New Trier Township High School - Echoes Yearbook (Winnetka, IL)

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MATHEMATICS SNYDER ASVCHENBACH CATON , gFuNKHloussR GADSKE Q-QALLIETA A GRATER 'Til -A Id, 1 . I 5 1. HARPER JONES KELSO V h SLEIGHT ww or f fy LAM. I .di ' SWAIN UDE WATERS WEINGARTNER - lNnuSmlAL The earliest history of the mathematics department mentions two part-time teach- ers Frank L. Smart, principal, and Miss Martha F. Eddy. In 1902 there were two full-time teachers. Now there are sixteen. Mr. George A. Harper was head of the mathematics department from 1906 until the present head, William A. Snyder, was appointed. Miss Maloney and Mr. Kahler formerly were full-time math teachers. Although two years of math were for- merly required, they are no longer pre- requisite for graduation. Most students take algebra and plane geometry their freshman and sophomore years, and a majority take intermediate algebra. These courses which used to be taught by ap- plications of the rules, are now taught by reasoning, rather than just following a formula which the student doesn't under- stand. Courses are also offered in solid geometry, trigonometry, and college alge- bra. Algebra III is restricted to students who made A's and B's in their first two years' work, and Algebra 3A and 3B are for those Whose grades were lower. General Math courses are designed for those who do not plan to continue schooling after graduation or for poorer students who de- sire a workable knowledge in Math. Pro- visions are made for progressing into the regular advanced courses where possible or desirable. The Special Math course is a summer school review for incoming freshmen, which also gives an introduc- tion to algebra and geometry. Slide Rule has also been added. With an outstand- ing teaching staff in this department, New Trier students are well prepared to con- tinue their studies in mathematics in col- lege. ARTS Among the first courses offered at New Trier were courses in woodshop, mechanical and freehand draw- ing. From 1901 until 1933 classes were held in the present boiler room. After moving into the new building the forging course was dropped and was replaced by Auto Shop in 1936. Aeronautics courses during the war prepared many for an aviation career. Mr. McKee became the head of the department this year. Courses are now offered in Drawing, Woods, Automotives, and Metals. All of them are very popular and are helpful in preparing pre-engineering and other students for future work, Page I7

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ENGLISH-SPEECH HUTCHENS CARPENTER COOK ENGLISH The first English teacher at New Trier was Miss Alice Burchard, whose distinguished career was from 1901 to her retirement in 1939. ln 1906 Francis I. Walker, the first head of the department, was employed. While he was here the publication of the New Trier News was begun. Mr. Walker retired in 1919 and was succeeded by the present incumbent, L. A. Hutchens. ln the early 1920's publication of a literary magazine was begun. In 1921 new elective courses in speech, debate, dra- matics, and news writing were added. English 4Av was started by Miss Stanwood and Mr. Peter- son. These classes read more classical literature than the other classes cover. Three years ago a senior English class in dramatics was inaugurated by Mr. Lehman and Miss Gahagan. Primarily it is a study of the theatre, rather than a course in acting. In 1946 Mr. Lightner and Mr. E. Kahler introduced the Great Books course, patterned after the adult discussion groups sponsored by the University of Chicago. As the first experi- ment of its kind ever conducted in an American high school, if has not only proved highly successful, but has also attracted wide attention. SPEECH AND DRAMATICS A Bonnet for my Wife was New Trier's first production, in 1903. By 1907, the Senior Play had become an annual affair. Later a Fall Play, a Frosh-Soph Play, and a Spring Play were added to the yearly calendar. 1914 saw the beginning of the Dramatic Club. Mr. Coburn, then a student, was a charter member of the organization which he now sponsors. Two outstandin plays, The American Way , given in 1941, and Dr. Smalll's Horizon Visible , given in 1944 with a cast of 206. Both were under the direction of Miss Elizabeth Stanwood, who was the Dramatic Club sponsor and department head from her arrival in 1918 to 1947. Public Speaking was first offered in 1920, and in 1937 courses in Voice and Diction and Verse Speaking were added. A new experiment this year was the beginning of the Little Theatre, which gave an evening of one-act plays followed by a discussion of the acting. In the past, New Trier has taught students like Ralph Bellamy and Charlton Heston, who are now on the professional stage. Might she not at present be teaching the speakers and entertainers of the future? l' A 3 AMRQIN CAVANKUGH GAHAGAN ' KRAL Page I6

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V SOCIIII STUDIES In the first twenty years of school history, a sound foundation in the Social Studies Department was laid by Dr. Burt F. Powell, Miss Mary Raymond, Frank O'Hara, Dr. Laura Ullrick, and Miss Ora B. Cole. During most of the period from 1904-48, Dr. Ullrick served as head of the department. A few years after 1934, Leslie L. Cooke gave the school a collection of pre-Columbian relics. The History Museum was created in a schoolroom to hold this collection. Dur- ing an eight year experiment, Dr. Ullrick worked hard in revising the curriculum. In 1901-2 the courses offered were Ancient History, Medieval History, Modern History, U.S. History, Civics and Econom- ics. At the present time, two years of Social Studies are needed to graduate, U.S. History and some other course. In 1915, the first new course, Latin American History, was added. Since then Sociology, Com- munity Civics, Geography, and Far Eastern History have been added. In the last twenty years, a Visual aids program has been developed to supplement collateral reading and text books. The department also offers the students many opportunities for outside activity in such things as mock conventions and mock elections. There are also panel discussions with other high schools, field work at the Northwestern University Settlement, and visits to township meetings. Besides oratorical and essay contests, each year the Simpson Award Discussion is held. During the year 1929-30, two exchange teachers came here from Englandf The latest development in the department is the addition of the English-Social Studies course, Mr. Shearer is the present head of the department. HOME ECONOMICS Home Economics was at first a part of the Art Department under Miss Grover. In 1917 it was organized as a separate department under Rue Van Horn. Mrs. Lighter followed her. It was first housed in the old building and had courses only in cooking and sewing, but as recognition by schools of the importance of a knowledge of home economics grew, the department was enlarged to include Consumer Education, Foods, Clothing, and Interior Decorating. In 1934 the department was moved to the fourth floor of the new building. The department today consists of a modern foods laboratory, several class- rooms, and a realistic modern apartment with a library, livingroom, and kitchen, Through this department the girls learn to become good house- wives and wise buyers. Page I8 SHEARER FLEMINSTON HENDERSON NAY WEHR LIGHTER cosunu icnncuerr -Husain g HLIRSfT 1 I .IQX MILLER. TATHAM WALTZ AWEILER BOND BORHEK