USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Norwood > Norwood annual report 1930-1932 > Part 70
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School
Year
Month
Week
Day
Hour
Senior High
$157.82
$17.534
$4.3835
$.8767
$.1753
Junior High .
107.39
11.932
2,983
.5966
.1193
Elementary
92.13
10.236
2.559
.5118
.1059
Estimated Per Pupil Cost-Fiscal Year 1933
School
Year
Month
Week
Dav
Hour
Senior High
$135.81
$15.09
$3.7725
$.7545
$.1509
Junior High
94.21
10.466
2.6165
.5233
.1046
Elementary
78.53
8.724
2.181
.4362
.0872
Comments:
a. The most important observation to note in Table II is the drop in per pupil cost of education from the 1932 figures as estimated for 1933. There have been contributing causes making this possible other than the salary assignments by school employees and the economies effeeted by the School Committee. Chief among these other factors has been the enlargement of class groups in the Junior and Senior High Schools and the accommodation of increased enrollment without the addition of teacher time commensurate with common practice. It is believed that with the ending of the year when the net average membership becomes known, that there is good possibility of bringing the average cost per pupil down to lower than $100.
b. The cost by month, week, day, and even hour has been computed for 1932 and estimated for 1933. A grade school child is given five hours of excellent training under the best of conditions for less than 45c a day; an amount smaller than that expended for the care of a child during an afternoon or evening.
Table III. Distribution of Costs Per Pupil-Fiscal Year 1933
School
Teachers' Salaries $105.48
Other Salaries $12.18
Books and Supplies $7.18
Heat Light, Power $6.55
Other Expense $4.42
Senior High
117.80*
13.62*
Junior High
66.97
11.82
4.12
5.54
5.76
72.38*
13.22*
101.02*
Elementary
58.98
9.75
2.65
2.68
4.47
78.53 86.25*
65.53*
10.92*
Total Cost per Pupil $135.81 149.57* 94.21
* Cost with salary contributions not deducted.
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Comments:
a. This table shows the way in which the costs per pupil arc distributed in respcet to the chief items of the budget. These figures check with those in Table II in respect to per capita costs for the year.
b. The lowering effect by salary contributions is shown as for example under the Senior High School group, where through salary contributions the cost per pupil under this heading is reduecd by $12.42.
Table IV. Special Department Costs-1932
Department
Salaries
Supplies Equipment
Total Cost
Per Cent of School Budget
*Americanization
$ 3,950
$ 100
$ 4,050
1.2
Drawing
4,000
700
4,700
1.4
Health.
5,900
250
6,150
1.8
Home Economies
8,892
500
9,392
2.7
Manual Arts
10,096
1,700
11,796
3.4
Music .
4,200
4,200
1.2
Physical Education
12,500
225
12,725
3.7
Totals.
$49,538
$3,475
$53,013
15.4
*
The State reimburses the Town for one-half of this amount. This is
not credited to the school budget.
Special subjects such as tabulated in Table IV scem to be the ones which draw the most attention from critics of school curricula. People seem to think that these studies are a luxury that have found a place in the educa- tional program through fanciful and extravagant ideas of experimenters in this line of work. This is in no sense true and it may be proven to the most sceptical, if he is willing to give his time to be shown, that these subjects are and should be as much a part of the school curriculum as any of the so-called "three R's" or the academic studies found in the high school. Many of the advanced academic studies required for college entrance cost more money than any of the subjects listed in Table IV, for the mortality is greater and the number choosing such academic studics is smaller. Further economy in the high school curriculum could be effected by dropping several academic and college preparatory subjects, making it necessary for those seeking preparation for College Board examinations to attend private preparatory schools. I believe such a move would not be favored by many since it would directly affect the standing of the Nor- wood High School.
