
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, March 27, 1992                   TAG: 9203270469
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-8   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

LESSON FOR PARENTS OF SCHOOLCHILDREN

THE INCIDENT with Scottie Wimmer should teach all parents of school-age children a lesson. Parents simply have to assume their primary responsibility for their children.

When there is a major change in after-school plans, I think a note to the teacher is not sufficient in the case of a very young child. How can you even be sure the note is given to the teacher? Most 5-year-olds I come in contact with cannot be depended upon to do even this much. Parents must personally talk with the teacher and explain what they want.

Another lesson is that parents have to stop depending on other children to take care of their child. Middle-school-age children are notorious for their irresponsible behavior on occasion; elementary-age children are even less responsible. PAT WITTEN ROANOKE

by CNB