by Marc Primack

Roosevelt’s lunchroom is the cause of two of the most commonly heard complaints at school.  The students constantly grumble about the food and the administration and teachers are always referring to the mess that accumulates during each lunch period.

Although students really cannot alter the culinary achievements of the Roosevelt cooking corps, the other matter is certainly something that students themselves cause.

It often seems as if the lunchroom always will be dirty during lunch periods, but this ridiculous situation could be prevented.  Earlier this year the whistle joined in the fight against lunchroom filth, but has apparently only added to the noise without reminding anyone of its purpose.  When coupled with the verbal warning of the lunchroom guards and the teacher aides the lunchroom situation became less critical.

Fairly recently, in keeping with the trend to let the students of America have a hand in shaping their destinies, an “honor system” about lunchroom clean-up was inaugurated.  No longer would there be someone yelling at you to put your bottle away or trying to get you to take back the five trays stacked in front of you.  Indeed this system would show that the students who use the lunchroom are perfectly aware of the need to keep the tables clear.

It was a glorious effort but now once again the traditional yelling and warning system is back in operation.  The lunchroom is now reasonably clean, but the basic problem remains.  As long as students need a word of warning their basic attitude is wrong and should be changed.

W. Hill heads class of ’70

Plans are under way for senior activities.  President Waverly Hill is in charge of the plans for graduation night.  Vice President Henry Talavera is the chairman of the prom.  He and his committees have been very busy and have already acquired the Palmer House to hold the Prom there.  Secretary Joe Locascio is the head of the class luncheon and Cheryl Richardson, who is the treasurer, is busy with the mothers’ luncheon.

With the aid of these officers, the seniors have much to look forward to in their coming activities.

RHS to collect for March of Dimes

Pep Squad and Human Relations steering committee began a successful partnership during the sending of packages to Vietnam.

Now they are continuing by  marching together on January 26 for the March of Dimes.  The territory that they plan to cover extends from Lawrence to Wilson and from Central Park to Pulaski.

Each girl who signed up will cover one square block and the money that they collect will go for medicine and research by the association.

Spirit Marks Pep Assembly

Cheers and yells and overall spirit were all present at the basketball season pep assembly.

The show started with the band playing and the Majorettes twirling.  Dr. Zimmerman made a speech and the cheerleaders cheered.  Mr. Cleary said a few words and then the Frosh-Soph team was introduced to the student body.

Also performing were the Pom-Pom Girls, who did their thing to “Over Easy.”  All around cheering was provided by the Pep Squad.

Co-captains Paul Jefferson and James “Sweetie” Willliams announced all the members of the varsity team and their managers. Coach Weincord gave a speech saying his two main goals were first to take the section and then to take the city titles.

The assembly ended with the band playing the Rough Rider Song as the students joined in.

G. Liggett selected O.O. queen

Senior Gail Liggett was selected as the Office Occupations Queen for Area 7.  Gail competed against girls from Steinmetz, Schurz, Austin, Foreman, Kelvyn Park and Taft.  After this contest, she will go on to the city contest and from there to the state and possibly national contests.

Gail is on the executive board for Area 7 and is busy working on the Chicago Youth Leadership Contest to be held on March 24.  Among her other O.O. honors is 1st place in the Area 7 steno contest.

Six to go to District Science Fair

Six Roosevelt students are going on to the District Science Fair as a result of their projects which they displayed in the school science fair.

In the field of electronics two seniors, Chris Ledvina and Fred Turnbow are submitting projects dealing in various aspects of electronics.  Chris’ dealt with laser communication and Fred’s was an electronic combination lock.

In biology Cindy Lenky’s project on the effect of radiation on ants and Debra Sauer’s project on phototropic bacteria were both selected to continue to the District Fair.

In general science Ray Rechsteiner’s experiment with colored foods and Elizabeth Sewell’s paper, “the Effect of Time of Day on Pupil Dilation,” are both being submitted.

by Marc Primack

By being subjected to the same traditional course structure year after year, students often become disinterested and lose an accurate view of a subject.

