Goldsboro weekly argus. [volume] (Goldsboro, N.C.) 1885-1909, 1897-09-02

Alike.
The annual report of Superin>
tsndent Foust, of Goldsboro Pub
lie Schools, to the Board of
Trustees. has just been publish :
ed by the Board, and it is acom-
prehensive and gratifying docu-
ment. 1t shows the total number
of white children enrolled to be
TAI an l colored, 566.
The schools have been in exist
ence sixteen years in the commu4
nifty, and they have never been in
a more healthy and prosperous
condition.
The report of the Superintend-
ent abounds in timely comment,
and we cannot refrain from copy
ing some of his sound suggestions,
as follows:
Education means far more than
securing ability to solve arithmetical
problems, to spell correctly and rat
tle'of Geographical names.
True education touches every
thing that contributes to the forma-
ton of character.
If child is permitted to shun his
daily duties because of his ability to
offer some excuse for so doing, it is
more than likely that he will avoid
thessgraver duties and responsible
ties of life. It is rare, indeed, that
any one is able to rise above the
habits contracted in childhood. They
generally aid us in attaining higher
and better things or drag us to dis
appointment Hence we as teachers
and parents can never too carefully
watch the children committed to us.
We should demand from them re-
gularity and punctuality
It is doubtful whether any com
munity in the country has a better
record than ours. The great major
ity of our children and their parents
willingly and gladly respond to our
efforts in this direction
While our record is in many re
spects very gratifying, there are,
however, small proportion of the
children whose parents ask us from
day to day to excuse their hardness
or absence for the most frivolous
and unsatisfactory reasons. These
things ought not to be thus. We wish
to reach better results in the future
than we have in the past With the
aid of parents we may hope to finally
eradicate this evil. For the sake of
their children we do not hesitate to
ask their sympathy and support in
this matter
Some of the most delicate children
in your schools are punctual and re
gular attendants. In fact, [ have
noticed cases in which the health OF
children has been improved by the
regular and systematic work of the
school.
The great majority of our people
cannot afford to lay aside their daily
duties at the least suggestion Of q
depressed or unwell feeling Neither
can the children
have tried to speak plainly about
this matter. No other motive prompts
me except my desire to do the best
possible for the welfare of the chill
dren of this community We, as
officers of the school, cannot afford
to become parties to any action that
will be ruinous to single child
placed under our guidance.
I, therefore, suggest that youl
Board require the Superintendent Of
schools to make monthly report to
you. giving names of pupils who have
failed to be punctual and regular In
attendance, stating; reasons for same
in SO far as he may be able to learn
them. The number will not be large
yet large enough to demand atten-
ton.
In addition to this, suggest that
you decide definitely what shall be
considered q valid excuse for alb
sence or hardness.
This, 1 believe, will remedy the
evil as far as it is possible for it tc
be remedied
The paramount consideration Of
every educational system is the de
velopment. in the children, of strong
charac: ers, based upon correct prin
ciples of living. That method of dis
cipline which does not give the chile
control over his powers must b.
erroneous. This self-control is the
basis of character.
It is an old saying that we al
know better than we do. We do n,
better because our faculties have no
been brought into thorough subjec
ton to our will and reason.
Absolute and unhesitating ODE
dience should be demanded from th
children All tendencies toward AM
signs of disobedience and disorde
should receive vigorous and promp
attention. IF these things are al
lowed to prevail to an appreci
able extent they will breed dis
respect for all law, both civil an
divine
We may and often do fall short o
our ideals in our attempts to appl.
these fundamental principles. Bu
endeavoring to profit by sur failure
| we always strive for better things.
/ The school and the community ar
to be congratulated upon the cordla
relations which, on the whole, exis
between teachers and pupils. Thl
must be due to the general excel
lence of the teachers; for III II
sphere of her work is the real powe
land force of the teacher more plainl
visible than in the discipling of Tia
children placed in her charge.
The highest respect also exist
among the children for each othel
Probably in no place or manne
could due regard for. the rights {
others be more successfully taugl
than is being done in your schools.
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