USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Weymouth > Town annual report of Weymouth 1929 > Part 20
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25
Bicknell
13
21
34
Junior Annex
46
54
100
Hunt
13
21
34
Nevin
22
21
43
Pratt
8
15
23
Shaw
8
11
19
Other
schools
30
43
73
145
206
351
1
1
4
4
238
In considering the quality of the work done by our students we take considerable pride in the records made by our grad- uates in the various colleges and other schools which they have attended. Like all public schools we have a great variety of material, from the very poorest to the most excellent. How to handle a large mass of students having varied abilities, personal- ities, and objectives, so that all may secure the greatest benefit possible is a puzzling and difficult problem. We often wonder why there is such a marked difference in the members of a." group who have gone through exactly the same course of training. How great is the influence of mentality, how great is the in- fluence of surroundings, associations, and application? What can we do to secure more uniform success? Were failures due wholly to lack of brain capacity we might have little hope for improve- ment, but we recognize that this is not the whole cause nor even the principal one. We have reason to seek newer and better methods for securing the interest of the student, stimulating his ambition, : directing him into suitable lines of endeavor, and in every way possible leading him to self-improvement. Much could be done by the teacher and parent if a regular program for home study could be arranged and carried out. While we re cognize that certain types of work are not interesting to certain personalities there are often practical applications which may be associated with disagreeable routine that will stimulate a student to a more active interest. More definite direction for methods of study might be an aid. The different groups are so large that we need heads of departments to unify the work of the various subject teachers.
The following awards were given for excellence in scholarship: Monday Club
Weymouth Teachers' Association
Irene Nancy Adams
Irene Nancy Adams Dorothea Elizabeth Abbott Ethelbert Chase Nickerson
Weymouth High School Alumni Association
Dorothea Elizabeth Abbott Ethelbert Chase Nickerson Alma Marie Roche
Weymouth Catholic Club
Medal for Meritorious Progress Gift of the Class of 1921
Jane Stub
Washington and Franklin Medal for Excellence in American History James McAleer
We have long felt the need of approaching subjects from a series of different angles through the use of a library and reference reading. We are glad to say that a considerable im- provement has already been secured in this direction. About nine hundred volumes have been added to our shelves and at least two lessons in the use of the library have been given to every student in school during the present year.
239
We are sponsoring the usual number of clubs, both musical and literary, outside of our regular school time, and have this year attempted to do some class work in music and public speak- ing during the regular school day. It seems rather difficult to find a place in the building where an hour's practice on the bass viol or other loud instrument does not seriously interrupt the nearby recitations. It might be well to mention our endeavor to have a larger number of students participate in baseball during the last season when a series of interclass games was played before running a short interschool schedule. We secured the desired result and had at least five teams in the school in addi- tion to the varsity squad. While the small interschool schedule was not wholly agreeable to some we were pleased with the large number of candidates who came out all through the season.
While we feel very proud of our school building we still find some requirements that are lacking. Among the chief of these are the showers for the girls' gymnasium and the lunch room facilities. Our gym classes number as high as sixty girls and the number of showers provided is eight. Inasmuch as this would necessitate approximately eight groups it is easy to see that the shower facilities are entirely inadequate. In our lunch room we have found it necessary to divide the students into three groups which vary in size from 300 to 600. Our lunch room proper seats 91. We have two adjacent rooms which were originally used as locker rooms where there are chairs for 41 and 90, respectively. This means that by no stretch of the imagination could there possibly be adequate room for seating the entire number. I have hoped that it might be possible' to build a single story structure which would provide a cafeteria. In order to utilize this room to fullest capacity the kitchen might be shut off from the dining room in such a way that the space might be utilized for study, band rehearsals, and club meetings.
I wish to thank the teachers and the students for their royal spirit and cooperation during the past year.
