Norwood annual report 1936-1938, Part 22

Author: Norwood (Mass.)
Publication date: 1936
Publisher: The Town
Number of Pages: 1104


USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Norwood > Norwood annual report 1936-1938 > Part 22


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Individual awards were given to the children for correction of dental defects, for growth as indicated by the gain in weight and height, for having all remedial defects corrected, and for improvement in posture.


Suitable programs were held in the several school buildings. The suc- cess of this program is dependent upon the hearty-cooperation of all who


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come in contact with the children; the parents, teachers, doctors, dentists, and nurses, as well as the children themselves.


Summer Camp


Four children attended summer camp at Braintree. They improved greatly during their eight weeks. This vacation is made possible by the sale of Christmas seals.


We wish to thank the Norwood Woman's Club, the Senior High School Quest Club, the Junior High School Community Club, the American Red Cross, and our many other kind friends for their combined generous support.


The members of the Health Department wish to express their apprecia- tion for the loyal support and helpful advice received from you, super- visors, principals, and teachers.


MARY A. CANNING, R.N.


REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF ART


The annual report of the Art Department for the year ending Decem- ber 31, 1936 is herewith submitted.


This past year seems to have been an unusually interesting one in this department, especially in the elementary grades. Doubtless, this is due to the fact that we no longer use a formal, definitely planned course of study, whereby each room of a certain grade is doing the same lesson during a given week. While various fundamental art principles are still considered essential, and always will be, they are not taught as separate drill lessons, but are applied to any project which seems to fit the need of any particular room. These principles, such as Center of Interest, Balance, Rhythm, Proportion, Perspective, Fitness to Purpose in design, Color Harmony, and so forth, are discovered by the children from their own creative or directed drawings, usually after class discussion. Our usual method of procedure aims first for expression and helpful principles as a natural outgrowth thereof, rather than abstract principles first, and then, lessons to illustrate them.


The following two paragraphs quoted from a state program of Art Education, express our aims here in Norwood in a general way.


"Today the Art program is tied up with the regular school curriculum, correlating and integrating with Social Studies; Reading, Language Work, Health and Humane Education. It no longer stands out as a subject separated from the regular life of the school and the child. It offers opportunity for self-expression and an outlet for imagination."


"Art Education is a practical subject aiming to ground every child in the fundamentals necessary to appreciate and enjoy Art and to use the


146


principles of Art-good spacing, fine proportion, appropriate design, harmonious color-in the everyday needs of modern life."


A few of the projects through which we have tried to achieve this inte- gration and appreciation, in the elementary grades, might be mentioned at this time-the construction of pet shows, stores, playhouses, library corners, moving picture shows, large dollhouse; the painting of background scenery for plays, large mural drawings on bulletin boards, blackboard drawings, friezes and window decorations correlating with Social Study as well as those appropriate to the various seasons; covers and illustrations for notebooks on many subjects; cloth wall-hangings, paper plates and square tiles decorated with modern designs, for gifts; much free original illustration of poems and stories.


Spirit and interest are good in Grades VII and VIII, where our Art work is being done on a larger and more original scale. Grade IX elective Art classes, although small, are doing good work for the school in such things as posters for various school activities, headings lettered and illustrated for the new school paper. A new club this year is the Sketch Club, com- posed of fourteen ninth graders who have done outdoor pencil sketching, original sketches, pen and ink work and drawing from life.


The Senior High Art course has followed much the same general lines as it has for several years. Representation, Composition and Design are the three major divisions of study. As always, many posters were made for various school and town affairs. Much water-color painting, original block printed Christmas cards, papier-mache masks and plaster of paris placques made from them were especially interesting projects.


In course of time, we hope for a completely integrated and articulated art program. As the pupil passes through each of the three sections of his school life, his ability in art will be developed progressively, intensively, and extensively.


The first or elementary section will have a much more creative pro- gram. The Art work will be motivated more and more through interests aroused by contacts with all the other subjects. At the end of the first six grades we will hope to have reached these objectives:


1. Knowledge of


a. Design, with its various principles.


b. Color-pleasing combinations.


c. Representation-freehand drawing of many kinds.


d. Masterpieces of famous artists.


