Pontiac Northern High School - Avalanche Yearbook (Pontiac, MI)

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Bond 1 Bond 58 Gregg 82 Black 94 Aman! 122 Barge134 pdriavel 154 ve Below Pontiac Presents Northern ! I we .gory ofponfiac Worldern .Jlvligd 3400! Recognizing the growing need for additional high school facilities, the Board of Education purchased the site now occupied by both Madison junior High School and Pontiac Northem High School in 1951. The foresight of the Board of Education provided for the acquisition of two adjoining parcels of acreage which together totaled 107.7 acres. Realizing that a high-school building would have to serve the people of Pontiac for at least a half century, the administration and the Board of Education wisely provided nearly three years for planning. From November of 1954 to july, 1956, members of the Educational Planning Com- mittee worked diligently to build a set of educational specifications. In this phase of the development of Pontiac Northern High School it was necessary not only to determine the number of square feet of classroom space, the placement of electrical outlets, and so forth, but also it was essential to look ahead into the future, making sure that planning provided flexibility for additions and changes. The period from July, 1956 to June, 1957, was used by architects to translate educa- tional planning into architectural planning. The simple, functional beauty of Pontiac Northern High School testifies to their success. Construction began in july, 1957, and continued through December, 1958. While the building was occupied by students and faculty in September, 1958, some construc- tion continued into the fall semester. Northern High School as you see it today has a gross capacity of 1229 pupils and a net capacity C80 percentj of 983 pupils. Additional classrooms can be added at relatively low overall costs since planning provides for the extension of various portions of the building. The ultimate gross capacity is 2071 and the net capacity 1656 pupils. The auditorium seats 977 persons and the Little Theatre 192. The gymnasium accommodates 1924 spectators and the natatorium will seat more than 400. When portable bleachers are added, some 675 persons may view swimming, diving and other water activities. The cafeteria dining-room seats 450 persons. luncheon schedules are staggered to accommo- date the student body. The north' parking lot which can be expanded presently accommodates 237 cars. The faculty parking lot to the south of the building accommo- dates another 88 cars: The total area of the building includes 181,895 square feet. Construction costs at Northern High School including general, mechanical, and electrical trades totaled 82,955,721.66. Construction cost per square foot was 31624. Fixed equipment costs were 6208,851.85. Furniture and instructional equipment came to S222,050.45. Physical education and site development costs totaled 8226,644.67. The total cost of the project was 35,611,248.61. Every possible means was employed to provide necessary facilities at low cost. The location of Madison junior High School and Northern High School on the same site made possible the construction of only one auditorium and one boiler house. The two schools share these. Certain facilities which would cost substantially more per square foot to add at a later time are included in the present high school plan. The cafeteria, the auditorium, vocal and instrumental music rooms, and counselors' offices, for example, will not require additions under present plans. Additional classrooms and shops, however, can be added easily because of the excellent planning of the building. The use of ply- wood paneling behind lockers as interior classroom walls effected substantial savings. The use of acoustical tile strips in many classrooms and halls provided adequate sound treatment at low cost. The provision of teacher workroom areas releases classrooms for student use which otherwise would not be available. A look ahead into the future strongly suggests that classroom additions should be provided perhaps as early as 1963-64. The number of students who atrend our high schools will, of course, determine this need. The story of Pontiac Northern High School is essentially the story of citizens of Pontiac responding to a great need on the part of Pontiac youth. The school will serve its students and the people of Pontiac with distinction in the years ahead.

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25 Silver Years Theme Martha Baaa 1 Student Lyfe Shanon France 12 Seniors Jill Johnson 28 'SPOYTS Kathy Baaa ss Juniors Kim aa,-aa 82 Organizations Eaafa Black 94 Sophomores Raaaa sr. Amant 122 Faculty Renita Barge134 Freshman Anna Raariauez1szia Advertisements sraaa Belote

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The 82-83 year forMichi gan was very news worth y. lfut unfortunately the news was mostly depressing. Tlze un- employment hit an all time hiyh and people who had worked hard all their lives watched all their eftorts dis- appear right in front of their eyes. At Christmas time this past year people in Pontiac and the rest of the state l t 1. r H1 ff' .Y received a great gift. Farmers who had a suiplus of food ' donated it to the poor and unemployed of Pontiac among I other cities. Un top ofall the unemployed people and the little Christmas this year we had a record low snowfall , including no snow for Christmas. Even with all the un- ' ' employed auto workers there is one good omen for the l 6 535 Automobile industry, at the auto show this year there was a record high of people attending and looking at cars. j - ' Everyone is hoping this means people will start investing in American made cars once again. The government is f trying to put people back to work with their new plan to Q raise the gas tax and hire unemployed workers to rebuild Q I , '. ' 71 . . . . . is .. . and clean up the roads in Michigan. The biggest news , Q Q: 'Ej this year was the largest Hudsons store in Michigan i i f closed its doors to buyers due to economic problems, threatening the Hudson Day Parade. This action disap- , pointed many of the long time shoppers of Hudson. The Gov. James Blanchard lx ' f 5 . E A biggest front page news this year was the break-up of a N 9 372 5 ,sf y Q large drug ring called Young Boys Inc. This relieved 5 X L5 4 f many peoples minds concerning the well being of their 7 fn. .V': ' -y E - K children. The greatest news to Pontiac students this year J' If if L v : 1. ' c KR 5 C was the formation of the organization called The Boos- ' ' 5: -1,, 7 , 4 , ter Club . This club is sponsored by parents of Pontiac v 5 ,,,: , Q 'Q , 5 students, this fabulous club raised money so the school Q - P ' T y , ' Q could once again offer extracurricular activities. Though K 1 I, - most of the news this year was depressing many people . ' are calling this year of HOPE! People are hoping that . ' ' 1 f l. with the new governor, James Blanchard, thatMichigan ii will become a prosperous state once again NL Q f --rlh ' 10 . G 1 X vvuoalwf-'H , MNH' K 0 X T ia 1' X wi Lorean arrested IH ocame dehver