USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Norwood > Norwood annual report 1939-1941 > Part 85
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Evening School
The closing exercises of the evening school classes for the 1940-41 season were held at the Norwood Junior High School on April 3, 1941. Approxi- mately 1,000 people attended these exercises. The program will be found at the conclusion of this report.
After the closing of the regular sessions of the evening school classes, a citizenship class was held on Tuesday evenings at the Junior High School. This class was taught by the supervisor and was for the purpose of assisting those candidates for citizenship who expected to be called for their naturali- zation examination sometime during the spring or summer months.
Evening school classes in adult civic education for the 1941-42 season opened on October 14, 1941. There are eight classes this year taught by the evening school staff as follows: Classes for illiterate beginners are taught by Miss Ahern and Miss Dillon. In these classes are those adults who have had little or no schooling in their own country. Here we find many people 50 or 60 years of age who have never held a pencil in their
136
hands before and who cannot read in English or in any other language. Intermediate classes are taught by Miss Webster and Mr. Salmon. These classes are for those who have had some education either in their native land or in the United States. Reading, writing, spelling, current events and simple grammar are the subjects taught in these classes. Basic English is taught by Miss Riley. Students in this class are literate in their native language. Citizenship classes are taught by Mr. Coakley and Mr. Bowler. ·Students in these classes have usually filed applications for second papers and have for their immediate objective the gaining of sufficient information about the principles of the Constitution and the set-up of the local, state and national governments to enable them to pass successfully their citizen- ship examination. An advanced class is taught by Mr. White. Each year an attempt is made to have the subject matter of this class suit the needs of the particular group. This year the group is studying English grammar and current topics.
The total enrollment in evening school adult civic education classes this year is 168 people. This is quite a decrease in enrollment as compared with a total enrollment of 218 people last year. Because of increased production and the demands of industry, a greater number of men are working on night shifts in the factories this year. This has its effect on the women, too, as they are often forced to remain at home evenings to care for small children who cannot be left alone and to prepare later evening meals for the husbands and sons who are working late. Attendance at school has become somewhat irregular because of longer and later hours of work.
Ages of evening school students range from 18 to 72 but in general our students are from the older age group-the majority being in the age group from 40 to 60 years. We have, as always, a variety of nationalities repre- sented-Lithuanian, Polish, Finnish, Italian, Swedish, Syrian, Austrian, Irish, Canadian, Rumanian, Norwegian, Greek and Russian. To a number of Americans it appears somewhat remarkable that there can be eleven different nationalities represented in one classroom without the appearance of trouble and disorder based on traditional old-world enmities. In dis- cussions we find that while our foreign-born students take pride in the culture and achievements of the old world (and they are encouraged to do this), in their political views and sympathies they are thoroughly American.
One assembly program each month has been held. These programs con- sist of music, singing, motion pictures, speakers, and other like features.
Evening school students have not hesitated to take on additional duties to help the cause of America in the war. Many students have sons in the armed forces-some families have four or five sons in the service. The women are giving freely of their time in Red Cross work making surgical dressings, knitting and sewing, taking First Aid courses.
Mothers' Classes
Two classes in English and citizenship are taught during the day by the Supervisor. One class is held on Tuesday mornings at the Balch School
137
and one on Thursday mornings at the Junior High School. Twenty-four women are enrolled in these classes.
Naturalization Aid
At present this part of the work requires a great deal of time. While the naturalization aid program is maintained in connection with the adult civic education classes, a great many people who do not attend school make use of this service. Some of these people are high school graduates or people who require help because of the rather technical nature of the naturalization procedure or because they have some special problem in connection with their citizenship. A large number of inquiries come from native Americans who seek information for a foreign-born relative, friend, or employee. Thirty-seven first paper applications have been filled out from January to December, 1941 and fifty-eight second paper applications. Last spring assistance in the matter of re-entry permits was given to seventeen people who wished to visit in Canada during the summer months.
At present more women than men are seeking to become naturalized. Many married women in the past took no steps toward naturalization even though their husbands became citizens. In most of these cases the women are the only alien members of the family as the husband had become a naturalized citizen and the children are all American born.
So many people are now seeking American citizenship that it takes from twelve to eighteen months of waiting from the time the application is sent to the Boston office until the applicant is summoned with his witnesses for examination.
