Severely handicapped class arrives - The Lowell

c 2. 7V Lmrll, Utiv 2.
EDITORIALS.
Subbotnik
revisited
Recently, the United Press Irtenutional Syndicate
repotted that million* of Russian citizens took to the streets
10 clean up their cities as pan of o nationwide Subbotnik
or "Red Saturday," a day of unpaid labor given to the
stale in honor of Lenin's birthday.
We at Lowell wrcly do not have to honor Lenin's birth,
but the idea of a clean-up day has merit. It is lime for
someone to assume some leadership. Lowell is a disgrace!
The LOWELL has published many editorials anJ articles
dealing with the ptoblem of cleanliness around the campus.
Writers have often alluded 1 to the school's "di"*encrusted
windows" and "littered railways*' and 10 "the
graffti strewn all over the walls."
We at Lowell surely do not
have to honor Lenin *s birth, but
the idea of a clean-up day has
merit.
People often complain about ilicse problems, but no one
ever offers any suggestions for rtmcdi itiun. The stafT of
The LOWELL bclV.vcs it is tirr ; to lake some action.
We would like to oifcr a suggvjtinn or idea that might
help 10 end the problem. Why not set aside a day each
year, or better yet eve-y semester, to give the school a
thorough cleaning?
On "clean-up day," floors would i«v *.-bocd and waxed;
walls would be washed down with detergent; windows
would be washed inside *ind out. graffliicd areas would
be repainted; and the rcsm*om> would be cleaned. If
neccssrry a dry could be added to t'tc school calendar to
accommodate this activity.
A committee of students representing each of the four
years could be selected as a steering or organizing committee-
Work crews could be organized according to
registries, each with specifically assigned tasks, thcrcb}
maintaining accountability and control over the project
The necessary equipment (Lidde.-s. floor cleaners, paints,
etc...) could be rented in advance MI that work could begin
first thing in the morning on "clran-up day."
Three thousand students
working together with some enthusiasm
and leadership could
accomplish a great deal in one
day.
To give the day a festive air rather than one of burdensome
obligation, entertainment could Le pro* ided by the
school's various mi'sicU ensembles anj po-sibly even
some outside talents. In the evening a d**nce cou'd he
thrown in the newly cleaned ccmer counyuM av a just
reward for (he hardworking students.
Three thousand smJents working together with some
enthusiasm and leadership could accomplish a great deal
in one day. A rcgulnr project like this wocld do much
to stimulate school pride and spirit, rwd it would give the
students an incentive to keep the school clean on a dayto-day
!»3!«.
We encourage the a&simstration to consider a major
school clean-up project such as thU one. Also, we en*
' courage the students to get involved and to submit any
of their owa iusgestions that might help to solve ihc
cleanlinc*! oroblcm at Lowell. After all. It is our schcvl.
Keep bathrooms clean!
Insure educational progression
Many students a«xl teacher* hated Groyaphy. .so it was
dropped aid a courv: in World Civilization* *va* created.
This is an example of j curriculum change spurred by
the people the c\s%% affected. It is only right fcr Mudcnt*
and icj_i,,.r\ to have a direct .wy in curriculum mattrr*.
LowcM's curriculum is reviewed every seven yew* in
accordance with accreditation standards. However. such
curricnlutn revtrw i> general. There is no in w:hcolfornul
review of specific class curriculum.
This is j flagrant mistake in the educational res icw program
in the school district.
The San Fn*nci>eo and State of California boards A(
Education determine educational goals for schools a\ well
is specific ecucjtional requirements. In adJitinn. there
arc textbook review commitico and academic review
comrumec* on both the local and Mate level.
But there is no formal curriculum review at Lowell.
Specific teacher* can review CIAVN content with their
department members, but there is no formal administrative,
faculty, or student critique of curriculum.
77H* Ltiwttf believes that Curriculi-m Review Commit-
•ccs should be established for cvc»y claiv Such cummi .tec*
would provide, ai m» cmt, an easy and effective mat c
ner 'o review a clasps and its content.
A teacher and one of the pupiU could review the content
of that particular class. Their separate and confidential
reports could be submitted lo the department head.
He, in tum. would review the report* and either implement
the suggestions or forward the reports to the assistant
principal for curriculum and instruction. Suggestions
could be implemented at this level, or submitted for further
review by the school district.
The actaiiustration should devise a questionnaire which
investigates the ove^ll content subject das-es. This form
could ruve short answer questions about subject matter.
textbooks, and method of instruction.
Students could analyze if the subject nvner is appropriate,
challenging, interesting, ami useful if: the
f. JTC. Students could examine textbooks for adequate information,
beneficial example*, and intercsi-level.
Thr questionnaire could also provide students with the
opp»>i lunity to conMructivcly criticize the teacher'* method
of infraction. The Icsel of icMing, faimeu^t v^^fS*
use of visual jid« and ime rot in vihjcci prescntawn
qrjld all be evaluated.
4< 77?e level of testing, fairness
of grading, use of visual aids,
and interest in subject presentation
could all be justly investigated.''
Faculty members should also have the opportunity to
comment oti tnc content of their ck_~:. Whether the subject
ruttcr is adequate and challenging to students,
whether textbooks are interesting and informative, and
whether the prescribed curriculum is appropriate fo. current
students deserve faculty input.
Nobody knows better than students and lacnen how
curriculum is preparing snidenu for the future. The adoption
of such a formal Curriculum Review Committee
would insure that at Lowell, education will continually
be progressing, nthcr than staying at a particular level.
M
i
Mr.
ay. -Y.HJ
when I v J
UHUll> 4
Tlien Mt
(or five ',
~M.II..
ThcnaCM
liod ate l.» H
A\
Dear Senior
CONGR->|
Clavs f
of pffuk jn.il
>chool Knc
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