Chelsea High School - Beacon Yearbook (Chelsea, MA)

Page 25 text:

Foreign Services had a one hundred per cent ' batting average in col¬ lege board papers. It- must at the same time make France, and French a living thing for we all know that with an allied victory, the prestige of the French nation must return. The benefits of Its study are almost multitudinous. It furnishes us with a big proportion of our English vocabulary-; it teaches accuracy of precision to an almost mathematical degree; its knowledge is neces¬ sary for architects, painters, artists, musicians, secre¬ taries. authors, and stylists. Furthermore, it is the language of culture and can boast of some of the greatest novels, paintings, musical compositions. The debt of the world to Madame Curie will last as long as the world endures. GERMAN DEPARTMENT In spite of the war, German is still one of our most important languages. Since most of the manuscripts and documents are written in this language, German ivnisi be taught in high school. Because of its necessity, iv will not be dropped from our curriculum. Miss Severance, who delights in studying the various Ger¬ man writers, teaches her students not only to under¬ stand the language, but also to enjoy it. She varies the program with studies of German poets, musicians, scienti sts and authors. We are sure that our German department will continue to exist as successfully as in previous years. HEBREW CLASSES The Hebrew department of the Chelsea Senior High School is progressing very nicely indeed. Due to Mr. Arthur O. Greenes excellent direction, the class turns out several pupils each year who have a real knowledge of the language. Chelsea High School has the unique distinction of being one of the few schools in the United States in which Hebrew is taught as an elective. The students sing songs, grapple with difficult verbs, and work on grammar. This group has done splendid work In the past, and we know it v ill continue to do so in the future, (Continued on Pane I 10) BRODBINE, A. CONNOLLY McKENNA BRODBINE. M. BURKE DEASY GREEN MITCHELL PIEROTT! SEVERANCE WALTON Now really boys! Your attention, please. Ail Gaul is divided IjJ J ' 1 i dm 4 , ' v '

Page 24 text:

ENGLISH Th o aims in the teaching of English remain much the same BURNETT COHEN KINTZ McCarthy STEWART BLIGH CARROLL COX KUHN RIGNEY during war and peace. Speaking, reading, writing and listening are no different in one period than they are in another, but the needs of a given period select new content and pack new meaning into old material. Fortunately we have avoided hastily conceived plans for substituting special courses and units on war aims that are likely to lead to confusion in teaching and be productive of little genuine value to students. However, we recognize that we have a specific contribution to make toward winning the war and insuring the victory of democratic ideals. Through reading and discussion we help young people to realize what the United States is fighting for by developing and understanding of democratic ideals and by stimulating devotion to them. The ideals include a respect for the dignity and worth of the individual and are concerned with the basic principles of the Bili of Rights. Because our battle for democratic principles is only a part of mankind ' s long struggle for freedom, we need to use materials which present that struggle in ail parts of the world as well as in our own. We are developing the skills essential to participation in demo¬ cratic life through classroom practice in group thinking and decision, through teaching the techniques of public and pane! discussion, through emphasis upon the need for precision and honesty in the use of larguage in reading and reporting ard in the expression of ideas in speech and writing. Also the teaching of English promotes national unity through the recognition of the contribution of diverse cultural groups to cur national culture and through emphasis of the contribu¬ tion America has made to each of them. The teaching of English in war time also concerns itself with the needs of the incividual for social and personal adjustment. It de¬ velops linguistic skills essential to the carrying ou of democratic principles of living. In he expressional phases of English, discussions of personal and social problems produced by the present war are encouraged and problems of mental hygiene kept constantly in mind. Among these is the personal adjustment of individual boys and girls to the tension in family life due to anxiety about the war. Attitudes of fortitude can be built up by reading and discussion and emotional preparation for the shocks of war may be promoted. FRENCH DEPARTMENT The French department has a gigantic task in this present war torn world. It must maintain its standard of scholarship, for it has Domestic and Parlez-vous Francais? . . . Neither can we.

Page 26 text:

STUDENT COUNCIL AND CLASS OFFICERS !n every well-organized corporation there are chosen individuals representative of the whole unit. Since our corporation is also systematized, we too, have de¬ vised a plan wherein coordination is successfully car¬ ried out. Our employees desirable of pleasure as well as business have selected two members, a boy and a girl, from each subordinate plant. And as in former years thc-lr trust has been put in very able hands. These council men determine the place, date, time and other necessary arrangements of the various social events sponsored throughout the working year. The council was lead by four class officers. As presi¬ dent there was popular Joseph Evans whose experience a ,; Junior President rendered him capable and trust¬ worthy. Handsome Joseph Van Handorf, who intends to enter the University of New Hampshire, won the coveted seat of Vice President while Eleanor Sis ' Finn, a graduate of Carter Junior High School, made a charming and efficient secretary. As for the finan¬ cial end, this was left in the creditable hands of George Bernstein. This council met in room 222 as often as necessary to carry out their plans. The Senior Prom was one of their first great under¬ takings and if this affair may be used as o criterion theirs will be and in fact was a successful year. All hough the choice of pictures and rings was de¬ cided directly by the entire Bea and Con Corpora tion, the next task, the selection of the senior play director was left lo the council ' s discretion. And wise they wore to choose Miss Bligh to direct it, for under her capable hands, our play has lived up to the high SENIOR EXECUTIVES Left to Right: Standing: George Bernstein, Treas¬ urer; Joseph Von Handorf, Vice-President; Joseph Ev¬ ans. President; Eleanor Finn, Secretary. standard set by former em¬ ployees. To complete the season the stu¬ dent council helped formulate plans for Class Day, an annual affair whore the employees be¬ come Kind for a Day. ' ' This af¬ fair was soon followed by the Senior Reception. Our governing system as ex¬ emplified by this council and ad¬ visors as well is proof that cooper¬ ation provides for success. SENIOR STUDENT COUNCIL First Row: left to right — M iry Murray. Mery Thorne, Mary L. Tully. t ' nnnnr Jenlinsi ,1 EJeen Lewis, Marjorie Corliss. Nathalie Chad os. Second Row. John Hendry. Andrew Loppas Ar.ita Saltzman, Gertrude Oians. Joseph Cronin. Geo roe Woinor. Third Row: Howard Shauder Lawrence Foldn ;i- WaHer Kovo o k Melvin Apolerren, George Ihihrjttu! ' - Frank Mond.v ' -c. Lawrence Ridgo. Page Twenty-two