Newburyport High School - Enaitchess Yearbook (Newburyport, MA)

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NEWBURYPORT HIGH RECORD been an asset in speeding up traffic. The rotary system now enables pupils to reach classes which are in the same wing of the building, but on different floors, without traveling the whole length of the building. The usher system, started as an experi- ment, has proved effective in that corridors between classes are now more orderly. The cooperation on the part of teachers, pupils, and ushers has been found commendablel Ushers perhaps might well adopt the slogan of defense workers, Keep 'em rollin'. CURE FOR AN AILING WORLD The best thing that I can think of to prescribe for an ailing world is religion on rising and retiring, thankfulness pills before meals, and kindness used throughout the day as needed. Carol Furlong '45 Many people of Newburyport will remember the father and mother of Richard Patterson, to whose memory this issue is dedicated. His mother is Pauline Colby of the Class of 1911, and his father taught in our high school during 1920-1921 . They are now living in Berlin, Connecticut. The pictures used in this issue, with the exception of the one of Mr. Nock and Mr. Noyes in the '24 Assembly which was the work of Hugh Allen '42, were taken by Kay Baur '4O. We know you will like the conclusion of our mystery story, the first installment of which was published in our December issue. Considerable interest resulted in the submitting of nine entries, every one of which successfully extricated jack Frosh, -but the prize goes to jean Magowan '42. We take pleasure in presenting to our readers the work of a new member of our staff, Record cartoonist, Paul Ryan '43. THE RECORD MAIL BAG CONVICTIONS OF A DEFENSE SHOP SENIOR To the Editor: The starting of a machine shop in the Newbury- port High School was one of the smartest things done in recent years. This shop should have been started years ago instead of waiting for a national emergency. Even when we were not at war the machine shop would help boys to become semi-skilled in the trade of a machinist. Many boys waste their time taking college and commercial courses because most of them do not go on to school afterwards. These same boys who are interested in machines do little studying of academic subjects, which do not interest them. After the war is over, I believe the school board should devise some method for making possible a regular machine shop course in Newbury- port High School. Very truly yours, John Rolfe '42 PAGE TEN HOW MANY AGREE? To the Editor of the Record: At sometime during his high school career, nearly everyone from the lowly freshman to the high and mighty senior has had the misfortune to be given the music room for a study hall. Perhaps you wonder why it is such a misfortune. In the first place, it makes you feel as though you were buried alive, for all you can see when you gaze out the window is a cement wall with a few weeds growing over the top, towering six feet above your head. Of course, if you are an optimist you can get some consolation from the fact that it would make a good air raid shelter. This thought doesn't last long, however, because when you start to do your homework and ask for paper, you find there is no paper. You are told that you should have brought some paper from your home room. You start to explain that this is your home room, but give up, knowing that it is useless to argue. On the way back to your seat you decide to look at the menu and choose your lunch.

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NEWBURYPORT HIGH RECORD and South America good neighbors. With this view in mind, well known movie actors were recently sent to South America as ambassadors of good will. Through the Pan-American sections of our news- papers and magazines many of us have acquired a better understanding of our neighbors to the south. We all agree that this could still be improved. What better way than the study of the language of our neighbors, their closest possession? In order to have a class in Spanish here in this high school, only twenty parents would have to sign a petition, and twenty pupils agree to take the course. From the comments heard, it would seem there are a few times twenty pupils waiting for the opportunity to take Spanish. LONGER LUNCH PERIOD For some time the question of a longer lunch period has been debated in N. H. S. The reason for this discussion is obvious. The confusion in the cafeteria exists mainly because the students have not the time to take their time. When the lunch bell rings, pupils scatter, most of them scooting down to the cafeteria, but many of the girls going to the girls' room. Once in the cafeteria, lunching becomes a rush of grabbing, gulping, and galloping-mustn't be late for class, you know. There is seldom time to exchange more than a brief hello at the table, never time really to talk with friends. The addition of ten minutes to each of our present twenty-minute periods would remedy this state of affairs. This ten minutes would allow the feminine element of the student body time to wash their hands and repair damaged make-up, and also still have sufficient time to eat enough food and to do this while exhibiting decent manners. The boys, too, might use this ten minutes to good avail in working off outside the cafeteria some of the exuberance that causes so much of the commotion inside the cafeteria. Last year a plan was instituted whereby the periods were lengthened, a plan meeting the approval of everyone, but one which was dropped after a week's trial for no apparent reason. At home we are not expected to prepare for lunch, swallow it, and be somewhere in twenty minutes. Why are we ex- pected to do so at school? THE DEFENSE SCHOOL To the Senior boys who have completed the machine shop course and to those for whom it is just beginning the future holds promise. A trade, a lucrative position, and security are the evident gains, aside from the fact that they are aiding our national defense effort. Far-sighted individuals can realize that this de- fense school should not be permitted to close down entirely at the end of the conflict, it should be con- verted, to provide shop training as part of the curriculum. Educators are aware that most students conclude their formal education with high school graduation. Our present curriculum, while it does prepare students for college, does not help sufficiently those who will not seek higher education. Evidently some measure for preparing this majority for the requirements of the working world is necessary. Shop training is one solution. Of course, the school authorities, and not the gov- ernment, would have to own the machines, as is the present case. While the cost of establishing such machine training in N. H. S. would undoubtedly entail extended expense, the benefits resulting would easily counterbalance the incidental cost. GIFT OF CLASS OF 1925 Th M. I. T. trophy, recently acquired by the basketball team as a result of winning the State Class B Championship, is not the only point of interest in the alcove. Many pupils are lured to this spot by the new trophy case, a walnut cabinet with glass doors. Even before the M. I. T. plaque was obtained, the new case attracted the attention and admiration of nearly every one who came into the high school. The increase in the number of trophies, which our football, baseball, and basketball heroes have won during the past few years, necessitated the purchase of the new cabinet to replace the old one, the gift of the Class of 1911 many years ago. There are in the cabinet at present about twenty trophies, including two which were won in 1897, also six footballs, a basketball, and a baseball, souvenirs of victorious games. The new cabinet was purchased last February with money from the fund left to the school by the Class of 1925. SENIOR USHERS With the introduction of senior girl ushers, the traffic problem at N. H. S. has been solved. The interchanging of up and down stairways has also ' PAGE NINE

