Downingtown High School - Our Year Cuckoo Yearbook (Downingtown, PA)

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PHYSICAL EDUCATION The aim of this department is to provide activities which aid the progress of the physical, intellectual, emotional, and social aspects of each student’s life. It furnishes activities to promote physical efficiency. It affords opportunities to develop leadership. loyalty, self-sacrifice, alertness—all qualities needed for social development. It teaches skills in recreation which will lead to a worthwhile use of leisure time. It helps produce health habits valuable both for today and for tomorrow'. ART In the Downingtown Senior High School program, art education is based on the relationship of the needs of youth as well as on the encouragement of the talented students to advance their knowledge of the widely diversified art fields. As the art program changes from a required subject to a more condensed program for those who show definite ability and skill, the art curriculum must also change to meet the needs of this special group. Therefore, the art curriculum is dedicated to the progressive advancement of the students’ skills and knowledge of art. It also encourages students to continue their training beyond high school and to become the artists of their generation. AGRICULTURE This department, the only vocational one in the high school, is designed to teach students of agriculture proficiency in farming. With the rapid change from agriculture in our area, the agriculture program is oriented to rural living which includes mechanics, and on-the-farm training. The student program is of a twelve month duration since the training on the farm takes place during the summer months. This is the only program in the high school which directly receives federal aid. 26

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 a ri r s ► ' J ■i HOME ECONOMICS The major purpose of homemakiog education is to help girls, boys, and adults contribute to better home and family living. The new Home Economics Department consists of a suite of three rooms—a family living center with a demonstration kitchen and two all-purpose rooms. The all-purpose rooms are designed to accommodate the six areas of the Home Economics Course: personal and community relationships, child care, housing, health, and safe living. Woven through the program are the qualities of good management and gracious living. MATHEMATICS As an art, mathematics is full of beauty and truth; as a science, it is practical and demonstrable. Through the study and application of its rich history, the philosophy of man is profoundly enriched. The objective of the Mathematics Department is to provoke the curiosity and imagination of students to form their own conclusions. SOCIAL SCIENCE This department consists of those courses which study the relationship of man to his environment and of man to his fellow men. Its four principal divisions are Geography, World Culture, American History, and Problems of Democracy. In geography classes the students learn the physical and economic background of all sections of the world which have in the past, and will in the future, affect their lives. In culture and history the students gain an understanding of their heritage. P.O.D. is designed to help the students understand the basic principles of democracy and the United States form of government.

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ENGLISH DEPARTMENT The primary aim of the English Department is to teach the students .to read, to write, and to speak English. It further attempts to train the students to read with accuracy, comprehension, and perception; to write clearly and effectively; to express verbally what is sensed; to analyze facts and to examine ideas critically; and to develop the precision and discernment needed to cope with all knowledge. DRIVER EDUCATION The Driver Education program has been organized to give the students the opportunity to learn self-guidance and selfprotection and to develop social consciousness and concern for the rights and safety of others. This type of learning is not an end in itself hut a means to that greater end—a good life. INDUSTRIAL ARTS DEPARTMENT This department consists of the following areas: Metalwork, Drafting, Graphic Arts, Woodwork, and Electronics. At the present time it has the most modem equipment and is set up to meet the requirements of all students, from those who are going directly into industry to those who are going either to technical school or to college. MUSIC DEPARTMENT Although all students will not be the most accomplished musicians in the world, they can gain much enjoyment in the field of music. The Music Department provides training for students in band, orchestra, and choral groups. This department also offers training for those who have musical talents which they wish to improve and at the same time teaches an appreciation of music. 27