USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Norwood > Norwood annual report 1927-1929 > Part 17
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I would like at this time to thank the Superintendent, Principals, and Teachers, for their interest and cooperation during the year.
Respectfully submitted,
HELEN L. ARNOLD,
Supervisor of Drawing.
278
Mr. L. W. Grant,
Superintendent of Schools, Norwood, Massachusetts.
My dear Mr. Grant:
I herewith submit a report of the Household Arts Department for the year ending December 31, 1927.
Household Arts Education or "Education for Home-Making" is far reaching in its aims and ideal and we are continuously striv- ing to improve our courses and equipment in order that we may attain and maintain the highest possible standards of instruction for our pupils. It is interesting to note that a special committee appointed by the National Education Association to study Home Economics .Curricula reported that the present tendency is wholly in favor of a general course embracing many new units of instruc- tion. We are pleased to report that our course of study has shown for some time a decided departure from the "sewing" and "cook- ing" type of instruction. Technical instruction in these subjects is only a small part of the work accomplished. The vast amount of valuable material which is offered through our many branches of Home-Making instruction has probably been less recognized as a definite part of the work of this department. It is with the broadest aims of education for home-making in mind that many subjects relating to activities and ideals which make up daily home life have occupied a conspicuous place in our curriculum for a num- ber of years.
A specific project which we hope to complete this year is a problem in furnishing and equipping a room at Junior High School as a bedroom in order that we may have a better setting for our Child-Care, Home-Care of Sick and Housewifery lessons. These lessons, although well established, would prove more interesting if taught under more home-like conditions. We hope that the girls may have an opportunity to freshen some old furniture and through correlation with the sewing classes make necessary linens, etc. Information brought out in a tangible way such as this can be applied practically in their homes. Another problem for the future is the improvement of our dining room at Junior High School. Here we offer courses in Home Table Service, Etiquette, Entertaining, etc. Many problems of Hygiene of Dress, Personal Appearance, Appropriate Dress, etc., are interwoven into our Clothing classes. Opportunities for health instruction are recog- nized and met. Our close relationship with the girls over a period of years from grade V through High School offers many oppor- tunities to assist them with friendly advice. Problems of Physical and Mental Health often find a setting in our classes. An example of our attempt to create worthy ideals is illustrated in the develop-
279
ment of the spirit of thoughtfulness for others through cooperative giving. Two splendid baskets were packed wholly through pupils' contributions and given away to two most appreciative families at Thanksgiving time.
Numerous opportunities for the growth of this department would be made possible by equipping as a living-room and clubroom the room designed for social and club activities at the High School. We trust that in the near future we may look forward to this additional space and equipment in order that we may continue our table service and entertaining lessons and develop other social aspects of our work.
While the primary aim of the High School Cafeteria appears to be to furnish a nourishing and inexpensive noon meal to pupils, I feel that a larger responsibility rests with the management in making it an educational feature of the school and a credit to this department. We therefore aim for an atmosphere of refinement, a display of good manners at the tables and in line. Through our menus we are teaching the student body to select well balanced and nutritious meals.
Since the type of instruction covered in this department is fun- damental for all girls and the measure of its value or success lies in numbers reached and helped through our classes, we are pleased to note the continuous growth of the department and the steadily increasing interest on the part of pupils.
I wish at this time to thank the Superintendent of Schools and all who have appreciated and helped the growth of this depart- ment in any way.
Respectfully submitted, AGNES M. BRIDGES, Head of Household Arts Department.
Mr. L. W. Grant,
Superintendent of Schools,
Norwood, Massachusetts.
My dear Mr. Grant:
I herewith submit my fourth annual report as Supervisor of Adult Alien Education in Norwood for the year ending December 31, 1927.
Our evening school classes for adult aliens are held in the Balch School and in the Junior High School as in the three preceding years. At the beginning of this year the classes in both schools were put under the leadership of Mr. J. Clifford Geer as principal. This has tended to unify the work in the two buildings and has proved a very good arrangement.
