USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Weymouth > Town annual report of Weymouth 1939 > Part 12
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COURSES OF STUDY (Report of Flora Haviland McGrath, Director of Courses of Study)
How to hold the middle course on that educational path which passes between the progressive, activist school on the one side and the formal, traditional one on the other, and how to apply that part of the educational philosophy of each which seems best suited to our needs, is our challenging problem. In one there is the danger of too much activity and too little learning; in the other, authoritarian teach- ing with passive pupil acceptance.
This year, a number of Weymouth teachers have carried out pro- grams based on a fusion of these philosophies with excellent results. We have had activity programs in science, English, geography, and history. Real learning situations have been created in these classes where through wise and efficient teacher-guidance pupils have been led into new and rich experiences.
These teachers have made of their profession an art rather than a job.
TESTS, MEASUREMENTS, AND GRAPHS
The use of tests, measurements, and graphs is sometimes ques- tioned by those who have not investigated the field. No organized business can be carried on successfully without bookkeeping. Tests and measurements, inadequate as they may seem at times, are a means
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of making an evaluation of pupil ability and pupil progress in subject matter. The children in a class are all on different learning levels. The alert teacher, recognizing this fact, tries to ascertain those levels and later to check pupil progress. While it is impossible to measure certain intangible elements which are a part of pupil growth, it is possible to measure achievement in subject matter. This we attempt to do.
SUMMARY OF ARITHMETIC TESTING, FEBRUARY AND MARCH, 1939
All pupils from grades IV through VIII were given a general test to determine, insofar as possible, what had been achieved up to that point. In grade IV there were several classes throughout the town where approximately one-third of the class had perfect scores; in other classes there were no perfect scores.
Grade JV Grade V Grade VI Grade VII
Grade VIII
Medians 60 to 90 Medians 65 to 100 Medians 65 to 85 Medians 50 to 90 Medians 50 to 100
This median of 100 was in an A division.
ARITHMETIC SURVEY, OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER, 1939
This survey made from grade II through grade IX was designed to measure what had been retained from previous grades. All children who had entered the Weymouth school system from other towns or systems within the last two years were recorded. With few exceptions, those entering from other systems were found to have an arithmetic deficiency ranging from 10 to 40 points below the class medians.
The testing in grades VIII and IX brought out one very inter- esting feature; namely, uniformity of preparation. In grade VIII, three A divisions from different parts of the town had the same median with the same number of perfect scores.
The results of this survey indicate a need for a change of teaching methods and a decreasing of the amount of arithmetic taught to those pupils whose averages are consistently low.
ENGLISH
The testing and checking of English which has been conducted three times a year during the past was omitted from the supervisory program this vear.
When one of our own teachers makes a contribution of organized material which may be used to advantage by many teachers, that teacher gives a valuable service. Miss Ruth M. Reidy, principal of the Jeffer- son School, has written an excellent set of "Corrective English Exer-
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cises" which has been placed in the hands of the teachers for daily use. This booklet makes a satisfactory supplement to our present English outline.
SPELLING AND WRITING
During February and March 1939, the entire school population through grade VIII was tested in spelling. At this time, writing prog- ress was checked and deficiencies noted.
Those classes in which one-half or more than one-half of the class had perfect scores with excellent writing were as follows:
Grade II-Adams, Pond
Grade III-Jefferson, Athens
Grade IV-Hunt (both classes), Nevin, Adams, Jefferson, Athens, Pond Grade V-Hunt (one class)
Grade VI-Adams, Hunt (one class), Humphrey, Shaw
Grade VII-James Humphrey, Nevin, Jefferson, Adams, Bicknell, Pond Grade VIII-Medians ranged from 70 to 90. No class had one-half or more perfect scores.
The general science course which was introduced into grades VII and VIII in 1937 has been working out satisfactorily. Science readers are now being placed in the lower grades in order to give some back- ground work for grades VII and VIII.
