USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Norwood > Norwood annual report 1930-1932 > Part 18
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The following contageous diseases were reported during the year: scarlet fever 7, diphtheria 1, measles 5, chicken pox 34, mumps 26, whoop- ing cough 162, influenza 5, typhoid fever 8, tuberculosis 3, pneumonia 9, poliomyelitis 3.
During the physical examinations the following physical defects were noted: posture 14, skin 13, tonsils and adenoids 436, nose (deviated septum) 1, glands 51, heart 13, orthopedic 10, enlarged thyroid 2, hernia 1, lungs 9 and anemia 1. Treatment was given all of the pupils with the exception of those reported for posture and tonsils and adenoids. Twelve out of fourteen received treatment for poor posture and 121 were operated on for tonsils and adenoids.
All children in Grades 1 to 6 inclusive were examined by the school dentist but those in Grades 4, 5 and 6 were referred to their family dentists for necessary work.
For three years it has been our policy at the dental clinic to concentrate on the children in Grades 1 to 3 inclusive who could not employ the ser- vices of a private dentist. The results are most gratifying in that the condition of the children's teeth not only in those grades, but in the upper grades as well, show a marked improvement. The children manifest a much keener interest in having dental defects corrected.
The competition for health awards was intramural this year. The awards given were as follows:
Physically fit badges 326
To qualify for this badge
1. Child was examined by school physician.
2. Child received a medical certificate.
3. Child received a dental certificate.
4. Child had average weight.
5. Child had good posture while standing, sitting and walking.
Badges were awarded to pupils as follows: Teeth 971, posture 683, weight 1,192, improvement for weight 93 and improvement for posture 253.
This was our initial step in the campaign to make each child physically fit as suggested by the State Department of Public Health. If this cam- paign is to be a success we must depend not wholly upon the cooperation of the doctors, dentists, nurses and teachers, but upon the parents of the children. They have done well in the past and we shall look for even better help in the future.
Dr. Schorer has just completed her examinations of mentally retarded children. She has made the recommendations which will help these seventy-four children to derive the greatest benefits from their school work.
For a year and a half the pre-school children of Norwood and surround-
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ing towns have had the benefit of the Habit Clinic. The efforts of this clinic are directed toward determining the cause of undesirable habits, removing this cause and substituting for it the proper mode of behavior.
Until October 7 of this year there were no facilities for caring for children nine years old and over who were having difficulty, for one reason or an- other, in carrying on at school, at home and in the community. Since that time the Child Guidance Clinic has been functioning at the Norwood Hospital each Tuesday afternoon from 3 to 4.30 under the direction of Dr. Cottrell of the State Division of Mental Hygiene. This might also be called a Continuation Clinic for it carries on the work where the Habit Clinic leaves off.
Children are referred to this clinic by the teachers and nurses through Mr. Grant. Some have been taken directly by the parents. To date, twenty-two children have been seen at the clinic, and with the exception of one child, are still having follow-up work done. There are as many more children awaiting appointments.
Because of the unusual conditions that have arisen as a result of the unemployment we have had many calls for aid. We greatfully acknowl- edge our indebtedness to the Norwood High School Quest Club, to the Norwood Women's Club and to the many anonymous contributors for their combined generous support of the health work.
The members of this department wish to express their appreciation for the loyal support and helpful advice received from you, the supervisors, principals and teachers.
Respectfully submitted,
MARY A. CANNING, Health Supervisor.
Mr. Leonard W. Grant, Superintendent of Schools,
Norwood, Massachusetts.
My dear Mr. Grant:
I herewith submit my annual report of the Art Department for the year ending December 31, 1930.
No radical change in our course of study has been made this past year. However, more time has been spent on "creative design", building on what had been accomplished the previous year, which was our first year of this method of design in the elementary grades. We have done much more water-color painting in Grades V and VI and more brush painting with ink in Grade IV.
