Brookline High School - Murivian Yearbook (Brookline, MA)

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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

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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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Miss Perkins Mr. Roman Miss Vanacore Miss Cooke Mr. Seamans Latin Department Veni, vidi, vici,” or I came, I saw, I conquered,” might well have been uttered by our Latin Department in a boisterous moment. Yearly this department aids students to enter college and successfully take the College Boards. Pre- paration in Caesar’s Gallic Wars, Cicero’s orations and Vir- gil ' s and Ovid’s works is offered. In the absence of Mr. Snow, Miss Jane Perkins runs this efficient department, aided by Mr. Benjamin Roman, Miss Caroline Cooke, Miss Con- getta Vanacore, Dr. Albert Shepard and Mr. Chester Sea- mans, a newcomer for 1939. Miss Perkins believes that a good Latin teacher is an English and Social Science teacher as well, and tries to make her aides and herself obey this precept, thus making Latin a more interesting and helpful course. The Latin Department has taken charge of one radio broadcast, as has every department, and put it over in fine style. Besides wishing to facilitate the students’ entrance into college, the department desires to circulate Roman and Greek culture among those students taking Latin. To this end there has been organized a Latin Life and Language class open to boys and girls who would not otherwise come into contact with the subject of Latin. Students in curricula other than the Latin may elect this interesting course. Last year there was one class organized and this year two more made up mainly of freshmen and sophomores. However, the subject is open to all desiring it. Thus an aid in English courses i; furnished for the asking to any and all B. H. S. students. The activities of the Latin Life and Language classes are varied projects which promote a cultural appreciation o: Latin. Indeed, a few of these may be, in the future, a par of every Latin class, college and secondary school. A stud on myths is included, and each pupil is required to make a notebook of pictures and facts on Roman life. Photographic slides are shown, and postcards and pictures are passed around whenever appropriate ones are to be had. Just re cently a kind of Information, Please” game has been startec with high marks as rewards. Each student was required to make a Christmas card with a Latin motto on it, and Latin mottoes about town are daily discussed and translated. In all, the Latin Life and Language classes afford a chance for a comprehensive, lucid insight on Roman and even Greek life and they enhance Latin as a subject greatly. For such occupations as nursing, which now requires two years of Latin, the Latin Life and Language course is ideal ; and for a general knowledge of Latin as an aid in English wore formation and comprehension it is of inestimable value It is a progressive course worthy of any time spent on it. So anyone in the high school who thirsts for knowledge of Latin other than that E pluribus unum means One from many” need not hesitate a moment in taking one o our Latin courses.