Wyomissing Area High School - Colophon Yearbook (Wyomissing, PA)

Page 18 text:

English Reading maketh a full man, conference a ready Mr. Russell T. Milford in- structs the sophomores, jun- iors, and seniors in the fine points of English grammar. Tl The junior high school students are introduced to the funda- mentals of good English by Mrs. Getz and Mrs. Houck. Such basic skills as spelling, writing, use of the dictionary, or- ganization, punctuation, and analysis of sentences are mastered by the seventh and eighth graders, then employed in the Writing of book re- ports, short themes, and letters: A developmental reading program, initialed last year and con- ducted by Mrs. Houck, is centered around the Science Research As- sociates Reading Laboratory. This program teaches the students the mechanics of reading, helps them increase their vocabularies, and de- velops their reading speed as well as their comprehension. This is supplemented by the Scott-Foresman Reading Service, begun in the second quarter, which also stress- es proficiency in reading. By using these materials, stu- dents learn to analyze and cor- rect their vvork and strive toward eliminating errors. S S i Mrs. Helen Houck ac- quaints seventh, eighth, and ninth grade with the me- chanics of English and Sowers. speech. Mrs. Clinton Getz, who teaches junior high school English, answers a question posed by B. I2

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Mr. B. Henry Shafer, who has been at Wyo- missing since 1955 as high school principal, teaches P.O.D. and acts as guidance counselor in addition to his administrative duties. Mrs. jean Miller and Mrs. John Troutman, upon whom the smooth operation of the office depends, check announcements to be placed in the faculty's mailboxes. Administration We bear it calmly, though a ponderous woe. -JOHN POMFERT. Mr. Allen W. Rank, who has been a member of the faculty since 1926, serving as principal from 1930 to 1948 and supervising principal un- til 1954, now devotes his time to the supervision of the school district. The efficiency with which Wyomissing High School's educational program is carried out is a re- sult of the combined efforts of Mr. Allen W. Rank, supervising principal, and Mr. B. Henry Shafer, high school principal. Mr. Rank, who attended Princeton Uni- versity, did graduate work at Harvard Graduate School and received his master's degree from Co- lumbia University, has been a member of the faculty since 1926. He served as principal from 1930 until 1948 when he also undertook the office of supervising principal. Since 1954, he has de- voted his time solely to the supervision of the school district. Mr. Shafer, who joined the school staff in 1955 in the capacity of principal, graduated from Freeburg High School and Susquehanna and Co- lumbia Universities. He is now working for his doctorate at the University of Maryland. In addition to his administrative duties, Mr. Shafer serves as a guidance counselor and teaches Problems of Democracy to the senior class. Mrs. Miller, office receptionist, switchboard operator and secretary, handles all correspondence and prepares official forms and grade transcripts. Mrs. Troutman is in charge of all school money, issues checks, orders supplies, and checks at- tendance.

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Humanities The English course is an integral part of the student's curriculum, especially in senior high school. The juniors and seniors receive their instruction from Mr. Milford, the ninth and tenth grades, from Miss Kresge. Freshmen are drilled in writing sentences clearly and correctly and use their acquired knowledge in composing book reports and short essays. The sophomores and juniors use the Readers' Digest to help them increase their vocabularies. Seniors write a theme each Friday, often seeking the aid of a thesaurus to enrich their compositions. They also use the Gray Books, comprehensive workbooks which intensive- ly review grammar and vocabulary. Sophomores are introduced to classical literature by lulius Caesar, juniors are involved with American writers, and seniors are shown the myriad of English authors. In order to graduate, each senior must write an Investigative Theme on a literary topic. The great value of such an undertak- ing lies in its preparation for col- lege work and in the fact that it provides the individual with a chance for self expression and aids him in developing a logical writing style. f Mrs. Getz and E. Smith appear to be amused by an unusual occurrence in an eighth grade reading class. Mr. Milford and B. Paine give their attention to a query during a short grammar quiz. 13 English man, and writing an exact man. --FRANCIS BACON. f -1 et- 9 .wt 'V Z-HY Mrs. Houck endeavors to expose her pupils to famous authors, evidenced by the bulletin board display about Dickens. mia i J l Lf i