PRIVATE SCHOOLS IN THE EAST BAY.
Civics 1929.
Compiled by Helen Cox.
CHAPTER v.
MISS RANSOM AND MISS BRIDGES'
SCHOOL FOR GIRLS
Miss Ransom and Miss Bridges' School entered upon its twenty-third year on September 1928. The school was incorporated in 1913, and is located in Piedmont, one of the most beautiful suburbs of San Francisco. The climate is mild and invigorating, permitting study and exercise out of doors, and the use of the sleeping porches even through the winter months.
The situation, at the end of a lane which branches from Highland Avenue, is at once secluded and accessible. This location is on a property of five acres within a block of the Piedmont car line. On the east are the hockey field and tennis courts; on the south a row of redwood trees planted fifty years ago, and the Requa estate beyond; on the west and north are the Piedmont Park and Canyon, grown with trees and shrubs, and maintained as a park by the City of Piedmont. The day pupils may come to school on the street cars, and at the same time both day and resident pupils have the advantage of a protected outdoor life. They have the freedom of a protective outdoor life. They have the freedom of the large grounds where some classes, a great deal of study, rehearsals, and sports are carried on in the open air.
The buildings comprising the school are the school house of twenty rooms, the residence of seventy rooms, the large pen air gymnasium, and the laundry.
The residence, which is spacious, airy, and sunny, was built to fill the special needs of a modern school. There are large rooms for gathering and entertainment, baths between every two bedrooms, and a number of sleeping porches. Much thought was given to the color and line of the interior decoration. The residence is heated by a hot water system and the school house by a steam radiation.
An isolated infirmary reduces to a minimum the danger of contagion, and a resident graduate nurse has general supervision of the health of the school. Her aim is to prevent sickness.
Most of the classes and study hours are held in the school house, a building which is quite separate from the residences. This division between work and leisure makes it possible to give to the residence an atmosphere of home and serenity. The school house opens to the south through glass doors upon porches and a wide lawn.
The school requires earnest study and sustained effort from each pupil. It tries to teach concentration and is habit of work. It attaches great Importance to athletics, and to the development of the body and of the spirit through outdoor sports and gymnastics. It endeavors to develop the individual by giving her responsibility and by encouraging a
community spirit.
The teaching in both the Upper and Lower School is done in small classes. The average number in the High School classes is less than twelve. Because of these small classes, the teacher is able to inspire among the pupils a greater interest in her subject, she can recognize in the beginning any difficulty encountered by the pupil, and she is able to require regular preparation of assignments.
The Principals and the Faculty welcome the opportunity of talking over with the parents of a pupil her progress in school work or the development of her character. Such an appointment may be arranged by telephone.
The school is planned for girls who can be trusted and whose parents desire sound scholarship for their daughters.
Every applicant for admission to either the boarding or the day school presents record of her work at her last school and refers to someone known to the Principals. The Principals prefer, when possible, a personal interview with the pupil before entrance.
Any pupil, presenting work done during a vacation with a tutor or at a coaching school, must take an examination in such work, either at the beginning or at the end of the school year.
No pupil will be allowed to remain in the school whose conduct or whose progress is regarded as unsatisfactory by the Principals.
Pupils are received by the year, or for the remainder of a year, but not by the term.
For grading and for guidance in choice of studies, each student is given a Scholastic Aptitude Test in September and in February. Such tests are of great assistance in the case of superior children and in adapting school material to the needs of the individual. Terman Group Tests, Stanford Achievement Tests, Binet-Simon Individual Tests, Gates’ Reading Test, and Thorndike College Entrance Tests have been used for pupils of different ages during the past year. It is the school’s policy, by means of these results, to aid the individual student to develop and improve her habits of study.
In the primary department each child is trained to make individual effort. The work is so distributed and arranged as to offer the pupils throughout the Lower School varletry and change.
French is taught orally by a native French teacher. The little ones sing French songs. They play games, entirely in French, with pictures, a toy house, and toy furniture.
Three periods a week are given to hand-work and two to singing. The children have games, dancing, and rhythmic play three periods a week with the director of physical education. Games on the playground at recess are supervised.
The singing classes through the Lower School include training in notation, sight singing, gesture songs, and simple part singing. Particular attention is given to clear enunciation and tone quality, and the object of the training is to inculcate a real appreciation and enjoyment of music.
The aim of the Intermediate School is to give the child thorough preparation for entrance Into the High School. Such a preparation includes not only those fundamentals which are necessary for further study In advanced grates, but it forms the ground-work for effective living in a social community.
Stress is laid upon correct reading, writing, spelling, and arithmetic, and these subjects are taught in such a way as to make them applicable to daily problems. Careful attention is given to the elementary study of English literature and of French.
History is taught chronologically, beginning with the early tree dwellers, cavemen, sea-people, and Sea-People and Indians. In the fourth grade, Greek history and literature are studied, and in the fifth Roman history and literature. The sixth grade studies medieval times; the seventh, European history; and the eight, the history of the United States.
In each grade some form of industry (i.e. hand-work), adapted to the age of the child, is taught. The lower grades have paper cutting and paper tearing, weaving, designing of scrap books, and work with sand tables. The upper grades have basketry, clay modeling correlated with geography, and cardboard construction.
At all times careful attention is given to the health and physical development of the child through organized play, directed gymnastics, and relaxation periods. A rest period of thirty or forty minutes may be arranged for a child who has outgrown her strength or who for anyother reason is easily tired.
Day pupils in the fifth grade may remain and those in sixth, seventh and eighth grades are required to remain for an hour of supervised study between two and three o’clock. The student may, if necessary, receive the help of the teacher in charge, and, except in the seventh and eighth grades, where the lesson should be taken home, the lessons for the following can be prepared in this hour.
The following courses are offered. Upon the completion of either of these courses the diploma of the school is awarded.
