Oceanside High School - Spindrift Yearbook (Oceanside, NY)

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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

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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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SCIENCE Kirke E. Davis Leon H. Sayre J. Howard Cooper John C. Martin INDUSTRIAL ARTS The Science department of Oceanside High School consists of Mr. Kirke E. Davis, who teaches chemistry and physics, and Mr. Leon Sayre, biology instructor. In the science laboratory on the third floor of 0.H.S., classes in instruction in chemistry and physics are held, and students spend two periods a week doing lab work. Thus, by experimenting individually with the principles of science, they learn the application of these principles and independence with the tools of science. In the Junior High School building is the science room of Mr. Sayre, where high school students study the fundamentals of biology, and prepare themselves for scientific professions. A special feature that was recently instigated by the science department is the Radio Communications course, which is designed to train radio technicians and operators. Until the recent ban on private radio stations, Mr. Davis and his students had a short-wave radio station which kept iu communication with otter high school stations . The Industrial Arts Shop of Oceanside High School plays an important part in the mental and physical development of the citizens of our argosy. Classes under the direct ion of Mr. J. Howard Cooper, Industrial Arts instructor, and Mr. John Martin, assistant instructor, have devoted much time to making splints for the Red Cross and are now engaged in making bedside tables to be used in Army, camp infirmaries, wherever the need is greatest. Lathes, drills and other machines are in constant motion, as O.H.S.'s Shop goes, all out for defense, and machine-minded Sailors prepare to make their contributions to the American Way of Life. A Junior Defense Training Course for Pench Machinists is now a part of the Shop's curriculum. Students taking this course and completing three hundred hours of intensified training are eligible for employment in large defense plants. Boys of all sizes and ages are being taught to use their hands and their minds to the greatest advantage of themselves and their country.