The following brief report from one of the teachers in grade III after using the new science reader indicates the interest in the lower grades :
"Much enthusiasm and interest are being shown gathering insects, collecting seeds, fall fruits, leaves, rocks, etc. Many simple experi- ments have been performed with few and inexpensive materials. Jars for insects, a magnet, a magnifying glass, receptacles for dissolving salt, sugar, etc., have been brought in by the children. Observations will be continued during the winter,-weather conditions, temperature readings, growth of flower bulbs, and other subjects of interest . .. "
A number of well-planned demonstration lessons in science have been given in grades VII and VIII. One of the outstanding demon- strations with equipment made by the boys in grades VII and VIII was given at the Bicknell School under the guidance of Mr. Doyle. At this demonstration were experiments with atmospheric pressure, preparation of carbon dioxide gas, preparation of oxygen, manufacture of coal gas, use of the conductometer, diagrams and explanations of water supply systems, and a series of excellent demonstrations in the generation of power.
We still lack facilities for experiments in many of the schools. It would be of great value to have a special science room or laboratory in each of the eight-grade buildings.
READING AND LITERATURE
The new basal reading system, which is being used experimentally in grade I in conjunction with parts of our old system, is now in its second year and is proving satisfactory.
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In order to stimulate the reading interests of boys and girls and to increase their appreciation of literature, the Trustees of the Tufts Library, with the aid of the Tufts Fund, have sent to the Weymouth schools once a week Mr. and Mrs. John J. Cronan, professional story tellers for the public libraries of Boston.
The results of this splendid co-operation between school and library have been most gratifying. Miss Evarts, librarian of the Tufts Library, who is responsible for the organization of this excellent plan, has reported that the library has not been able to fill the many demands of the school children for the stories of the "Iliad" and "Odyssey" as a result of this inspiring program.
EXTRACURRICULAR
The usual coaching program has been carried on. This year, in June, the senior class presented "You Can't Take It With You" by Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman. The seniors did an excellent piece of work. The Weymouth Teachers' Association gave a very fine performance of "Our Town" by Thornton Wilder. This activity is carried on annually for the benefit of the scholarship fund.
I wish to thank all those who performed so artistically in the play and all those who through hard work in arranging lighting effects, sound effects, and other technicalities made this performance a success.
IN CONCLUSION
To those teachers who worked with special diligence and vision, no words of praise or appreciation are necessary,-their reward is in results. To the members of the school committee, to the principals, and to the teachers I wish to express my appreciation. To Mr. Pear- son, Superintendent of Schools, I wish to say, "I am grateful for your help; I deeply regret your leaving."
DRAWING (Report of Miss Evelyn Silvester, Supervisor of Drawing)
This is my twenty-second consecutive report as supervisor in charge of freehand drawing taught in the Weymouth schools. All of these reports have been handed to Mr. Pearson as our Superintendent.
The years represented by these reports have been gratifying ones from all points of view. This is due entirely to his policy, upheld so well by an able School Committee, of placing the responsibility for successful work upon the person doing that work, making one feel not like a cog in the wheel, but like a master, each of one's own destiny. This attitude is one which holds with it a challenge to work with
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every bit of power and ability one has to give. The result is, of course, bound to be one of achievement. When one can see his thoughts and plans and efforts unfold into concrete and, we hope, successful results, then one is sure to find joy in that work and a desire to go on build- ing up year after year to always higher levels. To those of us who do the art work, it has been an inspiring leadership to follow, for cre- ative work thrives particularly well under such conditions.
In thinking back over the past twenty-odd years, I can see a steady and not a jumpy progress. It is due again to Mr. Pearson's wise advice,-that to be always a pioneer is not very satisfactory in educational matters. It keeps the system always on edge and disrupts progress if any of the experiments prove to be failures. But easing in new ideas and methods slowly, adjusting and settling them to a steady level to suit the needs of the child, is true education.
Another standard Mr. Pearson has set for us. is that we teachers should remember that the schools are for the benefit of the children and for their educational advancement. We should see to it that we give our services toward that goal.
In the earlier years of this period, he asked that carefully detailed plans for the drawing lessons be given, so that the grade teacher in her part of the teaching would have the work planned for her. This re- sulted in lessons with little flexibility and with little chance of being correlated with other subjects. Gradually, as new teachers have come to us with study in normal school of the modern methods of teaching creative art work as a part of an integrated program, we have used a freer approach to our work, with very happy results.
