USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Norwood > Norwood annual report 1942-1944 > Part 58
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Several moving picture rolls illustrating famous or favorite poems or stories were drawn and shown in simple machines made by children of third and fourth grades.
During the progress of these projects and many others too numerous to mention, various fundamental Art principles, such as Center of Interest, Balance, Proportion, Perspective, Color Harmony, et cetera, have been discovered to be essential, furnishing opportunity for more lessons on those particular subjects.
Each year we try to give the children more opportunities for large, creative drawings or paintings and more three dimensional cut-out work, using colored paper. In general, more decoration of schoolroom windows, more blackboard borders drawn by the children and better arranged and more colorful bulletin boards have been noticeable.
Junior High School
During the winter and spring terms, Art portfolios containing the year's work were completed, each pupil making as original a cover as possible, some being decorated with various unusual mediums, such as yarn, string, felt, cloth, beads, fur, leather, cellophane, or other material. These portfolios, together with larger original drawings and paintings related to the subject matter in the portfolios, inspired by the war or entirely creative and abstract, were used as a basis for the annual selection of the winners of the Plimpton Art Prizes.
With a change of teachers in September, the Art notebooks have been dis- continued and emphasis has been placed on making Art practical and functional, in every way possible, or, as the new teacher expresses it, "We put Art to work."
Many opportunities have appeared for applying the fundamental Art princi- ples which have been stressed in recent months. Calls have come, usually at very short notice, for posters for outside organizations and occasions.
Large, colorful decorations for school dances, many stage properties for school assemblies, including a large grill-work background and throne for the Christmas play, and the usual designing of covers and headings for the school paper, were other ways in which the students' Art is "put to work." Incidentally, the pupils engaged in these projects have handled and learned the uses of many materials, including paper of many kinds, cardboard, wood, cloth, canvas, paints of various kinds, shellac and varnishes, and the making of papier-maché.
Grades seven and eight are learning a good vocabulary of fundamental Art terms and principles as a background for their applied Art, while grade nine
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classes, meeting twice a week, have varied activities as seem best adapted to that particular class.
A large class of girls has designed costumes for all kinds of occasions and are at present drawing girls engaged in Winter sports, showing much action and dressed in costumes of their own designing.
Several boys in another grade nine class are planning a mural suggested by Greek mythology and also symbolic of the present world crisis, with War and Peace on either side. This is to be executed in poster paint, with accents of chalk.
Senior High School
Art classes in Senior High School continue to be large, one Art Major class having an overflow of several pupils in the room next the Art room. Interest in Art is high and many pupils undertake the "A assignment", which means out- side research work and drawing or construction done at home.
Special emphasis was placed last spring on a very thorough study of Per- spective and its applications, each pupil compiling his work in a large notebook with original cover design.
Other projects of the year were large, decorative maps of Norwood, plans for redecorating and rearranging the Art room, large original watercolor composi- tions of many subjects, much drawing from life with members of the class posing, many posters for school and outside affairs, the designing of cover and headings for Senior Year Book, large poster-painted murals for the walls of the Art room, decorated boxes and plaques for Christmas gifts and the designing, cutting of linoleum block and printing of their own Christmas cards.
Two projects of special interest were contests in original design. One was for the Honor Roll plaque containing the names of Norwood High School pupils and recent graduates in the service, this being constructed later from the winning design and hung in the front corridor. The other problem was to design the interior of a chapel to be built in a proposed administration building in a Boy Scout camp, certain specifications being given, such as the use of the Boy Scout motto, honor rolls and an altar to be symbolic of a carpenter's bench. Every pupil taking Art made a design and twenty-five were submitted in the final con- test.
Conclusion
If we have succeeded, in any degree, in attaining at least some of the aims suggested in our opening paragraph, credit and appreciation are due to the help- fulness and cooperation drawn from all with whom we come in contact.
HELEN L. ARNOLD.
