High School of Commerce - Caduceus Yearbook (Springfield, MA)

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COSTUMING DEPARTMENT A second in the group, Miss Madsen of 224, who has been responsible for several very instructive assemblies, an- swered, emphatically, when questioned concerning Civics. It is vital that the voters of tomorrow know how to be real “Civics is one of the necessary subjects taught today. voters.” The last of this group, petite Miss Madeline Maurer, gave evidence of her pleasing personality as she spoke. “Yes, I belong to the Speakers’ Bureau. Miss Allen and I coached the Education Week and War Chest Speakers. I find that correct and logical organization and interpretation are most dificult for amateur speakers.” Just then the music ceased and Caduceus Reporter hurried forward to greet Doctor Viggiano. When asked whether he preferred the vocal or instrumental coaching, he explained, “T find enjoyment in all music, regardless of its category. Per- haps there’s a comparison between myself and the old country doctor who ‘treated all ills.” I teach all phases of music.” After this brief discussion, Doctor Viggiano nodded toward Miss Hunt of the Typewriting Department, who has “The Glee Club is coming along very nicely,” she replied when asked about assisted him this year with the Glee Club. her new duties. She then answered a question asked by many people. “The pupil who has some musical ability makes a better typist. instrument, he has learned to control his fingers.” If he has practiced on some type of musical Emerging from the Assembly Hall, Caduceus Reporter found her own adviser admiring the editors clustered around the Caduceus Bulletin Board. The Caduceus Staff often has wondered whether Miss Rankin prefers the yearbook ad- visership to any other extra-curricular activity. When ques- tioned, a grin of amusement encircled her face, “I'd not change; Caduceus stimulates my imagination, and brings me into closer contact with boys and girls.” [15] Just then appeared the Ca- duceus Senior Photograph Ad- viser. “Why am I always hap- py?” Mr. chuckled. “Tt’s just your luck that you've Clancey never seen me very angry. Across the hall in 104, three women conferred. Miss Flynn willingly explained her coun- seling service. “Counseling helps to make the pupil under- stand his own problems.” Gracious Miss Lynch, with that ever-present twinkle in her eye, said of her freshman coun- ciling, “A councilor has nothing to do with the discipline of stu- dents. We just aid them in choosing studies, and in straight- ening out problems.” Miss Jenks, who also was in 104, discussed the January Seniors as their class adviser. “I became better acquainted with students in my committees than with those in my classes. I wasn’t a teacher to them.” Trembling with excitement, Caduceus Reporter fled to 105 to transcribe her notes before completing the tour. A MODEL ACTRESS

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Onchestra On the first floor, Caduceus Reporter first visited a room filled with neatly made beds. Here sat Mrs. Chesson, school nurse, whose human lie detector has proved a source of great awe. When interviewed in ref- erence to this skill, Mrs. Ches- son carefully laced her fingers, and explained, “I really have no positive way of knowing when a person tells a lie, but usually I can tell by his expres- sion.” As Caduceus Reporter left 111, she passed Miss Lewis, Mathematics teacher. Referring to her part in the towel ticket sales, Miss Lewis stated, “I have excellent aid from Senior help- ers!” Miss Lewis also has been chairman for the welfare ap- propriations, the principal of which originally was raised by clubs, friends of the school, and by Mr. Ellis. A strange sight for a high school was viewed around the corner from 111: a room filled with toys, wee tables, and small people. This is the famous model Day Nursery. Recently Miss Tourtellotte, chairman of the Home Man- agement Department, voiced the keen interest which all the Home Economics teachers feel for the Day Nursery. “Our Seniors have helped since its opening. They aid with the children’s morning snack; they go to the Nursery for observa- tion visits in connection with their Child Guidance unit; and they tell stories to small groups of children in the Nursery.” Looking through the nursery door was Miss Blake- man, teacher of English. “Although the nursery has been in Commerce for quite a while,” she volunteered, “I am not very familiar with its functions. However, I have had amus- ing experiences with the children. One day a child, seeing me seated at my desk after school had been dismissed, walked up to me and asked, ‘Do you sleep here all night?’ ” Beyond the Nursery rooms, in 115, was diminutive Miss White, the dressmaking teacher who oversees our Cap and Gown problems. When asked whether she thought the mod- ern wife of tomorrow could get along without some knowl- edge of sewing, Miss White reflected, “She would be better dressed and cut her clothing costs in half if she knew how to sew well. Many Commerce girls gain sufficient skill to make garments with a professional air.” Twelve doors down the long corridor from 115, Miss Colby voiced her opinion as to our home room system. With a gracious smile, she said, “I think the three-year home room plan gives the teacher a much greater opportunity to know the students in his class, and to guide them accordingly.” [ 14.) BABY STARS, HOME ECONOMIC FAVORITES Our Commerce Early Bird presides next door, in 123. Miss Parker also smiled as she replied, “Right now I don't have any extra-curricular activities, but I teach a salesman- ship class before school; so I don’t really have too much time.” In that busy Patrol Room, 126, two advisers were disecting Joke-loving Mr. Melville, teacher of Modern Problems I, and adviser of the Patrols, the Personal Economics course. queried, “What is the practical application of economics today? We find economics applied in every field of human endeavor. Behind the war expenditures, the usual peace time applications are going on just the same.” “T, too, think the study of Economics is practical and useful,” agreed Mr. Leslie Shipway, adviser to the Boys’ Athletic Association. “Through a knowledge of this subject, students are better able to understand money problems; thus they will be better prepared for the future.” Beyond the Patrol Room, opposite the front entrance, stood Miss Connie Commerce, the popular manikin. Mainly re- sponsible for her launching were three modest Directors, Misses Bell, White, and Scott. As Caduceus Reporter ap- proached, Miss Scott was gazing, unseeing, at the attractive manikin. When asked the subject of her thoughts, she an- swered instantly, “My First Aid classes! It is surprising that even though it is an unprepared subject, those girls work very hard.” They were interrupted by the sound of music from the Assembly Hall, near which they were standing. Through the glass doors could be seen the directors of our many assemblies. Miss Allen, speech adviser, arose. as Caduceus Reporter approached. “Oh, yes, speaking ability is an asset to any person!” she stressed. ‘“‘One girl, outstanding in the National Forensic League Contest, obtained a position which required a clear voice and good enunciation. In many other cases, experience in speaking has aided our pupils in finding positions.”

