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Show f 2 BOX ELDER NEWS, Brigham Sunday, June 5, 1977 I City, Utah i Letters to the Editor... The June Wedding Editorially Speaking The Boards action not kindest or easiest The Box Elder Board of Educations decision, announced Wednesday, that resulted in the transfer of three principals and assignment of Supt. J. C. Haws to the principalship at Box Elder Junior High was a surprise indeed. It was known that the board had promised Dr. Haws a place in the district when his resignation as superintendent became effective July publication in these columns. However, contributions must be signed and also bear the writers adress and telephone number. It is suggested that letters not exceed 250 words in length. Women were ignored Editor: assignment at Box Elder Junior I am no longer a resident of your city, but what I saw last at the high school graduation exercises left me with anger and frustration that I feel I must voice it. I listened as Mr. W. Cleon Skowsen gave the address. He told us all about the delights and traumas of a young boy growing to manhood; of his trials and tribulations; of the stages he passes through, building his character and gaining the experiences that will help him succeed in his career goals. Had he not one word for the young women sitting there? Is it not true that Mr. Skowsen was asked to speak to the graduating class and not only to the male graduates. He did excuse himself by saying that the reason he didnt include the ladies in his speech was that . . . I dont understand them! The audience accepted his speech warmly, to the extent of a standing ovation. I think this is a sad refelction of the attitude of the community to place our young women and their hopes and aspirations second to those of our young men. I think that the saddest part is that most of these women have taken a back seat to male students for so long that they did not even realize that they were being totally ignored at their own graduation. I would hope that in the future they and those of us who care will not allow these shows of blatant discrimination to go unchallenged. High. And the domino effect continued from there. Whatever the reasoning, the tran- night such sfers came across as demotions. Understandably, those involved have experienced hurt. They were not given a choice. The boards decision was made known to them on the evening previous to Wednesdays meeting. . 1. The superintendent had hoped to be placed over district transportation in the central office, an assignment he has taken under his administrative wing along with other duties this past year. But the board wisely determined that his extensive experience would be, to a degree, wasted in the position, reasoning that someone less qualified as an educational administrator could handle the transportation job. His background in secondary education qualified him well for the junior high job. Were confident hell be an effective administrator there. WHAT IS OPEN TO question was the resulting bumping that took place down the line. Junior High Principal Robert Morgan now will move to Foothill Elementary school and Lewis Harding, a man with 29 years administrative experience in the district, will leave Foothill for a teaching principals role at Bear River City. Jack Rindlisbacher, principal at Bear River City, was left with perhaps just a teaching assignment for the coming year. No seniority consideration was used as a basis for the changes. Board President L. Burke Larsen told us that none of the administrators affected had a rating which showed their performance to be anything less than satisfactory. Then why the transfers as they were made? Were advised that Morgan went to Foothill because that was the school where he served prior to his ; THE PRINCIPALS association underhas expressed its concern questioning why senstandably iority wasnt a factor. The situation has not fostered good will, at least on that front. General public reaction is still uncertain although Larsen said comments received by him has been favorable. He said the board was driven by two criteria: it alone wanted to handle the matter and to have it done before new superintendent Leonard F. Dalton came on board. Still another potential factor is the possible early retirement of another grade school principal not involved in the shakeup. He reportedly is uncertain about whether to continue for one more final year or to step board act so quick- ly? Larsen said the board decided if it prolonged the discussion, it would involve a lot of emotions. While expressing regret that feelings have been hurt, he voiced confidence that what was done will serve the best interests of Box Elder School district. That remains to be seen, of course. , . But certainly this was not the kindest or easiest action the board has had to make. Budget hearing brought out the best in citizens One of the discouraging aspects of American life in these days is the seeming apathy felt by many citizens. So much of the time we fail to become really informed about important matters and issues and our level of participation at elections is a disgrace. A year ago the city administration, putting forth an extra effort to educate the public and test the reaction of citizens to the proposed new budget, scheduled several hearings at various locations in the city. They were a flop. Nobody showed to speak of and a couple of the neighborhood meetings were canceled. This year the same city officials tried another approach. They scheduled the budget hearings at city hall as usual but decided to air the procedings over radio and invite telephone calls. It was a good idea. Not only did citizens respond by phone Thursday night but there were a number of them attending in person. The result was an offering of questions and comments that were generally as perceptive and sound ' as any we can ever remember. in There were no flailing emotions evidence, just citizens of a community attempting to reconcile their wishes for economy with the smashing effects of inflation and financial realities. To us it was a satisfying experience. These are not easy times for running a city. Brigham City, like other municipalities, has established a certain level of services and programs, creating an equal degree of expecta The scouts put up a new flag on the cemetery pole which was worth a few more turns of the camera. And then after one intrepid scout announced that the veterans flags should be taken in before dark or the ghosts would be out, the group of us departed. And that was that down now. If he were to choose early retirement, the resulting administrative opening would alter the picture. Was the principal in question contacted before the board reached its decision? No, not personally, but the board was advised of his situation. WHY DID the tions on the part of citizens. It now is obvious that alterations are in order, including fee adjustments. Just how the character of city operations should be changed and extent to which various charges and service fees ought to be altered must now be decided as the 1977-7- 8 fiscal year approaches. As editor invites and welcomes letters for stated above, these are not easy times for city officials. But certainly the show of interest by