Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1906-10-26

Let there be no compromise will
careless, unsystematic work OF an.
character. See to it that the floors, th'
corridors. the cloak rooms, the desks
the blackboards, the chalk troughs
and the pupils themselves be objects
of neatness and cleanliness.
See to it that pupils move witt
lpromptness and alacrity while in th'
room as we'll as in going to and from
the rooms. To this end close recita
tiOns on time and dismiss pupils at the
sound of the gong. Be judiciOus in
assigning lessons, then see to 1t that
pupils properly utilize their time in
preparing them. This will rednce the
keeping in of pupils, for neglect to pre-
o are lessons. to minimum, and it will
cause the discipline of the school prac-
tically to take care of itself.
Assign no school work as punish
ment. The aim should be to create a
love for each branch in the curriculum.
To use any subject as an instrument
of punishment has the opposite effect.
Punishment, at times, becomes nee.
essity, and when these occasions arise
they should be met with calmness and
thoughtfulness. AS rule, such de-
liberation will result in a punishment
that is as closely related to the offense
as is effect to cause. Hasty, trivial
punishments that pupils resent as an
indignity should never be inflicted
The dullest pupil In your room demands
your kindest consideration every day
in the year.
Encourage good humor. Let in the
suns hine even on cloudy days, but dis
courage frivolity. A vein of frivoIity
running thru any school is always a
menace to serious efforts. The period
of study and recitation are periods for
intense earnestness, and this earnest
ness cannot be maintained in an at
mosphere of frivolity.
Let spirit of kindness pervade your
school. As an aid in the accomplish
ment of this end strive to keep in sub
lection the ''growler' and the ''scold-
err" whether they appear behind the
desk of the teacher or behind the desks
of the pupils. BE friend to the fu-
ture of every child. This will lead you
to see your school from the standpoint
OF coming years. 1t will cause you to
magnify your great mission and will
create in you kindly interest in the
simple life and the feeble efforts of ev-
cry child. Let not even the most un-
lovely pupil in your room get the i'm
preston that he is disliked by you, for
such an impressionsmay have much to
do in shaping the future trend of that
pupils life. Sympathy and steadfast
ness are the elements that dominate ev-
cry we'll governed school.
Doubtless your strongest allies in the
successful management of your school
are the twenty or thirty parents of the
children under your tuition. Judici-
ouslY seek an early appearance with
them. Strive to apply the principle of
reciprocity. Visit them and encourage
them to visit you and your school. "ln
union there is strength"
Let your best efforts be in the direc
tion of creating and fostering In the
minds of your pupils proper standards
of life. The environments Of many
children are such as to give them no
higher ideals than the standards that
are Constantly set before them by the
professional loafer of the street corner.
or, perhaps, by the silent life of the
penurious Individual who sees nothing
in life but self and selfish interests.
The school cannot do all, but it can
do and is doing much in blazing the
way to better things and to higher
standards of living.