Charles H Milby High School - Buffalo Yearbook (Houston, TX)

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W THE 1926 BUFFALO Ft! H J. 0. Webb Superintendent Harrisburg Independent School District

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BUFFALO H HARRISBURG JUNIOR HIGH

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The schools of the Harrisburg Independent School District have experienced a phenomenal growth. The scholastic enrollment has in- creased from 2421 in 1924 to 3543 in 1926. This growth in population explains largely the demand for more facilities. The school patrons have been quick to recognize the needs and have responded liberally in support of bond issues. $500,000 voted within the last two years, out of which two high schools and two large additions to elementary schools have been provided, tells the story of progress in this respect. Many difficult problems have confronted the school board and the superintendent during the past two years. The planning of buildings so that they would be modern and serviceable and at the same time soundly and economically constructed has been a big task. The equipping of buildings so that the best could be secured has in itself been a problem. This phase of the work has now been practically completed and the school district has buildings and equipment of which it need not be ashamed. But buildings and equipment do not make schools. The chief factor in any educational system in the last analysis is the teacher. It has been our aim to employ and retain the best teachers available. Stand- ards have been raised so that now all of our high school teachers are graduates of colleges and universities or have had training equivalent to that. Teachers who continue in our schools must keep abreast of the times. At least once every three years teachers must take work that will better fit them for their tasks. This may be done in summer schools or through extension or correspondence courses. In keeping with the demands made for more efficient service on the part of the teachers has come an increase in their remuneration. Good teachers cannot be secured on poor salaries. During the last two years salaries for grade teachers have increased from $90 to $115 and high school salaries from $125 to $150 and $160. One result seen in having more effective teaching is the raising of standards in the high school. The number of units of affiliation was increased last year from twenty-two to twenty-seven and one-half. This year the number will likely be increased to thirty-two, making a total of ten additional units in the past two years. Another result is improved scholarship in the general mass of the students. The student body as a whole is manifesting a fine attitude toward school work and is seeing the necessity for high standards. We have done much toward developing an excellent program in physical education. This has grown to the extent that the great majority of children are being given the opportunity for healthful, wholesome play. In connection with this has come direct teaching of health lessons, diet, sleeping, and other factors pertaining to good