Those who clamor for the elimination of any of the work coming under special departments, so-called, should bear in mind that the pupils, if barred from taking such work, would have to elect other work in place of it. There would be no saving in the end in the matter of teacher time and only a negligible one in the matter of equipment and supplies. Pupils turned
249
away from work they like and desire would be driven into academic studies or other subjects offered which they could not appreciate, in which they would lack interest, and from which they would eventually, in many cases, be dropped as failures. Program eliminations have gone so far enough now that I believe I am safe in declaring that the closing up of any other sections of the school program would mean absolutely no saving to the Town and that the only result would be discontent among large groups of pupils who would otherwise be satisfied in pursuing the program of work they had chosen.
Please observe the very small percentage of cost coming from the school budget for 1932 for any one of these subjects. While the entire cost of Americanization is carried in the school budget, one-half of this amount is refunded by the State to the Town, going directly to the Town Treasurer and not being credited to the school budget. The total cost of all these subjects is less than one-sixth of the entire school budget for 1932.
Table V. Textbooks-1933
Estimated Enrollment
Appropriation Requested
Per Pupil Allowance $2.50
Senior High
800
$2,000
Junior High .
850
1,300
1.529
Elementary
1,400
1,800
1.285
All Schools .
3.05.0
5,100
1.672
Instruction Supplies-1933
Estimated Enrollment
Appropriation Requested
Per Pupil Allowance
Senior High
800
$1,800
$2.25
Junior High
850
1,075
1.264
Elementary
1,400
1,800
1.285
All Schools
3,050
4,675
1.532
This table is planned to show the very small per pupil allowance for the common tools of teaching, textbooks and instruction supplies. It is normal to expect that the high school costs under these headings will run higher than those of any other divisions of the system since scientific equipment and textbooks for high school subjects are of greater cost. Every effort has been made to withstand cutting the allowance for text- books. In most school budgets this has been the first sub-heading to suffer, as a result of which children are using ancient textbooks, germ- laden and ragged. It is to the interest of several of the chief industries of Norwood that as much money should be used for textbooks as may be justified.
250
Table VI. Number of Teachers
1930-31
1931-32
1932-33
Average Number of Pupils per Teacher
Senior High
26
31
31
27
Junior High .
30
31
28
29
Elementary
59
57
53
28
Specials
23
23
20
Total
138
142
132
24
Through elimination of ten teaching positions the number of teachers has been reduced to 132. In the elementary branch of the system a list of all classrooms shows enrollment varying all the way from 14 to 41. In the three elementary special classes the enrollment is limited to 15-this of course tends to lower the average. The most desirable enrollment for the first three grades is 32; for grades four, five and six not over 35; for Junior High School not over 32; and for Senior High School groups not more than 30.
Centralizing any division of a school system always makes possible larger divisions-an example of that was shown in our own system when combining the Beacon School with the Shattuck School, it was required to fill all the rooms in that building to a normal capacity.
Winslow-West Schools
While considering matters of enrollment it should be again reported that the unusually large lower grade enrollment in this school district makes it appear imminent that an extension of classroom facilities must be provided within two years. Should the first grades continue to be as large as the one received this year, at least two more rooms than are now available will be needed by September, 1935, and all other grades would be left in a crowded condition unless more room became available. The Beacon School could be opened in this event.
Vocational Education
Under State laws pertaining to education a town which does not provide trade school courses is required to pay the tuition for such courses for pupils desiring them at trade schools located elsewhere. Nine Norwood pupils attend Boston Trade Schools where the tuition is $220 for boys cnd $160 for girls. One-half of this expense is returned to the Town by the State. Appropriations for this expenditure have always been made through the school budget, but under a recent ruling by the Town Counsel appropria- tion must be made by the Town for this expense under a separate article.
Extra Activities
Some important occurrences during the past year outside of the regular school routine have been the following:
1. Temporary closing of the Beacon School.
251
2. Holding of the State Music Festival in Norwood-more than forty schools competing for prizcs.
3. The George Washington Bicentennial celebration and pageant.
4. The Athletic Carnival including all school children from grade 1 through grade 12.
5. Establishment of a Marksman's Club. High School boys make up this club and all guns and ammunition is furnished by the United States government through the War Department. The entire program is at no expense to the Town other than furnishing a bond to guarantee protection of the equipment.