In the past year it has been revealed that many of our aliens are here illegally. Practically all of the people in this group have lived here for many years and the illegality of their status is due not to deliberate evasion of the law but to lack of proper records. People who came here as children have no proof of legal entry. Others do not know when they came, through what port, or under what name. Aliens who came here illegally prior to July 1, 1924 may legalize their status by payment of an $18.00 registry fee and by proving good character and continuous residence since 1924. Preparation of these registry forms is a long and difficult task as they must be made out in duplicate and letters and documents must be obtained to support all statements made on them. There are at present twelve of these cases pending among students in our classes.
The entrance of the United States into the war gave rise to much con- fusion as to the status of Italian and German aliens. In Norwood we are most concerned with Italian aliens as there are many of them in our town. The Department of Justice has issued the following regulation with regard to enemy aliens: "While some restrictions must now, under the law, be placed upon the naturalization of German and Italian aliens, their sole purpose is to enable the government to weed out the comparatively few
138
enemy aliens associated with subversive groups. A German or Italian alicu may still be naturalized if on December 8, 1941, he:
1. Had made a Declaration of Intention (first papers) at least two years and not more than seven years old.
2. Was entitled to apply for citizenship without first paper (for example: the husband or wife of an American citizen).
3. Had his petition for naturalization pending in court.
"The law provides that all petitions of such aliens be thoroughly in- vestigated in view of war conditions. It was in accordance with these pro- visions that all naturalization petitions for enemy aliens were postponed for 90 days."
If enemy aliens do not fall within one of the classes mentioned above, they cannot be naturalized unless the President of the United States has exempted them from the enemy alien classification. A number of people in Norwood may not be able to be naturalized for the duration of the war. For these people applications for first and second papers are still being made out to show the good will and sympathy of the alien for the United States and to create a feeling of security and of belonging on the part of the alien.
As this is being written new regulations regarding enemy aliens are going into effect. Enemy aliens are forbidden to have access to cameras, short wave radio sets, or airplane rides. Just how this ruling will be handled in Norwood is not definite at this time.
Other Classes for Adults
In keeping with the times, many classes in connection with national defense have been planned this year. There are courses in the following subjects: Home Nursing, First Aid, Knitting and Nutrition. These are all Red Cross courses.
Home Nursing
One class in Home Nursing with Mrs. Edith Colpitts as instructor has been completed. This class began at the Balch School with an enrollment of twenty-eight women. Of this number twenty-six women finished the course-an excellent indication of the interests of this group.
Two more courses in Home Nursing are scheduled to open on January 15. One will be a morning course on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Junior High School and the other will be an evening course at the Balch School. Instructors for Red Cross Home Nursing classes are professional nurses with experience in teaching adults and are paid by the Boston Chapter of the Red Cross of which Norwood is a branch.
First Aid
One evening class in First Aid has been completed at the Balch School with Mr. Joseph McAuliffe as instructor. A morning class of twenty-seven
139
women started at the Junior High School on January 7, 1942. A First Aid class is now being held Tuesday evenings at the Balch School and another one will start January 20. These classes are all being taught by Mr. McAuliffe.
Miss Mary A. Canning, Health Supervisor, has volunteered her services as Red Cross First Aid instructor for an evening class to begin January 14 at the Junior High School.
Knitting Class
In December a knitting unit was formed at the evening school. Miss Sadie Howard volunteered her services as knitting instructor for people who wished to knit for the Red Cross. Miss Howard is at the Balch School on Thursday evenings to help with instructions, to take in completed gar- ments, and to give out yarn and supplies. This unit has been a most suc- cessful one judging from the number of people who are knitting for Red Cross and the great number of pieces of work completed.
Nutrition
The Nutrition course is a new offering of the Boston Metropolitan Chapter of the Red Cross and Norwood will be one of the first towns to give this course. A morning course will open at the Junior High School on January 15, with Miss Grace Bixby, Community Nutritionist, as the instructor. The local branch of the Red Cross has voted to pay for the services of the instructor so that this course might be offered to the com- munity.
Other Activities
In October, at the request of Miss Switzer, the Supervisor spoke to all the ninth grade classes of the Junior High School in the auditorium on the subject of Immigration and Naturalization which these pupils had been studying. Included in this talk were technical aspects of naturalization and contributions of the foreign-born to American life and culture. Junior High School pupils have proved of great help in work on naturalization of foreign-born parents and grandparents.
