USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Norwood > Norwood annual report 1954-1956 > Part 41
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30
115
8
1
154
2
Boys Girls
35
83
18
136
54
109
5
1
169
3
Boys Girls
39
108
15
162
49
97
5
151
4
Boys
60
77
10
1
148
Girls
65
80
8
1
154
5
Boys
30
74
11
5
120
Girls
36
62
6
1
105
6
Boys Girls
34
82
19
4
139
35
65
9
109
7
Boys
1
19
68
17
5
110
1
26
70
6
104
8
Boys
37
78
11
8.
1
135
Girls
31
68
9
1
109
9
Boys
37
69
15
2
123
Girls
1
38
63
9
1
112
10
Boys
1 27
64
28
2
1
123
Girls
33
76
15
1
125
11
Boys
33
60
19
5
117
Girls
23
67
17
4
1
112
12
Boys Girls
28
46
10
2
86
34
62
8
3
107
PG
Boys Girls
10
15
4
2
31
Sp. Adj. Gr.
1
1
2
1
2
6
3
Total
3538
-
31
127
5
1
164
-
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
1
1
2
1
Girls
1
-
1
207
208
TOWN OF NORWOOD
REPORT OF THE PRINCIPAL OF THE NORWOOD SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
I have the honor to present my tenth annual report as Principal of the Senior High School.
A Point of View
This report is written with a deep and abiding conviction regarding the truth of the following statements which are considered most pertinent and funda- mental to current educational problems. The first statement is that regardless of our past accomplishments in education much more must be done in education here and elsewhere in the years immediately ahead if free society is to survive in this atomic age.
The second of these two statements is this - that only as the lay citizen in the years immediately ahead comprehends the almost limitless potentialities for social improvement inherent in the school situation can the school become more completely what society urgently needs the school to be.
The point of view constituted by these two statements, it is believed, is rather amply reflected in the report which follows.
New Honor Roll
After considerable faculty study last spring, a new plan providing for an academic honor roll was set up in the school. The purpose of this new Honor Roll quite frankly is to develop over as broad a range as possible additional motivation for classroom achievement. In these days when civilization can be described as a race between education and catastrophe, the importance to society of high achievement in the classroom is obvious.
I am happy to report that this new Honor Roll appears to be working out in an eminently satisfactory fashion. Approximately 20 per cent of the pupils in the school are currently achieving Honor Roll status. We hope that this number may increase. In the last analysis, of course, the value of the Honor Roll will depend on the degree to which parents, teachers, and students come to regard it as truly praiseworthy.
New Students' Handbook
The complexities of a modern comprehensive high school as large as ours make it essential that students be given considerable orientation if they are to adjust with understanding to the school situation. One way of accomplishing this end is through the use of a students' handbook which furnishes explanations of · school procedures of particular pupil interest.
A complete revision of our Senior High School handbook was undertaken by the Student Council last year and in the Fall a sixty-four page newly-revised edition of the book was made available for all our students.
Parents and others will find much interesting information about the school in this handbook, and it is heartily commended to their attention.
200
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Senior Year Book
Over the years the Senior Class annual has been a phase of the extracurricular life of the school particularly worthy of commendation. The production and financing of a book of this kind is a many-faceted enterprise affording learning experiences for a number of students in a variety of fields. On several occasions in the past, our yearbook has won second-place awards in National competition con- ducted by the Columbia Press Association.
It is now a pleasure for me to report that the Yearbook of the Class of 1955 brought new honors to the School when for the first time in our history the Senior TIOT was accorded first place in this nationwide competition.
Foreign Exchange Program
When school opened in the Fall, for the first time in the history of Norwood a foreign exchange student was enrolled in the school membership. Through the American Field Service, Miss Mirja Wahe has come to us from Oulu, Finland - to spend the year in Norwood and to attend our Senior High School that she may bring to our young people a first-hand account of life in the old world and bring back to her native country from all her experiences here a more accurate under- standing of American democracy in action.
