Edward Drummond Libbey High School - Edelian Yearbook (Toledo, OH)

Page 24 text:

ADMINISTRATION In the Superintendent's Office Mr. Wenqlezzz Mr. Meek is coupled with earnestness and good judgment, has earned our esteem. Mr. Russell Wenzlau, director of schools, known for his sincerity and capacity for hard work, closes this roster. Come into Libbey with us and meet the man who directs the varied activities of our school, Principal Harold E. Williams. You will be in- terested in his quietly forceful manner, charmed by his sincerity, and impressed with the strength of character which is an obvious trait of this man who is so great a factor in our school life. Since the layman cannot imagine the wide scope of a principal's activities, let us remain with him a portion of a day to check upon the variety of problems confronting him as principal of a large school. Athletics, so important a factor in modern-day education, furnishes many prob- lems of almost daily occurrence, some of them perplexing and serious. To make the athletic policies of the school accord with the wishes and suggestions of the school patrons requires tact, firmness, and thoughtful maneuvering so that the best interest of all may be served. We notice that there is almost daily the pupil who, having failed in scholastic effort and suddenly awakening, demands a way out of the situation into which he has allowed himself to drift. This adjustment made, the principal is M iff Ferrer Mr. Dugdezle confronted perhaps by a teacher, having a recal- citrant post-graduate who refuses to do the assigned work. It may be comparatively simple to shift the pupil to another class, but whether this action meets with the approval of the boy's parents remains to be seen. This may constitute one of tomorrow's problems. Decisions regarding the program outlined for the extra-curricular activities We find to be an- other item for the principal's consideration, as well as the satisfying of requests made by the public at large to present matters to the student body. As we leave the principal's office, the tele- phone rings and we are aware that another diffi- culty is being ironed out as Mr. Williams pa- tiently listens to the complaint of an irate lady, who objects, and forcibly so, to the path which Libbey students are walking across the corner of her lawn. Promising speedy action, Mr. Williams concludes his conversation with this agitated female. The situation will be taken care of in a bulletin requesting the pupils to stay off neighborhood lawns. Amazing, isn't it? Only a few details of administration are enough to set our heads figuratively whirling and it is difficult to see how Mr. Williams retains his smiling good humor. Small wonder, then, that the position

Page 23 text:

ADMINISTRATION In the Principal's Office Guidance if one af Mr. Williams' plenum! duties. Watching The Wheels Go 'Round Have you ever passed a large school and con- jectured, perhaps, about the absorbing details behind its administration? Few who pass Libbey every day stop to think about the inside story back of our walls and would be amazed at the complexity of that machinery which keeps in working order the wheels of education. Here, as in other Toledo high schools, the executive and administrative work is conducted by three sepa- rate organs, each working to achieve what is, we feel, one of the best school systems. The central force around which our school re- volves is, of course, the Board of Education, and Toledo is proud of this group which is one of the most progressive organizations of its kind in this section of the state. Through this Board are the policies of Toledo public schools de- termined, and it requires no great tax on one's imagination to appreciate the amount of work necessary to carry on such a project. Not only must the immediate wants of the city's student bodies be satisfied, but a consistent eEort is maintained to provide for their future needs. Capably heading the Board is Mr. David Goodwillie, in private life highly successful as vice-president of the Libbey-Owens Ford Glass Company. He is representative of the highest type executive. His mind, keen and analytical, is particularly adapted to the needs of his posi- tion. Meriting comment is the variety of inter- ests and occupations in which the other members participate. Known as a civic-worker, Mr. Harry Haskell is a shrewd business man, his hrm being that of the New York Life Insurance Company. The legal profession is represented by Mr. Gustavus Ohlinger, and Mr. Sidney Vin- nedge, also a prominent civic-worker, is the head of Lamson Brothers. Mrs. Ruby Crampton who has brought from her experience as a teacher a broad knowledge of education needs and values, and Miss May Foster, the very efficient clerk, constitute the feminine portion of the Board. The position of superintendent of schools, no small task we assure you, is held, and compe- tently held, by Mr. Charles S. Meek, who through his loyal service to Toledo, and by virtue of his genuine ability commands our respect and admiration. Assistant Superintendent Mr. Ralph Dugdale, whose engaging personality

Page 25 text:

ADMINISTRATION The Faculty Meet. Groups like this work with the principal for Libbey. of principal must be filled by a man of unusual capabilitiesfand Libbey is fortunate to have that man in Mr. Williams. The passer-by will dismiss with one thought, the faculty as a group of academic individuals whose main business in life is the herculean task of cramming knowledge into the minds of the student body. It is necessary to know our Faculty to appreciate it, for from these teachers we re- ceive many of the worthwhile things of high school life. Besides the aid given us in the assimi- lation of facts connected with our studies, we are greatly helped by our contacts with the teachers, for the benefits of their friendly advice is ours for the asking. Were you to see the num- ber of graduates who return at one time or an- other to visit their former instructors, you would appreciate the value of these relations which are stimulating to both teacher and pupil. Pardon us, if we pause to puff with justified pride before we explain to you Libbey's new sys- tem for improving our scholarship. This scheme gives the good student a commendatory pat on the back and then proceeds to boost the poor student upward. Up to this time it has been cus- tomary to make a great ado over a poor student, that is, the student who refuses to study. Instead we now turn the spotlight upon the honor stu- dent and allow him to bask in the light of public approval. By a simple process a student is classi- fied by his index number and number of extra- curricular activities is regulated by his rating obtained by averaging the number of grades, thus, A equals five points: B four, C, three, D, two, E, one,F, zero. To the pupil, therefore, who earns five A's is extended unlimited privileges regarding his club activities. The index number four is sufficient to gain admittance to three organizations, a rating of three allows but two, D or E, one, and F student an is deprived of his club privileges. Also, in order to hold oHE1ce, a pupil must maintain an index number of three or more. This method which, when introduced, produced much excitement, will force the indo- lent pupil to adopt a new standard of study to hold his club membership, gain entrance into other organizations, or to hold office. When we hear an individual remark carelessly, He just goes to school, we are sorry that he does not know the absorbing life which goes on beneath the smooth and well-ordered surface of school administration, and we hope that some- day he may know the pleasure of discovering for himself the intricate machinery which runs our school activities and learn the value of school life as he watches the wheels go 'roundf'