1.A COLLEGE PREPERTORY COURSE OF FOUR YEARS
This course prepares a pupil to take the examinations for entrance to Bryn Mawr, Vassar, Smith, or Wellesley. The school has the right of certification, permitting it to recommend its graduates of more than average standing for entrance to the University of California, Stanford University, and Mills College. A student obtaining merely passing marks in any subject or subjects takes college entrance examinations in these subjects. Bryn Mawr, Smith, Vassar, and Wellesley require examinations from all candidates for the Freshman class.
2. A GENERAL COURSE OF FOUR YEARS. This offers greater freedom in the choice of studies. The only requirements are four years of English, one year of algebra, one year of geometry, and one year of United States history. Every pupil is advised to take three years of French, one year of Ancient or of English history, and at least one year of science.
At the beginning of the High School the school advises a pupil to arrange her course so that at graduation the parents end the pupil may decide whether or not she will enter college. The school has many times watched a girl show increased mental power, achieve new habits of industry, or develop distinct ability along some particular line, so that at the end of her four years in the High School a college course seemed the desirable next step. There is not a great difference between the college preparatory course and the general course.
The choice of the course preparatory to college does not necessarily commit a girl to the decision to enter college; however, it is a satisfaction at graduation to be ready, should she desire to enter. About 62% of the graduates at the last five years have entered college.
DEDICATION
I dedicate this term topic to any poor soul who finds it necessary to read it.
E. Y. Lim.
3-15-29.
PREFACE.
This term topic is a comparatively short one.
In these few pages I have tried to put my subject across as interestingly and as clearly as I can with the least amount of reading possible.
For those who have given me these valuable information I wish to thank: Mr. Harry W. Jones, superintendent of Piedmont schools; Miss Ellen Driscoll, principal of Frank C. Havens School.
The Author.
Piedmont Elementary School System
PIEDMONT
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SYSTEM
The Officers
Chapter-1-
PIEDMONT BOARD OF EDUCATION - The Piedmont elementary and high schools are run by the Piedmont Board of Education. This board is composed of five members, four of which are elected by the people of Piedmont, and one chosen by the City Council of Piedmont. These five officers of the board then select a capable man as superintendent of all the Piedmont schools and also act as principal of the Piedmont High School. All these officers have a term of four years. They are eligible for reelection.
The superintendent of the Piedmont schools has charge of the High School, the Junior High school, and the three elementary schools. Under his supervision are three principals, one Iron each of the elementary schools (Frank C• havens, Egbert W. Beach, and Wildwood. The three principals have charge of the teachers of their respective school.
ORGANIZATION OF THE BRARD OF EDUCATION - The Board of Education Of Piedmont elect a president, and secretary. from their members. Under the Board three committees are formed:
Committee on Finance Looks after all bills and receipts, such as payment on repairs and teachers' salaries, Etc.
Committee on students' welfare looks after the general well being of the students, such as their health, student activities, Etc.
Committee on teachers welfare looks after the teachers, such as hiring,, firing, and other activities.
The Board of Education of Piedmont cooperates with the superintendent in organizing the P. T. A. or Parent-Teachers Association in the advancement of student welfare. The above mentioned committees investigate matters belonging to their respective line and meet together to take actions. A committee may have one of more members of the Board of Education. A regular meeting of once a month is made by the Board, but a special meeting may be called by the president if he believes it necessary. The President of the Board acts as chairman.
The School Finance
Chapter-2-
HOW FINANCED - All the expenses in running the Piedmont schools are, of course, paid by the residents of Piedmont through the medium of taxation. Each year the Finance Committee of the Piedmont Board of Education make a budget and present it to the County Tax Bureau. The amount of this budget is added to the main budget of the city of Piedmont, thus a tax rate may be determined. These taxes are laid and collected by the tax authorities, and the amount or share collected for the Piedmont schools is kept in the county treasury until needed.
SCHOOL BONDS - When the schools need a large sum of money over a long period of time, such cases as in building new schools, a bond must be issued. Before such a bond is issued the proposal must be passed by the Piedmont Board of Education and the City Council, and then submit the issue to be voted upon by the people of Piedmont when a bond election is called. If the bond issue is passed by a 2/3 majority votes of the election, the bond becomes effective, but if not, then the bond Issue becomes dead, and no bonds can be issued.
As school bonds have to be paid for when due, so the necessary funds are obtained as usual -- taxation.
STUDENTS FROM OUTSIDE OF PIEDMONT - There are few students living in Oakland or Berkeley wino are attending the Piedmont schools. There are also few students who are attending the Oakland or Berkeley schools and who are residing in Piedmont. With these cities (Oakland and Berkeley) the Piedmont Board of Education makes an agreement whereby Piedmont resident students are accommodated. The agreements are usually based upon the cost of educating these students. For example: If a certain student from Piedmont costs the Oakland public schools $300 per year to educate, and a certain student from Oakland costs the Piedmont public schools $280 a year to educate, then the Piedmont Board of Education pays to the Oakland Board of Education the difference, namely, $20 per year.
This accommodating scheme is used because: (1) There are a few students residing in Piedmont desiring to learn or study certain lines of education which the Piedmont schools do not have in their school curriculum, but the course desired by such students exists in some Oakland or Berkeley schools, and vice-verse; (2) the schools involved feels it too expensive to hire special teachers for so few students who are studying in that line of work or study, hence the agreement.
Piedmont Schools-Its Aims
Chapter-3-
The problems and objects in view when formulating a school curriculum are (1) the absolutely essential studies necessary in every good citizen, (2) the variations of pupils/aspirations, and (3) the meeting of these requirements.
Everyone- who has been through the grammar school knows that every pupil in that school has to go through with exactly the same courses--English, spelling, arithmetic, geography, history, music, writing, physical education, etc. The brightest boy in the class studies the same lessons as the dullest boy in the class.
When rich and poor, and bright and dull students study the same courses and must master them, these courses must be essential. Such courses are offered to the Piedmont elementary schools.
The courses in the Piedmont schools are arranged in their order of importance and in the order of the capacity of the students. With the full cooperation of the principles of the schools, the superintendent of schools, and the Piedmont Board of Education, the courses are fixed so that when the students have master what was given them, they will have the capacity to do high school work.
