USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Weymouth > Town annual report of Weymouth 1947 > Part 18
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levels determined by the amount of training or preparation of the indiv- idual teachers.
The new salary schedule has one decided weakness. The minimum salary of $1,800.00 a year and the salaries in the first or lower steps of the schedule are too low to compete successfully with neighboring cities and towns in securing highly competent young teachers to staff our schools. The seriousness of the situation is increased by our need for additional teachers due to the rapidly growing enrollment.
See a summary of the new salary schedule on page 251.
(9) The replacement of the unsatisfactory pupil transportation service furnished by the Lovell Bus Lines, Inc. by the award of a contract to the newly formed South Shore Coach Lines to transport pupils to and from school in all parts of the town in large fifty-four passenger busses designed and built especially for school transportation purposes. It is hoped that the change will provide prompt and safe bus service.
(10) The completion of the study of our school building needs by Dr. William K. Wilson, of the New York State Department of Education. Dr. Wilson has submitted a most thorough and far-seeing report. It is now being printed and will be available for Town Meeting Members and other interested citizens well before the Annual Town Meeting. A brief analysis of this excellent report follows:
Summary of Predictions and Recommendations
(1) A staggering increase in future enrollment: - grades 1-6 from a 1947 enrollment of 2,576 to a peak of 4,975 in 1957; grades 7-9 from 1,155 present registration to 2,700 in 1961; grades 10-12 from 1,036 pupils now on the rolls to a top enrollment of 2,300 in 1964.
(2) Due to this tremendous growth prediction, Dr. Wilson, although he appraised six of our elementary buildings as "poor" in the light of modern standards and needs, does not recommend abandoning any of them (exceptions, two-room John Adams and the Center Portable) for at least fifteen to twenty years until the peak enrollments produced by the ab- normally high birth rates of the war years and the immediate postwar years have progressed through our schools.
(3) Dr. Wilson recommends the adoption of the 6-3-3 form of organ- ization; viz .; elementary schools housing grades 1-6; junior high schools for grades 7-9; and a senior high school for grades 10-12. He believes that three junior high schools should be built: a South, a North, and a Central in that order, with a combined capacity of 2,000 pupils.
He discusses at length the lack of proper educational facilities for ado- lescents and the great advantages of junior high schools.
(4) He points out that the construction of junior high schools would provide a more flexible housing plan as follows:
(a) During the period when the junior high schools are being erect- ed, and before the senior high school becomes overcrowded, some eighth and ninth grades can be housed in the High School.
(b) After the peak in elementary enrollments (grades 1-6) passes, and during the period of maximum enrollments in the junior high grades, some of the seventh grades may be assigned tem- porarily to elementary buildings. This flexible plan would ob- viate the need for building for top or peak enrollments.
(5) The report recommends the construction of five additions to present elementary buildings: - the Abigail Adams, Pratt, Pond, Nevin, and Humphrey, in a total of twenty-six rooms during the period 1948-1951;
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also the erection of at least two new elementary schools: - one eighteen- room building about half way between the Hunt and Nevin buildings; and a new fifteen-room building located as needed, or the equivalent space in two small neighborhood schools, or the equivalent space in additions to existing buildings in the areas of greatest growth.
(6) Dr. Wilson recommends the building of more adequate facilities for the Vocational School.
(7) He advocates the retention of the present building as a Senior High School for grades 10-12; and with the erection of a modern Voca- tional School for grades 10-12, places their combined capacity at 1,700. In the ten-year period during which the enrollment of the Senior High School will exceed this capacity, he suggests the use of double sessions to avoid the cost of further additions to the present plant or the construction of a second high school. This regrettable recommendation for double sessions with all their disadvantages was made because Dr. Wilson realizes fully the excessively high outlay the Town will be forced to make in the next eight years to house elementary and junior high pupils.
