St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1897-11-05

,
Woman's Club. am simply dlsposing
OF the unpleasant items in my diary.
Here is another. A year ago, called
at comfortable-looking house in order
to confer with lady respecting her sons
welfare. She was not at home, so l lett |
my card with member OF the household
stating, at the same time, that l was
very DESTROYS of meeting the lady of the
house. About ten days later ] called
again, again found that the lady was not
at home, and again left my card with a
repetition of the statement that l was
exceedingly DESTROYS OF securing an inter
view. No notice was ever taken OF either
call. l cannot say that | was surprised,
some time later, that the son should so
far violate the rules of the Academy as
to require TO be removed from the insti-
tuition.
| might multiply these instances, but
it is not necessary. Sufficient to say
that have devoted more time and at
tention to this sort of missionary work
than had imagined would be called for
in town reputed to represent so high
and so general degree Of intelligence
and interest in educational matters.
Upon the regular report-blanks Of the
Academy (sent to parents three times a
Year,, and printed in type so large and
clear that he who runs may read, is a
courteous and urgent invitation to par
ents to correspond or confer with me
respecting the educational needs OF their
children. Incredible as it may appear, it
is still true, that circumstances of response
to this cordial invitation have been so
few that can readily name the parents
who have responded and can count them
on the fingers of my two hands. But
divers and sundry mutterings come to
me, through subterranean channels,
largely inspired by misunderstanding,
office-seeking, and self-interested dema-
gogues, who criticise without intelligent
understanding of that whereof they
speak. Such criticisms, on the part of
parents or their selfappointed advisers,
are not pleasant, yet it is some sort OF
satisfaction to know that minds are
working, even if the mental grist mills
are grinding air And right here l wish
to condemn, in unsparing terms, the
small. gossipy methods employed by
those who have criticisms to pass upon
the schools, teachers, and methods of st.
Johnsbury, of any grade. 1t is most
mischievous, pernicious, atmosphere.
poisoning. 1t is mildew and moth and
rust, instead of honest, generous, health.
full tonic. Open discussion and confer.
ence every teacher welcomes; but guerilla
warfare of this sort strikes blow at our
children, who are the greatest sufferers
from it.
Two great principles do not yet appear
to be recognized, in general, by our peo
pie: (D that education is the one seri
Gus business of our youth, from to Is
: years OF age; (2) that the home is an in
) dispensable adjunct to this process. 81
: far as the general question may be gener
, ally stated, we may safely say that edu
f cation is a contract, the school guaran
S teeing to do it's best for the students
S and the home guaranteeing not merel.
! the negative assurance observation-disclosures
t but the positive assurance of hearty in
? terest, sympathy, and cooperation.
i The offensive and injurious features o
! parental interference take the form o
S absences, for frivolous or semi-reasonabl
: causes, and various irregularities ant
S neglect of school-work, traceable t.
e parental weakness or indifference,-il
! other words to parental love falsely 81
/ called. This obstacle to progress ma.
e be minimized by strict regulations. vigor
e Gus recitation-room methods, and ap
e peaIs to parents. The more serious feat
ures are those that arise from parenta
D indifference respecting the mental ant
Y moral development of their, children
|, when not in direct contact with tn
,, the teacher and the recitationroom. Th
t years between the ages of eight and four
S teen are preeminently critical years
Y American parents, as rule, awake to-
n late to a realizing sense that the plasti
), age is rapidly advancing at that period
l. Habits of obedience, promptness, accu
S racy, neatness (both of the person, dress
5, and work., system, diligence,-all this
h homework, not school-work. This
!! the age Of golden opportunity both 10
:, parent and child. Utilize it, and tn
d work OF the school becomes compare
is lively simple; neglect it, and the loss ca
is almost never be made good by an
school.system or any efforts of teachers
|: do not believe in the creed Of very, YER
l. manv homes: 1.-THE sins of parents sha
Y be visited upon teachers, unto the thlr
a and fourth generations Add to thu
o the all too common acquescence OF pal
S. ents in juvenile criticism OF teachers, re
r. snect for whom is thus undermined an
D. cheapened. This is growing wron
If committed by parents toward teachers
a 1t adds impulse, impetus, and weight
m n d;snos;tiou toward disobedience on tn