The Coral Gables Times

Thursday, October 12, 1961, page 8 (of 28)

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PART OF THE FEET TUESDAY NIGHT AS 1,700 PARENTS WENT TO GABLES HIGH

They Turn Out Parents Give A-OK To Gables High

By JOE C. MORRIS Correspondent More than 1,700 parents filled the corridors of Coral Gables High School Tuesday night. The were there for the 12th annual, PTA-sponsored "Back to School" Program. Also on hand were 125 teachers who described to the visitors how—and what—they're teaching children. Principal Harry Rath announced that of the 15,400 high schools in the United States, Coral Gables placed in the top 16 by virtue of 20 of its students' grades in recent national scholastic competition. Following their children's daily class schedule, the parents frequently passed friends in the halls. Overheard were: Mrs. William A. Martin, 451 San Servando Ave., "I can't stand Social Science!" Vernon Hill, 2221 Country Club Prado, "I dyed my hair gray so they'd think I was old enough to drive." The older group found something they'd never seen in the little Red School House, namely, classroom television. There are 14 of the 21-inch TV sets. One class alone has 350 biology students. Microphones in the audience allow students to ask questions. After 27 minutes' guidance from the studio teacher, the sets are turned off and the classroom teacher, with two or three assistants, takes over. Biology teacher Paul Storm said: "The children are not just numbers in this giant-size class which we're conducting for the first time. We know each one by name and have personal contact with them." Parents also learned they can watch in their homes the same lessons being taught their children in school. Eight full-time counselors are at work in the school, counseling students on grades, curriculae and how to prepare for the future. Mrs. Walter Piper, 5501 Riviera Dr., active in PTA work for 25 years, is in her second year as president of the Gables High PTA. "This is the beginning of our membership drive for the year. Those who see what goes on here tonight will want to be a part. We have more than 3,000 students and our membership goal is the same."

Back to School Night

THE FOLKS SHOW THEIR INTEREST

LOOKING OVER the class schedule of their 10th grade son, Luis, are his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Francisco De Velasco, 291 Navarre Ave.

CHATTING in the library are, left to right, head librarian Mrs. Eleanor Wilson, 512 Aragon Ave.; librarian Mrs. Virginia Snidow, 1413 Santa Cruz Ave.; and Edward J. Reilly, of Key Biscayne, whose son, Robert, is a student assistant in the library.

COUNTING MONEY from new members who signed for the PTA during Coral Gables High's "Back to School Night" are, at left, Mrs. John Shea, 901 Placitas Ave., and membership chairman Mrs. C. J. Powers, 1432 Algeria Ave. (Staff photos by Raymond Lang)