USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Norwood > Norwood annual report 1954-1956 > Part 21
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A revision of our Art Curricula is in progress and is expected to be in its published state for our next school year.
We are happy to welcome back our colleague, Mr. Lloyd Schultz, of the High School Art Department, who spent last year studying at the School of Design, Illinois Institute of Technology.
Conclusion
May I take this oportunity to express by sincere appreciation to all our Ele- mentary School teachers whose classroom efforts in the work of this department reflect a consciencious endeavor.
And to our Principals, Mr. Lynch, and the School Committee, my thanks for that friendly and understanding attitude which makes our town such a fine place to live and teach in.
WALTER E. LUNSMAN
REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF MUSIC
It gives me great pleasure to submit my second annual report as Director of Music in the Norwood Public Schools.
In our schools, we are trying to give a varied and well balanced program in music education. Music is relaxing, exciting, slow, fast, smooth, loud, soft, and it can express any mood, or describe any situation. Glad or sad, there is music to express it. This is the idea that we are trying to establish in the minds of our girls and boys.
This concept of "music everywhere" is advanced through our classes in singing, playing, listening, and creating. Some of the outlets for music in our schools are classroom singing, assemblies, instrumental classes, rhythm bands, flute classes, boys, girls and mixed glee clubs, bands, orchestras, harmony classes, music appreciation classes, voice training classes, and large and small vocal and instrumental ensembles.
Every child in our school system takes part in musical activities. Music is required in all grades up through the ninth. These classes include singing and theory, and in addition in grades one and two there are rhythm bands, and in grade three melody flutes are introduced.
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
In grades four, five, and six, instrumental lessons may be taken by interested pupils. These band and orchestral instrument lessons are free of charge and are held each week during the regular school day. All instruction on these instruments is given by Mr. Farnham. Instrumental instruction is also available in the Junior High School and the High School.
One of the outstanding events of the past year was the production of "Hansel and Gretel", put on by the combined efforts of Mr. Napoleone's Junior High Ele- mentary Unit, Mr. Lunsman's Art Department, and Mrs. Ashley's Music Classes.
In the Junior High School music classes the musical horizon is broadened con- siderably. In addition to the singing, (unison, two and three parts), the course in- cludes listening, history, appreciation, and creating. Special studies are made of the instruments of the symphony orchestra, including how they are made, played, and used.
In High School, the classes are entirely on an elective basis, and are more specialized. Harmony I introduces two, three, and four part harmony, while Har- mony II utilizes work done in the previous year, and simple tunes are actually harmonized.
Voice Training I stresses good part and unison singing, diction, and tone, while Voice Training II does likewise, but also includes solo work, voice placement, and better breath control.
We have three hands and three orchestras in our system. The first of each is made up of elementary school pupils. (Each school has its own ensemble group, but they could not necessarily be called bands and orchestras.) The main ele- mentary band and orchestra are composed of pupils from each school and they usually rehearse at the Junior High band room.
The Junior High band and orchestra play for assemblies at their own school and for some outside affairs.
The High School band plays for all football games, in the Veterans' Day and Memorial Day parades, at assemblies, at festivals, and at other concerts and parades.
The Band made four out-of-town trips this past year, in addition to the out-of- town football games. The four trips were: to Southbridge, for a joint concert; to Wrentham, for a concert by the United States Marine Band; to Fall River, for the Southeastern Music Festival; and to Hampton, New Hampshire, where our band presented a concert at Hampton High School, and one at Benson's Wild Animal Farm, Bedford, New Hampshire, the next day.
Our Spring Festival of Music was in keeping with our policy of "music for everyone". Every child in grades one through six in all public elementary schools took part in the program. Because of the large number of children involved, a single concert was not advisable or possible. As a result each school had a com- plete program all its own, but paralleling the others, and the elementary band and orchestra played for all six programs. The Callahan School and the Balch School held their programs in their own buildings, while the Shattuck, Winslow, and Junior High Elementary Unit had their programs at the Junior High School Auditorium. The Festival at the Balch School was divided into two sections: the primary grades and the intermediate grades. All programs were well attended and
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TOWN OF NORWOOD
the caliber of work demonstrated was due in no small part to the untiring efforts of the classroom teachers and the pupils themselves.
On the High School level, the spirit of "music for all" was in evidence at the Senior Operetta, "Harmony Hall". Any senior who wished to sing was welcomed into the chorus. The principals were chosen through an audition, and again the auditions were open to all who wished to try-out.
In the period from September to December 1954, the High School Band and Orchestra, and the Junior High Band have made a total of thirty-one public ap- pearances, (including assemblies).
Last year we had only one boy accepted to play in the Massachusetts All-State Band at Worcester. This coming year, I am happy to announce, we will have six students representing Norwood High. There will be one in the orchestra, two in the band, and three in the chorus. The concert by these three groups will take place in Symphony Hall, Boston, during the February vacation.
