USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Weymouth > Town annual report of Weymouth 1953 > Part 22
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From this point forward there is a series of checks and balances on a local level. An article is placed in the warrant for the appointment of a Building Committee by the Moderator. The Building Committee then has the duty to select an architect and supervise the construction of a new school or addition.
The Building Committee must channel all its requests for money through the Appropriation Committee of fifteen members. After passing the scrutiny and questioning of the Committee on Appropriations, the building group must then submit its final requests for the ultimate approval of the Town Meeting. The fact that all of the buildings have passed through all these preliminary phases, plus the vote of the representatives of the people in the Town Meeting, is a direct tribute to the high calibre of the thirty-one citizens who have served on these various Building Com- mittees.
Our present rate of reimbursement from the State is about thirty per cent. While this State reimbursement is part of a State pool of the taxes all citizens pay to the State, needless to say, if Weymouth had built no schools this school assistance fund would be diverted to other neighboring communities without Weymouth sharing in the fund at all. This, natu- rally, is not an inducement to build, but rather an alleviating factor on the local realty tax.
In addition, we have a single industrial tax payer underwriting an additional thirty-nine per cent of all building costs, and more important because the costs are greater, this single corporate tax payer pays thirty- nine per cent of all subsequent operational costs of the schools. Because of this fact, our Town is in a more favorable position to withstand the surge of school population and housing growth than many of our neigh- boring communities.
As long as we operate under our local government of checks and bal- ances, we need have no fear or cause for alarm. The deliberate action of this fine group of citizens on the building committees thus far should be praised. It is our hope that current and future committees will equal them in wisdom.
Finally, please remember that our children are the purest gold we have, and no economy is real that hinders their chances for growth and development. The future of our children is Weymouth's and America's future.
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Attached is a report of our 1954 operational budget, together with the expenditures for 1953. Because of salary commitments and increased oper- ational costs due to growth and expansion, this budget reflects an increase of ten per cent.
Account Classification
ADMINISTRATION :
Superintendent
$ 9,500.00
$ 10,000.00
Other General Salaries
25,513.49
30,913.00
Legal Expense
500.00
Other General Expense
3,710.71
2,710.00
Total
$ 38,724.20
$ 44,123.00
INSTRUCTION:
Salaries of Principals, Supervisors and Teachers
$1,111,554.38
$1,233,350.00
Expenses of Principals, Supervisors and Teachers
13,499.97
16,081.00
Textbooks
30,866.91
34,370.00
Supplies
36,563.19
42,215.00
Other Expenses of Instruction
411.00
950.00
Total
$1,192,895.45
$1,326,966.00
OPERATION OF SCHOOL PLANT:
Janitors' Salaries
$ 105,855.30
$ 112,520.00
Fuel
22,144.89
27,600.00
Light and Power
16,047.95
16,350.00
Water
3,145.80
3,500.00
Telephones
3,368.58
3,790.00
Janitors' Supplies
11,040.41
11,000.00
Total
$ 161,602.93
$ 174,760.00
MAINTENANCE OF SCHOOL PLANT:
Salaries
$ 39,596.92
$ 44,964.00
Materials and Supplies, non-contract
24,239.94
25,600.00
Repair of Buildings and Equipment, by contract
56,887.43
50,689.00
Replacement of Equipment
14,120.65
10,926.00
Other Expenses
628.88
675.00
Total
$ 135,473.82
$ 132,854.00
AUXILIARY AGENCIES:
