Shawnee Mission High School - Indian Yearbook (Shawnee Mission, KS)

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G. MURLIN WELCH Principal With the school decreased in number, compared to last year - from 2,700 to 1,950-Mr. G. Murlin Welch, principal, found his tasks somewhat lighter. High- lighting his aims was the idea' to attain a closer and better relationship between students and teachers. Although he had many duties concerning the operation and supervision of school functions, and the keeping of records and reports, Mr. Welch never was too busy to forget the ladies and gentlemen of Shawnee-Mission North. He always strove to work with the students in achieving his goal - a still better school with well-informed and ad- justed students. Supervision, U . W Ready to absorb and absolve student problems are Mr. A. Palmer Snodgrass and Mrs. Florence Huber, counselors. 4. 4---f of ff' and Assistance With visions of future presidents in mind, Mr. A. Palmer Snodgrass and Mrs. Florence Huber, S-M's counselors, decided upon a division in their program, beginning this year, in order to reach the students more efficiently. Mr. Snodgrass guided the junior class through their various complications and catastrophies, while Mrs. Huber assisted the confused and bewildered sophomores in their innumerable schedule and class arrangements. The senior class, with the weighty problems of possible scholarships and universities or vocations, was divided between them. Each counselor agreed to advise the same class until its graduation. The life of a counselor is a busy one, Mrs. Huber and Mr. Snodgrass spent hours all year giving the various educational tests: aptitude, interest, and scholarship. Both parents and students were interviewed to iron out vexatious wrinkles in the scholastic year. Hopeful em- ployee was matched with prospective employer. Work- ing every minute of the school day, these two counselors were one of the most valuable assets of S-M North. 17

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-- '.. , T' HOWARD D. MCEACHEN Superintendent A spirit of cooperation . . . evidenced by the people in this community who support the faculty and the Board of Education in their efforts to provide good schools aided Dr. Howard McEachen, superin- tendent of schools, in carrying out the functions of his office. Planning facilities to handle increased enrollments, hiring faculty and staff members, executing poli- cies adopted by our Board of Education were the responsibilities of S-M's chief administrator. In another facet of work he analyzed the course of study in an effort to determine how well it met the needs of the students. Success through Administration, Interviews, meetings, and special appointments were only a part of Dr. Herbert Bruning's active schedule as Director of Curriculum. He interviewed numerous teacher hopefuls, studied and developed instructional materials, and supervised nearly 350 professional people in S-M's educational organization. Dr. Bruning's duties were furthered by two new schools in the system. New surroundings for a familiar face . . . Mr. Bob Johnson began a different role as Vice-principal this year. With his new post came new duties, such as the supervision of all matters concerning attendance, ac- tivities, and discipline. Despite his demanding schedule, Mr. Johnson still found time to assist problem laden students. Organizing Shawnee-Mission's complex transportation system was the task of Mr. Guy Barnes, Administrative Assistant. Revising bus schedules and routes, keeping insurance records, and directing various safety programs were just a few of his many responsibilities. 16 B uw ' ' .V t .3 Y Vxx'-en , wig seems ,e , if A ggggvea, 1 .L ,,.,,ggga . . .t m i gs this Bob Johnson, Vice-Principalg Guy Barnes, Adminis- trative Assistantg Herbert Bruning, Director of Cur- riculum.

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l I if -5 SCHOOL BOARD. Howard D. McEachen, Richard V. Garrett, Kenneth P. Rankin, Charles A. Long, Roy E. Welch, Mel Flowers. Power of Purse and Policy An annual maze of lines-division of school districts -is decipered. by Mr. Flowers, a board member, and Dr. McEachen. il, rslfkri tsl.. . K't?i ,J . QU Q , -,. ,n . ff, 1 Balancing the budget, acquiring necessary equipment, and serving as chief policy makers were the assignments of the Shawnee-Mission Board of Education. Legal problems immedia.tely found their way to these five men-Messrs. Melvin Flowers, Richard Garrett, Charles Long, Kenneth Rankin, and Roy Welch, assisted by Dr. Howard McEachen, their administrative official. Although unknown to students, the Board members af- fected all with the results of their decisions. This quintet held final ruling on any financial situation in- curred by the district's seven schools, such as, faculty salaries and the sale of district bonds. Another case decided upon was the arrangement of special classes for exceptionally intelligent students and for handi- capped pupils, as well as a program furthering reading proficiency. Even though the S-M School Board was elected for only four years, their plans permeated further into the future than the duration of their term in office. An expanding enrollment captured their at- tention annually, because it created a needed judgment as to possible construction of classrooms and increases in the teaching staff for Shawnee-Mission School Dis- trict. The development of each student's abilities accele- rated to his maximum appeared to be the purpose of the S-M School Board.