Owego Free Academy - Tom Tom Yearbook (Owego, NY)

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THE NEW ORDER The fall of 1934, brought with it many significant changes in the accepted routine of school life at the Qwego Free Academy, not the least of which is the new order initiated by the seventh period activities. ln former years, the seventh period was devoted to a homeroom study period, with a chapel on Thursday. According to the new plan, already instituted at some of the best high schools, such as the lthaca High School, after the six recitation periods which are dominated by the more formal plans of instruction, the seventh period presents itself with a diversion from the regular procedure in the class room. The seventh period activities of the Qwego Free Academy are now so arranged that they may give the pupils a broader outloolc along the aesthetic and cultural lines outside the normal school curriculum. This mehod has been adopted with the object in mind of interpreting the exterior world to the students. ln addition to that, the student is given an opportunity to do what he wishes to do informally and without examinations. The seventh period activities have been arranged in this manner: Cn Monday each homeroom holds a meeting. ln the homeroom, with its elected officers to conduct the meeting the pupils are allowed to discuss the problems which arise in their school life and an attempt is made here also to correlate the outside world with school by speakers, trips, or discussion. ln addition students are given a better preparation to exercise student government. Also these meetings give pupils practice in the correct parliamentary procedure to be followed at business meetings. Tuesday current events are discussed in the homeroom to avoid a situation so often found in schools where great attention is given to ancient history but little time is de- voted to the important events going on in the world at present. The pupils, therefore, confident that they will not be quizzed formally about the current events, are better able to tallc about them and really learn some valuable information. Under the leadership of competent instructors, the Wednesday club meetings are held to give the students an opportunity for extra experience along chosen lines of learning or recreation. There are approximately twenty-five activities organized so that each pupil can have a choice, thus being able to do what he wishes to do. For example, the Pow-Wow Staff which meets in the Pow-Wow office worlcs strenu- ously to present to the students a school paper which they will surely enjoy and loolc forward to. An etiquette club discussed the correct forms of social behavior. For those pupils who would lilce to indulge in art, there is an art group, who experi- ment in all forms of artistic endeavor. Many people love to read and handle boolcs. The members of the library council and free reading clubs are given an excellent opportunity to fulfill their desires in this direc- tion. The members read the new boolcs which are secured for the school library and give reports on them and grow accustomed to associate with good boolcs. The weelcly Thursday assembly is an attempt to bring to the students a real gathering where interesting spealcers and worth while entertainers can present to the pupils the value and importance of contact with the outside world. l-lere, too, the pupils are given a chance to preside over a large gathering and provide their own programs. It is felt that this will greatly benefit them later in life for they will have developed a valuable poise. Friday, the seventh period is devoted to miscellaneous activities. Often times before a football or baslcetball game pep meetings are held in the auditorium to prepare the pupils for the forthcoming game. The Student Council, which is the governing body of the school, meets to discuss various problems. ln order that the entire class may be to- gether ata class meeting, the seventh period on Fridays affords an excellent opportunity for the forming of plans and for discussing the necessary business. The seventh period on this day is sometimes used for routine announcements so that the regular assembly period will provide enough time for the performance to be given at that time. This is, in the main, a summing up ofthe so-called New Qrdern with its new ideals. We feel sure that it will in the future form an excellent attribute to the high standards of the Qwego Free Academy. 9