Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1913-09-05
SCHOOLS TO OPEN.

which most children, large and small,
look forward eagerly. II means a
change, the resumption of the pleasant
companionships which are associated
with school life; II means, to the pupil.
who longs Cor education, an opportunl-
ty TO drink long and deeply from the
fountains of knowledge.
There are no longer those who scot
at education: the unIearned look back
with regret at the opportunities lost
because of lack OF it; educated persons
realize its advantages. and determine
that those dependent up1n them shall
not be handicapped 10y it's lack.
And this brings up the question Of
how we may be certain Of obtaining
the best results from school work.
Speaking frankly, we believe there
are several reasons why the pupils of
our public schools are not receiving the
dement's they should. This fact is
demonstrated 10y every public and priv
ate examination which is held. The
first and greatest reason for this condi-
tion il, to our mind. the attitude OF the
parents to the children, and the school /;
the second, and next important, is the
attempt TO crowd too much into the
course, with the natural result that a
smattering of much is obtained and the
substance of but little.
Nd he fnnl
their duty is done, if they send their
children to school; the average father
does not look out for his children $
welfare nearly as well aa he does for
his horse, dog, or automobile; he
leaves them TO grow up. The teach
er is criticised openly IN their presence,
thereby causing them TO lose respect
for such teacher, and encouraging
them in habits of Incidence and impu-
dence. Seldom, if ever, is child ex-
amined TO see ii il really does know
what II is studying very seldom, in
deed, is the teacher consulted as to
whether the child's work is satisfa
tory or not. This result is, alike, in
injustice to both child and teacher.
Practically no attention is paid to the
associates of the child; it is allowed
to walk the streets all, or much of,
the afternoon, and often times at
evening as well, No system of study
is insisted upon; no question of how
many lessons are TO be prepared. and
how much time should be devoted to
each. which if applied, would give a
fairly accurate estimate of whether
or not enough time is being devoted
TO home study, hut instead, its educa-
ton. so far as the parents are concern
ed. is left to the child itself
No teacher bears ill-will to any
pupil all teachers would like to see all
children get along well; it reflects
credit upon the teachers work, and
makes it much easier. 10 nine cases
out of ten, the cause of punishment is
due to failure of the pupil TO perform
its duty, and solely TO this. The trus-
tees of the schools are also to blame
they are sworn officers. Il is their
duty to visit the schools: to see If the
teachers are performing their duties
satisfactorily, and yet, it is almost an
unheard of thing for school trustee
or commissioner to visit public
school. This dereliction of juty cannot
fail to contribute its part to tho condi-
ton of our public schools.
During the present school year. let
everyone turn over new leaf. Let
the patrons visit the schools and show
in this very proper way. interest in
their welfare. Let the patrons visit
the schools. talk school matters with
,ihe teachers as they would with per-
sonal employees talk with the children,
and show such interest as they should.
Let teachers. patrons, school trustees. /
and school commissioners. all pull to-
gether TO make our schools the best in
Maryland.