USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Norwood > Norwood annual report 1960-1962 > Part 73
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Teachers of mathematics are constantly reviewing our program to present an improved course to more pupils as materials increase each year. The new programs demand much work by teachers, but they are responding to the challenge in a gratifying manner. Two classes in grade eight now study School Mathematics Study Group Algebra I in contrast to the single class of last year. Two classes in grade seven are being taught the newer mathematics course, normally offered in grade eight, as preparation for the course which they will have next year. In both grades, other classes have mathematics courses which combine the traditional and the new.
Wherever possible in our Language Arts program, the developmental reading program is carried on by the language arts teacher rather than by our reading specialist who guides the teachers in the use of reading material for the proper development of essential skills. This more diversified program allows some of these teachers to meet only three classes, enabling the teacher to know the pupils better and to do more effective work in written composition.
A new class of ungraded pupils has been formed to meet the needs of boys and girls of junior high school age who are unable to do satisfactory academic work. These pupils will normally continue here and in our Senior High School in a special program.
For further improvement in our program more teacher-time will be needed in the areas of home economics and industrial arts. The addition of a school librarian to our staff will also benefit our program.
Much has been done this year to improve our physical plant. A com- plete renovation of the boys' locker and shower-room, similar to the recent renovation of the girls' locker and shower-room, has transformed that area from one of dinginess to one of brightness. A new intercommunication system fulfills a pressing need, while a complete reroofing of the building has resolved the third of our major problem areas of the school. While ex-
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pressing our pleasure with these improvements, we are sobered with the reflection that much still needs to be done in this building which has been in use for forty-two years.
I wish to thank you, Dr. Coakley, and the members of our School Com- mittee, for continued support in all matters which provide better educa- tional opportunities for our pupils.
JOHN J. CORCORAN, Principal
DEPARTMENT OF SPECIAL SERVICES
The Special Services have improved their offerings in every department except in Enrichment Classes for the more able pupils at the elementary level. In this instance, classes in creative expression which were initiated last year in the sixth grade and which were scheduled for selected pupils in grades five and six this year, were suspended because of the overcrowded buildings and classes, and because of the lack of resource personnel. It is our hope that the classes can be re-instated in September, 1963.
All other areas, however, are expanding and refining their work with the following highlights to be noted briefly here, and to be discussed more at length in the summaries composing this report:
1. The planning and development of a more comprehensive speech program for all pupils in the Norwood Public Schools.
2. The initiation of a reading workshop at the Balch School for greater individual attention.
3. An added period of audio-lingual French instruction for third and fourth-grade pupils, bringing the total weekly time allotment to one hour.
4. A proposed project in units of modern mathematics to be con- ducted in the spring with the help of teaching machines, for se- lected groups of sixth-grade pupils.
5. The extension of Special educational opportunities by:
a. The "promotion" of adjustment class pupils to the senior high school course in Skills and Job Opportunities.
b. The addition of a second daily session for older trainable children.
c. The gradual improvement of program offerings for Adjustment Class pupils in the Junior High School.
Speech Department
The staff of speech therapists was increased by one teacher for the school year 1962-63. This has enabled the speech department to do con- centrated work with those pupils who have more severe handicaps in speech and hearing, and to extend its services to senior high school pupils. The three speech therapists have been responsible also for giving speechi improvement classes to all first-grade pupils once a week for the first half- year. During the second half-year, speech improvement classes will be given to all kindergarten pupils,
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The speech department is currently developing a speech program for the Norwood Public Schools with these considerations in mind:
1. Speech improvement for all elementary-grade pupils
2. Teacher orientation to good speech habits
3. The use of the direct speech approach for corrective work as con- trasted with the clinical approach
4. The possibility of an intensive language development program for children of first-grade age who need more readiness.
Adjustment Classes
Efforts in this area have been devoted to helping inexperienced teach- ers attain a better understanding of their pupils and of teaching methods adapted to these children. Reading consultants have helped adjustment class teachers both at the elementary and junior high school levels. The program of studies at the Junior High School has been revised to include instruction in science, reading, and practical arts, given by a regular teacher of these respective departments to Adjustment Class pupils as an au- tonomous group.
