Doylestown High School - Torch Yearbook (Doylestown, PA)

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Homeroom Activities 'Via LUTHER BOYER Vins MARY Durr I Freshman Sponsors MR. RALPH MICliENER Miss KATHRYN MCFADDEN An Understanding of Self To supplement the Orientation Course required of all freshmen, the Freshman Homeroom Progranrincluded discussions on topics that help the student in his self adjustment and in his Social adj ustment. In the beginning ofthe year during the Orientation class period, discussions centered around curricular and extra-curriculor offerings ot the school, such as athletics, dramatics, music, clubs, and puhlications. To help students learn how to get along with each other in participating in these activities, the homeroom period was used every other week in discussing such subjects as How Can I Improve My Ability to Talk with Others, How Shall l Act at School Functionsf, Courtesy, How Should Boys and Girls Act Toward Each Other, How Can I Become a Good Leader, My Leisure Time Activities, and How Can I Increase My Self-confidence. For those interested in dramatics and music, opportunities were offered once a month, when freshman presented to the class in the auditorium some type ot' program requiring student talentfsuch as quiz programs, music programs, talent shows, and one act plays. To develop the spirit of fair play, games were held in the library each month for the students who did not care to dance. Dancing in the gym often took the form of a Paul Iones or other group dances,fall for the purpose of etting the students acquainted with each other, for the class was large, with sixty per cent ot the memhers coming from the outside districts. Dancing and card playing among Freshman activities. 47

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Sophomore Homeroom Activities Sponsors MR. FORREST Sowxzrzs NXRS, MARIKJN BRUNNER Miss IANE KOHLER Miss THELMA BREWER As Cthers Like You I To develop the social skills of the individual members of the sophomore Class, thru participa- tion in auditorium programs, group discussions, and informal parties in the gym, was the main purpose ofthe Sophomore Ilomeroom Program. For the discussion periods, which were held every other week, the class was divided into four groups of about forty members each. To motivate the study of social skills for these discussion periods, A Test on Social Usageu was administered at the beginning of the year. This was followed by a study of the bookg As Others Lilac You. At the end of the year a second test was given to see the development in these skills. Once a month the entire class met in the auditorium for a program, prepared and presented by the four different student groups. Their repertoire consisted of a talent showg short skits on the subjecteuln the Public Eyef' a play- A Day at Home, two one-act lays- Spring Dance and Paul Splits the Atomf' and such movies as Dinner Is Served, Sharm and Personality Plus Character and junior Promf, The monthly get-togethersu in the gym were spent in dancing and playing games, while in the library those who did not dance learned different card games. Sophomores enjoy enacting student-written plays. 46

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unior High Sponsors Mn. RAYMOND Wonocx Miss MARYETTA WATHEY Miss ADA MAE GRIFFITH MR. WILLIAM ZAHNISER The Junior Red Cross Program Once again the Iunior High llomeroom Activities consisted of a continuation ot' the Iunior Red Cross Program. To have a more complete understanding of what activities could be carried on by the junior group, Dr. Samuel Everett, chairman of the Southeastern Iunior Red Cross, spoke to the faculty sponsors, officers, and representatives from each of the four junior high homerooms. Motivated by this talk, the juniors plunged into numerous projects which included the making ofafghansg preparing of gift boxes, including health equip- ment, such as tooth brushes, tooth paste, wash clothes, soap, etc.g constructing of wooden toys, such as dart boards and checkerboardsg the stuffing of animals and dolls, the making of place mats for tra s, nut cups, and attractive napkins-are for tllie Iunior Red Cross which sent the articles to children overseas or to veterans' hospitals. When the projects were completed in early spring, the seventh grade homerooms began the study of International Relations through a discussion of different countries for which Red Cross films were used to motivate the thinking of the group. While this group was in the midst of interna- tional understanding, the eighth grade was envolved in discussions on the different courses of study ottered in the high school curriculum and the goal to which each of these led, followed by private interviews with Miss Griffith for those who needed special help in reaching a decision. The auditorium period once a month was used for student tal-ent shows, ranging from quiz programs to music renditions. The dancing and game period each month provided the group with practice in the skills which play such a large part later on in the social life of a high school student. juniors make toys and dress dolls for Ir. Red Cross. Homeroom Activities