Debaters Still Winning
Vol. 9, No. 7
Maine Township High School South, Park Ridge, III. 60068
Dec. 20, 1972
Smoking Open Hearing Jan. 17 On Jan. 17 at Maine East, there will be a public hearing on the problems of a student smoking on school property and at school events. This hearing shall give all interested parents, students and teachers the chance to voice their opinions. At the meeting, there will be a speech on smoking from the health standpoint and a summary of surrounding school districts opinions. The School Board is interested in schools which have a smoking lounge, and if their problems with students have been solved. - They'll also be interested if new problems have been created by initiating a smoking lounge. During the summer, the School ' Board ruled against students smoking in school. According to Mr. Robert Simonson, "Maine East's Student Council asked the board to pursue the matter which is why the hearing was scheduled." "The meeting will offer the board a broad cross section of opinion before a final decision is reached," stated Mr. Simon-
son. Besides the open meeting scheduled for Jan. 17, there has been some discussion centered around having a smoking clinic. Smokers now have an option to the regular suspension for their second and third offenses for being caught smoking in the washrooms. A new plan for a "Smoking Clinic" has been devised by Mr. Thomas Higgins, Health teacher, Mr. Simonsen, and a planning board of teachers. The regular procedure when caught smoking is for the first offense one day suspension, until the parent comes in for a conference. For the second and third offenses, you automatically get 3 days suspension in-or out-of school. With this new clinic, a student can have his choice of being suspended or going to the clinic. "I really think this clinic will work; however, it will only work for the students who really want to quit smoking. I just want to be able to help even a few kids who really want help," said Mr. ffiggins. The clinic involves two days
out of the week for a two hour time period. Several of the health teachers will give talks and show films on causes and safety tips against Cancer. Joe Nicolau '73 says, "Personally I would choose the clinic, but most kids wUl use the clinic to try to get out of suspension."
Christmas Vacation Starts Wednesday
South Teacher Attends November UN Briefing "I left with a greater interest and wanting to observe more," stated Miss Christine Little, government teacher. Miss Little is speaking about her recent trip to the United Nations. Miss Little was one of the 15 teachers from Chicago who was chosen by the Chicago Council on Foreign Relations for a twoday UN briefing in New York.
Elective English Program Reactions According to Mr. Marian Davis, new trends in student enrollment were shown in the recent tallies taken for next year's English elective course registration. "One of the biggest increases in enrollment is the "Literature of Chicago" course. Sixty students were enrolled in the course this year compared to the 240 students who signed up for it next year. This is the biggest increase of all the courses," Mr. Davis explained. Since none of the elective courses have been dropped for the coming year, students will probably be scheduled into their first choice course, unless a scheduling problem arises. A new poetry course has been initiated into next year's English program. Seventy-six students have signed up for it. Due to an insufficient amount of applicants, Mr. Davis explained that poetry courses were not included last year. As South students were busy registering for their '73-'74 English courses, Southwords was interested in hearing their opinion of the elective English program. The general consensus among students was enthusiastic, and most were glad that the program is to be continued next year. Some even offered their personal suggestions for the system. One student, Mike McCurray '74, felt that the new elective system is good because it offers the student the opportunity to select courses which are interesting to him. A negative comment came from Joe Paschen '73 when he stated: "I was not too impressed with the program because I thought that the course descriptions given were too general. Other than that, I think it is a change for the better." According to Mr. Ken Beatty, English teacher, the course descriptions are more specific this year. "I also like to help a student select a course that is suited to his particular phase level," Mr. Beatty added. "I like it." These were the words of Joanne Jurow '75, when asked her opinion of the
elective program. "It gives kids a choice of the subjects they want to take, and they are not forced into anything," she said. Karen Jacobsen '75 would like to see a little more variety in the subject matter. "Many seem to be the same, and there's not a wide selection of courses for next year," she explained. Sylvia Michalko '73 sees the elective English program as a way to create better harmony between the students and teachers, and thus producing better grades. "I feel it's a good change because teachers, not only kids, can choose a subject they like," she said. One rather comical statement came from Bill Reynolds '73 when he stated: "I like it cuz if ya don't like somethin', ya don't 'ave ta take it." Elective English classes help Lawrence Kush '75 to escape from the "hum-drum" English
The Maine South debate team has enjoyed a very successful season thus far, according to Paula Uscian '73, team member. Only six tournaments have passed, but already the team has amassed an impressive record. The Evanston, "Rock of Chicago" tournament was one of the most outstanding meets, with the varsity team of Bill Baumgartner '73 and Scott King '73 taking first place with a 4-0 record. The junior varsity team of David Cartwright '74 and Tim Kelly '75 placed second in their division. Other standouts at the Evanston meet were the varsity team of Paula Uscian '73 and Carol Lischett '73, who went undefeated, as did the JV team of Mark Junge '74 and Bob Lee '75. The following weekend at Illinois State University, Scott and Baumgartner went 8-0 and
class. However, he too, would like teachers to help students choose their correct phase level. Terry Hoffman '74 pointed out both the disadvantages and advantages of the elective program. "It's better because students can pick courses they're interested in. However, sometimes kids pick courses that they think are easy or one that all their friends are in. Sometimes they end up in a course not suited for them," she explained. Terry likes her "American Dream" course because she is interested in the material being discussed. Joe McNamara '75 feels that if students get a "bad deal," it's their own fault. "They can't blame anyone but themselves, because they have a chance to talk to their teachers and find out what's best for them," he stated.