Library Books and Supplies
$ 2,291.39
$ 4,750.00
Graduation Expense
350.19
400.00
Promotion of Health
15,746.14
16,464.00
Transportation of Pupils
69,709.84
77,563.00
Athletic Equipment
791.26
4,220.00
Tuition
4,190.23
5,300.00
Expenditures 1953
Estimates 1954
276
Account Classification
Support of Truants Insurance Other Expense
182.56
300.00
2,081.33
1,755.00
149.45
60.00
Total
$ 95,492.39
$ 110,812.00
CLASS FOR EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN
$ 5,198.77
$ 6,810.00
OUTLAY AND NEW EQUIPMENT:
Capital Outlay
$ 12,273.25
$ 7,700.00
New Equipment
10,493.52
14,613.00
Total
$ 22,766.77
$ 22,313.00
DAY VOCATIONAL SCHOOL:
Salaries of Principal and Teachers
$ 77,013.37
$ 84,434.00
Expenses of Principal's Office
3,106.28
3,230.00
Textbooks
1,321.73
1,500.00
Supplies
12,633.35
12,750.00
Operation
3,398.76
3,100.00
Repair of Buildings
605.57
800.00
Replacement of Equipment
5,745.19
3,002.00
Capital Outlay
2,500.00
New Equipment
1,367.42
6,850.00
Total
$ 105,191.67
$ 118,166.00
EVENING SCHOOLS:
Commercial
$ 1,116.16
$ 1,100.00
Woodworking
1,029.08
810.00
Practical Arts
5,328.88
5,730.00
Trade Extension
96.25
420.00
Part-time Apprenticeship
506.25
1,050.00
Total
$ 8,076.62
$ 9,110.00
TRAVELING EXPENSE:
$ 327.37
$ 550.00
Out of State In State
323.99
300.00
Total
$ 651.36
$ 850.00
WAR VETERANS' PENSIONS
$ 3,041.68
$ 1,800.00
TOTALS:
1953 Expenditures
$1,766,073.98
1954 Estimates
$1,946,764.00
277
Expenditures 1953
Estimates 1954
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 deducted from the total expenditures.
TOTAL EXPENDITURES, 1953
$1,766,073.98
CREDITS:
State Reimburesment:
Equalization Aid
$165,838.87
Transportation
9,378.82
Day Vocational*
43,226.50
Evening Practical Arts*
2,701.90
Evening Apprenticeship and Trade Extension*
160.61
Tuition Paid to Out-of-Town Trade Schools
1,023.07
$
222,329.77
*For half-cost of instruction
Tuition:
Day Vocational
$ 15,829.20
Apprenticeship and Trade Extension Classes
787.00
State Wards
2,670.01
City Wards
1,738.67
High School
692.51
Agricultural Dept .- High School
1,037.86
Elementary Grades
192.64
Mentally Retarded
396.67
23,344.56
Miscellaneous Cash Receipts :
Day Vocational School Sales:
Auto Repairs
$ 208.26
Cabinetmaking
1,556.95
Carpentry
570.92
Printing 516.55
Sheet Metal
1,324.37
Supplies, etc. 130.00
.
4,307.05
Manual Arts Sales
$ 358.87
Junior Manual Arts Sales
129.88
Evening Practical Arts Sales
216.14
Fines, Damages, Refunds; Sales of Supplies, Old Books, Misc. 1,153.49
Rental of Legion Field
300.00
2,158.38
TOTAL CREDITS
$ 252,139.76
TOTAL NET COST TO TOWN
$1,513,934.22
278
FEDERAL FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR VOCATIONAL DEPARTMENTS
Smith-Hughes Fund:
Day Vocational School Evening Practical Arts
$1,129.72 95.22
$1,224.94
George-Barden Fund: Day Vocational School Evening Apprentice
$2,475.00
500.00
2,975.00
$4,199.94
WILLIAM F. SHIELDS, Chairman
GEORGE H. THOMPSON, Secretary WALLACE H. DRAKE, M.D.
EDWARD J. HOWLEY, M.D.
GEORGE E. LANE
HAROLD B. NASH
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the Members of the School Committee:
I respectfully submit my ninth report as Superintendent of Schools, the sixty-eighth report in such a series:
Excerpts from the reports of directors, supervisors, and special teachers follow:
ART
These years of the 1950's have been exceedingly busy with the momen- tum increasing to a climax in 1953. The large enrolments, the heavier supervision schedules, the greater quantities of supplies to order and handle, and the administrative details, all add up to the need for an increase in art personnel. This need has been helped, for this year, by the appointment of a new art teacher for the Bicknell Junior High, Miss Shirley Savola, a graduate of Weymouth High School and of the Massachusetts School of Art, having taught one year in Newburyport and one year in Connecticut.