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Costume Design (Grades X-XII)
The two outstanding events of the year in which the Art Department lent its assistance were the Exhibition conducted by the Practical Arts, Household Economics and Art Departments, and the Tercentenary Pageant. At the former, about one hundred large mounts, covered with almost one thousand drawings selected from Grades V-XII, filled the entire rear wall of the Junior High School gymnasium. This exhibition received much favorable comment. The designing and making of all crepe paper costumes for the pageant were under the direction of our depart- ment, while many accessories such as crepe paper flowers, Indian beads and head-dresses, fringe and symbolic decorations for Indian girls' dresses, and so forth, were made by the children themselves, assisted by Grade art classes.
As for several years, the supervisor has made visits for the purpose of supervising and teaching once in three weeks in Grades I-III and once in two weeks in Grades IV-VI. The Junior High School drawing has been carried on by two regular teachers, one in Grade VII and one in Grade VIII. These teachers also teach some Hygiene. One full-time assistant teaches Art in the Senior High School four days a week and one day in Grade IX, while another part-time assistant has two days of Art in Grade IX. The supervisor also has had, since September, one-half day per week of Grade IX teaching and a Crafts Club of eighteen pupils.
I wish at this time to thank the superintendent, principals, and teachers for their interest and cooperation.
Respectfully submitted,
HELEN L. ARNOLD, Supervisor of Art.
Mr. L. W. Grant,
Superintendent of Schools,
Norwood, Massachusetts.
My dear Mr. Grant:
I herewith submit the annual report of the Music Department. The work in this Department during the past year has been carried on along the lines of the "Course in Music" as summarized in the 1929 Annual Re- port.
Although taught under the same difficulties as those mentioned in last year's report, the Music in the Senior High School has made good progress, particularly in Grade XII which gave a fine rendition of difficult numbers at the graduation exercises.
Through lack of facilities, many students had to be denied courses in chorus, harmony, and band. One of the remarks made by several students
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL ORCHESTRA
---------
---
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might well be placed here, "It is too bad that now we are interested in music, and want it, we cannot have it."
One outstanding feature of the year was the Orchestra Contest in which the Norwood boys and girls competed against the orchestras from the cities of six New England states. This was held in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, last May. In this contest, the Senior High School Orchestra won the second prize in Class A; Hartford, Connecticut, took the first prize.
Several members of this Orchestra are among the players chosen to represent Massachusetts in the Eastern Conference All High School Or- chestra at Syracuse, New York, next March.
Except for a few slight changes in the outline made to meet some special requirements, the Course in Music is practically the same as last year in the Junior High School, and in the first six grades.
Since Music is required from the first to the ninth grade, all students have an equal opportunity to get a good musical foundation, while those so inclined may further their education by taking the different elective subjects such as harmony, glee club, chorus, orchestra, and band. The latter are offered from Grade V to Grade XII.
At an early date we hope to begin class instruction in wind and string instruments as is now done in most cities and neighboring towns. These class instructions will enable the pupils to "try-out" on some chosen in- strument, and therefore know in a comparatively short time whether or not it would be advisable to go on with that particular activity.
In closing, I wish to thank the Superintendent, Principals, and teachers for their help and cooperation during the year.
Respectfully submitted,
J. V. DETHIER, Director of Music.
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, 1930.
There is every evidence that Home Economics is being recognized by pupils as a curriculum subject particularly adapted to their needs and interests. The many business opportunities open today to girls and women with Home Economics training are an incentive to any girl to acquire all possible education along this line while in school. Whether their in- terests be vocational, professional or educational, many girls can find in
303
Home Economics training the correct foundation for an unlimited choice of vocations.