Teachers were chosen on eqperience, interest, what they teach, and if they are a member or have participated in the Chicago Council on Foreign Relations. Each teacher was given a round trip ticket and had the freedom to go or leave New York whenever he wanted. The briefing began on Nov. 27 at 9:30 at the UN Association and ended at 5 p.m. The group was given two intensive briefings, one by the U.S. Ambassador from the American Mission and the other by a member of the Russian delegation. Both talks centered around the U.S. Congress' wanting to lower U.S. share of UN aid from 31 per cent to 25 per cent. The U.S. has contributed to the UN yearly as much as it spends for five weeks of Vietnam rombat. The Russians feel other countries will lower their aid, thereby leaving the UN with very little monetary support. The above briefings were included in the eight lectures they received. Other lecture topics included the Food and Agriculture Organization, Stockholm Environment Conference, Economic Development, UN Development Program and UN Peacekeeping Efforts and Disarmament. (Continued on Page 3)
History Students Tour Art Institute, Surgical Science and Polish Museums On Wednesday, December 6, 26 of Mr. Milton E. Nelson's European history students toured the Art Institute, the Museum of Surgical Science and the Polish National Museum. At the Art Institute, the students were guided through several Renaissance, Mannerist and Baroque paintings of such masters as Memling, El Greco, Correggio, Caravaggio and Rembrandt.
The Museum of Surgical Science on north Lake Shore Drive was the students' second stop. This museum is divided into various rooms by nation, and thus traces the development of medical technology in each country. Among the exhibits were amputation tools from prehistoric to more recent times: from sharp-edged rocks to Revolu-
The 26 European History students attending the December 6 field trip toured the Paderewski Memorial Room at the Polish National Museum.
tionary and Civil War field amputation kits. Napoleon's death mask, cathode tubes, early x-ray machines and anesthetizing equipment were also shown. The anesthesiology exhibit was from the Museum of Anesthesiology at 515 Busse Highway in Park Ridge. The Polish Museum at the intersection of Milwaukee and Augusta was the students' last stop of the day. Regional costumes and other folk art formed part of the exhibit. Exhibits dedicated to the astronomer Copernicus and to the Nobel Prize winner Mme. Maria Sklodowska—Curie were also on display. Separate rooms were devoted to Thaddeus Kosciuszko and Ignacy Paderewski. The personal letters of Kosciuszko written to George Washington and other Revolutionary war leaders are preserved here. The Paderewski Memorial room contains the famous pianist's last piano and several of his original compositions.
placed first at the tournament. Bill, Jim and Paula also placed among the top ten speakers. That same day at Forest View, the novice team of Apollo Solecki '76, Fred Johnson '76, Laura and Mary went 7-1, finishing second. Laura and Fred were named as two of the top ten speakers. Teams with outstanding records are Jim and Bill's, who have compiled a 28 wins and 2 loss record. At the novice level, Mary and Laura went undefeated as a team, while Laura has a record of 50 wins and two losses. When asked what his hopes were for the rest of the year, debate coach David Lavelle replied, "Nothing short of winning state, NFL and nationals. However, I don't really care which team does it."
Christmas...
This giant Christmas tree overlooks the many shoppers that visit the loop each year at this time of the season.
Paper Drive Raises $100 Many loose, and unwanted papers found their place last Saturday and Sunday when Student Council sponsored a paper drive. The purpose of the event was to raise money to improve the speaker system in the spectator gym. "This was a chance for all students to be involved in an ecology project," remarked Dan McGrath, '75. Even though there was a poor response by the students, it was estimated that about 100 people brought papers or called Student Coimcil to have someone come to their house and pick the papers up. About 10 students worked on the paper drive, with Bob Carey '73, Brad Stach '74, and Jim Lonergan '74 being cited as contributing most of their time. Al Fabianich '73, chairman, felt that Student Council did not work as hard and as effectively as expected. "Student Council as an organization did not put forth a collective effort in the paper drive," commented Al. The ten tons of paper collected were taken to the Central Material Waste Company. The paper company is wiUing to help Maine South in another paper drive. However, Al was doubtful about having another paper drive next year.