USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Weymouth > Town annual report of Weymouth 1951 > Part 15
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Light and Power
8,920.87
9,850.00
Water
2,759.71
3,350.00
Telephones
2,163.11
2,520.00
Janitors' Supplies
6,533.39
7,000.00
Total
$117,418.15
$144,984.67
MAINTENANCE OF SCHOOL PLANT:
Salaries
$ 27,119.19
$ 36,315.00
Repairs, Outlay, and Equipment
51,173.28
74,232.00
Total
$ 78,292.47
$110,547.00
AUXILIARY AGENCIES:
Library Books and Supplies
$ 2,552.67
$ 2,750.00
Graduation Expense
519.28
550.00
Promotion of Health
10,082.26
12,322.00
Transportation of Pupils
33,435.00
44,805.00
Athletic Equipment
1,500.00
Tuition
2,679.62
4,100.00
Support of Truants
174.28
200.00
166
Insurance Other Expense
535.24
400.00
2.60
50.00
Total
$ 49,980.95
$ 66,677.00
DAY HOUSEHOLD ARTS:
Salaries
$ 3,688.56
Textbooks and Supplies
1,155.82
Replacement of Equipment
108.09
Suspended on September
Outlay and Equipment
50.66
1,1951
Total
$
5,003.13
DAY VOCATIONAL SCHOOL:
Salaries
$ 63,351.29
$ 78,870.00
Textbooks and Supplies
12,792.96
11,600.00
Operating Expenses
8,567.30
7,082.00
Outlay and New Equipment
2,291.68
3,935.00
Transportation of Pupils
325.00
3,375.00
Total
$ 87,328.23
$104,862.00
CLASS FOR EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN EVENING SCHOOLS:
$ 3,409.50
$
4,760.00
Commercial
$ 754.37
$ 787.00
Practical Arts
2,852.96
3,905.00
Trade Extension
309.55
680.00
Part-time Apprenticeship
1,858.50
2,350.00
Adult Civic Education
6.00
Total
$ 5,781.38
$ 7,722.00
TRAVELING EXPENSE:
Out of State State
199.28
250.00
Total
$ 292.73
$ 600.00
1951 Expenditures
$1,258,481.72
1952 Estimates
$1,520,016.00
WAR VETERANS' PENSIONS
$ 2,850.00
(To be included in a Town Pension Account)
CREDITS
The sums listed are due the Town and are not credited to the School Department appropriation. Therefore, for the purpose of determining net cost of schools to the Town, the amounts listed below should be de- ducted from the total expenditures.
TOTAL EXPENDITURES, 1951 CREDITS:
$1,258,481.72
State Reimbursement:
Equalization Aid
$121,988.87
Transportation
1,952.50
Day Household Arts*
3,520.30
Day Vocational*
32,101.59
Evening Practical Arts*
1,532.85
$ 93.45
$ 350.00
167
Evening Apprenticeship and Trade Extension* Tuition Paid to Out-of-Town Trade Schools
135.10
864.84
$162,096.05
*For 1/2 cost of instruction
Tuition :
Day Vocational
$ 16,249.97
Apprenticeship and Trade
Extension Classes
1,338.50
State Wards
1,391.28
City Wards
772.84
High School
379.86
Agricultural Dept .- High School
717.40
Elementary Grades
124.50
Physically Handicapped (Home Inst.)
92.00
Mentally Retarded 205.00
21,271.35
Miscellaneous Cash Receipts: Day Vocational School Sales:
Auto Repairs
208.90
Cabinetmaking
1,036.34
Carpentry
151.64
Printing 488.10
Sheet Metal
1,163.96
Supplies, etc. 144.55
$3,193.49
Manual Arts Sales
78.00
Junior Manual Arts Sales
189.75
Evening Industrial Arts Sales
151.62
Fines, Damages, Refunds; Sale of Supplies, Old Books; Misc.
