Newburyport High School - Enaitchess Yearbook (Newburyport, MA)

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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

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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 We are not allowed to put the books on our desks because this makes the room look cluttered and gives a bad appearance. You know, an office girl should be neat! I think the authorities should either see that dusters are supplied to dust off our books or have some shelves put under our chairs so that we can keep our offices looking clean and get an A for neatness both in and out of the typing room. Respectfully, Ruth Langlois '43 SPEAK UP, GIRLS! To the Editor of the Record: Athletics in Newburyport High School seem to be meant only for boys. Football season in the fall starts the school year off with a bang. Every Saturday or Friday night hundreds flock to games, but it's all for the boys. Then basketball games are started and there are articles in the paper concerning them, and tournament and conference championships follow. Why can't girls have some part in athletics too? Of course, girls can't play football, but there are other sports. Football coaches are hired and excellent equipment is bought. Our fine stadium is built and anything and everything needed is supplied. Basketball is the same, fine uniforms and necessary equipment are purchased. Why ca.n't the girls at N. H. S. have a basketball team and be as well provided for? Why can't we play games with other schools and enter tournaments? In other schools they do it. Why can't we? Besides basketball there are other games, volley ball and field hockey, but we never even hear of these. Do you believe that if we showed more enthusiasm the Athletic Council might do something about it? Basketball games have been started by our physical instructor, but nothing seems to come of it. The G. A. A. has been organized and each year all the schools around meet and have a day of fun. Why couldn't we get a few schools interested and have competition between them, such as that of the boys' basketball team? Very truly yours, Carolyn Kelly '44 STOP, LOOK, AND THINK To the Editor: One of the criticisms to be made of the students at Newburyport High School is the fact that they don't PAGE FOURTEEN seem to appreciate the building. We are fortunate in having one of the most modern and best equipped high schools in the state. Yet evidence of abuse of the building by the students is visible almost any- where a person tums. One sees on the arm-chairs epitaphs which the student spends hours diligently carving, in order that his memory may be preserved for posterity. The walls and furniture have suffered much in the comparatively short time the high school has been standing. Perhaps if the student who finds such savage amusement in deteriorating our building were taken on a field trip to view the conditions which students in other schools are subjected to, our own beautiful building would be treated as though it were composed entirely of glass. We, as students, would undoubtedly also appreciate our present place of learning if we were suddenly transferred to the old high school where, for many years, our predecessors literally risked their lives by attending daily classes. But, as neither a field trip nor a migration is probable, other means must be relied upon to preserve the life of our building. Try to foresee the conditions of the building ten years hence, if the present practices continue. Each one can do his or her part by refraining from actual participation in the acts mentioned, and by preventing others from doing so. This should not involve physical combat between agitator and arbitrator. Surely anyone living in a great democracy such as ours can be made to see the wrong in what may seem petty now, but which may lead to much more serious consequences in the future. Yours respectfully, James Zajris '45 BUY DEFENSE STAMPS Come one! Come all! And do your part. Buy Defense Stamps With all your heart. Old Uncle Sam Is a good old chap, So please don't Let in Mr. Jap. A stamp a week, Or maybe two, Will add up to A Bond for you. Frances Gerow '44