USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Norwood > Norwood annual report 1939-1941 > Part 84
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At various times groups painted decorations on school windows with thick tempera paint. The gray walls of one assembly room were covered with large, colorful paintings illustrating the four seasons; these being the original ideas of two sixth grade classes. Several group or school projects were carried out before Christmas. In one school a large stained glass effect using the Nativity scene as a subject, was planned, colored, oiled and placed in a corridor window, at least twenty fifth and sixth grade children from three rooms doing the actual work, while almost every child in the three rooms had drawn, as outside homework, original Christmas sketches from which were chosen the ones to be included in the final design. Other smaller bright window paintings were placed in two corridor windows by fifth and . sixth grade pupils of another school. In another, a fifth grade painted scenery for their Christmas play.
At the time of National Book Week, appropriate posters were made by sixth grade pupils of one school and shown at the Public Library during that week. Many posters have been made at various times.
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Junior High School
Our present Junior High School Art program has been a development and improvement of the course as planned and experimented with the year before under the then new leadership of Mr. Walter Lunsman. In Grade Seven, study of the various Art mediums with reproductions, mimeographed descriptive sheets, creative pages and very original cover designs have all been combined in notebooks, of which the pupils are justly proud at the end of the year. This year's work gives each pupil a good basic background for his more advanced Grade Eight course, where he begins to appreciate the fundamental elements of Art and realizes how Art pertains to his own life. More diversified creative work, more advanced notebooks, class dis- cussions and periodic examinations comprise the Grade Eight course.
The background work in Grade Nine was an intensive study of Art History, which involved map work and the making of comparative charts. Many beautiful stained glass window models, illustrating the history of education at various stages and in many lands, were made by these classes and placed in corridor and library windows all over the building. Symbolic patriotic and instructional posters are now being developed for use in vari- ous parts of the building, while other posters, stage properties, Christmas cards and other things have been made as they were needed, as well as illustrations, cartoons, cover designs, etc., for the school paper. The two clubs, Art and Graphic Arts, are popular and active. Art Week was ob- served and an assembly program was prepared by the Art Department.
Senior High School
Large classes are found in both General Art and Art Major courses in the Senior High School. In connection with the Open House night at this school last spring, a large exhibition of the pupils' work was shown, which brought forth much favorable comment. Many posters for school affairs, for outside organizations, large decorative panels painted for the lunchroom and for school dances, designs for commercial advertising, decorative maps of real or imaginary places, block-printed Christmas cards and various kinds of craft work were some of the projects covered by all classes, as well as the usual lessons in Design, Color and Representation, involving the use of many mediums.
The outstanding Art Major unit was the making and illustrating of notebooks called "Art without Frames", which emphasized the importance of Art in everyday life, rather than that existing only within frames or as sculpture in Art museums or Art galleries. The books covered the selection of a desirable location for a home, original plans for the building of the house, outside and in, interior decoration within and landscape gardening without, costumes appropriate for the inmates of the house and flower arrangement.
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Conclusion
Thus, we of the Art Department in Norwood, try to plan our Art program not simply to develop the child's drawing ability, but to encourage dis- criminating judgment and esthetic appreciation.
"Few of our children will be called upon to earn their living by their crea- tive power, but once the child has developed that power, it has also devel- oped confidence, the power to decide, act and judge, which will be important in whatever sphere of activity it may be called to earn its living.
"Therefore, a child who once has learned to express his or her ideas and developed a taste for better things, will look for and demand in later life well designed articles which will lead to a desire to improve conditions in the home and the community."
In closing, I wish to express my sincere appreciation for the cooperation of all in the school system who have aided in the work of this department.
HELEN L. ARNOLD
REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF MUSIC
I herewith submit the Annual Report of the Music Department.
Elementary Schools
Aside from a few slight changes in the outline made to meet some special requirements, the course in music is the same as last year. The study of music, both applied and theoretical, begins in the first grade and has always been required in the Norwood schools regardless of the fact that in the past there was for a time a tendency in some other school systems to abolish music reading and to concentrate on listening and rote singing.
All children in the first six grades are learning to sing and read music and there are also 277 children in instrumental classes.
Guidance
While in the ninth grade, the students elect for the following year the course best suited to their requirements. Their admission to the course elected is based upon the following:
a. Recommendation of the Guidance Department.
b. Present musical record.
c. Future aims.
Thus, students who are looking forward to a musical career are given courses which will enable them to attain their goal.
Curriculum Changes
Although there is a decided trend in favor of more widespread recognition of music for entrance credit in colleges, less than twenty five percent will
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accept credit in Applied Music (vocal, instrumental), but all will accept from one to five music units in Theoretical Music.
