USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Weymouth > Town annual report of Weymouth 1934 > Part 16
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We have endeavored to trace the effect of our increased student load through a careful check-up of the eight-week markings; and while the number of A's and failures remains fairly constant and nor- mal, there seems to be a slight increase in the number who are re- ceiving only a passing mark and a corresponding decrease in those re- ceiving more than 80 percent.
There have been few changes in the curriculum, mainly in the Do- mestic Science course, which is controlled and supported by the State. We have also added Biology, which was demanded by the requirements of those preparing for the nursing profession. In the business depart- ment, Gregg shorthand has been replacing the Chandler method, and
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last June finished the Chandler group. Two years will be allotted to the Gregg in place of the three years demanded by the Chandler.
The distribution of students in the school at the end of the first marking period is as follows:
ENROLLMENT
Boys
Girls
Total
Freshmen
219
220
439
Sophomores
150
224
374
Juniors
144
140
284
Seniors
126
136
262
Post Graduates
26
28
54
Total
665
748
1413
BY COURSES
Freshmen Sophomores Juniors Seniors
P.G.
Total
Classical
131
113
85
56
12
397
Technical
48
25
27
30
8
138
Business
151
198
104
110
22
585
General
14
12
25
21
10
82
Agriculture
14
7
3
4
1
29
Practical Arts
24
19
9
13
65
Vocational
57
-
31
28
1
117
Total
439
374
284
262
54
1413
SOURCES OF FRESHMEN
Bicknell
90
Hunt
58
Junior Annex
114
Edward B. Nevin
33
Pond
17
Pratt
27
Shaw
17
Other Schools
43
Repeaters
40
Total
439
Two things of prime importance in a successful school are regular attendance and the systematic performance of alloted tasks. It would seem that we should have no cause to complain in the matter of at- tendance when our school averages about 93% to 95%, but a closer in- vestigation will show that the matter of poor attendance is largely due to a few scattered individual cases. Some of them may be truancy ca- ses; but many of them have variant causes, so that they lose from one to two days each week. In most cases these students are of poor cali- bre and are unable to carry their work successfully, even with the ut- most help of the teacher in trying to secure make-up work. We still have a large number who are able to convince their parents that no home work is necessary, although from an actual analysis of their pro- gram we should find it necessary for them to prepare four major sub- jects in less than one and one-half hours of study time allotted to them during the school day. We feel that every parent who is anxious for his child to have a successful year should see that at least two les- sons are prepared at home, and that each student has a regular time for home study. It is our opinion that the variation in marks is more largely due to the variation in study than it is to the variation in men- tal equipment.
I wish to commend the physicians of the town for a thorough ex- amination of all entering students in regard to health, posture, and physical defects. The Chadwick Clinic has also had its annual check-
169
up. I believe that this work is very important, inasmuch as health of body is necessary to the welfare of all youth.
In conjunction with health, we might well speak of our athletic activities during the past fall and commend the enthusiasm of our student body for participating in such large numbers. This increase in athletic activity necessitates a larger expenditure of funds, which we hope to be able to secure through an increase in gate returns because of our inclosed field. Much credit is due to the Superintendent and the School Committee for providing such excellent facilities. While this, our first season under the new conditions, is not a heavy financial suc- cess owing to a series of rainy Saturdays, we, nevertheless, noted a dis- tinct improvement. With suitable co-operation on the part of the fac- ulty and student body, there seems no reason why our athletic outlook should not be bright.
The usual number of outside student activities are functioning in a healthy way. The library is holding its usual classes wherein the student body is being taught to use reference works and other library equipment intelligently. I believe one of the important features that should be commended is the active interest shown by the student coun- cil in all matters pertaining to the welfare of the school. Our school magazine has proved very successful under the management of the fac- ulty adviser, Mr. Brown. Work of this kind is highly valuable to our English department and should receive the approval and support of all the student body.
Much credit is due to the Superintendent, the School Committee, and the townspeople in general that the school facilities have been maintained during these trying times with such high efficiency.
