Elwood Community High School - Crescent Yearbook (Elwood, IN)

Page 10 text:

mi; i: ckksoem BE READY In the midst of a great confusion and uncertainty we can be quite sure of one thing. This is change. Change seems to be a law which applies to all things and to all relationships and institutions as well. Even the most stable features of our physical environment are subject to change. It is in the field of human relations and human activity that change is most noticeable and most rapid. At present, changes in the field of human relations and human activity are taking place with such increasing speed that we have new ways of doing work, new ideas of government, new inventions and new discoveries of scientific consequence, as well as new industrial developments and new social problems. It is fairly well agreed that in all human relations intelligence is an asset and an essential tiling in a country such as ours. Never has the need for education been as great as at present. It is essential to the welfare of our country and of individuals as well that they know how to make choices wisely and to decide upon courses of action where several options are available. Much reading will bring an array of facts while experience will develop a method of selecting those facts which best fit conditions and which promise the most desirable outcomes. Good readers and good thinkers are greatly needed. It has been demonstrated that education can go on effectively throughout most of the period of one’s life. Some of the finest accomplishments of which we have knowledge and some of our most valuable discoveries have come from persons well along in years but who have kept the attitude of the learner. The value of good sportsmanship has been rather well recognized in the sports which schools emphasize. If carried out into life after school and given a fair chance, the spirit of good sportsmanship will bring less of exploitation and cruelty and more of justice and well-being. It will go far to bring co-operation which is one of the key words to the solution of our difficulties. More and more of leisure time is developing with greater responsibility upon individuals and groups to see that it is used in such a manner as to lead to improvement and not to harm. This will require that one learns how to play, how to appreciate music and art, how to read for enjoyment and profit, how to find activities which in themselves bring the satisfaction which comes from accomplishment. Many more challenges come to us. It is of consequence that we recognize them. Out of our thinking and our planning there should come new abilities, new devotions, new ideals, and a finer sense of the real values of life. It is important to define one’s purpose and to do much of planning. —W. F. Smith Page Six

Page 9 text:

rm; i; ckkscknt Mr. Charles E. Barnes DO YOU KNOW-? Do you know these people? If you are not acquainted with them, you should be, for they are the members of our School Board of Education. Mrs. Georgie R. Wesseler is president of this organization; Mr. R. T. Boston, secretary; and Mr. Charles E. Barnes, treasurer. Do you know why they were appointed to these positions? They were appointed because of some special fitness for the position, because of some political affiliation with the city government, and also in accordance with the state laws. Do you know of what their duties consist? They select the teachers, janitors, and equipment for the schools, such as seats, desks, pencil sharpeners, and many other things. They install lockers for the students' convenience and attend to the upkeep of the gymnasium. They also set the date for vacations, and reason enough for every student keeping in the good graces of the school board. They are appointed by our city council to hold office for a term of three years. One new member is selected each year. In this way we do not have an entirely new school board at one time. Many high school students realize the advantages they have in being able to acquire a high school education, but we dare say that the majority of them do not realize who makes these advantages possible. Of course, we know our parents pay taxes and that this money is a necessity to our education, but we do not understand the importance of our school board. This school board's position should be well studied. Perhaps if it was, more-students than before would better understand its decisions in many problems. We hope by answering these various questions more people may understand the importance of the Board of Education and try in all ways to co-operate with it. Prfgt Five Mr. R. T. Boston

Page 11 text:

Tilt MA ClttSCKNT CHARACTER EDUCATION At no time in the educational history of the world has there been so universal a recognition of the supreme need of Character training as at present. And at no time has there been so universal and so persistent a search for the right or best method for this training. By a surprising unanimity the American educational world has agreed upon the following seven great objectives of education: 1. Health and Safety 2. Worthy Home Membership 3. Mastery of Took, Technic, and Spirit of Learning. 4. Vocational and Economic Effectiveness 5. Faithful Citizenship 6. Wise Use of Leisure Time 7. Ethical Character The one of these, Ethical Character, which has been placed last, many thoughtful students feel should be placed first. It has perhaps been placed last because, as yet, no satisfactory solution of its difficulties has been found, or perhaps because of the greater success in the practical teaching of the other great objectives. Oddly enough, although the twelve grades of our school system are almost universally established and the seven objectives generally recognized, there is no corresponding recognition of the relation prevailing between any one, or between all the grades and the seventh objective, ETHICAL CHARACTER. There is in the case of the seventh objective, no specific connection between the subject Character Training, the grade or grades, and the final goal to be attained, the rearing of approved citizens. It should be concluded, because there is yet no practical agreement upon the best method of the training for Character, that no effort is being made. Exactly the opposite is the case. Everywhere in America thoughtful and conscientious students are realizing, not only that an adequate method of training for Character is our greatest need at present, but also that, once found, it will be an achievement of supreme importance. Several difficulties have thus far interfered with success. Our great difficulty has been in determining what the prime character qualities or elements are, and the sequence in which they should be taken up in the child's life. Are there prime elements of Character? If so, what are they? It has been felt more or less vaguely that there must be character qualities or elements of prime or root value, together with others of minor, or related, value. Three widespread, conscientious efforts have been made (Continued on page 42) MR. C. C. HILLIS P.lRt Stl'i'M