USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Weymouth > Town annual report of Weymouth 1937 > Part 13
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During Education Week, many parents had an opportunity of seeing an orderly unit of society in action when they observed their own children carrying out the suggestions of the character education program through club work or other suggested activities.
ARITHMETIC
The teaching of the fundamentals in arithmetic must be accurate and thorough. In order to discover arithmetic weaknesses and diagnose difficulties, an arithmetic survey in fundamentals was made in Sep- tember. Testing was done from grades IV through VIII, and this was followed several weeks later by a second testing. Results of these tests were used to determine what further work was necessary. Where a definite weakness was found, individual corrective work was given.
TESTING
During the spring of 1937 a testing program was carried out in the lower grades to determine pupil progress. The results were very satisfactory and showed an unusual degree of uniformity throughout the town.
Further testing was done in arithmetic in the fall, as previously indicated in the section on "Arithmetic."
GENERAL SUPERVISION
A program of general supervision has been carried on in addition to curriculum construction.
CONSIDERATION OF MODERN TRENDS
Many of the teachers, as well as the writer, have been taking courses at Harvard, Boston University, Boston College, or Extension schools. That which is modern, but in keeping with the conservative policies of the system, has been adopted; that which seems bizarre or radical has been rejected, thus, adhering to the best methods and prin- ciples of the past and using the approved of the present.
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NEW OUTLINES
A new syllabus "Methods of Teaching Literature in Grades VII and VIII" is in the making.
DIRECTION OF DRAMAS AND COACHING OF PUBLIC SPEAKING
A senior class play "Sun-Up" by Lulu Vollmer, a stirring drama of the North Carolina Mountains, was presented by members of the senior class to a large audience. The members of the cast gave a per- formance which proved both a financial and an artistic success.
The annual play given for the benefit of the scholarship fund was presented by the Weymouth Teachers' Association.
In addition to directing and producing the above dramas, the coaching of a number of students for public speaking contests was carried on. In passing, it might be of interest to note that one of the students won first prize in a county contest, and another won honorable mention.
RADIO BROADCASTING
The pupils in grades VII and VIII and those in the high school were given an opportunity to broadcast a series of plays over the Colonial Network, Station WAAB. An "Episode in the Life of Shakespeare" broadcast by the pupils of the Edward B. Nevin and Pond Schools, "Patrick Henry" given by the pupils of the Junior An- nex, and "Turkey Magic" given by the pupils of the Pratt School were outstanding in the pupil presentations of the spring of 1937. Other schools gave their broadcasts in the fall of 1936.
Arrangements are now being made for the Abigail Adams School broadcast at a future date.
This series of WAAB broadcasts was followed by independent broadcasting over WMEX with original plays given by the pupils of the Hunt and Bicknell Schools.
IN CONCLUSION
This year, I do not care to have the usual words of thanks taken as a general note of appreciation, but rather, I wish to extend to every teacher and to every principal, a personal expression of thanks and ap- preciation for giving to the new courses of study that zealous support and consideration that infuses the ordinary with spirit and vitality.
To Mr. Pearson, Superintendent of Schools, I wish to express my indebtedness for his advice and counsel, and my thanks for his co- operation, without which the foregoing would not have been possible.
DRAWING
(Report of Miss Evelyn Silvester, Supervisor of Drawing)
The year 1937 was one of definite accomplishment in the teaching of drawing and design in our school system.
145
We have been carefully rewriting and reorganizing the work in the grades over a period of several years, and it is now complete. All eight grades have been knit into a course of study planned to system- atically develop the child's natural creative ability. Art work being essentially creative, it needs to be developed on a sufficiently flexible plan to easily admit change and adjustment, but must teach the gen- eral fundamentals thoroughly. This makes it difficult to produce any · hard and fast course that is never subject to change. It also explains why we write our own courses, rather than follow textbooks, as is done in most subjects. It gives us the opportunity to fit our work to our local needs and conditions. It means a great deal more work both for us and for the teachers following these new courses, but we feel that the improved results justify the expended effort. The ready co-opera- tion of the grade teachers has been especially helpful.
Part of the new course is devoted to the attempt to correlate the academic subjects with the drawing lessons in such a way as to make history and geography more real and at the same time make the child subconsciously aware that art is not a thing apart, but can and does pervade everything we are and do.
Drawing is a universal language, and every person should be able to draw and design for simple purposes well enough to be easily under- stood. That is why its teaching is compulsory in all forward-looking public school systems.