The total enrollment in our evening school classes this year is
280
173. Of this number 58 are women. When we add to this the 42 women who are attending the mothers' classes in different parts of the town the total number of adult foreign women in school this year is 100.
To me this is the most significant part of this report. The mother determines the kind of home and the health and happiness of the family. America can be no better than its homes. Many of Norwood's foreign born women are beginning to be interested in becoming citizens and exercising their right to vote. I believe that the work with the mothers in home classes is the most im- portant and valuable of all of our Americanization teaching.
It is physically impossible for all foreign women in a district to attend classes. Small babies and large families, which are never lacking in the home of the immigrant, sickness and other insurmountable difficulties conspire against the education of these mothers. What unlimited opportunities has the teacher of the mother's class! Of course the teaching of English is her first duty, but there are so many ways in which she can "help" in the many homes in which she comes in contact. She has so many ways of proving herself a true friend.
This year we have nine mothers' classess. Seven of these meet in homes in different parts of the town and two meet at the Winslow School. The director teaches seven of these classes. She has had the able assistance of Mrs. Agnes Curtin McDevitt in the teaching of two home classes. All of these classes meet twice a week for a period of one hour each day.
In September, when we sent out our posters which told of the opening of evening school, we advertised an advanced class for men and women who had graduated from our three year course, but who felt a need for further study. In response to this over thirty men and women expressed a desire for the work.
The pupils of any advanced class are a select group. They are ambitious, social-minded and possess a sense of values. This class generates a spirit of cooperative effort that gives purpose and vitality to the whole school. A man in a lower class asked the question: "Was it true that Mr. S., who already spoke English so well, found it worthwhile to come to school for further study ?" In attendance and quality of work done this class ranks high.
It is a wonderfully inspiring sight to see a group of aliens work- ing to become American citizens. What a challenge it ought to be to us who have always been American citizens to make this country of ours what their teachers have taught them it is! A fact noted in a recent copy of the Norwood Messenger is significant-"Of the seventy-eight people who have registered as voters in Norwood during the last period of registration one-third were on natural-
281
ization papers." All of our work with adult aliens should lead easily and naturally into naturalization.
Every experienced worker with the foreign born realizes that we cannot Americanize immigrants until the native born practice in their daily lives, those principles which are commonly under- stood to be the distinguishing marks of good citizenship in the United States. Granting this, then the correction of every un- American condition may be considered "Americanization work."
The real success of this work is not measured by numbers but by the development which has taken place in the minds and hearts of the students. To appreciate the actual results is to visit the classes and to catch the spirit which exists there.
This report would not be complete without an honest word of appreciation for the spirit and interest which has been shown by the principal of the evening school and by the loyal corps of teachers who have actually done the work.
Respectfully submitted,
WILDA L. VOSE,
Supervisor of Adult Alien Education.
Mr. L. W. Grant,
Superintendent of Schools,
Norwood, Massachusetts.
Dear Sir:
I submit my report as Attendance Officer for the year ending December 31st, 1927.
Total number of investigations 430
To ascertain causes of Evening School absences
15
To ascertain causes of day school absences 415
Truancy 113
To investigate cases where home permits were desired 13
To investigate cases where employment permits were desired 14
To investigate cases of illness 103
Moved
5
Want of shoes or clothing
20
Assisting at home
60
Miscellaneous 87
Pupils returned to school
54
Respectfully submitted, THOMAS C. LYDON, Attendance Officer.
282
Mr. L. W. Grant,
Superintendent of Schools, Norwood, Massachusetts.
My dear Mr. Grant:
I herewith submit my first annual report as Principal of the Norwood Evening School for the year ending December 31, 1927.
This year for the first time the direction of the entire details of all evening classes, both those in Practical Arts and Amer- icanization, was centralized under one head. This has evidently worked out to better advantage from an administrative point of view.