In Piedmont there is another problem – a social problem. Piedmont is known to have more millionaires than any other city of like population. Its students, therefore, must have different aspirations. To have machine shop works as an ideal study for Piedmont students would be ridiculous. Its ideals must fit the desires of the people it serves, otherwise its success is irrational. Courses in cultural, social, and certain professional lines would fit much better. And that is just what the Piedmont Board of Eaucation is trying to put over.
The cooperation of the Piedmont Board of Education, the principals, the superintendent, and the teachers of the Piedmont schools are carrying out such a plan---make the students take what is essential in common everyday life, and then let them have some electives, or courses which they have real, energetic desire to follow as a profession.
History of Piedmont High School
Civics Term Topic
By Norma Janssen.
History of Piedmont High School.
In 1920 there was no High School in the city of Piedmont. The pupils were sent to the Oakland schools which were exceedingly far _____. When a school vas proposed in this same year by the Board of Education which consisted of Mrs. H. A. Haas, Dr. H. D. Bell, and ____ W.S. Brann. There was much opposition to the issue, and protests were many. People said that there never would be two hundred and fifty (?) students and that it was cheaper to pay Oakland schools for accommodating Piedmont students than to construct a High School. In 1921 a bond issue was voted upon for $250,000.00, to build the Piedmont High School. The majority of the citizens were foresighted enough to realize the need for an institution of learning, the issue carried.
Previous to the bond election, the Oakland Board of Education served (?) notice on the Piedmont Board of Education that they would longer accommodate Piedmont students. In accordance with this statement a contract was made by which Oakland would take care of Piedmont students for another year, if Piedmont would allow Oakland students to attend the Piedmont High School after its completion. Oakland High Schools kept a record of the attendance of Piedmont students, and Piedmont each year takes in a number of Oakland students.
In the school year 1920-21, Piedmont ninth grade students were housed(?) in some temporary rooms constructed out of the Casino in the Piedmont Park. Mr. Cooper, the superintendent, resigned in the spring 192 to accept a position in Fresno, and was succeeded by Mr. H. W. Jones.
In the fall of 1921 the Casino opened as Piedmont High School offering a full course for the first time. The assemblies were held in the Piedmont Church, and on assembly days the student body mas seen marching en masse to and from the school, across the street into the church assembly room. The enrollment this first year reached three hundred and nighty nine.
In1922 the new Piedmont High School was being constructed to house four hundred students. The Piedmont Board of Education discovered however, that after the second school year, the enrollment would more than fill the new building, when completed. An additional $60,000 was raised and the building was made to accommodate six hundred students.
The first year in the new Piedmont High School was one of activity, because of the formation of the student body organization. The student body by this time had enjoyed a growth of twenty five percent. Now at the present time, in Spring 1929, the enrollment is considerable more an one thousand one hundred students, counting the Junior High School, too.
Phases Of Government.
Piedmont High School has a system of student government. This system established in 1921 when the student body constitution was drawn up.___ of numerous handicaps, student participation in the affairs of the student government, enjoyed a successful start of the first year. During the last years such advances have been made that stude government has become a very(?) important phase of school life.
Student Body Officers.
The Student Body Officers for each semester are elected on the third before the close of school, on a Thursday. They hold office during the semester. The officers are President of the Student Body, Vice President, Secretary, Commissioner of Entertainments, Commissioner of Organizationers, Cafeteria Manager, Girls Cafeteria Manager, and Yell Leader. The qualifications and duties as specified are as follows:- President of Student (must be from twelfth grade )
Shall be Chairman and spokesman of Board of Control.
Shall settle any differences between members at Board Meeting
Shall call meetings of Board of Control at request of any member.
Shall call meetings of Student Body with approval of Principal , and to preside over these meetings.
Shall act as representive of Student body to any visitor at the school.
Shall be present at any meeting composed of faculty and students.
The President of Student Body Shall hold no class office.
Vice President.
Act in place of President in case of his absence.
Shall keep minutes of Board of Control end such records as the ___ may direct and keep minutes of Student Body Assemplies.
Director Of Organizations.
Shall help to create and assist any organization of school.
Report at necessary times to Board of Control concerning activities of school organizations.
Shall be present at meetings of Students and Faculty.
Commissioner Of Entertainments.
Shall have jurisdiction over all entertainments of the school--events must be approved by Board.
Cafeteria Managers.
Shall represent students in conduct of Cafeteria.
Shall receive and bring before the Board Of Control suggestions for improvements of Cafeteria service.
Yell Leader.
Shall direct all yell and songs for the students, and can appoint one or two assistants without approval of Board.
Student Participation In Assemblies.
The conduct in assemblies and in the corridors are regulated by the ___ P, the girls athletic organization, and the Block P, the boys organization. The rules for the Assembly Hall are as follows: - no communication any way during a program; no unnecessary noise or marking or defacing of property; no climbing over seats entering or leaving. These rules, if violated are punished severely. In the corridors no running is allowed, and likewise unnecessary noises are allowed.
Board Of Control Of Piedmont High School.
The Board of Control, which is the means by the which Student Government is established, is composed of all the Student Body Officers, Director of Finance, Students of the Ninth, Tenth, Eleventh, and Twelfth Grades, and one student from Seventh and Eighth Grades combined. The Duties are specified in the Student Handbook.
Interclass Council.
The Interclass Council is an organization which consists of one boy or girl from each class, and a Faculty advisor. The duties of this organization are to promote and foster Interclass contests. The Council is controlled in all ____ by a majority vote and is vested with veto powers.
Athletics.
The two athletic organizations of Piedmont High School are the English ____ and the Block P, the latter being the boys organization. The Sports offered both boys and girls are many. The principle boy’s sports are Track, Tennis, Football, and Basketball. Baseball is a minor sport, and recently Golf and ____ have been added.
The girls' athletics are Basketball, Tennis, Hockey, and Track. The _____ sports are Archery, Riding, Baseball, Roller-skating, Speedball, _____, Rowing, and Volleyball. In a separate class from these sports, but ___the-less important, is Dancing, Tumbling, and Clogging.
