USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Norwood > Norwood annual report 1963-1964 > Part 20
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REPORT OF TOWN TREASURER
253
Women's Club (Free Milk)
554.49
Special Services 31.80
Bomb Hoax 360.00
Vandalism 160.00
Miscellaneous Receipts 735.41
Peabody School
Special School Lunch Fund
4,635.39
Dressmaking
132.50
Bakery
709.51
Business
92.25
Beauty Culture
1,405.30
Dining Room
2,990.75
Special School Lunch Fund (Comm. of Mass.) 343.63
Building Permits 5,870.00
Light Permits
1,916.20
Water
3,722.50
Recreation (Dance Receipts)
493.00
Recreation (Swimming Pool Receipts)
1,673.00
Police (Miscellaneous Permits)
176.50
Fire (Miscellaneous Permits)
42.50
Library 5,209.69
Dance Permits 778.50
Hall Rental 10.00
Sale of Junk (Light Dept.) 951.22
Sale of Junk (Municipal Building)
12.00
Planning Board (Sale of Zoning By-Laws)
57.00
Group Insurance Dividend
2,080.00
Blue Cross Dividend
1,109.00
Weights and Measures (Sealing Fees) 441.50
Sale of Equipment 25.00
Payment for Pipe
1,672.79
254
TOWN OF NORWOOD
Relocating of Utilities (Closing of Lenox St.) 8,777.15
Salvage Rights 700.00
Transferred from Stabilization Fund to General Account (Oldham School) 434,397.88
Permanent Sidewalks 450.00
Engineering Department
1.75
H & P Licenses
Refunds:
E & D 8,385.27
O. A. A. (Town Funds) 91.50
O. A. A. (U. S. Grant) 183.30
A. D. C. (U. S. Grant) 288.95
Veterans Benefit Account 846.87
Welfare 18.00
Disability Assistance (Town Funds)
202.25
Disability Assistance (U. S. Grant) 3.00
Medical Assistance for the Aged (Town Funds)
24.74
Medical Assistance for the Aged (Recovery Account)
1,090.00
Old Age Assistance (Recovery Account)
4,574.99
Veterans Benefit (Recovery Account) 465.00
Disability Assistance (Recovery Account) 124.65
Guarantee Deposit (Electric) 5.00
Clerk and Accountant Incidentals 14.00
Land Damage-Lenox Street 12.25
General Relief 92.35
Refund due Teachers from Teachers' Retirement 34.62
Airport Administration Account
12.00
Maintenance and Control of Traffic
10.00
Light Department 27.00
Library Book Budget Account 333.00
Playground Maintenance 7.50
Welfare Incidental Account 31.31
REPORT OF TOWN TREASURER
255
Library Incidental Account
70.00
Workmen's Compensation Account
36.50
Janitors' Salaries Account (School)
123.52
General Government (Incidental Account)
6.16
N. D. E. A. (School Account-Town Funds) 203.15
Board of Health (Tuberculosis Account) 256.25
Miscellaneous Receipts :
Airport Rental
1,139.32
Hydrant Rental
9,576.00
Norwood Housing Authority (In Lieu of Taxes)
2,700.00
Fee for Collecting State Income Tax
205.18
Electric Service Bonds
280,000.00
Water Bonds 42,000.00
Premium on Bonds
90.16
Cemetery Perpetual Care Bequest
125.00
Police and Fire Station Loan
100,00.00
Premium on Police and Fire Station Loan
30.00
Tax Title Redemptions
4,919.73
Tax Title Fees
18.00
Sale of Tax Possession Land
260.85
Pro Forma Tax 101.20
Sale of Tax Possession Land (Excess)
2,839.15
Parking Meter Receipts
13,784.66
Federal Withholding Tax Deductions
459,754.48
State Withholding Tax Deductions
40,890.12
Bond Deductions 7,962.50
Henry O. Peabody Income Account
36,113.84
Settlement of Claim Against G. E.
1,668.60
Anti-Trust Damages 225.00
Land Court
5.00
256
TOWN OF NORWOOD
Petty Cash Reimbursements:
School Administration Account (Phiilip O. Coakley, Supt.)
100.00
Henry O. Peabody Account
100.00
Welfare 120.00
Library
50.00
Total
$11,308,069.70
Less Paid out on Warrants
9,942,851.95
Balance December 31, 1963
1,365,217.75
Add Surplus Revenue Invested
1,000,000.00
Total
$2,365,217.75
RAYMOND T. HALLORAN
Treasurer of the Town of Norwood
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
NORWOOD PUBLIC SCHOOLS
OF
LASS
1 8.72 ...
