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TLhc ocmal IRacquette Published Every Saturday of the School Year by the Students of the State Normal School, Potsdam, N. Y. VOL. 1 POTSDAMi, N. Y., SEPT. 24. 1927 No. 10 PRINCIPAL SOUNDS KEYNOTE FOR NEW TERM. To each member of (the Potsdam School-Family: Once on a time, at a great national fair or exhibition, the New York State Education Departmtefot constructed as its exhibit a relief map of the State larg e enough (to occupy the front third of our auditorium and showing the hills and valleys amid rivers, the vil- lages and cities all iver thJeh State. It was :a wonderfull sight when in the dusk of evening there suddenly glim- mered into being nearly a thousand tiny white lights scattered all over the map—each representing a high school. Then in a moment there shone out many more little blue lights—more than ten to one—representing the much greater number of elementary schools. Imagine the picture; the great map. the thousand of white, and the thousands of blue lights, glimmer- ing all ov^ir it in th e dusk. Think, for the moment, of the thousands and thousands of children in these schools. This pictuire hais a very special message for everyone of us her e in Potsdam—teachers and 1 student tea- chers. In all that we do, every lesson that we teach or study this year, let us ahove all keep clearly in mind the ultimate end of our work,—teaching children. Tti yea-s to cor/in. if oui work is well do no wii.<.'. Potsdam Nor- mal School :s now doing for its student-teachers, will bo transmitted as the best and most helpful thing in the lives of many of these children. We must not fail them! P. N. S. graduated abouifc 175 ele- mentary teachers last year. Each of these will have periaps thirty children in his or her charge this year—a total of say 5,250 children. .But there ha* been a long lin e of graduates before last year. 4266 in all aand very many of them are also teaching. Truly, there is not a bigger job on earth. If we do not realize this, we are only second- raters. Lets get the vision; remember what we are w.orking for, and remem- ber, too, that our School will be this year what all of us make it—just that, neither more nor less. Sincerly yours, Randolph T. Congdon. DRAMATIC CLUB MEETS First meeting- of Draimiatie Club was held Thursday evening' Sept. 22. T|hie busifrKess of the meeting was the election of members to var- ious committees. Public Performance—Vera Spade. Scholarship—Mildred Perrin. Housekeeping and \Welfare—Rose Ellen Kerwin. Finance—Lefe Harris. Publicity—Dorothy Carr. Athletics—Pearl Baltz. Social—Isabelle Williams. After the election Miss Rose gave us a short talk on possible objectives for this year's work. The following program was t..en given. Lucy Babcock, chairman of program committee. Norwegian vocal solo by Christire Waldemar in native costume. Recitation— \Rosenthal's Goat/' Lefe Harris. Violin solos—Elegie by Massenet, Largo by Handel, Simple v Ave by Throme, Carl DeShaw. Duet—To the Moon, Isabelle Wil- li aims and Helen Baxter. Refreshments, in keeping with season, doughnuts and cider were then served. HIKERS START ACTIVITIES The Hikers are alrealy well start- ed on their campaign, for the year. Last Saturday they had their first hike to Camp Miramichi. About six girls went down in the morn- ing, cleaned the caimjp, hung the cur- tains, and did various other things to prepare it for the fall activities. Ini the afternoon about twenty-five hiked down. Much of the time was spent in perusing along the river b'alnks. It was very beautiful therj on this bright, sunny day_ no won- der they em'joyed it. Tea was served at the camp. They say that quite a few freshmen were out—looks like some good prospective hikers! INMENT OPERATES WHAT EVERY STUDENT SHOULD KNOW OP NEW SYSTEM. For some time 'the Potsdam Nor- mal School has been trying to work out a satisfactory scheme of school government in which both studerts and faculty would have a part Last year an organization v vas committees made up of students and formed consisting of (a) a series of committees made up of students and teachers (b) of two higher bodies, namely, the faculty and student council^ (c) the executive head oi principal of the .school. Each com- • riittee works out procedures or pol- icies to b e followed in its field. If 'hese are approved by the student council and faculty, and also by the principal, they are adopted for op- eration in the school. The princi- pal has the veto power over any neasure. Committees in operation are: Scholarship, social activitic ;nd social training, athletics, public performances, welfare and house- keeping, publicity and publication, and finance. Every committee is composed of about sixteen students. Every fac- ulty member belongs to one commit- tee. The following