The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-02-26
ARATHER RIGID RULE
Adopted by the Principal of Euclid
School

In the vicinity of Euclid school, which
is situated between Martin & Dennis
addition and College Hill, there IS con-
siderable comment afloat a1nohS InS
residents in criticism of rule made ana
enforced at the school which threatens
eventually to cause bodily ills ana nerV~
Gus diseases in its execution, in some IN
stances This school is within the Jur-
jsdiction of the Topeka board of educa-
ton and already they have been notl-
fed of the ruling which some OF the
parents speak of as arbitrary.
The principal, Miss Elizabeth Inarpe'
claims that the ruling was made neceS-
sary by boys getting excused in
gangs and enjoying cigarette smok-
Some time ago Miss Tharpe decided
that the proper way to put a stop to
the practice of children asking to De
excused from the room during SchoOl
hours for necessary errands and stay
ing longer than they should, was to
make a strict rule that any child who
should ask to be excused for such reas-
ons during school hours should be re-
quired to stay after school half an hour
and sit at it's desk with hands folded.
No exceptions were to be made TO the
rule even when parents sent notes to
the teachers requesting that on &C
count of bodily Affections permission
should be given as often as it was reas-
onably necessary.
The result has been that the Euclid
pupils have been kept after school hours
a great deal, and the parents have
found out that their children were be-
ing punished for something for which
they were not responsible.
When Superintendent Davidson re-
turns to Topeka Monday from TenneS-
see he will find some remonstrances on
his desk from parents who think the
ruling of Miss Tharpe is unreasonable.
In many cases Miss Tharpe has been
notified by parents that children should
be allowed permission to leave the
room whenever necessary. Ignoring
hi ar1xr Ch IA
In Euclid school most Of the children
are between the ages of Z and IA years
| The morning school hours are from
to II o'clock, and in the afternoon from
2 to 4 o'clock. Often during bad wealth
er or a rush of work no recess has been
allowed in the morning. Notwithstand-
ing this the rule has been in effect in
/ the various rooms of Euclid school.
President Priddy of the board of edu-
I cation said: 4 was not aware that
I any such rule was enforced in our
| schools. Sometimes some of our prin-
| cipals get up foolish rules. This is a
| bad rule and it must be changed
| William Macferren, member of the
board, said: 1.-The rule ought to be
changed I am surprised that such a
thing exists. will see to it that Su-
perintendent Davidson is informed OF
| this right away"
Miss Elizabeth Tharpe, when asked
about the ruling she had made at Eu-
| cid school, said: Il made that ruling
in my room, and the other teachers
! were enIlUled TO ADOPT IL IL they cnOSe.
Boys were in the habit of being ex-
| cused and getting together to smoke,
| so I made the ruling. I do not think
| it will hurt the children at all. None
! have been injured yet. I think it was
! wrong for the people to rush to the
/ board of education first about the rule,
| before coming to me-"
] Two members of the board of educa-
! ton visited Euclid school Friday to in
/ vestigate the conditions there. At the
| next meeting of the board the matter
/ will probably be brought up. Superin-
! tendent Davidson will, no doubt, take
/ action in the matter soon after his re-
| turn. The teachers of the city gener-
| ally endorse the rule when enforced
! in a reasonable way, while parents, es-
/ pecially of small children, condemn it.
| Most of the teachers permit only one
| or two pupils to leave the room at one
] time. This prevents them from congre-
| eating in gangs and having general
| good time"