Norwood annual report 1948-1950, Part 56

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


USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Norwood > Norwood annual report 1948-1950 > Part 56


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The field was used for play four afternoons each week and the grass was cut weekly on the fifth by the boys themselves.


We publicly acknowledge, with thanks, the generosity of the members of the Norwood Lodge of Elks.


183


REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE


Male Teachers - Elementary Schools


We have finally completed arrangements to provide the services of one male teacher in each of our elementary schools. The men who have been appointed each have adequate background in the field of science, and, on that account, they are helpful in building a better science program in the elementary schools.


It is helpful too, to have a male teacher in each building to help in handling certain problems involving boys. The boys appreciate their leadership in the sports programs.


CHANGES IN PERSONNEL - 1950


Resignations


Mrs. Sylvia Stanton, Balch School, to stay at home.


Miss Helen B. McMullen, Shattuck School, to teach elsewhere.


Miss Mary M. Toomey, Shattuck School, to teach elsewhere.


Miss Nancy Schmalz, Shattuck School, to be married.


Miss Pauline Cataldo, Winslow School, to be married.


Mrs. Harriet Davidson, Junior High School, to teach elsewhere.


Miss Alice Dowling, Junior High School, to be married.


Mrs. Lucille Coite, Peabody School, to stay at home.


Miss Barbara Brown, Kindergarten, to teach elsewhere.


Retirements


Miss Katie M. Hunt, Winslow School.


Mr. Edward T. Abely, Junior Building Custodian, Junior High School.


Mr. Frederick J. O'Connor, Senior Building Custodian, Callahan School.


Military Leave


Mr. Henry F. Fairbanks, Senior High School.


Transfers


Mr. Lloyd F. Schultz from Junior High School Art Department to Senior High School Art Department.


Miss Rita Mclaughlin, from Balch School to Division of Special Services.


Miss Patricia Shortall, from Callahan School Kindergarten to Division of Special Services.


Miss Alice O'Malley, from Callahan School to Balch School.


Miss Molly Fleming from Grade Six, Winslow School, to Grade Five


Miss Louise Nugent, from Balch School, Grade One, to Junior High School, Grade One.


Mr. Francis E. Nichols, from Junior High School to Winslow School, Junior Building Custodian.


Mr. Edward Campbell, from Winslow School to Callahan School, Senior Building Custodian.


Mr. James Meade, Junior Building Custodian, from Senior High School to Junior High School.


Miss Eleanor T. Sline, Junior High School and Senior High School Home Economics.


184


TOWN OF NORWOOD


Appointments


Miss Mary E. O'Neil, Junior High School, Languages.


Miss Patricia McDavitt, Junior High School, Home Economics.


Mr. Carl F. Lindgren, Junior High School Art Department. Mr. Robert E. Duke, Shattuck School, Grade 6. Mr. Francis Lambert, Winslow School, Grade 6. Mr. Robert Fox, Callahan School, Grade 5. Mr. Thomas A. White, Balch School, Grade 6.


Miss Margaret Riley, Balch School, Grade 4-5.


Mrs. Kathryn Paige, Balch School, Grade One. Mrs. Elizabeth Stowe, Shattuck School, Grade Two.


Miss Carolyn Stimson, Callahan School, Kindergarten.


Mrs. Aileen Lee, to Division of Special Services.


Mrs. Pauline Ficco, Winslow School, Temporary Teacher, Grade One.


Mr. James Curran, Junior Building Custodian, Senior High School.


Mr. Maurice J. Fitzgerald, Junior Building Custodian, Junior High School.


Miss Catherine McDonough, School Nurse.


Mrs. Doris Cullen, Grade 4-5 Callahan School, Temporary Teacher.


Resolution MISS KATIE M. HUNT


Whereas, Miss Katie M. Hunt has taught in the Public Schools of Norwood for thirty-six years, twenty-nine of them in the Winslow School, and has exerted an incalculable influence upon the lives of hundreds of children to whom she has ever been a guide and counselor,


RESOLVED, that 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 her accomplishments in the cause of Education.


NORWOOD SCHOOL COMMITTEE


June 21, 1950


Appreciation


We, Members of the Norwood School Committee, appreciate the willingness of the employees of the Norwood Schools in the performance, each according to his capacity to contribute, of the many and difficult tasks they have so generously undertaken.


