Norwood annual report 1923-1927, Part 99

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

USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Norwood > Norwood annual report 1923-1927 > Part 99

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Laura Gilmore, a graduate of New Hampshire State College, B.A., was appointed a teacher of Modern Languages having had experience in the North Woodstock (New Hampshire) High School 1924-27.

George Yantis, a graduate of Boston College A. B., and Harvard A. M., with two years' teaching experience as an instructor at Bos- ton College in the English Department.

Ruth Johngren, a graduate of Radcliffe, A. B., was appointed as teacher of Modern Languages having had experience in the Orleans High School from 1926-27.

Dorothy Norris, a graduate of Smith, A. B., was appointed as teacher of Modern Languages, having had experience in the Ashby Junior and Senior High Schools from 1926-27.

Lucy Nordon, a graduate of Jackson, B.S., was appointed as History teacher, having had experience in the Chelmsford High School, 1924-27.

Rose C. Smith, a graduate of Salem Normal and Chandler Secre- tarial Schools was appointed as Commercial teacher, having had experience in the Open Air School in Cambridge, 1911-18.

Wallace W. Sawyer, a graduate of New Hampshire State, B. S., was appointed as Science teacher, having had two year's teaching experience at Deerfield High School.

Prospects of Enrollment for 1928-29

With the graduating class of 125 leaving and incoming class of approximately 225, it is readily seen that we have an increase of enrollment coming to about 600 pupils totaled for the coming

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school year. This will necessitate at least two additional members, possibly three, to our high school faculty. We are already using departmental rooms for home room assignments and will have to utilize practically every room in the building for this purpose next year. The two drawing rooms, sewing room and typewriting room, in all probability, will house the 100 extra pupils next year.

Change in School Program

Owing to the increased enrollment of this year over the previous year and because of administrative difficulties it was necessary to go from a five-period day to a six-period day. We are now having six 52 minute periods instead of five hour periods in each day's program. The time for passing has been cut from four minutes to three minutes. Our recess remains the same-one-half hour. Our school day is from 8:15 until 2:20.

Graduation 1927

Graduation exercises were held on Friday evening, June 10. There were 106 members of the class who received diplomas. As has been stated, this is the largest graduating class in the history of the school. Following are the graduates:

Altonen, Carl M.

Johnson, Francis E.

Anderson, Nellie Irene Johnston, Margaret Louise

Babel, Felix Adolph

Kanalski, Mary T.

Barrett, Thomas Joseph

Keefe, Miah Edward

Barry, Garrett Francis

Kelson, Lena Frances

*Bateman, Edna Lamson

King, Kathryn Esther

Blanchard, Charles Everett

Blumencranz, Elizabeth Bradford

Breen, George Edward

MaCarthy, Alma M.

*MacGlashan, Elizabeth Quincy

Mahoney, Leonard Joseph

Callahan, Daniel Edward

Cavanaugh, William Thomas

*Mattson, Vera K. McDonough, Mary Elizabeth

Mickunas, Anthony Edward

Moloney, Gertrude Mary

Connolly, Bartley

Connolly, Joseph William

Costello, John Joseph

Crosby, Richard G.

Nichols, Eleanor Patricia

Curran, Bridget Patricia

Curran, Francis James

Oakes, Ernest Willard

Curran, Francis Leo

O'Brien, Gertrude Irene

*O'Connell, Daniel James

Daniels, Bertha V.

Lee, J. Francis Linnehan, Helen Elizabeth

Breen, Joseph A.

*Caine, Edmund Gerard

Martin, John Stephen

*Chamberlain, Calvin Bernard Clem, Peter Richard Clements, Edna Jeanette Collins, Teresa V.

Montisan, Anthony Nelson, Clifford Roy

Nelson, Ida Viola Newark, Joseph Carl

Nyborn, Frank Walter

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Darling, Arthur S. *Davis, Ruth Maretta D'Espinosa, Mary A. Dixon, John Peter Donovan, James Bernard Drummey, Mary Agnes Everburg, Greta Augusta *Fay, Wilbur Converse Flaherty, Francis Flaherty, Margaret Josephine Flynn, Anna Elizabeth Flon, Nora M. Foley, Thomas Joseph Foren, Helen

Foster, Pearl Emilie

Frederickson, Martha Helena

Geary, William Joseph

*Gustafson, Ruth Wilhelmina Hartshorn, Chester P. Hauck, Arthur Paul Hauck, Carlton F.

