USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Norwood > Norwood annual report 1957-1959 > Part 23
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
we might compare enrollment percentages here with those in the secondary schools of Soviet Russia, those subjects were not included in our study. Left out also and for the same reason are the numbers in the class who were en- rolled in Applied Physics and Applied Chemistry both of which apparently are not comparable to Science as it is studied in Russia. Also by definition Preparatory Mathematics includes Algebra I, Plane Geometry, Algebra II, and Mathematics IV (i.e. Trigonometry, Analytical Geometry, Solid Geo- metry, etc.) and by definition Preparatory Science includes General Science, Biology, College Preparatory Chemistry and College Preparatory Physics.
Table #1
Enrollment in Preparatory Mathematics Class of 1957 N.H.S. 67% of the class had one year of Preparatory Mathematics 50% of the class had two years of Preparatory Mathematics 41% of the class had three years of Preparatory Mathematics 14% of the class had four years of Preparatory Mathematics
Table #2
Enrollment in Preparatory Science Class of 1957 N.H.S. 85% of the class had one year of Preparatory Science 48% of the class had two years of Preparatory Science 34% of the class had three years of Preparatory Science 10% of the class had four years of Preparatory Science
From Table I and Table II above it will be seen that only 14 per cent of the Norwood High School graduates had as much as 4 years of Prepara- tory Mathematics, and only 10 per cent of our graduates had as much as 4 years of Preparatory Science. Yet the fact is that under the Soviet System 100 per cent of their graduates (1.3 million in 1956) had approximately the equivalent of 4.4 high school years of Preparatory Mathematics, and 100 per cent of their graduates had approximately the equivalent of 5.9 high school years of Preparatory Science. (2)
New Standards Needed -Honors Track
To meet the Russian challenge in Education here as elsewhere more students must take more courses in Mathematics and Science in high school and college. Of even greater importance, more students must make a greater effort to achieve in these and other subject areas, and new provisions must be made to facilitate this achievement.
Needed is a new standard of relative values-a standard accepted by parents and students alike and by the community at large - a standard which will put first things first and attach new importance and new significance to solid classroom achievement. Each year the success of Norwood High School students in college admission is eloquent to attest to the competence and devotion of our teachers. Superior instruction is not lacking. Yet here, as elsewhere, educators constantly striving for improve-
(2) Soviet Education for Science and Technology by Alexander G. Koral, Senior Research Staff, 'Center for International Studies, Massachusetts Institute of Technology pp/63 ff.
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TOWN OF NORWOOD
ment are concerned with the waste entailed in attempting to teach so many young people who could do so much better if they held superior accomplish- ment to be worth the effort.
In 1954 I wrote in my report: "In these days when civilization has been described as a race between education and catastrophe, avoidable mediocrity in the school situation should indeed be a matter of concern to us all." Last year I wrote " ... in today's world, avoidable mediocrity is a dangerous luxury for those who in the years ahead hope to continue to enjoy the freedoms now typical of the American way of life." As the time for decision grows short, these words may be repeated now perhaps with more significance than any of us originally foresaw.
Also to provide more adequately for those students of above average ability who are willing to work very hard, we propose to set up an Honors Track in the High School in certain college preparatory subjects. Students who do successful work in these accelerated divisions may be assured not only of admission to top Liberal Arts and Engineering Colleges, but in some instances even of advanced placement in some subjects in these colleges.
The School Library
During the fall, a faculty committee was appointed at my suggestion to study the library situation at the Senior High School. This Committee, in its report, strongly recommended that a full-time librarian be added to the staff and that an adequate library be set up in the school. It may be pointed out that the Senior High School is now definitely sub-standard in this particular. Indeed, in a school such as ours, a modern library facility is requisite for the continued approval of the New England Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools in which we hold membership. In view of all this I am happy to report that at the suggestion of Superintendent Lynch recently, extensive lists have been compiled by Department Heads in the School and that we are ready to move in the matter of setting up the library as soon as the personnel to staff it becomes available. This we hope will not be later than the opening of school next fall.