BUDGET
The estimates for the 1948 budget are listed on page 228 in the report of the School Committee. The total budget shows an increase of 11.3 per cent over the expenditures for 1947, due largely to the following reasons:
(1) increases in the accounts for teachers' salaries caused by the fol- lowing factors:
(a) financing the new salary schedule, including the equalization of men and women teachers' salaries for a full twelve months rather than the nine months covered by 1947 expenditures
(b) providing funds for the new positions created in September 1947, and for the step-up increases granted in September 1947, for twelve months rather than for four months
(c) making provisions for step-up increases and five new elementary teaching positions in September 1948
(2) the increased costs of supplies and textbooks
(3) the rapidly increasing cost of fuel, especially fuel oil
(4) the added cost and greatly increased need for repairs to buildings and the replacement of equipment
(5) the building of a much needed carpentry shop included in the Day Industrial budget in order to obtain State reimbursement
(6) the provision for a truck for the painters, a carryall for the carpentry class, and the replacement of one of the present trucks. The purchase of the first two of these was planned in 1947, but we were unable to secure them within the budgetary allowance.
(7) the necessity for furnishing five additional elementary classrooms for September 1948
(8) the expanded Evening and Apprenticeship Training Program for both of which large State reimbursements will be received.
It should be emphasized that not only will the great growth in enroll- ment in the next ten or twelve years require added classrooms, but that it will also necessitate the staffing of each new classroom with a teacher. Each pupil added to the rolls will require more books and supplies. New buildings and additions will up the cost for principals, supervisors, janitor service, fuel, light, and repairs. The sum total will mean bigger and bigger school budgets.
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SPECIAL ARTICLES FOR TOWN MEETING
As the first step in the long range building program, the School Com- mittee at a special meeting on December 19 decided to recommend the construction this year of a six-room addition to the Abigail Adams School and a four-room addition to the New Pratt School. At a subsequent con- ference with the Appropriation Committee it was agreed that the School Committee select an architect at an early date and sponsor an article for the Annual Town Meeting to provide an appropriation for the preparation of plans and cost estimates for these additions.
If our present high school plant must of necessity serve the needs of secondary pupils for another quarter of a century or more, many of its facilities should be modernized. This is particularly true for those sub- jects which need specialized rooms and laboratories, such as science, home economics, music, and art. A beginning of the renovation program is re- quested in an article providing for the centralization and modernization of all science classrooms and laboratories in one location on the third floor of the original building. Many of the rooms are now woefully inadequate and they are scattered about the building. As part of this plan the library will be moved to the second floor in the center of the school plant, the location in which it would be placed in a new building. Here it can be- come, as it should be, the veritable nerve center of the academic and cul- tural life of the school.
A third article provides for a major repair job; viz., the waterproofing and pointing of the 1939 wing on the Nevin School. This gymnasium wing leaks badly and the condition should be remedied at the earliest possible date.
A final article seeks the taking of a fifty-foot frontage lot on Academy Avenue to furnish a means of access to the thirteen-acre tract of land purchased in 1941, now completely inaccessible except by way of the drive- way leading to the rear of the High School. The purchase is recommended at this time, as it is the only remaining lot available.
CONCLUSION
This has been a busy year, as the School Committee well knows from the numerous meetings it has been necessary to hold in consideration of the many problems pressing for decision. Progress has been made in our common task of improving the program of our schools with the willing help and cooperation of teachers, supervisors, and principals. One of the elemen- tary supervisors who visited Weymouth last spring wrote this comment: "I was particularly impressed with the sound philosophy behind the teaching. It is evident that the Weymouth schools have conserved the best that the past has contributed as well as the more commendable values of present- day education." If we can continue to merit such an observation, and if every one connected with the Weymouth schools maintains in the future the same spontaneous cooperation that has been so evident during the past two and one-half years, I am sure that real progress is bound to be attained.
To the School Committee for its friendly counsel and support, and to my office staff for the long hours of faithful and efficient service, go my heartfelt thanks.
Respectfully submitted, ELMER STEPHENS MAPES Superintendent of Schools
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COURSES OF STUDY Report of Flora Haviland McGrath Director of Courses of Study
When educational specialists look with critical eyes on the general school situation in a given community and then give unanimously and un- solicitedly such reassuring and commendable statements as it was our good fortune to receive following the all-day visitation and conference in May 1947 of the General Supervisors of Public Education of Massachusetts, it has a very salutary effect on pupils, teachers, and administrators. We do as we would at home, when guests are arriving. view familiar things more critically. We see our weaknesses and omissions and admit them, at least to ourselves. The acknowledgment awakens us to greater effort.
