USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Norwood > Norwood annual report 1945-1947 > Part 14
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CHANGES IN PERSONNEL - 1945 Resignations
Dorothy R. Benson, Elementary School Physical Education
Mrs. Elizabeth M. Bishop, part-time Lip Reading
Mrs. Katherine Griffin Eppich, Winslow School, return of husband from military service
Mrs. Margaret Hayes Grimm, Shattuck School, return of husband from military service
Marie C. Kelly, Shattuck School, to be married
Louise B. McManus, Callahan School, retired
Mrs. Ruth C. Smith, Temporary School Nurse
Josephine Parkhurst, Peabody School, to teach elsewhere
185
REPORT OF SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
Margaret E. Thornton, Balch School, to be married
Miriam Walsh, Peabody School, to be married
Mrs. Grace Russell White, Junior High School, return of husband from military service
Leave of Absence
Ann M. Switzer, Peabody School, Service with American Red Cross
Military Leave
James H. Butler, Senior High School Mary A. Canning, Health Supervisor Henry F. Fairbanks, Senior High School John B. Kelley, Senior High School Walter E. Lunsman, Junior High School John A. Sullivan, Senior High School
Promotions
Charles A. Hayden, Senior High School Submaster and Provisional Director of Placement and Guidance Jane O'Sullivan, Temporary Health Supervisor
Transfers
Vera L. Allen, Balch to Callahan School Blanche B. Holman, Junior High to Peabody School
Appointments
Mrs. Kathryn V. King, part-time Lip Reading Priscilla M. Patey, Peabody School, Related Science Mrs. Dorothy D. Weeks, Peabody School, part-time Retail Selling Charles F. Fanning, Senior High School, Janitor Everett M. Hughes, Senior High School, Janitor Thomas P. Thornton, Junior High School, Janitor
Resolution
Miss Louise B. McManus has been a teacher in the Public Schools of Norwood for twenty-nine years, rendering faithful service and giving unsparingly of her time and effort in the interest of the children who have been under her care.
Upon the occasion of her retirement from the service of the Town of Norwood, the School Committee records its deep appreciation of her efforts and accomplish- ments in the field of Education.
A BUSY YEAR AND PROGRESS Seven Period Day - High School
Much thought and planning is involved in meeting the requirements and needs of, the pupils enrolled in our schools. The Committee feels that, with the war over, the return to a pre-war time schedule has proved successful. Moreover, it appears that it is also wise to make provision for a broader base of school offerings in the High School and to arrange a seven period schedule to take the place of the older six period day. Beginning in September, it will be possible for High School students to take advantage of an enriched curriculum.
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TOWN OF NORWOOD
New Offerings - Not Reported Elsewhere
There has been suggested the advisability of a review of the Handwriting situa- tion in our schools. Reports indicate that a relatively small investment in the Rinehart Handwriting Supervision Program is yielding excellent returns.
The Committee is much pleased to announce the establishment, as part of the regular ninth grade program, the Standard Course in First Aid under the direction of Red Cross-trained instructors.
In the belief that lay organizations have services to offer the schools, the Com- mittee has promoted, under the auspices of the Massachusetts Audubon Society, a program in Nature Lore and Conservation for elementary school children. Teach- ers and pupils alike are enthusiastic about it. So, too, in the matter of the Inter- national Relations Institute which we have provided in the interest of secondary school pupils and interested citizens. Our initial effort, with the help of the Ameri- can Society of Friends, was well received and, we believe, fruitful in the creation of better understanding of America's place in the post-war era.
Other Offerings - Comments
For several months, we have explored the possibilities of a Guidance and Place- ment program to serve the needs of young people who need help in the matter of choice with respect to school courses and vocational adjustment. Much of this work has been done in other years. However, it is our feeling that the program needed much to make it complete. We feel that we have moved in the right direction in the appointment of Mr. Charles A. Hayden, who will direct the work of the De- partment at the High School. At this writing, arrangements have been made for a reasonably complete Aptitude and Achievement Testing Service which, for purposes of School Survey and Individual Guidance, will go far in the solution of many press- ing adjustment problems.
It is with pride that we announce the establishment in Norwood, of an area school for veterans. Many young men who have finished high school courses, and others who have not, are here provided an opportunity to pursue profitable study pursuits. The instruction costs are borne by the Commonwealth. The classes are increasing in number and variety and will, we think, be a strong community asset.
