Weaver High School - Portal Yearbook (Hartford, CT)

Page 15 text:

Exchange programs with West Hartford expanded One of the many aspects of human relations on which the Class of 1970 has worked is the relations between them¬ selves and those students from the surrounding area. The major activity which is concerned with this idea is one that the whole school participates in each year. This is the Stu¬ dent Exchange Program. The program has seemed to be¬ come more successful every year since it was re-established by the Student Council three years ago. Students from the Hartford and West Hartford high schools exchange places for a few days to see what each other’s schools and lives are really like. The purpose of the program is to try to create a better understanding between the urban centers and the suburbs. Obviously, not everyone in school is able to take an active part in the program, but all take part in the sense that every student is a fraction of the whole impression the visitors leave with. By spending just a few days observing their hosts, the visitors get at least some idea of the cultural and physical differences and similarities between them. The participants are able to see for themselves if everything they hear is really the truth, and most of the time they are pleas¬ antly surprised. This year, all involved were able to act as both guests and hosts, rather than just one or the other. The Student Exchange Program is the school systems’ way of trying to mend some of the rifts that now exist between our two communities and between our different ways of life. In a time when so much misunderstanding and prejudice are the by-products of ignorance, the Student Exchange Pro¬ gram tries to instill knowledge in its participants, and it succeeds.

Page 17 text:

Karen Shaw and Juanita Matthews show parents the school during Parents ' Day. Parents visit to observe Weaver For three days Weaver conducted a new type of open house. It was called Parents’ Visitation Days and this new idea gave parents the chance to tour the school while it was in session. Selected students acted as guides and showed the parents all facets of life at Weaver. This procedure was much more informative and interesting to the visitors than the traditional open house that is held during the evening. The parents were given an opportunity to view any class (not just their own son’s or daughter’s,) as well as all facil¬ ities available to students such as the library, the gymnasium, and the chemistry and language laboratories. Through this plan, guests saw how an average day at Weaver High School operates. Modeling a raincoat in a fashion show is Vicki Hurston. 13 Mr. Steeves explains a problem to Craig Brockman, John Peters, and Rich Serfass.