The Coconino sun. [volume] (Flagstaff, Ariz.) 1891-1891, 1891-10-22
TUE SCHOOL BELL.
Principal weems Gives Some Timely
Advice to Parents.

Advice to Parents.
A change of teachers does not neces-
sarily imply a change in the classifca-
ton of pupils, but it has been found
necessary to make many changes at
the beginning Of this terms work.
These changes have occasioned adverse
criticism on the part of some disap-
pointed parents, but they have been
made for the benefit of the pupils con-
cerned. The large sections of pink
cardboard, which each pupil bore upon
entering school, may not have been eX-
amined by the teachers quite SO closely
as they should have been--life is too
short for that-but glance showed a
grade of from 80 TO 100 per cent in
nearly every study. These markings
were supposed to show that the pupil
had completed the books used in the
studies indicated. 1t was soon discov-
cred that certain pupils were entirely
unfamiliar with subjects so completed.
For this reason many changes were
made.
After classifying the pupils according
to the markings on the sections of pink
cardboard and according to our own
Judgment, and after learning as nearly
as possible their actual standing by
daily recitations for month, it was
thought best to re-examine certain
class of twenty-five boys and girls, be-
tween the ages of nine and thirteen,
upon the studies supposed to have been
completed last term, and in which, ac-
cording to the sections of pink card
board, nearly every member of the
class obtained grade of from 80 to
100 per cent. The result may be con-
sidered by any one interested. The
papers are on file and open to the in
spection of those concerned. There
was not a question propounded Except
in language) that can not be found
word for word, together with its cor
rect answer, in one Of the books which
according to the pupils section of pink
cardboard he completed last year, OBJ
tanning in final examination from 80 to
100 per cent.
Let us examine these papers closely.
And be it remembered that | am call
ing attention to facts, not because l
wish to complain of last years work
ION the whole think 1t must have
been good), but because of the COM
plant on the part of certain parents
that their children have been placed
back instead of put forward. Now
| IL hot hat ilt. l. ynC in
Judgment or failures in execution |
may make, it is my purpose and earn
est desire to deal justly and kindly
with all concerned.
i Am | vexed at these complaintsP
Not at all-gratified rather; for they
show that the parents are deeply inter-
ested in the education of their children.
They desire that their boys and girls
make the greatest possible advance
ment in the given time. They are so
greatly in earnest and so alive to the
importance of their children's acquir-
ing an education in the days of their
youth, while the evil days come not,
nor the years draw nigh when they
shall say 81 am too big to go to school,
that sometimes they consult with the
trustees regarding the classification
and scholastic welfare of their young
hopeful, meanwhile allowing said
young hopeful, perhaps, to go tardy to
school or be absent.
If the parents and teachers Of such
boys and girls as these can agree, they
will undoubtedly make scholars. But
let us lay the foundation well. In our
mad rush for knowledge, let us not
trample under foot the priceless gems
of truth that lie in our path to-day for
what tomorrow may bring forth. Let