USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Norwood > Norwood annual report 1963-1964 > Part 54
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As in previous years both the choral and instrumental groups played an important part in the Junior High's Annual Assemblies and Evening pro- grams.
Senior High School
At the Senior High School the Band, Concert Choir and Choralaires con- tinued their schedule of before school rehearsals and increased musical acti- vities. All three groups participated in programs at the Junior and Senior High Schools and in neighboring communities. A highlight of the year was the fine showing of all three groups at the Southeastern Music Festival in Norton last May.
Mention should be made that the Concert Choir recently acquired new choir robes especially made for them by the Peabody School.
RALPH E. FORSMAN Director of Music
REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF ART
A general overview of the Art Program shows an appropriateness of Art experience with grade level. This feature, by itself, speaks of a healthy constructive program.
One criteria that fashions the Art lesson is as follows:
"Nothing Ventured - Nothing Gained"
The lesson that eliminates the risk of failure is one that is usually taught by rote. If there is no degree of chance in a lesson, there is surely no allowance for individual trial and error (experimentation). As the student experiments, personal decisions and evaluations are necessary and it is this, that is the essence of the Art lesson.
Elementary Schools Art Program
Oldham School - Decorative Tiles
The Sixth Graders, using an underglaze, ceramic, technique, decorated white ceramic tiles with colorful designs.
Initially, the students created crayoned sketches on paper and these ideas, when completed, were transferred onto square white, bisque tiles that measured 4" x 4" and 6" x 6".
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After painting with the appropriate underglaze colors, the tiles were coated with an application of clear glaze and then fired to maturity in a kiln.
On completion, the tiles were fixed onto the large, interior wall that faces the Main Entrance of the School.
Though each Sixth Grader contributed a decorated tile, the wall is still not adequately covered and the Sixth Graders of this year will have a chance to contribute tiles.
It is a good thing to have students leave permanent evidence of their presence at the School.
Book Fairs
BALCH SCHOOL-Art work, of all grades, was correlated with the Book Fair. On completion, the results were displayed in the corridors, in the Library, and on the main bulletin board. Personalized illustrations, and posters showed the children's concept of situations and characters of fiction and non-fiction.
CLEVELAND SCHOOL-The same correlation as above was maintained. Ribbons were awarded to the First, Second and Third place winners of each classroom. Following this selection, the best poster of Grades 1, 2 and 3 was selected, and also the best of Grades 4, 5 and 6 was chosen.
The Book Fair is an excellent motivating device and provides an excellent way of correlating Art and Literature.
Imagined characters and situations as drawn by children give a refresh- ing aspect to the printed page.
Scenery For PTA Assemblies
At the Cleveland and Prescott Schools, the 6th Graders, using the World's Fair as the theme, created large colorful backdrops for musicals that were performed for the parents.
CLEVELAND SCHOOL-Consisted of life-size cut paper figures stand- ing in front of a painted unisphere. Balloons helped vary the background.
PRESCOTT SCHOOL-Combination of paint and colored chalk used to cover backdrop.
Any opportunity to work on a large scale is welcomed, as it gives the children a totally different experience. Concepts have to be enlarged and a more physical involvement is required when a large surface has to be decorated.
Practice Teacher
Miss Barbara Starratt, a student at the Massachusetts College of Art, did her practice teaching at the Shattuck and Prescott Schools. After a period of orientation, she planned and taught lessons for Grades 1 through 6.
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I have always encouraged this inter-relationship of College Trainees and our Public School Art Department, because it establishes a communica- tion between the school of the practice teacher and our School Department.
From 1960, we have had 9 practice teachers training with our Art Department.
Seed Mosaics
In the past, ceramic and paper mosaics have been introduced as craft procedures. This year a novel mosaic technique was taught to all 6th Grades.
Lima beans, split peas, squash seeds, etc., supplied the student with the mosaic material. The students showed a perseverance that should dispell the idea that our children lack patience. Seed by seed, bean by bean, was cemented onto card board backgrounds.
Through necessity, the decorative approach was encouraged and inter- esting designs resulted from the contrasting areas of seeds of varying colors.