23.
TOWN OF NORWOOD
MASSACHUSETTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31
1963
Joseph R. Olshan.
Chairman; Mary H. Hemman; (Standing) Joseph F. Curran, Henry W. Diggs, Francis X. Sheehan, Jr., John J. Cavanaugh, SCHOOL COMMITTEE: (Seated) Elizabeth V. Syverson, Clerk; Dr. Philip O. Coakley, Superintendent; Thomas A. White,
**
€
*
REPORT OF THE NORWOOD PUBLIC SCHOOLS
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE 1963
School Committee
'ferm Expires 1964
John J. Cavanaugh 235 Railroad Avenue
Thomas A. White 1964
42 Mountain Avenue
Henry W. Diggs 1965
439 Washington Street
Mary H. Hemman (Mrs. Robert) 1965
11 Westview Drive
Francis X. Sheehan, Jr. 15 Bird Road
1965
Joseph F. Curran 1966
77 Hickory Road
Joseph R. Olshan 210 Sumner Street
1966
Organization Thomas A. White, Chairman Elizabeth V. Syverson, Clerk
Committee Meetings
A regular meeting of the School Committee is held in the Administra- tion Building (formerly West School), corner of Elliot and Walpole Streets, on the first and third Wednesday of each month.
Superintendent of Schools
Dr. Philip O. Coakley, 10 Shattuck Park Road, 762-1266
The office of the Superintendent of Schools is in the Administration Building (formerly West School), and is open from 8 A.M. to 5 P.M. every day, Monday through Friday, inclusive. Telephone 762-0133 or 762-5095.
260
TOWN OF NORWOOD
School Calendar 1963 - 1964
Monday, August 19th-Administrators on duty
Wednesday, August 21st-Administrators Meeting. - 10 A.M-Administration Building
Monday, August 26th-Friday, August 30th-Registration in all schools 9 A.M. to 4 P.M.
Orientation Program for all new teachers Thursday and Friday, August 29th and 30th
Monday, September 2nd-Labor Day-No School.
Tuesday, September 3rd-10:00 A.M .- Faculty Meetings in each school
2:00 P.M .- General Staff Meeting at Lynch Auditorium, Senior High School Building
3:00 P.M .- Reception to New Teachers-Lynch Auditorium -sponsored by Norwood Teachers' Club
Wednesday, September 4th-Grades 1 through 12 in regular full session Monday, September 9th-Kindergarten and Special Education classes in session
Friday, October 25th-Norfolk County Teachers' Convention-No School.
Monday, November 11th-Veterans' Day-No School.
THANKSGIVING RECESS: Schools close at noon Wednesday, November 27th and re-open Monday, December 2nd. Thanksgiving Day is Thursday, November 28th.
CHRISTMAS RECESS: Schools close on Friday, December 20th and re-open on Thursday, January 2, 1964. Christmas is Wednesday, December 25th and New Year's Day is Wednesday, Janu- ary 1st.
WINTER RECESS: Schools close Friday, February 14, 1964 and re-open Monday, February 24, 1964
GOOD FRIDAY: Friday, March 27th (Easter is Sunday, March 29th)
SPRING RECESS: Schools close on Friday, April 17th and re-open on Monday, April 27th, 1964
GRADUATION: Friday, June 5th, Class Day; Saturday, June 6th, Banquet; Sunday, June 7th, Graduation
TENTATIVE CLOSING DATE OF SCHOOL: Friday, June 19th
(Note: October 12th, Columbus Day, Saturday; May 30th, Memorial Day, Saturday)
261
REPORT OF NORWOOD PUBLIC SCHOOLS
NO-SCHOOL SIGNALS 2-2
Repeated at 7:15 A.M. No sessions, all schools, all day.
Repeated at 7:30 A.M. No sessions, elementary or Junior High School all day.
Repeated at 7:45 A.M. No A.M. session, Elementary schools
Repeated at 12:15 P.M. No P.M. session, Elementary schools
Repeated at 6:15 P.M. No evening sessions
School announcements will be broadcast over Radio Stations WHDH, WBZ, WEEI, and WNAC, beginning at 7:00 A.M. and when possible, at noon and at night.
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of Norwood:
The Norwood School Committee is pleased to submit its annual report for the year 1963.
