Spartanburg High School - Spartana Yearbook (Spartanburg, SC)

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With picking up her schedule. Hallie Dennis realizes that summer's over. Margaret McGee and Randy Orders help with the distribution of schedules. An ID is required of all students at SHS. Sacrificing part of their summer. Tracy Wilson and John Roberts assit with the taking of ID pictures. The taking of senior pictures is just one important event during orientation. Bonnie $i-bert helps Wanda Bedenbaugh. John Brunelli. Tim Buss and Jeff King fill out the many required forms. Practicing for their half-time football show, drummers Joey Huffman. Mark Suter and Ri-shi Zaveri learn a new beat. Many summer hours of a band student's life are devoted to perfecting new marching routines. 4 Opemng

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Hn nUsyi'i: pn= RORFilGM IlyliSN = == = = == ======-55 = = = r 5 ==: = === = = = = = 3 = = = — 8:11 A.M. tardy bell ... 5 minutes for class change . . . I’ve gotta pass that biology class so I can be in Block $” . . . can't see that cute red head at the in-school pep rally ... only 5 absences ... 6 school duties .. . gotta keep my GPR at 2.5 so I can be in Senior Study Hall . . no assemblies ... I added math and science credit ... no half school days .. . Buzz! phew, it’s 2:59 P.M. school’s out! Life at SHS is ’’CONSTANTLY CHANGING!” On June 22, the South Carolina State Legislature passed Governor Richard Riley’s Educational Improvement Act of 1984. The set of laws looked to increase academic standards, strengthen student discipline and attendance, and provide a more effective use of classroom learning time.” You shouldn’t be in high school if you can’t make the basic requirements. Sophomore Lee Mewshaw stated his thoughts on the change from one required math and science credit for graduation to two each for all incoming classes. Part of the Educational Improvement Act says, To participate in interscholastic activities, students must pass at least four academic courses.” Junior Emelia Gauthier believed this a necessary requirement because clubs are privileges and they should be for those people that have proved themselves responsible.” Quinn McCallister felt that the change in the number of absences gives justice to the people who lay out of school, yet it is unfair to those who really get sick.” The new school attendance law provides for only five absences per semester before a student loses credit. The Educational Improvement Act limits the number of school duty absences to twelve per year. Senior Craig Russell thought, It will cut down on participation because it involves clubs, orchestra, band, chorus, sports activities, SAC, and even class field trips.” The new law requires at least six hours of instruction each day which added an extra five minutes to each class period. Derrick Pierce supported this because it adds up to 900 minutes longer in each class a year, and you can learn a lot in 900 minutes.” Opening 3

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 is : 'E'LirirLl |i .= = ==-=-=-= = = == = =======1=1?= ==¥ = == == ====| = =| = ; The required six instructional hours per day eliminated the traditional time for in-school pep rallies. The loss of pep rallies removed the thrill of school spirit that the Student Advisory Council worked so hard to build up in recent years. A concerned senior felt that pep rallies get the student body together as a whole and psyched up for the games.” The Educational Improvement Act states, The school year for all students shall be 180 days of instruction.” Thus ended Spartan High’s tradition that seniors not attend classes during the last week of the school year. The new laws also prevented keeping the tradition of a half day for Homecoming. In addition, the customary parade on the afternoon of Homecoming and the judging of theme related costumes during lunch break had to be abolished. At the start of the school year, many questions concerning the new laws were still unanswered. A clear definition of whether a class assignment done outside the building in that class period was classwork or school duty was not outlined. Traditionally seniors had been exempt from second semester exams. Seniors began the year still wondering if they would take exams. A half day for all students during exams had been as SHS rule. The exam schedule was still undetermined as students were well into the first semester. In the past, one of the first things each student received at the beginning of each year was a student handbook stating all schools rules, team schedules, clubs and organizations, and a schedule of events. Uncertain of the details of the Educational Improvement Act, it was impossible for school administration to have one printed for the start of the '84-’85 year. In addition to the changes mandated by law, there were thirty new faculty and staff persons who were doing their best to learn all about life at SHS. One thing was certain, however. Principals, faculty, staff, and students were committed to having another outstanding year. In a year when things were Constantly Changing.” the dedication of everyone toward quality in education, sports, and extra-curricular activities remained constant. Opening 5