Junior High School Art Program
Crafts
Mr. Raymond Packert, who has a personal interest in crafts, has started the acquisition of tools and materials for craft projects.
In order to establish a need and justification of future material requisi- tion, for crafts activities, he has had the Art Club using the few basic supplies that were purchased, in a fundamental manner.
Their first creation could be called a "Construction". It is 3-dimensional in form and stands about 5 feet tall. A variety of materials has been used in this abstracted concept. On viewing it, one realizes that unique materials have been used in a constructive manner.
Three dimensional constructions of balsa wood and cellophane show a willingness of students to experiment in the modern realm, when guided by an informed instructor.
Art metal work is giving the girls a chance to do bracelets and the boys are constructing rings. After this experimentation period, the Art Depart- ment can order materials that we know will be used to good advantage.
Christmas Decorations
Lance white wreathes, which were done by the Art Classes, adorned the Main Corridor. They added a festive air to the Main Corridor.
Abstraction
This much used term was given clarification in a lesson whereby the students abstracted trees and people. An hour's talk on abstraction-as an Art Appreciation Lecture-would always run a close second to personal
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experience. Using trees and figures, the students looked for spatial relations within realism and abstracted them to pure design shapes that had lost any semblance of the visual source.
Senior High School Art Program
At this age level, sophisticated Art Projects are needed and it is also desirable to have the students visit Galleries and Art Centers and have the pupils identify themselves with these institutions.
Art Field Trips
Listed are the Art Centers visited by the High School Students:
Boston Museum of Fine Arts Fogg Art Museum - Harvard University School of Design - Harvard University Design Research - Cambridge Museum of Contemporary Art Galleries on Newbury St., Boston DeCordova Museum - Lincoln, Mass. Boston University Gallery Boston Museum School Gallery
Art Club
A voluntary program which enables interested students to do more work in special areas of interest-oil painting, sculpture, jewelry design, mural painting, stage design, etc.
The General Art Program
In instruction and variety of experience with materials, our students are being exposed to an above average program. A satisfactory resolution of the confusion of major and minor students, as mentioned previously, would eliminate an obstacle to a still better Art Program.
Pictures to "Grow With"
Dark sepia prints have always seemed a contradiction to an Elementary School environment.
The Art Department, with the cooperation of various Civic Groups, has been able to permanently display colorful art paints in the Norwood Public Schools.
The following Groups are to be commended for their civic concern and contributions :
Norwood Women's Club Norwood Women's Community Club Junior Chamber of Commerce The Curtain Timers Public School PTA Groups Various Norwood Merchants
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Currently, we have on display throughout our School System more than thirty colorful framed reproductions. All schools of painting are represented -- Da Vinci, Renoir, Van Gogh, Glackens, Grandma Moses, Cezzane and Modiglian, to mention a few. There is no better approach to Art Appreciation than to place the child in an environment where art is "something" he lives with. The occasional trip to the Museum doesn't allow the child to readily know a painting and adopt it as part of his existence.
Our Most Recent Print Acquisitions
At the Balch School, the PTA has given to the School the following framed prints :
Van Gogh - View of Aries Van Gogh - Farm Rountree - Farm Scene Lurcat - Butterflies Chapin - Boy Reading Harbor Scene
Art Department Cooperation With Civic Groups
1. Designed decal for Parents Music Association.
2. Display of Hallmark Contest Winners sponsored by the Norwood Women's Club, was exhibited at the Senior High School.
3. Worked with Balch PTA in acquiring 6 framed prints for Balch School.
4. Judged Ribbon Winners for Cleveland PTA Book Fair.
5. Annual projects for American Red Cross.
6. Senior High School students contributed figure drawings to Mr. Norman Ribak, of Medfield State Hospital, for research purposes.
JOHN LEVITSKY Art Director
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISING SCHOOL NURSE
Basic to all education is sound physical, mental, and social health. It is the aim of the School Health Services to aid all in the school situation to attain this ideal through a series of screening tests, appraisals, referrals and counseling.
Health Appraisals
Health appraisals were completed in grades one, four, seven, and ten by Dr. George R. Allen, our School Physician, on all pupils not presenting a report of physical health from the family physician.
