Board Maps '71-72 At ttie Board of Education meeting held Monday, March 20, decisions concerning the proposed austerity changes for the '72-73 school year were made. Board member Roy O. Makela stated at the start of the meeting, "The Board is assured that proposed adjustments will result in a program which, while not reflecting the exemplary quality traditionally of-
Vol. 8, No. 12
fered in the Maine high schools, will be sound." Dr. Richard Short, superintendent, presented a list of nontenure teachers who would advance to their second year of teaching or tenure for consideration. The remaining non-tenure teachers are in a holding pattern and will be employed by District 207 if jobs are available.
District Austerity Program In general, class size will increase from a present minimum of 15 students to a minimum of 20. The pupil-teacher ratio will increase in almost every department. While the size of laboratory classes will remain basically the same, regular classroom size will be approximately thirty-five students. P.E. classes will increase to approximately forty students per class.
AAaine Township High School South, Park Ridge, III. 60068
Mar. 24,1972
A single audio-visual administrator for the district, with para-professional assistance, will replace the present four administrators. The Board is studjing a report on inter-scholastic athletics which may bring about coaching reductions if certain levels of competition are dropped. The reduction of the purchase of athletic supplies and equipment has also been outlined. A change in policy relating to the V-Show and spring musical is also being considered. If a change is made, these two productions would continue only if receipts reimbursing the school district for all costs, incuding staff assistance, are met. Otherwise, the Maine high schools would continue presenting the V-Show and spring musical on alternate years. Mr. Lloyd Spear, music department chairman, recently commented on the austerity
NHS Eyes Reform of Selection Procedure After the announcements of appointment to the National Honor Society last week, many students raised the question of why a top honor student is not necessarily guaranteed admission. If membership depended solely upon academic achievement, selection could easily be made by a computer which accurately selects qualified students' IBM cards. However, according to the national rules, membership depends on criteria other than academic achievement. Consequently, some students who rate high academicaUy are not selected. To qualify academically, seniors must have maintained a 3.0 average. A maximum of 15 per cent of the Senior Class may be chosen, although 12 per cent would also be acceptable. This year 86 seniors were elected, including those who were members during their junior year. Academic requirements for juniors are more rigid. A student must have maintained a 3.5 average without having a C in any course. A maximum of 5 per cent of the junior class may be selected. This year only 40 juniors met academic requirements. After the preUminary list is compiled, it is sent to the Executive Committee for approval. The sponsors do not see the list until it is approved. Mr. Robert V. Simonson. assistant principal, explained that the list is sent to the deans, who check if any of the students on the ballot have had any serious disciplinary problems in school. "Although the students who made the National Honor Society are the best of students,
those who were on the ballot but did not make it are still outstanding," Mr. Simonson commented. After the list is approved, teachers rate the students in terms of leadership, service and character. Students are rated on a scale of 1 to five, five being the highest mark. The average score is important. Points are totaled for each student and divided by the number of teachers who voted. The average score for the seniors is the cut-off point for the juniors. According to Mr. 3fAm Wilkerson, sponsor of NHS, the area most students are hurt in is the leadership category. "Each teacher has a different conception of leadership," Mr. Wilkerson explained. Voting for students teachers have not had in class is another setback. Knowledge of a student's leadership and character would be hard to determine if a teacher does not know a student personnally. However, these qualities cannot be determined solely in class. One high-honor student who did not make the Society expressed his opinion of the voting procedure. "It really doesn't matter to me if I didn't make it, because it is just an honorary society," he said. "However, I think the voting is unfair because a few teachers are able to keep out a student they don't like." This student felt NHS was primarily a popularity contest between students and teachers. He felt that anyone who has the grades and is in the top 5 per cent of his class should be a member. "I am concerned that the voting by the faculty be made
more objective," stated Mrs. Mary Anna Mohr, also an NHS sponsor. "The voting cannot be perfect, however, since it's only human beings rating other humans," she said. According to Mrs. Mohr, NHS members, officers and sponsors should work together with the administration to initiate some improvements. Mrs. Mohr felt that teachers should be reminded of the importance of fairness in voting and should be asked to measure the criteria more closely. Another suggestion would be to raise the senior academic requirement to possibly a 3.5 average. "Generally one thinks of NHS as being primarily academics. However, the system of voting may tend to de-emphasize academics," she explained.
