By Terri Horvath
Today’s educators understand that the best educational experience must include parental support. That’s a message that was being endorsed in Zionsville as early as 1908.
Whether the idea was based on research or instinct at the time, Superintendent T.H. Stonecipher promoted the importance of schools and families working together to support learning. As modern statistics show now, Stonecipher understood that children tend to do better in school, stay in school longer and like school better.
Evidence of his philosophy is shown in an open letter written by Stonecipher and printed in the newspaper on Sept. 17, 1908.
“The school is now in session. Its success is largely in your hands. If you cooperate with the teachers, your children will receive the greatest good,” he stated. He also called for a reduction in tardiness and absence, “two things which hinder the pupils in their work and cause them to form incorrect habits.”
School visitation and teacher-parent conferences were also encouraged. If a student had to be absent, a written excuse should be sent to the teacher. Any unexcused absence or tardiness was considered truancy.
“Bear in mind that we are working together for the good of the children of this community. They are entitled to our best efforts that they may live better than we have lived; that they may serve better than we have served; that they lift higher the ideals of this community.”
