Norwood annual report 1948-1950, Part 14

Author: Norwood (Mass.)
Publication date: 1948
Publisher: The Town
Number of Pages: 1054


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REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE


To the Citizens of Norwood :


The reports of the Superintendent, Principals, and Supervisors present vital facts related to Norwood Schools. Items which the School Committee regards reportable and not included in the aforementioned reports are submitted herewith.


This statement, and the reports of school officers, taken together, are adopted as the Report of the School Committee, it being understood that such adoption does not commit the Committee to the opinions or recommendations made therein.


Press Representation


Although for several years the Regulations of the School Committee have permitted the public to attend Committee meetings, the Press has not been invited to attend.


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REPORT OF SCHOOL DEPARTMENT


This year, a majority of School Committee members felt that an open invita- tion should be extended to the press and on February second it was voted that the local press be admitted to all meetings of the Norwood School Committee, subject to exclusion from executive sessions and, on majority vote, subject to exclusion when the business at hand is of a private nature involving a parent, teacher, or pupil.


Equal Pay


Following a series of meetings and discussions with the Salaries Committee of the Teachers' Club, and following the adoption by the Town of the provisions of the Equal Pay Law, so-called, the School Committee adopted, this year, pro- posals of the representatives of the teachers relating to the establishment of new salary schedules, which over a relatively short period of time will effect an arrangement, whereby Norwood Teachers' salaries will be on a Preparation, Single Salary and Equal Pay basis.


Audits-School Accounts


It would appear from the records of the School Committee that there has never been a systematic and complete audit of all school funds.


The Superintendent of Schools, principals, teachers and pupils have custody of funds totalling several thousands of dollars each year. For the most part, this money is received and dispensed on account of pupil activity, such as athletics, class funds, milk funds, child savings and school collections.


In the past, the accounting and bookkeeping systems have not been uniform and records have been incomplete.


To clear this difficulty, and for the protection of all who are involved, the School Committee has this year negotiated with Mr. Charles R. Peters, who is auditing all school funds for which no audit is provided by other governmental authorities, for his services in the matter, not only of audit, but in the matter of setting up a uniform and simple system of accounting which will be subject to easy audit and supervision.


Teacher Appointment Policy


For purposes of securing better qualified teachers, it seemed to the School Committee that in the future, whenever possible, principals and department heads, acquainted with the requirements of any assignment wherein appointment of a teacher is involved, should interview candidates for appointments with a view to counselling with the Superintendent of Schools and making recommendations which would be helpful in making the best selection possible.


This policy is established and promises to be fruitful of result.


Extra Duties - Extra Pay


Several of our teachers undertake responsibility for providing special services not in line with their regular duties as teachers, but, nevertheless, quite necessary for the full development of a complete school offering.


These individual teachers undertake this special work because of an aptitude, special training or interest. For many years the School Committee has arranged to pay for these services at rates which have been more or less arbitrarily set.


186


TOWN OF NORWOOD


This year, the School Committee set in motion a survey and study which is calculated, when completed, to determine more cquitably, the extra compensation which teachers earns as the result of these extra duties, so-called.


On the basis of time and responsibility factors, a committee of high school teachers is studying, with a view of making a recommendation to the School Com- mittee, the relative values to the Town in terms of salary differentials, of such services as department headships, coaching athletic sports, dramatics, and literary work.


CHANGES IN PERSONNEL - 1948 Resignations


Miss M. Eileen McDonough, Americanization Supervisor, to be married.


Mr. John D'Espinosa, Junior Building Custodian, to accept another position.


Miss Jean C. Robertson, Temporary Clerk, Junior High School, to be married. Miss Claire M. Curran, Callahan School, to be married.


Miss Dorothy Sheehy, Junior High School substitute in Latin and English, other employment.


Miss Grace C. McGonagle, requested relief from duties as High School Treasurer. Mr. Frederick E. Wellsman, Junior High School, Art and Woodwork, to live in California.


Deaths


Miss Margaret Nicholson, July 15, 1948, Senior High School teacher of English.


Retirements


Mrs. Martha R. French, Junior High School, Social Science.


Miss Bessie D. James, Senior High School, English.


