USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Weymouth > Town annual report of Weymouth 1936 > Part 16
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There are the usual number of outside activities, including the French, German, Science, and Debating Clubs, the various Glee Clubs, Varsity Club, Band, and Orchestra. We also have the usual Athletic Association and Stu- dent Council.
We wish in particular to mention the remarkable success of our football season. Great credit is due to our coaches and to the band leaders for put- ting on a show to gladden the hearts of our enthusiastic followers. We also appreciate the loyal support of the townspeople.
During the last year we have secured federal aid for many needy stu- dents whereby they have been able to earn up to $6.00 each month. The money must be used in paying for lunches, clothing, or carfare. While this is a small amount per person, the total has been quite considerable and acceptable.
We have also been able to give several scholarships, and take this occasion to thank the following donors:
Organization
The Monday Club of Weymouth Weymouth Teachers' Association
Weymouth Teachers' Association Weymouth Teachers' Association Weymouth Teachers' Association Weymouth High School Alumni Association Weymouth High School Alumni Association Weymouth High School Alumni Association Alice W. Dwyer Scholarship Alice W. Dwyer Scholarship The Weymouth Catholic Club Washington and Franklin Medal Class of 1921-Medal for Meritorious Progress
For Barbara Merrick Norman Morrisey Mary Lockary Donald Rogerson Marion Spencer David Coveney Marie Murphy Dominic Pileggi Santa Arena Gordon Flett Terrence McGlynn Norman Morrisey Gilman Furnald
In closing, allow me to express my appreciation for the loyal support given by the Superintendent and by the School Committee. The untiring efforts of the faculty and the hearty co-operation of the student body in working together for the best interests of all concerned have given us a successful school year.
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AGRICULTURE
(Report of Mr. Hilmer S. Nelson, Agricultural Instructor in charge of the Weymouth Branch of the Norfolk County Agricultural School.)
The past year has been more prosperous for all concerned. This up- ward tendency has in no little degree been caused by an improved condition in agriculture where the stability of the nation must first be shown. The farmer is a factor who must be considered in the welfare of a nation. His work is very important; his products are vitally essential for human sub- sistence. So it is with education, particularly that education which deals with vocational agriculture. To be a better farmer than one's neighbor is definite, for one must be prepared to meet the needs of an even more pro- gressive period in agriculture which is bound to follow.
The year of 1936 brings to a close the twentieth of continuous agricul- tural instruction in the Weymouth High School. This period has been a healthy one because of the steady growth from year to year. Student en- rollment from 1925 to June, 1936, has been as follows:
1925
17
1929
24
1933
29
1926
18
1930
24
1934
35
1927
20
1931
21
1935
37
1928
19
1932
26
1936
38
School opened in September, 1936 with a total enrollment of 42 students, divided according to classes as follows:
Seniors
9
Juniors
10
Sophomores
9
Freshmen 14
There were 7 agricultural students who were graduated in June, 1936, who entered the following fields:
Massachusetts State College 2
On poultry farms
2
On general farms
1
Other than agriculture
2
The basis of our agricultural instruction centers around the home project, which is personally owned by the student. Our project year ended October 15, 1936, with 38 students reporting 26 projects owned by 22 stu- dents; 14 students reporting strictly other supervised farm practice projects; and 2 students reporting neither type of project. The 22 students owning projects were credited with a large amount of practical farm work of vary- ing kinds. The 26 home projects were divided as follows:
Poultry
Twenty-two laying flocks and 2 baby chick projects totalling 509 adult birds and 172 chicks with the following breeds represented:
Rhode Island Reds
483 White Leghorns 12
White Plymouth Rocks 75 Barnevelders 9
Barred Plymouth Rocks 53 Brahmas 3
Mixed Breeds 46
Total eggs produced, 56,397; meat produced, 1,467 pounds.
Dairy
One project consisting of 2 pure-bred Guernsey heifers in milk; 1 pure- bred Guernsey heifer calf; and 1 pure-bred Guernsey bull. Total milk produced, 10,351 pounds.