Reading Programs
We are also ready to undertake at the High School in the fall programs of developmental and of remedial reading. Experience elsewhere has shown that through a developmental program in High School remarkable gains in reading skill can be achieved at virtually all levels of initial ability. The critical importance of reading in modern education is indicated by the fact that many college admissions officers consider a candidate's reading ability to be second only to his high school record as a predictor of college success.
In addition individual standardized test results in our files offer proof beyind doubt that there are many in Senior High School who need specialized remedial help in reading now. We hope that both programs may be available soon.
Guidance
Guidance is another area in which we believe immediate expansion and reorganization to be necessary. Both of my valued colleagues, Miss Ryan
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
and Mr. Roche, are doing superior work within the boundaries of existing limitations. However, Mr. Roche, who is Director of Guidance, has asked for and in my judgment needs more time if he is to undertake necessary vertical organization, integration, and supervision of guidance activities. While we do not hold with the view that Guidance can properly be advanced as a simple panacea for all the disjunctions of education, nevertheless a well-organized integrated guidance program is an absolute necessity in modern education. It is our hope that in the days immediately ahead, time and personnel may become available so that, under the Director of Guidance, the initial and basic guidance of each homeroom member may be a continuing and im- portant function of each homeroom teacher in the school.
Exchange Program
This year our exchange student at the Senior High School is Miss Masaka Hara from Tokyo, Japan. Masaka or "Suki" as she is known to every- one is certainly one of the most popular students in the School and one of the happiest. We are grateful to Mr. and Mrs. A. Franklin Swift, Jr., for providing a home for this young lady in Norwood. Last summer Miss Nancy Newman of our school spent almost three months as an exchange student in Luxenborg.
In the matter of financing this international exchange program, it should be recorded that last spring Student Council members and others raised $1622 for this purpose by selling Shares in Democracy. Later in the spring a combined Foreign Exchange Program and Musicale sponsored by the Senior High School Parent-Teachers Association netted another $225. We are grateful to the P.T.A., to the Norwood Rotary Club, to the Youth Group of the Grace Episcopal Church, and to all other organizations and individuals who have assisted in underwriting the cost of this very worth while program.
Last June an adult committee was formed in the community to under- take for the future the matter of financing our exchange program and the matter of collectively making executive decisions with regard to it. Included in the membership of this adult committee are: Mr. Charles Kent, Chairman, Mr. Walter Dempsey, Mr. Charles Donahue, Mrs. Charles Kent, Mr. Bert Newman, and Mr. Charles Hayden.
ENROLLMENT - STATISTICS AND PREDICTIONS
Table #3 Enrollment (As of October 1, 1957)
Boys
Girls
Totals
12th grade
High School
85
102
187
Boys' Vocational School
6
193
11th grade
High School
121
106
227
Boys' Vocational School
6
233
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TOWN OF NORWOOD
10th grade
High School
166
142
308
Boys' Vocational School 11
319
9th grade Boys' Vocational School
4
4
399
350
749
Table #4 Estimated Enrollment (as of October 1, 1958)
Seniors 215
Juniors
290
Sophomores 270
Boys Vocational School 30
TOTAL
805
Classrooms For All?
The question which concerns those of us who are immediately responsible for the administration of the upper level secondary school program at Nor- wood is how we are going to find classrooms to accommodate our enroll- ment next September and in September 1959 and in September 1960. Examina- tion of Tables III and IV above will indicate rather clearly, it is believed, that next September we shall in all probability have 56 more students in the Senior High School than are currently enrolled. Furthermore it would seem that the numbers will increase again in September 1959 and again in Septem- ber 1960. Of course the important underlying fact is that the Senior High School is overcrowded now. The cafeteria at the Senior High School now is being used as a study hall or for instruction during five of the six periods in the day.
