Sayreville War Memorial High School - Quo Vadis Yearbook (Parlin, NJ)

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A dUPERintendent In their final year of working together, Mr. Counsman and Dr. Parneil combine their efforts to improve the school system. After thirty-six years in our school system, Mr. Counsman contemplates his past achievements and looks forward to a relaxing future. 14 Introduction

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ABOVE: It may not be a stairway to heaven, but at 2:30 it's the perfect escape. RIGHT: Even though the open door invites entry, students avoid the inevitable in their free time before the bell. BELOW: The daily parade of these yellow giants ends as students board their respective buses bound for home. Introduction 13

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The pleasure showing on Mr. Counsman's face is inspired by his daughter's graduation as well as the help he is receiving from NHS member. Denise Malik. 36 Years Of Dedication An appraisal of anyone’s job is dependent on the quality of his service in that job, and no appraisal of SWMHS would be complete without the inclu- sion of Mr. Henry Counsman. Throughout his years as teacher, prin- cipal, and superintendent, he has given to the community high standards of wisdom as well as service. Since 1945, Mr. Counsman has been involved in the Sayreville school system, and at the end of the 1981- 82 school year, he will retire. He began his career in Wilson School, which was the original high school. He contributed to the school as assistant football coach, head coach, and direc- tor of athletics. He has fond memories of that school and particularly savors the memory of Sayreville beating its arch rival South River at football. Two years after the construction of SWMHS, Mr. Counsman became its principal. He really enjoyed this posi- tion because it gave him the op- portunity to get to know the students on a more personal level. He felt this level of interaction was lost when he became superintendent of Sayreville schools; however, he feels partial compensation for such a loss came from developing good relationships with students, teachers, and com- munity members in his visits to the many schools throughout this district. Since Mr. Counsman became superintendent, he and the entire district have had much to take pride in. Students have been scoring well on all state tests and college boards, and a large majority of seniors are accepted at “good” colleges. Mr. Counsman credits this success to the fact that Sayreville has stressed the basics in education — reading, writing, and arithmetic. Unfortunately, Mr. Counsman, as a representative of Sayreville, was unable to promote the referendum of 1979 for the upgrading of the high school library and track facilities. This was a disappointment because he felt these additions would have been beneficial to the students. The most important change Mr. Counsman has noted is a shift in students’ attitudes toward education. Mr. Counsman feels they aren’t willing to try to learn more than what’s re- quired to obtain a particular grade. Euripides said, “Whoso neglects learning in his youtb, loses the past and is dead in the future.” Mr. Counsman agrees and offers advice on how to achieve success: “Believe in yourself.” Throughout his thirty-six years as an educator, Mr. Henry Counsman has always given his best to our school system. In light of this we dedicate this, our yearbook, to him for his many achievements and thank him for his work in the community. Introduction 15