Rockford East High School - Argus Yearbook (Rockford, IL)

Page 15 text:

, ' 1:0 SDew.eg, By H. C. MUTH Those of us who have known Elmer Dewey and have been associated with him in the schools for many years find it very hard to realize that he is gone. Everyone knew and liked Elmer. He was a good companion, friendly, easy to know, and a good conversationalist. He had a wide range of inter- ests and his information in many fields was most authoritative. Elmer had a keen sense of humor and his witticisms were appreciated by all who knew him. He poked fun at people in a kindly manner, and yet if you knew him well, you knew also that he despised sham and hypocrisy. His opinions were defi- nite, but I don't believe that he ever carried any malice in his heart. He just wasn't that kind of a fellow. Elmer liked young people and, in turn, they liked him. He could joke with them, talk their language, and listen to them. I know that in a quiet, modest, and unassuming way, he helped many young people adjust themselves to difficult situations by lending a sympathetic ear and quietly giving advice and help- ful suggestionseoften in a half joking-way. But the young people knew that was Elmer's way of saying things, and it helped them take their problem in a more realis- tic fashion without an outburst of emotionalism that was often very close to the surface' E The boys who came back from war and stopped in the office quite often ended their conversation by saying-- By the way, is Mr. Dewey still here? - Yes, he is still up in 2l6. Then the boy or the man would say, I must go up and see Elmer. There was no disrespect intended when they said Elmer in- stead of Mr. Dewey. Rather it was a word of affection and comradeship. There just isn't any way to measure the influence that Elmer had on the lives of young people-as a matter of fact he wouldn't want it measured. Yes, it's hard to realize that he is gone because the influence of his personality is still with us and will remain.

Page 14 text:

Right-The teachers' boxes are a frequented place before school in the morning, during lunch hours, and after school Lower Left-It appears that Mr. Lundstrom is looking either for his food or a place to sit at the faculty dinner. Lower Right-Aside from their classroom duties, East's teachers find time to chaperon after-game dances. Upper Left-How's Junior doing this quar- ter?', Will Susie pass this semester? These questions and many more are discussed at junior- Senior Parents' Night. Upper Right-At a dinner held in the model apartment, faculty members and their families enjoyed a good meal and an entertaining get-together. Left-From the looks on the teachers faces, both the food and the conversation must have been enjoyable as this picture was taken in the faculty dining room.

Page 16 text:

6 Mr. Selmer A. Berg, Siiperiiztenaieni of Schools As the governing body of Rockford schools, it is the re- sponsibility of the Board of Education to plan for the educa- tion of Rockford students. At the head of the group is Mr. Selmer A. Berg, Superintendent of Schools. The duties and responsibilities of Mr. Berg are many and varied. He alone is directly responsible to the Board of Edu- cation for the efficient conduct and operation of the schools. He must keep abreast of progress, continuously presenting to the board theories and plans of education to improve the schools under his supervision. Mr. Harry C. Muth, Principal As principal of East high, Mr. Harry C. Muth is directly re- sponsible not only for the smooth operation of the faculty and classroom procedure, but also for co-ordinating the extra cur- ricular activities for the enrichment of the whole school pro- gram. macho-iw SELMER H. BERG Superintendent of Schools HARRY C, MUTH Principal The Board of Education The Board of Education concerns itself with formulating and approving the administrative policies of the schools. In order that this may be more easily done, the Board is divided into three committees. The Building and Grounds Committee has to do with the maintenance, repair, and upkeep of schools as well as the purchasing and improving of school sites and grounds. It is the duty of the Educational Committee to hire teachers and all other employees. Planning the budget, approving the purchasing of supplies, and keeping financial records is the job of the Finance and Purchasing Committee. The Board also employs an Attorney-at-Law to represent the Board of Educa- tion in all law-suits to which the board is a party. All board members are appointed by the mayor. They rep- resent citizens who are concerned with the public education of the youth of today and tomorrow. These members render the highest type of service and devote hours of work to the solution of problems with which the school system is faced. Snmiiing: Leonard Key, John Barelli, Harry Shaw, Charles Davis, George C. Olin, Lawrence A. Johnson, Ernest Estwing, Charles W. Roe, S. Peter Ekstrom. Sitting: Vera Walling, Thomas Walling, Mrs. Murrell England, Mrs. Marion Bates, Loren Whitehead, Selmer Berg.