USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Norwood > Norwood annual report 1927-1929 > Part 53
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59
Teachers
During the year, out of thirty-two teachers, the Junior High School has lost three; the first time in two years any teacher has been lost. One of these resigned because of marriage, and the other two to take better positions. An increase of one hundred pupils in grade nine next year will mean two teachers more as one of the present teachers will be shifted from grade eight to grade nine. I can but concede that very, very much of the present good condition in which we find the school, in every respect, is due to the loyalty and energy of the teaching force.
We have many cases of home "trouble" which should have special in- vestigation, and a "home-school" visitor in the system for such investi- gations would be a valuable addition in the school force, not alone for this school, but for the entire system-a woman preferably, and specially trained to go to the home on errands where the truant officer does not seen to be the one to send.
Opportunity Classes
Attached hereto is an Age-Grade Chart of this school as of October 1. 1929; twelve years and six months being the normal age of a child in grade seven, thirteen years and six months in grade eight, and fourteen years and six months in grade nine.
Of course if a child is thirteen years and six months old and still in grade seven, it means that somewhere along the line, for some reason he has been held back, and is a year behind where he should be chronologically. A glance at the chart will show that a great many children are thus re- tarded, some of them as many as three years, and are still beyond their depths floundering about getting nowhere.
For this reason, opportunity classes are organized and it is evident we
-
1
250
Age, Grade Chart, Junior High School, October 1929
11-6
12-6
13-6
14-6
15-6
16-6
17-6
18-6
Grade 7
4
169
117
32
13
335
Grade 8
13
91
133
71
38
10
3
359
Grade 9
2
19
128
66
29
2
1
247
941
need one in this school, but as stated before we can have nothing of the kind until rooms at the present occupied by Guild School elementary grades, are vacated. These children should not be mixcd with other children for various reasons-the chief one being that it is not well for the children themselves. A special room should be provided and children should be removed from groups which they do not fit, and provide oppor- tunities for their health and development which because of numbers, they cannot obtain elsewhere.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE W. ALLEN, Principal. 1
Mr. L. W. Grant,
Superintendent of Schools, Norwood, Massachusetts.
My dear Mr. Grant:
I herewith submit the annual report of the Physical Education Depart- ment.
The work in the Physical Education Department during the past year has been carried on along the lines of the program issued by the State Department of Physical Education. During the year of 1930 the Junior High School pupils will have their own gymnasium, lockers, and shower baths, which will help us to carry out a more extensive program in this school.
In the grade schools the competition for best results in three phases of health work, Weight, Teeth and Posture was carried on again this year. The results in good posture showed an increase over last year. The extra school activities program is also increasing: soccer and volley ball, are
251
played during fall and spring. In the spring, an inter-school baseball league, is carried on with high school boys acting as umpires.
On June first, a demonstration of Physical Education, by all the pupils of the first six grades of the Norwood Public Schools, was given on the Senior High School Athletic Field. Every phase of Physical Education work taught in the grades was shown during the program. This was a large undertaking and could not have been successfully carried out without the cooperation of all. The principals and teachers cooperated in every way with Miss Osborn both in making costumes and helping in the teach- ing of the various numbers, as well as giving up their Saturday to be present with their classes at the demonstration. Mr. Dethier formed a band of thirty-two pieces for the occasion. The Practical Arts Depart- ment at Junior High School printed the programs and the boys at Senior High School made the May Pole and helped mark out the field.
In the Junior High School, the girls, in addition to regular class work, played elimination tournaments in modified soccer ball, volley ball and dodge ball. The ninth grade girls also play inter-division basket ball and in the spring are taught the rudiments of field hockey. Practically every girl is entered in some form of extra school activity.
In the Senior High School the girls of the two upper classes entered 100% in the state-wide, all student track meet. Margaret Corcoran won a place in the state meet with thirty-four points. A great deal of interest was shown in tennis. Last spring a great number of girls par- ticipated in this form of sport and this fall a very successful tennis tourna- ment was conducted for the girls. Field hockey was also played during the fall months and in December about fifty girls reported for basket ball. Inter-class games will be played first and then a team will be picked to represent the school in a few outside games. A good many girls in the High School work after school but for those who do not, there is ample opportunity to engage in some form of sport outside of school hours.
