Franklin County High School - Animo Yearbook (Rocky Mount, VA)

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DELI Even in a democracy, however, every child has the right to attend the public school only so long as he conducts himself in a way that he does not interfere with the general efficiency of the school and is not a demoralizing influence on other pupils. We believe that, by and large, youth are capable of accepting and observing reasonable ethical standards and that the school must assume the responsibility for training and guidance in these areas. Limitations upon behavior should be estab- lished cooperatively by faculty and students where possible and accepted with the recognition that they are for the best interests of the school. We believe that equal educational opportunities should be provided for all, regardless of locality. The education of its citizenry is the responsibility of nation, state, and local political units. The financial task of providing adequate physical equipment and teaching personnel should be shared by these political units to the needs and efforts of the particular locality. The needs of pupils should be the determining factor in the facilities to be provided. The teaching of basic skills is of paramount importance, and the good school never loses sight of this fact. The mastery of fundamentals is nec- essary for living in our complex society, but the school has not met its obligations until it has provided a program that will meet the needs and interests of pupils that will enable them to develop mentally, physically and morally to their fullest capacity. Citizenship requires not only academic literacy but the realization of social, civic, and economic responsibilities as well. The school program should be based on the needs, interests, and abilities of the student body, taking into consideration the general characteris- tics of the community, which influence the social, economic, intellectual and physical development of the students to be served. Home life, previous school experiences, out-of-school activities, wants and desires, as well as the peculiar needs of the community should be factors in determining the program to be offered. Education is an enterprise involving many com- munity agencies. As the chief institution developed by society for education, the school should co- operate with community agencies in the interests of a better educational program for the commun- ity. However, outside agencies should not attempt to direct the activities of the school. The Principal, with the co-operation of the Staff, exercises this control.

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lilo UUF (The school philosophy as it appears here was developed by the faculty during the year 1950-51, which was our first year in the new Franklin County High School.) Pips. @.E Flay We hold a firm belief in democracy and the American way of life and are committed to defend it; therefore, we believe that education for the preservation and improvement of the democratic way of life is a major function of the school. The only way to preserve democracy successfully is to prepare youth to live democratically. Therefore, the primary function of the high school is to serve the Student in his total development as he grows into worthy membership in a democracy. The secondary function is to improve the quality of living in the community through service to adults and children. Educaticn in a democracy must meet the edu- cational needs of all youth. It must prepare each individual to live a satisfactory life and to serve mankind to the best of his ability. The school should provide an opportunity for each individual to develop himself into the best rounded individual of which he is capable. Therefore, the high school must accept pupils at whatever stage of mental and physical development it finds them and provide a program based on their needs and abilities at that jevel where possible. The compulsory attend- ance law requires that every pupil, who is not prevented by reason of physical or mental handi- cap, attend school until he reaches the age of sixteen. Furthermore, every pupil should continue in school until he has completed a curriculum appropriate to his needs.

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