USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wayland > Official reports of the town of Wayland 1948-1950 > Part 23
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THE FRANCIS WAYLAND CHAPTER OF THE NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY Scholarship, Leadership, Service, Character CLASS OF 1949
Elizabeth Amos
James Curley
Priscilla Buckingham
Audrey MacKeen
Richard Bowers
Theresa Mayhew
Mary Cahill
Esther Nisbet
Patricia Cooke
Malcolm Parrish
Joan Crimmin
Marie Weeks
Eleanor Wilson
CLASS OF 1950 Bernadette Houston
189
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION FOR GIRLS
To the Superintendent of Schools:
I would like to submit the following report to you concern- ing the Physical Education activities in the Wayland schools for the year 1949.
The elementary school program has been changed con- siderably this year. Beginning in the fourth grade, separation is made between the boys and girls with each group having from 45 to 60 minute periods over 20 to 30 minute periods of previous years. This is done through the efforts of a full time boys' instructor which we did not have before.
In the Cochituate school, the new gymnasium has allowed for a more complete indoor program in all grades. The activi- ties in the various grades are the same as have been reported upon in previous reports but have been expanded in many ways.
Probably the greatest change in the Physical Education program is in the Junior and Senior High school. This year the Junior High is required to take 2 periods per week over 1 of last year and the Senior High 3 over 2 of last year. The third period in the High school is for the purpose of promot- ing co-recreation activities for the students. Some of these activities are volleyball, badminton, sports films and possibly sports talks or demonstrations.
The girls' extra-curricular program in the Junior and Senior High school is as follows :
Fall-Field Hockey-Varsity team for High school with an opportunity for some Junior High students to play.
Winter-Basketball-Varsity team for High school and Intramurals for Junior High school.
Spring-Softball-Varsity team for High school and Intramurals for Junior High with a possibility of one or two outside games.
190
Emphasis is placed on encouraging larger numbers of girls to come out for sports with opportunities for all to participate.
May I express my appreciation for all that has been done this past year both by the townspeople and the school officials to better the physical education and sports program in our schools.
Respectfully submitted, MARJORIE P. SISSON.
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION FOR BOYS
To the Superintendent of Schools:
I hereby submit my first report as director of Physical Education and Athletics in the Wayland School System. I am only able to account for the department from the opening of school in the fall to the present time. I shall, however, outline some of the main events of the fall and plans for the future.
Physical Education should contribute to mental health, to physical health, to social development, and to the develop- ment of interests and skills. Physical Education must be a continuous phase of the total educational program.
The activities of the Elementary grades (4-6) are selected from among the following in keeping with the age, size, and maturity of the individual loss groups. In the fall, calisthen- ics, body building exercises, mimetics, fundamental skills (such as, throwing, catching, and kicking) particularly adapted to soccer and touch football were taught. During the winter months, similar activities are carried out and adapted to basket- ball, mat work, and other indoor games. For the spring we shall again emphasize the fundamental skills related to soft- ball, soccer, and to a limited extent, certain track events, such as, dashes, relay races, and jumping.
Grades 7-12, now all in the High school, meet twice a week for regular periods. Grades 9-12 have an extra period as a co-recreational class during the winter months. (They go out-
191
side during the fall and spring.) This period is to be devoted to volleyball, badminton, basket shooting, and dancing.
In the regular classroom periods a new idea is being suc- cessfully tried. That is, using 3-5 minutes to discuss a specific health topic. Knowledge of what constitutes good health and healthy living is taught so as to influence the health practices of pupils. This is followed by 3-5 minutes warm up in calis- thenics and mimetics.
Now that we have complete locker room facilities, it is possible to include in the program opportunities for regular showers given in rooms which are clean, sanitary, well ventil- ated, and safe. The locker and equipment rooms make it pos- sible to teach proper habits of care for personal belongings and school equipment. A system of school and student sponsored towels is being tried this year. Because of the locker facilities in the Cochituate school (grades 4-6), they are required to wear gym apparel and take showers which have been very successful. At the present time plans are being made to pro- vide similar opportunities for the boys of the Center school.
Intramurals for elementary, Junior High, and High school students are planned and will be carried on at all possible intervals.
A gym exhibition, in conjunction with the girls, for the High school is planned for the spring.
Attention is given to individuals who show minor defects and irregularities in posture and physical coordination. More serious defects are referred to the school nurse, school doctor, or to the parents of the pupils.
