Norwood annual report 1923-1927, Part 96

Author: Norwood (Mass.)
Publication date: 1923
Publisher: The Town
Number of Pages: 1656


USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Norwood > Norwood annual report 1923-1927 > Part 96


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The Solution of the Problem. In attempting to solve this prob- lem several factors must be taken into consideration:


1. The ultimate size of the Junior High School unit for the best interests of the pupils.


2. The most efficient administration.


3. The adequacy of the plant for all educational purposes.


4. The location of the school building with respect to the homes of the pupils.


5. The special service which such a building can render to the neighborhood or community.


A junior high school ought not to enroll over 1000 pupils if the best teaching conditions are to be considered. A school much larger soon loses its unity of purpose and ideals. The pupils are in the early adolescent period and need more individual attention than can be given in too large a school.


A school of 1000 pupils is large enough to be administered economically. The overhead for administration, maintenance, and instruction works out most satisfactorily in a building of this size when well organized. Such a plant can afford the essentials of an auditorium, gymnasium, practical arts, and full curriculum offerings at a minimum cost.


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1405


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2645


Noin 3


FUTURE ENROLLMENT IN JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL


Estimated Enrollment in 1943 to be 2018


Average Increase


Medion Expectancy


Continued Percentage of werease


210


A junior high school building should be located within a radius of approximately one mile and a half of the homes of the pupils. At the same time the advantages of such a building should serve as an intellectual and recreational center for the community which it serves.


The map shown on page 211 has been prepared showing the location of the homes of all Junior High School pupils now enrolled.


A study of this map shows a fairly even distribution of pupils through all sections of the town with the most evident congestion between the branches of the railroad. There are some pupils who come from the extreme limits of the town in all directions. While this distance is not excessive, it indicates the trends of population and presents a factor to be considered in the location of any pro- posed schools.


Taking the present Junior High School building as a center there are now 355 pupils living toward the North and 467 pupils living South of this central line. If a line is drawn east and west approx- imately at Walnut Avenue, the Junior High School population is divided into two practically even groups of 416 pupils each. If we take the main line of the railroad as a dividing line, we again find a remarkably even division of these pupils. East of the railroad are 184 pupils, and between the two branches are 235 pupils, making a total of 419 living in this section of the town. To the west of the railroad are 413 pupils. These facts, together with the possibilities of future growth and the cost of future buildings, must be kept in mind as we attempt to solve the problem. Three pos- sible solutions are presented for consideration.


Suggested Plans


1. A large central Junior High School located on the present site, or on the Civic Association grounds, to be expanded from time to time to house all the pupils of grades 7, 8, and 9. This would mean that in time this school would be forced to house over 2000 pupils. This would make an unwieldy and unsatisfactory admin- istrative school unit.


2. Two six-year high schools. This could be accomplished by adding to the present Senior High School to accommodate one half of the expected junior high school enrollment. Then build a second plant on the East side of the town beyond the railroad, first as a Junior High School, and then to be expanded into a junior-senior high school as the enrollment increased. The present Junior High School building would then become a central element- ary school.


This proposition has several features in its favor. The six-year high school makes a unified secondary school combining all six grades under one administration. The junior section would keep


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FLAN OF THE


TOWN OF NORWOOD MASS.


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January


Geo A. Smith Town Engineer


1920


=


DISTRIBUTION OF PUPILS JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL


1927-1928


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its own social organization, but it also would become an integral part of a single and united administrative unit. It prevents the break that is so threatening between the separate junior and senior high schools. This plan, however, would prove more costly than the other suggestions and for a town of the size of Norwood may not be the best solution of the problem.


3. Two separate Junior High Schools. The present enrollment in the Junior High School has been shown to be fairly well dis- tributed throughout the town. As the population is now distributed one center of congestion is found in the south end near the Balch School. The center toward the north end of the town would be in the neighborhood of Washington and Howard streets. A radius of three-quarters of a mile would cover the greater portion of the available land in this direction for future home building. The probability of securing a suitable tract of land in this north section is problematical. Therefore, considering the cost of new sites and the fact that the present Junior High School is well within the radius of this north section, it is suggested that this present building be improved to serve as the Junior High School for the North and West sections of the town. It would then be necessary to determine how and where the second Junior High School would be developed. A study of the location of the homes of the pupils, the probable growth of population, and the interests of the com- munity, suggests a location in the vicinity of the Balch School, provided a site of sufficient size can be secured. This means a lot of at least ten acres.


