Is the proper role of the school merely to teach the three R’s? Most educators and those interested in education think not. This year, in order to broaden the student’s learning experience, St. Roch’s is offering a series of mini-courses during the spring semester. In most cases the subject matter is not that traditionally found in the school curriculum. These courses will be held once a week on Thursday afternoons, from 2 to 3p.m. Since this is the school’s first attempt at this sort of offering it was decided by the faculty to begin with a rather limited selection of courses, geared to three age groups: Primary (grades 1-4), Intermediate (grades 5-6), and Upper (grades (7-8). The initial courses will be taught mainly by current faculty members who volunteered their services in the fields in which they themselves felt an interest and expertise. Some parental help is also being sought. In addition, two students, Alan Fiquette, and Jim Storey, have offered to supervise model airplane and car construction for the 5th and 6th grades, and chess lessons for the 8th grade. Each child has been given a list of courses for his level and asked to make a first and second choice. Since classes will change at the quarter, each student is assured of one quarter in his first choice. Popularity of courses chosen may necessitate changes in the following tentative scheduling. Two courses are offered at all three levels: knitting and crocheting, taught by Sr. M. Elena, primary, and Mrs. Mae Kester, intermediate and upper. Also, Creative writing–Sr. Catherine Edward, primary Sr. Charles Helene, intermediate and Mr. Ed. Martin, upper. Puppetry, conversational French (Mrs. Burke) and Drama (Mr. Martin) round out the primary level. Puppetry, sewing and embroidery (Sr. Anna John) and model making complete the intermediate courses. Chess, bridge with Mr. Martin, model making, sewing and embroidery (Sr. Anna John) and typing for 8th graders only (Mr. Burke and Sr. Dorothy) are the other upper grade offerings. Thursday, January 15th is the first meeting of the new classes. With the enthusiasm already displayed by the teachers and students, Thursday may quickly take Friday’s place as the most popular day of the school week.
Originally published in The Paper, February 1975.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1975_02.pdf, printed page(s) 6; PDF page(s) 6.
