Whiting High School - Reflector Yearbook (Whiting, IN)

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 The Whiting Public Schools If the boys and girls of a community are its greatest asset, then the means of their training, the schools, are the community’s most important enterprise. This is the conception we have of the schools of Whiting and it is the high standard by which we try to measure every factor that enters into their character and affects their progress. Although the schools of Whiting have gone on modestly from year to year serving the community without seeking notoriety or publicity, they are unique in some respects and merit distinction. So far as I know, it is the only consolidated system of city schools in the country. The different schools of a city system are regularly distributed over the city, but because of the size and compactness of our city we are able to group all of our schools on one block, except a small three room school located in the southern extension of Whiting. This consolidation has many advantages. It makes possible a central heating plant. One auditorium, one industrial and one physical education equipment are easily made to serve the entire system. Buildings are used interchangeably and special teachers and supervisors can more conveniently and economically be provided where help of this kind is needed. Whiting has perhaps the one outstanding example of a system of schools that is not seriously handicapped by a lack of resources. Although the spirit of the school administration has been to use strict business methods in all of its dealings and to practice the kind of economy that relates to efficiency, it is also true that there has not been the need or the disposition on the part of anyone to hamper the work of the schools in any of the departments by withholding funds, and when a legitimate need of any kind has been demonstrated the resources for providing for that need have always been forthcoming. Our school organization has not departed so far at this time from the traditional ideals and standards as to be impossible of recognition, which may be a virtue. Our system includes the usual kindergarten work, elementary grades, Junior High School and Senior High School. When our housing facilities will permit, these divisions will be grouped as follows: Elementary grades, six years; Junior High School, three years; Senior High School, three years. At present the sixth grade is grouped with the Junior and the ninth grade with the Senior High School. In the Junior High School the problems of differentiation and adaptation of subjects, electives and subject promotion have only partially been attacked. The Senior School, though having a small annual enrollment of approximately two hundred, undertakes, and successfully, to meet the standards and opportunities offered by the largest schools. Indeed, I think it may safely

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Board of Education J. E. EVANS President DR. G. H. HOSKINS Treasurer T. S. BOYLE Secretary MARY L. MORRISON Clerk

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wmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmammmmmmmmm be claimed that by reason of our wide range of courses offered and small enrollment of pupils, advantages are afforded not found in the larger schools. A wider distribution of pupils is thus made certain, resulting in smaller classes and more individual contact and work of teacher with pupil. It will perhaps be pardoned if a justifiable pride is shown in making brief mention of some of the features of the High School. Much could be said to the credit of each department but it is my purpose to refer only to a few “high spots” as they stand out uncontested. The High School building and equipment are unsurpassed by any in the country little or big. The science departments would do credit to the average college and the shops offer facilities equal to the best. I have never seen another small school with anything comparable to our shop equipment. It is determined, as soon as room can be provided, to further perfect this equipment by the addition of printing and sheet metal work, when the industrial department of our schools will undoubtedly satisfy the wishes of the most exacting. 1 he commercial department is also a model of completeness, which fact is reflected in the results of its work. For four successive years, in fact the only four years the contest was held, our typists won the State championship in the State typewriting contest. It might also be of interest to refer in outline to the plans and aims already taking form for the further development of our schools. The general constructive program of the schools may be said to consist of a conscious effort to accomplish three outstanding things, namely, an adequate school plant, properly equipped schools and the best corps of teachers obtainable. It is perhaps safe to say that all of these objectives would already have been gained except for the ar with its resultant and subsequent high prices, unsettled conditions and shortage of teachers. The building program mentioned above involves the construction of a new Junior High School building, an eight-room grade building on the south side and almost a complete change and reconstruction of the heating plant. I he lower room of the present Auditorium building will be turned into a boiler room and new boilers installed. A new stack, high enough and so constructed as to avoid the smoke nuisance, will be built. Radiators will be installed in all the west rooms of the present High School, and the heating of the entire plant made adequate. I he proposed grade school on the South side will be a one-story building consisting of eight class rooms and two offices drawn around a central assembly room large enough for ordinary public meetings or athletic contests. 1 he new Junior High School when built will be a model of beauty and usefulness. Seemingly the architect has accomplished in his plans the thing he was asked to do—provided for a building that will never grow out of date. Besides the necessary offices, showers, lockers and store rooms, this building will contain sixteen class rooms, a lunch room, kindergarten, an (Continued on Page 60)