Another phase of the work of our department in process of re- development is the study of fine paintings of all ages and peoples. When our present collection of prints for this purpose was originally assembled, it was impossible to procure any good color prints except at prohibitive prices and of only a very few subjects. That' condition has changed, with the many newer color processes now in use, and we are beginning a rearranging of the picture study on the basis of good reproductions in color. Purchase has been made for Grades I and II, and will go out to the teachers for class use early in January.
These pictures will be used to correlate the subjects of art ap- preciation and English. They are extremely beautiful, and will un- questionably inspire a love of beauty in the child and a real respect from the teachers using them. We plan to put this reorganized course into all primary and grammar schools, a grade or two at a time, until we have the complete group of eighty subjects.
In High School, we have had an exceedingly busy and interesting year in the art classes. The work included the completing of several projects started the previous fall and mentioned in the report of 1936. One was the painting of the large new interior set of scenery for the assembly hall stage. This required many hours of extra-time work, but there was plenty of student response.
Another problem completed was the redecorating of the teachers' room. This was done by the junior art class in the Practical Arts De- partment, and was the major problem of the year. Mr. Hilton inspired
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the undertaking of this redecorating, Mr. Pearson gave his co-operation, and we did the work. Mr. Hilton saw the room completed and gave it his approval.
The third outside-of-school undertaking was the making and stag- ing of a marionette' show written by Virginia Howe, one of our stu- dents, and called "A Night in Fairyland." This required nearly the entire school year to produce. We worked regularly three afternoons a week from October to May, and toward the end, several evenings as well.
All of these were most valuable problems, for they required that the design and plans be practical as well as effective. Interest is always keen in this kind of work, and the students work very faith- fully to produce results. These very practical problems, I believe, are very important in that they introduce the student to many entertaining and profitable ways of spending leisure time, creating habits of in- dustry instead of idleness.
The income from our own and the Tatterman marionette shows added again to our art scholarship fund, which keeps it growing.
We are especially happy that four of our art students entered higher schools this fall on both art and academic merit: Virginia An- derson is in the School of the Museum of Fine Arts; Robert Candy is in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Virginia Howe and Arthur Seller are in the Massachusets School of Art. Our own art scholarship went to Virginia Howe. Arthur Seller received scholar- ships from those given annually by our High School, and Robert Candy received one from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology itself.
May our young people both in and out of school find something of pleasure and value remain with them throughout life as a result of their interest in the arts!
As 1937 passes, Miss Ray, Miss Freeman, and I look back happily at all the good things, but sorrowfully at the passing of Mr. Hilton, who was the staunchest friend and counselor to all students and teachers who came in touch with him.
We look hopefully forward to next year, because we know that Weymouth has a solid educational system based on steady growth. This. is due to the common sense of our people, our School Committee and our Superintendent.
MANUAL TRAINING
(Report of Miss Alice L. Tucker, Supervisor of Manual Training)
The past year was a rather strenuous one in manual training, over 430 boys in the seventh and eighth grades receiving instruction in both mechanical drawing and woodworking. The need for more time is great, as several of the seventh grade classes were allowed only forty minutes a week from the time they left their home room until the bell
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rang for them to return to it. During those forty minutes they had to get down to the manual training room, get out their work, receive the necessary instructions, and, of course, at the end of the period put away their work and leave the benches clean. That left a very short actual working time, and naturally will show in their second year work, when many of the boys desire to make a piece of real furniture.
For the past two months a number of the eighth grade children making desks, bookcases, tables, cabinets, or other large articles have been working an additional hour weekly after school.
The seventh grade boys made bill holders, utility racks, bread- boards, broom holders, kitchen racks, a weather vane, and a cabinet.
The eighth grade were taught the simple joints, half lap, dado, and dowel, and made hot dish stands, bookracks, bookcases, stools, moulding boards and three-piece doweled breadboards, tabourets, maga- zine racks, medicine cabinets, costumers, radio stands, end tables, a fireside bench, sawhorse, birdhouse, cribbage board, knife, fork, and spoon box, toolbox, telephone stand, night table, and harness rack.
MUSIC
(Report of Mr. Vance W. Monroe, Supervisor of Music) "Music is an art and not a science."
