Evening star., 1939-05-04
SendingNotes
To Parents
By Child
Very Poor Practice
For Any Teacher
To Undertake
BY ANGELO PATRI.

Clary did not go home after school
and when 8 o'clock came with nc
word from him his mother and
father could stand 1t no longer and
called up the teacher. Did she
know anything about Clary? He
had not been heard from since
noontime.
Why, yes, the teacher could tel
them that she had given Clary q
note to take to his father, demand.
ing his appearance at school next
morning because Clary had beer
reported for talking on the stairs
and this was his third offense. 'The
teacher always sent a note home
for the father when the pupil COM
mitted the third of1ense. Il sup.
pose he didn't want to take you that
note so he didn't go home" she said
closing the interview.
Nov, what do you make of that?'
asked mother.
Just what the fool woman says
She gave him note calling me tc
the school and he knew that II
would mean the loss of a day for
me and that I'd be madder than all
get out and maybe clout him, and
certainly refuse to 60. The idea OF
mans leaving his work to 60 to
school to answer to teacher for his
sons talking on the stairs! It's
enough to make anybody run away
Well. suppose we'll just have to
go out and look for him. Now
where do you think he would go for
refugee"
Likely to his aunt Mollie. She's
great friend of his. But she
would be likely to call us to say
he was there. Anyway we'll call
her. And failing her, maybe he
went to his grandmother's. Though
that's long way for him to walk
They found him at grandmother 8
footsore and afraid, and they scolded
him and comforted him and took
him home. And your mother will
go with you to school in the morn
ing and say that I've something
else to do beside calling on the
teacher whenever you feel like hav.
Ing q word with the girls. And II
would please me considerably Il
you'd hold your tongue and save oil
this trouble. Your mother and
have enough to bother US without
you"
Teachers would do a much more
effective job If they relied on thei,
power and authority for controlling
their pupils. Sending notes home
is not good professional practice
Reports at stated times keep the
parents informed about their chill.
dren. If some special incident call.
for immediate attention at home II
should first be called to the prin.
clpals attention. and If he thinks
a special notice to the parents i.
necessary, he should send 1t. It /.
most unwise to send a note by 9
child to his father or mother wher
it contains complaint about him
That note, If 1t must be sent, should
60 through the mails and be official
That Is rarely necessary. Ths
average child breaks a rule Of be.
havior now and then. The teache,
can attend to him. What she want.
OF him Is that he accept the Gus.
toms OF the group and do nothinf
to disturb other people. Her au.
thority, backed by the State, ane
the Nation If necessary, Is greater
than that Of the parent under tn,
circumstances. School is the teach.
er's domain. But she has q still
greater power than her authority
great as that is. She has the powel
Of leadership. Her profession call!
for its exercise and not for domi
nation by parents or others.
Let us think twice, three times
before sending home a complaint
and then, let's not.