Several local organizations and many individuals in the community have assisted financially and otherwise in setting the stage for the mutual lessons of international friendship and understanding made possible by such an arrangement. No one has made a greater contribution than have Mr. and Mrs. Herbert L. Newman who volunteered to act as Mirja's foster parents in Norwood for the year.
To the Newman family and to all others who have assisted in any way we are grateful.
At present plans are underway both to implement through the American Field Service a reciprocal arangement under which a Norwood student may study for the summer in a European country and to finance a continuation of the winter program under which Mirja came to us this year.
Our School Library
During the year we have been able to increase to a considerable extent the number of books in our school library. Yet even with these welcome additions the influence of the school library on our school life is far below acceptable standards.
It is to be regretted that the values which might be derived from a well- equipped school library, with separate reference shelves for different subjects and classes, open in the afternoon for use by students, and most important of all promoted as a functional part of the school by a well-trained and competent librarian, are in great measure being lost to our young people today.
In this connection reference may be made to a recent decision of the New England Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools of which Norwood Senior High School is currently a member. This decision makes it mandatory for each member school to undergo a process of complete evaluation as a requirement for
210
TOWN OF NORWOOD
continuing membership in the association. One of the requirements necessary for a favorable appraisal by the visiting committee in connection with this evalu- ation is that in a school of our size there be a well-equipped functioning library with a full-time school librarian.
We are not less than appreciative of the many physical improvements which have been made in the senior high school building during the recent past. Yet with all we are hopeful that these important library specifications requisite for maximum instructional accomplishment in the school may soon be made available for our young people.
Remedial Reading
We have a group of young people in the school who need special help in reading and who through their regular English classes can at present receive less than adequate assistance in the direction of correcting their deficiencies. It is believed that a course in Remedial Reading should be reestablished at the Senior High School - on a more extensive basis than heretofore.
Needed is a trained remedial reading teacher who may be available to us during our noon activities period every day in the week. This would make possible a frontal attack on this reading problem without interfering with regularly scheduled classes and under conditions which would justify the expectation of substantial success.
Parent-Teacher Association
One of the most satisfying aspects of the year has been the cooperation and support accorded the school at every turn by our Senior High School Parent- Teacher Association. Mutual understandings have developed from this organization which are beyond value in promoting the purposes of the school. It is on this account that we believe that every Senior High School parent should be a member of our Parent-Teacher Association. Such membership offers an unparalleled op- portunity for citizens to learn at first hand what the school is attempting to do, the degree to which it is fulfilling its purposes, and the factors which operate to limit and condition its accomplishments. Indeed if the better tomorrow envisioned for our young people is to be more than a fond dream - parents and teachers who share the dream must work together to translate it into reality.
Enrollment
In these days when the rising tide of secondary school enrollment is of nation- wide concern, it is believed that citizens will find our own enrollment picture of particular interest. Two tables of statistics are given below to afford bases for comparison with earlier reports and to make possible certain predictions.
TABLE #1 Enrollment (as of October 1, 1955)
Boys
Girls
Totals
12th grade
High School
73
68
141
Boys' Vocational School
9
9 150
211
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
11 grade
High School
107
88
195
Boys' Vocational School
8
8
203
10th grade
High School
107
117
224
Boys' Vocational School
13
13
237
9th grade
Boys' Vocational School
3
3
3
Totals
320
273
593
TABLE #2 Estimated Enrollment (as of October 1, 1956)
Seniors
166
Juniors
210
Sophomores
230
Boys' Vocational School
32
Total
638
A comparison of Table #1 and Table #2 above indicates that next October we shall have at the Senior High School in the neighborhood of sixty more students than were enrolled in October 1955. Since all our teachers are currently carrying full teaching loads, the implication with regard to staff is obvious.