Two evening school classes have visited the South Norwood Branch Library and received instructions in the use of the library from Miss Grieg.
Conclusion
I wish to thank the many school and town officials from whom I have received cooperation and assistance.
M. EILEEN MCDONOUGH
.
4
140
NORWOOD EVENING SCHOOL
CLOSING EXERCISES
Junior High School Gymnasium Thursday, April 3, 1941, 8 o'clock
Program
Processional "America the Beautiful" Norwood Junior High School Band
Presentation of Colors Norwood Legion Post 70
Greetings. Miss Mary L. Guyton State Supervisor of Adult Education
Soprano Solos Miss Dorothy Kudoke
Tableaux Scenes from American History
Evening School Students
Band Selections Junior High School Band
Address
Honorable Paul A. Dever
Former Attorney-General of Massachusetts
Evening School Statistics. Miss M. Eileen McDonough Supervisor of Adult Education
Essay: "Why I wish to become an American Citizen" M. Swaid
Perfect Attendance Awards
Mr. Lincoln D. Lynch Superintendent of Schools
Tenor Solos Mr. Gerard E. Mulranan
Red Cross Speaker
Mr. P. B. Carr
Presentation of Red Cross Certificates
Mrs. Ellen Reardon Red Cross Instructor
Presentation of Diplomas. Mr. Dennis O'Leary Chairman of School Committee
Duets. Miss Kudoke and Mr. Mulranan
Benediction Rt. Rev. Msgr. Joseph C. Walsh
"Star Spangled Banner" Junior High School Band Band under the direction of George H. Farnham
Mr. Irving Brogan, Piano Accompanist Flute Obligato, Daniel Leary
-
141
GRADUATES
Beatrice Amirault
Gunborg Conradson Julian Gill
Agnes Idman
Madeline Lorusso
Nora Folan
Nicholas Lukawesky
Irene Surrette
Theresa Thompson
Bertha Gregory
Greta Halme
Ernestine Goguen
Nellie Mclellan
Germaine Pelletier
Julian Borowko
Esther D'Entremont Josephine Babinski
Peter Mazgalis Joseph Malacaria George Pielka Louisa Smelstor
Ida Salonen
Sigrid Salonen
Domenico Ruscio John Ruskis
Jack Ikkela
Michael Swaid
Floryon Libertowicz
John Mike
Boleslew Kuszinski
Peter Stupak
John Baltadonis
Loreta Di Berto
Elvira Maini
Margaret Devine
John Flaherty
Marie Connolly
TABLEAUX
1. Michael Sameski, George Pielka, Julian Gill. Reader-Michael Swaid.
2. Julian Gill, Kustaa Altonen, Gus Anderson, Oscar Halme. Reader-Jack Bitar.
3. Greta Halme, Gunborg Conradson, Sophie Jacobowski, Domenica Jasionis.
Reader-Ida Lammi.
5. Michael Swaid, Madeline Lorusso, John Survilla. Reader-Irene Surette.
USHERS
Eleanor Constantine
Ethel Rowen
Elsie Fredlund
Josephine Rudvilovitch
Jean Giampietro
Helen Sustavige Loretta Zinko
Penelope Gregory
Jean Robertson
Veronica Zabrowski
"Democratic institutions exist by reason of their virtue. If ever they perish it will be when you have forgotten the past, become indifferent to the present, and utterly reckless as to the future."
Thomas E. Watson
Frank Jankauskas
Mary Stupak
142
REPORT OF THE ATTENDANCE OFFICER
I herewith submit my report as Attendance Officer for the year ending December 31, 1941.
Number of truancies
60
Number of illness cases investigated. 115
Lack of shoes or clothing.
2
Assisting at home
16
Moved
5
Investigation of cases where children left school
22
Investigation of cases where home permits were desired
4
Investigation of cases where working permits were desired
7
Miscellaneous cases. 98
Total number of investigations 329
Number of children returned to school. 32
Prosecutions in court. 1
HENRY F. BREEN, JR.
