USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Weymouth > Town annual report of Weymouth 1950 > Part 18
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1. Dr. Wilson recommended the adoption of the 6-3-3 form of or- ganization; viz., elementary schools housing grades 1-6, junior high schools for grades 7-9, and a senior high school for grades 10-12.
2. He predicted an increase in enrollment by 1960 doubling the num- ber enrolled in 1943, as follows: grades 1-6 from a 1947 enrollment of 2,576 to a peak of 4.975 in 1957; grades 7-9 from 1,155 in 1947 to 2,700 in 1961; grades 10-12 from 1,036 pupils in 1947 to a top enrollment of 2,300 in 1964.
3. The report recommended the following building program:
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A. Elementary Schools - New additions: Adams School 6 rooms, Humphrey School 4 rooms, Nevin School 4 rooms, Pond School 4 rooms, and Pratt School 8 rooms; two new schools - an 18- room building about halfway between the Hunt and Nevin Schools, and a 15-room building located as needed, or the equiva- lent space in two small neighborhood schools, or the equivalent space in additions to existing buildings in the areas of greatest growth
B. Junior High Schools - three new schools, with the following capacities and in the following order: a South, 600 pupils; a North, 600 pupils; a Central, 800 pupils
C. Senior High School - retention of the present high school plant, modernized, especially for specialized rooms and the vocational facilities - Dr. Wilson pointed out that the high school enroll- ment would exceed the capacity of the buildings for a number of years, resulting in double sessions.
The continued inflation in building costs soon made it evident that Dr. Wilson's recommendations for new construction based on an average class size of 27 would have to be reduced. Consequently, at the 1949 Annual Town Meeting, the School Committee presented a revised building program through the year 1953 based on a modification of the Wilson plan as fol- lows: a 6-room addition to the Adams School, a 4-room addition to the Pratt School, a 4-room addition to the Humphrey School, a new 12-room elementary school in North Weymouth, a new 6-room elementary school near the Homestead section, a 600-pupil capacity South Junior High School, and an addition to the Bicknell School to convert it to a North Junior High School. The report pointed out that through the year 1953 this modified plan would result in a total of 45 less classrooms needed as compared with Dr. Wilson's recommendations, for two reasons: "(1) Classes are larger. The Wilson report was based on an average-size class of 27. This plan is based on an average-size class ranging from 31.6 to 32.3. (2) Substandard rooms and old buildings are used. The plan will use from 12 to 15 substandard classrooms each year, such as those in basements, the old John Adams School, the Center School, the divided hall at the Athens School, and so on."
The first construction under this program was a 6-room addition to the Adams School and a 4-room addition to the Pratt School, which were completed and occupied in February, 1950. A bond issue for the South Junior High School was voted at a Special Town Meeting in April, 1950, construction was started that month, and it is anticipated that it will be completed by September, 1951. The original 1949 plan had provided for building an elementary school on Pearl Street in North Weymouth in two sections, the first 6 rooms in 1950-1951, and an addition of 6 rooms in 1953. A Special Town Meeting in November, 1950 voted to build all 12 rooms at once. Construction was started that month and it is hoped that it will be ready for occupancy early in the fall of 1951.
The Adams and Pratt additions were built and the South Junior High School is being built by a Building Committee consisting of the School Committee, the Superintendent of Schools, and four appointed members. The Pearl Street Committee of seven members was appointed by the Moderator and includes the Chairman of the School Committee and the Superintendent of Schools. The November, 1950 Town Meeting authorized the appointment of a committee of seven members, including the Chair- man of the School Committee, the Superintendent of Schools, and five members to plan and build a 6-room school in the Homestead section, a 4-room addition to the Humphrey School, an addition to the Bicknell
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School to convert it to the North Junior High School, and a 4-room ad- dition to the Nevin School. The new committee held its organization meeting on January 5, 1951. It is planned to start construction of the first two units in 1951 and an appropriation of $30,000.00 was made for the preparation of final plans and specifications. The addition to the Nevin School was added to the 1949 plan because of the rapid growth in enrollment in South Weymouth, and it is hoped that construction of the additions to the Bicknell and Nevin Schools can be started in 1952 if war emergency shortages and restrictions do not prevent future school con- struction.
