USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Norwood > Norwood annual report 1948-1950 > Part 17
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64
At least once each year a visit is made by a supervisor from the State Depart- ment of Education. This year Mr. John Shea, representing the Division of Voca- tional Education, visited our school and found it effectively organized and well conducted. He was impressed by the amount and quality of our boys' work. The shop and its facilities for trade training met the requirements he outlined with one exception. A means of disposing of the sawdust and shavings should be con-
222
TOWN OF NORWOOD
sidered. His recommendation was that a blower system be installed to control the existing health hazard.
Our shop exhibit of projects held in the spring was an outstanding event, particularly from the standpoint of the number of citizens who visited our showing of shop products.
Industrial Arts Education
Senior High School :
In the next eight years, high school enrollments are expected to increase. Many of these students will want industrial-education courses and if facilities can be made available in the immediate future our student demands may be met.
The discussion of life-adjustment education, which is now sweeping the country, show that school administrators are becoming aware of the necessity for broad- ening the secondary curriculum with industrial-education subjects, to meet the needs of young people for educational opportunities closer to their interests and aptitudes. To anticipate the needs of these young people, will we be able to provide some facilities for them which are lacking at present? I sincerely hope that industrial arts may come into the high school program even if only one or two periods per day.
Our only industrial arts subject at present is mechanical drawing, which pro- vides for both high school pupils and vocational students. We are somewhat crowded in our present room, and need expansion for pupil working space.
In September we introduced to our three-year students the use of the new technical drawing workbook, supplemented by a reference text.
Junior High School :
On the Junior High School level, where our industrial arts education is most widespread, an opportunity for pre-vocational tryouts and exploration in several units was available to every boy in the school. Through these units the boys became acquainted with many shop processes and learned something of industry.
Our industrial arts printing laboratory was one activity through which all subjects and activities in the junior high school program were integrated. In addition to serving the school educationally, the unit was a valuable service to the entire school system in furnishing printed forms and material essential to oper- ating programs and administrative requirements.
In October, 1948, Mr. James P. Hilly was appointed as instructor in woodwork and mechanical drawing, to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Mr. Fred Wellsman. He comes to us well qualified as an instructor, ready to put into operation many improvements in industrial arts work.
Elementary Schools :
The elementary grades of our schools represent the formative period in the child's life. Industrial arts in our grades can develop correct educational and social habits of thinking and doing. Among Gandhi's writings on education which are receiving renewed attention since his death, is the following, which presents a case for industrial arts in our elementary schools.
"I would begin the child's education by teaching it a useful handicraft and enabling it to produce from the moment it begin training . .. I hold that the
223
REPORT OF SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
highest development of the mind and soul is possible under such a system of education. Only every handicraft is to be taught not merely mechanically as is done today, but scientifically, i. e., the child should know why and wherefore of every process."
We are now prepared to place industrial arts in the grades. Mr. Hilly will assume the duties as instructor in addition to his teaching duties in the Junior High School.
Conclusion
I wish to express my sincere thanks and appreciation to all for the splendid spirit and cooperation that was given to our Department.
CLIFFORD H. WHEELER.
REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF GUIDANCE AND PLACEMENT
Herewith, I submit my third annual report as Director of Guidance and Placement.
Guidance
Our guidance program during the past year has developed along the lines of the pattern described in the first two annual reports. Special emphasis is placed upon individual conferences at which the student has the opportunity to discuss his educational and vocational plans both of an immediate and remote nature.
In addition to these individual conferences, group meetings are held which deal with various vocations, post high school educational opportunities, and other guidance activities. During the past year, senior high school students were given the opportunity to take several occupational tours which included visits to a radio station, hotel, social service agency, airport, hospital, insurance office, advertising office, large retail store, an engineering laboratory, and an industrial plant. At each one of the establishments visited, an official of the company gave a talk on the various occupations involved, the preparation required for that type of work, and the opportunities for progress in the field.
Placement
Our placement service was utilized extensively during the year for both full- time and part-time employment. Seventy job openings were filled by high school boys and girls. Sixty-six per cent of the senior class, sixty per cent of the junior class, and twenty-five per cent of the sophomore class reported that they engaged in some type of part-time work. We extend our thanks to the many employers who thus enabled these young people to add to their . educational and vocational experiences.
Other Activities
The Director was again requested by the State Department of Education to serve as one of the Consultants to the State Supervisor of Guidance and Placement.
He was also appointed by the State Supervisor to act as chairman of the regional committee which set up an extensive display of guidance materials for the Conference of Massachusetts High School Principals which was held at the Framingham State Teachers College in April. Schools from all parts of the State of Massachusetts sent copies of their materials for use in this exhibit.
224
TOWN OF NORWOOD
The Guidance Department was represented on the local committee of the national organization to help physically handicapped individuals secure employment. This work has the strong endorsement of the President of the United States.
