USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Norwood > Norwood annual report 1932-1935 > Part 56
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Curriculum Changes .
In keeping with the trend of secondary education throughout the coun- try, we have attempted at Norwood High School to bring our curriculum offerings up to date. It has been quite evident for a long time now that the large majority of our boys and girls graduate to go out into the world at various occupations. About 20% of our students are going on with their education and will follow the professions. Another 20% perhaps learn a trade and become skilled tradesmen or artisans. The remaining 60% become job-holders in many and various occupations of the work-a- day world. I refer to those who read gas meters, pump gas at filling sta- tions, or drive trucks and delivery wagons.
In the past, our traditional curriculum has been too largely devoted to
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the first 20%, and we have neglected to give to the pupils who are not going beyond high school into advanced training the proper kind of courses, the aim of which would be to make better citizens and more efficient work- ers in the everyday routine of their lives after high school.
Educators throughout the country are attempting to make changes in courses to meet the demands of a new social and economic order. A com- mittee of High School Principals has been working for nine months now, under the direction of the State Department of Education, and is recom- mending the adoption of a Civic Arts Curriculum as an answer to this problem. This Civic Curriculum has already been adopted by the Nor- ยท wood School Committee and is on its first year work here at the High School, experimental, of course, but headed in the right direction.
This curriculum emphasizes the social studies with the purpose in mind of acquainting our boys and girls with a fuller realization of what is going on in the world about and around them, something of the trends in our political, economic, and social order, and in general it aims to give them, through these social studies, the proper foundation work for more effective citizenship.
This course is at its beginnings, and it is gratifying to know that the Norwood School Committee wishes its High School to be among those taking the lead in adopting such necessary courses.
Along with this Civic Curriculum, we are branching out into more complete courses in music instruction. We are one of the first schools in the State to offer a Music Major course for the benefit of those students who expect to make music their life work. More about this major course in music may be learned from Professor Dethier's detailed report.
Social Program
The established program of social events for the High School has been approved by the School Board. It is submitted, herewith, for the school year 1934-35:
1. Shakespearean Plays, sponsored by the Dra- matic Club and Arguenot staff Thursday, October 4
2. Arguenot Social . Thursday, October 25
3. Sophomore Party Friday, November 23
4. Junior Prom
Friday, December 7
5. Senior Prom.
Friday, January 18
6. Debate
Friday, April 26
7. Senior Operetta
Thursday, May 2
Friday, May 3
8. Class Day
Wednesday, June 12
I wish to extend to you, and through you to the School Committee, my thanks and the appreciation of the High School faculty for the continued support and cooperation which we have received during the year.
HERBERT H. ARCHIBALD.
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REPORT OF THE PRINCIPAL OF THE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
The Norwood Junior High School is "in the middle of the road" of educational progress. This statement is based upon a comparison of our school activities, curricular and extra-curricular, with those of the best Junior High Schools of the country as reported in a very exhaustive survey of school activities as outlined in the latest bulletin, The Reorganization of Secondary Education, published by the Office of Education, United States Department of the Interior.
This year we have made a few forward looking and progressive revisions of our course organization. In particular, our general science and social science courses have been reorganized in each of our grades and the material content in our ninth grade Practical Arts and Home Economics courses, has been enriched and time allotment increased.
Formerly, students in the ninth grade Practical Arts and Home Eco- nomics classes were given time to do only that manual work which could be done in the shops and laboratories during the school day. In addition to this, we have added one period each week for the study of related ma- terials and require outside study of these problems.
To illustrate: a project in woodworking might be to finish a table top. The top would be finished in the shop, and outside of school, the student would be required to study the methods of refining, staining, and finishing materials. A project in a Home Economics class might be to make a dress. The dress would be made in the Sewing Room and, outside of school, the student would be required to study appropriate color combinations and figure designs in dressmaking.
To the end that pupils may understand more of the world of natural science, we have extended by three periods the time allotment for such study and have enriched the courses in general science considerably.
We have increased the time allotment in our Social Science courses from five to eight periods weekly in the 7th and 8th grades requiring one of these to be used for the study of current events. In the ninth grade the study is required of all students five periods per week.
Not long ago geography was one study, history another, and so with civics, economics, sociology, and other fields of pursuit in Social Sciences. Recently, scientific research has indicated rather directly that these social studies cannot be divorced from one another in a scientific study of Man and Society.
In the light of this newer philosophy we faced a demand for a course which would combine the study of all forces, moral, political, social, that the student may see Man in His Changing Society in proper perspective. Such a course we have introduced under the name of the Rugg Social Science Series and to date, the adoption of such a program has been a source of great satisfaction and enjoyment to those of us most interested in the proper intellectual growth of our school citizens.