We wish to give credit both to the donors and to the students who won the following awards:
Monday Club
Weymouth Teachers' Association
Weymouth Teachers' Association
Weymouth Teachers' Association Weymouth Teachers' Association
Weymouth High School Alumni Association Weymouth High School Alumni Association Varsity Club
Daughters of Isabella
Alice W. Dwyer Scholarship
Medal for Meritorious Progress
Washington and Franklin Medal Drawing Department
Dorothy Sprague Robert Mayo Agnes Galligan Edith Mackay Eleanor Madigan Mary Donahue Helena Logan Felix Caracciolo Katherine Gunville Edith MacKay Charles Wintermeyer Robert Mayo Lucy Pomarico
In the final analysis, a successful school must comprise a student body that is well-intentioned and a faculty that is earnestly endeavor- ing to work for the best interests of all concerned. I feel that this is true in a large measure at Weymouth High, and I wish to express my sincere appreciation to both students and faculty for their hearty co- operation.
VOCATIONAL SCHOOL
(Report of Mr. Francis E. Whipple, Jr., Director)
In September, the Automobile Repair Department moved into the new C.W.A. and E.R.A. built garage which is shown in the accom- panying photographs. For a long time this department, always the most popular among entering students, has been struggling along with quarters about one-third large enough and inadequately lighted and equipped. Moving them to a separate, practically fireproof building has removed a serious fire hazard from the main building.
Much in the way of ventilation, tools, and equipment should be provided in 1935 to give the greatly increased number of boys taking
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NEW VOCATIONAL SCHOOL GARAGE
171
this work proper working facilities. Constant changes in automobile design require that annual additions of new tools be made to service the new cars properly.
The old quarters were immediately appropriated for the manual training room and a wood-finishing room.
The Cabinetmaking Department during the year has made several very creditable items of furniture. The speaker's lectern for the hall, done in quartered oak and nicely finished, is an especially fine piece of workmanship. Another piece for the hall was a radio loud- speaker cabinet of pleasing design and skillful workmanship. Eighteen teachers' desks to replace some in use for a great many years and to furnish new classrooms were constructed. In addition to these out- standing jobs, there was the usual wide range of furniture and equip- ment built for the various schools and for the new garage.
Early in the year the Printing Department submitted for criticism to "The Inland Printer," leading technical journal of the indus- try, a large portfolio of samples from the school's file of completed jobs. The editor's review was given at some length and included such sentences as: "Presswork, too, is excellent." "Most of the other speci- mens are high grade; in fact, we do not recall receiving specimens from any other American school that are finer." "Some of the pro- grams, folders, and covers of the 'Reflector' are striking, attractive and interesting in a degree but seldom evident in work from schools."
The High School publication, the "Reflector", is the joint product of the staff and the Printing Department. The staff prepares the copy and reads the proofs. The art editor supervises and prepares drawings, sketches, and linoleum blocks for the covers in consultation with the Art and Printing Departments. The actual planning, format, and de- tails of production are done in the shop. Every effort is made to have the book as attractive as possible, consistent with the time available for its production. The results of this close co-operation is that Wey- mouth has a school paper and year book far superior to that of the average high school.
For the Thanksgiving Day football game with Hingham we plan- ned and printed a de luxe twenty-four page illustrated souvenir booklet which was sold at the gate for the benefit of the Athletic Association. It included pictures of both teams, the coaches, captains, and quar- terbacks, and other interesting illustrations. It is probable that this project will be carried on annually.
This fall the printing instructor submitted a layout in the calendar design contest conducted by Tileston & Hollingsworth., papermakers, of Boston. In competition with many commercial printers and design- ers in the New England area this design was awarded honorable men- tion.
For slightly more than a year the Printing Department has fol- lowed a policy of doing work only for the School Department. This move was a very wise one in the interests of proper instruction of the pupils and should not be abandoned. Before the adoption of this policy the shop at times resembled a factory more than a classroom, and it was necessary to skimp or even omit entirely instruction on very essen- tial items.
