USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Weymouth > Town annual report of Weymouth 1931 > Part 17
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231
Ward III
55
257
61
373
Ward IV
42
230
53
325
Ward V
56
255
49
360
Total
343
1589
377
2309
GIRLS
Wand I
88
410
125
623
Ward II
84
469
130
683
Ward III
65
255
57
377
Ward IV
53
242
69
364
Ward V
40
214
46
300
Total
330
1590
427
2347
GRAND TOTAL
673
3179
804
4656
DISTRIBUTION OF ABOVE MINORS
Public Day School
421
2898
757
4076
Private Schools
64
273
37
374
Not enrolled in any school
188
7
4
199
Working
0
0
6
6
County and State Schools
0
1
0
1
Total
673
3179
804
4656
The census enumerators report eleven children not enrolled in any school. One has moved to another Town and two have returned to school since October 1. Two are mentally unable to profit by instruction, three are receiving such private instruction as is neces- sary, two are excused from attendance for temporary illness, leaving one that might come under the provision of the act for crippled children mentioned in previous reports.
ATTENDANCE (For School Year ended June 18, 1931)
Total Number Enrolled
4,420
Average Daily Membership
4,267.28
Average Daily Attendance
3,980.70
Per Cent of Attendance
93.28
HIGHEST BUILDING
Junior Annex
96.12
HIGHEST ROOMS
James Humphrey-Grade VI
97.86
Junior Annex-Grade VIII
97.84
Jefferson-Grade IV
97.82
Hunt-Grade VIII
97.36
Junior Annex-Grade VIII
97.11
232
EMPLOYMENT CERTIFICATES
Weymouth Minors between the ages of 14 and 16:
Total number in Town, October 1, 1931 804
Total number employed in Town, 1931 17
Total number employed elsewhere, 1931 2
Outside Minors between the ages of 14 and 16:
Total number employed in Town, 1931 2
Note :- On December 31, the actual number of Wey- mouth minors between the ages of 14 and 16 that were employed was 3; 2 in Wey- mouth and 1 in Boston.
WEYMOUTH HIGH SCHOOL
(Report of Mr. F. W. Hilton, Principal)
In submitting my annual report, I wish to express appreciation for our new lunchroom, which, in a way, is a completion of our High School plant, and fills a long-felt want. We have heard rumors that we are now able to accommodate all the pupils in one lunch period. This would necessitate the feeding of between 1400 and 1500 persons at one time. We wish to correct this impression and state that the capacity of our new lunch room is approximately 500, with a possibility of extending to 600 under crowded conditions. This enables us to feed our present enrollment in three relays, so that we feel justified in saying that our lunchroom facilities are not extravagant. The kitchen equipment is thoroughly modern, and the service for a single relay is completed in from five to seven minutes. The tables, which we think are exceptionally fine, were made in our own shops. We are justly proud of the new addition. To show that it is appreciated by the students, and is a real necessity, I might say that between 400 and 500 sales are recorded in each relay.
Our home-room facilities, which were increased by two rooms at the beginning of the 1931-32 school year, give us at present thirty- one home rooms with a seating capacity of 1187. Inasmuch as all the rooms have been utilized for the past two years, the taking of additional rooms for High School use means a loss of rooms for the Junior Annex pupils, who are housed in the same building. If our school population increases in the next few years as it has in the past, it will necessitate a demand for additional Junior Annex hous- ing facilities for the seventh and eighth grades of East Weymouth.
233
Our total enrollment for the present year to November 25 has been 1109, classified as follows :
BY SEX
Boys
Girls
Total
Freshmen
146
206
352
Sophomores
154
170
324
Juniors
93
159
252
Seniors
59
98
157
Post Graduates
12
12
24
464
645
1109
BY COURSES
Fresh.
Soph. Juniors
Seniors P. Grad. Tot.
Classical
99
86
52
40
2
279
Technical
38
35
20
15
1
109
Business
163
161
137
67
11
539
General
24
23
30
17
10
104
Agricultural
3
5
6
7
0
21
Practical Arts
25
14
7
11
0
57
352
324
252
157
24
1109
Our freshman class, numbering 352, comes from various sections of the Town under the following classifications :
Total
Bicknell
58
Junior Annex
100
Hunt
52
Nevin
34
Pratt
19
Shaw
14
Other Schools
39
Repeaters
36
352
Allowing for decreases during the year by loss of membership and graduation, approximating 109 for lost membership and 181 for seniors and post graduates, we should have an enrollment of 819 in the three upper classes for the next school year. The estimated en- tering class for the next year is 370. This, without a doubt, will cause us considerable difficulty in finding room, unless something is done in the way of providing facilities for the pupils of the Junior Annex.
