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Title
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EWP 2-5-B Yr 1927 Ashburn Victor Harding wants changes in discipline school hours and transport.
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Description
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Victor B. Harding, a patron of Ashburn school petitions Oscar Emmerick regarding publicized changes in school hours so the children and teachers can catch the east and west bound trains at their scheduled times. Also, he disagrees with the discipline handed out by a teacher at Ashburn school.
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Tag
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education, school culture, Ashburn, Virginia, 20th century, school hours, punishment, students, transportation, social dynamics, disciplinary measures
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Redacted-for-PII
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Identifier
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1041140
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Language
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English
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Replaces
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/Volumes/T7 Shield/EWP/Elements/EWP_Files/source/Ingest Two/EWS Special Projects/Lost_Letters Project/Ed Washington Folder/2.5B White Petitions/2.5.B Ashburn/2.5.B Yr 1927 Ashburn Victor Harding wants changes in discipline school hours and transport..pdf
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Transcription
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E.L. Norman Norman & Harding V.B. Harding
Dealers in Agricultural Implements, Wagons, Buggies, Harness
Feed, Grain, Seeds, Fertilizers, Lime Roofing, Paints and Oils
Telephone: Leesburg 107.F.14
Ashburn, Virginia, Sep. 9, 1927
Mr. O. L. Emrich
Purcellville, VA
Dear Sir:
Your notice in the County press that the schools of the county are to remain open until 3:30 is well and favorably received by many patrons of Ashburn school. This school has for years been permitting students to leave in time to catch a 3:18 car going East and a 3:43 car going West. Both of these trains have moved up on their schedule and I have heard patrons say that they are pleased and thought it would be a good thing for this school. - that it would avoid the confusion and general demoralization of the school by having both pupils and teachers wondering around three o'clock whether or not they could catch their train.
Ashburn school, in my opinion, as well as that of other patrons, has been handicapped for years by this grand rush for trains. Another thing, in order to do it the noon hour has been cut short which I do not like.
Another matter. I learned last term a while after school started that pupils were punished for minor infractions by having so many minutes of time given to them. Whispering, I think would get a pupil fifteen to sixty minutes, depending upon the state of mind of the instructor. When these units amounted to five hours in a month a pupil was suspended for one or more days.
Just as soon as I learned of this method of punishment I immediately sought out Mr. Monroe and protested. I told him that is would cause, boys especially, pupils to intentionally break rules so that they could get a vacation occasionally. I told him that were I a boy again I would be one of the first ones to try to get a day off from school, unless the fear of my father would deter me. I see nothing practical or fair in this method of punishment. I know it caused one boy to leave school entirely. My own boy was caught, which is not surprising, for the reason that he is indolent and never did take much interest in his studies. I know the boyish mind so well that is is a wonder that ninety five percent do not avail themselves of the fine opportunity of having a vacation.
I want pupils punished but in a different manner. I want real punishment administered and not punishment that they welcome. Now please do not consider that there is anything personal in this letter, or criticism of the faculty. I like Mr. Monroe fine and think he is a good man for his position. I know that when parents criticise (criticize is misspelled) school matters they run the risk of having the teachers take their spite out on the children. I do not say it will be done in this case, but it has happened.
I have written this letter in a great hurry and under difficulties, so hope you will catch my meaning. If not, shall be glad to go over the matter with you in person some time when you are in Ashburn. - VBH - Yours, very truly, Victor B. Harding