During the past Spring, an unusual activity was carried on through the joint efforts of the management of the Guild Theatre and the Guidance Department. A group of high school students managed the theatre for a day. Under supervision, they took over the duties of manager, advertising manager, cashier, doorman, and usher. These young people thus secured a first-hand knowledge of how one Nor- wood business firm operates.
Membership is maintained in the National Vocational Guidance Association and in the Guidance Club of Greater Boston.
Follow-Up .
A follow-up of 158 of the graduates of the Norwood Senior High School Class of 1948 showed the following distribution: (does not include Veterans, Boys' Vocational School, or Henry O. Peabody School graduates.)
Number
Per Cent
Attending school or college
60
37.9
Employed
71
49.4
Married
1
0.7
In Armed Services of United States
19
12.0
Of the sixty members of the Class attending school or college on a full-time basis, the distribution was as follows :
Type of School or College
Number Enrolled
Four Year College
34
Business and Accounting
14
Schools of Nursing
6
Miscellaneous
6
A broad classification of the number of members of the Class employed, shows the following distribution :
Type of Employment
Number Employed
Industrial
27
Secretarial, Stenographic, Clerical
18
Sales and Distribution
21
Construction
4
Telephone Operator
3
Proofreader
2
Agricultural
3
Conclusion
As we have stated several times in the past, effective guidance results cannot be achieved by the school alone. It is quite apparent that the cooperative efforts of the school, the pupil, the home, the church, community groups, and all con- cerned with the welfare of youth, are needed to attain the desired objectives.
May I take this opportunity to thank the School Committee, Mr. Lynch, Mr. Hayden, and all who have helped this department.
D. VINCENT KENEFICK.
225
REPORT OF SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
REPORT OF THE ART DIRECTOR
This is the annual report of the Art Department for the year ending December 31, 1948.
Changes in Personnel
Mr. Lloyd Schultz, formerly a teaching-supervisor in the Littleton Public Schools, has been appointed teacher of art and technical drawing in the Junior High School. He succeeds Mr. Frederick Wellsman who resigned to accept employment on a ranch in California. Mr. Schultz is a graduate of the Massachusetts School of Art and has completed further studies at the Harvard Graduate School.
Art in Our Elementary Schools
In our report of 1946 we showed by comparison how outmoded our traditional art teaching had become in the light of contemporary art thinking. By honestly facing the problem of trying to work up a curricula which would give our children a basic and utilitarian view of art understandings we inaugurated a completely revised program. During 1947 we made it possible for teachers to become acquainted with the reasons for such a change and we explained how we hoped to bring that change about.
This report represents the second year of that program. Although we conclude that progress is slow we equally acknowledge the fact that the teacher guidance problem for so complete a change is difficult.
We are attempting to consolidate elementary school activities into three important divisions, each of which is to be taught with equal emphasis. They are- creative expression, design, and awareness of color.
The work of Grades I to III is primarily creative with such emphasis in the mixing of color which might help each child to better observe and enjoy its use as an important part of his life. In many instances remarkable progress has been made in this direction as it becomes recognized by teachers and pupils alike that the mixture of crayon color conveys an infinite variety of color interest.
Young children make little color separation for to them every type of red is matched by the single use of their one red crayon. This, of course, is due to false observation. We wish to commend all the work at this level which has been done this past year to improve a situation too prevalent in the creative work of the early school levels.
Other signs of progress are being reflected by those teachers who are making use of the child's vivid imagination by reading stories, or describing situations which offer children the opportunity to express the complete flexibility of their uninhibited artistic expressions.
Much work is still to be done in helping these youngsters develop an early sense of design and the importance of using cut paper as an element of three- dimensional work has too often been neglected.
In some instances Grade IV should offer clearer concepts of our program at this stage. This grade is the key link in our elementary program for it represents the time when the early grade child becomes more conscious of his accomplish- ments. We hope to give this more attention in the coming year.
Grades V and VI, the last two years of our elementary school, have made true progress in the direction of our initial objectives. Some of these include the conduct
226
TOWN OF NORWOOD
of interesting units on home planning and furnishing, handcrafts of many types, use of the visual aids as a means to improve art appreciation, work in the under- standing of color and color mixing, and units on design.
The liberal use of art media in other classes is also doing much to increase the effectiveness of teaching.
Art in Our Junior High School
The ever increasing use of visual material to help convey essential ideas in all the subject fields is in itself proof of the strong relation of the arts to all class- room work. We most sincerely regret that our Junior High people cannot have art for more than the present one period per week.
One illustration can often express a thousand words and more and more of our daily living involves the use of graphic and illustrative material to explain or express thought. As common as the photograph has become we have yet to find the time to adequately express its methods and purposes in the classroom.
