southwords V d . 13, No. 6
Maine Township High School South, Park Ridge, III. 60068
Dec. 17, 1976
Monitory System Prompted by John Peters The problem of garbage on the cafeteria floor was recently reviewed by several faculty members and students and has prompted the possibility of a student monitory system which would govern ' l u n c h r o o m activity. If one was to go into the cafeteria 8th or 9th period, the custodian could be seen pushing the debris on the floor into one huge pile and then scooping it up with shovels in order to dispose of it. When asked why there Aas so much garbage on the floor, one custodian replied. The kids here don't appreciate the school." He later added. I wish I couldve gone to a school like this. It's a nice school, and I hate to see it going downhill. I couldn't sit and eat here. It would turn my stomach over." •Another custodian slated. 'The kids don't care, and the teachers don't watch em. If the teachers did their job, this (the garbage) wouldn't be here," He also said that he believes that ' a large majority are responsible for the mess and that a possible solution to the problem would be . to make the students clean up the garbage Mrs, Glaser. a paraprofessional and lunch supervisor, believes that, a minority are responsible for the sometimes unsanitary conditions in the cafeteria. The majority of our students really care about other people and themselves ' Mrs. Smaus. also a lunch supervisor believes that students in first, second and third period lounge contribute largely to the garbage in the
cafeteria. Bob Shultz. Senior Class President, commented on the problem by saying, ' I t ' s uncalled for The people act like pigs. The kids don't care about their fellow students It seems as if everybody leaves a little something and it J ust adds up." Mr .\ndrew Bitta. Dean of Boys, stated. "Our lunchroom is a disgrace. Our students don't want to be responsible for picking up after themselves," Mr Bitta also believes that better than half of the students leave a mess, but not intentionally. He also added, ' I can take a visitor and show him around this whole school because I m so proud of it. but I'll avoid the lunchroom because I'm ashamed of it." Mr. Robert Simonsen. .Assistant Principal, said that the problem is mostly due to the laziness on the part of some students Mr. Simonsen doesn't think that the students in general are irresponsible and claimed that. You'll find it in any group of people." Mr. Simonsen also stated. We have tried to get cooperation from the student body but so far we havent seemed to get any. There really is no time between periods to clean it up. 1 really don't understand why the students do it when i t s their lunchroom. We have as many people supervising as we can. But it doesn't seem to be enough I think we have been losing ground on this problem." Michelle Rokavec '78, commented by saying, ' I just don't see why everyone can't pick up their own garbage. People have
to be pretty lazy if they can't walk to the garbage can." Jamie Wareham, "78. said. "Most people are just too lazy. Maybe some people are trying to get back at the administration,'" Mr. Bitta and several of South's top students recently visited Lane Tech High School in Chicago in order to observe how the student monitory system functioned at their school, Mr. Bitta came away very impressed and said, "There was little or no garbage on the floors. It works there because the majority of the students respect each other." If such a system were to be instituted at' South, 15 to 20 students would oversee the lunchroom, discourage others from littering, and pick up between periods whatever garbage that may have been left on the floor. Students working in such a system would be rewarded by more liberal privileges and "honor hall" passes. In order to get such a system started, it will be seen if interest can get generated in such school organizations as Student Council and ••M"-Club. Mr. Bitta believes that such a system will be set up and will work if enough students want it to. Mr. Bitta also .said, "1 would support any student group that wishes to help out." "I don't think it's going to work." commented Bob Shultz. "but it's worth a try. " Mrs. Glaser also claimed. Student monitors would be a great help, but unfortunately they, too, would be disappointed in their peers who care-less',"
Eyrie staff works on year book production.
Yearbook Sales Up by Catherine Dever
Eyrie .sales were a success this year. The student body alone purchased 2553 copies, which is the largest amount ever sold. Book orders were taken three separate times. First orders were taken during summer, when registration and book sales took place in C-101. This sale was the most successful, and totaled 2126. Then a few weeks ago. orders were taken in homeroom, where 267 copies were .sold. The last chance was in the cafeteria last week, where 60 books were sold. This year, for the first time, the whole introduction will be in color. Previously it has alternated pages. This resulted in the staff's good planning of funds under the guidance of .Miss Singer, .Also, once again, there will be an individual faculty .section and individual Junior pictures. These were continued because of their success last year. The Eyrie's staff out of school
activities included attending a summer workshop at the University of Wisconsin. Here they attended classes and worked on a week book (similar to a year book I. They entered it in competition and won second place for this year's theme which was used in their project. Also, this fall, five members of Eyrie went to Northern Illinois University where they won two blue ribbons after having sections completed of this year's book analyzed. The ribbons were for photography and coverage. So with these extra opportunities and experiences, this year's Eyrie staff should be better than ever. Eyrie should be out in the last week of May. Donna Loda, editor in chief, commented on this year's book, "Because of the closeness and teamwork of the staff, we are all looking forward to this year's edition of Eyrie which should be especially more enjoyable because of the addition of a full color introduction."