Music was given to the human race for enjoyment, and a well balanced program never loses sight of that fact. To keep that balance, rhythm, which is the strongest element, receives first consideration. Melody, the emotional content, comes next; followed by theory, the weakest element. Unless this order is strictly followed, the class loses both interest and enjoyment.
My classes do enjoy music and have received the highest rating in the state-wide competition for three consecutive appearances.
May I add a word of sincere appreciation for the splendid co- operation from the School Committee, Superintendent of Schools, prin- cipals, and teachers.
(Report of Mr. John M. Lyons, Assistant Supervisor of Music)
The chorus music in the high school has made satisfactory pro- gress during the past year. The senior class did excellent work at their graduation when they sang "The Beautiful Blue . Danube" by Strauss and "The Lost Chord" by Sullivan, accompanied by the high school band.
As the high school graduation will probably be held outdoors next spring, it is my intention to combine the chorus and band again in pre- senting the musical part of the graduation exercises.
The mixed voice glee club of the high school presented a musical revue on March 12 and 13, which was attended by large audiences, and which, to quote the senior class year book, "proved exceedingly
148
successful, perhaps more so than any of the operettas in the past have been." Miss Ernestine Canning and Miss Helen Lyons, Mr. Norman Loud, and others were of great assistance in assuring the success of the affair. A musical performance, the nature of which is undecided at the present time, will be presented by the glee club in the early spring of 1938.
The high school glee club took part in the Massachusetts State Music Festival which was held in Lowell on May 15, and received a high rating in the glee club competition.
More than two hundred girls and boys tried out for the club this fall, and it is gratifying to see the increased interest manifested by the students in this type of work. A concert presented in Clapp Memorial Hall before The Monday Club of Weymouth on December 20 was well received.
The annual operettas given by the Bicknell School have increased so in popularity that this year it was deemed advisable to run the operet- ta for two evenings instead of one. This was done when the operetta "Lantern Land" was presented before capacity audiences on the eve- nings of March 17 and 18. The Misses Alice Guertin, Alma Roche, and Aileen McGrath were of great assistance in producing this operetta. Another operetta is now in preparation, to be given probably in the early part of March, 1938.
The course of study formulated last year has been put into opera- tion in the grade schools under my supervision, and has proved highly successful in bringing all the grades along evenly in their musical knowledge.
The violin classes in the Bicknell and Adams Schools, although small, are progressing under the guidance of Mr. Guido Antonelli, and these pupils will prove a great asset to the high school orchestra in years to come. I hope some day to see instrumental classes in all the grade schools, as it is the only way in which an efficient high school orchestra or band can be developed.
I wish to thank the Superintendent, principals, and teachers for their helpful co-operation. I also wish to thank Mr. James Calderwood for his valuable advice and training of the high school orchestra and band for their parts in the musical revue and graduation exercises.
SEWING
(Report of Miss Pauline Ahern, Supervisor of Sewing)
The sewing course in the seventh and eighth grades has progressed satisfactorily this past year. We have used practically the same pro- gram as that of last year with a few changes.
At the beginning of the seventh grade, the children made sewing bags, using all hand stitches. Upon completion, these bags were used for carrying their equipment and materials.
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As each child finishes her bag, she is shown the operation, use, and care of the sewing machine. If several girls finish at the same time, they are taught in a group; otherwise, they receive individual instruc- tion, especially in small classes. In addition to this, the girls are taught to make different kinds of seams.
As soon as the child learns to operate the machine, she may make either a slip or pajamas. Some girls had time to make blouses also, but in most schools, as the machines are limited, only pajamas were made.
The eighth grade girls have a complete review of seventh grade work and then make blouses and woolen skirts. Many girls used zip- pers instead of plackets for the openings in their skirts. After finish- ing the skirts and blouses, the pupils learned to mend and darn. Later they were taught the use of a pattern and were given instruction in cutting.
For the remainder of last year, the children made underwear, dresses, pillow slips, jackets, shorts, little girls' dresses, and different pieces of handwork.
A great deal of interest has been shown by the pupils, and they have done some attractive and practical work. I wish to thank them and their mothers for a great deal of co-operation.
SCHOOL GARDENS (Report of Miss Sarah E. Brassill, Supervisor of School Gardens and Clubs)
When weather conditions are unfavorable, it is easier to take care of a small garden than of a large one. That may be one reason why our home gardens were quite successful this year. Another reason may be that we are insisting more and more on early and thoughtful planning of the gardens.
