BY TOMMMY YU
Staff Writer
Today’s students might not know that at one time the high school was just for the seniors and juniors. Freshmen went to Whitehall, a school strictly for the ninth grade, before advancing on to Baldwin.
In this 1985 Purbalite article, students express their concerns about the incoming freshmen being added to the high school building, rather than attending Whitehall.
As the article notes, the high school originally housed only juniors and seniors. Then the sophomores merged with them, and in 1985, the freshmen came.
“With the sophomores here, we already have to share lockers, and with the freshmen coming up, it’s going to be total chaos”, student Doug Altavilla said about the move.
Coincidently the Doug Altavilla quoted in the story is also father of junior Doug Altavilla and sophomore Nick Altavilla, as well as the uncle of junior Dennis Altavilla and freshman Olivia Altavilla.
Adding freshman class would crowd Baldwin
Originally published Feb. 14, 1985
Cathy Eperthener
With the Baldwin-Whitehall reorganization plan taking effect next year, BHS plays a major role with the freshmen advancing straight to the high school instead of going to Whitehall for ninth grade.
Many students here have different opinions, but basically they don’t feel bringing the freshmen to BHS is the best adjustment for Baldwin-Whitehall. Sophomore Tina Glaser thinks, “they belong here, but they (administration) should wait until there’s more room.” Along with this idea, Doug Altavilla, also a sophomore, says, “the school was meant for juniors and seniors; now with the sophomores here, we already have to share lockers, and with the freshmen coming up, it’s going to be total chaos.”
The original purpose of making Whitehall strictly for the ninth grade was to bring the kids together and prepare them for their remaining years at BHS. Many students feel the freshmen should stay at Whitehall. When Jon Sarraino, junior, was asked what he thought of the ninth grade students coming up to the high school, he said, “it stinks because Whitehall is a preparation for the high school, and I feel all students should pass Mr. Banky’s discipline.”
Many students at BHS are against the idea of the freshmen coming here for their first year, but we can do nothing, but welcome them.