Next year, a new Humanities course to be offered to seniors will try to overcome this basic problem through the combined studies approach to education.

This new program is in reality two separate courses, one in English, one in social studies, which are meshed together to make a related whole out of what is now a disjointed sequence of courses.

The concepts taught in both history and English courses  are often different views on the same principles; this approach allows the two subjects to complement each other as they should.

Three basic themes will be underlying this program: 1) Man and his relationship to God, 2) Man his relationship to Society, and 3) Man and his relationship to himself, are all basically involved in stressing the importance of man to these two subjects.

By emphasizing the fact that this combined studies program might tryly teach the student something about himself, the process of education itself is given added meaning.

Two credits will be given for the completion of this program and it will consist of two class periods each day.  The four teachers involved in these courses must work together to coordinate the program.

Miss Strassman, the English teacher and Mr. Levin, who will teach the social studies segment will be responsible for the basic courses.  They will be joined by Mrs. Segel and Mr. Zabinski, respectively art and music teachers, who will add an extra dimension to the program.

The enrollment in the program will be limited to a group of less than thirty.  Students will be able to sign up through their English classes.

A.P. and O.O

Those students who are looking for a challenging and highly rewarding experience at Roosevelt next year should consider the Advanced Placement U.S. History.  Although U.S. History is a requirement usually fulfilled during a student’s junior year, the course is given an added dimension when it is taken on the A.P. level.

A desire for getting below the surface and finding the root of a problem and a willingness to work to accomplish this is needed for success in the course.  Critical thinking, problem solving ability, and research techniques are developed in the course and concepts and interpretations rather than facts are emphasized.

The student in an A.P. class benefits from a weighted grading system.  Since a student must exert more effort in an A.P. class, each grade is considered two points above regular class grades when figuring grade point averages.

The A.P. program also provides students with the opportunity to receive college credit for their work.  This is determined by satisfactory achievement in the classroom and on the A.P. examination.  This test is offered nationally each May by the College Entrance Board and all A.P. students at Roosevelt are encouraged to take it.

Office Occupations

The Office Occupations program at Roosevelt is now in its fourth year.  The program is designed to offer senior girls who want a career in office work or who plan to study teacher education, office administration, or executive secretarial training a chance to learn and apply office skills in a practical situation.

The students are placed in jobs that fit their needs and skills.  The jobs offered include clerical work, typists, junior stenographers, receptionists, and other beginning office jobs.  The jobs may be located in the neighborhood or downtown and may even offer summer employment.

The course consists of a double period of secretarial practice daily and 15-20 hours of work after school each week.  The students get 2.5 credits for the course, 1.5 credits for the secretarial practice and 1 credit for working.

Any junior who is now taking steno and typing, and is interested in the program should see Miss Gail Golub, the program coordinator in room 323.

“Lighted schoolhouse”

by Russ Hirai

After months of petitions and requests, Roosevelt has finally been given the green light for an evening social center.

Final details are presently being worked out for an evening program which will include such activities as swimming, dances, ping pong, billiards and co-ed gym.

As it is presently being organized, the program will be on Friday evenings from 6:30 to 10:30 P.M. and will be held about ten times a semester.

Supervision will be maintained by members of the Physical Education staff and a group of students who will plan and set up the evening’s activities.  Refreshments will be sold with the cooperation of the lunchroom department.

The key to the program’s success is participation  and interest of the students.  At least 500 advance registration tickets must be sold to insure the program’s continuance.

Judging by the initial interest in the gym classes, this number should have no trouble being met; the problem is continuance of support.  Von Steuben had a similar program but was forced to abandon it due to lack of support.

Support for initiating a social center at Roosevelt has persisted for some years, but has never been started because of lack of funds.

Now apparently an increase in revenue coupled with the closing of the Max Straus Center has given Roosevelt the opportunity for a “lighted schoolhouse.”

According to Dr. Zimmerman, plans for the social center are now progressing rapidly and the program could easily begin operation as early as mid-February.