McCluer North High School - Polaris Yearbook (Florissant, MO)

Page 164 text:

Faculty Acts An opportunity fo be yourself A real strength of McCluer North is that it allows a student to be whar he wants fo be, or even what others think he should want fo be, burt by guiding rather than pressuring. Many opportunities, both curricular and ex- fra-curricular, are available, and once the student is made aware of them, through his teachers or advisor, he can consider those opportunities himself and make his own de- cisions. The result quite frequently is excel- lence, but excellence in a variety of areas, rather than just a few. In music groups, dramatic productions, academic awards, classroom projects, and, of course, student publications. The fact thar the school pro- vides the means for students, both as indivi- duals or in groups, to opr for this excellence, truly makes McCluer North “'A Class Act.” Mr. Doug Lane English Department 160 Faculry Acts From afar to find ‘cl ass!’ By plane, by train and by car, they came. From coast to coast, educarors anxiously arrived seeking the Home of the Stars, “a school where academic excellence abounds: National Merit Scholars, state and national journalism award winners, Missouri mathematics competition finalists and a na- tionally validated advisement program. Some wondered about the true existence of a place where those of differing values respect others’ distinctiveness and care about each other as a family. Others pon- dered the reality of a philosophy advocar- ing freedom of choice for all and opportuni- ty to build individual ownership. Still others marveled ar the idea of adolescents having the right to shape their own learning exper- ience. Filled with suspense and often skepti- cism, each one anticjpated the dramatic moment. Standing on a grassy Knoll, the majestic building's hundreds of windows glittered in the sun revealing nor only the warm colors of red, yellow and blue bur also the friendly faces of folks of all ages. Once inside, the action and interaction with the star people stimulated the minds of those who came fo see, to question and to discover. Doubrs dwindled. Ideas flourished. Time passed quickly and the day ended. The visitors left but nor before saying, ‘'geniunely classic, McCluer North reoresents the best of its kind.” Dr. Delores Graham, Senior Principal An expression of beliefs A decade ago af fhe dedication of McCluer North, | wrore the following: A school is an expression of beliefs and attitudes about ourselves and the gen- erations of young people for whom it Is planned. In its silent language of space, color, scale and shape, fhe building tells Us What we are, what we think of our- selves and whar we believe we can become. Whether we are planning pro- grams or buildings we cannot afford to guide our decisions on anything l ess than our deepest faith in people.” ! still believe our school is an expression of our belief fhar every student is important and can make an important contribution to society. Further, we believe af McCluer North in challenging all students fo use their talents to their fullest and to reach for excel- lence. McCluer North has been “A Class Act” because of the beliefs on which if was founded. It will remain “A Class Act” if we cling to those beliefs and struggle to make them a reality. Mr. Bill Hampton Principal Class faculty do more North's faculty — a classy group! There's no question about it. Teachers are, on the whole, an exciting, interesting and involved group, both ar school and in their personal lives. They maintain high standards for themselves as people, and this, naturally, carries over into expectations for their stu- dents. A poll would easily show a majority have advanced degrees and continue fo pursue their own educational and personal growth. Their concern is shown on inservice days when they become eager and in- volved students themselves, constantly striv- ing fo improve their own techniques and knowledge. Most teachers see North as their second home and approach if with enthusiasm, concern, commitment, and in most cases the thought of transferring to or baci fo another school is totally our of the question. Obviously, since fhe faculty is peo- ple and people do have flaws, we're nof perfect; however, the concern and com- mitment are just about flawless - and rhar’s Class! Mrs. Carol Calloni English Department

Page 163 text:

Are there any . volunteers? Year after year, remarlsably enough, people seem to forger that schools are pub- lic institutions. As a result, relatively few peo- ple from the community visited MN, bur some of those who did also volunteered time, energy, and effort. Among those volunteering were Mr. Steevenson, Mr. Nauman’s father-in-law, and Mrs. Niehaus, former general office sec- retary. With their help, the extra worl around MN was finished. Another special contributor to MN was Mrs. Saffley, who donated her time keeping the plants around campus looking good. “It’s been a hobby of mine for years and it evolved as a civic project from the Paddocls Garden Club. We came once a month in the morning for three hours. The worls in- cluded fertilizing, grooming, and the repor- ting of the plants.”” The time Mrs. Saffley spent kept MN looking green. To keep the Colorguard in line, Mrs. Phyllis Bulaga volunteered her time as an instruc- for. ‘1 enjoyed being a member of Color- guard so much when | was in high school, but there wasn't much opportunity to keep af it.” So she decided to do the next best thing, which was to help the MN Color- guard. The amount of time thar Mrs. Bu- laga, better known as Mrs. “B” provided, consisted of six hours a weels practice plus the game and time required to make up the routine and meerting with Mr. Luerje during the baslsetball season. Volunteers such as these proved fo themselves and fo students that helping and sharing was indeed worthwhile. The day is finally done! Mr. Steevenson leaves the building smiling after volunteering a day of reaching a CP.U. in photography. Ron Webb Business Department B.S. Business Ed. M.A. Education Glenn Westover Science Department B.S. Education M.S. Education Mayertta Williams Social Srudies Depr. B.A. Sociology M.A.T. Education Janer Wilson Business Education Department B.S. Business Nancy Wollk Math Department B.A. English Carl Yochum Art Department B.S. Art M.S. Art With a look of accomplishmenr on her face, Mrs. Niehaus is proud of her efforts in the General Office. Faculty 159

