Norwood annual report 1945-1947, Part 37

Author: Norwood (Mass.)
Publication date: 1945
Publisher: The Town
Number of Pages: 1008


USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Norwood > Norwood annual report 1945-1947 > Part 37


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He knew his work, he loved it, and the fact that he was able to be of help was to him a source of deep satisfaction.


We mourn the loss of Mr. Disnard who was taken from us in death on April 4, 1946, and we resolve that this record of our sentiments should be spread upon the record of School Committee proceedings.


177


REPORT OF SCHOOL DEPARTMENT


Resolution Ruth Grace Manchester


Ruth Grace Manchester entered the service of the Norwood Public Schools in January, 1919.


During these past twenty-seven years, she has devoted her whole life and energy to her inspiring task of teaching the hundreds of young people whose good fortune it was to be numbered among her pupils.


She loved her work and she loved children, - all of them.


Miss Manchester was equipped with a broad background of keen understanding and appreciation of the finer things of life.


She was a source of inspiration to her fellow-teachers. Her wealth of experience acquired through extensive travel, teaching, and interests helped to make her a most interesting person.


We were fortunate to have numbered her among our teachers. When death took her from us on June 7, 1946, we lost a great teacher and friend.


ANOTHER BUSY YEAR Guidance


The Committee feels that, in the inauguration of a program in Guidance, there is to be found a solution to many of the very perplexing problems of school administra- tion with which, up to this time, the schools have not been equipped to deal.


The appointment of Mr. D. Vincent Kenefick, well qualified personally and pro- fessionally, to undertake the work of organizing a personal adjustment program for all children in the Norwood schools is timely and fortunate.


We are doing our best to eliminate, so far as possible, the "square peg in the round hole." Specialists in the field of Education, Psychology, and Sociology have, apparently with deep conviction, indicated the necessity for such a step.


We are confident that, through such a department as we have established, we shall soon have significant findings, adequate procedure, and profitable returns.


Elementary School Music


For several years our Elementary Schools have been without the services of one who could devote full-time effort in the supervision of our work in Play, Rhythm and song.


We are convinced that we have, this year, in Miss Haeussler, a person who is pro- fessionally qualified to integrate these activities and assist our elementary teachers in making these activities vital, interesting educational experiences for the children in the elementary schools.


Athletics - Sports


The Committee has, this year, interested itself in the business of reviving a wan- ing community interest in the athletic program at the High School. To this end the Committee has supported and encouraged a program which has proved its worth from the standpoint of community interest and student participation.


Those of us who witnessed the orderly spontaneous and enthusiastic pre-Thanks- giving demonstration staged by hundreds of fun-loving and loyal young people, may well be proud as well as satisfied.


At this writing our High School Athletic Association is solvent, its equipment adequate and the student body enthusiastic.


From the standpoint of team morale, our teams, in losing or in winning "look good," so-to-speak.


.


178


TOWN OF NORWOOD


Veterans - Program


The Committee would call attention to the educational service which is available to veterans of this and neighboring towns. Miss McDonough in this Report, covers the subject quite thoroughly.


However, mention of it is made here to indicate the extent to which changing concepts regarding Education as a community service have encouraged us to lend support to such programs as this.


Services - Other


The Committee would urge the reader to read carefully the reports of Principals and Supervisors who have indicated in their several reports the extent to which we have in Norwood attempted to introduce features calculated to improve the educa- tional services. We call your attention particularly to our Testing program, Sur- plus Commodity distribution as it affects High School and Peabody School lunch services, and the Afternoon and Evening Practical Arts Program.


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, ANTHONY F. O'DONNELL, JOHN F. REYNOLDS, EDWARD H. THOMPSON.


179


REPORT OF SCHOOL DEPARTMENT


REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS


Herewith, I submit my eleventh annual report as Superintendent of Schools.


In other years it has been my privilege, in presenting an annual report, to indicate the nature of certain of our needs, - and I refer particularly to the physical needs of our educational plant.


These needs relate, not so much to the ordinary expenses involved such as the repair, replacement, operation and maintenance items as they do to plant expansion and plans for future developments.


Physically, excepting in a few spots, our schools are in good condition. Our equipment is good, up-to-date, and well cared for, even in the face of scarcity of labor, materials, and rising costs.


