USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Norwood > Norwood annual report 1948-1950 > Part 58
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I wish to express my appreciation to the Norwood School Committee; to Mr. Lincoln D. Lynch, Superintendent of Schools; and to Mr. Paul Salsgiver, Educa- tional Adviser to the Trustees of the Henry O. Peabody Fund, Incorporated, for their support in making another year a success. May I also include those . friends of the School whose faith and friendship is ever heartening.
BLANCHE L. MARCIONETTE
209
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF HOME ECONOMICS
I herewith present a report on Home Economics Education in the Norwood schools for the year ending December 31, 1950.
Complete Homemaking Education
The tendency today is to use the entire life of the home and family as a core for the Home Economics program. Our prime objective, therefore, should be to familiarize our pupils with the creation and direction of efficient and satisfying homes. Whatever we expect of our homemaking pupils, whether it be to master skills or preside at social functions we must provide suitable physical set-up to these ends, keep them modernized and in condition to function. Provision must be made for carrying on a logical balance among the various activities of house- keeping and homemaking. We must provide actual experiences in ALL tasks and ALL phases of home management, for continuity of the work and cooperation in carrying it on.
Particularly in our more advanced courses in Senior High School we are trying to arouse interest and desire for the better and lasting things in life. Our "Youth Problems", "Gracious Living" and "Family Living" courses offer material directly leading to the establishment of better homes and we attempt to keep the pupil in the atmosphere and spirit of the home itself. When girls say, as frequently hap- pens "We don't feel as though we are in school-it's just like home," we know that we have created the feeling of "living together" which we are trying to have per- meate our classes. We have an able group of well-trained, experienced Home Eco- nomics teachers who have these objectives at heart and who hope to be of influence in guiding our pupils toward right thinking in order that they may develop mature. healthy, positive attitudes towards successful partnership in establishing strong and satisfying homes. Our courses are geared to the readiness of the pupils. Much subject matter is selected from questions which teen-agers ask covering prob- lems which perplex them. Topics for consideration are chosen wholly by the evi- dence of their need and acceptibility.
We feel that we are meeting the challenge of Home Economics Education in a modern world.
Home Economics News
1. Our First "Family Living" Class.
The year 19499-50 saw the beginnings of our long-desired objective, viz., to form an advanced class in Homemaking for the more mature pupils-an ambition finally realized. To the Senior girls who pioneered with us in grounding this course goes all our appreciation for their determination, interest and loyalty. This group of enjoyable, enthusiastic girls are to be congratulated for carrying through a most effective program of work, for the ideals they established for their own homes and for emerging under many odds with high standards and appreciation of home- life at its best and the determination and ambition to aim for these ideals. We have not worked for years with a more cooperative, sympathetic group of girls who loved what we were accomplishing together and radiated a spirit which can only result in better homes for America, wherever these girls find themselves.
Since it is the ambition of our Home Economics faculty to really function in the lives of our girls it has been most gratifying to have them visit us from time to time
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TOWN OF NORWOOD
and graciously tell us how much they valued our Family Living course and how much it has already meant to them. Consequently, this course is deserving of more recognition, should be evaluated as an indispensible climax to a complete pro- gram of Home Economics. Based upon its own merits, "Family Living" should become and remain a major course, open to all who desire to enroll.
2. Our Mother-Daughter Tea.
In the spring of the year our Home Economics "Family" (the members of the Family Living class) entertained their mothers and friends at a Tea sponsored and carried out by themselves in our Family Living room at Senior High School, -- such a happy time for everyone who attended! Delicious refreshments were pre- pared and served by our young hostesses,-and the excellent flash pictures taken by the Photography Club to commemorate the occasion! It was a happy and worth- while event and the mothers were delighted with the accomplishments of their daughters as well as the pleasant social afternoon.
3. The Meeting of Norfolk County Home Economics Teachers.
This meeting, held in connection with the annual Teachers' Convention, in our department rooms at Senior High School was inspiring and well-attended by a group of thirty Home Economics Teachers from neighboring towns. The group was delighted with our physical set-up, most generous in their evaluation of our Home Economics program and most appreciative of the efforts evidenced to make our department really a "home" for our pupils.