AGRICULTURE
(Report of Hilmer S. Nelson, Director of the Norfolk County Agricultural School, Weymouth Branch)
Public opinion and policy have formulated the aim of in- struction in vocational agriculture to be one that will fit the student for useful employment in agricultural enterprises. There are fundamentally two aims or functions in a course as followed in our high school: first, it must be prepared to meet the growing efficiency and demands of a progressive period of agriculture, and secondly, it must meet the present and immediate needs of the pupils who, although not living on a farm, desire to en- gage in one of the many phases of agriculture, for we find that it is both a pursuit and a calling. The rural status of our students is rather limited because we find on practically. every homestead a small amount of land with a moderate supply of working capital; but to offset these factors a great amount of interest is evident
240
by the parents. During the last five years only two graduates have separated from, agricultural callings, which shows that once a student becomes deeply interested in this vocation' and has completed satisfactorily four years of our prescribed course, he rarely changes to another vocation.
The basis of our agricultural instruction centers around the home project, which is personally owned by the student. In the fourteen home project activities for the year of 1929, we find some very interesting figures. Although these figures are not large, they represent some honest accomplishments because most of the work is done before and after school hours. The 2763 hours spent on home projects represent total receipts of $3,913.15 with a total expenditure of $2,081.48 leaving a profit of $1,831.67, or an average student project profit of $130.83. Not only do these students maintain ownership projects but they also work at many outside agricultural enterprises including dairy farm, tur- key farm, greenhouses, and other neighborhood work such as fruit, vegetables, home landscaping, and flowers. This work, which we call "Other Supervised Agricultural Work", represented & total of 8769 hours with a cash value of $1,788.61. The projects of these students were divided as follows: 12 poultry, 1 poultry and garden, and 1 garden.
At the close of school, June 20, 1929, the greatest number attending during the year was 19 divided as follows:
Senior
1
Juniors
5
Sophomores 3
Freshmen 9
Special
1
19
The attendance at the opening of school in the fall, Septem- ber 4, 1929, was most encouraging. Although four were dropped on account of unsatisfactory work, we find an increase of five bringing our total to 24 as follows:
Seniors
5
Juniors
3
Sophomores
8
Freshmen 8
24
The total enrollment to date for the last five years has been
1925
17
1926
18 :
1927
20
:
1928
19 :
1929
24
The following figures may be of interest:
Aggregate attendance
3424
Average daily attendance
17.25
Total membership "
189
Average membership
18.79
Per cent of attendance
91.85
,
241
Items of interest:
1. The frequent visits of the instructor to the project and home of the student have brought many pleasant relations and closer cooperation which is so vitally necessary in conducting successful vocational work.
2. The important fairs and shows visited were-Topsfield Fair at Topsfield, Eastern States Exposition at Springfield, New England Fair at Worcester, Brockton Fair at Brockton, Boston Poultry Show at Boston, Union Agricultural Meeting in Worces- ter, Norfolk County Junior Poultry Show at Walpole, and the 1929 High School Day at the Massachusetts Agricultural College: At practically each of these places we were able to secure our share in prize money and ribbons.
3. The forestry project conducted as a Freshman-Sophomore class enterprise was most successful. About one acre of light woodland was cleared and planted with about 1100 pine. We wish to extend to Mr. Stevens and the Water Department our thanks for their generous cooperation on this project.
VOCATIONAL SCHOOL
(Report of Francis E. Whipple, Jr., Director)
This year finds the enrolment in the Vocational School at its maximum in the Carpentry, Automobile Repair and Shoe- making Departments. So many more boys have applied for admission than it is possible to accommodate with available class- rooms and equipment, that it has been necessary to establish a waiting list and admit other boys only when vacancies occur. Classes are divided according to the following table:
1
III
Total
Automobile Repair
10
14
7
31
Carpentry
11
12
9
32
Printing
4
8
4
16
Shoemaking
12
9
9
30
37
43
29
109
The largest number of applicants has been for the Automo- bile course. Limitations of space and teaching staff make it im- possible to accept more students. Space in the automobile shop. is so restricted that it presents a perplexing problem to house the cars on which the boys work. During pleasant weather the custom has been to work out of doors in the yard adjacent to the shop, but during the winter months this is not feasible. If we are to accommodate the increasing numbers of students de- siring vocational training it is necessary to provide room for them. To continue the present building in a westerly direction would solve the problem. The addition could be constructed by the Carpentry class in the same manner as the original building and at minimum expense.
