West High School - Warrior Yearbook (Rockford, IL)

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Mr. Loren I.. Whitehead President Mrs. Marion L. Bates Secretary - Chair man, lidncation Committee Mr. Selmer H. Bert; M.A. Superintendent of Schools HIGH COMMAND Directing the activities of Rockford's public school system, the Board of Education has met the challenge of the war to education during the past year. Throughout the curriculum of all the schools, the pressure of the eventful times has been felt as can be noted in the pages of the Annual. The Board itself has made necessary adjustments for the teachers, students, community, and the war effort. With teachers' and other employees’ committees working with the Board, a new permanent salary schedule for all school employees providing for increases averaging twelve per cent and other compensation adjustments has been established. Because of the sharp rise in living costs, an emergency salary adjustment in the form of a bonus was distributed to teachers this spring. To aid parents who arc-working and to provide a fuller training for children, kindergartens were established for the 1943-44 school year. In cooperation with the city's merchants the Board closed school doors two days early for the Christmas vacation to give the stores the assistance of many teachers and students employed for the holiday season rush. Cooperating with the Office of Defense Transportation to free buses for war workers and thereby aiding the strained transportation facilities of the city, a staggering of school hours for the senior highs was ordered by the Board. By direction of the Board the Superintendent of Schools carried out three rationing registrations at the request of the government. Grade schools were recessed for four days in May of 1942 for the Ration Book I signup. In November, 1942, schools were used after school hours for the gasoline registration and in February of 1943 the elementary and junior high schools were closed for the Ration Book II registration. Two draft registrations have also been handled in the school system. Through the cooperation of the teachers, many giving time after school hours, ami the Board of Education, Rockford's public educational system has served the country by doing double duty. Mr. George C. Olin Member Mr. Frank DiGiovanni Member Mr. Lawrence A. Johnson Member Mr. Thomas I.. Nolan Member Mr. S. Peter Ekstrom Member Mrs. Ruth M. Eriberg Member 13

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Mr. Harr)- R. Shaw, Chairman Mr. Ernest Estwing, Chairman Mr. Charles E. Roe. Chairman Buildings and Grounds Purchasing Business and Pi nance GENERAL STAFF Eunctionini; through four committees of Board members and a number of administrative employees the Board of Education, which meets twice monthly, directs the activities of Rockford's public school system. The educational, building and grounds, business and finance, and the purchasing committee each consider matters within their Held and present to the Board as a whole their recommendations. Acting as the Board's executive officer, the Superintendent of Schools advises the Board and carries out for it the management of the public educational system. Heading the office staff, the Chief Clerk serves as the Board's accountant and assists the Superintendent in the Board of Education offices. The Director of Buildings and Grounds is responsible for the maintenance of all school property. Within the last three years he has become the custodian of three and a quarter million dollars invested by the Board for better education in three new buildings, including West High. Handling legal affairs for the Board the School Attorney is a regular employee who gives advice on technical matters. Protecting the health of the pupils of the city schools is the School Physician. By various examinations, attendance at athletic contests, and health campaigns the school doctor seeks to make a strong and healthy student body. In the last year, in addition to an innoculation campaign which has been carried on. examinations have been given to all physical education and ROTC high srh; ol students and students of the first anti sixth grades. The Supervisors of Music and Art direct these departments of education in the entire school system. Keynoting the Music Supervisor's program during the year has been service to the community, sch«x l, and individual. Patriotic songs and community singing have been stressed. Practical application to the war effort has been the Art Supervisor's theme for the year with students creating for the Services and the Red Cross. Poster work and constructive art has been emphasized in line with the war effort. Miss Astrid W. Gustafson, B.S. Supervisor of Music Mr. Hugh 1). Tolmie Director of Buildings Miss Edith M. Knox. M.A. Supervisor of Art Mr. Charles H. Davis School Attorney Dr. Clifford W. Eredberg School Physician Miss Vera E. Walling Chief Clerk 12

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James E. Blue, M.A. Principal I