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All students who participate in competitive sports, those new to our school system, and those referred for particular follow-up were also examined.
Treatment and correction of remedial defects with cooperation of parents and family doctors is noteworthy.
Dental examination by Dr. John C. Burns were carried out throughout the school year. Remedial work was referred to the family destist.
Screening Test and Program
Massachusetts Vision Tests are used by the School Nurses to screen all pupils for visual acuity, latent hypermetropia, and muscle imbalance. Those failing the retests are referred for correction to an ophthalmologist.
Under the direction of Dr. William F. Ryan, Dr. James M. Marron and the School Nurses conduct the eye clinic. Three hundred and ninety-three children were seen and treatment as needed prescribed.
Of the five thousand six hundred and fifteen students enrolled in our schools this last year 5,598 were screened for hearing defects with Maico Puretone Audiometer equipment. Group testing was completed on those in grades two through twelve inclusive. Individual tests were given to those in Kindergarten and grade one, those who have a special need, and all who failed the group screening. Retests after treatment by the family doctor or ear specialist were also done as requested.
The results and findings as determined by the doctor are the basis for referral to reading and speech classes or lip reading. Special seating in the classroom and acquainting the teacher with a special need aids the child to maintain and improve his class standing.
Communicable Disease Control
Control of communicable disease is an ever-present problem. Early recognition of symptoms at home and at school, prompt and proper exclu- sion and treatment are still the major weapons in our battle.
Pupils attend Immunization Clinics with the written consent of the parent. Diphtheria Tetanus Toxoid was dispensed to 287 pupils in grade one by Dr. Allen, with the help of the teacher and the School Nurse.
Heaf Testing, a skin test for tuberculosis, was conducted on pupils in grade eleven. Of the 352 tested, six showed a positive reaction. Subsequent x-rays proved negative.
A milk-lunch is provided by the Norwood Women's Club through the United Fund for 123 pupils. Others able to provide their own, also enjoy this mid-morning lunch.
Our sincere appreciation to all who have contributed to the success of a useful and comprehensive school health program. It is our sincere hope that the new year will bring increased awareness of the special needs of
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children in the varied areas of health and our aim is to help provide for these needs.
May we express our thanks to you, Dr. Coakley, and to the School Committee for your help and understanding, and beg your assistance and good-will in this year in all matters pertaining to the health and welfare of children in school.
MARY A. PARSONS, R.N. Supervising School Nurse
REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS AND SUPERVISOR OF SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Senior High School Physical Education Boys and Girls
The following people were concerned with the Physical Education pro- gram: Miss Erna Kiley, Miss Betsy Sise, Miss Florence Sullivan, Mr. Arthur Gulla, Mr. Benjamin Malvinni. Miss Jacqueline Haslett was hired to replace Miss Kiley in September. Ninth and tenth grade students take physical education three (3) periods per week. The eleventh and twelfth grade stu- dents take physical education two (2) periods per week. The program consists of all sports in season with an emphasis on fundamentals and game rules.
Intramurals - Boys and Girls
This program is primarily for the girls and boys who do not have the high skill or time to devote to interscholastic sports. The following activities have been introduced for the girls: field hockey, soccer, tennis, basketball, softball, archery, and gymnastics. The boys have had tennis, basketball, and gymnastics. The turn-out for these activities has been very good.
Varsity Athletics - Boys and Girls
The varsity athletic program for the girls consists of the following sports: field hockey, basketball, tennis, and softball. Gymnastics is a varsity sport for the coming year. We had a large number of girls participating in the above sports. The varsity athletic program for the boys consists of : football, cross country, hockey, indoor track, basketball, gymnastics, wrestling, outdoor track, baseball, tennis and golf. New this year is our wrestling team.
Some of the highlights in our athletic program have been in hockey and track. The hockey team won the Bay State League championship. Indoor track tied for the championship in the Metropolitan Track League as well as winning the Bay State League Conference Championship.
Junior High School Athletics
Boys: The following sports program is carried on: football, basketball, hockey, cross country, track, and baseball. Competition in these sports has been with junior high schools in this area.
