USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Weymouth > Town annual report of Weymouth 1939 > Part 11
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A ges
Grades
5
6
7
8
9
IO
II
12
I3
14
I5
16
17
18
19
20
21 Total
I
I32
197
24
3
386
137
206
33
9
I
404
III
140 205
42
II
6
369
IV
127
184
41
16
I
V
II4 219
64
18
6
2
87
21I
75
18
7
2
400
114
217
41
23
5
I
VII
105
189
55
3I
4
I
385
VIII
2
3
3
6
4
16
II
I
2
I
49
Ungraded
9
148
211
99
43
7
5
2
524
IX
4 124
197
83
38
IO
3
2
461
X
5 II3
140
68
16
2
344
XI
7
II3
I56
46
9
4
I 336
XII
7
5
I
13
Postgraduate
Total
I32
334
370
368
351
361
415
430
410
444
465
385
279
83
17
6
I
4851
.
401
1
-
130
VI
423
356
ATTENDANCE (for School Year ended June 22, 1939) HIGHEST BUILDING IN TOWN Jefferson 96.19
HIGHEST ROOMS IN TOWN
Hunt, Grade VIII
98.39
Jefferson, Grade IV
97.80
James Humphrey, Grade VI
97.13
James Humphrey, Grade VI
97.01
Hunt, Grade VI
96.67
Bicknell, Grade VIII
96.56
James Humphrey, Grade V
96.39
Jefferson, Grade VII
96.25
Pond, Grade VII
96.23
Abigail Adams, Grade VI
96.22
Hunt, Grade VI
96.08
Jefferson, Grade V
96.05
Washing on, Grade V
96.03
Abigail Adams, Grade VII
96.01
EMPLOYMENT CERTIFICATES
Weymouth minors between the ages of 14 and 16:
Total number in town, October 1, 1939
924
Total number employed in town during 1939
4
Total number employed elsewhere during 1939
3
Number employed in town as of December 31
2
Number employed elsewhere as of December 31
2
Certificates were issued to two boys and one girl allowing them to work during vacations and after school hours.
EDUCATIONAL CERTIFICATES
Boys
Girls
Total
Year ending December 31, 1939
240
144
384
Year ending December 31, 1938
210
112
322
131
In conclusion, I wish to thank the School Committee for its many courtesies extending over a long period of time.
The thirty-one years that I have been present in Weymouth have been pleasant ones, due in large measure to the continued co- operation and support of the many Committees who have served the town conscientiously and without thought of personal profit or gain. I have been proud of the fact that these Committees have been non- political in their complexion; that they have considered the welfare of the pupils above that of the members, or the needs of the single individual seeking a position. If the schools are to progress, this same spirit must continue.
As this is my last report, it seems only fitting and proper that I should speak of the admiration that I have for the Chairman of your Board, Mr. Prince H. Tirrell, who has been a close associate for nearly thirty years, either as Chairman or as Secretary. His good judgment and helpful spirit have been a bulwark of strength in many trying situations.
The generous support of the schools by the citizens of the town, the loyalty of the teachers to their chosen profession, the quality of the work being done by the pupils, lead me to believe with Tennyson :
"Yet I doubt not through the ages one increasing purpose runs,
And the thoughts of men are widened with the process of the suns."
Respectfully submitted,
PARKER T. PEARSON, Superintendent of Schools
132
WEYMOUTH HIGH SCHOOL (Report of Mr. Wallace L. Whittle, Principal )
At the risk of having my report become monotonous, I am again drawing attention to study habits and program selection. It is a fairly common practice for parents to call the high school and say that their children have no home work and are not doing well in their subjects. Good grades are dependent on study. The average study time in a school day is one and one-half hours, and four or five sub- jects cannot be fully prepared in such a short time. It would be advantageous to all concerned for a weekly home study program to be made out each year so that parents could then tell definitely what subjects should be prepared each night.
In regard to the selection of courses, the growth of the school is making the possibility of changes continually less. The election of subjects should be made in April with the idea that they are to be permanent. Unless this is done, it is probable that the pupil will not be able to take the courses that he desires.
One of this year's problems will illustrate this point. When the program was made, fifty-eight pupils had elected biology. Therefore, two divisions of twenty-nine each were provided. Two weeks after school opened, over one hundred wished to take biology. Inasmuch as we can seat only thirty-five in the room, there were at least thirty pupils who necessarily could not take the subject. If biology had been elected by these pupils in April, we would have made three divisions and accommodated all.
