Ballard High School - Shingle Yearbook (Seattle, WA)

Page 24 text:

Positive Paris LIKE s1cNPosTs pointing the way, the words of the counselors hasten the stumbling steps of Ballardites along the vocational highway. No signpost Was ever set up Without a reasonable amount of checking. Therefore, in order to discover the needs of Ballard students, mem- bers of the guidance staff combine their infor- mation, questionnaires are sent out to all the teachers, and suggestions are sought from phy- sician, nurse, and attendance department. Such research results in advisory periods for the en- tire student body, case conferences for the indi- vidual, and general vocational guidance for every student. The true value of the advice of the counsel- ors probably is not realized by the average stu- dent until he leaves Ballard. The newly enrolled college student finds his adjustment to univer- sity life made far easier due to the forethought of these teachers, the job-seeker realizes the necessity of being Well grounded in the sub- jects that he was advised to take long ago, and every student finds greater happiness in a voca- tion for which he is not only suited, but also really enjoys. No matter how useless all this fuss about vocations may have seemed to the average student while he was in school, he soon discovers its value when he graduates. Besides those teachers pictured on this page the counseling staff includes, ex oflicio, Mr. De- Vilbiss, Mr. Dickerman, Miss Chamberlin, and Mr. McComb, who meet Weekly with the others to consider various matters. Helping students plan both their high school and college careers keeps these teacher-counselors busy. They ure, from top to bottom, Mr. Don Taylor, freshman counselor: Mr. Ed Almquist, sophomore boysg Miss Florence Miles, sophomore girlsg Miss Van XVinkle, junior classg and Miss Arm Woods, senior class.

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I if fs, Miss Ruth Millenbach, head clerk, prepares the daily bulletin, while assistant clerk Miss Ina Leonard checks attendance figures. Enrollment increased slightly in the spring, bringing the total to 1,955 stu- dents, but this was still slightly short of last yearis mark, thirty-one students short, to be exact. In February the oflice inaugurated a new honor system of attendance checking. Under the new rules each student writes his own excuse on the pink slips. Parents are notified of a student's absence by telephone or letter as always and may write the excuse if they make a request to do so. Despite the scoffing of some die-hards who said that skipping would increase by leaps and bounds, Ballard High School had the highest attendance record for March in the entire city. Ballard's honor has been tested, and the only skipping Ballard students do is done with a rope. Ballard's long hoped for improvements were begun this year with the removal of portable nine and the grading of the athletic field. The tennis courts were painted, and the girls' hockey field was improved. Added surprise was the brand new backstop for the feminine baseball fans. Whether or not Ballard's improved athletic prowess was a direct outcome of all this sprucing up, our microscope does not reveal, but both the football and basketball teams made the best showing in years. These five also help direct the school: Daddy Coulter, custodiang Mr. Ira Pease and Miss Madelyn Ryder, study hall supervisors: Miss Ann Chamberlin, girls' adviser: and Mr. 1. E. McComb, boys' adviser.

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GLI I-I Science is practical, ever aiming toward one goal and discarding all that is un- usable. Thus, the English department brought school and school Work closer to outside activities than ever before by applying outside problems of the aver- age student to Work of the classroom. This trend, Hrst begun last year, rose to greater prominence in every class as emphasis was placed on the practicality of each daily assignment. Student and faculty interest both increased as the subject was brought homef' for pupils began to appreciate the necessity of certain courses, and teachers gloried in the renewed interest. Vocational material and the choice of voca- tions, ever-important matters, were emphasized by Miss Nicholson, Mr. Huseby con- ducted a practical English class, which stressed training in parliamentary law and outside opportunities for speakingg Miss Blanchard conducted a class in motion picture appreciation, Miss Mann introduced a short course in straight thinking, and Miss G. Wilson used home problems as a basis for her composition assignments, as well as study- ing vocations and Washington industriesg while Mr. Forsyth's new classes undertook reference Work on great printers and publishers for a Talisman feature story series. In the manner of true scientists, Ballardites are now learning to apply themselves and their work to their daily life, for the scientist is practical on all occasions.