In athletics, the varsity football team won five, lost four this fall and shows great promise of being a strong contender in another season.
Our varsity basketball team should do well in its competi- tion this winter. As over ninety boys turned out for pre- basketball practice this year, it was decided to place separate eighth and ninth grade teams in competition. Eighth and ninth graders are to have the opportunity this year to participate in a regular schedule. These teams are fully equipped and are provided with adequate supervision and coaching.
When spring arrives, our baseball team should give a fine account of itself against all opponents.
192
The new gymnasium provides for a more expansive pro- gram of physical education during the school day and for more satisfactory facilities for athletic contests which many of the townspeople enjoy attending.
Although the recreational facilities of this department are among the finest of the small schools in Greater Boston, some form of portable stands on the athletic field, or perhaps an enclosure of some sort, would be most beneficial to the school ยท from the aspect of gate receipts and outward appearances.
I wish to thank you, the principals, and the entire staff for complete cooperation in helping to carry out this program.
Respectfully submitted,
SAMUEL P. STRICKLAND, JR.
193
REPORT OF THE ART SUPERVISOR
To the Superintendent of Schools:
As the Art Teacher in the Wayland Schools, I would like to pass on the Art Creed of the National Art Association :
ART EXPERIENCES are essential to the fullest develop- ment of all people at all levels of growth BECAUSE THEY PROMOTE self-realization of the whole individual by integrating his imaginative, creative, intellectual, emotional and manual capacities AND
social maturity and responsibility through cultivating a deepened understanding of the problems, ideals, and goals of other individuals and social groups.
ART IS especially well suited to such growth
BECAUSE IT :
encourages freedom of expression, emphasizes emo- tional and spiritual values, integrates all human capa- cities, AND universalizes human expression.
ART INSTRUCTION should encourage :
exploration and experimentation in many media, sharpened perfection of esthetic qualities, increased art knowledge and skills, AND THE creative ex- perience in significant activities,
AND THE
realization that art has its roots in everyday experience.
ART CLASSES should be taught with full recognition that : all individuals are capable of expression in art. Individuals vary markedly in motivations and capacities,
AND
art is less a body of subject matter than a develop- mental activity.
BECAUSE ART EXPERIENCES are close to the core of individual and social development and because
194
they pervade all phases of living, THE NATIONAL ART EDUCATION ASSOCIATION believes that ALL teachers should have basic training in art.
As expressed in former reports in my own words, I strive to live up to the ideals of this creed.
At a recent meeting of a group of art teachers related to NESDEC the general consensus was that all teachers should have art training.
In the Spring at a meeting of the Parent Teacher group in Cochituate I had an exhibition of the children's art work. This exhibit illustrated the development of art from the first through the eighth grades. In explaining methods and pro- cedure I endeavored to acquaint the parents with the process of teaching fundamentals of art in an enjoyable way, and yet to show how these basic principles are carried on into more complicated work in the higher classes.
The general course of art is followed each year. With new ideas from current books, art conventions and conferences, the program is enriched by contacts and experimentation. I believe in progress, and that new ideas should be tried and if lacking in value dropped from the program.
The High school group last year painted scenery for the operetta and several students entered work in the Scholastic Contest at the R. H. White Store. Others helped with the com- mencement decorations.
Since September my work has been with the elementary grades in the Wayland Center and Cochituate schools. This is the first time for some years that I have met with the lower classes each week. With weekly visits the students will have a better opportunity to accomplish more work and be prepared for Junior and Senior High art work.
In the Junior-Senior High school the classes have been under the direction of Mr. Wilson S. Snow. Following is an excerpt from his annual report.
"In the approach to art as a junior and senior high school subject, the presentation requires dual qualities with a single goal, the latter of course being an increased under- standing of subject matter and methods. This goal is reached by (1.) instruction in fundamentals and basic technical points, enhanced by (2.) an interesting procedure.
195
Proper application of these steps is especially important in the Junior High school classes, where art is a required sub- ject for all students.
The material used in the above manner thus far has been, among others, work on value and color charts, components of a landscape, and the composition of landscape drawings. An example of this involved a study of tree construction, followed by practice drawing of cloud formations, and finally combining these two in a landscape. Figure drawing is also accented, especially the importance of correctly depicting the action expressed."
The teachers are most co-operative in bringing to my attention subject matter which will be beneficial to the students. This correlation is more helpful when the subject is being studied and discussed.