The same situation arises in many other subjects. The program can readily be made to suit all elections, but once it is completed, very few changes can be made. As we wish to have each student allowed to take the subjects of his choice, we ask that the parents co-operate wholeheartedly to help us accomplish this end by making the April elections permanent.
The distribution of pupils at the end of the first marking period was as follows:
ENROLLMENT
Boys
Girls
Total
Freshmen
302
241
543
Sophomores
245
218
463
Juniors
159
186
345
Seniors
164
175
339
Postgraduates
IO
8
18
Total
880
828
1,708
133
BY COURSES
Freshmen Sophomores Juniors
Seniors
Postgrad.
Total
Classical
128
94
91
66
IO
389
Technical
66
59
36
33
I
195
Business
189
190
146
147
2
674
General
27
28
48
34
3
140
Agricultural
8
I J
10
9
-
38
Practical Arts
24
19
14
IO
67
Vocational
IOI
62
-
40
2
205
Total
543
463
345
339
1,708
SOURCES OF FRESHMEN
Abigail Adams
31
Bicknell
69
Junior Annex
106
Hunt
84
Pratt
32
Shaw
23
Edward B. Nevin
39
Pond
27
Other Schools
98
ยท Repeaters
34
Total
543
We have, as usual, had some increase in our enrollment; but, in spite of this, we had to relinquish one room for the use of the vocational school, which also had a large increase. Our divisions were consequently made larger than we should like. However, the situation was alleviated somewhat by a complete rearrangement of one of our rooms so that it can be used as a study room accommodating seventy- . seven pupils.
It is interesting to note that the total number of persons who eat in the cafeteria, including the Junior Manual Arts Class, Junior Annex, and teachers, is 1,930. Inasmuch as the cafeteria was built to take care of a maximum of six hundred at one time, it may be seen that we accommodate far more than this number at each of the three relays.
The co-ordination between grammar and high school work has continued, and we feel that definite progress has been made for the children's benefit. Plans have been made for future work along this line.
We are still receiving N.Y.A. aid. This year we have twenty- seven pupils on the pay roll who may receive $6.00 per month per pupil. Needless to say, they all appreciate this help.
Our extracurricular activities are functioning well. It might be of interest to list these activities, as I feel that few persons realize the different fields or the number of pupils included in them. During the past year the following numbers participated :
134
Football
85
French Club
30
Basketball-Varsity
20
Science Club
12
-Intramural
175
Baseball
22
Track
65
Cross Country
20
Band
Wrestling
50
Orchestra
18
Tennis
16
Book Club
35
Golf
15
Reflector
52
Girls' Sports
200
Student Council
20
Gym Teams
35
4-H Club
60
Spanish Club
25
Debating Club
18
A new scholarship has been presented this year jointly by the Daughters of Italy and the Sons of Italy. This means that another deserving boy or girl may be aided.
Scholarship awards in June were as follows:
Weymouth Teachers' Association
Robert Jorgensen
Paul Roche
Marguerite Howsberger
Tean Tompkins
Weymouth High School Alumni Association
Concetta Passero
Ruth Trenear
Alice W. Dwyer Scholarship
Laura Passero
Frederick W. Hilton Scholarship
Charles Goodale
The Monday Club of Wexmouth
Anne Toomey
Maude A. Hunt Scholarship
Ingrid Monk
Sons of Italy and Daughters of Italy
Elena Caracciolo
It is with extreme regret that we say good-bye to Mr. Pearson. The entire community, and particularly those of us who knew him and his work well, will feel a distinct loss. He leaves behind him a school system of which he may well be proud. May we all co- operate fully to have our schools maintain their high standards of the past.
135
Camera Club
12
Chess Club
12
Glee Clubs
200
VOCATIONAL SCHOOL (Report of Mr. Francis E. Whipple, Director)
Probably the most striking feature of the year was the great in- crease in interest on the part of parents and children in vocational education.
One hundred and eight boys were admitted as freshmen, the larg- est number ever. This makes the total enrolment to date 212 boys, or 38 more than during the same period last year, and 91 more than three years ago, a 75.2% increase since 1936. These boys are of a high type, and come with an intense desire to learn a productive trade. The escape motive occasionally noticed in the past does not appear in this group.
The largest part of the increase is accounted for by the sheet metal work, a new department organized in 1938. It was thought when this department was started that some of the load would be taken from printing and auto repair, but that has not happened. These departments have become even more popular, and large numbers have applied for admission to the sheet metal work.
