'Meetings Are Empty; Concerts Are Crowed'
Vol. 8, No. 14
Maine Township High School South, Park Ridge, III. 60068
May 5,1972
Last Sunday there was a general meeting of the Park Ridge Youth Coalition at the Edison Park Home. Among other things discussed, three new "at-large" members were elected for a term of four months. Previous terms were of two-month duration. Amy Mc-
New Compressed Schedule Planned Compressed scheduling will be adopted next year to allow a maximum number of juniors and seniors freedom to leave seventh period. This year, students could petition for late arrival and early dismissal. Mr. Robert Barker, assistant principal, said these
privUeges will be given this year if they fit into the schedule. According to Mr. Barker, the new scheduling gives particular attention to avoiding any period and a half classes (not including labsl and junior and senior classes during eighth and ninth period.
AP Fever Hitting School Is Pressure Worth It? by Ann Flannery Why are some South students getting bleary over books when finals are over a month away? Why are seniors trying to remember everything they ever knew about English, while juniors review every U.S. History fact they can think of? The answer to these and other perplexing questions will appear for the uninformed, here in Soothwords. AH of that feverish study is preparation for Advance Placement tests. Occurring at various times during the week of May 15—19, those comprehensive three-hour tests are enough to strike fear into the hearts of even the most dedicated scholar. Pressured students, when asked if AP's are worth all the effort, have varied responses. Lisa Piasecki '72, feels that AP courses allow her to study a subject in depth. In AP U.S. History, Wally Kuntz '73 feels that, despite the pace and worry, AP courses are "fine as is, but I realize that some are taught by different teachers and I'd like to be able to pick." An unidentified senior toiler stated, "I'll know how I feel about AP's after I get the results of the tests. Until then, I'm not sure if it is worth the effort." Howard Bumson '72 felt that AP's were worth it "if you're learning something you want to learn. . .so I'm wasting my time." He suggested Music Theory AP for students who were not really interested in U.S. or European History, English, biology, chemistry, calculus or foreign languages, all of which are offered at South. Other suggestions for new AP courses were geology, anthropology, and Probability and Statistics. Teachers who n m these college-level courses and prepare their students for the compulsory exam are also probably responsible, by example, for the tremendous enthusiasm shown by most AP'ers. According to Mr. Daniel Silkowski, beared sage of South and English IV AP instructor, the best aspect of the course he teaches is that it "offers self-realization and literary appreciation at its finest. " This, he feels, is coupled with a bonus of freedom in rate, expression, and self-interest. Also enthusiastic, Mr. John Wilkerson, U.S. History \P, feels that while too much stress is put on the AP Test, rather than what students can learn, the students learn well anyway. "I enjoy AP and find it my biggest challenge. I find that the students' ideas stimulate me, and I think I learn as much
from them as they do from me." Mr. Wilkerson would like to see changes made which would enable the course to be run more like a college course, with class meeting every three days and having independent research the other two. Mr. Donald Rakowsky, Biology II AP, would like even further change, such as direct college credit at a local junior college. Students seem to find the AP pressure worthwhile. They can receive college credit while still in high school, and have a chance to do some serious concentration on areas of interest. Teachers seem to find even the extra work involved worthwhile and to enjoy AP classes. Beware until May 20 of the legion of AP worriers, South. And legion, remember, Mr. Ken Reese in the Career Resource Center suggests that you relax and get a good night's sleep before the tests. One last word of advice comes from Mr. David Paisley, Math IV AP. He suggests: "Don't lose your cool!"
Mr. Robert Simonson, assistant principal, feels the new program provides better use of free time during the school day than a system which requires everyone staying in a study hall. Freshmen and sophomores must have one period of studybefore they can go into a compressed program. "Compressed scheduling allows the student the maximum economy of his in-school time," said Mr. Barker. He does not feel such a program will create a problem because "instead of spreading it out, it's being compressed. It should not cause problems for either the students or the school." Students involved in the athletic program can request to be released at the end of seventh period and return in time for their program. They may also request to stay at school. Work program students will run on basically the same schedule because their program is already compressed to only the mornings. Lounge rules will remain the same next year although they may be subject to review. The administration will not know about plans for the learning resource centers until they complete the entire scheulde. "We must have room for second and third period late-arrival homerooms," Mr. Barker said. "Lunch will still be included in the schedule," he added. Buses will run toward the end of first and second periods for late arrival, as well as the regular time. Mr. Barker said that the late-arrival scheduling was
not as popular as early dismissal. The Board of Education has not made any releases concerning renewed open campus talks. Lynne LaJone, Student Council secretary feels the new program isn't as much as SC hoped to get from the district towards open campus. "Complete open campus would have been better, but hopefully we can still keep working so that kids can leave during their free periods," she said. Lynne added that "if the only way to get kids involved in the different school activities is to lock them up in school, then the activity isn't worth it." Bill Dickens, Student Council president, feels the new schedule doesn't change the atmosphere of school, whereas open campus would.