Art and a pleasant environment are certainly demonstrated in the new additions to the Wayland schools. I am sure these physical aspects of the buildings are more conducive to better work.
I am indeed grateful for your cooperation and interest in the art department. The knowledge that our endeavors toward a better department are of interest, and can be dis- cussed by teacher and administrator, with progress in mind, is certainly appreciated.
Respectfully submitted,
MARGUERITE ELLIOTT PEASLEE.
196
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF VOCAL MUSIC
To the Superintendent of Schools:
In February 1949 I gave a talk and demonstration to the Parent-Teachers Association in Cochituate. Groups of stu- dents from various grades presented a short program showing the development of their musical growth during the first eight grades, and the parents present enjoyed learning the extent of their own capabilities by taking some of the musical aptitude tests.
In March the music students of Wayland High school gave the operetta "The Belle of Bagdad" on two successive evenings. Eighty-five boys and girls participated in the per- formance, the proceeds of which started a fund for the pur- chase of a grand piano for the new auditorium.
At the graduation exercises which were held in the Town Hall in June the mixed chorus and the girls' chorus presented a program which was very well received.
The pupils of the Cochituate school presented the operetta "Where Was Santa ?" in December. This performance was given free of charge under the sponsorship of the P. T. A. Students, teachers, and parents cooperated in every way, and we were all happy to see the new auditorium filled to capacity.
Although progress has been made during the past year, I feel that much remains to be offered in the way of an adequate music curriculum. I look forward with interest to the appoint- ment of a music assistant to be responsible for orchestral and instrumental training. Also, as the town continues to grow, consideration should be given to the employment of a full-time supervisor. Elementary teachers who have difficulty in teach- ing music would have more of the supervisor's time. I look forward also to an increasing enrollment in the chorus at the Junior-Senior High school. Although this general chorus for the enjoyment of music is a splendid morale builder, at a later date additional courses might be offered involving more serious study of the different aspects of music.
Respectfully submitted,
PAULINE N. RADFORD.
197
REPORT OF THE PENMANSHIP SUPERVISOR
To the Superintendent of Schools:
I am pleased to submit the following report of the opera- tion of the handwriting program in the Wayland schools for the school year of 1948-1949.
In the initial handwriting tests administered in January 1947, 8.6% of your pupils received a grade of "A" (Excellent) ; 18.4% received a grade of "B" (Good) ; and 73% were graded less than "B". In the tests administered in June 1949, 55% of your pupils received a grade of "A"; 20.5% received a grade of "B"; and 24.5% were graded less than "B".
During the last school year, we graded approximately 5500 formal and 16,500 informal samples of handwriting for your pupils. A formal test was administered monthly and a report was furnished each teacher giving a careful diagnosis of the handwriting of each pupil in her room.
Handwriting certificates were awarded to 73% of your pupils.
We furnished the following instructional materials :- monthly teachers' outlines, pupil folder outlines, room motiva- tion certificates, handedness tests, individual handwriting cer- tificates for pupils who qualified, monthly and term envelopes, seals, etc.
My supervisors join with me in expressing our apprecia- tion for the splendid cooperation we have received from you and your teachers at all times. We are very pleased with the results obtained in your schools.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM L. RINEHART.
198
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL PHYSICIAN
To the Superintendent of Schools:
I herewith submit my report as School Physician for the year 1949.
Total number of students examined 923
The following defects noted in all the grades are as fol- lows :
Center School :
1. Defective tonsils and adenoids 106
2. Submaxillary gland enlargements 18
3. Cerumen in the ears (wax) 40
4. Defective posture 2
5. Orthopedic defects 3
6. Ear infections 1
7. Torticollis (wryneck) 1
Cochituate School :
1. Defective tonsils and adenoids 115
2. Submaxillary gland enlargements 110
3. Cerumen in the ears (wax) 10
4. Orthopedic defects 2
High School: (Boys)
1. Defective tonsils and adenoids 18
2. Submaxillary gland enlargements 8
3. Defective heart 2
4. Defective posture 2
5. Marked acne 1
High School: (Girls)
1. Defective tonsils and adenoids 28
2. Cerumen in the ears (wax) 6
3. Marked acne 1
4. Sebaceous cyst 1
5. Defective heart 1
6. Orthopedic defects 1
199
Defective teeth :
Inasmuch as the school has an excellent dental clinic, teeth are cared for in that department.
