The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1902-10-03
The City Schools.

Il
| shall, occasionally make use of the
papers to inform the public regarding
school questions, believing that thor
ough understanding will result in good
to all concerned. Consequently in the
Friday editions for few weeks to come
our communications will appear.
Next week we wish to call attention
to the School Savings Bank system
Today we present for your consideration
the compulsory school attendance quest
| tion. The law as a whole is too long te
print in an article like this, but certain
paragraphs can be cited and others
| quoted.
In cities like Owosso attendance
shall be continuous for the entire school
year for all children between the ages
of seven and fifteen years, unless such
children are properly excused. Excused
will be granted if such children arc be-
ing taught in private school in sach
branches as are usually taught ia the
public schools; or have already acquired
such ordinary branches of learningl eg
if the child is physically Unable to at
tend school, 1t is provided in the law
that Boards of education, on recoinA
mendation of the superintendent Of
schools and of the truant officer, can oxr
empt children over fourteen years Of
| age, for the whole or a part of the year
| ff,. haf hax cftst
| fcient."
The board of education has appointed
the city marshal, Mr.. z. H. Ross, "a
truant officer for the city and his dutiee
are defined by law.s
| 1t is the duty of the truant officer To
thoroughly investigate all cases proper
ly referred to him and to notify persona
having charge of such children thar
they must comply with the law. The
law says "If any parent or guardian
shall fail to comply with such notice, he
shall be guilty of misdemeanor and
shall be subject to a fine or imprisoaN
ment or both in the discretion of the
court" The law defines the question ~
to whom shall be considered juvenile
disorderly persons. They are "Habitu@
truants from any school in which they
are enrolled as pupils; children, whe
while attending school are incorrigiblf
| turbulent, disobedient or insubordinate,
or are vicious or immoral in ,conductS
children who are not attending any
school and who habitually frequent
streets and other public places, having
no lawful business, employment or oe'
cupation."
The above law for juvenile disorderl9
persons includes all children between
the ages of seven and sixteen years OF
age. If children above cited will net
obey their parents or guardians they ere
subject to arrest and can be sent to the
Industrial Home at Adrian, or the Ins
dustrial School at Lansing.
The board of education has author.
lied me as their executive officer to see
that the provisions of the compulsory
school law are observed, and we now
give notice to all parents or guardians
to see, that all children coming under
the provisions of the law are in attends
ance at school on Monday, October O,
or call at my Office, Central scheal
building, upon that date and give
reasons why they do not comply with
the law
For noncompliance with the law steps
will be taken to enforce the law.
We also ask all law abiding citizens
who have knowledge of children coming
unders this law and said children NOT
being in attendance at school to inform
the principal of such school as the child
| should attend, or to inform the superins
tendent of schools, or Mr. Ross, the
| truant officer, giving name and resi-
dence of such children, and the cases
will have prompt attention
Respectfully,
j. w. SIMMONS,
October 2, 1909. Supt of Schools,