The report on Americanization will be found elsewhere, this report being in regard to the vocational classes in the Junior High School building.
Registration was held on October 10. In all the total number of pupils has been 140, distributed as follows:
Dressmaking 22
Millinery 15
Foods 40
Mechanical Drawing 24
Bookkeeping 21
Junior High School Subjects 18
Of this number there are at present 104 on the active list, or nearly 75% of the total registration. This figure is somewhat higher than that shown in previous years.
For the first time in many years a class in mechanical drawing has been successful, due largely to the excellent work of the instructor, Clifford H. Wheeler, Supervisor of Practical Arts of the Norwood Schools. This class now numbers fifteen interested young men.
The number enrolling for cooking was so large as to necessitate two divisions, one meeting Mondays for two and one-half hours and the other on Thursdays for the same period of time. There seemed to be a decided interest among women this year in learning how to prepare foods with a corresponding falling off in interest in knowledge of making hats.
Mrs. Zillah Fleming, who has conducted the work in dressmaking for many years, was forced to give up the work on December 31st, owing to ill health, and Miss Mary Moynahan of Cambridge was engaged to carry on the work. This class has been very successful and some fine products turned out by its members.
In all, eight teachers have instructed in the evening work. One difficulty has been in securing teachers who are qualified for this work from the point of view of State requirements. In some cases
283
it was necessary to engage local instructors who had not completed State requirements.
I wish to mention here the fine cooperation received from the Bird & Son organization in interesting several of their employees in the mechanical drawing course. Some of these pupils have come to class regularly from out of town and contributed materially to the success of this class.
In concluding this report I wish to thank you and your office force for the fine assistance given me in organizing the work for the year, as well as to express my appreciation to the force of instructors for their untiring effort in this work, which ap- parently is very much worthwhile in satisfying a very vital need in our town.
1
J. CLIFFORD GEER,
Principal of Evening School.
Mr. L. W. Grant,
Superintendent of Schools, Norwood, Massachusetts.
My dear Mr. Grant:
I herewith submit my report as Supervisor of Practical Arts in the Norwood Public School for the year ending December 31, 1927.
The year 1927 has been a period of activity in readjustment and organization in the department. More and more boys are taking this course and availing themselves of the opportunities offered in the various shops to make worthwhile projects for the home as well as to receive a liberal education along industrial lines. A notable feature this year was the interest taken by a group of girls who entered the department of advanced mechanical drawing.
The increasing number of pupils selecting this course has made a difficult problem to solve as some of the shops are over crowded. As a result of this condition, efficiency is lacking as a great deal of instruction requires individual attention. The enrollment of pupils in the shop classes has increased nearly fifty percent in comparison to the enrollment of last year, a large percentage being in the Junior High School, as here the seventh, eighth and ninth grades receive their instruction in the four shops.
In June some changes were made in the personnel of the de- partment. Mr. Natale resigned his position as instructor in wood- work at the Junior High and Mr. Bowler, the instructor in printing, was transferred to that shop. Mr. McAuliffe was engaged to teach printing and home mechanics. Recently Mr. Wynaught was added to the department and has taken over his duties as instructor of woodwork in the sixth grades, also acting as part-time teacher to relieve the situation in the Junior High.
284
The work in the sixth grade was carried out according to the course outlined. Plans and models were used to show the boys what they were to do before they started their projects. All pro- jects were within the ability of the boys of that age, and of a practical nature. The model airplane proved a most interesting and worthwhile project.
The grade teachers undertook the instruction and did exception- ally well, considering all the work was done with a sloyd knife. Material for this work had to be cut out at the Junior High School wood shop which placed a heavy burden upon the instructor in charge. With the new year it seemed advisable to place a man in charge of this work and reorganize the course on a more ad- vanced basis of instruction. Mr. Wynaught was engaged for the work and many difficulties of the past have been overcome.
