Hicksville High School - Comet Yearbook (Hicksville, NY)

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worlds of literature . . . Since English is the language spoken in the United States it is important for Americans to I have a thorough knowledge of it. That is why Hicksville High students must take four solid years of a course ambiguously titled “English.” But formal English is hardly taught at all (ex- cept in the ninth grade which dosen’t really count). Sophomores are assumed to have a thorough un- derstanding of English syntax, and the emphasis of the course shifts to literature and book report writing. Juniors take a whole year of American literature; seniors read English literature and conduct mock trials of the boys in Lord of the Flies. English isn’t as bad as it used to be. Almost all the textbooks are now paperbacks, which makes them easier to carry and easier to lose. [ Modem novels have been added to the curriculum so that students may have something to read | that isn’t completely foreign to them. Student participation in discussions that often have nothing to do with what the teacher has planned has become more important in classwork. In fact, just about the only part of the English courses that hasn’t changed is Shakespeare. English teachers are different too. Although they are committed to using the same old methods and materials, they are willing to admit that Dickens isn’t all good and comic books aren’t all bad. WHAT CAN WE SAY? . . . junior English without Mr. Szumigala just isn’t. Mrs. Caiola Home Economics Future Homemakers of America Mr. Crucilla Drama Speech National Thespian Society Mrs. Daley English Mr. Cohen Biology J.E.T.S. Mrs. Daly Health Service Squad Mrs. Corsun Spanish Mr. Danna English Mr. Criscolo Biology Mr. David English 22

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the world of business . . The fast movement of fingers over a typewriter and the language of shorthand may confound a visitor to the business classrooms, and often a business stu- dent. Many academic students think this clatter is all that business studies involve. However, students at Hicksville High may apply for a variety of courses in four basic curricula—secretarial, bookkeeping, retail- ing, and clerical—all of which are geared to assure the student of all the skills needed in the business world. The secretarial training program is composed of such courses as shorthand, transcription, secretarial prac- tice, and is aimed at helping the student gain employ- ment as- a secretary in such fields as fashion, social work, or finance. The bookkeeping and office practice programs prepare the student for a clerical position as a bookkeeper, filist. or typist. A student interested in working as a shop clerk, buyer, or manager chooses the retailing courses. In fact, the only things that aren’t taught are the social aspects of the business world: how to ask for a raise, how to avoid spending all your pay in office collections, or how to survive office parties. The Business Department is hoping to expand with thw addition of new machines for teaching. But even now its curricula assure the student of the skills needed in a commercial career. EXPLAINING THE PROCEDURE OF TABULATION ... Mr. Brown conveys to Pete Orton the simplicity of the typewriter. Mr. Battista Spanish Interact Club Mrs. Belt Business Mr. Benyei Mr. Bevan Department Head English English Mrs. Bowler English NOT PICTURED Miss Aal Physical Education Mr. Abt Music Mr. Burckley Department Head Biology Mrs. Bonanno Biology Lab Mr. Brown Business Mr. Burrelli English Chess Club Mr. Buttice Music 21

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Mr. Davidge Business Miss DeCarlo Mr. DiMichele Mr. Dockrell Business Industrial Arts Carpentry Mr. Earle Speech Consultant Miss Edsall English Mr. Ellsworth Mr. Ennis Mechanical Drawing Business NOT PICTURED Miss Cahn Business and foreign worlds , . • Almost every student in Hicksville High studies a foreign language, and several learn more than one. Consequently, the language department is one of the largest in the area. In Hicksville it is possible for a student to continue with one language from elementary school through his senior year. The language department of the high school offers six years of Spanish, five years of French, and four years each of German, Italian, and Latin. The advanced courses, those taken beyond the Re- gents exam, may lead to advanced placement in college. Hicksville High has many fine language teachers, each an excellent scholar in his field. In accordance with the modern trend toward the Audio-Lingual teaching method, in which fluency and comprehension are emphasized instead of reading and writing, many teachers now conduct their classes in their particular language, rather than in English. The language lab, where beginning students can receive aid in pronunciation and comprehension, is also being used more and more. The one exception to this is Latin, which students learn through Mr. Goldberg’s puns. All teachers, however, stress the culture of the countries in which the language is spoken. The Latin Quarter is decorated with maps, paintings, and Roman realia. A replica of the Brandenburg Gate adorns the rear wall of the German room. Spanish rooms are distinguished by prints of famous paintings and cities. The language clubs, each sponsored by a qualified teacher, increase the student's contact with his language by providing an opportunity to speak it and to experience its culture. FROM THE ’65 PLYMOUTH ... to the cubicle known as the language lab, Dr. Hirst was forever explaining the tools of learning. 23