Abington High School - Oracle Yearbook (Abington, PA)

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Superintendent of Sffvools IOSEPH C. Wnuucx BOARD OF SCHOOL DIRECTORS Albert W. Znckey E. B. Ayres, Ir. I. Lewis Frctz E. VVuync Icnkins Prexfdezzl Vice-P1'exz'denz Treasurer . Lotus C. Metz XV111. Henry Holmes, Ir. Wm. S. Armstrong Edward G. Zepp Sefvetary fNot ll membcrj

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PHILOSOPHY OF ABINGTON HIGH SCHOOL To be an expert marksman, one must have a target at which to shoot, to create a better school system, there must be objectives for which to strive. What are these objectives of education? In particular, what are Abington? objectives P The faculty of Abington High has voiced its opinion on questions concerning the philos- ophy of the school on the fundamental con- cepts of education, curriculum, and guidance: and, from the viewpoints put forth, one may ascertain the true aims of our school as an edu- cational institution. A problem that has aroused much debate in recent years is that of the proper age limit for compulsory education. How long should a student be required by law to attend a second- ary school? The Abington stand is that a pupil should be required to attend until he completes a curriculum appropriate to his needs, not neces- sarily until he graduates, or until he is eighteen years of age, or until he secures remunerative employment. Pertinent to the curriculum, Abington believes that the faculty should study each pupil to discover his particular traits and abilities as a basis for his own educational program. The greater the size of the school, however, the harder it will be for individual student contact. Both teacher and pupil are handicapped by large classes, made up of many students of varying abilities and inclinations. Should pupils be free to determine completely their own school activities? Nou is dehntely the answer to that question insofar as Abington High is concerned. The student body should have some part in determining the content and activities of its school experience, but the inexperience and immaturity of adolescents makes them poor judges even in matters of their own needs. However, too much conservation is also against the policy of our school. Students should be allowed to govern themselves and exercise their initiative as far as they prove themselves capable. On this question, Abington agrees with a report gathered from two hundred other secondary schools. Concerning pupil activities, our belief is that the sponsor of a student organization should remain in the background as much as possible, giving advice and opinions only when requested. However, when pupil initiative does not manifest itself, students and sponsor should develop their plans cooperatively. Abington High, through her faculty, has set forth her philosophy of education as it concerns the secondary school, feeling sure that most of the students are in complete accord with her aims. 8

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B. GERNERT Prifzcijml PRINCIPAUS MESSAGE To the classes of 1940: Your senior year at Abington has witnessed the introduction of broader vocational and industrial training opportunities for members of your class and for those who may succeed you. These opportunities of training in the tain industrial and commercial processes should not be separated from the realization that employers demand that young people be l ' l course or in any other selective field of preparation, may I again urge your careful thought upon the value of growing in competence in other areas of life and especially of becoming useful citizens skills necessary to cer equipped to work. ln tie vocationa in your community. E. B. CJERNERT