6. Establishment by the State Department of Education of a School Health Council in the Senior High School. This topic is enlarged upon in the High School Principal's report.
7. Examinations by the Chadwick Clinic for detecting Tuberculosis under direction of the State Department of Health.
8. Voluntary contribution by School Department employees of $3,499.24 -30% of this amount was used for assisting needy pupils and the remainder for the improvement of school buildings and grounds.
Faculty Changes
Very few changes were made in the teaching force this year. The resignations, transfers and newly appointed teachers are as follows:
Resignations
Avis S. Cottrell, Senior High School, to get married.
Laura B. Gilmore, Senior Hifih School, to teach elsewhere.
Grace M. Evcrett, Junior High School, to keep house.
Mary N. Callahan, Junior High School, to get married.
Margaret M. Flaherty, Balch School, to get married.
Lizzie E. Hadley, Balch School, retired.
Mary A. Hadley, Balch School, retired.
Katherine W. Porter, Balch School, to keep house.
Evangeline A. Ryan, Balch School, to keep house.
Nora A. Sullivan, Balch School, to get married.
Transfers
Barbara Feeney from Callahan to Winslow, Grades 3 and 4.
Barbara Ballard from Callahan to Balch, Grade 1.
Inez H. Sanford from Beacon to Balch, Grade 5.
Anne M. Thompson from Beacon to Junior High, Grade 7.
Mary A. Toomey from Beacon to Balch, Grade 2.
Effie M. Tuttle from Junior High to Balch, Grade 6.
Newly Appointed Teachers
James J. Gormley, History Department, Senior High School. Mildred Metcalf, English Department, Senior High School. Mary G. Connolly. Grades 1 and 2, Shattuck School.
252
Dorothy I. Guy, Grades 5 and 6, Shattuck School. Louise E. Nugent, Unassigned teacher, Balch School.
Positions Eliminated
Elvera Bianchi, Junior High School Librarian.
Doris Gwynn, Home Economics Department, Junior High School. John Tobey, Practical Arts teacher, Elementary grades.
Junior High School Special Class
The School Committee has voted to make possible the formation of a special class for Junior High School grades. This will in reality be an opportunity class and a chance for those who are unable to accomplish work in the regular program to take up special work better adapted to their ability. The group will be a small one as compared with other Junior High School groups and enrollment in it will not number more than twenty. It is possible that this class will be formed before the present school year comes to a close.
Psychiatric Examinations
Dr. C. B. J. Schorer of the State Department of Mental Diseases, has completed examination of retarded pupils in the Norwood school system. Under State requirements pupils who are three or more years retarded must be given special assistance and work better suited to their ability than that contained in the regular program of studies. Dr. Schorer's recommendations as a result of her examinations show that the School Committee will be required to place 15 in special classes in addition to those already so assigned.
Use of Fuel Oil
It has been possible to keep a close record on the use of fuel oil through the installation in the Junior High School of two oil burners. The saving for the fiscal year 1932, as compared with the fiscal year 1931 when bitu- minous coal was used, is $788. This saving has permitted a reduction in the estimates for fuel for the budget of 1933. While the winter of 1932 was generally considered a mild one, it is the opinion of the custodian that regardless of the severity of the weather an annual saving of not less than $600 will be made as compared with the cost of coal. This will enable payment for the oil burner equipment out of the savings in a little over three years.
It is probable that a substantial saving may be possible in other Norwood school buildings through the use of fuel oil or other means of use of fuel than is now in practice. The Town Manager will have definite recom- mendations to make in this matter during the present year.
Condition of School Buildings
During the summer of 1932 it was possible to do inore renovating and make more repairs on school buildings than ever before. ¿ This was due in
253
large measure to the use of $2,449.46 contributed at the rate of 2% each from the pay checks of School Department employees to the Unemploy- ment Fund.
