USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Norwood > Norwood annual report 1915-1922 > Part 121
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124
Repeated at 12.50 p. m. No afternoon session of primary grades.
Repeated at 7.00 p. m. No session of evening school.
219
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE
Norwood, like other growing communities, has ever before it a serious problem-that of being forward looking enough to provide adequate school facilities for the oncoming generation. Fearing the disfavor of the tax payers, it is usual for those who are charged with responsibility for the management of community affairs to wait until school rooms are already over-crowded before new buildings are asked for-the result being that the school equipment is from one to two years in arrears. Diffi- culties usually experienced have been much increased by the events and results of the War. During the period of great pressure for war essentials school building operations in progress were deferred; and as a result of war demands, and monetary disturbances, prices and wages were in- creased so that after the war ended, local communities were required to supply their building demands at a much higher cost.
Need for a Frank Statement of the School Situation
Two years ago the school committee prepared for the Finance Com- mission and for the Town Meeting a statement of school building de- ficiencics together with a general forecast of future needs in which it was estimated that it would require from $200,000 to $400,000, to bring the building equipment up to their present requirements-depending upon the standard adopted; and that, in addition, the Town must plan on adding from $40,000 to $60,000 a year to keep up with future needs- assuming the same rate of growth as had obtained during the last ten years. It was not urged that this be done all at once, due to financial conditions; but the School Committee assumed that it is its duty to keep the school situation before the community-leaving it to the citizens to decide how fast existing demands should be met.
In view of the then present business disturbances, the Finance Com- mission recommended that the Town spread its needed construction cost over a period of years-which suggestion was not opposed. On recom- mendation of the Finance Commission the Town provided the funds for finishing the High School in 1921, at a cost of $75,000 (only $65,000 of the original appropriation was uscd); and in 1922 provided funds for building an eight-room addition to the Balch School at a cost of $80,000. The first of these additions made possible the organization of the Junior High School; and the two additions together relieved the elementary
220
schools to such an extent that their present seating requirements have been met. But the High School building is overcrowded without any provision being made for the seventh grade-the 251 members of this class in Junior High being housed in the old Everett building and in the Guild School-besides which no provision has as yet been made for auditoria and gymnasia. These, together with other facilities, which present day group instruction demands, are still in arrears. And no plans have as yet been adopted for meeting the approaching Junior High School need for more seats due to the increasing numbers pressing upon upper grade facilities from below.
It seems to the School Committee that the citizens should have the present situation placed before them quite frankly-which is the reason for going into greater detail than has been usual in presenting its annual report.
The Growth in School Population Over a Period of Ten Years
In order that citizens may see the situation presented by the Town's growth so far as this relates to school demands, the following tabulation has been prepared-giving the average membership of the schools over a period of ten years:
Table I. Showing Average School Membership for Ten Years
School Year
Average Membership
Increase each year
Increases before, after and during the war 3 Years
Average
1912-1913
1707
93
1913-1914
1839
132
1914-1915
1990
151
390
130
1915-1916
2097
107
1916-1917
2163
66
1917-1918
2250
87
232
773
1918-1919
2329
79
1919-1920
2461
132
1920-1921
2629
168
1921-1922
2681
52*
As at December 1, 1922
2863
182
482
160%
Estimate for December
1, 1923
3024
* Entrance age raised.
Losses Between Grades
One of the factors in computing probable future needs is an estimate of losses between grades. The best data at hand are found in comparison of the number in a designated grade as of December 1, 1922, with the num- ber on the same date in the preceding grade of the year before:
221
Table II. Showing Losses in Going from Grade to Grade
Membership Dec. 1
Grade
1921
1922
Losses Between Grades
Remarks
Senior High
283
307
57
12
67*
91
11
11
102*
87
27
10
114
129
19
Junior High
579
628
71
9
148
158
33
8
191
219
21
7
240
251
17
Elementary
1826
1902
23
6
268
293
(¥7)
5
286
298
(¥3)
4
295
321
13
3
334
337
14
2
351
286 t
6
1
292 +
367
* Small numbers prob- ably due to withdrawals for war industries during years '16 to '18. See these years in table above.