As in past years, three adjustment classes have been maintained.
1. The primary adjustment class held at the Prescott School.
2. The intermediate adjustment class at the Cleveland School.
3. The secondary adjustment class conducted in the Norwood Junior High School.
A second session was added for the trainables. There are now a morning session for the younger set, and an afternoon session for the older children. The division of pupils into groups as determined by their developmental stage, facilitates the development of progressive manual and motor skills, and in a limited measure, the understanding of more complex directions and situations.
The greatest need for a well-rounded program of special education in Norwood is greater opportunity for training in the practical arts for those pupils of ages fourteen through eighteen. These should be work experiences in a variety of fields, including auto mechanics and basic electricity.
Elementary French Classes
This department consists of three full-time teachers who give instruc- tion in French to all pupils in grades three and four, three times a week, and to selected groups of fifth and sixth-grade pupils, twice a week. All groups receive instruction in this subject one hour a week. The program has been in transition for two or three years, a fact which has necessitated the development of units of work at four grade levels. In another year some pupils will have completed the cycle. At that time, it will be possible to evaluate the program with reference to the following:
1. The interest children show in continuing with the subsequent study of French.
2. The influence of the general school population of a two-year lag between grades five and seven when the study of French can be resumed as an elective.
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3. The degree of proficiency acquired by selected groups in grades five and six with one hour weekly instruction.
Remedial Reading
This area is benefitting from the services of three specialists. Although these teachers do remedial work with small groups of children in all tlie elementary grades, they are acting also in the capacity of reading con- sultants and resource teachers. As such, they are called upon to help new teachers establish reading groups among their pupils, to give demonstra- tion lessons in the various reading skills, to diagnose reading difficulties, and to supply supplementary materials to classroom teachers.
In addition, a small reading workshop is being conducted at the Balch School for second and third-grade pupils. The teacher of this group is re- sponsible for all the academic work of each child's regular grade; but she approaches each subject from the point of view of reading. The participants gain confidence in themselves with this individual help and acquire a new interest in what the school has to offer. The success of this experiment to date is very gratifying. It is anticipated that two or three from the group can be reassigned to their regular class by the end of January, at which time other pupils will take their place in the work shop. It is our aim to open a similar workshop in at least one other school next year.
Testing Program
The testing program, K-12, established last year folows the same pat- tern this year. The results of achievement tests in the fourth and sixth grades based on national norms place Norwood students above the national median in all academic areas.
To be significant this survey must extend over a period of three or four years. Meanwhile attention has been called to certain areas so that teachers may make a conscientious effort to improve instruction in those directions.
All in all, the division of special services finds many avenues open to its endeavors and tries to fill individual needs to insure a full quota of instruction for each and every one.
Respectfully submitted,
ANN A. LANQUE
REPORT OF THE MUSIC DIRECTOR
September 1962, marked a reorganization of the Music Department of the Norwood Public Schools. All phases of musical activities are now being more closely coordinated with common goals in mind. It is our aim to pro- vide for the boys and girls of every grade level a well-planned medium of musical expression. By doing this we hope to develop in them an honest love and understanding of music.
The major change has been in the instrumental music program. Stu- dents now have the benefit of studying a musical instrument with expert
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instrumental teachers on Tuesday afternoon or Saturday morning. At the present time the staff consists of eight people teaching woodwind, brass and percussion instruments. The program hopes to expand to include stringed instruments in 1963.
In the vocal field a new enthusiasm has been shown at the Senior High School by the formation of two new choral groups, the Acappella Choir and Varsity Glee Club. The Acappella Choir is a select organization of care- fully auditioned voices, while the Varsity Glee Club encompasses all boys and girls who enjoy group singing. At the Junior High and Elementary levels a continued improvement has been shown by many varied activities.
