Gilpin observer., 1908-01-30
NEvADAvILLE SCHOOL NOTES.

NEvADAvILLE SCHOOL NOTES.
Eighth grade pupils have finished
United States history and will take up
civil government for the rest of the
year.
All departments of the school are
working faithfully during their music
period learning new songs for the
Washington's Birthday entertainment
Seventh grade pupils are finding Mr..
X an interesting quantity to deal with
in their algebra experience.
1t has been stated in previous article
of this series of discussions on the
Compulsory School Law" that chill
dren who give themselves over to the
habit of periodic absence from school,
entail a loss not only upon themselves,
but upon the whole school and particu-
larly the classes of which they are men,
bers. Now let US enquire more fully
and deeply into the question and see
just how the dealing with this state of
didifS WoThS oul III ito icioSioh W, diii
its bearing upon the different elements
which make up the school.
However much, the problem of deal
ing with periodic absentees. or delin-
quent children effects the different
working elements of the school, many
parents take the view that it is none of
the teachers business if they see fit to
keep their children at home. Even
members of some school boards have
put themselves on record as favoring
the view, that it is none of the teachers
business to see to it, that pupils go to
school regularly. Grant for argument
sake that it is not. Perhaps many
teachers agree with this idea. Anyway,
how many teachers, who from time to
time make out themselves sort of
truant officer, are there that would not
gladly unload themselves of the respon-
siblity of calling on parents, when this
sort of mission is the sole object for
which the visit is made, if there was
some other sure, speedy and effective
way out ::of the difficulty? But some
one will retort that the law provides a
remedy. Sure it does. The law gives
school boards lthe power to deal with
every phase of it. In school distri,''s $ of
the first and second class, school b .,rds
are entitled.to the services of the tr ant
officer, appointed by the board to cope
with the situation. Schools in districts
of the third class are not so fortunate,
hence it becomes the duty of the school
board to enforce the law in said dis
tricts. But Iany sane person knows
that if the problem of dealing with
chronic absentees ..and delinquents is to
be handled successfully that it takes
more than thelmere discussion of such
matters in a school board meeting; that
it takes more than the mere display of
set and disposed willingness to enforce
the law on them. These evidences Of
acting in nfgood faith are merely atti-
tudes- they are in the right direction,
but they do not deliver the goods 1T
requires action, kind of action that is
sustained. by lback bone-not great
deal, either-yet no cotton string style
of back bone will suffice, if lasting re-
suits are to be obtained.
When members Of school boards are
iudisposed, or what amounts to the
same thing, they fail to make good their
much vaunted intentions, upon whom
does the burden of enforcing the law
fall, If it is to serve its specific purpose.
Perhaps most persons think, that be-
yond the power vested in school boards,
there is no provision in the law for
bringing parents to justice. AS much
might be inferred from that section OF
the school law which says that at shall
be the duty Of any school director of the
district to inquire into all cases Of neg
lect of the duty prescribed in this act,
and ascertain from the person neglect
ing, the reason, If any therefor; and he
shall forthwith proceed to secure the