USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Weymouth > Town annual report of Weymouth 1925 > Part 15
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In Ward III the Old Hunt School should be torn down and a new wing added to the New Hunt, with a gymnasium for games and recreational purposes, this building to include in the near future a Junior High School for this ward. The Old Hunt, like the Franklin, is not suited for school purposes. It is poorly designed, poorly lighted, and does not lend itself to reconstruction.
The present needs of Ward IV have been provided for by a portable at the Pratt. Before building permanently it may be well to watch the trend of the growth in that section of the town.
As the growth in Ward V has been only twenty-three during the present year, a portable or portables will provide sufficient room for one year more. I would then recommend that plans be made to add to the Nevin School with a view to making it the Junior High School for that portion of the town, including also the seventh ,and eighth grades in the districts now covered by the Pratt and .the Shaw. The article in the warrant asking for a six- room building near the depot has merit, and should receive consid- eration. Whether it would be wise to construct this building before additions have been made to the Nevin rests with the judgment of the voters and the people living in that section of the town most affected.
.: The Pond School should be eliminated as a primary building as soon as possible.
176
Provisions for the growth of the High School have been dis- cussed in another part of the report.
The town is scattered. For that reason any consideration of the school problem must take into account the placing of buildings in positions as convenient as possible for the children. We are approaching more rapidly than was expected the time when Junior High Schools should be established in the different parts of the town. The Junior High School plan has been discussed in other reports. For the benefit of those who may not understand, how- ever, I will state that the Junior High School would contain the present seventh and eighth grades and the first grade of the High School,-three in all. Such an arrangement would leave the three upper grades of the High School, including the industrial work, in the present building,
TEACHERS
Twelve resignations have been accepted during the year. Of this number three left to be married, two accepted positions in Bos- ton, three accepted positions nearer home, three accepted positions paying better salaries, and one went to Florida. Seventeen regu- lar teachers and two temporary teachers were appointed, making a net increase to the teaching force of seven,-three at the High School and four in the elementary grades.
There are on the force thirteen temporary teachers. All but two of this number are married women. It may be well at this time to make a statement as to the exact standing of the tempo- rary teachers in town. They are not elected, and may be replaced at any time by regularly elected teachers. We have been forced to make use of them owing to a shortage of strong or well-trained material, particularly in the upper grades. The schools are being run, or should be run, for the best interests of the children them- selves, and for that reason there is no justification for employing a teacher of less experience and poorer teaching ability, when bet- ter material is available.
Up to the present time the policy has been to employ all Wey- mouth girls who have the right personality and prepare themselves sufficiently for the position which they desire to occupy. We do not certify to the Normal Schools any girls, unless they are of college grade,-that is, in addition to natural aptitudes for teaching, they must mantain an average of at least eighty-five per cent. for the four years of the High School course. As the students come from the Normal Schools and apply for positions, they are told frankly that if they have gained the confidence of their instructors, if they have maintained a creditable standing in their Normal courses, and if they can secure the proper credentials from the critic teachers of their respective schools, they are almost certain of a position in Weymouth. The fact that town girls have proved to be successful teachers rests almost entirely upon these two principles. First, we encourage to go to the Normal Schools only those who have the abilities and characteristics to make good teachers. Second, we insist upon good work in the training school. None of the married women will become permanent teachers, and they will disappear from the force gradually, as conditions warrant.
It is pleasing to note the increased number of teachers in the grades and in the High School who have taken professional courses during the year. This attitude on the part of the teachers should be encouraged, and I trust in the future the School Committee will be able to offer increased salaries to those who improve their worth
177
to the schools by study or otherwise. A teacher should continue to grow and develop, even after graduation from institutions of higher learning, and such growth means constant effort to keep abreast of the times. I am appending to this report, for the infor- mation of the teachers themselves as well as the public, a tabula- tion showing the experience, training and extra courses taken. Some have never taken courses since leaving Normal School or college.
Next year it is estimated that five additional teachers will be needed at the High School, four in the grades, and two in special classes for retarded children. We have asked that the expense of the Dental Nurse be made a school item, and have also made provision to have the Supervisor of Music on full time.
