Lincoln High School - Links Yearbook (Lincoln, NE)

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 Lucky number 7 This year Lincoln High made available to students the opportunity to take seven classes, instead of six. as offered in the past years. The idea was formulated from suggestions made by parents, teachers, counselors and even students. The North Central Accreditation Team, an organization which evaluated Lincoln High, concluded that it might be benefi- cial to students if the school offered an additional class period. Some of the multiple courses offered first period this year were Advanced American Literature, Geometry, Biol- ogy, Psychology, and General Engligh. There were also a few select courses offered. These were Madrigal Singers. Leadership Development and German 7-8. Student's first response to a suggestion such as this was probably negative. After all. who wants to be in school longer than abso- lutely necessary? However, something must have spurred students to take advantage of the offer, because of the 361 first period spots available. 351 students registered for seven classes. Why and who was it that encouraged students to take on one more class? Most students said they made the decision themselves. Some students said they also received advice from their counselors. The most common reason among students for taking seven classes was to acquire all of the credits needed to graduate. There were also conflicts in schedules and students were forced to take seven classes. Many students believed the extra courses will help them when they enter college and start pursuing careers. The extra load of one more class each day did not seem to bother students. Most said they were not bogged-down by additional homework. Those students who said there was a lot of extra work, felt they could handle it with no problems. Mrs. Kathy Raymer, assistant principal for instruction, felt the idea of offering an extra class each day was an excellent one. She feels Lincoln High has many fine courses to offer and students should take advantage of them while they have the chance. She said it gives the student a chance to take some fun classes along with the academic courses. She added, I am really excited about it It helps us better meet student needs and that's what we are here for. Job well done-9

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A counselor's advice often eased the frustrations students experienced when making the decision to Possibly one of the most pleasant fringe benefits of taking seven classes rsan early morning donut in the lunchroom

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Hit ’em hard This year, one of the most respected, dedicated and hard working teachers will be retiring. As a graduate of Lincoln High in 1936, Mr. William Pfeiff has been asso- ciated in some way or another with our school for many years. Mr. Pfeiff started teaching at Lincoln High in January, 1946 and began coaching football that next fall. He had previously taught in Norfolk for five years, before coming to Lincoln High. Mr. Pfeiff said he had no regrets in choos- ing the best school in Lincoln to teach. As he puts it, Once a Link, always a Link.” After twelve years of teaching, he acquired an administrative position under Mr. William Bogar, then LHS principal, and held the position through 1978. Last year, he once more resumed his place in the classroom, teaching World Studies. He said the reason he went back to teaching was because he was tired of working at. what he called, the negative end of things. He said he did not have positive contact with the staff and students and this bothered him. Mr. Pfeiff likes the idea of working directly with stu- dents and he enjoys seeing them achieve. He stated, “I have high expectations of people and I want them to have high expectations of themselves.” It concerns him when he sees students that do not seem to want to do anything. He likes to see students become involved in whatever activities they enjoy. He does feel that there are enough students who want to succeed and who will get the job done. During his high school years, Mr. Pfeiff was involved in various activities. Perhaps this is the reason he likes to see students involved. Mr. Pfeiff made up his mind to become a teacher when he was in junior high school. He said both he and life-time friend Mr. Harold Scott, LHS social studies teacher, decided to go into the teaching profession at this time. I may not have much money in the bank,” he said, but you can't measure the experiences I have had in dollars and cents. Mr. Pfeiff said one change he noticed about the administrative system over the years was that it had become a lot more complex. He was not quite sure whether this was a better quality or if this made the situation worse. He did feel though that things were not quite as personal as they used to be. He felt there was a loss of contact between the students and staff members. However, it did make him proud to see people who he had watched grow up. come back to Lincoln High and be a part of the administrative team. Two examples he gave were Mr. Jim Sommers, athletic director, and Mr. Sanford Nelson, principal. He adds, It just makes you feel really good. Through the years, Mr. Pfeiff has seen no major changes in the attitudes of students. He feels their sense of values have more or less stayed the same. However, he does feel young people ask the question Why? more often. He said, If they know why, they will generally accept the reason. Why retire? Mr. Pfeiff said he believes students deserve enthusiastic, fired up leadership and he was not so sure he could offer that anymore. He said he has plans to catch up with some routine jobs around the house. He would also like to travel some. He said he has his old dog Coach, who still needs him. He added, “I might even look forward to that first Sunday night when I do not have to come in the next Monday. Hit 'em Hard.” as stated by Mr. Pfeiff. signifies his concept of getting the job done each day. Job well done-10