4. Graduation-1950.
A member of our Family Living Class, Miss Josephine DeRose. received the award for excellence in Home Economics given by the Norwood Mothers' Club. The honor was genuinely earned. The generosity of the Mothers' Club in recog- nizing proficiency in homemaking in this manner is stimulating and leads to higher endeavor toward the best possible accomplishment.
5. Teaching Personnel.
Miss Alice Dowling resigned in August to be married. Miss Patricia McDavitt of Norwood was assigned to carry on Home Economics in Junior High School together with other assignments. Miss Eleanor Sline was assigned to both Junior and Senior High School this year and is ably conducting classes in "Youth Prob- lems" at Senior High in addition to her usual Home Economics classes at Junior High School.
6. Major Problems in Home Economics Accomplishment.
a. The problem of a suitable standard for size of Home Economics classes is now a topic for discussion wherever Home Economics educators meet. In classes that are over-crowded pupils cannot receive a reasonable degree of personal help with consequent inattention, lack of interest and finally lack of industry, general unhappiness and decided drop in standards of work.
b. Lack of previous preparation in Home Economics basic skills is most pro- nounced. When pupils arrive at our Senior High School teachers find themselves teaching fundamentals while at the same time trying to raise the grade of work done to a reasonable High School standard. Our high school pupils show a definite lack of experience in technical skills. This has lowered the standard of creative work that can be done in the more advanced classes.
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
7. At both Junior and Senior high schools our original sewing machines have been replaced and we are now fullly equipped with modern Singer electric machines. A new ice chest has replaced the old one at Junior High School. This is a start in the direction of replacing equipment which has served its purpose and lasted sur- prisingly well.
Recommendations for 1951
1. Apropos of mention of lack of basic training in Home Economics, I recom- mend that 5th and 6th grade girls be given organized Homemaking instruction, returning to our former practise in this respect.
2. I recommend reorganization of the program of Home Economics in Junior High School, with more time devoted to the subject. There is need of expansion of the program at this level.
3. At Junior High School a room should be set apart for our use where we may create a home atmosphere for homemaking practises. This would add much to the effectiveness of our instruction. Details for completion of such a project have been worked out and I recommend the completion of this project.
4. The cafeteria at Senior High School needs redecoration to establish its right- ful position as a pleasant place to gather for eating. Now used for many activities it does not meet the requirements of a modern, healthful or attractive cafeteria. A cost of colorful paint, a little carpentry here and there and a now dull and unin- teresting room could be brought to life with a consequent spirit which could add much to the happiness and morale of all concerned. I recommend complete reno- vation of the lunchroom, with addition of a deep freeze and milk storage unit for better handling of food.
5. Modernization of the Food laboratory at Senior High. This room contains all of the original equipment in respect to utensils, gas stoves, refrigerator, cup- boards, chairs. Some of this is inadequate and much of it out-dated. These facili- ties should be improved and brought up to modern standards. In both food laboratories, Junior as well as Senior High, our pupils should be given the oppor- tunity to work with modern household utensils and gadgets.
IN APPRECIATION:
Once again I wish to thank the Norwood School Committee, administrators, our business associates, members of the department, cafeteria workers and all who ha,e contributed to the successful functioning of this department.
AGNES M. BRIDGES.
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TOWN OF NORWOOD
REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF GUIDANCE AND PLACEMENT
Herewith, I submit my fifth annual report as Director of Guidance and Placement.
Guidance
It is satisfying to note the continuing growth of the justified recognition that is being given to the importance of guidance in our educational systems.
Just a few short years ago, the guidance movement was in its infancy. Today, according to a survey made by the Department of Education of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, eighty-one per cent of the high schools of the state have guidance programs. The same survey also shows that guidance services are being increas- ingly extended to the junior high and elementary grades.
In the school system of Norwood, we continue to offer our many guidance serv- ices along the lines of the pattern described in our prior annual reports, but al- ways trying to be alert to ways in which these services may be improved.