Hayes, John P. Hennessey, Arthur Francis Hershenson, Bertha Ida

Turner, Margaret H. van Leeuwen, Marie

*Waldheim, Jane Marian

Jackman, Villa Diantha Johnson, Alice I.

*Whitcher, Eleanor Wisgirda, John, Jr.

The starred pupils were awarded John C. Lane medals. The United States History medal was awarded to Wilbur Fay. The Ber- wick English prize was awarded to Wilbur Fay. The Senior Plimp- ton Art prize was awarded Helen O'Kane. The Mechanical Draw- ing prize was awarded to Lawrence Reed.

Matriculation of the Class of 1927

Of the 106 graduates of the class of 1927, the following are on their way to acquiring higher education and advanced training:

Bates College 4

Boston College 3

Boston University 3

Bridgewater Normal 1 Colby College 1

Colgate University

Cornell University 1

Dummer Academy 1

O'Kane, Helen Regina Oliver, Herbert W. Olsen, Helen Irene Owens, Helen Mae *Perlmutter, Rose Rafuse, Hilda Mary Rafuse, Ruth Miriam Reed, Laurance F. Rice, Miriam

*Roberts, Barbara Emma

* Rorke, Marguerite E. Rouillard, Gareth Chase Sarkisian, John Shergals, Nellie Agnes Sienkiewicz, Veronica Blanche Slavin, Edward Stanton

*Snyder, Edna Elizabeth Spencer, Winthrop Earle *Steele, Samuel Elbert Stevens, Thornton Tinkham, Irene Viola Towne, Richard James

Trulson, Dorothy Wilhelmina

Hibbard, Edna Elizabeth

*Howes, Luther Hall

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Holy Cross 1

Lawrence Academy

Massachusetts Agricultural 1

Massachusetts College of Pharmacy 2

Massachusetts Institute of Technology 1

Simmons 1

Smith College 1

Springfield Y. M. C. A. 1

St. Anselm's 1

Tufts 1

University of Maine 1

Returns from these thus far received on the whole are very satis- factory.

Commercial Department

The commercial department continues in its maintenance of high standard work and is expanding and enlarging its scope of achieve- ments. This year we have a course in office appliances in which students of the commercial department are now receiving instruc- tions on the manipulation of modern and up-to-date machines that are used in the business world to-day. We hope that additional office appliance machines will be forthcoming so that the work will continue in its development.

Practical Arts Department

It is earnestly desired that another year will show increased possibility for the development of this phase of our school work. The general trend of domestic arts work in high schools is toward a more general distribution of the work over the entire student body and we hope that even a greater number of girls may be reached another year. Plans are now under way for increased time, espe- cially for the cooking periods, so that double periods may be had for the girls in this work.

Extra Curricula

It is my general observation that the high standard of our athle- tic teams is still in evidence. Our football team, under Mr. Murray, has had one more undefeated record; but of far greater importance from an educational point of view is the possibility of offering the work to a squad of 72 boys. For the greater part of the football season we can safely say that Norwood held as large a squad of boys in their interest in this sport as any school in the State of Massachusetts; and very few of the city schools offered the train-

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ing to a greater number of boys. Norwood is looked upon as a leader in mass participation in athletic events.

Our Quest Club is unique in its philanthropic achievement and splendid work. It has recently very credibly concluded its activities for the year in its most successful Christmas party, a performance of unusual high merit and of its kind, in the writer's observation, unparalleled for a piece of high school extra curricula work.

Our traffic squad, under the leadership of Miss Abbott is showing a splendid spirit and willingness to share the duties of school management, at the same time developing in many ways the respon- sibilities and duties of real leadership and citizenship.

Our school paper, the Arguenot, and the dramatics continue on their high plane of work and it is hoped that this year will see an increased interest in debating, musical club organization and public speaking. Our orchestra, laboring under many handicaps, is pro- gressing splendidly. The proper development of the last four men- toned activities is seriously handicapped and will be, with the ever- occurring conflict for rehearsing possibilities experienced in our gymnasium-auditorium combination. We trust that relief may be in sight at some not too distant date.