Clure, Duffy Goerss, and Jeff Lee are the new members. The Coalition also met with an attorney and a broker, who prefers anonymity, who will handle the lease for the youth center. At the concert Friday night, April 28, profits were $150.10. Eric Graff states, "Although the meetings are kind of empty, the concerts are always full. Last Friday about 400 people were there." The Coalition's calendar of events is as follows: On May II there will be a meeting, at 631 Wisner, of all youth groups to discuss plans for a forest preserve clean-up. Samuel Beckett's play Krapp's Last Tape, An .Absurdist's Drama will be performed on May 25, 26 and 27, at 8 p.m., at the First United Methodist Church in Jorgensen Hall. The tickets are $1 for students and $1.50 for adults. The third annual Duchy of New Brunowick Ball will be held on May 27, at the Stockyards Inn downtown. The $10 ticket covers a three-course meal plus entertainment, including the reception for the Duke of New Brunswick. The ball wiU be "covered by all the society columns." If interested, contact Helen or Bob Rowe, at Bob Rowe's Evening Pipe Shop, 8238077.
Walk for Development Is Sunday The walk for development, "Put a LitUe Heart in Your Sole," will step off this Sunday at 8 a.m. Registration starts at 6:30 a.m. According to Marne Weise '73, Maine South school representative to Project '70, students at Maine South have used about 3,000 walk cards. Walkers can also bring newspapers to the Niles North parking lot be be recycled. Young World Development, part of the American Freedom from Hunger Foundation, helps different groups of kids get involved and form groups like Project '70. Money from the hike goes to the American Freedom
from Hunger Foundatin, domestic projects and foreign projects. Projects must first be approved by the Attorney General and the American Freedom from Hunger Foundation. Reports are filed later about where the money went. The New World Center at 6742 Kilpa trick, Lincolnwood, Illinois, has started a community library at the center. People can learn about social projects and get the community involved in them. Also, the walk office has volunteer summer jobs available. Mame feels the "hike for the hungry" is a good thing because it benefits so many people.
Co-ed Dorms Have Both Good, Bad Aspects Are co-educational dorms in college a worthwhile i d e a ? Maine South students and teachers showed a wide variance of opinion on dorms where both sexes share the same floor. Mr. Robert Hunt. English teacher, wants to go back to school. He explained, "When I went to school, women had to keep hours. I wish I were a lot younger now." Mrs. Marion Fisher, language department chairman, doesn't approve at all. "I see no good reason for it," she commented. "I like the idea of boys and girls sharing cafeteria or lounge, however. They can eat together and get to toiow each other." Mr. Micheal Andrews, math teacher, sees little difference in apartment dwelling and co-ed dorms. "If individuals are mature enough to live in an apartment," he said, "they should be mature enough to live in a co-ed dorm. "After all," he continued, "dorms are like apartments with common bathroom facilities." Mr. Andrews is "more or less in favor if a student can be mature enough to keep out of academic or social trouble." \Mien confronted with t h e question of co-ed dorms, Mr. Otto Kohler. social science department chairman, laughed. "Some of ray best friends are women, but I wouldn't necessarily want one moving in next door to me," be commented.
Mr. Kohler continued, "Coed dorms would make things very complicated." He was still laughing at the end of the interview. Ms. Maryanna Mohr, English teacher, commented, "I think co-ed dorms are a good idea, depending upon how they're structured. I would want to be able to have privacy." Mr. Darrel Dickey, m a t h teacher, was concerned with bothering other people on the floor. He explained, "Co-ed dorms need to be considered in the context of visiting privileges. I am opposed to 24hour visiting privileges because it takes away from privacy." "There should be a limitation of night visiting hours," he summarized, "in consideration of other people on the floor." Mr. David Paisley, math teacher, would like to see a "definite separation point between the girls' part of the dorm and the boys' part." He would also like "some sort of regulation of hours." Mr. William Lange, biology teacher, called co-ed dorms a "good experimental idea and a good living experience." "If good student leaders and dorm supervisors who can talk freely with real understanding are available," he continued, "I think co-ed dorms can be a good way to know people because you're around them 24 hours a day." Mr. Kenneth Reese, career counselor, thought of co-ed
dorms as a "sort of passe' thing." "Most colleges have some sort of open hours," he explained. "It was a fad. I think it will run its course." Mr. Reese continued, "Many kids want independence and a choice. Once they are in the dorm and know they can visit other rooms, it loses its appeal." Ms. Marion Schultz, German teacher, found it "a very difficult question to answer." "I have never Uved in a coed dorm," she stated, "but I think it would be an inconvenience. Young people have to decide for themselves."
Students too have different opinions. Bill Schroeder '72 called dorms "Great — a different experience, like a famUy." Steve Sarcia '72 didn't like the idea. "It would make girls too much like sisters," he said. Lonie Cole '72 thought that the dorms would "restrict everyone's freedom." George Kay '72 signed up for a co-ed dorm. "I think it will be quieter than all boys," he explained. Maybe Ms. Schultz summed it up when she said, "Like everything in life, there are advantages and disadvantages."
Trial Issue Will Be New Experiment irt Journalism The May 19 issue of Southwords will be an experiment in student journalism. According to Mary Beth Krebs, editor-in-chief, "Tlus is a trial issue. It will be run entirely by next year's editorial board and students who are interested in reporter positions next year." The purpose of this trial issue is to give applicants a chance to work on the paper without making a commitment. Unlike previous years,they will not have to fill out an application or take a style test. "This way," said Mary Beth,
"reporters will know whether they like Soulhwords or not before they are committed to it for a whole year." Students who are interested in working on this trial issue should contact Mary Beth or Mr. Ken Beatty, Southwords sponsor, in V-106 before or after school or during ninth period. Tom Lanctot, sports editor, concluded by saying, "This is the best way to get experience in reporting. Kids that sign up will probably find it more interesting than they've ever expected it to be."