Military Leave


Mr. Henry F. Fairbanks, Senior High School.


Appointments


Miss Catherine A. Coleman, Senior High School, English.


Mr. John J. Flaherty, Senior High School, English.


Mr. Lloyd Schultz, Junior High School, Art and Mechanical Drawing.


Mr. James R. Hilly, Junior High School and Elementary Schools, Industrial Arts. Miss Patricia Shortall, Kindergarten teacher, Callahan School.


Miss Wanda Juras, Kindergarten Teacher, Balch School.


Miss Julia Walsh, Kindergarten Teacher, Shattuck School.


Miss Paisley Sasso, Kindergarten Teacher, Winslow School.


Miss Alice J. O'Malley, Grade 5, Callahan School.


Promotion - Special Appointments


Miss Elizabeth O'Sullivan, Head of English Department, Senior High School. Mr. John B. Kelley, Treasurer, Senior High School.


Leave of Absence


Miss Gertrude Crowell, Balch School.


Resolution Miss Bessie D. James


In the year 1921, you came to our community to serve us in our schools.


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REPORT OF SCHOOL DEPARTMENT


For your decision to teach in Norwood and to remain here through these many years, we, members of the Norwood School Committee, are most grateful.


In a most unassuming manner, you have addressed yourself to your tasks diligently. Speaking for the hundreds of young people whose privilege it was to be enrolled in your classes, we are sorry to learn that you find it necessary to leave the service of our schools.


We would have you know that you are always welcome among us, and we cherish the memories of your kind and considerate guidance of young people.


It is our sincere hope that you have before you many years of good health and fortune.


The Norwood School Committee, JOHN F. KILEY, Chairman JOHN F. REYNOLDS ANTHONY F. O'DONNELL JAMES J. CURRAN THOMAS R. BOWLER JOHN J. COOK


July 31, 1948


Resolution Mrs. Martha R. French


In the year 1921, you entered the service of our public schools.


In your quiet and gracious way, you have performed your tasks in an exemplary fashion.


We, all of us,-and we speak for the hundreds of young people whose privilege it was to be numbered among your pupils, are sorry to learn that you are to leave our schools.


We would have you know that we value the memories of your kind and consid- erate guidance of young people, and our sincere wish is that you may continue in good health and fortune.


The Norwood School Committee. JOHN F. KILEY, Chairman JOHN F. REYNOLDS ANTHONY F. O'DONNELL JAMES J. CURRAN THOMAS R. BOWLER JOHN J. COOK


July 7, 1948.


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 gener- ously undertaken.


JOHN F. KILEY, Chairman THOMAS R. BOWLER JOHN J. COOK JAMES J. CURRAN ANTHONY F. O'DONNELL JOHN F. REYNOLDS


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TOWN OF NORWOOD


REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS


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


Introduction


Usually, at the end of a report such as this, the author extends a word of appre- ciation to all of those who assist in a common enterprise. This is not due to after- thought,-it is a form.


The truth is that we, all of us, who are well and active, are appreciative as we must be, if we are to get things done, so-to-speak, of all the help that we get from those for whom and those with whom we work,-all the time.


We do complain occasionally,-but in moments of thoughtlessness. Reflection and thoughtful consideration bring in to relief the thousands of incidents of daily life and work which exemplify the generosity of our fellow workers, our citizens, and their representatives.


Norwood is a wholesome community,-its people are generous,-truly so, and considerate.


Comparing our school costs, for instance, with those of many other communities we find that they are high. People rightfully question,-but they are satisfied with the answers. They want the best that we can afford, and their sense of personal and civic pride is satisfied, notwithstanding the costs involved.


Our School Committee, mindful, of course, of the financial burdens of the community reflects this same attitude. It has been my privilege and honor to sit with Norwood School Committees for many years. Ideas have been presented, new programs introduced, new materials and equipment suggested,-and invariably these proposals have received thoughtful, critical and careful attention.


It is a pleasure to serve such people and we who work in the interest of better schools are grateful.


Safety Education - Driver Training Program


As a result of a suggestion which was made by ex-committeeman Harold T. Young, more than a year ago, and with the support and assistance of our School Committee, we are now offering a better safety education and Driver Training program in our senior high school.