974.61
4,587.47
TOTAL CREDITS
$ 187,954.87
TOTAL NET COST TO TOWN
$1,070,526.85
FEDERAL FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR VOCATIONAL DEPARTMENTS:
Smith-Hughes Fund:
Day Vocational School
$1,487.72
Evening Practical Arts
91.38
Evening Trade Extension
12.95
$1,592.05
George-Barden Fund:
Day Vocational School
4,550.00
$6,142.05
Respectfully submitted, JOSEPH W. MAHONEY, Chairman WILLIAM F. SHIELDS, Secretary CLIFFORD F. DANFORTH, M.D. WALLACE H. DRAKE, M.D. GEORGE E. LANE HAROLD B. NASH
168
Testimonial TO MRS. ETHEL G. TAYLOR
HEREAS, in recognition of MRS. TAYLOR'S service on the Weymouth
School Committee for a period of twenty two years, from 1929 to 1951, all as Secretary of the Committee, we, the members of the Weymouth School Committee, do hereby adopt these resolutions on her retirement:
We sincerely regret that MRS.TAYLOR has deemed it necessary to end her long years of faithful and conscientious service to the Town and its public school system.
ftp, as representatives of the people of Weymouth, wish to publicly acknowledge the lasting contribution MRS. TAYLOR has made for the welfare and improvement of the Weymouth schools, made possible by her unselfish service, her grace and dignity, her unflinching purpose in making decisions, her impeccability of character, and her contribution of time, energy, and effort which will serve as a pattern for all present and future members of this Committee.
Me further regnlup that this expression of our appreciation be spread upon the minutes of the School Committee, that it be printed in the annual report of the Weymouth Public Schools, and that a copy be printed and presented to MRS. TAYLOR.
September Fourth Nineteen hundred fifty-one
SSAGU
WE
SET-1522
MASSACHUSETTS
WEYN
1635
JOSEPH W. MAHONEY, Chairman
WILLIAM F. SHIELDS, Secretary
WALLACE H. DRAKE
GEORGE E. LANE
HAROLD B. NASH
CLIFFORD F. DANFORTH
169
INDUSTRY'S BASIC VIEWS ON EDUCATION Resolution Approved by 53rd Congress of American Industry, December, 1948
Education is an ancient enterprise which has been a power in develop- ing the resources and in shaping the future both of society and the individual. The importance of education as the foundation of democratic liberties and as a bulwark of freedom is generally recognized. Although the American people have accepted the need for and are committed to provide an organized system of education for the benefit of all the people, that obligation has not yet been satisfactorily fulfilled.
At a time when our schools should be expanding to meet the needs of increasing numbers of students, current support in many instances is proving inadequate. The economic pressure upon teaching personnel is a challenge to the American people to recognize the teacher as an indis- pensable member of society, and to provide attractive compensation for teachers, together with favorable school conditions.
All phases of American society are beneficiaries of the educational system, but no single group, class or partisan interest has a preferred claim. The contribution of education to the whole American culture creates in each segment of society a responsibility for its support and development.
Manufacturers have a sincere desire to see established and maintained an educational system which meets the varying and changing needs of the individual and of society, and which should be consistent with the American way of life.
The Congress of American Industry believes that the greatest contri- bution to the achievement of the above goal will be made:
1. When the various units throughout the entire educational system are permitted reasonable and suitable diversity in character and program;
2. When the educational units are administered at, or as closely as possible to, the local level;
3. When the individual unit at the community level is free to develop a program in accordance with its purpose and when it is held account- able to the people for its stewardship;
4. When students, through opportunities for broad and diversified exploration, investigation and evaluation, are accorded the maximum freedom to learn, consistent with sound educational practice;
5. When individuals, local and state governments, and every business element of our economy fulfill their responsibility by providing adequate support for the whole educational program;
6. When individual businessmen take the responsibility in their own community for careful study and co-operation in connection with the courses of study, the adequacy of school facilities, and the com- pensation of teachers.
On October 30, 1951, the 160-member Board of Directors of the National Association of Manufacturers adopted another resolution which stated in part: "Business enterprises must find a way to support the whole educa- tional program effectively, regularly, and NOW."
170
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the Members of the School Committee:
I respectfully submit my seventh report as Superintendent of Schools, the sixty-sixth report in such a series:
Excerpts from the reports of directors, supervisors, and special teachers follow:
1. Art
"The challenge of a rapidly increasing population and the consequent need for more schools has been felt in every department. The art depart- ment has had its special problems, and has earnestly tried to solve them well. It has tried to be foresighted in planning to avoid errors the later correction of which would be costly,
"The policy of the School Committee to have teacher participation in the planning of specialized rooms and their equipment has been appreci- ated. The art faculty has gladly worked long and thoughtfully on plans for the South Junior High art room, and they hope that a real measure of success has been achieved. The room seems to function well, with only one important shortcoming - need for more FLOOR SPACE. The area of the room is not large enough for the number of desks installed.