Boys of the seventh grade had twenty weeks in each of two subjects, namely, woodworking and home mechanics. The aim of instruction was to bring the boy under advanced work in shop procedure and strove for quality in work. Projects completed were essential for home use, including bread boards, knife and fork boxes, clothes dryers, lamps and book racks.
The course in home mechanics, which was a new addition to the department, proved attractive as it gave the boys an insight into the way repairs should be accomplished in the home. It was comprised of four units which were-bell wiring, wire splicing, sheet metal work and glazing. Many cases involved other work as articles from home were brought in for repair.
Under the new curriculum the eighth grade was given the "Try- Out" course in printing and mechanical drawing. This plan proved successful as the boy's fitness to continue with the work could be determined. In the ten weeks spent in elementary printing, the boys were taught composition, stone work, make ready and cutting of stock.
Mechanical drawing was given in textbook form, which covered the principles, processes, problems and methods for beginners in elementary drafting. During the ten weeks of "Try-Out" in this subject a good deal of the work was covered.
In the ninth grade the practical arts class was formed and was given four periods of shop work in either of the three shops, con- sisting of printing, mechanical drawing, and woodwork. The advanced class in printing did all of the school jobs, which were numerous, for about 90,000 impressions were made. Other jobs were set and printed for individual needs and again the Junior High School paper "The Argue-a-lot" was put out. Cooperation in this department with the other school departments was evident. Schedules and permit blanks were printed for Mr. Murray, tickets for class socials, servers blanks for the Household Arts Depart-
285
ment and special work for the Principals and Superintendent.
Ninth grade classes in woodwork are exceptionally large and overcrowding of the shops is detrimental to the value of the shop and to the boys. The shop is arranged and equipped to handle twenty-four boys, but the classes have been up to thirty and over. The instructor cannot give the necessary attention to each boy's individual needs. The shop needs a good wooden floor, as the cement floor is harmful to the boys' feet and many tools are rendered useless by falling to this hard surface. A good iron sink is also needed with hot and cold water.
There is no regular mechanical drawing teacher in the ninth grade. It has been taught by one of the grade teachers. This of course used time that she should have devoted to her specific work.
Advanced mechanical drawing in the High School correlated a great deal of its work with the general shop. In this way a great deal of enthusiasm and interest was had among the boys in both shops.
Drafting has been entirely individual, as all the classes worked together whether they were first, second or third year. A desirable change from this situation would be to have each class taught separately. In this respect more theoretical instruction could be given, and more of the subject covered. Architectural drawing was introduced and several plans for garages and houses were drawn.
For the first time girls have entered into the work, found it interesting and have been very successful. It is hoped that more will continue with the subject in the coming year.
Boys entering the general shop for their first year's work were formed into four distinct groups for each of the four activities by the instructor. A term of ten weeks was spent in each unit or activity and then the groups changed, so that every boy passed throught each unit, unless the instructor desired to divert from this plan to meet some individual case. To boys who completed the first year of work successfully, the opportunity was given to elect any two of the four activities and continue this work for two terms of twenty weeks.
Practical and useful articles for use in the home and school were constructed, such as accounting tables, costumers, telephone tables, folding screens and ship models.
In wood finishing the amount and grade of work has been greatly handicapped by lack of space and suitable conditions.
Sheet-metal work brought the boys into contact with the appli- cation and study of principles. Projects constructed were window boxes, dust pans, cooky cutters, wastebaskets, book ends, and tool boxes.
In machine shop practice both bench and machine work was given. Bench work consisted of lay-out work, filing, hacksawing
286
and reaming. Machine work gave the boy his chance to operate a machine and turn out any small projects which he might wish to do. Projects completed were screw drivers, nail sets, center punches, plumb bobs and small hammers.
The electrical unit dealt with the theory and practice of electrical circuits, principles of house wiring and repair of electrical appli- ances from the boy's home.
I am very glad of this opportunity to express to you my sincere appreciation for all the assistance given to me and to the principals for their hearty cooperation with the department.