Any further improvisation whether it be in the direction of placing study- hall pupils in the back of the regular classrooms and assigning two, three, four, or more class sections to different parts of the lunchroom with port- able blackboards, etc., or whether it be in the direction of setting up a double session school day, will certainly involve instructional losses for our young people and this, at a most critical time in our National history. Once again, if we are to have classrooms for all in the foreseeable future, the need for action now is obvious.
Retirement - A Special Note
In June Miss Mildred Metcalf of the Foreign Language Department at the Senior High School met her last class prior to retirement. Miss Mildred Metcalf is truly a gentlewoman. A graduate of Norwood Senior High School and of Boston University-a superior teacher-Miss Metcalf's pro- fessional zeal and her high ethical standards earned for her the respect and the admiration of colleagues and pupils alike who found it easy to respond to such preeminent qualities of mind and heart. We wish for Miss Mildred Metcalf many, many happy years of retirement.
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
In Conclusion
To Superintendent Lynch, to School Committee members, to the fathers and mothers, and to all others who have worked with us during the year in this many faceted educational endeavor, we are indeed grateful. With your help, much is being done at Norwood Senior High School in the interests of our boys and girls to meet adequately the challenges of the times. With your help much more can and will be accomplished in the days ahead, particularly when needed personnel and facilities become available.
As in the past, appended to my report is a roster of those who received special honors at the 1957 graduation exercises and a reproduction of the printed program followed on that occasion.
CHARLES A. HAYDEN Principal
GRADUATION HONOR AWARDS
Berwick English Prize Virginia Alice Kent
Leighton Summer Thompson Memorial Trophies Leslie Anne Novick, Thomas Francis Connolly
Edward S. Costello Memorial Trophy Peter Wall
Veterans of Foreign Wars Scholarship Antoinette Puopolo
Teachers' Club Scholarship Angela Marie Rizzo
Norwood Women's Club Scholarship Shirley Ann Doucette
Norwood Mother's Club Scholarship Joan Patricia Butters
High School Scholarship Awards
Elaine A. Jacobs Gail Katherine Ellis Peter P. Graham
Gerald Joseph McDavitt John Joseph Ahearn Eileen Patricia Burke
Norwood Mother's Club Home Economics Award Sara Dennisse Feeney
Mathematics Award Peter Jospeh Rakauskas
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TOWN OF NORWOOD
Nicholas Memorial Award in English Leslie Anne Novick, Reeven R. Ziskind
Charles R. Donnell Memorial Trophy William Wenstrom
Lane Medal Awards
Judith A. McNally
Constance P. Kinder
Arlene M. Hermanson
Elaine A. Jacobs
Angela M. Rizzo
Jean A. Iodice
Leslie A. Novick
Virginia A. Kent
Maureen C. Burke
Dorothy A. Nelson
Antoinette Puopolo
Peter P. Graham
Shirley A. Doucette
Eileen P. Burke
GRADUATION EXERCISES OF NORWOOD HIGH SCHOOL Class of 1957
Tuesday Evening, June 11, 1957 Junior High School Gymnasium
Program
PROCESSIONAL-"Pomp and Circumstance" Edgar Elgar High School Instrumental Ensemble
INVOCATION Rev. Raymond Kask
"Now is the Hour"
Kaihan, Scott, Stewart
Chorus Arranged by Ken Darby
Now is the hour when we must say goodbye. Though we are parting, mem'ry will not die.
All through the years wherever we may be, Dear Alma Mater, we'll remember thee. Now is the hour, tomorrow's dawn appears.
May wisdom guide us through the future years. So, now goodbye, to all we love so well. Dear Alma Mater, hail to thee, farewell.