organizations have student representaton on ,'.he committees: Senior Class, Junior Class, Freshman Class, Hiker's Club, Dramatic Club, Men's Club, Micora Society, Y. W. C. A., Phoenix Club and Choral Club. Thus every phase of school life is represented. There is. also an executive com- mittee of the Dean of Worncr, p resident of the Faculty, anfl. th^ President of the Student Council. This committee has power to deter- mine, if necessary, what committee shall have jjurisdiction over certain activities and to meet any emerg- ency. •Each committee has 'a faculty chairman and a student ehairma I. The faculty chairman presents ac- tion taken by his committee to the faculty and the student chairman to theStudent Council. The following is the list of com- mittees with student and 1 faculty chairmen: Scholarship. Social Activities. Athletics. Public Performances. Welfare and Housekeeping. Publicity. Finance. Taken from the \Pioneer/' ITS FIRST PLANS BEING MADE BANQUET ON OCT. 4 FOR The first meeting of the Men's Club was held on Tuesday evening, Sept. 20. All the freshmen men and the new members of the faculty were wel- comed and considered as a part of the Club. Plans to hold a banquet were dis- cussed. It was decided that this ban- quet be held October 4. Dr. Congdon and Mr. Voelker gave short talks on t ! h e possible objectives of the club for the ensuing year. A change in the proceeding of the club was advocated. It was determined to organize th e club into closer rela- tionship by starting a fraternity or the like. A regular program is to be held every Tuesday evening. These programs will consist of debating, declamation and music. DEAN OF WOMEN SEEKS CO-OPERATION UPPER CLASSMEN URGED TO ASSIST NEW STUDENTS. CALENDAR SEPT. 26-30. 'Monday, Sept. 26, 8:00 A. M — Normal Racquette Editorial and Business staff meeting in press room. Tuesday, Sept. 27, 3:00 P. M.-— Meetings of Faculty-Student gov- ernment committees will be he*d. Watch bulletin boards for further notice. May I take this opportunity of ask- ing for th e co-operation of each stu- dent in the upper classes in putting into effect successfully our new privil- eges for Juniors anl Seniors. After earnest efforts on the part of the Student Council and the Social Committee of the Faculty—Student Organization, the Juniors and Seniors are granted privileges not previously recognized. It is in keeping with the increasing spirit of student responsbil- ity that these privileges should be ex- tended. Their success and permanent adoption will dUpend entirely upon new upper classes. It must be realized that unless this responsibility is ac- cepted by these classes there will be undue confusion in ttoei rooming houses and difficulties arising for the mat- rons. The fact that only about 30 students have recorded their use of evening permission within the last week would indicate that there is misunder- standing in respect to the obligations of upper classmen in this respect. Read the paragraph under study hours on the bulletins in your hands. Act accordingly, and let us prove that the new plan for upper classmen is a workable one. Anna P. Draime. FRESHMEN WU1! here's luck to you. Do you feel a little blue? First time you've been away- Are the skies a little grey ? Little nervous about your room? Hope Jimmy will write soon? Yesterday just broke a rule, Wonder if there's a bigger fool. There's many feeling mighty blue, Take that gloom from out of you, Cry if you must, hut alone, Not at school but at home. The Freshman class is needing you, There's surely something you can do, Mak e your class a wonder. Noise it like the distant thunder, You're starting in your Freshman year Let us hear that fighting cheer And when it comes to working too Freshmitn- You're going thru. Paul Sullivan. ORGAN CLUB. The Organ Club was organized in 1925. Members of this club include both organ students and those in- terested in the organ. At their meetings last year they studied the mechanism of the organ, diffen nt great organists and composers of organ music, wnich made them both interesting and educational. It now has a membership of fifteen. Organ Club Officers. Ella Hilton—President. Edith Palmer—Vice President. Kathryn Bangert—Secretary and Treasurer. Miss Helen Hewitt;—Faculty Ad- visor. Louise CuHigan — Parliamentary Critic. WELCOME NEW COMERS TO 'BIG SISTER PARTY' : OPENING EVENT THE The \Big Sister Party\ which ranks as one of the largest social events on the school calendar for the coming term, was held in the Nor- mal Gymnasium on Monilay evening, September 12. Its purpose was to help the' freshmen and entering stu- dents to become better acquainted with the upperclassmen and to give them a hearty welcome into fie social life of our school. All stu- dents who attended enjoyed them- selves imiir.iensely and many upper- elassmen have remarked about the especially wonderful time which they had at this party. Music for marching and dancing was furnished by the Red and Gray Orchestra. The Graml March was led by Miss Ruth Fife, president of the junior class, and Miss Miildr>.