Increases.
t Membership reduced by increasing entrance age requirement.
From the foregoing it appears that the succeeding classes are not much diminished during the first six years-the difference between the first and the sixth grade being chiefly due to progressive increases in population. For example, the losses in numbers of succeeding classes in grades one to six, for the year 1922, was only 23 (net); while the difference between the membership of grade one and the membership of grade six was 74. A larger loss occurs in the next 3 years, more than half of which occurs on passing the compulsory school age limit. Here the same observation is to be made: while the loss in going from class to class is about 60, the difference between the membership of the seventh and ninth grade is about 100-evidently reflecting population increases. But in grades 10 to 12 the order is reversed. While there is a decrease of 57, going , from grade to grade, the difference in membership between grades 10 and 12 in 1922 is only 38. This reversing of the order seemingly is due to a certain proportion of those who withdrew in 1916-18 for war industries returning to high school, thereby swelling the higher classes above what they would have been if there had been no such unusual condition.
222
Probable Future School Building Requirements
The tabulation in the report of the Superintendent comparing 1922 with 1921 school-membership shows a gain in total enrollment of 144, notwithstanding the fact that the present second grade is small because the entrance age was raised a year ago this last Fall. The average for the last three years, making allowance for increasing age re- quirement, is 160, as shown by Table I., above. Assuming that this three-year average were maintained, it would require four or five addi- tional rooms each year to house them. This calculation is premised on the present school population being already cared for, which is the fact in the first six grades. But it is not true of the Junior High. We find a loss between grades 9 and 10 last year of approximately 15%. On the same basis we may figure a net gain next year (allowing for 7 or 8 from outside the system) of about 50, and for the years following, as shown below:
Estimated Senior High School enrollment for next year, 1923. 355
Estimated Senior High School enrollment for 1924. 460
Estimated Senior High School enrollment for 1925 (3 years hence) 550
It therefore appears that inside of three or four years the present High School normal capacity will be entirely needed for the Senior High students. As the building now stands there are 16 rooms equipped as home-rooms with an average capacity of 40 per room. For recitation purpose, due to the elective system, an average of only about 30 seats per room can be used, the actual classes running from 20 to 40-the present average even in crowded conditions being 31. Therefore with the present average these 16 rooms would accommodate only 496 for recitation purposes. At present 686 students are being housed in the High School building-to do which it is necessary to use the sewing room, the lecture room, the library and the drawing room for class and study purposes. All together the spaces used for classes at present are equal to 22 standard rooms. So that it is evident that the Senior High demands will soon crowd the present facilities even to the point of crippling the plant.
The present membership of grades 4, 5, and 6 (which will be in Junior High three years from now) is'912. The losses in passing from grade to grade over this period as shown above, on basis of 1921 and 1922 ex- perience, would be only 3. But assuming this to be small a conservative estimate of the Junior High enrollment three years from now would be not far from 900. While the next three years would bring it up close to 1,000. For several reasons a much larger percentage of pupils are staying more years in the secondary school grades than formerly. This means more congestion in the upper half of the system than formerly, and during the next two years this will be very rapid because of the unusually small num- ber now in grades 11 and 12. This brings us to the present high school building situation.
223
High School Building Situation
In the light of these outstanding facts it becomes imperative that we carefully consider the question of providing adequate housing facilities for the Senior and Junior High Schools, either: (1) by building a Junior High addition at the rear to the present Senior-Junior High School build- ing where added space will soon be needed for Senior High extension; or (2) by building a separate Junior High plant, centrally located on a plot of several acres. The seriousness of this problem led to a request of the Superintendent for an expert opinion, who in this interest enlisted the services of the State Supervisor of Secondary Schools, Mr. Clarence D. Kingsley.