Provision for these boys presented a serious problem, some aspects of which are still unsolved. The drawing and home room problems were improved by using a room in the high school. An additional teacher in sheet metal work was employed to handle part of the related instruction. Proper furniture for the drawing room was not available, but is being built in the cabinet shop. The State has imposed require- ments which must be met: there must be more room in the sheet metal shop up to a minimum of 75 sq. ft. per boy, and there must be more tools available for students. Thirty-two boys require more space and equipment than the twenty originally planned for. Some room may be taken from the cabinet shop, where the enrolment is not large. Tools and equipment must be obtained in 1940.
These additional pupils bring stress in other directions. Teachers handling academic subjects are carrying loads up to 39 periods per week and up to 38 boys per class. The normal load is 35 periods and 24 boys. The routine clerical work in the office is assuming such proportions as to require a full-time clerk. These situations should be relieved.
In the automobile work, the lessening of the demand for mechan- ics and the increase in demand for painters and fender men continue. We have met this by spending more time on the body work, and without alterations to our facilities. During this coming year, a satis- factory paint room should be built in the interests of safety and health. Plans for this have been prepared in our drawing departments. Facili- ties for teaching motor tune-up should be provided, since in this branch of automobile repairing, and fender work, the bulk of work is done on present-day cars.
136
Some device should be used to restrict enrolment in printing and sheet metal work. Placement in printing has always been good, but the field is not unlimited, and we should not turn out too many printers. In sheet metal work, the field is limited to Fore River, the Navy Yard, and metal shops in Boston. There are only a few oppor- tunities in Weymouth or on the South Shore. Almost all applicants in this department have Fore River in mind as a place of employ- ment and have relatives or others who may aid them in securing jobs. Our success in placing boys directly in Fore River has been negligible, but many are placed by other means, usually because they profit from Fore River's policy of preferring relatives of present employees. If the boys succeed in getting in to Fore River by this route, all will be well; for those who do not, we are establishing contacts with the Civil Service Commission for the Navy Yard, and various industrial plants and metal shops in Quincy, Boston, Weymouth, and surrounding com- munities. Until we know definitely how many metal workers can be absorbed, the enrolment should not be increased over the present number.
The State recommends this policy in regard to sheet metal work, and further recommends the immediate establishment of other courses to help relieve the situation. Their first suggestion is a course in weld- ing; another is in machine work. Other courses to be considered are in baking and chef work, wood and metal finishing, and even a revival of the course in shoemaking. In connection with shoemaking, it is interesting to note that more persons follow this trade in Weymouth than any other single occupation, and that of the boys graduated from our original shoemaking department, more than seventy per cent are at the present time profitably engaged in that trade. These recommenda- tions, however, would make necessary to house the classes additional room not at present available.
In spite of the limited amount of time which can be devoted to placement of graduates and former students, results are very gratifying. Last June there were twenty-two graduates, all of whom have been placed through our or their own efforts. Some have had more than one job. Fifty-eight jobs have been obtained through our placement activity this year. As time goes on and the school becomes more widely known among employers, there should be no difficulty in placing all students who are able to hold a job and are willing to work.
Some interesting sidelights appear on the various courses through the placement work. The demand for automobile mechanics, as men- tioned before, is only fair, but we have been unable to fill calls for painters and fender men. For the first time in several years, all the cabinetmakers have been placed. There should be improvement in employment in this field. The demand for printers continues good. Boys who can operate the two modern pieces of equipment we have,- the Linotype and Miehle Vertical,-find ready employment. One boy who had been working at the trade came back to school for a short intensive course on the Miehle Vertical and immediately secured a job operating one at a considerable increase in salary.
137
For a number of years much of our printing equipment has been obsolete. The two modern items of equipment, and the success in the trade of graduates who can run them, show the desirability of keeping up with current trade practices. Only one boy was graduated from the sheet metal department, and he is currently attending another school. Most of the boys who left this department have found em- ployment as apprentices at Fore River, the Pneumatic Scale Corpora- tion, and other plants doing sheet metal work. If this record can be taken as a sign, there should be opportunity for a moderate number of boys in this work.
