USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Norwood > Norwood annual report 1932-1935 > Part 37
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6. Outside coats of paint applied to Beacon, Shattuck, Winslow, Junior and Senior High Schools. This was done out of school Department funds and not under the C. W. A. program.
7. A driveway made at the Shattuck School for delivery of coal. This work was done by the Department of Public Works and removes the chance that the grounds will be cut up by heavy vehicles delivering coal or supplies.
8. Establishment of classes for crippled and otherwise incapacitated children. Under the State Department recommendations and program, a teacher has been provided to go to the homes of children and others who cannot attend school because of the results of illness, giving them a limited time two or three days a week for individual instruction. This has been a means of much encouragement to thesc unfortunate pupils and their parents, and the cost to the Town is not great.
9. School pupils participated to the number of 3,000 in a Flag Day parade and 1,700 in an N. R. A. parade.
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10. Consumption of fuel for all schools was more than twice as much for corresponding periods in other years during the months of December, 1933, January and February, 1934. It was necessary to close school three days because of cold weather.
11. American Education Week, November 6-12, saw 314 visitors in Norwood school buildings. This number should be increased to more than 1,000 this year.
Respectfully submitted,
LEONARD W. GRANT, Superintendent of Schools
REPORT OF SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
I am pleased to submit, herewith, my seventh annual report as Principal of the Norwood Senior High School.
Enrollment
A year ago this past September, our enrollment figures showed a school of 725 pupils. As compared with this, September 1933 shows 763 pupils enrolled at the Norwood Senior High School, divided as follows:
P. G. and
x
Grade XI 124
XII
Specials
Total
Boys
142
114
2
382
Girls
144
117
118
2
381
-
286
241
232
4 763
This enrollment of 763, an increase of 38 students over the previous September, has been assimilated without the services of an additional teacher and is in keeping with the predictions made last year. Our recita- tion rooms now are not crowded but are comfortably filled to capacity in most classes. Two years ago our increase was 103 students over the previous year; last year it was an increase of 81 pupils, and this year the figure has come down to an increase of 38 pupils, showing that unless some unforeseen event can be anticipated, our enrollments will not greatly exceed what we have at the present time.
Faculty
As has been stated, there were no additional teachers added to the Norwood Senior High School faculty for the present year. An exchange, however, was experienced in that the valuable services of our former sub- master, Mr. Lincoln D. Lynch, have been transferred to the Junior High
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School in the capacity of Principal, and Miss Margaret Nicholson has come to the Senior High School to handle the additional load in the English Department, occasioned by the increase in student body with five addi- tional divisions of English.
Mr. Charles Hayden, formerly a teacher of Latin and coach of debate, has been promoted to the position of Submaster; Mr. James Gormley has had assigned the duties of Faculty Manager of Athletics, and Mr. James Butler is taking the assignment of coach of debating. These changes re- present the only major changes made in the teaching staff for this year. All are working out very satisfactorily.
Graduation, 1933
On June 13, 1933, the graduation exercises of the Senior Class were held in the Norwood Junior High School Gymnasium. The cvent was char- acterized by simplicity, dignity, and excellent performance on the part of those on the program. Following is a list of the graduates:
*Toini Irene Aalto Helen S. Aidukonis John A. Ambruskevich Martha Viola Anderson Anne Mary Antonewrco Jennie .J. Babel
Joanne Marie Cullen John Edward Curran John Joseph Curran
Paul Bernard Curran Mary G. Dailey
*Anne Daniels
*Dorothy M. Day Joseph G. Doran
Edward J. Drummey
*Madeline Elizabeth Bartell
*Mildred Berman Claire A. Bingham
Bennie Adolph Dulkis Stanley R. Eckhardt Carl Edman Alfred William Ellis
Henry Bochanowicz James A. Bothwell Abraham Boulis Francis George Bowles Margaret Edith Bown
John Frederick Emerton
Gorizia M. Felici
Martha L. Fisher John J. Flaherty Mary Elizabeth Flaherty
Louis Saul Braverman Helen Gertrude Breen
*Paul J. Calderone Michael James Clancy, Jr. John Oldham Coakley Arline P. Cobb Walter Eugene Coleman Nora Patricia Connolly Elizabeth Costello Paul Andrew Coughlin
*Mary Margaret Flaherty Joseph G. Flynn Thomas J. Flynn Mary Katherine Folan Thomas J. Foley
*Madeline Louise Frazier Robert Lawrence Fulton Marie Ann Giampa Herbert Edward Gilson Arthur H. Gleichauf, Jr.