This year the high school art and design classes have sixty more students than last year, which fact adds to the teaching load, especially as much of the increase is in Design, now a regular course meeting four times a week. There are three of these full-credit courses: Junior Design for Living, featuring Dress Design and related problems; Senior Design for Living, as usual with the study and planning of a house and building of a model and landscaping the grounds; and another Senior Design course devoted largely to Interior Design and Decoration. Interest in these classes has always been keen, and often students come back and report their value.
It is increasingly evident that closer supervision and help at junior high level is going to be a necessity. An assistant, for at least part time, at the high school will be needed to make free time available for that supervision.
279
The teaching of art at the junior high level is the most difficult level of all, and few art teachers care to undertake it. A teacher needs to feel challenged by the situation to be willing to undertake it at all. With the normal restlessness of that age child, the need for frequent change of work for certain pupils, the many materials that need to be handled, and the short interval between classes in a very heavy program, all make the mechanics of the job difficult. Add to this the responsibility of a home room with its multitude of clerical duties, the time that is left for planning the art work is reduced to a minimum.
In the Elementary Art Programs of Miss Ray and Miss Freeman, fine work has been carried on as always under their able direction and guid- ance. They have sponsored many activities, including arrangements of garden flowers, stage backgrounds, murals, models, class books, and dis- plays of various kinds.
We have felt it a privilege to be allowed to work on the art room plans for the junior high schools, and to see those plans develop into actual usable units. We are impatiently awaiting the building of the Central Junior High, especially because space has been allotted for a general art stock room for the Town supplies. This has been so badly needed for so long that it will be deeply appreciated.
The high school Design for Living senior classes have for the last three years each contributed some time to planning the redecorating of the two teachers' rooms in their building. With the voting of funds at the March Town Meeting, the class of "53" did some of the actual purchasing and the class of "'54" has put on many of the finishing touches. Practical problems actually carried out are of great value.
The new floor, fine built-in bookcase, and repainting of the Art Room has been very much enjoyed by all high school art students and teacher alike. It has certainly given the room a new look. Added floor space is needed, however. The new art room in the Central Junior will be our first answer to rooms of really adequate size; in fact, on paper they look the best of all. Time will tell.
2. MUSIC
The Music Department has again had a very active year. During the year, the number of Music Department personnel increased to five, with the addition of Mr. Raymond W. Stewart in January. All of us have been very busy, as growing enrolments have added to the number of groups and individuals needing instruction in music.
The vocal program in the first six grades has been improved by a new course of study prepared by Mr. Lyons. Each month's work is laid out with rote and reading songs listed along with indications of the reading and theory problems. This should be a great help, especially to new teachers and substitutes. Special Christmas programs have been prepared in some schools for presentation before P. T. A. groups. Choruses from the Adams and Hunt Schools took part in the Quincy Christmas Carol Promenade. Mr. Wright is now handling the vocal program at the Nevin and Pond Schools.
Mrs. Buswell has continued to do excellent work with the junior high vocal program. In March, the Bicknell eighth grade mixed chorus pre- sented a program for the P. T. A. meeting at the Johnson School. At South Junior High, the girls' glee club and mixed chorus have performed several times, at the Dramatic Club Play, the Old Colony Club, and regu- larly at assemblies. A variety musical production, "Radio Revels," was
280
staged by the musical organizations in May. Christmas pageants were put en at both South Junior and Bicknell Junior High Schools.
The instrumental program has been improved by the addition of Mr. Stewart, who has had the orchestras and woodwind instruction, except that the South Junior High orchestra has been led by Mr. Jack during the fall. There are orchestras at the Pond, Nevin, Pratt, and Humphrey schools, and woodwind instruction is being given in all elementary schools.
The brass and percussion instruments in the elementary schools and the junior highs have been taught by Mr. Wright. At South Junior High, the band was absorbed for a time into the orchestra, but is now playing as a separate unit. At Bicknell School, there has been an active band of over 20 members, which gave a concert in the spring for the P.T.A. There is a band at the Hunt School, consisting of 22 members who have studied a year or more.
The High School music program has continued with the two annual concerts, football games and festivals. The graduation of last June took seventeen of the best instrumentalists out of the band and orchestra, leav- ing a serious problem of replacements. Extra work is being done with individuals in the band.