Piedmont High School belongs to the California Interscholastic Federation, ____ High School Athletic Association. This Federation districts the state Inter(?) league games. The girls do not play Interscholastic games.
The honors awarded the girls are English P's. They are numerals cut out purple felt and mounted on white, with a thin line of the white showing ____ the edge. The boys numerals are Block P's, made in the same manner as the girl’s letter. The boys are awarded stars for higher honors.
Faculty, Faculty, Meeting, and Salaries.
The Faculty of Piedmont High and Junior High School consists of forty ___ members and the Superintendent. All High School and Junior High School teachers must have College Education and State Certificates to teach. The courses(?) offered at Piedmont are very complete.
The salaries of teachers vary & great deal. Junior High School teacher having(?) two years experience and teaching from one to ten years receive salaries varying from $1700 to, $2800 per year. High School teachers having ___ years experience and teaching from one to ten years may receive salaries a $1900 to $3000 per year. Teachers receive salaries from $2400- $3600 if they are Department Heads. In case of personal illness salary is not ____ unless absences exceed five days during the year. Teachers will receive salary in case of absence, not exceeding three days, caused by a death of an immediate member of the family.
Faculty Meetings are held on Monday afternoons after school hours. In these faculty meetings the teachers discuss questions concerning all student body affairs. Some of the topics discussed are courses of study, teacher (?) relations, study hall rules, teachers noon duty, sizes of classes, ___ books, and all equipment. Students are not discussed singly at these meetings, unless a student is desirous of entering the Alpha Clan, Piedmont’s Honor Society.
Piedmont Board of Education.
Piedmont Board of Education consists of Mr. W. S. Brann, President; Mr. H. A. Hass, Secretary; Treasurer; Dr H. D. Bell, on the Teachers Committee; Mr. H. W. Dawson, Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds; Mr. C. P. Benn, in charge of Educational Policies. The Board of Education meets once a month and at this time outlines all the policies for Piedmont High School, and also reports(?) for different committees.
The Secretary Treasurer takes care of distributing and recording all ____ of Board. The Superintendent of buildings has charge of the conditions of the various structures and grounds, and the construction of new buildings. The Head of the Teachers Committee consults with the Superintendent of Piedmont Schools and in regard to appointments and courses of study. The Head of School Policies has charge of all school procedures.
College and University Requirements.
The requirements of the University of California, as compiled by Piedmont High School are recommending grades in all subjects, that is ____ and 2’s, or A’s, and B’s, and a merit rating over 80%, also the required amounts of units in English, Language, Mathematics, Natural Science, and Social Science. The required units for English are four, for Language, three or four units, three if one language is taken three years, four. Units if two languages are taken two years each; for Mathematics two units; two to four units of Natural Science, which includes Physics or Chemistry; and two to four units of Social Science. The requirements for all Universities are somewhat similar.
Piedmont High School offers both College Preparatory and Vocational courses. The courses designed for college preparation are Law and Business, ____ engineering, Scientific, and Pre-Linguistic. The following are designed or Vocational Courses, Printing and Journalism, Commerce, Architectural ____, Music and Art, and Household Art. In the Student Handbook all these courses are outlined. in full.
Alpha Clan. Boys'Senate, and Hoan Club.
The Alpha Clan is the honor society of Piedmont High School, and is ___ of all the students who have achieved distinction in some line of ___ such as: Arts, Scholarship, Citizenship, and Athletics. This honor ___ was established in 1924-1925, and its aims are to include all students who achieve pre-eminent success in any worthy phase of student success(?). Students wishing to attain election into the Alpha Clan must secure an application blank from the Dean of Girls or from the Dean of Boys and se__ a statement indicating his qualifications in a specific field.
The Boys’ Senate is a recently established organization in Piedmont High School. The purposes of this club are to interest, and foster the boys’ ___. The members of this organization are boys elected from each class.
The Hoan Club is the largest organization in the school, and consists ____ the girls in the school. This has wide and varied interest, and does ___ to foster the activities of the School and Community. Each year represent ___ are sent from this organization to the Girls League Conference of San Francisco and the Bay Cities. One of the outstanding achievements of this Hoan Club was the regulation that provided for the girls uniform. The regular meetings of the Hoan Club are held the first Tuesday of every month.
Awards.
One of the most distinctive awards In Piedmont High School is the ___ Library Award. This honor is awarded to students who submit the best places of work in the form of essays, poems, drawings, books of clippings, papers, maps and so forth. The award is given on the recommendation of the Librarian, Principle, and teacher concerned.
Another aware worthy of note is the one hundred dollar cash award bestowed by Mr. S. E. Biddle to the pupil ranking in the highest scholarship throughout an entire year. This award has been won by five pupils thus far.
In Piedmont High School each year is awarded three large Optimo Cups, permanent trophies in the school awarded to the person excelling in Football, Basketball, and Baseball. The winner of the cup has his name engraved on the cup. The trophy is awarded to the person having the following qualifications, skill in the game, good scholarship, and has rendered service to his team.
The Jones Trophy is awarded to the student excelling in public speaking during the term. The judging is done after a series of speeches held at the close of the year.
The Mathematics Trophy, the Brobeck Cup, is awarded to the graduating senior excelling in mathematics. The selection is based on Scholarship, ability to do original and creative work, and ability to apply practically mathematics to other fields. The name of the winner is engraved upon the cup.
Piedmont High School Dads award to the girl excelling in athletic sportsmanship a trophy which is a permanent award in the school.
An individual tennis award is given to the girl demonstrating superior ability in this sport throughout the term.
The Kimmer Shielding Citizenship Trophy is given to the graduating senior who has displayed the finest type of citizenship during his entire high school career. This honor is awarded thru the vote of the senior Class Faculty and Presidents of the major organizations. The trophy is a permanent award in Piedmont High School.
Two Gold Metals are offered annually by Dr. W. A. Gregory. One is offered to the student submitting the best term topic in the school(sp) and ____ with a scientific subject, the other award is given to the best educator(?) in the school. The contestants are to be chosen from a list of speakers in the Public Speaking Department.
