Vol 9 issue 10

Page 1

New Policy in Effect A new program designed to curb smoldng and vandalism in the washrooms began a week ago Wednesday. Each faculty member is assigned to a washroom during one of the passing periods each day. This action is the result of seven weeks of work by the Executive and Administrative Councils. Mr. Robert V. Simonson, assistant principal, explained the reason behind the new initiative; "We were getting many complaints from the non-smoking students who couldn't use the washroom facilities because of smoking students. The nonsmokers came to us with the problem and asked us to solve it. We are doing the best we can." However, Mr. Simonson hopes this program will not need to be permanent. He states, "Hopefully, it won't need to be permanent. We are hoping the situation will be corrected by a temporary measure." C-101 counselor Mr. Alfred C. Drummond believes the new procedure of stationing faculty members to guard against smoking and vandalism was necessary because problems have a "tendency to get worse." Also, Mr. Drummond feels "students should show some respect for the school as an institution." Therefore, the new action was necessary. "When we hear loud voices, we think they represent the voice of the majority, which is not necessarily so," Mr. Drummond continued. "However, a school must have rules. This is not Plato's Republic, but a school in which we are trying to educate individuals. "Taxpayers of this community don't pay taxes to subsidize

smoking in washrooms," Mr. Drummond concluded. Last Friday, approximately 150 students staged a walkout in which they blocked sections of the main hall. First period was delayed about 25 minutes. When students were told to move into C-100, some co-operated, and some did not. Students who resisted were suspended from three to ten days, depending on their conduct. These students elected fi\'e representatives: Pete Lannon '73, Mike Springston '73, Ed Novak '73. Charlie Downey '74 and Phil Pistone '74 to negotiate with the administration. This committee agreed to draw up an alternate proposal and present it to the administration through Student Council. Faculty reaction to the walkout was generally negative. Mr. Robert Hunt, English teacher, stated, "The walkout was stupid and accomplished nothing. Parents and the community have patently made it clear that they do not want smoking in school. Since this is a public school, it is its function to listen to the public." In reaction to the new administrative measure, Mr. Hunt continued, "By guarding washrooms, teachers are, in fact, trying to protect student rights." Mr. John Heerman. social science teacher, believed the walkout was "an irresponsible action that can only hurt responsible student action. Students have hurt their own cause. " In reference to a smoking lounge, Mr. Heerman opposed the idea. "Spending money on a health class and then giving students a smoking lounge seems incongruous." (CONTINUED ON PAGE ÂŤ

Vol. 9, No. 10

Maine Township High School South, Park Ridge, III. 60068

Feb. 23, 1973

Robandt, Treasurer Candidate Alan Robandt, '75, Sophomore class president, is also running for Student Council Treasurer. "I feel this office is the most effective way 1 can be involved in Student Council. Also I'd like to see a sophomore elected to a major office," stated Alan in answer to why he is running for office. If elected, Alan plans to continue Rick Tinaglia's, plan of reconcilhation. Alan feels the students can only expect to get

open campus and a smoking lounge "if there is communication between students and the administration. Also, students have to organize. Alan would also like to see the smoking lounge tried on an experimental basis organized in the outside lounge. However, he is against Student Council's subsidizing clubs because "if a club can't survive on its own it means students aren't involved or care enough, so why should

Williams for Treasurer Dean Williams '74 is running for treasurer because he feels that Student Council "needs more people to promote itself and its ideas." "I think that treasurer is an office I can handle and can change. In the past, a treasurer's voice wasn't that important and I think I can change that by getting the Treasurer more involved." He commented that in order to do more, Student Council has to have more student interest. "One way would be to put suggestion boxes back in the homerooms. This was tried a few years ago but the boxes were removed partially because of obscene writings and partly because of lack of student interest. Hopefully the kids now are

Frosh

more mature and with the major issue of smoking, something useful might become of it." He also said that Student Council could create more interest if they wouldn't meet so early. They currently meet around 7:15 a.m. "Maybe if the meetings were moved to ninth period or after school, more kids would be interested and come. Also the kids that come should be allowed to participate in the meeting instead of just watching."

that club exist?" He also dislikes Student Council's recent proposal of an activity sign on the corner of Dee and Talcott costing $1400. "It would not only fail to blend with the architecture, but would be a target for vandalism." One of the most important improvements should be the relationship between students and their homeroom representatives. Representatives should overcome the fear of speaking in homeroom. Council should be closer and more available to students. This could happen through a council report over the PA system similar to the sports report," explained Alan. He also feels, "We should work with the administration according to their rules. Basically, the administration controls CouncU. If Council would give in a little and act reasonably, they'd gain the administration's respect and set results." Alan feels Student Council should work with Class Council in sponsoring events. "Students want and are waiting for something; if we can find it, we can unite them with a new school spirit."