"Mr. George H. Burditt, a graduate of Massachusetts School of Art, the art teacher for the South Junior High, is an able teacher and is doing a fine job, but the school program as presently arranged is not using his abilities to full capacity. Miss Mary Sheehan, formerly at the Bicknell School, is conducting the art work at the Junior Annex for seventh and eighth grade pupils, and Miss Mignon Pray, at the Bicknell School, both under the direction of the art supervisors.
"The art work throughout the other schools has been carried on as usual by Miss Freeman and Miss Ray, the Elementary Art Supervisors. They advise and assist the regular teachers with their planning and de- veloping of integrated work where art can be used to enrich and help vitalize the learning in various academic fields. They plan experiences to help increase child growth in art expression and understanding, as well as developing judgment in making good choices. No lesson-by-lesson course of study is provided in art, but a carefully worked out basic graded Art Guide on the principles, methods and procedures of art teaching is provided for each teacher.
"Some of the problems of special interest this year are as follows:
Murals Mexican Scene
Nativity Subject, Athens, Grade 4.
Education-Bicknell, Grade 8
Weymouth History-South Junior High.
Transportation-Pond, Grade 2.
Western Frontier Town
Models ‹ Dutch Colony in America, Pond School, Grades 7 and 8. Medieval Castle, Humphrey, Grade 6.
Animals Against Decorative Backgrounds Designs· Decorative Flower Painting, Pratt, Grades 7 and 8.
Paintings-Masks and Posters for the "On to Florida" Fund Drive for the Football Team, Bicknell, Grades 7 and 8.
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Subjects sent to Scholastic Awards Exhibition:
38 selected from Grades 7 and 8. 23 selected from High School. 5 subjects were placed. 2 received gold keys.
"With the increase in elementary enrolment, more classes are scheduled for the supervisors than ever before. In another year or two an additional assistant for elementary art supervision will be needed if our present program continues.
"This year there is a temporary low in art enrolment in the high school, which is due primarily to the removal of some ninth grade classes to the South Junior High School. In general, the high school art is proceeding as usual, but with greater opportunity to give more attention to developing a better advanced program for the upper classes. · Also, some time has been found to do a little reorganizing of the art room. The teaching load in the high school, plus the responsibilities of general supervision of the art program for all the schools, is really a very large job. As the school enrolment increases, more time for planning and supervision will be needed during the school day, instead of only in the late hours at night."
2. Music
"This past year has been extremely busy, but has given us some new trends which upon completion will give an impetus to the music program that will be greatly enjoyed by the community as a whole.
"The usual Winter and Spring Concerts were very well received by the audience. From the Supervisor's point of view, the quality of the work demonstrated plainly the development in the vocal department.
"The State and New England Festivals were attended, and a rating of 'Superior' was received at both. The State Festival, held last May in Weymouth, has led more pupils to become interested in all phases of music. The increased interest in brass instruments is well above the aver- age for the past year.
"The string classes held last June with Dr. Bornoff have given new life to the orchestral program. With the plan now being put into operation for the strings, it will be a well-rounded program for all three groups - choir, band, and orchestra.
"The addition of Mrs. Doris S. Buswell at the Junior High vocal level, and Mr. Edmund H. Wright, Jr., as Assistant Instrumental Supervisor, is greatly appreciated. They are both doing good work. Mrs. Buswell has already presented several programs at the South Junior High and Bicknell Schools. Mr. Wright has organized two brass choirs which have performed in public, and the other groups and bands will make public appearances in the near future.
"All the brass, woodwind and strings programs are being taught and rehearsed by Mr. Wright and Mr. Jack. There are a little more than two hundred students beginning this year in all three groups, giving oppor- tunity for personal contact with the pupil and the parent which is greatly needed to improve and enlarge the program. All schools, with the excep- tion of the Washington and Jefferson, are visited weekly.