The major additional construction outlined in present plans is for the erection of the Central Junior High School by 1955. The April, 1950 Town Meeting set aside 20 acres of the Town Infirmary land as a site for this school and the November, 1950 Town Meeting voted funds to acquire two entrances to the site. Future increases in enrollment may well neces- sitate additions to the Pond and Pratt Schools or a new school in the Union Street area of South Weymouth.
A revised report on enrollment trends with estimates of enrollment through September, 1955 was presented to the November, 1950 Town Meet- ing indicating enrollments exceeding the Wilson Report predictions through 1952 and less than the Wilson estimates in 1954 and 1955 due largely to an allowance for the opening of a new parochial school in St. Jerome's Parish with a first grade only in September, 1951 and the addition of one grade each year thereafter. This report for the first time showed the separation of our enrollment on the 6-3-3 basis. Copies of the report are available to any interested citizens by writing or telephoning to the Superin- tendent's office.
BUDGET
The estimates for the 1951 school budget will be found on pages 199- 201 following the report of the School Committee. The total budgetary needs show an increase of 15.4% over 1950 expenditures due primarily to the following reasons:
1. Increases in the accounts for salaries caused by the following factors:
a. Financing the revised salary schedule $47,878.00
b. Placing married women full-time substitutes on the regular salary schedule 28,366.00
c. Providing funds for the 13 new positions added in September, 1950 and the 24 new positions needed in September, 1951 47,480.00
d. The normal operation of the salary schedule because of annual step-up increases, etc. 14,138.00
2. Additional allowances for nearly all commodities used by the schools such as textbooks, classroom supplies, janitors' supplies, maintenance supplies, fuel, light, water, etc., for two reasons:
a. Increased enrollments and the expected opening of two new school buildings
b. Increased prices, except for light and water
The allowance for maintenance and capital outlay was increased be- cause of higher prices, and the belief that 1951 might be the last year for some time that it would be possible to get materials for repair jobs and to purchase certain types of equipment.
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The following statement was made in the Superintendent's report for 1947 and it is repeated in this report because of its obvious import for future school budgets: "It should be emphasized that not only will the great growth in enrollments in the next ten or twelve years require added classrooms, but that it will also necessitate the staffing of each new class- room 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."
NEED FOR LARGER ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE
As our school system continues to grow, the need for increased cen- tral office space will become acute. The Director of Construction and Maintenance should have his office adjacent to the Superintendent; a new secretary provided for in the 1951 budget will need to have desk space. By September, 1952 at the latest, it will be essential to add to the staff an Assistant Director of Courses of Study. The School Committee has under consideration the feasibility of erecting a separate administration building on the high school campus. The removal of the Superintendent's and other administrative offices from the high school would permit the transfer of the high school principal's office from the present cramped quarters to the offices thus vacated and free the principal's office for con- version to a classroom. If, on the other hand, the construction of the administration building is delayed because of the seemingly high cost, it will be necessary to enlarge the administrative offices by adding all or part of an adjoining study hall, thus seriously hampering the high school program.
CONCLUSION
If the Weymouth Schools have a guiding philosophy in the adoption of policy and in the making of decisions in regard to the many problems pressing for solution, it is - "to conserve the best that the past has con- tributed and to adopt and to put into use the best in new ideas and practices."
In the final analysis, what happens in the classroom from day to day determines the progress of pupils and the real achievement of a school system. Our schools are staffed by competent, hardworking teachers and full credit should be given them for a job well done. To all the personne] of the Weymouth Schools, and especially my office staff, I wish to express appreciation for their whole-hearted cooperation and long hours of over- time work.
To the School Committee I extend my thanks for friendly counsel and advice and for conscientious devotion to the all-important task of directing the affairs of a small segment of that great institution, the public schools of America.