People sometimes ask what is used for instruction. It can be said emphatically that there has never been lacking an ample supply of school and school activity printing to provide productive work for the boys. With fewer jobs of a low-grade repetitive nature, there is suffi- cient time to include many of the more difficult types of work in the course of study. Among these are embossing, die-cutting, process color work, and the application of recognized design principles to the plan- ning of printing jobs. To take on additional work from whatever source
172
with the present equipment and enrollment could do no good to the students and conceivably do much harm. If we are to maintain the standards so well spoken of by "The Inland Printer" we certainly can- not afford to turn the school into a production unit and thereby sacri- fice the boys' future advancement in the trade.
The enrollment in the Automobile Department is much larger than last year, due probably to more roomy and attractive quarters. The Printing stands at the same point as before, but the Cabinetmaking has fallen off slightly. The net change for the entire school was an. increase of six. The table below gives the enrollment in detail.
1
II
III
Post-Grad.
Total
Auto Repair
38
20
11
2
71
Cabinetmaking
7
6
9
0
22
Printing
19
5
8
1
33
Total
64
31
28
3
126
An analysis of the figures shows that twenty of the freshman: class had attended a high school for one year or more before entering here. We also have enrolled fifteen boys living outside of Weymouth,. whose tuition is paid by their home towns. These boys daily travel long. distances at their own expense for schooling, and their tuition is an im- portant source of revenue to the town.
May I express at this time my appreciation for the splendid sup- port and co-operation which has been freely given during the past year: by all with whom I have had dealings.
AGRICULTURE
(Report of Mr. Hilmer S. Nelson, Agricultural Instructor in charge of the Weymouth Branch of the Norfolk County Agricultural School) .
This present period of economic adjustment strongly emphasizes the necessity of strengthening those factors which will tend to make a more stable living, for the sooner the people learn more about the soil and those things that live upon it, the greater use will be made of leisure time which is bound to come with the shorter day and the shorter week. The day of the so-called "one-man farm" is not far dis- tant; it will gradually take the place of the large farm with its exces- sive overhead and correspondingly less profit. The future holds much for the comparatively small farm. It is to these situations that the present day students of agriculture will tend to migrate.
The opening of school on September 10, 1934 showed another healthy increase, with an enrollment of thirty-five students. This in- crease necessitated the hiring of another instructor to assist in a much more effective and a much broader teaching program, together with a closer supervision of the home and supervised project. I am very glad to announce the appointment of Mr. John B. Farrar, a recent graduate of the Massachusetts State College, as assistant instructor in charge of the horticultural phase of our work. These thirty-five students were enrolled as follows:
Seniors
1 12
Sophomores
Juniors
8
Freshmen 14
It is encouraging to note the increase from year to year, with the exception of slight decreases in 1928 and 1931, the ten-year average is 23.3 students.
1925
17
1930
24
1926
18
1931
21
1927
20
1932
26
1928
19
1933
29
1929
24
1934
35
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Of the four seniors who were graduated in June, 1934, three are in agricultural work; namely, one a student at the Massachusetts State College, one on his own poultry farm, and one working on a dairy farm.
The project year ended on October 15, 1934, with twenty-seven students carrying twenty-eight different ownership projects or work- ing on farm or other supervised agricultural enterprises. It has been exceedingly difficult to place our boys on farms because of the intense labor problem. Our annual productivity summaries disclose many in- teresting facts, and among these are the following:
1. Number and types of home ownership projects:
18 poultry; 6 chick; 1 garden; 1 potato; 2 pure bred dairy calf
2. Breeds of poultry kept:
Rhode Island Reds; White Plymouth Rocks; Barred Plymouth. Rocks.
3. Breed of dairy calves: Guernsey.
4. Actual receipts from home projects : $2581.96
Actual expenses of home projects: 1375.61
Actual profit $1206.35
5. Number of hours worked on home projects: 3913/4
6. Number of hours worked on other supervised agricultural en- terprises: 14,1691/4, with a value of $2610.84.
Again we wish to thank Mr. Albert H. Kress of Hingham and his brother, Mr. Paul E. Kress, also of Hingham, for their splendid co-oper- ation and assistance in allowing our groups the use of their respective dairy and vegetable farms one forenoon a week for practical farm practice.
To Mr. Edward A. Hirt of South Weymouth and to Mr. Warren T. Fogg of East Braintree we wish to extend our thanks for their earnest help in allowing our poultry group the use of their poultry farms as sources of much information.
