USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Norwood > Norwood annual report 1957-1959 > Part 25
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The day of the total scholarship based solely on competition is a thing of the past. The tendency today is to aid a student, no matter how brilliant, only to the extent of need. The national merit scholarship program is an example of this. This is being done because our country has lost in the past too many valuable contributors merely because they did not have the nec- essary funds.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has a newly organized program whereby a student who wishes to go to college, but has not the necessary funds need merely present himself at the bank of his choice and indicate his education program and financial needs. Any parent who wishes more detail on the program can consult this office at his convenience.
Regularly, for the past several years we have had administered at the eleventh grade level the "B.U. Battery" under the supervision of Mr. John McCarthy of the University. This year the examination was given in early October. It is hoped that we will have interviewed each member of the Junior class prior to the selection of senior subjects. The results of this series of tests each year would indicate that we have a slightly superior group of youngsters with whom to work and that they are probably working up to expected standards.
During the early spring of 1957, about a dozen of our seniors who would enter the labor market in June were tested by the state employment per- sonnel. The test results were made known to them before graduation. We hope to continue the program on a somewhat larger scale this year.
During the course of each school year, we are able to help some 30 to 40 or so boys and girls obtain part-time jobs. We could supply more help if more needs were made known to us. Needless to say, there has been no
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lack of available employment in recent years, so virtually all of our gradu- ates who wish, are able to find work.
Occasionally, we receive a call for work on a full-time basis. Unfortun- ately, we have no file of alumni who are interested in changing their em- ployment situation. Should any graduate wish to place his or her name with us, in the event we receive further inquiries, we will be pleased to file them in our office.
We wish to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has assisted us in our program, especially the Principals of the elementary and Junior High Schools. We are indebted also to Mr. Hayden and Miss Ryan for their ex- cellent cooperation.
We wish also to thank Mr. Lincoln D. Lynch for his understanding and sympathy. Finally, we thank the members of the School Committee for all they have done.
THOMAS J. ROCHE Director of Guidance and Placement
REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION
The Report of Athletics and the Physical Education Department for the year ending December 31, 1957, is respectfully submitted.
Introduction
Education in America has a responsibility, as have other great social institutions, to help boys and girls live effectively in a democratic society. Education dedicated 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 pur- poses 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 de- velopment of the more sensitive control of this instrument for more effective functioning. It is significantly that area which deals constantly and con- tinuously with the individual in his most dynamic learning, for he moves, sees, thinks, feels at once in situations of social and democratic import.
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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 and rest, remedial and adapted activities, co-educational and co-recreational activities, 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 - Elementary Schools
Under the supervision of Mr. Richard Mahoney, the activities we in- clude at the intermediate grade level consist of football, soccer, basketball, volley ball, softball, kickball, and baseball skills. We also have units in rhythmetics, rope skipping, tumbling, track and field, health and posture. At the primary grade level we are developing in the children basic skills such as running, hopping, and skipping through low organized games, story plays, singing games, and rhythmics. We also give, at all levels, calisthetics before every physical education class. This is to tone up the children's muscles before an activity starts.
Physical Education Program
Junior High School -Girls
The girls physical education program is under the direction of Miss Ellen Gifford. This program consists of corrective exercises, apparatus, march- ing, dancing, hiking, and posture work.
An extensive after-school program is carried out in games such as tennis, tenniquoit, volley ball, archery, badminton, basketball, and soft ball.
Junior High School - Boys
The program under the supervision of Mr. John Dixon consists of cal- esthenics, marching, apparatus, first aid, group games, dancing, and a sports club.
The athletic program consists of the following: Varsity football, basket- ball, baseball, hockey, intramural; basketball, baseball, and touch football. The varsity basketball and baseball consists of games played with teams in the Bay State League.
Junior High School football for ninth grade boys, was held under the supervision of Mr. Thomas Roche. Practice was held daily at the Senior High School. This group was fully equipped and was taught the fundamentals of the game. They played the following schools: Walpole, Dedham, and Need- ham. We feel that several of these boys will be used in our varsity group next year. We defeated Walpole and Dedham, losing to Needham. We were very much encouraged by their spirit and showing in these games.
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Resolution
ANNA E. NELSON 1920 - 1957
Miss Anna E. Nelson, after thirty-seven years of service in the Norwood Public Schools, her work characterized by unsparingly and seemingly tireless effort in the interests of our Town and its schools has retired from these services.
We trust that there are ahead for Miss Nelson, many years, during which she may look back upon and derive much satisfaction from her excellent record as a servant of our Town and its people.