Home Economics, as taught today in modern schools is an entirely new subject which should be classified less definitely with the practical and more generally with the social studies. It replaces the now antiquated "sewing" and "cooking" courses which have become so firmly planted in public understanding that the true value of Home Economics education is not fully recognized or appreciated. In order that the scope of the field of inodern Home Economics may be visualized, I submit a graphic repre- sentation :
Home interests and activities Family meals (nutrition) Family clothing (textiles)
Child care Home Planning Home Management Home Sanitation
HOME ECONOMICS or HOMEMAKING EDUCATION centers in
THE HOME and
THE GIRL IN THE HOME
Family ideals and standards Health Citizenship
Family relationships Personality and Character Etiquette and Culture Hospitality
Outstanding Highlights of 1929-1930
1. The organization of our New Required Courses at High School.
The response and interest already shown in this course is an indication that the girls have found an appeal to their interests and an avenue to the solution of many personal problems. Through the varied units offered by Home Economics teachers and the contributions of special instruction by Miss Gow, Dean of Girls, and Miss Stockwell, Health Worker, the girls are being given an all-around helpful and profitable course which should help them in adjusting their living so as to derive the fullest benefits from their home, school and community life.
2. Growth in the Department.
With the addition of another teacher this year six teachers are now employed in the instruction of Home Economics and four workers in the Cafeteria. At the High School a 50% increase in enrollment has brought about crowded conditions in the Department. Teachers are hampered by insufficient opportunity for class preparation and classes meeting in the lunch room are at a disadvantage. At Junior High School the situation continues whereby many ninth grade girls desiring this work do not receive it. I wish to repeat my recommendation that two periods of required ninth grade Home Economics replace the elective major course which does not function as an opportunity for pupils adapted to this work. A general course for all ninth grade girls would relieve administrative difficulties in scheduling classes and would be a more satisfactory foundation for later work.
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3. Our Cafeteria and Health Lunch (Mid-morning).
The cafeteria organization has completed twelve years of service to the pupils, with our standards still high and our ambition to serve nothing but the best for the lowest possible price always our goal. We trust that our patrons and visitors realize the real attempt that is constantly being made to provide varied, well-prepared, attractively-served, and nourishing menus at minimum cost.
We are pleased to report definite successful results from our mid-morning lunch experiment. A decided increase in weight has been noted in almost every case. Pupils appreciate this cooperation in the matter of their health and our enrollment increases steadily.
4. Activities within the Department.
A. Club Work: Both at the Junior and the Senior High Schools we are conducting clubs with a purpose and getting worthwhile results. We are continuing our relations with the Canton Hospital School. The Christmas Dinner project undertaken by the Home Economics Club at the Senior High School was supported by many teachers and pupils in the school with the result that we were able to turn over fourteen huge dinner baskets to the public health nurse for distribution. Three splendid baskets were packed and distributed at Thanksgiving time at the Junior High School as a part of the regular classwork.
B. Our Assembly: In May our Department sponsored a Correct Dress Assembly at the Senior High School. Our boys and girls served as models for the neat and snappy clothes loaned for the occasion by Orent Brothers. As well as being instructed and educated along lines of dress appreciation the pupils were highly entertained.
C. Contributions to the "Arguenot": During last year we contributed a department to our school paper. Much interest in the department and its doings was aroused. Our Club earned money for their picture which appeared in the June number of the "Arguenot."
D. Our Exhibition and Style Revue: At a joint exhibition of handwork last May the public was given an opportunity to view some of our accom- plishments in sewing and dressmaking. Our evening Style Revue was well attended by an enthusiastic audience which seemed much pleased with our efforts.
E. The Pageant: A splendid opportunity for cooperation and correlation was opened to our department since we shared in the making of costumes for this event. All teachers of sewing classes gave generously of their time and effort in planning and constructing costumes. Pupils in the Junior and the Senior High Schools assisted with the sewing.
F. School Spirit: Pupils have responded generously to every invitation to be of service within the school. From mending coats for the Manual Training classes, polishing trophies, sewing stage settings, and so forth,
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to answering the smallest call for assistance the department has tried to respond to tlie many calls of this nature which come to us.