Mr. Schultz is conducting a program of class work which will adequately help our young people to make a better choice of all those objects in their everyday life which call for a degree of artistic discrimination. His classes analyze and study the properties of "good taste" as it relates itself to the problem of individual personality. The cultivation of the powers of observation is also of great impor- tance. Time is so short that very little opportunity is available for creative enjoy- ment but those students, who by aptitude tests are acknowledged to possess unusual abilities, are afforded the workshop atmosphere of the Studio-a new adjunct to the Junior High art room.
We make but two recommendations. That provision of some type be made for the use of water in the art room and that a study be made of the advisability of using a suitable text.
Art in Our High School
For two months the director of this department has spent one period a day teaching and observing the problems related to the conduct of the High School Art Program. Mr. Hayden and Mrs. Cook have both been most cooperative and understanding with regard to how we feel a new type of curricula should be initiated. Though we acknowledge that the following recommendations will be difficult to fulfill we do feel that their accomplishment will in great part tremend- ously facilitate effective art teaching.
1. It is recommended that the course now known as Freehand Drawing and Art Appreciation be changed to -- Art Major I, Art Major II, and Art Major III. These classes should be homogenous groupings consisting of students who can elect the course on the basis of academic progression. This, in turn, will allow the instructor to conduct the course in the same manner.
2. It is recommended that homework be considered an essential practice in eacli of the courses.
3. It is recommended that the Unit Method be generally adopted for Art Major I and adopted in part for the other two courses for those students not clearly decided in interest.
4. We recommend that a study be made toward the suggestion of a text suit- able to the requirements of good high school art education.
227
REPORT OF SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
Our New Studio
To serve the purpose of those students who seek to participate in more of the creative arts than can be offered in the regular classroom courses, under conditions more conducive to originality and specialized study, the department is announcing the opening of its "Studio" located in the room formerly known as 209, next to the Junior High School Art Room.
This room will offer an opportunity for the exercise of silk screen, modeling and casting, paper mache, block printing, textile printing, air brush, ceramics, oil painting, pastel, and water color painting.
It will serve also as an experimental and visual aid center for all the art teachers and will display on its ample bulletin board area a continuous exhibition of fine reproductions and current student work from all the schools.
The "Junior Narrator" Art Staff will also use this room as their office.
The Studio will be under the supervision of the department director.
Art Through Visual Aids
Through the fulfillment of our recommendations of last year the Department is most pleased to announce the addition of a Filmstrip and Slide Projector to its visual aid equipment. We have also been able to procure a beginning library of color slides which have greatly increased the interest of Grades VI through XII. We have, in addition, made beginning experiments in the production of our own color slides and strips.
Conclusion
We wish to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Lynch for his continued interest in our "Studio" project and equally as much for his help in enabling us to make more use of visual aid equipment.
To all the principals and to each of the teachers through whom our progress depends may we express our sincere appreciation for their continued efforts and kind understanding.
WALTER E. LUNSMAN.
REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF MUSIC
I herewith submit the report of the Music Department for the year ending December 31, 1948.
Elementary Schools
The Music program now in force in our schools is based on the educational philosophy that any child who can master the letters of the alphabet can master the seven letters of music.
The present music course is also calculated to insure the maximum develop- ment of the child, full participation and initiative.
The achievement of these aims is progressing satisfactorily in all the Grade Schools.
228
TOWN OF NORWOOD
There are 761 pupils enrolled in the various instrumental and rhythm classes as follows :
Rhythm Band 341
Majorette 60
Melody Flute 160
Band and Orchestra
200
Junior High School
In the Junior High School, besides the regular orchestra and band periods, the pupils have the opportunity of joining sectional rehearsals for string, wind, and percussion instruments. The program in vocal and theoritical work has continued as indicated in previous reports.
Senior High School
In the Senior High School, the number of students in the music classes is practically the same as last year, the only change being that there are now two classes in Music Appreciation I instead of the one listed previously.
A fact which is brought out in this course, is that there are various types of music and that each type has a place of its own in our life. Furthermore, Music Appreciation is integrated with the other subjects in the curriculum and take a meaningful place in the life experience of the students.
There are now 73 students enrolled in these classes. In the Voice Training Classes in which 39 students are enrolled, the aims are: to build the foundation for the Art of Singing with correct posture, proper breathing, articulation, and enunciation ; to acquire a good repertoire while studying good song literature with a new horizon of poetical works.
Norwood was well represented in the Massachusetts State Symphony Orchestra, which gave its concert last spring in Symphony Hall, Boston, by six members of the Senior Orchestra. Several vocal and instrumental groups which were organized and trained during the homeroom period and after school gave several concerts in and out of town with great success.
The members of the Senior Band under Mr. George Farnham gained great commendation for their playing in the many parades and celebrations in which they participated. One of the highlights was their concert for the Norfolk County Teachers' Convention.