ADDRESS
Rev. Frederick J. Adelmann, S.J., Ph.D. Chairman, Department of Philosophy Boston College
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
"You'll Never Walk Alone" from Carousel Richard Rodgers Chorus accompanied by Elizabeth Bainton Arranged by William Schoenfeld
When you walk through a storm, hold your head up high And don't be afraid of the dark. At the end of the storm is a golden sky And the sweet silver song of a lark
Walk on through the wind, walk on through the rain, Tho' your dreams be tossed and blown
Walk on, walk on, with hope in your heart,
And you'll never walk alone. You'll never walk alone.
GIFT OF THE CLASS OF 1957 Thomas F. Connolly
ACCEPTANCE OF THE GIFT FOR THE SCHOOL
Arthur R. Armour
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 Veterans of Foreign Wars Scholarship Teachers' Club Scholarship Norwood Women's Club Scholarship Norwood Mothers' Club Scholarship High School Scholarships The Norwood Mothers' Club Home Economics Award Mathematics 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 (The audience is invited to join)
"The Star Spangled Banner"
John Smith
Everyone
Music under the direction of Mr. John B. Faucett
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TOWN OF NORWOOD
GRADUATES
John Joseph Ahearn
Evelyn Irene Angus
David E. Arvidson
Elizabeth Gardner Bainton
Thomas Joseph Barrett, Jr.
George S. Barron
Richard Charles Barton
David Sherman Bassett
Carolyn Marie Bilotta
Frank A. Bilotta Madeline L. Blais
Leona Sharon Blazis Gisela Bond Georgianna S. Boulis
William Francis Bowler
Walter A. Bruno
Eileen Patricia Burke
Elizabeth Louise Burke
Maureen Catherine Burke
Joan Patricia Butters Muriel A. Callahan
Richard Paul Callahan
Joseph K. Carchedi
Ralph Carchedi
Dorothy A. Carlstrom
Nancy Ellen Cass
Barbara May Clancy
John Gerald Cloherty Richard A. Cofsky William James Cofsky
Dennis Joseph Collins
Jane Elizabeth Connolly
Richard R. Connolly Thomas Francis Connolly
John J. Cooke, Jr.
Marion Elizabeth Cottrell
Patricia Ann Cronin Stuart Crosby Catherine Marie Curran
Robert E. Dalton
Carole Anne Davis
Patricia A. DeCosta Diana Mable del'Etoile Bridget Ann Devine Philip Devine Anita May Dexter Marguerite L. Doherty James F. Donnelly
Shirley Ann Doucette Mary Angela Driscoll Mary Ann Dundulis Lorraine Ellen Elias Gail Katherine Ellis
Sara Dennisse Feeney
Neil Frederick Fitzgibbons
Martin J. Flansbury
Edwin Williard Fogg, Jr.
Francis James Foley Martha A. Foley Peter Joseph Foley
Donald Stuart Forbes
Patricia Christine Fowler
Deborah S. Gatchell Joseph Alphonse Giordano Peter F. Glebus Bernard J. Goba
Joy Ellen Gottlieb
Peter P. Graham
Sandra Jean Graham Sheila Graney Maureen E. Griffin Richard Arthur Griffin
Francis J. Grilley
Russell Raymond Groh
Richard Joseph Gulla Marsha L. Hartford Jon William Heino
Arlene Mae Hermanson Sandra Ruth Hill Doris S. Hinds Donald E. Hixson Bruce Edman Hoeg Jean Ann Iodice Elaine A. Jacobs Joanne Marie Jacobs Donald Johnson Earle Francis Johnson Dorothy Jeanne Johnston James Ambrose Kelly Margaret Mary Kelter Virginia Alice Kent Gerald Anthony Keohane Paul M. Keohane Constance Patricia Kinder Lois Ann King Jorunn M. Knap
-
Resolution
MILDRED METCALF 1932 - 1957
Miss Mildred Metcalf entered the service of our public schools in 1932.
In your quiet and gracious way, you have performed your tasks in an exemplary fashion.
We, all of us, and we speak for the hundreds of young people whose privilege it was to be numbered among your pupils, are sorry to learn that you are to leave our schools.