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TOWN OF NORWOOD
REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF MUSIC
I herewith submit the report of the Music Department for the year ending December 31, 1944.
Elementary Schools
The Music Course now in force in our schools is designed to bring the children step by step to the point where they can utilize their knowledge for vocational or educational purpose.
The majority of the children entering the first grade are unable to carry the simplest tune; therefore, the first year is devoted to remedying this condition and to giving to the children the rudiments of music reading.
The various difficulties of reading and singing music are presented grade by grade so that by the time the pupils enter the High School, they have had ample opportunities to learn to read music. We have always adhered to the theory that regardless of the kind of music a student wishes to play or to sing, he must first learn to read notes. That this theory is correct has been proven time and time again by our graduates who have joined not only the teaching profession, but also various musical organizations such as symphony orchestra, dance or- chestra and military units; this in many instances by competitive examination.
One of the highlights of the year was the concert given last spring by the musical organizations from the first to the ninth grades in which several hundred children participated. The proceeds from this concert were divided among the different schools to buy instruments which are loaned to the pupils who wish to try out their musical ability.
The number of pupils in instrumental classes is as follows:
String
45
Saxophone 14
Trumpet
49
Clarinet 35
Trombone
14
Horn (Alto, etc.)
13
Drum
84
Bugle. 32
Melody Flute.
147
Rhythm Band 314
Junior High School
A girl Glee Club of 28 voices has been formed in the Junior High School and is doing very creditable work.
I am still hoping eventually to have an eighth grade and a ninth grade elective- selective chorus.
Senior High School
In the Senior High School, students from the Orchestra and the Voice Train- ing classes have been given the opportunity to appear in public on various oc- casions.
The Senior Musical Groups also appeared in public as units and gained great commendation.
Conclusion
I wish to express my sincere appreciation of the helpful interest and the co- operation of all who have aided in the work of this department.
JOHN V. DETHIER.
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REPORT OF SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION
I herewith submit the report of the Physical Education Department for the year ending December 31, 1944.
Physical fitness is a prerequisite to individual well-being; there is no substitute. This applies to the physical well-being of a nation as well as an individual.
There must be a basic program, composed of such activites as will give full, all-around body development.
During the growing periods of our boys and girls, we have tried to provide those exercises that will best promote their normal growth.
We have eliminated non-essentials. We strive to teach the essentials. Our program is based upon a health and medical examination and upon individual needs according to the findings in the physical education tests. We prescribe corrective measures to meet individual needs. We do everything we can to help the boys and girls and use the greatest care that we do nothing to harm them.
As in past years, with the cooperation of the school physicians, dentist and nurses, all pupils are given a thorough examination at the beginning of the school year, with the thought in mind of finding out the efficiencies and deficiencies that have developed.
Senior High School
Classes in health were given to the Sophomore class, in which lectures were given on the subjects of muscular growth of the body and value of good posture. Hygiene classes were held once a week, for both girls and boys, 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 were taught.
Athletics
Through athletics, we believe we have a means of conditioning the modern social, ethical and character traits of desirable citizenship.
Athletics for girls, under the supervision of Miss Erna Kiley, were carried on as in previous years with intramural games in basketball, volley ball, softball and archery.
Athletics for boys included varsity, junior varsity and intramural basketball, hockey, outdoor track, golf, varsity and intramural baseball.
Early in the school year of 1943-1944, the School Board made arrangements for an intramural sports program in the High School under which boys who were not connected with the first or second teams might have the opportunities of organized, supervised play.
A basketball program was set up in December, 1943, under the supervision of Mr. John P. Dixon, which called for the regular participation of fourteen teains, involving some ninety to one hundred boys. Games were arranged in regular rotation. Most of these games were played in the afternoon at the Senior High School, although along toward the end of the winter, some play-offs were ar- ranged for the evening in the Junior High School.