To our Superintendent, Mr. Parker T. Pearson, and to our Prin- cipal, Mr. Fred W. Hilton, may we extend many thanks for their timely help and friendly co-operation.
In closing, this department stands ready to give freely of its ser- vice to the people of Weymouth.
COURSES OF STUDY
(Report of Flora Haviland McGrath, Director of Courses of Study) General Remarks
In the report for 1933, definite plans were set forth for accom- plishment or consideration in 1934. These plans have been carried out, as far as possible, together with others that would contribute benefi- cially to the elementary school program.
Language Activities
Although careful attention has been given to each subject in the curriculum, the major concentration has been in the field of language activities because of necessity and because of the close alliance of language to all other school subjects.
In January 1934, one of the standard language error tests was given in grades IV and V for the second time during the school year. Again in May and June, the third language error test was given in grades IV and V, and a general English test given in grades VI, VII, and VIII. In October 1934, a general testing in English was made ยท in grades IV through VIII.
174
After correcting the tests, the median for each class was found, the complete record sent to each teacher, and the tests returned to the children.
It is interesting to note the steady improvement in these language records.
One of the activities called for in the course of study in English is the publication of a school paper. While a number of the schools issued bulletins and newspapers that were very good, the pupils and teachers of the Junior Annex and those of the Bicknell School are worthy of high commendation for their excellent publications, name- ly, "The Champion" and "The Wessagusset."
Grade I Survey
In March 1934, a general survey of word recognition, phonetics, oral and written spelling, and number facts was made in grade I. Ten children were chosen from each class, six from the A division and four from the B. A complete record of every first grade in town was pre- sented to each teacher. The widest variation in medians seemed to come in oral and written spelling. A meeting was held after the record was completed, and changes in procedure were made wherever it seem- ed advisable to do so.
Spelling
In accordance with the plans as set forth in the report of 1933, a complete survey of spelling was made throughout the town in January 1934. Tests were given in all grades from II through VIII. All papers were corrected and returned to the children with comments on writ- ing and general appearance on each paper. The median for each room was taken and a complete report of the testing sent to each teacher. Methods of teaching were discussed at a meeting following the test- ing. Wherever the results were particularly poor, a change in teaching methods was recommended.
A complete adoption of "Everyday Spelling" by Suzzallo, Pearson, and Hillegas (published by American Book Company ) was made for grades IV, V, and VI.
Interest in spelling was highly stimulated in 1934 through the nation-wide contest conducted by the Hearst newspapers. The Metro- politan Boston championship was won by David Andrew Ward of the Junior Annex, who, through his excellent work, was given the privilege of competing in the finals at Washington.
I wish to acknowledge with thanks and appreciation the successful work of the Old Colony Club in conducting a spelling match with the children of South Weymouth. The generous award made by the club to the winner, Mary Rockwood of the Pratt School, has the ap- preciation of the entire school system.
Arithmetic
In 1932, a survey of arithmetic was made in grades V and VI in which the New Stanford Arithmetic Test was used. This was followed in 1933 by other testing, and in April 1934 tests taken from "Modern School Arithmetic" were given in grades VII and VIII. These tests were corrected, and a record made of. the medians, the number of perfect papers, the number of failures, and the types of errors most common. As a result of these records, there was a definite indication that while the wide variation in medians in the same grade might be attributed to the general ability of the class, it might also be attributed to teach- ing methods and manner of procedure.
In October 1934, the New Stanford Arithmetic Test was given in grades VII and VIII. The results showed the Weymouth pupils to be about six months ahead of the national norms in computation, and. about four months ahead in reasoning.
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Geography
The work in geography is progressing satisfactorily under the At- wood-Thomas plan as given in the geographies adopted in 1933.
Other Courses not Revised
The courses which I have had little time to check and revise up to this time are those in history, civics, and science .. It is planned to make some changes in history in grades VII and VIII; to outline a more uniform course in citizenship and civics; and to give more attention to a science course for grade VIII.
