Johnstown High School - Spectator Yearbook (Johnstown, PA)

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20 THE SPECTATOR and Miss Darlington. The two latter made no application this year, while Nlr. Cleaver has accepted the principal- ship of the Swarthmore school, near Philadelphia. To the new members of the faculty we extend our best wishes, and hope that their relations with us shall prove as pleas- ant and prohtable as those of their predecessors. lk Il 41 uk li The sentiment favoring a longer morning session in the High School seems to be almost universal. An ar- rangement suggested by Nlr. Long would extend the morning session until noon, and, by beginning the session a halt hour or so earlier, would make four periods in the morning. This would give us an afternoon session of only two periods, and permit of early dismissal. lt would bring the actual school hours closer together by shorten- ing the dinner hour and would allow of more time likely to be studiously employed out of school hours. This, as Nlr. Long says, is the general plan adopted in the high schools of our larger cities, and its continued practice seems more and more to commend it to those who will not reject a good idea because it is new - at least new in Johnstown. IF JF Fl' 4' Ill lt has been found advisable, for several reasons, to begin Vol. Vll of The Spectator in new dress. A heav- ier and more suitable cover paper and a better quality of inside paper have been adopted. It will also be noticed that the cover pages of this issue contain no ads, as pre- viously. These changes have been made in accordance with the general sentiment of improvement that should characterize High School enterprise. ' The change from antique to a more expensive enam- eled paper will enable us, in the near future, to display many half-tone cuts, both in the literary department and in the advertising columns, that were previously excluded. The clean cover pages also, rather than detracting from the value of the paper as an advertising medium, will add to its attractiveness and, consequently, secure for it wider patronage. We believe that the growth of the school from year to year, and the increased support offered us

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THE SPECTATOR 19 suggestion to submit, or a piece of literary work to offer, should have no hesitancy in doing so. The only crite- rion of judgment in accepting or rejecting the same, shall be honesty of purpose and fair dealing on the part of the author. lk 10' il' Sk Ill Some time last year there arose consideroble agita- tion for a carpet for the High School library. This, it seems to us, is at present the most needed improvement about the building. The value of a carpet for the library is greater than is generally appreciated. If there is any place in the school where there should be quiet and per- fect order, the library is the place. As it is now, there are periods when the library becomes crowded, and, as more walking about is necessary there than in the study hall or recitation rooms, there is often a constant din from walking over the uncovered floor. This flood of noise encourages louder conversation than is necessary and leads to general disorder, which it has been the con- stant effort of the teachers to stop. Restrictions have been placed on those using the library, allowing them to read only certain books there. The solution is a carpet for the library. lf the library has once been carpeted, it will be the wonder that we did not recognize the need of it before, and if the test of sacriicing any one conve- nience about the building were to arise, the carpet would be one of the last to go. HF Pk BF 4' il Mr. Smedley's absence from the High School has been noticed perhaps more than is usual with missing members of the faculty. His wide interest in all phases of school work had closely associated him with all mem- bers of the High School. ln view of this the circum- stances of his dismissal impress us with more than ordi- nary regret. The Spectator extends to him the highest regards of the school, in the hope that in the near future it may be our good fortune to again secure his services on the faculty. ' Three other members of last year's faculty who are not with us this year, are Nlr. Cleaver, Miss MacAdams,

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THE- SPECTATOR 2K from outside sources, will enable us to continue improve- ment now, as in the past, and in giving increased satis- faction to both readers and advertisers. JY Pk PF Pk ik A tile of The Spectator for several years will shortly be placed in the library. At present we are unable to obtain a complete file of every issue of more than two years back. Through the changes made in The Specta- tor's rooms, and for other reasons, no complete list of papers has been kept for our own use. T Copies of The Spectator for the following months are missing: September, 13991 November, IQOI, Septem- ber, January, February, IQOO, and October, 1902. If any- one in school has any of these numbers, we shall be glad to receive them at loc per copy. PF Pk Pls PF lk It is a peculiar fact that when the time for the lower classes to enter the senior societies arrives it is found that the numbers desiring to enter each society are so noticeably out of proportion. Last year the numbers that entered the Emerson Society far exceeded those entering the T. K. E., and the same condition had prevailed in previous years. This year it has been thought necessary to compel an equal division of the new members, this because it was found that those joining this year had de- cided almost as a body to enter the Emerson Society. While it is doubtful whether the new members can be com- pelled to sign the constitution ofa society which they do not wish to join, it is certainly true that there should be a change either of sentiment or method. There seems to be no explainable reason why a difference of popularity should exist, unless it is that the one society has the start and those whose turn it is to join this year would rather join in with the general swin, than think out an independent reason for their selection of either. Perhaps even the names ofthe societies have something to do with it. T. K. E. looks rather exclusive, at least not openly suggestive, while Em- erson bears with it on its face the full import of the socie- ty's meaning. Perhaps if a plainer name were substituted for T. K. E. a change in the attitude of newcomers to that society would be noticed.