Permit me to call the attention of the School Committee to my report of last year in which an attempt was made to set forth the needs for an expansion of our plant facilities to take care of the increasing demand for a broader and more intensive offering in the field of Vocational Education.


Miss Marcionette and Mr. Wheeler have, in their reports, indicated the need for special consideration of this important problem.


To me, there is tremendous store of profit in the proposal for the Town of Nor- wood if the town will exploit it in full measure. The idea is not visionary - it's very real.


From the standpoint of educational advantage the "area" school in Norwood, with its enlarged program, will make for an extensive and intensive offering in fields of educational pursuit which are today closed to many Norwood people for whom, for one reason or another, it is either too difficult or impossible.


At the risk of being charged with repetition of earlier statements, again I would like to call the attention of the School Committee to the need for land-taking in the area immediately opposite the Senior High School. In my 1945 report there were listed several reasons which would justify such an action.


Our Henry O. Peabody School program is growing, our Boy's Vocational School has possibilities for growth, - but building costs, traditional attitudes, and inertia seem to stand in the way of expansion and relief.


Bold and unorthodox though it may be, I shall suggest that it would be good business to establish a Vocational Home Economics Program for Girls in a private residence - very close to the Henry O. Peabody School for Girls. It may be had.


The Home Economics program as conducted in our Senior High School is, and has been, very successful. There is and always will be, in my opinion, a place for a cultural Home Economics program in the High School, especially for those pupils who are going on to college or for those who have other equally well-defined plans for future employment other than home-making.


On the other hand, for those girls who will, in all probability, have plans for a very general type of educational program, - what better, more satisfying and, in the end, more profitable educational offering may be had, than one in education for better living and home-making as a major pursuit in a Vocational Home-making Course adequately planned and taught?


We have, in Norwood, recently revised our salary schedule for teachers. It is a step in the right direction, and will in the end, we hope, bring about an improvement in the educational service which we are trying to render.


180


TOWN OF NORWOOD


There is however, a quid pro quo feature which is the topic of conversation in enlightened circles. The question is "What may we expect in return?" This is a reasonable question, and, - here again I believe that Norwood teachers will not fail us.


The School Committee is to be commended for its recent action in the establish- ment of an inquiry program. It has great promise, and, in the democratic way, will, I'm sure, bring about an improvement in our educational system.


Already, we teachers and principals are looking forward to the opportunity to do some self-appraisal work. We are wondering whether it may not be that there are, here and there, methods, materials, outlines, and attitudes, which may be dis- carded or revised following critical self-appraisal.


The situation is promising. We look to the School Committee for leadership and assistance, - we look to lay people of understanding for the same thing and we believe that we can, so-to-speak, "produce the goods."


I hope that in the newly organized New England School Development Council of which Norwood is a charter member, we may have an agency for assistance to the end that the "lag" between professional finding and its implementation may be re- duced.


I have a deep conviction that there is a way to do more things in better fashion than at present. We have got to, if we would master a very dynamic situation.


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.


181


REPORT OF SCHOOL DEPARTMENT


Table I. School Department Receipts


Received 1946


Anticipated 1947


Tuition :


Other Municipalities


$5,839.30


$12,000.00


State Reimbursement:


Vocational Schools


23,266.22


25,000.00


Teachers Salaries (Regular)


20,097.25


20,000.00


Federal Reimbursement:


George-Deen Fund


4,450.00


4,000.00


Smith-Hughes Fund


674.06


700.00


Henry O. Peabody Fund


25,658.01


26,000.00


Henry O. Peabody Sale: Work and Products


5,052.08


5,500.00


Massachusetts School Lunch


1,409.78


1,300.00


High School Lunch Counter


12,524.07


12,500.00


Boys' Vocational Sale: Work and Products


. 476.80


600.00


School Janitor Service


590.45


700.00


School Hall Rentals


400.00


700.00


Miscellaneous:


Textbooks


195.50


100.00


Manual Arts


178.50


200.00


Telephone Toll Calls


18.51


20,00


Instruction Supplies and Other


149.55


150.00


Total


$100,980.08


$109,470.00


182


Table II TEACHERS EMPLOYED


School


Sept. 1937


Sept. 1938*


Sept. 1939*


Sept. 1940* 35


Sept. 1941*


Sept. 1942*


Sept. 1943*


Sept. 1944*


Sept. 1945*


Sept. 1946*


Senior High


29


38


36


35


33


28


28


28


33


Vocational


27


32


31


30


30


28


27


26


25


25


Junior High


53


54


51


50


47


42


40


42


41


31


Elementary


20



3


31


3


31


++


31



Specials


Totals


129


127


121


118


115


114


109


112


112


114


. .