Occupational Information
During the early part of 1950, a series of group meetings was held to convey occupational information to students of the senior high school. These meetings, conducted once a week over an extended period, covered broad occupational areas.
Some of the topics discussed were: "Work In Industry"; "Work As a Salesman"; "Work In Professions"; "Work In Offices"; "Educational and Vocational Oppor- tunities in the Armed Forces of the United States"; 'How To Choose A School or College"; "Home To Secure Summer Work"; and "How To Apply For Employ- ment".
Speakers at these meetings were men and women, leaders in their fields of work, who graciously contributed of their time and talent without receiving any mone- tary compensation for the help they give us.
Placement
It was a pleasure to be able to help some seventy-five boys and girls to secure either permanent or part-time employment during the past year. Of the present classes in the senior high school, fifty-one per cent of the seniors, fifty-five per cent of the juniors, and thirty-six per cent of the sophomores reported that they engaged in some type of part-time work.
In view of the vast defense program now getting underway in industry, the requests for high school students to help out through part-time employment will probably increase greatly.
We extend our gratitude to the many employers who give our students the opportunity to gain valuable work experience.
Follow-Up
A follow-up of the 165 graduates of the Norwood Senior High School Class of 1950 showed the following distribution: (Does not include Boys' Vocational School, or Henry O. Peabody School graduates.)
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Per Cent
Number
of Class
Attending School or College
64
38.8
Employed
92
55.8
Married
2
1.2
In Armed Services of United States
7
4.2
Of the sixty-four members of the Class attending school or college on a full-time basis, the distribution was as follows:
Number
Type of School or College
Enrolled
Per Cent of Class
Four Year College
33
20.0
Junior College
3
1.8
Business or Accounting (Less than four years)
14
8.5
Schools of Nursing
8
4.9
Preparatory Schools
2
1.2
Post Graduates
1
.6
Miscellaneous
3
1.8
A broad classification of the number of members of the Class employed, shows the following distribution:
Type of Employment
Number Employed
Per Cent of Class
Industrial
32
19.4
Secretarial, Stenographic, Clerical
25
15.2
Sales and Distribution
18
11.0
Construction and Building Trades
8
4.9
Telephone Operators
7
4.2
Cooks
2
1.2
Conclusion
In these perilous times of world complexity all of us, particularly the home, the school, and the church, are faced with great responsibilities in our endeavor to furnish effective guidance for youth. Through continued cooperative effort, much can be accomplished in meeting the challenges presented.
Sincere thanks are extended to our School Committee, Mr. Lynch, Mr. Hayden, and all who have helped the Guidance Department.
D. VINCENT KENEFICK.
REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF MUSIC
Submitted herewith is the annual report of the Music Department for the year ending December 31, 1950.
Objectives
Besides the various aims already mentioned in previous reports, the music course now in force is also planned to provide definite opportunities for participation in and beyond school and to increase the enjoyment of music by the community as a whole.
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TOWN OF NORWOOD
Procedure
While there is a place for pure enjoyment in education, it would be wrong to allow mere recreation to supplant serious study. Therefore in the lower grades, the children are trained to read notes and understand theoretical rules.
In the upper grades, we teach them an appreciation of what these notes stand for and what prompted the composer to write them.
When the students learn the thought behind the composition, the reading of notes becomes more attractive and hard work a pleasure.
Elementary Schools
In several schools, worn out and out of print music readers have been replaced by a new series. The loss of the Music Assistant is still being felt by the pupils, parents, and teachers who had occasion to view and hear the work done in rhythm and song.
Junior High School
The fact that the classes meet only once a week, and in some cases less often, has slowed the progress of music in this School. This condition has been mentioned in all previous reports since the year when the time allotted for music was cut in half.
Senior High School
In order to offset the condition reported above and to satisfy the demand for more musical activities by the students, I have added the following classes to my regular schedule:
a. An instrumental ensemble in the Junior High School
b. A Junior-Senior Glee Club
c. A Sophomore Glee Club.