We believe that while we still have far to go to reach the goal we hope for in this direction, we have made strides forward in the following ways :
I. Stimulating the child's creative instinct
2. Developing judgment and discrimination
3. Integrating the art program with other subjects, such as history, geography, language, and nature
4. Developing courage on the part of the child to try difficult things
5 . Appreciation of fine examples of painting and sculpture
I have always believed strongly in extracurricular work in our particular department, for it provides rich opportunity to give idle hands and active brains an excellent outlet. So we have had classes outside of school time for special work, whenever possible, for those interested. It might be sketching or modeling, or possibly some form of craft work; but whether in upper grades or high school, these classes have proved of great interest.
In this connection, in the high school we have worked up numer- ous marionette shows which have been given in the school hall. With the proceeds from these, we have established a fund from which we have given scholarships to especially deserving students who wish to go to art school.
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Our present graduates attending the Massachusetts School of Art are all rated very highly by their instructors and by their fellow stu- dents. The presidents of the freshman and sophomore classes and the treasurer of the junior class are all Weymouth students, and the high- est ranking student in the drawing and painting course in the junior year also is one of our graduates.
Miss Ray and Miss Freeman join me in a sincere feeling of the real privilege that it has been to work under Mr. Pearson for so long. We wish that it might continue as before, but we shall strive to help our new superintendent to keep on developing the system which he has built up so well. We wish him health and happiness in his retire- ment, and the contented mind of one who has done a difficult job exceedingly well.
MANUAL TRAINING (Report of Mr. A. Edward Haviland, Supervisor of Manual Training)
The classes in manual training for the year closing have been featured by high pupil interest throughout. This has been due pri- marily to a breaking away from the conventional manual training projects which have enjoyed such a long, unbroken vogue in many towns and cities. Another contributing factor has been the wide project selectivity offered to each pupil. As there are approximately four hundred and fifty boys in the manual training classes, it may readily be seen that such a broad program has greatly increased the teaching problem. However, the excellent results achieved have more than ® compensated for the added teaching burden.
The working time of a boy in manual training amounts to about · forty hours per year, four to five hours of which are devoted to mechan- ical drawing. Thus, whatever is accomplished must, of necessity, be done in this limited time.
Following is a summary showing the total output for the year :
150 broom holders
12 bread boards
150 key racks
Io footstools
120 table lamps
6 prs. bookends
100 pen and pencil stands
6 bookcases
80 nail boxes
5 costumers
50 end tables
4 occasional tables
50 knife and fork boxes
2 taborets
15 magazine racks
The splendid attitude of the boys in the classes and the co-opera- tion of the teachers and principals are appreciated. To Mr. Pearson, I wish to extend my gratitude.
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MUSIC (Report of Mr. Vance W. Monroe, Supervisor of Music)
"Give us longer and better courses for music educators, so that these millions of little children may actually experience the loveliness of music in all its pristine glory, instead of coming to hate it because they are taught by dull and ignorant pedants and drillmasters."
The accumulation of important and interesting facts cannot be underestimated ; but the pupils should be taught the meaning and signifi- cance of these facts. It is not sufficient for them to memorize the date of Pasteur's discovery of asepsis; it is more important for them to know that because of this discovery millions now live who might have died. Knowledge without feeling is useless. The emotional content gives life to a collection of otherwise uninteresting facts.
Our grades had their best year in 1939. The "Weymouth Grades Group" proved to be the outstanding chorus in the State Contest held at Belmont. They had a perfect score in the first high school division (Class C).
Mr. Pearson's kind invitation to the Mayflower School Festival Association was eagerly accepted, and on May 6, glee clubs from eleven towns gathered in our High School Auditorium.
Unfortunately, few visitors were able to attend this truly inspir- ing performance, since the hall was completely filled with singing groups. This is purely a festival, and no rating is given. Our group of 146 pupils from the Pond, Pratt, Hunt, and Washington Schools was highly praised.
Only through the perfect harmony and co-operation of the school ·committee, superintendent, teachers, and pupils can such work be done consistently. I hope that I may be allowed, in the not too distant future, to bring instrumental music up to this high level.
