Oceanside High School - Spindrift Yearbook (Oceanside, NY)

Page 16 text:

ENGLISH Frances Weaver LcRoy Pearson Dorothy E. Doyle Lee O. Hench Charles Pieper Guiding us in the English department of our argosy are skilled pilots striving to bring us through devious channels into a sure working knowledge of our language and toward a keen interpretation of our heritage of literature. Opening our eyes to the beauties, the oddities, and the common sense of Americans, our teachers lead us to interpret the characteristics, motives, and moods of people in fiction and in life—the thought, the feeling, the thinking of America. We learn how to read, write and speak our language thoroughly so that we are well trained to take our place in our world and in our way—the American Way of Life. In speech we develop strong personalities and the power of clear logical thinking and expression. In journalism we develop skil1 in original writing and regular and efficient reading habits. In the various classes many activities highlighted the year. One of the features of English 8 this year was a unit of study of the literature of the countries of the world. The aim was to broaden our view of literature and to create an appreciation for other peoples and other lands. In English 7 we studied Macbeth , Merton of the Movies and dramatized four one act plays. Junior classes have placed particular emphasis on American literature. We have studied the poetry, the essay, and the drama of America. Through this study we believe we have come better to understand the soul and the heart of America, her ideals, her ambitions. We have been urged to develop the critical reading and listening habits, deemed necessary if we are to participate in the democratic idea of government as alert, thoughtful, discriminating citizens. In sophomore classes we have continued the review of basic skills necessary to secure accurate information and to interpret it correctly. Some of us did outstanding work in sentence analysis and construction and in character study in short story and novel. 10

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The guiding of the students of our argosy is in the capable hands of those persons best fitted to handle the tremendous task. This group is led by Mr. Mosback, our Captain, who has the task of setting down general rules of discipline and guidance, and handling all the major disciplinary cases. To frame a general code for all the guidance problems of the school, Mr. Mosback calls joint meetings of the senior and junior high school staffs. He contacts business establishments and schools to secure opportunities for the students of our argosy, and then leaves the actual arrangements to Miss Kinkade and Miss Campbell. Miss Kinkade is known to us all as the person we juniors and seniors consult about schedule changes, scholarships, and the pursuit of further education. Miss Campbell serves as liaison director between the junior high and the high school. It is she who aids the ninth grade students to choose their high school schedule, there- by saving a great deal of confusion for them during their f irst days in high school. Miss Pancoast is vocational placement guidance director of our school. Through her business education courses she places people in after school jobs, which often lead to work after graduation. Miss Lewis and Mr. Flynn as physical education directors are in an ideal position to aid Mrs. Smith in health guidance. Because they now handle all absentee excuses, they are enabled toact as a sifting agency for the health department, in that their files present as complete a picture of the students' health during the year. Mrs. Smith, as school nurse-teacher, has a great deal to do with the personal health of the students of our argosy. Miss Pearson, as assistant principal and adviser of student government, serves as a guide to our democratic principles, and is responsible for the guidance of students to the realization of democratic ideals. M. Louise Campbell Guidance Alice E. Kinkade Senior Guidance

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SOCIAL SCIENCE Roland W. Loveland Gertrude Gunther Alan I. Chase Fordyce C. Stone The prime purpose of the Social Studies department is to acquaint the students with the past and present history of the world, and the economic theories and practices that have so much to do with our Way of Life. The faculty members of this department are Mr. Alan I. Chase, American history, Miss Gertrude Gunther, modern European history and American history, Mr. Fordyce C. Stone, American history, economics and economic geography, and Mr. Roland Loveland, world history. History, now a compulsory three year course in our school, serves to give a thorough knowledge and an intelligent understanding of America's activities. It is not only the background of all the social studies, but for literature, fine arts and many others, as well. The courses now offered at Oceanside prepare us for the American Way of Life bygiving usa complete understanding of the problems of our country, and the world. Economics and economic geography stress the theories behind the happenings of today, and create a greater knowledge of the natural forces of our country. By stressing the products vitally necessary for defense, where grown, substitutes, and how dependent we are on them, and by clarifying issues of tax laws, money and bonds, to the students of these classes come toa truer realization of their responsibility in maintaining this American democracy. Highlighting the year were many features that made the work more interest ing. Movies of factory life were shown and the economic theories behind our current defense measures were checked, thus bringing thesubject nearer to the students. Comparing thecauses, thedefense activities, and the methods of the two World Wars proved of real interest and value. Students of the history classes participated in the American Legion Oratorical Contest on the subject of the Constitution. 11