Spring time arrived in New England about two weeks early, and no one is complaining at Lincoln-Sudbury. The academic year is rushing to a close, and while school is still in session, thoughts have already turned to summer. Remember those feelings when you were at L-S?

In their minds, many seniors have already graduated. It seems that more and more students are being admitted early to college (stragglers heard on April 1st), so we have moved on from senior slump to full-blown lameduck status. The bonding of seniors is accelerating. They have a new hangout now, on a large rectangular piece of carpeting known as "senior spot." Actually, it is getting to look like a very crowded raft that is soon to be swept out of sight.

Here is some news:

As usual, L-S sports teams had fabulous seasons. No state titles...but many teams were in contention deep into the tournaments. The new artificial turf field was expanded to regulation size (correcting a slight mistake by the company during installation...the new tennis courts are getting a workout...and a coalition of private groups and the Town of Sudbury have decided to carpet the football field with artificial turf and to construct new bleachers. Sports facilities at L-S are truly state of the art!

The A-V department tells me that a record number of assemblies were held this year, with many on social justice themes. There was just a series of assemblies held called "This is Your L-S," which highlighted some of the negative behavior (graffiti, ethnic jokes, stereotyping) that a minority engage in and that a majority tend to ignore. Oh yes, we just completed our Celebrate Art festival, which showcased the very varied work of talented L-S student artists.

Some L-S artistic and extracurricular activities have also won awards or recognition: the Jazz band, the Chorus, the Oceanic Science Bowl teams, the Speech and Debate group, the yearbook (Dyad), and the school newspaper (The Forum).

The school budget is once again (and seemingly always) under pressure due to rising costs and enrollment. Teachers are concerned about class size (which has crept up). There will be no override vote in the two towns this year. The L-S staff is hoping for the best from the towns' finance committees and the committees are hoping for the best from the state legislature.

Many younger L-S teachers have become new moms and dads. The wheel is turning, as the older staff (what's left of it) "moves on." Debby Grace, Bill Plott, and Bill Schechter retire this year (though the three will return at least for next year as "emeritus" teachers).

February and April student vacation trips went out to Belize, Greece, and New York City. Two history teachers, Ali Cutler and Caroline Berz, as well as Superintendent/Principal John Ritchie had the opportunity to travel in China, as part of educational programs.

L-S students are very worried--very worried-- about a proposed state laws to raise the legal driving age

Finally, two historical notes of interest. Next year will be L-S's 50th anniversary. The big day will come on November 14th when professor Richard Kirshner of Harvard, an L-S alumnus, son of drama legend Ginny Kirshner, and himself a world-renowned astronomer, will speak at an evening presentation. We are all hoping to gain a better understanding of where L-S stands in the universe (the sun revolves around us, no?). On that night, several illustrious former faculty will be inducted onto the "Wall of Recognition." (Who? Still a top secret!) Also, on that evening, the new auditorium will be officially named after Virginia K. Kirshner and the black box theater after Harriet Rogers. The band practice room already bears the name of former music and choral director, Robert Wentworth. These three individuals were already memorialized in this way in the old building.

The other historical note is this, and it's worth pondering during this run-up period to the anniversary gala: next year's graduating class will be the last to have attended school in the old building, to have walked down the ramp to history class, to have walked through blue hall or crossed through the beautiful courtyards, to have passed by Four Corners, or to have sweated through a steamy June in rooms with windows mysteriously bolted shut. Ah, memories, memories!

If you are in town, do think about coming to graduation on June 1, at Featherland, or to the anniversary celebration next November. You are always welcome!

Bill Schechter
History Dept.
bill_schechter@lsrhs.net

ps: Consider helping an L-S alumni family in great need.

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PLEASE FORWARD A COPY OF THIS L-S NEWSLETTER TO YOUR
L-S FRIENDS! HELP US TO EXPAND OUR ALUMNI DATABASE AND COMMUNITY!!

-Please note that we are now listing contact information or links to class reunion pages. Send these to us!

-See the link to the Forum for more news.

-Finally, please check out Superintendent/Principal John Ritchie's greeting to alumni.

Send us your feedback! What would you like to see on the alumni web site?.
E-mail Bill Schechter with your suggestions: bill_schechter@lsrhs.net

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