Warren High School - Echoes Yearbook (Warren, IL)

Page 9 text:

'DetUcatcott £cUt£ For the first time in more than thirty yearn, Miss Groom was not present to welcome us back to school last Sep- tember. We have missed her during her year in England, but her absence has made us more aware of her efforts. Miss Groom has become one of the assets of our school system. Her high standards, endless work, depth of per- ception, constant devotion, understanding of young people, and keen wit have made our English department one of high esteem. She has guided our thoughts, encouraged our efforts, chal- lenged our minds, tested our achievements, and repri- manded our laziness. She has helped and watched us grow intellectually, and she has shown a sincere and individual interest in each and every one of us. To Miss Groom, the Seniors of 1959 dedicate their annual, THE ECHOES.

Page 8 text:

Crofton, Stamford Road Bowdon, Cheshire England To the pupils and faculty of Warren High School: Forms instead of classes; head mistresses and head masters instead of superin- tendents; masters and mistresses instead of teachers; for the most part, separate boys' and girls' schools instead of our co-educational schools; grammar, secondary- modern and comprehensive schools instead of our junior and senior high schools; terms instead of semesters; several long holidays and school until near the end of July instead of our less frequent and shorter breaks and a long summer vacation; eleven pluses and General Certificate of Education exams, upon which all promotion depends, instead of our semester exams and system of grading; school uniforms for students and often academic robes for teachers instead of our casual dress; cricket, socker, net-ball, and la crosse instead of baseball, football, basketball and volleyball --these are some of the many ways in which English schools are different from American. In England students are streamed into different kinds of schools depending upon how they rate in exams which are given when they are just past eleven years old. Those who rate highest go into the grammar schools, many of which have been long established and pride themselves upon their traditions and academic standings. Stu- dents who do not rate grammar school acceptance enter the secondary modern schools, where their education aims to prepare them for the kind of lives they will be living. The comprehensive schools are an experiment which encorporates the features of both the grammar and the secondary modern school. The next rating for a grammar school student depends entirely upon his G.C.E. exams for which the fifth form stu- dents are preparing. If they pass these exams they may stay on in school for a year or two preparing for teachers' training or, if their records are high enough and they can win admittance, for university. In Altrincham, boys' and girls' schools are so completely separated that all my impressions must be based on the girls' school. The Lancaster shire and Cheshire accent is quite different from our middle Western American, and at first there may have been a little difficulty in understanding and being understood. Perhaps you and Miss Walkley have noticed the difference there. Though there are differences in our accent, our idiom, our terminology, our school traditions, and our emphasis in edu- cation, I've learned that girls will be girls in England as well as in America, and though I've missed knowing the boys, I'd venture to guess that boys will be boys too. We do have a common heritage in language literature and much else in common too, as an exchange of teachers and pupils has taught us on both sides of the ocean, I feel sure. Best wishes to you in Warren High School in all your endeavors. I shall look for- ward to being back with you next year. Sincerely, Edith Groom

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 x£ £cCucatco i, yu uUtut act acltool. LEFT TO RIGHT: Gregory Rowe, Francis Davis, Robert Wing, Dr. C. G. Ward, Robert Barker, Edward Gerber, Mrs. Margaret Sargent--Recording Secretary, Gordon Baibach. In October of 1957, the people of Community Unit District 205 voted a bond issue valued at $385,000. This was to build (1) a two room addition at Nora, (2) a two room addition at Apple River, (3) an eleven room ele- mentary school at Warren, and (4) a new high school gymnasium. Work began almost immediately on the gym under the supervision of the architect, Raymond Orput of Rockford. Work fell behind because of the harsh cold weather in January. With few interruptions during the summer, the workmen managed to have the new grade rooms completed at the start of school in September 1958. The high school gym was completed a short time later. After all projects had been completed, an open house was held on Decem- ber 7, 1958, from two until four p.m., at the three centers of District 205. Much credit goes to the school board for these much needed facilities. This seven man governing body meets the second Monday night of every month, averaging an additional special meeting each month. The school board consists of the following members: Dr. C. G. Ward--President Robert Barker--Secretary Francis Davis Robert Wing Gordon Baibach Gregory Rowe Edward Gerber We should all realize the unpaid efforts these men have made to secure better schools for our community.