REPORTS
As the work in manual training, sewing, and that of the school nurse has progressed along regular lines, these reports have been omitted. The reports of other departments follow.
HIGH SCHOOL (Report of F. W. Hilton, Principal)
The High School statistics still show an increase in numbers over previous years. Distribution of the enrollment by subjects and classes is shown in the following table:
Freshman Sophomore
Junior , Senior
Total
Boys Girls Boys Girls Boys Girls Boys Girls Boys Girls
Classical
36
31
8
29
15
25
8
11
67
96
Technical
22
11
29
11
15
0
12
1
78
23
Business
45
72
38
94
9
27
7
32
99
225
General
27
6
18
4
13
4
14
11
72
25
Practical Arts
0
22
0
15
0
2
0
0
0
39
Woodworking 17
0
12
0
11
0
0
0
40
0
Printing
12
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
12
0
Agriculture
7
0
5
1
3
.0
3
0
18
1
Total
166
142
110
154
66
58
44
55
386
409
GRAND TOTAL, 795
The entering class represents not only students from all parts of the town, but a good many from other sources, as below noted: Freshman Class
From
Boys
Girls
Total
Athens
21
26
47
Humphrey
36
23
59
Hunt
16
22
38
Nevin
28
19
47
Pratt
4
5
9
Shaw
6
5
11
Other Schools
55
42
97
Total
166
142
308
A study of the first table will show that the business course still is the choice of the largest number, although we are offering a varied line of practical work. The number taking the classical course remains about in the same proportion from year to year. Pupils in trade and practical arts courses are drawn largely from
178
those who would take either the general or business course. I believe that we should offer as diversified a line of trade as pos- sible. The difficulty of securing apprentice positions in trade, and the necessity of supplying new material, is being generally felt and already has caused considerable enlargement in trade' courses throughout the country.
WOODWORKING
Our woodworking department has been worked through three successive years to rather an interesting stage, culminating in the actual building of a dwelling house and garage. This has attracted state-wide comment of a very favorable nature. We are very glad to allow inspection of the construction, and are showing cuts giv- ing some idea of this project.
PRINTING
We have this year started to organize a trade course in print- ing, which kas proved interesting, and will, we hope, be equally as successful and popular as carpentry. This schedule requires a seven-hour day, as all state-aided courses. As examples of practi- cal shop work we have been able to print the school paper and many smaller school printing jobs. The course is expected to extend over three years and give considerable actual shop practice as well as a very good general education.
While the two trade courses already established, for the most part, seem to meet the demand for trade training, we feel that it would be a good plan to add sheet metal work and electric wiring. This would have a tendency not only to meet the demand for variety in training, but would tend to prevent overcrowding in any one field.
PRACTICAL ARTS
In the practical arts course for the girls the classes are filled for the first two years, and the work is proving very satisfactory. Home projects are causing some difficulty in cases where insufficient work can be found to keep the students occupied. The scattered condition of the town also makes it rather difficult to follow up the home project work. We hope that parents will give as careful attention to this part of the work as they are able to do in order to assist us in obtaining the best results.
The standard of work being done throughout the school is excel- lent, for the most part. We have, however, considerable trouble in impressing on the younger students the necessity for home study A large per cent. of our failures is due to this cause alone. If the work is sufficient to occupy the average student for three or four hours of preparation, it ought to be very evident that a student who studies from one to two hours at home is very likely to fail in some of his subjects.
A GLIMPSE OF THE PRINT SHOP
1
181
The graduating class of 1925 numbered eighty-four. The usual number of these went to higher institutions of learning, or immedi- ately into work of some kind. The distribution of those going beyond the High School is as follows:
Boys
Girls
Total
Colleges
11
6
17
Normal Schools
0
8
8
Business Schools
0
3
3
Miscellaneous Schools
1
3
4
Total 12 20
The spirit of co-operation among the teachers and students has been very excellent, and I wish to take this opportunity of express- ing my appreciation for a pleasant year.
