Bishop Amat High School - Tusitala Yearbook (La Puente, CA)

Page 149 text:

Functioning Efficiently A The Heart nrking in the financial office, Mrs. Lena Vallejo iswers questions concerning tuition payments. ie recorded and banked all incoming money. r. Terrance Keavney Sr. Kristin, 0.S.F. athematics, Social Mathematics D.C. :udies, Football 'Vhat was most difficult for At any given time of day, a glance into the front office, attendance office, or financial office displayed the sight of the staff members and students rushing around in an effort to efficiently com- plete their tasks. According to Mrs. Pat Buccola, Mr. Merritt Hemenway's sec- retary, The offices are the heart of the school. The two ladies that were responsible for the smooth activity within the front office were Mrs. Virginia Ashdown and Mrs. Pat Buccola. Mrs. Ashdown, the receptionist, handled mail and tuition payments, phone communication, xe- roxing and purchase orders. Mrs. Pat Buccola was available to assist Mr. He- menway and the faculty. The front of- fice is here to help the students as well as parents with any problems they may encounter, stated Mrs. Ashdown. The ringing of telephones and click- ing of computer keyboards were sounds familiar to the attendance office. This office which was run by Mrs. Gerri Dawson and Mrs. Leona Lemelle with the assistance of student aides, handled everything related to the attendance of the students. The typical day of Mrs. Lemelle and Mrs. Dawson began with the issuing of admittance slips and an- swering phone calls from parents in re- gard to absent students. As the day pro- gressed, attendance sheets were entered Mr. Ray Lokar Physical Education, Sci- ence, Basketball Mr. Marcus Lewis English, Science, Foot- ball Life is only as difficult as you make it out to be. Things work out best for those that make the best of the way that things work out. into the new computer system by the student aides, early dismissal slips were issued and messages were directed to their proper destinations. Student aide Gil Barkey commented, The new com- puter system is extremely beneficial to the accuracy of attendance records. Not only has it reduced the amount of help needed, but it has also sped up the pro- cess of recording tardies and absen- tees. In referring to the new computer system, Mrs. Dawson stated, Although there were some unforeseen snags with- in the computer program, as soon as the the problems had been tended to, it proved to be a quick and accurate sys- tem. The financial office dealt with all matters in which money was involved. Mrs. Barbara Meraz and Mrs. Lena Vallejo were the staff members who dealt with tuition and bills. The bills were paid by Mrs. Meraz who also kept books of all payable accounts. Mrs. Val- lejo handled all incoming money, col- lected, and recorded the students' tu- ition payments. The functioning of the school was largely due to the efficiency of the front office, attendance office, and financial office. Through the observance of a typical day, it was clearly evident why the offices were the heart of school management. Sr. Lorita, 0.S.F. Adm., Science D.C. Mr. Joseph Lovano Foreign Language The most difficult thing for me in high school was dating. Attending a prep school affiliated with our convent, the most difficult thing for me was keeping the rules-l was always talking at the wrong times. you in high school? Home Economics! Offices 143

Page 148 text:

Sr. Julie pulls out senior Anthony Ochoa's records to inform him of his academic status. As vice princi- pal-studies, she showed concern for the progress of students. Dilligently working, Mrs. Leona Le- melle files the attendance records. The new computer system helped to speed up dures. attendance proce- 142 Academics Learning To Live On Your Own The Home Economics De- partment was a welcome di- vision in the education pro- cess. This department em- bodied courses which taught students how to handle fi- nances, raise children, and how to sew and cook. Stu- dents also learned about proper nutrition. The Consumer Education course taught students how to responsibly manage their lives in the real world. Mrs. Patricia O'Connor, in- structor of Consumer Educa- tion and chairperson of the Home Economics Depart- ment, stated, In Consumer Education, we covered ev- erything from balancing a checkbook to buying a car or house? This class was help- ful to students because it prepared them to handle money competently and in- dependently. Child Development, a course which has grown in popularity during recent years, traced the develop- ment of a child from the fetal stages through his or her teens. Guest speakers includ- ed women and parents with young children. Child Devel- opment prepared students for the reality of child-rear- ing. It prompted further and deeper thought for those who were considering parent- hood. Students with artistic in- terests enjoyed Creative Home. These students dis- cussed interior design tech- niques, such as decoration and color coordination. Clothing I and II attracted students who were interested in sewing. Students not only sewed their own clothes, but designed them as well. They were required to sew six gar- ments. Their final exam con- sisted of a timed sewing pro- ject. Mrs. Barbara Hansen instructed the Foods and Nutrition course. Students in the class gained experience in the kitchen Hlaboratoryi' in the 400 wing. They also Showing that guys can also know their way around the kitchen, sen- ior Chris Marino uses the micro- wave. Young men took this class for fun as well as education. learned about balanced diets. The truth was that the practicality of the Home Economics Department was crucial to educating well- rounded students. Mrs. Han- sen and Mrs. O'Connor were instrumental in teaching stu- dents how to survive in the modern world.

Page 150 text:

S Excitedly opening gifts, two .lapa- nese girls show off their Angel base- ball caps and an Amat bumper stick- er. The Japanese students were each given souvenirs of their visit to Southern California. Seniors Scott Evans and Juan Vas- quez and junior Renee Abaya in- clude a student from Japan in their circle of friends. Friendliness was one of the attributes of people on campus. 144 Academics M i KAM Al' The goals set by the Social Studies Department for the academic year revolved around one main objective: to provide the students and faculty with a year of intel- lectual growth. According to Miss Virginia Pranik, her goal as the department chairperson was to use her time in an efficient manner while providing her students with solid and structured classes. Undoubtedly, the social studies program challenged all students from the sopho- mores to seniors. The courses offered were the study of World History, United States History and Govern- ment, Psychology and Basic Economics. They were taught by uncommonly ener- getic faculty members who provided not only a means for learning but also a way to apply facts and theories to current events and exper- eeking Answers In Society iences. Miss Terri Velasco was remembered for her unique method of teaching boring history facts by us- ing a classroom version of baseball. Junior Sandy Johnson related, I enjoyed Miss Velasco's class because she explained things enthu- siatically and in a manner that I could understand. Senior Chelsie Pederson ex- pressed her feelings about her sophomore World Histo- ry class. I remember that Mrs. Rosann Ramirez seemed to really like what she taught. She was tough and challenging but she brought humor and enthusi- asm to the classroom? This year the department modified its curriculum in an effort to meet the needs of the junior class. An honors United States History class was offered to students so that students could be accu- rately challenged at their re- spective levels of ability. The new class which was similari- ly constructed to the Ad- vanced Placement course, stressed theory and concepts, but not at such a strenuous level. History is a very broad subject covering events from thousands of years ago to events taking place in our daily lives. By reading and studying these facts you are not guaranteed a clear plan for the future, however the social sciences do offer peo- ple an opportunity to inter- pret the results in previous situations and apply those results when making a deci- sion,', stated Miss Pranik. Through the study of soci- ety, present and past, the students grew in their knowledge of the world, due to the excellent instruction provided within the Social Studies Department.