We are looking forward to the appointment of a properly qualified person whose duty it will be to integrate the music, play, game, rhythm and physical education activities of the children in our elementary schools.
Attention is here called to the unusually popular and promising development in the Evening Practical Arts program which, the Committee feels, has been well established this year as a valuable and necessary adjunct to the offerings of Nor- wood's Program in Education. The facts related are more completely reported elsewhere in the Report of the School Committee.
Transportation
For several years our school transportation problem has been difficult. Crowded buses, inconvenient hours and routes have been a matter of community concern. The Office of Defense Transportation, however, had established regulations which made change difficult, if not impossible. Restrictions were lifted on August 31st of this year and the Committee immediately proceeded to revise all transportation arrangements. It would appear that the new schedules and services are quite satis- factory.
187
REPORT OF SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
Band Uniform Fund - Acknowledgment
Our young bandspeople in the Junior and Senior High School Bands came to us to seek permission to promote a drive for funds to equip the Bands with new uni- forms. The goal of the drive was set at $3,000. We acknowledge with thanks, the services of those who worked in its interest and the generosity of the Norwood towns- people who made possible an "over-the-top" subscription of $3,373.71.
Appreciation
We, members of the Norwood School Committee, at this time, commend the employees of the Department for their willingness to perform, each according to his capacity to contribute, the many and difficult tasks which they have so generously undertaken.
HAROLD T. YOUNG, Chairman, JOHN J. CAVANAUGH, JAMES J. CURRAN, ELLEN A. DIXON, JOHN F. REYNOLDS, EDWARD H. THOMPSON.
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
Herewith I submit my tenth annual report as Superintendent of Schools.
There are to be found elsewhere in the Report of the School Committee, state- ments which relate to the many developments which have been the common concern of all who have worked in the interest of a better educational program in Norwood.
There are, however, certain problems which most challenge us in the near future.
The first of these was indicated in last year's report. It is yet a pressing problem. It relates to the vocational education program. I would call your attention to the fact that there are returning from the armed forces thousands of young veterans whose lives must be readjusted, and in the process of readjustment, further educa- tion is to be a prominent factor.
At this moment it is clear that the demand for enrollment into all kinds of educa- tional institutions is overwhelming. There is raised the question as to whether there is going to be room for all. If there is not, there are some veterans and some other young people who might profit from further educational pursuit who must be left out. This conclusion is inevitable.
It would, therefore, seem proper to suggest again that something must be and is going to be done about it. The answer, in my opinion, is either the development of an "area" school program, the extension of the high school program, the addi- tion of vocational school offerings, or some combination of these facilities to meet the need.
Obviously, our school plant facilities are inadequate to meet the needs of an ex- pansion of the type indicated. There remains then to be reckoned with, the prob- lem of survey to determine what may be done. In other years some thinking and planning have been done with respect to this problem. It has been, however, of the preliminary type, and quite incomplete. The demand for further pursuit of findings has been light, disorganized and ill-defined. Notwithstanding, the Federal
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TOWN OF NORWOOD
government will provide communities a substantial sum of money for the develop- ment of plans in contemplation of plant extension. This money need not be paid back to the government unless there is involved a building program undertaking.
There is strong evidence to support the contention that in post-war public build- ing programs there will be available funds to assist communities. It is intimated that for Massachusetts communities, the Federal contribution for such purposes will be 40%.
Moreover, there are before Congress, bills which will make available for com- munities substantial grants-in-aid for the promotion of such courses as may be found in our Boys' and in our Girls' Vocational Schools.
Specifically, I would direct the attention of the School Committee to the possible need for immediate action with respect to: (1) addition to the facilities of the Henry O. Peabody School for Girls; (2) addition to the Senior High School to provide gymnasium, auditorium, lunchroom and science and other laboratories facilities; and (3) complete remodelling of the West Wing of the Senior High School.
From time to time the question of land-taking in the neighborhood of the Senior High School has been raised. It seems to me that all of the land on Nichols Street in the area directly opposite the High School should be taken by the Town for school purposes. The reasons which are given for such a recommendation follow.
1. The parking problem would be one of easy solution.
2. The possible growth of Westover as a housing development suggests the possible need for additional elementary school housing.
3. The possible growth of housing development in the Winslow School District ndicates possible need for additional elementary school housing.