The work in the various departments continues along the usual lines, with consideration being given to after-graduation needs of the boys wherever possible. The automobile departments administer treatment with marked success to a wide variety of ailing vehicles. In cabinetmaking, the outstanding jobs have been pupils' desks, smoke doors, and typewriter desks for the high school, and a speaker's lectern for a local organization. Some thought should be given to expanding the variety of work in this department to include some of the finer types of wood work. Outstanding work in printing includes the Re- flector Year Book, graduation printing, and many well designed pro- grams for various school events. Increased emphasis is placed on lino- type and automatic press operation, since these offer the best chances for employment after graduation. The sheet metal department is for- tunate in having a strong group of teachers familiar with many different branches of the work. It is thus possible to draw upon their experience in various types of utensils, ventilation, furniture, doors, lockers, and other metal work.
Athletics in the school have been carried on for many years through the generosity of the teachers in giving their time for coaching and their automobiles for transportation. They receive no compensa- tion for their time or expense. During the year, two of the newer teachers assumed the coaching responsibilities which the older teachers had previously carried on. The coaching of all these men has been excellent, conscientious, and much appreciated. The transportation problem has been solved by welcome aid from the High School Athletic Association.
Last year several things were recommended, which for one reason or another were impossible to accomplish. New window shades are needed throughout the building to replace those worn out and showing signs of falling apart. Additional window space is needed in the composing room section of the print shop, to bring the light up to the minimum State requirements. At the rear of the garage parking space, the incinerator should be replaced by one which does not scatter sparks and embers on the cars nearby, or set fire to the surrounding brush. Several times this fall the Fire Department has had to extinguish brush fires from this cause.
An increasing amount of maintenance and repair throughout the school system has devolved upon the vocational department. Almost
138
all of the plans for improvement, new equipment, and extension of school plant have originated in its drafting department. The experi- ence and ingenuity of the director and of the teachers have been drawn upon fully in consultation, supervision, and completion of the various projects.
The enrolment figures up to December 22 are shown in the following table :
I
II
III
P. G.
Total
Auto Repair
42
18
12
0
72
Cabinetmaking
12
5
3
I
21
Printing
20
17
15
2
54
Sheet Metal
3+
22
10
O
66
Total
62
40
3
213
Of the 108 freshmen, 4 were admitted on a special basis without having completed the eighth grade; 2 were repeaters; and 32 had attended high school for varying periods from a few weeks up through graduation. There are 67 pupils who come from other towns, as follows :
Abington
2
Pembroke
1
Braintree
26
Quincy
4
Cohasset
2
Rockland
I3
Hingham
IO
Whitman
6
Hull
I
State ward
I
-
-
.
It is well known that this school is the direct result of the vision and foresight of our Superintendent of Schools, who is retiring at the end of this year. He has been a leader in Massachusetts in furthering this type of education. For many years, Weymouth was one of only two towns in the State having a vocational school. It surely must be a source of great satisfaction to Mr. Pearson to now see such tangible evidence of his wisdom, as shown by the popular acceptance of voca- tional education which has been witnessed during the past two years. His only object has been to create a school system which would give to all the children of all the people what they need to make them good citizens and good workers in the community. During the past four- teen years, his inspiration, guidance, and encouragement have been a great source of help to me personally. Upon his retirement I can only thank him for all these things, and wish him many years of health and happiness.
AGRICULTURE
(Report of Mr. Hilmer S. Nelson, Agricultural Instructor in charge of the Weymouth Branch of the Norfolk County Agricultural School)
The present-day accepted psychology of education has changed materially from the old-fashioned theory of book assignment lessons
139
and recitations to a broader field of thought wherein the student becomes a part of the scheme. In the future, there will be less of the cultural and more of the vocational trend in education, more particularly in agricultural education. As time marches on in this troubled world, the individual who has been the recipient of such an education will be rewarded as a builder of stability, for fortunate is he who under- stands the philosophies of the soil. So true it is that "agriculture affords as stimulating a challenge to intelligence today as does any one of the callings demanding higher education." (Charles H. Judd)
The opening of school in September 1939 showed a total enroll- ment of thirty-eight students, divided according to classes as follows :
Seniors
9
Juniors
IO
Sophomores
I ]
Freshmen
8
These thirty-eight students may again be interestingly divided geo- graphically as follows :
East Weymouth
1 3
South Weymouth
13
Weymouth
4
North Weymouth
3
South Hanson
3
South Braintree
1
Quincy
I
The last fifteen years show the following yearly average enroll- ment :
1939
38
1934
29
1929
23
1938
42
1933
26
1928
23
1937
42
1932
21
1927
20
1936
38
1931
26
1926
20
1935
35
1930
27
1925
I7
During the past ten years (1939-1930) we find the classes divided as follows :
Seniors
9
4 CI
8
8
I
4
6
7
3
5
Juniors
8
IO
9
8
3
5
6
8
3
Sophomores
I ]
14
9
9
12
9
6
5
7
Freshmen
IO
14
1 5
12
14
13
9
3
8 8
Total
38
42
42
38
35
29
26
21
26
27
Our graduating class (June 1939) of four seniors were as follows :
James F. Herlihy, East Weymouth
James E. McFarland, Fast Weymouth
Charles W. Muster, South Weymouth Charles W. Workman, East Weymouth
It may be interesting to know that the employment of these four graduates is indicative and comparable to what our graduates have done in past years: two are postgraduates in the high school, with the idea of entering an agricultural college; one is full-time employed on
140
-
1939 1938 1937 1936 1935 1934 1933 1932 1931 1930
a poultry farm; and the other, although not employed in an agricul- tural enterprise, is spending part time on a home poultry project with the hopes of future permanency.
