Computers, a Vietnam Memorial, a Movie, and a TV Show
Part of the reason for the lack of progress was the dilution of academic standards at all levels of education, one of the of the results of the massive doubt and unrest that characterized the 1960’s. Another reason was the limitations of the community to support their schools. Budget cuts do not promote academic progress. Each building was responsible for instruction and curriculum development with the result that similar courses in different buildings varied greatly in title, content, and objectives.
There was little coordination between buildings. It was not until 1980 that the District took the initiative in standardizing and evaluating courses and in establishing uniform Course objectives. The number of Honors and Advanced Placement courses increased, and a program adopted for gifted students. The numerical value of some grades in Honors sections was increased. There were now three years of Honors English, and one year of Advanced Placement. Foreign Language had two years of Honors sections in all languages, and Advanced Placement in two languages. Mathematics and science offered Honors sections in three courses and Advanced Placement in two others. Social studies had three Honors courses and one in Advanced Placement.
This progress was not without its critics, especially from those who did not qualify for higher level courses. They reasoned that too much time and money was spent on those who least needed it. It was felt that inflation of Honors grades gave the average student less chance to compete for a higher GPA, and that there was less effort to develop courses and sections commensurate with the abilities and interests of low average and basic students. As the school population changed with the admission in 1982 of students from Glenside Junior High School, Glenbard West received more students with special academic needs, needs which some felt were not being met. In 1989, nearly a third of Glenbard West students came from Glenside Junior High School.
The increasing involvement of the District improved the quality of instruction, but also accelerated the movement toward Centralization of authority and decision-making and reduced the autonomy of the building and its staff. While this is an inevitable consequence of a larger and stronger central office staff, it, nevertheless, represents a permanent change from past practice.
There was little coordination between buildings. It was not until 1980 that the District took the initiative in standardizing and evaluating courses and in establishing uniform Course objectives. The number of Honors and Advanced Placement courses increased, and a program adopted for gifted students. The numerical value of some grades in Honors sections was increased. There were now three years of Honors English, and one year of Advanced Placement. Foreign Language had two years of Honors sections in all languages, and Advanced Placement in two languages. Mathematics and science offered Honors sections in three courses and Advanced Placement in two others. Social studies had three Honors courses and one in Advanced Placement.
This progress was not without its critics, especially from those who did not qualify for higher level courses. They reasoned that too much time and money was spent on those who least needed it. It was felt that inflation of Honors grades gave the average student less chance to compete for a higher GPA, and that there was less effort to develop courses and sections commensurate with the abilities and interests of low average and basic students. As the school population changed with the admission in 1982 of students from Glenside Junior High School, Glenbard West received more students with special academic needs, needs which some felt were not being met. In 1989, nearly a third of Glenbard West students came from Glenside Junior High School.
The increasing involvement of the District improved the quality of instruction, but also accelerated the movement toward Centralization of authority and decision-making and reduced the autonomy of the building and its staff. While this is an inevitable consequence of a larger and stronger central office staff, it, nevertheless, represents a permanent change from past practice.
Computers come to the Hilltop
The program of computer use and instruction began in 1979 with 13 computers in one room. Pictured left, from the 1983 Pinnacle.
By 1985, it had grown to occupy five rooms when Glenbard West was selected by AT&T to be a demonstration Center for "Writer's Workbench", the first Computer based program to analyze Student writing. The computer evaluated grammar, word usage, spelling, etc. and provided a printout for teacher and student use. As the only high school selected for this new technology, Glenbard West benefitted greatly from the large number of visitors who exchanged ideas with the staff, and from the latest equipment which AT&T made available to the students and staff. |
Vietnam War Memorial
An enduring contribution to the community occurred in 1983 when the students and faculty honored the 13 Glenbard West Students who died in the Korean and Vietnam wars. A bronze tablet honoring the dead of World War II was a fixture in the front lobby when James Benfield (class of 1961) suggested that a similar recognition be given to those who had died in Asia. His suggestion was approved and a committee was convened to formulate plans for an appropriate memorial. (Pictured, right.)
|
Art teacher, Mr. DeVaud, (pictured on the left) designed the eagle and made the clay model of the bronze tablet, and a Chicago Firm completed the tablet at a cost of nearly $1,500, all of which was paid by contributions from students, school groups, and local donors. It seemed fitting that this memorial to the sacrifice of one generation of Glenbard West students be sponsored by a later generation of students.
|
Vietnam War Memorial promotes healing
An overflow Memorial Day crowd was present when Seniors Linda Pals and Kian Lloyd presented the tablet to Mr. Wallace Capel, whose son, Bruce, was an early Vietnam casualty. It was a moving tribute to those whose service has been so often questioned and attacked. One mother wrote: "After all these years they are no longer the objects of ridicule and hatred." For those who were present it was, perhaps, the start of the healing process.
