North High School - Polaris Yearbook (Minneapolis, MN)

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Physics in 190) and physics in 196). There has been little change in content, but much in equipment. PSSC is advanced physics for better students. Physics is still physics. Modem Dance has been an elective for many years. Above is a demonstration of one of the skills needed. Dancers find stretch, balance, extension and rhythm useful. Curriculum, Enrollment Fluctuate Through the Years Schools arc established to educate. So North was established and likewise has North lived through 75 years of teaching students the academics, of giving them social experiences, of giving them chances to show their talent and of hope for a future. Before going on, one should take time to find out how, if at all. the curriculum has changed in these 75 years. As far as specific courses are concerned, the changes have been small. The courses of the early 1900's—English language, math, science, business. physical education and manual training-arc still taught today. The greatest change has come in the methods of teaching. Language classes now use earphones and recordings; advanced modem math is given to superior students; chemistry, now chcm study, has changed in content because of the many advancements of scientific research; and seniors learn psycholog)’ in modern problems. Yet with all the changes in methods and school procedures, many can remember the sJoyd” manual training classes, eight periods in the day, getting report cards ever)’ six weeks, the times North made broadcasts over WDGY, KSTP, and WCCO radio, the 25% increase in math enrollment in 1942, the time when North’s curriculum in- thirtccn hours a week. This organization is called N.Y.C. (Neighborhood Youth' Corps) and is part of the National Job Corps Organization. Presently North also has an evening community center program to sene as a resource, a hobby, a recreational, and a skill center. North’s standards of excellence arc among the highest. Today North ranks fifth in Minnesota's 500 high schools in the number of graduates with doctoral degrees. Nationwide, North ranks 207th among 24,284 schools. North is not without pride, especially in her curriculum! eluded teaching war veterans, the erection of the first lunch-counter and later the lunchroom, the first gym. North’s winning debate department and the great plays produced by the drama department. Those involved will best remember the time when the enrollment was so large that 10th graders were held in their junior highs and North teachers went to them to teach them. Faculty size has grown, from 27 in 1907 to 125 in the thirties and to 90 today, with the enrollment. Teachers have come and gone! Some stayed a year, some five and some fifteen. But Miss Madigan. whom many of you remember, is still teaching here after 40 years of faithful serv ice to North. Did you graduate in January or June? Or docs this question confuse you? North had two graduating classes per year until 1947. This procedure enrolled students in September and January. Graduation took place in January and June. But in 1919-22 North graduated three classes a year: December, March and June. As students well know, they never want to study all the time. Over the years many of them have worked while going to school. Tbe N.YA. (National Youth Administration), a federal organization in which North students participated, was designed to give jobs to males. During the depression. North students, with most United States citizens, worked under two programs called the P.WA. (Public Works Administration) and the W.P.A. (Work Projects Administration), organized to give work to those who needed money. Jobs were located at North as well as around the city. North High has recently adopted a similar work program in which students who need financial help may work Chcm Study, which deals with formulae, experiments, and the application of the course to life, is given to seniors.

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Tragic Fire Ravages North North functioned in this building until 1913, when on June 18 a fire broke out which consumed most of the school, with only the northeast wing escaping serious damage. The source of the fire is believed to have been traced to the wood shop where sawdust was left in containers with oily rags. The blaze started early that day and continued into the afternoon before firemen finally got it under control, and then only after fire fighting equipment had been summoned from all parts of the city. When the fire was finally extinguished, two firemen lay dead and North had incurred such damage that it was clearly unusable. During the years 1913-14 while the building was being reconstructed. North High pupils attended the old Central High School located at 4th Avenue South and 11th Street. The Central High people had vacated this building to move into their new school at 34th Street and 4th Avenue South. The Street Railway ran special cars to take North pupils to the old Central building without transfer; however, the)' charged them the usual fare. In September of 1913 the Board of Education began to rebuild the building with the addition of the auditorium wing. To this has since been added a south wing, including the machine shop, auto shop, botany laboratory and greenhouse. In 1924 the northwest wing containing the library was completed and in 1939 the present greenhouse was completed under the auspices of President Roosevelt's W.P.A. The reconstructed North in 1915. North before the addition of die northwest (library) wing. North High School. 1966.

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During World War II room I and 2 were a nursery for pre-school and grade school children of working mother . Many teacher also left their children for the day. Technical advances have made great changes in equipment in industrial arts. Complete with plants. vegetables, and flowers is the greenhouse in its prime. A small number you say! But considering educational advancement at that time one can realize why! This enrollment change could easily stir one's curiosity and lead him to ask the following questions: Why has North had such a high enrollment? How and when was this growth trend leveled off? What happened to North's enrollment in war time? And how many alumni has North? Let’s sec. First of all North has a large enrollment because, before the establishment of high schools in Robbinsdale, Brooklyn Center, Anoka, Fridley. Golden Valley, Crystal and Henry's change from a junior high to a senior high. North was the only school for all the students in these areas. Consequently, one could imagine the change in North's enrollment over the years. Actually, the dispersing of students was not felt greatly until Brooklyn Center High School opened and took out 300 students at one time in 1961 which left only 1700 students! Additional reasons for North's large enrollment are the increase in population and the demands for an educated American citizenry. Any leveling off has never lasted long. North was built to accommodate 2,000 students, yet in 1937-38 the enrollment was 3,154. Today's enrollment is 2,112. Now, the third question, What effects did wartime have on North’s enrollment? Truthfully, there isn't much to say except that in any war situation one would expect a decline. This is what happened to North's enrollment. But with the departure of many older students in World War II, North acquired many younger students. Wonder who they were? Well North started a nursery in which northsidc mothers could leave their children while they worked for the war effort. Many teachers also left their children for the day. Finally, the last question! What is the total number of North High graduates? In 1891 the number of graduates was 16! Later in 1905-06 the total was 775! Today, sixty years later, including the class of 66. the number of graduates is approximately 31,000. These statistics all clearly show that North has done her share in educating American citizens. Few people realize that North’s enrollment has always been large! Many persons today have the impression that North’s present enrollment is the largest it has ever been. But from North’s beginning in 1891, the trend in population has moved with the time and existing conditions. Growth was rapid from the time of 1891 to 1940. Student enrollment in 1900 was 54. 9S0 9C0 BfO 60 9 7ft 700 659 too «0 500 ♦50 • K0 |j50 J00 2 SO 200 ISO 00 50 s of Or doCS A A A V N V V VtA “ Chart show the number of graduates in North' 75 year of existence. Another chart plotting the enrollment in the same time period would show nearly the same curve. Note the drop from 1940-1944 . • ■ cauied by World War II. Language students enjoy the language labs complete with earphone and recording of lessons.