Shawnee Mission North High School - Indian Yearbook (Overland Park, KS)

Page 27 text:

ROW 1: Eugene Amos, Bill Sparks, Robert Wendell. ROW 2: Walter Hiersteiner, Joseph Sherman, Dr. John O. Baeke, Bill Nulton. alYa'Boardmeeting'. ' Y 7 School Board members, Walter Hierstiener, Joseph Sherman, and Dr. John O. 'Baeke re view the evening's agenda.

Page 26 text:

'lt is a job with many problems . . . rewards! Q-..-'C' 'X The editors of the INDIAN have asked me to reflect on my job as Superinten- dent of the Shawnee Mission Schools, and to let them in on my thoughts. lt is the job of a superintendent to bring together all of the many aspects of school operation, to advise the board of education in their decision-making, to keep members of the community in- formed about their school system. lt is a job with many problems-those with solutions and those without clear-cut answers: What shall we teach? What changes should we make to keep in step with the times? How much of the old should we keep? How can we face up to the problem of drug abuse and be effective in our efforts to com- bat it? How can we make our schools warm and friendly places and relevant to the needs of youth and the needs of Society? How can we pay for quality education? How can we plan for future needs? There are frustrations! No decision ever pleases everyoneg there is always someone who thinks you did the wrong thing. The job requires so much atten- tion to the mechanics of school ad- ministration that there.isn't enough time to spend in the really important aspects of education. There isn't enough time for family and friends-lt's a lonely spot to be in sometimes, and it also is people coming from every direction. It is an exercise in trying to outguess the weath- erman and there are meetings, meet- ings, meetings! But there are also RE- WARDS: The thrill of watching a Shaw- nee Mission North football team win the state championship, the satisfaction of diplomas to graduating seniors on a warm May evening, the pride which comes from watching a department or student council plan and execute an in-depth program, the stimulation which comes from working with faculty and staff and board members who really care about youth, the pleasure brought about by contact with many community leaders. What do I think of my job? I like it! lf l could start all over again with a ca- reer, I can't think of anything l'd rather do. What could possibly be more excit- ing than being involved in the nurture and growth of 46,000 young people in an age such as ours! Dr. Arzell Ball

Page 28 text:

IVlr. Welch Gversees Many Aspects of School Life l ii Mr. Welch psyches up student body at pre-North South game pep-rally. ls Mr. Welch really the Great Pumpkin? The Principal must assume the leadership in setting the tone of the school. Under his direction teachers assume the responsibility of providing the academic climate for student ad- vancement. This direct relationship in which all faculty members are re- spected provides freedom for new ideas and methods in teaching. The Principal is responsible for of- fering the student an opportunity to change his behavior in order to attain a fuller understanding of himself and the society in which he lives. The constant evaluation of curriculum needs for formal class experiences, and the evaluation of practices within the school designed to give students a sense of belonging are always goals of the administration. ln addition to working with the fac- ulty and directing the general policies of the school, the principal is charged with the responsibility of supervising extracurricular activities, registration, class scheduling, transcript process- ing, and the keeping of permanent records. He also oversees the guid- ance department, is responsible for building use and upkeep, and for di- recting the use and security of ac- tivity money. The general operation of the school which includes food service, transportation, attendance, and public relations naturally becom the duties of the Principal. The Principal in the last analysis i the agent of the School Board an Superintendent in the enforcing an directing of the policies of the dis trict. Ftegular reports are made a evidence of performance to the loca board to the State of Kansas, and t national agencies. One never get bored in their type of work becaus of the diversity of tasks and the thril of working with many people wh have many aims and objectives. G. Welc