PRAIRIE ROSES: To teachers, staff and parents who in the past couple of weeks have collaborated to welcome thousands of students back to classrooms in the Fargo metro’s public and private schools. It’s a routine ritual every year at this time, but because a significant percentage of children are entering school for the first time, the welcome is new and fresh every year. The metro cities and surrounding towns in the Red River Valley are blessed with good schools. Teachers are motivated, parents are involved and administrators are dedicated. The result is an excellent education environment for students who want to excel, and for students who need encouragement to excel. This time of year, as the weather cools and education heats up, families with children can be assured the schools are among the best in the nation.
PRAIRIE ROSES: To everyone – from college administrators to legislators – who were involved in the renovation and restoration of the Old Main building on the campus of the North Dakota State College of Science at Wahpeton. The 124-year-old building was in tough shape – so bad that an entire floor had to be closed off because it was so run-down. That was 40 years ago. Deterioration continued until an effort was mounted to bring the historic structure up to 21st century standards. The just completed $6.7 million, 18-month project has done just that. The impressive building has been repurposed for modern uses, and its historic character preserved. Good work by all.
LEAFY SPURGE: To young and older drivers who have been speeding through school zones. Last week, Moorhead police reported two arrests for speeding near schools, one for racing at 57 mph in a 30 mph zone, the other for going 52 mph in a 30 mph zone. This is serious business. Traffic around schools, both pedestrian and vehicular, goes up a lot when school starts. Children walking near schools sometimes are not as focused as they should be when crossing busy streets. That’s the nature of the start of school. It is incumbent on motorists to slow down and pay special attention when driving near schools. Police should continue to bring the hammer down and school zone speeders.
Forum editorials represent the opinion of Forum management and the newspaper’s Editorial Board.
