1847-1848 School Committee Report

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16 and success. That the difficulties in this instance were so promptly settled, must be ascribed not merely to the action of the Committee, who took precisely the same course in the South district under similar circumstances, but also to .the fact, that the parents in the district did not interfere in the affairs of the school. With these exceptions, which it has been so painful to record and to dwell upon, we have to report that the other schools have in general maintained, during the past year, a high position for efficiency, for order, and for accomplishing the great results, to whose promotion they are devoted. We should be glad, had not our report already extended to such length, to make special mention of the success of teachers in the various districts. We must, however, deny ourselves this gratification, that we may, in conclusion, offer some general remarks, applicable to all our schools. The subject of attendance at school arrests attention at once. By studying the Tabular views, and by comparing them with previous years, there will be found some improvement, especial- ly iri particular instances. Your Committee remember some scholars, who had not failed of attendance a single half day. But, with these admissions, we find ample cause for a repe- tition of all that was said in the report of the last year. It is absolutely impossible, that our youth should gain all the advan- tages our schools afford, until parents awake to the im- portance of this subject. If a more punctual and constant at- tendance is not given, much time and money are thrown away. Let parents consider again, some of the results that were stated last year, in regard to this subject, and weigh them on every side; let them reflect on the injustice done to teachers and schools by any failure in their duty here, and remember that the largest proportion of those who attend upon our schools, are receiving the only intellectual culture, with which they will ever be privileged ; and, then, let them likewise be reminded, that improvement here must be expected, if at all, from the fidelity of parents to their duty, and we think nothing more need be said. If they will not heed such suggestions, let them prepare themselves to bear their responsibility ; let them recon-