Richburg Central School - Quill Yearbook (Richburg, NY)

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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]

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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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Freshman Class English English: The old oraer changeth, yielding to the new.” Since English is an uninterrupted study in a child's school life and should be cor- related with all other subjects in the curriculum, the 1934 syllabus provides a continuous program for junior and senior high and places emphasis on pupil differences, interests, and liabilities. Listed under requirements are composition, oral and written; reading of classical and modem litera- ture; study of periodicals; library instruction; all types of letter writing, and functional grammar. The subdivisions of these main heads are numer- ous and aim to teach the student to observe, reason, imagaine. investigate, unaerstand. and re- flect on the daily activities at home, in school, in the open, or on the street. Close observation and keen awareness of life, as it exists, is offered in the reading program as outlined. Well read persons do not hesitate to participate in public discussions nor to enter written contests for they have thoughts and the confidence of clear, courte- ous. and interesting expression. Advanced students have been given this op- portunity recently by preparing 1.500 words for publication in the local newspaper. These columns have created the need for a more extensive course, therefore journalism or news writing will be of- fered in September 1935. Not to make journalists of high school pupils but to teach the value of accurate record.ng of facts, development of thought concerning current problems, meeting the world in a business-like way. and the acceptance of criticism not always favorable, will be the aim. Grades Grade Fight: The eighth grade embodies a great transitional period in the school’s curriculum and is particularly fitted to meet the mental needs of the child as he builds for himself a background for his high school course. In addition to the regular grade subjects, fundamentals in science, algebra, and vocational guidance are presented. What can be of more importance to the ele mentary pupil than the latter, in planning for the specific course in high school, which is suit- able to meet individual needs—in school or in the world? -------- viic ocrcuwi graue is to shape the student's intelligence and char- acter into a workable pattern. This department must bridge the gap between the simplified work of the lower grades and the definite change in curriculum of the high school department, so that the student will gradually become acclimated to new- conditions and will thus proceed with more confidence. [ 17 ]