Owing to this fact, a change has been made in the Senior High School curriculum. The Voice Training classes which were once a part of the Music Major Course are now a unit in themselves, meeting twice a week. The revised Music Major Course is now entirely theoretical and is made up of three periods of Theory and Harmony and two periods of Music Appre- ciation.
In order to make this change and to allow time for supervision in the grade schools and the Junior High School, it has been necessary to drop the half year Chorus Course for Sophomores.
Norwood High School was represented in the Massachusetts Music Festival at Boston last March by eight members of the orchestra and three members of the Band. Five members of the orchestra participated also in the concert given last July by the Massachusetts State Orchestra.
Conclusion
I wish to express my sincere appreciation for the cooperation of all who have aided in the work of this department.
JOHN V. DETHIER
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION
I herewith submit the report of the Physical Education Department for the year ending December 31, 1941.
In that part of the educational program which comes under the head of physical education, the needs sought are the same as in education in general, viz., development and coordination of the latent powers of the individual with a view to secure greater social efficiency and a fuller, richer life. The means through which these ends are to be gained are directed bodily ac- tivities involving vigorous and skillful use of the fundamental neuro-muscu- lar system; activities capable of being organized and carried on in a syste- matic, progressive manner, and largely by groups. Abundant and varied activity of this kind is not only the most important factor in maintaining health, but is essential for the proper growth and development of the organs of the body as a whole and of the bony and muscular systems, as well as of all the fundamental nerve centers and indeed, of the whole central nervous system.
In physical education, as in all other departments of education, the principle of selection is applied. Efforts are made to select those activities which promise the greatest returns in health and social training, harmonious bodily growth and development, increased neuro-muscular efficiency.
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Grade School Activities
The physical education program in grades 1-6, during class time consists of marching, exercises, folk dances, games and rhythmic studies. Marching and exercises teach quick response to command, conformity of the individ- ual to the group, and are productive of good posture. In folk dancing the boys and girls dance together, and it is a valuable part of our social educa- tion program. It is particularly in games that lessons of sportsmanship are taught. Then too, in games the children learn skills that they may use later in life in sports. Rhythmic studies include an analysis of the elements of music, the creation of designs to fit the action of the dance, and the pre- sentation of an idea through group action. This creative activity not only coordinates several school subjects, but encourages the children to think for themselves.
In close connection with the regular class work, but outside of class time, children are given special instruction in leadership. Many children already have marked ability as leaders and need only a little guidance to make effective use of it.
The children have another opportunity to take responsibility in their interschool baseball games. They select their own captains and choose and coach their own teams. In this way they learn to take the consequences of their own good or faulty judgment.
There are two kinds of posture work that are carried on outside the regular instruction period. Because some children need individual atten- tion they are taken out in small groups and taught how to stand straight. An effort is inade to impress upon them the importance of good posture.
Similarly we have been trying to draw the attention of all boys and girls to the need for good posture. In each school a contest was held in the Spring of 1941. Each teacher watched the children in her class for sitting and standing posture. After a month she selected the best ones to enter the final contest. Winners from all classes assembled and members of the physical education department chose from them one boy and one girl to represent each grade and one boy and one girl as best in each school. En- larged snapshots of these winners were posted on the bulletin board. This publicity proved to be so effective that the Balch School started off the Fall with a similar contest.
The Callahan and Shattuck Schools each put on demonstrations of physi- cal education activities. Every child in each school took part in what was, for the most part, regular class work. The Callahan School demonstration was held on the lawn on a warm Spring day and that of the Shattuck School was held in the Junior High School gymnasium in the evening. The teachers of the Winslow School arranged a historical entertainment for the final Parent-Teacher Association meeting and a few dances were taught to fit into the pageant.
The fundamental purpose of the program is to give the children the exer- cises they need to maintain good health. Beside that we try to teach them
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lessons in living-how to take orders, how to be a good sport, and how to get along with each other. We hope, too, that they have some fun while they learn.
Junior High School Activities
The Physical Education Department of the Junior High School endeavors to run a healthful, enjoyable program and one which will be valuable in later life. We concentrate on posture and mention it everytime a class meets. Few require special work. Sportsmanship we expect of every student, not only in our classes, but we trust there is a carry-over. Much is done with citizenship, manners, courtesy and all that makes for a coopera- tive, well-rounded group. Health talks are given, to try and eliminate un- necessary epidemics, as common colds and grippe and an attempt is made to impress upon each pupil the importance of visiting the school nurse the first thing in the morning if the pupil comes to school ill, and allow the school nurse to decide upon the advisability of remaining in school.
Dancing Clubs are held once a week. This program consists of folk dances of various lands, modern, social and athletic dancing. In the modern and social dancing program an award is given in the form of parties run by the Guidance Department, and a great deal of preparation is given before at- tending such parties so that shyness and awkwardness will be eliminated, and a friendly, wholesome spirit will exist.
