The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1915-09-07
SOCIETY HURTS SCHOOL
SOCIAL ASPIRATIONS OF PUPILS
CAUSE so PER CENT FAILURES.
SUPERINTENDENT Dukes in Address at
School Opening Warns Parents of
Growing Tendency of Evil.


The Dawson public schools began
it's fall term Monday morning with a
full coprs of teachers present. There
were $50 pupils enrolled, an unprec-
edented number for the first day.
The school began its opening eX-
ercise5 at $50 with an unusually
large crowd of patrons present to
witness them. America" was sung
by the school as an opening number.
The scripture lesson was read by
Rev. j. NJ. Cutler, and Rev. 7. M.
Galloway led in prayer. Short talks
were made by Elder R. H. jennings
and Col. j. G. Parks, members of the
city school board. Miss Hazel Young
gave two readings, which were very
much enjoyed. Mr.. j. c. Dixon, as
sistant principal, made very appro-
pirate talk, which was well received
and created fine impression on the
patrons and the pupils. He has had
much experience with boys and knows
how to successfully handle them. He
is an athlete of some reputation, and
the boys of the high school are ex-
pected to make a fine showing in
their studies and their athletics.
A feature of the exercises was the
talk by Superintendent Dukes. His
remarks were impressive and effect
i've. In the course of his announce
ment he took occasion to say that
more than more than so per cent of
more than fifty per cent of the
failures that occurred in the high
school were directly traceable to So
cial distractions. He said that the
fact had been ascertained by carefully
cataloguing the causes of the failures
throughout the school. Speaking fur
Their, Superintendent Dukes said in
some instances pupils have been al
lowed to attend social functions dur
ing the school week. Such pupils
are never in condition to pursue their
studies on the following day. Or,
perhaps worse, some pupils are allow
ed to spend their afternoons in the
streets, in crowded buggies and au-
tomobiIes, and they are in no cond1-
ton or humor to work at night.
do not mean to say that Dawson is
any worse than other nearby towns.
1t is simply my purpose to warn you
against the tendency, and ii you eX-
| pect your children to make progress
! in the school you must see to it that
their social aspirations are not too
prominent. They must choose between
| the school and society. They cannot
| excel in both. We are doing our best
! for the boys and girls of Dawson, and
/ YOU must not censure us if we seem
! too much interested in them. We eX-
! pect to account for the children while
they are at school, and We respect
fully ask that you do the same out
side of school hours. We pledge you
our best efforts and ask your hearty
cooperation.
Turning to Revs. Galloway and
Cutler, who were sitting on the ros-
trum, Superintendent Dukes said :;
Without any intention of Interior
ing with your offices as ministers of
the gospel, I daresay that the great
er part of the disturbance and lack
of attention on the part of the young
/ people while you are reading and eX-
pounding the word of God, as well
as their lack of reverence and inter
est in the work of the church, is d1-
rectly due to the same causes, social
aspirations and the slack discipline
/ in the home" These remarks were
! heartily approved by both ministers.
Of the $50 pupils enrolled 50 of
them are in the high school, and the
| fall term starts off with bright pros
poets for another successful school
] wear