Central High School - Helios Yearbook (Grand Rapids, MI)

Page 29 text:

Student Body Looks to Specialists for Aid Full time professionals giving manv hours of valuable service did not go unnoticed hy the 1.800 students and faculty members. Librarian. Mrs. Brower and her two assistants. Mrs. Barkin and Mrs. Cilenn maintained Cen- tral ' s well-equipped and quiet library. Aiding individuals as well as orientating entire classes to library resources, the three also worked closely with teachers in planning unit studies and providing specific materials. Mrs. ' alsh. the school ' s part-time speech correction- ist. worked with individual students in correcting their problems through advanced therapy. Students learned meticulously how to overcome their disadvantages and to communicate effectively. Giving minor medical aid and teaching good health habits both are part of Mrs. Johnson ' s job as school nurse. Twice a week students as well as faculty were able to consult her on medical and health problems. Margaret Brower Mrs. Brower, librarian, and student Linda Blackburn thumb ttirough the Index File to locate a book. Louree Walsh Speech Correctionist Vowel souncJs are stressed by Mrs. Walsh, Speech Correctionist, as she works with Linda Alexander. 23

Page 28 text:

Counselors Smooth Path for Students Always available to solve the trying problems that often arise. Central ' s counselors are constantly combat- ing a variety of student problems: potential drop-outs, vocational training, college plans and entrance questions. Taking pride in their modern offices which were re- cently remodeled for privacy, the counselors worked in a light, cheerful atmosphere. Though often deluged with paperwork, the four counselors were always happy to do everything possible for the students and answer their questions. Problems were handled to the benefit of the student through their system of dividing the pupils into grades and then alphabetically. This system makes communication much more effective and each counselor performs his duties without confusion. Three of the counselors were newcomers to Central this year; Miss Feringa, Mr. Raterink, and head counselor. Mr. Galant. In the words of Mr. Galant, speaking for the entire staff, We are very impressed with the willingness to learn displayed by the students in Central High School, and it is our hope that this positive attitude will motivate our student body to develop their skills for future endeavors. Counseling aid from Mr. Raterinl helps student Charles Co decide on next year ' s courses. Margaret Feringa Counselor Bernard Raterink Counselor 22

Page 30 text:

Students Reach for New Goals and Opportunities A more individualistic approach to students was the main concern of the Fused Department this past year. The Department progressed with the thought that indi- vidual growth is more important than intelligence, a need more demanding than success. Two contributing factors in the Department ' s success in achieving individualism were Science Research Associates read- ing laboratories and teacher aides. The S.R.A. reading laboratories are multilevel reading kits which allow students to begin at their level of reading and progress at their individual rates, so to insure maximum a- chievement. The Fused Department feels that the S.R.A. certainly has its advantages, and members are regretful that this method of teaching is not explored throughout the school. Teacher aides, which originated this past year, processed much of the clerical work the teachers ordinarily handle. Mr. Redd, a seventh grade teacher, believed aids were a great help. The aides seem to agree: It ' s a great program, but it needs im- provements were the statements received while interv iewing two teacher aides. Possessing a true de- sire to understand and aid their students, the Depart- ment strove to reach its established goals and with the addition of supplementary materials within each class- room hopes to develop skills and independent progress. An interesting sidelight was Mrs. Wingier ' s assign- ments which sparked the year with a study of street names in Grand Rapids and letters to the soldiers fighting in Viet Nam. Discussion is an enjoyable port of Mr. Truer ' s eighth grade class. Pauline DeBoer Seventh Grade Fused, Department Head Mrs. Atchinson lends helping hand to Gen Geography class. Ivy, a student in her John L. Young Eighth Grade Fused Vera Wingeier Seventh Grade Fused