JOHN F. REYNOLDS, Chairman THOMAS R. BOWLER JOHN J. COOK JOHN J. CAVANAUGH JOHN F. KILEY EDWARD H. THOMPSON


185


REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE


REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS


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


Another School Site


The Shattuck School is being filled rapidly. So, too, is the Winslow School. The situation is, by no means, alarming. However, considering, the rate of new development of housing areas in each of these districts, it is not difficult to foresee a situation in which we will find these schools crowded.


By redistricting or otherwise redistributing our enrollments, it may be that vacant rooms in the Balch and Junior High Schools will accomodate considerable surpluses of enrollments in these two school districts.


Notwithstanding, there is another large area of undeveloped land in Norwood, which, if fully, or nearly so, "built up" will surely require additional school housing facilities. It is the land west of the High School - Westover.


This past year, we have witnessed the electrifying pace at which housing areas have been taken by housing development operators,-so fast, even, as to surprise those who might otherwise be expected to plan for it, in meeting the anticipated needs of the services of the community.


Naturally, my concern is the need of school housing which must be satisfied if Westover is developed as rapidly as other areas have been.


I submit that it would be wise to take, in the near future, a site which may be reserved for school and play area, a parcel of land on, or close to Nichols Street, across from or just below the end of Fisher Street.


If a school were built in that location, it could relieve pressure, if created, upon the Shattuck and Winslow Schools, because of the need for more school housing to meet enrollment needs.


After this is done, one could, using a compass, and with the elementary school sites in Norwood as centers, draw circles of less than one mile radius covering practically all the housing areas of the Town, save the one or two areas for which such provision would not be practical.


Such a procedure, would, if conditions demand, and, if it seemed wise to do so, make possible the use of the Winslow School for the development of a Boys' Vocational School.


The rapidly increasing tempo at which the National Defense Program is building up may soon require postponement of action upon this proposal. On the other hand, inflationary tendencies may well indicate the desirability of early action. Naturally, no one would expect for some time, at least, new housing development in Westover. However-it is worth considerable thought and reflection.


Division of Special Services


This report would be incomplete if special mention were not made of our efforts to provide correction of a remediable defects among members of our total school population ranging from grades one to twelve.


186


TOWN OF NORWOOD


In other years we have had unassigned (so-to-speak) teachers who have assisted retarded children who were not performing at top level capacity because of defic- iencies in reading skills, speech, hearing and son on. These teachers have been doing most of their work in the elementary schools until this year.


Now, rather than being assigned to certain buildings, working under the direction of a particular principal, all such teachers are grouped in what we term the Division of Special Assistance.


Working cooperatively, the Misses Casey, Shortall, and Mclaughlin, and Mrs. Aileen Lee have nearly completed a survey of each our grades in all of our schools which is quite revealing. We are facing the facts that there are many children in our schools at all levels who need more special attention than they now receive.


Our lip reading program is complete. Our speech correction program leaves nothing to be desired. However, many of our children are not reading as well as might be expected if they could have the benefit of individual instruction which a teacher with a large class of pupils is unable to provide.


We are going to attack this problem forthwith.


In addition to School Committee authorization to procure an additional remedial reading teacher, I have arranged for a course which will start in February for Norwood teachers only, given by Professor Niles of Boston University and designed to assist all teachers from grades four through twelve in improving their capacity to teach reading to all pupils in all grades and subjects.


Moreover, I have arranged with authorities of the Harvard-Boston University Extension Service to provide for us the professional services of Professor Pronovost who, next fall, will assist our teachers in mastery of the techniques of good speech teaching.


One who is familiar with the problem will readily see the inter-relationships of speech, reading, and general school adjustment.


Social Studies


This year, we have replaced the Rugg Social Science Program with which we have been working successfully for several years. The program has not been brought up-to-date,-in fact it is no longer printed. Our new integrated Social Science series is known by the title "Tiegs-Adams". Our teachers chose this from a variety of offerings in the field and the School Committee has authorized the change.


War - Again?


Practically all of our High School pupils were born during the depression,- were old enough to feel the effects of the great World War II and now-we do not know what we are facing-nor do they. They will, however, I am sure, adjust to the shocks of the impact to which they may be subjected. However,-consider the perplexing situation in which these young people find themselves.


It is too much to ask that all,-but we pray that most will establish for them- selves enduring goals upon which they will be able to keep "raised sights"."