Present Junior High School Building Needs


A study has been made of the administration and organization of this school as will be reported fully in another division of the survey. However, in consideration of the possible reorganization of the school along more efficient lines, assisted by some further use of the Civic Association property, it is evident that the Junior High School can, as a temporary arrangement, provide for the increased enrollment for at least two more years.


The Use of the Civic Association Property. The suggestion that the Civic Association property be purchased as a site for a school is not recommended for the following reasons:


1. It would mean the building of a large Junior High School to serve the entire town and eventually housing about 2,000 pupils.


2. It might mean the building of a large elementary school for the central portion of the town. This is not needed.


3. It would also suggest the turning over of the present Junior High School building as an elementary school, which is not advisable for the same reason.


213


On the other hand it is a very desirable piece of land and the athletic field is a temptation to any school. If possible this field should be retained as a central playground for the use of all of the schools. The Civic Association field may well serve as the center of a system of playgrounds for the town. As a part of such a plan each school building should have about it a large playground to serve not only the children of the school but the immediate neighborhood as a recreation center for all.


Temporary Uses of the Civic Building. Whatever building plans may be adopted the Junior High School must continue to make temporary use of the Civic Association buildings. Therefore, as stated above, it is suggested that even more use be made of this space than at present, so that pupils sent across to this building remain there for two or more periods without recrossing the street. One suggestion would be to place the music work here. This would also relieve the present music room and accommodate two extra teachers. Such devices will be necessary to carry on the work of the school until the needed buildings can be provided.


Recommendations for the Junior High School


The following recommendations are made regarding the present Junior High School situation:


1. That an addition be constructed to include an auditorium, a gymnasium, a library, and that some readjustments be made for the teaching of practical arts for boys and girls. The total accommodations should not provide for more than 1,000 pupils.


2. That during the period necessary to secure this addition' more use be made of the Civic Association buildings and that a new organization of the school be employed to care for more pupils.


3. That a site be secured for the location of a second Junior High School to accommodate the pupils living in the East and South portions of the town.


The Elementary School Buildings


The elementary school buildings of Norwood also present a problem calling for careful planning to meet present and future needs. In order that we might approach this situation with an understanding of the present conditions, several studies have been made. Location maps have been prepared to show the homes of pupils in the fourth, fifth, and sixth grades, and also in grades one, two, and three. A study has been made of the location of the new homes built during the past three years, and also of the homes of children born during the past five years. Each of the elementary buildings has been inspected and its condition noted.


214


The Everett School. This is evidently the oldest school building in town. No record has been found to indicate its real age. A town 'report of 1883 refers to this building as "the old Everett School" being in need of repairs. This building should be aban- doned as soon as possible. The lighting is very bad. Ceilings are low and proper ventilation is impossible in cold weather. The stairways are veritable death traps.


The Guild Building. This building is of wood construction, poorly planned for school purposes. The lighting is very bad for the eyes of the chilren. The toilets are of an ancient type, ill-smelling, and are none too sanitary. This building should soon be discarded with the other frame structures.


The Beacon Building. This building is the third frame structure in the central portion of the town which should be abandoned as soon as possible. Lighting, ventilation, and fire risks are features which cannot be ignored by a town concerned with the welfare of the children. In inspecting these old buildings one is impressed with their cleanliness and the evidence of unusually good janitorial service. The organization of the force in care of the school build- ings is to be commended.


East and West Schools. There are two more frame buildings used for the primary grades which are not safe or satisfactory. With the development of a new elementary school building pro- gram these buildings known as the East and West Schools can be abandoned.


The Winslow School. This building represents a little later type of construction. It is an eight-room school with a small extra room accommodating twenty pupils. It was built in the days of poor lighting and ventilating. The stairways are of wood, creating an extra fire risk. However, the building appears to be in very good condition, and its capacity can easily be increased by an addition to the rear. Some immediate relief may be given as suggested later in this report, but it will be a temporary measure. Extra land adjoining this lot has been secured.


The Shattuck School. This is a more modern type of building and will prove satisfactory for some years to come. It should have been planned so that it could be added to more easily. The lighting is good and there is a fair sized playground. In time this should be made into an eighteen-room building.


The Balch School. This large school of twenty regular rooms and one small special room houses the first six grades. This is a good building and has many possibilities for serving its par- ticular neighborhood. An auditorium and a gymnasium connected


215


with this school would serve a real need in the community. This building ought to be equipped for some practical arts work for both boys and girls.