May I add in passing that Norwood's citizens may well be proud of the educational opportunities offered to the boys and girls of the Town. Due to the forward-looking policies and persistent labors of your educational leaders, Norwood has, by the constant help of its citizens, teachers and pupils, one of the finest plants, one of the most up-to-date comprehensive high school organizations to be found anywhere. Fully aware of the fact that this is a broad state- ment, and that this situation has been entirely inherited by the present Principal, I am in a very good position to tell the towns- people through this report that the eyes of the State, education- ally, are centered on Norwood. Our school is being presented almost as a model school. Not only do I consider it a rare privilege to take up the administrative work of the Norwood High School where you left it, but also do I realize that in my position here there is the very great responsibility of keeping the standard of work up to the high plane at which I find it and carrying on to further de- velopment.

Our accomplishment plan, with accompanying directed or super- vised study, so carefully outlined in your report of 1926, has been widely discussed by classes in education in our Graduate Schools at Harvard and Boston University. It is looked upon by leaders in education as one of the outstanding and most promising effective methods of conducting high school instruction known today. By it teachers are most assuredly enabled to better meet the individual

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needs of the pupil. Our percentage failure for the entire school has been very materially cut down when compared with that of the former method of instruction. During the few months I have been here our school has been visited by many superintendents, high school principals, other school officials and teachers, all of whom have left very favorable comment upon our organization and plan of study; and many have gone back to their communities with a strong desire to make some start toward getting away from group instruction, that which expects all students to assimilate and master the same load. Norwood's plan makes allowance for the varying abilities in students and the plan is gaining universal recognition, is becoming more and more widely adopted, and, it is safe to pre- dict, will be found in practically all our secondary schools in five to ten years time. I firmly believe that we should be proud to be one of the pioneers in this field. It is not a fad, but is sound pedago- gically.

In closing this brief report I wish to say that I will indeed go forward enthusiastically with your carefully laid plans for the de- velopment of our high school, co-operating in every way possible. I earnestly wish to thank all who have in any way contributed to the success of the school during the past year and who have made my first few months in Norwod such pleasant ones.

Respectfully submitted,

HERBERT H. ARCHIBALD, Principal, Senior High School.

Mr. L. W. Grant,

Superintendent of Schools, Norwood, Massachusetts.

My dear Mr. Grant:

The Junior High School is in good condition, though working under difficulties. At the end of December the enrollment was dis- tributed as follows: Grade VII, 276, Grade VIII, 316, Grade IX, 232; total, 824-a number somewhat less than was anticipated for this year. Since September, however, we have lost twenty pupils, dis- tributed-gone to work, 8, family moved from town, 10, home permits, 2. But for this loss, the number would have been prac- tically what it was estimated that it would be.

So far this year the record has been very poor in the matter of attendance. There are, in the files of the school, 400 excuses, all of which are for inexcusable or unnecessary absences, and all of which absences have occurred since September. The record is still

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worse in the matter of tardiness, of which there have been 686 cases in four months. The excuses most frequently given are, "I didn't get up in time," or "I didn't start in time." In this matter it seems as though the parents are not cooperating with the school, as a little attention at home would correct this fault, and it really is not the school's business to get the pupils in on time. Irregular- ity in attendance is one of the chief causes of failure.

I cannot too highly commend the efforts of the attendance officer, Mr. Lydon, to correct this fault. He is always ready to help in visiting the homes to explain to parents, and gain their cooperation, and in very many cases he has succeeded well.

There are 389 pupils in the present sixth grade. Estimating that 370 of these will be promoted at the end of the year, next year's seventh grade must contain ten sections of about 37 each, and this does not include those of this year's class who may not be pro- moted. Thirty-seven to forty is too large a unit for most efficient work. This number connotes re-equipment and use of the two now vacant rooms in the Everett School building. As we are sending in round numbers 220 to High School this year, and receiving prac- tically 370 from the sixth grades, the school next year should number 150 more than this year, or a total of 970 pupils. To organize an additional ninth grade with 40 in each room, and two additional seventh grades, will require at least two extra teachers for the academic work.

The increased enrollment next year will demand an increased number of class sessions. There are two ways of meeting this need-lengthen the school day, or shorten the recitation period. Since we have an hour and a half noon recess, to lengthen the school hours by adding an additional period at the end would dis- miss us at 4:20 P. M. It seems best to use the other method, so by shortening the period from 60 to 50 minutes, we can gain five periods a week. The school time schedule under this arrangement will be thirty 50 minute periods, instead of twenty-five 60 minute periods.

