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(Posted to KFDM Community Forum. This topic has since been removed from their archives)
Sometimes
looking back can be as effective as looking ahead. Sometimes we lose sight
of what worked and need a reminder that it can work again. All the facilities are still there as they were then, including the stadium that served us well, and the tennis courts - not a fancy stadium, no elaborate gymnasium, or swimming pool, but usable and functional facilities - once they are restored and repaired. It makes no sense to spend money to tear it all down (or leave it to rot) only to have to remodel and add onto four schools, transport students way too far from home, and deprive a whole community of schools when all it takes is some repairs -- like any building needs! You do have to do repairs to buildings. The town wants good schools to be proud of throughout the city. They have one. All it takes is a few repairs and a vision for the future. What can South Park be? What can it contribute to the community? Well, it can be what it used to be before it was demoted and neglected. For those of you who don't know, here's a glimpse into the past and can also serve as a vision for the future. What it was then, it can be again! (non-comprehensive list complied from the 1963 and 1965 yearbooks) 54 faculty (66 percent had masters) Seniors: 268 Juniors: 340 Sophomores: 352 (309 graduated in '65, my class) Sports: Football: State Semi Finals ('63 - State Quarter Finalists in '62) Basketball: 15-10 wins in '63 Track: Regional win in pole vault first place metals in district meet Golf: Hosted one of largest golf tournaments. Greenies won seven tournaments Tennis: Girls: retained first place crowns Boys: won double crown Two district championships Girls Athletic Assn: basketball, volleyball, baseball, ping-pong, and others Organizations: Honor Society Foreign Language clubs Science clubs Music: Cappella Choir Girls' Choir wins sweepstakes award Band: 106 piece concert band and also a marching band (two bands) both won excellent ratings in University Interscholastic League contests Seven students won All-Region and All-State and 19 won 21 medals in U.I.L. solo and ensemble contest Orchestra: 69 piece orchestra - won first division in University Interscholastic League concert contest received excellent rating in sight-reading. Special Music Groups: Swing Band and Symphonette Service clubs: Red Cross "Greenie Gusher" won high ratings FTA (Future Teachers Assn) FNA (Future Nurses Assn) Future Farmers "V" Hi-Y Club X Chapter Tri-Hi-Y Y-Teens club (affiliated with YWCA) Greenie G's service/social club, raise funds for needy families Z Chapter Hi-Y sent seven members to annual pre-legislative conference in Houston and Youth-in-Government in Austin Speech: first place in state in "Voice of Democracy" speech contest Greenies won 5 of 6 possible first place in city competition, eight first place at U.I.L. district meet and four first place at regional meet, and other awards statewide Academic Clubs National Honor Society JCL'ers - (Latin) win contests at State JCL Convention Pan American Student Forum French Club German Club Science Club Office Workers Club Distributive Education Club Industrial Education Club Pep Squad "Spindletop" staff (yearbook) Commercial Arts train for Business Careers Physical Fitness Program (PE - required! Presidents Physical Fitness Program) Home Ec Auto, wood, metal, and mechanic drawing shops Distributive Education Club Industrial Education Club Academics: The best in math, English, history, civics, science, literature, journalism, foreign language, etc. The blueprint is there. Why not use it? I don't think anybody would call this a shabby school. I presented these ideas in a letter to Ms. Jessie Haynes of the Bond Committee and to be distributed among concerned officials (I sure hope she did!!), dated Feb 12th. It seems common sense to me that if the population has indeed decreased since those days, the SPMS facilities possibly could house grades 9, 10, 11, and 12. If they would repair Bingman Elementary, bring the student enrollment up to capacity for that facility, that would relieve Pietzsch-MacArthur of a lot of their grade school children. There should be ample room to incorporate the middle school students into that same facility - for instance, Pietzsch section for the elementary, MacArthur section for the middle school grades. By returning South Park to a high school status it would allow the students who live in the SP Neighborhood to enjoy a neighborhood school and thereby reduce overcrowding in Ozen, requiring less remodeling needs for Ozen High School, as well as Blanchette Elementary and King and Odom Middle Schools. Residents of South Park deserve the same amenities as any other part of town. Now is the time to give hope to the community, make a difference for the town of Beaumont, and give a foundation to the children to carry with them throughout their lives. Remember, the schools are the backbone of the community. If the schools are good, the community will grow. If the community grows, the commerce will come. Everybody can benefit. It's a win-win! |