Binghamton North High School - Wampum Yearbook (Binghamton, NY)

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What Were Fzlglatin For American High School Typical of American Way of Life North High is a typical American high school. We, here at North, represent an individual community of about 1,500 people. We are a world within our walls! But we are a democratic world. We do not live under the rule of a dictator. To keep from this fate we live in an American manner. We fight to preserve this life. While, in a totalitarian country, the instructors are guided by a go Jernment agent, our teachers are free to teach in the manner they choose, the things found in a variety of books. In nations across the waters, the pupils listen to the Leader's version of their countryis history. Here we read impartial texts of our own coun- try's and other countries' history. Our parents can give us their versions of the past events. In a belligerent nation the views on even the oldest subjects are restrained by powerful troopers. At North the education is divided into eleven fields. All these divi- sions help to do their part in living the American Way. Perhaps the most evident field is the physical education group. In this department, students, both boys and girls, learn to work and play together-to win and lose, to accept adverse and favorable conditions. They are able to choose their own leaders and are enabled to work with as much freedom as possible. They learn to be-as Americans should be-tolerant of others. Physical education gives an opportunity for development of expression of personal powers of inspiration and for right action under stress of emotions. It builds up the student's capacity for accepting responsibility. The most apparent benefit of this course is the fact that it builds fine bodies and teaches all to give and take and to work hard if success is to be attained. It teaches them the competitive spirit-necessary in war. Another important phase of school life is the Commercial Depart- ment. This department enables a student to coordinate his mental and physical abilities to do the task as best he can-a quality which is needed by everyone in order to make his living in our democratic World. The fol- lowing attributes of American character: Industry, skill, and initiative, have long been goals of this department. In the Shorthand II and Secre- tarial Practice classes the participants are trained to step into positions immediately upon the completion of the course. Throughout these courses the students learn to be good citizens as well as to do their share in making America a better place in which to live. As an example of this, the stu- DSA 16

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Miss Grace Fox, Miss Lazetta Gehm and Mrs. Bessie Gordon had added to the piles of knitted wear go- ing to the troops. Miss Gehm and Mrs. Gordon also have had first aid in- struction with Miss Mary Gillespie. Miss Genevieve Heffron is one of the comparatively small group of feminine air raid wardens. She has had the first aid instruction and drill- ing necessary for the position. Mr. Marion Holmes is a member of the Civilian Police While Miss Elizabeth Kelly does stenographic Work in the Defense Office. Mr. Ernest Lalley is a Red Cross first aid instructor and life saver. Miss Virginia La Gier studies first aid while Miss Virginia Lane instructs a group of Girl Scouts in emergency treatment. Miss Helen Maloney has studied home nursing, Miss Ellen Mangan has had the primary and advanced first aid courses. Miss Ruth McCarriagher devotes much time to the sale of De- fense Stamps. Miss Irene Motyka, gym instruc- tor, teaches Physical Fitness classes, studies first aid and knits. Miss Dorothy Merrill and Miss Anita Nash are also engaged in knitting. Miss Gertrude O,C0nnor is an air raid warden, a course which Miss Mayadelaide Palmer is also taking. Miss O'Connor is also a member of the vital Telephone Committee. Mrs. Gladys Ordway includes first aid, knitting and physical fitness classes in her war jobs. Mrs. Helen Perkins combines knitting and first aid. Miss Leta Plunkett, girls' coun- selor, serves as registrar for the draft selectees as Well as general commis- sioner for the sale of Defense Stamps. Miss Plunkett's remaining time, which must be little, is spent in knit- ting. Miss Grace Pritchard, Miss Margaret Quinn, school nurse, and Mr. John Reutlinger are all engaged in first aid work, the last two as in- structors. Mr. Robert Redman has had the courses in first aid and drilling to qualify him for his job as an air raid Warden. Miss Kathleen Rieg has had several courses in first aid, sews for the Red Cross and assists in the sale of Defense Stamps. Mr. Donald Roehm is East Side Zone Chief in charge of Civilian De- fense and first aid in this section. He has instructed several classes in first aid. Mr. Boris Schneeberg is an Aux- iliary Fireman having had special training in the control of fires and incendiary bombs. He also has taken a defense course in radio work. Miss Genevieve Shattuck has had first aid, assisted with the War drive for the Red Cross and Works in the fContinued on page 933

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dents in the A classes have volun- tarily spent approximately 90 hours outside of school hours doing typing and other office work in Red Cross and CVD offices. Today the war has created a greater need for capable typists and secretarial Workers in ex- panding war industries, in Govern- ment offices and the armed forces. The Science Department con- tributes much to the American Way of life in times of peace or war. The scientists learn the prime necessity of order. Moreover, science gives to the world chemicals, metals, and machines, information needed about weather conditions, and the essential new materials such as Nylon, plastics, synthetic rubber, dyes, etc. Another important feature of science training is that it encourages the pupil to doubt a statement heard or seen until it is supported by proofg a good test for malicious propaganda. The Industrial Department is con- cerned chiefly With developing skills, both mental and physical that will contribute to making a living. The materials, processes and class pro- cedure of the department brings trainees face to face with concrete problems of increasing difliculty and importance. This provides an ideal learning situation in which the pupil may understand all the elements at hand before trying for the solution. Too often the reason for failure to