4. That which is true of the Winslow School District is likewise true of the Shattuck School District.
5. An elementary school building, if needed later, located opposite the Senior High School may relieve pressure of demand for addition to each of the two (Winslow and Shattuck), may make possible the elimination of continued need for the West School and would provide housing facilities for elementary school children living in the neighborhood of the High School.
The land referred to is better located to satisfy all of the foregoing than any other known to the writer, is not at this time a costly investment (it may be later), and it is available.
When, at my suggestion, I was requested to submit a plan for adjusted compensa- tion to be paid to School Department employees and upon the basis of a cost-of- living index, I was satisfied that it was the answer to a very perplexing problem in our municipal economy. My opinion is not changed and I strongly recommend further pursuit of the idea to the end that a plan be adopted and applied.
The interest which the School Committee and the Finance Commission has dis- played in the matter of bringing our School Plant to a position wherein its condition is satisfactory, has been most gratifying.
Excepting for the unusually severe requirements of the Department of Public Safety, which relate to removal of so-called safety hazards, the end of big expendi- ture is in sight. Reconversion of our heating facilities is well under way and, follow, ing liberal expenditure of maintenance funds in each of the next two or three years- our school buildings, grounds and equipment should be in first class condition.
189
REPORT OF SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
Conclusion
May I express to you, members of the Norwood School Committee, and to all my fellow-workers in the Norwood School Department whom I have called upon for help so many times this past and other years, and to the other Town officials upon whom I depend so much, my feeling of gratitude for your kind help and support.
LINCOLN D. LYNCH.
Table I. Anticipated Receipts, 1946
Antipicated Received Anticipated
1945
1945
1946
Tuition:
State Wards
$2,500
$3,468.66
$3,000
City of Boston Wards
1,400
2,134.49
2,000
Adult Education - Non-resident
100
63.60
50
Vocational Education - Norwood residents
220
152.14
200
Lip Reading - Non-resident
10
5.00
5
State Reimbursement:
Regular Teacher Salaries
20,000
19,814.50
20,000
Adult Education Teacher Salaries
1,000
1,098.80
1,100
Peabody School:
Smith-Hughes Fund
270
820.90
800
George-Deen Fund
3,730
3,460.00
2,080
Peabody Trust Fund
29,000
25,336.82
25,000
Non-resident tuitions
1,600
3,777.32
4,500
Sale of Work and Products
5,000
8,114.30
8,500
State Reimbursement
8,135
8,130.24
12,750
Boys' Vocational School: .
George-Deen Fund
2,800
2,650.00
3,050
State Reimbursement
500
1,400
Sale of Work and Products.
200
337.90
400
Evening Vocational School:
George-Deen Fund
1,690
1,499.00
1,600
State Reimbursement
50
5.00
20
Non-resident tuitions
50
16.10
20
High School Lunch Counter Operation
11,000
12,675.06
12,000
Manual Arts
200
127.45
100
Use of School Halls
600
754.61
750
Telephone Toll Calls
20
23.64
20
Miscellaneous (Books, Breakage, etc.)
100
115.72
100
.
$90.175
$94,581.25 $99,445
.
TABLE II. TEACHERS EMPLOYED
School
Sept. 1936
Sept. 1937
Sept. 1938*
Sept. 1939*
Sept. 1940*
Sept. 1941*
Sept. 1942*
Sept. 1943*
Sept. 1944*
Sept. 1945*
Senior High
30
29
38
36
35
35
33
28
28
29
Vocational
8
11
13=
14=
Junior High
27
27
32
31
30
30
28
27
26
25
Elementary
53
53
54
51
50
47
42
40
42
41
Specials . .
20
20
3t
31
31
3+
3 +
3+
3+
3 +
Totals
130
129
127
121
118
115
114
109
112
112
.
*It will be observed that all special teachers are reported in the units wherein their teaching is done. tIncludes the Director of Adult Education and part-time teachers of Instrumental Music and Lip Reading. =Includes one part-time teacher.
190
TOWN OF NORWOOD
191
REPORT OF SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
Table III. Enrollment for Ten-Year Period (June Enrollments)
Year
Elementary
Junior High
Senior High
Voca- tional
Total
1935-1936
1,322
719
743
2,784
1936-1937
1,238
689
691
2,618
1937-1938
1,244
673
714
2,631
1938-1939
1,187
697
673
2,557
1939-1940
1,123
684
702
2,509
1940-1941
1,089
659
706
2,454
1941-1942
1,051
596
700
2,347
1942-1943
1,023
547
593
72
2,235
1943-1944
977
558
544
88
2,167
1944-1945
1,000
559
525
97
2,181
% decrease
10-year period
24.35
22.25
29.34
21.65
192
TABLE IV. SCHOOL POPULATION TRENDS (September Enrollments)
Total
Year
Balch
Callahan
Shattuck
West
Winslow Elementary
Junior High
Senior High
Voca- tional
Total All Schools
1936-1937.