MEMBERSHIP BY AGE AND GRADE, OCTOBER 1, 1941
-
Ages
Grades
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
Totals
1
50
100
9
2
1
162
2
56
91
13
2
162
3
42
95
21
1
159
4
50
90
19
1
1
161
5
60
103
19
3
2
1
188
6
42
114
22
13
5
1
1
198
7
1
44
95
36
23
4
2
205
8
49
102
34
11
2
198
9
30
101
35
13
1
4
1
185
10
4
164
65
30
4
267
11
14
130
55
18
5
222
12
14
129
61
9
213
Post Graduates
2
1
3
Totals
50
156
142
160
174
166
178
170
183
168
229
226
216
89
15
1
2323
143
144
TOWN OFFICIALS
For the Year Ending December 31, 1941
Selectmen: HARRY B. BUTTERS, 1939-1942, Chairman; JOHN E. FOLAN, 1939-1942; HERBERT V. BRADY, 1940-1943; CHARLES F. HOLMAN, 1941-1944; CHARLES L. DONAHUE, 1941-1944.
Finance Commission: EDMUND F. MURPHY, 1939-1942, Chairman; JOHN R. RUSSELL, 1940-1943; FRED A CARLSON, 1941-1944.
Moderator: FRANCIS C. FOLEY, 1941.
Town Counsel: GEORGE F. JAMES, 1941.
Town Clerk and Accountant: WALTER A. BLASENAK.
Assistant Town Clerk: JOHN E. FOLAN, JR.
Treasurer and Collector: EDMUND F. SULLIVAN, 1941.
Assistant Treasurer: EVA M. MANSEN.
General Manager: WILLIAM C. KENDRICK.
Superintendent of Public Works: JOSEPH E. CONLEY.
Superintendent of Municipal Light: CYRUS C. CHURCH.
Superintendent of Cemetery: LOUIS D'ESPINOSA.
Chief of Police: WILLIAM H. SULLIVAN.
School Committee: DENNIS P. O'LEARY, 1940-1943, Chairman; JOSEPHINE A. CHANDLER, 1941-1944; THOMAS A. KERR, 1940 to January 2, 1941; EDWARD H. THOMPSON, 1939-1942; HAROLD A. FLOOD, 1939-1942; WILLIAM F. J. NOLAN, JR., 1941-1944; GEORGE C. O'BRIEN, May 23, 1941-1942.
Superintendent of Schools: LINCOLN D. LYNCH.
Sealer of Weights and Measures: HARRY M. KING.
Building Inspector: MARTIN F. LYDON, January 1, 1941-September 1, 1941. ALONZO N. EARLE, September 1, 1941-December 31, 1941. Board of Public Welfare: HARRY F. HOWARD, January 1, 1941 to Janu- ary 9, 1941, Chairman; FRANCIS J. DORAN, January 20, 1941 to May 13, 1941, Chairman; EILEEN J. FOLAN, Chairman; MARION B. BRENNAN and JOHN A. ABDALLAH.
Assessors: EDWARD A. FLAHERTY, Chairman; WILLIAM J. DALTON, RICHARD D. NORTHRUP, and JOHN F. O'CON- NELL, Clerk.
145
Board of Health: JOHN J. FEENEY, Chairman, 1939-January 29, 1941; JAMES F. FOLEY, Chairman, 1940-1943; CHARLES L. LYNCH, M.D., 1941-1944; JOHN T. FOLAN, February 18, 1941-1942. Milk Inspector: LEONARD C. CURRAN.
Inspector of Slaughtering: CLEMENT A. RILEY
Inspector of Plumbing: HARRY A. SHANNON.
Public Health Nurse: NORA C. CURRAN. Chief of Fire Department: ALONZO N. EARLE. Inspector of Animals: RONALD H. BRUCE.
Dog Officer: GEORGE L. LYNCH.
Smoke Inspector: JOHN J. FEENEY, January 29, 1941.
Board of Trustees of Morrill Memorial Library: WILLARD W. EVERETT, 1941-1944, Chairman; A. MARION SWAIN, 1940-1943; FRANCIS E. MURPHY, 1939-1942; WILLIAM L. HYLAND, 1940-1943; FRANCES L. BLANCHOT, 1941-1942; MAUDE A. SHATTUCK, 1941-1944.
Librarian: EDNA PHILLIPS.
Registrars of Voters: RAYMOND K. MORROW, Chairman; JOHN P. CROWLEY, JOHN P. FOLAN, WALTER A. BLASENAK.
Fence Viewers: HARRY F. HOWARD, FRANCIS J. DUNN, JOHN J. FLAHERTY.
