Barstow School - Weathercock Yearbook (Kansas City, MO)

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me gonna! 0 judfeed Miss Kalherine Lucas, Mr. B. N. Simpson, Mr. Gordon Johnson, Mrs. James M. Kemper, Sr., Mrs. John H. Goodwin, Mrs. Roger Slaughler, Mr. F. P. Logan, Jr., Mr. Gordon T. Beahcm, Jr., Mr. Ridenour Raymond, Mr. F. Forsha Russell, Mr. Richard N. Sears, Mr. Norrufh Graham, Mrs. Philip F. Rahm, Mr. Samuel C. Mariy. Presidem ,,,,,,,,,, , Mr. Clinion Gaies Vice-President ..... .,..... M r. F. P. LOQCH1, if- Secfgigfy ,Y,,,,,,,, .Y,,,, M I, FOISIICI Russell Treasurer ,,YVY, ..,,, M iss Kciiherine Lucas Mr. Clinton Gales -- 13 ,

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vocal training and a well-equipped and very much worth-while home economics depart- ment. There is a science laboratory, cmd a nursery school. Tree day, Senior Day, Grid the The school hours take the major part of Athletic Banquet have become yearly features. I ' d t . 1 the da and delicious luncheons are served to all-a far cry indeed in beauty an ma eria comforf, from times past. Between Miss Witham's departure and the coming ofAMr. SearS, the new Headmaster, there have been three other principals: Mrs. Williams, Miss Kendig. and Miss Turner representing Wellesley, Vassar and Smith, respectively. Now Mr. Sears has added Harvard to the list. The foregoing is a brief account of the Barstow School during the three periods of its outer history. But what of its inner history, which has kept it a continuous whole for so long a time in spite of external changes? Why was it that two inexperienced young girls, barely out of college, were able to establish a school and make it stick through boom and panic, war and peace? lt was not only because of their unusual abilities and personalities, or the backing they had received from interested citizens, but because of the underlying principles of education in which they believed and which they laid down as a pattern to be followed. ln the first place, they believed in conservative program. They were too wise, young as they were, to throw away what had been tested by time fthe best of testersll for some loudly acclaimed pedagogical theory of dubious value, because it was modem , up-to- date , used in the best of schools . They knew that education is a continuous process, not only through school days but through life, that its ultimate goal is, or should be, the creation of a fine character, a wise mind capable of clear, logical, creative thinking, together with the ability to express that thinking in the most effective way. In their school, therefore, they sought to lay what they thought the best possible foundations for the achievement of such a goal. They considered discipline, mental and moral, hard work, and high ideals to be basic factors in so doing. To this end they held before their students a high standard of academic achievement. Emphasis was laid on integrity and thoroughness of work and on personal responsibility for work. There was to be no pampering, no allowing subjects to be made easier and easier, There was to be no shirking, no just getting by on the part of the pupil. There were to be plenty of hurdles and each to be taken in one's stride, otherwise weakness and not strength would be fostered. Next, stress was laid on supplying a wide, cultural background, a background that gives a chance for an intelligent comparison of past and present, a wider knowledge of the great achievement of which mankind has been capable, a vision of life as it came down to us. With such knowledge comes the formation of good taste-another point greatly stressed-good taste in all things, not only in literature and the arts but in daily behavior as well. There were things no Barstow girls should say or do. Last but not least was the emphasis laid on creative work, an emphasis added to Miss Witham. Pupils were always encouraged to express their ideas, aspirations, imag- inings, whether in the field of critical interpretation of writers studied or in essays, stories, and poems of their own invention. The Weather-Cock was founded to show what Barstow girls from primary through high school could do in the way of writing. lt is to be hoped that whatever else is added to make this magazine more interesting to the students, the purpose' of its founders will not be forgotten, but that it will continue to be a gauge of Barstows creative work. lt has been possible to touch only briefly on the basic philosophy of this school's educa- tional creed-on those ideals and purposes which laid down by its founders and adhe d I re to through the years, have given continuity to the school. lt is a constructive creed and one fundamental to the preservation of democracy. ln these troubled times, when the destructive forces seernt b ' h - . . o e in t e ascendant, when there is so much confused thinking, when standqrdg irgiital aiiild ngoral are becoming steadily lower, when irresponsibility is rife, it is good to ze w at arstow School can do for its students and through them for the world. - 12 -

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K, . ip . fy, '. MR. RICHARD H. SEARS ll, Headmaster B.A. Harvard M.E. Harvard MRS. EILEEN FRENCH STEELE U35 Assistant Head of School English, Librarian Director of Testing B.S. Kansas City Teachers College M,S. University of Kansas University of Colorado B2 , W e I,