Notices

Reform Affects Teacher Training, Necessitates Early Advising

Massachusetts, like many other states, has been involved in intense education reform efforts, including changes relating to how teachers are trained. As MHC's advising week approaches, students who may be interested in becoming a classroom teacher should make an appointment to meet with Anita Page, acting chair of the Education Division of the Department of Psychology and Education, to gain needed information about these changes, two of which are particularly important for MHC students.

Recent changes in state rules regarding certification make early advising critical for first-year students interested in becoming elementary school teachers (grades one through six), because new requirements go into effect for the class of 2004.

Those changes call for specific general educational requirements that students need to consider as soon as they think they might be interested in teaching. Many of these regulations can be satisfied through careful choices of distribution requirements.
Secondly, at one point last year, the state considered defining the majors required for elementary candidates. This did not occur. Students (including first-year students) interested in elementary-level teaching can still major in psychology/education or any other major with a minor in education.

Math and science majors are urged to confer with Page about teacher-training programs, even if they think they cannot complete a certification program within their undergraduate program.

STUDENTS

Second Second*Saturday in the Works Last September Mount Holyoke launched its first Second*Saturday program. More than three hundred new students, who were divided into small groups led by enthusiastic, knowledgable volunteers, participated in project. Each project introduced newcomers to some aspect of the MHC community beyond the walls of MHC. The Second*Saturday Planning Committee is now gearing up for a second Second*Saturday, to be held September 15. The committee welcomes ideas for projects—scheduled from approximately 9 am to 3 pm—which will bring a group of new students together to achieve a common goal, whether purely recreational or service-oriented, fostering new friendships and a more comprehensive sense of community. The committee is looking for volunteers to coordinate and actually lead the various groups. If you have suggestions and/or wish to be personally involved in Second*Saturday 2001, please contact Cathy Melhorn at x2018 or at cmelhorn@mtholyoke.edu before April 15. Most projects must be in place by May 1.

Department of English Writing Prizes The following prizes are to be awarded this year in the English department. For details on submitting entries and to pick up an application form, stop by the English department office, 201 Clapp. The deadline for all entries is 4 pm, Monday, April 30. The Virginia Lee Barnes Prize will be awarded for the best critical essay by a senior in English or American Studies, Medieval Studies or Womens Studies. The Barbara Benson Prize is open to juniors and seniors and will be given for prose or other pieces of fiction, essays, or any prose form. The Gertrude Claytor Academy of American Poets Prize for the best poem or group of poems (not more than four pages) is open to all students. The Minnie Ryan Dwight Prize for excellence in journalistic writing is open to all students. The MacArthur-Leithauser Travel Award is open to sophomores and juniors of creative promise who would benefit from travel abroad. The Kathryn McFarland Memorial Prize will be awarded for any form of creative writing and is open to all students. The Sydney Robertson McLean Prize will be awarded for short stories and is open to all students. The Anne Singer Memorial Award will be given to a student who shows the promise of a gift for writing and a dedication to craftsmanship, poetry, story, play, or any other form of creative writing. Preference will be given to first- years, sophomores, and juniors. The Ada L.F. Snell Poetry Prize will be awarded for the best poem or group of poems, the whole not to exceed fifty lines. It is open to all students.

Five College African Studies Certificate Seniors who wish to receive a Five College African Studies Certificate should submit an application by Monday, April 30, to Holly Hanson's mail box in the History department, 310 Skinner. Requirements for the certificate can be viewed at the Five College African Studies Program Web page, http://www.fivecolleges.edu/deptprog/african/require.htm. Application forms are available on the African American and African Studies bulletin board, which is located next to 312 Skinner. The Five College African Studies Certificate Program allows students on each of the five campuses to develop a concentration of study devoted to Africa that complements any major. The certificate course of study is based on six courses on Africa to be selected with the guidance and approval of an African Studies Certificate Program adviser.