Respectfully submitted,
CLIFFORD H. WHEELER,
Supervisor of Practical Arts.
MEMBERSHIP BY AGE AND GRADE
Age
Grade
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 and 21
Totals
1
89
179
19
2
4
293
2
74
187
27
7
295
3
77
175
55
13
2
1
323
4
5
77
186
35
14
3
320
5
73
184
69
20
10
1
357
6
6
69
198
66
30
11
4
384
7
3
87
106
59
17
1
1
274
8
15
104
120
59
17
3
1
319
9
5
99
90
25
9
1
229
10
1
2
60
96
34
10
2
205
11
5
56
76
29
9
175
12
40
59
22
5
1
127
Special
1
2
1
4
4
6
2
7
1
28
Totals
89
253
289
283
332
305
290
198
259
362
324
193
111
33
5
3
3329
287
288
STATISTICS FOR SCHOOL YEAR 1926-1927
Average Membership
Average
Attendance
Per cent of
Attendance
Number of
Tardinesses
Pro Rata of
Tardinesses
Number of Days
in Session
Agg. Days Attended by all Pupils
54.08
52.41
.9690
30
.5546
180
9434
54.34
52.91
.9736
97
1.7850
180
9523
78.88
75.96
.9630
51
. 6465
180
13673
55.24
53.93
.9762
45
.8145
180
9708
106.97
103.11
.9639
58
. 5422
180
18560
88.73
85.82
.9569
103
1.1607
180
15447
67.85
54.25
.9620
107
1.57
179
11679
30.15
28.97
.9609
32
1.06
179
5186.5
60.47
58.53
.9679
75
8062
179
10477.5
64.71
61.29
.9472
188
2.9054
179
10971.5
64.26
61.87
.9628
82
1.276
179
11075.5
68.52
65.75
.9595
42
. 6129
179
11769
64.65
61.80
.9557
35
.541
179
11061.5
36.
34.3
.9528
72
2.
177
6071.5
74.61
70.29
.9421
122
1.63
179
12582
37.28
34.65
.9294
90
2.41
176.5
6115.5
73.75
69.65
.9443
98
1.322
179
12466.5
38.65
36.81
.9523
35
.9055
179
6590.5
36.03
34.19
.9453
96
2,65
177
6052
33.39
32.09
.9611
56
1.6172
179
5744
30.81
29.39
.9538
25
.8114
179
5260.5
32.04
30.84
. 9623
7
. 218
179
5520
39.28
37.94
. 9667
28
.7127
179
6792
41.31
39.96
9674
19
.4599
179
7153.5
39.95
38.51
.9639
32
.801
179
6893
36.74
35.23
.9589
57
1.5514
179
6306.5
41.64
40.05
.9618
14
.3362
179
7169
39.28
38.29
.9747
12
.3055
179
6853.5
41.55
39.03
.9392
29
. 6979
179
6986.5
38.42
36.42
.9479
49
1.209
179
6520
38.56
37.02
.9600
35
.9075
179
6627
37.22
35.92
.9649
32
.806
179
6429
33.56
32.26
.9608
26
.7746
179
5774.5
36.69
34.97
.9531
34
.923
179
6260
38.16
36.7
. 9617
28
.7337
179
6569.5
38.48
37.17
.9659
17
.4417
179
6654
29.07
27.82
.9568
50
1.7198
179
4979.5
28.35
26.75
.9434
14
.4938
179
4787.5
29.01
27.8
.9583
17
.5859
179
4976.5
29.15
27.82
.9541
16
. 5488
179
4979
11.49
10.76
.9360
14
1.2179
179
1926
33.11
30.88
.9326
59
1.781
179
5528
32.41
30.27
.9336
17
.524
179
5418
27.20
25.87
.9511
28
1.029
179
4631
36.60
33.41
.9128
83
2.29
179
5980.5
32.35
29.54
.913
42
1.2
179
5288
12.75