Besides these awards are the honors bestowed by two athletic societies and the Student Body officers mentioned before.
Miscellaneous.
System of Grading.
The system of grading in Piedmont High School is according to the percentage and marks are called 1’s, 2’s, 3’s, 4’s and 5’s. The percentage corresponding to these marks are 1—from 93% to 100, 2—from 85 to 93%, 3 – from 77 to 85%, 4 from 70 to 77% and 5 which is not passing from 70% on down. The marks are discussed and defined in the student handbook.
Lost and Found Department.
the Lost and Found Department of Piedmont High School is maintained in the General Office. All articles lst and found should be turned into this department. Articles can be claimed and tirned in from 3:15 to 3:45.
Fire Drills.
From time to time fire drills are held at Piedmont High School to keep the students in practice in case of the occurrence of a fire the students would be able to systematically leave the building. The signal for a fire drill is the ringing of two series of three ringings of the bells. Each class has certain fire drill rules and in each room a fire drill leader and two alternates are elected.
Organizations.
Organizations play an important part in the activities in Piedmont High. The organization period occurs every other Thursday the third period. The purpose of these clubs are to probide an opportunity for the students to follow their major interests, and gain experience in club leadership as well as appear in club programs. There are nearly forty organizations dealing with a wide range of interests.
Class Meetings.
Class meetings are held to elect class officers, to prepare class ___, and to attend all class affairs. The various classes have a faculty advisors and meet on Tuesdays the third period, whenever there is business to attend to.
Publications.
In Piedmont High School the primary publications are the Clan O Log, the year book, and the Highlander, the school paper. The school paper is published weekly and is managed by the head of the Journalism Department. Students outside of Journalism Classes may send in articles to be published in the paper. The Annual Clan O Log, is published every year at June and is under the direction of a faculty advisor and the Junior Class. The aim of the Clan O Log is to make the History of one year of school activities.
Expenses.
The expenses of the student body are paid out of the sale of Student Boy Cards. These cards enable the students to enjoy many privileges.
Music.
Every year, in Piedmont High School, an Artist Course is held. In the last six years twenty-three world famous artists and five musical organizations have appeared on these programs, which are sponsored to educate Piedmont Students in the best class of music.
STUDENT PARTICIPATION IN PIEDMONT HIGH SCHOOL
CIVICS
BARBARA MORGAN
CHAPTER I
STUDENT PARTICIPATION
A. Board of Control
The first and most Important of all organizations an Piedmont High School is the Board of Control. This group of students, composed of all the leaders of the most important activities of the school, has more authority than any other group of students. It might be well to outline briefly the source of this authority exercased by the Board.
The government of the school as a whole is carried on by a group of citizens of Piedmont who are elected by the people as a Board of Trustees of the entire Piedmont school system. This Board authorizes all expenditures of money by the school.
The men and women who make up this Board, are business men and women, whose, interests, aside from the school, are many and varied. Because f these other interests that take up a major portion of their time, these people have chosen to represent them at the school a man who is an expert in this line. This expert, known as the Superintendent of Schools, in turn as appointed some assistants to work under him. He therefore has appointed a vice-principal, two deans and a faculty of as many teachers as he believes sufficient to carry on the work of teaching a certain number of students. Besides these assistants, from the students themselves, he chooses a Board of Control who carry on the affairs of school government. These questions vote upon, however, must be referred back to the Superintendent, who, if the questions are of great importance, refers them back to the Board of Trustees, who passes on them.
This group of Student Body leaders consists of the following members: a president, who is also the student body president, whose place it is to preside at all meetings; a vice-president and a secretary, who perform the usual duties of those offices; a commissioner of entertainments, who provides entertainment such as noon dances, programs in assembly and the annual Carnival; a commissioner of organizations, who looks after the welfare of the various clubs in the school; two commissioners of the cafeteria; one boy and one girl, who represent the student body interest in this activity; and a yell leader whose duty is to lead yells at all the games and to arrange rallies. These student body representatives, who are elected at the end of each term by the associated students, serve for the ensuing term; and together with the six class presidents and the principal, these students are appropriately named the Board of Control, which serves a splendid purpose in promoting the traditional self-government functions of the school.
The work of the Board is, primarily, to control the government of the school as far as its authority extends. It sponsors all student body activities, such as the sale of Student Body Cards, Artist Course tickets, etc. Some offenses committed by a student are brought up before the Board and the punishment of the student is determined by this group.
B. Interclass Council
The Interclass Council is an organization composed of a boy end a girl representative of each class acting under the direction of a faculty advisor, whose purpose it is to stimulate interclass activities. Not a great deal is known about the work of this organization for it is not particularly noticeable to everyone. Nevertheless, it is an important spoke in the well-organized wheel of school activities.
C. Hoan Club
The Hoan Club is the largest school organization, next to the Board of Control, which includes in its membership every girl in Piedmont High School. Altho it might well come under School Activities, it takes such a part in the government of the girls that it is well to introduce it here. The activities of the club are varied but are all along the line of service to the school and community. The giving of Thanksgiving baskets to needy families, the Christmas party, welcome parties for the new girls, and the big and little sister plan, are many of the interesting and helpful projects carried on by the club.
One of the most outstanding achievements of the club was the adaptation of the uniform. To enforce the ruling, there is elected from each class a girl whose duty it is to see that each girl in her class conforms to the dress regulations. Besides this duty, which is by no means the main one, this group of girls, known under the name of the Girls’ Council, serves as a sort of Board of Control for the girls. The Council sponsors all activities carried on by the club and authorizes the expenditures of all money belonging to the club.
At the head of this group are a president, who is also president of the club as a whole, a vice-president and a secretary, also of the club as a whole. These officers are elected yearly by the student body of girls.
The origin of the club is a very natural one. Girls, because they are not, generally, either physically built for or particularly interested in sports in the strenuous sense as are boys, turn to other activities from which they can derive happiness and helpfulness. To carry on such work as they are desired, such as charity work, they are forced to group together in to one club. From this group, which expanded as time went on and the girls became more interested, developed the club as it is now, a very well organized group of girls working for the joy of doing something to help others and for the joy of doing in the beautiful companionship of girls.