I wish to state that my physical examinations were thor- ough and painstaking. No child was neglected in any way, shape, or manner. The high school boys received the regular army physical.
Triple Diphtheria injections given :
Center School 20
Cochituate School 30
During the past year there have been a few sporadic cases of Pneumonia, Measles, Whooping Cough, Mumps, and Scarlet Fever. I believe with the modern treatments which are avail- able to all that there is no reason for the severity of these diseases.
I sincerely appreciate and wish to thank our superintendent, our dentist, our nurse, and all the teachers for their fine cooper- ation and help in connection with this work.
Respectfully submitted,
DAVID R. COREY, M.D.
200
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL CLINIC
To the Superintendent of Schools:
The following is a report of the operations of the dental clinics in Wayland during the past year :
Center School
Cochituate School
Patients seen
131
100
Clinics
35
21
Patients completed
51
31
Total operations
249
158
Fillings
179
121
Extractions
17
16
Cleanings
53
21
An attempt was made during the past year to complete more of those patients who had a real and personal interest in oral hygiene. The Cochituate Clinic was moved into its new quarters near the end of the year after some delay in setting up and starting. This clinic is rapidly approaching the ideal in school dental clinics. A new cuspidor was purchased to supplant the old one. This piece of equipment will greatly increase the efficiency of the future dental operations.
Many of the teachers and principals of these schools are showing a new and encouraging interest in the problems and aims of the dental clinics. To the dental profession education is the only real answer to oral hygiene.
Respectfully submitted, FRANKLIN H. SAUL, D.D.S.
201
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL NURSE
To the Superintendent of Schools:
I hereby submit my annual report for the year ending December 31, 1949.
The school physician was assisted at the yearly physical examinations in the fall. Notices of defects were sent to the parents and home visits were made to urge parents to consult family physicians.
A Toxoid Clinic for the prevention of diphtheria was sponsored by the Board of Health. At the clinic any school child who has not been immunized is given the opportunity to receive Toxoid treatments by the school doctor. Parents are urged to take advantage of the clinic.
Pupils were weighed and measured every three months during the school year.
The school dentist was assisted two mornings a week at the Dental Clinic, which was held in Wayland Center on Mon- days and in Cochituate on Wednesdays.
In May, pre-school conferences were held in both Wayland and Cochituate. Children were examined by the school physi- cian. Parents attending were urged to have their children's physical defects corrected before entering school in September. Some children were unable to attend the conferences but were examined by their family physician. Miss Morrill assisted in Cochituate and Mrs. Reifsteck in Wayland.
The Massachusetts vision test was given in the Center school and in the High school. It was impossible to test in the Cochituate building because of inadequate facilities. Notices were sent to parents of children found to have indication of visual defects. Follow-up visits were necessary in some cases. It is not expected that all defects will be found, but the child who indicates a probable defect is referred to a specialist or clinic for further examination. Many visual defects have since been corrected.
202
In cases of infectious disease or accident, pupils were re- ferred to the family physician.
Home visits to school children 199
Children accompanied home from school 15
Children excluded because of infection 24
Children referred to hospitals
6
Children referred to social services agencies 5
Children referred to specialists
4
Respectfully submitted,
MARY E. McNEIL.
203
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF ATTENDANCE
To the Superintendent of Schools:
During the year I have had thirty cases of questionable absences reported to me.
Number of students accompanied to school 4
21
Number having no legitimate excuse Number of truants 9
It was necessary to issue one summons to Framingham Juvenile Court for one school offender who was guilty of habitual truancy.
A fair disposition of this case was made by the Judge.
Respectfully submitted,
MARY E. McNEIL.
REGISTRATION OF MINORS October 1, 1949
Age Groups
5-7
7-16
Total
Boys
104
374
478
Girls
90
334
424
194
708
902
Distribution :
Public Schools
130
658
788
Private Schools
20*
46
66
Vocational Schools
0
1
1
State Schools
0
1
1
Not in School
44
2
46
194
708
902
* Includes membership of Wayland Junior Town House.