The home ownership project has been encouraged, but, owing to the lack of home facilities and funds, such projects have become fewer since our last report. The trend toward supervised farm practice work has taken its place, and well may it be that way, because good practical experience on a well organized commercial farming enterprise is more to be preferred than the knowledge and experience gained from a small home project below commercial grade.
However, there were ten students reporting thirteen home own- ership projects divided as follows: eleven poultry, one dairy calf, and one dairy goat. The eleven poultry projects totaled 457 adult birds and 584 chicks. The actual receipts from these thirteen projects were $2842.55, with actual expenses $1612.70, leaving a balance of $1229.85. Accurate monthly and yearly accounts are kept on each project to assist in locating errors in management. The home owner- ship project is the key to successful vocational agricultural teaching. We hope the future may provide the opportunity for more home proj- ects which have become valuable assets toward a well-rounded life.
In summarizing the supervised farm practice work that the thirty- eight students have received during the past project year (October 15, 1938 to October 15, 1939), there were reported 33,766 hours, with a value of $6429.74. This practical experience was secured on various agricultural enterprises, such as dairy farms, poultry farms, goat farm, market gardens, greenhouses, small estates, general farms, and others. One student was located on a fine poultry farm in Guilford, New Hampshire, while our long-distant student was located on a very large up-to-date dairy farm in South Montrose, Pennsylvania. The others were distributed on farms in the eastern section of Massachu- setts: South Braintree, Hingham, Abington, Norwell, Whitman, Plympton, South Hanson, Walpole, South Easton and the several parts of Weymouth. While the students were on these jobs, the instructors visited regularly, checked on certain requirements, and assisted both employer and student. By means of definite follow-up work, the stu- dents on the job were graded as to their capabilities and personalities which will be of a material benefit in the future.
The educational program has been followed according to plans, with changes to meet conditions and situations. The co-operation of the teaching staff of the High School has been splendid. The several shops of the Vocational School have been used in shop practice work, and splendid co-operation has been received from the director, Mr. Francis E. Whipple, and the shop instructors.
Again we wish to thank publicly those persons who have so gener- ously given of their time and experience in order that our classes might receive practical experience on their several successful farming enter- prises :
141
Mr. Albert H. Kress, Hingham
Mr. Paul E. Kress, Hingham Arnold Brothers, Braintree
Mr. William Ralph, South Weymouth
Mr. E. A. Hirt, South Weymouth Mr. William Monto, Norwell
Mr. Norman E. Belcher, East Weymouth
Dairy Market Garden Market Garden
Greenhouse
Poultry
Poultry Poultry
To Mr. Jack Sturtevant, my assistant, I owe a great deal for the success of the department; his co-operation and help have been appreciated. To Mr. Wallace L. Whittle, Principal of the High School, I wish to extend my thanks for his splendid co-operation. To Mr. Parker T. Pearson, who has so faithfully served the Town of Weymouth as Superintendent of Schools for these past thirty-odd years, may I extend many thanks for his loyal support and splendid co-operation in vocational agricultural education. To Mr. Charles R. Thibadeau, our new Superintendent of Schools, may we welcome you. To Mr. Charles W. Kemp, Director of the Norfolk County Agricul- tural School at Walpole (of which this department is a branch), may we again extend our thanks to you and your Board of Trustees for the splendid co-operation and timely assistance that have been received.
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