Gratz High School - Gratzonian Yearbook (Philadelphia, PA)

Page 16 text:

DR. WALTER E. HOWARTH Special Assistant to the Principal The supervision of the pupil personnel lies in thc hands of our eflicient and understanding assistant principal, Miss jane McCleary. Miss McCleary makes many guidance adjustments, at' tends to problems of attendance and punctual, ity, and takes care of various incidental matters for the principal. As chairman of committees such as the Wzir Council, courses in Indoctrination, and several other war courses, she has done Hne work. Numerous adjustments and plans are made in her oflice concerning the welfare of students. Her devotion to them can be seen by the man' ner in which she handles those who have any difficulties. Miss McCleary has the welfare of all Cratz students at heart when she says, lt is my ear' nest wish that the graduates of June, 1944, will find that the years spent at Gratz have proved a preparation for assuming the responsibilties of adult life. ASSISTANTS Our class can really pride itself in the fact that Dr. Walter E. Howarth, special assistant to the principal, came to Gratz at the same time as our class. Dr. Howarth served as elementary principal in other schools for fifteen years. There are many activities of which he is in charge around our school. The Mothers' Club, whose purpose it is to develop a good relation' ship between the school and home, is one of them. The Victory Corps, which has been organ' ized since Pearl Harbor, is doing a praise' worthy job under Dr. Howarth's direction. Its most recent work is that of the Blood Donor's Pledge, in cooperation with the American Red Cross. Dr. Howarth has been instrumental in organf izing the Athletic Advisory Council, which group is to assist the principal in formulating a policy for the development of athletics in this school. In fact, Dr. Howarth has been interested in everything about this school, and has always been willing to help whenever called upon. MISS JANE MCCLEARY Special Assistant to the Principal

Page 15 text:

OUR PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE We, in America, have long believed in thc value of universal education, From the early days of the Republic to the present, the leaders of our country have stressed the importance of education as one of the bulwarks of democracy. We believe that an educated and intelligent citi- zenry is necessary for a people to govern itself wisely and to safeguard its liberties. The American people have placed great faith in the public schools. They are convinced that they are necessary to preserve' and improve our form of government. No nation has more widely extended the opportunities of higher education to those who are willing and able to accept them. You, who are to be graduated in a few days from this high school, have had the benefit of many years of education and training in the public school system of a great city. During these years, much time has been devoted to the development of proficiency in the elementary tools of learning and in the acquisition of varif ous other skills, knowledges, and appreciations. In our studies we have sought to develop an understanding of American ideals and the demo' cratic faith. This understanding has been exem' plified by our attitudes and relations within the school and in the activities of our Students As' sociation. These experiences were of the utmost importance in developing an understanding of the democratic way of life. I congratulate you upon the successful com' pletion of your high school studies and I am certain that the training and the ideals of our school will sustain you in the years that lie ahead. May these years be happy and many! Sincerely, ZTQJJJ For three years our school days have been profitable, happy, and enjoyable, For three years they have been guided by our principal, Dr. E. Carl Werner, who has managed our school so efficiently. Upon his graduation from Central High School, he entered the University of Pennsylf vania, where he pursued his undergraduate studies and also acquired the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. He then became a teacher in the Commerce Department at the Germantown 'High School. A few years later he was promoted to the Frank- ford High School as headship of the Commerce Department. When Simon Gratz High School was ollicially opened, Dr. Werner came here. In 1932 he was appointed principal of the Penn Treaty Jr. High School. Six years later, he was returned to Simon Gratz, as principal, after the death of Mr. J. Elwood Calhoun. Under his leadership and guidance, and his constant work with the student body and faculty, the school has been greatly improved. His progressive ideas have met with the sincere approval of the students, Such innovations as guidance counsel' lors, distributive education, and schoolfwork pro' grams which were added to the high schools in recent years have had his earnest support. The keen interest he takes in school athletics has led to a dehnite plan for an athletic field across the street. He also has organized a Student Athletic Council. The Music and Art Departments are grateful, too, for Dr. Werner's interest in their respective fields. There is not one department or activity in our school that does not have Dr. Werner's interest and attention. For such devotion we can only say, Thank you, Dr. Werner, we will not forget all that you have done.

Page 17 text:

Miss Helen Faust, Miss Martha Derr, Dr. Margaret Abel, Mr. Howard Strouse, Mrs. Clare Redmond. GUIDANCE There is always a guiding light for any stu' dent seeking advice in any problem or query confronting him. Our able staff of guidance counsellors help students plan rosters to meet graduation requirements, arrange partftime em- ployment, solicit vocational information, and send letters of recommendation and information to the armed forces. They have a number of diversified activities. ROSTER Our roster Committee handles one of the most complicated tasks, combining supervisivn of selection of subjects to meet graduation re' quirements, estimating classes, scheduling asf semblies, building master rosters for teachers and pupils alike. The faculty and student body should be grateful for the efforts in their behalf, Mr. john W. Wieder. Back-Front: Miss Elsie M. Rieman, Miss Mary Elfrey, Miss Bessie Bernstein, Miss Mabel A. Meng.