Dobson High School - Equus Yearbook (Mesa, AZ)

Page 180 text:

Some students use their classtime to catch up on their reading and home- work assignments. Scribbling on their papers rapidly, Mr. Maher’s fourth hour English class takes notes on his lecture. Using her hand gestures and all, Eng- lish teacher Mrs. Remos gives a lec- ture to her fourth hour class of fresh- men. 162 English Boading Acadomlcs

Page 179 text:

After the student body has left for home, the reflection from the mirror gives an overall view of the media center. Meet, Mix, And Meditate Library Serves as Focal Point and Resource Center It was 7:45 in the morning, and the torary was jammed with students, some scrambling to finish last night's homework and others gossiping with friends. However, during school hours, the action and noise settled down. Rom six to eighteen classes came and went each day, each receiving information from i- brarians Mrs. Houston and Mr. Conn during their visit. The library was prominently known as a resource center, a studying area, and a meeting place; but, there was more. It contained approximately 22,400 books with a minimum of 200 being checked out every day. Reference materials, magazines, a copy machine, and microfiche were also avalable for stu- dent use. The large population of students this year did con- cern the library staff. However, they handled the problems adequately. They managed their time to meet all students' needs. An increased budget per- mitted the librarians to add more facities. The outer walls of the library were raised to reduce vandaism and to prevent students from taking books without checking them out. Assisting the overcrowdedness of the school, conference rooms were converted to classrooms. Lbrary aides, Mrs. Patty and Mrs. Daniels, and stu- dent aides helped tremendously to attain a success- ful library. In the eyes of one student, Organization is the most important thing in a library, and ours has an excellent system. Although at times the library may have been overcrowded and hard to control, the txarians had the strength to overcome the great numbers of students. Design by Janice McConnell Photos by Andy Phelps. Modla Center a r a Academics TOT

Page 181 text:

Freshman David Taylor uses a dictionary for an assignment in Mr. Maher's fourth hour English class. LaVonda Lamoni listens attentively while she takes notes in her fourth hour English class. Enrollment Surges English and Reading Expand Curriculum Variety and numbers, both of these items grew immensely in the English and reading departments this year. The reading department added more text- books and workbooks, as wel as hired a new teach- er aide, Lois Gerhart, to help out. The Engish depart- ment took advantage of A and seventh hours to meet demands of an enlarged student body. New English teachers Mr. Farrier, Mrs. Hoefner, and Mr. Zink, as well as returning teachers Mrs. Brenden and Mr. Maher were added. Even with more help, the increased enrollment was hindered by increased classroom numbers. Mr. Juni- per, the reading teacher, felt that the remedial reading classes were the largest ever. The goals of both departments stuck to the basics. English teachers cont'mualy stressed the basic gram- mar and writing skills, even in AA and advanced placement courses. Reading students were encour- aged to double their reading growth each semester, using self-dscipline and self-responsibity. As usual the students disliked the homework given in their Engish and reading courses. Yet, they ad- mitted that they were learning something. As one student put it, “The teachers know what they are doing, and they are getting the best out of us. I'm really improving my skis. The back-to-basics teach- ing methods helped students to relearn some of the grammar, writing, and punctuation techniques that many of them had not seen since sixth or seventh grade. Even though English and reading departments faced crowded conditions, they managed to do their best in making students understand the skills needed in those subjects. The students got more knowledge from the great effort that the teachers contributed. Design by Jennifer McConnell. Photos by Dawn Mohney. Engllsh Roodlng Acadomlcj