The Senior High School Band has begun to greatly increase the scope of its activities. Many concerts and civic appearances are planned for the coming year with an emphasis on the performance of varied types of good music in both the popular and classical repertoire.
Overall, the Music Department is beginning a period of growth and ex- pansion. We hope that through careful planning and parental support to eventually have a music program that can be considered "truly outstanding by any standard of comparison."
RALPH E. FORSMAN Director
REPORT OF THE ART DIRECTOR
It is gratifying to realize that with the present reorganization of the academic subjects in the Norwood Public Schools, I have never heard any reference to the arts as being fringe or superfluous activities. To the con- trary, it is recognized that the arts are a necessary inclusion in our educa- tional offerings.
It is our purpose to present to our students a vehicle through which the "self" seeks fruition of aesthetic tendencies.
Assistant to the Art Director
Miss Virginia Kelly, a graduate of Boston University, was appointed to assist the Art Director maintain the teaching of art in the elementary schools. With the addition of still another school this next September, an already full schedule for the Art Director and Assistant will be extended.
Scenery for Elementary School Assemblies
The Winslow School students presented an Operetta at the Cleveland School Auditorium, an adaptation of the story "Hansel and Gretal."
The students designed and executed the following scenery:
1. Forest interior (large enough to cover entire rear wall of stage.)
2. Witch's house.
3. Fence composed of figures painted to represent gingerbread cookies.
4. Cage.
5. Oven (large enough to contain witch).
Other stage properties were constructed for this performance.
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The Cleveland School students presented a Musical Revue that depicted dances and songs of many lands.
The students designed and executed the following scenery:
1. South Pacific landscape (large enough to cover entire rear walls of stage.)
2. Palm trees.
3. Cherry trees in bloom.
4. Panels depicting Switzerland.
The end result was colorful and contributed greatly to the success of the performance.
Ceramic Activities in the Elementary Schools
Before the kindergarten classes occupied the multi-purpose rooms at the Prescott and Cleveland Schools, we were able to fire many interesting ceramic projects.
Decorative bas-relief heads with attached hangers were taken home by many fifth graders. The annual production of ceramic ash trays was continued, and many now serve a practical use in Norwood homes. At Christmas time, a sixth grade class designed ceramic jewelry, and con- structed a gift box to contain them.
Copper Enamelling Gifts for Mother's Day
Some sixth grade groups had the opportunity to use this craft and achieve very usable articles of copper enamelled jewelry.
Civic Co-operation by the Art Department
The community benefitted from the labors of the Art Department as follows:
1. Posters for Norwood Hospital.
2. Merit certificates for Mental Health Committee.
3. Testimonial for retirement of Miss Edna Phillips, Librarian.
4. Visual aids for Town of Norwood Float.
5. Posters for Red Cross representative of the Bloodmobile.
6. Testimonials for retired teachers.
7. Contribution of tray favors to Junior Red Cross representative.
8. Posters for "Curtain Timers."
9. Participation in "Christmas Picture Contest" sponsored by the Nor- wood Junior Chamber of Commerce.
Our Growing Gallery of Reproductions
Our school buildings, that have lacked colorful examples of Fine Art, now have hanging in the corridors reproductions that children should be exposed to. Each year we have added to the number of acquisitions. This year, we contributed to the Junior High School building seven framed prints.
The selection encompasses paintings by Gainsborough, Van Gogh, Ce- zanne, Leger, Picasso and Braque.
At the Balch School, a print of "The Windmill," by Jacob Ruisdael, was hung this past year in the main corridor.
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Practice Teachers In Art
The Massachusetts College of Art sent three students to Norwood, as part of their Teacher Training Program.
We were happy to welcome Virginia Ellis ,of Norwood, as a practice teacher. She and Karen Jewett, both Seniors at Massachusetts Art, were assigned to the Senior High School.
Miss Carol Wood, a Junior, was assigned to the Shattuck School.
Highlights of the Senior High School Art Program
1. Mr. Leonard Eldridge, from the Braintree Public School System, has become a member of the Art Department at the Senior High School.
