Weston High School - Key Yearbook (Weston, MA)

Page 15 text:

The high scores of Veston High School seniors on the English sections of the Boston University battery and the Iowa tests indicate the high level of the English education of the school. The English Department di¬ rected by Mr. Paul Mitchell is comprised of instructors of state-wide renown. Mr. Mitchell himself is known for his ready wit, coupled with a sure and understand¬ ing handling of his students. He conducts English classes which arc the high points in his students’ days. Mr. Robert Lavellc and Miss Claire McDonough, who advise the newspaper, apply their skills in syntax and aj preciation of literature to the underclass groups; Mrs. Ruth Lenrow, with her southern accent, and Mr. John Zorn, who conducts an “English workshop,” complete the department. Mr. Mitchell, Boston University, is the highly esteemed Head of the English Department. and Extend Their Knowledge of Their Own Language Miss McDonough, Radcliffe, Mr. Lavelle, Montclair State Teachers’ College, and Mrs. Lenrow, Swarth- more, are caught in an informal pose at an English Department meeting. Ml ' . .urn. l ' ni fi ' sily of .New 11.impshiie. is shuvMi holdiiiii; one of Ids iidi ii jilii nes. The importance of speech is stressed in the high school more than it has been in past years. Speech .Arts is taught very thor¬ oughly by Mr. John Zorn, a good-natured man, well-known lor his enthusiasm lor his course. Students taking this course learn correct spr ' aking habits and be- conu ' moil ' at ea.se when sj eaking publicly. Remedial reading is a non- creilit course for improxing read¬ ing habits. Under the able guidance of business-like Miss Callahan, many readers ha e in¬ creased their reading speeds con¬ siderably. 11 Miss Call.ihan. Boston University, demonstrates the use of the read¬ ing .lei ' cleralor. 1

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A relatively new class at Veston, long sought after by the Student Council, Driver Education has in its two years eased the automobile insurance burdens of many Weston parents. The classes, administered by Mr. Leo Cronan, are of two varieties. The class as a whole at¬ tends lectures and films on proper road attitudes, safety, and the theory of proper driving; then, in groups of two or three, they go on the road to learn the actual art of motoring. These classes do not neglect lessons in the mechanics of automobiles and it is rarely that the Registry Inspector fails anyone, even for improper turn¬ ing on a hill. Through the personal contact he has with his students, Mr. Cronan displays the ability to be a fine “associate counselor.” His quiet, good-humored ways will long be remembered by us. Mr. Cronan, Notre Dame, is shown with Weston’s 1959 drivers’ education car. They Are Interested in the World and Its Problems .Mr. C iurninings, Harvard, Mrs. Lcnrow, Swarthmore, and Mr. Cronan, Notre Dame, stand in front of one of the many maj s used in illustrating social studies at Weston. Not shown is Mr. Killebrcw, Boston U nis ' crsity. Mr. .Smith. Brown Uniwrsity, Head of the Social Studies l)e])artment looks at one of the isual aids used in his classes. Social Studies at Weston High School is an extremely unified set of courses, beginning with studies of World Geography in the freshman year, and climaxed by an almost seminar-like class in Modern Problems in the senior year. Instruction in the geography course is handled by Mrs. Ruth Lenrow. In the sophomore year, Mr. Frederic Kille- brew’s wry humor and insight into political theory makes W orld History a pleasant course. The Junior Class studies American History under Mr. Norman Smith, whose pleas¬ ant nature is exemplified by the time he spends gi ing tutorial aid to his students after school. The leadershi]) of the Modern Problems cla.sses is the responsibility of Mr. Leo Cronan, Mr. Charles Cummings, and Mr. Norman Smith. This class is highlighted by fiery discussions and two thousand word j)apers. 10

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Business courses are offered for those who are interested in secretarial positions following high school. Mrs. Thelma Hoyle, a cool and reserved woman, diligently works to help her students improve their skills in typing and shorthand. A half-year typing course is designed for students wishing to learn the basic typing ; skills for use in personal work. Advanced typing and stenography courses are taught to future secretaries. Office practice gives |j valuable experience to the students in preparation for secre- tarial jobs. Mrs. Hoyle, Salem State Teachers College, explains the use of the dupli¬ cating equipment. While Being Introduced to Foreign Ones. The progressive outlook of language instruction at Weston High School is represented by such unique institutions as instruction in Russian and four years of French, both unusual in schools of Wes¬ ton’s size. The department leadership offered by Mrs. Theresa Zamprogno is greatly responsible for this. An energetic and much re¬ spected woman, the forceful and personal delivery of her subject, French, rank her high in student popularity. The other French teacher, Mrs. Venezia Mezzacappa, in her first year at Weston, has introduced remarkably analytical methods of language instruction. Latin, always a well-populated class, is taught by Mrs. Bucuvalas, a teacher with a delightful sense of humor and liv ' ely teaching meth¬ ods. Russian, a strange language to sophomores, juniors, and sen¬ iors studying it, is handled by Mr. Frederic Killebrew, a man with a subtle wit and an extremely “human” attitude. Mrs. Zamprogno, Boston University, rings the bell that has quieted many classes. Mrs. Bucuvalas, Middlebury College, indicates the correct use of Latin verbs. The smile of Mrs. Mezzacappa, Boston Uni ' ersity, gi cs some in¬ dication of her personality. Mr. Killebrew, Boston Uni er- sity, cx])lains the significance of certain Russian symbols.