The Farmville herald and farmer-leader. (Farmville, Va.) 1934-1957, 1953-10-06
Letters to Editor
Cooperation In
School System
Editor Fa.mville Herald:

Editor Fa.mville Herald:
l recently heard on WFLO few
remarks to parents of school age
children. and it seemed to me the
essence Of the talk was parent CO.
operation
NV experience with the school
system prompts me to ask. what
kind Of cooperation can parents
expect?
BY way of explanation. I have
a son who had rheumatic fever.
and had to spend two of his school
years in bed. His attendance at
school was intermittent on ac-
count Of his health. The last two
years he was in school 095l-1S52)
he had to care for his father who
was paralyzed. There was a help
less call almost all night of every
night. My son was rest broken, but
went to school. and did all the
things around the farm. He didn't
take time or have time to read
books for English book reports.
When the 1852 session ended ne
hadn't made his English.
went 20 sec the teacher. and
she told me the boy did not hand
in his book reports until February.
(after his father had died. and
She said that didn't do him any
good for the fall term. Size told me
he passed the last half Of the ses-
sion. uit failed the first half Lat
er on when told her the prin-
Cipal said she had not put that on
his school record she told me If
she hadn't put this on his school
record it wasn't supposed to be
there" and that l had dreamt it.
How exasperating!!! She also
gave me q classroom lecture:
wanted to know why I didn't
make my son realize he had to
assume some responsibility some
time. and why I didn't do this and
that.
We had been through sickness
and deaih, and done all we could
l was IN no mood for someone to
ask. why we didn't do more"
When the 1928 school term
commenced my son decided to get
his English credit at Pamplin High
since we live Only three miles from
the school and Is miles from
Farmville. l went to the superin-
tendent's Office in September to
| find out if it would be all right to
/ get TIE credit at Pamplin and get
his diploma from Farmville High.
/ was assured they would let me
know. Not haring anything. 1 went
back to the Office in October to get
this information. l was told he
would let rne know. I wen. back
again IN Noverloer and cornered
him on the street, and told him
he hadn't let me know about the
boy getting his English credit at
Pamplin. He was going to take
that up with the principal OF
Farmville High and let me know
! When mid term examinations
were finished, / had never heard
from him.
Ny son went to Mr. Ballagh and
told him he had passed his Eng
fish. Mr.. 3allaeh. in his usual in-
pertinent way said Il don't have
to take anything from Pamplin
If they want to give you a diplo-
ma they can do it I don't have to
do it'll I then went back to the
Superintendent and told him what
Mr. Ballagh had said. l wanted
to get this thing straight once and
for all AS usual he was going to
see the principal and let me know
In April I went TO the Office
again. I went III May for the last
time, not asking anything this
time but telling them BY this
time l knew l. my son wanted a
diploma, he would have to Get it
from Pamplin High School. which
he did. Here it is September again
and l have never heard word
FRI m the superintendent of
Schools of Prince Edward County
This is not my first or my worst
experience with him.
If the superintendent, the prin-
ciptal. and the teacher. could have
had their way, my son would never
have gotten his diploma Their
attitude and demeanor WAS such
that he would do without it. be-
fore be would say anything more
to them about it.
Cooper alton, what a word! /
am complaining because I am
putting my money in the tax
trough, I am stupid enough to be-
lieve I should get at least COM
mon courtesy.
/ would appreciate it if you will
let me tell my experience with the
| draft h;'4rd next month.
MRS. w. c TI.ANJ