Intramural athletics are being stressed for boys in the Junior High School, i.e. athletics within the school, although competition with other schools is carried on in a moderate way.
In basket ball a league was formed consisting of 10 seventh grade teams, 8 eighth grade teams, and S ninth grade teams, which makes a total of 208 boys playing in this sport. There were in all, 101 games of basket ball played outside of the final championships.
Pupil leadership and officiating is practiced throughout both the Senior and Junior High Schools with very good results.
In the Junior High School, a team was selected from the class teams to represent the school in outside competition and a schedule of 8 games was played. The class team representing 9C won the basket ball cup.
During the spring term, baseball was played by all grades of the Junior High School.
A seventh grade baseball league was formed and games were played at the Everett School grounds. Mrs. Everett, head teacher of the Everett
252
School, supervised the running of these games, and a great deal of credit is due her for the success of this league.
A league was also conducted in the Sth grade and a team was selected to represent the school in 8 outside gaines.
Soccer is the game played in the fall by the boys in the Junior High. About 275 boys played in the 23 league games. The winner of the soccer cup was the team representing SB.
In the Senior High School all pupils were given a physical examination by the school physicians and only a very small per cent was excused from regular class work.
The regular class work with both Senior and Junior High School pupils consists of drill, calisthenics, apparatus, exercises and games. Correct posture, proper physical development, and proper coordination of mind and body, are the ends sought for in our class work.
Athletics for boys in the Senior High consisted of basket ball, baseball, football, hockey, track, and tennis.
The basket ball squad consisted of forty-two members. Of this number, nine were considered members of the school team. Nine 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.
Twenty-eight boys reported to Mr. McBay for hockey and a schedule of ten games was played with outside teams. The rink provided in the rear of the school would not hold water and therefore all games had to be played away from home.
In April, sixty-five boys presented themselves as candidates for the Senior High School baseball team. Fifteen players were considered mem- bers of the first team. Twelve others played on the second team. The school teain played a schedule of fifteen games, while the second team under the direction of Mr. Wallace Sawyer played ten games.
A school track team was organized in April and six meets were par- ticipated in. Mr. Eastwood had charge of the field event inen, and Mr. McBay, the runners. About twenty-five boys enjoyed this branch of sport and a very successful season was the result.
In September, seventy-two boys reported for football and a schedule of nine games was played with outside teams. As a result of the season, the team won all of their games. The second team played two games with outside teams. The third played two games with other opponents.
The tennis courts were in use practically every day during the Spring and Fall, and a great deal of pleasure was derived through this medium of exereise.
Basket ball practice for boys started in December and so far, forty-six candidates have signified their intention of playing during the winter season. A schedule of twelve games has been arranged with other schools, and also a second team schedule. A series of class games will be played during the season.
253
About thirty boys have reported to Mr. MeBay for hockey and a suit- able schedule will be arranged.
In the State All-Student Track Meet 100% of the boys of the two upper classes competed, six boys winning honor certificates.
The members of this department wish to express their appreciation to all members of the school department and the citizens for their loyal sup- port in our work.
Respectfully submitted.
H. BENNETT MURRAY.
Mr. L. W. Grant,
Superintendent of Schools,
Norwood, Massachusetts.
My dear Mr. Grant:
We submit herewith the annual report of the Health Department.
The following statistical report covers a large part of the routine work:
Individual inspections
Recommended for exclusion for
Pediculosis
451
Skin disease 204
Symptoms of communicable disease 248
38
Number of cultures taken
6
Number of First Aid treatments
1,019
Number weighed . 15,502
Per cent of children 10% or more underweight
7%
Per cent of children 20% or more overweight.