Out of this silent inventory of our general plan, a few salient facts tower above all the others - that conscientious and constant supervision of educational practices and methods as well as good teaching must be preserved and intensified. There is nothing that adds more to the means of achieving pupil growth and enrichment than the constant interchange of ideas, plans, and sound practices among teachers.
As a result of the spring visitation, our teachers had a feeling of re- assurance that at least they were working in the right direction, when they received the unanimous approval of the General Supervisors of Public Education of Massachusetts for their organization, their progressive meth- ods, and the generally excellent appearance of their classrooms.
Testing Program
This year we reverted to our former plan of replacing standard achieve- ment tests with those based on our local courses of study. The emphasis was in the field of arithmetic because of the fact that our arithmetic edi- tion has been changed with a resulting change in grade placement of some of the arithmetic processes. The results of these town-wide subject- matter tests indicate areas for correction and give tangible evidence of need for changes.
Approximately 5200 tests have been administered, corrected, and re- sults collected, studied and tabulated for permanent record. Following the completion of the records on each testing, meetings were held with the teachers in the specific grade in which the test was given. Included in this testing program are the mental ability tests, verbal and non-verbal, given in grades I, III, and V and to all pupils entering from other school systems.
Tests given in 1947:
Month
Grade
Kind
Approximate Number
January
I
Mental Ability (non-verbal)
480
January
III
Arithmetic (100 Addition Facts)
406
January
II
Spelling
425
February
V
English
350
March
VI
English
360
April
IV
Arithmetic
340
April
V
Arithmetic
350
September
II
Number Concept
480
September
III
Arithmetic (simple problems and those processes already taught)
420
September
IV
Arithmetic
420
October
III
Mental Ability Tests (Pintner)
420
October
V
Mental Ability Tests (Pintner)
340
December
VIII
Arithmetic
380
During December all materials were collected for English and arith- metic tests in grades VI, VII, and VIII to be given in January 1948.
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Science
It is a pleasure to report that this year we have had more interesting and constructive science units than ever before. It is hoped that now with the adoption of a new science series we may be able to develop better science concepts in all grades.
There is a great need today for trained science teachers for elementary schools.
In Conclusion
To the members of the School Committee, the Superintendent of Schools, Mr. Elmer S. Mapes, the principals and teachers, I wish to ex- press my appreciation for their unselfish contributions in time and effort for the general good of the Weymouth School System, as well as for what- ever helps and suggestions I have received.
HIGH SCHOOL
Report of Mr. Wallace L. Whittle, Principal
For some time now, we have mentioned the need of modernizing the High School. It seems that a start should be made immediately with a definite program in mind.
As I have mentioned in previous reports, our Science Department is of the same size as when it was built in 1898. To be sure, we have added some modern equipment, but the department is so outmoded as to be de- plorable. Partciularly in the field of science, where so much progress has been made, does it seem that steps should be taken to provide the space, equipment, and teachers to train our pupils to live in this scientific age. I might add here that the salary offered by Weymouth to science teachers will not allow us to procure the services of the highly skilled young men we desire.
Our Home Economics Department was built and equipped in 1923. In order to have modern facilities and training, the whole department should be enlarged and brought up to date. There are many girls denied the privilege of taking the Home Economics program because we have only two teachers and two rooms available for this purpose. I believe that every girl should, at some time during her high school career, be given the op- portunity to have practical training in clothing, foods, and nutrition. Homemaking and family relationships could well be added to the cur- riculum.
Our Art Department is also in sore need of expansion. At present, all of the art work is carried on in one poorly-lighted classroom. This de- partment should have at least two large rooms with the proper natural light for that type of work and with adequate storage space.
There are many other needs which should be met in the next few years. I sincerely hope that definite steps will be taken to remedy these poor situations.
