Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1912-02-23
PARENTS MEETING.
MUCH INTEREST MANIFESTED IN
SCHOOL AFFAIRS
INCREASED COST EXPLAINED
Matters Pertaining to Courses of
Study and Management of
School are Discussed

The meeting of parents and other
interested persons held at the High
School building last Thursday even
ing was we'll attended and evidently
appreciated
There were about one hundred
present and several took part in the
discussions Several matters per-
tanning to courses of study, instruc-
ton, and management from the inside
were briefly presented in an effort
to bring about better understanding
concerning the general plans and pur-
poses of the schools. The following
points were explained.
First:-The elasticity of the High
School course Of study that enables
students, with the advice of their par
ents and teachers to elect, from the
subjects offered in English, History,
Science, Foreign languages, CONNER
cial subjects, Agriculture, and Manual
Training and Domestic Science fully
half of the work required for gradua-
ton. When once enrolled in a class
g student is not permitted to change
to another subject except on the
written request of his parents. Stu
dents are not permitted to remain in
a class in which they do not do sat
isfactory work nor to carry more than
four subjects, except upon positive
evidence that they can carry more
and do all satisfactorily.
Second ALI pupils in the grades
are supposed to carry all the subjects
offered in the grades, and ARE ex-
cused only upon the written request
of parents, in which case they are
not eligible for promotion with the
class.
Third-Pupils are not transferred
to other buildings than those OF
their own wards except in cases
where over crowding makes such
transfer necessary. In all cases of
transfer, territorial conditions deter
mine the ones to be transferred. AS
soon as conditions make it possible
such transferred children are permit
ted to return to their own wards.
Fourth: Recent legislation makes
it necessary to be more exacting in
the matter of regular attendance.
Every day of illegal absence has to
nd
to the state commission at Madison.
Parents are urged to furnish definite
excuses promptly in all cases of abb
Sence.
Fifth h-Respect for sanitary con-
ditions makes it necessary that all
school books be well covered. Co
operation is urged in this respect.
Sixth:-Effective discipline some
times necessitates punishment. The
rights and duties and responsibilities
of the teacher are co-extensive with
those of the parent in this matter.
Seventh h:-Conferences with teach
ers or with the superintendent con-
cerning any matters of dissatisfaction
and communications to them are en-
couraged on the part of parents.
Courteous treatment in these matters
is expected by teachers, and parents
under such circumstances may de-
mand courteous response and salts
faction.
The increasing expenses of the
school is matter of public concern,
and one in which taxpayers ought to
be fully informed. If all the facts
as they actually exist were known
by the public, the schools would not
suffer the unjust criticism to which
they are now subjected.
The following reasons were cited
as unfavorable causes of increase in
school expenses:
First:-The increasing enrolment.
During the past four years, ending
June, 1911, the enrolment has in
creased from $40 to 710, or an aver
age of so per year. The increase in
the High School, during the same
time has been from 5S to 100.
Second: There has been consid-
cradle compulsory legislation during
the past few years that necessitates
additional expenses. The Board of
Education is required to appoint a
Truant Officer and provide for his
compensation. The public drinking
pail and drinking cup have been abol-
ished. and the common towel is no
longer allowed. These items seem
small, but in providing for hundreds,