Number of home calls 1,011
Number of cases of scarlet fever
15
Number of cases of diphtheria
1
Number of cases of measles
1
Number of cases of chicken pox
55
Number of cases of mumps
7
Number of cases of whooping cough.
4
Number of cases of influenza
10
Number of cases of typhoid fever
1
Number of cases of tuberculosis
5
Number of cases of pneumonia
5
Number having defective vision
142
Number carcd for at eye clinic .
53
Number cared for outside of clinic 25
17,781
Other reasons
254
Number of pupils examined by the doctor
1,330
Number of pupils having defects.
429
Number of notices sent home
414
Posture (marked)
13
Number treated
6
Skin .
9
Number treated
9
Tonsils and adenoids
296
Number treated
75
Nose-deviated septum
4
Number treated
4
Glands
39
Number treated
15
Heart
21
Number treated
21
Orthopedic
3
Number treated
3
Malnutrition
5
Number treated
5
Hernia
2
Number treated
1
Lungs
6
Number treated
6
Number examined by school dentist.
2,061
Number needing dental care.
1,947
Number cared for at dental clinic (Grades I, II and III only)
685
Number cared for outside of clinic
712
Number receiving first Schick test .
156
Number positive.
145
Number receiving second Schick test
117
Number positive.
13
Number examined at tuberculosis clinic
7
Number positive.
3
Number receiving audiometer tests
1,818
Number having 9+ unit loss
90
The dental program has been carried out in the same manner as last year, that is, the examination of all children in Grades I to VI inclusive. Only children in Grades I, II and III who could not employ the services of a private dentist were treated at the dental clinic. Notices of defects for children in all grades were sent to parents and the correction of these by the family dentist was urged for all children in Grades IV, V and VI.
The health work for the year was brought to a close on June first, the May Day, Health Day Exercises taking place then.
The committees of awards and publicity were made up of grade teachers. Attractive buttons were distributed to the children in place of the more
255
or less perishable paper tags supplied by the State Department of Public Health. Children within the limits of 10% below and 20% above normal weight for height and age were given the weight buttons. Dental buttons were earned by all who brought certificates from their dentists stating that all necessary work had been completed. Children who, in the opinion of the classroom teacher and the physical education director, demonstrated good standing, sitting and walking posture throughout the year, received posture buttons. Those eligible for all three buttons were decorated with a large button with a gold lettered blue ribbon attached.
Shattuck School received the highest per cent of all the buttons and was awarded the large white silk banner. Small blue felt banners were given out to the classroom in each grade showing the highest per cent in each of the three buttons. There were many rooms that had 100% for the correction of dental defects.
It is interesting to note that the per cent of dental corrections in the grade schools was 70, an increase of 18% over the record of the previous year. We hope to do even more during the coming year. The State report of the dental campaign placed Norwood second in the list for towns of its size.
The success of the program was due to the hard work on the part of the teachers, physical education directors and the pupils themselves with the cooperation of the homes.
Dr. Schorer came in September to examine the mentally retarded chil- dren. Fifty-nine were examined and recommendations have been made which will enable the children to receive the greatest help in their school work.
The Follow-up Clinics for the State "Ten-Year Program" were held in April and December. Chest X-rays of all the children were taken in advance of the December clinic.
The report of the last clinic is as follows:
Number X-rayed 18
Number examined . 16
Number diagnosed as pulmonary tuberculosis 2
Number diagnosed as bronchiectasis 1
Number discharged to family physician 3
Number discharged because of improved condition 5
Number recommended for further follow-up and treatment 5
The Tentative Outline in Health Education prepared by the teachers under the direction of Miss Vera H. Brooks has been completed and is now in use in the elementary grades.
We thank the Norwood High School Quest Club, the Norwood Women's Club and the Norwood Mothers' Club for their generous support of the health work.
.
256
We wish also to express our appreciation for the loyal support and helpful advice from you, the supervisors and teachers.
It was a decided loss to the department when Miss Vera H. Brooks, Health Supervisor, resigned to continue her studies at Boston University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. We thank her for her able leadership in the past and wish her the best of success in her future work.