Opinion of State Supervisor of Secondary Schools
Mr. Kingsley visited the schools of Norwood, and went over the ground and equipment with our own Superintendent to whom he submitted the following opinion:
November 14, 1922.
Mr. H. H. Howes,
Superintendent of Schools,
Norwood, Mass.
My dear Mr. Howes:
In accordance with your request I visited Norwood last Thursday, and am writing you the results of my study of the problem which you sub- mitted to me.
You asked my advice as to whether it would be desirable to enlarge the present high school building so as to accommodate the pupils of both the junior and senior high school in a single building, or to build a separate junior high school.
My study of the problem leads me to the conclusion that the enlarge- ment of the present high school building is the more economical plan and would at the same time provide the best educational opportunities for the children. The reasons for my conclusion, are as follows:
The high school building was designed in such a way as to make the enlargement of the building feasible and practicable. An addition con- sisting of 27 to 30 rooms, most of which would be classrooms, would make it possible for the pupils in grades 7, 8, and 9 to use such of the equipment as they need in the senior high school without the necessity of duplication of much equipment. At the present time the 7th grade children are housed in an old building utterly lacking in modern facilities, badly lighted, and not at all suitable. The education of these children is greatly handi- capped at the present time. The addition of these classrooms is needed also to relieve the overcrowding which I understand now exists in the high school and to provide for the growth of the next few years.
The next step, as I see it, would be to place at the rear of the present building and connected with this addition, a double gymnasium, one part of which would provide for boys' classes and the other for girls' classes
224
in physical training. This double gymnasium should provide lockers, dressing rooms, and shower rooms for boys and for girls. The double gymnasium should be so arranged as to provide ample space for spectators at matched games. By a device, such as bleechers that could be lowered, it would be possible for this double gymnasium also to provide for an assembly for the students.
The third step in the enlargement of the plant, in my estimation, should consist of the building of an auditorium in the front of the building, with a large and commodious lunchroom on the ground floor under the audi- torium.
By enlarging the present plan to accommodate the junior high school pupils instead of building a separate junior high school, the following advantages will be derived:
1. The splendid boys' shops now in the building can be used by both junior and senior high school students. These shops are even of greater value for the junior high school boys than for the senior high school boys.
2. The commercial rooms could be used by both groups of students. They will be used mainly by the senior high school pupils, but some use of such rooms is essential to the junior high school also.
3. The drawing department may serve the pupils in both schools.
4. The home economics rooms may be used by both schools and would be used by the junior high school even more than by the senior high.
5. A library under a well-trained librarian is essential to modern junior and senior high schools. The full time of one librarian is of much greater value than would be the half-time service of two librarians, and one library would not involve the duplication of books necessary in the establishment of two libraries.
. 6. A double gymnasium, onc part for boys, and the other for girls, both available for part of the time for each school, is of greater value than two single gymnasiums in separate buildings for many reasons.
7. An assembly hall when added could serve both schools at different times.
8. The lunch rooms similarly could serve both schools at different times as it would not be necessary for the junior and senior high school pupils to have their lunch at the same time.
9.' A general office with two private officcs-one for the principal of the junior high, and the other for the principal of the senior high-could be administered more effectively than two separate offices.
Another important reason why it is advantageous to have the junior and senior high schools in the same building is that students frequently finish part of the junior high school work without finishing the rest of it and they are able then to take part of their work in the junior high school and part in the senior high school.
Of course the presence of the two schools in the single building pro- motes conferences on the part of junior and senior high school teachers, thereby diminishing the danger of a break between the instruction in the two schools.
225
Your building is so planned and the additions may be so constructed that the junior high school pupils will have their classrooms and most of their work on one side of the building and the senior high school pupils will have their classrooms and a large part of their work on the other side of the building. The facilities used in common such as gymnasium, auditorium, shops, lunchroom, administrative, and library will naturally place themselves in the central part of the building, where they will be accessible to both schools. This plan carries out the degrec of separation in the two student bodies which seems to be necessary or desirable.