We look for quality rather than quantity in the home gardens. A small garden well planned and cared for is better than a larger one neglected because time and strength give out. It is possible to learn a great deal from a tiny plot. Therefore, early in the year we teach the children to select only as much land as they can care for, and to plan the garden on paper before it is time to buy seeds and to plant. Doing this heads off mistakes and saves time and money. One of the hardest things for beginners to understand is that a full-grown plant takes more room than the seed from which it grows. They learn also that good seed carefully planted in well prepared soil will grow, and that squash borers and hollyhock rust are not so much an accident as a blunder.
Weymouth children were among the prize winners at the Child- ren's Exhibit in Horticultural Hall and at the County Fair in Wal- pole. That tells its own story of the quality of their work. Prize
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winning, however, is not the goal. The gardener who has learned something of what to do and how to do it, and has enjoyed the process of learning, is a winner to that extent.
Besides the garden workers, there have been groups busy with food, clothing, canning, home improvement, poultry, and conservation. The conservation groups are interesting themselves in community service.
Leadership of these groups is shared by grade teachers and by junior leaders who have been club members. We are also indebted to several friends who have given generously of their time and their pro- fessional service to the clubs.
SCHOOL NURSE
(Report of Miss Anna A. MacDavitt, R. N., School Nurse)
There has been a much smaller number of children needing clothing and food during this school year. We are pleased that the economic situation which has added so much to our problems is less trouble- some. Welfare work should not be carried on in connection with school nursing. However, many cases in the past could not have been taken care of otherwise, as they were not entitled to assistance from the Welfare Department.
Mrs. Edward L. Williams, the retiring chairman of the Christ- mas Seal Sale of the Norfolk County Health Association, placed at our disposal a sufficient sum of money to provide milk for twenty-nine children until the close of school in June. We are most grateful to Mrs. Williams for her help and consideration.
The various clinics continue to function as in previous years.
A new project under the auspices of the Lions Club, an Eye Clinic, is much appreciated by all. Nine children have been fitted to glasses.
The Chadwick Clinic check-up of its ten-year program was held on November 12, when thirty-three children were examined and X-rayed. The report is as follows :
32 found to be improved I found to be unimproved
I recommended for summer camp 3 recommended for more frequent follow-up 8 discharged as cured
The Tuberculosis Clinic of the Norfolk County Hospital examined the students of the 7th, 9th and 11th grades. As reported previously, the plan is for the work of the Chadwick Clinic to eventually be merged with that of this clinic.
During March and April, nearly 900 children were treated at the Toxin-antitoxin Clinic for the prevention of diptheria.
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The Rotary Club continues active in its Clinic for Tonsils and Adenoids. Just previous to the closing of the year, a child suffering from complications due to enlarged tonsils was given prompt treatment and has made a satisfactory recovery.
The following list of routine work may be of interest :
General inspections
4,520
Weighed and measured
1,462
Assisted doctors with examinations
1,230
Home visits
987
Dressings in school
315
Sent to doctors
I20
Taken home
41
Dressings in home
23
Taken to hospital
17
Excluded for :
Colds & sore throats
105
Whoopng cough
52
Ring worm
I7
Impetigo
12
Scabies
9
Pediculosis
7
Measles
4
Chicken Pox
3
SCHOOL CENSUS (as of October 1, 1937)
5 to 7 years
7 to 14
14 to 16 years
Total
BOYS
Ward I
98
390
I26
614
II
76
398
130
604
III
63
244
72
379
IV
61
228
73
362
V
44
218
56
318
Total
342
1478
457
2277
GIRLS
Ward I
410
130
621
II
75
389
II5
579
III
47
223
67
337
IV
56
226
65
347
V
47
175
67
289
Total
306
1423
444
2173
Grand Total
648
2901
901
4450
DISTRIBUTION OF ABOVE MINORS
Public Day School
444
2601
854
3899
Private Schools
80
291
34
405
Not enrolled in any school
124
7
7
I38
Working
4
1
County and State Schools
2
2
4
Total
648
290Į
90I
4450
years
.