Let us hope that our teachers can face this crisis in the lives of those upon whom we will have to depend in the future and, spurred on by the challenge, give


187


REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE


to these young people every help in leadership and encouragement that can be provided through human ingenuity and effort.


Conclusion


May I take this opportunity to express to our new teachers a word of welcome and satisfaction, to our older teachers and other co-workers a word of gratitude and to the School Committee, a word of appreciation for the helpful support and encouragement which has been given me.


LINCOLN D. LYNCH, Superintendent of Schools


188


TOWN OF NORWOOD


TABLE I


SCHOOL DEPARTMENT RECEIPTS*


Tuition:


Received 1950


City of Boston & Commonwealth of Massachusetts


$ 15,665.26


Anticipated 1951 $ 15,000.00 7,500.00


Other Municipalities - Vocational


7,633.96


State Reimbursement:


Vocational Schools


24,725.97


25,000.00


State Support, Chapter 70


51,264.28


51,200.00


Federal Reimbursement:


George-Barden, Smith-Hughes Fund


1,658.28


1,650.00


H. O. Peabody Income Account


22,731.79


22,000.00


Sales - Work & Products:


Girls' Vocational School


4,551.17


4,000.00


Boys' Vocational School


1,089.35


1,000.00


School Janitor Service


780.63


800.00


School Hall Rentals


617.00


650.00


Miscellaneous:


Instruction Supplies


14.37


15.00


Practical Arts


131.86


125.00


Textbooks


87.34


75.00


Telephone Calls


13.53


15.00


Junk


17.95


10.00


Fire Insurance Claim


750.00


$131,732.74


$129,040.00


* Not included are receipts on account of lunch counter operation or athletics. New legislation requires that henceforth these accounts are to be handled as revolving funds.


TABLE II TEACHERS EMPLOYED


Sept. 1941


Sept. 1942


Sept. 1943


Sept. 1944


Sept. 1945


Sept. 1946


Sept. 1947


Sept. 1948


Sept. 1949


Sept. 1950


Senior High


35


33


28


28


28*


33*


32*


32*


32*


32 1/2 *


Vocational-HOP


8


11


13 **


14 **


12 **


12 **


12 **


12 **


1212 * *


Junior High


30


30


28


27


26


25


25


24


24


231/2 * *


Elementary


47


42


40


42


41


41


40


40


40


40


Kindergarten


4


4 1/2


4


Specials


3


3


3


3


3


3


3


3


3


71


* Includes equivalent of three Boys' Vocational School and part-time Home Economics teacher.


** Includes one part-time teacher.


ยก Includes Supervisor of Music, Supervisor of Art, Instructor of Instrumental Music, and Division of Special Services (4).


REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE


189


190


TABLE III


ENROLLMENT FOR TEN-YEAR PERIOD (June enrollments)


Year


Kindergarten


Elementary


Junior High


Senior High


Boys


Vocational Girls


Total


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


455


17


114


2,047


1946-47


932


458


502


27


123


2,042


1947-48


903


454


517


23


90


1,987


1948-49


197


962


430


495


29


84


2,197


1949-50


194


1,011


416


516


30


77


2,244


....


....


....


TOWN OF NORWOOD


TABLE IV SCHOOL POPULATION TRENDS


JHS


Year


Balch Callahan Shattuck


West


Winslow Gr. I


TOTAL KD .*


Total Elem.


Junior High


Senior High


Vocational Boys


Ttl All Schools


1941-42


317


219


219


53


222


...


1,030


581


700


2,311


1942-43


315


212


227


51


200


1,005


571


580


67


2,223


1943-44


269


219


223


56


199


966


553


534


96


2,149


1944-45


259


209


228


54


189


939


540


492


109


2,080


1945-46


241


217


233


49


222


962


507


490


17


113


2,089


1946-47


249


216


217


50


205


937


473


513


27


111


2,062


1947-48


268


204


229


46


185


932


458


527


26


97


2,040


1948-49


325


269


290


51


254


215*


1,189


437


529


29


90


2,265


1949-50


337


287


278


47


255


199*


1,204


417


521


31


78


2,251


1950-51


347


307


252


42


265


22


176*


1,235


419


503


30


82


2,269


...


* Included in totals under elementary school enrollments.


191


REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE


Girls


...


...


...


...


