USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Norwood > Norwood annual report 1915-1922 > Part 123
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3. For the boys who wished to continue in the Manual Arts Department a course in automobile repairing was arranged. It has been con- ducted most successfully by Mr. Leo Cashen, a man of wide cxper- ience in that work.
4. In the Manual Arts Department, except for the group in Automobile Repairing and Mechanical Drawing, no other work was offered this year in grades eleven and twelve. For 1923-1924 courses in this department will be open for boys of grades ten, eleven and twelve only in Mechanical Drawing and Automobile Repairing.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Provisions have been made so that every boy and girl in grades eight to twelve have been able to enter a Physical Training class twice a week. This has meant, however, a crowded gymnasium in fully four-fifths of the classes and with the gain in registration for these grades next year, the gymnasium at the Civic will become very inadequate. In order to take care of the Physical Education program for these grades, another gymnasium
241
should be provided wherein a class of fifty to sixty may be taken care of. It has been recommended that Everett Hall be procured for this purpose.
ATHLETICS
For the second season a football team of the school was undefeated. In a post season intersectional game with Clifton, New Jersey, the team lost by a score of thirteen to ten. The team this year has been admirably supported by the town and I wish at this time to express my appreciation of this support.
For the first time a full schedule has been prepared for the Girls' Basket- ball Team. A large number of girls are participating in this sport. Owing to the demand of the girls' division of the school for the Pageant, it was not possible to continue with the sport of field hockey this year, but it will be resumed in the Fall of 1923.
The support rendered by the town at the games participated in by the school has meant a steady increase in the funds available for athletics. A balance of four hundred and fifty dollars was carried over following the football season.
SCHOLARSHIP
The honor roll was explained in my last report for the school year. In June, 1922, twenty-one per cent of the pupils succeeded in making the honor roll. Their names were announced at the graduation exercises. For the first two terms of 1922, seventeen per cent of the school has reached honor grade.
Eleven members of the graduating class took the College Entrance Board examinations last June. The total number of subjects passed was higher than the average maintained throughout the country. Of the eleven taking examinations, it is probable that seven will succeed in enter- ing the college they have designated.
GRADUATION-1922
Anderson, John Alvar Balboni, Alice Lucille
Curtin, Mary Agnes
Dean, Herman Ellis
Barrett, Margaret Frances
Doran, Francis Joseph
Dowdie, Mary Patricia
*Berman, Mildred
Bothwell, Mary Josephine
Brennan, Phillip Edward
Brown, Shirlie Marie
Duffy, Mary Frances Dunn, James
Bullard, R. K. Callaghan, Agnes Cecelia
Eaton, Isabell Wentworth
Carlson, Sten J.
*Ekholm, Arthur W.
Colby, Beatrice A.
*Fireman, Martin M.
Commo, Dorothy Olive
Cronan, Nora Lucille
Downey, Catherine A.
Edwards, Cora Elizabeth
Fitzpatrick, Ethel Frances Flavin, Johannah Cecilia
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Flynn, Thomas James
*Fowler, Virginia Grace Gahagan, John Edward Gallagher, Eleanor Louise Garner, Robert Vernon *Gay, Elizabeth Hoyle Goggin, Helen Griffin, Dorothy Mary Gurney, Eva Hall, Gertrude Marie
*Lydon, Margaret Helena Mahar, John Edward Marsh, Olive Jane
Meyer, George Edward
Millett, Barbara Cortna
Hanlon, Edward James
Ostergren, Marion Louise Owens, Alice Gertrude Parmenter, Harriett Marion Pellowe, James Thomas
Hill, Grace Amelia
Potter, Norris Willard
Holman, Theodora Rachel
Readel, Edwin Pollard Weller
Hayes, John Stephen
Readel, Heloise Freeman
Johnson, Edgar M. Johnson, Werner M.
*Rowe, Ruth Bemis Sheehan, Margaret Patricia
Johnston, John Douglas
*Shergals, Mary Annie
*Jones, Margaret Emma Kelliher, Anna E.
*Shumaker, Nellie Dorothy Tanneyhill, Alfred Clayton Winslow, Richard Elliott, Jr. Wragg, Gertrude M.
