Richburg Central School - Quill Yearbook (Richburg, NY)

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Girls’ Team Homemaking Ho me making: The study of Home Economics does not mean merely “cooking and sewing’’ as it did several years ago. for now students are trained to be real homemakers whose duties and responsibilities are innumerable. It is true, boys and girls acquire training and skill as they grow up in their homes, but this is not adequate. They need the benefit of scientific study as well as the social training of various homemaking activi- ties. Whether a person makes his home in one small room or in a house, he needs to think of homemaking as a profession. Any home, large or small, will be comfortable and happy depending upon the degree of ability which the individual possesses as a homemaker. In addition to the vocational courses. A. B. and D, a general survey course has been proposed for an appreciative background for ninth year students, although anyone in grades 9-12 may elect it. It will be offered on the basis of a single period a day for one unit of credit and will cover all phases of homemaking. The content of the vocational courses is: A—elementary foods and clothing, personal grooming, clothing selection and con- struction. meal planning, preparation ana serving, nutrition and marketing: B—the house, its sur- roundings. planning, decoration, furnishing and care; D.—family life, home management, home nursing, child care training. Latin: For many years Latin was the bas s of the high school curriculum. Modern educators, and Language however, do not consider it of great importance to all students, but for the pupil who plans to continue his education beyond the high school in the professions, it is a necessity. Other students will not find it a loss. Latin is the ancient language from which all modern Romance languages (namely: English. French. Spanish. Italian, and Portuguese) are de- rived Its study opens for the pupil a wealth of new possibilities in the English vocabulary. The ability to read Latin authors opens the aoor to a practically unsurpassed ancient culture, upon which our civilization is based. To know Latin and respect Roman advancement is to know English more completely and appreciate the cus- toms and ideals of our republic more fully. French: The American school child learns to consider France his friend from the time he begins to study American History. It is practical for him to learn the language of these friends, for French is spoken in as near places as Louisiana, and sections of Canada. It is also one of the two international languages—the other being English. New York State aims to give its French pupils skill in speaking and comprehension of French, as well as a reading and writing knowledge. Original composition (not translation) is not stressed until the third year, but first and second year classes get a little practice in this. Students occasionally dramatize short French sketches, usually originally prepared by them. [ 15]

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Orchestra Music Music: The function of music in the public schools is to produce a generation of people who can hear, enjoy, and make music in its proper proportion of Rhythm. Melody. Harmony. Ninety- nine out of a 100 hear it in the following propor- tions: RHYTHM. Melody, harmony. The first grade children are taught by rote, which procedure is followed through to the third grade where they begin to read music for them- selves. In the higher g.ades they learn the ele- mentary theory of music. At the same time a child may study any instrument through class lessons. As soon as they are sufficiently ad- vanced they are allowed to play in the orchestra or band. The orchestra in Richburg Central School has maae definite progress in its year and a half of training and was commended by Dr. Carter. State Supervisor of Music. The band which is composed mostly of begin- ners in the grades will be slower in development than the orchestra which is mainly high school students. The Glee Club is composed entirely of students frcm the eighth grade and high school, who study voice production, tone quality, and try to become better sight readers. Art Art: In all progressive schools, art is taking on a new significance, since it is no longer consid- ered an intruder on life, but a real part of every phase of school experience. It is a means of expressing individuality and initiative. In the grades, especially in the lower grades, children have much creativeness which when given direc- tion enables them to do some very interesting work in the field of art. This department does not aim to teach the child to ••draw but if a child has ability in that type of art. to give him an opportunity for develop- ment. The objective, however, is for a better appreciation of art in school life, home life, and civic life. To that end. color theory, balance, rhythm, and other art principles are taught. Har- mony of colors for clothing, furniture, and outdoor decorations, also how to improve the appearance of houses by correct balance of shrubbery and aecorations. are topics considered. Art has its place on every school program be- cause of its practical use. its ability to make one’s surroundings more beautiful, and the appreciation of the time required to accomplish any work worthwhile. [ 14 ]

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Sophomore ( lass Departmental Subjects Mathematics: At no other time in the history of American civilization did mathematics play as important a part in the lives of the average Am- erican citizen, as it does today. In line with this statement the mathematics department not only aims at a gencal working knowledge of number combinations, and mastery of the fundamental operations in arithmetic, algebra, and geometry, but aims at laying a foundation for independent personal student activity. Algebra and geometry more especially should teach exactness and can only be as successful as the student's personal interest and proper ap- plication makes it. Mathematics alone cannot make a genius, but it can show a student a way to clear thinking through self activity. Science: Biology is generally defined as the science of life. Living may be defined as the conscious self direction of this matter and avail- able energy we call bodies, persons, or souls. Chemistry is the study of composition of matter and Physics, the relation of matter to energy. Scientific study as is attempted in the high school aims not only at a general working know- ledge of heat, sound, mechanics, and composition of matter, toward a high correlation between matter with its relation to energy and its be- havior. as is illustrated by the microscope and test tube as well as human personal application. History: History may mean either the record of events, or the events themselves ana it may include everything that undergoes a change. To undeistand the age in which we live it is neces- sary to know of the customs and institutions of the past. The experiences of others teach moral lessons which act as guides to our own conduct. History is divided as follows: History A—or Ancient (a foundation for all other histories). History B—Modern European. His.ory C—American (taken only by seniors). Beg nning September 1935 every student must take a course in Economic Citizenship and Civics. Libraiy: Libraries are required in all schools of the state, and high schools having an enroll- ment of 50 or more must employ a trained librarian. There is no greater means of making class work interesting and vital than by having plenty of available material, especially in this day of project ana unit teaching. Pupils must be made acquainted with this material by suitable library instruction. The high school library contains about 1.500 volumes. This does not include the books in each of the grade libraries. Besides this collection the school is proud to own a 14th Edition of the Britannica. Richard’s Cyclopedia, a Compton's Encyclopedia and two sets of World Books. This year the library subscribed to 18 periodicals. The library is easily accessible from the Senior Study Hall and is open for use at any time under the guidance of assistants when the librarian has other classes. [ 16]