The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-08-02
PLAN TO ASSURE
ATTENDANCE OF SCHOOL CHILDREN

Paper read before superintendent
conference in Roanoke on November eth
last by Superintendent W. II. Abbott.
Jr., of Bedford county, on AN Effective
Plan to Assure the Attendance OF Chill
dren of School Age:
The little red schoolhouse has come
TO be symbolic of enlightenment and
social enjoyment. and marks the first
sure step in life's progress. The teach
er who controls has opportunities of
instructing and elevating the little
children that come under her influ
ence. for Frightening their lives. for
training their minds and hearts, for
raising their ethical standard. and for
directing them along these lines that
Will bring success. usefulness and hap
plness in life. The influence -exerted
by true teacher upon HIS pupils is
often traced throughout the course of
a long life, and bears its fruitage
ship between teacher and pupil is fire.
quently beautiful and lasting and
sweetens life for both. The child who
has the guidance of wise. kind and
just teacher is thrice blest. He gains
companionship with a high type of be-
ing, whose unconscious an we'll as con-
scious influence Is inspiring. refining
and clevating, and who supplies a mo-
del for his imitation. He secures that
training of his several faculties that
will give him self-control, self-poise.
menttl and moral grasp, and that
strength of purpose, and of Will that,
acting under high, principles, will lead
To the best success In life.
He holds companionship with chill
dren of his own age who are subjected
to the same Influences, W hose ideas are
sympathetic, who love the same
things, study the same lessons. en-
gage in the same sports, strive for the
same ends, compete with generous RI
valry for the same prizes. and who by
aid Of the same means build up ro-
bust, generous, high-toned character.
The friendships formed in early life
with congenial souls are often the
most lasting and give brightness ana
halo tn the whole life. Many boy
looks back to the school of his boy
hood as to the brightest spot in life's
history, and cherlshes With unfailing
memory the recollection Of Its bless
ings and its joys ~
The city school Is but an enlarge
ment ofthe same type. The same ele-
ments enter into both--the teacher, the
equipment, the children. The objects
are the same In both-the instruction
and training OF the children. II there
be no children there can be no schools.
If the children fail to attend nothing
is accomplished. The question for our
consideration this morning is what eff
fectiye plan can we adopt to assure
prompt and regular attendance of chill
dren of school age In cities? How
shall we bring them under the good
influences outlined above2
There seem to be at least three im-8
portant clements that cooperate to
make their attendance aure.
/. There should be in the commun-
itvtt1n I'D at mi Har al
ing Of the Importance OF education
its value socially and financially.
Where this exists parents Invariably
desire to have their children educated
They do not always clearly see the
reasons for it, but there is feeling
that 1t Is the important thing to do
that the uneducatcd Will lose caste
and live on a lower plane. Where this
feeling exists parents will take pains
to have their children prompt and re-
sular In their attendance at school, to-
see that their lessons are properly pre-
pared. and that their conduct Is OF n
high type.
Where this atmosphere does not cx-
list there is great Indifference to cd
ucation. the children are allowed to 5ex-
ercise their own Will as to attendance
at school, to neglect their lessons, to
wander about the streets, to be absent
Tor frivolous reasons to be Irregular
In attendance. and careless OF their
conduct. There Is looseness about
tho whole procedure that Is destructive
or good results and fatal to the train
ing necessary to good citizenship and
to the best success In life.
n then we recognize the benefits re-
sulting from the presence OF this at
nosphere--this tonic--and the evils
Lowing from Its absence, tho question
Is "how can 1t be produced?"
(a) Certainly a most apparent means
is by popular public lectures setting
forth the advantages OF learning, giv-
ing statistics and Illustrations. This
"a. 81 T @ Ex r "a.
\ ,d W.