The starred pupils were awarded John C. Lane medals. The United States History medal was awarded to Johannah C. Flavin. The Berwick English prize for excellence in Composition was awarded to Francis J. Doran. The Plimpton Art prizes for seniors were awarded to Werner M, Johnson and Madeline T. Lundgren.
Respectfully submitted,
LEONARD W. GRANT
Mr. Herbert H. Howes, Superintendent of Schools, Norwood, Mass.
The Junior High School began its existence in its present quarters about a year ago. At that time it consisted of six seventh grades housed in the old Everett school building, with five eighth and four ninth grades in the new wing at the High School building.
In September last, there were seven seventh grades, one of which was crowded into the Guild building, and six eighth and four ninth grades in the High School building-a total registration of 623 pupils in January.
The present (January) enrollment in the sixth grades is 298. Thesc grades will become seventh grades in September, of which there must either be eight of about 38 to the room, or seven of from 40 to 47 per room. Efficiency demands that division be made into the smaller unit, and if this
*Kiley, John Francis Koch, Ruth Emilie
*Kornetz, Helen
Lamminen, Albin Lepper, Ruth Rhoads Lundgren, Madeline Theresa
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is done it will necessitate the taking of another room in the Guild School or elsewhere. In addition there will be seven eighth and six ninth grades in the High School building-13 rooms-with a total enrollment of 750, an increase of 125 over this year. There are but 10 rooms available now, and as the High School will require two of these, it will leave us the problem of putting thirteen classes into eight rooms. The solution is to put these two grades, the eighth and ninth, 466 pupils, on part time; the ninth grade from 7.45 to 12.40 in the morning; the eighth from 12.45 to 5.15 in the afternoon.
This arrangement will result in a necessary reduction in the time allow- ance of all of them. At present we have seven daily periods of 40 minutes each. The new arrangement will allow us six 40-minute periods in the morning, and six 35-minute periods in the afternoon, so that we must sacri- fiee some of the things we are now doing in the eighth grade in order to get a working schedule in the time given us, probably the supervised study periods with drawing and part of the music.
The necessity for more space for this division of the school system cannot be too strongly urged. It makes no difference whether we call it a Junior High School, or by some other name, the children are here and must be provided with proper school accommodations and opportunities, which they will not get under the arrangement which goes into effect in September 1923; an arrangement which will not only cripple the activities of the school, but will cause constant friction between the different units, the teachers and pupils, and the school and the home.
LIBRARY
The Junior High School should have some room which can be set aside for use as a reference library. Such reference books in science, geography, and history as we have-and thanks to the interest of the Public Library the number is constantly growing- are scattered about in all the home rooms, and more frequently than not a pupil, to get the reference wanted, must interrupt the class in session. It may be possible in the fall under the two-shift plan to set aside a room which, with very slight alteration in seating plan, may be made to answer this purpose.
THE ELECTIVE SYSTEM
This year for the first time, and in line with one of the purposes of the Junior High School to help pupils to find themselves. they were allowed to choose for themselves part of their work for the year. French, type- writing, and printing were offercd. The novelty of the experience, rather than judgment, I fear, prompted many of the elections. Of those entering the eighth grade, 40% elected French, 50% typewriting, and about 15% printing. About a fifth of those who elected French have been compelled to drop it because of failure in that or other work, a few have failed in type- writing, and not all those who elected printing will ever be printers. My point is this, that too much latitude ought not be allowed children of this age in their choice. The teacher, who knows their capabilities probably
244
better than the parent even, should have more latitude in guiding them in all cases, and should be the final authority in those cases in which we know that the parent cannot guide. A child that has no language ability should not be allowed to elect French.
PLAYGROUND
The value of the playground to this school cannot be over-estimated. Ours was partly leveled off last spring, and it was immediately apparent that boys do not hang idly about the entrance awaiting admission because that was what they liked to do. There wasn't a minute when the ground was not in use when it was possible to use it. The rest of the space set aside by the Town for this purpose should be put in such condition that it can be used for the purpose for which it was intended, instead of being an unsightly piece of waste land given over to wecds and refusc, and an eye- sore in the neighborhood.