D. Boys’ Senate
The Boys' Senate is a comparatively new organization, but one which promises much for the future. It is composed of boy representatives from every class who meet at each organization period to consider matters of particular interest to the boys. The charge of the boys' assemblies, the planning of the programs and the order in the assemblies are some of the many duties of this new organization.
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CHAPTER II
ACTIVITIES
A. publications.
I, The Clan-O-Log
The Clan-O-Log is the annual publication of the Piedmont High School, published each June by the Junior class, under the direction and instruction of a faculty advisor. Into the annual is put the picture of every student, the individual picture of every graduating senior, the members of the Board of Control, Hoan Club officers, Boys' Senate and such group pictures as the Block and English P societies, some of the important clubs, and the Staff. In other words, it serves as a record of events of the year past, a most valuable book to its owner as the years pass.
The staff consists of an editor, a business manager, advertising manager, associate editor, and many assistants, under the direction of certain faculty advisors, which group publishes this record of "long of the clan" for the students.
Il. The Highlander
All the efforts of the staff of the weekly "Piedmont Highlander,” consisting of an editor, advertising manager, and many assistants under the direction of a faculty advisor, are concentrated on the fulfillment of an aim which includes a “fourfold program of service to the Administration, the student body, to the Individual, and to the Community.”
The weekly includes a record of events during the week past, in sports, organizations, society, drama, and music. It follows, students who read it, a complete record of events, and to the student who publish it, invaluable experience in the line of journalism.
B. Cafeteria
The cafeteria is as "essential and necessary part of the modern educational regime, because it is a known fact that study cannot be effective unless one maintains a maximum degree of health."
The cafeteria of Piedmont High School is a student body activity which was taken over from the Board of Education in August, 1923.
To commissioners, one boy and one girl, act as representatives for the student body, and keep the students in touch with the affairs of their cafeteria. This cafeteria not only offers to the students the best of foods at the lowest possible prices, but also takes care of itself financially.
C. Clubs
The purpose of clubs In the school Is to interest, each student in a certain field of his own choice. On every other Thursday in each month, a certain period of time is given over to the boys and girls to allow them to show their interest in the line of work that most appeals to them. The clubs represent the interests of all the students. They range from the Sewing Club to the Mechanics Club, each one specializing in its own particular field.
The primary purposes of these clubs are;
1 An opportunity for the student to follow up his major interest.
2 An opportunity for students to get the experience of club officers as well as to learn the parliamentary usages in a small group where everyone takes his part.
3 An opportunity for every pupil to prepare a part and appear of a club program at least once each semester.
Each club has a president, a vice-president, and a secretary and treasurer, and is carried on in a most business-like manner. Because of the length of time between each meeting, the clubs do not accomplish many great feats but spend their time on small projects. The greatest amount of work that they accomplish is the responsibility of a booth at the Carnival every year. Each club chooses a special article (usually food) to feature, in a special booth. The Commissioner of Organizations receives these choices and assigns them accordingly.
There are very few clubs that have special pins, the idea being to save the honor for the Alpha Club and the Seniors. Also, the students feel that, although it is nice to have pins, they meet so seldom that it is hardly worth-while.
D. English P and Block P
The English P and Block P societies are two organizations of Piedmont High School in which are gathered the most enthusiastic and finest athletes, both boys and girls, in the school. The English P stands for excellence in girl's athletics and the Block stands for the boys excelling in athletics. The two clubs are very similar, the only distinction being the entrance requirements.
For entrance into the English P Society, a girl must earn 400 points in any or all lines of sports. Each after-school sport counts a certain number of points, a girl, to win her points, must report for the sport in which she is particularly interested, a majority of the times in one season. In this way, a girl does not receive her English P for excelling in one particular sport during one particular season, but it is a collection of many sports end many seasons that results in the membership in the English P Society.
The boys do not determine their membership into the Block P Society by the point system. On the other hand, a. boy as excel in one particular sport in one particular season, and, for his excellence in that line, receive membership into this society.
The purpose of these clubs is to encourage afterschool sports as much as possible, and by encouraging these sports, fix in the minds of the students, fine ideals of health and sportsmanship and teamwork. This knowledge that they gain from clean, healthy sports remains with them all their lives, to keep sound, healthy bodies and carry thru the business world the spirit of cooperation and fair play.
Besides carrying on the regular business of a club and sponsoring all athletics, the English P and Block P have been given the responsibility of the order in the assemblies and in the noon study hall. They have the authority to ask a student to leave the assembly or noon study hall if that student is causing a disturbance if he refuses, he may be brought before the Board of Control as a student body offender.
E. Alpha Clan
The Alpha Clan, standing for the "first clan," is the honor society at Piedmont High School. This organization is made up of those students displaying a good general standing and excelling in one of the following activities: scholarship, citizenship, athletics, and the arts. On entering the clan, each student receives a pin as a symbol of having achieved the honor of being admitted into this society.
The purpose of the Alpha Clan is very well founded. Instead of having a great number of “honor societies” to cover each particular field of school life and activity, and thus making common the idea of the Honor society, Piedmont High School favored the idea of one central Honor Society that would embrace every activity in school. This plan was adopted and has proved to be an excellent one.
The slogan of the clan is "service to Piedmont High School," and the aim of every member of the clan is to do anything that helps in any way in the life of the school.
F. Carnival
The Highland Fling, the annual Carnival of Piedmont High School, is a very special and very interesting day in every school year. The Carnival is in charge of the Commissioner of Entertainments, who with his committee plans the entire program for the day. The usual procedure for the day is as follows: Classes until 10 o'clock. At ten a group of clever and original skits is presented by each class, and points toward the Interclass trophy are given as prizes for first, second, and third place. At the close of this program, the students eat lunch and enjoy themselves at the special booths prepared by the blubs. The Carnival is usually closed with an Interclass track meet.
The profits from this gala day are contributed to the school treasury, to be used for school projects. The Carnival is enjoyable as well as profitable, and well worth the time spent on it.