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Vegetable Garden
Three small projects totalling about 1/2 acre devoted entirely to home garden crops. Total vegetables produced, 130 bushels.
The actual receipts from the above 26 home projects were $2,911.10; the labor involved represented 2,9403/4 hours, with an indirect value of $554.91.
We should like to have more students take advantage of the home project idea, because in so doing one "learns to do by doing," and thus assumes responsibility and leadership.
As the home projects are of necessity small, and not comparatively as profitable as a large project of the same kind, several students have disposed of their home projects and resorted to employment on regular farms and other agricultural enterprises where they could receive greater experience in comparison with that received from their small home project. This change has caused a decrease in the number of home projects during the past year and has increased the amount of time worked on other supervised farm projects. Thirty-seven students reported 40,476 hours, with a value of $6,847.05, an increase over 1935 by 17,617 hours and $3,137.94. This increase was very encouraging, as many of our students were hired before the close of school in June, 1936, on the urgent request of the farm owner. Present indications point to similar requests for the spring of 1937.
Much of the success of the department falls upon those people who have so willingly and earnestly co-operated with us in permitting our sev- eral groups to enjoy practical work and survey experience on their several farms. We particularly refer to:
Mr. Albert H. Kress, Hingham
Mr. Paul E. Kress, Hingham
Dairy Market garden
Arnold Brothers, Braintree
Market garden
Mr. Lester L. Lovell, Hingham
Greenhouse
Mr. Edward A. Hirt, South Weymouth
Poultry
Mr. Norman E. Belcher, East Weymouth Poultry
Mr. John House, East Weymouth
Poultry
To my assistant, Mr. John B. Farrar, I owe a great deal for the success of the department.
To our Superintendent of Schools, Mr. Parker T. Pearson, and to our Principal, Mr. Fred W. Hilton, may we still extend our thanks for their timely help and friendly co-operation.
WEYMOUTH VOCATIONAL SCHOOL
(Report of Mr. Francis E. Whipple, Jr., Director)
Now that business throughout the state and nation is generally started in the direction of recovery, thoughtful employers are turning their atten- tion to a problem bound to become greater as time goes on. The problem rising to vex them is that of securing skilled workmen to carry on the work in their factories. During the past half-dozen years, plans of apprentice training carefully carried on for a long time (and our own discontinued course in shoemaking is a good example) were dropped. Old employees were retained, but no new ones taken on. The result is that the number of men over 50 in many industries approaches 40 per cent, while the number of young men from 21 to 30 is only about one-quarter of that amount. These young men represent only about half of the normal replacements needed during the next five years. From what sources will new recruits to in- dustry be found? Employers will turn first to the trade schools, and they
188
have already done so in numbers in some trades, asking them to furnish young men trained in the fundamentals of their skills, and whom they can bring up to be the skilled craftsmen of the future.
The time is at hand for cities and towns having trade schools to con- sider the courses offered in them; to revise and expand their curricula to meet the coming demand; to see that their equipment is modern; to make such changes in organization as will enable them to be of maximum benefit to the future workmen of the community.
Last year, in anticipation of the coming demand, a recommendation was made for the establishment of additional courses in this school. Since that time, the federal government has recognized the growing need, and a large allotment of money for the extension of vocational education has been made. This money will be apportioned by the state among the com- munities presenting plans for new trade courses in sums sufficient to pay the salaries of instructors. I feel that the town should surely grasp this opportunity to finance, in a large part at least, a program of revision and extension similar to that outlined in the succeeding paragraphs.
Our printing department has been very successful, in placing its grad- uates and keeping them at work, but the course of instruction falls short of meeting the best standards in the important matter of related instruc- tion. At present, this work is handled by several teachers, without special training in printing, but who have, nevertheless, by their own efforts trained themselves to handle their different tasks in a very commendable manner. However, a full program could be arranged for a man from the printing industry who had a thorough background in the planning and designing of good printing. He would bring to the students a greatly en- riched program of instruction to help them to become better craftsmen.
