The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1916-05-04
THE BOARD OF EDUCATION

Believing that the teacher has no
task so important as that of assisting
the boy or girl to set up in his life a
correct standard of good morals;
therefore be it Resolved that, in
view of the fact that the moral stand
ard and tone Of u public schools are
not what they should be and far below
what they might be, we shall insist
that during the next school year es-
tendent and teachers to the teaching
of good morals, and strict honesty in
all things, We shall expect the super
intendent and each teacher to lose no
opportunity, either by example or pre-
cept, to drive home the great lessons
of clean morals and clean living and to
point out in no uncertain one the
blight and shame that are sure to over
take the life hat dares disregard these
moral standards as old as time.
BE it Resolved further, that the
Board Of Education will look with es-
pecial disfayor on any teacher VINO
persists in attending dances or fire.
~quenting places of questionable amuse-
ment; and the superintendent is here
by admonished to make frequent re-
ports to the board as to the manner in
which the resolutions are obeyed."
Above is a copy of the resolution
presented by the Board of Education
to the superintendent and teachers of
the Brookings schools. 1t is a splen-
didly hopeful sign that the board does
recognize the fact the education is for
a greater purpose than the mere i'm.
parting Of information, but is for the
far more vital purpose of developing a
sterling character. Well may the Board
of Education look to the morals of the
children in the public schools. In the
face of this resolution it would seem
an ungracious thing to criticize but
one can not help feeling that they are
taking the wrong method, and that the
effort that they are making, is a badly
misplaced attempt to heal a sore That
Is a real one.
There Is plenty of room for argu-
ment and difference of opinion in the
matter Of dancing. But teachers might
we'll be urged to act as chaperons at
dances and other parties that now are
without them.
But this might be disregarded II it
were not for the next matter. When
asked what was meant In the resolu-
ton by places of questionable amuse-
mem" the answer was that the places
in question were the moving picture
theatres. The board do not come out
and make any public protest against
these places. They do not advise par
ents that their children's characters
are being injured by these places. They
make no stand whatsoever that might
change the standards of the pictures
shown. They simply refuse to allow
teachers to attend them. except in the
case Of exceptional films of an educa-
tional nature.
On the contrary it is just to that sort
Of place that the teacher should go.
and SO should the members of the
board of education. Movies are vitality
affecting the characters of our young
people for good or for evil. il for evil
the teachers and the board should
know It and should make strong public
protest against 1t. and how shall they
know OF 1t unless they have seen it.
Does the responsibility Of the Board
Of Education stop at the doors Of the
school room? II they are as concerned
about the morals OF the children %