Bellows Falls High School - Sampler Yearbook (Bellows Falls, VT)

Page 8 text:

FOREWORD Blueprint for the Future Before a man builds anything of major proportions, he makes a blueprint. This blueprint is what he uses during construction, so that his final product will be as perfect as possible. The editorial staff of the Sampler endeavored in compiling this volume to draw up the educational blueprint which has evolved over a period of many years and which is now being used by the citizens of the Town of Rockingham in building future citizens for the com- munity and the world. This blueprint, developed within Bellows Falls High School, is well- rounded. It includes not only the academic, but also the sports, activ- ities, organizations, and social life which are necessary if the product — the student — is to be a capable individual in tomorrow's world and one who in turn will educate his sons as his forefathers educated him. Our purpose is to record this blueprint as it stands in the year 1959, and in so doing we hope we have given an accurate picture of school life here. Above all we wish to enable the memory-seeker of future years to recapture the enjoyable experiences of the past. DEDICATION The students of Bellows Falls High School have found in Miss Hennessey a model of loyalty and de- votion to the highest principles for which the teach- ing profession stands. Her unswerving adherence to fairness in her dealings with pupils and fellow teach- ers, the unselfish giving of herself to help the faltering student, her insistence upon the highest of personal integrity in her students and her own finest exem- plification thereof have endeared her to hundreds of boys and girls in Bellows Falls and have in- spired many an adult in our community. We there- fore dedicate this 1959 Sampler to Miss Ann Hen- nessey who in retiring from active teaching remains forever in the hearts of all who have known her and worked with her in Bellows Falls High School. 4

Page 10 text:

The Board as it meets in the Superintendent's office. The members are John Fletcher, chairman; William Hennessey, clerk; and John Porter. Mr. Holland, Superintendent of Schools, is to the left of the group at his desk. THE SCHOOL BOARD The School Board in the town of Rockingham has three members, all graduates of Bellows Falls High School. These are John Fletcher, chairman; William Hennessey, clerk; and John Porter. These men are ordinary town citizens who have been elected to their posts on the school board by their fellow townsmen. The duties of a school board as outlined in a hand- book put out by the state board of education include interpreting the needs of the community, developing school policy, selecting and working with administrators and teachers of the schools in their school system, furnishing finances, and keeping the public informed on the purpose, value, conditions, and needs of public education in the community. In developing policy for the school, the school board basically interprets and extends the state laws concern- ing schools to apply to teachers, pupils, and others in the local school system. At all times, the board is re- sponsible for seeing that state laws are carried out in the local situation. These laws and regulations pertain to such matters as taxation, budgeting, purchasing, contracting debt, construction school buildings, trans- porting pupils, truancy, health of pupils, curriculum, length of school term, and manner of instruction. The board has recently revised the salary schedule, including in the new schedule a rather unique feature which gives recognition for long and loyal service by any teacher. A teacher who has taught in the Rocking- ham school system for twenty or more years and who has complied with the State Retirement regulations may, five years before retirement, obtain a $500 in- crease in salary, thereby enhancing their state retire- ment pay. The Rockingham School Board is also intending not only to develop a good school athletic field but also to establish a good family recreation area. 6