For the year 1934-1935, we have our entire school placed in club activity
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once each week. Having in mind the worthy use of leisure time, we have thirty-six clubs organized for the purpose of creating or developing avoca- tional interests.
This year our school traffic is organized in such manner as to inculcate in our students a sense of civic and class responsibility. It is gratifying to note how well our ninth grade classes control their own corridors and stair- way traffic.
By reason of a reorganization of homeroom supervision, Miss Helen P. Gale has been relieved of homeroom assignment and is now rebuilding our library facilities. At all times during the day our school library is avail- able to all students who have spare time in which to use it.
We have attempted this year to establish a closer bond of union between the home and the school, especially in the matter of informing the parent as to the progress of the pupil. We have a new home report system which is designed to do all that can be expected of the written report. Our aim is to inform the parent as to the pupil's Conduct and Social Attitudes, his Habits of Work, and Effort, the quality of his work in terms of what we think he is able to do in each of his classes, and finally, in the event of failure or unsatisfactory work, not only to inform the parent of such a condition, but, so far as we can, to recommend ways and means of securing improvement.
As a matter of record, may I report the abolition of the published Honor Roll as an institution in our school. There is an understanding among ourselves, pupils, parents, and teachers, that just so long as a student in the school is a good citizen in our school community and is doing his dead level best in his daily school tasks, he is on our Honor Roll.
My report to you would be incomplete if I were not to mention my deepest appreciation for the loyalty and cooperation accorded me by an excellent group of co-workers. Sincere thanks and heartfelt gratitude therefore, do I extend to every employee in the Junior High School for what they have done for the school in this, as in other years. May I thank you Mr. Grant, and through you, the members of the School Com- mittee who have been so generous in your consideration of our Junior High School problems.
LINCOLN D. LYNCH
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF THE PRACTICAL ARTS DEPARTMENT
With recent changes and important trends in vocational education during the past year, the program of instruction for all boys from the sixth grade through high school has undergone a few changes. We have endeavored to enlarge and enrich each course of shop work, by adding worthwhile informational material concerning each phase of our voca-
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tional program in every school. We have reorganized some and at- tempted in every way to establish the best for each course taught.
The boys of the sixth grade in their program of instruction were thor- oughly put through a period of intensive related information in respect to the use of the hand tools. Here the boy received his first experience in their use and every endeavor was made to start him out with the idea of priding himself in keeping his tools in a first class condition. He was taught to establish a fixed habit for care and orderliness during his shop class period. This impression was the first and most important of his vocational experiences.
All projects attempted by the boys were chosen primarily for real pupil interests relating to boats, cowboy book-ends, kitchen memo pads for the home and a host of other things.
Following closely last year's program of shop work for seventh grade pupils, the school year was divided between the general shop and wood shop, where twenty weeks were spent in each. In the former shop the boys found new and interesting types of shop work awaiting them, these being mostly processes involving the boy in his first contact with metals. These projects of mild steel and sheet metal taught him how to form, bend, drill, rivet, hack saw and make special jigs for holding his work. Here typical student interests were shown in constructing worthwhile projects for home. These included wall lamps, table lamps, magazine stands, book-ends, dust pans, etc.
The ninth grade woodworking classes were so scheduled that each boy had four periods of actual shop work, and an extra period in which he was required to cover the tool processes learned in class and to seek his related information pertaining to materials. Within a short time this arrange- ment has proven most satisfactory. Each pupil was required to con- struct a project using hand tools and also received permission to use the power machines under close supervision of the instructor.
Many excellent and worthy projects were made, including smoking stands, step ladders, colonial bridge lamps, bookcases and tables, also many stage fixtures for use in plays.
Printing for boys of the eighth and ninth grade followed the arrange- ment of the woodworking classes, devoting one day to purely academic and related work, while the rest of the time was devoted to the actual turning out of work required by the various school department needs. This shop received tremendous demands for school work, and as a result a group of industrious and serious minded boys turned out thousands of printed items each day, such as report cards, all school forms, programs for school entertainments, and tickets for various functions sponsored by the schools.
The opportunity for vocational training in the Senior High School was curtailed to a great extent this fall, as the burden of such large classes in a shop where facilities and room space were too small for one instructor to handle, it became necessary to revert to the system of two years ago.
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This allowed a boy who had shown during his previous year of shop work, ability to do things and willingness to get ahead to continue his course, while boys who came to the shop just to put in time, and do nothing, were excluded.
As the general shop is a unit form of instruction in two or three types of vocational work, it gives a boy a chance to have many experiences. A recent study suggests that in the near future (if not right now) economic . and social changes will compel the average man to engage in two or more trades (instead of one) during his working life time, and to this end our general shop seeks to meet this situation.