*Richard Winthrop Baker Margaret Hannah Balduf Edward Joseph Barrett Richard Paul Barrett
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Florence Edith Gottberg Louisa Henderson Graham Richard Edmund Greene Vivian Helen Hansen Russell John Hauck Mary B. Heylin Helmer E. Hultstrom Bror Axel Johnson John Johnson Ruth Teresa Johnson
Vincent F. Johnson
Helen Alice Johnstone
Frank Phillip Karshis John E. Keary
*Catherine Jean Keefe Walter Andre Kelly Charles Francis King John Francis King Philip Michael King Sophie Frances Knaus
*Florence Korpela Helen P. Kudirka Margaret Elizabeth Lailey Adela Elizabeth Lansbert
*Edward William Larson Karl Harold Larson
*Ruth LeRoy Thomas S. Lydon Sara J. Macleod
*Astrid Elizabeth Malmsten Carl Eric Mansen John A. Marcellus Tony Joseph Marcellus Eleanor Rose Masce Eva Lola Ann Mazzola Thomas J. McColgan John J. McDonald Mary Agnes Anne McLean Rennie I. Meffan John Crowell Metters
Charles Anthony Mickunas Mike T. Mike
William T. Milesky
Mary Elizabeth Morgan
Francis Bradley Morrison Michacl Moses, Jr.
*Doris I. Nardin Ralph Francis Neilson Irene Elizabeth Newark Nora Kathaleen Norton Lawrence James O'Brien Hannah Gertrude O'Day Rosamond Viola Olson Jennie Mary Paciorkowski Bennie S. Palleiko Lulu Julie Pavilonis Henry C. Payne, Jr. John Jasper Pazniokas John I. Pendergast Esther Perlmutter Joseph A. Pidzewich Helen M. Pogrelz Grace Evelyn Purchase Maxmillan Rabinovitch Edmund H. Race Joseph J. Ralkavich
*Harriet Arnold Rathbun Rosemarie Ann Riley Bradford Sawyer Ritchie . Helen MacGregor Robertson John Prescott Robertson Charles Harold Robinson
*Mildred Lillian Rodgers Phyllis Claudia Rose Mary Agnes Rudvilovitch Joseph Rukstalis Nellie Ann Rukstalis
*James Stephen Salmon Amelia Therese Samson Joseph M. Sastavickas Agnes Catherine Semash Catherine Elizabeth Small
*Phyllis Mae Small Warren Francis Smith Ashton Kcemlhe Stone Frank Richard Stupak
*Anne Agnes Sundgren Richard E. Swift
*Paul Nason Taylor Vito Martin Thompson Peter Joseph Thornton Harold Michael Tracy
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Charles J. Treciokas
Bernice Wetta
Ruth Pratt Upham
Lawrence V. White Thomas Andrew White
Felix S. Utorka
Martha Whitman VanCise
Genevieve Margaret Venskus
*Marjorie Whitney E. Freeman Winslow, Jr.
Charles Albert Vitartis
Albert Kenneth Wagner
Mary Elizabeth Wallace
*Wanda Annette Wiskalis Robert Francis Wood Ernest Albert Henry Woodman
Michael Joseph Wallace
John J. Wozniak
Lewis Walter
Stephen Joseph Wozniak
Anthony Waytekunas
Ahti Frank Ylijoki
The starred pupils received the John C. Lane Medal award in recog- nition of excellence in scholarship or in school citizenship. The award committee, acting in accordance with the suggestion from Mrs. John C. Lane, established the regulation that in order to receive one of the Lane Medals, a student should be either an excellent scholar with good citizen- ship standing, or he should be a good scholar with exceptional and out- standing citizenship qualifications.
The United States History medal was awarded to Astrid E. Malmsten.
The Berwick English prize, in recognition of excellence in English, was awarded to James S. Salmon.