This has been a year of progress and action. However, only through the combined effort and interest of all associated with this department can satisfactory progress be assured. I take this opportunity to express my appreciation to all who have contributed to the best interests of the Home Economics Department.
Respectfully submitted,
AGNES M. BRIDGES, Supervisor, Home Economics Education.
Mr. Leonard W. Grant, Superintendent of Schools,
Norwood, Massachusetts.
My dear Mr. Grant:
I herewith submit the annual report of the Practical Arts Department for the year ending December 31, 1930.
Our shop has reached its capacity in enrollment. This fall one hundred twenty-seven students were placed in six class groups. Because of the heavy teacher load, modifications of class periods were necessary. We had to allow the students only four shop periods per week, with the ex- ception of the twelfth grade, which continued with the five periods per week.
It is only with additional shop space and equipment that we can meet the increasing demands and needs of the students in the near future.
The department cooperated extensively with other departments when- ever our help and assistance was needed. Many occasions arose when the shop was requested to construct objects for some worthy purpose; stage properties were made, electrical hook ups for plays, markers for the athletic field, and graduation bleachers set up and covered with white paper.
During this fall many changes in the shop were made. Additional working space was made possible by shifting some of our equipment to a more advantageous position. Several new benches were installed by classes in machine work. All tools were placed in one location and a checking system established. The shop is in need of some space for woodfinishing and for the keeping of our unfinished work.
The additional accommodations for shop space at the Junior High School made our organization of courses better suited to the needs of the pupils, and increased the efficiency of instruction. The general shop, containing units of sheet metal, electrical, and a special unit for con-
306
struction of an electric grill, moved into its spacious new quarters with added equipment and ideal working conditions. The shop operated on a rotating schedule, with one half year required in each of the shops, namely, general and woodworking.
The eighth grade continued the "try-out" courses in woodwork, mechani- cal drawing and printing. Printing appealed to the majority of those taking the three subjects. The introduction of new drawing textbooks gave a well balanced course for the short period it was taken.
A problem still exists in our ninth grade. Only three shops are avail- able to these students, and in many cases shops are overcrowded. The burden placed on the instructor decreases his efficiency as a teacher and seriously affects the value of the subject. The general shop should be open to boys of this grade, thereby relieving pressure on other shops.
The enlargement of the print shop this summer by removing the wall separating the two rooms designated for printing gave us adequate space to conduct our courses in printing successfully, and with complete new equipment for the composing room, we are now in a position to teach and turn out better printing. The instructor, however, is burdened by having to divide his time between printing and the general shop, a real incon- venience. The amount of work required of the print shop in printing all school forms, the school paper, and instruction preparation, makes it advisable to have a full-time instructor in the print shop, and relieve him of the responsibility of the general shop.
Our woodworking classes are exceptionally large in the ninth grade, some having an enrollment of thirty or more. We have space enough for a second wood shop, and with one more instructor the situation could be ideal, as this additional instructor could take over the general shop.
Our work in the grades is now organized to give the boys of the fifth and sixth grades a comprehensive course in elementary woodwork. Each school has been equipped with six work benches, and with a full-time instructor, making conditions and interest for this type of manual work among the boys most gratifying.
Our program of work for the grades was revised this September. The fifth grade was given a considerable amount of instruction in the tool manipulation on very simplified projects, such as bread boards, dish pan holders, flower pot stands, and coat hangers. The sixth grades in each school were assigned one major project from the following: airplane models, model four-master schooner, windmills, and weather vanes.
During the latter part of May an exhibit of work in all special depart- ments teaching handwork was held in the Junior High School gymnasium. The Junior High School Club and Science Club joined in the display, which was a very successful affair and brought forth many favorable com- ments. The Practical Arts Department sponsored the exhibit, and made the booths and all other fixtures used by the other departments for the display of their work. That the exhibit was worth while was clearly
307
shown by the attendance of the community during the two days the exhibit was held.