AGRICULTURE
(Report of Hilmer S. Nelson, Director of Agriculture)
The total number of students enrolled in the department as of December 31, 1925, is seventeen, divided according to classes as follows:
Seniors 3
Juniors 3
Sophomores 6
Freshmen 5
The total enrollment for the year was twenty-two, distributed as follows:
Following Present Course
17
Graduated to enter the Massachusetts Agricultural College
2
Left to go to work
1
Changed to High School Course 1
The following figures may be of interest:
Average monthly aggregate attendance 354.20
Average daily attendance 18.79
Average monthly membership 19.70
Average monthly per cent. of attendance 95.33
Each student now enrolled is carrying a project, the seventeen projects being divided as follows: Garden projects 8
Poultry projects 5
Garden and poultry projects 1
Sheep project
Pig project 1
Greenhouse project 1
-
32
2
The practice of visits to various outstanding local agricultural enterprises was carried on as in years past, together with class- room demonstrations and debates, illustrated lectures and meetings connected with the Weymouth Agricultural Club, and actual shop work practice in the room of the Manual Training Department.
At the Boston Poultry Show the response of the students was very fine and the results of their efforts very gratifying. Our club exhibit won first prize, a total of nine clubs competing. This exhibit was arranged by the seniors and set up by them. In the Sophomore class the Culling Demonstration Team came in third with a total of about eleven entries. Five Sophomores and Fresh- men exhibited birds with a total of five prizes. Prize money, to-
182
gether with ribbons, was issued to each winner and special prizes to some.
During the school year of 1925-1926 the general course of study for the combined classes is as follows:
Freshmen and Sophomores-Vegetable Gardening, Ornamental Planting and allied studies, plus plenty of practical shop work, supervised work and particular project development.
Juniors and Seniors-Dairying, Farm Management, Physics and allied studies, together with regular prescribed academic studies, plus project development at home, supervised outside labor and class demonstration work.
Our very well stocked library of agricultural books and an abundant supply of bulletin material may be used as the source of much valuable information to the farming folk of this town. Our agricultural laboratory equipment is at your service. We trust you will feel free to call upon this department to render any assistance and aid possible.
The crop reports of this section of the country are compiled at this department for the United States Department of Agriculture. It is our desire that as many as possible of the numerous market , gardeners, poultrymen, dairymen, horticulturists, farmers and agri- cultural workers of this vicinity will report monthly to this depart- ment crop and livestock conditions and predictions that will assist in issuing an accurate report. All communications may be ad- dressed to the Agricultural Department of the Weymouth High School.
DENTAL CLINIC
(Report of Alice A. Conroy, Dental Hygienist)
The Dental Clinic has now been conducted for over three suc- cessive years under the direction of the Weymouth Visiting Nurse Association, the purpose being to bring to each child an actual dem- onstration of the advantages realized by clean teeth and a clean mouth. This idea of regular cleanliness in the mouth and the bene- fits derived from it are brought individually to each child by pro- phylactic treatment and instructions received at the Clinic.
Each of the elementary school buildings has been visited and now the pupils, and also the parents look forward to the Dental Clinic each year. The regular response from the children and chart card records all point to general improvement in the condi- tion of the children's mouths. Teachers have done much to instruct the pupils in regular habits of brushing the teeth after prophylac- tic treatment. Two sizes of inexpensive tooth brushes are always on hand for the children. The advantage here is that the correct size and style of brush is procured.
Carina teeth and shaped un at noch treatment and slips sent home to the parents when such a condition exists. Permanent teeth what are so often mistaken for temporary teeth are in this way re- tained, by further dental treatment.
My appreciation is extended to all who have assisted me in carrying on this work.
183
DRAWING
(Report of Evelyn Silvester, Supervisor of Drawing)
The art work, as we present it in the Weymouth graded schools, might be classified under two headings: Representation and Design All grades have many problems of progressive difficulty to illus- trate these two divisions.
Primary Representation consists of free expression pictures of subjects of vital interest to the child, like a picture of a little girl giving dolly a ride or a picture of boys playing ball. The child draws freely what his own conception of such a scene would be. In connection with this work comes the need for more accurate drawing of objects. We give special lessons on toys, baby car- riages, carts, trolleys, children running, standing still, climbing, sitting or playing, to give the children a more complete drawing vocabulary. The Picture Study of reproductions of beautiful and famous paintings and sculpture supplements this work nicely, also correlating with language and often with other subjects.