Europe Trip Planned An excursion to Europe scheduled for spring vacation is being planned by Mrs. Lee Torp and Miss Patricia Barr. The cost for the trip will be around $785 for plane fare. The sum also includes accommodations, two meals per day and sightseeing tours. .Mrs. Torp also advises an extra $100 for personal spending The countries to be visited are Belgium. Germany, Switzerland and France, The maximum number of students eligible for the trip are 21. Presentlv there are four who
have sent their applications to the ,American Leadership Study Group, the organization that coordinates the tours, "I feel i t s a marvelous experience and it provides students with a chance to learn things that they can't get from books," said Mrs Torp. The tours, arranged by the ALSG, will be sponsored by Mrs, Torp and Miss Barr, since the tours are not school sponsored. Interested students should contact Mrs. Torp or Miss Barr for additional information.
Council Seeks Reforms
Garbage is compiled in the cafeteria daily.
MS Spanish Club Busy This Year There are a lot of clubs to join here at South The Spanish club is designed to promote interest in the culture and customs of the Spanish speaking people of Mexico and Spain. It is open to all interested Spanish speaking students. So far the club has been very busy. For homecoming they had a booth which had tacos and other Mexican food It was a big success On Thursday, Dec. 16. a Christmas party was held at La Margarita Restaurant When finished at the restaurant, the members broke open a pinata in the old Spanish tradition An animal-like pinata is attached to a clothesline, and a person is
blindfolded and given a bat. He then begins to strike at the moving pinata. When it is finally broken everyone races to it and grabs for the sweets inside. The club's adult sponsor is Mrs Blackstad. The president is Maine South's AFS student. Guillermo Ortiz from Costa Rica For spring Mrs. Blackstad said there will be a picnic and hopefully a movie. At the meetings the members practice Spanish and talk about upcoming events. Many students find belonging to Spanish club to be a lot of fun It is a little late to join Spanish Club this year, but to everyone
except the seniors, there will always be next year. Mrs. Blackstad said she wished more students, and especially boys, would join.
A Poem Of Meri* by Julie Egan
There once was an Israeli named Merit, who complained of the non-Christmas Spirit, cause when the day rolled around, He could always be found. In the Middle of the lane yelling— "It's Christmas, Let's hear it!"
Communication between students and administration is beginning to open up more and more Student Council came up with an idea to have a meeting between the administration and students Kevin Conway '77, President of Student Council, presented the idea and it was accepted. This is how it will work: One to three days every week (depending upon amount of interest and business) there will be a Student Council Forum meeting in the conference room in the F'ersonnel Office. Fifteen to twenty students will meet with Dr Watson. Mr. Simonson. Mr. Barker, and one or more of the deans The meetings will be with different people and at different periods each time .Any student who would like to attend may sign up in the bookstore Students are urged to participate because if the idea is not supported well enough, it could be cancelled. Another problem Student Council is investigating is the high food prices in the cafeteria Carl Decanini '77 is looking into
the matter to find out why the prices are so high and where the profit is going, .Also, there is a problem in the parking lots with students being ticketed for parking in the teachers' lots. Students aren't allowed to park there because there would not be enough spaces. Teachers are worried about vanadalism. and several years ago when students were allowed to park there, teachers cars were dented. Peter Omarzu '78. chairman of the Student Rights Committee, looked into this and found that because of a city ordinance, students could not be ticketed for parking in teachers' lots if there were no signs preventing it. There will now be signs put up in this area. Student Council also tried to gel the administration to allow students to bring coals to their last period classes However, this idea was opposed because coats make it easier for drug deals to take place and it would also be easier lo conceal cheat sheets.