1976-06-21-SC-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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Page 124 June 21, 1976 On Monday evening June 21, 1976, the Lexington School Committee con- ducted a meeting at the Jonas Clarke Junior High School at 8:00 p.m. Pre- sent were Mrs. Swanson, Messrs. Michelman, Rotberg, Brown, Wadsworth. Also present were Dr. Lawson, Messrs. Spiris, Monderer, Maclnnes, Barnes and Miss Quinn. Mrs. Mary F. Anderson, 3 Loring Road, commented on her request for DRAMA DEPARIMEN' a drama department at Lexington High School. She gave a resume of her LHS four proposal options presented to the School Committee prior to the meeting. She encouraged the schools to focus on the needs of all stu- dents whether their needs be drama or athletics. She asked the school committee for a public statement of support and expressed her hope that at least one person would be hired for the school year 1977-78 to teach electives in the English department (drama) . Miss Lucy McCaffrey, high school drama coach, outlined her experi- ences within the department. She said her experience as a full time teacher and a part-time drama coach presented great problems since she could not provide quality service in both areas. She explained that due to this reason it became necessary for her to resign as coach. She said the drama club had continued to meet by finding interested parents to volunteer as chaperones, but this did not provide the instructional and professional help that was required.. She also noted the diminished pro- gram at the junior high school level. Speaking on behalf of the drama proposal was Miss Karen DeMorrow of the Waltham Schools who reviewed the K-12 Waltham Drama Program. Mr. Robert Gartside, 20 Loring Road, expressed his concern that children be presented with all the possible options available. He said citizens look to the school committee to operate under a philosophy of education in which students could exercise options. He complimented the academic program in the Lexington Public Schools and stated he would like to have an additional stress in the schools in the area of drama. He felt drama opportunities were lacking in the life of the Lexington student. He requested the school cuuuuittee consider putting into the budget a full time director of drama. Mr Michelman expressed his concern over the lack of drama in the Lexington schools and said he hoped that the school committee discussion would culminate in a proposal for drama staffing alternatives at the var- ious levels. He requested the superintendent to prepare a recommendation on this topic. He also questioned the level of dramatic productions this year. Mrs. McCaffrey responded saying that Diamond and Clarke had no ma- jor productions (dramatic) and Muzzey had a French-English department production. She said the high school had some musical productions, but were not of the quality that should be presented. Dr. Rotberg asked Dr. Clune to express his position on the matter of a drama department. Dr. Clune responded saying he was in favor of a drama department as long as it did not take funds from another area of the high school bud- get. If additional funds were available, a drama department could be considered. Mr. Michelman concluded his remarks by saying he felt full length drama productions were a natural ingredient for the creation of a positive spirit among staff and students.