This year the work in the different departments has been of a very commendable character. The success of the training
242
#
Development of Vocational type of Education in Weymouth since 1916
1.150
AGRICULTURAL
- 150
CARPENTRY
PRINTING
-120
SHOEMAKING
AUTO REPAIR
- A10
-
50
40
.. 20
-10
VEAR
181€
17
13
20
24
25 26 27 26 29
30
in Automobile Repair is attested by its Increasing popularity and the demand of employers for students taking this work. In the Carpentry Department there have been no major construction projects during the year, but among the outstanding jobs under- taken have been the manufacture of grills for the High School gymnasium, balustrades at the Pratt School and construction of an office and toilet at the Vocational School. Perhaps the fore- most job of the year was the building of the wardrobes for the new Hunt School addition. Forty-eight of these wardrobes were built during the first three months of this school year. Four wardrobes were installed in each classroom to accommodate all : the wraps of the pupils. This job is an excellent example of "what can be done with boys under expert supervision. The work measures up to commercial standards in every respect.
NUMBER OF PUPILS
1
243
The printing graduates are in continual demand by employers. Most of the boys have found positions with local printers or in Quincy and Boston. Wages of these boys, none of whom have been out more than two years, range up to $27.00 per week. Many gratifying comments have come from the employers upon the quality of this training. The Reflector, the publication of the pupils of the High School, is printed in this department. The graduation issue of last June was the envy of many another High School in this part of the state and copies are at a premium.
In Shoemaking we have a different type of education-co- operative. One week the boy spends in school and the second week he spends in profitable employment at the Stetson Shoe factory. This arrangement continues all the year 'round. In the. factory the boys are treated in the same manner as the regular employees except that a special effort is made to discover the type of work for which the student is fitted and to develop his abilities in that direction to such an extent that when he is graduated he may be able to take a position paying a very at- tractive wage. It places him three years ahead of the average high school boy who enters the shoemaking field after graduation. Information relative to the earnings of the boys will be of interest. During eleven months of 1929 ending November 30 sixteen mem- bers of the sophomore and senior classes received in wages, for services rendered to the Stetson Shoe Company, a total of $4,365.98, an average of $272.87. It is needless to point out that this sum will keep the average boy in clothes and is often of much assistance to his parents in augmenting the family income. In addition, the Company gives each boy at the end of six months' employment a paid-up insurance policy for $500.00 which increases by $100.00 each year until it reaches the maximum of $1000.00, and remains in force as long as he continues in its employ. The officials and foremen at the factory are entitled to good measure of praise for the excellent work which they have done with the boys.
In June the Vocational School will graduate its largest class. Twenty-nine boys will complete three years' training for a profit- able occupation. In the past most of the boys have found em- ployment in their chosen trades and often with local employers. For the first time the Automobile and Shoemaking Departments will send out graduates. Garages and shoe factories in need of trained workers will find exceptionally good material among these boys.
I wish at this time to thank the members of the Vocational School faculty for the very fine spirit of cooperation which they have shown in this, the first year of my directorship:
DENTAL CLINIC
(Report of Miss Alice A. Conroy, Dental Hygienist)
A dental program in the schools should . be thought of in terms of prevention and education, not of correction, For this
244
reason all dental clinic activities during the year 1929 have been confined to the first six grades.
In March a dental campaign for healthier mouths was in- troduced. The purpose of such a campaign was chiefly to interest the children in going to their family dentists to have existing dental defects corrected. First a careful examination of each child was made and results recorded. Special attention was given to all fissures and small cavities in the six-year molars. In this group of 2056 children examined, 1814 were found suffering from dental decay. At this time the parents were sent notices of con- ditions. But 57 of the entire group had clean mouths free from dental defects. These children were given Dental Certificates which they took to their family dentists for signatures. They were then returned to the teachers and the names placed on the Dental Honor Roll. 260 received certificates before the close of school in June.
