For shoppers
Star Wars hot item by Stacie Smith Star Wars gadgets, video games and ski equipment are at the top of lists of things to buy for Christmas presents. "Star Wars things of any kind are selling like mad, and also a game called Blip. They both are our. big sellers," stated Sherri Shird, employee at King Norman Kingdom of Toys in Washington Square. Two other new games are selling strong, Electric Battleship, and Computer Football. For the sports minded people the popular items are warm-ups tennis shoes, and baseball caps with NFL football teams or basketball teams on it, according to salesman Ron Scharnberg of Oregon Athletic. J .C. Penneys merchandising manager Lar r y Wilson said, "This is the best Christmas Penneys has ever had. We are selling all kinds of clothing and lots of ski equipment. People are buying all
kinds of small electric appliances such as Fry Baby's. TV games again this year are selling big for Fred Meyers, along with all the stereo and television equipment. Fred Meyer assistant manager Dennis Gallagher also said that all departments' sales far exceeded last year's Christmas season. All the stores are up in sales from last year. Many stores are· r unning out of the items such as these that are popular. A Fred Meyer employee said, "People are going all out for this Christmas season." The estimate on how much people spend was approximately fifty to one hundred dollars per person at least for Christmas presents. Store personnel advise people to get their shopping done early so they. don't get the leftovers, and are happy with what they get.
HOLIDAY RUSH BEGINS - Scenes like the above are being repeated throughout Portland as Christmas shoppers look for that "Just right" gift.
Program answers Santa letters by Barbara Head It usually starts with a Dear Santa and ends with a Love Jimmy
Le.vy failures responsible for extra week added to vacation by Julie Belmore Making winter vacation longer this year is the result of last year's levy failures. Every student in the Portland School District will have an extra five days in which to celebrate the holidays this year. Mrs. Ellen Law, vice principal, explains, "There ·are two reasons for this change: the school board decided . that this is one way to make up for the lack of funds as it is the coldest, darkest time of year. Schools will save on fuel and electricity during this time. And, salaries will not be paid for these five days."
It is mandatory for all school
employees to take at least a five-day cut. Teachers and other employees with a '190-day .c ontract will be given this five-day pay cut. Administrators and other staff members with a 225-day contract are all subject to a six-day cut. Those people such as area and central office personnel who work year-round are given a seven-day cut. Law emphasized that the number of school days is "still within the state limit." School will end at the same time this year and will not be lengthened because of the longer vacation. The three-week winter vacation was recommended by Superintendent Robert Blanchard with
the approval of his staff and was passed by the school board. The plan seemed to be the fairest ·way to compensate for the loss of money which was the result of the unpassed levies last year. Law relates that the alternative would be to "lay off people throughout the district." The extended vacation plan is fair in the respect that every teacher and administrator shares the· loss evenly, without putting anyone out of a job. $6,917,250.00 had to be cut from the budget and shortening the All the foreign languages by Barbara Head school year was one way of doing · (Russian, German; French, and it. The extended vacation will save The mellow sounds of "Stille Spanish) plan to participate. All $2,489,000.00 because of the shortened pay check for teachers Nacht," (Silent Night), "Hervei 0 four languages will sing their Ihrglaubigen," (Oh Come, All Ye versions of "Silent Night," and "Oh and administrators. Faithful), and "Sainte Nuit," (Oh Come All Ye Faithful," then each Holy Night) echo the sounds of language will sing a special Christmas around the world. selection of their own. The Spanish department will These songs of foreign cultures can be heard today during both sing an Argentine carol while the thinlt it's a good idea, it enables lunches as the foreign language Russian department plans to sing people to work together and department carols in the main hall popular Soviet wi~ter songs such as "Moscow Nights" since many express their ideas." to celebrate the season. Russian Christmas songs are elaborate hymns. The French students plan to sing "C'est Minuit OU' est Arrivee" (It Came Upon a Midnight Clear), as one of their selections, and the German classes will sing "O Tannenbaum." Russian teacher Alan Ellis commented that this is the first year they have done this, but in the past they "just walked around from door to door." Also, to celebrate Christmas, the Spanish and Russian clubs are both having Christmas par ties. The Russian club party will be a potluck of traditional Russian foods, while beside the traditional pinata the Spanish club party will involve the "American" activity, foosball. Even if you don't take a foreign language, stop by to listen, you may not understand the words, but the feeling will be the Westcott in faculty lounge was made by Miss Smith's General Arts Class. [LeAnn Hansen Photo] same.
Classes decorate doors for holidays by Terri Crotteau As you go down Franklin's school halls, don't be alarmed at the abominable snowman looking at you, just laugh and get into the Christmas spirit. Because this year, classrooms are taking the time for the Quakers by decorating classroom doors.
Christmas atmosphere, and the kids enjoy doing it." While a student Suzanne Wallace added, "I
A contest was being held all during this week to determine the winning door. Judges of the contest, Dr. Westcott and art teacher Miss Smith, both mentioned t his idea was bringing out the Chr istmas mood in everyone. You might read a poem about Christmas, such as on the door of room 132, or see Santa and his reindeer on the door of room 133. A picture of math teacher, Mr. Dick Mabry in a Santa Claus suit will be on his door, room 160, with the sa~in~, "Season's Greetings from Jolly Old Saint Dick!" English teacher Mrs. Bousquet replied, "It contributes to the
OUR LEADER - This portrait of Dr.
Many of t he letters entailed (or Suzy, whatever the case may be(. Then it's addressed to: Santa lengthy lists of "what I want for - North Pole. But what happens Christmas" items, while one girl to these letters once they reach asked for a note from Santa to her mother to let her get her ears the Post Office? A number of years ago, these pierced. Another girl's request letters were just considered "dead was for some plaster and light mail" and destroyed. However, green paint for her room to cover now this is not the case. Through a the "awfullest" pink paint in the post office program, these Santa world. letters are read by post office The influence of television employee Denise Tennyson and s hows was seen in one child's then, she explained, "We have letter as he stated, "I hope you individuals and organizations that won't be sick on Christmas Eve. read and answer them with letters Favorite Christmas items could and occasionally a request." How also be seen through these notes. the .letters are answered depends The Portland program of organupon the individual who answers izations answering the letters started with an influx of calls a day them. The program received about . or two after a Johnny Carson show 1500 letters last year and although in which he read some of these they aren't sure the number yet letters over the air. Similar this year they are expected to programs are in operation in exceed that. "They're coming in a almost every major post office in lot quicker," Tennyson com- the United States. So far this year, the program mented. Most of the letters are from has had a slow start with only four young children, but, Tennyson individuals responding to the replied, "We have gotten.one from letters and officially, no organizaa housewife and one from a tions are involved . . None of the teenager who still believes in letters may be taken from the Santa Claus." office.
Languagedept. sings Christma.s carols