What's that feature with the drum by the school for? Does it call the children there just for the sake of having them in one place?

yes. it actually does not seem to teach them anything, but it gets them gathered together and out of the way. it is a good tool for mushroom hunting.

love the marzipan avatar, btw.

Is there actually a way of calling all the children to the school? I noticed them running over there on their own sometimes, and wondered if there was a way to make them do that!

Click on the drum next to the school, and they'll all come running.

If you've got the GC, clicking on the drum is a good way to keep him out of mischief.

As far as I know, they don't actually go running to school of their own volition... but ofttimes I'll be looking around the village for someone or something and accidentally click on the drum and summon them to school!

Neat! I had no idea!

i've seen mine running to the school a couple of times of their own violition.

the gc doesnt go to school because he have mastered all the jobs and when i press the drum my other child died because they are all stampede and unhealthy condition

The GC will goto school. That is unless his dislike it crowds. :P