The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1893-09-29
A PLEA FOR GREATER
Interest in our Public Schools.

Our common schools viii soon
open for the work of the year,
and 1T seems proper TO call the
attention of patrons and friends
toa few things which will very
materially aid public school work
and promote the cause of popular
education, the great object of the
Free Schools.
The public school will never
accomplish any marked results
without the cooperation of the
people upon whom it depends
for support. and its efficiency
will increase in proportion to the
interest shown by those who pat.
ronlze it, while its sphere in the
educational world will be deter
mined largely by the attention
given it in the public mind.
The cause of general education
can be dealt no greater blow.
than Indifference to It's advant-
ages, and a failure to improve
the opportunities which it ex-
tends to all classes of people.
The elevation of our institu.
tons is measured by public senti-
ment, and they will never rise
above it.
The people of Harrison county
expend several thousand dollars
each year for the support of our
Free Schools. A failure to look
after this investment will show
a lack of wis lom and business
tact. Teachers want a greater
interest manifestedin the schools.
They desire a liberal or illiberal
public sentiment. They seek the
assistance and sympathy of the
people because they preside over
the peoples institution.
The fact that teachers are in.
competent and schools inefficient
rests equally on patrons and
teachers. Progressive. wide.
awake school officers will secure
competent teachers. Non-pro.
gressive, careless officers usually
get inefficient teachers. Patrons
Indifferent to the schoolare salts
fed with an Indifferent teacher.
These educational factors, by
showing a proper spirit, may
awaken each other to a greater
conception of their duties and
functions in educating our
youth.
The old time custom of board
ing around" established a sympa-
thy and interest between patron
and teacher, that modern customs
do not encourage. greatly to the
detriment of the social demands
of the teacher. A cordial greet
ing and an occasional invitation
to spend a social hour will be
warmly appreciated by the teach
er, and neighborhood respect
and esteem will help him to do
better work. The jolly old peda-
gogue of long ago possessed some
qualities that should be encour-
aged in the teacher of the pres
emit. Closer social relation must
be established between teacher
and patron.
Non.attendance and Irregular.
ty are the greatest hinderances
to systematic work in the COM
mon schools. These evils can be
eradlcated only by the aid and
cooperation of parents.
Regularity is of the greatest
Importance, and wise parents
will send their children to school
the first day, and allow them to
be absent thereafter only in case
of absolute necessity. Parents
very often keep their children
from school, thinking that a few
days does not matter. This is a
fatal mistake that has caused
many a pupil to lose all interest
in the work of a term. l can not
impress too strongly the impor-
lance Of regular attendance, and
the assistance parents may render
in securing this much desired
result. Parents are urged to
keep their children in school
regularly. Children must be
taught that promptitude is neces.