Respectfully submitted,
MARY A. CANNING, SADIE E. DOWNS, School Nurses.
Mr. L. W. Grant,
Superintendent of Schools, Norwood, Massachusetts.
My dear Mr. Grant:
I herewith submit the annual report of the Music Department.
In order to keep up with the increasing interest shown by the pupils in this department, several new units have been added to the "Course in Musie" summarized as follows:
Required Subjects
1. Solfeggio, i.e. Music Reading
2. Theory, Ear Training, History
3. Biography-Appreciation
Elective Subjects
1. Orchestra (Elementary)
Orehestra (Intermediate)
Orchestra (Advanced)
2. Glee Club (Elementary)
Glee Club (Intermediate) Glee Club (Advanced)
3. Counterpoint-Harmony
4. School Music
5. Band
Grades
I to XII VII, VIII, IX VII, VIII, IX
Grades Grade Schools
Junior High School Senior High School Grade Schools
Junior High School
Senior High School
Senior High School
Senior High School
Senior and Junior High
The detailed outline provides for a twelve-year course and is so graded as to give all the pupils an equal opportunity to acquire a good musical foundation.
With the growth of this department, the need of proper accommodation in the Senior High School has become acute. Last year, in the Sophomore class alone, thirty-four students who wished to study Counter-point and Harmony had to be refused the opportunity.
257
Choruses and Glee Clubs meet in the gymnasium under great difficulties and discomfort, due in part to poor acoustics and seating accommodations wholly unsuited for music elasses. The orchestra rehearses in the library, which means the moving of tables, chairs, piano and music stands before and after every rehearsal. Added to this, the distraction caused by students going in and out of the library make this arrangement very un- satisfactory. The use of gymnasium, auditorium, library and such, as music room is not in keeping with the room requirements for progress in school music.
The most important equipment of a music department is a room large enough to have desks for the chorus and theory classes and a raised plat- form with chairs and stands for the orchestra, thereby providing a place where music may be taught either in or out of school time without inter- ruptions.
The use of such a room has proven its worth in the Junior High School, where the work is being carried on very successfully through the able assistance of Mrs. Marie S. Brown.
We are pleased to report that the musical interest in the schools has increased in the following proportions during the past four years.
From one orchestra of twenty-three pieces to four orchestras of over one hundred players.
From one Glee Club to eight, with a membership of more than four hundred singers.
For the first time in Norwood, a school band of thirty-five Senior and Junior High School pupils made their first appearance on the athletic field Thanksgiving Day where their marching and playing brought forth high commendation.
Continuous demand by Senior High School students for courses in Harmony and Counterpoint have prompted the addition of these courses to the outline.
The Senior Orchestra which, besides the Glee Club concert and the graduation, appeared many times in public with great success, has entered Class A of the New England Orchestra Contest, which is to take place this spring.
In closing, I wish to thank the Superintendent, principals and teachers for their help and cooperation during the year.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN V. DETHIER, Director of Music.
258
Mr. L. W. Grant,
Superintendent of Schools, Norwood, Massachusetts.
My dear Mr. Grant:
I herewith submit the annual report of the Art Department of the Norwood Public Schools for the year ending December 31, 1929.
During my leave of absence last year the general supervision was taken over by Mrs. Ethel H. Cook, while Miss Madaleen B. Dora planned, super- vised and taught the drawing in the elementary grades. In general, she followed the main subjects usually taught under the head of drawing in our schools, although of course with some changes of methods and indi- vidual projects.
The spirit of co-operation and interest on the part of both pupils and teachers has always been good, but at the present time it is unusually gratifying and should lead to bigger and better things than ever before.
As in most other school systems at the present time much emphasis is being placed on "creative art". This is carried out in two directions: first, the free illustration of incidents in the child's daily experiences or any stories, poems or subjects studied in connection with history, geog- raphy, etc .; second, creative design by the free brush method, either for the joy of originating or creating or which may be applied to some object of daily use to make it more beautiful. The first gives the child a chance to use his memory and imagination; the second, his originality and in- genuity. If the child is encouraged to express his ideas freely by the making of pictures and designs in all grades, he will be much more capable of expressing himself by means of sketches in High School, College or later life, as well as be better able to appreciate pictures and designs by real artists.
