Brookline High School - Murivian Yearbook (Brookline, MA)

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Miss Wood Spanish Department Though the beautiful country of Spain was torn this year by )u a devastating civil war, harmony reigned undisturbed in the e realm of the Brookline Spanish department. The true spirit of old Spain continues to permeate its work, which consists t) - not alone of teaching the Castilian tongue, but also of famili- arizing its students with the fundamentals of Spanish history and literature and of fostering a better understanding of the Spanish race. Classes followed with interest the progress of events in : the war-torn nation across the seas, with time being given • for instructive discussion on this topic. A more important s result of this current development was the turning of eyes I southward toward the Latin- American countries. Pupils showed a keen desire for knowledge concerning our Central and South American neighbors, which are fast becoming centers of Spanish culture. This is directly in line with the ( aims of the department, which tries to emphasize, even more than the grammar of the language, the art, music, customs and general life of these nations. Acknowledgment to Miss Lula Adams, head of the depart- ment until 1937, is ever present in the minds of those who work in this field. Thanks to her untiring efforts Brookline became one of the first high schools in Massachusetts to take deep interest in things Spanish. Since her retirement, Miss Rebekah Wood has headed the department in an equally able and competent fashion. Working with her are Miss Lenore Placido and Dr. Albert Shepard. Few courses give the student a wider background than those in Spanish. Throughout the entire course, from be- ginners to advanced, the works of many of the most famous Spanish authors are read and discussed, thus aiding the nov- ice to comprehend the style of the master. Through famili- arity with this foreign language, pupils are helped to under- stand the intricacies of English grammar and vocabulary and may better appreciate the literature and art of all lands. By their work with the history and geography of the Latin coun- tries they acquire a valuable supplement to work in social studies. The fire of two years back struck a heavy blow at the Spanish department. Much of value was lost, and the de- partment was forced to adjust itself in the rather inadequate quarters of the Manual Training Building. However, it has gradually gained or replaced most of its treasured possessions, aided greatly by the Pan-American Union in Washington, which has contributed posters, booklets, and pictures. This year, with the advent of the new building, the department has been located in the spacious and strikingly modern rooms of the central wing. The brightened atmosp here has given a new impetus for better work to teachers and students alike, and additional space is available for articles of interest. Lofty though the culture of Old Spain may be, it has certainly been done justice by its advocates at Brookline High. 21

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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.

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Miss Baths Miss Liden Mathematics Department The Mathematics department, under the direction of Mr. Ralph D. McLeary, who has come to this school rather recently, consists of eight teachers: Miss Madeline Anderson, Mr. Harold Bates, Miss Marion Bates, Miss Helen Collins, Mr. Harry Downes, Mr. Thomas Fitzgerald, Miss Anna R. Liden, and Miss Florence-Gertrude Perkins. Lender the direction of this experienced staff, a high standard of work is maintained, with much of the emphasis, however, on the accomplishments of each individual pupil. Progress in the Math, d epartment shows in a new system installed this year for the first time. The entire junior year is devoted to geometry where previously that subject was taught only half the year. However, on one day every week all year the time is spent on algebra to prepare the students for the College Board Examinations in June. The courses which are offered in the Mathematics depart- ment are: two years of algebra, a year of plane geometry, and a year of senior mathematics which includes work in solid geometry, trigonometry and elementary analysis. The department has been seeking to develop a program of activity that will prove beneficial to each individual pupil whether he is planning to take the College Board examina- tions in mathematics or not. This science of exact knowl- edge and precise thinking is of inestimable value to those who will end their formal education with their work here in this high school, for they will have acquired the habit of I thinking clearly and acting logically as well as correctly. Throughout the 1938-39 school year nearly a thousand I earnest pupils were engaged in the study of mathematics as a part of their preparation for entrance into various institu- 1 tions of higher learning. Linder the competent direction of the staff of the Mathematics department these pupils worked faithfully toward mastering the complexities of algebra, the concepts and reasoning of geometry, and the analytic tech- nique of trigonometry. One aim is to lead its students into paths of precise thinking, as it is very important that all should acquire the habit of clear thinking in these times of change and unrest. The study of the various forms of logic that are used in the establishment of mathematical principles and the requirement of rigid proof of each new truth that is accepted serve to give the pupil an appreciation of the neces- sity of clear thinking and careful reasoning. For one who plans to take an active part in the development of new struc- tures through the medium of specialized work in the appli- cation of scientific thought to industrial and economic life, the mastery of the wide fields of mathematics is a require- ment which cannot be waived. Applications of some branch of mathematics are found on all sides of us as we look about the universe and our own small world with its great engin- eering works. Miss Collins Mr. Fitzgerald Mr. Downes Mr. Bates Miss Anderson 22