The H. M. Plimpton Art prize, given in recognition of excellence in Freehand Drawing, was awarded to Joseph Rukstalis; second prize given to Phyllis M. Small, and third prize to John J. Pazniokas. Honorable mention in art work went to Madeline E. Bartell, Lawrence J. O'Brien, and Anne A. Sundgren.
The John F. Murray Athletic Cup, annually awarded to the boy in the graduating class who excels in athletics, was awarded to Russell John Hauck.
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 Astrid E. Malmsten. She is now attending Boston University and has proven to be a credit not only to her home, but to the school from which she has graduated.
Matriculation of the Class of 1933
Aviation School
1
Bentley School of Accounting and Finance
1
Boston College
7
Boston University
4
Bowdoin College
1
Burdett College
1
Georgetown University .
1
Mass. College of Pharmacy . 1
318
Mass. Nautical Training School
4
Mass. State College .
1
Northeastern University . 3
Nurses' Training Schools . .
7
State Teachers' College, Bridgewater.
4
State Teachers' College, Framingham
1
State Teachers' College, Salem
1
Wheaton College. 1
2
Wilfred Academy
1
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Total 42
As will be noted by comparison with previous reports, about the same percentage of our graduates are carrying on in schools or colleges beyond High School. The economic condition of the country for the past three years has made for an increase in the desire to attend some sort of training beyond secondary school work. This desire has been in part offset by the fact that many who wish to attend advanced schools are not able to find their way clear to finance such a project.
Present Needs of the School
With the N. R. A. codes as existing practically prohibiting child-labor, our High School, with all others in the State and elsewhere, is being morc and more populated with boys and girls who wish to continue their schooling yet who cannot benefit by the college preparatory course of instruction, who are not suited to the training in the commercial fields and who do not, or cannot, profit by instruction in the vocational arts, such as we have at the present time.
There are two ways in which this condition can be bettered. The first would be the establishment of an industrial school with courses which definitely train in the several trades, or the adoption of a more highly developed practical arts curriculum within the school as we now have it. This, of course, would necessitate additional room and equipment. Our shop work for boys has now been crowded for two years, and we have reached the maximum amount of work which can be done with our present equipment.
The other alternative, in order that we may be sure that "the other fifty per cent," as educators term this class of pupils who cannot benefit by the curriculums now offered, would profit more directly from their High School course, would be the establishment of a socialized curriculum. This Civic Curriculum, as it is called, has as its prime purpose the pre- paring for better citizenship. The country needs the highest type of citizen that can be produced in the graduates from our High Schools. This curriculum is in the process of construction now by a state-wide
319
committee of high school men. It aims to lay particular stress on the social studies, with a predominance of courses leading to a better under- standing of the social order in which we are now living,-a changing civilization,-a revolutionized era,-a high-powered and high-geared living age which demands a different kind of training than our academic curriculum of yesterday affords. Events of the past few years clearly emphasize the need for giving the youth of the nation a more definite training in sound economic living to the end that present unsatisfactory conditions will not repeat themselves. The economic, social, and civic status of the next generation of adults will be determined in large measure by the type of training given the youth of today.
It is now conceded by all educational leaders that to continue putting through the academic classrooms a great bulk of the enrollment of our high schools is not only a waste of time, but a waste of money as well. This new civic curriculum must well have in mind the training for the proper use of leisure time which is going to be more and more in abundance. It shall give major attention to the development of an appreciation of all that is best in art, literature, and music, in order that leisure time may be profitably spent. The boy or girl of today going through High School should have a clearer idea of the social order and the adult world about him as he goes out into it. He should know something of the political machinery not only in his community, but his state and country.
At the present time we have approximately 240 tenth grade boys and girls taking shorthand and typewriting. Our classes in mathematics and languages are almost equally well filled up, and there is a great question as to how much of this material they will use when they graduate from High School, or how much will be of any great value to them ten years after they finish their High School course. Certainly we can agree that of the 240 taking the stenographic work, many could never become compe- tent stenographers and could not be placed in actual employment in that line of training. The question then naturally arises, why should all of these boys and girls be enrolled in such studies?
Early in our national life, I believe it was Hamilton who said: "Good citizenship involves much more than obedience to laws, patriotism, and national pride. Good citizenship means a clear understanding of the government under which we live, what it does for its citizens, and how it protects their rights." Our courses for High School pupils in the future must put more stress on teaching the fundamental requisites for successful living in this democracy of ours.
