Robert Louis Stevenson School - Circus Yearbook (New York, NY)

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eff mffaef Bower I sharpened my pencil and wandered into the Bio room. After all, it should be nice to have a jump on the gossip about the new science teacher. I sat down opposite Mr. Bower -- no he still wore his navy uniform flieutenantj. I wondered but then came down to earth. What school did you go to? and then what did you do? A B.S. at N. Y. U. and an M.A. at Columbia, then I worked for the U. S. Coast Geodetic Society in San Francisco and taught science on the West Coast. Finally, the navy - the Pacific fleet. Mr. Bower was on the carrier, the U.S.S. Independence in photo- graphic intelligence. Besides analyzing pictures, Mr Bower collected about 1,500. We saw some - they were fascinating. I was thinking After the navy, teaching must seem quiet and dull. But Mr. Bower assured me that he preferred teaching. Teaching is a challeng- ing occupationf' he said. People are interesting. Mr. Bower also has an orientation class - a pet project of his. In fact Mr. Bower said, Orientation is vital - everyone should take it. Through such a course the problems become crystallized and it helps people select an occupational field. It helps you to understand people too. ,. -V ,f ' .M ' f Shri? dJ7rougLfon Every Monday afternoon at Robert Louis Steven- son you have surely seen groups of staggering females shufliing up to the gym to trip the light fantastic fan' l do mean fantastic, with an occasional tripb. The reason for all this is our very attractive dance teacher, Miss Shirley Broughton. She is an Alumna of Bennington College in Ver- mont, where she finally decided to become a dancer. The necessary requirements for a dancer are rhythm and coordination but there must be that unde6nable something declares Miss Broughton. She has studied under the supervision of Honya Holm and Martha Graham. She likes the dance drama, which is the new type of theatre Martha Graham developed. She believes that modern dance offers the basis for a better vocabulary, better suited to express emotions than some of the, more classical forms of dance. If time would permit, I could go on because Shirley Broughton is a very interesting and wonder- ful dance teacher. There's just one thing we can't understand - why is she so forgetful - or is it just spring fever?

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ginihe gardier Madame Barbier, for a number of years has had charge of the French department in our school. Her taste, her thought, and even her manner of speech is reminiscent of her native land. When one says she is French, one does not imagine or picture any one specific characteristic. But France as a nation has always been distinguished, and its people have always carried that distinction into their Own way of life. As chairman of the Summer School City Wide French Committee, she prepared the syllabi and has been writing all the examinations. Madame Barbier is also founder of our French Magazine Un Petit Coin de France, which has been published annually for the past nine years. She is now completing a French text-book, that will be of great assistance to students preparing for college entrance examinations in French, especially for those carrying an accelerated program. Madame is also an accomplished pianist and she has sung professionally in Paris. One of her pleasur- able pastimes is the collection of antiques and news- paper clippings. As a teacher she brought France into the classroom. She is sincere and conscientious and whatever she undertakes she does with an energetic and complete wholeheartedness, such as war bond drives, and campaigns to provide food and clothing for war torn countries. w..i.fsmi, Somehow it would be very difficult to picture Stevenson without Miss Silsby. Not only has she been here a long time falmost nine yearsj but if any of the girls need anything or want to ask a question fno matter how trivial or great it may bel the first person they go to is Miss Silsby. This year the school has undergone a few minor revolutions C among them a new beautiful office for Doctor Rubinsteinj. One of the most important changes was the promotion of Miss Silsby to Assistant-Principal. It doesn't really change her duties too much fexcept that she has a very able new assistantj, but it is a rather nice title that she certainly deserves. Miss Silsby went to St. johnsburg Academy in Vermont - then to Wfellesley College where she majored in Biblical History and Spanish. She tried teaching awhile, but abhored it, then she studied secretarial work in Boston. Her jobs varied from a job in a California bank to a Secretarial job inChina! She spent a few wonderful years in China then came back to the United States via the Suez Canal and traveled through Italy and France. fSomeday she hopes to go back to China for a visitj. Another thing she'd like to do is take an airplane trip fnever been up in onej. Miss Silsby has always preferred working in schools and is very fond of Stevenson. Miss Silsby, we hope you'll remain here for a long, long time.

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ouia 6401605 Louis Chacos is our basketball coach. He speaks with a southern drawl, having been born in Rich- mond, Va. He majored in physical education at the University of Maryland. He gained a lot of his ex- perience in different high schools. The Army inter- rupted his career for two and a half years, but there too, he benefited by his experience. He was a part of the very vital reconditioning program. Recently discharged from the army, he is now working toward an M.A. degree at Columbia University. He intends to study administration, and physical education for two more years, eventually getting his Doctors' and then going on to be a college administrator. He believes that anyone who has gone through life without ever experiencing the pleasure deemed from physical activity, has not had a full, enjoyable life. By physical activity he means anything from football to dancing. Mr. Chacos has coached the girls this term, only in basketball. However, future plans for the club include golf and tennis instruction. Q0ur Mr. Chacos' athletic talents are variedj. The basketball club which meets every Monday afternoon is one of the most popular clubs in the school, and Lou Chacos, with his modest soft spoken manner, is really a favorite among the girls. if X gb-i ia Wx -I it vb. I 'O' AR i we 4' 5 7.2. min. 1' ,asf llI'gaI'0f jdffeff I don't know - I was supposed to interview Miss Levy at 3:00 Wednesday afternoon. Here it is 7:00 Wednesday evening and I've interviewed Miss Farrell - librarian and teacher of junior High School com- position. lt started in the Griddle. Miss Levy and I were thinking up what I should ask, when Miss Farrell swooped down upon us. Every question Miss Levy tried to answer -- Miss Farrell beat her to it. This went on for about an hour - so Miss Levy finally made a very sensible suggestion - why not interview Miss Farrell? O.K. - that's fine - so what happens? lfask Miss Farrell the whys and wherefores or her li e. On jazz - Miss Farrell is definitely a purist - Dixieland, Chicago and New Orleans - hesitates a bit over Bessie Smith and the best man on drums is Sid Catlett - Pinetop Smith's O.K. and Eddie Con- don's gang is tops - loves Bix Biederbecke's .Bottom Blues. l'm a believer in classical jazz - not swing. Miss Farrell has an amazing store of quotes - which she distorts to advantage. Freedom's a thing that has no ending It needs to be cared for lt needs defending It's a great long job for many hands Carrying freedom across the land and Miss Farrell added - across many lands.