. .


. .


8


· 11


13+


14+


12+


TOWN OF NORWOOD


*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.


-


183


REPORT OF SCHOOL DEPARTMENT


Table III. Enrollment for Ten-Year Period (June Enrollments)


Year


Elementary


Junior High


Senior High


Voca- tional


Total


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


1945-1946


963


498


472


114


2,047


184


Table IV SCHOOL POPULATION TRENDS (September Enrollments)


Total


Year


Balch


Callahan


Shattuck


West


Winslow Elementary


Junior High


Senior High


Voca- tional


Total All Schools


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


1946-1947


249


216


217


50


205


937


473


514


138


2,062


TOWN OF NORWOOD


185


REPORT OF SCHOOL DEPARTMENT


REPORT OF THE PRINCIPAL OF THE NORWOOD SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL


I present herewith my first annual report as Principal of the Norwood Senior High School.


On March 10, 1946, after a brief illness, Leighton S. Thompson, then principal of the Norwood Senior High School, passed away. His going was a severe loss to students and faculty alike. Respected and loved by all for his noble character, professional zeal, and genuine sincerity, Leighton S. Thompson had labored in the educational vineyard with outstanding success for more than three decades.


I was appointed Principal of the Senior High School on April 3, 1946. Obviously, the length and detail of this report will be limited by the relatively short duration of my current tenure.


Educational and Related Activities


1. Civic-minded communities are becoming increasingly aware of the trans- cendent importance of the individual in a democratic society. On December 3, 1945, for the first time in Norwood's educational history, a directorship of guidance and placement was authorized for the Senior High School. Following my appoint- ment as principal, this position was taken over by D. Vincent Kenefick of our Social Science Department. Mr. Kenefick brought to his work many years of teaching experience plus substantial and diversified professional training. Excellent guidance and placement work has already been accomplished through this office.


2. In line with the fundamental aim of making the fullest possible provision for adjustment and self-discovery on the part of the individual student, in January, 1946, under the sponsorship of Boston University, a guidance testing program was accomplished by all members of our Junior and Senior classes. I am happy to re- port that these tests proved to be extremely valuable and that our Guidance Director has recommended that this testing service be made available this year for members of the class of 1948.


3. School and college placement reports for the Class of 1946 have been a source of considerable satisfaction to all of us. The crowded conditions which obtained in virtually all post-high school educational institutions presented a very real problem to those graduating in June 1946. Reports appear to indicate that Norwood Senior High School graduates had remarkable success in securing opportunities for further education. This was, of course, due in large measure to the high scholastic standing of those who sought school or college admission. Encouraging, too, has been the fact that several of our graduates have already been elected to prominent positions of leadership in the extracurricular life of the colleges of their choice.


4. We have been concerned during recent months with clarifying the principles which relate to marks and marking standards. It is generally agreed that an exces- sive number of failures in any class is prima facie evidence of poor teaching. How- ever, it is by no means true that a complete absence of failure is proof of good teach- ing. For satisfactory progress, marking standards must be reasonable, yet they must be challenging.


Closely related to marking standards is the problem of outside lesson preparation. Modern educators have yet to find a satisfactory substitute for earnest, substantial homestudy. In the judgment of teachers and pupils alike, most subject failures are due to insifficient time and effort in this direction.


186


TOWN OF NORWOOD


During the year, many parents came to the High School for personal conferences regarding school marks and similar problems of mutual concern. Such conferences were of great value. Parents and others who are interested are cordially invited to visit the High School at any time.


5. Statistics in Table I show that during the year, Norwood parents and students by and large have not been unmindful of the importance of regular school attendance.


