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

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Mr. Euclid Lague - Language Mr. Edward Lundrigan - Science “Dead Language Lives Latin, formerly known as a “dead” language, has been resurrected at Classical. From among the foreign languages available to students, many have chosen to study Latin, the mother tongue of the Romance languages. Miss Carolina Accorsi, Classical’s only Latin teacher, feels that, “Latin opens one’s mind to an old civilization to which we owe a great deal.” She also believes that a knowledge of Latin is helpful in the study of English. Her students agree. This year’s Latin I pupils expressed that an appreciation of their own language was due to what they were learning in Latin class. Knowing this base language also led to a greater understanding of French, Italian, and Spanish, all derived from Latin. A beginning Latin student undertakes quite a task. He must master five declensions of nouns and four conjugations of verbs, as well as muddle through a labyrinth of special adjectives and adverbs. Both the teacher and the students enjoy Latin. Many members of the Latin I class continue the study to Latin II. Miss Accorsi looks forward to seeing former students again. Why? As Miss Accorsi says, “I like to be instrumental in helping to open minds into the Classical world.” Althea Stafford ponders verb endings. Miss Accorsi answers questions. 28 [[@] FACULTY

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in | BP» TUTE! y iil - = Mr. Robert Donavan constructs miniature building. Mr. Michael Ligarski-Math Dr. Philip Miller-Language SSSSSSSS== Mr. David Douglas caught by surprise. Artrul Drafters Mr. Donovan’s drafting course has not been widely acknowledged since Classical is chiefly a college preparatory school. Workshop classes are not usually stressed, for it has been thought that workshop courses were better fit for vocational schools. Therefore, many Classical students have probably not even been aware that a drafting course has been taught at Classical. Mr. Donovan also teaches woodshop and is starting a photography course. Although Mr. Donavan’s course is chiefly male- dominated, he does have some females in his classes. One of the girls in his drafting class is Kathy LaMotte, a senior. She decided to take the course because in college she would like to major in engineering. The only problem with the course as she saw it was that she and other girls in the class would sometimes be teased by the boys in the class. Mr. Donovan feels that the drafting course and courses like it should be stressed more, so that students, particularly those interested in civil engineering, would learn about construction by building structures in miniature. In this way, students might be able to better understand the problems involved in building a house or a business operation. Mr. James Nodurf-Math Mr. Gary Watson-Counselor FACULTY el 27

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aN Mr. Richard Ricci - Science Mr. Paul Rieker - English er Now for those term papers ... Mrs. Jeannette Scheehser - Office Mr. Jerome Shea - Science Teaching Tribulations Mrs. Audrey Szlachetka - Science “As long as there is a need to learn, there is a need to teach.” This practical view is that of Mrs. Frances Evans, a Classical Social Studies teacher. In discussing her reasons for teaching, Mrs. Evans stated that she would not choose any other profession if she were given the chance to do so. Although many teachers enjoy their work, the teaching situation is not perfect. Teaching this year in Springfield posed many problems. Many faculty members were involved in lengthy contract negotiations which included a controversial residency requirement question. Another key issue was a “work- to-rule” effort proposed by the Springfield Federation of Teachers. For the most part, the faculty continued to participate in non-paying extra- curricular activities in spite of the proposal. These teachers willingly gave up their own time to hold advisory positions in various Classical clubs. High school is a learning experience for faculty members as well as students. As time goes on, the need to learn will increase. At Classical, the faculty will answer that need. FACULTY [[q] 29