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
In Memoriam emoriam
MISS RACHEL J. ELLIS
Born in Norwood, Mass., June 27, 1895; died September 16, 1957. Attended Norwood Public Schools, graduated from Norwood High School in June 1912, and from Hyannis Normal School in 1914. Employed as a teacher in Mansfield and New Bedford before coming to Norwood to teach in 1921.
Resolution MISS RACHEL J. ELLIS
In the year 1921, Miss Ellis came to our community to serve us, in our schools. For her decision to teach in Norwood and to remain here through these many years, we, members of the Norwood School Committee, are most grateful.
In her quiet and unassuming way, she performed her tasks in an ex- emplary manner. About her, never has there been uttered by fellow worker or pupil an unkind word.
We, all of us,-and we speak for the hundreds of young people whose privilege it was to be numbered among her pupils were deeply moved to learn of her death on September 16, 1957.
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
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Health and Hygiene Education
Health education classes are organized in the sophomore classes for boys and girls. These classes are taught by the following: Miss Erna Kiley, Miss Mary Canning, Miss Katherine Ryan, and Orlando Scafati. A different phase of health is taught by each of the instructors. This is a weekly class.
Hygiene is given weekly to the seniors at the High School.
The general objectives of the health program are: To improve the general condition of the individual so that he may function normally, avoid disease, and fit himself for his life's work, and to develop in the pupils an interest in good body mechanics through self-appraisal and group judgment.
Physical Education and Athletic Program
Senior High School - Boys
An integrated program of physical education that includes calisthenics, group correctives, appartus, marching, games, and some group posture work. We have now added a course in weight lifting.
The Athletic program consisted of the following sports: Varsity and Junior varsity football, Varsity and Junior varsity basketball for boys and girls, Hockey, Cross Country, Outdoor track, varsity and Junior varsity base- ball, Golf, Tennis for boys and girls. We at the High School feel that this past season was one of our most successful athletic seasons in years. Our teams won two league Championships and placed very high in all other sports. Our aim is to be very high in all our sports, and we feel that the future looks very bright.
An intramural program was run by our basketball coach, Mr. Fred Richardson, between the football and basketball seasons and again, after the basketball season. This program is run for those boys who do not take part in varsity competition.
The varsity basketball team played fourteen games with teams in the Bay State League. The record was eight wins and six losses.
The junior varsity also played a fourteen-games schedule with junior varsity teams in the Bay State League.
Under the supervision of Mr. George Ronan the hockey team won the Bay State League Championship. This was the first time that our school won the championship. This group, as in other years, held practice sessions in the Boston Arena, Blue Hills Rink, and the Weymouth Arena.
Boys tennis under the supervision of Mr. James Donovan held matches with teams in the Bay State Tennis League. The competition was very keen, and the boys enjoyed a fine season.
Track, under the coaching of Mr. Frank Galvani, enjoyed a very fine . season. The boys took part in the Massachusetts State Relays held at the University of Massachusetts. Several of the boys won medals at this event.
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Our second league championship was in Baseball. This was the second straight year that we won the league title. We defeated New Bedford in the first round of tournament play. Durfee defeated us in the second round. Our record for the season, including tournament play, was fifteen games won and three losses.
The junior varsity also played a fourteen-game schedule with teams in the Bay State League.
The golf team, coached by Mr. Everett Learnard, competed with teams in the Bay State League. Our home golf course this year was the Ponkapoag Golf Club.
In keeping with other schools we adopted a new sport this fall. Under the coaching of Mr. Fred Richardson, Cross Country was started. We found the interest very high, and the turn-out was very encouraging. I am sure the boys enjoyed competing with the schools in our league, and I feel that we will do well in this sport in years to come.
Football candidates reported as usual on the date set by the Headmasters. The turn-out was very encouraging as we had one of the largest squads in recent years. The boys worked hard, and their spirit and desire was the best I have had in many years. This was shown in the results of our games as we lost one game this year. Our season's record was six wins and one defeat. We again defeated Dedham for the seventh straight year 19-0.
My assistant coaches, Frank Galvani, Thomas Roche, Arthur Gulla, and Richard Mahoney, played a very important part in our team play.
The junior varsity had a successful season, and as we are losing several key men we are going to need much help from this group next year.
Senior High School - Girls
This program under the supervision of Miss Erna Kiley includes corrective exercises, badminton, marching, dancing games, and group posture work.
The Girls Basketball Team will play games with teams in the Bay State League. This year they will play varsity and junior varsity games instead of playing Sophomore, Junior and Senior games as was the custom in other years.
An intramural program in basketball is run for all girls before and after the regular basketball season.
