Belmont High School - Blueprint Yearbook (Belmont, MA)

Page 13 text:

MR. C. EUGENE KLISE 1906-1910 MR. FRANK A. SCOTT 1910-1921 MR. SANFORD B. COMERY 1921-1935 Those Who Served So Well opened in 1917. When Mr. Scott ascended to the superintendence', Mr. Comery assumed the principalship. In 1924, Belmont High School won the privilege of the New England College Entrance Certificate Board’s approval and was placed on the Massachusetts list of “A” high schools (ratings still maintained). During depression and war years following the death of Mr. Comery, the school grew in size (Cafeteria added), in population, and in academic com-! ctenee. Today more than one thousand pupils are enrolled in the High ami Vocational Schools combined, and approximately three-fourths of this number continue their education at the higher level. The present stature of the school can be thought of as the summation of the collective efforts of these men. However, it in no small way reflects a distinct credit upon the wisdom and devoted sensitivity to the needs of students which characterize our principal, Mr. George Higginbottom, in this Centennial year. MR. WILLIS B. GIFFORI) 1936-1939 MR. WAYNE SHIPMAN 1939-1944

Page 12 text:

MR. HENRY H. BUTLER MR. JOHN R. OLIN MR. CHARLES JENNY 1881-1899 1900 1900-1900 Salute to Men of character ami conviction have sought to meet the challenge of changing times by providing leadership in the development and perpetuation of a high school of quality and dignity. Mr. Scott, who has made a valuable contribution to research in the volume History of Education in Belmont, Mass. (1939), records that under Principal Butler, “the improvement and quality of grading was pushed.” Regarding Mr. Olin who lived but a few months as principal, he states, “He was a very |K pular man; the pupils collected a large sum for flowers, but decided it would lx more in keeping with Mr. Olin’s ideas to start a scholarship fund” (Olin Fund Award continues annually at graduation time). Under Mr. Jenny’s term of office, lunches at the school were a new practice, and “home study six or seven hours for the school day—was recommended.” “Apparently the new subjects, music, manual training, sewing, and nature study were under attack.” In the year 190(5 when Mr. Klise succeeded Mr. Jenny, the question of college certification was under fire— 3(5 graduates had gone to college in ten years.” Stenography and typewriting were introduced, as was an early afternoon dismissal for brighter pupils. Mr. Klise resigned in 1910 and was succeeded by Mr. Scott whose great length of service to the schools of Belmont covers a period of major growth in the educational development of the community. The present main high school building adjacent to the Roger Wellington School was MR. GEORGE HIGGIXBOTTOM 1944- 8 ( entenniai Principal

Page 14 text:

DR. CHARLES R. THIBADRAU Superintendent of Schools ADMINISTRATION SCHOOL COMMITTEE The final responsibility for Belmont public education rests with the School Committee which consists of six members, two of whom arc elected annually for three year terms. This essential l oar l appoints the Superintendent of Schools, elects and contracts all school personnel, determines salary policy, and controls the operation and maintenance of all of the Belmont schools. It is the annual duty of the committee to determine the budget, which is binding by State law upon the Town as submitted. During the first years of its existence, the School Department was under the direction of the Rev. Amos Smith, pastor of the Congregational Church in Belmont at that time. Mr. William A. Blodgett showed foresight in encouraging the establishment of our high school prior to its requirement by law. Associated with this distinguished gentleman was the Rev. Daniel Butler, one of our early School Committee chairmen whose memory is | er| ctuuted by the school which liears his name. The names of Smith (Faculty), Galian, ilanf, and Whitney are prominent today not only in the classroom, but also on our School Committee. We are grateful to civic-minded adults who have given generously of their time to further the best interests of Belmont Senior High School. SCHOOL COMMITTEE—Clockwise: Mr. A. Walter Ilanf. Mr. Paul C. Whitney, Mr. Frank J. Mazzio, Jr., Mr. Albert F. Smith. Mr. Charles J. MacFarland, Business Agent; Mrs. Gwendolyn K. Nickels, Secretary; Dr. Charles R. Thibadeau, Superintendent of Schoolt; Mr. James C. Gahan, Jr., Chairman.