MUSIC
(Report of Mr. John M. Lyons, Assistant Supervisor of Music)
The various music classes in the high and elementary schools under my supervision have progressed during the past year. Music reading is being stressed in the grades so that the children will have a better knowledge of the theory of music upon entering the high school, where it is the purpose to acquaint them with as many as possible of well- known standard songs.
The annual Bicknell School operetta was presented on April 12 and 13 before audiences which completely filled the school hall each evening. This operetta, "Bon Voyage," was presented with the co- operation of Mr. Leo Madden, Mr. Preston DePlacido, Miss Jose- phine Caruso, and Miss Genevieve Perkins.
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The operetta, "Chimes of Normandy," was presented by the High School Glee Club in February and was favorably received by large audiences. Miss Ernestine Canning, Miss Anita Petrucci, and Mr. James W. Calderwood gave valuable assistance in preparing this operetta.
The Gilbert and Sullivan operetta, "The Mikado," is now being rehearsed and will be presented on February 16 and 17. It is gratify- ing to note the interest in choral singing shown by more than two hundred pupils who tried out for the glee clubs this fall. The girls' glee clubs are scheduled to appear before the Monday Club on February 5. The second annual trip of the glee club to the "Pops" at Symphony Hall, in Boston, took place on Friday, June 9, and was enjoyed by more than eighty members.
At graduation, the senior class sang "Come to the Fair," "Dear Land of Home," and gave the first public presentation of the new Weymouth High School ode, "The Cross of Gray," accompanied by the High School Band. All these numbers and those of the soloists at graduation were recorded for posterity, as well as the addresses of the valedictorian and salutatorian and the overture by the band. The records are now on file at the high school and will be very interesting for future class reunions.
Instrumental classes in violin, trumpet, clarinet, saxophone, bass, baritone, and alto horns were organized at the Adams and Bicknell Schools with competent, experienced instructors The plan is to form a band when these pupils become proficient upon their respective in- struments. In September, an orchestra was formed of pupils from the Adams and Bicknell Schools. It now numbers fourteen pieces. This young orchestra and band will provide an added incentive for others to take lessons and will be a training ground for future mem- bers of the high school orchestra and band.
In closing, I wish to thank the superintendent, principals, and teachers for their co-operation.
SCHOOL GARDENS (Report of Miss Sarah E. Brassill, Supervisor of School Gardens and Clubs) (
Early in 1939 there were 210 gardens reported for supervision. Of these, 141 were of a size and quality to be listed as club gardens. The owner of a club garden undertook to meet the requirements of the Extension Service of the Department of Agriculture. Many small gardens were good and profitable, although not quite up to that stand- ard. All but three of these are being entered for next year.
All gardens were visited. Four hundred sixty-five visits were made during the growing season. In addition, 85 club meetings were held in the different school districts. The purpose of these meetings
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was to hold the groups together in friendly rivalry, to discuss garden problems, and to encourage members to be helpful to one another.
As a preparation for gardening, classroom lessons are required in grades seven and eight. They are planned to follow the course of the seasons, and include garden planning in winter; seed selection, prep- aration of the ground in spring; care of the garden during the grow- ing season; and harvesting in the fall. All pupils share these lessons. Owning and operating a garden is optional and voluntary. Club members range from high school seniors, who carry on after leaving the eighth grade, to fourth grade pupils, who understudy older brothers and sisters; from those who are trying for the first time, to those who are completing three, four, and five years of work.
Flowers and vegetables from these gardens were exhibited in competition at Horticultural Hall in Boston, at the Norfolk County Fair, and at Brockton, with gratifying results. Prize money and ribbons attest the quality of the products, and badges and state certifi- cates record the amount of work done.
In addition to the garden work, I have had general supervision of all 4-H work, including poultry, food, home improvement, and conservation. In this I have had the much appreciated help of local leaders who take charge of organized groups in high and grade schools. Their expenditure of time and effort accounts for the success of the work.
SCHOOL NURSE (Report of Miss Anna A. MacDavitt, School Nurse)
As your school nurse's work is cumulative in effect and depends largely upon the co-operation of those with whom she is associated, she is pleased to report that more progress has been made this year as a result of the fine spirit of helpfulness which always prevails in our schools.
