial invitation to parents and all who are
interested in the success of schools to visit
us. Your presence will lend inspiration to
both teachers and pupils, and you win be
better able to make reliable suggestions for
the lettering of the work.
The department of pupils during the pres
ent month is all that could be desired, there
reported. Irregular attendance is about the
only thing of which we have to complain.
and this, as every teacher well knows, is the
bone of our school work. If visit is con-
templated, or an entertainment of any kind
to be given, children are kept away from
school two, three, or four days in prepare
ton for the event, and after all is over a
week is spoiled, and on Monday those who
have been absent do not know what work
has been assigned for that day, hence they
are reluctant TO return, preferring to wait till
some one of the family can report where the
lessons are. days work lost is 4 link in
the chain of a school term that can never be
replaced without extra labor on the part of
teacher and pupil, and no pupil has a right
TO demand this extra attention of the teach
er, especially when that pupil has carelessly
and unnecessarily absented himself from
school. Instance,-a little girl was absent
nearly whole week this month, during
which time her class in grammar passed
over the subject of pronouns, and when she
returned the first lesson she had to ecite i'll
Il, ~ IF
completely lost, and what could the teacher
do? Stop, go back and prepare her for this
lesson? No, not by any means; he had spent
perhaps two days on this particular subject
and those pupils present now demand that
he proceed with the lesson for which they
are prepared. Another pupil was absent
several days, during which time his class
passed over the subject of verbs, their prop
| critics and conjugation and when he returned
and appeared i'm the class was asked to con-
jugate very common verb. He looked up
| in establishment! This was Greek to him
| he was not present when the class went oyer
| that subject. What could the teacher do!
Parents, ask you candidly If you do not
realize that you are doing your children a
great injustice? Not only your children, but
the entire school.
can not forbear saying few words in
regard to Hardness and the many little spec
ial privileges parents are wont to ask of the
| teacher, which latter. if it concerned the
teacher and parent alone, would he a matter
of small moment, and one I'm which We
| should take pleasure in granting. But wher
you ask any special favor for yOur child
| may not any member of the school ask, and
| is he not entitled to, the same? You have
| no idea what an awkward position your little
requests some times place the teacher in
| There is scarcely ever Il reasonable saausl
| for hardness, though it is better to be tardy
than absent a half day or even during
single recitation. The train leayes at 2:3'
| sharp, and those not on time are left. Tit
school begins at 8 O'Clock; but unfortunate
| ly, it can not move eff and leave tnosG no
on time, but must be disturbed by thosI
| coming i'll after the exercises have begun
| This subject of hardness is Il moral ones
ton. The tardy pupil robs the schoo! o
time (and slime is money'O by disturbing
the exercises. No pupil has right to b'
tardy unless it is absolutely unavoidable
| Habits formed in youth last through life
| The pupil who has promptly responded tt
the bell during his school life will not. whel
il man, likely fail to meet bis business en-
gagements. Absence is similar to tardines:
in its effects upon the school and absentee.
Parents, may we not reasonably expect t.
have your hearty cooper alton in this matter
of pnnctuaiiiy in attendance? Keep you
children in school, asauaint yourselves will
their progress, and If we has6 not done then
Justice, then hold us responsible.
/ Respectfully submitted,
| A. p. VANCE,
Principal Public School.