We have reorganized our elementary school traffic patrols following the recom- mendation of our Chief of Police.


Institutes


On several occasions, this year, our teachers have participated in large numbers in the promotion of Institutes designed to improve the quality of our teaching. The central themes of these meetings were elementary mathematics, elementary science, language arts, and audio-visual aids. Elementary science is a particularly promising area, so far as the development of the elementary school curriculum is concerned. It is a high potential so far as challenging the interests and activities of boys are concerned. Its methods and materials, because of the fact that they are new, will


189


REPORT OF SCHOOL DEPARTMENT


not be hampered by traditional, out-moded or unsound approaches. It is an "uncharted sea" for most of our elementary teachers, due to the fact that science has never been a major offering in teacher-training institutions. It offers the teacher an opportunity to learn with children in a dynamic and intriguing area of wonderful knowledge. It provides the child an opportunity for adventure which may make school and its ways more interesting, colorful, and profitable.


Many of our teachers are already planning to take courses which will prepare them for this new field of study which appears to be "here to stay."


Kindergarten


Following the introduction, several years ago, of the kindergarten privately operated, but, housed in the Junior High School, townspeople voted the funds, and the School Committee established in September, our first public kindergarten.


We hope that its benefits may be continued and that eventually we may have it operated upon a single morning session basis for all kindergarteners.


From the standpoint of health and adjustment, this is most desirable. Admin- istration by and from the standpoint of improving school services, the kindergarten teachers will be available for afternoon assignments in such fields as remedial help, exceptional-child attention, speech correction, lip-reading, and home-visiting.


Expansion of School Facilities


Census estimates point quite clearly to the fact that we may anticipate larger school enrollments following a period of substantial decline. It would be well to take steps to see that desirable school building areas are reserved. In earlier reports I have indicated a particular choice which is yet, it seems to me, a good one. Land- taking on Nichols Street, opposite the Senior High School, for several reasons, might be quite desirable.


Sometime, in the future, a parcel of land in the rear of the bleachers on the athletic field should be taken for the accommodation of spectators at football games. The area reserved for the present bleachers is not enough to meet the needs of an increasing demand for good seating.


School construction and remodelling costs are now extremely high. They may be lower at sometime in the future. Come what may, we still have a problem in meeting the needs for expanding our vocational school offerings for boys and there is the old problem of building an up-to-date auditorium for the Senior High School.


School Buildings and Equipment


Our school department equipment, by-and-large is in excellent condition. Here and there, we must consider replacements and in certain places, additions to present equipment are desirable.


Installation of condensation pumps and tanks is desirable in the Senior High, Balch, and Callahan Schools. The opening of the Tea Room at the H. O. Peabody School for Girls will require some new equipment and furnishings.


Grandstand facilities at the Senior High School will have to be renewed within the next few years because of the fact that those which are now used are either unsatisfactory or in deteriorated condition.


190


TOWN OF NORWOOD


After the masonry in the Shattuck, Balch, and Junior High Schools is pointed, and the estimate for this work is approximately $10,000, we must anticipate a big painting (interior and exterior) program in each of our schools.


Although steps were taken this year to protect our heating plants from the destruction results of rust in our boilers and pipes, it is to be noted that most of our plumbing and heating equipment has already served us many years. Recently, we have made very costly repairs and replacements and I hope that we may be spared such heavy expense for at least a few more years.


Conclusion


May I take this opportunity here to express to our new teachers a word of welcome and satisfaction, to our older teachers a word of gratitude and to the School Committee,-again a word of thanks.


LINCOLN D. LYNCH, Superintendent of Schools.