Staeh Cites Issues For Upeomiiig Year

Party

Brad Stach '74 is a presiden- feel they have been mistreated tial candidate for next year's or punished unfairly. This is a The Freshman Class Council Student Council. Brad's reasons group of student council memrunning for president is as bers assigned to investigate is sponsoring a class party "The for he stated, "I believe that I can abuse of natural rights of stuParty With No Name" to be prove that Student Council is dents," Brad continued. "My held Saturday, February 24, in not an ineffective, but a very platform also includes such the spectator gym and cafeteria useful organization." Brad also things as election reforms, stuSophomore Vince Clemens will Student Council can be im- from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. has been in student government dent council newsletters, semesAccording to the class coun- since grammar school, has ter surveys and better public be running for the office of Stu- proved, it must first improve dent Council treasurer. Vince its Public Relations. One idea cil, "Now is the time for all heard about how inefficient it relations committee," concluded feels that he is qualified be- on Vince's platform includes freshmen to bust out of the drab is this year and is getting tired Brad. cause he has been a member submitting CouncU minutes to world of watching TV with Mom of hearing this. When asked about his views local papers. "Since Student and Pop." of Council for two years. Brad's platform is not fully on a smoking lounge Brad "Do you think all parties are completed but he commented, stated, "I am in favor of a When asked why he is nm- Council needs the support of the ning for office, Vince replied: community, it must make an the same? Come to the party "My platform does not include smoking lounge because I think "I want to get Student Council effort to get outsiders inter- with no name. It will be our things like open campus, a bill that students have the right to moving and see it accomplish ested and informed on Council first chance to demonstrate the of rights or a smoking lounge smoke, and therefore, an area activities and proposals", he spirit of '76 since float build- because these things are worn should be set aside." something". out, and all of the candidates "This should only be done on ing." Vince feels that this year's explained. believe that we need all of the premise that students will Council was hampered by a lack Although Vince was an advosmoke in the washrooms. of interest on the part of Stu- cate of a smoking lounge and The Maine South Concert these things. Therefore, it is not I believe that the students dent Council representatives and open campus for students, he is Choir is singing in a workshop senseless to mention them." "But on the other hand, my should be given at least a the student body. "Now Student not including them as the im- at Orchestra Hall directed by Council is picking up and is portant issues next year. "Be- well-known director and writer, platform does include such chance to prove that they are things as an appeals board, a worthy of having a smoking putting some of its money to fore we can get any of these Paul Christiansen March 2. board set up for students who area." good use." he added. ideas to work, Council should Vince is aiming for more Stu- first get itself together as an dent control in Council next organization," he said. year. He feels that representaAs treasurer, Vince would tives should have a stronger like to spend more of Council's voice when it comes to spend- money on social affairs such as Jeff Smith '74, Student Coun- cil's main problems this year a meeting," Jeff commented, ing Council's money. "But the concerts and dances. "Right cil presidential candidate, main- stem from poor attendance, poor "and a lot more people came." representatives should listen to now we've got the money, but tains he doesn't have a plat- organization, &nd "involvement He thinks that advance publithe ideas brought up in home- it doesn't look like we will have form. city on a regular basis could in trivialities." room," he said. them in the near future. Next He mentions that many times be very helpful in raising a "Platforms," Jeff contends, According to Vince, before year, we will", he commented. "are merely campaign prom- representatives were unaware of quorum Jeff would like to see passises. A platform implies I can scheduled meetings. Trivialities guarantee a change in these include Council's voting on fail gym seriously considered, and approves of an on-campus whether to vote. areas." "Once we called Council rep- open campus as a step towards "I could use the planks of candidates' platforms from sev- resnetatives the night before true open campus. eral years back," Jeff continued. "We .still face many of the same issues, but I couldn't guarantee a change." No platform doesn't mean that Jeff has no plans, though. Basically, he thinks more student support is the key to Student Council power. "Council's only power comes from being a representative body. If Council can go to the Administrators and say 'We are backed by 3500 people'," Jeff SC office candidates, left to right, Vince Clemens, explained, "the administration treasurer-elect, Mary Rebedeau, secretary-elect, Alan has more of an obligation to The two SC presidential candidates are from left. Brad Rabandt, treasurer-elect and Dean Williams, treasurerlisetn." Stach '74 and Jeff Smith 7 4 . elect. Jeff feels that Student Coun-

First Priority of Qemens: To Improve Student Council

Tlatform only Promises:' Smith


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.