192


TOWN OF NORWOOD


REPORT OF THE PRINCIPAL OF THE NORWOOD SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL


I have the honor to present my fifth annual report as Principal of the Senior High School.


At this without doubt the most critical period in our national existence, it is believed that society can look to its youth with high hopes and abiding confidence. In our own typical community, never have we found our young people more anxious to cooperate with school authorities, never more understanding of the democratic ideal, never more concerned with reaching significant levels of achieve- ment in living the American way. This indeed augurs well for the future and in these difficult days should bring a measure of assurance and consolation to all of us.


Some of the efforts of the School during the past year to promote these desirable outcomes are indicated below.


In Retrospect


1. The oldest of the evaluative criteria customarily applied to the typical high school has been the measure of its success in college preparation. In this particular, there is, of course, no question about the adequacy of the instruction available in Norwood. A long record of unbroken success in college entrance preparation is eloquent to attest to the outstanding skill of our teachers. Yet all teachers recognize that in the schools of a democracy there should be much even for those who expect to go to college over, above, and beyond academic preparation for further study. The modern school is an overall experience in living-living here and now in a specially controlled environment into which the personal and social virtues of tomrrow's society have been projected. One of its chief aims must be to teach all students the significance of and an appreciation for democracy-through living democratically. The modern curriculum present hundreds of classroom and non- classroom experiences designed to promote through activity student growth in personality, in understandings, in attitudes, and in adjustments, all in accord with the democratic ideal. Within the year just past, the signifcance of the modern high school as a functional phase of democratic living for all students, college and non- college alike, has been increasingly recognized, and the activity of the School has been increasingly directed within the framework of this philosophy.


2. Last spring for the first time at the Senior High School, professional remedial help was made available for those students with critical deficiencies in reading skills. In addition, in the early fall a testing program was undertaken to identify those Senior High School students who had speech defects. Special corrective training in speech has been provided for these young people twice each week during recent months. These are problems of considerable proportions. It is generally recognized that substantial numbers of high school students here as else- where are seriously handicapped because of deficiencies in reading and/or in speech. It is, therefore, a pleasure to announce that appropriate remedial services are now being provided in these cases and that many Senior High School students are now receiving help in these areas in which normal competence is outstandingly important to them both as individuals and as contributing members of society.


193


REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE


3. For several years English teachers and others have expressed concern over the fact that some students in our secondary schools approach graduation with less than minimum satisfactory competence in basic English. The observation has also been made that because of the losses resulting from disuse and consequent forget- ting, students in the upper level of the secondary school sometimes have less computational facility than was undoubtedly theirs in the eighth grade.


To meet these conditions to the limited degree to which they obtain in our own School, during the year just past new emphasis has been given to reviewing fundamental processes. Mention has already been made of the special remedial help which is now available for those with deficiencies in reading and in speech. In addition through faculty meetings and conferences, every effort is being made to translate into the realia of our school life the idea that all teachers in the School are in a sense English teachers. Similarly with regard to arithmetic, teachers of all subjects whenever feasible now stress the computational derivatives of each learning situation.


Finally during the coming spring, it is planned to administer a standardized test in arithmetic to all members of the Junior Class. Those who fail to demon- strate a satisfactory competence in arithmetic will be strongly urged to elect Mathematics for the Consumer as one of their twelfth grade subjects.


4. On the evening of April twenty-sixth, the first Science Fair in the history of the School was held in the gymnasium. On this occasion, thirty-two different students presented for the inspection of classmates and grown-ups the particular science projects with which they individually had been concerned during the year. The large number who attended this activity were, I believe, much impressed with the excellent work being done through our Science Department. At the same time, by their presence and interest, visitors brought new motivation to the young partici- pants. Science students and their teachers should feel very proud of our first Science Fair.


5. The first Parents' Night, at least in the recent history of the School, was held on the evening of May 4, 1950. On this occasion, parents came to school- students stayed home. Visitors were able to follow abbreviated time schedules of individual students and to hear in each of the rooms visited an explanation by the teacher of the educational objectives and learning experiences of that particular class. At this meeting, steps were also taken to form a Parent Teachers Association at the Senior High School. On November 20, 1950, the first P.T.A. meeting was held. It is believed that this organization will make possible better school-home relationships to the ultimate benefit of our young people. Parents and teachers alike have high hopes for its success.