Girls' tennis under the supervision of Miss Ruth Johngren enjoyed a fine season. They held matches with teams from neighboring towns.
I sincerely thank the Superintendent of Schools, School Committee, Prin- cipal, faculty, and the 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
Director of Athletics and Physical Education
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REPORT OF HOME ECONOMICS EDUCATION
I herewith submit a report on Home Economics Education in Norwood for the year ending December 31, 1957.
For those who may not be familiar with our Home Economics offerings in the Norwood Public Schools an outline showing our set-up is presented, as follows:
Junior High School
Grades 7 & 8-Required of all girls. Basic fundamental Homemaking training.
Grade 9-Major Course-(Elective). Both practical and technical instruc- tions in Foods, Clothing and Home Membership.
Senior High School
Grade 10. A. Major Elective Course (5 diploma credits); B. Short Elec- tive Course (1 diploma credits); Grade 11. A. Major Elective Course (5 di- ploma credits); B. Required Course (For all Junior Girls) in "Youth Prob- lems" (11/2 diploma credits); Grade 12. A. Major Course in "Gracious Living" (5 diploma credits); B. Major Course in "Family Living" (5 diploma credits).
Recommendations for the expansion of our Home Economics facilities and courses in Senior High School are in preparation and it is hoped that many phases of Home Economics Education may thus be developed further with courses for boys included, when facilities and teacher personnel permit or when the hoped-for enlargement of the Senior High School takes place. At the present time we stand well above average both in extent of prescribed courses and in the number of pupils enrolled in Senior High School Home Economics classes, proving the popularity of Homemaking training and the appreciation of its advantages as basic education for life. We have had changes in our department personnel this past year. To our advantage, Miss Veronica Simpson was transferred from the Peabody School Staff to Junior High School to take over the Clothing instruction there. We feel very fortunate in having a person with Miss Simpson's unusual ability and experience as a member of the Home Economics Department. Her pupils are very happy and will profit much from her teaching. Miss Eleanor Sline, our popular former Foods teacher at Junior High School decided to accept a similar position in the Walpole Schools this past September. Her place is being ably filled by Miss Ann Teehan, a graduate of Framingham Teachers College. At Senior High School we are sorry to lose the services of Mrs. Ellen Johnson, who retired from our Cafeteria Service personnel this fall after many years of faithful and most efficient work with us. Always dependable, loyal and cooperative, her place will be difficult to fill.
All around, this has been a very busy year and problems have been many. Adjusting to our present larger enrollment and more crowded conditions at Senior High, looking into the future with plans in progress for enlarged curricula with new and expanded facilities, selecting enrichment books in the Home Economics field for the Senior High School library, our evaluation committees work - all of these problems and duties have added many hours
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of work to already busy programs. At Senior High, home-room duties have been added to the work of this department. However, all this spells progress and we find the extra work interesting as well as progressive and enthusiasm is added with every effort.
This year has called for adjustment in room assignments at Senior High School in order to accommodate the ever-increasing enrollment. To these ends, the Home Economics Department was asked to combine Homemaking and Clothing classes and use less room space than formerly. The problem was solved by moving all sewing equipment into our large living-room, formerly used as an all-purpose family room, thus freeing the former clothing laboratory for a home room and classroom for the History Department. Our new combination sewing and family room is a very friendly and pleasant place and the pupils are thoroughly enjoying the homey atmosphere which prevails there. Through family life education, which is the basis of Home Economics instruction, we are trying to help our pupils to solve problems of nutrition, clothing and housing, child care, family and community rela- tions, teen-age problems, home management and personal problems. The greatest success in their personal and home life can be achieved through careful integration of these phases of Home Economics Education. Therefore, our courses are planned and taught with this objective in mind.
The problems of teen-agers are ever-changing and many. It appears that their main trouble-spots are: (1) getting along with parents; (2) Lack of money for their needs as they see them; (3) Difficulty with friendships; (4) Dating; (5) Their future. Home Economics teaching lends itself to dis- cussion of these problems. Particularly, our "Youth Problems" classes provide an opportunity to show our pupils that such obstacles to their happiness, as stated, can be overcome by the substitution of corresponding pleasures which await them in every day life. We encourage them to seek enjoyment in their surroundings and to appreciate real values while we endeavor to make them understand and try to solve their personal problems.
Sweeping social changes have taken place - changes which are rapid and revolutionary. Our modern woman is capable, independent and often self-supporting. Many mothers are helping to support their families through gainful employment. Customs have become modernized and streamlined and vary with given localities - even nearby localities. Varying backgrounds seem to call for varying customs and rules of etiquette. Even with these conditions we believe that certain customs, needs and interests are funda- mental to our way of life and, therefore, we try to teach the best methods of handling specific everyday situations, thereby helping with individual development. In our "Gracious Living" classes we are teaching that even with these changes, there are still standards for being a lady or gentleman and that chivalry need not be forgotten.
