Central Junior High School - Cub Yearbook (Kansas City, KS)

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THE CURRICULUM There were six courses offered--English, English-German, English- Latin, Industrial Arts, Household Economics and Business. Miss Emma Schaich, still living, and Miss Bertha Shall taught the first English-German classes. There were, besides F. L. Schlagle, on first faculty, people such as Cessna and Kirk Miller, Eva Hanna, Margaret Hyde, Flora Helwig, Emma Vanous, Mildred Spake, Helen Rose and Ruth Brown tTaylorD. All of these contributed to the school's immediate success. The first graduating class, in 1917, had 143 members. The first principal of the school was I-I. P. Shepherd. Mr. Pearson selected 25 experienced teachers from all over the city for the first faculty, in order to give the school a good start. Seventh, eighth and ninth grade children from eight schools in the west and southwest sections of the city, south of Central Avenue, enrolled in the new school. The eight schools were Riverview, Prescott, John J. Ingalls, John Fiske, Whittier, Park, Morse and Oakland KL. M. Alcottl. Unfortunately, the wing reserved for the Vifhittier children was almost immediately filled with junior high students. Early reports vary as to the number of students enrolled that first year. Portables soon clustered around the main building, built as they were needed for the Whittier children.

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THE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL In March 1915, Whittier teachers and children moved from their com- fortable schoolrooms into portable buildings at Tenth and Ivandale, so that the new editions and remodeling could begin. When the building was finished, Vifhittier would occupy one wing. The work was completed by the following spring of 1916. To celebrate its completion and introduce the school to every citizen, the most gigantic Open House in the history of the schools here was held. From May 8 to May 15, educational week was celebrated. A special booklet was issued with the cover picture labeled Whittier Junior High School. In the 25 rooms and the combined auditorium and gym were placed exhibits from every school in the city. There was special entertainment every afternoon and evening. Graduating Qllass nf 1917

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THE FIRST YEARS On May 5, 1920, a moving picture machine was installed. This was the only school in the city to own such a machine. The school's oldest organization, the Student Council, began in 1921, when pupils were trained for various duties and leadership in school activities. Wayne F. Shaw, former superintendent at Alma, Kansas, was elected the second principal of the school in August, 1921 after principal H. P. Shepherd left to become the high school principal at Lincoln, Nebraska. He organized a Latin course. ln 1920 and 21, a new bond election promised a new building and en- largement of the junior high school. ln April, 1922, the Whittier children moved from their portables into a fine new building. Two of their teachers, Miss Lena Feigner and Miss Hazel Wilson, later joined the junior high faculty. In 1922, a meeting was held to organize a Parent-Teachers' Associa- tion. The first teachers joining were Misses Hulda Pearson, Ruth Maher, Eula Bridger, Selma Wall and Emma Vanous. THE TWENTIES BROUGHT CHANGES In 1923, Northwest and Northeast Juniors were established. No longer one of a kind, Whittier was renamed, on April 23, 1923, to Central Junior High School. By 1925, Standardized Tests had been given to all children under the direction of Mr. Russel Wise, efficiency expert. In 1927, the north and south sections of the main building were added, the gymnasium lengthened and balconies added to accommodate the increas- ing services and enrollment.