Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1894-12-07
SCHOOL COLUMN.
TBY PROF. II. q. GEORGE. ]

This seems 10 be good opportunity
to make AN earnest plea for II better
understanding and more united effort
N the part of parents aud teachers.
Ii parents only realized what an im-
proyoment might be made in their chill
dren', work, and how much better re-
suits might be obtained, am sure
greater sympathy and more active IN
tere,t would be shown.
One would naturally suppose that
parents would visit the schools at least
two or three times year. but the truth
i, that The majority do not take time
10 make even one such visit. from the
beginning of the year 10 the close. Nor
Is this all, they are usually satisfied 10
receive careless statement from The
child that he is getting along all right.
when They make an occa>ivlal inquiry
about his school work.
We have sought to better this condi-
ton by sending nome monthly report
of each pupils progress, and though
there have been some CRAFTY ing results.
We have not met with the response we
desired in many cases. Let me urge
parents first of all, to visit the rooms
where their children attend, and thus
get clear idea of the work the chill
dren are doing, and of the difficulties
which the teacher has 10 overcome.
Then let them talk with the teacher.
learning in what directions their chill
dren have the most trouble with their
work, and discussing means for helping
them. Parents should question chill.
dren carefully about their work from
day to day, and at the end of the month
make thorough examination of the
report, comparing with those of pre-
vious months, and noting the number
of times absent and tardy and the rec
ord for department. See to it that pu-
pills are never tardy. and absent only |
when absolutely necessary, and that |
they bring a written excuse stating
cause and exact time out of school, |
when they first return.
Have pride enough in your own
children, If not IN the appearance If |
the school, TO see that they are neatly |
and properly dressed; it is not patches. |
but the need of them, that is a disgrace.
The parent may not see the necessity |
of regular and punctual attendance,
but the teacher does. Don't send chill
dren to school before they are old
enough to come. simply to get them
taken care of few hours each dag.
Don't imagine that your child is en-
tirely different from other children.
that he is of little finer clay, and that
ON this account he should and will re-
ceive more than his share of the teach
er's time and attention. Your child |
will not be favored less than any other,
nor can he very well be allowed privi-
leges or exemptions that cannot be
grantad to all. Do not expect him 10
receive more care a. one of forty in the
school room. than he actually does re-
Be careful not to destroy the pupils
confidence in his teacher nv making
remarks about her ability
or her methods. More harm can be
done in this way in a moment than can
be undOne by whole years careful
work. Above all, do not. even indi-
rectly, excuse or uphold pupil in any
or disobed ence. The
rules of school throughout the land are
essentially the same, and are the result
Of years of experiment and improve
nent; it is necessary that these should
be obeyed by all pupils, and in case of
willfui dlsobediencc, punishment must
sometimes be rcsorted to. Ii your child
should be 50 unfortunate as to be
at school, the best way to pre-
vent its happening again is to follow
he good old-fashloned rule and whip
again when he gets home. Always
near both sides of the story before form
No your opinion, and don't complain
o the teacher in the presence of the
hid Don't complain 10 the teacher
II all. but see the superintendent if YOU
rave any complaints to make.
Finally, let me ask parents to be a
little more thoughtful and considerable
to multiply by forty the
are and trouble your child causes you,
before finding fault.
The parent can bring up the child
of the teacher but the
eachcr can do little or nothing with
mt the cordial sympathy and hearty
of the parent