When the baseball season came along, there were ten groups, involving approximately the same number of boys, for whom similar arrangements were made. Some of these games were played at the High School field and some at the Civic.
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TOWN OF NORWOOD
These boys had the feeling that a sports program was being organized for them as well as for the varsity players and served to occupy their after-school time in a profitable manner.
Twenty candidates reported to Mr. Everett Learnard for hockey. The squad practiced twice at the Boston Arena and once at the Boston Garden be- fore the season opened. All games were played at the Boston Arena and Boston Garden. We wish to thank Winslow Bros. & Smith for permission to use Ellis Pond for practice; Huntoon and Son for cooperating in furnishing the team with pipe and tools to repair the goals; the Fire Department and Public Works De- partment, who helped to prepare a surface for the team at Ellis Pond. The greatest need of the team, at the present time, is a dependable playing area at the High School Field.
Eighteen candidates reported to Mr. Clifford Wheeler in April and a schedule of five Dual and one Triangular meets was participated in. A new procedure was attempted and proved to be interesting. Home and home meets were scheduled with schools in the immediate vicinity, which made the transportation problem much easier and also gave each participant the opportunity of meeting his opponent twice.
Thirty candidates reported for varsity baseball in April and a representative schedule was played.
Mr. Richard Murphy was appointed assistant football coach to succeed Mr. John Dixon, who was appointed teacher of Physical Education in the Junior High School.
In September, fifty-five boys reported for football, and a schedule of ten games was played.
In December, an intramural program in basketball was started under the direction of Mr. Joseph Donovan.
Junior High School - Girls
Under the direction of Miss Ellen Gifford, the program at the Junior High School consists of corrective work, games, social and folk dancing, track, march- ing, pupil participation in teaching, and intramural tournaments in tenni- quoit, volley ball, softball and basketball after school.
For a number of years parties have been held in the evening for ninth grade students and at this time the Guidance and Physical Education Departments have been in close cooperation.
At various times during the year the boys and girls have played together in team games, such as softball and volley ball.
A ninth grade folk and social dancing club, which meets once a week, has enjoyed a successful year.
Junior High School - Boys
The program for boys was carried on under the direction of Mr. John Connor from September, 1943 until June, 1944.
The work included calisthenics, apparatus, work, marching, games and corrective work. On two days each week, posture classes were held and were well attended by those who needed special exercises because of faulty posture. If this condition was not corrected, it would impede the growth of the school child.
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REPORT OF SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
During the winter months, classes in modern dancing were held for boys of the ninth grade and at club period, athletic and tap dancing were enjoyed by forty to fifty boys.
Afternoon activities consisted of tag football, track games, baseball and basketball. These sports have always been well attended.
Although health education was the primary objective, social guidance for character building was always an important part.
In September, 1944, Mr. John Dixon was appointed instructor of the boys and has carried on a program similar to that which we have offered in former years.
Elementary Grades
I feel we are greatly handicapped by not having a Physical Education in- structor in the elementary schools. There is, especially at this time, a great need for a trained physical education teacher in the lives of children of this age in regard to their posture and minor physical defects.
Conclusion
May I at this time take the opportunity to express my appreciation to all the parents and friends who helped to transport the boys to the different games. I also wish to thank all the members of the School Department for their fine cooperation with this department.
H. BENNETT MURRAY.
REPORT OF THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT
We herewith submit the report of the School Health Service for the school year of 1944.
Physical Examinations
Dr. George R. Allen and Dr. Harriet E. Rogers, school physicians, have given physical examinations to all children in the public schools. Notices of defects have been sent to parents, who were advised to consult their family physicians for treatment, or for referral to such clinic as the attending physician considered necessary.
Dental Examinations
All children in grades one to twelve have been given a dental examination by Dr. Timothy J. Curtin, school dentist. Parents were notified and urged to obtain dental care for their children.
