The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1904-03-09

ont OF the C(Ly UFdueu OciloolS, mas
addressed the following communica-
ton to..he heads of families repre-
sented By children enrolled In the
schools. What he writes is so we'll
and strongly put that we take great
pleasure IN transferring it to our
columns. It will be found we'll
worthy OF careful reading by every
parent:
Office OF the Superintendent of
The City Schools.
Sumter. S. c., Feb. 26, 1901.
After an examination of the reports
of the pupils for the past quarter and
after careful consultation with teach
ers of the different grades, l am con-
strained to address to the parents
this communication. 1t may be
thai nothing in this note applies to
your child; but shall hand copy
of this to a representative of each
family in school.
NV earnest desire is that each par
ent may be q o-worker with the
teacher for the good Of the child. l
should be glad to think that the day
may soon come when perfect un-
derstauding will reveal the truth
that teacher is not the enemy OF
the child; but, in uinety-nine ceases
in q hundred, the child's friend and
well-wisher.
Assuming this partnership
there are certain considerations that
can not be too strongly emphasized.
a statement of some OF them may
establish a basis for harmonious and
united action.
l. The greatest thing in the world
is trath. The way to acquire this
virtue is to practice truthfulness ln
all Of the little details Of each days
life TO learn to despise everything
that may deceive. This is virtue
that is attained by careful cultlva-
tion.
2. Another great virtue is self
reliance-that quality in ones ma
ture that will not permit another to
do for one what should be done by
oneself. In real life the practice of
this virtue accomplishes many
things. rhe time to acquire it is
when one is young; the way, is to do
all of ones duties, however small or
great they may seem, through ones
own efforts.
3. Perhaps the virtue that yields
the readiess and largest practical
dividends is courtesy. While one
is still at an pressionable age one
should be taught to believe that
politeness is not servility; but the
expression of kindness and gentl!lty.
Especially to ones superiors should
one never be anything but courteous
and polite, even when one feels that
ones rights have not been regarded.
Patience will reveal justice, and
courtesy will deserve consideration.
4. In the mad rush for the mighty
dollar and the consequent worship OF
materialism, this generation is char
acterized by its lack OF reverence.
This quality is cultivated in the child
by honoring father and mother, thus
teaching him to have respect for
ones elders and superiors. From
this grows respect for age, reverence
for God and for all places where He
is worshipped. There is nothing
more beautiful than reverentiai
youth. It is seen only where from
it's cradle the child is taught day by
day to have respect for everything
that is high.
5. Throughout the grades there is
a gradual growth in the amount Of
study required. There are certain
well-defned tasks required of the
pupils for each day. If the parents
woold but take pains to inquire each
morning whether all the tasks for
that day have been performed and
see to it that they are performed
not by iniudicious assistance, but by
interested attention-there would be
established a means of inter-com-
munication between home and school
that would result in q great deal OF
good and generate an incalculable
amount of interest. With each days
tasks we'll done there would result a
love for study and each pupil would
develop as he grew the students
spirit-a pleasurein duty we'll per-
formed.
6. A teacher is often found fault
with for insisting upon the perform
ance O. little tasks which to the un-
professional seem insignificant or
uncalled for. It is forgotten that
'.trifles make perfection and perfec-
rion is no trifle": that it is only by
faithful attention to these little de-
tails that the class room can be made
a place conducive to teaching and
learning: it is only thus that the
child may become disciplined and
self-controlled-a pleasure TO others
and comfort to himself. Why
should pupil be required to be
regular in his attendance? Because
it is unfair to him and unjust 10
his class s-mates To have y pupil feel
otherwise than that going to school
is his business and he is required by
the laws Of God and mai. to be dill.
gent In business.
Why should pupil be required to
make no time.tha he loses during