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PAGE S • PLAINDEALER - FRIDAY. AUGUST 21.1M1 Tracing Education In McHenry Education in McHenry, to some degree, has been carried on since the early days. Certainly there were hints of it soon after the first settlers came to the shores of the Fox river in 1836 and realized that Indians were still here in small numbers. But 1892 is the first record of any McHenry high school graduates. Until 1919, the high school included only the City of McHenry and was supported by the grade school district In September of that year, a vote was taken on whether to form a new high school district. When the tally was made on Sept. 20, the citizenry chose to form a high school district that would encompass all of McHenry township, with the exception of a small portion on the northwest side and a tiny part of Nunda township. Later, in 1940, the Wonder Lake school district was added to McHenry by petition and the present boundaries include art proximately 60 square miles. With the enlargment of the high school district there were 90 high school students and 13 graduates in the Class of 1920. The year 1924 saw the .construction of a new building, which for the first time separated the high school and elementary classes into two different buildings. Three years earlier, in December of 1921, a majority of the 1,019 voters who went to the polls cast ballots in favor of the $125,000 bond issue for the construction of the building In 1923 the bonds were finally sold and the con­ struction was under way. . The opening of school in 1924 was delayed two weeks so that construction could be completed. Minoc con­ struction that needed to be finished would in­ convenience students and faculty alike throughout the year. Instrumental music courses were also added to the curriculum at McHenry high school in 1923. It was not until 1939, however, that a fledgling vocational education program, in the form of a single trade course, was offered. Since then, vocational education has taken off and developed into a complete department at the two McHenry high schools. Throughout the - years many more improvements would be made. Originally, the high school only owned the land upon which the building stood and the adjacent football field. In 1938, a very successful summer recreation and playground program was started under the guidance of Leonard McCracken. The program featured the combined support of the elementary and high school boards and the City of McHenry. A complete redecorating of the building was com­ pleted in 1935. Since the 1940 s, the changes have been many and they have occurred quickly - a direct result of a rapidly growing population. After many additions to the high school, a new West campus opened its doors in the fall of 1968 and the older building became East. It Early childhood important Learning is a way of life For every normal child, it rs as natural as the need to eat and sleep. Therefore, it is only right that children be provided with a stimulating atmosphere, one in which the learning equipment they are born with can be a! lowed to flourish. Normal children possess senses, curiosity, language, muscles and organizing ability, tools that enable them to learn about the world Children learn in a variety of ways--through exploration, trial and error, pain, pleasure. imitation, participation and communication. As children learn and grow, there are certain things that they need to know. If they are taught to trust the world, they will be open to the |oys of discovery. Children also need to know about their own bodies, familiar objects, people, how to handle unger and cope with frustration and h^w to know the difference between real and childhood fears. The first learning years of childhood can influence the capacity of children to become happy, healthy adults. Important safety tips for kids with bicycles Road safety and proper bicy­ cle maintenance are important areas to stress to children who'll be cycling back and forth to school this fall. Follow these tips to keep your child's bike safer and cleaner: • Oil the bike chain, gears and brake; • Equip the bike with reflec­ tors on the front and back of the bike, both wheels and pedals, for evening safety; • Attach a bell or horn to warn motorists and pedestrians; • Keep the bike clean to en­ sure ease in handling. And, keep your children safe by keeping them aware of some rules of the road: • Ride with the flow of traf­ fic, not against it; • 0.Vse proper hand signals;, , • Understand road signs and directions. Lynn* Zurblis. 13, W*st Campu* Freshman "Kinda glad to sa« my friands, but -the first yaor of high sthdol 4»"sfcdry. Yd never been there before." was the first time the fresh­ man and sophomore classes were housed in one building apart from the juniors and seniors About this time a decision was made that different superintendents would be employed for Elementary School District 15 and High School District 156. Prior to that time, only one superintendent served both districts. The old East campus had to fight for its life in recent years, but the voting public mandated that it remain at the East end of Main street. A recent decision was made by the District 156 school board to return to two four- year buildings, one at each location. Also since the 1940's, several new schools were added to the grade school district -- Junior high, Parkland, Valley View, Edgebrook and Hilltop - to meet increasing enrollment needs. Landmark school, which at one time was both grade and high school, came out victorious after an offer to buy the building was being considered. Again, the loud voice of the public was heard and the building became a primary center This brief history of education in McHenry is only a start. Young people today, who benefitted from the earlier judgments of their elders, will play their own part in shaping the course it will take in the years ahead. It's back to school with road­ sides full of happy youngsters. Sometimes during the excitem­ ent they forget about the dangers of traffic. So, for the next few days we're going to be extra careful... we hope you will be too! Dennis Conwoy 3319 W. Elm St. McHenry 385-7111 I N I U R A N C I I ̂ ̂ / WITH SAVE 10% on Sedgefield CORDS & JEANS! SIZES 28 SUp SPECIAL GROUP! PRE-WASHED JEANS Limited Sizes Available Reg. Price to 25.50 While They Last! SALE 16" Back-To-School Favorites! Vested Corduroy Suits 9500 36 Reg. ft Up Suede Sport Coats with Elbow Patch 70 oo <E ^hristnpfjpra MEN'S WEAR 3902 W. MAIN ST. McHENRY ,, 3*5-4060 Daily 9-5 Fri 9-8:30