234
In some parts of the country, investigation has been made in regard to the possibility of economizing by increasing the teaching loads, and in some cases it has been found that classes up to 40 or 50 have been successfully carried without an undue number of fail- ures. This, however, does not seem practical in all subjects, and would create a serious problem with a majority of our rooms capable of seating from 25 to 35 pupils. In a recent investigation carried on as a study by members of the Judd Club of Chicago, there were something like a thousand educators in different sections of the country, who were asked to answer definite questions relating to such problems. From their tabulated replies, it was the consensus of opinion of 23 per cent that the number of pupils that any one teacher should meet on any day should not be more than 100, of 33 per cent that it should not be more than 125, and of 27 per cent that it should not be more than 150 pupils. This would mean with a teach- ing program of five periods per day, which is about our average, that our classes should not exceed 30, and that the majority of classes should be in the neighborhood of 25. In subjects that need consid- erable individual attention, there is little doubt that classes of 20 will make for more uniform and thorough work. In other subjects where lecture methods are possible and in subjects such as physical education, much larger groups can be successfully handled. Another question of considerable interest in their investigation was the cause of pupil failure. Practically 47 per cent of the replies included the poor methods of study and lack of regular home preparation. Only 7 per cent included lack of ability, 10 per cent, irregular attendance, and 15 per cent, poor foundation. The other principal cause was lack of interest in the work. In suggesting a remedy for failures, the most popular reply was that a minimum essential should be outlined and required from all pupils, and additional work should be required from those capable of doing more than the essentials.
The changes in our staff of teachers for the past year have been comparatively small. Mrs. McGrath, teacher of English and Public Speaking, has been advanced to the position of Director of Courses of Study in the grades, but will continue to coach our dramatics. Miss Mayer, who was a member of our modern language staff, re- ceived an appointment in the Boston School Department. Miss Sanborn of our English Department was married, and Miss Jones of our Physical Education Department went to Wellesley. Miss Canning, who has been absent on a year's leave for study in France, has returned. Miss Clifford was appointed to fill the vacancy left by Miss Sanborn, and Miss Freeman was appointed to fill the vacancy left by Miss Mayer. Miss Hoag was appointed to fill the position of Physical Instructor for girls. Two new teachers were added : Mr. Martin for freshmen subjects, and Miss Ruth A. Thomp- son for commercial work.
The library continues to improve, and is, I believe, serving a very great need in teaching methods of individual investigation and study suggested by the various departments of the school. We also supply an excellent selection of current literature, which is available for student use. Methods on the use of the library are given prim- arily to the freshman class, in order that it may be of use to them throughout their course.
235
Our outside activities seem to be in a healthy condition. Various clubs show student interest in languages, science, and athletics. The school paper is functioning with its usual success under the care of Mr. Brown. We have enjoyed the facilities of our new Athletic Field, and hope that in the near future this Memorial Field may be completed in all its details. While we do not wish to over-emphasize the commercial aspect of athletics, and wish primarily to use them as a means of development, we do not under-estimate the benefit de- rived from an enclosed field in the way of enabling us to provide suitable equipment for offering a more diversified program.
Regardless of fine equipment and extra curricula activities, we must not lose track of the fact that we are principally an educational institution, and work hard for solid attainment along educational lines. With our Vocational Department, Agricultural Department, Business and various College Preparatory groups, we offer a very excellent program to the youth of our town, and we trust that our students are giving sufficient serious attention to the matter of equipping themselves with a suitable preparation for their life work. It is largely through his individual effort that a student successfully attains an education. We trust that both parents and teachers will impress this fact upon every pupil. Whatever we can do to stimulate interest and remove difficulties, we are anxious to do. Whatever success we may have, we may attribute to mutual co-operation on the part of the student, parent and teacher. Let us not be satisfied with the meagre attainment, but strive to reach a standard com- mensurate with our individual ability. Remember that adequate reg- ular preparation is necessary for success in school just as in every line of work, and to my mind, this is bound to produce entirely satis- factory results, for even if our possibilities are slight, if we do our best, there should be no criticism of results.