Enrollment - Capacity - New Building Needs
In 1933, 745 students were housed in the present Senior High School-the largest enrollment since the building was constructed in 1926. It will be remem- bered by some that this enrollment taxed to the utmost the instructional space available at the time. In calculating the present capacity, it should also be under- stood that currently two senior high school classrooms are being used by the Pea- body School. Under the circumstances the top enrollment capacity of the Senior High School should now be represented by a figure not larger than 700.
As indicated in Table #2 above our estimated enrollment for October 1956 is 638 students. This number can be accommodated in our present instructional space. However, the estimated enrollment for October 1957 is 735, and for October 1958 the estimated enrollment is 805. This means that additional instructional space will be imperatively needed when school opens in the fall of 1957.
Personnel changes
The year has seen several major personnel changes. In June James H. Butler was granted retirement because of ill health. Mr. Butler had been a member of the Senior High School faculty in the Social Science Department since 1931. A life-long and proud resident of Norwood, a veteran of both World War I and World War II, Mr. Butler brought to his classes a keen interest in world affairs that fitted him ideally for his chosen work. Following Mr. Butler's retirement, Mr. D. Vincent Kenefick's request that he be assigned to full time instructional duties
212
TOWN OF NORWOOD
was granted. Since 1946, in addition to teaching Social Studies, Mr. Kenefick had ably served as Guidance Director in the school. In August, Thomas J. Roche was transferred from the Norwood Junior High School to take over the duties of Guidance Director. Mr. Roche is also teaching classes in Biology and Chemistry. Henry F. Fairbanks returned to his teaching duties in September 1955 after an interval of thirteen years. Mr. Fairbanks had been on military and extended leave of absence since 1943. During the summer, Lloyd F. Schultz, Art instructor at the school, resigned to teach elsewhere. John Levitsky was appointed to the position made vacant by Mr. Schultz's resignation. Mr. Levitsky comes to us from the schools of Willimantic, Connecticut.
In Conclusion
I wish to thank Superintendent Lynch, School Committee members, and all others who have aided in so many ways during the year in a continuing community effort to give Norwood's young people the best in Senior High School Education.
As usual my report will end with a list of those who received special honors at the 1955 graduation exercises and with a reproduction of the program followed on that occasion.
CHARLES A. HAYDEN Principal
Graduation Honor Awards
Berwick English Prize - Agnes Puopolo
Leighton Sumner Thompson Memorial Trophies - Mary Alice Whelan, Michael Graney
Edward S. Costello Memorial Trophy - Robert David McGloin
Teachers' Club Scholarship - Helene Evelyn Marcoux
Norwood Women's Club Scholarship - Peter Albin Johnson
Norwood Mother's Club Scholarship - Elizabeth Mary Foley
High School Scholarship Awards - Agnes Puopolo, Claire Ann Stepanowich, Charlotte Evelyn Gustafson, Anthony Gordon Stitt, Josephine Esther Chitty, John V. Chervokas
Norwood Mother's Club Award - Barbara Ann Bateman
Nicholson Memorial Award In English - John V. Chervokas, Helene Evelyn Marcoux
Charles R. Donnell Memorial Trophy - John F. Eppich
Lane Medal Awards - Agnes Puopolo, Florence A. Pulcini, Evelyn A. Johnson, Peter A. Johnson, Helene E. Marcoux, Claire A. Stepanowich, Charlotte E. Gustaf- son, Elizabeth M. Foley, John V. Chervokas, Josephine E. Chitty, Marie A. Carlson
213
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
GRADUATION EXERCISES OF NORWOOD HIGH SCHOOL Class of 1955
Tuesday Evening, June 14, 1955 Junior High School Gymnasium
Program
PROCESSIONAL - "Pomp and Circumstance" Edward Elgar High School Orchestra
INVOCATION Rev. Allen Keedy, Pastor First Congregational Church "America, Our Heritage"
Helen Steele
Chorus and Orchestra arr. Hawley Ades
High towering mountains,
Fields gold with grain,
Rich fertile farmlands,
Flocks on the plain
Homes blest with peace, with love, without fears,
This is the heritage we've kept through the years.