His coming would immediately open another field, now hardly touched because teachers are not available, that of accepting advanced high school students or graduates on a special short-course basis. If these students wish a diploma, a special two-year course should be given, but attendance for shorter periods would be allowed. This has been done with several non- resident boys with great success, but Weymouth people have not generally taken advantage of this arrangement. Sufficient demand exists among the nonresidents to suggest that a good-sized special group taking this advanced work could be organized.
For a wholly new field of endeavor, a regular trade for which a good demand exists should be considered, one in which schools throughout the state consistently place most of their graduates. Such a trade is that of sheet metal work. Over a period of years the placement of other schools in this trade has been high. The building trades are now beginning to look up, and this trade has always held a good position among them and paid good wages to its employees.
Probably the one department most needed to round out the opportu- nities offered by the whole school system is that known as a General Voca- tional department. This course would be short, not over a year, or at most two years, in length; and is especially planned for those pupils not able to carry the full program of the Vocational School. It would provide an en- vironment of industry without many of the technical phases handled in the regular courses, and would provide a place for those coming from the sev- enth and eighth grades without having been regularly promoted. Those proving adaptable to a regular trade would be promoted to the first year of the Vocational School and carry on from there with the regular students. Those not proving adaptable to a trade would be transferred elsewhere, or jobs would be found for them in a line suited to their capabilities. This department contemplates a general shop handling a variety of trades in it, such as electrical work, including repairing of household appliances and
139
simple wiring; metal work, such as riveting, soldering, simple turning, drilling, and iron work; woodworking, including furniture repairs, making a variety of small items, and odd jobbing; and automobile service, such as polishing, cleaning upholstery, checking tires, batteries, oiling and greasing. Printing probably would not be handled in this department, although some connection might be worked out. Along with the shop work would be carried a program of related and academic subjects aimed at bringing the boy up to the minimum standards for graduation from the eighth grade. This department would be a boon to the regular trade course, which sometimes finds itself held back a great deal by the presence of a few individuals entitled under the State Department regulations to admission, but who have hopelessly inadequate preparation.
The automobile repair department continues to attract the largest num- ber of boys. The work of the department goes along similar lines to that of the past; but this year, with the addition of some very much needed items of equipment, teaching has been improved. Still broader instruction, especially in automobile electrical work, body and fender work, and auto- mobile machine shop practice, will be undertaken as opportunity presents itself.
-
Up to two years ago, there was employed by the school department a carpenter whose duty it was to take care of repairs and general maintenance at the high school and other school buildings. Since then, however, this work has largely devolved upon the cabinetmaking department, where it has been carried on under difficulties. The presence of the instructor in widely separated parts of the building during the day results in large amounts of wasted time to the boys. As soon as practicable the department should be relieved of this outside work, leaving the instructor free to attend to his classroom duties.
One particularly outstanding job done in the printing department this year was a program of the exercises at the launching of the U. S. S. Ralph Talbot in October. This magnificent brochure, on permanent all-rag stock with dark blue cover, tied with gold cord, gave a complete story of Ralph Talbot's career, his citation, and the complete program of the launching and the testimonial banquet and exercises at the high school in the eve- ning. Copies of the program were carefully preserved by all who received them, and requests were received long afterward for additional copies.
The equipment necessary to complete the installation of the linotype machine bought by the Reflector in 1935 was obtained this year. Included were additional fonts of matrices, a metal furnace, and a saw. A recom- mendation of the past several years can be repeated: the purchase of an automatic press such as a Kelly or a Miehle Vertical to bring the press- room up to date. Modern steel type stands should replace the present wooden ones for greater ease of working and greater durability. The lighting, particularly in the composing room section, could be much im- proved, probably by cutting additional windows in the blank wall at one side of the room. The original construction of the building will probably permit this change. This coming year, as part of the regular replacement, it is planned to renew as much old type as possible. Most of it has been in constant use since 1926 and shows considerable wear.
