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

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Miss Mary Corcoran — Counselor Mrs. Audrey Desrochers — Gym Togetherness In 1977-'78 there were no longer separate girls’ and boys’ physical education classes at Classical. The two sexes joined together in gym classes having an equal number of boys and girls. Co-education made it a unique year in physical education for teachers and students alike. Even though classes were co-ed, the program included all of its usual activities: badminton, basketball, dancing (modern and square), floor hockey, gymnastics, volleyball, wrestling, and yoga. Techinques were also taught for tennis and golf. Students’ views on co-ed gym varied. Some seemed to find it great. Others took a few things into consideration saying such things as “It depends on the activity,” or “It depends on the kids in the group.” Many people just seemed to find it “O.K.” Teachers’ views also varied. Although co-ed classes are mandatory by state law, Mrs. Kelly, for one, didn’t feel that co-ed gym should be mandatory. She did feel however that it was a good idea for the boys and girls to be together. Mr. Stratton’s opinion was that “It is hard to group according to their (the students) skills, because of the fact that there were three different grade levels; ninth, tenth, and eleventh in each class.” 20 (ce) FACULTY Mrs. Jean Bogan — English Pe 7 rig Ray Hunter has his hands full. Joel Axler watches Tracy Hoffman. Mrs. Desrochers expressed somewhat greater dissatisfaction with the co-ed program. She felt that one should be able to choose between a multitude of activities whether the classes were co-ed or not. Mr. McLaughlin’s ideas differed from the others. He felt that co-ed gym added a positive social dimension to the gym classes. Co-ed gym certainly made it a unique year for every teacher and student involved.

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Behind The News This year, Miss McCarthy’s Mass Media and Journalism class had the opportunity to learn about the business aspect of running a newspaper. Mr. Winston Cooper, a representative of the New York Times, one the most prestigious papers in the country, discussed the basic procedures of the business management of a newspaper. The journalism students learned that the business management of a newspaper depends upon advertisements. A financially sound newspaper must be about sixty percent advertising to forty per cent news. Therefore, advertisements become the sole financial support of a successful newspaper. A better understanding of the impact of advertisements was acquired by the students when Mr. Cooper stated that the back page of the Times would cost fifteen thousand dollars a day to be printed. Although his lecture was primarily concerned with advertising, Mr. Cooper also commented on the journalism aspect of a newspaper, and its many areas of coverage, such as features, sports, news stories, and editorials. He also pointed out the manner in which a journalism article is written, better known as the “inverted pyramid style.” Mr. Cooper observes Joe Danher’s journalistic work. The most amusing part of the lecture came last when Mr. Cooper displayed the famous “subway fold.” The subway fold, folding the Times in a complex manner for easier which was devised by the New York public, is the process of reading on subways. Mr. David Stratton-Gym Mr. John Christie-Music Mrs. Gail Fiorentino-Science College problems? Mrs. Smith will be glad to help. Miss Patricia Keenan-English FACULTY fe) 19

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Mr. David Meder — History . Ly ® : i z . B ® z : x 2 2 : ‘ s t = ee eee ee ee eee ee ee State Street on a quiet day. my — eo : ee mee Mrs. Elizabeth Simmons — Science Mrs. Andrea Tarczynski — Language Urban Advantages Springfield has a complex city environment that offers educational advantages to both Classical teachers and students. Many teachers choose to work in Springfield particularly because of such advantages. For instance, there are many places for excellent field trips for Classical’s various classes. This year, students from Miss McCarthy's journalism class were able to visit the Springfield Newspapers; students from Mr. Kokonowski’s English classes visited Stage West to view a play; the psychology classes went to Monson State Hospital, and the American Studies class visited Sturbridge Village. One teacher at Classical, Mrs. Erline Provost stated that “Springfield has provided for me the opportunity to be involved with fine young people, to share the wonders of the living world through the science of biology, and to enjoy the intellectual life and cultural diversity that can only be found in a city environment.” Although students find this city environment particularly useful in schooling, they also discover something else just as important; they find a future in the city for a variety of careers and educational opportunities after high school. When the time comes, many students will choose to work in this city. 21 [fe] FACULTY