Main Avenue High School - El Sombrero Yearbook (San Antonio, TX)

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COOSWsW A 7 V- --Ay. OLGA VOGEL EMMA GUTZEIT EUZA8ETH MOREY MRS. J.W.NANCE MARY CLEARY Twenty-one

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 The History Department |HE History Department offers a variety of work. For Ihe lower grades we offer the beginnings of General History (History 1 and 2) or the History of England. For pupils who are exporting to attend High School only for a short time there is Civics. Then later on a pupil may elect the second part of General History (History 3 and 4) Economies or Advanced Civics. Toward the end of his course we are anxious to have each pupil take American History. With the exception of Economics, which is offered for the first time this term and for which we confidently expect credit, all the history courses offered have University credit, with the following limitations: Not less than it year’s work will he accepted in English History; History 1 may not be accepted without 2, or 3 without 4. In all, the History Department offers eleven High School credits, and five or five and one-half University units to the pupils. The aim of the Department is to assist the pupils in developing into good, intelligent citizens. We are not interested simply in cramming their heads with the names, dates and facts, though wo do want them to be able to recognize the great names and events of the past, but most of all we are anxious that they be able to discuss great issues and arrive at sensible conclusions; that they understand the foundations of the present day institutions and assign to them oneness with the people who strove and achieved in the past, and draw from them help and a better understanding of people and issues now. The work of the Department employs the full time of six teachers, most of them teaching six periods and with classes averaging over thirty pupils each. One peculiarity in the membership of the classes is the number of cases in which boys equal or out number the girls. The most serious drawback in our work is the inadequate supply of books. History to be vital and interesting must present different standpoints and much first hand material. At present we use the Carnegie Library and private soums to suplcment Library but we are all working in faith and hope toward a well equipped Main Avenue High School Library. Twenty

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 Foreign Language SPANISH DEPARTMENT At the head of the Spanish is Mrs. Carvajal. There are four teachers under her capable direction. At present there are six hundred and five pupils taking Spanish. Since Spanish is an elective course, it is easily seen that the need of Spanish is recognized by the pupils of Main High. Spanish should be a popular subject in San Antonio. Think of the Spanish traditions and the Spanish history with which it is associated. How often the Spanish language is heard in its streets and on its plazas. What golden opportunities are offered in this city, a center of Mexican trade, to those who know both Spanish and English. Considering the Spanish enrollment of this city, it is only surprising that every student doesn’t take advantage of the opportunity to learn this beautiful, as well as useful, language, a language spoken in more countries than any other language in the world; the language of Cervantes. A four year course is offered in this subject. By the time the course is completed a student should be able to read easily any Spanish that is not too idiomatic or difficult, to write with creditable ease and to make his wants known in any Spanish speaking country. In addition to the regular work, Spanish clubs offer an opportunity to the students to converse, to sing, to play games and to read interesting Spanish stories together. LATIN DEPARTMENT The renewed interest in the study of Latin, apparent throughout the country, is manifest in the present large enrollment in the I atin Department of the Main Avenue High School. Aside from its cultural worth. I atin has a place in the curriculum because of its practical value. By its greatest worth is in its effect upon our English language. When we consider that sixty percent of the words in the English language are derived from Latin we may readily understand the necessity of keeping alive the study of Latin. One of the most important reasons, therefore, why the study of Latin should be pursued is the bearing of that study upon the students command of his own mother tongue. Now there are over two hundred pupils enrolled in the Latin Department of this institution. Main is indeed fortunate in having two of the very best Latin instructors in the country. Miss Pearl West, the head of the Department, and Miss Gladys Morgan. FRENCH DEPARTMENT The late war has had an important effect on the use of French language in America; it has caused the introduction of a French Department in most of the High Schools. In our own we have an efficient and capable Department, managed by Miss Brunet. Our French Department, which will soon be affiliated with the Texas University, has classes in as high as their fifth semester now, and hopes to offer yet higher classes next year. The purpose of the Department is to give the pupils at least a reading knowledge of French. Some of the better pupils will also speak and understand it. All should be able to understand what phrases they may run across in their reading. French has always been the language of diplomacy and of polite society. Since the war it has become much more important and is now one of the most common languages in use. Twenty-two