Reading Memorial High School - Pioneer Yearbook (Reading, MA)

Page 14 text:

Faculty Seated: Clarissa B. Abbott, Ruth A. White, Jeannette T. Bell, Jane K. Cutcliffe, chairman; Ruth Conti. Standing: Elizabeth A. Dagdigian, Wendell W. Hodgkins, Leonard F. D ' Orlando, Harold E. Bond, Sally Stembridge. THE ENGLISH DEPARTMENT Each year the competent, hardworking English Department must teach a new group of freshmen how to use its native language effectively. The ever-increas¬ ing importance of high school English is met by a com¬ prehensive four-year program of grammar, literature, and composition. Freshmen and sophomores spend much time on grammar although they do read The Mer¬ chant of Venice, Julius Caesar, and The House of Seven Gables. Juniors advance to a broader study of literature, including Tale of Two Cities, Macbeth, and various essays which give the student a basis for his own writ¬ ing. Seniors find themselves overwhelmed wdth com¬ positions, outside reading, and a study of English litera¬ ture including Hamlet. This challenge is met, however, through the diligence of both students and teachers, and the resulting proficiency in English, which makes the graduating students ready for either college or business, proves that the time and effort is not wasted. Senior English students begin to understand Mrs. Cutcliffe’s rendi¬ tion of Hamlet. 10

Page 13 text:

Ralph Lawrence discusses after-gradua tion plans with Miss Hart. GUIDANCE DEPARTMENT Since the road across the plains of learning divides into many branching paths, and a decision must be made at every ford, the Guidance Department is essential to all students in their travels west toward the new lands of opportunity, achieve¬ ment, and responsibility. Attempting to solve the every-day problems of each indi¬ vidual pupil, the members of the Guidance Department at Reading Memorial High School are always willing to give help¬ ful advice concerning after-gradaution plans and to suggest pos¬ sible careers on the basis of the students’ vocational aptitudes and abilities. This active interest has made the department one of the most important in the school today. In addition to ad¬ vising pupils through personal interviews, the counselors, Mr. Karakashian, Miss Hart, and Mr. Pacino, also plan interesting and informative occupational conferences, administer various tests, supply material on available scholarships, and make up the schedule of classes for the entire school. Mr. Ara A. Karakashian Miss Helen M. Hart Mr. John B. Pacino 9

Page 15 text:

Seated: Elizabeth A. Dag- digian, Richard B. Ham, Helen M. Hart. Standing: Joseph Nisco, Arthur L. Spencer, chairman, Alex¬ ander Boch. FOREIGN LANGUAGE Reading Memorial High School’s extensive for¬ eign language program offers students the opportunity for studying as many as four years of Latin or French and three years of Spanish. The pupils who take these courses find that the rewards of being able to understand a new language are well worth the necessary work. Al¬ though the rules of grammar and pronunciation some¬ times seem monotonous and wearisome, students soon realize that a basic knowledge of such elementaries as conjugations, declensi ons, and vocabularies must be acquired before an interesting discussion of the litera¬ ture of a foreign country can begin. Through the study of this literature, students are able to learn much about the culture and philosophy of the people of the world, and they are able to discover the similarities of thought of all mankind despite the language barriers which sepa¬ rate individuals. The French three-four class with Mr. Ham works on translation. 11