So far, the Senior Glee Club has appeared with great success on the following occasions: Chamber of Commerce Night, Norfolk County Teachers Convention, Assembly, and Parent-Teacher Meeting.
The Sophomore Glee Club made their first appearance at the Christmas Assembly.
One of the outstanding features of the year was the rendition of the musical comedy THE GYPSY ROVER in which the majority of the Senior students took part.
While other groups would like to get together, time and space are lacking.
I have suggested after-school time, but owing to outside work, make-up, and other things, many students would be unable to attend.
Conclusion
I wish to take this opportunity to express my sincere appreciation of the help- ful interest and cooperation of all who have aided in the work of this department.
J. V. DETHIER.
215
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION
The report of the Physical Education Department for the Year ending December 31, 1950, is respectfully submitted.
Physical Education Program
Senior High School -- Boys
An integrated program of physical education that included calisthenics, group correctives, apparatus, badminton, marching, and some posturre work.
The athletic program consisted of the following sports: Varsity Football, Junior Varsity Football, Varsity Basketball, Junior Varsity Basketball, Intramural Basket- ball, Hockey, Indoor and Outdoor Track, Golf, Varsity Baseball, Junior Varsity Baseball, Tennis-Boys, Tennis-Girls.
The intramural basketball program was run between football and basketball . and again between the basketball and baseball seasons. This program is run for those boys who do not take part in varsity basketball. There is a great deal of in- terest in this program. We have as many as one hundred to one hundred and twenty boys taking part in this program. A more extensive intramural program could be run during the football and baseball seasons for those boys who do not take part in those sports.
The basketball team played fourteen games in competition with Bay State League teams and had a very successful year. We lost our first two games by a very close score and then won ten of our next twelve games. The boys improved with every game. The Junior Varsity also played a fourteen game schedule and gained quite a bit of experience.
Varsity Hockey under the supervision of Mr. William Hagblom enjoyed one of its most successful seasons. Practice sessions were held in the Skating Club, the Bos- ton Arena, Boston Garden, and the Arena in Providence, Rhode Island.
Indoor Track under Coach Stanley Fisher held matches with Natick and Ded- ham. They also took part in the Northeastern Interscholastics, the Greater Boston Meet, and the State Championships. The Outdoor season consisted of dual meets with Natick, Framingham, Walpole, Needham, and Foxboro. The final State Meet was held at White Stadium in Franklin Park. The boys performed well.
Boys' Tennis was held during the months of May and June with home and home matches with Boston College High, Dedham, Needham, Wellesley, and Westwood.
The Varsity baseball team played fourteen games in the Bay State League. Our record was not impressive from the standpoint of winning games, but I feel that the boys, most of them first year men, gained quite a bit of experience and should do better this coming year.
The Junior varsity schedule was curtailed because of financial reasons, and the results were not too encouraging. Because of the above, we were not able to keep the interest of the boys at a high level. Every boy wants to play games with outside teams. When you take that away from them, they lose all interest.
The Golf Team competed as in the past in the Norfolk County High School Golf league. The teams in the league are as follows: Dedham, Needham, Walpole, North Quincy, and Quincy. All home inatches were held at Ponkapoag Golf Club.
The first football meeting was held August twenty-eight at the Senior High School. The first few days were devoted to organization, such as doctor examina-
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TOWN OF NORWOOD
tions, giving out equipment, and assigning lockers. Actual practice got under way on September first. My Assistant Coaches were: Mr. Edward Clasby, who resigned two weeks later to continue graduate work at Boston College, and Mr. Paul V. Clark. Mr. William Donovan, former Norwood High School athlete, replaced Mr. Clasby, and he did a wonderful job.
Our record was not impressive in the win column, but we fellt the boys always gave a very good account of themselves.
If we are to continue football on the same level as our neighboring schools, I feel we should have football in the ninth grade under proper supervision. We must also enlarge our Junior Varsity program and have a regular schedule for that group.
Senior High School-Girls
This program under the supervision of Miss Erna Kiley included corrective ex- ยท ervices, apparatus, badminton, marching, dancing, games, and group posture work.
