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

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Mr. Daniel McLaughlin-Gym Mrs. June Schoppe-Art Mr. Robert Stevens-Math Learning: a two-way Street If a Classical student were flunking a subject this year, at least he had something to look forward to, and that was being tutored. This year at Classical, students were provided with improved facilities for tutoring. Instead of being in the counselors’ office, which could get very distracting when trying to study, the tutoring room was changed to room 139. Tutoring aids Classical students a great deal. Sometimes it is difficult for a teacher to take the time to individually explain a point to a student during class, and that is how the tutoring process benefits the student, for with a tutor, students can get individualized instruction. The tutors at Classical are all volunteers and are usually obtained through the National Honor Society or through one Poem teree comer inevexpertice witht Deidra of the counselors. Seniors Kathy LaMotte and Peter Speliopoulos were both tutors this year. Kathy stated | that, “It was a learning experience for both of us.’”” Kathy Peter, who also tutored twice a week, found it enjoyable. | tutored a student twice a week. Tutoring only twice a week “It’s rewarding to know that you are helping someone,” gave the student time to collect questions and a chance to he stated. Peter feels that he “really helped’ the work on his own. It is not good to have the student too student he tutored. Tutoring is a learning experience dependent on the tutor. The duty of the tutor is to help for both parties. Although a student may not the student, not do his homework for him. The student also necessarily enjoy being tutored at first, where would has to ask questions in class. he be without it here at Classical? FACULTY |[@ 23

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Mrs. Shirley Harrington-Office Then... and Now Classical has changed a good deal since some of its present teachers attended school here themselves. Classical was known as the best college preparatory school in the area. The academic pressures here were very strong; most Classical students felt considerable pressure to make the honor roll. Years ago, Classical also had no general program. Today the academic situation at Classical is somewhat different. Although a student still receives a good education here, the academic atmosphere seems less severe, more relaxed. There is generally a younger faculty to relate with than there was years ago. Some of the teachers who received their high school educations here are: Mr. Dinnie, Ms. Keenan, Miss McCarthy, Mr. Macomber, Mrs. Mushok, Mr. Podworski, and Ms. Tammi. These teachers have generally agreed that they enjoy teaching the student body here. Miss McCarthy stated, “The kids are special, and it is a privilege and pleasure to work with them.” She still thinks that Classical is the great school it has always been. “Teachers learn from students,” Mr. Dinnie stated. The learning process at Classical is not just a one-way street; the student-teacher relationship aids in the Mr. Henry Brady-English Here’s the famous Dinnie smile. learning process. Many teachers expressed the view that a few years ago students feared their teachers, making it difficult for students to ask questions. Today, the atmosphere is more relaxed, and students recognize their teachers as being human. Mr. Robert Farr-Science eae ERE RR Ms. Camp relaxes like a typical artist. 22 |[e] FACULTY Mr. Arnold Matz-Language

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Mrs. Smith takes a routine call Miss Carolina Accorsi - Language Mr. Arthur Barnes - English The Psychology Boom Over the past four year, the psychology course at Classical has had a 300% increase in enrolled students. The reason for the growth, as explained by psychology teacher Mrs. Iris Danforth, is due mainly to the fact that she and Mr. Clark Henderson, a psychology teacher, decided in‘1975 to rewrite the psychology curriculum and expand the course. The new curriculum limited the straight lectures and began using totally new techniques making'the course more interesting and challenging. The students were encouraged to become more involved so that they would become active contributors to the course and at the same time would be learning. Although Mrs. Danforth found that she had no discipline problems with her students, she did find one minor negative aspect in her larger classes, which was that she was not able to work with students individually as sucessfully as she could have in smaller classes. Some of the psychology topics covered in the course are learning theory, theories of personality, drug and alcohol abuse, and psychological testing. The psychology classes also took field trips to Monson State Hospital and Hampden County House of Correction. A guest speaker from the State Welfare Department discus sed child abuse with the class, and clinical 24 |(2] FACULTY Mr. Gerald Canter - Counsler Miss Sandra Camp - Art Miss Isabelle Brown w - Librarian ; ie ha Serene 2s 7 aR REE Le (ult BLFOCSLS psychologist Dr. Jack Patten discussed the relationship of the mind and the body, and psychogenic illnesses. All of these additions to usual classroom activities contributed to the growing popularity of the course.