The High School Orchestra plays for most assemblies, the Senior Play, Gradua- tion, at concerts and other events.
For those interested in beginning piano, classes have been arranged in each elementary school. Three outside teachers are doing the teaching and a small charge is made for the lessons. These are all class lessons and are intended to be trial periods for young people who think they would like to take piano lessons. On the basis of what the child does in these lessons, parents can get an idea of whether or not the child should study privately.
In addition to the above mentioned groups we have several choruses in the Junior and Senior High Schools. The members of the Junior High Glee Club, the Peobody School Chorus, the High School Sophomore Glee Club, and the High School Junior-Senior Chorus are all working hard to become outstanding musical organizations. All of these groups have been heard and will continue to be heard at various functions.
This year we have had a big increase in the number of pupils who are studying band and orchestral instruments. At present there are about one hundred and eighty boys and girls, at various stages of advancement, who play instruments. (This num- ber does not include the approximately one hundred piano class members.)
I would like to thank the Band and Orchestra Parents' Club for their untiring efforts in behalf of the band and orchestra and music in general.
To those organizations and individuals who have helped us, either through gifts of money for new instruments, or through moral support, we humbly say "thank you".
I am proud and happy to say that I have two wonderful people working with me, Mrs. Ashley, and Mr. Farnham. Their help and cooperation is greatly ap- preciated.
In closing I wish to thank the School Committee, Mr. Lynch, the Principals, Teachers, Secretaries, Custodians, pupils, parents and friends who have helped, and are helping, to make music live in Norwood.
RAYMOND F. FLECK Director of Music
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF GUIDANCE AND PLACEMENT
Herewith, I submit my ninth annual report as Director of Guidance and Placement.
Guidance
In view of the fact that we have, on several occasions, outlined the work and objectives of our guidance program in the senior high school, we shall not repeat them here. A detailed explanation of these matters may be secured by reference to our prior annual reports. Within the bounds of the limited amount of time now available for guidance service, we endeavor to attain the objectives set forth.
Placement
During the past year, we were able to help some sixty students secure either permanent or part-time employment. Of the present classes in the school, sixty- eight per cent of the seniors, forty-eight per cent of the juniors, and thirty per cent of the sophomores reported that they engaged in some type of part-time work.
Follow-Up
A follow-up of the 153 graduates of the Norwood Senior High School Class of 1954 showed the following distribution: (Does not include Boys' Vocational School, or Henry O. Peabody School graduates.)
Number
Per Cent of Class
Attending School or College
65
42.48
Employed
71
46.41
In Armed Services of United States
16
10.46
Married
1
.65
Of the sixty-five 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 or Five Year College
38
24.83
Junior College
1
.65
Business or Accounting (Less than four years)
17
11.11
Schools of Nursing
7
4.58
Miscellaneous
2
1.31
A broad classification of the number of members of the Class employed, shows the following distribution:
Per Cent Employed of Class
Industrial
13
8.50
Secretarial, Stenographic, Clerical
36
23.53
Sales and Distribution
11
7.19
Telephone Operator
5
3.27
Apprentices
6
3.92
.
Number
Type of Employment
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TOWN OF NORWOOD
Conclusion
In these perilous times all of us, particularly the home, the school, and the church, are faced with great responsibilities as we strive to furnish effective gui- dance for youth. Through continued cooperative effort, much can be accomplished in meeting the challenges presented.
In closing, we extend our sincere thanks to all members of the School Depart- ment and to all groups and individuals who by their help have aided the young people of Norwood in situations where guidance was needed.
D. VINCENT KENEFICK
REPORT OF SCHOOL HEALTH DEPARTMENT
The annual report of the School Health Department is herewith submitted.
It is a generally recognized and accepted fact that the health program is geared toward the development of each child physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially so that he may realize his fullest potentialities. It is essentially a repetitious routine which at times may become monotonous and dull but it does make a very import- ant contribution to the child's school success and helps to lay the foundation for a more satisfying adult life. Fortunately, or unfortunately, the most interesting phases, some dramatic enough to warrant headlines, cannot be told because the child must be zealously protected from exploitation and publicity.
Health Appraisals and Screening Tests
The follow-up on remedial physical defects is based on the findings of the school physicians, Drs. George R. Allen and Harriet E. Rogers, when the health ap- praisals are made on all the children from kindergarten thru grade 12. The co- operation of the parents and the family physicians is solicited, and in most in- stances obtained, for this corrective work.
The school dental health program is an active one, the success of which depends on the combined efforts of the school, the home, the dental clinic, and the family dentist. It is an educational program aimed at teaching the child the im- portance of good dental health now and for the future. The school dentist, Dr. Timothy J. Curtin checks the teeth early in September. The survey includes the children in all grades. Those requiring corrective dentistry are referred to the family dentist or, on request of the parent, to the school dental clinic where the work is completed at a minimum fee.