2. Skills


a. Practical ability to represent ideas.


b. Practical ability to select and arrange colors in a pleasing manner.


c. Practical ability to construct simple objects in various mediums.


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3. Habits and Attitudes


a. Habit of observation and discrimination.


b. Habit of free expression.


c. Attitude of respect for fine craftsmanship.


d. Attitude of appreciation of beauty everywhere.


The Art course in the second or Junior High section will eventually be of an exploratory nature, in which the pupil will experiment in many media and have many kinds of art experiences, in order to discover the kind of creative expression in the exercise of which he is most happy. Clubs and hobbies for leisure time enter into this phase of his Art Edu- cation, while some of his activities will be directed toward better taste in his own costumes, making his home and surroundings more attractive and planning for a better town or city.


Art in the Senior High or third section will consist of two courses; one general elective course of a few periods per week, with a chance for original expression, applied design and crafts, while the other will be a major elective course, with required outside sketching and research. This course will contain Art Appreciation, Interior Decorating, Costume Designing, Commercial Advertising and Design, Free Illustrations in many mediums and so forth.


With such an Art program, the ultimate character training outcomes to be hoped for are these:


1. Joy in work and pride in doing it well.


2. Readiness to create to meet a need.


3. Self-confidence.


4. Independent thinking.


5. Orderly procedure.


6. Willingness to cooperate.


7. Desire to improve.


8. Discriminating observation.


9. Application of principles to everyday problems.


10. Seeking of beauty in one's environment.


11. Respect for one's own efforts and the efforts of others.


The teachers in the Art Department sincerely appreciate the continued cooperation of all with whom they come in contact.


HELEN L. ARNOLD


REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION


Following is the report of the Department of Physical Education.


"Education is the Process by which the individual comes into con- tinually increasing possession of himself and his powers, through continu- ally increased participation in race achievement."


148


Since physical education is an essential part of general education the aims of general education must be accepted as the aims of physical edu- cation.


The objectives of physical education may be divided into two groups: (1) developmental objectives; (2) objectives in adjustment. These again may be classed as: (1) Development of Organic Power; (2) Neuro Mus- cular Development; (3) Intellectual Development and Emotional Devel- opment through Health; Worthy Use of Leisure; Worthy Home Member- ship; Citizenship; Ethical Character; Vocation; Fundamental Processes.


Adequate time is allowed to do effective work. In the senior high school the average is usually 100 minutes. It might be of interest to note that some states require 150 minutes as a minimum for all grades but many towns and cities within these states allow more time than the minimum.


We have eliminated non-essentials. We teach the essentials. Our program is based upon a health and medical examination and upon indi- vidual needs according to the finds in the physical education tests. We prescribe corrective measures adapted to individual needs. We do every- thing we can to help the boys and girls and exercise the greatest care that we do nothing to hurt them.


Intramural athletics have spread throughout the schools and we are now giving a fair amount of attention in the way of equipment, training and coaching. We place more stress on the type of recreative sport that will carry over into adult forms of leisure.


The physical education work in the first six grades can be classified under five headings:


1. Marching and Exercises.


2. Games.


3. Rhythmic Activities.


4. Individual Posture Training.


5. Extra-curricula Activities.


1. Marching and Exercises.


Objectives-To improve posture, to provide maximum activity with limited time and space, to develop quick accurate response to command, to develop leadership.


2. Games-Games for the class as a whole.


Objectives-Sportmanship, team play, character training, skills, worthy use of leisure time, fun.


Squad Activities.


Objectives-Leadership and fellowship, self testing competing against own record, use of leisure time.


Story Plays.


Objectives-Stimulates imagination, connects school and home life, correlates with health. This is the informal enacting of a story used in Grades 1 and 2.


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3. Rhythmic Activities. Singing games.


Objectives-Rhythm training, group spirit, fun of playing.


In grades 1 through 3 it is easier for the children to move rhythmically if they sing.


Dances (to piano or victrola).


Objectives-Rhythm training, skill in moving (especially the feet), group spirit.


More difficult dances may be given in the 3rd and 4th grades if there is accompaniment.