As elected representatives of the citizens of Norwood it has always been the policy of the Norwood School Committee to keep the citizens in- formed of their actions. The year 1963 saw a concerted effort on the part of the Committee toward this end. 1) Prior to the Annual Town Meeting in March the Norwood School Committee held two hearings in regard to its budget. 2) In the preparation of the budget for the year 1964 all budget considerations were held in open session (with the exception of those items which were specifically prohibited by law.) 3) With the exception of items specifically relating to personalities (prohibited by law) all other considera- tions brought before the Committee have been held in open session.
The members of the press have been most faithful in their attendance, and therefore all information has been made available to the citizens of this town.
It is the responsibility of the School Committee to bring to Norwood the finest teachers available. The setting of the salary schedule in December has made it possible for the recruitment teams instituted by the Superin- tendent of Schools to make contact early in the school year with potential teachers, and Norwood has benefited greatly. If we maintain our relative standing with competing communities in regard to salaries we shall con- tinue to attract well qualified teachers.
A great deal of time and effort has been expended by the Committee in the finalizing of its budget by November 1, 1963. A revision of the budget format which will allow all citizens and Town Meeting members to better understand the various items under consideration and the total amounts
262
TOWN OF NORWOOD
requested in each category has been prepared by the Superintendent of Schools and has received the approval of the Finance Committee and Town Clerk. This will be the format used by the Annual Town Meeting in 1964.
The Committee has also attempted to become more informed about the actual educational thoughts and plans of the professional staff of the Nor- wood Public Schools, and has made every effort to meet with all adminis- trators and department heads in this regard. It is hoped that such practice will continue. Close contact has also been maintained with the Custodians' Association and the Norwood Teachers' Club.
In order to keep pace with the drastic changes now taking place in in- dustry and also with the more stringent demands placed upon students by post-high school institutions, there is a constant demand for curriculum re- vision. No one knows the Norwood School, its students, and the general attitude of our town as do our own teachers. It is the belief of the School Committee that any curriculum revision should be brought about by our own faculty and therefore in the budget for 1964 monies have been requested to institute summer workshops where certain selected teachers may work to review and revise our curriculum offerings to best meet the needs of our students.
Education is an on-going affair. Our regular school program meets the needs of most of our students. Yet some need the opportunity to review and strengthen their basic skills, while others need the opportunity to ex- plore certain areas in depth or to be exposed to new areas, where, because of lack of time it is not possible to do so in the regular program. To make this possible the Norwood School Committee will undertake a Summer School for pupils which will offer enrichment as well as remedial subjects.
There is still one other offering which is necessary if we are to meet the educational needs of all our citizens. Adults, too, should have the op- portunity to strengthen certain areas which would be of benefit to them. They also need the opportunity to explore areas which now have new meaning. To meet this need we are continuing our offerings at the adult level.
The proper maintenance of our existing buildings which now exceeds $12,000,000 and the responsibility of alerting the townspeople to the possible expansion of our school building needs has always been the responsibility of the School Committee. This year we have been in constant communica- tion with Committees charged by the Town Meeting to bring in such re- ports. Every effort has been expended to make certain that the Elementary School Study Needs Committee and the Capital Outlay Committee receive complete cooperation from all departments of the Norwood Public Schools. It is our belief that only through such complete cooperation can the chil- dren of Norwod receive that type of education which is demanded by the citizens of this town.
The Norwood School Committee wishes to extend its sincere thanks to all employees of the Norwood Public Schools who have performed the es- sential tasks necessary to maintain the high standards demanded, to all other Boards and departments of the Town who have cooperated so will-
263
REPORT OF NORWOOD PUBLIC SCHOOLS
ingly in the fulfillment of our goals, and to the Town Meeting Members and citizens at large without whose help no progress could have been made. It has been a distinct privilege to have served you.
THOMAS A. WHITE, Chariman
JOHN J. CAVANAUGH JOSEPH F. CURRAN
HENRY W. DIGGS
MARY H. HEMMAN
JOSEPH R. OLSHAN
JOSEPH F. CURRAN
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
It is a pleasure for me to submit my fourth Annual Report as Super- intendent of the Norwood Public Schools.
Good Schools Are Good Business
To paraphrase excerpts from a joint meeting of business and school officials in Ohio last month, "It is no mere accident that economic growth within the community is a result of quality education."
William H. Eels, of the Ford Motor Company, indicated that a com- munity which has a history of having supported its schools adequately is far more attractive as a prospective home site and industrial site than one in which schools are inadequately or grudgingly financed. In addition to a history of adequate financial support for schools, it is apparent that in- dustry wants to know that there are no half-day sessions, that the schools provide a broad spectrum of special services, and that school administra- tors have concern for sound findings of educational research. In growing communities today, with its concommitant of increased school population, the quality of education and the educational facilities reflect either the willingness or unwillingness of families in the community to accept nothing less than the best, or to accept less than is absolutely necessary. In parallel, curiously enough, in communities where little concern has been given to educational facilities, those same people who, by their tolerance of less than a mimimum education for their children, are the first to protest on a compromise that might take the form of a four-inch television screen or a three wheel, one passenger automobile.