In October another campaign was started. 2377 children were examined. 2029 were found suffering from dental decay with 96 eligible for Dental Certificates. There are now 293 children holding Dental Certificates. This campaign will close May Day when all children holding these certificates will receive reward tags.
The prophylactic clinic has been maintained as before and 737 children received treatment. The great need of more time for clean- ing still continues. The day has come when many children are not satisfied with the work they do themselves. They demand extra help. Facts prove that results have been achieved. This could not have been done, however, without the co-operation of the principals, teachers and dentists of the town.
DRAWING
(Report of Miss Evelyn Silvester, Supervisor of Drawing)
September 1929 brought the expected and needed addition to the force of the Art department of Weymouth. It also brought the unexpected addition of the High School Art work to my respon- sibilities, which with the help of two assistants makes a more even distribution of schedules than could otherwise be possible. Miss Hazel Nietzold of Northampton, Mass., and Miss Marion Ray of Leominster, Mass., are handling the grade work and are show- ing a fine and much appreciated spirit of cooperation. We are very fortunate to have on our force people of their ability.
Miss Nietzold covers the Pond, Nevin, Shaw, Pratt, Center Portable, Jefferson, Humphrey, Washington, and Junior Annex.
Miss Ray's schedule includes the Adams, Athens, Bicknell, Hunt and part time in the High School, with me.
My own program is largely High School classes and on the days Miss Ray is there, my time is for general supervision.
This has been a year of much extra work for us all, the chief reason being the new course of study throughout the entire system. That really means eighteen different grades of work, for in addition to the eight grades in grammar school there are ten courses or grades of work in High School. It makes a great mass
245
Di outside planning as well as the daily teaching. Once we have the plans organized, things should go along more smoothly.
There are two rooms being used for upper grade drawing now, one at the Junior Annex, the other at the Hunt. This greatly facilitates the teaching as there is less shifting of material needed. Most of these materials can be kept in the drawing room and one set of scissors, paints, etc., may be used by several classes. This is a distinct economy.
The idea of departmental teaching of drawing has gradually increased. In many buildings, now, one teacher who especially en- joys drawing, is taking several classes. This plan works out very well from our point of view. The fewer subjects a teacher has to prepare, the more time she has for preparation for those she teaches. Naturally this is an advantage to both teacher and pupil.
From January to June 1929 in the Athens and Bicknell Schools we had a small class in modeling for pupils of marked ability. These classes were taught by student teachers from the Massachusetts School of Art, during the supervisor's lesson time, once in three weeks. The children enjoyed it very much and developed a taste for another line of art work. The student teachers were Geraldine Gillis, Althea Foss, Harriet Hamblen, and Constance Shea.
In the months before the Summer recess we did considerable work with lantern slides to correlate with our regular course, but this fall it has been impossible to continue owing to the large quantity of temporary work on hand. We are planning to continue the slides at the first opportunity, however.
At the request of several teachers, we have this year been holding a series of meetings for those who feel the need of as- sistance in their drawing teaching. These meetings have been held after school and each one has had either a problem or a method of art teaching as its theme. It has been a source of much pleasure to aid the teachers in this way and we are willing to continue as long as they desire.
New equipment has been added to the High School Art Room. A commodions paper cabinet to keep clean and unwrinkled the large sheets of the more expensive paper, individual lockers in which the pupils may store their daily work, and also an easel which has been used for the display of illustrative material. A much rendled sink has been installed.
Pencils are the only supply ordered since school opened in September for the High School art work. We have been fortunate in having a sufficient supply of other things on hand. As always it is a continued pleasure to work in Weymouth and again I wish to thank the superintendent and teachers for their help and cooperation.
MANUAL TRAINING
(Report of Miss Alice L. Tucker, Supervisor of Manual Training)
The main purpose of manual training in the grades is to teach the boy the need for thought, accuracy, and care in every- thing he does, and to correlate hand, eye and brain.