19]


REPORT OF SCHOOL DEPARTMENT


Table I. School Department Receipts


Received 1948


Anticipated 1949


Tuition :


City of Boston


$ 4,477.34


$ 4,500.00


Commonwealth of Massachusetts


3,881.76


4,000.00


Other Municipalities


5,093.85


6,000.00


State Reimbursement :


Vocational Schools


20,314.68*


21,359.00


Regular Teachers Salaries


20,527.00


38,266.00


Adult Education


1,723.10 **


100.00


Federal Reimbursement :


George-Barden, Smith-Hughes Fund


2,691.09


2,450.00


H. O. Peabody Income Account.


23,056.72


22,000.00


Sales-Work and Products :


Girl's Vocational School


4,157.97


5,000.00


Boys' Vocational School


777.23


800.00


Massachusetts School Lunch Reimbursement :


Senior High School


2,066.59


1,900.00


H. O. Peabody School


872.87


800.00


High School Lunch Counter Receipts


11,879.07


11,000.00


School Janitor Service


1,034.65


1,000.00


School Hall Rentals


942.00


900.00


Miscellaneous :


Textbooks


89.89


90.00


Practical Arts


219.35


75.00


Telephone Toll Calls


14.13


15.00


Other


12.45


10.00


$ 103,831.74


$ 120,265.00


* Due and approved to be paid before December 31, 1948.


** Received in 1948 on account of 1947. 1948, programs.


192


TABLE II. TEACHERS EMPLOYED


Sept. 1939


Sept. 1940


Sept. 1941


Sept. 1942


Sept. 1943


Sept. 1944


Sept. 1945


Sept. 1946


Sept. 1947


Sept. 1948


Senior High


36


35


35


33


28


28


28


33


32


31


Vocational


31


30


30


28


27


26


25


25


25


24


Elementary


51


50


47


42


40


42


41


41


40


44 **


Specials


3


3


3


3


3


3


3


3


3


31


Totals.


121


118


115


114


109


112


112


114


112


114


* Includes one part-time teacher.


** Includes four kindergarten teachers for program established in September, 1948.


Includes Supervisor of Music, Supervisor of Art, and Instructor of Instrumental Music.


TOWN OF NORWOOD


:


:


. .


8


11


13


14


12


12


12*


Junior High


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REPORT OF SCHOOL DEPARTMENT


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


Year


Elementary


Junior High


Senior High


Voca- tional


Total


1938-39


1,187


697


673


2,557


1939-40


1,123


684


702


2,509


1940-41


1,089


659


706


2,454


1941-42


1,051


596


700


2,347


1942-43


1,023


547


593


72


2,235


1943-44


977


558


544


88


2,167


1944-45


1,000


559


525


97


2,181


1945-46


963


498


472


114


2,047


1946-47


932


458


527


123


2,040


1947-48


903


454


517


90


1,964


194


TABLE IV. SCHOOL POPULATION TRENDS (September Enrollments)


Total


Voca- Total All


Year


Balch


Callahan


Shattuck


West


Winslow Elementary


Junior High


Senior High


tional


Schools


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


996


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


1947-1948


268


204


229


46


185


932


458


527


123


2,040


1948-1949


325


269


290


51


254


1,189*


437


520


119


2,265


Includes 215 Kindergarten pupils.


Program established September, 1948.


TOWN OF NORWOOD


195


REPORT OF SCHOOL DEPARTMENT


REPORT OF THE PRINCIPAL OF THE NORWOOD SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL


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


The disaffections and disintegrations characterizing this post-war period clearly indicate the increasingly important role which education must play if the better tomorrow envisioned for the years ahead is to become a reality. Few will deny that the most precious asset of a community is its children. This report is written with an abiding confidence in what education can mean to America's children. It is written also with the conviction that the educational improvement necessary to reach optimum goals can be substantially accelerated only if there is, on the part of the community, a widespread recognition and understanding of the significant potentialities of education in our democratic society.


In Retrospect


1. The uniform success which graduates of Norwood Senior High School have year after year in securing admission to college is a source of pride to all of us and is indicative of the excellent college preparatory instruction available at the school. Yet faculty members realize that in appraising an educational program, success in college preparation is but a single factor in the total evaluation of the school. If it would be truly democratic, the comprehensive high school of today must recognize an equal obligation to all its students-to the 25 per cent who are planning to enter upon four years of collegiate work and to the 75 per cent who are not.


More to the point then in evaluating a school such as ours is the answer to the question :-


How well does the school provide for the imperative life needs of all its students ?


I am happy to report that during the year faculty members through group meet- ings, special courses, and other means of in-service training have constantly striven to meet more adequately the challenge implied in this broad and democratic criterion. Substantial progress is being made. This will continue.


