The Dillon herald. [volume] (Dillon, S.C.) 1894-????, 1919-07-03
Our Schools and Our Patrons.

ity and in the welfare of the teachers
and the institutions of learning which
hav been established st SO great az
experience in school work | am TAX
ing the liberty OF making few sug-
gestions 10 the parents and the p"O-
pie Cf the community generally.
The first thing that | wish to say
is that every man in the community
has something TO do with making o.
our schools. Indifference to so vital a"
institution as the school is mark o"
defective citizenship. We should LEI
our interest in the educational work
of the community take the lire q
sympathetic and constructive work. II
requires no brain 70 criticise, but il
does require brains to do constructive
work No institution is perfect, and nc
doubt in our contact with the educa-
tional work of the place we shall dis
cover clements of weakness. If so, we
should bring the matter properly and
intelligently before the proper author
tiles and discuss it fairly and fearless
ly. Private and family criticism O.
the school destroys its effectiveness
and unfits our children for the high
est benefits from the school. The sec.
ond thing / wish to say is that there
should be cooperation between parInt
and teacher. Unless there is hearty
cooperation between these vital ele-
ments in educational work the results
will inevitably be disappointing. This
cooperative spirit on the part Of the
teacher must express itself in sympa-
thetic and painstaking effort for th2
highest and best interest Of the chil1.
So far as possible the teacher should
take the place of the parent in deep
solicitude and earnest effort for th'
greatest and best development of the
child's life and character. Of course.
this effort to take the place Of the pa
rent covers only the time the pupil is
under the supervision of the teacher,
1t was never designed that any ind-
dual should supplant the parent in Az
rhority and responsibility for th'
Characte and destiny of the child. T
ultimate authority must ever St i
the homo bIt there must ever be al
intelligent exercise of this authority
or the enGs CT education will be dc
feated.
This cooperation on the part ="
the parent may express itself in man,
ways. First of all, there is the ques-
tion of punctuality. The parent is the
one who is responsible for having the
pupil at school every day and for hav-
ing the pupil at school on time. Punc-!
tuality is an important element il
character and its inculcation must
not be neglected at the critical time
when the foundations are being laid.
If neglected then the character can
never fully overcome the handicap
thus created. Furthermore, this
spirit of cooperation On the part CT
the parent must express itself in har-
nony with the discipline of the school.
No school can achieve its task with
out correct discipline aud no school
discipline can be effectively executed
the aid of the home. When
the parents fails to cooperate with
the teacher in the enforcement o. dis
cipline the school life is demoraiized |
and the educational work imperfect
and ineffective. In case OF supposed
let the parent go personally
TO the teacher. Failing to secure prop
az consideration here. which will be
very rare occurrence, let him go to the |!
trustees for adjustment. Never should
4 supposed injustice be discussed with !
the child. Go to headquarters and find
out the facts and then discuss the!. /
freely and fairly with the parties in
rolved. My experience and obserya-
have convinced me that almost any
can be adjusted if we lp-
proach it in a proper spirit and along
proper lines.
l congratulate the trustees upon
the election of Prof. v. D. Roberts a.
the Superintendent of our schools
for next year He comes to us high
ly recommended and with the bene-
fit Of several years experience in edu-
work in our State. He is
a high toned Christian gentleman and
is the kind Of citizen that makes G
valuable contribution to the communi-
ty in which he lives. He is man q
culture and personality and is enthu-
siastic in his work.
| do not know whom the trustees
have elected to fill the other places or
the faculty, but feel that they have
don their best to give the community
the best possible talent. l. facT.
think the outlook for a very success
full year in our school is most encour-
aging. The last thing | wish to say in
this article is that while our teachers
are our servants they are not our
slaves. Certain courtesies are due
them and should be fully and freely
accorded them by the entire commun-
ity. The way we treat cur teachers
VIII have much to do with the reDut"
ton our town makes and maintain
throughout the State. These teacher
come and go and touch the various
communities of the entire common
wealth and naturally carry with ther
intelligence of the impressions the:
receive Of us.
With prayers and best wishes for
great year il our school. ! am.
Very sincerely,
Watson 3. Duncan.