This year an accurate record was prepared showing the employment service rendered to graduates by the school. The following table shows the record of employment of this year's graduates as of September 1:
Grad- In trade Other Not uates trained for trades employed
Av. pay
Pay in in trade other jobs
Automobile Repair
11
8
3
0
$14.83
$12.83
Cabinetmaking
2
1
1
0
15.00
7.50
Printing
4
4
0
0
11.75
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On December 31 the record was as follows: Automobile Repair, 6 in the trade and 5 in other jobs; Cabinetmaking, 1 in the trade and 1 otherwise employed; Printing, 3 in the trade and 1 elsewhere. The heads of de- partments have been active in finding employment not only for this year's graduates, but also for boys from previous years. In several cases, graduates of several years back have returned to school for intensive reinstruction before being placed in jobs. The list below shows the results of our efforts.
Automobile Repair. During the year, 17 jobs were held by 15 boys. Of these jobs, 9 were in the automobile trade. Seven of these were found by the school, and two were found by the boys themselves. Eight jobs were found in other lines by the boys. Twenty-three contacts were made with possible employers for the purpose of getting jobs for the boys.
Cabinetmaking. Three jobs were held by the same number of boys. Of these jobs, two were in the trade, one of which was found by the school and one by the boy. The other boy is registered in a C.C.C. camp. Five contacts with employers were reported.
Printing. Twenty-two jobs were held by eighteen boys. These were all in the printing trade except one. Fourteen were secured by the school and eight by the boys. Thirty-six contacts with employers were reported.
The total shows that 42 jobs were held by 36 boys; of this number, 22 were found directly by the school and 20 by the boys themselves.
This year the membership of the advisory committees for the different departments was revised, and the following men were appointed to serve :
For the Automobile Repair department:
Charles W. O'Connor, Chairman Joseph L. Jannell, Secretary Percy L. Bicknell Howard M. Clark Herbert I. Sullivan
For the Cabinetmaking department:
Edward I. Loud, Chairman
Bowdoin B. Smith, Secretary
John W. Knox
Andrew Moore
Roy V. Nelson
For the Printing department:
David N. Crawford, Chairman
Paul A. Newsome, Secretary
Joseph Kelley
William E. Pray Franklin N. Pratt
The total enrollment figures up to December 23 are shown in detail in the following table:
I
II
III
P. G.
Total
Automobile Repair
35
16
21
-
72
Cabinetmaking
8
6
7
21
Printing
13
7
7
1
28
56
29
35
1
121
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These figures show an increase of seven in the total over last year. Fourteen freshmen came from grammar school without regular promotion, while sixteen came from high school after having attended various periods from six weeks to three years. This wide range of previous educational attainments in the same group gives point to my remarks about the General Vocational department. A teacher cannot secure uniform results when his students differ so much in previous training. Twenty-seven boys are not residents of Weymouth, and come from Braintree, Duxbury, Hingham, Quincy, Rockland, Brockton, Mansfield, Norwood, and Hanson.
I should like at this time to express my sincere appreciation for the confidence and support which have been so freely given during the past year by all with whom I have been in contact.
COURSES OF STUDY (Report of Flora Haviland McGrath, Director of Courses of Study)
During the past few years, there has been a noticeable trend toward character education emphasis in the public schools. As a result of this interest, superintendents, supervisors, and teachers throughout the entire country have been active in extensive research which has materialized in experimental plans and outlines for public school use.
In 1935, I began to gather material which might contribute in some way to a more enriched program for the elementary grades, and in June 1936, I completed a new syllabus entitled "A Plan for the Development of Ideals, Commendable Attitudes, and Right Habits." This program, which includes activities for the development of desirable character traits, courtesy, good health habits, and right social attitudes, is made up of classroom activities and lessons contributed by the Weymouth teachers. In order to have a program which would meet our own community needs, it was necessary to have the plan worked out in the classroom with each teacher making some definite contribution. It is interesting to note here that in building this program much talent hitherto kept modestly concealed was discovered among the members of the teaching force, with the result that original stories and poems written by the teachers and used effectively in their work will be included in the revised edition.