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Junior High School Intramurals Boys and Girls
The girls program has consisted of the following: tennis, softball, and basketball. Basketball is very popular during the winter months.
The boys program consists of touch football and basketball. Touch football is run on a homeroom level. A Saturday morning program in basketball has been introduced in order to accommodate the seventh and eighth grade boys who are not able to make the Junior High School teams.
Elementary Intramurals - Boys and Girls
A basketball program has been arranged for the boys and girls in the fifth and sixth grades. This program takes place on Saturday mornings.
In the spring the girls participated in a softball program, and the boys participated in a baseball program.
Health and Hygiene Education
The objectives of the health program are to improve the general condi- . tion of the individual so that he may function normally, avoid serious diseases, and to develop an interest in body mechanics through self- appraisal. Hygiene is given weekly to both boys and girls.
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
I herewith submit my fourth Annual Report as Supervisor of the Elementary and Junior High School Physical Education Program.
Elementary Schools
Beginning in the Kindergarten and continuing through Grade Six, there is a definite progressive Physical Education Curriculum geared to the best interests of every boy and girl.
Every boy and girl, unless medically excused, receives two (2) thirty minute periods of Physical Education per week. In Grades One and Two the classroom teacher, with the aid of the Supervisor and a Physical Education Curriculum Guide, puts forth her own particular Physical Education Pro- gram. In Grades Three through Six every boy and girl receives instruction from either the Supervisor or the Physical Education Instructor, for one period each week. The classroom teacher conducts another period of Physical Education each week.
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REPORT OF NORWOOD PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Every classroom teacher has a definite Physical Education Curriculum Guide to follow throughout the School Year. The Curriculum Guide is periodically being reviewed and revised for the best interests of the children.
The activities that boys and girls receive at the Elementary level are: Games of high and low organization, tumbling and stunts, rope skipping, apparatus work, rhythmics, marching and calisthenics. Boys and girls are also introduced and participate in football, basketball, softball, volley ball, track and field, kickball and soccer skills. These activities and skills are performed throughout the School Year.
Annual Physical Education Exhibition Day
On May 28, 1964, the fourth Annual Physical Education Exhibition Day was held at the Balch School grounds. This event is held every Spring for all Sixth Grade boys and girls in the Norwood Public Schools.
The entire day was devoted to activities that the boys and girls have participated in during the School Year. These activities consist of Calis- thenics, volley ball games, kickball games, 50 yd. and 100 yd. dashes, 220 yd. relay races, softball games, standing broad jumps, and baseball throws for accuracy and distance.
There was also a fine tumbling and pyramid demonstration put forth by the boys and girls of the Callahan School.
Proceeding the formal opening exercises, the students were introduced to the Guest Speaker, Mr. Ralph Colson, Director of Physical Education, Health and Recreation for the State of Massachusetts.
Motion pictures and slides were taken of the various events throughout the day. The films proved very useful for viewing at various school func- tions, PTA groups and civic groups.
Shattuck School - Roman Holiday
On Tuesday afternoon, June 16, 1964, the Shattuck School presented its Second Annual Roman Holiday, which involved all Grades at the School. The program began with a mass calisthenic demonstration on the athletic field by all boys and girls.
The First Grade demonstrated various exercises and stunts. The Fifth Grade put forth a fine marching demonstration, and the Sixth Grade per- formed some excellent tumbling and pyramidal demonstrations.
Junior High School
Every boy and girl in Grades Seven and Eight, unless medically excused, receives two (2) formal Physical Education periods per week. Upon leaving the Sixth Grade, boys and girls find a vigorous and progressive program in Grade Seven, and a more demanding program in Grade Eight.
Included with the Physical Education Program, boys and girls in Grade Seven are introduced to a Physical Education Uniform, modern shower and
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locker facilities, and the availability of clean towels after every Physical Education class.
The activities received in this Physical Education Program are: Games of high organization, tumbling and stunts, rope skipping, marching, calis- thenics, rope climbing, apparatus work, archery and tennis. Boys and girls also participate in football, basketball, softball, kickball, track and field and soccer skills.
