Brackenridge High School - La Retama Yearbook (San Antonio, TX)

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3 new languages, 2 histories invade Brack’s academic curriculum has also undergone change. This year three new languages and two histories were added. They are Hispanic-American and Negro history, French, German, and Latin. The main objective of the Hispanic-American history course, according to Mr. Gilberto Canales, instructor, is to provide Brack students a clear, concise, and comprehensive analysis of the historical approach. He said, “It should help the Spanish-speaking student to better understand himself and his heritage. Likewise, it will help all to appreciate the rich legacy which Texas and the Southwest have inherited from the Spanish.’’ During the development of these United States certain groups who came here have been excluded from full participation in the freedoms provided under the Constitution. Contributions by members of these groups to the development of America have not been fully understood or appreciated. One such group is the American Negro. Negro history, according to Mr. Winston Miles, instructor, has been set up to do three things. First, it is designed to enhance students’ knowledge of Negro contri- butions to the United States in order to lead to an understanding and appreciation of cultural differences. Second, it will encourage Negro students to appreciate each individual’s right to personal human dignity. Third, and most important, it is striving to get all Negro students to develop pride in their heritage and to value the heritages of others. Brack also has three new languages. The purpose of French is to give Brackites an opportunity to learn to speak French. It also gives the student a better understanding of English and Spanish, and it is also one of the necessary languages to enter many colleges. “In class,” Mr. Arthur Noack said, “students will have the opportunity to study German culture and view German works of art.” German is usually for students who desire knowledge of and who are interested in the scientific and mathematical fields. It is also for students who wish to know how the German people came to Texas and how they influenced the Texas community and helped make it what it is today. 12

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month in order to improve our experiences.” Dean Herndon: “We will be able to give teachers more attention. Eventually, it will expand offerings, I hope. Boys coming to my office for disciplinary matters should expect the same treatment as girls. We would like any student to feel free to come to us for advice. We want to get away from the idea that the dean’s office is a torture chamber.” Miss Chamberlain: “Counselors will have a narrower field in which to become expert. 1 will be dealing only with those students going on to college. Students who have similar interests and courses will have certain things in common. This will generate, 1 hope, a ‘team feeling.’ ” Miss Wiedcnfeld: “I think that when a student knows the teacher and counselor are interested in him, he will strive to do his best. Students will benefit from the reorganization by gaining more information at an earlier time so they will be better qualified to know what they want to do when they graduate.” Mrs. Fuller: “It will give the student a better opportunity to specialize in whatever he is interested in. Deans and counselors will be able to have close contact with teachers through visitations and evaluation. It is an experiment.”

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Brack curriculum Latin, taught by Mr. James Falbo, is another of the first-time languages offered at Brackenridge. The main objective of this course is to enhance students’ English vocabulary and broaden the students’ horizons of life. “Latin is a good language because it helps the student to better understand English,” said Mr. Falbo. ABOVE FAR LEFT: Mr. James Falbo (L) gives Jackie Parker correct pronunciation of Latin verb. ABOVE LEFT: Hispanic culture students Gloria Jaimez (L) and Maria Martinez tour Mission San Jose. ABOVE: Mr. Winston Miles, Negro history instructor, gives class nine branches of Swahili language. ABOVE RIGHT: Daniel Estrada (L) gets pronunciation correction from German instructor, Mr. Arthur Noack. RIGHT: Betty Pecina studies for French test. 13