In this program, character education is interpreted, not as some- thing arrived at through formal classes in morals, but rather as something which aims to develop a thoroughly integrated personality_one capable of doing the right thing in a challenging situation. Thus, the club or- ganization program is used from grades III through VIII, and is so arranged that every boy and girl in the class will hold at least one office during the school year, and, it is hoped, will be afforded an opportunity for experiencing a feeling of success, so necessary in the mental and spiritual growth of the child.
In connection with our own syllabus, we are using the "Knighthood of Youth Club" and "The Junior Service League". These last named are outcomes of the Nebraska State Legislature's forty-third session which legislated a program in character education.
The new syllabus is now in use and it is hoped that it may prove effective as time goes on.
Arithmetic
Diagnostic tests in arithmetic are being given throughout the town and remedial measures recommended in those cases where the pupil has failed to gain mastery in the fundamental processes.
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History
A complete adoption of "The Story of the American People" by Kelty has been made in grade V. "Socialized History of the United States" by Vannest and Smith has been adopted for grades VII and VIII.
Extra Curricular
Arrangements have been made for a series of radio broadcasts to be given by the pupils of grades VII and VIII over Station WAAB. A num- ber of these broadcasts are plays used in connection with the character education program. A keen interest is being shown by the pupils in this activity which is conducted once a month over Station WAAB.
Conclusion
I wish to extend to Mr. Pearson, Superintendent of Schools, my ap- preciation for the trust he has placed in me, and to the principals and teachers, I wish to extend my thanks for their excellent co-operation.
DRAWING (Report of Miss Evelyn Silvester, Supervisor of Drawing)
The Art Department of the Weymouth public schools has had a busy and interesting year during 1936.
The grade work has been divided into three classifications. The first division is Representation, or the drawing of subject matter of interest to the child and coming within the range of his knowledge. In the primary grades it starts with the house, the parents, toys and pets, and the ac- tivities surrounding the home life. As the child develops and the interest in outside things increases, the store, delivery vehicles, the church and community activities are included. Finally the more difficult and creative work of developing imaginary illustrations of subjects talked of, but not actually experienced by the child, and the portrayal of actual objects directly from the objects, completes this type of work as taught in the grades.
The second division is that of Design, or the orderly arrangement of spots, lines and shapes to form some kind of surface decoration. The sim- ple repetition, alternation, or progression of elements in rows making borders, or applied over a surface making "all over patterns" are the simple fundamentals of all such design. As the child's ability increases over the years, the design which he creates becomes more interesting in shape and harmonious and refined in detail. Balance-axial, central, and occult, are given a share of time and are often combined with other phases of design work. The use of design is usually made by the appli- cation of it to some holiday project which ties it to our third division, or Construction.
Construction in the lower grades starts with the simple cutting, folding, and pasting of paper in the making of booklets, envelopes, or other articles of simple structure. In the intermediate grades more complicated work is done, sometimes including the use of cardboard. In the upper grades there are usually one or more problems using fancy paper to cover the cardboard in a neat job of paper tailoring for the making of notebook covers, desk calendars, scratch pads,etc.
Art appreciation, or the study of fine paintings and statuary, is cor- related with the English work, and it has proved to be a very happy ar- rangement, aiding both subjects.
During this year we have had a professional puppet show presenting the Tatterman Marionettes in "The Magic Bird." Puppet shows are ex- cellent child entertainment, and whether we put them on ourselves or have a professional company, we use the proceeds to increase our scholarship fund.
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A practical project has been introduced into the third year High School Practical Arts Course this year in a redecorating job for the Teachers' Room. Plans and work have covered many months and have given two classes an opportunity to do very practical work which might easily be duplicated in any home. A listing of the various steps here below will give an idea of the extent of the experience acquired by the girls in the course of the work. Many trips were made to Boston and Quincy on shopping excursions that were of great value. In one instance the actual construction of furniture in progress was seen.
Mechanical drawing of floor and wall plans.
Listing of desired furnishings. Plans for placing furnishings.
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