Norwood has a full-time dental clinic and several dentists. With such re- sources one would expect that every child would have complete dental care at least once a year. It is a distressing fact that there still exists a number of children with dental caries.
Communicable Disease Control
Last spring there were several cases of scarlet fever. This condition was not peculiar to Norwood alone; however because there were more cases than there had been for a few years, a doctor from the State Department of Health was consulted. Dr. Wyer said that the percentage was less than one-half of one
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per cent of the population and that preventive measures and follow-up were in accordance with the recommendations of the State Health Department.
During the fall there have been three cases of scarlet fever, sporadic cases of whooping cough, chicken-pox, and measles, several cases of common cold, grippe, and sore throat.
Parents are strongly urged to keep ill children separated from others, to consult their physicians, and to report communicable disease to the school at once. Such cooperation would aid greatly in the control of communicable dis- ease, for it is then possible to check all contacts so that exclusion can be made of those children who show symptoms of infection.
Diphtheria Immunization Clinic
Toxoid inoculations, followed by Schick tests, were given to pre-school chil- dren and to children in grades one to four. Although there has been an increase in the number of cases of diphtheria in Massachusetts there have been no cases in Norwood. There will not be any if every parent has his children immunized against this disease.
Eye Clinic
During the past year the eye clinic has been conducted by Dr. Hugo B. C. Riemer. One hundred and ninety-five patients attended the clinic during the school year.
Audiometer Tests
During the fall term, audiometer tests were given in grades three to twelve. The audiometer is, at the present time, the most accurate device for testing tlie hearing of school children. When a child fails a second test, a visit is made to the parent, and the parent is urged to consult his physician regarding the hearing loss. Occasionally this hearing loss is due to an accumulation of wax or to a sinus infection. These conditions cause only temporary deafness, which re- sponds to good medical care. Children who have nerve or congenital deafness are enrolled in the lip-reading classes, which are taught by Mrs. Elizabeth MI. Bishop. Twenty-one children are enrolled this year.
Vision Tests
The Massachusetts Vision Test was given to every school child. This test is considered superior to the Snellen test in that the student is tested not only for visual acuity, but also for muscle imbalance and for latent hypermetropia.
Mid-Morning Lunch
The Woman's Club, through the Norwood Community Chest Fund, has de- frayed the cost of milk and crackers for 106 children. Many other children who pay for their own lunches also take advantage of this service.
Guidance, Speech, and Retarded Children's Clinics
We regret very much to say that because of the lack of personnel, these clinics have been discontinued in Norwood. The Guidance Clinic is now con- ducted at Southard Clinic, Boston. We hope that these clinics will be resumed in Norwood as soon as is possible after the war.
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REPORT OF SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
Tuberculosis Clinic
Again because of the lack of personnel Tuberculosis Clinic Service has been discontinued in the schools. The Division of Tuberculosis has felt that the emphasis should be placed upon industry rather than schools: While we agree that the adult group is indeed an important one to have under tuberculosis clinic care, we do feel that students in grades nine to twelve should be included also. We are glad to say that a Tuberculosis Diagnostic Service will be held in the schools in 1945.
Survey of Working Mothers
In January, 1944, a survey of working mothers was conducted in the five elementary schools. There were, at that time 709 families in these schools. It was found that 146 mothers worked: 138 full-time; and eight, part-time.
Conclusion
We express our sincere appreciation to Mr. Lincoln D. Lynch, to the School Committee, to all members of the school department and of the community for their interest and cooperation.
JANE O'SULLIVAN, R.N.
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF ADULT EDUCATION
The following is the report of the Supervisor of Adult Education for the year ending December, 1944.
My work for the past year has divided itself into five main divisions - super- vising the evening school classes, teaching English and citizenship to women in day classes, giving naturalization assistance and information, planning and organizing general adult classes, and maintaining up-to-date information on the many adult education courses and activities given in Boston and vicinity.