With regard to the overall problem of attendance and general counseling work with girls, I am happy to report that since September, our Dean of Girls, Miss Ruth Gow, has been able to resume her afternoon and evening home visits. This pro- gressive activity promotes a closer liaison between the home and the school and facilitates counseling based on more complete knowledge of the total situation than would otherwise be possible.


6. As the year closes, we are expecting momentarily delivery of a new moving picture projector with sound attachment. This equipment will open for our school new and extended frontiers in the field of visual education. The training experience of the military forces in World War II affords ample proof of what can be accom- plished with modern visual education equipment.


I have placed Mr. Leonard temporarily in charge of our visual education program, and I am hopeful that during the coming year a substantial integration of visual education with our entire curriculum may be effected.


Table I ATTENDANCE FIVE YEAR PERIOD


Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr.


May June Ave.


1941-1942


97.22 96.99 96.00 94.46 94.07 90.85 90.25 92.52 91.95 92.31 93.566


1942-1943


96.49 96.17 92.87 90.78 91.01 91.01 90.40


91.42 90.82 93.86 92.488


1943-1944


96.94 95.18 92.96 90.12 90.95 91.82 90.90 92.50 94.32 . 94.39 93.011


1944-1945


96.49 95.09 94.54 90.51 92.16 92.59 93.37


93.50


94.33 95.11 93.777


1945-1946


96.48 95.04 93.50 86.75 88.08 92.63 92.67


93.48 94.20 95.45


92.833


Table II Enrollment as of October 1, 1946


Class


Boys


Girls


Total


Veterans (unclassified)


15


15


Seniors


59


69


128


Juniors:


High School


86


84


170


Vocational School


5


5


175


Sophomores:


High School


89


111


200


Vocational School


12


12


212


Ninth Grade:


Vocational School


10


10


TOTALS


276


264


540


187


REPORT OF SCHOOL DEPARTMENT


Table III Expected Enrollment in September 1947


To be Seniors.


171


To be Juniors


200


To be Sophomores:


From Junior High


144


From St. Catherine's


45


To be ninth graders in Vocational Work


10


TOTAL


570


Table IV (Peabody School included)


Number of graduates from Norwood Senior High School 1937-1946 (inclusive)


Year


No. of Graduates


1937


172


1938


221


1939


199


1940


217


1941


195


1942


219


1943


181


1944


185


1945


167


1946


168


1947


185* (probable)


*Including 15 veterans


Personnel


The first months of 1946 saw the return of three more teachers from the Armed Services. Mr. Butler resumed his teaching duties on January fifteenth. Mr. Sulli- van returned February first, and Mr. Kelley on May first.


Overcrowded classes could now be divided, and teachers who had been carrying extra heavy programs during the war years could be given assignments more nearly in line with professional standards and expected results.


During the war years, the services of Miss Ryan and Mr. Klugh had been se- cured to replace Mr. Fisher and Mr. Sullivan. Miss Ryan was now transferred to the Home Economics department to make possible enriched and more adequate offerings in this increasingly important area. Mr. Klugh was retained in the Science Department. However, part of his teaching time and part of the teaching time of Mr. Fisher was assigned to the expanding Boys' Vocational Trade School.


On my own return from the service on December 3, 1945, Mrs. Riley, who in my absence had been assigned to the Foreign Language Department, was continued in that department because the full time of three teachers was needed for foreign language instruction and because with my new duties as Director of Guidance and Placement, as well as Submaster, I had no time available for classroom teaching. Mrs. Riley, Miss Ryan, and Mr. Klugh have all over a period of years been excep- tionally and outstandingly successful. Students and faculty members alike have welcomed their continuance in our professional family.


As previously mentioned, D. Vincent Kenefick was appointed Director of Guid- ance and Placement on April 10, 1946. On May 20, 1946, Martin M. O'Donnell was appointed Submaster to fill the vacancy brought about by my own promotion to the principalship.


188


TOWN OF NORWOOD


After a quarter of a century of devoted service on July 17, 1946, ill health caused the resignation of H. Bennett Murray, Director of Physical Education. Mr. Mur- ray was more than a coach; he was an educator. His high ethical standards and his enlightened sense of relative values which allowed him to place good sports- manship and good citizenship even above victory itself earned for him many times over the respect and admiration of his colleagues. On August 6, 1946, Orlando M. Scafati was appointed Director of Physical Education to replace Mr. Murray.