Stout hearts and true,
Hold fast what is ours;
God give us courage through darkest hours;
God give us strength
And guide with Thy Hand
America, Our heritage
Our homeland. Wide rolling prairies, lakes, deep and broad,
Canyons majestic fashioned by God;
Life lived in peace, contented and free;
This is the heritage forever to be.
ADDRESS
Daniel H. O'Leary, Ph.D. President, State Teachers College Lowell, Massachusetts
"Onward, Ye Peoples!" Jean Sibelius
Chorus and Orchestra arr. Channing Lefebvre
Onward, ye peoples, strive for the light! The Light that the Lord hath given us for our guide; Who through murk and darkness of night Hath led us in safety unto our reward. See how the fiery pillar is gleaming, Lighting our steps, when dark is the way. And the Light of the World
214
TOWN OF NORWOOD
It cleaveth the gloomy blackness of night that else would engulf us. See the cloudy pillar to shield us safe when the sun would blister us. Then forward where faith revealeth the way! For God is our guide, and He will never fail.
GIFT OF THE CLASS OF 1955 Brian C. Dunn
ACCEPTANCE OF THE GIFT FOR THE SCHOOL
Coleman J. Foley
AWARD OF MEDALS AND PRIZES
Mr. Lincoln D. Lynch, Superintendent of Schools
Berwick English Prize Leighton S. Thompson Memorial Trophies Edward S. Costello Memorial Trophy Teachers' Club Scholarship Norwood Women's Club Scholarship
Norwood Mother's Club Scholarship High School Scholarships Norwood Mother's Club Home Economics Award
Nicholson Memorial Award in English Charles R. Donnell Memorial Trophy John C. Lane Medals
PRESENTATION OF DIPLOMAS Mr. John J. Cavanaugh, Chairman of the School Committee Mr. Charles A. Hayden, Principal of Norwood High School
"Norwood" Wheelock '13 Arranged by Walsh '13
Chorus and Orchestra (The audience is invited to join)
"The Star Spangled Banner"
John Smith
Everyone
RECESSIONAL - "Entree' de Procession" Edouard Batiste arr. Charles J. Roberts
High School Orchestra
Music under the direction of Mr. Raymond F. Fleck
The audience is requested to remain seated while the graduates march out.
215
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
GRADUATES
Nancy Ann Abely Eleanor Margaret Armour Janice Louise Baker Agnes L. Balfour Joan Marie Barrett James Arthur Barss, Jr. George W. Barton Barbara Ann Bateman Carol Ann Beckwith
Mary Jean Benoit Erling Berglund Sara Ann Beyer Robert E. Bigelow Anna M. Bilotta Arline B. Blais Shirley Gloria Blasenak Robert M. Bowler Robert A. Brissette Gary R. Brown William R. Brown D. Richard Cammarata James William Campbell
Joseph F. Carchedi
Marie Arlene Carlson Ruth Marie Carlson Frederick Pennington Cass, Jr. Lorraine Mary Cavanaugh Roland V. Cedarfield, Jr. Joel Hall Chamberlain Paul E. Charron John V. Chervokas Betty Jean Chisholm Daniel F. Chisholm Josephine Esther Chitty Ronald V. Cieri Otello Ronald Cola Sally A. Collins June L. Compardy Bruce A. Connolly Eileen Catherine Connolly William S. Connolly, Jr. Gail Marie Conroy Charles J. Consentino, Jr. Nancy P. Corcoran Aurora N. Cordo John Nelson Corish Joseph F. Costello Phillip Patrick Costello
Ruth Eleanor Crowley Neil Scott Cushman Russell J. Czyryca Katherine Anne DeGazio Francesco Denisi Catherine M. Divine
Mary Elizabeth Diamond Jennie Virginia Ann DiCicco Robert J. Donlan
William James Donovan Brian Clifford Dunn Dorothy Louise Eklund
Patricia Ruth Elliott
John F. Eppich
Paula Frances Feeney
James Andrew Fitzpatrick, Jr.
