Mabel Dean Bacon Vocational High School - Torch Yearbook (New York, NY)

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.748 .!4l'll'leX Those of us who are fortunate enough to have been in Mabel Dean Bacon for all the four years of our high school course will never forget our first year at the Annex. During that year the Annex to us was iust the friendly place in which we spent our first high school days so happily. We gave little thought to those who spent many years there before us, but it is interesting to learn that the Annex was originally the Hebrew Technical School for Girls, established in l904. At that time, the city did not provide vocational high schools, so many of these schools were started by philanthropic people. In about 1932, when there was no longer any need for these private vocational schools, this school was sold to the Board of Education and became our Annex. The six story building now has seven academic classes and fourteen shop classes. On the sixth floor are the infirmary and medical rooms and on the fifth floor, the cafeteria. What memories of good things to eat come back to us! The fourth floor, or rather the gymnasium, brings fond recollections of the dances and tournaments. The library is on the main floor and what a charming place it is! As for the auditorium- need I say more about it than that we come back 'to it for our graduation exercises? Graduation brings us back to the present which in turn reminds us of the future-when we will undoubtedly think many times of our first year at Mabel Dean Bacon Annex. 8

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jlze .fgccwlemic elaarfmenf Although as a trade school we specialize in vocational training, the academic subiects have done much to make our graduates well-informed citizens and well-rounded personalities. The academic department has developed gradually. ln 1922, two hours of academic subiects were programmed for each girl in addition to her five hours of trade training daily. ln 1938, when Mrs. Cassidy became principal, the Dalton plan was dropped and Regents examinations introduced. Like other New York City vocational high schools, we now have a course of study that includes four years of English, three years of Social Studies and Health Education. ln History, we learn to understand the present in terms of the past. ln English, literature and good usage in speech and writing are stressed. We have remedial reading classes for those who need special help and honors classes for an enriched program. The present heads of the academic department are Miss Mary M. Bradley and Mrs. Ruth G. Minsky. At graduation, several awards are made to girls for distinguished academic work. The Carolyn H. Stern medal is given for the greatest progress in English, and the English Department medal is presented for the highest English average. The Social Studies cer- tificate is given tothe girl who has the highest average in Social Studies, while the Ameri- can History medal is given for the highest average in this subiect alone. The P.S.A.L. contributes a certificate through the Health Education department. There are also awards for character, athletic achievement, and good sportsmanship. We are as proud of our academic department as we are of the trade departments and grateful for the enrichment it has offered us! IO