34

' ' opinion

editorial '•

Tradition & Responsibility

H«nld ii lantern 5 May ’M

It would be more than a sad commentary on our times if the baccalaureate service is done away with at Lower Cape May Regional High School; it would be an indication of a failing leadership and stewardship by responsible

adults

The superintendent of schools for the Regional district recommended to the board of education in March that consideration be given, to the elimination of the traditional ceremony because of declining student interest, the intrusion of frivilous elements lately into a basically religious service, apparent lack of interest by area clery to, in effect,

become old hat. Like all traditions, the baccalaureate marks both end and beginning; it is a serious and joyous ceremony serving to instill in the lauareates the realization that while they have-achieved something, they are also cxpectedto accomplish much more.

reader's forum Bulky Eyesore Vincent McMahon Here are a few location* balk traah it laying outside homes being an eyesore (Maple Ave. refrigerator, Vermont Ave. sofa, Delaware Pkwy. furniture, Locust Rd. daybed,) all in Villas. Of course, there are others in the township, I'm sure. The township will not pick it up, and some has been there over a month. Middle Township has a system for collection of bulk trash twice a year. Why not Lower Township? Vincent McMahon it a Villas resident.

Cnefnicals that Kill From Now till Fall

by Ruth Fisher

The spraying of poisons over much of Cape May County has begun and will continue into the fall. It is hard to understand why there is not much more concern ex-

D > \ pressed. These poisons, such as Carbaryl (Sevin) and sponsor the annual <»vent, and the observation / Malathion have, been shown to cause genotoxic effects

i mamals. These poisons afe mild compared to some

that the baccalaureate was becoming a dying tradition in many school districts nationwide. We could not disagree strenously enough with such a recommendation. The thought is reprehensible, not because it. contravenes religious or moralistic principles, but because it represents an abdication of responsibility when and where more, not less, responsible

leadership is needed.

BUT PERHAPS WE WERE being prudish, old fashioned; so we checked a couple of things. First we surveyed thft other public high schools in the county, and found the baccalaureate alive and well in Ocean City, Middle Township, and the Wildwood high school districts. We also found the local ministerium disagreed with the superintendent’s interpretation of the clergy’s attitude toward involvement in the baccalaureate, the pastorspokesperson informing us she planned to meet with the senior class to find out if they ' want a baccalaureate service. But that too troubled us, and for. the very same reason we found the superintendent’s attitude dis-

quieting.

Maybe we are naive, perhaps we’re looking for chutzpah But if it lakes shameless audacity to stand up for tradition, so be it.. Neither school nor church should entertain the thought of throwing in the towel on the baccalaureate — even if — especially — a majority of the graduating seniors don’t want it. There has already been too much abandoning: No one talks anymore about a reverence lor learning, because the great concern today is over basic

skills -

IS IT ANY WONDER THAT STUDENTS who are often bored with scholastics after four years, would want to disregard the very ceremony which both celebrates the mastery of fundamentals and encourages a lifetime of continuous learning. There is a very easy solution to increasing attendance at; and appreciation for, the baccalaureate: Simply provide a dynamic speaker whose sermon lights a fire under young adults and rekindles in them the innate spark for learning which accompanies virtually every child on the first day of school. What is more difficult is getting the point across to responsible adults in positions of leadership that one docs not cast off tradition as if it were some fad or fashion which has

insecticides and herbicides used by farmers (such as sod farmers), power companies and highwaymen. The combined effects of these poisons have never been studied and likely never will be. But much has been about Seven,about to be used over thousands of acres in South Jersey, - especially around homes even though EPA asked label changes in 19ao to insure that exposure Is minimised and recommended more studies on

teratogenic and fetatoxic effects.

WE ABE JUST BEGINNING to realise how much these chemicals affect human fertility (which is often a signal of general health). While we may often look for birth control measures, in this a democracy — we hope

V ape ssav cosmrrv

John H. Andrus It Bonnie Kelna

ftaralft

Darrrll Kopp

toossro** Ce<» IWJ All rrgbii >a«**v«d All progwt<en«*ntt el ltu« publxolion ibell be 'be property .ol tt perl hereerf may be reproduced without prior written to

Editor

General Manager tc Advertising Coordinator Publisher

e Corp Mo

DEADLINES News & Photos Thursday Advertising Friday - 3 p.m. Classified Advertising Friday - 3 p.m. I t!7-33l2T l or New*~Or Advertising Information | \ HI her partklpdlng edt erllsrrs nor (hr publlshrrw of (hr HKH Al.ll AND I.ANTKRN hlTl hr rrwponelblr or liable for rnttbiformallon.

