Clifton High School - Rotunda Yearbook (Clifton, NJ)

Page 32 text:

Tl-IE REFLECTOR W' In PLANNING CAREERS Editor's Note: At our request, Mr. Berthold, Director of the Vocational Guidance Program to be introduced in September, presents in this article the guidance plan pro- posed by Principal Walter F. Nutt, and approved by Superintendent of Schools George I. Smith. Hard times are particularly hard upon the young, not so much on account of the immediate sacrifices they are call- ed upon to make, but rather because of the break or lack of continuity in their e life's plan brought about by a period of depression. While it is true that some pupils still are fortunate enough to be able to continue their studies in colleges or technical schools, many young men and women are leaving the public schools, not, as formerly, to enter upon their lifeis work, but, unfortunately now, to enter upon a period of enforced leisure or non-employment. The School is keenly aware of this condition and is striving by all means in its power to ameliorate the evil effects of it. 0ne expedient has been the en- couragement given to graduated pupils to return and take up post-graduate work in the High School. Whenever pos- sible, also, available funds have been applied to the further education of worthy students. To a limited degree some jobs have been opened up to pupils who have shown exceptional ability in given fields of endeavor. For many years academic guidance and advice have been given to senior students about to graduate. In recent years, however, it has become increasingly evident that new trends in society are forcing a planned economy upon us all. The School perceives the need of helping all its students toward the goal of the realization of a full and happy life. In order that each pupil may be speeded on his way of Ending his place in the world in which he lives, Vocational Guidance has been introduced in the public school systems. In the past, various plans of Vocational Guidance have been tried in numerous cities. Some have been most serviceable, others, due to the introduction of too much academic red-tape, have been disappointing. Our school has endeavored to profit by the successes as well as the failures of others and has, after careful consideration, decided to put into opera- tion a plan especially approved by the Research and Psychological Labora- tories of Columbia University. Twenty-eight

Page 31 text:

THE REFLECTOR WI IN Senior's scene twenty-five or less years from now: Ah, son, so you're taking Democracy now. You're taking up the history of Clifton? That's ine! Ch, you're studying about the change from the councilmanic to city manager form of government back in 1934. Yes, I was just about to graduate from Clifton High School when that change came about. I'll tell you about it .... Ways and means of making money for the Senior classes and other organizations in our school have lapsed. What's wrong? No ideas? A major plan I'm thinking of right now is that Clifton Night Revue. Quite a sum of money was realized on the affair, and I thought it was decided that it be an annual presentation. The Girls' Athletic Asso- ciation was in charge of it, but it was to be put into the hands of the General Organization. The proceeds of the yearly affair could then be distributed evenly among the active and Worthy groups of the school. But first we need an active G. O. Behold the New Reflector! We who have put into effect this new type of Reflector sincerely hope you enjoy it. Due to the unusual success of the Reflections Department's contest, you have a bigger and better humor section. See the action pictures in the Sport Section, and read something new in School Activities. Spend an enjoyable reading hour with the enjoyable stories and poems in the Literary Section. Warning to future graduates.-Make your plans for a graduation trip far, ever so far, in advance to insure a good trip. Don't be like us at present. Besides the trip itself, take some advice from those who know: Pay the class dues during the term, and avoid the last minute rush at the end of the semester to get this and that paid. What's this we hear about abolishment of marks? It seems that in certain places, the absence of marks for the pupils has increased their in- terest for the subjects due to the fact that they worry less about the abstract value of their learning. If such a plan Were to be adopted by schools, there would probably be many who would appreciate it. How- ever, there is a catch. The teacher quizzes you nevertheless, and at the end of the term, he is the one to judge Whether or not you are capable of advancement. You receive a note at the end of the semester as to passiing or failing. It's not a bad idea, but, like everything else, it has its au ts. Goodby, C. H. S.! Twenty-seven

Page 33 text:

THE REFLECTOR yu IN Through the efforts of Principal Walter F. Nutt a group of teachers who have had special training in this field have been duly appointed as vocational counselorsv for the High School. They have willingly given of their time to this task. No special compensation is to be given them for this work, except that of a slightly reduced teaching load. They will be released from one regular class. The five counselors: Miss Clarice Smith, CColumbiajg Miss Erna Brown, fRutgersj g Mr. Willard Campbell, fRider Collegej 5 Mr. George Coulthard, CRutgersj g Mr. Langley Claxton, Cllutgersj , and Mr. Charles Berthold, CColumbiaj , have collaborated with Principal Walter F. Nutt in preparing the entire guidance program. The plan, while detailed and intricate in many of its phases, may be reduced to a few simple principles and practices accepted as sound by educators and laymen alike. First, information on occupations and on occupational opportunity will be given to pupils in the form of annotated lists of possible jobs and positions, supplemented by the qualifications necessary in each field. These lists will open up to the pupils a widened view of the field of human endeavor. Second, pupils will be asked to supply the counselors with informa- tion concerning themselves, their likes and dislikes, etc., in self analysis blanks. These will be given to the pupils through their home rooms since home room teachers are better acquainted with their charges than class teachers. The results of the analyses will be checked with the tentatively selected careers. Excessive introspection will not be a feature of these self- analyses. Third, individual counseling or consulting will rake place between the pupil and the counselor in charge of the field in which the pupil is interested. As the result of these consultations the pupil's course of study will be checked, a plan of special preparation for the proposed life's work laid out, reading materials in the field made known to the pupil, visits and talks arranged, and progress checked. Parents, of course, will be urged to consult with their children and with the counselors on these matters. The fourilo step in the program embraces the placement of pupils in positions and a follow-up of their work. Wherever possible this will be done, but at the present time it must be realized that the school cannot work miracles, nor, in fact, does it hope to do so at any time. What the School hopes to do is to help pupils plan their careers in- telligently and intelligently to use the present leisure time to advantage for the future. Under no circumstances will any attempt be made to influence the decisions of pupils. They must be, and will be left free to decide their own futures. The guidance program will aid them in finding their separate paths and in following these to their respective goals. CHARLES A. BERTHoLD. Twenty-nine