Leominster High School - Magnet Yearbook (Leominster, MA)

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ulum SOLID GEOMETRY A thorough knowledge of plane geometry is necessary for the mastering of solid geometry; for this subject, which is a must in the field of engineering, develops the ability to visualize, to use formulas, and to think in three dimensions. BUSINESS MATHEMATICS To aid in developing good citizenship through teaching the fundamental business which everyone should understand, to aid in discovering aptitudes and interests, to give general business information — these are the aims in the course in business mathe- matics which this school offers. FUNCTIONAL MATHEMATICS This type of mathematics is taken only by those students who are enrolled in our co-operative course. The aim here is to repair the students’ weaknesses in ele- mentary arithmetic, to teach speed and accuracy in the solving of problems, and to acquaint the students with the practical uses of tables and formulas. ALGEBRA The aims of Algebra I and II are divided into three classes: (1) practical —use of formulas and graphs, the ability to solve problems, the interpretation of statisti- cal data; (2) disciplinary—clear thinking and accuracy, analysis of situations, relations between values; (8) cultural—appreciation of mathematics, inter-dependence of arith- metic and science, and consistency of mathe- matics in daily affairs. TRIGONOMETRY This phase of arithmetic deals with the use of formulas, tables, graphs, and the workings of the slide rule. The subject is 11 necessary for people planning to enter into construction work, aviation, navigation, etc. SCIENCE DEPARTMENT The physics and chemistry courses give the students practice in applying the mathe- matics they have received in the College Preparatory Course in order that they may be admitted to and remain in the school of their choice. Practical physics and chemistry are designed for those pupils who do not desire college training but who wish to be aided in selecting some interesting form of work as a means of livelihood in our complicated industrial world. Science I, II, and III are designed to co-operate with the Saxon Trade School in enabling co-operative students to get as much information in biology and physics as can be fitted into the limited time when they are at our school. BOOKKEEPING I and II This course includes the study of transactions, drafts, statements, journals, classifications, promissory notes, and ac- counts. The objectives are divided into three groups: (1) To help develop imagination, vis- ion, and the ability to think and to analyze. (2) To inculeate a sense of responsi- ibility, dependability, and good work habits. (3) To keep a set of books in a business organization, whether an individual, partner- ship, or a corporation. TYPEWRITING J, II, and III This complete study of typing covers problems of personal typing, business letters, dictation, and straight book work. To

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INTRODUCTION The College Course at L. H. S. prepares the students for entrance to any of the major colleges by giving a well-balanced course of English, science, mathematics, language, social studies, and physical educa- tion. The Commercial Course offers pupils a chance to become secretaries or accountants. Their course consists of commercial studies and any of the electives which are offered. The Co-operative Curriculum develops the hand skills of the pupils. Members alternate their weeks between vocational school and high school and thus have a chance to participate in outside activities. The first honor roll requires three and one-half A’s: the second, three and one-half B’s, and the third, an average of three and one-half B’s. For his senior graduation, the pupil must have a total of one hundred twenty scholastic points. The major subjects are worth ten points while the electives vary according to their importance. ENGLISH DEPARTMENT The various divisions of the English Department attempt to develop in the students the ability to read understandingly, to communicate clearly, pleasantly, and forcefully, and to think intelligently and comprehensively. These factors are brought out by writing unified, coherent, forceful compositions; by reading the works of standard authors of the past and present; by the study and application of grammatical and rhetorical principles; by increasing the vocabulary; and by oral compositions and discussions. PUBLIC SPEAKING The Public Speaking Class enables the student to develop any special talent he 10 Gi 6 WY may have in the mest essential speaking skills. The assignments include student lectures, oral reading of prose and poetry, recitations, the production of several plays, and many special individual projects through- out the school year. FOREIGN LANGUAGE DEPARTMENT The Language Department aims to organise the work so as to prepare the students adequately for entrance to col- leges or scientific schools where standards are exacting. Two-year courses in German, Latin, Italian and a three-year course in French are offered. For the benefit of those students who are not going to college, sufficient material is offered to enable them to enter various professions, hold clerical positions, or to become translators. The department feels that there is no greater advancement made towards world peace than to learn to know various countries through talking and using their languages. PLANE GEOMETRY Plane Geometry is required in preparing for entrance to the majority of colleges because no other subject trains the mind so well in the habits of correct reasoning. The course alms to teach the students: (1) to investigate the facts before drawing con- clusions, (2) to discover relationships which may connect the facts, (3) to base each specific statement on a reliable general principle, (4) to predict the inevitable outcome of given data, and (5) to choose and apply the general rule pertaining to any particular case. This subject gives to the student basic training in systematic creative thinking that helps to get the maximum benefit from the study of other subjects. It also promotes the ability to recognize weak links in false reasoning and to arrive at sound judgments in the every-day world.

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stimulate interest, direct effort, and chal- lenge work habits, each student chooses his own goal and directs his practice to achieve that goal to the best of his ability. SHORTHAND I and II The aims of this course are to develop a skill in reading and writing shorthand, to improve speed in taking dictation, and to lay a foundation for accurate and rapid transcription on the typewriter. BUSINESS LAW Business law thoroughly prepares the student to conduct business dealings with an intelligent idea of his legal rights and limita- tions and to unde rstand legal information which will aid him in doing business. PRE-DRIVING COURSE This elective attempts to provide the students with a thorough knowledge of safety practices useful in the operating of a motor vehicle. The course is offered to the students in the hope that the accident rate among teen age drivers may be lessened. SOCIAL STUDIES The social studies enable the students to obtain a thorough knowledge of the world and its problems. Geography supplies a knowledge of physical forces, topography, climate, soil, bodies of water, and natural resources that influence our daily lives. Economics covers the broad subject of man’s wants, and it shows his efforts to secure the material things and services to satisfy them. ‘Topics connected with these factors are consumption, production, exchange, dis- tribution, and public finance. 12 Sociology deals with man’s efforts to adjust himself to his natural and artificial environment so that he may live harmon- iously with others in group life. Problems discussed in this course are the maladjust- ment of indivuduals to their environment, methods by which it may be corrected, and the way in which culture molds human nature. United States History is required by state law, as its purpose is to make better citizens by developing in the minds of the students an appreciation of their heritage. It also prepares them to avoid in the future the mistakes that have been made in the past. World History acquaints the students with the responsibilities that rest upon them, and equips them to become useful, more-informed citizens of the world. This subject deals with the story of the beginning of our civilization centuries ago, and the expansion of this life until it had reached most parts of the world as we know it today. The course was recently added to our curriculum as a substitute for Modern History so that the students would be thoroughly prepared for a similar course in college. PHYSICAL EDUCATION Girls Mrs. McKinnon, girls’ physical educa- tion instructor, teaches unit work in hockey, soccer, basketball, volleyball, softball, and body conditioning. After school, she offers tennis and skiing. During two periods each week, the girls meet in Room B to see films concerning personality and to study about health and safety. Boys Mr. Piceuci, in charge of the boys’ gym classes, offers a wide variety of touch foot- ball, basketball, softball, soccer, volley ball, occasional hikes, and body conditioning. In Room B, some work is done in the fields of first aid and covering of the rules of football, baseball, and basketball.