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NEWBURYPORT HIGH RECORD Alas, you find that there is no bulletin board and that the menu is lost. As the period wears on, the general gloom heightens and you wonder what time it is. You are kept from indulging in your frequent pastime of looking at the clock because there is no clock. You try to make the watches of your friends serve instead, but when you are caught packing your books five minutes early you realize that the watches are a very unsatisfactory substitute for an office clock. Then at last the bell rings, and you are a part of the grand rush for the door, making a futile attempt to reach the third fioor before the bell rings. This picture of the music room during a study period is really not exaggerated at all. In fact, the juniors who have it for a homeroom suffer even worse inconveniences. If this room must be used next year, we music room inhabitants feel that we deserve at least a clock and if not a blackboard, a bulletin board to help bring this room up to the standards of the other classrooms. Very truly yours, Nancy Weare '43 KEEP 'EM FLYIN' To the Editor: Although many of us are building model planes for the govemment during war time, we have no established club. There should be a model airplane club for those who really would appreciate it. Such a group would be of much help to the United States. The club could build models to train spotters. The club would also prepare boys for further work in airplane factories and help in the study of aviation. The club members could practice spotting airplanes with pictures and models. There is plenty of opportunity for a very good club in school. The gym could be obtained for in- door flying and contests. The stadium could be used for outdoor contests and fiying. Both places could have the audience cut off from the contestants in order to protect the contestants' models. The club would not need to lay all stress on model-making, there could be talks on air currents, thermals, airfoil, and many other important elements of aeronautics. There could also be exhibitions of solid models. Building models for the government, however, would be the most important club Work. Model-makers would not only build their models but they could also test them in wind tunnels. Modelers not interested in making models could take pictures of anything to do with aviation and mount the pictures for practice in spotting planes. Others could study the reaction of different forces of air on models, propellers, and wings. These people could give talks on their work. The fact should be stressed that no one could join just for fun. All members would be requested to have some activity in aviation. Respectfully, David Simms '44 REMEMBER PEARL HARBOR To the Editor: Several days ago I visited the Anna Jaques and the Worcester Memorial Hospitals to interview the head nurses on the subject of how well prepared our hospitals are for air-raid. I think every member of N. H. S. may be interested in the following facts: All nurses carry blue iiashlights, and all unnecessary lights are put out, except in the delivery and the operating rooms. The skylights are protected in two ways, flj by steel sheets on the outside, and CZJ by mesh wire on the inside. There are sand and axes on all of the top floors at convenient places. The Anna Jaques Hospital is ready for a 30W increase. Its T-B hospital has many beds to be used if necessary. The Worcester Memorial Hospital has all its windows protected by sisalcraft, a board that is water-proof and glass proof. I was told that all the victims will be taken into the nearest house, where they will be examined. The slightly injured will be given first aid right there while the more seriously injured will be taken to a hospital. In front of the hospital will be a woman with a white band on her arm, who will direct the ambulance to the front door, from there the men will be taken to one room, the women to another, and the children to a third. The patient will be seen by a doctor, who will determine the extent and nature of the injuries. The bumed patients will go to the Worcester Memorial Hospital, the others, to the Anna Jaques. The personnel of the hospital and the medical units will report to their posts, ready for duty when the PAGE ELEVEN