Hellgate High School - Halberd Yearbook (Missoula, MT)

Page 11 text:

dminiitra io PRINCIPAL G. A. KETCHAM WHAT'S YOUR EXCUSE? MISSOULA HIGH'S BAR OF JUSTICE The dominant figure in our school life is Principal G. A. Ketcham. With his kindly counsel and assistance, stu- dents feel at ease in telling him their troubles and ambitions. His executive ability meets pupils every day in the systematic and smoothly run school year. With twenty-nine years of expe- rience behind him he upholds the tra- ditions of Missoula County High School. He is presiding officer of the office and its proceedings. From an enrollment of 263 in 1912, Principal Ketcham has seen the school enlarge to a three story structure with an enrollment of fifteen hundred. In spite of a fire and depres- sion, Missoula High has continued to make progress and to become a leader in the field of education. To casual on-lookers the most im- portant job of the office seems to be the recording of absences and tardi- nesses. This is important because the office workers must determine excused and unexcused absences and hand out blue and white permits accordingly. All students who enter or withdraw are recorded in the files and are given counsel as to the advisability of their actions. If withdrawals are for unmer- ited reasons, students' mistakes are pointed out and kindly persuasion is used to lead them to continue their edu- cation. Those problem children who have no desire to learn and repeatedly break school regulations are dealt with accordingly. Detailed records are kept of each stu- dent ever enrolled in school. Future employers make a bee-line for the high school records of former students. Bad points as well as good are recorded with equal fairness. In these and num- erous other ways all of us at some time come in contact with the office and learn of the tremendous everyday du- ties essential to a harmonious school day. DEAN'S DEN 10