Brockton High School - Brocktonia Yearbook (Brockton, MA)

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.vwxxq Q . ,S-,Q Qggg . -as , . 1 L, ,Sfm- A Robert F. Reagan Upfront Principal Although Mr. Robert Reagan assumes the great responsibilities of the principal at the huge Brockton High School complex, he always seems to take the time to make himself readily avail- able to the students as well as to the faculty. The many compliments given by visitors to Brockton High School can, in part, be attributed to the efforts of this outstanding administrator. lvlr. Rea- gan is proud of the school he represents. He feels the school system is modern and well organized. . .. set a goal and strive to reach it Seeing few basic differences between the school system of today and the one in which he taught in the late 50's, Mr. Reagan explains, Pressures on the students and faculty exist to- day in the same respect as twenty years ago. However, he observes a new trend in education. Principal Reagan feels that parents are becom- ing more and more helpful, influential, and un- derstanding toward today's education. The parents' involvement in their children's schooling is a positive influence in the community. He notes that parents are participating more with community School programs, school functions, and the school committee. Because of this the parents are more aware of the problems faced by the administration, students, and teachers. Principal Reagan wishes all students good health and success. He advises the graduating seniors to set a goal and strive to reach it. Identify short comings, turn them around and make them goals. 80 Linda Stetson

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Upfront Superintendent of Schools The Brockton Public Schools function under the leadership of Dr Thomas J Whalen, superinten- dent of schools. Dr Whalen's position leaves him laden with a great number of responsibilities in this complex school system which includes the largest high school east of the Mississippi River, but Dr Whalen appears to enjoy his tasks and Carries the burden well Among his responsibilities are curriculum and policy approval, school cancellation decisions, and securing a budget to financially support the A great school, a great facul- ty, and a great student body. schools and their activities every year, Dr, Wha- len has had years of experience in school admin- istration, and from this he has made some com- parisons between education now and in the past Dr Whalen commented on some basic areas in the system in which noticeable changes have occurred, He told of positive advances in the structure of the system itself lt is more respon- sive to students' needs This is reflected in an increase of voice in policy decisions, new course offerings, and expansion of guidance services, Dr Whalen also spoke of changes in academics: ln the late oO's and early 70's the school sys- tems became too concerned with offering a proliferation of courses instead of content, doing a disservice to students. We underestimated students and diluted courses - students want and need more challenge, He said that this trend is beginning to change now because there is a new interest in course content, espe- cially in Brockton, Dr Whalen stated that changes have oc- cured in students for sociological reasons, but also that those changes have not been as dras- tic as one might expect He feels that on the whole students are a remarkable group of people particularly at Brockton High, Dr. Wha- len told of when he was principle of a school in Vermont which had three to four hundred stu- dents, He finds the discipline situation at Brock- ton High to be comparable to that school, even though BHS has nearly twenty times as many students Dr Whalen is proud of the impression thOT Brockton High leaves on visitors from all over the Country, for they come to the school ex- pecting enormous problems with students and they often leave saying that Brockton High has Cl better behaved student body than most other schools they visit Dr Whalen expressed sincere best wishes for the good fortune of the class of 1080, and summed up hlS appraisal of BHS by simply stating, UA great school, a great faculty, and a great student body Betsv Zullas 'Q f , ' 1157- ' ?'f:.t, . .., ,-'nl J- .11 L, '1 ,. . l le 'r , ..-i L. , Dr. Thomas Whalen .X in-,K

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Upfront Housemasters Commenting on the complex world which the seniors are about to enter, fvlr Ryan, Housemas- ter of the Green House has proffered these thoughts Mankind has spent many ages in ris- ing to its present level of living, scope of oppor- tunity, and ability to conceive and build. There never has been an age when so great work waited to be done, with so many tools at hand for those who have the knowledge, skill and am- bition to use them He continues, Some things need fixing. of course. Amid all our skills we have not yet found the secret of living at peace, of co-operating internationally. of producing as plentifully as na- ture makes possible There never has been an age when so great work waited to be done . . . Mr Ryan concludes with a quotation from Clif- ford Odet's play, Awake and Sing, It's a cock- eyed world To which is replied, Students like you could fix it someday. 80 i .34 O'-IQX John Ryan, Green House ' 1 A l Mr. Dilvtarzo, as the Housemaster of the Red Building, deals with the many responsibilities this position carries with it with competence and pride. lt is with an understanding of today's world and its many challenges that the duties of this complex position are met. He is interested in and actively participates in the daily routines of both students and faculty. The structure of schools has changed drastically since Mr. DiMarzo attended, but being versatile, he has adapted to ongoing changes. Set worthy goals and commlt yourself to achieving them. Mr. DiMarzo feels the students of Brockton High today have many more opportunities than did those of his day. When he attended school, he could not select the courses he preferred: they were chosen for him. Now, students benefit academically by taking advantage of the school's many college preparato- ry offerings. Also, the student who wants to end his schooling with a high school diploma may choose courses which present less of a challenge. However, these are the students who Mr. Ditviarzo feels are missing out on a wealth of opportunities. Another change which Mr. DiMarzo has observed is that his contemporaries had a higher regard for authority. Students accepted responsibility for their actions and readily obeyed orders, Today, things are different. ln keeping up with the events which face students today and those that will have an effect on the future, Mr. DiMarzo points out that this year has made an impression on us all. The visit of Pope John Paul II to Boston and the message he brought of peace and dignity has brightened up our spirits and given us a new outlook on life. He also feels the energy crisis has become a major part of our lives. Nuclear Power plants and their pro- tests will be a constant reminder of the nightmares across the nation. As a final word to the class of 1980, Mr. DiMarzo advises, Do not lose faith in yourselves or the world. Set worthy goals and commit yourself to achieving them. He wishes the best of luck to all graduates. 80 Linda Stetson 0'l'f ef - Q' 5'. M. . en? A'giI pet? ucv if-g' .i but ra W 'ii' Site Pl? n ie: rose the 095' TC 'EI' W.,- M li, ill? C-I SUVCJ mn :6 lliei I mc. liter. ll'sl gel T lil 1 CKB53 mc..-i ture: asset: lil6 CCI ,W s A l 'o Marlo DiMarzo, Red House Mila