The special room for the "opportunity" group is not properly equipped. In each building where there is such a group there should be two small rooms, one for class work and the other for individual hand or craft work. These unfortunate children must not only be removed from the regular classes, but must be trained in such hand work as they are capable of doing. This is their only pos- sible means of acquiring a status of self-support.


Enrollment in the Elementary Schools


The distribution of the pupils in the elementary grades, one to six, is shown in the following table:


PRESENT DISTRIBUTION OF ELEMETARY SCHOOL PUPILS


School


Grades 1, 2,3


Grades 4, 5,6


East of R.R.


Total Jan. '28


Rooms


Cap- acity


Seats Avail- able


Beacon


75


79


16


154


6


210


+56


Winslow


127


195


322


8


280


-42


Shattuck


85


158


?


243


8


280


+37


Guild


141


269


267


410


12


420


+10


East


54


54


54


2


70


+16


West


56


56


2


70


+16


Balch


386


355


57


754


20


700


-54


Totals


923


1056


392


1995


58


2030


+35


A study of this table will show that the elementary schools are not badly crowded. Only in the Winslow and Balch Schools is there any congestion according to the present distribution. The other schools show a possible total relief of only thirty-five pupils or the equivalent of one room. The present assignment of pupils is on the basis of thirty-five pupils to the teacher. This is con- sidered by many as an ideal teaching group for the grades. If,


216


as a temporary measure awaiting the erection of new elementary schools, this average assignment were raised to forty pupils to the teacher, the elementary schools could care for about three hundred twenty-five more pupils.


Attention is called to that column in the chart showing the distribution of the elementary pupils living east of the railroad. A total of three hundred ninety-two pupils in these grades live in this district. Most of these pupils are very young and have to go a long distance to reach school. Two hundred sixty-seven of these · pupils are attending the Guild School. Attention is called to the fact that these pupils must cross the railroad through a dangerous underpass and in the way of heavy traffic.


The Growth of the Elementary Grades. The increase of enroll- ment in the elementary grades is noticeably smaller than in either the Junior High School or the Senior High School. The percen- tage of increase during the past fifteen years has been in the elementary grades 50.3 per cent, in the Junior High School 218 per cent, and in the Senior High School 375 per cent. This . will be more clearly seen by referring to the charts contained in this report. The chart for the elementary schools is on page 217.


This chart would show that we may very reasonably expect at least 2691 pupils in the elementary grades, if only the average number of new pupils enter each year for the next fifteen years. It also shows that if the same percentage of increase should con- tinue we may have to provide for over 3,000 pupils.


The Future Elementary School Policy


Before determining the future policy for the distribution of the children in the elementary grades and the location of proposed buildings, every available factor entering into the problem should be studied.


Attention is first called to the location of the homes of the children now in the primary or first three grades. (See map on page 218.) Considering the fact that these little ones are only six, seven, and eight years old, it will be seen at once that many of them are going very long distances to reach the school. .. While transportation is provided for the ones living the farthest from the school, it is not a satisfactory condition for children of primary age. Attention is also called to the evident trend of school pop- ulation to the outside districts, rather than toward the central portion of the town.


The location of the homes of pupils in the fourth, fifth, and sixth grades is very similar to the one for the primary grades as shown on map, page 219. Also the numbers to be found in these groups is very evenly distributed through the districts showing no peculiar


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Grades in 1963 70 be 3024


Estimated Encalment lo Elementary


Continued perfect use of increase


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January 1920.


Geo A Smith Town Engineer


DISTRIBUTION OF PUPILS GRADES 1-2-3 1927-1928


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Geo A Smith Town Engineer


DISTRIBUTION OF PUPILS GRADES 4-5-6 1927-1928


CUT NO. 8


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congestion except in the section between the branches of the railroad.


The suggestion that some small primary schools be placed in certain districts does not seem to be advisable at the present time nor in the immediate future. Small units are expensive to main- tain and the distances in Norwood do not warrant the system. Two or three such units as the beginnings of larger units may be needed according to the trend of the future population.


The Location of New Homes, 1925-1927


A study of the location of the new homes built during the past three years has a very important bearing upon the problem of new school building centers. (See map on pages 222-23.) The great mass of these houses are of the moderate price and tenement type oc- cupied by the younger families with children. Within the several elementary school districts the development is as follows:


Shattuck and Beacon districts 80 homes


Winslow district 45 homes


Balch district 42 homes


Guild district, east of Railroad


68 homes


Total


235 homes


This is certainly a very healthy growth and promises well for the future of the town. It also prophesies a very definite increase in the future school enrollment in all school districts.


