St Rita of Cascia High School - Cascian Yearbook (Chicago, IL)

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Action in Administration Operates On Four Levels When a student hears over the P.A. system that the Ad- ministration is to have a meeting, he probably wonders just what the Administration does. As the meetings are closed, he probably never knows what goes on, but know it or not, the Administration is the most helpful organization that the student has in the school. Basically, the Administration is too general of a title. There are four areas: Departmental meetings, Deans of Departments, Curriculum Seminar, and the Administration Proper. The Departmental meetings meet once a quarter under the chairmanship of the Dean of the respective Depart- ment. In the meetings are discussed such things as a sylla- bus, program changes, and new programs which can be helpful and beneficial to the student. The Deans of Departments meet four times a year in the classrooms. They discuss suggestions to strengthen depart- ments, evaluate department, and suggest money needed to operate individual departments. Strictly speaking, they do not originate ideas, but only propose departmental changes. The Curriculum Seminar, composed of most ofthe deans of Departments and members of clerical and lay faculty meets every second Monday in the Faculty Lounge and discusses educational problems of particular concern to the school. For example, many changes in subject area, guid- ance and counselling have been the direct result of sugges- tions of the curriculum seminar. Here was developed the QW mosaic type of classroom scheduling, the idea of a Fine Arts course, and the revamping of the aims and purposes of studies. This is the group that continually projects new ideas for the school. The Administration Proper, with its six Vice-Principals, is under the authority ofthe Principal ofthe school. At these meetings, which are held in the monastery twice weekly, propasals are voted on, the school calendar determined, and various school standards such as registration, orienta- tion, homecoming, etc., are set. The culmination of all school programs and activities is under the authority of the Administration Proper. The operation of the Administration as a whole follows a pattern. Beginning at the Departmental meeting level, changes for each separate department are proposed and recorded by the dean of the department. From there, the individual deans meet and discuss these changes, and make recommendations. These recommendations are submitted to the Curriculum Seminar where they are discussed and relined, and prepared to be voted upon. Then the recom- mendations proceed to the Administration for final approv- al. The Administration a whole is the organization through which almost all things are accomplished at the school. With this year's objective, as stated by Fr. Craw- ford, uCo-operation between teachers and administra- tionf' in mind, the Administration continues to make the school a better place for education and social development. Fr. Robert Verstynen, Direc- tor of Studies, supervises stu- dent academic records and plans study courses. Director of Discipline, Fr. VVilliarn Thomas, prepares to check daily absentee list. Reading announcements, Director of Activities, Fr. john Peck, keeps in close touch with school events. V Fr. LaVern Flach, Guidance Director, has the task of keep- ing a close watch on student scholastic progress. . '- Seen frequently delivering a sermon, Fr. Donald Brennan, Director of Religious Activi- ties, keeps Christ foremost in the minds of the students. Fr. Ralph Ciovinetti, Direc- tor of Athletic Activities, co- ordinates all sports programs and athletic schedules.

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.W Fr. Crawford S lresses a Fr. Crawford discusses possible proposals and policies for an up-coming administration meeting. Rector Helping to make the Homecoming a success, Father Crawford speaks to a throng of enthusiastic fans. C o-operation for School Year Fr. Francis Crawford, O.S.A., Rector of St. Rita High School, ex- presses the theme for the current school year as UCo-operation be- tween faculty, administration and student bodyfi Fr. Crawford, now in his sixth year as rector, believes that this co-operation is the basis for an ideal social and academic atmosphere. Among his many duties around the school, Father Crawford plays an active role in the administration where his sound judgment and convictions produce many beneiicial results for the school. Fatheris influence does not end in the adminis- tration. He can often bc found counseling a student or just walking the corridors, setting an example with his bright smile and warm greeting. 17

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Students of Religion Classes Experience Section Masses, Collage M eihoa's, Group Discussions Two years ago, under the Chairmanship of Fr. Francis McDonnell, O.S.A., the Religion Department introduced the Kerygmatic method of teaching. Through this method the student is in keeping with the modern ecclesiastical developments through analyzed scriptures and the liturgy. This course using the Christian Brothers Series book, LIV- ING VVITH CHRIST, was extended only to the first two classes. This year the juniors use this book in their religion class as well as the seniors in their Sociology class. In connection with this book, LIVING WITH CIIRIST, the Senior informal Sociology class is a discussion orientat- ed course. Its purpose is to direct attention toward under- standing and appreciation of relevent problems ofthe world today. Another approach of teaching religion was taken by some teachers. This approach is called the collage method. Through pictures which are cut from magazines, the stu- dent simulates the 'gold liguresn of the Church in todayls modern World. In his discussion he tells what they mean to him and to the Churchg also how would these Hfiguresn behave if they had lived in this present modern world. Also this year, the chaplains undertook a new program - a section Mass. The Mass, accompanied by guitars, takes place in the chapel during the studentls religion period. The number of section Masses given to a particular section is determined by the section itself. For the first time last year, senior closed retreats were held at five different retreat houses in the Chicago area. During this period the student attended Mass, conferences, recreation, spiritual reading, and meditation. This year in addition to the retreat, a new experimental inter-school program - the religious weekend - has been started which has been open to limited number of students, Through the period of nine weeks, fifty-four students, six per week, attended this program with students of eight oth- er schools, Through movies and discussions this program provides opportunity for liturgical celebration and experi- ence of Christian community living. Also, additional guid- ance is provided by Frs. Brennan and Corrigan, school Chaplains. Informal discussions in religion classes sometimes take the place of lectures. For convenience of all, a dis- cussion group is formed into a circle. john Hofer leads the discussion in Fr. Bre-nnan's class on how Christ would live in our times as a human and social being.