Sincerely yours, CLARENCE D. KINGSLEY, Supervisor of Secondary Education.
Alternatives Presented in Case the Junior and Senior High Were Combined
The recommendation of Mr. Kingsley if adopted would itself present alternatives among which are the following:
(1) If a building suited to accommodate 900 to 1200 junior high pupils were built in the rear or as wings of the present building (and a building of this size must be planned for) with room left for needed Senior High ex- tensions, little or no ground would remain.
(2) In order to give added ground for such a joint-building enterprise two suggestions have been made: (a) to take the block adjoining west of Bond Street and back of the present High School; (b) to take the Perry House, face a new Junior High building on Walpole Street and use the ground between the two buildings for out-of-door recreation.
Considering these alternatives several things must be taken into ac- count: (1) The monumental character of the present High School build- ing-to match which in design would cost about 50% more than would a structure of the general type of the Winslow or Balch school buildings; (2) The increasing usc of Bond Street as a thoroughfare if the proposed boulevard is carried through; (3) The fact that the assessed valuation of the improved properties in the block west of Bond Street (140,011 square feet-about 32 acres) is $97,830; (4) The assessed valuation of the Perry property is $9,300. In all probability it would cost at least 25% more to acquire these properties beside the cost of removal, filling abandoned excavations, and resurfacing. A 24-room Junior High building of the Balch School type would probably cost about $240,000; whereas a build- ing of this size of the Senior High type would probably cost somewhere near $120,000 morc, which with the cost of added ground proposed would make the amount prohibitivc.
Alternatives in Case Junior and Senior High were not Combined
If the need is to be met by building a junior high school plant in no way connected with the present structure, leaving this to be used en- tirely for Senior High purposes, several alternative sites are suggested
226
which would give the needed grounds (five to seven acres)-thus pro- viding for play grounds, varied physical training and athletic activities as well as building expansion: (1) The Smith lot opposite the Beacon School-the assessed valuation of about five acres of this (the unimproved south-west half) is about $31,000; (2) the Whedon house in extension of the Beacon school ground as a building site, to be used in conjunction with the Smith lot set aside as a public park and playground-the assessed valuation of the Whedon property is $7,980; (3) the acquisition of enough improved property adjoining the Everett School to make, with the present owned site, four or five acres-the assessed valuation of this would be from $25,000 to $45,000 depending on how much were taken.
The two suggestions in relation to the Smith lot have the advantage of nearness to the center of the town (little more than a block from the junction of Walpole and Washington streets); remoteness from traffic; natural adaptability; utilization of property already owned (the Beacon School)-or (if not utilizing it for junior high school purposes) then by acquisition of the Smith lot affording a playground for this elementary school whose pupils must now play in the street. As against this the advantages and disadvantages of the Everett School site must be con- sidered. If we do not count sentiment (adherence to the original high school site) the advantages would seem to be small, while the disadvan- tages are striking: it is on the most congested traffic junction in the town; unless double the ground were obtained 900 junior high pupils would be added to the congestion which already carries hazards to life (due to the location of the Guild School) which the Town can ill afford to incur; to take enough for playground there would cost more than the Smith lot and soon then the congestion would be a menace at opening and closing periods; furthermore the location of a Junior High at this point would add very much to the noise and confusion adjoining the hospital.
Need for Prompt Planning to Meet High School Needs
The need for prompt planning is apparent. The present High School building is full to the point that shops and basement must be used for class and study rooms. The outgoing class of the Senior High is only 91; the incoming class (Junior High) will be about 230-an increase of 140; two years will add about 250; and three years will add about 400. Taking into account the present crowding the situation will soon come to be im- possible. Next September the eighth and ninth grades will be so much overcrowded that the one must attend school in the forenoon and the other in the afternoon, to find seats; and in 1924 the conditions will be- come much worse. It will take at least a year to build. The need, for resolving alternatives into decisions on questions of policy and decisions into plans and specifications, is urgent.
