Newburyport High School - Enaitchess Yearbook (Newburyport, MA)

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NEWBURYPORT HIGH RECORD air-raid signal sounds, as Dr. Snow, who is the head of all of the staff, has ordered. Our hospitals have been prepared for air-raids since Dec. 7, 1941, when we heard that Pearl Harbor had been attacked. Very truly yours, Richard Foley '44 GIVE CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE To the Editor of the Record: Well, another football season has ended. You remember we had our own band to lead us, the baton corps, at the games last fall. It certainly was f'swell . Now the talk is on new majorette uniforms for next fall. As you know, the football team, cheer- leaders, and band have theirs bought for them, while the baton corps must buy their own. We are planning to have a woman make our uniforms, they will cost us five to ten dollars. I think this is a considerable amount to expect us to pay, don't you? We wouldn't mind this so much if we got a little credit for the work we do. When it is good weather, we practice two afternoons a week marching on the field. Yes, I know we are mentioned in the paper, but most of the write-ups seem to be praising the band or the cheerleaders. They seldom give us any credit. Other schools do! Even though I am graduating this year and won't be able to lead them next year, I will stick by them and praise them, for I know how hard they work to entertain the public at games. Sincerely, Mildred Goldsmith '42 STRAIGHT THINKING To the Editor of the Record: Usually a pupil says the school day should be shortened. I believe, however, that it should be lengthened. Before my fellow classmates have time to jump down my throat, I must explain. The average student has four subjects daily. When he gets home from school, in order to prepare the next day's assignments thoroughly he should spend at least two hours working. Now I ask the question, how many pupils do spend at least two hours on their homework? I'm sorry to say that I don't, and there are many more like me. In a few homes, as in my PAGE TWELVE own, the parents make it compulsory for their chil- dren to spend at least one hour at studies. But seldom is there time enough for a pupil to do his studying thoroughly. If, however, the school day were lengthened at least one and one-half hours and each student were given at least two study periods at the end of the school day, students would prepare their lessons much better than they prepare them now. In school the pupil is watched by a teacher who sees that he keeps busy every minute. I am sure that every student would prefer doing his studies in school. The question may arise as to why if a pupil had rather study in school he doesn't arrange it so that he can study in the detention room. This question can be answered easily. The pupil knows that he doesn't have to be there studying and is inclined to skip a day or twog in that way little is accomplished. Although my routine would bring protests from both pupils and teachers, I know that many pupils would agree with me if they did some honest thinking. 4 Very truly yours, Lilly Fotinopoulos '42 CHANCE FOR IMPROVEMENT Dear Editor: Among one third of the student body of Newbury- port High School, there is dissatisfaction that is growing stronger day by day. I refer to the con- ditions of the cafeteria during the third lunch period, which are definitely in bad shape. The menu is taken down before half of the pupils arrive. After the first ten minutes have elapsed, one has to be a husky, fear- inspiring football hero or a charming coed to get money changed. Often the popular dishes are gone, and one has to be satisfied with a substitute. Then to top it all, the candy counter is closed before the period is up. Thus far, although there has been considerable talk about this matter, nothing has been done. A good solution would be to inter-change the first and third lunch periods. Perhaps, with two thirds of the student body disapproving of the existing circumstances, the proper authorities would be stimulated to investigate. I know there are many assenting voices backing up my idea. Respectfully, Mary M antarian '42

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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

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NEWBURYPORT HIGH RECORD FRESHMAN AGREES WITH SENIOR To the Editor: The cafeteria is used every day, probably more than any other room in the school. The lunch period breaks the monotony of the school day. In the cafeteria the students have a chance to talk with their old friends and get acquainted with new ones. It seems to me as soon as I sit down to eat after pur- chasing my lunch the bell rings. If at least ten minutes were added to the lunch period it would be a great help. Everyone knows that there is always a long line either purchasing food or having their money changed. This slows up progress, and when you have only twenty minutes in which to eat every minute counts. Some people who are in line can't make up their minds about what they want and this also holds up traffic. After these slow-ups are al- lowed for, one has to swallow his food whole and hurry to get to his next class. These are a few of the basic reasons why I think the lunch period should be lengthened. Another fault I find with the cafeteria is the variety and amount of food. A person eating in the third lunch period must take what is left or go without. I think there could be more meat sandwiches. As many different kinds of sandwiches as there are, I think there is room for improvement in the variety of the food of the cafeteria. Respectfully, Wendell Webber '45 TAKE A DARE! To the Editor: I believe that everyone in N. H. S. has experienced a meeting with the ushers at one time or another. Many of the students do not like the idea of having the ushers, but if they were to stand in the usher's place, they would notice the great change that has taken place in regard to the traffic. The ushers are not for the purpose of dictating to the students, but rather for serving as reminders in the course of traffic. If the pupils were more willing to take advice and would not form the opinion that the usher is trying to be a big shot, many disadvantages could be re- moved. Especially at a time like the present, one should be willing to take orders and carry them out instead of disobeying. If all students obeyed, in due time there would be no ushers, because this would prove that N. H. S. pupils can follow directions and do not have to be watched. Can the student body of N. H. S. take a dare? Very truly yours, Olga Pizar '42 WANTED, MORE ASSEMBLIES To the Editor of the Record: Why can't we have more assemblies? is the question many of the students, including myself, ask. I have thought it out carefully, and I think this would be a satisfactory way to plan assemblies every week, or every two weeks, preferably on Fridays. We have many talented students who could present an entertaining performance, and would be willing to give their services. There would be very little ex- pense, if any. A capable student or a teacher could be chosen to select the chairman of each assembly. Let the chair- man know at least a month ahead of time so there would be no excuses for not being ready. Then have the chairman select the students to give the per- formance. Choose plays or skits to emphasize a certain idea, mostly on ways to help in defense. A radio hook-up would be interesting. With the curtains closed, the impression would be created that the sound was coming out of the radio, and also, the performers wouldn't feel so nervous. I hope that these suggestions will help to bring about more assemblies. Yours very truly, Mary Lee Henry '44 PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED To the Editor: The problem of where to put my books in the typing room at Newburyport High School is bothering, me. Our teacher has told us to put them on the floor under our chairs. Of course, this is putting them out of the way, but when we pick them up at the end of the period, they are covered with dust. The dust invari- ably comes off the books and gets on our clothes, making it necessary to send our skirts to the cleaners several more times than we should under the right conditions. PAGE THIRTEEN