SOCIAL ORGANIZATIONS
The school is making an attempt to build an organization which will make it possible for the pupils to participate in the school management. This is being donc by organizing each of the home rooms as a unit, with proper officers elected from the group, with the customary rules of pro- cedure, and with certain limited powers delegated to it by the faculty. In addition to this it is proposed to have a central organization composed of delegates from each of the rooms which shall be the legislative body of the whole school, making regulations for its own control, cnforcing thesc regulations, and having charge of all athletic and social activities of the school. Boys and girls of this age accept responsibilities willingly and readily, and it is hoped by this means to minimize the effect of constant teacher supervision and to bring out the pupil's sense of responsibility, his self reliance, and his initiative, as well as to instruct him in the ma- chinery of self-government.
The Camera Club, for those pupils interested in that fascinating art, is another effort in the same direction.
ATHLETICS
Athletics have been organized in the school as far as sound policy seems to permit. Boys of this age should not play games away from home, therefore it is planned to have matches confined to inter-class contests, with an occasional excursion outside. Last spring the school baseball was organized on this basis and the games produced plenty of enthusiasm. A series of inter-class games in basket ball is now under way and will be ended with a game between the champions of the High School and those of the Junior High. The most valuable part of this organization is the effect on the individuals engaged, and on the general morale of the entire school.
Very respectfully submitted,
GEORGE W. ALLEN.
245
Mr. H. H. Howes,
Superintendent of Schools,
Norwood, Mass.
I submit herewith my report as Director of Physical Education for Boys of the Senior and Junior High Schools for the year 1922.
At the beginning of the year Physical Training for boys in the Senior High School was well established, having been required since September, 1921. Each boy was taking and continued to take two forty-five minute periods of gymnasium work a week. Only thirty minutes of each period was devoted to actual physical development. The remaining fifteen minutes was consumed in passing between the High School and the Civic Association, and in dressing and undressing.
The class work consisted of military drill, calisthenics, apparatus ex- ercises and games. The ends sought in all class work was correct posture, proper physical development, and co-ordination of mind and body.
Physical training for boys in Junior High School began January, 1922. Previous to this time all boys had been given a physical examination by the school physicians and regular classes began at once. The schedule followed in Junior High School work was similar to that of Senior High, but in modified form. At the beginning of the school year 1922-1923 all boys were again examined by the school physicians. There were 129 boys in Senior High and 244 in Junior High. Of the 373, five were declared unable to take Physical Training. The number put in second class was eight, a decrease of seven as compared with last year's figures. The rc- quirements for boys of the second class were much less rigid than those for boys of the first class. Special corrective work was given to children who needed individual attention in both grades and high school
Both Junior and Senior High School boys participated in basketball and baseball. Football was limited to boys of the Senior High.
The Senior High School basketball squad consisted of about thirty candidates; of this number nine were considered members of the varsity team. A schedule with outside school teams was played. The season ended March 24, 1922, with Norwood winning ten out of eighteen games played.
A Junior High School varsity basketball team was formed which played four outside games. An inter-class schedule was also arranged in both High Schools in order to interest all boys in this sport.
In April twenty-five boys presented themselves as candidates for the Senior High varsity baseball team. Thirteen made the first teamn, and the remaining twelve formed the nuclei of class teams. A schedule of nineteen games was played and Norwood was victorious in eleven.
A Junior High School varsity baseball team playcd three games with other schools. Inter-class Junior High baseball games were played once a week.
The football team played a schedule of ten games and completed the season on Thanksgiving Day undefeated. A post-season game was played
246
with the Clifton High School of New Jersey on their field, in which the Norwood boys met with defeat.
In behalf of the boys and myself, I wish to thank the citizens of Nor- wood for their generosity in giving every member of the football squad the opportunity of making the trip to New Jersey. I also wish to express my appreciation to the School Board, the Norwood Board of Trade, the teachers, and pupils for their loyal support in all athletics.
Respectfully submitted,
January 17, 1923
H. BENNETT MURRAY.
Mr. H. H. Howes,
Superintendent of Schools,
Norwood, Mass.
The following is the report of the work in Physical Education for the year ending December 31, 1922:
The work in the primary and intermediate grades remained similar to that of last year. Health games and rhythmic action plays and games constituted the curriculum of the first three grades. All this leads up to the more formal work in the fourth, fifth and sixth grades.