One suggestion for improvement came from Mr. Robert Hunt, English III Ace. teacher. Mr. Hunt felt that teachers should only vote for students they know through outside activities such as clubs or sports. This system has been adopted by Barrington High School. "Nomination and election procedures should be drastically changed. Fewer students should be nominated and selection should be done in a non-academic way," Mr. Hunt said. Because NHS is a national organization, it does have some restrictions. However, Mrs. Mohr recognizes the need for constructive change. "ITilfi confli<^ comes up every year, dies down and nothing is done about it. This time I would like to see something done," she said.
'Southwards' Applications Now Available in V-106 Southwords staff applications for the 1972-73 school year should be in before May 1. Applications are available from Mr. Ken Beatty, sponsor, before and after school and during ninth period in the Southwords office, V-106, or from Southwords staff members. No previous experience is necessary in the journalistic field, although a course in journalism will give you a "slight edge," according to Mr. Beatty. "Students need only an open mind and the will to work," he said. Interest in writing is m o r e important than being a good English student. "Even the student not interested in jom-nalism as a career can prepare himself for college by having to write under pressure, and by the training he will receive in finding facts and setting down ideas," Mr. Beatty added. "The paper is an excellent way of making changes within the school system," concluded Southwords editor-in-chief Mary Beth Krebs. Applicants for a writing job are considered on four basic points. "First, and perhaps most important," emphasized Mr. Beatty, "is the ability to meet and talk to people." Other factors are good English grades, fair-mindedness, and the ability to meet deadlines. Three references, listed by the student on the application, are asked to consider these factors. At least 22 positions are open on next year's Southwords staff. Three photographers are "des-
perately needed," since there are no experienced photographers returning next year. Also needed is one cartoonist or staff artist. Writing positions unfilled include three sports writers; three writers from the class of '75; five writers, class of '74, and six writers, class of '73. The editorial staff and Mr. Beatty will examine all applications. Mr. Beatty will make all final decisions. The editorial staff for next year will be chosen from present staff on the basis of fellow staff members' recommendations to Mr. Beatty, who will make the final appointments. Final staff appointments will be made public before May 20.
program. "While we could benefit from larger classes, the proposed cutbacks affecting the purchase of musical instruments and materials constitutes our main problem." Miss Kathryn Pierce, girls' physical education department chairman, stated, "As things stand now, next year's gym classes will be larger and every teacher will carry the maximum load." She went on to say, "I feel that the opportunity for each student to play in gj'm will be lessened, and I am also concerned for the safety of my students." Mr. Otto Kohler, social science department chairman, commented, "Larger class size, meaning more work for the teachers and less of an opportunity for class discussion, will constitute our major difficulty." Due to the ten per cent budget cut for each department, funds for social science film rentals have been cut, and certain supplies for teachers will be eliminated. Mr. Kohler also stated, "The classroom is the place which ought to be cut least and last. That is where the real job of the school is done."
Bill Dickens Misses SC Some Stuudent Council members recently voiced concern over the absence of Bill Dickens, Student Council president, from council meetings. When asked the reason for his absence from the meetings, Bill said that he had been sick. "Lately I've been pressed with a lot of different things," he said. All are excused absences, he said, and he added that he has never cut Student Council in his life. Lynne LaJone, Student Council secretary, feels however, the absences are inexcusable. BUI has come in for certain afternoon classes. He said he felt better by afternoon to attend the class or classes. Lynne though, believes that his lack of appearances shows a definite lack of responsibility on his part. Cheryl Anderson, Student Council vice-president elect, said, "If Bill is sick a lot he should decide whether he's helping Council or not." Mike Eberle '73 agrees with Lynne concerning Bill's responsibility. "When he was elected president last year, he had a responsibility to the students and to Student Council," Mike said. One Student Council member felt that if Bill really doesn't have the interest in Student Council, he should let the officers-elect take over. "They have the interest in Student Council affairs," she said.
Council ResoluHon
Smoking Lounge Sought student Council passed a resolution concerning a student smoking lounge. This resolution is a statement of policy. The smoking lounge is scheduled to be located where the outside lounge is. It is scheduled to be a year-round loimge. According to Lynne LaJone, Student Council secretary. Student Council plans to take an opinion poll of the students regarding the loimge. The next step is to draw up the proposal. BUI Dickens, Student Council president is not optimistic regarding a student smoking
lounge. He feels that there is no way Student Council can get a lounge with the present administration unless the lounge becomes district policy. Students were asked how they felt about having a smoking lounge. A junior believes that it is impractical. "When it's cold or raining out, nobody wants to go out. Not many kids have the time or will wait until a study period to go out for a smoke," she said. Another agreed with Cocncil in that something should be done "because those washrooms are a mess."