Lawrence High School - Lawrencian Yearbook (Cedarhurst, NY)

Page 16 text:

All students are required to take four years of English, the marshal informed you. Upon hearing that, you were most anxious to meet Mr. Davison, head of the ENGLISH DEPARTMENT. He briefly described the aims of his department by remarking, “The members of the faculty recognize that education is acquired through the medium of reading. It is, therefore, their aim that students learn to read with comprehension,, that they equip themselves with an adequate vocabulary to express themselves, and that they achieve an ability to write with clarity and simplicity.” Noting your interest, Mr. Davison continued, “Perhaps the most important aim is that students learn to enjov the reading of good books ami to regard them as old friends to he relied, upon in leisure t ine. ' From Miss Tefft, head of the SOCIAL STUDIES DEPARTMENT, you obtained a clearer idea of what vour studies w i r consist in the next four years. ENGLISH DEPT.. Standing: Mrs. Mildred Seaman. Nelle Kelley, Ellen Marie Jensen. Mildred Cleary. Seated: Mrs. Madeline Denton. Lyman Davison. Thomas Schwab. Mildred R. Davis. SOCIAL STUDIES DEPT.. Standing: Nicholas Farina, Walter Vanderbush, Edward Andrews, Sol Smith. Seated: Mrs. Mildred Beck. Dorothy Griffith, Elsie Tefft. Ethel Hobbs. She told you that the term social studies’ has replaced the term “history” because the scope of the department no longer is limited to historical facts alone. It is felt that in a democracy each individual should be afforded the opportunity to develop his innate capacities to the utmost as an intelligent, self-d irecting, ami contributing member of society This opportunity is provided through education. The Social Studies four-year program has been organized as the most direct approach. It offers the greatest opportunity for training children in those knowledges, skills, attitudes, and resulting behavior which are desirable for worthwhile living in a democratic society. In order that all the children of all the people shall have this training, the social studies courses have been compulsory in our high school. Miss Wood, head of the MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT told you it is possible to take four years of work in this field. Algebra would he your beginning subject and then on to Intermediate and Advanced Algebra, Plane and Solid Geometry, and Trigonometry- 12

Page 15 text:

answer your queries about DRAMATIC ART. “In Public Speaking,” she said, “we try to bring out tlie ‘shy violet' and have him develop a belief in himself. The student masters speech problems so that he may feel at ease at all times. The aim of the Drama as a study is to give full expression to one’s deepest self, and to achieve an appreciation of human desires and struggles.” As a freshman, FOREIGN LANGUAGES were somewhat of a novelty to you. In Lawrence High School we are fortunate in having a group of Foreign Language teachers who are well prepared to acquaint the students with the history and culture of the various countries as well as to help them acquire a speaking knowledge of the different languages. “Why should I study Spanish or French?” you wanted to know. Mr. MacDonald, head of this Department answered readily. “The training in foreign languages is of especial value because it gives an excellent cultural background in general. It has a direct effect upon our English vocabulary ami can he used to advantage in some of our classes. It gives us a basis for a better understanding of other nations which will he necessary after the War. Certainly in the present war the need for men and women who possess special training in foreign languages has been clearly demonstrated.” The sound of typewriters clicking merrily away caught your ear, and when you glanced into the room, you saw members of the BUSINESS DEPARTMENT at work. By means of appropriate curricula this division trains the student for office employment which follows immediately upon the completion of the high school course Adequate instruction is offered in shorthand, typing, hookkeeping, and business law. From Mrs. Jack, who heads this department, you learned that graduates are assured of success in the business world. The shortage of office workers brought about by the war has resulted in the employment of high school students for part time work after school hours. This year the department received a letter from the Peninsula National Bank of Cedarhurst which stated that it has been their policy to employ local people, especially graduates of Lawrence High School who were found to be well trained and efficient. LANGUAGE DEFT.: Mabel Leavitt, Sadie Posner. Bt SINESS DEPT.: Ernest Hirsch, Mrs. Katherine Cecil C. MacDonald, Ruth Abrams, Doris Benson. Jack. Kathryn Koerber. 11

Page 17 text:

“A good mathematical background, Miss Wood assured you, “is an asset to boys who are in the artillery, or studying radar or meteorology. Letters from graduates have proved this to he true. “We are living in a scientific age. Science does as much to control our life as any other field of knowledge. Educators feel that every person should know the fundamental principles of science.” This was the way in which the head of our SCIENCE DEPARTMENT, Mr. Aimer, opened his conversation with you. He proceeded to show' you around the Chemistry and Physics labs where students were busily performing various experiments. Mr. Aimer assured you that after your freshman yean of General Science you would he prepared to take General Biology,“Cbem Biry, and Physics in the next three years. Since the war thfr enrollment in these subjects has doubled. To girls en- SCIENCE DEPT. Sanding: Walter Aimer, Katherine VOCATIONAL DEPT. Hartigan, Luella Strauch, Farrell Berle. MATHE Standing: Erkliardt Berk. Frank Kriz. Frank Clarkson. MATICS DEPT. Seated: Florence Wood, James Sim- Seated: Edmund Kavanagh. George Keller, J. Louis monds, Mrs. Athena Lee. Fleming. tering the nursing profession Chemistry or General Biology is an essential course. On the way to VOCATIONAL SCHOOL, you and the marshal discussed the merits of Lawrence’s tiewrest department which observes its fourth year of existence. Before the inauguration of the Vocational school, many hoys left school at the age of sixteen, because there was little in the school curriculum to interest them. Mr. Keller, head of the school, showed you through the various shops. He explained that students have a chance to explore four different trades in the first two years, and then select any one trade in the remaining two years. This method enables them to secure knowledge of the fundamentals of a trade, and offers greater advantages in the location of a job. Back to Lawrence again for a quick glance into the gym. Since the war the need for physical fitness can’t he emphasized too strongly. Our DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION under the direction of Mr. Pierce 13