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

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English Department Imparts Many Skills S|«»ch Clou m mhrn practice with the tape recorder. Knowledge and enjoyment are the gifts of the Commerce English Department to the stu- dent. for the department seeks to give skill in communication, ability to write and speak cor- rectly. cultural training, and an appreciation of the pleasures of reading. This year, the English department initiated a course for six weeks which trained incoming Freshmen how to study more efficiently and cor- rectly. Also used for the first time this year was the Tachisloscope. an instrument for improving reading speed and comprehension. In addition to the usual required courses. Commerce students have their choice of such courses as Journalism. Enjoyment Heading, and Speech. Special classes are also offered for those who are preparing for college. Social Studies Bring World Understanding W hat's going on in the world of politics and government, the forces that have shaped history, the in- fluence of the environment upon men — all these are understandable to students who take courses in the Commerce Social Studies Depart- ment. This year, for the first time, a course in Modern Problems was offered. The course deals with prac- tical. everyday situations met in family life and suggests methods of leading happier and more useful lives in the family group. Also in the curriculum are courses in World Geography. Modem His- tory. Economics. American History. Students in the department apply their knowledge in a practical way by attending meetings of the City Council and School Board, to see how the principles of government SJU U 7 civ i nut ruction on the importance of water transportation in the development ' . e of Citiee, in a World Geography class. operate in action. 19

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Tnuty and attract!ro arc th -»c ChrUtma» itoodic produced by glrla In the Food cln»». Home Economics: From Parisian Gowns to French Pastry Girls modeling copies of Paris gowns they’ve created for themselves; the fragrance of newly baked chocolate cake mingling with the cozy smell of fresh biscuits; a sweet young voice saying before a class. Thank you so much for calling; I'd enjoy going to your dance.” All these give some inkling of what goes on in Commerce's Home Economics department, with its emphasis on the good and the gracious life. In Foods, the students learn menu planning, budgeting, selecting good foods, proper serving, and delicious cookery. The Dressmaking girls select their own styles, sew their gowns, model them and give constructive criticism to one another. The Personality and Etiquette course is full of instruction in good manners and courteous behavior, from the proper way to make an introduction to how to conduct ones self at a party. Grooming, poise, and skill in the practical things of life—these are the gifts of the Home Economics department to the girls of the High School of Commerce. 18

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Theorems and Axioms Are Mathematician's Meat In the Mathematics Department of the High School of Commerce, students get careful and accurate training in Plane Geometry, and in Elementary and Ad- vanced Algebra. Preparing the Commerce pupils for college entrance, the department gives a thorough grounding in mathematical work required by higher institutions. The Geometry course offers basic theory in construction and analysis of plane figures, while in Algebra I. equa- tions. graphs, square root, and so forth are introduced. Algebra II includes more advanced work, such as quadratic equations, logarithms, binomial theorem, and the like. A geometry problem turn out well ut the blackboard. Language Students Develop Spanish, French Skills There are many Commerce students who could go abroad tomorrow to Marseilles or Barcelona, Paris or Madrid, and be perfectly at ease order- ing ham and eggs or thanking a host or giving directions to a taxi driver, for numerous Commercites have become proficient in Spanish and French in their study of these courses. Not only do they learn the languages, they also make a serious survey of the culture, history, and traditions of the countries where these two “romance” languages are spoken. 20