The string program is being taught now by Mr. Jack in all Weymouth schools, Dr. Bornoff having completed his program of mass instruction in June. We believe that this town-wide program will insure a continued supply of string players to complete the instrumentation of each group in junior and senior high schools.
Several of our musical groups participated in the Southeastern Massa- chusetts Music Festival held at Norwood in May. The High School Band and Choir both received ratings of "excellent." The South Junior High Grade 9 Girls' Chorus and Orchestra also received excellent ratings.
In June, our Spring Concert, which has now become an annual affair,' was again held outdoors on the high school grounds. A combined chorus of 400 members from the 7th, 8th, and 9th grades from the Bicknell, Junior Annex, and South Junior High Schools sang under the direction of Mrs. Buswell. A combined elementary and junior high orchestra of nearly 100 players was conducted by Mr. Stewart. A combined elementary and junior high band, including most of the beginning brass and percussion instru- ments, totalling over 100, was led by Mr. Wright.
3. PHYSICAL EDUCATION
The type of program carried on within our schools during 1953 followed the general pattern of the previous year. The 1952 report concerned a detailed account of the activities conducted, the problems encountered, and recommendations for improvement. Some of our problems still exist, and rather than repeat much of what has been written, I wish to respect- fully request that reference be made to that report for pertinent points given.
High School
Our individual physical education program for boys in the high school has grown to the point where insufficient space now retards further growth. Cases of substrength, postural defects, overweight, and other disabilities have been capably handled by Mr. Hayes, and much of his work has been closely observed and properly recognized by leaders in the field of Physical Education. It is my belief that this phase of our program should be in- creased, and facilities be made available for the most efficient conduct of the activity.
281
Miss Arnold states that the introduction of field hockey to our Junior High program has resulted in better performances displayed by her High School girls in this sport. Tennis continues to grow in interest and more use is being made of the courts at Legion Field. However, there is a need to further develop a tennis program that will include boys as well as girls.
Junior High
At South Junior High, much effort is placed on increasing student participation in the after-school program. Mr. Cavallo and Miss Granahan have added table tennis and soft ball to the regular class work and to the intramural program. Effort is being made to present a wide variety of activities at this level.
We now have full-time use of the outdoor playgrounds at South Junior High which have not been available heretofore.
The increase in number of elementary grades has made it necessary to have Mr. Cavallo work part time with some of the 5th and 6th grades. Miss Granahan continues to work part time in the grade schools.
The program at the Bicknell Junior High has suffered considerably during the past year because of building construction. Unfavorable con- ditions are gradually being removed, and soon a program for girls and boys comparable to that of South Junior High will be underway.
Elementary
There has been little change in the elementary school activity program worthy of note. However, there is an increasing trend toward using physi- cal education activities during special programs-programs arranged for Educational Week, and for the various holidays.
Improvements in our facilities in the elementary grades have helped a
- great deal to give a more unified program throughout this level.
Recommendations
1. It is requested that consideration be given to the resurfacing of Libby Field. This request is based on the poor condition of the play area, and the extensive use made of the field by girls' and boys' activities.
2. It is requested that consideration be given to closing in the stage of the High School boys' gym, and making other necessary provisions for using this area as a corrective room.
3. It is requested that consideration be given to introducing tennis as a varsity sport for boys. An expenditure of $250 per year would cover the cost of conducting this sport, and would make a valuable addition to our general sports program.
4. GUIDANCE
Public schools have guidance departments in order to give systematic assistance to pupils. The purpose is threefold. It is to help pupils make wise use of educational and vocational opportunities, to assist them in developing their talents to the fullest possible extent, and to help them to achieve a satisfactory adjustment, not only to themselves, but to others in school and life relationships.
In carrying out this threefold purpose, the work of the guidance de- partment follows certain fundamental lines of activity: namely, the col- lection of educational and vocational information, individual and group
282
testing, counseling, educational and vocational planning, college and job placement, and the follow-up of graduates. Within the framework of these basic activities, it is possible to point out certain changes of emphasis and the appearance of new trends. At the same time, there has been progress and achievement, especially concerning group work, the use of follow-up statistics and the collection of educational and vocational in- formation.