Senior High School Activities
In our Senior High School program we try to continue the work that was started in the grade schools and then carried on in the Junior High School. Classes in Health are given to the Sophomore Class, in which lectures are given on the subjects of the muscular growth of the body and the value of good posture. Hygiene classes are held once a week throughout the school year for the Senior Class. In these classes, subjects such as first aid, posture, muscular development, health rules, and' general care of the body, are taught.
Athletics
As in the past, we strive to conduct an athletic program that will give all pupils an opportunity to participate in the type of sport in which they are most interested. Therefore, we have attempted to include in our athletic program such sports as girls' tennis, boys' tennis, girls' field hockey, girls' archery, girls' basketball, boys' basketball, boys' golf, horseshoe pitching, track, baseball and football.
Conclusion
May I take this opportunity to express my appreciation and gratitude to all members of the School Department for their fine cooperation with this department.
H. BENNETT MURRAY
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REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF HEALTH
For more than thirty years the school nurse has been contributing to the school health program. Through these years the work has often been diffi- cult because of the varied adjustments due to the difference of opinion as to her place in the school among both school personnel and health workers.
The primary purpose of the school nurse is to teach wholesome living. Only by close cooperation on the part of school and health authorities can proper emphasis be placed on health in the schools. The school nursc has assisted the school physician, been a friend to the students, advisor to teachers and principals, and a source of health information to parents.
A recent report of the joint Committee of Health Problems in Educa- tion of the National Education Association and the American Medical Association entitled "The Nurse in the Schools, an Interpretation" would answer the questions of many not familiar with the duties and problems of the school nurse.
Much of the routine work of the health department is neither spectacular nor glamorous, but like the washing of bean pots and frying pans, must be done. Our pupils of today are our parents of tomorrow. If we can suc- cessfully instill in them not only the desire for sound health knowledge, but the practice of good health habits, we have done much toward contributing to the health of the nation as a whole.
Communicable Disease Control
The common cold with all its many cousins put in an earlier appearance than usual. The days following the re-opening of schools in January were busy ones spent in examining all students for beginning signs of colds; excluding them from schools to prevent them from picking up additional infection, as well as to prevent the spread of their infection to others; visit- ing homes to learn the causes of unexplained absences and the rechecking of those returning to school to be sure they were completely recovered from their illness.
Chickenpox, mumps, whooping cough, measles and scarlet fever have all had a part in making up the absentee lists. Prompt reporting of all com- municable diseases to the Board of Health would be a great help to us in checking contact children and the further spread of the infection.
School Clinics-Health Camp
In February the School Clinic was set in motion. The purpose of this clinic is to promote the health of the school child and prevent tuberculosis by discovering early signs of the disease.
Four-fifths of the students in the ninth and eleventh grades were given the skin tests. A fifth of this group reacted positively to the tests, so had chest X-ray examinations. Twenty-one pupils were placed in the observa- tion group for an annual examination by this clinic. No tuberculosis of either adult or childhood type was found this year. Three children ex-
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amined at this clinic were recommended for health camp. The sale of Christmas seals made possible for them an eight week vacation so beneficial to their physical welfare. The majority of teachers and other school em- ployees enjoy advantages offered by this clinic.
The ruling of the School Committee which makes an X-ray examination obligatory for all students taking part in athletics has not been a great hardship since the greater number have already availed themselves of serv- ices offered. No parent has refused to have this examination made, so that the student's athletic activities have not been curtailed.
The Chadwick Clinic is still doing follow-up work with seventeen students but it is expected that this group will soon be taken over by the School Clinic sponsored by the Norfolk County Hospital.
Dental Program
Recent reports that dental defects are responsible for the disqualification of twenty percent of the selectees is a bit disconcerting in this day and age when we are wont to brag of America's progressive methods and high standards of living. It is a definite challenge to us all.
The correction of dental defects among our school children shows an upward trend but there is still much room for improvement. No child in Norwood need be without dentistry since the clinic now gives full time service. Any child in grades one to twelve inclusive who is unable to em- ploy the services of a private dentist will be cared for at the clinic if parents so desire.
Parents-will you have this necessary work done? When it is completed, will you have your dentist give you a certificate to that effect so we may record it on the child's health record?
In June, nine-tenths of those in the elementary grades had had all neces- sary work completed; eight-tenths of those in Junior High; seven-tenths of those in Senior High; or eight-tenths of all enrolled in the schools.
The dental examinations in September found seventy percent of all students to be in necd of some dentistry. This was five percent less than the previous year.
Physical Examinations
Physical examinations were started soon after the opening of schools in the fall. The parents were notificd of defects found at the time and urged to consult the family doctor for needed care. All football candidates were checked for hernia.
