Classical High School - Blue and White Yearbook (Springfield, MA)

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Members of the School Committee for 1971 co-ordinated their efforts to estab- lish guidelines for educational progress. School Board Room SCHOOL COMMITTEE — 1971 Honorable Frank H. Freedman, Mayor, Chairman Mrs. Mary M. Lynch, Vice-Chairman Vincent DiMonaco Wilbur J. Hogan Dr. Melvin L. Hutner William J. O’Neil Mrs. Maureen M. Wark On our end sheet: An aerial view of Classical High School during the autumn. While the trees changed color, a change in education was evolving inside the school. CENTRAL OFFICE OF THE SPRINGFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM — 1971 Dr. John E. Deady, Superintendent Thomas J. Donahoe, Deputy Superintendent Dr. James J. Buckley, Jr., Assistant Superintendent in charge of instruction Thomas A. Kenefick, Assistant Superintendent in charge of pupil services Dr. Helen N. Theinert, Assistant Superintendent in charge of personnel and research Leon H. Thiem, Assistant Superintendent in charge of business The Auditorium Mural, “The Light of Education,” has inspired the student body since 1910 when it was painted by Robert Reid.

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FOREWORD Emphasis in current curriculum development both in second- ary and higher education reflects an appeal among decision makers for that which is innovative. New curriculums stress self-learning and independent thought. School administrators are experimenting in methods to free the teacher from clerical chores and to put him, instead, in the role of ‘doctor’ for his pupils. We begin to see evidence of this philosophy at work in new institutions of higher learning now emerging. These institu- tions offer curriculums presently dubbed “experimental,” but give expectations of early fulfillment of an educational dream. There is hope this dream will become reality when innovative methods presently being tested are accepted as the standard teaching pattern for the future. And so, the yearbook staff of the Class of 1971 at Classical High School, aware and part of the many influencing forces among forward-looking faculty and administrative leaders striving to give new direction to the teaching process, dedicates this yearbook to the general theme of “Innovation,” applaud- ing these efforts as the key to education for the future. While experimental curriculums give promise for the future of education, at Classical High School innovative teaching methods have been a daily experience for Class of 1971 mem- bers from their beginning days as freshman. Few other public high schools in the nation have been more progressive in areas of innovation than Classical. Its forward-looking faculty has related the need for independent study to subjects relevant both to the outside community and the need for college preparedness. During our growing years at Classical, we have witnessed a great evolution in our city. The changing city’s complexion seems to mirror the maturing Classical student. While the city’s new face guarantees future preparedness, a Classical education assures the student he will enter the college of his choice with confidence. The fact that the level of faculty and student competency is held in highest esteem by college entrance examiners’ is only one important indicator of the quality of teaching at Classical. The student at Classical has been oriented to be curious, accur- ate, studious, courteous, and perhaps most important, to become involved. Involvement is encouraged both in internal and external facets of the students’ total environment. Thus, while the Classical student may be stimulated because of personal prefer- ence to participate in one or more of the myriad of extracur- ricular activities within the school, he also may become deeply involved in such external activities as helping in voter registra- tion drives, serving as a hospital volunteer, or bringing a total commitment toward efforts for racial harmony. At Classical, this involvement broadens the entire spectrum of learning for the student. It adds a new dimension to the process of preparedness for college. And, after all, that’s what Classical High School is all about.