Evening journal., 1901-10-31
AT THE HEAD OF THE GLASS

AT THE HEAD OF THE GLASS
Now that the schools are in active
operation and students and teachers
are busy, there lis apt to be a feelns
THAT there is nothing that those out
side of the classroom can do to ad-
vance he cause of education This Is
an error. and the greatest factor need
ed at the present time is an intelligent
and sympathetic interest on the part
OF parents. It is a matter OF common
experience THAT The fathers and moth
ers OF Those in the schools form a very
difficult element with which to deal.
and a little study of the duties resron-
sibiAties and and privileges should not
be amiss.
u Is always great source of pride
for ones child to stand al Uhe head OF
the class and as a rule high grades are
more desired than anything else. In
many families there are pale faced
girls who are working too hard, not SO
much because of n thirst for knowledge
as for the honOrs that attach to high
grades. Frequently there is a break
down, because there is not sufficient
vitality to stand the strain. 1t Ms a
question whether the effort has not
oeen wasted since that education
ahich comes through overwork is not
digested and is not long retained. To
learn "a gaiIfafn not. oopt 80 o,, .....t......a 4
lesson is comparatively easy, since the
mind is not conscious OF special ef-
fort, brt beyond that the strain is out
" proportion to the knowledge ac-
CURED.
Coed health is more to be desired
chan riches. and 1t is of far greater
alue Than any amount of technical in
formation stored in the mind like so
many husks. 7 he paled-faced boy. and the
nervous, tiredlooklng girl are not the
IDEALS OF this period We rejoice rather
In the ruddy, boisterous lads and
lassies who engage in sports. and
tackle the problems OF the classroom
Win a certain healthy zest.
The desire to have ones child stand
irst in the classes is responible FOR a
great deal of worry and nervous dread
IN the part of the pupil, when. as far
as mental developments and discipline
are concerned, they are not of import
amce We know that in mature years
constant care has an influence on our
health, but frequently we forget uhat
it is especially true OF youth
THIS ideal should be the average boy
and girl with a great deal Of animal in
their disposition, who like to engage
in healthy amusement, and who stand
We'll In their classes. Those who take
all the prizes may not be especially
avored in after years. We should not
axe the happiness and sunshine cut Of
Youth, and make the school a tread
Mill, because cur children are entitled
% something better, and for the great
ar reason that it will be a permanent
injury to their menta9 life.
This is no excuse for the sluggard
who must be whipped into line, but
frequently, even he, deserves our pa
ience and our sympathy. Whenever
is possible parents should assist their
children in THE solution of their prob.
ems, making the burden Fighter, with
nut assuming the responsibility for the
work involved. School work. like
lnything else, may be made hard la
bor or a task of considerable enjoy
ment. But the student who, in after
years, is compelled TO look back on
school days as period of weary bond
age, has been wronged II your child
holds the highest grades there is rea-
son 10 be concerned.