An increase was noted in the number of cases of ringworm infection of the feet (so-called athlete's foot). Many who had had no previous infection returned with it after the summer vacation. The school physicians saw all suspicious cases and referred them to the family doctors for treatment.
Ring worm infection may become a serious problem, but it is preventable if a few precautionary measures are instituted and a few facts about foot
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hygiene are understood and observed. Following are some of the rules to be followed to prevent infection:
1. Never walk around on any floor in bare feet. Never wear anyone else's slippers or shoes.
2. Before removing slippers place a towel on floor of shower or wear rubber bathing shoes.
3. Place a fresh bath mat or newspaper close by tub or shower and stand on it when coming out of bath.
4. Wash the feet at least once a day with soap and water.
5. Dry feet thoroughly, being careful not to leave moisture between toes. If there is any sign of infection use a separate towel on other parts of body. Powder feet lightly, especially between toes with any borated talcum. Boil all towels.
6. If the feet are infected see your doctor at once for treatment. Self treatment is unwise. Much time and money may be lost and the condi- tion made worse.
Audiometer Tests
Since 1929 the audiometer, a combination telephone and victrola, has been used to secure an accurate test of the children in grades three to twelve inclusive. All who have had a sound unit loss of nine or more in one or both ears have been advised to get the competent advice of a physician.
School
Number Tested
Number Retested
Number Defective
Senior High
632
30
17
Junior High
553
32
15
Balch
199
26
11
Callahan.
141
10
3
Shattuck
133
15
4
Winslow.
159
18
6
The hard of hearing is not a deaf child. He belongs in a regular classroom, but he must be given an opportunity to acquire a certain skill in reading lips so that he may compete favorably with students not so handicapped. Until this fall those with marked loss of hearing had to go to the Horace Mann School in Boston for their lip reading training. We have established our own lip reading classes under the able leadership of Mrs. Helen Barrows. These must be small groups so there is time for individual instruction, but large enough so that the child has experience reading a variety of lips. A sound unit loss of twenty-four units in one or both ears was used as a basis for selecting candidates.
Eighteen children made up the beginning classes. Since the audiometer
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testing we have reorganized and now have nineteen students in our four classes. Two of these come from high schools in neighboring towns.
Visitors to these classes are welcome at any time.
Guidance Clinic
Guidance Clinic continues to help us in adjusting the problemns of our youth. It is held each Friday morning from 9:30 to 12:00 at the Norwood Hospital under the direction of Dr. Spencer. Any parent may make use of this clinic by contacting the school nurse or the hospital for an appointment. There is no charge for the service. Only children of normal or better than normal intelligence with maladjustments may attend. Special training is given to children with speech defects.
Mental Examinations
Twenty-five children retarded in their school work were examined and recommendations made for adjusting the school program to meet their individual needs.
Eye Clinic
Examinations. 155
Re-examinations with drops.
57
Glasses prescribed
45
No change in glasses being worn.
28
Glasses omitted.
2
Nothing ordered for present.
14
No refractive error found
50
Foreign body removed
2
Medication ordered.
4
Operation advised.
2
The new dark room recently installed in the Eye Clinic will help in the refraction work.
Diphtheria Immunization Clinic
The flight against diphtheria continues. One hundred and twenty first graders were inoculated against this dread disease. One hundred and seven second graders previously inoculated were Schick tested and with the exception of three, were found to be immunized against diphtheria. The three will receive a new series of inoculations.
Red Cross Classes
Twenty-two girls received certificates in June for successfully completing the Home Nursing course. Fifty-five more are now on their way to this goal. Proper space and equipment taxes one's ingenuity in making this course effective. The girls have accepted the inconveniences with good grace and learned to improvise, a procedure often necessary in caring for the sick in the home.
.
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Two standard courses in First Aid for forty-four High School Seniors have been organized and will be started early in January.
Changes in Personnel
Miss Anna L. Russell resigned in June to be married. Her gain is our loss. In her ten years as school nurse she made a great contribution to the health program. No task was too much for her. We, in the department, miss her, but so do the children, parents and teachers with whom she worked so closely.
Miss Mary Donahue has been appointed to fill the position. She comes without previous experience in the school nursing field, but with a will to learn and an enthusiasm which should help her to meet all obstacles with courage.
Conclusion
We greatly appreciate the help we have received from those within the school system as well as from our friends on the outside and hope they will feel free to call upon us to help in meeting any of their problems.
MARY A. CANNING, R.N.
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF ADULT EDUCATION
I herewith submit my second Annual Report as Supervisor of Adult Education.
My work for the past year has been divided into four main divisions: supervising the evening school, teaching mothers' classes, giving naturali- zation aid, and organizing general adult education classes.
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