The Kennewick courier. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1905-1914, 1909-08-27
/ D N To HELP
THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
superintendent LEWIS OFFERS
SUGGESTIONS TO PATRONS

ing in general way, what may be
done by the parents to assist us in
our efforts to make this the most
successful year in the history of
Kennewick's public schools. There
are many things which parents will
have to ask Of teachers; / shall be
very glad to receive such suggestions
during the school year and to act
upon them whenever possible. On
the other hand there are the follow
ing which we wish to ask of parents
/. An intelligent and sympathet-
ic interest in the school life of the
children. If anything seems to be
going wrong, seek the teacher or
superintendent for a friendly inter-
view at the close of school.
9. That the children attend
promptly and regularly, allowing
absence only for illness or for equal
ly grave reasons.
8. AS far as reasonably possible
it is best for all children to go home
for their dinners. With practical
ly all pupils the relaxation from
work and the exercise in the fresh
air are most beneficial.
4. Careful oversight of the school
work necessary to be done at home.
AS rule pupils below the fifth
grade should not DO much work at
home unless they are falling behind
in their school work; pupils Of the
fifth and sixth grades may ordinari-
ly study an hour a day at home
without harm; this time may be
considerably increased for the sew
enth and eighth grades; high school
pupils should ordinarily devote two
to three hours per day to home
study. 1t is our earnest desire to
avoid OVERRIDING in the matter OF
home study; children should have
ample time for recreation as we'll as
for home duties.
S. That social affairs OF the chill
dren be so planned as not to inter-
fere with regular study hours. Often
it is not the time actually spent in
such ways that does the harm; it is
the dividing Of interests and center
ing them upon lines almost sure to
make increasing demands upon both
time and interest, until recreation
becomes a dangerous rival to serious
work.
6. Proper direction of outside
reading. Beginning with the third
or fourth grades, children may with
profit 10 much outside reading. DR..
Frank McMurray has we'll said:
without doubt there is a most
favorable period in every child's life
for the reading Of each book. If Of
fered to him at just the right age it
appeals to his nature with pecu-
liar power; if offered to him at any
other time it may prove interesting,
but fail to become such potent
factor in his life."
7. There are pupils whose health
4! is such that the full work of the
class should not be undertaken; in
such case a superintendent's permit
/ to drop some of the work temporar-
| ily should be requested. Often this
| is better than entire withdrawal
from school. Pupils whose health
will not allow their being in school
should secure from the physician a
written certificate of poor health and
present this to the superintendent
80 that a permit for absence may be
issued as prescribed by law.
s. Hearty cooperation with
teachers and bus drivers in main.
tanning order upon the buses. An
immediate report to the superin,
tendent of any disorder or trouble
arising upon the busses will receive
courteous attention.
! Very respectfully addressed to tht
patrons of the district.
NJ. S. LEWIS, Supt.