In April 1939, a clinic for retarded children was conducted in the James Humphrey School by Dr. Mary Hammond, State Psychi- atrist. Twenty-nine children were examined: twenty were new cases, and nine, re-examinations. It was recommended that twelve pupils be sent to the Junior Manual Arts Class for specialized training; the remainder were advised according to their needs.
It was in 1929 that this class was formed in the High School, with fourteen pupils and one teacher. There are at present forty- eight children and four teachers. During these ten years several changes have been made. Some of these children have been returned to their regular grade; and five boys have been sent to the Vocational School. The older boys are enjoying their well-equipped woodworking room, where they are making many useful and salable articles, such as tables, bookcases, and lamps. The older girls are learning to cook
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and sew. So interested are these children, that many remain in the class long after the age limit.
The Rotary Club cared for several of our school children at their Annual Tonsil Adenoid Clinic held during the summer vacation.
The Lions' Club have chosen Dr. George A. Dillon, 41 Wash- ington Street, Weymouth, to examine the children needing eye exam- inations. I appreciate the privilege of being allowed to submit our worthy cases to this organization for their consideration.
On December 5 and 6, 1939, a clinic for the purpose of immuniza- tion against diphtheria was begun, under the direction of the Board of Health.
The following is a report of the routine work of the year :
General inspections
4,725
Weighed and measured
1,902
Assisted doctors with examinations
508
Home visits
741
Dressings in school
193
Dressings at home
9
Sent to doctor
131
Taken home
105
Taken to hospital
19
Excluded for :
Colds and sore throats
172
Whooping cough
II
Ringworm
5
Impetigo
9
Pediculosis
10
Measles
17
Chicken pox
14
Mumps
37
Mr. Pearson, I fully appreciate your friendly co-operation at all times. I wish to thank you, your principals, teachers, and secretaries for all the consideration I have received.
.
SEWING (Report of Miss Harriet S. Berry, Supervisor of Sewing)
This course consists mainly in teaching the girls the fundamentals of everyday sewing and repairing. It teaches them the great part that accuracy, carefulness, and neatness play in achieving a perfect finished product.
The seventh grade girls, who are beginners in sewing, are taught all the stitches necessary for plain sewing by making, entirely by hand, their own sewing bags, which they continue to use throughout their years of sewing. The girls are then taught the use and care of the sewing machine. As soon as a child has mastered the machine, she makes either a slip or a pair of pajamas. After the completion of her slip or pajamas, the child learns the methods of inserting sleeves and
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of applying simple decorations or trimmings by making either a blouse or house coat.
The eighth grade girls are given a complete review and taught to use and alter a commercial pattern. The first article the girls make is a winter skirt. At the completion of the skirt, the girls make a blouse, house coat, or simple dress, and then a more intricate dress.
At Christmas time a few lessons are devoted to the making of Christmas gifts. This year the girls of both grades made neckties, aprons, peasant belts, tablecloths, towels, and all types of embroidery. All the spare time is devoted to repairing, altering, patching, and darning.
A sewing exhibition was held in the spring, at which time the girls of both the seventh and eighth grades exhibited the articles that they had made during the year.
In closing this report, I wish to thank the parents, friends, and the entire school department for their interest and co-operation.
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APPENDIX
ROLL OF HONOR Names of Students not Absent during the School Year 1938 - 1939 *Neither Absent nor Tardy
HIGH SCHOOL
*Zaren Alemian
*John Larner
Catherine Anderson
« Agnes Leahy
Edith Anderson
Peter R. LeMotte
*Alphonse Bakish
#Richard Libby Elizabeth Lincoln
*Thomas Ballard
*Barbara Batchelder
*Thomas Lyons
*Florence Bates Parker W. Bates Thelma Beals
*William Marden
*Harry Belcher
*Thomas Bell Jeanne Blanchard
*Florence Minasian
Jean Boyle
*Marjorie Mooney
Henry E. Brennock
*Leonard H. Nadell
Harold Buker
*Marilyn Nickerson Eleanor Nocera
Dana Chamberlin
*Katherine Orcutt
*Helen Cipullo
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