Petersburg High School - Petro Schola Yearbook (Petersburg, WV)

Page 12 text:

W. Va. Geography “We believe that through familiarity with the events of the past and the effect these had upon the life of the people, we are enabled to enrich present living and be in a better position to prepare for the future.” Pictured above are Marsha Hill, Mary Kay Judy, Joseph Garber, Roy Stephen Harman. In the picture to the right George Reid, John Hott, Becky Alt, and Marie VanMeter a re working on a W. Va. geography project. All members of the seventh grade had a chance to work on the exhibits.

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Periodic Check-Up of Standards PHS Has On December 17, a committee representing North Central Association of Secondary Schools and Colleges returned for a periodic check-up todetermine if our school is maintaining the necessary high standards for continued membership. The report follows: PETERSBURG HIGH SCHOOL EVALUATION REPORT 1959-60 COMMENDATIONS 1. Good administrative practices are in evidence. Records are well kept, and a good financial account- ing system is used. 2. There is evidence that everything possible has been done to overcome deficiencies resulting from the unsatisfactory building situation. Existing facil- ities are being used in a most efficient way. 3. The general attitude of the students reflects good leadership and teaching as evidenced by their atten- tiveness and seriousness of purpose. 4. Much of the teaching is well above average. How- ever, due to the serious difficulty in securing a suf- ficient number of qualified teachers, some defic- iencies exist. 5. The expanded vocational agriculture and shop program is in line with the need of this agricultural area. 6. A number of programs of the school are worthy of commendation. Three that appear to be outstanding are; a. The continued efforts of the English depart- ment over a period of years to organize, coordinate and enrich a curriculum to meet the challenge of time. b. The language arts program in the junior high school to incorporate reading, writing, spelling, and language skills. c. The emphasis placed on health instruction in both physical education and science classes. 2. In view of the current emphasis on science, mathe- matics and foreign languages, it is recommended that capable students be continually encouraged to take these courses. 3. That every effort be continued to obtain qualified teachers. 4. The instructional program should continue to be the most important part of the total school program with special emphasis on motivation and enrichment. 5. Additional administrative and guidance personnel is recommended. A high school with an enrollment the size of Petersburg should have both a director of guidance and an assistant principal. 6. It is urgently recommended that immediate steps be taken to correct plant deficiencies as follows: a. Provide classrooms of adequate size and accessibly located. b. Comply with recommendations of state fire marshall which is the abandonment of A and B buildings for classroom purposes. c. Provide adequate space and proper location for library and science laboratories. d. Expand present cafeteria to meet needs of students. e. That a concerted effort be made on the part of the board of education and school administration to make the public aware of the urgent need of new buildings for the high school. ’ The Evaluation Committee meeting with a group of students as a part of the procedure in gathering material for the evaluation report to be submitted to the North Central Association of Secondary Schools and Colleges to determine if standards are being maintained. RE COMME NDA TIONS 1. Student activities which are now in- cluded in the school program are afford- ing valuable experiences for participants and it is therefore recommended that provisions be made for every student to have an opportunity to take part in some club activity. However, it is question- able whether a student should be permit- ted to work in the area of several activi- ties at the same time.

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The Vocational Agriculture program is housed in the southern end of the C Building in the western corner of the campus. The department consists of a well-equipped shop, lecture room, office and supply room. Mr. Nestor and Mr. Chaddock carry on the work in the newly expanded program of two teachers for the day school while Mr. Stark works with the out of school classes. In Vo-Ag the training of All-Day students is broken down into three phases, namely class- room instruction, farm mechanics training and supervised farm visitations. The Total P rogram consists of Adult Fa rmer Classes, Young Farmer Classes and the All-Day Students. The boys have several jobs going at the same time in this well - equipped shop. Pa rticula rly interesting is the wagon which had to be moved to one side in order to let the other activities be seen. David Stump, Bill Hatcher, Eulis Yokum, and Carrol] Smith attending the National F. F. A. Convention held in Kansas City, Missouri. They placed in the Bronze Emblem Group in the poultry judging contest. 9