2. The school assembly is today one of the most interesting and promising areas in the modern school curriculum. Its possibilities as a democratizing and integrating influence are immediately evident when it is realized that the assembly affords the one opportunity during the week when the entire student body may sit together to share a common learning experience.


The assembly program during the year was planned and conducted almost entirely by a pupil committee which met at frequent intervals with faculty members for the consideration of assembly matters. Some assembly presentations such as panel discussions and debates grew directly out of classroom activities. In others, outstanding lecturers and artists, some of national reputation, were heard in special programs devoted to world affairs, literature, and music.


Twenty-three different programs were presented during the year including Christmas tableaux sponsored by the Sophomore Class. This year for the first time


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TOWN OF NORWOOD


a temporary stage with curtains was improvised by the Vocational Shop boys, and a particularly beautiful and unusual Christmas assembly was thus made possible.


3. In recent years, the appalling loss of life due to preventable accidents on the part of teenagers has focused attention on the need for safety education in the schools. To supplement our fifteen hour classroom course in safety required of all tenth grade students, this year for the first time behind-the-wheel driver training was made available to all students in the school who had reached their sixteenth birthday. A new Plymouth sedan for use in this driver training was made available to the School Department at the nominal cost of $1 through the co-operation of Sansone Motors of Norwood. Excellent instructional results are being achieved both in the classroom and on the road, and I am happy to report that the Hon. Rudolph F. King, Registrar of Motor Vehicles, on the occasion of a recent visit to the School commented most favorably on our Safety Education program.


4. The opportunity for educational growth potentially available through the planned use in the classroom of outstanding radio programs has for many years been a source of challenge to progressive teachers. Heretofore, because of the difficulty of synchronizing class time with radio time, the classroom use of radio has been relatively infrequent. However, the recent purchase by the School Depart- ment of a Sound Mirror Recorder has now made it possible to record radio pro- grams electronically and subsequently to play and replay these programs in the classroom for instructional purposes. Thus all the rich educational value of radio can now be brought to the classroom to aid the teacher in presenting vitalized and significant learning experiences.


Of equal or perhaps of even greater value is the use of this recording device in speech training in foreign language study, and in music. The recorder permits the student to listen to his own voice, to study his own articulation and enunciation, or in the field of music, his own instrumental or vocal rendition.


Helpful self-criticism is facilitated, and constructive suggestion by the learning group and/or by the teacher becomes more meaningful since the pupil is able with the recorder to identify his own mistakes and his own strengths.


It is difficult indeed to be less than enthusiastic over the potentialities of this new instructional aid. Substantial progress is being made in and through its use.


5. It has long been recognized that the reading ability of any given student is a most important factor in determining the school progress he will make. Since reading ability is particularly susceptible to improvement, faculty members decided that as early as possible in the school year each teacher, particularly each English teacher, should know the current reading ability of each of his students.


Accordingly this fall to supplement our usual eleventh grade testing program, for the first time standardized reading tests were administered to all our tenth grade students. Each test was then scored by the pupil's own English teacher and the test results made available to all the teachers of that pupil. Teachers are thus able more accurately to gear instruction to known pupil needs and abilities.


6. The matter of producing a senior yearbook worthy of their particular class and at least as good if not better than all predecessors presents a yearly challenge to each incoming group of seniors. Many hours are devoted by students and by


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REPORT OF SCHOOL DEPARTMENT


their faculty sponsor to the production of a yearbook, and each year many students have an opportunity to secure valuable literary, art, photographic, business, and advertising experience through this activity.


The Yearbook of the Class of '48 reached a new level of achievement for the school when it was awarded second prize for general excellence in its class by the Scholastic Press Association of Columbia University.


This was indeed a well-earned reward and a happy climax to the activities of an excellent class.


Personnel


Miss Elizabeth D. James, Head of the English Department, resigned from the Senior High School faculty on July 31, 1948. Miss James was admired and respected by all. The memory of her quiet poise and dignity and of her unfailing sense of equity will always be treasured by her colleagues and by the many students whose lives she influenced during her twenty-seven years of devoted service.




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