4. Individual Posture Training.


Objective-To improve posture.


The children in greatest need of correction are selected. After a careful examination exercises are given to correct the individual's particular defect. Under the suggestion of the physical education department and the school nurse, one child consulted an orthopedic specialist who recommended that she continue the same exercises given at school. Another child acting on similar advice spent several weeks in the Children's Hospital and is now improving by continuing the treatment at home.


5. Extra-curricula Activities.


a. Special work in all schools.


b. Baseball Games-Boys.


c. Play Days-Girls.


There is no competition between schools. Three play days were held last spring.


The class work for Junior High consists of posture work, gymnastic exercises, marching, team games and apparatus exercises. Posture is stressed in every class, and if a pupil seems to need more attention, he is given corrective work outside of school hours.


After-school activities for girls are carried on during the entire year. During the fall and early winter, a Quoitennis tournament is staged for 7th, 8th and 9th grades. It has proved to be a very popular sport, ap- proximately 200 pupils taking part. Basketball is played by girls of the ninth grades only during the winter season, and a home room tournament takes place with about 125 girls participating, while the girls of the 7th and 8th grades continue Quoitennis. In the spring, tournaments in volley ball for the 7th and Sth grades and baseball for the 9th grades takes place. About 270 girls are engaged in these sports.


After the Christmas vacation basketball practice for boys was called, 150 boys reported. These boys tried for places on the Junior High School Varsity team. A schedule was then played with outside teams.


In addition to the varsity team at the Junior High School, there were three basketball leagues organized among the 7th, 8th and 9th grades; 140 boys participated and the schedule of games lasted well into the


150


spring months. Baseball practice was then called. A Junior High Varsity team was organized, and, also, a 7th and 8th grade league; 200 boys participated.


Some time was given to track. During the fall, three tag football leagues, Junior 7th, 8th and 9th grades were organized. From 100 to 150 boys were actively engaged.


Special exercises are given to boys with faulty posture. Many good results have been obtained in the class.


During the sixth period on Friday, 37 boys take part in athletic dancing. Athletic dancing develops skill, speed, posture and rhythm and also tends to eliminates self-consciousness.


In the Senior High School the regular class work for both girls and boys consisted of marching, apparatus, corrective exercises, games and practice teaching. In addition to this, we sponsor three lectures in the sophomore health course, and give a required course in Hygiene to all seniors. Ad- ditional corrective exercise is given to all individuals needing special at- tention. However, we find that fewer individuals today need that work in the Junior and Senior High Schools because of the great amount of time being spent on posture in the grades.


Athletics for girls in the Senior High School consisted of basketball, tennis, field hockey, archery and speedball. About fifty girls reported for basketball practice. First teams are picked for interclass games. Class games with other schools are arranged. Following this, a team is picked to represent the high school in a schedule of five games. Brookline again invited our girls to two swimming play days and sixteen girls had a most enjoyable time. In the early spring about sixty-five girls reported for indoor tennis instruction, and in May a team was picked for a schedule of seven games. In the spring we have archery and, in the fall, inter-class field hockey and tennis.


Athletics for boys in the Senior High School consisted of football, basketball, indoor track, outdoor track, baseball, tennis and golf.


During the Christmas vacation fifty-seven boys reported for basketball. Of this number, eight were chosen to represent their school as the varsity team against other high schools. Nine others made up a junior varsity team which played a schedule against the Junior Varsity Teams of the same high schools. The remaining candidates formed class teams and played a series of games for the championship of the Senior High School.


In January, forty-five boys reported to Mr. Wheeler for indoor track at the State Armory. Five dual and two State meets were arranged for the season.


In April, fifty boys participated in outdoor track and a schedule of seven dual and three Inter-Scholastic meets was arranged.


In April, fifty-one boys reported for baseball. Fifteen players were chosen to represent the school against teams of outside schools. The Varsity team played a schedule of fifteen games. The Junior Varsity


151


team, consisting of twelve boys, played two games with the Junior High School and two outside games.


Norwood retained its membership in the Norfolk County High School Golf League. The Walpole Country Club again allowed us the use of its course. Under the direction of Mr. Learnard, matches were played with each team in the league.