-d Van de Water, chairman of the en- i-ertaiiimenit committee. One or two \ances were enjoyed before the pro- gram took place. First on the program was a quar- tet composed of the Misses Dorothy Parker, Catherine Whitney, Dorothv Glasier and Marjorie Trevett. They -ang \Habenera\ from the opeia \Cai'nrn\ and were accompanied by Miss Gladys Carver at the piano. Miss Violet 'Smith gave a solo dance. She was gowned in a dainty pink frock which gave her the ap- pearance of a butterfly flitting here and: there. The quartet then reappered and m.u\h to the delight of the audience sang \The Elephant and the Chim- panze.\ :Miss Leona Cassida and Mi*. Jo seph Calnon, two entering students, ''anced the Spanish tango. At the request of the audience, they gave part of the dance again. Many other plans had been made for stunts and games but the large crowd prevented the executions of these. The remainder of the evening was spent in dancing and getting better acquainted. The committee in charge was corn- nosed of the Misses Mildred Van de- Water, chairman; Frances McCaLe, one of our basket ball stars; Helen Clark and Margaret Powers; for- mer freshmen minstrels; and Ann Shields, a very much liked junior classmate. PHOENIX CLUB. The Phoenix Club is comprised of the Crane seniors and juniors. Itr purpose is to leam about the be t ^'adition of choral art, and! to ac- quire a repertoire so that they may answer quickly to a summons to ••>vp ,; a program. They assist in chapel programs, organ recitals be- sides many public concerts. WHAT THE? MEAN NEW SYSTEM IN ADDITION TO SCHOiLASTIC RATINGS In addition to the present require- ments of passing 120, 'hours of work, thLre will be in effect beginning Sept. 1927 the further requirement for grad- uation of having nit less than 120 \Quality Credits.\ Quality credits are determined as follows. Each hour of A grade will give 3 qualitp credits; each hour of B grade, 2; each hour of C grade, 1; each hour of D grade or of failure, zero quality credits. For example a student who earns A in 10 hours, B in 15 hours, C in ten hours, and D in 5 hours, work in a year will be en- titled to (10z3) plus .15x2) plus (10 xl) plus (5x0) quality credits oi* a total of seventy. A student having 5 hours of B, 14 hours of C, and 21 hours of D earns (5x2) plus (14x1) plus (21 xO) or a total of 24 quality credits. Students failing to earn a minimum of 20 quality credits each semester will have their attendance automatically terminated under the provision of the law making the maintenance °£ sa &- isfactory scholarship one of the re- quisites f »r attendance to a state Nor- mal School. Exceptions to this rule will be made only upon the reconi- e ndation of the Scholarship Committee and the approval of the Principal. Attendance System 1. A student is allowed one cut (ab- sence for each semester hour in each subject. 2. Four tardinesses constitute a cut. 3. An absence on the day school closes for vacation or theh day on which school re-convenes, counts as a double cut. 4. (a) In case of over-cutting, tha students record at the close of the term drops one grade, (b) In case one tenth of the total number of re- citations is lost through absence, the student is automatically dropped from th e subject. 5. The committee on attendance will consider cases of over-cuts when the occasion for such is due to illness. (In such cases, t'h e reason for previous cuts will be considered.) Study, Hours The study hours in the houses shall b e from 8 o'clock until 10'.30 o'clock on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday .and should be strictly ob- served by all Freshmen unless given special permission by the Dean of Wo- men. Juniors are given a privilege of a 9:30 date on one school night a week for the movies or recreation, while the Seniors may have the 9:30- privilege on two school nights a week for the same purpose. The names of those students using the 9:30 privilege must be filed with the Dean of Women on the next morning. These privileges will be de- nied any person whose scholastic work is not approved by the scholastic comimittee. Classes President, Senior 10; Junior 8; Freshman 6. Vice-President, Senior 2; Junior 1; Freshman 1. Secretary, Senior 2, Junior 1; Fresh- man 1. Treasurer 'Senior 2; Junior 1; Fresh- man 1. Societies President 8, Vice-President 2, Secre- tary v, Treasurer 2, Merhership 2. Athletics Member of team 8, Manager of team 10, Captain of team 9. Student Council President 10, secretary 8, member 5. Inter-Sorority Council Chairman 2, Member 2. (Continued On Page 4)