The Sixties
The sixties began quietly, but it was time for a change at East Side High School. While the mood of the nation changed with the turmoil of the Vetnam War, so did the atmosphere of the City of Madison and East High. The death of President John F. Kennedy in 1963 also deeply affected students and staff.
The retirement of A.J. Barrett and the arival of his replacement John Lockensgard resulted in many changes in the way the school historically operated. As the school changed, so did the staff. Many more veteran staff members retired during the 60's. New teachers came to teach the "baby boom" generation.
In 1960, East had its first "Dress Up Day," when the students came to school dressed to the hilt. In a servey, the student body favored building the Frank Lloyd Wright Monona Terrace Civic Auditorium (They got their wish in 1997).
In 1961, The Pep Club introduced East's first Peppy Purgolder, with Bert Schmedeman servin
Thursday, June 21, 2007
illion addition to the school in the spring of 1962. It included 20 new classrooms in a three story wing, a pool, a gym, cafeteria and new band and chorus rooms. Some sections of the old building were also remodeled to bring the total number of new classrooms to thirty-eight. The new addition opened in the fall of '63.
Mr. Barrett announced that East would add period X beginning at 7:15a.m. and period O at 3:25p.m., so students could select non-academic subjects. The grading period changed from every six weeks to every nine weeks. In 1966, the auditorium received new drapes.
By 1967, the war in Vietnam was beginning to make a real impact on East. Parents, relatives, neoghbors and graduates were entering the war in increasing numbers. The January 16 Tower Times included a major article about those fighting and dying for the East community.
Also in 1967, student of East revived an old school tradition by bringing back an all-school carnival. And Many students protested when identification cards were introduced. The next year there was debate over the war issue, which gained momentum.
Mr. Barrett's retirement that year brought
