I. OUR FRAME OF REFERENCE
It is believed that, in establishing and supporting a school system for all children of all the people, the people want the school as a public institution to provide insofar as possible:
- A well qualified and efficient corps of teachers of such character that if a child should become like any one of the teachers, the parents and others would be proud of the child.
- Physical plant and equipment adequate to meet the most exciting needs of every learner, the like of which separate families could not provide.
- Experience for effective learning, the like of which the best home alone could not provide.
- An educational leadership which courageously and ably leads to be continuous.
II. OBJECTIVES OF EDUCATION IN THE BENNETT COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
The Bennett Community School District is looked upon as an ever-changing social community where young people live. Here they are provided opportunities to determine and to work toward goals that are purposeful and significant to them. They are given experience which is designed to develop their talents and characteristics and which are essential to a wholesome child life. Subject manner thought of in terms of units of living and learning.
We believe that in every experience the whole child must be considered; the mental, physical, moral, emotional, and social being.
In teaching, as in parenthood, we must start where the child is. We must provide challenges for the child according to their abilities. We should not expect all children to develop at the same rate. The school program must be adjusted to the child’s needs, abilities, and rate of growth.
A. Objectives of Human Relationships
In order to develop in children, attitudes and proficiencies for wholesome human relationships, it is essential:
1. To develop cooperative understandings and effort in work and play with others.
2. To provide enjoyable experiences which will produce for them wholesome, sincere friendships among their follow students and teachers.
3. To develop the realization that family relationships influence the manner in which an individual conducts one’s self in a group, since consideration for others is the core of good living, and since the family is the basic institution of our society.
4. To help cultivate an appreciation and regard for the inter-relationships of the individuals and groups in the home, the schools, the community, the state, the nation, and the world in preparing for living the DEMOCRATIC WAY OF LIFE.
B. Objectives of Self-Realization
In order that our children may become all that their talents promise for them, it is essential:
1. To supply experiences that will create a desire to learn and a desire to search for truth.
2. To teach how to read and to write effectively, and to speak the English language clearly.
3. To assist in developing logical thinking ability in order to solve mathematical problems and problems of daily living.
4. To help cultivate ability-ability to observe and to listen.
5. To introduce them to independent study and to inspire them to participate in it.
6. To help them understand the basic facts of health and disease.
7. To assist them in cultivating an appreciation for beauty and an appreciation for our cultural heritage.
8. To guide them in learning how to make worthwhile use of all their time, especially leisure time.
9. To assist them in acquiring a scientific attitude toward living forms and resources in their environment.
10. To foster an understanding of the inter-relationship existing between people and their environment.
11. To inspire them to determine worthy goals for living and to guide them toward achievement of those goals.
C. Objectives of Civic Responsibility
In order that our children may learn that liberty with security demands civic responsibility it is essential:
1. To lead them to acquire attitudes of tolerance and desires for understanding.
2. To offer opportunity and help in developing qualities of good leadership.
3. To help them develop the ability to carry out responsibilities without constant direction.
4. To assist them in learning to operate in groups as a working democracy where students can be taught respect for the law, for civic duties, and for honest difference of opinion.
5. To give them practice in the procedures of democracy so that as citizens they may have courage, unselfishness, and a fine sense of honor.
6. To help them comprehend and practice the basic elements of world understanding, tolerance, and good will.
7. To help them understand and appreciate their American Heritage and develop a spirit of patriotism and respect for the American way of life.
8. To help them understand the system of raising the revenue with which to carry on our system of Government at the Local, County, State and Federal levels, and also our school district.
D. Objectives of Economic Efficiency
In order that young people may acquire a sense of economic accountability and productive efficiency, it is essential for the school:
1. To provide training for them to become intelligent consumers as well as efficient producers.
2. To help them understand the requirements and opportunities of various occupations.
3. To lead them to feel the dignity of labor in all fields.
4. To help them feel the satisfaction that comes from good workmanship.
5. To provide guidance in choosing an occupation best suited to their individual aptitudes and potentialities, and to those skills in which they can achieve, maintain, and improve efficiency.
6. To provide the opportunity to receive training for college entrance or employment in the home, agriculture, industry, science or business.
7. To help them gain an appreciation for interdependence of workers and for what their work means to other people.
8. To assist them in planning the economics of their own lives.
9. To show them how to use purposeful thinking and wholesome ideals in deciding what is of first value.
10. To assist them in developing a discriminating sense of values for guiding their own expenditures, in seeking information and in acquiring skill as buyers, and in taking appropriate measures to safe-guard the interest of themselves and also the interests of those dependent upon them.
11. To assist them in learning the basic elements of our system of free enterprise, and to recognize the factors which may lead to its destruction.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§257.9, .25, 279.9, .12, 280.1-.17 (1991)
Cross Reference: 104 Equal Educational Opportunity
200 Legal Status of the Board of Directors
Approved: 11-12-70
Reviewed: 6-12-23
Revised: 3-8-99
