Mount Vernon High School - Forum Yearbook (Mount Vernon, OH)

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The Years Have Brought Changes In School Rules and Regulations The Mount Vernon Board of Education published a booklet in ISS4 called a Manual and Annual Report. This included a history of the educational system in the city, a list of all the graduates, a complete curricu- lum of all grades, and some general rules. Some of the regulations are not very much different from those of the schools today; however, we were amused as we made some comparisons with the present curriculum. Both written and oral examinations were given in all grades including the primary ones at the end of each term. The pupil ' s promotion depended on the passing of these examinations. Pupils could be pro- moted to a higher grade any time during the school year if — upon strict examination he was found competent to do the work of a higher grade. DUTIES OF THE SUPERINTENDENT The Superintendent shall have regular office hours from 8:30 to 9:30 a. m., and from 1:10 to 2:10 p. m. He shall be in the office, halls, or on the playgrounds during recess unless called away by important business connected with the schools. He shall not leave the city during school sessions except by permission of the Board of Education. He shall prepare all questions for written exam- inations, and oversee the grading of pupils on the same. He shall direct the teachers as to the best methods of instruction and government, giving special attention to those of primary grades who have had little ex- perience in the profession. He shall carefully note the modes of government and instruction pursued by each teacher; and whenever he doubts the qualifications, efficiency, or fitness of a teacher, he shall report the same, promptly and distinctly to the Board. DUTIES OF TEACHERS Teachers are expected to attend Teachers ' Institute either in this city or some other city or county at least once a year unless prevented by illness. Teachers shall require cleanliness of person and dress, neatness, obedience, and order from all pupils. Teachers shall give special attention to the thorough ventilation of their school rooms, and keep them as near as possible at a uniform temperature. The clocks in various rooms shall be kept with the bell in the high school building. All teachers must be in their school rooms at the first ringing of the bell. The morning session of each school shall be opened by the reading of a portion of scripture and a prayer. Each teacher shall prepare a program of the daily exercises. She shall keep the same in her room, and shall furnish a neat copy to the superintendent within two weeks after the beginning of each term, and shall give him notice of any change made therein. DUTIES OF PUPILS It shall be the duty of every pupil to render strict obedience to the authorities of the school, and anyone failing to do the same shall be excluded from the school. Pupils will not be permitted to use tobacco in any form or have it in their possession about the school premises. All slates must be covered to prevent noise and damage to the desks. Pupils shall walk quietly and in single file up and down the stairs, and through the halls making no unnecessary noise or engaging in conversation. They shall not bring to school books, papers, or anything else not required by their studies. Pupils must not collect about school buildings before the first ringing of the bell. They shall not remain in the halls, stairways, or on the walks. They shall leave the school premises, and go directly home after the close of school, unless detained by the teacher. Balls, toys, and other playthings are strictly pro- hibited from the play grounds and premises. Any pupil receiving ten marks for misconduct shall be reported to the Superintendent. If he receives ten demerits in one term, he shall be suspended. Absence from examinations or rhetorical exercises without reasons satisfactory to the Superintendent cannot be allowed. DUTIES OF THE JANITORS They shall sweep and dust each school room twice a week. The basements where the children play and eat their dinners shall be swept once in two weeks. They shall kindle fires when necessary, separate the coal from the ashes, and see that the ashes, slag, and cinders are removed from the premises. They shall keep yards and privies clean and in good order. They shall wind up and keep all clocks in good order. They shall sprinkle the yard and street in hot weather, and see that the water is let off from the water pipes in winter. Provide water for teachers and pupils morning and afternoon. They shall ring bells according to schedules. ' They shall notify members of the Board, of Board meetings, and carry messages that shall be necessary for the good of the schools. GENERAL RULES School hours shall be from 8:55, a.m. until 4:30, p.m. The school bell shall be rung for five minutes at 8:30, 8:50, 1:10, 1:25, and at the close of both school sessions. In no case shall a pupil be kept in school for more than five minutes after the ringing of the bell at the close of the school session. Non-resident pupils shall be charged two dollars a month for attending high school. Schools shall be graded as follows: High School course, four years; Grammar School, two years; the three Secondaries and Intermediate, one year each; and the Primary two years. Recess is for the purpose of thoroughly ventilating the rooms as well as to furnish exercise for the pupils. Teachers are required to open windows and doors, and to keep a careful supervision of the pupils on the play- grounds. No pupil will be allowed to remain in the room during recess, except the girls in the high school, unless the weather is inclement. 13

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The Men Who Have Guided Our Destinies In 1858 there were not more than five stu- dents in the high school, so the superintendent of schools added the duties of high school principal to his schedule. The list of superin- tendents is complete, but we are not sure about the principals. The first principal ' s name that appears in any history is that of Mr. M. A. Yarnell in 1884. That year there were only eight graduates, so we assume that Mr. Yarnell was the first high school principal. We were interested in noticing the fact that in our first hundred years there have been the same number of superintendents and principals. Several principals moved into the superintend- ency after they had been principals. SUPERINTENDENTS Captain William Mitchell 1858 - 1864 Colonel P. D. Hayes 1864 - 1866 Charles Baker 1866-5 mo. Richard Marsh 1867 - 1883 J. A. Shawan 1883 - 1889 Lewis Bonebrake 1889 - 1898 John Baxter 1898-1905 John G. Leland 1905 - 1907 John Alan 1907 - 1913 P. Zemer I9I3 - 1921 Dr. A. W. Elliott 1921 - 1941 John D. Geiger 1941 - 1953 Dr. Harold Nichols 1953 - 1955 Charles Pickens 1955 PRINCIPALS The dates for some of the principals were not available. M. A. Yarnell 1884-1885 Mr. Weld 1885 - 1890 John Baxter 1890 - 1898 John Leland 1898 - 1905 John Alan 1905 - 1907 R. E. Offenhower C. H. Winans W. S. Rimer 1916-1920 Dr. Harlan Koch 1920 - 1924 John D. Geiger 1924- 1941 Kenneth West 1941 - 1954 Charles Pickens 1954-1955 Clark Pouts 1955 - 1956 H. Max Wiggins 1956 0- h-:::. i 12

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Coming to School in the ISOO s Was Slow Process LEFT: Until 1892 a covered bridge spanned the Kokosing River. This vifas the only way to enter Mount Vernon from the south. When the Commissioners decided to construct a new bridge, most of them wanted to make it the width of two buggies. Thomas Vannatta would not sign any contracts until the rest of the commissioners voted to make it as wide as it is today. Imagine five o ' clock traffic going across the present viaduct if it were just the width of two buggies! Courtesy Clinton Williarr RIGHT: In 1892 construction of a new viaduct was started which resulted in the present bridge connecting South Main Street with the Newark and Columbus Roads. Bob Lipps Photo Courtesy Clinton Williams LEFT: In a recent check on the viaduct, it was estimated that more than 11,000 cars and trucks cross this bridge every day. More than one third of the high school students now come to school across this viaduct. Traffic has become so heavy entering Mount Vernon from the south and west, that a new approach has been made from West High Street.