I have in mind submitting to you, in the course of two or three months, an outline of this civic curriculum which, I hope, may be introduced for the benefit of our Norwood boys and girls.
In addition to these needs, I should like to remind you once again that whenever the possibility arises for additional building, we do most cer- tainly need a High School Auditorium. I well understand that in the
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past five years there could not be given any serious regard for this need, but it should be borne in mind that with the return of any degree of pros- perity to this community, one of the first things that should be attended to is that of the completion of our High School building so that the progress in debating, public speaking, dramatics, and assembly work of all kinds in our school can proceed without the handicaps now encountered. Any one who lias officiated or who has spoken to our assemblies in our gym- nasium is well aware of the difficulties mentioned.
Achievements of the Year 1933
During the past year our school has gone forward with its program of health instruction to our entering class. We now have a course covering a half-year's work required of all sophomores, for which credit is given toward their High School diploma. Many inquiries have been made relative to this course, showing that it is recognized by other schools as a very much worth-while proposition. A recent visit by the Supervisor of Secondary Education for the State Department of Education led to compli- mentary remarks relative to this course in Health Education, and some fine things were said about our course in Required Home Economics and the general organization as a whole.
A slight revision of the scholastic honor roll computing has been made out of a request from faculty members to make provision for the indi- vidual having high marks in all subjects except one. We have, as you know, many pupils coming from non-English speaking homes who have extreme difficulty in getting high grades in English, yet who really excel in all other studies. Our new plan makes due allowance for this group of students.
The regular work of the academic, home economics, art, commercial, and physical training divisions has gone on in the usual efficient and high standard way. Increases both in numbers taking and courses offered have been evidenced in all branches of music instruction. We wish next year to offer a major course in music five periods per week; two of music appre- ciation, one of elementary harmony, one of vocal training, and the fifth in chorus singing as part of our effort to help our students in the training for the worthy use of leisure time. Every indication points to that kind of training as a vital part of the school of tomorrow.
I appreciate deeply the many helpful suggestions you have made in the interest of the year's work and the continued support offered by your Committee. We have been travelling over exceptionally "rough roads" through extremely turbulent and troublous times, yet we can all be more than thankful that education in the Town of Norwood has not been allowed to suffer any serious disadvantages. We march onward, we hope, with the coming of 1934 into better times and greater achievements.
HERBERT H. ARCHIBALD,
Principal
321
REPORT OF THE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
The Junior High School has an enrollment of 781 students, placed in the three grades as follows: Grade Seven, 262; Grade Eight, 274; Grade Nine, 245.
This, my first year as Principal of the school, has been a most pleasant one. The day has not passed when I have not, at one time or other, received a concrete expression of the desires of a most co-operative group of fellow-workers to help me in the administration of the school's activities.
The ordinary routine of the school organization, with the exception of a few minor changes is carried on just as it was under the leadership of my worthy predecessor, and our friend, Mr. George W. Allen.
I have organized our faculty into several committees this year to the end that our subjects of instruction may be departmentalized. In this way articulation and integration of subject courses will be effected and teaching efficiency raised to a higher level.
This work is developing slowly because the fields of subject instruction are broad and because I want to supervise the organization of it personally that I may feel the pulse of the school as I learn its problems.
So far we have made a considerable effort in the improvement upon our English teaching, and I think that the Committee on the reorganization of our Junior High School English will have a most complete syllabus ready for our next year's English classes.
After this work is well under way, our committees will project a course of study in the several other subjects, each in its turn and according to need.
May I take this opportunity to thank you personally, and through you, to render an expression of my appreciation of the co-operation manifested by all others interested in our Junior High School.
LINCOLN D. LYNCH
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF HOME ECONOMICS EDUCATION
I herewith submit a report on Home Economics Education for the year ending December 31, 1933.
The Challenge of the Times.
Dr. W. J. Cooper, former Commissioner of Education, has said: "If Homemaking is to justify its place in the curriculum it must prepare young men and women to make homes." He further states that he is thinking of courses that will involve the fundamental sociological principles under- lying the making of homes, and of those principles which underlie a very
322
happy home life and of those facts which are necessary for one to know if he would guide children successfully.
