Woburn High School - Innitou Yearbook (Woburn, MA)

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JAMES F. BRENNAN, Assistant Principal Fordham University HENRY D. BLAKE, Principal B S ' ’ Ed ‘ M ‘ Yale University A.B., M.A., C.A.G.S. Diversified Offerings to All Students LAURENCE P. GILGUN, Assistant Principal Lowell State College B.A., M.Ed. In discussing with Mr. Henry D. Blake our theme that the “worth of many rests in the value of each one”, he noted that in the fifteen years he has been principal, he has been aware of the increasing need for an ex¬ panding and flexible curriculum to serve the needs of an enlarging and divergently oriented student body. The common needs of each student are satisfied through enrollment in required courses in English, Social Studies, Science, Mathematics, and Physical Education. In order to meet the student’s individual needs, over one hundred sixty electives are offered in business subjects, college pre¬ paratory courses, and enrichment opportunities. Since some students can fulfill requirements at varied levels of intensity, courses are offered at five levels of difficulty; basic, standard, academic, honors, and advanced placement. The basic level fulfills the requirements for graduation; the Standard course is less demanding than the Academ¬ ic; while Honors and Advanced Placement levels require more intensive skills and are elected, subject to departmental and Guidance approval. Honors and Advanced Placement courses are currently offered in Mathe¬ matics, Chemistry, Biology, American History, and French. To satisfy further the wants and needs of the student, selected students who are enrolled in the Distributive Education program attend classes in the morning and obtain on-the-job experience at local businesses in the afternoon. To provide further stimulation and challenge, over sixty extracurricular activities are available providing diversion and enrichment in many areas. This year, an Inter-Scholastic Math Team, an additional One-Act Play, and a Boys’ Tennis program were added to the offerings. Additionally, to broaden the student’s horizons, nationally recognized authorities on such varied topics as “3,000 Years Under The Sea”, “The EWnamics of Being an Individual”, “The Strange War in Viet Nam”, and “The Theory and Practice of French Cooking % lectured to the student- body. In summation, facilities and personnel are provided to enable the stu¬ dent to develop his talents to the fullest, if he so desires.

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DEPENDABLE. Assistant Superintendent Jerome Lynch and his secretary, Miss Julie Doherty RESPONSIBILITY. Dr. J. Frank Hassett, Super¬ intendent of Schools Innovations Accompany Growth During the twenty-two years that Dr. J. Frank Hassett has been super¬ intendent, the school system has grown from an enrollment of 2, 990 stu¬ dents to an enrollment of more than 8,100 students. While discussing the provisions made for the individual student, Dr. Hassett pointed out some of the more significant facts of Woburn’s total school program. At the elementary level an intensive study of the reading program is being conducted, as the effectiveness of basic reading instruction pro¬ foundly influences all other areas of the curriculum. In order that the di¬ vergent problems of the students will be provided for, the reading pro¬ gram offers different levels of instruction at each grade level. Facility in reading is predicated on sound, speech, sight, and hearing. Therefore, children with speech and hearing problems receive special instruction. This year there is a class for deaf children, which is one-hundred per cent state aided, and held at the Reeves School; four of the eight children en¬ rolled are Woburnites. Twice weekly, fifth and sixth grade students with superior academic rec¬ ords receive instruction in French. During this time, the remaining stu¬ dents benefit through the added attention of the classroom teacher. A program for the academically talented children in grades five and six has also been inaugurated. Twice a week these students meet at the Gol¬ den School for intensified study of the various topics being considered at their grade level. In the Junior High School, improvement in reading speed and com- E rehension can be achieved in a developmental reading course which can e followed through to the high school level. For those who are less academically talented, the school system pro¬ vides a class which includes occupational training. These pupils work for two hours a day in either the cafeteria or Guidance Office. Based on their performance, a work record is kept and later sent to the State Employ¬ ment Service to facilitate future joo placements. Leaving the discussion of the high school’s provisions for the individual to Mr. Henry Blake, Dr. Hassett closed by remarking that the system pro¬ vides stimulating activities for individual talents at all levels. INQUIRING, Debbie Murdza interviews Dr. Hassett

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Efficiency, Service Aid Staff and Students ELIZABETH BURKE JOHN P. MAHONEY Two areas that are vital to the smooth functioning of the school are the Main Office and the Data Processing Center. Mr. John Mahoney, Registrar, Mrs. Elizabeth Doherty, and Mrs. Louise Clark of the office staff, route messages, arrange appointments, compile The Reflector and attend to the details that insure the unimpeded flow of information to over two thousand students and more than one hundred professional personnel. As Data Processing co-ordinator, Mrs. Elizabeth Burke is responsible for the proper functioning of the complex equipment that relieves teachers and administrative per¬ sonnel of tedious clerical work. The IBM printer and ancillary systems aid the staff in keeping accurate atten¬ dance records and processing the warning and report cards. In addition, the Data Processing Center is a labo¬ ratory where students in the Business Education course gain practical experience in the programming and opera¬ tion of Data Processing equipment. Preventive Medicine Advocated Preventive medicine, rather than corrective medicine, is practiced at the Health Suite. During the school year, Mrs. Lillian Kearns, R.N., confers with each student and tries to help him cope with any health deficiency that would prevent him from realizing his potential. Annually, each student is given a vision and hearing test. If the student fails to meet the minimal standards in these examinations, he is required to consult his family physician in order to determine the reason for the deficiency. In this manner, Mrs. Kearns works with the student, his family, and his physician to help the student remain in good health by recognizing and helping to cor¬ rect imperfections that could interfere with scholastic suc¬ cess. LILLIAN KEARNS Dean of Girls, an Effective Advisor Dean of Girls, Miss Helen A. Salmon, is a distinguished member of the Woburn High School staff. She is a math teacher, an adviser to the National Honor Society, the se¬ lector of the Women’s Club representatives, and a mem¬ ber of the Scholastic Rating Board. As Dean, Miss Salmon advises the girls on dress and conduct. Her experience, instinct for the socially accept¬ able, and her own sense of style make her an effective adviser. We are fortunate in being able to associate with Miss Salmon, an amiable, devoted, teacher and adviser. 22 HELEN A. SALMON