11.96
.9378
46
3.61
179
2140
32.25
30.06
.932
37
1.14
179
5382
35.69
33.24
.9286
71
1.9867
179
5950
30.16
28.19
.9346
64
2.12
179
5047
36.95
35.12
.9504
25
.6765
179
6287
35.33
33.13
.937
37
1.047
179
5929.5
33.69
31.70
.9408
37
1.098
179
5673.5
34.85
33.28
.9552
37
1.06
179
5957.5
66.28
63.58
.9592
43
. 648
179
11380
35.06
33.33
.9504
1.79
177
5898.5
289
STATISTICS FOR SCHOOL YEAR 1926-1927-Continued
Average Membership
Average
Attendance
Per cent of
Attendance
Number of
Tardinesses
Pro Rata of
Tardinesses
Number of Days
in Session
Agg. Days Attended by all Pupils
37.11
34.13
.9197
27
.727
179
6110
38.07
35.39
.9298
55
1.44
179
6335
32.53
30.40
.9349
40
1.22
179
5441.5
37.67
34.46
.9148
35
.9291
179
6168.5
32.90
31.39
.9541
55
1.671
179
5619
36.72
33.93
.924
37
.1007
179
6073
23.78
21.96
.9276
52
2.187
179
3930.5
36.45
34.72
.95
14
.38
179
6524
34.51
32.46
.9404
71
2.06
179
5810
30.71
28.82
.9384
21
.6838
179
5158.5
27.75
25.58
.9216
19
.6846
179
4579
20.09
18.21
.906
26
1.24
179
3258.5
33.91
31.63
.9327
37
1.091
179
5662
32.45
30.10
.9279
13
.4006
179
5388
41.17
39.59
.9613
7
.17
179
7086
37.04
35.76
.9653
11
.296
179
6400.5
39.89
38.23
.9582
8
.2
179
6843
31.58
30.68
.9717
6
.19
179
5493
30.92
29.52
.9545
13
.42
179
5284
27.55
26.25
.9527
13
.471
179
4698.5
29.99
28.45
.9484
10
.333
179
5092
31.63
30.21
.9552
78
2.46
179
5407.5
35.60
33.88
.9516
5
.13
179
6064
26.65
24.78
.9295
6
.22
179
4436
34.11
32.43
.9508
9
.263
179
5805.5
3254.77
3096.71
76.8478
3363
85.0305
14496.5
554762.5
290
ENROLLMENT AND ATTENDANCE
NAME
School
Grade
State Enrollment
Boys
Girls
No. 14 years to
No. 7 years to
14 years
7 years
L. W. Grant.
Sr. High
12
56
56
1
L. W. Grant.
12
57
57
L. W. Grant.
11
83
85
22
L. W. Grant.
11
59
60
17
L. W. Grant
10
117
120
120
L. W. Grant.
10
96
96
69
1
Geo. W. Allen
Jr. High
9
71
36
35
37
32
Geo. W. Allen
9
70
35
35
48
15
Geo. W. Allen.
9
34
20
14
22
10
Geo. W. Allen
9
68
36
32
38
23
Geo. W. Allen
8
66
33
36
16
50
Geo. W. Allen.
8
64
32
34
30
34
Geo. W. Allen
8
71
38
34
15
53
Geo. W. Allen.
8
67
35
33
16
48
Geo. W. Allen.
7
35
18
19
10
25
Geo. W. Allen.
7
36
16
20
2
33
Geo. W. Allen.
R
7
77
40
39
17
60
Geo. W. Allen.
7
37
18
20
4
32
Geo. W. Allen.
7
75
40
38
21
56
Geo. W. Allen.
7
40
20
20
4
36
Geo. W. Allen.
7
37
20
17
8
29
Lizzie E. Hadley
6
34
23
12
1
33
Mary C. MeLaughlin.
6
31
17
16
31
Mildred L. Morse.
6
33
15
18
1
31
Grace M. Beverly
5
40
28
17
1
39
Helen Holloway
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