Under the supervision of Mr. Fisher, a tennis schedule of twelve matches was played. Approximately fourteen boys took part in tennis during the season. Six or seven played in each match.


In September, ninety-eight boys reported for football and a schedule of nine games was arranged with outside teams. On account of weather conditions, the game with Milford had to be cancelled. The second team played one outside game with Brockton.


Indoor track started just before the Christmas vacation and forty-seven boys reported for practice.


Basketball practice started during Christmas vacation and seventy-two boys are now practicing.


H. BENNETT MURRAY


REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF MUSIC


I herewith submit the annual report of the Music Department.


During the past year, the work in this department has been carried on along the lines of the program issued in a previous report. It proposes to satisfy social, ethical, intellectual and vocational aims. In addition to the vocal and theoretical work which is required from all pupils from the first to the tenth grade, there are now several elective courses in which 1090 pupils are enrolled.


In order to keep up with the increasing interest in music shown by the pupils, several new units have been added to the "Course in Music."


In the first and second grades, the children are learning to synchronize their efforts by means of Rhythm Band practice.


In the third and fourth grades, the second step toward instrumental music is the study of the harmonica. This simple instrument is the logical link between the second grade and the fifth grade where orchestra and band instrument instruction usually begins. The aim of every grammar school is to have its own little orchestra and band. A decided step has been taken in that direction.


Instrumental music encourages boys and girls to organize, gives them an opportunity to work off in a creative way some of the energy which every child generates, creates a better understanding among students, and prepares them for a worthwhile use of their time.


152


In joining a musical organization, the advanced player as well as the beginner learns cooperation, responsibility, initiative and group routine.


In the Junior High School there is an ever increasing demand for a Glee Club. This activity which was dropped several years ago, will probably be resumed under a new elective-selective plan.


In the Senior High School forty-two pupils are now taking the Music Major Course. Last May a group of students gave a demonstration of this course at the High School Principals' Convention at Framingham and were very well received. Members of the Voice Training classes gave several exhibitions of the work for different organizations.


It might be of interest to know that:


(a) A band composed of fifty-two boys and girls played at all the football games this season.


(b) Three members of the orchestra were selected to represent Norwood in the New England Festival Orchestra at Springfield last April.


(c) A scholarship of one hundred dollars was awarded last June to a member of the Senior Orchestra by the New England Conservatory of Music.


In closing, I wish to express my sincere appreciation of the cooperation of all in the school system with whom this department comes in contact.


JOHN V. DETHIER


REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF AMERICANIZATION


The following is the annual report of the Americanization classes for the year ending December, 1936.


The total enrollment of the Adult Alien classes at the close of the evening school in March, 1936 was 136. There were eight classes held at the Balch School on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday evenings. There was a be- ginner's class for men and one for women. In this class the pupils could neither read nor write English. The second class was the intermediate group. The fundamentals of English Grammar, reading and writing were taught. The advanced class was a very interesting group since most of the sixteen people enrolled were citizens. History, Geography, Advanced English, Current Events and group discussions formed a great part of the year's work. The Citizenship Class with thirty-nine pupils had the largest enrollment.


A new plan for teaching citizenship was introduced last year. About two years ago all supervisors and citizenship teachers met with Miss Mary Guyton, the State Supervisor, and a committee was formed to revise the outline of work in Citizenship. After many conferences, it was decided that instead of teaching the historical background of the United States so thoroughly, the principles of the Constitution should be taught; since


153


one of the requirements for Citizenship is that the applicant be informed in matters relating to the principles of the Constitution. Therefore, each supervisor was responsible for a lesson plan and when all plans were com- pleted they were sent to the Commissioner of Immigration and Naturaliza- tion at Washington to be corrected, revised and sent back to the State House in Boston. The Federal examiners in Boston very kindly answered any difficult questions which arose pertaining to the Constitution and our government. The lessons were finally completed and handed to the teachers in October, 1935. The object of all this work was to compile a uniform set of questions throughout the United States. The lessons are now being taught in all Evening Schools and the questions are being asked by the examiners. It is interesting to note that Massachusetts was the pioneer of this plan.