Bruce Capel, the Original Hitter
Glenbard West graduate, Bruce Capel's life is so integral in the story of Glenbard West, it is necessary to direct you to the webpage dedicated to him.
|
Dr. Robert Stevens named new superintendent
When Ray Livingston announced his retirement for June of 1984, Dr. Robert Stevens, Superintendent of the North Scott School District in Eldridge, Iowa, was named as Glenbard’s fourth superintendent.
The year of 1983 saw other significant changes with the first outdoor graduation and a recognition of all graduates who had earned a 5.0 grade point average. The Senior Honor Convocation, which had been held during the regular school day, was held in the evening for the first time. In 1986, a change in its format made it possible for local scholarship donors to personally present their awards, the total value of which had grown to nearly $40,000. The next year letters for high academic performance were awarded for the first time.
The year of 1983 saw other significant changes with the first outdoor graduation and a recognition of all graduates who had earned a 5.0 grade point average. The Senior Honor Convocation, which had been held during the regular school day, was held in the evening for the first time. In 1986, a change in its format made it possible for local scholarship donors to personally present their awards, the total value of which had grown to nearly $40,000. The next year letters for high academic performance were awarded for the first time.
Hollywood comes to the Hilltop
Glenbard West’s debut into the world of film began when officials from 20th Century Fox approached the Principal with the idea of shooting a full-length film at the school. They were attracted initially, by the beauty of the campus, but they were persuaded by the attitude of the faculty and students. After approval by the Board of Education, shooting for Lucas began in June1985, and continued through the summer and into December.
Lucas is a 1986 American teen tragicomedy film directed by David Seltzer and starring Corey Haim, Kerri Green, Charlie Sheen and Courtney Thorne-Smith. The film was Winona Ryder's screen debut.
Also, the final movie had some changes from the script, but the only reshooting was the very ending--not the hospital scene where Maggie gets Lucas to promise never to play football again.
The original ending had Lucas and the rest of the characters "we've grown to know and love" singing in a choir. Apparently, preview audiences actually threw things at the screen at the end because they didn't feel Lucas achieved a big enough victory for doing what he did. The new ending in which he finds a Park High jacket in his locker was done to answer that complaint. If you look at the movie, you can see that Lucas is noticeably older in the hallway locker scene than he is in the hospital scene. And his friend Ben has grown a lot between the hospital waiting room scene and the new hallway footage. The ending was re-filmed in February. Snow had to be removed and dried with heaters. Students entering the building were told to hold their breath, so it did not look cold.
Several GWHS teachers were featured in the movie, including former football coach, Jim Covert. The movie grossed over $8 million. It was a unique experience to observe the intense effort, and the tedium, of film making, and to see the students, faculty, and parents captured in film. In March 1986, Glen Ellyn had its first movie premier at the Glen Theater, complete with Klieg lights, tuxedos, limousines, and extensive media coverage.
Lucas is a 1986 American teen tragicomedy film directed by David Seltzer and starring Corey Haim, Kerri Green, Charlie Sheen and Courtney Thorne-Smith. The film was Winona Ryder's screen debut.
Also, the final movie had some changes from the script, but the only reshooting was the very ending--not the hospital scene where Maggie gets Lucas to promise never to play football again.
The original ending had Lucas and the rest of the characters "we've grown to know and love" singing in a choir. Apparently, preview audiences actually threw things at the screen at the end because they didn't feel Lucas achieved a big enough victory for doing what he did. The new ending in which he finds a Park High jacket in his locker was done to answer that complaint. If you look at the movie, you can see that Lucas is noticeably older in the hallway locker scene than he is in the hospital scene. And his friend Ben has grown a lot between the hospital waiting room scene and the new hallway footage. The ending was re-filmed in February. Snow had to be removed and dried with heaters. Students entering the building were told to hold their breath, so it did not look cold.