LANTERN

FuMkhed Ryerv Wedoeeda) R> Tbe Vawave ( nrperatlon

1*0 Ho* AM CoMSpring. N J MUM

it will continue to be by choice! There have been so many mistakes — pilot error, spray-drift, etc. — in past years because there is no strong legislation in place. There is also a general devil-may-care, and my lawyer will protect me attitude: "After all, the state and federal government licensed the stuff and me." Again this year many many people will be exposed without their knowledge or consent. We believe that. government should protect us from this; not be the agent that does it to us. i We urge you to register your formal concern or complaint directly with the new Commissioner: Commissioner Robert Hughey, Dept. Environmental Protection, Trenton. NJ 08265, Phone 292-2885. Ask for an answer and don't be satisfied until yorf get one. \ ^ \ Ruth Fisher is president of Citizens Assn. for/Protection of the Environment, Box 33 CMCH, N.J (Mil 10.

Allegations on Counseling Erroneous

- by P.J. Piro I am obligated to respond to the recent news articles appearing in the Herald and the Lantern alluding to the fact that a shift in student course selections is due to the counseling students have received. In addition, last week's editions contained an editorial (Who Goes; What Goes?) that contained information that was erroneous and that was obviously written with little research being done on the subject matter covered; specifically the drop in student course selections in the area of Arts & grafts. It is significant to answer the allegations contained in the recent articles. The statement that perhaps the students are being subtly discouraged from taking specific course is totally untrue. Students are counseled concerning programs they wish to pursue and all course selections are approved by parents; evidenced by parent signatures. Never has a counselor in this district counseled students away from one department or teacher to another. I take exception, strongly and emphatically, to the allegation in the news article in suggesting that possibly counselors are suggesting to students that they schedule study halls instead of certain course electives. It must be remembered that students are counseled individually, and counselors sometimes suggest course ideas to certain students. Statistics available for the coming year show nearly the entire student body involved in six courses a day. In addition, study halls are frequently suggested by parents and are frequently chosen by students, usually one study hall per day. The following statement also appeared in the editorial: "If guidance counselors are making course

recommendations to students based upon predetermined personnel and course offering decisions made by the administration — then-the educational wishes of the students are being subordinated by the management desires of the administration of the administration." This statement must be answered strongly and clearly. Never has the administration dr Board of Education influenced the counseling techniques or methods employed by counselors. Guidance counselors do not put undue pressure to bear on students in choosing their elective courses. The choice is theirs and that of their ' parents. Shifts in course enrollments occur frequently in schools. It has.occurred in our school in previous year and will undoubtedly occur again. It is common practice for schools to reduce the number of sections taught in a course when enrollment in that course drops. Some districts have completely eliminated courses. We are not eliminating the Arts. We are reducing the sections based on student selection and we are increasing other areas according to student enrollment. I am suggesting that in the future, if Miss Walter (Mary Louise Walter, chairman of (he Fine Arts Dept.) is going to comment on counseling techniques, she seek information from the director of Guidance. This she has not done. In addition, I am encouraging the news media to meet with me and my staff to help put an end to erroneous statements by individuals hell bent on destroying the reputations of fellow teachers. P.J. Piro is director of Guidance. Lower Cape May Regional High School.

Spreading the Word on the Joys of Jersey

by Sen. James Hurley If you are like many other New Jerseyans, you probably know more about what New York, Virginia and Pennsylvania have to offer vacationers than your own state. That’s because for years New Jersey has failed to play up its fichest assets — its beaches, mountains, historic sites and entertainment. Tourism rapidly is becoming the number one industry in the state. Yet up until now, the state has done little to bolster this essential business. Gov. Kean is committed to giving tourism the attention it deserves and, at the same time, enhancing the state's image. BORDEN PUTNAM, COMMISSIONER OF THE NEW

as important, it should help turn around the state's image and make New Jerseyans feel good about our state.

PUTNAM HAS PROMISED TO. GET RID of New Jersey's Got It slogan, which sounds like the state has some dread disease. It will be replaced with a fresh saying that sells the "beauty and surprise of New Jersey." Money will be pumped into television and radio advertising. Just as New Jerseyans have learned about vacation possibilities in New York and Virginia from television commercials, residents from upstate New York to

"This investment in the fastest growing industry in the state is long overdue.”

Dept, of Commerce and Economic Develoment, is making tourism promotion a top priority. Putnam has shifted around some money in his department's budget this year so an extra $§00,000 can be spent on an advertising blitz this spring and summer And Gov. Kean has proposed spending $4 million in state funds next year to "spread the word” that New Jersey is an attractive place to live, work and play. Such an expenditure would make New Jersey competitive with neighboring states. It would be money well spent. Tourism pumps more than $7 billion into the state's economy every year. About a fifth of the state’s workforce is employed in tourism related jobs. > The extra money spent on promoting the state should pay off in more state revenues and jobs. And perhaps just

southern New England to Ohio Will see adds promoting the tourist attractions in hjew Jersey. This investment in the fastest growing industry in the state is long overdue. Instead of / Love New York, residents throughout the Northeast will be humming the New Jersey jingle, and planning trips here. It would be a big economic and morale booster. Sen. James R Hurley of Millville represents Cape May and most of Cumberland counties In Trenton.