Poughkeepsie High School - Phois Yearbook (Poughkeepsie, NY)

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I I edlccmfcaw It is an honor for us, the class of 1961, to dedicate our HPHOISH to Mrs. Mary B, Baker. For the past four years we have known her to be a tireless, self- sacrificing teacher who has contributed greatly to the education of the students of Poughkeepsie High School. Mrs. Baker will long be remembered for her wise guidance in the field of mathematics, her keen wit and fine sense of humor, and the personal interest which she takes in each and every one of her students. Often we take for granted contributions which are not immediately evident, but we know that she has always worked diligently for the best interests of us all. The high standard of achievement which her students are expected to maintain has increased the respect and admiration which we hold for her. We sincerely thank Mrs. Baker for her years of devotion and, as a token of our esteem, dedicate to her the 1961 Pl-1o1s. I think Ill speak to Mr. Kirtland about you monitors. The exam will be held on Sunday morning in the Beehive room

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4. 'ff MRS. Wm MARY E. BAKER

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Seated: Mr. Frank Digilio, Mr. Rockwood jenkins, Vice-President, Mr. E. Francis Hanlon, President, Steele C. Cameron. Standing: Mr. George W. Key, Mr. Lloyd Rosenthal, Att., Mrs. Dorothy Thatcher, and Supt. Mr. Edwin Hunger. Board President, Mr. Hanlon gown! df gvlucmfdaw Long ago, in 1843, the first Board of Education was established for the village of Poughkeepsie. This group, consisting of twelve commissioners of schools, supervised the education of the children of the tiny village. The formation of the Board of Education was not warmly received by the general public, in fact they considered this system of education a curse rather than a blessing. Their task was not an easy one as school facilities were in a deplorable con- dition. Six of the city schools were maintained in rented buildings with narrow aisles and dangerous stairwaysg ventilation systems were non-existent. What prob- lems faced the Board of Education! Now, more than a hundred years later, our five member Board enjoys supervising a modern school system. Current problems involving educational programs, administrative affairs, and school development are being successfully met by these capable officials. Many school programs are being formulated for the coming year, 1960-61. Included among these plans are the following: 1. A language laboratory. 2. A course in speed reading for advanced students for the purpose of teaching them techniques in accelerating their reading rate. 3. More emphasis on economic education. fl. A change from vocational courses to college-technical courses. 5. Planning for advanced placement courses for seniors whereby certain sub- jects will be offered on a freshman college level at the 12th grade. 6. Possibility of instituting a Great Books program with a compilation of ideas by great Writers in encyclopedic form. We, the class of 1961, wish to express our sincere gratitude and appreciation to the civic minded men and women of the Board of Education. Through their efforts we have been given a strong foundation upon which to build our futures.