Norwood has been rather fortunate over the years with its history of adequate financial support for schools. Norwood has not been "generous" in the matter. Rather, Norwood has been realistic in its recognition of what is of most worth. As opposed to many communities, the Town of Norwood has realized that what is cheap may apparently cost less, but what is economical may cost money.
During the past ten years, the pupil personnel has doubled; the cost has gone from $981,000 in 1955, to $2,635,000 at present; a professional staff has more than doubled, and the non-professional personnel has tripled.
264
TOWN OF NORWOOD
With full realization of its moral obligation, the Town of Norwood has seen the completion of an addition to the Norwood Senior High School, which doubled the size of the original building and cost 134 million dollars; the Cleveland and the Prescott Schools were constructed at a cost of approximately 11/2 million dollars; and in September of 1963, the John P. Oldham Elementary School opened its doors to accept some 400 elementary school children. This school, due to the fact that it was paid for in cash, and with State Aid to be received by the Town of Norwood, with no bond issue, will cost the Town of Norwood approximately 1/2 million dollars. In projection, another elementary school will be needed by 1965. Thereafter, a new Junior High School will be needed to house adequately populations coming from 8 elementary schools. If present home building plans con- tinue, the possibility exists that one more elementary school will be needed to properly house the growing school populations of the Town of Norwood.
Personnel
Administrators, teachers, and those who program the curriculum are the hard core of quality education. Thus, quality personnel is our constant concern. We begin our recruitment program in December of each year. Interviewing teams comprised of members of the Administrative Staff, Department Heads, Directors, Supervisors and the Superintendent of Schools are involved. Visits to the major colleges and universities in the area are made for initial screenings. Recommendations are made and follow-up interviews are held in Norwood with the Superintendent of Schools and the Principals of the buildings, the Directors and Supervisors of various divisions, and the Department Heads. In preparation for the school year 1963-1964, the Norwood Public Schools processed more than 800 applications. Over 300 candidates were interviewed for positions on the professional staff of the Norwood Public Schools. Despite the fact that there are many people who apply for teaching positions, it can still be said that there is a shortage of the highest quality of person for the very personal relationship of teaching our children. Top priority in our concerns is the acquisition of the best possible personnel for Norwood's children and this, being very realistic, involves having an excellent salary schedule. The communities that pay the highest salaries are those who are successful in getting the "cream of the crop." During the past year, 56 professional staff appointments were made, 34 were replacements, and 22 were additions to the staff due to increased enrollments. It is inter- esting to note that of the approximate 12% of the overall staff, according to reasons given, only 9 were going to teach elsewhere. This is approxi- mately 4% of the total professional staff of the Norwood Public Schools. Of the 56 new appointments, 35 colleges and universities from coast to coast were represented in the professional training and experience of the appointees. We feel that with our new salary schedule last year, we were competitive. Our task is to maintain an excellent salary schedule for the benefit of the children of Norwood.
Curriculum
It is our aim to provide a broad spectrum of special services within the school system. In addition to the basic curriculum, enrichment offer-
265
REPORT OF NORWOOD PUBLIC SCHOOLS
ings and individual programming in the areas of music, band, orchestra, choral instruction, opportunities in the fine arts, advanced placement pro- grams, physical education, and special classes for the gifted, for the educables and the trainables are a part of our concern. Of note during the past year, we implemented at the intermediate level the basal reading program so that our skills program is now solidified from Grades 1 through 6. In-service programs in Mathematics have produced pilot studies in modern math at the upper elementary levels and it is projected for the Spring of 1964 in all schools another pilot project in modern math for fifth and sixth grades.
Standing curriculum committees at the elementary level and secondary level in Norwood are being refined so that we stay abreast of new trends and new educational offerings. Study groups among the professional staffs at all levels are continuously evaluating programs within their immediate jurisdiction. Administrators, in addition to monthly administration meet- ings, are conducting monthly curriculum explorations, along with members of the special services division. In addition to the basic reading series and the modern mathematics concern, articulation meetings have been held in French, Science and in English. A new report card has been instituted during the past year and a complete revision of the cumulative test and record card has been completed. Curriculum workshops are being planned for the Summer of 1964, as is a Summer Program of re- medial and enrichment work. Concern for extension of adult education in Norwood is indicated in our projection for the year 1964.
