Richford High School - Searchlight Yearbook (Richford, VT)

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3.2 R. H. S. SEARCHLIGHT The work of the first year covers the principles of general science and their ap- lication to agriculture practice. Agriculture 2 deals with various phases of agriculture in a general way. These two years are pre- paratory for the advanced work in agri- culture. Agriculture 3 is devoted to animal husbandry studies. This course includes a study of the types and breeds of domestic animals and the judging of different classes of live stock. The subject of feeds and feed- ing is emphasized. Much work is done in testing dairy products and cow-test work is carried out in some cases. Agriculture 4 is based on a study of farm crops and methods of production. Dur- ing the spring term, time is given to a con- sideration of soil management, the proper handling and use of fertilizers and systems of crop rotation. In Agriculture 5 and 6, and opportunity is given for further study on any particular topic which the student may select. Farm accounting, cow-test work, or farm manage- ment are the topics usually considered. These classes are elective in a double sense, for as the work is largely individual, only those students who in the opinion of the in.- structor are likely to profit from the class are encouraged to follow the course. In all classes field trips for first-hand study and practice in various phases of agri- cultural work figure largely. Such trips may take the class to an orchard for practice in spraying or grafting, or into the fields for astudy of soil types and observation of cultural methods. Frequent trips to inspect the various home projects give the student an opportunity to compare methods and help to stimulate interest in this part of the work. ' Home project work is encouraged through the entire course. This work is under supervision of the teacher of agricul- ture and gives the student an opportunity to apply the knowledge gained. For ex- ample, boys interested in poultry raising have had an opportunity to learn the man- agement of incubators at the school, where three different machines have been run through two hatches this spring. The chicks hatched give the boys a start in poultry raising. Accurate time and cost accounts on each project is insisted upon and results checked up at different intervals. Many of the boys have enrolled in the different branches of State Boys' and Girls' Club Work and are eligible to compete for prizes offered by the Vermont Bankers Association and other organizations. A school fair is held in the fall at the school building at which student is expected to exhibit some- thing produced in his project. Shop work is offered through the six years. The making of articles for use in the project work or for use on the home farm, and the repair of small tools and im- plements is the type of work encouraged. The shop work classes do much of the car- penter and repair work called for about the school building. Some of the work has been to finish off the gymnasium on the third floor, to build a thirty-foot partition through one of the main rooms and to paint the window sills throughout the building. A number of excellent articles of furniture have been made. Shop and agriculture classes have seeded and smoothed the lawn and planted shrubbery about the walks. The school is well equipped to carry on the work of this department. The science laboratory is available for much experi- mental work in connection with the agri- culture coursfs. A large hot bed construct- ed by the students is available for practice in the seedling plants. An opportunity for stock judging is afforded at many stock farms in the vicinity. A good set of carpen- ter's tools is available for the shop Work. The agricultural department, both in- structor and students is at the service of the farmers of the community. Students are en- couraged to bring to school samples of milk and cream for testing, seeds for seed-testing, soils for acidity tests or problems in balanc- ing rations, either from their home farm or for a neighbor. That the farmers appreciate his service is evidenced by the amount of such work being done.