There seem to be no peculiarly favored portions of the town. One hundred and twenty-five of these homes are west of the rail- road and one hundred and ten are on the east side. Building in the past has followed along the general line of the railroad and the main thoroughfares. While there is still some available building area to the extreme north and south sections, it is quite evident that the burden of future home development will be in general toward what may be designated as the east and south-west sections. This should be kept in mind in considering the future location of school buildings.


The older buildings, the Everett, the Guild, and the Beacon, were located at a time when the town was very small and the settlement was quite compact about the business center. Today the population has spread out in all directions until these schools are no longer in the center of their districts. Pupils of the elementary grades in these districts are obliged to go long distances to the end of the district rather than to a center. Many very young children have to cross main highways and even railroad tracks to reach their respective schools. In planning for the future this sort of situa- tion should be carefully avoided. New centers for elementary schools should be placed within a half-mile circle of the possible


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Location of New Homes Built during Years 1925-K-7


ZONING MAP OF THE TOWN OF NORWOOD. MASS


SCALE


DISTRICTS


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1600 fttt


NOVEMBER. 1926


George A. Smith. Town Engineer,


Drown under the direction of the Planning Buard of the Form of Norwood


MANUFACTURING . M


PLANNING BOARD OF THE TOWN OF NORWOOD


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future homes within the proposed district. This would mean that at the time the land is purchased and the building erected it should be near the outer edge of a growing population.


The Distribution of Births in 1926-1927: During the years 1926 and 1927 there were three hundred and sixty-six births recorded in the town of Norwood. (See map on page 226.) It is of interest to note the general distribution of these births in all parts of the town. As might be supposed the largest proportion is found in the district between the branches of the railroad. A summary of these births as they may contribute to the school enrollment of the future has its bearing upon the location of additional buildings.


School Districts


Number of Births 102


Beacon and Shattuck


Winslow


80


Guild-East of Railroad


65


Balch-South and East


119


Total-two years


366


Expected Increases. Not only from the birth rate of about 183 children each year, but also from the families moving into the town each year, must we calculate the probable school enrollment. (See chart on page 227.)


This chart shows the very rapid growth of Norwood during the past twenty-five years. If we extend the line of possible increase on the very conservative line of just keeping up the average rate of past years, we may expect at least a population of 21,000 people by 1945. However, experience proves that the rate of increase does not remain the same, but jumps up from year to year with an increasing rate. If this procedure continues, as we have every reason to believe it will, the expected population by 1945 would be in the neighborhood of 28,000.


Increase in Total School Enrollment. Let us now consider the increase of the total school enrollment for the past fifteen years. (See chart on page 229.) The increase fro 1912 to 1927 was from 1707 to 3347 pupils. This represents a percentage of about ninety per cent. If we should gain to the extent of ninety per cent during the next fifteen years, we would have about 6359 pupils in all of the schools. On the other hand, we have gained only about 110 pupils on the average each year during the period. If, then, this average should continue we would have in the next fifteen years about 4,000 pupils to provide for in all the schools. So far as we can prophesy at this time the increase will certainly ap-


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Geo. A. Smith Town Engineer


DISTRIBUTION OF BIRTHS 1926 - 1927


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22143


Population


NO :- 11


FUTURE POPULATION OF TOWN OF NORWOOD


1943 10 08 22143


Estimated Population la


Perguntade of morease


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proach the larger figure. To care for this increase definite steps should be taken in the interest of the elementary schools as suggested below.


Program for Elementary School Building


1. The first elementary school building should be erected on the Fisher lot to care for the first six grades on the east side of the railroad. This should be planned as a twelve-to-eighteen- room building. This building will relieve the Guild School, which in turn can relieve the Winslow by the transfer of pupils.


2. A second school should be built on the east side of the rail- road in the vicinity of Pleasant Street, midway between the Fisher lot and the Balch School.


3. An addition should be made to the Winslow School to make it an eighteen-room building with small auditorium and gym- nasium.


4. The Shattuck should be eventually an eighteen-room building with small auditorium and gymnasium.


5. A primary school for grades, one, two, and three, will be needed in the future as the beginning of a larger unit to the south of the Balch school. The size of this school would be determined by the future growth of this section. A similar primary school may also be needed south of the Winslow school and its location should be determined and a site secured




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