152
ATTENDANCE (for school year ended June 24, 1937) HIGHEST BUILDING IN TOWN Jefferson 95.94
HIGHEST ROOMS IN TOWN
Jefferson, Grade IV
98.16
Hunt, Grade VIII 97.38
Abigail Adams, Grade VII 97.14
Pond, Grade V 97.13
James Humphrey, Grade VI 97.1I
James Humphrey, Grade V
97.01
EMPLOYMENT CERTIFICATES
Weymouth minors between ages of 14 and 16
Total number in town, October 1, 1937
900
Total number employed in town, 1937 7
Total number employed elsewhere, 1937 2
Number employed in town, as of December 31 2
Number employed elsewhere, as of December 31
I
There were 7 certificates issued to boys during vacation and after school.
MEMBERSHIP BY AGE AND GRADE (as of October 1, 1937)
A ges
5
6
7
8
9
IO
II
I2
I 3
14
15
I6 17
18
19
20
21
Total
Grades
I
159
205
25
2
391
I3I
206
39
II
I
388
III
III
214
47
II
2
385
IV
8 I
233
53
12
8
2
389
V
125
200
41
19
6
391
109
186
61
25
9
I
I
393
VII
119
188
67
32
9
4
419
VIII
2
98
208
80
25
3
I
417
Ungraded
4 IO
4
7
12
3
40
IX
8 148
199
93
39
I3
500
X
5 123
189
57
25
6
4 409
XI
3 107
123
47
12
3
I
296
XII
8
106
150
39
IO
I
I 315
Postgrad.
IO
6
2
Total
159
336
342
336
4 1.6
374
366
392
466
453
444
336
246
63
17
4
I
475I
153
1
VI
154
CONCLUSION
It is always difficult to gauge accurately gain or loss in any short space of time. Methods which may be considered of paramount impor- tance today are forgotten tomorrow, or may appear in a modified form as a regular part of school practice. I doubt if many can describe in detail the aims, objectives, and results of the Batavian System, the Montessori Method, or the Dalton Plan. Each and all of these propositions had advocates who believed that adherence to their rules would bring about an educational millenium. They have passed. Other methods will be presented and, after a period of trial, will be forgotten or adopted in part, as their merit may appear. The safe and sane practice is to follow a median line, adopting and adapting what may be good in the new, but holding to the valuable in the old.
In conclusion, I wish to commend the teachers for the work and expense which they have undertaken in order to better fit themselves for their chosen work. A thorough and exact comprehension of all branches to be taught is of utmost importance, and if to this can be added an extensive stock of miscellaneous knowledge, so much the better.
Even though we have had a number of changes, the schools have continued to function very satisfactorily. I wish to comment upon and express my appreciation of the attitude of all the teachers in the High School towards the new principal and assistant principal, and the evident desire of all to further the successful operation of the school.
My sincere thanks are given to the School Committee for its sympathetic attitude in all the activities of the year, and for its hearty support in all problems that have arisen.
Respectfully submitted,
PARKER T. PEARSON, Superintendent of Schools
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APPENDIX ROLL OF HONOR
Names of Students not Absent during the School Year 1936-1937 * Neither Absent nor Tardy
HIGH SCHOOL
*Helen Akie
*Barbara Ambach
*Edith Anderson
*John Anderson
*Margaret Anderson
*James Bates
*Mary Bates Muriel Bell
*Thomas Bell Elizabeth Bentley
*Mary Berry
*Frederick Bicknell
*Paul Birkemose
* Harry Botterud Florence Boudreau
*Janet Brayshaw William Burgess
*Alfred Cadman Joseph Callahan
*Robert Candy
*Rosemary Chaplin
*Ralph Cipullo Robert Clain
*Winifred Clare
*Isobel Clawson
*Marjorie Clayton *Pearl Colarusso
*Eleanor Corey
*Roy Cowe *Ellen Coyle
*Katherine Coyle
*Frances Crane Catherine Dacey
*Florence Davidson
*Charles Diersch Joseph Donahoe *Gertrude Dowd Robert Drake
*Janet Durgin
*Marguerite Durgin
*Dorothy Dwyer
* James Dwyer
*Helen Evans
*Madelon Evirs
*Gladys Farren *Eleanor Fish
*Carmella Fogarty
*Pauline Fowler
*Bruce Fox
Marion Fredrickson
*Helen Fuller
*Robert Gay
*Helen Genchauski
Curtiss Gladwin Mary Gloster
*Evelyn Gorman Edith Grace
Louis Grant
George Haviland
*Florence Hawes
*Frank Hersey
*Elizabeth Hewitt
*Lois Holbrook
*Marguerite Howsberger Paul Johnson
*Russell Johnson Robert G. Jones
*Nellie Karpinskas
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