Evening School
Closing Exercises of the Adult Civic Education classes for the 1943-44 session were held on March 21, 1944, at the Norwood Junior High School. The program will be found at the conclusion of this report. The Honorable Rudolph F. King was the guest speaker. Following his visit to Norwood, Mr. King sent a per- sonal letter of congratulation to all the members of the citizenship classes, com- plimenting them on the interest they had shown in becoming worthy citizens as evidenced by their attendance at school.
The Morrill Memorial Library also sent letters to the graduates inviting them to use the facilities of the library.
Eighteen members of the Sewing Class received certificates for completion of the course.
After regular evening school sessions closed, a class in Red Cross Home Nurs- ing was held at Red Cross Headquarters.
Classes in English and Citizenship opened for the 1944-45 session at the Junior High School on October 16, 1944. Present conditions have caused de- creased enrollments in these classes throughout the state. It is interesting to
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note that at the present time at least one-half of the foreign-born students attend- ing these classes are now citizens who are interested in continuing to learn. Fifty- one men and women are enrolled in three classes.
Early in September, 1944, after consulting with University Extension officials, it was decided to circulate a brief outline of eight courses (University Extension) which could be given in Norwood if enough people wanted them.
As a result of this effort to determine the interests of Norwood adults, on October 24 at the Junior High School, the course "American Relations With the Pacific Area" was started. Dr. Daniel O'Leary of the Boston School Department, and formerly professor of history at the Boston College Graduate School, is the instructor. This course includes the complete story of Japanese-American re- lations and furnishes an excellent background for an understanding of the pres- ent war.
Each person attending this course of sixteen lectures pays either $9 or $10 depending on whether or not the course is being taken for college credit. Forty people are enrolled.
Because of the interest expressed by a group of girls employed at the Plimp- ton Press, the course "Exercises For Health" was begun on November 13. Mrs. Mildred Albert, noted lecturer, radio broadcaster and Director of the Academie Moderne, is the instructor. This course has proved to be extremely popular and apparently has filled a long felt need in the community. This is more than a physical education course, as it includes lectures on such topics as care of the skin and hair, diet and poise, as well as the exercises. The girls taking this course pay $5 for eight lessons. Forty-eight people are enrolled.
A number of inquires on the part of women interested in learning how to sew led to the establishment of "a Beginners Course in Dressmaking." Mrs. Ruth Boardman of the Henry O. Peabody School is the instructor. This course, which is held on two evenings a week, is being conducted in cooperation with the State Department of Vocational Education. The state reimburses the Town of Norwood for the entire salary of the teacher.
The course is free to students, but they provide their own working materials, and a registration fee of $1.00 is charged as an attendance device. This is re- turnable at the end of the course if attendance is satisfactory. Twenty-three women and girls are enrolled in this course and there is now a waiting list of thirty-one women who want instruction in elementary sewing. To fill this need, a second course in Beginners Dressmaking is being organized and will begin just as soon as a competent instructor who fills state requirements can be secured. This second course will meet on Mondays from 6:30 to 9:30.
I should like to point out that all of these courses are being conducted at no additional cost to the Town of Norwood. The people taking the University Extension courses pay for the complete cost of them, and the state pays for the dressmaking courses. All classes are conducted during those evenings when the Evening School is in session.
Day Classes in English and Citizenship
As usual, Day Classes for women are being conducted two mornings a week at the Balch School and are taught by the supervisor. English and Citizenship are the subjects taught.
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REPORT OF SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
Naturalization Aid
This year eighty-five people received help at the school office in becoming American citizens. Most of these people needed to have second paper appli- cations filled out, and others needed help in obtaining documentary evidence. The majority of applicants now are women and at the present time there are very few Declarations of Intention being filed.
The Department of Justice has provided each school department a card file of the names of all those who registered as aliens in 1940. This list has been brought up-to-date as much as possible and at present there would seem to be in Norwood between 750 and 800 aliens who could become citizens.
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