The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1912-04-19
TO THE TEACHERS OF CANYON COUNTY.
Reasons Why they should be Interested Securing
Amount Of Publicity in School Work

the request was made by The Tribune
about month ago that teachers of
Canyon county furnish monthly re-
port showing the pupil standing high
est in each study in each grade
throughout the county, which names
and standing were to be published by
The Tribune.
The request has met with surpris-
ingly few responses on the part of the
teachers; why. we have been unable to
determine to our satisfaction. There
have been various explanations offer
ed and it is impossible to guage their
respective bearings on the result; but
it is believed the main cause of the
failure of the teachers generally to
perform the part which must neces-
sarily be taken by them in the pro-
posed publicity movement for the
schools arises from lack of informa-
ton as to the objects in view.
Parents Don't Visit the Schools.
From a time when the memory
of man goeth not back to the contrary,
there has existed a cause of complaint
among the pedagogical fraternity (or
rorority?) based on the alleged indif-
ference shown by parents toward the
schools. The cause of such indiffer-
ence, even the question Of its exist
ence, need not be gone into now, and
its discussion might become highly in
volved; but it seems undeniable that
parental interest, if it exists at all,
certainly does not manifest itself in
manner which suits the teachers and
school authorities.
The interest of parents, it would
seem, is still indicated as in days of
yore, chiefly in the annual election of
school boards and officers and occa-
sional sporadic instances of parental
resentment of usually we'll warranted
disciplinary measures on the part of
the teachers.
The school is too often used as a
convenience, as a sort of kindergarten,
where the children can be sent to be
out of the way, most of the day, and
their instruction in the school room
is a secondary matter entirely.
Most Responsible Public Servant.
Now the teacher. the real, conscien-
tious instructor, feels a responsibility
for the preparation in life of the rising
generation; feels and knows that the
work, properly and conscientiously
performed, is ennobling. refining. use
full to the highest degree; and resents
the attitude which in the case of some
parents, places his or her profession
in something the regard of cross
between a nurse and a police officer;
and feels also the inadequacy of ap-
probation on the part of parents gen.
orally, in the salaries paid for this.
possibly the most responsible task
performed for the public.
The aim of The Tribune, in publish
ing these monthly. reports of the
standing of pupils. is to interest par
ents in the work being done in the
schools. 1t is hoped and expected
; that the publicity for educational mat
ters thus initiated will be extended to
cover matters connected with the
schools. to the end that. in Canyon
county, at least. schools and matters
connected Herewith, the relations OF
pupils with their teachers, the sur
roundings. training, upbuilding of the
rising generation, shall become in the
public mind and the private conscience
the vital, throbbing issues they ough,
of right to be.
It was not thought necessary nor
wise to attempt to have the rendering
of these reports made mandatory up
| on the teachers; and it is fully be.
1 uGVCO Iu6I q ZCdlouS ouu shSSAh8SA'
body such as our Canyon county
teachers need only to be acquainted
with the objects aimed at to lend
their willing and enthusiastic aid.
The plan was started during the
last two school months. in order thai
this might be used as sort OF ex'
perimental period, untangling any diff
ficulties which might arise in handling
this publicity during these last two
months of the l9ll-l2 term. so thai
the work and reports of the tern
1928 might be begun and gone
through with without hitch. 1t il
the intention of the new management
of The Tribune to offer something il
the nature of prizes for excellence
during the next term and to devise
ways in which specially effective worl
by the teachers. in the different grades
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