Design in the primary grades covers the important design prin- cipals, like knowledge of shapes and proportions, the ideas of repe- tition, altenation and progression. Color also comes under Design and color names and simple terms, like light, dark and medium, color neighbors and color opposites are learned.
Of course, all primary work is planned to teach the use of vari- ous mediums, like pencils, crayons, scissors, etc., and in Grade III, brushes and ink, and in Grade IV, paints. Thus we attempt to establish good technique.
In the upper grades Representation and Design are in some ways very closely intertwined, as in the making of a poster. That calls for Design in arrangement and printing and Representation in all its phases for the illustration. So we have our two divsions converging in one problem. Under Representation we study ani- mal drawing, perspective and object drawing, flowers, birds, butter- flies and shells. In all these things we find the general laws of Design illustrated. The body and legs of a dog and a horse can be enclosed within a square. Cats fit into the rectangle. Many flow- ers are circular. Some flowers are triangular; others pentagonal and hexagonal. Snow crystals are always either hexagonal or tri- angular. Butterflies and people balance. Front and back views of chairs and vehicles balance. Birds, butterflies and flowers give color combinations. So it goes. Nothing is without Design. It covers far more than surface decoration for pillow tops or table runners. We do develop some surface designs from the abstract, however. Some times we base the idea on nature; sometimes on a geometric base. These designs may be applied to a bag or hat ornament, wall paper or box cover, jewelry, etc.
Printing is a very interesting and perhaps one of the most use- ful parts of our Design study. In the days of "It Pays to Adver- tise" you can easily understand how helpful it is to be able to make a neat, correct and interesting sign. Christmas cards and tickets made easily and quickly with a lettering pen may be really choice.
In December of this year we have all been having a wonderful time making different Christmas things. In every grade the prob lems have demanded thought and skill in execution. Otherwise, the time spent would be wasted.
During the coming year we hope to develop a series of lantern slides to be used in correlating as many subjects as possible. The
DESK MADE IN THE SHOP
185
slides will be cross-catalogued under brief topic outlines of Geogra- phy, History, Natural Science and Art. They should also supply helpful material for language reference. I know of no similar series in use in grammar school work, and any helpful suggestions as to where material may be secured or what types of pictures would meet special needs would be greatly appreciated.
I cannot end this report without again thanking all of the Wey- mouth Faculty and Mr. Pearson for the fine spirit of co-operation which makes work in Weymouth a pleasure and makes us all feel that we are really giving that "something" which we hope may set a high standard for our future citizens.
MUSIC
(Report of James W. Calderwood, Supervisor of Music)
Music in the grades has progressed along the usual lines the past school year, and with increasingly satisfactory results.
In February of the present year the High School Orchestra made its annual appearance before the Monday Club; and early in June the operetta, "The Merry Milk-Maids" was given in the assem- bly hall before an appreciative audience that filled that auditorium. It is now the purpose to give a work of this kind once each year.
In October a double quartet of mixed voices was selected to join with similar representatives from the other cities and towns in the county, all these to form a joint chorus which sang before the Norfolk County Teachers' Association at the Tremont Theatre. A very marked enthusiasm in our school music life was thus en- gendered and its effects continue to this very moment.
For the first time in its history Weymouth is thoroughly aroused to the idea of having a brass band at the High School. Already active plans are in the making toward this end, so that within a year of the present writing the town will be boasting of having its own High School Band. There is a noticeable interest in the subject of music throughout the schools of this town. Wey- mouth may of a certainty be said to be advancing toward that time when it may claim to be one of those localities where music in the public schools is one of the subjects in which it excels.
SCHOOL GARDENS
(Report of Sarah E. Brassill, Supervisor of School Gardens)
There is little of novelty, but much of interest to report. Les- sons in gardening in the seventh and eighth grades have been the basis of the work. The outline of lessons is the same that has been in use during the two previous years. Each class, however, and indeed, each pupil, brings to the subject a different preparation and background. Therefore, lessons having the same title vary much in their content. The end sought is not a definite set of facts learned verbatim, but an increasing knowledge of and love for growing things.