6. Following are sonie additional activities which should be mentioned as indicative of the experiences which constituted the total School Curriculum during the year:


a. Periodic book reviews by members of the Public Library Staff were again presented for our students.


b. The Senior Year Book of the Class of 1950 was awarded second prize in the annual National Competition conducted by Columbia University. The book was also awarded second prize by the New Eugland Scholastic Press Association at Boston University.


194


TOWN OF NORWOOD


c. The very comprehensive and diversified weekly assembly program at the Senior High School was continued. Assemblies were planned through the Student Assembly Committee and conducted almost entirely by student representatives of this committee.


d. During the year, a record number of students received their driving licenses through our Driver Training Program.


e. Students enthusiastically supported the athletic program at the High School under a new membership plan for the year 1950-51. Three hundred and forty-five students paid annual membership dues in the High School Athletic Association.


f. For the first time, a Bulletin Board Committee was appointed by the Student Council to take over the supervision and arrangement of all displays and exhibits on the corridor bulletin boards. Through this Committee, new and advanced standards of artistic arrangement and display were made possible.


g. Through the testing service of the B. U. Division of School and College Relations, comprehensive individual test profiles for all Juniors and Seniors were again made available for Guidance.


h. The Student Council and the Senior and Junior Class Councils afforded outstanding opportunities for experiences in orderly democratic procedure. On several occasions during the year, members of our Student Council were invited to lead group discussions at Regional and State Meetings.


i. Our annual Christmas pageant, designed to portray with prayerful rever- ence and respect the true spirit of Christmas, was again presented during the Christmas Season by the Sophomore Class.


STATISTICS


Table I Enrollment as of October 1, 1950


12 grade


High School


64


67


131


Vocational School


5


5


11th grade


High School


87


104


191


Vocational School


12


....


12


10th grade


High School


79


101


180


Vocational School


10


...


10


9th grade


Vocational School


4


....


4


Unclassified


1


1


Total


534


195


REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE


Table II


Estimated Enrollment as of September 1951


Number of Pupils


To be Seniors


163


To be Juniors


170


To be Sophomores


180


To be in Boys' Vocational


30


Total


543


Personnel


But one significant change in personnel has taken place during the year. Miss Catherine A. Coleman because of the pressure of teaching duties asked to be re- lieved of her assignment in connection with dramatics coincident with the close of school in June. This request was granted by the School Committee. Miss Coleman's painstaking and tireless efforts were reflected in the excellence of the dramatic productions with which she was concerned.


The Senior Play which was staged in December was capably coached by Mrs. James A. Dunn. It is hoped that we may be equally fortunate in securing coaching assistance for the Senior Operetta which is customarily presented in the spring.


Recommendations


All our needs are known to Superintendent Lynch. The following statements merely suggest some of the improvements which when financially feasible will in our opinion contribute to the instructional accomplishment at the School.


1. The School library should be rearranged and redecorated. Library reference material should be brought up to standards acceptable to approving agencies.


2. Better lighting facilities should be installed in our gymnasium particularly if night basketball games are to be played at the Senior High School.


3. Additional instructional time should be made available for remedial reading.


4. The School cafeteria should be redecorated.


5. The present antiquated intrabuilding communication system should be mod- ernized.


In Conclusion


Whether free democratic society as we know it is to survive in our country or the shackles of a totalitarian ideology are to be forged for all of us may well depend in the last analysis on how thoroughly our citizens comprehend and how dearly they cherish the American way of life.


To Superintendent Lynch, to the School Committee, and to all others who have in countless ways during the year helped us to translate more fully the con- cept of democratic living into our daily school life, we are indeed grateful.


This report will close with a statement of those seniors who last June received special honors at graduation and with the program of the 1950 graduation exercises.


CHARLES A. HAYDEN.


196


TOWN OF NORWOOD


Graduation Awards


Herbert M. Plimpton Art Prize-Joyce Johnson, William Curran.


Berwick English Prize-Jean Eisnor.


Leighton Sumner Thompson Memorial Trophies-Lenore Dixon, Frank Mala- caria.


Washington and Franklin Award, Sons of the American Revolution-Joseph McCue.


Teachers' Club Scholarship-Ruth Gnerre.


Norwood Women's Club Scholarship-Jean Eisnor.


High School Scholarship Awards - Jean Davis, Barbara Hawkes, Patricia O'Grady, Dorothy Pungitore, Dorothy Hefferan, Jean Charron.




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