Brookline High School - Murivian Yearbook (Brookline, MA)

Page 28 text:

Mr. Kepner Miss McCabe Mr. Merrill Miss Taft Mr. Miller Miss Nichols Social Studies Department The Social Studies Department takes itself more seriously than any other department, and with justice. On it lies the arduous task of preparing four divisions of students for the History College Board, most dreaded of all exams. The fac- ulty is faced with a tremendous pile of learning to instil into the heads of the individual pupils and labors mightily to ac- complish that end. They provide themselves with the best materials possible, the foremost being a new type history text co-authored by Mr. Tyler Kepner, head of the department. This book, as most Seniors know, is two pounds worth of solid facts which is consumed in chunks nightly. The book is written in three sections and is the most comprehensive and compact book of its kind in general use. The College Board Senior History course is generally con- sidered one of the hardest in the School, and many people not planning to take Boards were submitted to its rigors needlessly. At a remarkable teacher-student conference called to discuss problems jointly the proposal was made which this year found effect in a new ' course for those going to college but not required to take Boards. Freed from the endless Board questions which are integral parts of the other course, more time can be given to background material and discussions of contemporary problems. Consid- erable w ' ork is done in the Library and panel discussions are frequent. This course is a big step forward towards that it ideal goal w ' here history and current events will be equally the subject for study and History becomes not a series of questions and answers but a veritable pageant of the past, i All this w ' ould lead us to believe that the Department’s nickname, the History Department , was correct. Far from it, however, for under this Department comes besides non- College, and College Board United States History and gov- ernment, — courses in Ancient and Modern European His- tory, civics, geography, and economic education. In this last held Brookline has scored another advancement. Brookline w as one of the first schools in the country to offer Economic Education. The continued success of this feature of the work is due in no small part to Mr. Roland Blanchard, who teaches this subject single-handed. The History faculty at Brookline is of exceptionally high caliber with a number of teachers holding advanced degrees and working for even higher distinctions. Saturnine Mr. Kepner, petite Miss Nichols, steady Miss Bliss, bland Mr. Miller are alw ' ays talking and working towards improving and amending the College History Courses, just as Mr. Wen- dell Smith, Mrs. Naysmith, Miss Wadsworth, Miss Taft, Mr. Merrill, Miss McCabe, and Mr. Totman continually strive to better their instruction. Miss Wadsworth Mr. Totman Mrs. Naysmith Mr. Smith Miss Bliss

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French Department During the several years since the now almost forgotten ? of 1936 in the old building, the French Department, al- nigh firmly united in spirit and purpose, has been physi- ly separated, occupying rooms in out-of-the-way nooks and Jinnies all over the school building. Now, however, the jrious parts of the department have emerged from hiding, I ited in a group, and are again forging ahead with true ench spirit as if there had been no change. Its new home the first floor space once occupied by the Mathematics De- rtment before moving into the new building. These rooms e among the school’s most modern, and in the new sur- undings a fine start is being made to a bigger and better ture. The French Department was probably hardest hit by the e, in that large quantities of valuable books, magazines, id bric-a-brac brought back from France were destroyed, owever, in Room 123 the pieces saved from the devastation the fire and water have been gathered together to make ifresh start toward a new French museum. Thrilling World ar posters once more adorn the walls; and the 1939 num- ;rs of various French periodicals furnish a reading library om which the student may learn much, not only of French, it of world affairs as seen through French eyes. Thus rapid S ' Ogress is being made toward creating in each pupil a sense international understanding and good will. French being the language of international diplomacy and uch of the world’s fine literature, as well as the native tongue of a large portion of the earth’s inhabitants, is nat- urally greatly in demand from both college-preparatory and non-college students. The courses range from two to four years, the latter fulfilling very advanced requirements. Brook- line French students have made an outstanding record in col- lege, those with only three years’ training often leading advanced classes and several going on to become teachers. In keeping with the law of supply and demand, this pop- ular subject boasts the largest personnel of any foreign lan- guage department in the school. It has nine faculty mem- bers: Miss Louise Gambrill, long-time head of the depart- ment; Miss Geneva Chamberlain; Mrs. Hilda Donahue De- Nood; Mr. Paul Mather; Miss Kathryn O’Brien; Miss Eliz- abeth Paine, who has not taught this year because of illness; Miss Marguerite Pfleghaar; and Miss Jane Ricker, who has been away on leave of absence. Close contact is kept with the two-year preliminary course offered in the grammar schools. Following the progressive practice, very prevalent among the various departments of Brookline High School, of stimu- lating interest in allied extra-curricular activities, the French Department maintains organizations which are able to sup- plement the class work by presenting additional material dealing with French life and customs that can be only briefly presented in class due to the very full programs for each year. This year all efforts in this direction have been con- concentrated only on Le Cercle Francais. I - (KM 1 u 1 L i SEATED: Mr. Mather, Miss O ' Brien, Miss Pfleghaar. STANDING: Miss Donahue, Mrs. Jacques, Miss Perrin, Miss Chamberlain. 17

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Science Department New discoveries in scientific fields, progress in all branches : scientific thought and advances in teaching scientific sub- cts are the main objects, attained day by day, of the Science epartment, one of the foremost in B. H. S. Under the adership of Mr. Leland G. Hollingworth eleven able teach- s contribute to the knowledge of any students who spend least three-quarters of an hour each day in the well- juipped Packard Laboratories. Of the department in gen- al it may well be said that eager teachers with good tools id equally eager students add up to scientific intelligence. The Science Department is located on the third floor of ie north wing of the high school. Here it is that the Pasteurs : tomorrow apply themselves to Physics, Chemistry, General aence and Biology for our Science Department does not nit itself to any single subject. This department prepares udents for college in each of its courses and helps them to ive a better understanding of the world of science about iem. Just recently two new classes for non-college students ere inaugurated clearly showing that education in the aence Department is well-balanced for all. These were iology and Chemistry classes designed for senior students terested. Here the practical applications of the two courses e taught by trips to scientific points of interest and by the resentation of the chemistry of foods, industries, chemistry, ?alth protection and conservation of our natural resources. Thus B. H. S. students get a chance for a complete study in scientific subjects of material benefit and use. Another phase of the Science Department’s varied life is the promotion of extra-curricular activities. Two clubs, the Camera and Science Clubs are under its auspices. Also, in reference to extra-curricular activities, everything taught in the Science Departments is practically a come on” for every type of hobby. Photography, Amateur Radio and Chemistry itself are perhaps the most worthwhile. In the classroom and out every type of work under the Science Department is car- ried out with remarkable exactness and dispatch. Other things put on by this vigorous department are cor- ridor exhibits on such subjects as fluorescence, engines, radio eyes, telegraphy and mounted animals. In this manner an interest in science is created in every B. H. S. student includ- ing those who don’t have any scientific subject on their cur- riculum. Anyone in the school with the least desire for scientific knowledge should not hesitate to elect one of the Science De- partment’s courses. There is practically a guarantee that any student” will be transformed into an erudite scholar able to lecture on electronics, scientific phenomena, every type of machine or the structure of insects. Mr. Beck Mr. Holland Mr. Webber Mr. Cooper Mr. Lowe 19