North Fort Myers High School - Lance Yearbook (North Fort Myers, FL)

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Enter: Education The moment we are born, we begin to develop and learn, but our formal education starts when we enter kindergarten. Little children, suddenly find themselves in a world without Mommy, surrounded by strangers. They must learn to share, to take their turn, to memorize the alphabet, numbers, and color words. An endless flow of worksheets and art projects, games and play activities, prepare these tiny tots for the difficult educational tasks ahead. First grade marks the beginning of the primary grades. For the next three years elementary pupils are drilled on the basics of reading, writing, and arithmetic. Then it's on to the in- termediate grades where the program of studies becomes a bit-more diversified and complex. A special program. M.W.A. fMajor Work Areaj is introduced at the grade school level. Students, upon recommen- l equipment. dation of their teacher, are tested to determine if they could benefit from an enriched, accelerated curriculum. These special students are removed from the regular classroom once a week and exposed to a variety of cultural and academic experiences that are intended to broaden their horizons and viewpoints. During this long period of public education, children are still able to identify with one special teacher each school year. This helps to promote and maintain their emotional stability and academic advancement. Looking back to this period of our lives, the workload and experiences seem incredibly easy and carefree. We often think how nice it might be to return to these childhood days when life was uncomplicated. At the same time, every North Fort Myers elementary stu- dent dreams of the day they will move on up and be identified as a Red Knight. 1 - Things are a bit quieter dining lunch time at Tropic Isles. 2 - Mr. Fig's Magic comes alive in a first grade class. 3 - Tropic Isles' students can see the BIG SCHOOL across Orange Grove Boulevard from their playground Closing X 285

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1 - Richelle Bacon gets a fond kiss from Mom as she leaves for first grade. 2 - U40 Winks is cer- tainly needed by kindergarten students during their strenuous day of learning. 3 - Fourth graders know they will get recognition if they work diligently on their daily assignments. awww ,., 1 I 1111 unix: sinus nxt! 113 3118! ' vi V4 5 gg li , 'n'Ja,429g. l MA' I A fr 44' I Qi y no ff 1 - .fll fi W' 284 X Closing 4

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'SAK 1 - Mr. Charles introduces Industrial Art skills to eager middle schoolers. 2 - Discussion can get lively in Mr. Bell's Language Arts class at Caloosa. 3 - Two young Caloosa 8th graders evaluate their classmate's projects at the Science Fair. .Q sf, 2 in 286 X Closing Middle of the With the end of grade school a new public education adventure begins, middle school. During these sometime painful, turbulent, adolescent years, students are introduced to many new social and academic ideas. For the first time, the pre-teen has to assume the responsibility of getting to six different classes on time each day, and complete class and homework assignments for as many as six different teachers. Exploratory classes in foreign languages, home economics, business education, industrial arts, band, and or- chestra, supplement the basic cur- riculum, adding further dimensions to the pupil's educational experience. The emphasis in middle school is on the student. Teachers attempt to adapt their program of studies to aid the students' discovery of their own per- , M i 1 ? Course sonal worth and to understand and cope with the influences and pressures ex- erted upon them by their family, friends, and society. The pre-teen begins to experiment with new social activities and interests. School dances, roller skating parties, group dates, and hanging out at the Edison Mall occupy more and more of their time. However, in order to enjoy these new socially orientated activities, transportation must be obtained. When Mom or an older brother or sister can- not be depended on for getting around, the good old reliable Lee County Tran is often the only answer. For a fare of 7511: one can travel from one end of Lee County to the other. The lack of conventional transportation causes middle schoolers to begin to dream of 2 W.. 3 one day owning their own car. Some in- dustrious boys and girls begin to mow lawns, baby sit, or look for other ways to earn money, so they get a head start sav- ing for their future set of wheels. During these three short years in mid- dle school a lot of growing up occurs. Team sports and hobbies become im- portant, special interests inside and out- side of school develop, and friendships and boy-girl relationships begin t0 blossom. It is not as easy a time as it sounds or as most high school students remember. In fact, as middle schoolers bid farewell to part of their childhood and ready themselves for high school, they experience a potpourri of feelings and emotions sending them alter- nating from the depths of despair t0 joyous heights in mere seconds.