Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1909-12-09
DANCING IN
SCHOOL ROOM
The Question OF Propriety OF Such
Amusement Discussed at
Parents Meeting

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Is proper to permit dancing at class
parties held in the public school build
ing with the teacher present? was a
question warmly discussed at the second
meeting of the patrons of the public
schools at the High school room Satur-
day night. Many different views were
expressed, most, if not all, of the speak
ers taking sides according to their opin-
ion as to the right or wrong of dane
ing, rather than the propriety of per-
mitting it in the school room.
The question was brought up by City
Supt. Gotham, who stated that it had
been permitted by him on two occasions
this year. Last year dancing parties
at the High school building were quite
frequent and no objection was heard
perhaps for the reason that it was not
generally known. The superintendent
announced that in future when dancing
was contemplated the parents of the
members of the class giving the party
would be consulted and if any one of
them objected it would not be permit
ted. Parents would also be invited to ac-
company their children to such parties
Prof. Gotham explained several other
matters upon which there appeared to
be some misunderstanding and again
urged parents to bring any complaints
they may have direct to headquarters.
The campaign for the "Saving of the
Babies" started by the Delineator
magazine, was presented by A. A.
Hadden. Statistics show that fifteen
per cent of the children born in the
United States die under one year of
age. The campaign, which has been in
progress in New York for the past
three years with beneficial results, is
for the education of the mothers as to
the proper care of their children, and
the Delineator is endeavoring to extend
the movement all over the country.
The plan is entirely practical and will
in time become part of our education
al system, as it is of more Importance
than the study of animal husbandry,
which is now an important branch of
every state university.
Attorney Charles Kirwan presented
the legal obligation Of parents to keep
their children in school, giving many
provisions of the law which are not
generally understood. Wisconsin law
on this subject is very stringent. A
child is expected to attend school regu-
larly between the ages of Z and 10, but
may be excused between Ia and l6 un-
der certain conditions when necessary,
b. obtaining a permit from the county
Judge or a factory inspector, and at
such age shall not be employed at haz
ardous occupations prescribed by law.
1t is the duty of the truant officer to
see that the law is enforced in this re-
spect, and the duty of teachers and cit
izens to inform the truant officer OF any
violations that come to their notice.
For violations of this law, parents are
given warning, and if persisted in are
criminally liable to fine of from $5 to
$50, or Imprisonment in the county Jail
not to exceed 90 days, or both. If the
parent is not able to control his child,
then the state will send him to some
school where he will be taken care of.
Eight months attendance is required of
children of school age in Ladysmith.
County Supt. W. N. Mackin men
toned the danger of the railroad cross
ing, where a large majority of the
children pass four times every day,
which danger will be augmented when
more trains are run on the Chicago Dl-
vision. A watchman or a viaduct on
Peterson avenue were suggested as
measures of safety, one of which the
railroad should be compelled to put IN.
At the close of the meeting the Jun
ior class served cake and coffee. 1t is
plannen to hold one or two more OF
these parents meetings during the
school year,