438
260
255
56
222
1,231
686
693
2,610
1937-1938.
446
234
246
49
253
1,228
669
700
2,597
1938-1939
422
222
239
40
249
1,172
693
680
2,545
1939-1940.
396
201
230
47
234
1,108
674
702
2,484
1940-1941.
370
208
222
45
235
1,080
658
708
2,446
1941-1942 ..
317
219
219
53
222
1,030
581
700
2,311
1942-1943.
315
212
227
51
200
1,005
571
580
67
2,223
1943-1944.
269
219
223
56
199
966
553
534
96
2,149
1944-1945.
259
209
228
54
189
939
540
492
109
2,080
1945-1946. ..
241
217
233
49
222
962
507
490
130
2,089
% decrease
10-year period
44.97
16.53
8.62
12.50
21.85
26.09
29.29
19.96
TOWN OF NORWOOD
193
REPORT OF SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
REPORT OF THE PRINCIPAL OF THE NORWOOD SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
I present herewith my tenth annual report as Principal of the Norwood Senior High School.
On August 14, 1945, the President of the United States officially announced the termination of the war with Japan, and as a result of this fact, we were able to begin school in September with the world at peace for the first time since September, 1941.
This situation brings about many changes in Secondary Education as well as an opportunity to evaluate some of the practices in which High Schools have been en- gaged during the past four years as their contribution to the total war effort.
Specifically in our own High School, some of the following may be noted:
I. During the past four years, our School Board, in common with the practice in other cities and towns, has been most fair in the granting of diplomas to those boys in the Senior Class who wish to enlist in the armed forces before the end of their Senior Year. Since the present conscription law ceases to function on May 15, 1946, it is probable that our Board will say to Seniors when school begins next September, "If you wish a High School diploma, you must stay until the end of the year."
II. During these war years, our High School curriculum has been changed some- what in an effort to give boys as much preparation and the right kind of preparation in anticipation of their induction into military service. Certain restrictions as to the election of courses which seemed desirable in times of peace have not been enforced, and the content of subject matter in certain fields has been altered to suit present needs.
Since no one knows whether the present Conscription Law is going to be replaced by some other type of Selective Service act, the present Senior boys are faced with the same doubtful problem as has faced their predecessors for the past four years. In the event that all conscription laws are erased from the books, then the schools may well question a revision of some of their policies of the past four years.
III. The problem of the returned servicemen who did not get a High School diploma is becoming more and more complicated every day, not only in point of numbers, but also in terms of quality and quantity of work done under the many agencies outside the school.
These men are anxious to avail themselves of opportunities for further education made possible by the U. S. Government, and it is obvious that every encouragement should be given them to do so. On the other hand, reasonable standards must be maintained, and it is sometimes very difficult to make a fair appraisal of USAFI courses in terms of High School credits.
IV. During the past four years, 95 per cent of our boys could look forward only to some type of military service at the end of their High School career. A small number of boys who were classified as 4F and a few boys of exceptional ability who were able to qualify for the various V programs of the Army or Navy were the exceptions. During this period, preparation for college in terms of certification or in terms of anticipation of College Board Examina- tions has been quite foreign to the boys. As we return to peace, these phases
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TOWN OF NORWOOD
of our High School program will have to be re-emphasized, and it is probable that higher standards in some subjects will have to be stressed.
V. As a concluding paragraph to this section on the war and its effect upon our school, it seems appropriate that the names of those thirty-one boys, grad- uates of our school, who have given their lives since December, 1941, should be recorded here. It seems reasonable to suppose that there will be no further additions, and the list is presented with respect and humility.
High School Honor Roll
1931 Patrick Costello
1938
Naimi Bader
James Keady
1932
Raymond O'Brien
Thomas Elias
Joseph O'Loughlin
1933
Robert Winslow
Francis Bowles
Ernest Wiesmann
Paul Coughlin John Curran Edward Larson
Donald Griffiths
Eugene McDonough
1934
James O'Leary
Michael Wallace
Peter Smith
1935 Stephen Buckus
Coleman Coyne, Jr.