The following report of the work from September to June indicates the extent of the work completed and the need for further education in this area.
Number examined by the School dentist 3051
Number O.K. at time of examination 1629
Number having work completed by family dentist 640
Number having work completed by school dentist 410
Number still under treatment 239
Number receiving no treatment 145
Number of rooms with 100% correction : 21
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
The Massachusetts Vision test was used to screen the children with visual de- fects. As in other areas of testing all the children were included. Parents were notified of the defects. Such necessary corrections were made under the direction of a private ophthalmologist or, at the request of the parent, at the School Eye Clinic. Some one hundred and twenty-two children were cared for at the clinic by Dr. H. B. C. Riemer.
The Maico Puretone Audiometer test was given to all children. Group testing was used for grades 2 to 12 with a group retesting followed by an individual test for those who failed the group test. Each child in kindergarten and grade I was tested individuals. A more sound-proof room would facilitate this work in that .the necessary but distracting noises of routine school activities would be eliminated. The child with defective hearing was referred to the family physician for treatment. When advisable the child handicapped with a hearing loss was given special in- struction in lip-reading and speech to help him maintain his standing in his grade. These classes were made up of children from all grade levels.
Control of Communicable Diseases
Despite the precautions taken it is difficult to avoid the widespread incidence of colds and communicable diseases which are responsible for so many absences in a school year. A more effective control could be maintained if each parent would assume the responsibility of keeping the ailing child home in the early stages of infection. So many of the communicable diseases are so similar to. colds in their initial state that the entire class is well exposed before more specific signs of the disease like rashes or coughs appear.
All school personnel had routine chest X-Rays done in April with negative findings. None of the two hundred and twenty seniors and H. O. Peabody food handlers showed evidence of pulmonary infection when their chest X-Rays were taken in November. The group of elementary children given tuberculin skin tests at the Norfolk County Hospital in December had negative reactions.
At the immunization clinics sixty-seven children received their initial series of three injections of diphtheria and tetanus toxoid while one hundred and seventy- two received the booster injections.
The Polio Vaccine Field Trials
Norwood was one of the twenty-five communities in Massachusetts to be selected for participation in the polio vaccine field trials. It was part of a nation- wide program to determine whether or not Dr. Salk's polio vaccine would protect children from paralytic poliomyelitis.
Although the Board of Health was initially responsible for organizing the trials it was in reality a community project which necessitated the active cooperation of the school, the physicians, the nurses, the members of the PTA, and public spirited citizens to insure its success.
Coming as it did late in May and so near the end of the school year it was quite an undertaking to complete the preliminary planning. Parental consents, registration schedules, vaccination records, arranging for staffing the clinics, setting up the clinics, transporting vaccine, preparing syringes, etc., were all a part of the great rush preceding the actual clinics.
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TOWN OF NORWOOD
Four clinics functioned simultaneously at the Balch, Callahan, Shattuck, and Winslow Schools. In addition to our own staff of two school physicians and three nurses we had the assistance of five physicians, twelve registered nurses, thirteen recorders, and twenty-three helpers to keep the clinics running smoothly. These extra personnel were all volunteers.
Of the eight hundred and twenty-five children in the first three grades eligible to participate there were five hundred and twenty-two that took advantage of the opportunity. The children were given three inoculations: half received the Salk vaccine, the other half an inert solution. Fifty of the group contributed blood samples: one, before the first inoculation, the second, after the third inoculation and the third, in November at the end of the polio season.
Of the five hundred and twenty-two in the trial two were lost on account of illness, and a third because the family moved to Illinois. One of the blood donors was lost on the third sampling because his family had moved out of state. Credit for this excellent record goes to the parent. Some of the make-up clinics were held after the close of school as was the second blood sampling on July 6. Some parents on vacation had the blood collected locally and shipped back to the state laboratory for processing.
The children were very proud of the part they played in the program. The POLIO PIONEER button was enthusiastically received. The blood donors re- ceived special recognition for their additional contribution, a CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION bearing the signature of the Governor and declaring they merited the title of POLIO PIONEER EXTRAORDINARY. One child and her mother represented Norwood at the luncheon given in Boston in December for the com- munities participating in the field trials.
The release of Dr. Francis' report will be delayed until the completion of laboratory studies. It is not expected to be published until late spring of this year. Until these final studies are completed no one will know which children received the Salk vaccine. It is planned, if the vaccine is proven effective, for the children who received the inert solution to be the first to receive the accepted vaccine.
This project is an excellent example of what good can be accomplished when everyone gets behind it.
Personnel Changes
From 1914 until his death in July of this year Dr. Hugo B. C. Riemer was associated with the School Eye Clinic: first when it was established at the Civic Center and during the following years when it transferred to the Junior High and was taken over by the Board of Health. We in the department have lost an out- standing teacher, and excellent ophthalmologist, and a true friend.