To these ends Home Economics or Homemaking Education in Norwood has been in a state of evolution for some time. We have been enlarging and enriching our courses, adding and subtracting, reorganizing and evaluating, trying in every way to establish the highest possibilities in Home Economics. Home Economics offers no apology for its place in the curriculum because it is dealing with immediate and live issues. This subject has proved its worth. Leading educators prophesy that far from being a "fad or frill" it is fast becoming an essential in the curriculum. They also agree that as many as possible should be reached. In this con- nection it is gratifying to note the increasing acceptance of Home Eco- nomics and a finer appreciation of the content of our courses on the part of pupils, educators and parents. Also the fact that 67% of Norwood High School girls are enrolled in one or more of our courses in Home Eco- nomics would seem to indicate widespread and active interest in this vital subject. Perhaps interest has been stimulated by the point of emphasis in our teaching, as typified below:
Skill in cookery is less important than a knowledge of the effect of nutrition on health.
Ability to sew a fine seam is less important than good taste in clothes.
Domestic technique or skill in housekeeping is less important than managerial skill, the wise use of leisure time and a cultivation of a sense of responsibility in family life.
We are particularly pleased with the progress made in our Required Course for Girls at Senior High School. Here we reach every girl in school with problems which bear directly upon character and better living and the social and emotional life'of the girl is being developed in a wholesome way. Someone has said "The School is the Child's Larger Home" and we believe that we are helping to make the girl's school life happy and worth- while with this home subject and in a home atmosphere. Customs, pro- prieties at home and in public, conventions and conduct are some of the points covered in our discussions with ideals for girlhood and womanhood as a fitting climax to the course. We hope that through this course every girl, having discussed the fundamentals of a complete life, will scek the best for herself, physically, morally, mentally and socially, and that she will give of her best to her home and society. We agree with Einerson that "Defect in manners is usually the defect in fine perception" and our ultimate goal will be reached if our pupils through our courses learn to respect convention, to cultivate natural graces, to strive for a considerate disposition, feel affection for their fellowmen and become better folks with whom to live.
In our desire to build character and develop home attitudes we cannot overlook the numerous wage-earning possibilities in Home Economics training in business and other fields.
323
Through the organization of a required course in Health Education all High School boys and girls will now receive instruction in Nutrition which the eminent authority, Dr. McCollum, claims to be the most important factor in health. Pupils will now have a working knowledge of food values and should be able to make wise selection of food.
The High School Cafeteria has passed through another year of hard times with no deficit. This is a testimonial to the appreciation of our standards by those who have loyally stood by with us and through their patronage made the Cafeteria sueeessful. Not a few towns have been obliged to discontinue this serviee because of lack of patronage. The Cafeteria has also performed a real serviee through regular employment of twenty pupils.
The same good work was carried on at Junior High this year when very generous gifts were made by pupils and teachers toward our Thanksgiving baskets. This spirit of sharing is to be highly commended in times like these.
For the future we hope for:
1. Reinstatement of a regular Home Eeonomics teacher in grades 5 and 6 in order that the work may be more uniform throughout the town and to relieve the grade teachers who have so willingly added Home Economics to their routine and helped us through this emergency.
2. More opportunity for electing Home Economics in the Junior High School. This situation has been greatly improved this past year and many girls who want this work will be given the opportunity to elect it in the future.
3. Courses for boys. They should have equal interest in the home and should receive instruction of the type given in our required course for girls.
May I take this opportunity to express my appreciation of the exeellent spirit and co-operation shown by all members of the department, to the elementary teachers and principals and all who have worked for the ad- vancement and development of this department during the year.
AGNES M. BRIDGES
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF PRACTICAL ARTS
I herewith submit the annual report of the Practical Arts Department for the year ending December 31, 1933.
The program of instruction in this department followed very elosely that of last year, with no changes in the course, aside from the slight ehange effected in the sixth grade. This was brought about by having an instructor visit the elementary schools one day a week for a period of one hour. At two of the sehools there were more pupils than the equipment could ac-
324
commodate. This situation was met by dividing the class into two groups, and meeting every other week. This method avoided overcrowded con- ditions and allowed each pupil the individual attention which pupils of that age require.
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