The Junior High work with the exception of the seventh grade was carried on in the gymnasium of the Civic Association. In the seventh grade the work was carried on in the classroom with each pupil acting, in turn, as instructor under the supervision of the teacher. This method permits every pupil to gain poise, self-confidence, and executive ability. The work of the eighth and ninth grades was slightly handicapped by the large number in each class. In connection with the work of physical education, there is a certain number who require special corrective exer- cise. I have found several such cases among the children in the grades and the girls of Junior High School. As many as possible received this special attention.
The Senior High classes met twice a week, as last year, and a marked improvement in the physical condition of the girls was noticeable. Most of the girls who were put in second class last year, when re-examined in September. 1921, were so improved that they were put in first class. I had hoped to start an elective course in folk dancing as many girls wished such a course, but so far there has not been time for it.
Volley-ball and basketball were the sports taken up by the girls of the Senior High School. Many teams were organized in volley-ball and a great deal of enthusiasm was shown. About fifty candidates reported for basketball. Of this number ten are considered the varsity team and the remainder will be divided into class teams. A schedule with other school teams has been arranged. Hockey was discontinued last Fall on account of the Pageant.
Respectfully submitted,
ERNA H. KILEY,
January 22, 1923.
Supervisor of Physical Education.
247
Mr. H. H. Howes,
Superintendent of Schools,
Norwood. Mass,
During the year ending December 31, 1922, I have made physical ex- amination of the pupils in the schools assigned me, and have referred to the parents such cases as needed expert attention.
A start on the Schick test was made and a clinic was held during several weeks at the Guild School in May. Dr. George T. O'Donnell, State Dis- trict Health Officer, and several of our local physicians gave valuable assistance to the School physicians and nurses at this clinic. Several hundred were tested and a large proportion of them proved to be naturally immune. Those who were susceptible to diphtheria received immunizing inoculations, which are believed to be protective for at least seven years and possibly for life.
Before the advent of this test all persons exposed to diphtheria were obliged to undergo the discomfort of immunizing inoculations of anti- toxin, but these Schick tested people are free from this necessity.
These tests will be resumed as quickly as the press of routine work will allow.
There have been the usual sporadic outbreaks of contagious diseases, but the vigilance of the school nurses and teachers has prevented any wide- spread contagion through the schools.
Very respectfully submitted, CLEMENT H. HALLOWELL, M.D., School Physician.
January 18, 1923.
Mr. H. H. Howes
Superintendent of Schools,
Norwood, Mass.
We submit our report as school nurses for the year cnding December 31, 1922.
11,679
No. children inspected.
No. children examined. 5,134
No. children excluded 351
5
Defective hearing.
72
Defective nasal breathing.
1,237
Defective teeth.
177
Defective vision
| 15
Discharging car .
107
Enlarged glands
224
Enlarged tonsils
494
Malnutrition.
Mental defects
66
248
Pediculosis
117
Symptoms of nervous disease
15
Symptoms of cardiac disease
29
Symptoms of skin disease
198
Orthopedic defects.
13
Sore throat.
138
Uncleanliness
42
Miscellaneous .
1,445
No. of letters or notices sent to parents .
1,807
No. children treated at school
1,450
No. home visits made. .
550
No. children treated at Dental Clinic.
373
No. children treated at Eye Clinic.
133
No. of cases of glasses ordered .
51
No. children treated at Orthopedic Clinic .
2
Throat cases cured by operation.
70
Cases of Scarlet Fever.
10
Cases of Whooping Cough.
24
Cases of Measles
123
Cases of German Measles.
1
Cases of Chicken Pox.
62
Diphtheria.
10
Mumps
112
Tuberculosis
2
Deaths.
1
Schick tested
173
Weighed and measured.
2,090
Due to the generosity of the Woman's Club, Cho-Cho the magic Health Clown, was secured for four performances in the local theatres and the children thoroughly enjoyed the fun. As they still talk of what Cho-Cho said, we think that his visit did a great deal of good.
Last May under Dr. O'Donnell of the State Department of Health with the school doctors and several of the town physicians, the Schick test for diphtheria was given in the Guild School to 173 children whose parents had signed the permission cards. Of this number 117 were positive cases and 56 were negative. The 117 cases were then given, at intervals of a week, three doses of toxin anti-toxin, which renders these children immune to diphtheria. We feel that the attempt to stamp out diphtheria in Norwood is a very important part of our school nursing work. The plan for the future is to give every school child a chance to have this test.