Other lines of interest lead to the formation of volunteer groups for additional work. Honors in these clubs, which are or- ganized under the Department of Agriculture, are won in competi- tion with similar groups throughout the county and state. Apart from the honors won, the work in itself is valuable and its best reward is the doing. Membership in these clubs opens up oppor- tunities to enter various county, state and even inter-state con- tests, thereby allowing us to measure ourselves with others who are doing similar work.
186
The Weymouth Fair gives us a chance to show our flowers and vegetables, our canning, cookery and garment making, and our poultry. Other fairs in which we took part were Marshfield, Brock- ton, Eastern States at Springfield, and the Boston Poultry Show.
We have a "Room Beautiful" group who are interested in inte -. rior decoration, especially of their own rooms. One member stood third in the county, thereby winning the boudoir lamp offered by the Weymouth Light & Power Company.
There is an "Outfit Group," who are working on a complete out fit of clothing; a Handicraft Group; a Canning Club, whose Presi- dent spent a week in camp at Massachusetts Agricultural College because she was champion; seven Food Clubs; two Garment Mak- ing Clubs and seven Poultry Clubs. Delegates from these clubs were present at Achievement Day exercises at the Norfolk County Agricultural School at Walpole, and at several demonstrations brought to us by county representatives. Weymouth was repre. sented by two numbers at the County Camp in summer. Delegates saw the Poultry Exhibit at Springfield and brought back ribbons to our winning members, and Poultry Club members entered the Junior Department of the Boston Poultry Show.
The work gives to the pupils one more link between school and life. In keeping the records and in making the reports required ยท pupils use all they have learned of spelling, writing, language and arithmetic, so answering for themselves, "What good will it do me ?" To their interest, and to the much appreciated help from teachers and friends our success is due.
SCHOOL CENSUS APRIL 1, 1925
Boys
5 to 7 yrs. 7 to 14 yrs. 14 to 16 yrs.
Total
Ward I
60
258
59
377
Ward II
88
375
94
557
Ward III
55
198
51
304
Ward IV
36
158
32
226
Ward V
39
160
38
237
278
1149
274
1701
Girls
Ward I
69
279
65
413
Ward II
99
352
73
524
Ward III
62
181
47
290
Ward IV
49
145
32
226
:
Ward V
50
143
50
243
329
1100
267
1696
Total
607
2249
541
3397
DISTRIBUTION OF ABOVE MINORS
Public Day Schools
248
2066
496
2810
Continuation School
10
10
Private Schools
61
173
29
263
Special Schools
1
1
3
5
Not enrolled in any schools
297
9
3
309
Total
607
2249
541
3397
SCHOOL SAVINGS
Balance
Transfers
With- Bank
Balance
School
1925 Deposits
Plus
Minus
drawals
Books
1926
Adams
$47.91
$116.09
$5.60
$5.39
$113.00
$40.01
Athens
566.78
1014.41
$12.42
6.27
28.43
998.42
560.49
Franklin
159.46
623.12
41.09
56.92
15.56
587.33
163.86
James Humphrey
445.97
1315.13
82.67
25.32
87.90
1268.56
461.99
Jefferson
230.07
640.29
15.73
37:46
43.48
614.21
190.94
Washington
330.15
717.28
26.31
54.71
27.77
683.31
307.95
Hunt
645.64
1352.19
5.35
15.01
66.47
1355.38
566.32
E. B. Nevin
249.61
515.83
7.23
3.01
31.30
422.72
315.64
Pond
1.37
1.37
Pratt
106.47
129.35
3.63
11.32
74.00
146.87
Shaw
111.20
358.68
1.90
.19
6.40
360.99
104.20
High
143.42
349.55
19.71
1.00
8.53
382.66
120.49
Totals
$3038.05 $7131.92 $212.41 $209.12 $332.55 6860.58 $2980.13
The Weymouth Savings Bank reports a gain of $752.06 over 1924
187
188
RETARDED CHILDREN
In March an examination of the retarded children was com- pleted by the state authorities. Eighteen children were found who should be in special classes. These children are, for the most part, too old for their grade. They have lost touch with children of their own age, and do not belong in the regular groups. They should be under specially trained teachers, not over fifteen in a group, and be given extra work fitted to their capabilities in order to enable them to get as much out of their school life as possible. It is a state law that provision must be made for them, and this phase of school work will be attended to as soon as possible.
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