Page 165 text:

Full of caring and pride | guess wharf | like best abour this place, what makes me feel thar McCluer North is, indeed, ‘A Class Act’’ is the fact thar the people here don’t hesitate to show thar they care about each other and the school. Teachers both in the classroom and as advi- sors very clearly care about the students with whom they worl. They care abour them nor only as students or advisees, bur also as individuals. The examples the teach- ers sef have had an obvious impact upon the students. | have seen many instances where students have gone out of their way fo show a fellow student or a feacher that they care about him. | know thar there are people here who feel lonely and lost — thar is inevitable when you gather this many people together; | feel, strongly, however, that because of fhe caring atmo- sphere which pervades this school there are fewer people who feel that way here than at any other school in this strate. The way people care abour each other is, in my opinion, whar makes McCluer North, 'A Class Act!’ Mr. Terry Proffitt, Student Activities Director Blend of idealism and realism! McCluer North bears the odds. By reouta- tion big urban high schools are supposed to be impersonal and oppressive; they are generally considered to be rather unpleas- ant places for students and teachers alilse. From its beginning McCluer North has been somehow different. The resulr of a fortunate blend of idealism and realism, of enlightened leadershio complemented by cooperation from students, this school has managed to create an afmosphere in which individuals flourish, where teachers care and students count. Ir must be a nice place fo be a studenr, certainly it is nearly an ideal place in which to teach. Mr. Larry Marsh, Social Studies Mrs. Long — A Class Act” “McCluer North is a Class Act!’’ Since the school opened, the Counseling Cenrer has had the good luck to have Mrs. Virginia Long as our secrefary. On her desis below her name is her jobdescriotion—OM- BUDSWOMAN.” In other words, she is a person thar helps you through the maze of forms and complexities here at North. She is the person who answers all your questions abour the registration forms and all the strange signatures you need. She is the per- son that you hope can fell you where your advisor is or when you have a commons. As a matter of fact, if you want an educa- tion on what you need to know about college, career, or counseling, | might sug- gest thar you just stand by her desis for awhile. A stream of people will flow by you with a wide variety of problems and ques- tions. You might notice thar she stays calm when there are several people around her and the phone keeps ringing. You might notice thar she males each person feel taken care of as well as answer the phone; you might notice thar she nor only has the answer but she also has a kind smile and a kind word. In a school with many class acts she is a STAR! Mr. Mike Herring, Guidance Counselor Gerring Classier with age First there was only light, land and fresh air. Then the ground turned to concrete; they put up walls and classrooms. They decorated the rooms with colorful furniture and awaited the students with a plan. The plan was to creafe a learning envi- ronment thar would allow a student fo en- Joy and express himself and receive an edu- cation, second to none, in the process. From the inception students were given first con- sideration and top priority when formulating policy. Whar malses North “A Class Act” is thar they have succeeded with the plan and continue to improve upon the plan each year. The atmosphere at North, along with the school's over-all policy, allows the student fo make individual choices which contribute fo the development of responsibility and inde- pendence as witnessed by advisement, commons, smoking area, few hall restric- fions, parking privileges, quarter courses and Q wide range of activities designed to get the student fo take a more active interest in North. North's multiphasic cirriculum caters to the personal interest of the student. The cirricu- lum choices literally offers ‘'something for everyone.” If a course is nor offered that meets the interest level of the student he, along with the help of a teacher, can design his own course through a CPU. A trait that contributes to North’s ‘'class act is the ability of the students, staff, and administration to adjust to the changes thar have taken place over the years. We have accepted change and lived up to the chal- lenges it has presented rather than develop negative attitudes and be defeated by our changing environment. Another characteristic of McCluer North that makes it ‘A Class Act’’ is thar we do nor rest on our laurels and become content with our successes. There is a never-ending desire to improve upon an already highly successful program as witnessed by the ad- ditions of our Honors Curriculum and our diploma programs for 1982-83. North is “'A Class Act,’’ getting classier with age! Mr. Bob Blanner, Social Studies Department Faculty Acts 161