Erasmus Hall High School - Arch Yearbook (Brooklyn, NY)

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K1 Qy' papyrus Cash prizes CSS, 553, SZD for excellence in Regents' examinations in Ele- mentary Algebra and Plane Geometryn was an offer made in the January 1932 issue of XYZls Papyrus. The publication which we now know as a magazine with a glossy cover, photographs, and pages numbered with Mayan numerals, was then a six-page, coarse paper booklet, opening like an accordion. It came out twice a term. Papyrus editors were fond of quoting Lewis Carroll, especially his quip about arithmetic, The branches of arithmetic are Ambition, Distraction, Ugli- fication, and Derisionf' The column 'iOdds and Evensn offered frequent proof that Erasmians havenlt changed much over the years. 1tems include, There are several theorems to which the author generously states, 'The proof is left to the student' One pupil wrote in his homework, 'The proof is left to the teacherf A 1933 issue relates that Miss L., in teaching a geometry class, demon- strated that even when one draws a circle free-hand there is a fixed point fthe elbowl, and a radius Cthe armD. When she asked, on the next test, 'What are the essentials of a circle? the answer she received was 'Kan elbow and an armf, Masthead of the December, 1934 issue lists for the hrst time Mrs. Ruth L. Berkowsky, faculty adviser. An article suggests that math be taught by mass hypnosis, resulting in higher marks. lt would also enable students to catch up on lost slecpfl X s

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, f. -. -. Y- -v 4'.-1 V -- ' ' Xyz Edith Nichols Putney a graduate of Smith College in the class of 1899, and a few years later a mathematics teacher at Erasmus Hall, smiled graciously and acquiesced when a small group of girls expressed their desire to have her as faculty adviser for a mathematics club which they wished to organize. Thus the XYZ Mathematics Honor Society of Erasmus Hall was founded in 1904. During the early years of its development only girls were invited to membership, for some strange reason Putney utilized her position not only to extend the students mathematical education beyond the classroom, but also for character development For office in the club, Miss Putney sought not only the girl with executive ability but also the one who needed executive experience to develop er Many years ago Mrs. Berkowsky took over the club, developed it, and shaped it into the large efficient and enjoyable service organization that exists todly At present the society consists of 125 members. The meetings are held every Friday afternoon in room 114, from whence can be heard occasional laughter and applause for the educational and often humorous lectures delivered. In addition to attending the meetings the members offer their services as tutors for many of the bewildered and perplexed mathematics students of Erasmus Hall These last would no doubt have enjoyed one of the lectures delivered to the club last year entitled The Heck with Mathematics, by Mr. Salvadori of the mathematics department at Columbia University. Among the other activities of the club are the Held trips, which never seem to wind up in fields, but rather in places like the United Nations building or the Brooklyn Academy of Music. For XYZ, Erasmus Hall High Schoo1's Math Honor Society, long life and continuing success' A t 1 ii, .lic They Lead Arista

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e orphans party leaders' club Outstanding among the many extracurricular activities of Erasmus Hall, stands the Leaders' Club, which has for many years added to the riclmess and principles of our school. This club was introduced to our school in 1932 by Miss Anne lVlcClue, formerly of the Cirls' Health Education Department. lt falls right in line with good old Erasmus tradition because it was a first g in fact, it was the first club of its kind in New York City. It is the honor' society of the Girls' Health Education Department, with members recruited on the basis of character, leadership, ability, and prowess in athletics. There have been and are many copies of our Leaders' Club throughout New York's high schools, however, their members are usually selected by the teachers. At Erasmus, girls are voted into the Leaders' Club by its members, and are made to feel at home by its big sister-little sister system. The Leaders' Club is the only club in our school that abides by a strict, enforced honor code, of which it is justly proud. The girls in the club, aside from assisting the teachers by giving service and coaching various department activities, have a full program of worthwhile activities throughout the year. The first activity of the year is usually the Cake Sale. Cakes and cookies, which have been donated by the students of Erasmus Hall, are sold to raise money to finance a Christmas Party for orphans. When the jolly, festive holi- day season rolls around, one can find the girls, in Gym 349, gaily preparing for their party. For the past seven years, the club has played Santa Claus to one hundred and fifty orphans from Catholic, jewish, and Protestant orphanages. The children enjoy entertainment, feast on all the traditional yuletide refresh- ments, and receive surprise packages consisting of toys, candy, and fruit. Another worthy activity of the club is to provide entertainment for the aged, blind ladies at Anthonian Hall. The girls also hold a play day, to which they invite with them representatives from the various city high schools to compete in a variety of different and amusing games. There are refreshments and prizes for all. To climax the year's activities, the Junior members of the Leaders' Club hold a party for their Senior members. At this party, the Juniors enact songs and skits about each of the graduating members. Refreshments are served, and the Seniors receive stuffed animals as remembrances of the club. The Leaders' Club for the past few years has been under the very able leadership of Miss Rosemary Holran, who has helped to instill the Erasmus Hall spirit in the Leaders. As transmitters of some of the most worthwhile traditions of Erasmus, may the Leaders' Club long continue to be a stimulus for high ideals in school and later life. -B . J 3 '9 9 O 5 lfffff?