We have been able to expand our work in Driver Education. This year there are 105 pupils enrolled in the course which, in addition to the theoretical side, now offers actual driving experience. A dual-control Ford sedan, donated by Jesse James Motors, is used for the driving lessons. I am sure this project will be of immeasurable value in creating proper atti- tudes and skills in this important phase of American life. We hope to be able to have all boys and girls enrolled in this course when they reach the legal driving age.
The teaching staff, under the direction of Professor Billett of Boston University, is working on the improvement of secondary education in Wey-
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mouth. This study is a continuation and expansion of the department meetings which have been held monthly for the past three years. The teachers have been most co-operative and have spent much time and energy on this course, with the desire to do all within their power to improve the High School program. This is not a study to be concluded when Professor Billett leaves, but is a research program which will be continued indefinitely.
The Guidance Department is justifying itself more and more as pupils and parents realize the value of its counseling. One of its most important functions of the year was the planning and operation of the "Career Day" program. A detailed report of the activities of the department will be found elsewhere in the School Department report.
The awards given in June are as follows:
Weymouth Teachers' Association - Evelyn Forest, Barbara Messier Weymouth High School Alumni Association - Nancy Cain, Charles Hastie, Patricia Weeks
Alice W. Dwyer Scholarship - Karin Thornberg
Frederick W. Hilton Award - Anthony Daniele
The Monday Club of Weymouth - Robert Warren
The Old Colony Club - Patricia Williams
Sons of Italy and Daughters of Italy - Shirley Savola
Kiwanis Club - Sally Mathews, James McCarthy
Daughters of Isabella - Anthony Daniele
Women's Relief Corps No. 102 - Marilyn Alley
Weymouth Post No. 79, American Legion - Michael Smith
Weymouth Agricultural and Industrial Society Scholarship-Robert Warren Weymouth High School Art Department Scholarship - Donald Almquist The Washington and Franklin Medal for Proficiency in American History was given to Raymond Evans
The Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizenship Award was made to Karin Thornberg
The Weymouth Rotary Club Award was made to Alfred Spence
The Meritorious Progress Award given by the Class of 1921 was made to Nancy Dorn
WEYMOUTH VOCATIONAL SCHOOL Report of the Director, Mr. Francis E. Whipple
Taking care of all the boys who present themselves for vocational education in Weymouth is, if anything, a more critical problem than last year. Our enrollment is 25 more than last year. Every home room seat is assigned. Compared with 1945 there are 67 more boys, or an increase of over 41% . To provide for this increase only one additional classroom has been available. In past years some boys have dropped out and gone to work during the year. This does not happen now. Because boys are staying in school it is entirely possible that another increase of from 30 to 35 will take place next September. This will require one or possibly two additional classrooms.
Dr. Wilson, in his survey of school buildings in Weymouth, says that the vocational building is inadequate. Every year that goes by with grow- ing enrollments and unyielding physical plant only emphasizes his point more strongly. Two years ago the committee appointed by the Town Meet- ing to survey vocational education in Weymouth recommended additional facilities. It is just as important to provide adequate schools for secondary pupils as for primary pupils. As part of the coming school building pro- gram the committee's recommendations should be reviewed in the light of today and adequate facilities provided.
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The total enrollment figures for the current school year (as of Decem- ber 23) are given below.
I
II
III
G.I.
Reg.
G.1.
Reg.
G.1.
Reg.
G.I. Special Total
Auto Repair
35
-
24
2
11
5
8 85
Cabinetmaking
13
15
7
1
5
41
Carpentry
18
16
9
1
44
Printing
15
7
4
1
2
29
Sheet Metal
9
16
5
1
31
90
78
2
36
8
16
230
-
-
-
In the enrollment table a separate classification shows the numbers of World War II veterans. Twenty-six men are enrolled. Those in the column headed "G.I. Special" are taking courses individually arranged for them, usually consisting of a large amount of shop work with the related technical subjects such as drawing and theory.
To recognize persons who completed special courses, particularly vet- erans, a Trade Certificate was awarded in June to the following:
Douglas Loring Bates
William Harvey Felts
Russell Herbert Ferguson, Jr.