A pattern making and molding unit to replace that of the electrical unit seems to be a most important step forward. Educationally it is as much desired as electricity, as license restrictions affect to a great extent the amount of instruction that can be given. Our machine unit is now in need of new equipment, as they have been in constant use for a number of years by relatively inexperienced pupils and handled by many different individuals, some of whom were careless in their operation of the machine. Threads are worn, tail stocks broken, etc., so that first class work, such as precision work, is impossible.
Wood projects were more extensively in operation, as this unit seemed to appeal to the older boys. Its popularity no doubt received its stimulus from the fact that active interest in the craftsman guilds that are springing up all over the country, has placed in many homes work shops equipped with machines similar to the school shops. We have had a severe loss in small tools and other equipment this past year, and as a result a new tool room has been constructed to cope with the situation. This tool "crib" has been built so that every tool is visible to the instructor, and if any are missing at the end of each period, an immediate check up can be made. With the old system, every tool was put away in a small room, where a check up was almost impossible.
We hope that some time in the near future our shop space facilities can be enlarged, so that every boy interested can receive some vocational training.
May I take this opportunity to express my appreciation for the spirit shown by all members of the department, and to teachers and principals who have cooperated so generously.
CLIFFORD H. WHEELER
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION
As in previous years, the program carried on is according to that out- lined by the State Department of Physical Education.
The Physical Education program in the elementary schools remains essentially the same as last year. It was a step forward for the Physical Education Department, that the instructor was restored to a full time
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teaching position the first of the year, as the program with the extra classes in posture demanded a full time teacher. The parents have been most cooperative about our posture classes. They not only have come to the school for personal interviews with Miss Benson, but are also assisting their children with the exercises which the instructor feels should be taken at home every day in addition to the extra classes during school time. This work is, of course, in addition to the regular class room and playground activity. In both of these branches of the work, pupil leadership is given much attention. It is felt that a great deal may be accomplished in this way as to developing the ability to lead others, fairness of play, developing poise, and above all, good sportsmanship.
A grammar school baseball league was formed as usual last spring and the Balch School won the championship.
A track meet was held last Spring, in which all pupils from the fourth grade through Senior High School participated. The preliminaries were held on their own grounds and semi-finals and finals were held at the Senior High School. A great deal of interest and enthusiasm was shown by both spectators and participants and the sportsmanship exhibited was of the finest. The winners in the different classes were determined by the total number of points scored in the several events. In the elementary schools, the Balch School came out victorious. The eighth grade girls were the victors in the Junior High School competition, while the ninth grade boys took the honors in their class. In the Senior High, the Sopho- more girls and the Senior boys proved to be the champions of their school.
Class work in Junior High for girls and boys consists of apparatus, marching, posture training and games. If a pupil needs more posture work than can be given during class time they are given extra corrective work and suitable exercise.
After school activities for girls are held the entire year. Our one big aim is to have as many participate as possible. In order to play after school a girl must not have a check in more than one subject and no checks in citi- zenship. The fall sports were Bat Ball for seventh grades and Kick Ball for eighth and ninth. In all there were about one hundred and fifty com- peting and many watching. The winter sport is Basketball for ninth grades and about seventy-five participate. In the Spring there is compe- tition in Baseball between ninth grades and Volley Ball for seventh and eighth grades.
This year there is a Folk Dancing Club meeting once a week consisting of forty members.
After the Christmas vacation basketball practice was called, with 150 boys reporting. All these boys tried to gain places on the Junior High School varsity team. After practice of two weeks, 25 boys were selected to play games with Norfolk Agricultural School, Stoughton Junior High, Sharon Junior High, and the Senior High School Second Team.
Beside the Junior High School varsity team, three basketball leagues
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were organized between the 7th, 8th, and 9th grades. 150 boys partici- pated, and the schedule of games lasted well into the spring.
Baseball practice was then called, and a Junior High School varsity team was organized, and two baseball leagues between the 7th and 8th grades. These leagues were organized for boys who do not play on the Junior High varsity team. 200 boys participated.
During the fall, three tag football leagues for 7th, 8th, and 9th grades were organized. This game is played by the same rules that govern the official games of football, with this exception, that no tackling is permitted so as to prevent any cases of injury. Between 150 and 200 boys partici- pated.
This year during the club period, which is held during the 6th period on Friday afternoon, 50 boys are in an Athletic Dancing Club. Athletic dancing develops skill, speed, posture, and rhythm, and also eliminates a self-conscious feeling a boy mnay have.
The regular class work for boys and girls in the Senior High School remains the same as last year consisting of marching, apparatus, corrective exercise, games and practice teaching. In addition to this we have a course in Health Education for Sophomores and the Physical Education department takes charge of four lectures. The Seniors have their regular course in Hygiene which is given by the Physical Education Department. Also all individuals needing corrective exercise are given special attention.