Steven J. Levanitis on September 3, 1946, was appointed temporary military substitute in the Mathematics Department. Mr. Levanitis is filling a vacancy caused by the continued absence of Henry F. Fairbanks. Mr. Fairbanks has been with the Armed Forces on military leave of absence since January 20, 1943.


Looking Ahead


Most of our immediate needs for the year ahead have already been communicated to the Superintendent of Schools. Chief among them are the following :-


1. A Parent-Teachers Association should be organized for the Senior High School.


2. An additional teacher should be secured for our English Department. Much more time could then be given to dramatics, to public speaking, and to stu- dent literary publications.


3. A portable stage should be designed and built for use in our gymnasium. This stage should be constructed in sections so that it might be assembled and disassembled with relative ease. The possibility of having an auditorium constructed in the near future is probably quite remote. However, a sec- tional stage, black-out curtains for the windows, adequate lighting, and some two hundred additional individual chairs would bring to our boys and girls virtually all the rich educational values afforded by a separate auditorium.


4. A modern intercommunication arrangement is needed at once. Our present "house-telephone" system has over the years become progressively ineffec- tive and for the past four years, it has been completely inoperative.


Even if it could be repaired, which now seems doubtful, it would be obso- lete and wholly inadequate as far as our educational needs are concerned. With a modern system, radio programs and recordings of timely interest could be piped to particular classrooms; instant two-way communication with any classroom could be established, and whenever the need arose, it would be possible through the main office to speak to the entire school on matters of concern to all. Most modern high schools in surrounding communities and elsewhere have this equipment. It is badly needed here.


Lane Medal Recipients


The following pupils in the Class of 1946 were awarded Lane Medals:


Louise Bonfatti


Lillian C. Kasauskas


Betsy E. Ross


Claire V. Fyfe


Martha M. Erickson


Nancy A. Brock


William R. Zettler


Shirley J. Holmes


Joan C. Seekins Faith Coakley


Phyllis M. Crowley Helga L. Gottberg


Dorothy E. Ross


Gerald E. Mahoney


Claire A. Rogers


Mary A. Adams


Roy W. Meears


Barbara A. Gullich


.


189


REPORT OF SCHOOL DEPARTMENT


In Conclusion


I am deeply grateful to our Senior High School Faculty, to Superintendent Lynch, and to our School Committee for the whole-hearted co-operative and un- wavering support which has been accorded to me.


This report will close with the presentation of the Graduation Program for June, 1946.


CHARLES A. HAYDEN.


Graduation Exercises of Norwood High School Class of 1946 Tuesday Evening, June 4, 1946 Junior High School Gymnasium Program


PROCESSIONAL - March Mendelssohn


INVOCATION


Rev. William C. Carroll


"Glory to God"


J. V. Dethier


Chorus and Orchestra Words by J. J. Gormley


Glory to God the Lord of Hosts Let all mankind Thy praises sing


Guardian thru' all eternity Gentle Master Heavenly King.


O Father hear our praise resound In thanks for evermore to Thee Enflame our hearts with love like Thine Sublime in all Thy mystery.


ADDRESS


Rev. Robert G. Metters Rector, Emmanuel Church, Boston


Saint Saens


"Meditation"


Chorus and Orchestra Words by J. J. Gormley Evening star shining in the heavens, So brilliant gleaming far above us; O Sanctuary light of Heaven's dome, Prayerful we watch Thee.


Mansions bright lie beyond thy gleaming; Art thou a harbinger of Him Who lights thee, To watch us and guide us to His Celestial Home There to live in peace forevermore.


GIFT OF THE CLASS OF 1946 Robert McLean


ACCEPTANCE OF THE GIFT FOR THE SCHOOL Edward Costello


190


TOWN OF NORWOOD


AWARDS OF MEDALS AND PRIZES


Mr. Lincoln D. Lynch, Superintendent of Schools


Plimpton Art Prize


Berwick English Prize Leighton S. Thompson Memorial Trophy


Teachers' Club Scholarship


Norwood Women's Club Scholarship


High School Scholarships


Lane Medals


Music Prize




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