2. The addition of a ceramic kiln, a potter's wheel, and a clay cart en- ables our High School teachers to present to the students an interesting series of ceramic projects. Mr. Eldridge will present an exhibition of High School Ceramic Art at a later date, in one of the local store windows.
3. Encaustic painting, (painting with heated wax as a medium) was an innovation in which bits of surplus was crayons and a hot plate gave to our students a new technique.
4. Three dimensional work was carried out in a variety of materials:
(a) Modelling with plaster of Paris.
(b) Modelling with cement.
(c) Design concepts with drinking straws.
(d) Paper Sculpture.
(e) Stained glass designs using bits of colored glass.
(f) Carving in soap.
5. There was a display of block printing technique at the Morrill Public Library, using the students work. It showed the steps from the original design sketch to the final print; which, with the cutting tools and the printing materials, presented an excellent visual explanation of the block printing craft.
6. In the Boston Globe Scholastic Art Contest, a number of Key winners and Place winners showed our students' art achievements in a healthy posture in relation to other schools.
Conclusion
The daily periods of art activities, from the sincere depictions of the elementary school students, through the transitional Junior High School program, to the more sophisticated concepts of the High School students, all resolve themselves within the personality structure of our students as a vehicle to enrich and complement their environment.
JOHN LEVITSKY
Director
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REPORT OF NORWOOD PUBLIC SCHOOLS
REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS AND SUPERVISOR OF SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Physical Education and Athletic Program
Senior High School-Girls
The Physical Education program is under the supervision of Miss Erna H. Kiley and Miss Betsy Sise. It includes exercises, badminton, march- ing, volley ball, field hockey, tennis, softball, tumbling, dancing, apparatus, and all games in season. Since the boys' new gym has been completed the old gym is being used solely by the girls for their various programs.
The Athletic Program includes the following sports: Field hockey, var- sity and junior varsity basketball, tennis and softball.
The basketball team, coached by Miss Erna Kiley, played games with teams in the Bay State League.
The tennis team competed with teams in the Bay State League.
The softball team was under the supervision of Mrs. Ruth Martowska. Games were scheduled with teams in the Bay State League.
The Intramural Program-Girls
The following activities were included in the girl's intramural pro- gram: Field hockey, tennis, basketball, and gymnastics. We had a large number of girls reporting for each of the above sports.
In all our activities the girls gave a very good account of themselves, and enjoyed the competition with other schools.
Senior High School-Boys
This program under the supervision of Orlando Scafati, Benjamin Mal- vinni, and Arthur Gulla, includes calisthenics, sports in season, tumbling, weight lifting, and gymnastics. The highlight of our physical education pro- gram this Fall was the Springfield College Gymnastic Team performing to a capacity audience in the new boys' gymnasium.
The Athletic program consists of the following sports: Varsity and Junior Varsity basketball, freshman basketball, varsity and freshman hockey, Cross country, indoor and outdoor track, varsity and junior varsity baseball, freshman baseball, golf, tennis, gymnastics, varsity and junior varsity football, and freshman football. Two new sports teams were added to our Athletic program: Indoor track and gymnastics.
The Varsity and Junior Varsity baskeball teams played a sixteen game schedule with teams in the Bay State League. At this writing, Mr. Kenneth Nolet has been appointed to coach our basketball team for the coming year. We have quite a job on our hands in trying to re-build this sport. I feel we are several years away from holding our own in the Bay State League. Our elementary basketball program is just begining to bear fruit.
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The freshman basketball team played a twelve-game schedule with members of the Bay State League.
Hockey, coached by Mr. Robert Richards, had a fine season. A fourteen- game schedule was played with teams in the Bay State League. All games were played in the Boston Arena.
The freshman hockey team was under the supervision of Mr. Donald Wheeler. Games were held with surrounding towns. All games were played at the Tabor Rink in Needham.
Mr. Donald Wheeler is our new Head Coach of Hockey, and he is assisted by Mr. Daniel Young, who will also coach the freshman team.