Patricia Ann Fogarty
Dennis J. Folan
Dorothy Catherine Folan
Margaret Frances Folan
Elizabeth Mary Foley
Richard Donovan Foote
Theresa A. Fournier
Angelo Frangiosa Robert O. Fraser
Mildred Ann Giampietro
John C. Gnecco
James J. Goonan
Michael Graney
Priscilla A. Green®
Harriet Irene Greenlaw
William Leo Griffin
Kenneth Charles Groh
Marjorie Josephine Gross
Elizabeth Anne Guilderson
Charlotte Evelyn Gustafson
William F. Hanscom
Nancy Lou Hartford
Dennis Joseph Hayes Philip J. Hayes Janet Marie Heaver
Barbara Jane Hentschel Robert L. Hertel
Stephen F. Hobert, Jr. Carol Elizabeth Hunt
Jane S. Jezulewicz Evelyn Ann Johnson Peter Albin Johnson
216
TOWN OF NORWOOD
GRADUATES - Continued
Russell W. Johnson Sally Y. Johnson Robert J. Joseph Patricia Ann Keefe John Joseph Kelter
Louise L. Kemp
Joyce Rita Kleinberg Peter Walter Kodis Wililam F. Lane
Joyce Carole Luce
Fred Albert Reed
John Francis Lydon
Cornelius J. Regan, Jr.
Madeline Mary Lydon
Domenic J. Renzi
Pauline Elizabeth Rhoads
Maureen K. J. Lynch
Robert F. MacEachern
Thomas H. Mackie
Ferde D. Rombola
Richard P. Macleod
David A. Ross
Phillip M. Ross
Richard T. Russell
Carolyn Ann Schiller
Raymond K. Seaver
Sandra Lee Shaw Francis A. Sienkiewicz
Elizabeth Lois Smith
Charles Anthony Socci
John Thomas Soderlund
Ronald C. Soderstrom
William George Mercier
Robert John Mollenhauer
Patricia Ann Muir
Catherine Jean Mulholland
Marie M. Mulvehill
Aileen Marie Murphy
Patricia Marie Murphy
Leon Alfred Narbut
Marie Louise Norton
Robert Hugh Oberlander
Eleanor Teresa O'Donnell
Eileen Frances O'Gorman John Allan O'Keeffe John Charles O'Malley
Stephen David Oppenheim Marion Louise Ostergren John Allison Paine Virginia Ann Peachey Marcia Pelletier
Nancy Jean Perna Dorothy Gertrude Petts James F. Phelan Barbara Jane Pierce
Peter Henri Poirier
Marcia Ann Praino Margaret G. Praino
Florence Ann Pulcini Carmelia Marie Pungitore
Agnes Puopolo Elaine M. Pupalaigis
Ruth Marion Randig
Carol Edith Reed
Robert Elias Ristom
Helene Evelyn Marcoux
Anoush Ann Mardirosian
Marion Jean Masce
Roberta Joyce Maxon
Charles P. McColgan
Nancy Lou McDargh
Robert David McGloin
Sheila M. McGuff
Charles Stephen McNamee
Richard Peter Mercier
Claire Ann Stepanowich Anthony Gordon Stitt Ann Sutherland Dorothy H. Sutherland Edward Szahun Joyce Ann Terren Patricia Ellen Thayer
Joan Frances Thomas Constance Ann Thomashay John A. Tomasello
Virginia Gladys Wagner
Richard A. Walker Geraldine Anne Walsh John F. Walsh Mary Patricia Walsh Nancy Frances Walsh Barbara Ann Werman Mary Alice Whelan Arthur William White Carol Marie Williams Eleanor Jane Worster Kenneth W. Worster Loretta Anne Young
217
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
REPORT OF THE PRINCIPAL OF THE NORWOOD JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
I herewith submit my sixteenth annual report as principal of the Norwood Junior High School.