In closing I wish to give special mention to those who have earned scholarship awards from various sources, as follows :
Monday Club
Sadie A. Lambe
Weymouth Teachers' Association
John H. Anderson
Weymouth Teachers' Association
John J. Moulton
Weymouth Teachers' Association
John P. Veerling
Weymouth High School Alumni
Marie E. Conroy
Weymouth High School Alumni
Weymouth High School Varsity Club
John J. Moulton John P. Veerling Alfred D. Caton
Town Basketball League
Medal for Meritorious Progress (Gift of Class of 1921)
John H. Anderson
Washington and Franklin Medal
(For excellence in American History) Norman L. Foskett
Josephine M. Caruso
Town Basketball League
We hope that these awards will be an incentive to all students and that they will be given for good attainment plus worthy effort, and that the effort shall be fully as important as the attainment.
236
VOCATIONAL SCHOOL (Report of Mr. Francis E. Whipple, Jr. Director)
During the past year we have participated in three exhibitions. Two were held in Weymouth and included all departments, while the third was in New York City and was limited to printing.
The first one, our own annual exhibition, came on Thursday evening, April 23, when about 400 parents and friends attended a short musical entertainment in the hall followed by open house in the school building. Every department was in full operation, working on regular jobs going through at the time. In addition there was a display of finished work which enabled the visitors to see exactly what skill we develop in the students.
A few weeks later the Weymouth Chamber of Commerce held a Trade Show at South Weymouth, and through its generosity and that of Mr. Walter H. Field, the director, we were given the use of the entire balcony for our display. With such liberal space, a thoroughly representative exhibit of the products of all departments was arranged. Through this display we reached a large section of the public not acquainted with the work of the school.
The third exhibition was at the annual Conference on Printing Education sponsored by the United Typothetae of America in New York City in June. Here' were gathered displays from sixty-six rep- resentative schools of printing in the United States. Our collec- tion of samples compared very favorably with those shown and was unique in being that of one of two schools displaying jobs done in the modern style of printing which has attained great popularity in the past few years. The modern style is a radical change from what has previously been popular and requires somewhat different type faces and treatment. We try to keep abreast of improvements in this line by teaching the latest trends in the industry.
Our shoemaking department had its share of attention in the spring, when it was the subject of a very fine article in "Shoe Fac- tory," a national magazine of particular interest to the shoe trade. Pictures of the school and a complete outline of the course were included.
The interest in courses this year shows an even more pro- nounced trend toward automobile repair than ever before. If facil- ities permitted, we would have had a freshman class in this de- partment of about 35, but room is at such a premium that only 23 have been admitted. Even this number is really too large to be handled satisfactorily in the limited space at our disposal. The State Department of Education recommends a floor area of 150 sq. 1 ft. per pupil for automobile work. We have a total of 1900 sq. ft. for 23 boys, giving a per pupil area of slightly more than 82 sq. ft. In the other courses printing shows an increase, while carpentry and cabinetmaking and shoemaking show losses. At the close of school in June it appeared that there would be only 17 boys in the wood- working department. After school opened some of those who could not take automobile repair and a few from other sources elected this course, bringing the total up to 23. The reason for so few taking shoemaking is, of course, the poor working condition in the industry at the present time.
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237
The table below shows in detail the total enrollment for this year :
I
II
III
Total
Auto Repair
23
17
6
46
Carpentry
11
5
7
23
Printing
15
5
3
23
Shoemaking
5
7
7
19
54
34
23
111
Plans for increased efficiency and improved working conditions have been carried out as far as possible. In the cabinet shop the equipment layout was changed so that machines used at the same time would be grouped together and so that the benches would be under the windows. The automobile shop walls and floor have been painted and steel lockers for the boys' working clothes provided. This work greatly improves the appearance of the shop. The print- ing department has been provided with several new stock storage cabinets and a drying rack, made in the cabinet shop. Moderate additions also have been made to the type supply in the way of some of the newer faces.
The past year has, on the whole, been an especially pleasant and successful one. This has been possible through the co-operation of students, faculty and parents to the end that our graduates may be well trained in the various trades offered.