G. Dance Festival
The Dance Festival is an actlvity sponsored by the Girls’ Athletic Association (G. A. A.) and the physical education teachers, which, altho comparatively new, has proved to be exceptionally fine. The Festival consists entirely of girl in solo and group dances that are both beautiful and colorful.
CHAPTER III
SUMMARY OF STUDENT PARTICIPATION
When a group of young boys and girls express the desire to live their own lives and run their own school, one may look for a group of young boys and girls who will be better citizens because of this desire. They will be independent, strong and ready to tackle the problems that confront them as they grow older. They will not be afraid to plunge into a project because they are prepared for it, and after all that is what school is, preparation for after-life. They may study long and hard and pass all their examinations with high honors, but added to this knowledge they must gain practical experience, and where is there a better place than at the school?
A fitting motto that might be applied to the display of enthusiasm and interest shown in the school is "We grow by doing." The students seem to realize the truth in this motto and strive to live up to it, for the display of enthusiasm does not confine itself with one activity alone, but is manifest in ever branch of work. Not only are students interested in governing themselves, and in their publications, their clubs, and their activities. And not only they are aware of the opportunity laid before them parents and friends of the students realize, perhaps more fully, and wise it is to turn so great a part of the school machinery over to the students themselves. They realize that this is practical experience gained in youth will make for cleaner, better men and women and that thru them they are to realize a truer and better race of people.
SCHOOL LIFE AND SOCIAL ORGANIZATIONS
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
I. School Life
Self Government
Athletics
Alpha Clan
Hoan Club
Artist Course
Publications
II. School Organizations
Important Clubs
The Carnival
SCHOOL LIFE
In Piedmont High School we have the ideal school life. All students who have hopes of attaining some higher goal in years to come have marvelous opportunities for developing their minds and bodies along the lines in which they are especially interested. Everything for the betterment of the pupils is covered in the courses and activities of our school.
Scholars who are preparing to attend college have the benefits of a most understanding and capable faculty. Every student is given individual attention; and, although the college requirements are strict and very high, the work is made as clear and pleasant as possible. All of the college courses are outlined with reference to the entrance requirements, and the work is definitely planned for the entire high school course.
No pupil who has any talent whatsoever along vocational lines, and is not planning to attend college, should make the mistake of not developing his talents. In Piedmont there are several splendid courses built around the artistic and commercial fields of work. they are exceptionally well arranged and planned to fit the students for further development.
In Piedmont we have a system of self government which is not only very efficient but which benefits each and every pupil to a great extent. All of the scholars are citizens in the sense that they vote for their school officers and that they themselves, if capable of doing so, may run for offices also. Every student should feel a strong sense of responsibility then voting, for he is helping to choose the people whom to his knowledge are best fitted to carry on the school activities. In voting, each Individual should consider the person he feels is suited for the office, and under no conditions should he allow anyone to inveigle him into voting otherwise.
Only a limited number of persons can hold Student Body offices, but there are many other ways in which the other students, who do not have the opportunity of being on the Board of Control, can take part in the actual workings of our school government. The classes elect officers each semester, and likewise do the clubs. Then too, there are many committees called for to do special work during Each semester. Everyone has plenty of opportunity to demonstrate his ability in civic responsibilities.
We students in Piedmont should indeed feel very proud that we have such a fine system of government and that we play such an active part in it.
Physical education plays a large part in the school life at Piedmont. Every pupil is required to take one period of each day for gymnastic work. Besides this class work, there is an additional program of interclass and inter-scholastic activities that includes all pupils who are interested.
The girls, although they do not have events between schools, have many interesting and exciting tournaments between classes. So many different sports are carried on through the school year that each girl is given a variety of activities to choose from. Also, every year the Girl's Athletic Association celebrates by giving an Annual High Jinx. The plans are all worked out by committees of girls and many clever stunts are arranged. Everyone dresses in costume, and as several prizes are awarded, the result is that each girl comes arrayed in her very prettiest or very funniest attire.
The boys, of course, have more chance to display their athletic prowess. If they are capable, they can play on the school teams and thus enter the league games. The school teams this year have done wonderful work in every line. In football they had a wonderful season and in basketball they went up to the semi-finals in the North Coast Championships (a thing which none of our previous basketball teams have ever done.) Our track team is now winning many meets and we are justly proud of it. All of the contests between schools are very thrilling and of great interest to the entire Student Body.
The boys also have interclass activities in which they may participate.
The shield of the Alpha Clan pin is designed to indicate how the student gained admission into the society. Membership won through the arts is represented by the palette, mask, lyre, and scroll. Athletics is shown by the winged sandal, symbolic of Mercury, while the torch of learning represents scholarship, and the classic Roman Fasces illustrates citizenship.
The large A in the center of the pin stands for Alpha, the name of the society. The Scotch theme of our school is represented by the rampant lion, which signifies authority and superiority. The four-pointed stars illustrate the unity of the Clan, which combines the leaders In all lines of school activity.
ALPHA CLAN
Instead of having a separate society for each branch of school activities, Piedmont High School has one Honor Society, the Alpha Clan, which is composed of the leaders of all school activities. In this way, the foremost group of the school is brought together in one body, and is better able to exert an influence over the entire Student Body. It should be the aim of every students high school life, to become a member of this Clan. Since membership may be attained through scholarship, citizenship, athletics, and arts, any Student, who has any ambition whatsoever, should become a member of the Society.
A student is elected into this society for one semester only. However, if he maintains his average of excellent work after he has become a member, he is automatically reelected from semester to semester. If his standard of work falls off, on the other hand, he is dropped from the clan.
The Hoan Shield represents the ideals and standards of each girl. The candles on either side of the name represent our installation ceremonial and stand for health, knowledge, heart ideals, and spirit. In the classic myths, Minerva is the example of ideal womanhood; and so it is very fitting that her likeness be placed on our shield to remind every girl of the best in life. In carrying out the Scotch theme of the school and portraying every girls loyalty for the standards of her High School, the rampant lion is a significant part of the shield. The ship symbolizes our Club motto, an old Persian proverb:
"Help thy brother's boat to cross,
And lo! Thine own has reached the shore."
