Paramus High School - Delphian Yearbook (Paramus, NJ)

Page 9 text:

Of Education Mr. Wesley Van Pelt, the Board’s Business Administrator and Secretary, stated that one of the most important functions of the Board of Education is to determine and establish a program of education that meets the needs of the students in the best possible manner. When the ninth grade enters the high school next year, the Board of Educa¬ tion will be called upon to provide even greater student learning experiences. Mr. Wesley Van Pelt School Business Administration Secretary Mr. Mele, Director of Personnel, believes that education is a life long process. Education should provide the learner with the tools and experience for a productive and fulfilling life. Including the ninth grade in the high school should provide greater opportunities for students regarding course offerings, electives, clubs, intramurals, and other activities. When asked about the future of Paramus High School, Mr. Mele stated: “The highly regarded reputation of the high school should continue to grow through the efforts of its dedicated staff.” Mr. Ralph Mele Director of Personnel Mr. A. Lincoln Koenig Maintenance Director Jltt iirmDriam On February 16, 1977 an important link in our chain of command was broken. On that day the Paramus school system lost A. Lincoln Koenig. “Line,” as he was affect ionately known to his friends and fellow workers, was born in North Bergen and moved to Paramus when he was in the fourth grade. He attended Farview School (now George W. Hodgins School), Hack¬ ensack High School, and took night courses at Fairleigh Dickinson. Prior to his association with the Paramus school system, Mr. Koenig served in the Army Infantry from 1941 to 1945. He began his career with the Paramus Public Schools as a custodian in the Midland School in September of 1946, when Paramus had only two elementary schools. He became the head custodi¬ an in 1951. He has been the Director of Maintenance for over twenty years in which he coordinated the duties of eighty custodians, matrons, and mainte¬ nance workers. He has seen the school system’s student population grow from 600 to 7,000 with 7 elementary schools, 2 junior high schools, a senior high school, and more th an 175 acres of property. “Line” was beloved by everyone. He worked tirelessly and ceaselessly to maintain the high standards of excellence which we enjoy today. He will be keenly missed by his widow, the former Anna Behnke, his three children, his colleagues, the Board of Education, and the community which he served so unselfishly and loyally. 5

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Board Back Row: Mr. Milton Katine, Mr. William H. Schmidt, Mr. Robert J. Schulz, Mr. Paul Shelly (Superintendent), Mr. Nelson F. Bellesheim, Mr. Seymour Handel. Front Row: Mr. Harvey Schaffer, Mr. Wesley Van Pelt, Mr. Gregory P. Cinnella (President), Mr. Kenneth R. Arnold (Vice-President), Mrs. Irma Leeds. “Carrying out the will of the people in the matter of public education” is the main purpose of the Board of Education. Policy making, executive activities, and appraisal activities are the main functions of the Board of Education. Meetings of the Board are held every second Monday of each month. These meetings are divided into two major categories. First, there are special or regular meetings where official action is taken. These meetings are always open to the public and anyone is welcome to participate. Another type is a discussion meeting which may or may not be open to the public. Although members of the community are allowed to attend open sessions, they may not participate. President of the Board of Education, Mr. Gregory Cinnella, feels that education is a partnership of students and teachers. As a graduate of New York University, and presently employed as a Certified Public Accountant at R.D. Hunter and Company, Mr. Cinnella believes that education means exposure, stimulation of the mind, new experiences, absorbing information, and learning. According to Mr. Cinnella, Paramus High School is here for one reason — YOU, the student. 4 Mr. Gregory P. Cinnella President of the Board of Education

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Dispensers of . . . Vice-president of the Board of Education, Mr. Kenneth Arnold, is pres¬ ently employed at Wagner Electric Corporation, and is an alumnus of Fordham University. When asked what his philosophy of education is, Mr. Arnold stated: “I believe that our school system should be designed to educate, to the extent of the community’s capability, each child to the maximum of his or her potentials.” Mr. Kenneth Arnold Vice-President When asked his philosophy of education, Mr. Nelson Bellesheim, former President of the Board of Education, stated “that a community should provide an atmosphere conducive to learning that meets the needs of the wide variety of learning abilities represented by the students.” Mr. Belle¬ sheim, a graduate of Dartmouth College, and now employed as a Regional Service Engineer at the Otis Elevator Company, feels that this no easy task, and the best help a School Board can give is to employ and encourage an outstanding administrative staff. Mr. Nelson Bellesheim Mr. Seymour Handel, a graduate of City College, New York, and a teacher in Social Studies, thinks that each student is a unique being, with his or her own special talents and needs. Emphasis must be placed on the individual. As a Board of Education member, Mr. Handel states that each student should be challenged to learn at his or her maximum capacity. Educational systems, such as Paramus, must recognize these differences, and provide a range of guidance and educational programs that will result in each child receiving a maximum opportunity to be successful in school and in life. Mr. Seymour Handel In Paramus we believe that the public school system is the best method of education known at the present time to preserve and improve our democ¬ racy. We espouse democratically organized classrooms where children of varied national, religious, racial, cultural and social backgrounds can learn to value diversity within unity. Paramus schools are charged with providing the best education possible for every Paramus student. Primary responsibility of the school is to further the development of each student physically, intellectually, socially, emotionally and morally. To discharge these responsibilities we must help each student to the limit of his or her abilities to think critically, independently, and creatively. To achieve these skills we must offer instruction, guidance and practice in the scientific method, using accurate and up-to-date content. We are seeking genuine understandings. — Milton Katine 6 Mr. Milton Katine