El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1910-03-15

do to prevent absence for this reason,
but there is -another very prolific source
OF absence which 1t would appear we
should do something TO eliminate 1
speak of carelessnessea and indifference
on the part of parents In all cases.
children are required to bring notes
from parents explaining previous alb
sence- In many cases they bring these
notes which read about as follows:
Please excuse JOhnny's absence of yes
terday- I kept him at home II
teacher or principal inquiries into the
reason why Johnny was kept at home,
parents frequently complain both to
the inquirers and TO, the superintend-
emit
"On several occasions within the past
month I have had parents complain
that teachers were seeking to pry into
their private affairs by inquiring into
the causes for which their children
were kept from school In SO of the
IS states there are compulsory attend
ance laws, and parents are required TO
give very definite and explicit reasons
for absences OF children. Here we have
no such laws, and there IS a conse-
quent lack of appreciation of the neces-
sity OF punctuel and regular attend
ance upon the schools. In many cases
young girls engage in social diversions
during the week. and by these are kept
up late at night. The next morning
they complain that they do not feel
well, and the indulgent parents in
struct them 10 stay at home, and write
notes asking the teachers to excuse
them In one or two schools in the
city L feel that this habit OF keeping
children home for trivial reasons seems
20 be growing
Retards Children.
Parents do not realize how much de-
Ponds upon punctuality and regularity
OF attendance A year or more ago the
russell Sage Foundation Instituted an
inquiry into the causes operating TO
retard children in their studies. BY
Iar the largest preventable cause
OF retardation is irregularity OF
attendance In most notable
large percent of cases of fail
ure, there is previous irregularity in
attendance It might assist us in our
endeaVors 10 correct the evil, If the
board of trustees were to pass a resolu-
Ilon urging parents to use every eff
Tort TO have their children present every !
Day OF the session, and to refrain from
keeping them at home except for I'M
avoidable causes
SchoOs Athletics.
Tne Grammar Senooi Athletic league
which was formed under the auspices
OF the Y NJ c. A. several months aso, ,
mas been attracting much interest
among the children and teachers. The /
basketball contest for the champion
snip OF the city schools ended during
the month with victory resting upon |
the arms Of the San Jacinto boys I !
am sure that this league is beneficial !;
IN creating good esprit de corps among I
the children. in increasing interest in j
school matters, and in adding zest to
schooI work Preparations are now be-
ing MADE for general athletic meet /
in the spring.
Beautifying Grounds
L WISH 10 speak in commentator of I
the eHortS being made at several of the !
SchooIs TO beautify the grounds In |
most cases this work is being under /
"a zen py the patrons of the district |
me work being done at the Lamar
SchooI Is especially worthy of COM
ihehoatlon. If the effort being made |
- successful at this place I am sure
mat In few years that will be one
OI the most attractive parks in the CITY.
me superintendent has spent ml.ci, of |
MS time during the month in visiting
the various schools On the whole I |
nave TO report that affairs are in a
satisfactory condition. Allow me to
suggest that members of the board of
trustees should try to find time to do
more visiting to the schools. A quarter
OF day spent in visiting the rooms
IF any one building while classes are
n recitation Will be profitable to the