The Echoes book on Lincoln-Sudbury took the story of the school up to 1994. This brief update carries the narrative to the school's second 40th anniversary in 1996-7. How could one school have two 40ths? The first one marked the creation of the regional school district in 1954; the second, the opening of the school itself in 1956.
Some significant developments have occurred since the book was written. During the school year 1994-95, L-S witnessed several firsts--as well as several shocks. A new student newspaper, The Forum, began publication, replacing the Promethean. Recruitment began for a new girls' hockey team. The first Wellness Day was celebrated. The cafeteria was turned over to private management by an agency that worked with developmentally-delayed adults. Everyone agreed that the menu improved.
Most significant for the future of the school, a split faculty agreed to a two-year experiment with an "extended block schedule," thus bringing this protracted aspect of LS 21 discussion and debate to a temporary close. It did seem, over the next year or so, that the LS 21 reexamination process began to lose steam, though not before a modest service requirement was added to the L-S curriculum, the second such requirement in the school's history.
In November 1994 the school was dealt a severe shock when George Horton, a highly-respected teacher and coach, suddenly died. A year later, the main gymnasium was named in his honor, in recognition of the many contributions he had made to the school community. News also arrived that the sixth L-S alumni had succumbed to AIDS. Finally, the year ended on a rocky note when the faculty and staff voted unanimously to criticize the administration over the lack of punishment meted out to students who had vandalized the property of a campus aide.
The main story of the 1995-96 school year was the new schedule, endlessly discussed, surveyed, evaluated, and analyzed. The results were somewhat more negative than positive, though never quite definitive, and always difficult to separate from the effects of new state education regulations. The most unpopular of these was the "990 hour rule," whose "seat time" requirements eliminated a significant amount of free time and required students to take more classes. By the end of 1995--and even more so, by the end of the next year--it was difficult to find anyone who would agree to discuss the schedule. The community had pretty much talked itself out.
Change was also felt in other areas in 1995-96. A new, energized Student Senate tried to make itself more relevant. The old metal shop was replaced by a new, state-of-the-art fitness center. The always innovative physical education department became the wellness department. The results of the largest alumni survey ever conducted were released. Graduates recalled free time--now disappearing--as an important feature that had made L-S unique and had helped them to mature. The L-S Scholarship Fund closed in on its long-time goal of a $1 million endowment. The first Asian-American dress-up day was held, as well as the annual and also anticipated African-American Diaspora Luncheon. The DYAD became the first high school publication in the country to produce a CD-ROM supplement to the yearbook. Two new records were set this year: the amount of snowfall in Massachusetts and the number of National Merit Semi-Finalists at L-S. There was no known correlation between the two.
Changes were evident in still other ways. The faculty debated the implications of the newest technologies, but voted to maintain e-mail privileges for students, despite some abuses. A proposal was made for a new English/ History Computer Lab, to join those of Math, Science, and Language. The magic words "increasing enrollment" were heard for the first time in many years, presaging the end of the enrollment slide that had begun in the 1970's and had seen the school's size shrink by more than half, to 850. Suddenly, a Space Committee was created to plan for the future and find room for new students in a building where labs, offices, and learning centers had been fashioned out of empty classrooms. The space crunch would be eased somewhat by the departure (to its own new building in Lincoln) of the Carroll High School in June, marking the end of a unique partnership. Word also went out that the First Friends Day Care Center might also have to leave within a few years.
In the spring of 1996, Superintendent/ Principal Matt King announced he would be leaving to become the superintendent of schools in Wellesley. He left with the good wishes of all, and the widely-shared belief that he had contributed much to strengthening the school's reputation in the community (see the Epilogue for a fuller recounting of his achievements). The school committee created a annual speaker series in recognition of his leadership. The official search for a new leader brought several impressive candidates to L-S. The school committee and the faculty worked closely and cordially on finding a successor to Dr. King. They settled on Dr. John Ritchie, formerly principal of Winchester High School. He began his tenure in September, 1996.