204
MEMBERSHIP BY AGE AND GRADE October 1, 1949
BOYS
Grade 5 6 7 8 9
10
11 12 13 14 15
16 17 18 19 Totals
1
12 44 6
2
64
2
9 34
9 1
53
3
8 30
8 2
48
4
12 24 14 4
54
5
4 24
7 1
36
6
4 14
9 2
29
7
2 6 20
9
1
1
1
40
8
2
6
17
9
3
37
9
8 13
9
1
1
32
10
1
2
15
9
28
11
1
3
9
12
1
9 1
2
20
PG
1
Total
12 53 48 53 37
46 33
36
37
26
31
21
16
10
3 462
GIRLS
Grade 5 6 7 8 9
10
11
12
13 14
15 16
17 18 19 Totals
1
16 42
1
1
60
2
7 34
3
44
3
8 29
2
39
4
8 22
35
5
5
4 1 23 5
33
6
4
25
5 2
36
7
1
8 12
6
1
28
8
10
24
3
2
39
9
1
9
14
5
29
10
8
18
3
1
30
11
7
16
5
28
12
8
10
3
1
22
PG
2
2
Total
16 49 43 41
29
32
39
28
41
26 32 27
16
5
1
425
205
Grand Total
887
1 4 2 1 8
20
REPORT OF WAYLAND FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY For the Year 1949
The personnel of the Wayland Free Public Library has undergone several changes during the past year. Mrs. J. Fred Wheeler was unable to continue as regular assistant, due to ill health, and Mrs. Robert A. Prisch, who had substituted for Mrs. Wheeler, moved away from Wayland. Mrs. Frank K. Bentley became the regular assistant in March. In September, Miss Shirley Bentley, a sophomore in High School, became our page.
On June 30th, Mrs. Gertrude D. Bishop retired as assistant at the Cochituate Branch Library, after more than forty years of devoted service, and Mrs. Katherine M. Damon was appoint- ed as temporary assistant.
At the annual town election in March, Mr. George G. Bogren was elected a trustee of the library to succeed Mr. Richard M. Francis, whose term of office had expired.
In September, Mrs. Robert A. Currie, Jr., who became librarian September 1st, 1948 tendered her resignation to take effect as soon as a new librarian should be appointed.
During 1949 the Friends of the Wayland Library, under the able chairmanship of Mr. Francis E. Devlin, held several interesting programs at the library. On February 2nd Mr. David McCord, well-known humorist, entertained a most appreciative audience with readings from his anthology of light verse "What Cheer". Mr. Henry Davenport, artist and pho- tographer of Weston, spoke on "You and your Camera" on March 22nd. There was an exhibition of his photographs in the Francis Shaw Room during the entire week. Miss Judith Stromdahl of the Weston Public Library gave two most inter- esting book review programs on March 17th and April 21st. On May 4th the Friends presented a film on the manufacture of steel entitled "Steel, Man's Servant". During the winter,
206
five educational films for children were shown on alternate Saturday mornings.
The Friends sponsored three programs during Book Week and, as a money-raising event for the library, held a very suc- cessful Book Fair all week, with over a hundred new books on display in the reading room. On Monday afternoon, November 14th, Miss Judith Stromdahl reviewed several of the season's outstanding books. Tea and a social hour followed her talk. On Tuesday a most illuminating lecture by Mrs. J. Sidney Stone on the history and methods of tray painting and decorat- ing, was followed by a buffet luncheon. On Wednesday, Mr. Clarence W. Anderson, who has written and illustrated many popular books on horses, spoke to, and made sketches of horses for, the 5th, 6th and 7th grades in Wayland and Cochituate. A display of his lithographs of horses was a feature of our Book Fair.
The 4H Club of Wayland held an exhibition of handiwork in the Francis Shaw Room during the week of May 2nd. From May 23rd to 28th the Decorating Class of Mrs. J. Sidney Stone and Mrs. Philip Burbank exhibited painted and stenciled trays, furniture, boxes and country tin. The Summer Painting Group sponsored by the Wayland Town House, held a display of children's paintings in the Shaw Room on July 26th. The Hobby and Craft Show of Wayland children between the ages of 7 and 12 was held in the Shaw Room on November 5th and 6th.
Several lectures by field workers of the Middlesex County Extension Service on household repairs and improvements, chair caning and slip-cover making have been held in the Shaw Room.
We have had several interesting exhibits in our glass case in the course of the year. These included a large collection of postcards by David Potter ; a group of exquisite and very old valentines by Mrs. Johnston Bird; a display of foreign currency and one of hand-made fishing flies by Michael Patterson; a most entertaining group of old photographs of the 1870s and '80s and a selection from her large collection of cook books by Mrs. Elizabeth Russell; and for the last month, a very handsome display of steins by Mr. and Mrs. Donald Neelon, which has attracted visitors from all over Greater Boston.
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