The tennis team was coached by Mr. Donald Wheeler. Matches were held with teams in the Bay State League.
The Track Team held meets with other Bay State League teams. These meets were all held on the Needham High School track.
The Freshman Track Team competed with teams from the surrounding towns.
The varsity and junior varsity baseball teams played a sixteen-game schedule.
Freshman baseball enjoyed a twelve-game schedule with teams from surrounding towns.
The golf team enjoyed a fine season. All our home matches and prac- tice sessions were held at the Ponkapoag Golf Course in Canton. Matches were played with teams in the Bay State League.
Cross Country, varsity and freshman, competed against teams in thic Bay State League.
Football candidates reported as usual on the date set by the Head- masters (August twenty-seventh). A group of sixty boys reported on open- ing day. Mr. Gulla, our Head Coach, had the following men assist him in his coaching: Mr. Frank Jacques, John Pignato, and Charles Babb. All three men were new to our system.
Elementary Intramural
During the winter months, a basketball program is run for fifth and sixth graders from all elementary schools. To run this program the follow- ing school gyms are used: Prescott, Cleveland, Junior High School, and Senior High School. This program has been well received by the students and their parents. This activity is carried on Saturday mornings from 9 to 12 A.M.
In the spring a soft ball program is carried on for all girls who wish to take part. Games are played with other schools in the town.
The boys have a baseball program, and they, too, play games with other schools in the town,
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REPORT OF NORWOOD PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Intramural and Athletic Program in the Seventh and Eighth Grade
Touch football is run during the fall every day when weather permits. This activity is run on a Home room level. Each homeroom plays every other homeroom at least once during the season.
A contact program is also run for those boys interested in contact football. This program consists of blocking, tackling, plays, and scrimmage among themselves.
During the winter months, class basketball program is run for both boys and girls. This activity is run when the gym is not in use by the basketball team or other activities.
The varsity and junior varsity basketball teams have a ten-game sched- ule with teams from surrounding towns. This year a Saturday morning pro- gram is being run because of the large number of boys that reported for basketball.
In the spring, a softball program is carried on for boys not interested in baseball. The girls also have a softball and tennis program during this time.
The varsity and junior varsity baseball teams play a ten-game schedule with teams from surrounding towns.
ORLANDO M. SCAFATI
Director of Athletics, and Supervisor of Senior High School Physical Education.
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF ELEMENTARY AND JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL PHYSICAL EDUCATION
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS: Every boy and girl in the elementary schools receive two formal physical education periods per week, unless excused and/or are under medical care. The time allotment is as follows:
1. First and second grades-twenty minutes
2. Third and fourth grades-thirty minutes
3. Fifth and sixth grades-forty-five minutes
The activities in the Physical Education Curriculum in the elementary schools include calisthenics, rhythmical activities, games of high and low organization, relays, athletic games, posture, tumbling, stunts, and self- testing activities, winter sports, and track and field events.
Last Spring, this department held the Second Annual Physical Education Exhibition Day at the Balch School grounds. This involved every boy and girl in the sixth grades, and an entire day was spent in athletic games, track and field events, and demonstrations such as marching and folk danc- ing. This type of program has been so successful that we anticipate it each Spring.
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A program of posture improvement now is in its second year for both boys and girls. This program is to give special help to improve the posture of students through such media as exercises in physical education classes, films on posture, posture posters, and educational material on posture for every classroom teacher. In most cases poor posture develops from poor posture habits and with such a program we are striving to correct this situation.
A unique function of the Elementary School Physical Education Pro- gram is that every teacher from grade one through six has a month by month Physical Education Curriculum Guide of Activities which is most beneficial to both the classroom teacher and students. This allows the class- room teacher to follow the program throughout the school year and also to assist in the program.
This year a month by month Physical Education Curriculum Guide is being distributed to every kindergarten teacher in the public schools of Norwood. The kindergarten program consists of calisthenics, story plays, rhythmical activities, posture and games.
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