Robert George Johnson John Joseph Kearns
Roy Edward Robinson
Stillman Andrew Smith
This is not a diploma but does state that the recipient has completed a given number of weeks of training in certain specific subjects.
Of this year's freshmen, 2 were admitted as special students without completing the eighth grade, 56 graduated from the eighth, 14 were mem- bers of or had completed the ninth, 8, the tenth, and 2, the eleventh. Six were repeaters from last year.
Sixty-three non-residents have been admitted. This is 13 more than last year and 19 more than the previous year. These boys come from 16 surrounding towns down the South Shore to Plymouth and around to East Bridgewater and Brockton. Thus we serve a very large area of southeast- ern Massachusetts. Tuition from these students reduces the cost of vo- cational education in Weymouth. For the school year ending in June, $9,745.77 was billed out and has been turned in to the Town Treasurer for tuition.
Thirty-six boys were graduated: 21 entered the trade for which they were trained; 1, the armed services; and 14, other fields.
Personal problems of youth have not usually been considered class- room topics. But since guidance and counselling have been introduced into the schools, greater attention has been directed to helping students become better adjusted to school and to life. Allowing boys to discuss the common personal problems of adolescence in groups with able teacher leadership is one way of helping them. This year we have set apart two periods each week for these discussion groups. They are handled by Mr. Mahn, who has had some training in guidance work. These classes are not recitations but are free discussion periods when all sorts of problems are raised and talked over, thus helping members to find their own answers to their own prob- lems. It is too early to report on the success of this experiment, but it should be a potent factor in helping boys find desirable attitudes toward life.
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The evening courses in related subjects for apprentices begun last year were drastically overhauled by the State during the summer and new course assignments for the various trade schools set up. We now have two courses in operation: one for automobile mechanics and one for carpenters. Fourteen auto mechanics and 38 carpenter apprentices were enrolled. These classes meet Tuesday and Thursday evenings. More classes will start next year and in time the whole program may assume very large propor- tions.
We are continuing the work of approving and supervising veterans' On-the-Job Training programs in our area. Because of changes in the law, it was necessary to re-examine and re-approve every agency training veterans. Hundreds of such examinations were made. Following the com- pletion of the re-approved program it is now necessary to supervise the operation of each training center. This work is done by two members of the faculty after school hours and Saturdays. Costs are borne wholly by Federal funds.
Several changes in the faculty have taken place. Eric A. Roy, an ex- perienced teacher, was appointed to teach English with some classes in mathematics and science. Harold A. Rudolph, a graduate of the carpentry department in 1931, was appointed as an additional teacher of carpentry, and William A. Dwyer, a man with considerable experience in the Navy Yard, filled the vacancy created by the resignation of Harold C. Sherwood. Mr. Sherwood's service dates from 1932. He resigned to go into private employment.
The two additional teachers do not relieve all the enrollment strains. We still need additional teachers - one to teach printing related subjects, one for automobile related subjects, and one for automobile shop work. State supervisors properly question our present method of using men who are not occupationally trained in the trade to teach certain related sub- jects.
Several outstanding construction projects have been undertaken. In the spring a blower house for collecting sawdust from the cabinet shop was started. The building itself was completed by the carpentry boys in June. During the fall months the sheet metal boys built and installed a large cyclone separator with its attendant piping. It is probably the biggest such project undertaken by any trade school in the State. The entire job has been very expertly handled by the teachers responsible, and the work by the boys is very professional. Mr. Parker was responsible for the plans, Mr. Pieper, the carpenter work, and Mr. Clarke, the sheet metal work. Photographs showing the job are printed with this report.
This fall work was begun on a dwelling house for Mr. Wallace T. Dris- coll, a teacher in the Junior Manual Arts Class and a graduate of the car- pentry department in 1927. The house is being built on land owned by Mr. Driscoll on Route 128 in South Weymouth. Mr. Driscoll is paying all bills for lumber, materiais, and outside contracts such as plumbing, elec- trical work, heating, and so on. He has agreed to live in the house and not to sell it for at least three years after completion. The boys go to the job every day by bus and are very enthusiastic about it. The project has attracted State-wide attention.
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