The year ended on a sentimental note. Barbara Athy and Dick Johnson both retired. These two teachers, universally loved and respected, had not only done a superb job as teachers for decades, but they symbolized the school's connection to it own history and best traditions.
The 40th anniversary of the school's opening came in 1996-7. The first half of the year was dominated by a dizzying series of new state regulations, all of which either imperiled the faculty autonomy and elective choice at L-S or promised more standardized exams. Helpless to stop this wave of regressive reform, the administration and faculty just kept plugging away. It got to the point where no was surprised by the latest "shocker" coming from the cantankerous, conservative state school board head, John Silber. Where all this was going, no one could say, but it didn't seem good for a school that prided itself on being "a different kind of place."
Dr. Ritchie made a good impression on the faculty, but had the misfortune of being thrown head first into the midst of the enduring, divisive faculty debate over the schedule, which was now ending its two-year experimental run. Should it be retained? Some departments loved it; some loved it a very great deal less. Students were similarly split. After more evaluation, discussion, analysis--none definitive to all--the faculty voted. The results were similarly inconclusive, split, some thought, into thirds. Now, as previously agreed, Dr. Ritchie was forced to make the decision. He decided to keep the extended block schedule, instantly making two-thirds of the faculty unhappy, which might have been true in any case. A feeling of catharsis followed, happier for some than others.
Dr. Ritchie also took strong stands against fights in school and misbehavior at athletic events. Students seemed to enjoy his humor, and generally respected his calls for acceptable behavior,
The new year found fresh blood coursing through the school. Along with Dr. Ritchie, seventeen new teachers had been hired, the most in two decades. The school was definitely growing. Symmetry struck like lightening: at this very moment of renewal, the school turned to remember its past and to celebrate its 40th anniversary. The efforts climaxed on May 13 1997, with students and teachers linking arms around the school and giving L-S a "hug." This was followed by a school-wide party in the science courtyard, replete with 26 cakes, punch, and a rock band. That night, at an anniversary presentation, a famous author and educator, Sarah Lawrence Lightfoot, addressed the faculty and community. She was introduced by English teacher Tom Puchalsky, who first discussed the history of the school. A week later, at a beautiful dinner and ceremony, five new names (Virginia Kirshner, Phil Lewis, William Maloney, Ray Martin, Henry Morgan) were be added to the Wall of Recognition, and, on May 23, the auditorium was named in honor of the late Virginia Kirshner, a much-beloved teacher and drama director.
During the school year 1996-97, the harsh winds of state reform and regulation blew with increasing ferocity, threatening much of what makes the school unique. Perhaps in remembering its past, the school community would find the strength to maintain its independence and that eccentric vision of the "public private school" that its founders intended. If reverence for its history, as well as energy and hard work, could offer a shield of protection, Lincoln-Sudbury would indeed survive and prosper as it approached the new millennium--and the years beyond.
Bill Schechter
History Dept.
· · · 1995 E-mail now in second year... Teachers work without contract... 6th former L-S student dies of AIDs...1st issue of the Forum appears... L-S scores high in Boston Maagazine Poll ... Echoes history of L-S is printed and distributed ... 7th Jimmy Mack March Against Aids...1st coffehouse held ... Color Purple Quilt completed ... Moment of Silence on World AIDs Day ... New Rule: no students in gym without supervision ... number of campus aides increased to two ... Blood drive sets record ... 50th Anniversary of end of WWII commemorated ... 1996 ... Alumni survey published ... Record number of students become Merit Semi-Finalists ... New Fitness Center opens ... Scholarship Fund reaches $1 million goal ... DYAD pioneers CD-ROM supplement ... The "yellow line controversy" flares ... Record snow storms bury area ... Girls' ice hockey team makes debut ... Latin Club holds 3rd Roman dinner ... Several students expelled for drug use...Dick Johnson retires ... 1st Annual George Horton Memorial Gold Tournament ... 1997 ... Clinton wins mock election with 70% vote (Dole gets 18%) ... state removes phys. ed. requirement ... Seniors will go to six classes next year ... L-S launches internet Web page...Students gain role in hiring procedure ... L-S student caught scanning currency.