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
Because education is a dynamic and ever-changing process, each year finds a new area for emphasis so that the program in supervision and cur- riculum planning seldom repeats the pattern of the preceding year. How- ever, there always remains the necessity for the exchange of classroom procedures and teaching techniques which contribute to better teacher- pupil relationships and more efficient instruction.
TESTING PROGRAM
There are actually two distinct types of testing programs carried on - one, a mental ability testing program which acts as a guide in de- termining the mental capacity of the child; the other, a program designed to give the comparative results of teaching methods throughout the town and to assist in determining the need for revisions in our curriculum and for improvement in methods where necessary.
This year the following program was administered:
MENTAL ABILITY TESTS
California Short Form Grade I 680 tests
Kuhlmann-Anderson Grade III 521 tests
Kuhlmann-Anderson Grade V 428 tests
Individual tests were given following this program to those pupils whose results on tests seemed too low or otherwise questionable. The results of these tests, together with the teacher's appraisal, determine the number of pupils needing remedial attention.
It is interesting to note that we do something about the slow learner; but we do nothing about an enriched program for the gifted. This neglect of arranging a special program for those whose mental ability is unusually high must be acknowledged as a weakness. There are today too few school systems where the highly intelligent group, which is our potential source of leadership, is given the type of opportunity necessary to the develop- ment of this gifted minority.
ARITHMETIC TESTING
A composite teacher-made test based on the course of study was given in grades VII and VIII (approximately 800 pupils tested). The grade VIII test was repeated in May, 1950 following a change in methods in one or two schools. In every case, an improvement was noted.
ENGLISH TESTING
English tests were given to all pupils in grades VII and VIII during the spring of 1950. The excellent results of these tests indicated not only good teaching methods, but a well integrated program throughout the town. Of 13 classes tested in grade VIII, only 4 classes had a median score of less than 85 per cent - a highly satisfactory outcome.
SPELLING TESTING
All children in grades I and II (approximately 1300 children) were tested in spelling and special recommendations made wherever necessary.
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This extensive spring testing program did not begin to cover the need for testing because the giving, correcting, and tabulating of these great numbers of tests is now making this program, which I consider extremely important and which has a distinct value, almost impossible to administer.
REVISION IN CURRICULUM
The spelling list was revised for grade I in order to lighten the spelling load.
Several of the teachers in grades VII and VIII have organized a tem- porary revision of the literature and reading program for those grades. This, however, is to be continued in 1951.
UNITS OF WORK DEVELOPED BY PUPILS
Again the project launched by the Rotary Club with Mr. Ray Parker, Chairman of the Boys' Work Committee, a part of the Youth Service of Rotary International, was a constructive one. This year the subject "A Better Weymouth" stimulated wide activity among the pupils of grade VIII.
Maps, historical data, and all available information on Weymouth were collected by the pupils and teachers. Weymouth history and geo- graphy became the background for all English classwork. As a result, there probably has never been a time in our school history when grade VIII pupils have known so much about their own locality as at the close of this unit in June, 1950.
RELATED PUPIL ACTIVITIES
The "Quiz Down" conducted by the Boston Daily Globe was a high point of interest when the Bicknell and the Hunt School teams from grades IV, V, and VI competed at the High School. With a new enthusiasm, children organized their own materials and questions, making lists of questions and finding the answers in geography, history, science, and litera- ture books. The Hunt School, which furnished the winning team, is now the proud owner of a set of World Book Encyclopedias awarded by the Globe, and the Bicknell School pupils are equally proud of their award - an atlas.
SCHOOL DEMONSTRATIONS
At the Bicknell and Hunt Schools excellent programs were arranged for the displaying of work accomplished in sewing and manual training. It is hoped that a similar program may be given by all grade VII and VIII pupils next year.