Extra Curricular Activities
In addition to the regular duties, I conducted the usual coaching program, which included the following: the High School operetta, "South in Sonora," with the assistance of Miss Ernestine R. Canning, of the French Department; "The Bat," a three-act play by Mary Rob- erts Rinehart and Avery Hopwood, given by the graduating class; and "Counsellor-at-Law," a three-act play by Elmer Rice, presented by the Weymouth Teachers' Association for the benefit of the scholarship fund.
Courses
For a number of years the custom has been to have courses for the teachers given at the High School. In the past we have had courses in English, art, and geography. This year, Mr. Daniel L. O'Donnell, at- torney, who is now on a year's leave of absence from his duties as in- structor in history and civics at the Weymouth High School, gave an. excellent course on the Constitution. We are grateful to Mr. O'Donnell for this well-organized, instructive course and for his helpful book on the subject.
Plans for 1935
1. To continue testing in English and arithmetic
2. To revise the history course
3. To procure a uniform course of study in citizenship and civics for grades VII and VIII.
4. To reorganize the course of study in science in grade VIII 1
5. To co-operate with the teachers in the building of a tentative program in character education.
Conclusion
I wish to extend to Mr. Pearson, Superintendent of Schools, my continued appreciation for the trust which he has placed in me, and to the principals and teachers, I wish to extend my thanks for their co- operation.
DENTAL CLINIC
(Report of Miss Alice A. Conroy, Dental Hygienist)
The annual examination of all children in the first six grades took place as usual. Of 2,435 examined, 2,260 needed dental service and 175 were in perfect condition. The per cent of perfect mouths at the time of examination exceeded that of previous years, in spite of prolonged economic stress which would tend to undermine all stand- ards of living, especially children's dentistry. No doubt the timely estab- lishment of our school dental service has helped to offset reactions caused by the inability of many parents to have the dental defects of their children corrected.
The following is a summary of the clinic activities:
Number patients 391
Number fillings 200
Temporary teeth 56
Permanent teeth 144
Number extractions: 494
Temporary teeth
282
Permanent teeth 212
Number treated for temporary relief
of Toothache 95
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In the spring, a national survey was conducted to determine the dental needs of the school children throughout the United States. Wey- mouth was called upon to contribute to this survey. The re-examina- tion of 264 of our children took place. These examinations were made by three of the dentists now serving at the clinic.
The following dentists of this town give one morning a month of their time to the school clinic.
Weymouth:
Dr. A. P. Beardsley Dr. C. P. Whittle Dr. D. F. Whittle
East Weymouth:
Dr. G. H. McGrath
Dr. H. M. Myles Dr. William O'Halloran Dr. H. M. Stetson
South Weymouth:
Dr. E. F. Danehy Dr. D. B. Nye
At this time I should like to thank the above named dentists for their generosity, and the principals, teachers, and janitors for their kindness in transporting the children to and from the clinic.
DRAWING (Report of Miss Evelyn Silvester, Supervisor of Drawing)
During the past two or three years the teaching force of the Draw- ing Department has been considerably upset, but last year with the part-time assistance of Miss Vera B. Freeman and now with her full- time work, things seem to be settling themselves to a new routine which we hope will be permanent.
The creative work being developed in the grades has made prog- ress, and with the continued co-operation of the teachers it should con- tinue to grow. Our aim in this type of work is to allow the spirit and natural ease of graphic expression in the small child to be encouraged and developed as the child grows older. Too often this ease of expres- sion is stifled to a point where one is afraid to try to draw because of an overdeveloped critical sense or a fear of ridicule. To develop the child's own conception of a thing, to guide and lead without imposing ideas, is what makes this type of teaching especially difficult. It calls for great skill on the part of the teacher, for her group is no longer & class, but the individual becomes the unit.
This fall, Miss Ray has organized and is carrying on an after- school class of especially talented children in the Junior Annex. The requirements for admission are rigid. Each applicant must be in good standing in his regular work, be steady in his attendance, and pass an art test before being admitted. As this group is limited to ten, and there were forty applications, one can easily imagine the difficulty in making the final selection. The work which this group is doing is of a more advanced kind not easily accomplished with a large class. So far, this venture has proved to be more than worth the time and labor ex- pended in its behalf.
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