"With the graduated program that is now beginning to take shape, the 'feeder' material from Junior High to High School will be vastly im-
172
proved. The interested choir members will give much greater balance to that group and will have received some very fine training. The same will be true of the band and orchestra. The interest and enthusiasm in the South Junior High is growing each week. It is hoped that the band may reach at least fifty members this school year.
"The Bicknell School band has increased in personnel, and a drive is in progress to increase it still further. We are now in a new situation, with the elementary grades, one to six, feeding the junior highs (Bicknell is classed in that category), where in the past the entire elementary enrol- ment served as a 'feeder' for the High School. . Thus, there is now an intermediate level which has been greatly needed in the past, and more attention can now be given the lower grades as a group within itself, being of or near the same age level. This shorter span of age is also true of the Junior High groups. In a period of three years we should level out and develop a well-rounded musical program for the Town of Weymouth, with orchestra and ensemble in the elementary grades, and complete band, or- chestra, choir, and choruses in both the Junior and Senior High Schools."
3. Physical Education
"One of the most notable changes in the Physical Education program has been brought about by the addition of the new South Junior High School. This building reduces the number of schools with seventh and eighth grade pupils to three centers; namely: Bicknell School, High School, Building, and South Junior High. This arrangement permits us to conduct a broader program for this level due to better facilities.
"A large increase in the number of classes in the lower grades has made it necessary to have the girls' instructor at the South Junior High School assist in the supervision at the elementary level. We are now able to provide a more adequate and equal time distribution for all classes.
"Other changes have been made in the afternoon elementary school sports program. The Class 'A' and 'B' league competition between the schools has now been replaced by an intramural program within the sepa- rate schools to include all fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth grade boys. As a result of this change, we have greatly increased the number of par- ticipants under proper supervision.
"Following a recommendation by the State Commissioner of Education, the Standard Course in First Aid was set up for all high school students. The course was conducted during the physical education periods by the girls' and boys' instructors, and was concluded prior to the Christmas vacation. Those students successfully completing the required examination will be awarded Red Cross certificates for the Standard First Aid Course.
"There are no major recommendations to make at this time. Our program as organized appears to. cover present needs, and it is the recom- mendation of the Director that we continue as set up until other needs become more apparent."
4. Guidance
"The basic functions of a public school guidance department remain the same from year to year. They have become as fixed and as certain as coastal markings used by navigators, and appear each year in each annual report. Whatever progress is made and whatever changes take place are in emphasis, direction, and more efficient operation. The fundamental plan is reasonably constant, including collection of educational and vocational information, collection of personal data, including test results, counseling,
173
educational and vocational planning, college and job placement, follow-up of graduates. In addition to our major activities, there are certain facts concerning progress and improvement.
"One indication of progress is the growing interest in our monthly career programs. All these programs are voluntary; consequently, only those students attend who wish to do so. It is gratifying to note the in- creased attendance over the previous year. The programs are interesting and provide much valuable information on such topics as occupations, college admissions, scholarship aid, job opportunities, summer work, per- sonality traits, and employer-employee relations.
"In connection with the guidance test program, a fact to be noted is that fewer students require individual testing. Our comprehensive testing program provides for the measurement of interests and six definitely estab- lished aptitudes and abilities. These include verbal reasoning, number reasoning, spatial relations, clerical speed and accuracy, vocabulary, and paragraph comprehension.
"College enrolments as of September, 1951, were 15 per cent lower than the previous year. At a recent meeting in Boston, a representative of the American Council on Education, who made what proved to be an accurate prediction last year, has stated that enrolments may be expected to decrease another 15 per cent by September, 1952. This might mean that high school seniors will find less difficulty in obtaining admission to col- lege. On the other hand, if the colleges continue as in the past and do not lower their standards, it will require just as much hard work as ever on the part of the student seeking admission.
"Continued co-operation with the Quincy office of the State Employ- ment Service has resulted in employment for many high school students, particularly in stores during the Christmas season. It is a pleasure to report that store supervisors have reported good records for Weymouth students.
"An improvement in the collection of educational and vocational in- formation has resulted from the addition of two more information service bureaus. In addition to letters, circulars, college catalogs, and other ma- terials, the guidance department now receives educational and vocational information from three private and two public agencies. This coverage seems as adequate and complete as possible at the present time.