AGRICULTURE
(Report of Mr. Hilmer S. Nelson, Agricultural Instructor in charge of the Weymouth Branch of the Norfolk County Agricultural School)
Our motto, "We learn to do by doing," is being strengthened yearly by the acquisition of real jobs where the students actually par- ticipate in the duties of a "farmer," if he can be called such in these days of specialization. We find greater interest manifested in this type of work, not only in the classroom study period, but in the field where manual labor has contact with constructive thinking. To date we have practical work in the following subjects : poultry, gardening, dairying, greenhouse and floricultural work, and cow testing asso- ciation activities; in the near future we are hoping to secure an or- chard to be used for demonstration as well as practical purposes. With these various projects as means of personal student activity, our field of agricultural teaching has broadened considerably on a vocational basis since the inception of this course in 1916.
The total student enrollment as of December 31, 1931 is twenty- one, divided as follows :
Seniors
7
Juniors
6
Sophomores 5
Freshmen 3
21
1
238
Retoil Eog Prices
Sept
Oct.
Nov
Dec.
JAN.
Feb.
Mor
April
May
1923-1924
Mocondora
Tobulated from flocks of Agricultural Students
1924-1925
2 -4-4-
1525 - 1926
3 ----
1 926-1927
4 ---
1.10
1527-1928
5 ---====
1928-1928
6
1929-1930
1930-1951
8 -**
1931-1932
9
100
90
col
7013
60
50
40
-
Our freshman class of three is rather small, which is accounted for by the strictness with which we accept candidates for enrollment. Our initial request for admittance was eight. Project requirements often discourage our applicants, because we desire only those who are vitally interested in a vocational agricultural education and who mean "business" while in the course. As a result, our graduates either go to college to further their education in agriculture or con- tinue in the field of their endeavor, agriculture. Very few follow other vocations.
During our last project year (October 15, 1930 to October 14, 1931), our home ownership projects were confined primarily to poultry enterprises, which comprised twenty of the twenty-three projects, the others being two garden projects and one dairy (goat) project. The total sales of produce from these projects amounted to $3,604.33, which involved about 5,000 hours of student labor. As the years progress, we find that supervised agricultural work (which includes labor accomplished outside of school time and not including the home ownership project) is taking the place of the home pro- ject because of the greater experience secured on the actual farm job, the lack of land at the home, and possibly insufficient financial backing in the home, especially during the last year of world-wide depression. If the student's home conditions do not provide suit- able means for practical work, he must go elsewhere. Home pro- jects are encouraged during the freshman and sophomore years, but
239
in the junior and senior years outside supervised agricultural work must be resorted to in most cases. The number of hours of this "on the job" farm work for this past year totalled 17,237 with a value of $2,587.74. This is an increase of 4,438 hours over the pre- vious project year with four less students, but a loss in labor value of $512.26, due possibly to the depression period. We feel confident that our boys did very fine work and showed a great deal of spirit and co-operation with the helpful encouragement of the parents.
Items of Interest :
1. We are still enjoying the splendid co-operation of Mr. Albert Kress of Hingham, who so generously permits our senior-junior group to work on his dairy farm one forenoon each week, participating in the many farm operations.
2. The inclusion this year of the use of the greenhouses of Mr .. Myron Ford of East Weymouth has afforded our freshman-soph- omore group an ideal laboratory of practical experience. One fore- noon each week is devoted to this work, which is of a seasonal na- ture. Mr. Ford is a splendid co-operator who gives us much of his- time and experience. In conjunction with this business enterprise we have the use of a small lean-to greenhouse belonging to the- parents of one of our sophomore students, K. J. Macleod of North Weymouth. Here we conduct exercises and experiments with other practical work, such as potting, plant propagation and the like. We- hope that in the not too distant future we may secure a small green- house attached to the High School where many experiments and' practical jobs may be conducted. This project could be managed' jointly with the Supervisor of Gardens, Miss Sarah E. Brassill, and this department.
3. This fall (1931) we started in a small way some very inter- esting practical work in testing the dairy herds of two of our former graduates, Edward M. Dwyer of Weymouth Landing and Thomas M. Chisholm of South Weymouth. These jobs have been given to seniors as a project assignment which is carried on for a year. These enterprises consist of actual student participation in dairy herd im- provement association work with its many phases of taking samples of milk, testing the milk, calculation of feed and milk costs, etc.