The school buildings are in excellent condition and the money requested in the budget for the current year for maintenance is chiefly for large projects such as painting the Senior High School tower and pillars. The rooms of the West School are badly in need of renovating, work which will probably be done during the February vacation.
Conclusion
I believe that educators want to be entirely fair in their demands and that they recognize that insisting on extension of the educational program or refusing to cut out all needless expenditures will only assist in holding up the return to norinal times; but they also recognize that many demands inade for retrenchment in this branch of municipal government are made without proper study and without gaining an insight into the results to the school girl and boy. We wish to show the need of the school children for all the facilities that we offer and will spare no effort to do so. I be- lieve that Norwood with her good schools, with her thousands of happy school children, and I trust that I may say school-satisfied parents, wants efficient school administration at low costs; and I also believe Norwood does not want to see her educational program placed in jeopardy through false economies.
Respectfully submitted, LEONARD W. GRANT, Superintendent of Schools January 5, 1932
Mr. L. W. Grant,
Superintendent of Schools, Norwood, Massachusetts.
My dear Mr. Grant:
I take pleasure in submitting, herewith, my sixth annual report as Principal of the Norwood Senior High School.
Enrollment
At the beginning of the school year in September, 1932, the registration of our school showed a total enrollment of 725 pupils, divided as follows:
Grade X Boys-148 Girls-126
Total
274
Grade XI Boys-143 Girls 138
Total 281
Grade XII Boys- 87
254
Girls
76
Total
163
P. G.
Boys- 5
Girls- 2
Total
7
725 725
This enrollment of 725 indicates an increased student body of eighty-one pupils over 644 enrolled as of June 1, 1932. This increase is not as great as was experienced a year ago September, 103, over the student body of the previous year, but the enrollment figures of the ninth grade show that in all probability the enrollment this coming September will be approxi- mately 859 students, divided as follows:
Grade X.
324
Grade XI
266
Grade XII
269
Total
859
This probable enrollment of 859 students should be the peak of our enrollment, or very nearly the peak, for a few years to come, unless un- foreseen conditions arise. Yearly enrollments, steadily rising through the past decade, have naturally necessitated increased costs of education. These have not been excessive or out of proportion to the advanee in number of students coming to High School.
The increase of approximately one hundred and fifty over this present school year will necessitate additional teaching time, and I believe the building with its present rooming facilities will be just about able to take care of our enlarged student body, but no more. Our classrooms will be obliged to accommodate recitation divisions with an average of thirty-two pupils. The average now is twenty-six pupils per division.
I realize that in these difficult times it is out of the question to suggest the securing of additional teachers for this work, and I am willing to make arrangements whereby the present teaching foree can handle the inereased load. I do feel, however, that it is unwise and not sound ceonomy to reduce our teaching force for another year in view of this very large in- crease in student body.
Faculty
There were only two changes in the Norwood High School faculty for the present school year:
Miss Avis Cottrell resigned to marry, creating a vacaney in the depart- ment of Social Science; and a vacancy in the Modern Language depart- ment was occasioned by Miss Gilmore's resignation to accept a position in Cranston, Rhode Island.
255
The social science position has been taken by Mr. James Gormley, a graduate of Gonzaga University, Spokane, Washington, holder of a Master's degree, and a teacher of three years' experience at St. Charles' College Normal Sehool, Grand Coteau, Louisiana, and at Springhill College, Mobile, Alabama.
The Foreign Language vaeaney has been filled by securing the services of Miss Mildred Metcalf, a graduate of the Liberal Arts Department of Boston University. Miss Metcalf comes to us with a wealth of teaching experience and a splendid background for the teaching of French and German. Her positions previous to the present one show teaching ex- perienee gained at Marshfield and Walpole, Mass., also at North Gros- venordale and New Haven, Conn.
Graduation, 1932
On June 8, 1932, the graduation exercises were held for the senior class at the Norwood Junior High School gymnasium. The exereises were conducted in very simple, but effective style and were marked by im- pressive and dignified performances on the part of those on the program.
