Plattsmouth High School - Plattonian Yearbook (Plattsmouth, NE)

Page 11 text:

FACING PAGE: (top) Computer screen displays the game ‘‘Dung Beetles;” (bottom) Jenny Covert and Tammy Freeburg learn new computer skills at the com- puter bus. TOP LEFT: Elementary students use the Apple II computer; TOP RIGHT: Three times a week, classes were held for elementary students; ABOVE: Richard Boettcher oversees the sophomores using the computer bus; LEFT: Students marvel at computer wonders. 7

Page 10 text:

PHS Reflects Computer World Syntax Error? File not found? Break in 30? Out of data error? All of these terms are terms that come up quite frequently as the students at PHS learn to operate the newest thing in school the Apple computer. Like everyone else in the world, PHS has brought in the computer to keep up with the technical ad- vances that have been happening all over. Since be- ginning a computer program 6 years ago, the school now has a total of 16 computers in the school system. Nine of them are in the high school. Of those nine computers, six are used in the Math Department, two in the Business Department and one in the Vocational Department. Many people besides PHS students use the com- puters. A total of 40 high school students use them daily. During the 1982-83 year, Mr. Arlin Rasmussen, Math Department Chairman, and Mr. Richard Harter, adult education instructor, taught a total of 60 people in their night classes. After school, Mr. Rasmussen also taught a class of elementary students which in- volved around 120 children. Computers are becoming a part of everyday life more and more. Probably the most common use of computers today is the video games. Not only arcade video games but the home video game. The comput- ers at PHS can be used for games too, but are used for writing programs most of the time. The Math Department uses its computers for pro- gram writing. The Business Department has many uses for the Apple computer. Using various pro- grams, it can duplicate letters that need to be sent to different people, teach students typing and play games that teach different principles; for example, the law of supply and demand. Next year, the Busi- ness Department will be getting new software that deals with accounting. The Vocational Department mostly uses tutorials (self-teaching discs) in social studies and spelling in its classrooms. According to the January 3, 1983 issue of Time magazine, Americans expect that in the near future home computers will raise living standards 67% and that it will improve education by 68%. Mr. Rasmussen feels that, “the future of comput- ers is very unpredictable. The demand is so great for computer time that it is difficult to determine where the priorities are. We could triple the number of computers and still not have enough for everyone to get computer time.” 6

Page 12 text:

Dedication To Sharon Smith Every year the yearbook staff se- lects one person to be the recipient of the yearbook dedication. The staff votes on a person that has devoted time and efforts to the students and the school system. This year Mrs. Sharon Smith, home economics teacher, was the honoree. Accepting the award Mrs. Smith com- mented, “This is especially meaningful because I have worked with the class of ’83 all 4 years of high school. They are dedicated workers and show much potential for the future. I look forward to having you invite me to your ten year class reunion so 1 can congratu- late you on all your achievements.” Mrs. Smith graduated from PHS in 1957 as the salutatorian of her class. Graduating with high distinction from UNL in 1961, she received her Bache- lor of Science degree. In 1967, she finished her Masters of Science degree from UNL. Mrs. Smith has been on the staff of PHS for seven years. While here, she has been involved in many activities such as junior class sponsor. Golden Girl contest sponsor and FHA spon- sor. Her main activity is teaching in the Home Economics Department. Be- sides general home ec., foods and nu- trition (1 II), she holds two courses that teach students about life after high school. These are Modern Adult Roles and Independent Living. When asked about the changes in the home economics field Mrs. Smith noted, “Home Economics is a growing dy- namic field. Everyone is a homemaker. Males are now enrolling in greater numbers because they realize that home economics concepts are impor- tant to prepare everyone for the fu- ture.” Outside of school, Mrs. Smith is a member of both the American and Ne- braska Home Economics Association, the NEA, NSEA and the PEA, the Ne- braska Vocational Home Economics Teachers Association, the Liberty United Methodist Church, and Eastern Star.