We find that most teen-agers want to give a good accounting of them- selves and we hope that we are assisting them in achieving the goal of well- adjusted living with themselves and others in order that they may become better acquainted with themselves as family members, students in school and citizens in a democracy. It is most important that we try to develop proper attitudes as desired in all human relationships and that we suggest
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specific ways or techniques for developing desirable qualities of personality and character. Our pupils give generously of their time and effort whenever they can be helpful - at parties, teas, receptions, dances, faculty meetings and other functions; decorating the School when needed, serving luncheons, etc. The experiences provided help to build more efficient, willing and co-operative people.
We are indebted, as heretofore, to the Norwood Mothers' Club for remembering our department at graduation and the Federal Lunch Depart- ment for all assistance given.
May I take this opportunity to thank all school personnel, the School Committee, administrative officers, Home Economics instructors, our Cafeteria Workers, and all who have cooperated to make this a good year.
AGNES M. BRIDGES
Supervisor of Home Economics Education
REPORT OF THE ART DIRECTOR
I herewith submit the annual report of the art program for the year 1957.
To understand and evaluate art, and its place in a school curriculum, it is necessary to appreciate the present day art education philosophy. Tangible results on display do not provide enough material for evaluation. It would be more nearly ideal for an observer to be in a classroom where an art project is in progress. A fusion of emotional and intellectual pre- occupation takes place through experience, that promotes the students' emotional and mental welfare.
Yearly Art Exhibitions
Two cooperative store owners in the downtown area permitted us to use their window space for our displays. The Junior High school and elementary schools work was exhibited at one store, and the High School work at the other. Much interest was displayed by parents, and they had a chance to see the diversified program experienced by the Norwood school students.
Following is a list of projects exhibited :
Elementary and Junior High Display.
Papier mache puppets.
Ceramic objects.
Handicrafts - jump ropes, moccassin slippers, milk money purses, Christmas tree felt pins.
Painting - water color and poster paint.
Design.
Lettering - signs and posters. Crayon work.
Three-dimensional posters.
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High School Display.
Constructed model homes.
Painting - abstract, realistic.
Simulated jewelry - copper wire, tin. Embroidery designs.
Wire construction designs. Mobiles. Experiments in materials. Drawings.
Puppet Show
The third and fourth grades constructed puppets, and a number of groups organized puppet productions. Scripts were written, stages con- structed, and performances given. Miss Webster's and Mrs. Poce's classes from the Shattuck School were transported to the Junior High School, and there presented their two plays to the Junior High Elementary Unit.
Aunt Jemima Contest
The Kiwanis Club of Norwood sponsored an art contest in connection with their Pancake Festival. Each elementary student had an opportunity to submit a drawing, thus providing a splendid motivation for an art lessson. Miss Joan Chase, our Junior High School art teacher, was judge of the entries. (A competition in art can be a healthy contest, providing the work is judged by a competent art specialist). A large globe was presented to the top winner; smaller globes and sets of poster paints were presented to the other winners. The Kiwanis Club should be commended for the fine way in which they fulfilled all obligations to the students. A special "thanks" to Mr. Parsons of the Kiwanis Club.
Red Cross
A "fun cart" is being completed at the High School art room. Last year one was presented to the Children's Hospital in Boston; this one will be presented to the Norwood Hospital. Mrs. Nancy Tritter, the High School art teacher, and her sixth period class deserve much credit for painting the beautiful decorations on this cart.
The Chelsea Naval Hospital received some beautifully designed wall decorations that were executed by the High School art classes.
At Hallowe'en time, Miss Joan Chase's classes did some appropriate tumbler decorations that brought joy to the hospitalized veterans. A number of elementary classes also contributed projects.
Teachers' Institute
The Institute afforded the opportunity for teachers to experiment and experience with materials. Before Christmas, the fifth and sixth grade teachers were given the opportunity to fashion some copper enamel jewelry. At the end of the work period, many beautiful objects were displayed.
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Our small portable school kiln, and enamelling materials shall be given to each fifth and sixth grade teacher in turn, so that the children can experi- ence the construction of enamel jewelry.
After our enamelling session, any fifth or sixth grade teacher in Norwood can demonstrate the enamelling process.
The making of a papier mache mask was presented to the third and 1 fourth grade teachers. We demonstrated a procedure whereby papier mache can be used in class without resulting in a messy experience.
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