SUPERVISORY AND RELATED ACTIVITIES
This year, in addition to the supervision of many new teachers, the usual conducting of teachers' meetings on an average of one a month with an occasional smaller group meeting, the attendance at professional meetings on an average of two Saturdays each month, approximately 10 special home visits at the request of parents who have children with learn- ing deficiencies, a number of speaking engagements planned to interpret the curriculum to the public, and the reviewing of textbooks, it was my pleasure to do a substantial part of the work on the new pictorial school report. These are a few of the time-consuming projects which make it necessary for me to have clerical help and an assistant.
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IN CONCLUSION
It has been a pleasant year and again I extend to the School Com- mittee, the Superintendent of Schools, Mr. Elmer S. Mapes, to the prin- cipals and teachers my continued appreciation of their unselfish con- tributions for the good of the Weymouth Elementary Schools.
HIGH SCHOOL Report of Wallace L. Whittle, Principal
With the renovation of the Home Economics Laboratory this summer, another step in the modernization of the high school has been completed. Such modernization throughout the building should continue each year and I suggest that the Art and Music departments be next in line for consideration.
The Art department classes are conducted in one small room under unsatisfactory conditions. Obviously, even if it were well equipped, one room is inadequate for a school of this size. It would seem that another room, or at least a much larger one than the one in use, is sorely needed. Where we could find this additional space without curtailing elsewhere is problematical, unless the Vocational School or Manual Arts classes are removed. Definite plans should be made for some relief in this area.
The choral and instrumental work also creates a problem. All classes in these subjects meet in the auditorium, which is not adapted to such work and is in use much of the time by other groups. A possible solution would be the enlarging of the auditorium and the construction of music rooms in the additional ground floor space. Inasmuch as all pupils in the school cannot be accommodated in less than three assemblies, a larger auditorium would be welcome.
It is doubtful that our present office practice and typewriting rooms will be large enough and have sufficient machines to take care of all pupils electing those subjects after 1951. Possibly a long range program should be set up to add machines gradually and/or to equip additional rooms.
As ninth grade pupils are replaced by seventh and eighth grade pupils in the high school building, there are several serious problems which will arise. Some of the more serious ones are mentioned here.
These new grades will require more of the assistant principal's time for supervision, this leaving less time for high school duty. Thus it would seem that another assistant for high school duties will be necessary be- fore long. If the principal is to have time available for supervision and educational work, he should be relieved from such duties as minor dis- ciplinary cases, the handling of all athletic and other events, etc.
As the upper classes increase and the freshman class decreases in size, the allocation of teachers to classes for which they are trained to teach will become quite a problem. This will be an increasingly difficult situa- tion if our pupil-teacher ratio remains as high as at the present time.
It is probable that more rooms on the third floor will be needed for home rooms. This will create a serious problem in regard to coatrooms or lockers.
Our general program has continued normally, as have the extra- curricular activities. In athletics, the baseball, track, and football squads did exceptionally well; and at this time, it appears that the basketball team will have one of its most successful seasons.
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I should like to thank everybody concerned for the remarkable man- ner in which the football team was supported.
The awards given in June were as follows:
Weymouth Teachers' Association - Eleanor Beals, Mildred Nyberg, Robert Pillsbury
Weymouth High School Alumni Association - Barbara Belcher, Ann Ker- ton, Robert Rowell, Norman Shaw
Frederick W. Hilton Award - Henry Francis Boyle, Jr.
The Monday Club of Weymouth -Marta Mapes
The Old Colony Club - Dorothy Kelleher
The Women's Catholic Club of Weymouth - James Horace
Daughters of Isabella - Mary Bennett
Sons and Daughters of Italy - Joan DiBona Kiwanis Club - Ira Bloom, Carolyn Driver
Pratt School P. T. A. - Janet Wyman
Charles Y. Berry Scholarship - Sandra Stevens
Weymouth Post No. 79, American Legion - Madeleine Mackertich
The Meritorious Progress Award given by the Class of 1921 was made to Joseph Burns.
The Washington and Franklin Medal for Proficiency in American History was given to Robert Pillsbury.
The Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizenship Award was made to Nancy Morris.
The Weymouth Rotary Club Good Citizenship Award was made to Richard Russo.
WEYMOUTH VOCATIONAL SCHOOL Report of Ray G. Parker, Principal
The Weymouth Vocational School has completed a successful year. The courses were well organized, giving excellent training in the vocations selected by the pupils. There is a definite effort made by the teachers to give the pupils work in the shops which is comparable to that found in industry.
The Automobile Repair Shop has a system of instruction which in- sures every boy in the course an opportunity of receiving training in all . phases of auto repair work. This is done by using stations in the shop where a special tool box containing the required tools and equipment is provided for a particular operation. As the pupils learn the fundamentals and acquire a definite amount of skill, they progress to the next station. There is a need for more training in spray painting. This work is at a minimum now, due to the fact that there is no room available. The fire hazard is so great that we are not allowed to use the regular shop. There should be a room built on to the garage in which to provide this instruction.
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It is desirable for more efficient instruction to provide a teacher for the related subjects for the Automobile Repair group. This would relieve the other instructors and not require as much crowding of the various groups.
The Carpentry group which is handled by two instructors has been very successful this year. The sophomores and seniors are divided so that one instructor takes 12 boys each week to work on outside projects, while the remainder of the boys remain in the shop with the other in- structor. During the past year, this outside group completed a six-room house for Warren Roulston in North Weymouth and started a house for John Quist in South Weymouth. The Quist house will be finished in February. The boys do all the work on these houses except the electric wiring, plumbing and plastering. As the boys cannot work on the houses while they are being plastered, they have been able during this last year to install a smoke partition in the Athens School, lay new floors in two classrooms, coatrooms, and corridor in the Pratt School, build a new blueprint room in the basement area of the high school, install a lumber storage rack in the high school, build new concrete steps at the Lincoln School and other small jobs, all providing good practical experience.
The boys who remain in the shop are given training in the funda- mentals of carpentry. Their work has included benches for the shop, bicycle racks and other school projects. This group has built an implement shed for the Maintenance Department, which is 24 by 84 feet, and will provide seven stalls to house trucks, lawn mowers, and other machines. This building was needed, as much of the equipment has been stored in the automobile repair shop and interfered with proper instruction. In addition this group has moved a building approximately 16 feet by 30 feet to a new foundation.
The Sheet Metal Shop has installed the forced hot air system in both the Roulston and Quist homes. The boys made all the duct work in the shop after it had been planned in the drawing and theory classes. The finished heating installation is neat and efficient. They also made and installed a new cyclone and dust collector system for the Carpentry Shop. This work also was planned in the drawing and theory classes. There is a great demand for graduates from this department and we are unable to provide as many as are requested. An additional shop teacher should be furnished for Sheet Metal instruction in the near future.
The Cabinetmaking course provides a thorough training for boys who are interested in this type of woodworking. The pupils are receiving careful and efficient instruction in the use of hand tools and machine operations. The finishing done in this course is exceptional, regardless of the fact that there is no separate room free from dust where the work can be done. Classroom studies are outlined to make the material offered to the pupils functional in nature and coordinate with the instruction in the shop. This helps to make more proficient mechanics and in turn better citizens,
The number of boys who are required to take related drawing makes additional space for this group necessary. In the mechanical drawing room at the present time, the storage and display area is insufficient to allow proper instruction.
The Vocational School office has insufficient space. There is no room where pupils, parents, and others may have privacy when desirable. There are plans completed to remedy this need and the work can be done by the carpentry group without expense to the town, except for materials. The increase in clerical work makes it impossible for one girl to do the required work.
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"Open House" in May was attended by larger crowds than ever before and many expressed their admiration for the type of work done by the pupils. Credit is due to the cooperation of both the faculty and pupils.
There has been one resignation from the faculty - David W. Annis, who taught the printing related subjects. This position was filled by George E. Nott, who has had considerable experience in teaching printing and has sufficient trade experience for State Department approval.
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