227
The Elementary School Building Situation
Last year in recommending the construction of the new eight-room wing on the Balch School it was estimated there would be two rooms to spare besides the basement space which could be utilized for shops, study and auditorium until further construction would be warranted. The new eight rooms will probably be filled next September and within two years, if the population of the district continues to increase at the same rate as in the past, it will be necessary again to build or send the children out of the district. Furthermore, in the appropriations for construction last year no provision was made for outfitting the basement for use as a playroom and temporary auditorium and the cost of so doing should be included in the construction and equipment budget.
In the other elementary districts there are now adequate seatings, since the relief gained through the new buildings and shifts of the last two years. The old Everett School building should be abandoned as unfit for use. And each district is growing. The large population south-east of the railroad, not included in the Balch School district, has no building; 71% of the pupils attending the Guild School are required to cross the tracks -most of them through the Guild Street tunnel which has two blind ends and is so congested with automobile traffic as to make it extremely dan- gerous. The indications are that the large district south of the tracks (East Norwood) will develop rapidly in the near future-as seems probable also in the Winslow School district and the Shattuck School district. It would seem the part of wisdom, therefore, to have in mind a new building in East Norwood, and added grounds for enlarging the Winslow and Shattuck schools. The obtaining of a site in East Norwood presents these alternatives: (1) acquiring lots adjoining the East School (at present a two-room structure) and placing a building there large enough to ac- commodate the population in that part of the town-most of which now finds seatings in the Guild School. Here there is about an acre of un- improved land, three lots owned by Drummey, Pendergast and Foley, altogether assessed at $1,500; (2) acquiring several acres in the general vicinity of Pleasant and East Cross streets-the Kelly three-acre tract is assessed at only $3,600. Adjoining the Winslow School grounds, there is an unimproved lot, owned by Fisher et. al. containing about two acres assessed at $4,230, and adjoining the Shattuck School ground there is a tract owned by the Housing Association which is offered at $5,000.
Enlargement of School Program
Gradually the disturbances caused by the War and the rapidly chang- ing personnel of instruction and supervision are being overcome. Under the able leadership of Mr. Herbert H. Howes and the principals under him, the courses of instruction are becoming definitized and unified. In addition the system of supervisors of special subjects has been extended to include instruction for every pupil in both elementary and high schools, in physical training, music, drawing, and hygiene; and under the prin-
1
228
cipals and supervisors athletics and other interests are being used to stimulate student effort. There is still a very large opportunity to be availed of for developing the same kind of interest in pageantry, music, dramatics, public speaking, debating, story writing, art, manual and domestic arts, etc .- in other words the aim should be to provide the same opportunity offered to every student to gain recognition in other lines suited to his abilities as is done to those athletically disposed. In this relation the question has been raised as to whether the Town should not acquire the grounds and buildings set aside for use of the Press Associa- tion-the assessed valuation of which is about $18,000. This, it is urged, could be made as much a center of interest for music, drama, pageantry, etc., as is now the Civic Association a center of interest for athletics.
Recapitulation of Costs of Acquiring Added Lands for Building Sites and Recreational Purposes
Alternatives
Proposed Sites
1
2
3
4
Junior High
Walpole St., Perry lot
$12,000
Smith lot
$31,000
Smith-Whedon
$45,000
East district
4,000
4,000
4,000
4,000
Winslow School
4,500
4,500
4,500
4,500
Shattuck School
5,000
5,000
5,000
5,000
Total
$25,500
$44,500
$55,500
$58,500
Thus the cost of acquisition of adequate land for future development would seem to run from $25,000 to $60,000 depending on the plan of development to which, if were added the cost of the Press Association grounds, the Town would have a long look ahead with adequate facilities for developing a school program second to none.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.