The after-school athletic program consists of basketball, archery, tennis. The girls' basketball team played a schedule of five games with teams from neighboring towns. The intramural program was run before and after the regular basketball schedule.
The girls' tennis team reported in the gymnasium to Miss Ruth Johngren. Instruction and practice continued indoors until warmer weather made the use of the courts available. The held matches with teams from neighboring towns.
Junior High School-Girls
The Girls' Physical Education Department, under the direction of Miss Ellen Gifford, consists of corrective exercises, apparatus, marching, dancing, hiking, games, and posture work.
An extensive after-school program is carried out in games such as tennis, tenni- quoit, volley ball, badminton, and basketball.
Junior High School --- Boys
The program under the supervision of Mr. John Dixon consists of calisthenics, marching, apparatus, health hints, group games, social dancing, and a sports club.
The Athletic program consists of the following: Varsity basketball, Varsity base- ball, Intramural basketball, baseball, and touch football.
Health and Hygiene Education
Health education classes are organized in the Sophomore classes for boys and girls, while classes in hygiene are given weekly to Senior High School boys and girls.
The general objectives of the health program are: To improve the general con- dition of the individual so that he may function normally, may avoid disease, and may fit himself for his life work; to develop in the pupils an interest in good body mechanics through self-appraisal and group judgment.
Conclusion
I sincerely thank the Superintendent of Schools, School Committee, faculty, and Physical Education Department for their splendid cooperation and assistance this past year in aiding me to realize the aims and objectives of our physical education program.
ORLANDO M. SCAFATI
217
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISING SCHOOL NURSE
The annual report of The Health Department is herewith submitted.
School medical services in America had their start in Boston in 1894 and in New York in 1897. The chief reason for their establishment was fear, and rightly so, of contagious diseases. Little was expected of the earliest medical services in the school. To inspect and exclude children from school who showed signs of contagious disease was their accomplished purpose.
As years passed, science advanced in its battle against disease to the end that their incidence was tremendously reduced and in some instances completely eradi- cated. We have develop a newer approach and concept. We realize now that there are many other crippling conditions which handicap the school child (poor vision, loss of hearing, orthopedic anomalies, cardiac disease, mental and emotional adjust- ments) which would not have been discovered in the old type routine examination used at the start of the twentieth century. A health examination revealing a bad health problem which leads to nothing but a notice to the parent is wasted effort. Close follow-up for effective remedial work is essential.
We know a great deal more about curing and preventing illness, but we still do not know enough to do as good a job as we would like to do. We are justly proud of the progress made since the school medical services were established. School years are the healthiest periods of life. We have new drugs to combat and eliminate in- fection; to give relief to the asthmatic child, and to control the epileptic. Surgery has given the child with a congenital heart disease an opportunity to lead a normal life. Dental caries have been reduced 40 per cent with the use of fluorine. We have a newer understanding of the physical and emotional growth of the normal child. We know how to help children avoid some serious behavior problems. Despite all this, both educators and medical workers are still confronted with children with physical and emotional health problems which for the present cannot be solved.
"Our national health and strength is much like a stand of tall timber. We can- not take from them more than we plant without imperiling our survival. We must summon all our talents, all our wisdom in education and in medicine to build sturdy mental and physical health for all our children."
Physical Examinations
The physical examinations of all children from Kindergarten through Senior High have been done by the School Physicians, Dr. George R. Allen and Harriet E. Rogers. Parents have been notified of defects found and advised to consult fam- ily physicians for the necessary treatment and correction.
A marked increase in postural defects in children in the elementary grades was noted. Many had prominent hips and scoliosis of varying degrees of severity. The actual cause for this increase in postural defects is debatable, but every effort is being made to overcome possible causes. Special attention has been given to the adjustment of school furniture. Parents, teachers, and nurses have been carrying on a concerted effort to correct the handicap. Miss Ellen Gifford, Junior High Physical Education teacher, has helped several mothers in setting up corrective exercise schedules in the home. None of this work can accomplish th same effective results as did the carefully executed Corrective Posture Program carried on in the element-
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