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R. H. s. SEARCHLIGHT 31 Current Events Constant attention is given to present day happenings in state, nation and World. This is done through special classes held once a week in Classes 1 and 2 and in the regular history classes in the last four years. Latin The course in Latin follows quite close- ly the requirements laid down by the New England College Entrance Certificate board. The subject is begun in Class 3. The usual first-year Latin course is offered, cov- ering the fundamentals of Latin grammar, translation and compositfon. In Class 4, four books of Caesar or their equivalent are read and easy sentences based on the text are translated from English into Latin once a week. In Class 5, no less in. amount than six of Cicero's orations are read and composition is studied once a week. In Class 6, no less in amount than the first six books of Virgil's Aeneid are real. This amount is selected from the writings of Virgil and Ovid. F rencfi French may be commenced in Class 3. French 3 is the usual first-year course, including systematic drill in drammar, pro- nunciation, trans'ation and composition. The latter part of the year a book is read which deals with French life and customs and gives a glimpse of the charm of France. French 4 is open only to pupils who have completed French 3. The fundamentals of French grammer are completed, includ- ing an aim to develop the capacity to tran- slate from the foreign language into Eng- lish and vice-versa. A consistent amount of standard Fench literature is read, with some emphasis upon sight translation and also the ability to read with direct comprehen- sion tthat is, with translationl. The ele- mentary principles of phonetics will be used as an aid to correct pronunciation, in connection with the oral and aural methods and dictation will be emphasized. - French V is intended for those students who expect to continue French in college. The course will be shaped to be of the greatest help to such students. Physics The science laboratory is roomy and well-equipped. The purpose of the course is two fold: ill To prepare for college en- trance, but 123 primarily to stress the prac- tical side of the subject. Everyday life is full of physical phenomena. Every indus- rial pursuit from farming to watch-making, every household activity from sweeping to reading the electric meter is made easier and more effective by an understanding of the physical principles involved. A good Physics course makes life pleasanter be- cause it makes it better understood. Pupils are given the fullest possible opportunity to perform experiments per- sonally in the laboratory and to receive ex- planations about mechanical devices or happenings in the physical world. Chemistry This course is offered as an elective, open to students in Classes 5 and 6. As in Physics, the aim of the course is principally to acquaint the student with the applica- tion of Chemistry to the problems of everyday life. While, enough of the theory of the subpect is presented to meet college entrance requfrements, practical rather than theoretical work is emphasized. f Agriculture and Shop-Work ' The work in agriculture is designed to extend through the six-year course of junior- senior high school, being required of boys in Clasees 1 and 2 and elective for Classes 3, 4, 5 and 6. I i

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R. H. S. SEARCHLIGHT 35 Shorthand 1 fClass 53 This part of the shorthand course is in- tended to take the pupil through the prin- ciples of the system used, and far enough in dictation to enable him to write accur- ately in shorthand for ten minutes at the rate of 60 words per minute and to tran- scribe the notes in 60 minutes, either in long hand wth pen or on the typewriter. The chief emphasis is placed on the absolute mastery of the principles of the system. Shorthand 2 1Class 61 The elementary principles are reviewd and advanced reporting principles taught. Daily dictation is given to develop speed until the pupil can write accurately ordin- ary business and literary matter at the rate of 100 words per minute. At least the equi- valent of a full period each day is spent outside the class in the preparation of as- signed work and the transcription of short- hand notes on the typewriter. Typewriting 1 The aim of this course is to give the pupil a thorough knowledge of the machine, Hn-gering method, various kinds of work to be done on the typewriter and fit him gen- erally to transcribe his shorthand notes during the second year. Typewriting 2 The pupils transcribe their shorthand notes and devote some time to speed prac- tice. General office work is required of each pupil. Carbon work. legal forms, tabulating, invoicing, stencil work and card work receive special attention, Commercial English, Law and Geography fClass 61 This group of subjects forms the work of five periods a week for one school year, each subject being taught one-third of the year. fab Commercial English presupposes a thorough knowledge of grammer and is given in the last year of the commercial course when the pupil has had training in English Composition and Literature. The aim of the course is to enable the pupil to cultivate an easy, direct, effective style which can be used in the composition work peculiar to business. fbi The course in Commercial Law gives the pupil a sufficient knowledge of the elementary principles of business law to enable him frequently to avoid the necessity of calling upon a lawyer for advice and to know when the services of a competent lawyer are required. fel The object of commercial geography is to ac- quaint the student with the present indus- trial and trade conditions of the United States. MUSIC Morning exercises twice a week are de- voted to musical appreciation, listening to Victrola selections and to brief historical sketches of famous musicians and com- posers. The aim is to cultivate in the pupils an understanding of music, a love for it and an appreciation of good music rather than the trashy variety. Chorus singing once a week is open to all students who pass the vocal test. The school is divided into two choruses -junior and senior. Those who have the necessary talent may gain membership in the Glee Club or in the orchestra. Each of these or- ganizations has regular rehearsals, the aim of which is readiness to be called upon at any time to furnish music for school enter- tainments. School credit is given for all the activities mentioned ini this paragraph.