Our teachers have concerned themselves, beyond their classroom duties, with developing their philosophy in teaching so that there can be agreement within the faculty in regard to principles and aims for the education of the early adoles- cent. Not only is this review and clarification of philosophy and aims helpful to our excellent staff of experienced teachers, but it will prove invaluable to the new members of our staff. It is also a necessary preliminary step in a review of curriculum, which will be undertaken next by our faculty.
In this school, where changes in the teaching staff have not been a major factor in the past, eight new teachers have been added this year. We have, in general, been fortunate in the selection of our new teachers, especially in view of the fact that salaries in our town are only at the midpoint of salaries paid throughout the state. Such a large group added to our faculty does, however, present a challenge to the principal to find time for effective supervision and guidance, especially for those who have had little or no experience.
While this school has shown an increase in enrollment, the classes have not been increased to the point where they are too big for effective teaching. Because of lack of space, however, our ninth grade sections next year must become larger. This condition will remain with us for a long time if provision is not made for the elementary pupils who now attend school in the junior high school building.
Our "temporary" housing of a full elementary unit is now in its fourth year. Like so many expedients, it may become a permanent fixture in this school, even though I have yet to hear any local comment, whether by educators or otherwise, approving the continuance of this arrangement, except on a basis of temporary expediency. More than 900 pupils now attend the combined junior high and ele- mentary units in our building. When the junior high schools shown an increased en- rollment next year of nearly 100 pupils, something drastic must happen. Either ele- mentary pupils will be transferred to already crowded elementary schools, or we shall have to increase class sizes in grade nine, where our enrollment will be heaviest, to a point which is undesirable, particularly in this grade where proper choice of curriculum is extremely important to the success of the pupil.
Because future enrollment must be provided for, I have been concerned with the downward revision of the Committee of Nine's estimate of junior high school population for the next few years. Their figures, presented to a town meeting in April, 1953, appear to me to be more nearly correct than their revised lower totals presented to a town meeting in June, 1955. In early December, 1955, their higher 1953 estimate of 697 pupils to be enrolled in Norwood Junior High School proved to be exact, although before the end of the month the enrollment had passed the 700 mark. The Committee's higher figure, presented in 1953, predicted 767 pupils in the three junior high school grades for the school year beginning in September, 1956, and this figure will not fall far short of our actual enrollment next fall. With new residential building throughout the town, and the consequent enrollment of more pupils, the estimates on enrollment in this school will un- doubtedly surpass even the larger totals of the Committee of Nine's 1953 report.
218
TOWN OF NORWOOD
When the addition to Norwood Junior High School is a reality, the several needs which exist in our building will be met. It may, therefore, be somewhat beside the point to mention that our music facilities are inadequate, especially for the band, and that the visual aids program has suffered for lack of space. The lunchroom, even for space, is inadequate and proper facilities for a cafeteria do not exist. Since assurance has been given that the new addition will be for junior high school purposes, these and other inadequacies will be remedied.
I again take this opportunity to thank you, Mr. Lynch, as well as our School Committee, for your continuing interest and support.
JOHN J. CORCORAN Principal
REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF THE HENRY O. PEABODY SCHOOL
I hereby submit the fourteenth annual report for the Henry O. Peabody School for Girls.
An evaluation of the Peabody School program in terms of need and per- formance over the past fourteen years shows increased acceptance throughout this community and our neighboring towns. Many factors contribute to our growth and progress - one of the more important of which is a fine working relationship with guidance directors. This has resulted in a general awareness of the exceptional advantages offered by the Peabody School.
Guidance directors are becoming familiar with our philosophy and are more selective in the choice of students whom they recommend. With increasing secondary school enrollments, this co-operation from neighboring schools will be of great value to us in our screening process. An upgrading of those we serve has come about through a fuller realization of the purpose of this type of training, and applications are already on file in some departments for students to enter the school in September of 1956.
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