their fellow citizens Thursday night and the nature of that interest must have buoyed the city dads up wih renewed determination to forge the most acceptable budget possible for the coming year. . . .1 thought. When the film of that day was developed, it was PWs chore, as usual, to select and clip the negatives that would eventually be reproduced as pictures in our esteemed publication (the best weekly newspaper in Brigham City). Never assume anything. Thats the first rule of newspapering. And one of these days Pow Wows going to learn it. What prompts this observation? Well, just before Memorial day, my long-tim- e friend Lloyd Robinette, commander of the Brigham City American Legion post, called me. Would you come to the cemetery and get a picture of the Boy Scouts as they put out flags on the veterans graves Monday (Memorial Day)? Being a person who believes both in the Boy Scouts and the flag, not to mention Memorial Day, I replied with a hearty, What time, Lloyd? Civ nVlnrk IN THE MORNING??? Yes. Lloyd, at six oclock in the morning the sun is not even shining. I would have to use a flashlight to find the Boy Scouts. And if theyre little Boy Scouts I may never find them at all. How about seven oclock? Okay. It was at a minute or so after that early hour that PW drove into the cemetery. The scouts were already fanning out, quickly placing flags at the appropriate markers. They even had their eyes open, a distinction which this penman could not totally claim. k He captured a few shots on film, scrawled down the name of a trim looking lad in the foreground and then stood shivering in the chilled wind that was ushering in the dawns early light. The cemetery shot of the flags being put out was a pretty good one. It hit my desk along with a multitude of others on press day. And it was not until late in the afternoon that I managed time for writing the caption lines. But, hark, the pad on which PW had written the name of the scout was home in the linen closet (which is where he keeps all his valuables). There wasnt time to run home for it. But I could remember the boys last name. It was Earl. And I knew his father. Simple, I thought, just call the Earls home and ask the name of their son who helped put up flags at the cemetery. I was pressed for time and so in the asked a young office at the moment to make er the call for me. He did. And guess what? They had two sons helping at the cemetery Ivan and Allan. I know thats not Ivan, my young friend declared. Which meant it must have been Allan. Are you sure? I said with a piercing glare. Yes, I am positive. So we identified the young man as Allan. Later at home, PW went to the linen closet, picked up the pad and there were the you guessed it words Ivan Earl, Troop 329. And so thats what prompts the statement: never assume anything. One of these days Im gonna learn Very truly yours, Lilia Eskelsen, 1809 Lake Street, Salt Lake City, Utah 48105 School Talk A child has needs By Eugene Jorgenson, Principal Garland Elementary School It is a simple fact not entirely realized that the basis of all learning is emotion and that there is no intellectual interest which does not spring from the need to satisfy feelings, so states Dorothy Gardner. Today we stand in awe of the great strides taken in intellectual achievement. The technological and scientific advances in automation through computers, medical and mechanical knowledge, nuclear understandings and many more monuments of mans creative and intellectual attainments stagger our comprehension. Yet, there are thousands of children and adults who find life difficult to endure because they have been or are ill nurtured to function in a complex world. What then are the nutrients for Why do so many of us fail to recognize the needs of the growing child? Every human being has the opportunity to live a most significant life, for every human being makes a contribution to the relationships, the interactions, the conditions and the experiences that influence the becoming of others, according to Gerthon Morgan. The human being learns with his total self. He cannot be compartmentalized into intellectual levels, feeling levels, or physical levels. He learns in an integrated way. For a child to grow toward self fulfillment, which he is geared to do, he must be valued, accepted, respected and liked. He needs to be friendly, active, daring, trusted, helpful, permitted to dream, identified with adult or proper peer models, encouraged, praised and supported in his quest to be. He needs to accept disappointments, deal with frustrations, test his physical strength, succeed intellectually, create something of his own, accepts his and others limits (discipline). These are a few of the nourishing components for a healthy growing child. Educators can supply a lot of these aspects, but the parents are the most important teachers a child may have. We need to carefully consider the complexity of our needs, especially those of the growing child. Adults have needs also and never outgrow their warm feeling when a child or a teenager says to Mom or Dad, Thanks, I love you. it. Still a basic need for learning three Rs Interesting how weve gotten school away from the one-roo- m house to a great extent but not the need for the three Rs so traditionally associated with the small country, school. With our modern innovations in education, improved and more adequate equipment, more sophisticated communications and greater enlightenment about our world, reading, riting and rithmetic are still essentials. Problem is that while we seemingly have made such broad strides since yesteryear, many students still graduate without having gained satisfactory achievement in those same three Rs. ITS NOT JUST a local deficiency but is reported across the nation. Concern has built to such a point that states are moving to require a reasonable level of proficiency in these basic subject areas before a high school diploma will be awarded. Utah is one which has joined that growing thrust. New manadtory requirements include these to qualify for graduation beginning in 1980: Before receiving a high school diploma, each student must have demonstrated functional competency in: a. reading, writing, speaking and listening b. computation (arithmetic) c. processes and structure of democratic goverance d. being aconsumer of goods and services e. problem solving. Its up to the local school board to establish competency standards. The new requirements, if enforced with consistency, will do away with students merely drifting through school, finally surfacing as graduating seniors. The burden is no longer left soley to the high school to correct deficiencies. In order for students to receive a diploma, they must have satisfactorily completed a basic background of educational experiences in the elementary, junior high . . . and senior high school. UTAHS NEW PROGRAM also calls for career exploration and preparation at the secondary school .level. It will involve not only stu- dents and school personnel but parents as well. Are the new requirements unreasonable? Hardly. If our schools are not adequately teaching students in the vital subject areas previously mentioned, then corrective measures ought to be taken. We really shouldnt be content with mediocrity. |