Thomas Foley Joseph Grugnale Richard Readel
1936
Arthur Blasenak
Roy Hill John Maloney
Robert Rathburn
1942
John Winslow
William Kazulis
During the summer, the School Board voted to return to the pre-war closing hour of 2:20 after an interval of two years of closing at 1:30. It was further recom- mended by the Board that with the longer school day should go the understanding that supervised study become a part of every period where it seemed consistent with educational policy to do so.
Both these recommendations were put into effect with the opening of school, and we began our work of the year on September fifth, with the distribution of pupils by classes as shown in the following table. Statistics in this report do not include Peabody School pupils unless so indicated:
Adam Scott
1939
1940
1941 Frederick Deeb Carleton Keeler
195 .
REPORT OF SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
Table I Distribution of Pupils by Classes Registration as of October 1, 1945
Class
No. of Pupils
Seniors
121
Juniors
161
Sophomores
210
Vocational Boys
17 Grades IX, X, XI
Total.
509
The above figure is an increase of 20 pupils over the registration of September, 1944. The enrollment in the Henry O. Peabody School shows a registration of thirty-six Seniors, while the number of Middle Juniors (pupils who may graduate in June, 1946) listed in both schools is fourteen. If these fifty pupils are added to the one hundred and twenty-one indicated above, then there is a possibility of one hundred and seventy-one graduates in June, 1946.
During the summer, two very welcome additions were made in our building:
1. A Public Address system for our Gymnasium.
For a long time, our student body have been conscious of poor acoustic properties in the gymnasium for our assemblies. The student council became interested in this project, and the installation of the above system is a tribute to their activity.
2. A modern lighting system in our Library.
With the addition of the special room built by our vocational boys last year as part of the Library, our new lighting system is a most desirable addition to the facilities of our school, and we are grateful for both.
During the years 1941 and 1942, a total of seven people (six men and one woman) left our faculty either to enter the armed forces or to accept positions in industry. The names of these people were recorded in the reports of those years, so that this information need not be repeated here. Some of these men were replaced by men, others by women, and some not at all.
With the beginning of school last September, some of these men began to return. Mr. Fisher returned to his duties in the Science Department, and Mr. Hayden has returned as of December 3, 1945, to his duties as Submaster and Director of Guidance and Placement. As this report is being written, there is some indication that Mr. Sullivan may return to the Science Department by the first of the year.
In this report of one year ago, a considerable amount of space was devoted to the problem of attendance. Arrangements had been made at that time for the Dean of Girls to make visits to the houses of some of our girls, and in a very short space of time, it had become evident that a very much better understanding was being developed between the home and the school as a result of these visits.
The prospects for next September do not seem to be much different from those of the past few years as will be shown by the following table:
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TOWN OF NORWOOD
Table II Estimated Enrollment in September 1946
Junior Class 161
Sophomore Class 227*
Grade IX J. H. S. 171
Grade IX St. Catherine's
57
Total
616
Including Vocational Group
The following suggestion regarding our athletic plant should be called to the attention of the School Committee.
Each year during the football season, and especially at those games where antici- pated attendance has been large, three locations for the selling of tickets have been set up - one at the main gate in the rear of the Peabody School, one at the gate in the rear of our gymnasium, and one at the Belmont Street entrance. These stations for the past years have consisted only of tables where the girls who act as ticket sellers not only have undesirable situations to contend with so far as the crowds are concerned, but they also have problems as far as the weather is concerned. On cold windy days, it seems somewhat of an imposition to expect these girls to sit at these tables for two or three hours with no protection whatever from inclement weather. It seems to us at the school that the School Committee be willing to con- sider the erection of three small brick buildings arranged at strategic points and of such construction as may best be suited to this purpose.
1
The following pupils in the Class of 1945 were awarded Lane Medals:
Stephanie Bonica
Shirley Day
Mary A. McNulty
Ruth A. Coughlin
Mary J. Warnke
Robert E. Wohler
Helen K. Bailey
Catherine A. Folan
Elizabeth J. Yelapi
Robert E. Maini
Ann T. Flaherty
Elizabeth A. Ryan
This report closes with the presentation of the graduation prograin of June, 1945, and with the sincere appreciation of the cooperation of the Faculty of our school, the Superintendent of Schools, and the School Committee.
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