Athletics for girls in the Senior High School were carried on throughout the year with sports suitable for the season. Our basketball teams lost but one game last year, and this year we have about seventy-five girls reporting for practice. We first play inter-class games, then class gaines with other schools and then pick a team to represent the High School in a schedule of five games. The girls were fortunate last year to be invited by the Brookline High School to participate in both a swimming play day and a swimming meet. Although our girls have no chance for winter practise, they placed among the leaders and had a most enjoyable time. In the early spring about fifty girls reported for indoor practise in Tennis and in May when the courts were opened many more reported. Our tennis team played a schedule of six games with other schools. In the Fall we have inter-class field hockey and inter-class tennis.
Athletics for boys in the Senior High School consisted of football, basket- ball, baseball, indoor track, outdoor track, tennis, and golf. Fifty-eight boys reported for basketball. Of this number ten were considered mem- bers of the school team. Ten others made up a second team. A schedule of twelve games was played by both teams. The remaining candidates formed class teams and played a series of games for the championship of the Senior High School.
Thirty-four boys reported to Mr. Wheeler for indoor track at the State Armory. Four dual meets were participated in and one triangular meet. Ten boys were entered in the State meet at the Boston Garden, three of
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them winning places and one being declared state champion in the standing broad jump.
In April forty boys were candidates for outdoor track. Eight dual meets were participated in and Norwood was victorious in five of them. In May ten boys were entered in the Harvard Inter-Scholastic meet and once again Norwood had three boys who won medals for fine work. In June a group of fourteen boys attended the South Shore Conference meet held at Brockton and finished in third place among the eight schools that competed. Also, in June, the squad participated in the Dedham Relay Carnival.
In April, sixty-one boys reported for baseball. Fifteen players were chosen to represent the school against outside schools. Twelve other players formed a second team and played a schedule of four games with other schools. The first team played a schedule of fifteen games. After the season was over the first team went into a post-season tourney at Marblehead for the State Championship but was eliminated in the first game.
Under the direction of Mr. Learnard, a golf team was organized and granted the free use of the Walpole Country Club course for its home matches.
This year marked the formation of the Norfolk County High School Golf Association which included the following high schools: Walpole, Sharon, Canton, Dedham, Needham, and Norwood.
The team played eighteen matches, of which nine were at home. Eleven of these matches were league affairs, and Norwood scored fifty-three league points.
The golf squad consisted of twelve men of which a six man team was chosen for each match.
A boys' tennis team was organized under the direction of Mr. Woodbury and a schedule of eight games was played.
In September eighty-six boys reported for football and a schedule of nine games was played with outside teams. The second team played one game with an outside team.
Basketball practice started during the Christmas vacation and fifty- three boys are now practicing.
H. BENNETT MURRAY
REPORT OF THE HEALTH DIRECTOR
Health is recognized as first among the goals of education. It is not regarded merely as physical well being, but includes also mental, emo- tional and social aspects. The goal of health education is daily conduct on the part of the individual in accordance with the present knowledge of healthful living.
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Physical Examinations
All children from newcomers in nursery school to prospective graduates in Senior High have been examined by Dr. Edward L. Brennan and Dr. Alfred A. Fenton. Parents have been notified of physical defects found at the time of examination so that corrections of such remedial defects could be made.
Although some one hundred and thirty-eight children had their tonsils and adenoids removed this type of defect continues to present the great- est problem because the majority of children with this defect come from families unable to cope with the situation because of financial conditions. The local physicians have been most cooperative but there are still many families too proud to accept such service ... These parents are most willing to pay a minimum fee for the operation. In doing so, they feel they are retaining their self-respect and position in the community. Boston hospitals offer clinics for this purpose. Is it not possible to establish one in Norwood?
Dental Examinations
Dental examinations of all children in grades 1 to 9 inclusive have been made by Dr. Curtin. About eighty per cent of the children were in need of dental attention. In many cases the amount of work necessary was small. Notices of defects were sent to parents and treatment by the family dentist advised if the child was not eligible for the dental clinic.
The corrective work for dental defects continues to show progress. The additional work to be done by the E. R. A. clinic now being organized should improve the record of the Junior and Senior High School.
Mental Examination
Seventy children having difficulty with school work are being examined by Dr. Anne L. Clark. She will make recommendations which will enable them to derive the greatest benefits from their school work.
The Habit and Child Guidance Clinics for the mal-adjusted child are still being held at the Norwood Hospital. Norwood mothers should take advantage of the excellent services rendered by the clinics under the able leadership of Dr. Olive Cooper and Dr. Grace Cragg.
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