Penn Township High School - Penn Yearbook (Butler, PA)

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' FACULTY MR. I. PAUL BURKHART, Principal Mathematics, Guidance MRS. MARIAN S. HENNE History, English MRS. PEARL B. KLINE German, Latin, English MISS STELLA A. RIEGEL English, History, Health MR. FRANCIS H. MOYER Physical Sciences, Proble MR. WILLIAM A. KRIETLER Art MR. WILLIAM H. KAISER Geography, Mathematics MR. CHARLES W. SHARMAN Music 4 ms of Democracy

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vlewcmilioslz To Mr. I. Paul Burkhart, whose devoted service to the Penn Township High School has spanned forty-two years of progress, the Class of '49 dedicates this first issue of THE PENNANT in grateful recognition for the many privileges granted to them. 3

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FORTY YEARS PROGRESS 'H On Monday, September Z, 1907, the Bernville High School began its first classes. The teacher, Mr. J'. Paul Burkhart, and recently graduated from Princeton, had two classes of students: the 'first year' class, consisting of eight boys and one girl: and the preparatory class' of three boys and six girls. The students attended school on the second floor of the Reppert home. There were twelve periods, each thirty minutes long: at noon Mr. Burkhart conducted a class in Greek. The term was eight months long. The first graduating class held its Commencement on Saturday, May 15. 1909: six boys and one girl graduated. This set-up continued until 1916, when the Flu epidemic postponed the opening of school until October Znd. By this time the high school occupied the entire Reppert house and Mr. Burkhart was given an assistant, Mr. G. Gilbert Snyder who today is known as Die Wunner Naus and is the principal of the Robesonia High School. The local school was enlarged to twenty-two boys and ten girls: these were in three classes - Juniors, 'Middlers', and Seniors. The term was still only eight months long. Mr. Snyder left in December, 1917, and Edgar J. Stricker was elected in his place. The 1917-18 term began the nine-months. In 1918 Mr. Charles W. Stoudt replaced Mr. Stricker, and in September, 1919, Mr. Francis H. Moyer joined Mr. Burkhart and has remained with him ever since. In 192.0-21, thevhigh school moved to the present grade building, and a third member, Miss Ruth Koch fBrightJ was added to the faculty. Edgar J'. Stricker replaced Miss Koch in 1926, and in January of 1929, Hester and Charles Fahrenbach replaced Mr. Stricker. In September of 1929 the Fahrenbachs were replaced by Miss Elta Unangst. She was succeeded two years later by Miss Helen R. Hain QShearerD. Thus, in 1931, Miss Hain began her teaching career in the new Consolidated building, which we now occupy. Miss Pearl O. Bressler, our present Mrs. Kline, replaced Miss Hain September 7, 1937. The fourth member, Mrs. Henne, was added in 1946. During these years a procession of music and art teachers served the school. In music, Miss Gentle, Mr. Gerhart, Miss Boyd, Miss Dreas lDaughertyl and Miss Rice, will be remembered. A band, under the direction of Mr. York, existed for a time. Charles W. Shax-man now directs all music activity. Art teachers in recent memory were Mr. Wertz, Mr. Kistler, Mrs. Pfeiffer, and Mrs. Gray. Mr. William Kreitler is the present art teacher. A Parent-:Teacher Association was formally organized in 1945 by interested patrons. Through patient and persistent effort, a Hot Lunch project was launched. It has since developed into a state-approved project which employs two full-time cooks: it serves both schools, averaging one hundred and eighty-five meals daily. Four students receive free meals for assistance to the cooks. Twelve tables and accompanying benches form the dining hall in part of the basement. , s Other recent improvements have included the enclosure of part of the basement as a music room, which has been plastered and painted, and equipped with lighting and heating units. With the addition of three hundred folding steel chairs, this room serves as an assembly hall. Cedar-lined closets for the storage of band uniforms were constructed. The stage will be equipped with curtain track, neutral setting, and portable footlights. The library recently was enlarged with the accession of ninety-six feet of new shelving, and all shelving, old and new, painted white. Chairs and tables suitable fora library work, and a magazine rack, have been added. It is to be hoped that the tradition of a school paper and a school annual will continue to reflect the spirit of growth of the high school. Clubs have been organized for develop- ment of individual student interests. Student government is also awakening. Penn Township High School is progressing slowly but surely toward the Junior -Senior plan of organization. This will mean eventual expansion into vocational courses, an enlarged building, and a larger faculty. 5