Dr. William F. Ryan has been appointed by the Board of Health to fill the vacancy.
Improvements
It is sincerely hoped that the appropriations will be sufficiently elastic to pro- vide for the redecoration of the nurse's rooms in the Callahan and Senior High Schools. They have sorely needed it for several years and are not improving with time.
283
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Installation of hot water in the nurse's rooms in the Shattuck, Winslow, and Senior High Schools is still urgently needed.
Some thought should be given to the day in the not too distant future when some of the equipment must be replaced. Many of the scales, not new when I first came to Norwood in 1927, are beginning to show marked deterioration.
Conclusion
The members of this department want to thank you, the members of the School Committee, principals, teachers, and interested townsfolk for the loyal sup- port and helpful advice received during the past year.
MARY A. CANNING, R. N., Supervising School Nurse.
REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION
The Report of Athletics and the Physical Education Department for the year ending December 31, 1954, is respectfully submitted.
Introduction
Education in America has a responsibility, as have other great social institu- tions, to help boys and girls live effectively in a democratic society. Education dedi- cated to the democratic ideals of this society must provide :-
An opportunity to deal honestly and realistically with problems which come within the experience of boys and girls and within the experience 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.
An opportunity to translate ideals of democratic society into everyday living and teaching.
Physical education has the same responsibilities and the same objectives as education in general. It is that area of education which, because it deals with the body in action, in movement, has for one of its major aims the development of the more sensitive control of this instrument for more effective functioning. It is sig- nificantly that area which deals constantly and continuously with the individual in his dynamic learning, for he moves, sees, thinks, feels at once in situations of social and democratic import.
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
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TOWN OF NORWOOD
and rest, remedial and adapted activities, co-educated and co-recreational activi- ties, trips, and parties.
An opportunity for the development of sound attitudes, habits, and knowledge of wholesome living.
An opportunity 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.
Physical Education Program
Senior High School-Boys
An integrated program of physical education that included calisthenics, group correctives, apparatus, badminton, marching, and some posture work.
The athletic program consisted of the following sports: Varsity Football, Junior Varsity Football, Varsity Basketball-boys and girls, Junior Varsity Basketball, Hockey, Outdoor Track, Golf, Varsity Baseball, Junior Varsity Baseball, Tennis- boys and girls.
The varsity basketball team played fourteen games with teams in the Bay State League. The boys gave a very fine account of themselves in every game played. We finished in third place in league standing with a record of nine wins and five losses.
The junior varsity also played a fourteen-game schedule with junior varsity teams in the Bay State League.
Hockey under the supervision of Mr. Leonard Ceglarski held practice sessions at the Boston Skating Club, Boston Arena, and, when outdoor ice was available, at Petty's Pond. Considering the hardships that go with hockey, the boys did a fine job and should be commended for their fine spirit and sportsmanship.
Boys' tennis, due to the absence of Mr. Lloyd Schultz, was under the direction of Miss Ruth Johngren. Matches were held with teams from our neighboring towns.
The track team, under its new coach, Mr. Frank Galvani, enjoyed a very fine season. Mr. Galvani did a good job of reviving the track spirit as he had over thirty boys on his squad. The boys took part in the Massachusetts State Relays, Belmont Relays, and also met teams in the Bay State League.
Varsity baseball team enjoyed a very successful season, winning eleven games while losing three. We finished second in the Bay State League. Richard Bowles was our outstanding pitcher.
The junior varsity team was coached by Mr. Arthur Gulla. A twelve-game schedule with teams in the Bay State League was played.
The golf team, coached by Mr. Everett Learnard, competed as in the past in the Norfolk County Interscholastic Golf League. The following schools made up this League: Norwood, Needham, Walpole, Dedham, North Quincy, Quincy, and Hingham. Matches were held at Norfolk Golf Club and the Ponkapoag Golf Club.
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
On the first day of September, the coaches greeted over seventy boys who reported for football. This was the best football material in my period of coaching at Norwood High School. The boys played good football and above all showed fine spirit and team play throughout the season. Their character and sportsmanship could never be disputed during the year. Our season's record was six wins and one loss. We again beat Dedham for the fourth straight year 34-12.
My assistant coaches, Arthur Gulla and Frank Galvani, played a very important part in our team play.
The junior varsity played five games, winning four and losing one.
As I have mentioned in the past, we need ninth grade football if we are to win our share of football games. This would give our boys more experience, and they would come to us at the High School well grounded in the fundamentals of the game. All of our opponents have football in the ninth grade under proper supervision.
Senior High School-Girls
This program under the supervision of Miss Erna Kiley included corrective exercises, apparatus, badminton, marching, dancing, games, and group posture work.
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