2.16
Before making an article, the child is required to draw the ... plan from which he afterwards works. The models are arranged ... in progressive sequence with regard to exercise and tools.
. During the last year two hundred boys were given instruction in the seventh grades, having a lesson of from sixty to seventy- five minutes weekly. They made bill holders, bread boards, pen and pencil stands, and various kinds of boxes and bird houses.
In the eighth grades one hundred fifty-five boys had a weekly lesson of seventy-five to ninety minutes and made articles con- taining half lap, miter, dowel, and groove joints. They were also taught the use of the oil stone and each boy was required to sharpen at least five tools.
We wish the work might begin in the sixth grade and that the lessons might be two hours each, as in the short time allowed it is impossible to accomplish what is desired.
MUSIC
(Report of Mr. James W. Calderwood, Supervisor of Music)
A glance through the school calendar for the year 1929 makes it apparent that there has been marked activity in the : department of music. The High School orchestra, in addition to a weekly rehearsal, out of school time, has played for the Monday Club on two occasions, for the Daughters of Isabella, at the Bicknell School, and several times for affairs at the Assembly Hall.
A notable event in connection with the orchestra has been the addition of a double bass to its ranks, the player (a girl) having been taught by the music supervisor. This organization numbers 21 members.
The Band, also, has a weekly rehearsal out of school time. Due to the graduating of several of the best players last June, others have had to be developed to take the places thus made vacant. A Junior boy has been teaching trombone to a couple of lower grade boys. Also, a graduate of the class of '29 has been working with two other High School boys on the tuba. In both cases the teaching has been very successful. Again, the music supervisor has developed four altos and a baritone. All these pupils are now enrolled in the band. Necessarily progress has been retarded; but we now have a full, well-balanced organization of 28 members, attending rehearsals regularly, and
working faithfully, so that by next spring the High School will have &- band worthy of our schools.
Last April, the operetta, "Captain Crossbones", was given in the Assembly Hall by the High School pupils, and already rehearsals have begun on another work of similar character, to be given later in the winter. These affairs appeal strongly to the boys and girls and are among the notable events of the school year, as is evidenced by the large audiences of town people and others that attend the performances.
At the beginning of the year the Drysdale System of rhythmic instruments was introduced in the three lowest grades of our
:
247
schools. The children and the teachers, alike, find great pleasure in this activity. and derive a definite musical development from it.
Mr. Monroe, who shares the work in the grades with the regular music supervisor, now has the three singing periods in the High School. And there, also, he has formed a voice training department of which a large number of pupils avail themselves.
Mr. Monroe has organized and trained a boy's quartet, which has made public appearance in town as well as elsewhere and has brought credit to all concerned.
The boys and girls in the grades continue to enjoy the new set of music books introduced in the schools last year.
Music in the grades is taught on a two-week schedule.
PENMANSHIP
{Report of Miss Katherine C. Fogarty, Supervisor of Penmanship)
We started our work in the Palmer Method of Business Writing a year ago by teaching correct posture, muscular relax- ation, penholding, and easy movement exercises. This was followed by the application of 'muscular movement to all written work.
The Palmer Method System of writing was introduced in the. Weymouth Schools some years ago by Mr. Pearson, because the instructions are based upon principles which produce legibil. ity, rapidity, ease, and :endurance. After a time supervision was dropped to be renewed a year ago.
Our aim has been to teach the pupils to write easily and well, and to establish habits of good penmanship. Since, first of all, writing should be legible. this means that the letters must have such form, uniformity of slant and spacing as will make'them readable. In addition to this we have tried to obtain correct hygienic position. Progress sheets are kept by the teachers to test each child's improvement every month. Much practice was necessary, with the result that a decided improvement show- ed itself in the writing.
Beginning in February papers were sent to the A. N. Palmer Company for examination and judgment. Many buttons and pins were sent to the pupils meriting awards, and ninety-six diplomas . were 'earned.
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