Watkins Glen High School - Senecan Oracle Yearbook (Watkins Glen, NY)

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1941 THE ORACLE 1941 .A N.. . A ....,,.. 1 . . PM en mm A f ,if ' 'M N ' ::.z:r:57f55:: ' A A ' :'.t:.'5:.'v:...,i..' f - N , A N A gl ....-.. 4' ' X X :::::::'.:w::'.: it V 3,-:Lt - ,W 9 ' ' r'..::t...'- r,...r::, ---W W., . .. A ........i.. Wm... K 1 W 1 V, ........, 1-3, 9 ' ERT-:i3i. mr- 'fffwliwla W , ' WM .E::Q:'m.:Q:::2'2:. -. ' First Regents diploma issued in 1884 to Lula Martin 1Mrs. l.ocll Smithji grade and high school faculty of Mr. Johnson. 1905-1906: Mr. Beers' first high school faculty, l909fl9l0. 19

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1941 THE ORACLE 1941 L L V member was graduated in 1883. The first Regents diploma was granted the next year to Lulie Martin CMrs. Loel Smithj. At the same time that the academic department was being built up, the teach- ing and scholarship standards were being raised. It is necessary only to follow the later careers of some of the early teachers in Watkins Glen High School and to note the quality of much of the material in the early ORACLES to observe that high standards were laid down. That the school did attain a high level of achievement is evident in the fact that it was one of nine schools in the State to be requested by the Board of Regents to prepare an exhibit for the St. Louis Exposition in 1904. The changes which mark the last three decades of the history of the school are the result of the trend toward universal secondary education, a new conception of the function of the high school, a great advance in educational sciences, and the leadership of a man who has appreciated the significance of these factors and has introduced many changes to adapt the school to the demands of new condi- tions and to keep it in step with educational advances. Cne of the early acts of Mr. Beers' principalship was to advocate and adopt with the consent of the Board of Education, a form of diploma based on achieve- ment throughout the years rather than on the passing of Regents examinations. While there are many who differ on this question, particularly among those who were graduated back when one had to pass the Regents, yet due consideration of the signincance of increased enrollment in high schools will indicate the wisdom of the policy. Closely related to this change in graduation requirements is the marked change which has been made in the curriculum. In 1900 two diplomas were given, the Academic and the Classical. The latter was a set course of studies including Latin, German. algebra, geometry, English and science. The former varied little except for a less extensive language requirement. The only non-academic subject on the curriculum seems to have been bookkeeping. The function of the high school was conceived in terms of cultural training and preparation for college and the professions. The newer conception of the function of the high school is one which includes the above but under the broader principle that it must meet the needs of all who enter. The steps by which the Watkins Glen High School has progressed in the direction of this goal are evident in the additions to the curriculum which have been made in the last twenty years. An agricultural department was organized in 1923, a separate music department in 1924, and a homemaking department in 1925. An art department was added in 1927, a commercial department in 1927 and an industrial arts department in 1936. In addition to these new courses the interests and abilities of the pupils have been met by a wide range of new extra curricular activities. Thus have the offerings of the school been enriched to meet the needs of today. Not only has the curriculum of the school been enriched, but through many other changes in educational and administrative policies it has kept step with educational progress. In 1919 the first kindergarten was established. In 1930 the seventh and eighth grades were organized on a Junior High School plan, thus enabling each teacher to teach her specialty and facilitating the transition from lower grades to high school. About 1918 the first student council was organized and student self-government thus encouraged. The responsibility of students was further encouraged in 1936 when a service organization program was introduced -organizations of students such as attendance takers, library assistants, hall monitors, etc.-a program which has done much to promote pupil responsibility and better pupil-teacher relationships. Such are the changes which have marked the progress of Watkins Glen High School since its early beginning-changes which have been brought about in part by changing conditions and in part through the work of two men who have guided its destiny throughout the greater part of its history. 18

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1041 THE ORACLE 194 STUDENT COUNCIL lohn Quirk. Sam llnzzary, Leta May, Clara Howell, George Clawson, Ann Odell, Kenneth Iohnson, Robert Switzer, Virginia Arnold, Ann Morgan, Harry Iireudenheim, Budd Adams, Mr. Beers. STUDENT COUNCIL OFFICERS Prcsidenr ,,....A1,.,,,,,......1........,,.,......,.., KENNETH JOHNSON Vice-President ...... ,..,..... R OBERT SWITZER Sf-crczary .,,......... .........,..r..... A NN ODELL Sergeanz-uf-Arms ,,,,, ......., G EORGE CLAWSON 20