Oakfield High School - Oak Leaves Yearbook (Oakfield, WI)

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race of life. By means of physiology he learns what is essential for his physical welfare; by means of botany he learns what real conditions exist in nature for his benefit ai:d pleasure: by means of agriculture he becomes acquainted with the betterment of his farm home; and in the physical geography he learns how these things are brought about. In physics he learns to recognize some of the complicated theories of nature in the field of heat, light and electricity and hence in these various lines becomes a greater lover of the possibilities of nature. One of the greatest defects of the American people today i3 the ignorance and misuse of the mother tongue. In fact at times one really thinks that the colloquial language seems to be getting the upper hand. To partly overcome this defect we offer a strong course in English, hoping thereby to help raise the standard of the spoken and written language. The unquestioned value of mathematics is still continued in the high school with the addition of greater and more applicable problems of commercial life. The earliest education consisted primarily of emphasis upon the three It's, of which arithmetic still holds its important position. It teaches the pupil the all important accuracy which many other courses do not especially emphasize. With geometry and algebra the student is enabled to reason and apply himself carefully. The next course to be emphasized is one of very great importance in molding the character and progress of each and every one of the pupils. The field of history likewise is of great dimensions but which has in reality more definite boundaries than science. It is by means of history that the human race of today may look back into ages and thus compare their present situation. It is by means of history that great and noble characters are brought before us in story and with which we can measure our own lives and times. An educated man must be familiar with the trend of the world’s history in order to appreciate his own time and look forward to better times. Without history the world would not have anything to improve and this would mean a standstill. Together with this great branch we offer a strong course in civics by which the pupil may become acquainted with the routine of his government; whereby he may become a better citizen, which is very much needed in our day and age. We need but to look out about us to see the corrupt political affairs of our country due in great respect to the Ignorance of the citizens and voters. This course opens to the pupil the best of the government processes and shows him how to improve his conditions. We also offer a good course in the commercial line, with bookkeeping, commercial arithmetic, commercial geography, economics and business forms. While we do not pretend to offer a course as offered by a standard business college, yet our courses offer to the boy or girl an opportunity to establish a firm foundation for something better, or if finishing h’s education in the high school he has something that he can take with him in his profession. By means of the bookkeeping he learns the different standards of keeping books as well as knowing how to be accurate and especially neat in his books. Every firm has its own system of bookkeeping.

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THE OAKFIELD “In each and all lie the opportunities of an archangel as the majestic oak lies unfolded in the acorn.’’ As Lydia Maria Child uttered this expression she must have thought of the development of the child from the beginning. much of which lies in the early education in the public and high school. We recognize the fact that however perfect the acorn may appear, without placing it under favorable conditions we cannot expect the prospective majestic oak. It is to these conditions that I wish to call your attention as offered in Oakfleld High School. Even though our village is comparatively small, surely the citizens of Oakfleld can boast of a high school of high rank and standing. The size of the school is an important factor to consider in the step from public to high school. In a school of this size the individual receives greater attention, which often proves the success of the pupil from the rural school, especially. While obliged to “paddle his own canoe” in the large high school, here he is watched carefully as an individual. We first of all would like to call your attention to the accommodation offered by our school. We have a large, spacious building which, though not distinctly new, is well proportioned and cheery in appearance. The assembly room is large and bright, seating nearly fifty students at the beginning of this year. The recitation rooms are handy and well suited to the purpose. No recitations are conducted in HIGH SCHOOL the assembly room, giving the student a good chance to do his studying without interruption. Our science laboratory, though small in size, has a very good equipment for experimental work with bright prospects for additions next year. Our library is large and contains a large variety of reference and fiction books suited to all ages. Together with our building accommodations we offer a good course of study, which, as arranged, is suited to the development of an all around boy and girl. While impossible to give in this short treatise the real value of all the studies I will endeavor to show the general trend of the work and its value. We offer an elective course to juniors and seniors and hence supply a varied course to be chosen by upper class-men. After taking the required studies for two years the student has a partial foundation on which to choose for himself the nature of his remaining work. Each and every one of the branches has its particular value, but some may prove of greater value than others in accordance with his future plans. Although science is a field of great dimensions we offer a standard which should prove of great value to the person either preparing himself for a future course or a practical every-day application. He or she comes in direct contact with nature in its diversified forms by taking advantage of these courses and thus fits himself as a greater factor in the

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so the system may not prove of such value, but the student does learn the fundamentals which he will more readily apply when given the real test. It is our aim to establish these conditions. Also with the course in commercial geography and economics the student can apply himself to the conditions and thus be more able to meet perchance the great question of “high cost of living. But we do not alone offer a good course of solid work, for the old saying goes “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. Our athletics prove a great factor in the recreation of the school and which in many cases proves the real life of the school. Football was reawakened last fall with a fairly good result. In view of the interest taken in the sport the Board of Education voted the official “O,” which was a new factor at Oakfield High School. Basketball is also an important sport and here, too. considerable success was gained with a long season of games. Our school is strictly on the accredited list of the University of Wisconsin after having undergone a thorough examination by the inspector last fall. Representatives are now attending the university, Ripon College and Lawrence College, which goes to prove that the graduates are accepted without question. With all of these facilities ready for your choice we extend a hearty welcome to all those who contemplate pursuing a high school course. X. G. LEX’TZNER, Principal.