The Physical Education Instructors present these activities in planned units, spending a number of weeks on each activity or skill throughout the School year.
Annual Physical Education Exhibition Days
The Junior High School Exhibition Days are held each Spring resulting from the success of the Sixth Grade Exhibition Day, which has an excellent carry-over value.
On June 9, 1964, the Seventh Grade boys and girls held their Exhibition Day and on June 11, 1964, the Eighth Grade students participated in their Exhibition Day. The Junior High School Grounds, the Bond Street Play- ground and the Civic Field are the areas that are used for the many activities the boys and girls participate in. The activities begin at 10:00 A.M., and continue to 2:00 P.M. The boys and girls participate in softball, kickball and volley ball games, 50 yd. and 100 yd. dashes, baseball throws for accuracy, mass calisthenic demonstrations, standing broad jumps, shot put, basketball throws for accuracy, tennis matches and 220 yd. relay races. A one mile race with teams made up from individual homerooms was also conducted.
Posture
The posture of every boy and girl in the Elementary and Junior High Schools is our constant concern. Through the efforts of the Supervisor, the physical education instructors and the classroom teachers, every boy and girl is receiving extensive instruction in the importance of developing good standing, sitting and walking posture habits. Good posture is chiefly a matter of habit, attitude and good health.
Physical Fitness Tests
Each November the Youth Physical Fitness Test is administered to every boy and girl in Grades 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8. The students who successfully pass this test receive a Physical Fitness Certificate.
The Physical Fitness Test serves to motivate pupils to practice self- improvement and informs students what level they are on in regard to the rest of the class. During the Spring months, a second test is given primarily for those students who did not meet the requirements on the first test, and gives them an opportunity to pass the second test.
At the end of a school year, we find a large percentage of our boys and girls passing this test.
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Trainable Class
The children at our Trainable Class receive one (1) Physical Education period per week from the Supervisor. Activities that these children have been participating in are: Rope skipping, bowling, tumbling and stunts, rhythmics, calisthenics and walking board exercises. Boys and girls also develop skills in throwing, catching, running, hopping, skipping and climb- ing. The Bond Street Playground has been very useful in the Fall and Spring as the children have the use of the slide, swings and jungle gym.
There has been a tremendous improvement in various skills and activi- ties among these boys and girls since this program was instituted three years ago.
Annual Norfolk County Teachers Convention
On October 30, 1964, the Annual Norfolk County Teachers' Convention was held at Sharon High School, Sharon, Massachusetts.
This year we were proud to accept an invitation, extended by Conven- tion Officials, to present a Physical Education Demonstration to the Norfolk County Elementary Teachers. With the approval and support of Dr. Philip 0. Coakley, Superintendent of Schools, pupils from the Third and Sixth Grades at the Prescott School performed an excellent Physical Education Demonstration, under the direction of the Norwood Physical Education Supervisor. Many favorable comments received by teachers in attendance showed the high regard upheld for the Norwood Elementary Physical Educa- tion Program.
Conclusion
I would like at this time to express my sincere appreciation to Dr. Philip O. Coakley, Superintendent of Schools, for his fine cooperation and continuous support during the past year.
I would also like to express a sincere thank you to the Norwood School Committee, School Administrators, Physical Education Instructors and Classroom Teachers for their cooperation, enthusiasm and assistance.
RICHARD H. MAHONEY
Supervisor of Elementary and Junior High School Physical Education
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF CUSTODIANS
I herewith submit my Annual Report for the year ending December 31, 1964.
The past year has seen wanton destruction of school property rise to a new high. Though we have initiated both physical and mechanical safe-
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guards to combat this problem, no school building was left untouched. This serious situation warrants a few excerpts from my records as to the nature and degree of damage. The following is a summary of some of the damage:
1. 575 lights of glass;
2. 25 glass blocks broken;
3. One laminated sky light and shield broken;
4. A 40' x 32' x 12" brick retaining wall destroyed;
5. Window sashes damaged with replacement necessary;
6. 4 Exterior doors damaged;
7. Special bleacher seating damaged beyond repair;
8. Flashing on roofs broken;
9. Conductor pipes broken ;
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