"The guidance report would not be complete without a reference to the new South Junior High for the reason that group guidance work is carried on in Grades 7, 8 and 9. Up to September, 1951, organized group work was conducted in six different school buildings. At present, the junior high grades in four of these buildings have been transferred to the new school. As a result, the guidance program can be carried on in three school buildings instead of six. This means less duplicating of effort, less repetition of services, and a decrease of traveling time between schools. In addition, more guidance material, more books and pamphlets, and more guidance opportunities are available to students.
"From a guidance point of view, the junior high school system, as it develops and becomes more securely established in organization, offers more opportunity for students. It gives each student an opportunity to try out and explore various subjects before selecting a program of studies in the Senior High School. As a result, it should mean a better selection of studies by students entering high school. At the same time, it gives each student a chance to discover his strengths and weaknesses so that he may, in planning for his life work, make the most of his abilities and
174
take into consideration those things in which he has little or no aptitudes. Finally, it offers the students many opportunities to narrow down their vocational choices for life work with greater certainty and less chance of error.
"Since some Grade 9 students are still in the High School, it will be necessary to change the group guidance orientation program for these people in order to conform more closely with the Grade 9 program in the Junior High School. This will mean using a regular class period for group work instead of the noon period which has been used up to the present. Also there is need for additional counseling. This is particularly true during the first term of the school year and during February, March, and April, when students plan programs of study for the following year. The task of reviewing the program choices of some 1200 pupils is difficult, and it would be of great advantage to the school, the teaching staff, guidance personnel, and pupils if additional counseling could be provided. There- fore, it is recommended that two part-time counselors or preferably one full-time counselor be added to the high school guidance staff.
"The counseling statistics for the High School for the school year 1950- 1951 are as follows:
Conferences with Students 898
Job Placement 71
Conferences with Parents 65
Conferences with Teachers 52
Total Voluntary Conferences 1086
The number of scheduled conferences was 1304, making a complete total of conferences of 2390."
5. Audio-Visual Instruction
"Increased demand for audio-visual aids at all levels, increased enrol- ment, and the addition of two new schools have brought about several changes in the audio-visual aids program this year. Most important of these has been the establishment of a central filmstrip library of over 600 titles and the start of a basic sound-film library with the acquisition of 38 film titles used co-operatively with the Towns of Hingham and Hull. Other important changes have been largely administrative in character, conforming to the best practices of school systems of Weymouth's size.
"A brief outline of the major activities of the audio-visual aids pro- gram follows:
a. All aids used in the High School, Junior Annex, and Junior Manual Arts Class were operated by members of a high school projection club of 48 boys and girls. Two senior managers this year were indispensable in their effective handling of all scheduling details and operating assignments for the equipment used. Other 'special- ists' inspected, repaired and serviced all films and equipment. Two senior secretaries and four 'helpers' requested, catalogued, followed up, booked, recorded, reported, listed, filed, and so forth, over 1000 films, filmstrips, exhibits, and other audio-visual aids. The effective functioning of an elementary school phase of the program would not be possible without the services of this group. A similar group is now being trained at the South Junior High School.
b. Audio-visual aids co-ordinators in the person of interested teachers have been appointed for all large elementary schools, the South Junior High School, and the Vocational School.
175
c. Parent-Teachers' Associations have been of invaluable assistance this year in helping to develop a Central Filmstrip Library of over 600 'titles. Fully one-half of this number have been purchased by them or individual schools, and will eventually revert back as a nucleus for individual school filmstrip libraries. Much more effective integration of audio-visual aids with the curriculum has been made possible by this library and the Weymouth-Hingham-Hull Co- ooperative Film Library.
d. Weymouth was honored by having been chosen as one of six cities and towns to be selected for a joint Boston University-Army Air Forces research study on the most effective means of producing and using audio-visual training materials. The results of this study will be made available early in 1952.
e. In-service training of teachers has been conducted at all levels whenever the need has been indicated or requested. A local in- service training program, for professional improvement credit, is a common request and a practical solution to many existing problems.
f. During American Education Week, two programs were 'taped' and broadcast over Radio Station WJDA. There is much evidence of a greater need for tape recorders for speech training and corrective work, particularly at the elementary level. Weymouth has also been asked to maintain a regular radio program throughout the school year, as some adjacent towns and cities are doing.
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