Following is a list of the 191 graduates:
Ralph R. Abbott
Aliee M. Abbt
Dorothy Anne Aeton*
Frederiek Joseph Adelmann Helen F. Aikens
Mary Ceeelia Chaisson Joseph P. Chiozza Cafiero Cianearelli Joan Therese Cleary
John William Anderson John J. Anthony
Helen Cofsky Franeis C. Coneannon Mary Anne Coneannon
Mary Elizabeth Austin
Margaret Irene Connolly
Dorothy Arlene Badger
Helen Frances Conroy
Esther Gertrude Ceeelia Bailey Frank Michael Baltadonis Beatrice Aliee Burns Helen Barr* Berniee Amelia Beehunas Aliee Georgette Bentley Mabel Berezin* Arthur Billingham Kenneth Riehard Bloom
Thomas M. Costello Stuart Ellis Cottrell Bartley S. Coyne Norman Cushing Rudolph J. Danielson
John E. Daunt +
Gertrude Marie Davalga James Davidson Charles Franeis Dexter Julia M. DiBerto Kathryn Louise Dillon
Howard Franeis Breen Elsie Madaline Brown Evelyn Jeanette Brown Elizabeth Jane Calder* Louise Barbara Callahan*
Gertrude Lorretta Donahue
Adela Campbell Helen Louise Carleton Anne Elizabeth Carrell
Mary Louise Donahue Stephen M. Donahue Arnold S. Donovan Helen Patrieia Donovan John J. Donovan
256
Hubert C. Eaton Agnes Ekholm* Thomas Elias Dorothy Mae Elwell William A. Everburg Dana W. Everett
Francis D. Feeney
Evelyn A. Fenton
Mary Elizabeth Lyden
Valentine Magnani
George Francis Maguire
Sara Helena Mansen
Roy Henry Massey
Ruth W. Mattson*
Olive Louise Maxner
Priscilla May
Arthur William Gilson
Clarence E. McGrane
Frances Wadsworth Gillette*
Evelyn M. McNulty
Amelia Rose Grusheski
Francis M. McTernan
Marion Louise Harris
Carmel Mike
Ethel M. Harvey
Charles Russell Miller* Zeke Moses
Margaret Dolores Henry*
Mildred C. Herzog
Francis Edward Murphy
John Henry Murphy
Charles Richardson Holman*
Andrew M. Janavich
Bronie A. Navickas*
Anne J. Janushis
Howard C. Nelson
Carl Vincent Johnson
Margaret T. Norton
Theodore C. Johnson
Wilfred Stanley Johnson
Mary Agnes O'Connell*
Anthony Francis O'Donnell
Lillian T. H. Olson
Antti Aatos Juhola
Joseph James Kadara
Nellic R. Kanalski*
Eliza M. Paciorkowska
Ida A. Karol
Bronsia Alice Pole
Jordan F. Kauffman
Lilyan Alice Paquette
Nellie Mildred Pazniokas
Theodore F. Pieczonka
Mary Ruth Kelliher
Frances S. Pielka
Hclen Plosinski Doris B. Plummer
Sarah Bunny Kravitz*
Fred A. Kruchas Nellie Mildred Kruchas*
Joseph Krusas Florence Johanna Larson*
Ruth Marie Larson Fannie Fay Lechter Thomas Frederick Lee Ellen Louise Leonard John Stanley Libertowicz William L. Lovejoy Ruth Lovelace*
Allyn Hubbard Fisher*
Revell Johnson Fisher*
Mary Frances Fitzgerald
Marie Bridget Flaherty
William J. Flaherty Agnes Esther Folan
Helena M. Hobson
James Edward Murray
Michael J. Norton
William M. Jones Florence E. Jordan
Pauline E. Olson
Ita Mary O'Neil
Michael Francis Keady James Kelley
Joseph King Mairc H. Koivu
Frances Lillian Probert* Alfred C. Purchase, Jr. Ligia Mary Radzwill
Pauline Ransow
Leslie G. Rathbun, Jr.
