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

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Mr. Baron McDuffee Emphasis: New Language Offerings The entire language program has a new look this year. Three new courses have been added to the French curriculum. The purchase of a new recording lab has enhanced the entire department and language labs complement teaching methods. Mr. David Douglas, language department chairman, views the lab facility as a valuable learning tool which enables the student not only to listen to himself, but also to his classmates. An important feature of utilizing the recording apparatus is that it changes the pace of instruction to maintain student interest in the courses. The new lab facilities are important, of course, but even more interesting to students is the broader range of course offerings initiated this year. The class work in French Conversation involves small-group projects and many in-class discussions. Probably the most important aspect of this course is that the student is exposed to a total French-speaking environment. French Writing, the semester course created to complement the Conversation course, concentrates on the structure of French writing. Towards the end of the course, the students are involved in independent creative writing. Both instructors of the courses, Mr. David Douglas and Mrs. Nancy Duffy, feel that the new courses’ purpose, to increase the student’s skills in French expression, is being fulfilled. Mr. Daniel Meder Although most of the language department’s programs received enthusiastic support, Mr. Douglas was surprised at the limited student interest in the proposed Spanish Conversation and Writing courses, neither of which made it beyond the planning stage. The lack of interest in Spanish seems odd since Springfield is an urban area with a significant Spanish-speaking minority; proficiency in Spanish is a practical skill for any Springfield native involved in education or the social services. The new courses and lab facilities have given the language program a welcome boost. The enthusiasm of these developments is shared by the students and the teachers alike. The new offerings serve as an example that the work of teachers for innovations in curriculum, along with the support of students, can lead to a progressively better program. Miss Irene Meunier — language “On arien sans peine!”’ “Tf it is worthwhile, it is worth the effort.” Miss Irene Meunier FACULTY 19 Mr. Baron McDuffee — counselor Mr. Daniel Meder — social studies Translation

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18 Mr. Raymond Lussier Mr. Stephen LeClair — social studies Mr. Michael Ligarski — math Mr. Edward Lundrigan — science “In the field of Conservation, the ideal location to build a new school is in an area adjacent to a park or forest reserve because it offers the oppor- tunity for an ‘open classroom’ situa- tion for all the sciences. At Classical, however, we do have a unique loca- tion in one respect because our ‘open campus’ policy allows students inter- ested in economics and the social sci- ences to pursue their interests. Per- haps the future will provide a new Classical High School that meets both of these requirements.” Mr. Raymond Lussier — language Mr. Howard Lynch — science Mr. Howard Lynch Mr. David Macomber — language ‘“ Because a general education here fails to train a student in the neces- sary skill of a trade, and because it is increasingly difficult for teen-agers to break into the tight job market, we must either upgrade the general pro- gram or provide some coordination with the other specialized high schools.” Mr. Arnold Matz — language “Tt is the student body that makes up the school and not the edifice. The building is a stationary object, which does not make any progress, whereas the students are involved in a contin- uous change.” Miss Ann McCarthy — English Miss Mary McCarthy — language “For every language that a man learns, he multiplies his individual nature and brings himself nearer to the general collective mind of Man.” om Mr. Edward Lundrigan Mr. Arnold Matz Miss Ann McCarthy Miss Mary McCarthy

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eh LTT) LT) Mrs. Betty Moody Dr. Philip Miller — language “Classical High School, because it is an inner city school, has a unique opportunity to demonstrate that the students who come to it from every section of the city and from every walk of life can learn together to excel in the course of study which prepare a student for the intellectual life of a university.’ Miss Virginia Mills — English Mrs. Diane Mollaghan — English Dr. Philip Miller N Mr. James Nodurf Mrs. Mary Mushok Mrs. Betty Moody — counselor “Each of us has his own meaningful goal, and that’s ok.” Mrs. Mary Mushok — math Mr. Joseph Nai-— art “T find teaching at Classical, the inner city school, a live vibrant experience. Mr. James Nodurf — math Mr. James O’Donnell — science Dr. Vincent O’Keeffe — music Mr. James O’Donnell