Plainfield High School - Milestone Yearbook (Plainfield, NJ)

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FOREWORD Treasure Island—its mystic, shifting shores were ever before us. As freshmen we took those memo- table, first timid steps into the un- known, heading towards that hazy goal so far away, so seemingly un- attainable, Slowly we learned the rules of the ship and the ways of the crew, and then suddenly we were sophomores, old hands with the oars. Our junior year gave us the confi- dence that we were almost there. AI- most within reach of the Island, we worked and waited until at last as seniors we had only a few final steps to take. As that most wonderful of years flew by, we tested the shore. With infinite care we crossed the quicksand and climbed the steep hills of our dominion. Now it is June and we stand on the highest peak of this, our Treasure Island. We have reached our goal at last—the treasure of knowledge built up gradually from the first timid steps to the final conquering of our Treasure Island. But are those just clouds there in the distance? Somehow they seem to hide something. . . . Could it be that there( are other Treasure Islands ahead

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Laying the cornerstone First faculty in present building 906 TY YEARS During its entire history Plainfield High School has constantly been trying to meet the needs of its pupils and of the commu- nity. When our present building was opened on February 22, 1906, Plainfield was almost purely residential. Only a small part of the high school age population attended school. The curriculum offerings were entirely col- lege preparatory, except for a few commer- cial subjects. As the community changed to become partly industrial, partly commercial, and partly residential, and as more and more of the: teen-age population remained in school, Plainfield High School adjusted its offerings to take care of its students. In 1915, a full program of industrial and home arts was introduced. During the twenties and early thirties the program was further expanded with the introduction of many general education courses. In 1935, a program of individual guid- ance by specialized counselors was started. Under this system, the academic program was adjusted to the pupil, rather than the pupil to the set curriculum. Gradually cur- riculum lines were crossed. In 1940, a single standard diploma was adopted. Eventually a single curriculum policy became effective, so that today a pupil can take any course offered by the school, provided that he, his counselor, and his teachers feel that it will be useful to him. Plainfield High School has always been in the forefront in adopting worthwhile educational ideas. With our proud history behind us, we look forward to the future with confidence. As in the past, our com- munity will provide for increased enroll- ments and for whatever new demands are made on our school. Varro, . ek.