Dr. C. B. Schorer of the State Hospital in Foxboro has again visited Norwood to examine the 21 children recommended for re-examination. She has also examined 27 more children whose mental status was ques- tionable. The results of her examinations have as yet not been reported.
Since October of 1922 the mid-morning lunch of milk, served in half pint jars, has been carried on in all of the schools with the exception of the
249
High School. We find that the number of children who buy the milk in school or bring it with them from home has greatly increased this year, which convinces us that many more children have acquired a good health habit.
The height, weight and normal weight of all the children are sent home every two months on the regular report card and the interest in what a child should weigh is growing every year.
The school eye clinic is continuing in its good work, and for this we again extend our thanks to Dr. Reimer.
We are fortunate in having Dr. Wing, a graduate of Tufts Dental College in charge of the dental clinic this year; and a splendid and very necessary work is being done.
To the school doctors we wish to give our thanks for their continued help and advice in our work, and also for their services in poor families without pay.
The Woman's Club has again given us the opportunity of furnishing milk to the underweight children unable to buy milk; and to the members of the Club we extend our appreciation of this assistance.
Last spring, thru Red Cross funds, severa1 children who otherwise could not have had it done, were able to have tonsils and adenoids removed.
For the interest and co-operation of our Superintendent, principals and teachers, in all our nursing activities we are very grateful. Without these we know it would be impossible to carry on our work.
Respectfully submitted
HELEN W. GOULD,
SADIE E. DOWNS.
January 23, 1923.
Mr. Herbert H. Howes,
Superintendent of Schools, Norwood, Mass.
The following is the report of the work in music for the year ending December 31, 1923.
The work in music in the grades has shown general improvement as in foriner years. Stress is being laid on sight reading and artistic song singing. Sight reading is being developed through class work, but more particularly through individual singing which is carried on from the second through the eighth grades. In the seventh and eighth years the easier three part songs are sung, one child singing each part. Through this in- dividual work an independence in sight reading is gained which can be secured in no other way. To procure artistic song singing, care is taken to select songs suitable to the age of the child and great stress is laid on tone quality and expression.
Last year we introduced music appreciation in our fourth, fifth, and sixth grades and we are giving time each week to "listening lessons."
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Through the medium of records, children are learning to distinguish in- struments and different qualities of voice, and are gaining a repertoire of masterpieces with their composer, such as the Kreisler-Beethoven "Rondino," Chopins "Funeral March," Elgar's "Pomp and Circumstance." Most important of all, our children are learning to listen actively tomusic.
It has been said by a prominent supervisor that the Junior High School becomes either the cradle or the grave of music. At the beginning of the year we were trying to conduct music in the lunch room of the High School. With kitchen work in the domestic science department and the hammers and buzz saws in the manual training room going on within a few feet of the class, we felt that eighth grade music had reached its grave. Through the valiant efforts of Miss Follett, the music teacher, and Principal Allen we have been able to hold all but one class in regular class rooms, and the classes have shown marked progress since the beginning of the year.
The Junior orchestra has twelve members; nine violins, one cornet, one clarinet, drums and piano. The orchestra is in charge of Miss Helen Follett and is doing excellent work under her leadership.
The High School chorus has been giving time to athletic songs and songs for special assemblies, and earnest work has been done on "The Heavens are Telling" from the "Creation," and "The Triumphal March" from "Aida." Within the last two years the High School pupils have shown marked improvement in sight reading which enables us to attempt much more difficult and worth while selections than in former years.
Our high school glee club of forty-five members gave their annual con- cert in May, featuring a "Fantasia" from "Faust." Besides the selections by the mixed glee club, there were numbers by the boys' glee club and the school orchestra. With the proceeds of this concert a cornet was bought. which is being used by a member of the school. The high school owns now drums and cornet for the use of pupils showing unusual musical ability. We hope next year to increase the number of orchestral instruments owned by the school.
Four years ago the high school orchestra boasted of but five players belonging to the student body. This year we have twenty-one, with each choir of the orchestra represented. There are twelve violins, one 'cello, one cornet, one flute, three clarinets, one saxophone, the drums and piano. The orchestra last year was very much in demand. It played for a special meeting of the Board of Trade, the High School concert, senior play, graduation and assemblies. We lost some very valuable members in June but new material came from the Junior High so that our orchestra is fully as strong as last year.
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