The whole situation in the Department of Physical Training is extremely unsatisfactory, and the facilities for carrying on the work extremely inadequate. The fact that the gymnasia are in the Civic building and not under the same roof as the rest of the school is in itself a handicap. We lose an average of at least 15 minutes from the time of every group that goes over, consumed in going and coming, and we are sending over twenty-three groups every week, to say nothing of the confusion caused by this constant going out and coming into the building of such large groups numbering sometimes as high as ninety.

The dressing rooms are mere cellars, without adequate con-

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veniences; there are no lockers which necessitates pupils carrying their gym suits with them to and from gym and to and from home, which results in constant loss of suits and constant forgetting of suits, so that at any time there may be from two to six, eight or ten without their suits, sitting idle on the side lines and conse- quently not taking part. The shower facilities are not sufficient so that pupils may bathe after their exercises, so they are coming from gym to the classroom without this formality, and in some cases perspiring freely.

Every year there are more and more pupils who are going into the Practical Arts Work, and here, too, our equipment is inade- quate for the numbers we already have, and the instructors are handicapped. More especially is this true for boys in Printing and Household Mechanics.

Adolescent children differ from each other in mental capacity, specific abilities, health, habits, emotions, ambitions and environ- ments. All men may have been created equal, but they were not created equal in these particulars. These individual differences a Junior High School should take into consideration, and so far as possible organize itself to meet them. Comparatively this depart- ment costs more than any other in the school because each instruc- tor handles only about half as many pupils at a time as those in other departments. The shops should be enlarged and equipped for larger pupil groups.

In subjects requiring primarily mental effort, not reason, chil- dren should be so grouped as to compete with those of similar ability. It is unfair and unreasonable from both standpoints to require a child of slow or low mentality to perform the same tasks in the same time as one who may be regarded, as far as his mental ability is concerned, as being in the genius class; nor is it fair to expect the geniuses to wait for and drag along the others. Others are merely slow in development-those whom we call plodders, and who will eventually arrive, but who should not hold back those who can go ahead more rapidly, and who should not themselves beforced. As our school is now organized we differentiate in no particular between these two groups.

I recommend a special study be given this problem, and that we begin developing some system to meet the situation by grouping children in Grade VIII according to mental ability, as determined by well established tests given in the seventh year, conferred by the judgment of teachers and by actual accomplishment.

There is need, too, for a special room and a special teacher for the over-age and very backward pupils who fit nowhere-a room where the preponderance of the school activity would be along the lines of manual rather than of mental work, and where pupils of

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this type may be given all the preparation possible for leaving school.

Respectfully submitted, GEORGE W. ALLEN, Principal of Junior High School.

Mr. L. W. Grant,

Superintendent of Schools, Norwood, Massachusetts.

My dear Mr. Grant:

I submit herewith my annual report as Director of Physical Education for boys of the Senior and Junior High Schools for the year 1927.

In September, 1926, the new Senior High School opened and we were able to use our new gymnasium, shower baths and locker rooms. The periods were extended to one hour which allowed every boy in the Senior High School to have a shower bath after his class work. In the new school, we find a gymnasium of the most modern type with all the physical equipment needed to carry out our program.

The Junior High School pupils carried on their program in the Civic Association Building, as has been the custom in years past. During the interval from January first to the close of the school year in June, regular class work with both Senior and Junior High school boys consisted of drill, calisthenics, apparatus exercises and games.

In this work we have striven to accomplish our aim-namely:

(a) Correct Posture

(b) Proper Physical Development

The Junior High School classes were under the direction of Mr. Ward until the end of school in June, at which time he re- signed to accept a position in the Physical Education Department of the Watertown schools.

In September, Mr. Lewis, a graduate of Springfield College was engaged to take over the position left vacant by Mr. Ward.

Special corrective work has always been given by all physical instructors of both schools to the boys who needed individual attention. We have always endeavored to carry out a physical education program which would meet the approval of the State Supervisor-Mr. Carl L. Schrader.

