The Elk Mountain pilot., 1901-09-03
AN OPEN LETTER TO THE PAT
RONS OF THE PUBLIC
SCHOOLS.
By j. l.. READ.

Shall it not be remembered among
the best years in the history of the
school ? The answer lies largely
with the parents.
Our School Board has been
selected by a majority vote of the
people. Conscientiously its men,
bars give thought and time to their
duties. They receive no compen-
sation for their services and very
small portion of the credit really
due them. Yet their only desire,
/ am sure, is that your child may
have the best possible school ad-
vantages.
Applications are received by the
Board from teachers desiring posi-
tions. After considering each DIP
plicant's qualifications, as indicated
by their education and recommend
ations, the teachers are engaged on
merit alone, to the exclusion OF all
other influences.
They are all human, and will
make some mistakes. Yet you may
be sure that at heart there is only
one desire, viz: Your child's best
interests. Each one of our teach
ers is a protesting Christian, and,
while not advocating in the school
room any particular creed or de-
nomination, they will seek to live
before your child life that will
recommend Christianity in its
truest sense. Next to the parent,
no one will have child's interest
SO much at heart. In after years
none will rejoice more in his sue
cess or feel more keenly his failure.
So much for the teachers.
Now will you allow word from
one who speaks whereof he knows
regarding your part in the success
of the school ?
Did it ever occur to you that you
have a prominent part in making
the school a success or failure
The poorest teacher can have
moderate success in teaching your
child if he has your support and
cooperation. The best teacher
must make failure without it.
First, then, give the teacher your
moral support. Let your tongue
cleave to the roof of your mouth
rather than let your child hear you
say aught against his teacher. If
you can say nothing good say moth
ing A word against the teacher
from you will cause the child to
lose respect for the teacher.
Whenever the child loses respect
for the teacher he might as well be
out of school so far as he is con-
cerned and so far as the school is
concerned, he will be only trouble
and an annoyance.
Instead of finding fault because
of what you hear is going on, visit
the school and see for yourself.
Consult with the teacher and find
out where you can help along. If
you do not altogether agree with
his methods, remember he has been
trained for his work and perhaps
you haven't been. and therefore you
should allow that he may right
At any rate he could not if he
wished to do so, adopt the methods
of all the patrons of the school,
Then give him your cooperation
Let the child know that his parents
expect him to do what the teacher
asks of him. If work is assigned
for out of school study see to il
that the child does what is required
He is your child and the work is
for his good.
See that the child is always
there and there on time. 1t vii
not hurt your child any more to sc
to school in a storm than it will fol
him to play all day in storm
Tsrliness makes the child careless
absence causes him to lose interest
Lack of interest in his work is IL {
cause of SO many boys and girls
l,ninnr ON tha streete or desiring IL