Plant
There is always a comparison of new schools to old. One of our major concerns has been a planned program of maintenance and refurbishing of plant. Extensive in nature and within the framework of a reasonable allocation of funds, we have attempted initially to care for the health and sanitation and the external protection of various facilities existing in the older schools. The major concentration during the past year has been at the Balch, Winslow, and the Shattuck Schools, and the condition of these buildings may now be termed excellent. The older buildings in Norwood are structurally sound and they provide an excellent educational environment for our children. With continued support from the towns- people, we will be able to maintain our physical plant that now exceeds some $12,000,000.00 in excellent fashion.
Conclusion
During the past year, it is gratifying to note that all Town Depart- ments have cooperated with singleness of purpose in the operation of the Norwood Public Schools. I would like to acknowledge the help of the General Manager and all municipal departments and express appreciation for their diligent attention to the needs of the Norwood Public Schools. In the overall, Norwood has excellent educational offerings. It is our moral obligation to the citizens of Norwood to constantly maintain and improve the Norwood Public Schools.
266
TOWN OF NORWOOD
I would like to thank all members of the Norwood Public Schools for their cooperation, enthusiasm, and willingness to perform the many and varied tasks required of this highly moral vocation. And, to the members of the Norwood School Committee, I would express my sincere appreci- ation for the excellent cooperation and understanding help that has been extended to me. It has been a distinct privilege and a pleasure working with you in our common endeavors.
PHILIP O. COAKLEY
Superintendent of Schools
REPORT OF THE PRINCIPAL OF THE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
I have the honor to present my eighteenth annual report as Principal of the Senior High School.
The School Population - Present and Predicted
TABLE #1
Enrollment as of December 1, 1963. Grades 9 - 12 inclusive
Grade
Boys
Girls
Total
9
201
214
415
10
183
205
388
11
162
196
358
12
171
169
340
Grand Total 1501
TABLE #2
Estimated Enrollment as of December 1964 and December 1965
Grade
9
Dec. '64 415
Dec. '65
425
Grand Total
Dec. '64
10
400
400
1543
11
378
388
Grand Total
Dec. '65
12
350
360
1573
Enrollment - Maximum Capacity
Table #1 shows that on December 1, 1963, the enrollment at the Senior High School numbered 1501 students. This was 22 less than our estimate made a year ago.
267
REPORT OF NORWOOD PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Table #2 indicates as a prediction that in the fall of 1964 we shall have a school population of approximately 1543 students and in the fall of 1965 a school population of approximately 1573 students. We may note with interest that this estimate for '64 exceeds by 43 the normal capacity of all presently existing facilities at the school and that the estimate for '65 exceeds the '64 estimate by another 30 students.
It is believed that by scheduling the use of present facilities with the utmost care this predicted super capacity enrollment for next fall can be accommodated without curtailment of educational opportunity. However, the need for immediate action with regard to future facilities would seem to be obvious.
Evolution in Mathematics
Last September as an experiment we began the use of programmed text books in some classes in Algebra I and in General Mathematics. Amazing results from these experiments seem to be in the offing. At this time our tentative conclusion is that we should continue and extend the use of this very promising material.
Also last September for the first time we began a full year course in Calculus for accelerated Mathematics students. In the spring these students will take the Advanced Placement Mathematics Examination. Thus before High School graduation these students will have completed a full year of college mathematics.
With regard to the evolution of our mathematics offerings from the traditional to the modern, our Mathematics Chairman reports in part: "At the beginning of the next school year we shall have completed the first phase of the revision of our Mathematics curriculum - a revision begun four years ago. Beginning in September all our Mathematics classes will be following a Modern Mathematics program."
Science in Transition
Last September General Science was moved to the seventh and eighth grades at the Junior High School. At the Senior High School a new course entitled Earth Science was made available for the first time.
In another Science first - last September in three of our thirteen Biology divisions we began an experiment with the so-called "Blue Ver- sion" instructional approach in that subject, and in September two of our nine divisions in college preparatory Chemistry began the new "CHEM. Study" course recently developed by the Chemical Educational Materials Study Group in California. These innovations appear to be successful and worthy of further extension next year.
In the matter of Physics instruction-as indicated in previous reports, six years ago Norwood pioneered in the change from the traditional to the so-called "P.S.S.C. Physics." Since that time this "new" physics has been taught at the school exclusively and with increasing success.
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