Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1906-08-01
Our Schools.

great many schools in this section
will begin soon, and as the opening day
approaches wonder if the patrons of
the schools realize that the success or
failure of many of the schools depends as
much on the fathers, mothers and guar
dians of the pupils as on the teachers,
pupils and trustees. If the parents
would only realize their responsibility in
this matter we think school teaching
would be more satisfactory business to
both pupils and teachers, and heavy
load would be lifted from the shoulders
of the trustees.
Parents, when your children enter
school you are then stockholder in that
organization-each child being share
but the money value of the shares can
not be computed in dollars land cents.
Now it is we'll known, from business
standpoint, that stock company can
only succeed by having the earnest CO.
operation of each stockholder with the
officials of the company, from the high
est to the lowest.
We do not think any one will dispute
these facts in regard to money invest
ments. But how much more important
it is when we think of the proper train
ing of our children. 1t is true children
60 to school to learn their text books,
but is that all? We do not think so.
Unless the parents cooperate with the
teachers great many seemingly we'll
trained children will develop into critics,
and from critics to tale-bearing, and
from that to slanderers, and then it is
very easy to fall into the habit of exag-
gerating or telling faisehoods.
| 1t is sad, but well-known fact, that
many parents encourage their children
in the habit of repeating every little Incl
dent of the school room, seemingly for
getting that neither the pupils nor the
parents can possibly understand all the
circumstances. Children are quick to
understand the attitude of their parents
to their teacher. And when this is un-
favorable it would be much better for all
concerned to remove the child from the
school. Or, If the parents think they
have grievance, let them, by all means,
have private interview with the teacher
and discuss the matter calmly instead of
proclaiming it to the world at large.
Teachers are not infallible any more
than other professional or business peo-
pie. So, of course, they are liable to
make mistakes, especially as they have
to run the gamut of all classes of society,
as we'll as all grades of intellects and
nerves. So let me respectfully urge the
patrons, in justice to the teachers. to CO
operate with them in endeayoripg to
mold the minds, bodies and morals of
our children 80 they will grow up
healthy, honest, honorable, law. abiding
and wise men and women, who will soon
have to step into our shoes, whether
they are prepared to make good citizens
or otherwise.
So, mothers, do not think that your
responsibility ceases when you place
yonr children In the school room, for the
future will chow your hsndiwork, either
for good or evil. III children are not
trained to respect the school laws, lust
look Outl A few years hence they will
have no respect for the laws OF our
country.
And, when the patient, hard-workinp
teachers are criticised, cover their imper.
fections with the mantle of charity.
An Old Teacher.
Seneca, s. @.
Il -