I wish at this time to express my appreciation to all those who so kindly cooperated with the department during the year.
Respectfully submitted,
CLIFFORD H. WHEELER, Supervisor of Practical Arts
Mr. L. W. Grant,
Superintendent of Schools,
Norwood, Massachusetts.
My dear Mr. Grant:
The Norwood Evening School opened on Monday evening, October 6, 1930. Posters were placed in the store windows and articles appeared in the Norwood Messenger for the benefit of those interested in the courses. Classes were organized in the following subjects at the Junior High School: Decorative Arts and Millinery, Cooking, Dressmaking, Commercial, Junior High Subjects and Civil Service, Mechanical Drawing, Physical Training and Americanization. At the Balch School classes were formed in Americanization and English.
The evening school reaches many people, but there are others who can make use of what the school has to offer. By print and by personal con- tact attempts are made to reach those who have not yet enrolled. So- cieties, clubs, and individuals can help this good work by informing people of the advantages of Norwood's Evening School.
Present Enrollment
Building
Men
Women
Total
Junior High
85
179
264
Balch
89
39
128
392
Last year Decorative Arts was offered for the first time and because of its success it is being offered for a second year. This year two classes in Physical Training were started and the enrollment is very large. The classes in general have as good an attendance as last year, and there are several that show an increase.
Practical Arts for Women
The enrollment in cooking was too great-to be handled in one division. To save the expense of an extra teacher the class was divided into three
308
sections and the teacher comes three evenings a week. The instruction is such that the students not only learn how to cook successfully a variety of meals but also how to serve them attractively.
There seems to be no limit to the possibilities for a class in Decorative Arts. New and useful articles are introduced during the course. Millinery is taught along with the regular class work.
The class in Dressmaking is the largest in several years. It is handled by one teacher using the same arrangement of schedule as in the cooking class. To enable the students to make a complete ensemble the millinery department has cooperated with instructions and suggestions.
Commercial
The Commercial class divides its time between Bookkeeping, Type- writing, and Business English. Last year Bookkeeping was the only commercial subject taught. With the installation of the typewriters it was found practical to combine with the English class and so form a satisfactory business department.
Junior High School Subjects
The object of this class is to teach the academic subjects that will be of use to the student in his vocation. Some of the students study subjects that will fit them for Civil Service. Others concentrate on one or two studies which they feel will be of special value. The instructor is always willing to assist the individual members of the class with any particular problems they may have.
Mechanical Drawing
Mechanical Drawing continues to attract those who feel they have a need for this training. It is believed that if a course in the elements of Commercial Art were combined with Mechanical Drawing, the class would undoubtably benefit a larger number of students. This course could include essentials of Poster-making, Lettering and other practical work.
Health Education
Under the able direction of Mr. Murray and Miss Kiley of the Physical Training Department the work done in the day schools has been extended, as much as possible, to the Evening School. The men and women of the Town have responded in much larger numbers than were expected. Dur- ing the first half of the evening corrective exercises are given; the other half is devoted to constructive games. This department does not propose a program that will overstress the defects to the extent th t interests will be deflected from a wholesome health and activity program.
Americanization
To say that this work is successful is to merely utter a phrasc. One must visit a class to understand the thorough preparation by the teacher,
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the response from the pupils and the general air of genuine interest. These people leave their homes three evenings a week to learn our language and what our nation, with its opportunity, means to them.
In conclusion I wish to thank the teachers and your office force for the assistance they have given me.
Respectfully submitted,
EDMUND C. EASTWOOD, Principal of Evening School.
Mr. Leonard W. Grant,
Superintendent of Schools,
Norwood, Massachusetts.
My dear Mr. Grant:
I herewith submit my seventh annual report as Director of Americaniza- tion.
The work during the past year has grouped itself into three divisions; direction of the work in the evening classes for adult foreigners, teaching foreign mothers in the homes and an ever growing amount of social service work.
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