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Show HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS Improving student standards B Krma Jean Lee Did you know this? "The Uintah School District has accepted the challenge through one of the Board Goals for 1980-81 to utilize every effort in improving student standards in our area." This is part of the invitation in a letter of July 22, 1980 to Rev. Dane Packard of Kingsbury Community Church. She and other denominations were invited to give their church's position on improving improv-ing student standards on a panel at the opening school conference. With Dr. Reid's permission I quote further of their objective: "...we are especially attacking recognized problem pro-blem areas with the young people in Uintah County; i.e., increased use of profanity, chewing and use of tobacco, beer parties, lack of respect for the rights of others, disrespect towards adults, discipline, high incidence of teenage pregnancy, dropouts, etc." In a second letter of Agusut 7, Dr. Reid says: "We are encouraging an all-out all-out campaign composed of all denominations and civic groups in an assault upon these areas. Let us all join hands and each incorporate programs to reach this lofty goal. We can do it. The Uintah School District is going to give it our best shot. Please join us." There we have it a community wide invitation to help uplift our students' standards! In order to welcome clergy participation participa-tion in our human relationship column 1 asked each of the participating church panelists to give a statement or interview inter-view for publication as a series. All four have consented and their views will be presented as each desires in their entiretywithout en-tiretywithout editorial comments by me. Here is the first panelist's slale-ment slale-ment in print: St. James Catholic Church by Father Kokal: "First I would like to explain that I'm new to Uintah County, so I can't really speak to the specific issues that Dr. Reid mentioned in his letler. However, I come to the area with a certain cer-tain amount of expertise in ymilh work. For twelve years I have worked with youth, the last six as Director for Catholic Youth in the State of Utah. I've worked with youth in grammar schools, junior highs, high schools and colleges -both public and priviate. I know that much blame can be placed plac-ed on parents for student problems. However, from experience I know that problems in schools such as increased use of profanity, chewing and use of tobacco, lack of respect for the right of others, disrespect toward adults, discipline, high incidence of teenage pregnancy and drop-outs, etc. stem from either one of two areas: One, the academics of the school are bad and the kids are bored. There is nothing to motivate the students to other interests and achievements; or Two, teachers do not discipline because they are not supported and backed up by the principal. The principal prin-cipal in turn receives no support from the officials of the school district. So a vicious cycle of doing nothing is ceated. The students realizing this, use it to their advantage and do whatever they please. To achieve a good working school system everyone must work and support sup-port one another. Thank you. Reverend John Kokal Pastor, St. James Catholic Church Next week will be the letter to the School by Rev. Dane Packard of Kingsbury Community Church. Part III of this series will be Rev. David Bahn of Our Saviour Luthern Church, Missouri Synod, and Part IV will be Stake President Presi-dent Irvin Haws representing The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Mr. Haws was honored, but as he said, he can't represent all LDS, and that maybe someone else would like the opportunity to share their views, also. When 1 talked with Dr. Reid about churches chosen, he said they could not possibly have time for all, so they picked pick-ed at random four panelists to speak. Since I do not wish to hurt anyone's feelings or leave you out. I invite you and your church to submit your views when the first series is over if they differ dif-fer from those offered by the other churches. This offer is open to other LDS spokesmen who have a view different dif-ferent than that of President Haws. Thanks to all of you for your participation par-ticipation in this series, and may we all. civic and other, accept Dr. Reid and the School Board's challenge, al home, in church, or in the community. |