THE HOAN CLUB
The Hoan Club, which is comprised of every girl in school, is one of the most delightful features of the social life of the girls of Piedmont. This wonderful organization was started seven years ago and has been growing steadily, both in popularity and activities.
The word "Hoan" means, "Help One Another", and up to the present time the girls have all faithfully lived up to their motto.
The Club room is homey and comfortable, with many inviting chairs, a davenport, a grand piano, rugs on the floor, and richly colored drapes at the windows. Many gifts have added artistic beauty as well as a lovely personal touch to the room. It is in the Club room that the girls spend many happy hours,--reading, dancing, playing the piano, and holding meetings. Our Club room is indeed a place of which we should all be justly proud.
The active work of the Club is carried on by several extremely competent committees, appointed each semester. A great many outside projects are taken up in the Hoan Club. For example, the girls make bandages for the Baby Hospital, collect books for the children at the Gibson Home, give a lovely Christmas party for thirty little boys and girls, and every Thanksgiving time a wonderful plan is worked out by the girls, whereby many needy families are given a nice dinner and staple supplies.
The Hoan Club sponsors many beautiful parties during the school year. Perhaps the loveliest of these is the one which is given every year for the purpose of providing an opportunity for the new girls to meet the other students and to make new friends.
All of the activities of the Club are carried on under the helpful guidance of Miss O'Connor. Every girl, who has ever come under the leadership of our dean, knows and loves her as a true friend.
THE ARTIST COURSE
Every year our school presents a wonderful Artist course to the Students. Through this means, the very finest singers, pianists, glee clubs, and organists come to our own High School auditorium and entertain us. The talent is the very best in the country, indeed, the entertainers are the same ones who may be heard in the Oakland and San Francisco auditoriums.
Piedmont is very fortunate in obtaining this wonderful series and is probably the envy of many other less fortunate schools which do not have the same opportunity of securing such high grade talent.
By having this Artist Course in our school, the finest type of cultural entertainment is brought into the students' lives, and with this association with the best things of life the pupils' tastes cannot help but be raised to a much higher level. Thus, it can be easily seen that in Piedmont the pupils not only have remarkable opportunities of learning, but also have a chance to develop along the artistic lines as well.
SCHOOL PUBLICATIONS
The name of our weekly paper, the Highlander, carries out the Scotch theme of our school. This paper is put out by the journalism classes, although all contributions from the students and members of the faculty are gladly received. In this way practically all phases of school and community life are covered.
The Editor of this weekly production is chosen by the Board of Control, upon the recommendations of the faculty.
The name Clan-O-Log, which is our year book, means, in the Scottish sense, "log of the clan." It is published every Year by the Junior class with the help of the printing, Art, and English departments. It gives a complete history of the activities of the school year, and is a book which every individual should own and prize very highly.
SCHOOL ORGANIZATIONS
Our organizations, or clubs, form a rather unique pert of the activities of our High School. The object of these organizations is to permit each pupil to specialize in his particular hobby. Branches of subjects, which cannot be taken up in the regular school courses, come under the work of the various clubs. Each teacher has charge of a club, and in this way all types of subjects may be discussed. These organization meetings occur every other Thursday, and many extremely interesting programs are worked out by the students.
Several of the clubs plan field trips and picnics to be taken at different times during each semester. In this way the pupils become better acquainted with their teachers, and, at the same time, benefit Iron the instruction which they receive.
The clubs not only help the students in an intellectual way, but they also promote the leadership ability of each individual. Every organization has it's officers and committees. Since the clubs are small, each person has plenty of opportunity to demonstrate his civic possibilities.
Among the more important clubs of the High School some exceptionally interesting work is taken up. The following paragraphs will be devoted to the descriptions of the various leading club activities:
The Block P and English P organizations are composed of all pupils who have won their school letter through participation in athletics. These two clubs have charge of the order in assembles and the hallways. Their duty is to see that all the rules are enforced.
The Interclass Council is made up of a boy and a girl representative from each class. These students plan all of the Interclass contests for the semester. It is their duty to see that Interclass activities are kept going in an enthusiastic manner.
The Girls Council composes the executive group of the Hoan Club. Each class is represented by one girl, and all of the girls activities, except athletics, come under the Council's supervision.
The Chemistry Club admits only Chemistry students who are interested in going deeper into the study of the subject. Lectures are given by the visiting speakers, and the club also has the laboratory at its disposal.
The Drama Club is this year making a study of the modern poets. Readings are given by the various members and the lives of the poets are being studied.
In the Music Club, home talent is being developed to a wonderful degree. The popularity of this club is steadily increasing. The pupils have entire charge of the programs, and many delightful numbers are presented.
Both the Chess and Checker Clubs are holding heated contests at the present time. The students are so interested that they spend their noon hours playing these time worn games.
The Kimmer Shielding is an organization in Piedmont High School composed of boys who stand out in school activities, and who represent high standards of morals and sportsmanship. This club was started so that its members might meet together for mutual betterment, the perpetuation of good fellowship, and the support of school activities.
In a like manner, the Klish McKlaver Society represents the girls of our High School.
THE CARNIVAL
Every year the clubs group together and put on a big Carnival. This work is done entirely by the organizations, and is always a huge success.
The theme of the Carnival changes each year and many clever ideas are worked out by the various clubs. for example, one year the Carnival was to represent a Rodeo. All of the students came dressed as cow-boys, and girls too. Whips and big Spanish sombreros were sold by the dozens, and the athletic field was actually transformed into a Western rancho.
Each club has charge of one booth, and they may ether sell food or favors, or else they may have charge of some game of chance. A prize of $10.00 is offered to the booth which coins the most money. This is quite an incentive, and with every club trying for this prize, a great deal of money is collected, which, in turn, goes back into our Student Body Treasury. So, the Carnival not only provides for a good days amusement but it helps to provide, in a financial way, for the activities of the coming year.