The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1917-11-09
THE COUNTRY SCHOOL
DURING NOVEMBER
Timely Suggestions For Teachers
Pupils and Patrons.

Timely Suggestions For Teachers
Pupils and Patrons.
Practically all of the, public school.
which have not already opened will
do so during the month Of Novem-
Der; hence a few suggestions as to
some of the things which might be
looked after at this time.
| We. take it that the teacher has
already visited the parents of those
children who are likely to become
his pupils during the term, and has
talked to them about his plans and
has endeavored to secure their Co
operation in the work he hopes to
accomplish. If, however, this duty
had not been performed the teacher
should lose no time in attending to
it at once.
In the suggested Rules and Regula
tons sent out by the State Depart
ment Of Education, there is n re-
curing the teachers to spend at
least two days Of the week prior to
the opening Of the schools in visit
ing the parents of the children and
soliciting the attendance of the chill
dren, and in explaining the rules and
regulations of the schools, especially
visiting the parents of those children
who have previously not attended
school, or who have been irregular
in attendance dufing the previous
school year, For this service the
teacher shall not receive more than
one .doHar.a day for not more than
two days. This suggested rule has
been adopted in a great many coun-
ties, and has played no little part in
the increased enrolment and aver
age daily attendance in those coun-
tries. Whysnot adopt it. in all the
counties?
Another very important rule is the
one relative to the duty of the
teacher at the close Of the first
month to file with the county super
intendent of schools the names Of all
children who have not attended the
school, the cause Of their absence,
and the effort made to secure their
attendance. No voucher for salary
shall be approved by the county sup
e~rintendent unless this report has
been promptly made, and unless he
is satisfied that the teacher has made
every reasonable effort to find out
bring the children into school. The
county board Of education has adopt
ed this rule here, and it has been in
operation for a number of years with
most admirable results, not a few Of
the patrons sending their children
the cause of the absence of all such
pupils, to, remove the cause, and to
to school and giving as their reason
that they did not wish to have their
names. reported to the school au-
thorities. Would it not be well for
the school committee in every dis
trict to see if this duty has been
performed by their teachers?
During November, before the
roads and weather become bad the
patrons should see to it that the
paths over which the children must
travel to reach the public roads, or
the school house, are put in good
shape; foot-bridges or walk-ways
over the streams looked after; and
everything possible done for the
comfort and convenience of the
children. A plentiful supply Of good
wood should be prepared and made
ready for the stoves, a quantity Of
light-wood secured, and the building
thoroughly inspected before winter
weather sets in.
Some of the duties Of the pupils
would be to look after the school
grounds, to keep the building and
the yards well swept and free from
falling leaves. Dry leaves accumu-
lating in the cutters and in the val
leys of the roof have often caused
the loss of the building by sparks
from the fues.
This is the time Of year when
young shade trees may be trans.
planted land, by the gay, if Arbor
Day is not observed by the school
on the official date it would be well