Several GWHS teachers were featured in the movie, including former football coach, Jim Covert. The movie grossed over $8 million. It was a unique experience to observe the intense effort, and the tedium, of film making, and to see the students, faculty, and parents captured in film. In March 1986, Glen Ellyn had its first movie premier at the Glen Theater, complete with Klieg lights, tuxedos, limousines, and extensive media coverage.
Academics continue to reach highest standards
The increasing clamor for greater accountability, and the quest for more tangible proof of learning, made the Illinois School Report Card almost inevitable. Proponents of the 1985 School Reform Legislation wanted a statistical indication of how well each school was performing so comparisons and ratings could be made. The first Report Cards were mailed to parents in the fall of 1986. It contained college test scores, state and national averages, attendance and graduation rates, financial status, salaries, etc. Glenbard West came out extremely well on this report card, ranking in the top ten schools in the state.
The Tour de Glenbard begins in 1985, modeled after the Tour de France. Cyclists raced on a course that outlined the campus. It was sponsored by G.A.A—Glenbard Athletic Association. The original G.A.A. stood for Girls Athletic Association.
By 1988, Glenbard District 87 faced a budget deficit of nearly 10 million dollars. The cost of teaching a larger school population and the costs of building maintenance had escalated dramatically since the last rate increase in 1968. The prospects for a successful vote were not bright. In 1972, the voters had defeated a similar proposal to increase the building fund rate and had approved the addition to Glenbard North only after first defeating it.
In addition, there arose an active group of irate taxpayers who vigorously opposed any tax increase, and the District was requesting an additional 66 cents per $100 of assessed valuation from a community where only 25% of the residents had children in school. Surprisingly, the issue passed by a comfortable margin. The vote was the greatest possible vote of confidence in the students and teachers of the Glenbard high schools, and to their record of achievement. Perhaps the most visible indicator of excellence was their performance in the National Merit Scholarship Program. In the period from 1972-1987, 183 Seniors were named as semi-finalists, 149 of these became Finalists and 68 were scholarship winners. Another 325 were named as Commended Students. Annually about 18% of the Senior Class qualified as Illinois State Scholars. In 1985, Laurie Fields was named a Presidential Scholar, one of 141 so recognized nationally.
The Tour de Glenbard begins in 1985, modeled after the Tour de France. Cyclists raced on a course that outlined the campus. It was sponsored by G.A.A—Glenbard Athletic Association. The original G.A.A. stood for Girls Athletic Association.
By 1988, Glenbard District 87 faced a budget deficit of nearly 10 million dollars. The cost of teaching a larger school population and the costs of building maintenance had escalated dramatically since the last rate increase in 1968. The prospects for a successful vote were not bright. In 1972, the voters had defeated a similar proposal to increase the building fund rate and had approved the addition to Glenbard North only after first defeating it.
In addition, there arose an active group of irate taxpayers who vigorously opposed any tax increase, and the District was requesting an additional 66 cents per $100 of assessed valuation from a community where only 25% of the residents had children in school. Surprisingly, the issue passed by a comfortable margin. The vote was the greatest possible vote of confidence in the students and teachers of the Glenbard high schools, and to their record of achievement. Perhaps the most visible indicator of excellence was their performance in the National Merit Scholarship Program. In the period from 1972-1987, 183 Seniors were named as semi-finalists, 149 of these became Finalists and 68 were scholarship winners. Another 325 were named as Commended Students. Annually about 18% of the Senior Class qualified as Illinois State Scholars. In 1985, Laurie Fields was named a Presidential Scholar, one of 141 so recognized nationally.
Dr. Susan J. Bridge named first female principal at GWHS
In the fall of 1988, Dr. Elliott announced his retirement for June of 1987, and was replaced by Mrs. Susan Bridge. A 20-year veteran of the system, Mrs. Bridge began as an English teacher at Glenbard East, served as English Chairman at Glenbard South, and came to West in 1986 as an Assistant Principal for Instruction. She served as Glenbard West’s principal until 1995, earning her doctorate degree for her work on the history of Glenbard District 87. Mrs. Bridge is then addressed as Dr. Susan J. Bridge.
|
Yearbook, one of first reality TV shows at GWHS
During her tenure as principal, MTV shot Yearbook at the high school, homes, and area of Glenbard West. Yearbook was one of the earliest experiments in “Reality TV” and it featured Glenbard West students as they experienced the joys and heartaches of their senior year in high school.