We would have you know that we value the memories of your kind and considerate guidance of young people, and our sincere wish is that you may continue in good health and fortune.
JOHN J. CAVANAUGH, Chairman FRANCES L. BLANCHOT JOHN F. KILEY MARY H. HEMMAN JOHN F. REYNOLDS EUGENE A. NELSON EDWARD H. THOMPSON
Norwood School Committee
September 11, 1957
Resolution
HITTIE B. MCINTYRE 1920 - 1957
The retirement of Miss Hittie McIntyre from the employ of the Nowood Public Schools forces upon us the realization of the long term of invaluable service which she has rendered our schools and our community.
We, Members of the Norwood School Committee, are mindful of the intense devotion to her work and are most appreciative of her interest and effort in behalf of the hundreds of Norwood children whose privilege it was, to be numbered among her pupils and friends.
Upon the occasion of her retirement, the School Committee records its deep appreciation of her work in the schools and extends to her its best wishes for many years of good health and fortune.
JOHN J. CAVANAUGH, Chairman FRANCES L. BLANCHOT JOHN F. KILEY MARY H. HEMMAN JOHN F. REYNOLDS EUGENE A. NELSON EDWARD H. THOMPSON
Norwood School Committee
June 21, 1957
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
GRADUATES - Continued
Martin Paul Kuporatz Donald Walter Laakso Clara Mary Lajoie Leo James Lamminen David E. Lane Irwin Allen Langille
Frances Ann LaRouche
Carol Barbara Perry Nancy Cecelia Picone
Robert Edward Leahy
Eleanore Lucille Lorusso
Andrew Seymour Pike
Robert Lorimer Pillsbury
Malcolm Allan Pitts, Jr.
Jean M. Porazzo
Duncan Ronald MacEachern
Karleen J. Porazzo
Lorraine Porazzo
Carole Ann Pratt
Antoinette Puopolo
Gloria V. Rafuse
Peter Joseph Rakauskas
Philip James Regan
James Edward McCarthy
Alexander Rennie
Gerald Joseph McDavitt
Ronald W. Rioux
John Michael McDonagh
Angela Marie Rizzo
Jeanne Elizabeth McDonough
Robert Frederick Robinson
Judith Ann McLeod
Beverly L. Rock
Diane Marie McManus
Marjorie A. Ross
Judith Ann McNally
Matthew L. Ross
Teresa Mary McNulty
Maureen Frances Ryan
Carol G. Scanlon
William Everett Schoppee
Charles W. Shannon
Claire Marie Shea
Walter James Shea David W. Shepherd
Christina Sideropoulos
Loretta Mae Simpson
Vytenis Joseph Sitkauskas
Doris Louis Skeans Margaret Ruth Smith
Frank Anthony Nado
Thomas Edward Narbut
Peter Richard Smith
Robert E. Steeves
John Thomas Stonefield
Maureen Elizabeth Sullivan
Paul M. O'Neil Maureen O'Riordan
Roger Carl Ostrom Joann M. Packard Mary Lou Packard Robert M. Padden
Frances Helen Palsic
Ann Marie Patten T. Andrew Paul
Astried Mary Pearson
Joyce Hazel Peasley
Dolores Jeanette Peckham
George Andrew Lovell
Irene Lowerison Linda June Lutes
John Robert MacLellan James V. Maglio, Jr.
Roger Francis Maguire
Edward A. Maloof Anna P. Markowicz Peter Guy Maxon
Robert Vernon McNutt
Charles I. Metcalf
David P. Michel Carolyn Ruth Miller
Thomas Kevin Moynihan
Rosalie May Mucciarone
Eugene Francis Murphy Joanne Christine Murphy
Mary Ann Murphy Francis K. Nado
Margaret R. Naughton Dorothy Ann Nelson Leslie Anne Novick
Earle S. Taylor John E. Taylor Barbara A. Thomas Ronald Paul Thompson Carol Ann Thornton Carolyn Marie Tibert
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TOWN OF NORWOOD
GRADUATES - Continued
John F. Toomey
Robert Michael Walsh
Anthony B. Torres
Judith Watts
Keith L. Traudt
William Wenstrom
Charles John Treciokas, Jr.