Recommendations
1. That an adequate room and a piano be provided for the rehearsals of the Junior High School Glee Club.
2. That two periods of Music a week be allotted to the seventh and eighth grades grades as in former times.
3. That every possible opportunity be afforded to pupils having talent worth extra cultivation.
Conclusion
I wish to take this opportunity to express my sincere appreciation of the helpful interest and the cooperation of the Superintendent of Schools, each of the Prin- cipals, and all who have aided in the work of this Department.
JOHN V. DETHIER.
229
REPORT OF SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
REPORT OF THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT
1 herewith submit the report of the School Health Service for the school year 1948.
Physical and Dental Examinations
During the fall term all children in the schools were given a physical examina- tion by Dr. George R. Allen and Dr. Harriet E. Rogers. The dental examinations were made by Dr. Timothy J. Curtin. Parents have been notified of the defects discovered and have been urged to have the corrections made.
Hearing Tests
To bring the study of hearing out of the realm of guesswork, we need tests of hearing. When an individual is completely deaf, there is usually no doubt about it: but when one has an incipient deafness, that is a different matter. For several years much research has been done in order to devise a hearing test which is reliable and reasonably rapid. Schools have progressed from the whisper, watch- tick, and coin-click tests to the phonographic-speech test, which has proved superior to the examinations which preceded it; however, this, too, has had a margin of error. For this reason we are changing this year to the discrete frequency or puretone test, which is the most accurate method known at this date.
We regret very much that because of the resignation of Mrs. Kathryn V. King, lip-reading classes have been temporarily suspended.
Vision Tests
The Massachusetts Vision Test has been used to measure the visual acuity.
Dr. Hugo B. C. Riemer has conducted the Eye Clinic, which 297 patients attended. Of these 99 were given glasses to correct vision; 64 required no change in the glasses which they were wearing; 3 were treated medically; 3 were advised to have surgery ; 2 no longer needed to wear glasses; and 123 were found to be in need of no medical or refractive correction. Of the last group mentioned, many had slight deviations from normal; however the defect was not sufficiently serious to warrant refraction.
Communicable Disease Control
The incidence of mumps and chickenpox has been extremely high during the past year. With rare exception, the cases have been uncomplicated. Several chil- dren have succumbed to measles and whooping-cough. Few, if any of us, are immune to the common cold.
Toxoid or Schick Test Clinics
Diphtheria, a preventable disease, continues in Massachusetts. In Norwood, however, approximately ninety-five per cent of children have been immunized against this disease. The Schick Test and Toxoid Clinics are conducted yearly.
Tuberculosis Clinic
Each year, every senior is given a chest x-ray. We are glad to relate that in 1948 there was no active pulmonary tuberculosis.
Doctors who specialize in tuberculosis feel that contact cases should be followed
230
TOWN OF NORWOOD
by hospital service so that they can be given special consideration. For that reason, children who are contacts of tuberculosis now are referred to the Norwood Visit- ing Nurse Association. The nurses of this agency take these children for exami- nation to the Norfolk County Hospital in Braintree.
Mid-Morning Lunches
The Norwood Woman's Club again defrayed the cost of mid-morning milk and cookies for 100 children.
Conclusion
We are grateful to Mr. Lincoln D. Lynch, the School Committee, the members of the school department, and the community for their cooperation.
JANE O'SULLIVAN, R. N.
REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION
The report of Physical Education Department for the year ending December 31, 1948, is respectfully submitted.
Introduction
Education in America has a responsibility, as have other great social insti- tutions, to help boys and girls live effectively in a democratic society. Education dedicated to the democratic ideals of this society must provide, ---
an opportunity to deal honestly and realistically with problems which come within the experiences of boys and girls and within the experiences of teachers.
a program rich in knowledge, skills, techniques, and understandings in all areas of life.
an opportunity to recognize and deal effectively with needs and purposes of boys and girls, and
an opportunity to translate ideals of democratic society into everyday living and teaching.
Physical education has the same responsibilities and the same objectives as has education in general. It is that area of education which, because it deals with the body in action, in movement, has one of its major aims the development of the more sensitive control of this instrument for more effective functioning. It is significantly that area which deals constantly and continuously with the individual in his most dynamic learning, for he moves, sees, thinks, feels at once in situations of social and democratic import.
The physical education program must provide,-
an opportunity for the promotion of vigorous normal growth through a wide range of large motor activities such as natural activities of daily life, free and individual play, games and sports, dance, athletics, self-testing activities, relaxation and rest, remedial and adapted activities, co-educational and co-recreational activi- ties, trips, and parties,
an opportunity for the development of sound attitudes, habits, and knowledge of wholesome living, and
an oportunity to develop interest, joy, and satisfaction in many skills, and these skills in terms of sports, dance and recreational activities, now and which will continue in the mature use of leisure time.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.