In addition to the evening classes, there were six day classes which were taught by the Director. These classes consisted of mothers who were unable to attend school in the evening; three of these classes were held in the homes. It was gratifying to see mothers taking time from household duties to learn to read, write and speak English. There were thirty-nine women enrolled in these classes.


Graduation was held on March 26, at the Junior High School. Thirty Citizenship diplomas and ninety State Certificates were awarded by the Superintendent of Schools, Lincoln D. Lynch. Miss Mary Ward, the Commissioner of Immigration and Naturalization for the Eastern District, was the guest speaker and Miss Mary Guyton, State Supervisor of Adult Alien Education, also delivered a talk to the graduates.


The evening classes for 1936-37 opened October 15, at the Balch School. The total enrollment at the end of December was 170, with pupils' ages ranging from 15 to 70. Of the eight classes being conducted, the Citizen- ship group is the largest with an enrollment of 46 pupils.


A school card which shows that he has attended school and prepared himself for a citizenship examination is now given to every person who applies for second papers. The Federal Government feels that if the standards for Citizenship are raised, so must the requirements.


In addition to the 170 people attending the Evening School, there are 42 mothers registered in six day classes. Two of these classes are held in the home and four at school.


On October 19, a Home Hygiene class was opened at the Balch School under the auspices of the Boston Chapter of the Red Cross and twenty-one women registered. The course consisted of twelve lessons and the class met every Monday and Thursday evening from seven o'clock to nine o'clock. The taking of temperature, pulse, and respiration, the making of a bed with a patient in it, the making of flaxseed poultices and general hints on home hygiene, were some of the interesting things taught. On November 30, eighteen Red Cross certificates were awarded to those who successfully passed their examination.


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On December 2, another class was organized for the mothers who could not attend evenings. Sixteen women enrolled and they meet every Wednesday from one-thirty to three-thirty at the Junior High School. The women enjoy the course and find it very helpful and profitable.


The federal census of 1930 shows 1,054,636 foreign born in Massa- chusetts, of which 480,624 are twenty-one years or over and 121,925 are illiterate. There are 73,295 aliens who cannot speak English. There is yet much to be done with the adult alien despite the immigration restriction. Norwood has 2,200 adult aliens, many of whom cannot read, write or speak English.


MARGARET E. CURRAN


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REPORT OF ATTENDANCE OFFICER


I herewith submit my report as Attendance Officer for the year ending December 31, 1936:


Number of truancies. 97


Number of Illness cases Investigated . 188


Lack of shoes or clothing . 7


Assisting at home. 24


Moved . 12


Investigation of cases where children left school . 12


Investigation of cases where home permits were desired .


11


Investigation of cases where working permits were desired .


3


Indifference or neglect at home. 1


Absentees due to inclement weather.


3


Miscellaneous Cases. 107


Total number of investigations


465


Number of children returned to school 27


Prosecutions in court . 6


HENRY F. BREEN


MEMBERSHIP BY AGE AND GRADE, OCTOBER 1, 1936


Ages


Grades


4


5


6


7


8


9


10


11


12


13


14


15


16


17 |


18


19


20


21 { Totals


1


56


128


9


2


195


2


50


105


23


1


179


3


60


118


26


6


210


4


39


114


32


5


3


1


1


195


5


46


120


32


12


2


212


6


47


109


34


7


7


1


1


206


7


4


63


119


43


16


8


1


254


8


3


47


114


37


25


8


1


235


9


4


48


105


38


6


2


203


10


8


147


72


26


7


1


261


11


16


147


67


16


2


248


12


4


118


47


5


3


1


178


Post Graduates


8


2


1


1


12


Special


1


1


1


1


4


5


7


5


25


Totals


56


178


174


183


188


210


213


223


220


180


241


238 215


78


9 !


5


2


2613


156


157


TOWN OFFICIALS For the Year Ending December 31, 1936


Selectmen: HARRY B. BUTTERS, 1936-1939, Chairman; PETER J. FEENEY, 1934-1937; CHARLES F. HOLMAN, 1935-1938; STURE NELSON, 1935-1938; JOHN M. MUTCH, 1936-1939.




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