4. The C. L. Merritt Award of $5.00 in cash was given to F. Newcomb Andrews (a 1931 graduate) for meritorious progress in agricultural work during his years as an agricultural student. Mr. Merritt is our Town Tree Warden and Trustee of the Norfolk County Agricultural School, of which this department is a branch. A similar award will be given in 1932 at graduation time.
5. Special recognition should be given to our two judging teams which won high honors at the Massachusetts Interscholastic Judging Contests held in November, 1931 at the Massachusetts State Col- lege at Amherst. The poultry judging team of James H. Smith, Harold W. Fay and Arnold C. Hirt secured a beautiful silver cup emblematic of high team, a gold medal, and a book on poultry judg- ing. The livestock judging team, consisting of James H. Smith, Kenneth K. Randall and Garland G. Bell, also secured a beautiful
:
240
silver cup emblematic of high team, one silver and one bronze medal. These boys are to be congratulated for their splendid work.
We cannot close without extending to our Superintendent of Schools, Mr. Parker T. Pearson, and to our Principal of the High School, Mr. F. W. Hilton, our sincere appreciation for their support of the activities of this department.
COURSES OF STUDY (Report of Mrs. Flora Haviland McGrath Director of Courses of Study)
When a course of study has been used for a number of years, it becomes necessary to revise it in order to discard methods and subject-matter which are no longer effective, and to adopt those pro- cedures and that subject-matter which is necessary to meet the de- mands of the present. Such a revision has become necessary in the course of study in use in the Weymouth Public School System in order to establish uniformity and unity in the subject-matter taught throughout the Town.
In order to make this revision, due consideration must be given to the principles set forth by modern educators and to the courses of study in use in other towns and cities. Wherever a careful study indicates a chance for improvement in the Weymouth course, the ideas are being adopted or modified to meet our needs. Each course of study is being made by the director assisted by an advisory com- mittee made up of four teachers from each grade.
Inasmuch as the first subject to be considered has been English, preliminary to the revision, a complete survey of language errors has been made throughout the entire town in Grades IV and V by means of the Wilson Language Error Tests. A record has been made of the work of each pupil, the median for each class has been found, and these medians have been compared with those of other parts of the town. Each teacher has been informed of her class median and the relation that median bears to those of other schools. Approximately eight hundred tests have been given. The most com- mon errors have been recorded and specific work for correction has been placed in the course of study in English under "Common Errors."
This testing will be repeated in February and again in May. Each time the median should show an increase of at least three to five points if satisfactory corrective work has been done in language.
A complete revision of the courses of study in English for Grades IV, V, and VI has been made, and that for Grades VII and VIII is in the process of reconstruction.
Approximately eight hundred tests have been given in arithmetic in Grades V and VI and the same method followed in regard to finding and reporting the medians as has been followed in the language error tests. A similar test will be given in February.
Questionnaires on geographies and readers were sent out to each teacher. The results have given an excellent basis for the future reorganization of courses of study in these subjects.
Each subject will be studied in a similar manner, and modifica- tions and adoptions which seem appropriate will be made.
241
DENTAL CLINIC (Report of Miss Alice A. Conroy, Dental Hygienist)
The annual campaign for healthier mouths has proved more suc- cessful this year. Of the 2,172 children examined, 1,814 had carious teeth. At this time 159 were eligible to be enrolled on the Dental Honor Roll, while at the close of school in June a total of 496 had been enrolled. The third and fifth grades at the Edward B. Nevin School in South Weymouth ranked highest by having 56.4% and 48.8% respectively, enrolled on the Honor Roll. It was very inter- esting to note the number of children entering school in September holding dental certificates as a result of the Pre-school Clinic.
The Prophylactic Clinic still continues with its work. There were 950 children given prophylactic treatment this year at a charge of fifteen cents each. The enrollment has increased to such an ex- tent that it is impossible to reach all buildings in Town once a year. Because of this, the number receiving treatment in each building has increased during the stay of the clinic. The James Humphrey School in East Weymouth has a record of 100% clean for the entire build- ing. This is the first time this mark has been reached by any building.
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