Sunbury High School - Torch Yearbook (Sunbury, PA)

Page 17 text:

One of the busiest members of the faculty in Sunbury Senior High School is the guidance coun- selor, Mr. Frederick Padgett. Assuring students of the best method to find jobs and how to study ef- fectively while in school and college are his primary aims. Other phases in guidance of the students in- clude collecting information concerning colleges and technical schools for interested students; co- ordinating College Entrance Examination Board material; administering standarized aptitude tests; interviewing students who are having trouble in school; informing graduates and undergraduates of jobs available; and adjusting the schedules of pupils. All these duties make the guidance counselor a very important part of the faculty. MR. FREDERICK PADGETT Guidance Counselor Guidance Department The improvement of instruction in elementary schools is the prime objective of Miss Grace Beck. Through the media of classroom visitation and in- numerable teachers’ meetings she is constantly bet- tering educational techniques. Interviewing prospec- tive instructors and calling substitutes when needed are also included in her job. By coordinating the curriculum from kindergarten through twelfth grade, Miss Beck eliminates overlapping of subject matter and insures well-balanced courses of study. MISS GRACE BECK Director of Elementary Education and Curriculum Coor- dinator. Performing an inconspicuous but vital service to our school is the home and school coordinator, Mrs. Rhoda Passmore. Not only does her job entail check- ing on attendance of pupils, but also the issuing of employment certificates, tasks involving health and welfare of children, and helping to create under- standing and cooperation between the parents and the school. By consultation with the parents she solves many problems that cannot be resolved in the classroom. MRS. RHODA PASSMORE Home and School Coordinator 13

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Principal When a vacancy occurred in the prin- cipal’s office, Mr. Francis Hatton was elected to fill the position. Because of his twenty-seven years of educational experi- ence as a mathematics instructor and football coach, and his natural adminis- trative abilities, he was amply qualified to undertake his new duties. The respect and and trust with which the new principal regards the students have earned him admiration and cooperation throughout the school. As principal, Mr. Hatton handles with capability the duties of this office and exerts authority in a manner favorable to all concerned. Among his major obliga- tions are acting as a liaison between the school board and senior high school, serv- ing on various committees, adjusting cur- riculums and extra-curricular activities, advising the faculty, and maintaining discipline. Mr. Hatton’s personal interest in the students as individuals has become his policy, thus earning him their respect in his first year as principal. Mr. Hatton addresses the student body at an assembly. Numerous files are kept by Susan Cooper and Mrs. Burgess in their work in the school office. Performing regular secretarial duties for Mr. Hat- ton is Mrs. Burgess. She is also responsible for the records of every student in Sunbury High School and for the daily bulletins sent to all teachers. Mrs. Burgess is always willing to help the teachers in any way she can and is often considered the liaison between the student body and the office. Miss Cooper has charge of all transcript work in the office and operates the switch board. 12

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Language Department Left to right: Mrs. Theodosia Hoffman, Mr. Trevor Lewis, Mrs. Betty Hoffman, Mrs. Evelyn Picton, Miss Katherine Fernsler, and Mrs. Janet Erikson. Developing a more thorough knowledge and use of the English language is the basic function of the English Department. It provides a study based on the premise that language is the indis- pensable tool in the life of civilized man and is the art through which he most fully expresses himself. The courses in literature provide opportunity to form an acquaintance with English and American literature and to understand individ- ual works as unique artistic creations. The ultimate aim is to imbue a discriminating appreciation for the best that has been written. A knowledge of words and ideas is imparted enabling students to communicate their thoughts to one another, to think effectively, to make sound and relevant judgment, and to discriminate carefully among values. A perma- nent enrichment of life can be obtained from these studies. Mr. Lewis reviews punctuation prior to testing his English class. Mrs. Picton instructs George Shingara in the use of the tape re- corder, a modern teaching device to improve pronunciation and voice quality. The newly inaugurated journalism class in Sunbury High School, under the direction of Miss Fernsler, studies varied headlines of metropolitan newspapers. 14