While this free brush method in design has been tried out for two years in Grade IX and the Senior High School, this fall has been the first time it has been introduced in the elementary grades. The children are much interested in producing something absolutely their own and much origin- ality has been shown. Much more along this line will be attempted this spring. We also plan to introduce water color painting soon in Grade IV.
The imaginative illustrations in Grades I and II especially have been surprisingly full of action and individuality.
The old and always true principles of perspective, proportion, color harmony, etc., are still being taught in addition to the creative work.
As usual, poster planning of many subjects occupied much time and aroused much interest. Health, Safety and Conservation of Plant Life posters were made in the elementary grades, Kindness to Animals posters in Grades VII and IX and posters advertising the various activities of school and town life in Senior High. As has been our custom for a number of years, the best posters from Grade VII were sent to the annual State-
259
wide contest of the Massachusetts S. P. C. A. Thirteen medals and eight honorable mentions were received. Posters from Grade IX on the same subject were sent to a contest conducted by the American Humane Association and five certificates received.
The number of pupils electing drawing in Grades IX to XII is increasing every year, there being sixty-six art pupils in Grade IX and about 130 in Senior High. The latter number is more than can be accommodated easily in the Present Art room with the amount of teaching time now provided for. As for several years past, the drawing in the Senior High School is much handicapped by having pupils of all three grades in the same class period, so that it is still impossible to follow a graded course as is possible in the elementary grades and the Junior High School. Pupils intending to study Art after leaving High School or to enter Normal School should have different Art training than those taking it while in High School for credit or a liking for the subject.
Since the opening of school in September, entirely new graded outlines have been distributed to the elementary teachers each month, while several changes have also been made in Junior and Senior High projects. The supervisor has visited and taught in all elementary grades, visiting Grades I to III once in three weeks and Grades IV to VI once in two weeks. A few lessons in new subjects have been given in Grade VII, but the regular teaching of the drawing in Junior and Senior High has been carried on by two teachers in Grade VII, one in Grade VIII and in Grades IX to XII by Mrs. Ethel H. Cook, all being under my general supervision. This seems to be a very satisfactory arrangement at the present time, but with the increase of elective pupils in Grades IX to XII that can reasonably be expected, more teacher time will be necessary somewhere.
In closing, I wish to again express my appreciation of the helpful interest and the spirit of cooperation shown by the superintendent, principals and teachers.
Respectfully submitted,
HELEN L. ARNOLD, Supervisor of Drawing.
Mr. Leonard W. Grant,
Superintendent of Schools,
Norwood, Massachusetts.
My dear Mr. Grant:
I herewith submit a report of the Home Economics Department for the year ending December 31, 1929.
Home-making is a universal profession and an ยท administrative job. The profession of home-making calls for selective judgment, adaptability and resourcefulness. The art of living is a universal need. Since Home
260
Economics today covers in content all phases of the fine art of living and deals directly with life itself it is viewed in the school curriculum as a social subject for boys and girls. This subject should train to a state of mind as regards personal living matters. The needs of human beings and not subject matter should be our first concern.
Some of our outstanding educators have wisely said; "No one field can contribute more to the improvement of American living than Home Economics. It is destined to become one of the fundamental subjects in the training of cultivated men and women." "Home Economics should be able to bring together and weld together into a whole those constructive forces which make for wholesome, human living."
This department cannot expect to meet the tremendous responsibilities which have been placed upon it, as outlined above, through simply impart- ing knowledge and developing skills in home-making activities. We await the opportunity to expand this branch of education along lines of the social and cultural development of the pupil. There is a wide field of content yet to be explored. Only through demonstration of the adapta- bility of Home Economics as a subject suited to present social conditions can the newer values of this educational field be realized or appreciated.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.