Letter from Alfred E. Stearns to S.K. Tsai, Tientsin, December 22, 1922
Dublin Core
Title
Letter from Alfred E. Stearns to S.K. Tsai, Tientsin, December 22, 1922
Subject
Letter from Alfred E. Stearns to S.K. Tsai, Tientsin, December 22, 1922
Transcription
December 22, 1922.
Mr.S.K.Tsai,
Tientsin, China.
Dear Mr. Tsai:
It is with deepest regret that I am obliged to write you the decision of the faculty requesting Kuo Fong to withdraw from school at this time. In spite of our best efforts, and I and others have constantly labored with the boy,- we have not been able to get him to measure up to the Andover standards, either in achievement or effort. In the past he has been handicapped somewhat by illness, and we have made every reasonable allowance, and I am inclined to think, too great an allowance at times, for the necessary handicaps resulting. This year the boy’s health has been, on the whole, very good, but the results in his school work have been poorer than ever. It seems perfectly clear that, if he is to remain in this country for his further education, he should go to some smaller school where a closer and more exacting supervision is in vogue and where h3 can consequently be guided more closely in his work. I shall try to find such a school for him for next term, though it is my personal belief that the boy has secured from our American educational opportunities about all that he is likely to absorb with profit. Deeply as I dislike to say it, I am pretty thoroughly convinced that Kuo Fong should be called back to China at this time where his problem and needs can be studied at first hand by you and his brothers. Possibly it might be wise later to attempt again the American connection, but I doubt it.
Please understand that the boy has always been gentlemanly and courteous in his relations to me. He has been full of promises, too, but the promises have not borne much fruit. I confess that I have reached the end of my resources in dealing with him, and I feel very deeply that the boy ought to have the parental touch at this particular crisis in his life. I am sure you will appreciate that only my deep interest in the boy himself and his future prompts me to write you in this vein.
With kindest regards to yourself and the other members of your family circle, believe me always.
Very sincerely yours,
Mr.S.K.Tsai,
Tientsin, China.
Dear Mr. Tsai:
It is with deepest regret that I am obliged to write you the decision of the faculty requesting Kuo Fong to withdraw from school at this time. In spite of our best efforts, and I and others have constantly labored with the boy,- we have not been able to get him to measure up to the Andover standards, either in achievement or effort. In the past he has been handicapped somewhat by illness, and we have made every reasonable allowance, and I am inclined to think, too great an allowance at times, for the necessary handicaps resulting. This year the boy’s health has been, on the whole, very good, but the results in his school work have been poorer than ever. It seems perfectly clear that, if he is to remain in this country for his further education, he should go to some smaller school where a closer and more exacting supervision is in vogue and where h3 can consequently be guided more closely in his work. I shall try to find such a school for him for next term, though it is my personal belief that the boy has secured from our American educational opportunities about all that he is likely to absorb with profit. Deeply as I dislike to say it, I am pretty thoroughly convinced that Kuo Fong should be called back to China at this time where his problem and needs can be studied at first hand by you and his brothers. Possibly it might be wise later to attempt again the American connection, but I doubt it.
Please understand that the boy has always been gentlemanly and courteous in his relations to me. He has been full of promises, too, but the promises have not borne much fruit. I confess that I have reached the end of my resources in dealing with him, and I feel very deeply that the boy ought to have the parental touch at this particular crisis in his life. I am sure you will appreciate that only my deep interest in the boy himself and his future prompts me to write you in this vein.
With kindest regards to yourself and the other members of your family circle, believe me always.
Very sincerely yours,
Creator
Alfred E. Stearns
Publisher
Phillips Academy
Date
December 22, 1922
Rights
All Rights Reserved By Phillips Academy
Language
English
Type
Correspondence