The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1902-01-03
Responsibility
Of Parents

sbtit siuce this is a free country and we
Ore II lilo wed freedom OF speech, may
not we saga few words upon this
subject 2 Now says the parent how
can Isbe In any way responsible for the
sconduct,of my children at school !
am not there to see what they do. All,
nov, that is 1t. II the parents were
there sometimes to see the conduct OF
their children, wonder If they would
mot be more careful in regard to what
they say about the teacher when news
rs carried home.
Here lisa pupil that has done some
thing copprary to the rules of school,
aud the Teacher Furnishes or perhaps
only talks tohim about The act' and
kindly admonishes him not to do SO
again. The child goes home aud tells
his side of the question and perhaps
yefymuch more. The parent permit
this news carrying and doubtless adds
that he ;will,see after that teacher and
that, that teacher must not correct
my child. Now / ask what can a
teacher expect from children under
sucl, home influences VIII they be
ebedient and respectful. toward their
teacher !? No! but on the other hand
they will be dlsobedient, leading others
to do wrong.
i relate one instance off boy who
had the habit of carrying news to his
home, in regard to how another boy
was drumming oyerv him.
The tale-bearer was innocent of
course, as they always are. This boy
had been very badly treated on his way
home from school and the parents be-
came very angry at the teacher and
was going to make things warm for
him. OF course the teacher can be IN
all directions at the same time. But
as 1t happened an older brother OF the
much abused boy CHANGED to see some
things and went to the parent lust as
he was about to get his gun and start
out to settle matters. The other
brother tcldthe story in an entirely
different light. The much enraged
parent found out that his poor little
innocent boy was more to blame than
the other boy. So it is in about nine
tenths of such cases. A little careful
inquiry upon the part OF the parent
might save much unnecessary trouble.
Positively forbid the carrying OF news
from school. See the teacher and II
possible find out from him the truth
In the matter. Never under any con-
ditions make threats in the presence
of your children. But says some par
ent, am ] not to allow my child to tell
me anything that happens in school?
answer, yes, but it would be much
better for all concerned If very much
OF this telling tales out of school we're
stopped.
In the schools where parents and
teacher stand close together, helping
and being helped, you find no trouble.
The trouble, II it comes, Genes from
the homes where least interest is man
Tested in the work Of the schools. II
you who are parents could only realize
what an influence there is for good or
bad, in one little word spoken against
the teacher, you certainly would be
more considerate. If you have moth
ing good to say, better not say any
thing to your child but take proper
steps to correct the wrong. Ii parents
only knew how much teachers would
appreciate any suggestions worthy TO
be made, they would do more OF it.
Lend your aid in controlling the chill
dren under our care.
We earnestly solicit the desperation
OF all in our endeavor to so guide and
instruct the children of to-day, that
we may have men and women of the
future of whom we shall be justly
proud. Yours truly
M1TrlE A. LowrHER.
Read before the teachers meeting
At West Milford, December !.