Superintendent of Moth Suppression: WILLIAM C. KENDRICK.
Planning Board: CHARLES A. NICHOLSON, Chairman, 1939-July 1. 1941; OWEN F. SULLIVAN, Chairman, August 19, 1941-1942; ROSEWELL A. NORTON, 1941-1944; JAMES C. FLAVIN, 1939- 1942; ARTHUR H. COOK, 1940-July 1, 1941; GORDON F. WOOD- BERRY, August 18, 1941-1942.
Town Game Warden: JAMES F. BUNNEY.
Carillon Committee: WALTER F. TILTON, FRANCIS J. FOLEY, W. CAMERON FORBES.
Constables: JOSEPH F. BOTEILHO, JOHN L. COLLINS, EDWARD P. FLAHERTY, JAMES M. MURPHY, MICHAEL J. O'LEARY, EDWARD F. SCHAIER and ANDREW W. GRIGUN.
Board of Appeal: JAMES J. CURRAN, Chairman; JOHN M. LIND- BLOM, HARRY J. KORSLUND.
Contributory Retirement Board: LOUIS D'ESPINOSA, Chairman. Janu- ary 17, 1940-July 1, 1942; FREDERIC W. KINGMAN, July 1, 1940-July 1, 1943; WALTER A. BLASENAK, Town Clerk and Accountant.
INDEX
Department or Division
Report
Receipts
Expenses
Accountant.
100
Agency Trust and Investment
98 126
Animals, Inspector of. P. II, 78.
106
Appeal, Board of.
111
Assistance to Aged Citizens. .P. II, 70 95 114
Assessors.
P. II, 33
101
Audit, State.
167
Balance Sheet.
143
Births
.29
Building Inspector
P. II, 57
106
Cemeteries
P. II, 55.
97 124
Cemetery Trust Fund
97
Certification of Notes
102
Commercial Revenue
92
Committee on Public Safety
107
Contributory Retirement Board.
119
Deaths. 68
Dental Clinic. .P. II, 74
94 108
Departmental Revenue
93 100
Dog Officer. 106
Education. 96
115
Election and Registration
102
Electric Light Department 156 and P. II, 48. .97 123
102
Eye Clinic.
108
Finance Commission P. II, 88
102
Fines and Forfeits
89
Fire Alarm
106
Fire Department. P. II, 85
94
105
Forestry Department.
P. II, 44. 94
106
General Manager
P. II, 38
93
100
General Revenue.
89-92
Health. P. II, 73.
94 108
Highways.
95
110
Hydrant Rentals
107
Indebtedness, Limitations of.
88
Indebtedness, Municipal
77-84
98 125
Interest.
98 125
Jury List
P. II, 24
Library
P. II, 58
96 118
Engineering Department. P. II, 90
II
Department or Division
Report
Receipts
Expenses
Licenses and Permits
90-91
Marriages
44
93
Memorial Office Building.
93
103
Milk Inspector
P. II, 73.
94 108
Moth Suppression.
94 107
Pensions.
110
Parks Division
118
Planning Board.
103
Playgrounds, Public
P. II, 37 96
119
Police. P. II, 54
94
104
Public Property Account
132
Public Works.
P. II, 41
111
Recapitulations of Expenditures and Receipts
Refunds.
99
127
Sanitation
94
109
School Committee
P. II, 93.
Sealer Weights and Measures. P. II, 56. 94 106
100
Sewer and Drains
94 109
Sewer Construction
154
94 109
Sewer Maintenance
109
Soldiers' Benefits.
114
Statement of Borrowed Money
93
Street Lighting
107
Survey, Board of
Tax Titles 153 101
Town Clerk and Accountant. 93 100
Town Counsel P. II, 39
102
Town Game Warden
107
Town Debt, Classified Statement of.
77-84
127
Town Meeting Records
Town Physician P. II., 72 3
114
Town Reports, Printing of
120
Treasurer and Collector. P. II, 79
93
101
Trial Balance 148
Trust Funds 85
.99.
Tuberculosis Clinic P. II, 76. 108
Unclassified 120
Water Works
97 121
Welfare
P. II, 67 95 113
W. P.A.
P. II, 31 128
130
131
Selectmen.
P. II, 3
Supervisor of the N. Y. A. P. II, 87
128
103
LAJELLS BINDERY VALTHAM, MASS. FEB. 1946
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