Donald Edward Wheaton
Antonette Elena Troilo
John V. Whelan
Patricia Ann Trudeau
Frances Anne Yelapi
Henry R. Valentinas
Joseph Zilfi
Peter Wall
Reeven R. Ziskind
Raymond F. Walsh
REPORT OF THE PRINCIPAL OF THE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
I herewith present my eighteenth report as principal of Norwood Junior High School.
Our building is again fully utilized with our enrollment of 753 added to the 215 of the elementary unit, making a total of 968 pupils in our building. In September we shall increase our numbers in grades 7, 8, and 9 by approxi- mately ninety pupils. Since the elementary unit will then be housed in a new school, we shall be able to make slight readjustments for a period of one year. It will be possible to use a room for instrumental music instead of the very unsatisfactory arrangement of using an open area in the basement. The regular music classes can have a different room in order that our library may have more effective usage than it has had recently when it shared a large room which was used nearly full-time for the teaching of music.
Yet these advantages, which will offset some of the loss which has occurred during the six years of accommodating an elementary unit, will be available to us for only one school year, when again an upsurge in our enrollment will tax our facilities until the Senior High School addition becomes a reality.
While I realize, and concur fully, that the Senior High School expansion program must have priority over our neeed, I am hopeful that we shall continue to look upon the transfer at that time of grade nine to the Senior High School as a temporary expedient in the difficult problem of planning adequately for our secondary schools. The junior high school which includes grades seven, eight, and nine has been increasing significantly during the last decade throughout our country. Students attending regular four-year public high schools now comprise about a fourth of the secondary popula- tion. The four towns which surround Norwood have recently changed, or are in the process of changing, to a system which includes grades seven, eight, and nine as a separate unit. To no small degree have our immediate neigh- bors been influenced by the school system of Norwood.
Regular monthly meetings on curriculum review, held one afternoon each month by our faculty, allow us to review our knowledge of the learners and the learning environment so that we may improve the quality of the learning experience. While such a process is necessarily slow to produce noticeable change, we have already shifted some of the emphasis in our
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
program of guidance. Instead of one period of classroom guidance in grade seven, we have returned to a former time allotment of two periods each week, stressing orientation of children from the security of the elementary classroom to a differentiated program of expanding activities, as well as problems of growing up which are common to the early adolescent. In grade eight we have dropped classroom guidance and have devoted the extra period to health education. The classroom guidance of grade nine remains the same, and is concerned mainly with vocational guidance. Our homeroom teachers now use two of our short homeroom periods each week to acquaint themselves with background information so that they may better understand these pupils, and so refer to the guidance personnel those who will profit by more specialized counseling or testing.
We are concerned at these curriculum meetings with providing an ade- quate program for each pupil to develop himself to the best of his ability so that he may become a useful citizen in our democratic society. Naturally, we are now challenged to meet this objective for the extremely capable student. If we are realistic about meeting the needs of these pupils, we cannot have classes which are too large, nor can we help them reach their goals without superior teachers. In today's market, I fear that we shall not replace our superior teachers at the Junior High School when they retire in a few years unless support for schools, which has been generous in the past, is even more so in the immediate future.
Our building needs have been discussed thoroughly at various town meetings, and since our town meeting representatives are desirous of meeting these needs, I shall not dwell on them. We do, however, need a parking area for automobiles or, in its place, the closing of Bond Street to traffic from Walpole to Washington Streets. We have no facilities for a hot lunch for those who remain at school during the noon hour, and in time this need must be met. A considerable portion of our yard should be black-topped to provide a better play area.
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