In regard to Sports: At this time basketball was taught to both Senior and Junior High School boys and a schedule of eight league games, with the adition of two games with Dedham and two games with Franklin, was played by the Senior High School

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with outside teams. This is the first year that a basketball league was formed with the following high schools-Natick, Framingham, Wellesley, Needham and Norwood. In this league, Norwood fin- ished second to Natick. In the standing of second teams, Norwood was tied with Framingham for first place.

The Senior High School basketball squad consisted of fifty-two boys. Of this number, eight were considered members of the school team. Ten others made up the school second team. The remaining candidates formed class teams and played a series for the championship of the Senior High School.

In the Junior High School, a class schedule and room series was played throughout the winter. A series of 102 class games was played in all. An All Junior High School team was selected to play the winner of class competition in the Senior High School. This team also played eight games with outside teams. A second team was also chosen and competed against the same schools.

In the Senior High School, for the first time, a hockey team was formed under the direction of Mr. Robert Woodbury, who proffered his services, and twenty-five boys enjoyed an eight game schedule-of which they won five and lost three. The hockey can- didates had the privilege of practicing on the Civic Association rink -the use of which was kindly donated by the Norwood Women's Club and by the Board of Governors of the Civic Association.

In April fifty-two boys presented themselves as candidates for the Senior High School baseball team. Thirteen made the first team. Fourteen others played on the second team.

The remainder was divided into class teams which competed for the championship of the Senior High School. The school team played a schedule of eighteen games with other high school teams and lost one game. A series of three games was then arranged with the Cambridge High and Latin School to play for the cham- pionship of the State.

The first game, which was played in Cambridge, was a victory for Cambridge-the second game, played at Norwood was a victory for Norwood; the third game, played at Boston College athletic field at University Heights resulted in a victory for Norwood. The proceeds of the third and deciding game were equally divided be- tween the Boston Floating Hospital and the Boston Post Santa Claus Fund.

I want to take this occasion to thank the directors of Boston College for the use of their field.

The High School second team played a schedule of seven games with other high school second teams. This team was coached by Mr. J. Clifford Gear, of the High School science department.

In Junior High School a league was formed of the Seventh, Eighth and Ninth Grade Room Teams and a series of interclass

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games was played. An All Junior High School team was formed which played eight outside games.

The All Student Track Meet had to be suspended for this year on account of the track at the High School not being ready for use at that time.

During the fall season, seventy-four Senior High School boys reported for football and a schedule of nine games was played with outside teams. The result of the season was an undefeated team.

The second team played three games with outside schools and a third and fourth team played two games.

In the Junior High School a soccer league was formed in the seventh, eighth, and ninth grades and an interclass series of twenty seven games was played.

During the Christmas vacation, thirty-three candidates signified their intention of participating in Senior High School basketball. A schedule of twelve games has been arranged with other schools and the opening game of the season is to be played January 11, 1928.

A hockey schedule of twelve games has been arranged and a call has been issued for candidates. At the present time, forty boys have signified their intention of participating in this branch of athletics. A hockey rink has been provided in the rear of the school through the kindness of the town officials. The members of the Fire Department have generously volunteered their services in the maintenance of the rink.

Over fifty candidates have reported for Junior High School bas- ketball and a schedule of eight games has been arranged with other Junior High School teams.

In both the Senior and Junior High Schools a series of inter- class games will be carried on as has been the custom in other years.

I would like to take this opportunity, on behalf of the boys and myself, to thank the citizens of Norwood for their loyal support in all our athletics in the year 1927.

Respectfully submitted,

H. BENNETT MURRAY, Director of Physical Education.

Mr. L. W. Grant,

Superintendent of Schools,

Norwood, Massachusetts.

My dear Mr. Grant:

I submit herewith my report of the work in Physical Education for the Elementary Schools and for the girls of the Junior and

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Senior High Schools during the year ending December 31, 1927.

The general outline of work, as suggested by the State Super- visor, is the same as last year. The aim of all physical education is for correct posture, proper physical development and coordin- ation of mind and body. In the grades we use simple postural exercises and games. The chairs and desks are adjusted as far as possible to suit the individual child and the teachers co-operate in every way possible to correct the walking, sitting and standing postures. We co-operate with the school nurses in the care of the underweight children by giving special corrective exercises to those recommended by the clinic.

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Norwood annual report 1923-1927, Part 99

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

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