Gratz High School - Gratzonian Yearbook (Philadelphia, PA)

Page 13 text:

,Simon Hfmdg ,Schvnl When the school officially opened its doors for learning, Mr. I. Elwood Calhoun became its first principal. Subsequent to his death on February 8, l938, the office was filled by Dr. E. Carl Werner, a former head of the Commercial Department and at the time a Iunior l-ligh School principal. lt is under his expert guidance and supervision that our school has continued its progress. By work- ing with the students and the faculty, Dr. Werner has given the school a cooperative, friendly, and pleasant spirit. lt is this deep- centered spirit which makes Gratz students different from students of other high schools. Early in the history of our school, the new student body, together with the teachers, or- ganized a student government, now known to all of us as the Students Association Throughout the years it has steadily im- proved with each class, and today it is the heart of all student activity. L. - . Sgtii gfr j ' gc fifijigL.j?,fwl'- 5 .ffiisffis '5t-f1f'bffr'f'- , - .. .. . M., ff, in 5? gi xv ln the course of years our school has been noted for its excellent athletic teams: foot- ball, basketball, swimming, baseball, soccer, and today we have just reason to be proud of our tennis team. A democratic school, like a democratic nation, must express its views through the press, The voice of our opinions is ably exe pressed through the 'lSpotlight, which is one of the best school papers among all the high schools of Philadelphia. Today, graduates of Simon Gratz are fight- ing in all corners of the globe, to help pre- serve the teachings of citizenship and de- mocracy that Simon Cfratz High has taught them. Since our school was built, thousands of students have received an education not only in community living, but have learned also to become essential aids in the con- struction and shaping of a democratic way of living for millions of people throughout the world. .. xl t:QgLf.,f'Q'1f M 2 . ffm- 'Mb i f .. .1 wi - , 4, .- -1 K -- '

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SCHOOL HISTORY A great institution ot learning, whose aim has been to educate the youth ol yesterday and today, opened its doors to the com- munity in September, l927. Qn that eventful day in September, boys and girls from nearly all the high schools in Philadelphia became the pioneer class ot the Simon Gratz High School. The first impression one receives when ap- proaching Gratz High is ol a grey cathedral- like building, with towers embracing the clouds. Our school is built ot a yellow-grey brick, styled after English Gothic architec- ture, Mr, Bromberg, the father of one of the girls from our graduating class, helped lay out the grounds which surround Gratz High. The property on which the Simon Gratz High School was built was once circus grounds. The Gratz building accommodates 3,500 to 4,000 students, and contains two hundred and eleven rooms. These rooms are designed and equipped for academic, commercial, and industrial studies. The students of Gratz High can also be proud of their tine auditorium, gymnasiums, lunch rooms, and locker rooms. The dedication ot this stately and majestic building took place on Armistice Day, 1928.

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'uouhavrlmnnnufzqzukibzqlzqhf Ltflula wr for Aifubnn wbfh all nw: 3 1 DR E. CARL WERNER Principal IO