Everett A. Fenton
257
Blanche S. Rempichel Edna Marjorie Claire Richall Michael P. Ridge Karl Riemer K. Virginia Riley
Lydia Joan Suomi Victor J. Suomi Charles W. Sustavige
Agnes S. Svibergson Alli L. Syrjala Alice Mary Taylor
Toini Esther Rindell Mary V. Rogers
Samson D. Thomas
Natalie Marya Rose
Doris Gertrude Trask
Grace Gertrude Russell
Joseph Tuliszewaki
James Joseph Ryan
Anthony S. Utorka Andrew A. Venskus, Jr.
William Francis Ryan*
George J. Versakas*
Mary Loretta Salmon
Nellie U. Versakas
Carrie Sandy* Doris Ann Schacht
Ruth Knox Wagner .
Irene Margaret Schaier
Paul Waihela
Robert Cleveland Seaman
Peter Wallan
Margaret Helen Selwyn
Bronius Peter Walongvicz
Gladys Elizabeth Silvernail
Wilho Wauhkonen
Joseph J. Smelstor Isabelle Mary Smilgis Annie Smolski
Peter Yesikenas
Florence Alice Ziergiebel
Albert S. Zimlicki
Ralph Howard Spear
Hilda A. Zimlicki
Arthur Lewis Spencer
Leon E. Zinkowksy
Amelia Louise Stellman
¡ Deceased.
The starred pupils received the honor of being awarded the John C. Lane Medal in recognition of exceptional scholarship and general all-around ability and helpfulness.
The United States History medal was awarded to Margaret D. Henry. The Berwick English Prize in recognition of excellence in English was awarded to Helen Barr. The H. M. Plimpton Art Prize given in recogni- tion of excellent freehand drawing was awarded to Stephen M. Donahue. Honorable mention was given to Elizabeth J. Calder, Evelyn A. Fenton, Arthur L. Spencer, Alice S. Bentley, and Nellie R. Kanalski. The John F. Murray athletic cup, awarded to the boy of the graduating class in recognition of excellence in athletics was awarded to Francis D. Feeney. The Teachers' Club scholarship of one hundred dollars, annually awarded to one member of the senior class most meriting assistance in the pursuit of a college education, was given to Allyn H. Fisher. Allyn is enrolled as a first year student at the Massachusetts State College.
Matriculation of the Class of 1932
The colleges, universities, normal schools, and schools of higher standing which received members of our last year's graduates are as follows:
Henry Armas Saari
Dorothy Evelyn Wade
258
Amherst College.
1
Bentley School of Accounting
3
Boston College.
2
Boston University
1
Boylston Institute of Advertising
1
Chamberlain School.
2
Chandler Secretarial School
1
Colgate University
1
Dean Academy
1
Farmington (Maine), Normal School
2
Framingham Teachers' College
2
Franklin Union Institute
2
Harvard College
1
Katharine Gibbs' School
2
Mass. Nautical School
1
Mass. School of Art.
2
Mass. State College.
2
Mass. Institute of Technology
3
Mount Holyoke College .
1
Norfolk Agricultural School.
1
Northeastern University
1
Simmons College.
1
Trinity College (Washington, D. C.)
1
Tufts College .
1
Tufts Forsyth Dental School
1
University of California
1
University of Maine.
1
- 39
Of the 157 graduates in the Class of 1931, forty-two went on with their training, representing about 27% continuing their education. Twenty per cent of the graduates of 1932 are now enrolled in schools beyond High School.
As will be seen from this comparison, our students are finding it in- creasingly difficult to finance a training beyond High School. Many students who have satisfactorily completed college preparatory courses are obliged to forsake their plans of further education because of the in- ability to successfully finance the project, while others are changing their plans from the colleges requiring a tuition fee to the State supported Teachers' Colleges, Normal Schools, and other institutions less costly.
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