Weequahic High School - Legend Yearbook (Newark, NJ)

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 The Library: Established in September, 1933, our library has grown to 8,500 school owned volumes, plus about 1,000 public library books here on indefinite loan. In addition, wc have the tremendous resources of the Main Library available to us upon request through a weekly delivery to the school. Our library has been made the beneficiary of several gifts, most notably the memorial collection established by relatives and friends of the late Judge William M. Untermann. This fund has already purchased hundreds of books on American life and history. We have a mathematics collection in memory of Saul Seid and a science collection in memory of Mrs. Elsie S. Roux, both former teachers in our school. Our first principal, Mr. Max Herzberg, donated approximately 800 books; and Helen G. Stevenson, former head of the social studies department, gave us a collection of history textbooks. The Board of Education gives the library an annual appropriation of about $1.35 per pupil for the purchase of books and magazines. In addition, the library serves as a center for research and enrichment materials such as motion pictures, filmstrips, phonograph records, and tapes. The machines for using these materials are supplied by the library and manned by the student projection staff working under the librarians. Our very complete collections of college catalogues and vocational and professional literature in books, magazines, and clippings, is used by individual students for personal research. Close co-operation with the guidance department makes this collection especially valuable for interview and study purposes. 27

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26 Study: As the second bell rings, a small group of stragglers disperses, as each student dashes to his auditorium seat. The period starts, the laborious period of watching the clock tick on and on until, forty minutes later, the passing bell will ring again. Study. Some students use this time constructively for finishing homework, reading the N. Y. Times, or cramming for next period’s test. Others stare out the window into the courtyard or try to see their friends in near-by classrooms. The more courageous and agile souls grab surreptitious bites of the sandwiches they had brought for lunch. Friends, separated by rows of seats, communicate by passing secret notes. As the period nears its end, two people in the back start talking, then two in the front, and so on, until the room becomes filled with the conglomerate noise of a roomful of whispers.” In exasperated tones, the teachers uniformly worn everyone to be quiet. For those students who are bored with auditorium or room study, there is the dangerous cut” to be spent in the toilet, or the opportunity to spend the period in the library is provided. In filling out the little white library slip, the student takes upon himself the obligation to use both his time and the library facilities constructively. At times, however, even this alternative does not satisfy a student. For other possibilities, under Mr. Epstein’s new policy, Honor Society members may decide for themselves how they will spend this period: they may go to the labs, art rooms, or non-scheduled classes. During the senior year, most students flock to get appointments in the College Office.

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Foreign Language Department: The department of Foreign Languages plays a key role in the life of Weequahic High School. Over half of the student population is enrolled in at least one of the six languages taught; many students study more than one. The most popular language, French, is taught by Mesdames Glucksman ct Misurell, Mesdamoiselles Megaro et Griffin, et Messieurs Bauer, Gobeille, et Del Visco; Monsieur Morris Brenman is the chairman of the department and teaches the seventh and eighth terms of French. Extra-curricular activities stemming from the French language involve the French club, Le Cercle Francais, the French Conversation club and the French Affiliation club, I,'Affiliation du Lycee Mixte du Rainey. The work of this group is well-known to the student body, for this is the organization that was instrumental in arrang’ng the foreign exchange program which sent Susan Arons to LeRaincy, France and brought Alaine Jean-Marie Daniel Bourdeau de Fontenay here. The second language is Spanish, taught by Senora Birnbaum, Senoritas Patton y Griffin, y Senor Freidberg. Six semesters of work are offered in this language with the Spanish Honor Society offering membership to students who have achieved a certain level of success in that language. Honor courses in these two languages are offered for students who have excelled in their work, although the classes do not always achieve their goals. German is a language that appeals to those contemplating careers in science. It is taught by Frau Misurell and offers four