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SECRETARIES TO PRODUCERS—Barbara Can- nedy, Jeannette Benoit, Elaine Deitz, Jeannette Pot- vin, Dorcas Cheeseman, RIGHT—T yping Script in 203. Leaving 105, Caduceus Reporter ran up a flight of stairs. In 203, she found four teachers comparing notes. most enthusiastic about my new role as adviser of the Ilcar- solles Club,” remarked petite Miss Clark, assistant adviser of the Freshman class. “I find the girls most cooperative; together we have made many plans to promote friendship beam and sociability among the girls.” “Do I hear from my former students?”’ Miss Davis looked up as she repeated the question. Just today I received five letters, most of them from boys in the service.” Ohs yes: Mrs. Moriarty, stenography teacher, laughed. “Getting the news early enough to give it publicity is the chief difficulty of my extra-curricular activity! Most of the time I don’t hear about events until they’re almost past history!” Last to voice her opinion was Miss Walker, who confessed, “T have far more trouble with the locker keys than with type- writer keys. Our students usually manage to lose an average of 400 keys each year.” Caduceus Reporter next advanced to 214B, where another informal STUDYING SCRIPT conference was in ses- sion. Miss Susan Dowd, teacher of clerical sub- jects, asserted in her quiet, assured voice, “By visiting active busi- offices, students may see the ofhce work as a whole unit, rather than as the separate operations of whi they have studied.” ness ch Since her departure in January, Miss Dowd has been sincerely missed. [16 ] ‘Most of the boys tell me how much their knowledge of Machine Cal- culation and Office Routine has benefited them. Many times this knowledge has led to promotions in the Army or Navy.” Miss Hillman also was ready to be interviewd. Caduceus Reporter then asked Mr. Macalpine, assistant Adviser of the January class, the value of good penmanship to bookkeepers. He replied, “Not all offices have bookkeeping machines; our students want to be prepared for every type of office!” His companion, kindly Mr. Masters, official job-getter for Commerce graduates, hesitated when asked how many pupils advised him how they were progressing after securing posi- tions. “I’m afraid that I hear from very few; some don’t even say, “Thank you.’ You wouldn’t believe that, would you?” A few more steps brought Caduceus Reporter before the glass doors of the library. Miss Libby, librarian, penmanship teacher, and sponsor of the War Stamps and Bonds Drive, disclosed, “Of course I think penmanship is a valuable busi- ness asset! Students will always need a good legible hand- writing.” Caduceus Reporter interrupted three history teachers who also were in the Library. When asked concerning the Parent Teachers’ Association, Miss Briggs, last year’s secretary, briefly explained, “The functions of our P. T. A. are the promotion of cooperation and understanding between the homes and school.” All those who knew Miss Briggs deeply regretted losing her from our faculty. Miss Phelps, teacher of history, eagerly said, “Being adviser of this June class is nothing but pleasure, because I love the pupils in Commerce.” Caduceus Reporter concluded her second floor interviews after seeing Mr. Taylor. “The most enjoyable phase of my Advisership of the Hi-Y Club is undoubtedly the presenting of drama in the assembly,” he stated. Once more Caduceus Reporter bid a gracious farewell be- fore soaring up the stairs to the third and last floor on her itinerary.