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

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Mr. Richard Ricci - Science Miss Teresa Regina - English Mr. Paul Robbins - Music Miss Linda Rozzi - Math Mrs. Elizabeth Latham - Clerk Mr. Alexander Schmid - Gym Although its walls were erumbling, its paint was peeling : and its plaster was falling, the faculty felt there was a What Do They Think? positive future in store for Classical High. Through learning to blend what was good from the past with what is relevant for the future, Mr. John Sawyer saw a good future for the school. This idea of blending the past with the future seemed to have been the key in the development of the newest program at Classical — Distrubitive Education. In looking ahead into the future, faculty members saw the need to educate students in the field of business. Thus, the students involved in the course, could graduate with some preparations for a career in business. Also viewed in the future was a renaissance of the liberal arts and a decrease of general courses. Although the percentage of the general students enrolled at Classical had increased over the decade, Mr. David Macomber felt a decrease would begin, and more college preparatory students would head toward the liberal arts again. As for Mr. Robert Smith’s opinion of the future of Classical High, he felt that Classical would not have a future unless a decision was soon made about the building. Since over the decade, proposals and suggestions concerning the renovation or rebuilding of Classical High School continually arose and fell, Mr. Smith felt nothing could be said or done about the future without a sturdy building to work with. However, since Classical was always noted as a fine Is this the future of Classical? college preparatory school, a slightly deteriorating building certainly will not affect the reputation it has always had. STAFF 29

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28 Mrs. Laurie Pieterse - English Mr. Baron McDuffee - Counselor At the end of each school year, Classical students chose at least four courses for the coming year. These courses ranged from Advanced Physics to Art 1 to Math 4s. The reason for the wide diversity of courses is that in the society of today, students must have a wide education in order to support themselves in a successive future. Years ago, students had to take Latin, whereas today it was a choice students made. Students were also required to take English, Math, a Foreign Language, Science, and American History, just as today. There wasn’t a wide diversity of levels in each subject, however, as there was today. French, for example, came in 1,2,2),2ja,3,3x,3xa,4x,4m, and French Conversation and writing. Thus, a particular French course was suitable for any and all students. In offering the diversification of courses to students, the students were allowed to work at the best pace for themselves. They were also urged to deal with what they did best through their selection of interesting courses. Course diversification did not only benefit the students academically, but the freedom of choosing his own courses may have helped him to overcome his boredom with school life. STAFF Mr. James Phaneuf - Math Mr. Adam Montagna - Custodian Mrs. Erline Provost - Science Course Diversification a tsi a Joanne Spinelli diversifies her courses.

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Every year teachers have to put up with the problem of student discipline. In today’s world, teachers want to be able to control classes without having to waste their valuable teaching time reprimanding their students. guy wy Teachers wouldn’t have to reprimand students if each student controlled his own behavior. Most teachers feel that cooperation between themselves and their students is the answer to disciplinary problems. For teachers to have meaningful relationships with students, students must act relatively maturely. Though most students do act well, teachers still have to deal with problem students. Teachers feel that if they are to deal with these students, they should be allowed to control their classes the way they feel necessary. In fact, teachers not only have to spend time in class watching students, but they also have to contend with watching students who are in office detention. Teachers are unhappy about this because it takes up their valuable time. Another reason that this practice has grown in disfavor with teachers is that it makes teachers feel like babysitters taking care of someone else’s kids. Actually, Classical’s discipline problem is not bad. Hopefully, it never will be. In the mean time, it is up tc teachers and students to keep classes moving smoothly. Students hurrying to class so they won’t get detention. ee oe LN 2% xb es Mr. Jerome Shea - Science Mrs. Elizabeth Simmons - Science Mr. Robert Smith - Science Mr. Robert Stevens - Math Mr. Stanley Stolarz - English Mr. David Stratton Gym 30 STAFF