First, it is a point of satisfaction to note that information on hand about occupations, employment, and educational opportunities is extensive and as complete as possible. These sources include five private and two government information services, eight digests of educational opportuni- ties, school and college approval lists issued by nation-wide accredited organizations, employment bulletins, career monographs and many ex- cellent books. pamphlets, and catalogs. In addition to these printed aids. mention should be made of guidance and occupational films, "open house" programs held by many industries and educational institutions, and group meetings with representatives from schools and business concerns.
Formerly, the "career day" provided students with opportunities to obtain occupational information. This event was held once each year. Vocational conferences were scheduled in place of classes and some 60 to 70 people in business and industry visited the high school and took part in the conferences. Now, the career day programs have been set aside in favor of monthly career conferences. Such conferences are held throughout the year and have an advantage in that students may obtain occupational information in many different areas all year lon? instead of only on one day. The programs are interesting and provide much valuable information on such topics as occupations, college admissions, scholarship aid, job opportunities, summer work, and employer-employee relations.
A second basic function of guidance work concerns testing. Under the junior high - senior high type of organization, it seems best to give all group aptitude tests in grade 9 instead of giving part in grade 9 and the remainder in grade 10 as was the practice in other years. In this way, more information is available to students in order to help them in the selection of courses of study in the senior high grades. New individual inventory records were adopted two years ago, and they have proved to be most valuable. These records start with the student in grade 7 and follow through to graduation from high school. The inventory record is comprehensive and includes all testing data, interest measurements, school achievement, test profiles, and a record of individual conferences. It is well to point out at this time that all new students from families moving to Weymouth are given a complete battery of tests before admission to classes. The number of transfers is still large, an indication of the con- tinuous movement of families into the town of Weymouth.
Counseling is the most important work in guidance. It is the third basic factor in the list of fundamental lines of activity carried on in the guidance office. The facilities for counseling are more adequate now than ever before.
During the past year, it was possible for every student in the high school and in the South Junior High School to have at least one confer- ence with a guidance counselor and as many voluntary conferences as requested. At the same time, it should be noted in connection with counseling that group work was conducted as in the past by means of group guidance classes in grades 7, 8, and 9 throughout the town. During the past summer the group work in grade 7 was reorganized, and a new and improved outline of activities is being followed.
283
A summary of scheduled and voluntary conferences which took place in the high school guidance office during the year is as follows:
1,897
Voluntary Conferences: Educational- Vocational
1,645
*Job
27
Personal
8
Parent
107
Teacher
84
Veterans
5
Graduates
21
Scheduled Conferences
2,205
Total
4,102
* This figure is for guidance office placement only. It refers almost en- tirely to part time work. In Weymouh High most job placement is car- ried on by the Business Department, Agricultural Department, and Vo- cational School.
In connection with the pupils' studies and class work, it is a source of satisfaction to note that through counseling it is possible to discover pupils not working up to ability and to recommend steps which can be taken to solve the trouble. This service to the classroom teacher and to the school is most valuable. At the same time, in instances of subject failures, it is often possible to arrange a consultation between the pupil, teacher, and parent with the purpose in mind of clearing up the diffi- culties.
Closely related to counseling and a direct result of many individual conferences with pupils is the formulation of educational and vocational plans for the future. Usually this means a good selection of studies in preparation for a life career. In brief, the aim is to have the student select the best possible course of study on the basis of his aptitudes, abili- ties, interests, and future plans.
A fifth function of guidance work concerns college and vocational placement. Good employment opportunities continued to be available during the past year. College placement was better than the previous year. It is well to note that college applications and enrolments showed an increase for the first time in several years. The curve has begun to rise and there will be a gradual increase for the next few years. Pupils now in grade 7 (and also in grades below) are destined to meet strong competition in seeking college admission from the year 1959 on. It is well for pupils and parents to be aware of this condition now in order to make proper plans for the future. Now, and even more so in the future, good students with good school records will have the best chance of being admitted to college.
The list of students who have signed up for employment, particularly part-time work, was very small during the past year. Although the de- mand continues to be high, few students desire to obtain such part-time work as baby sitters and gardeners.
The sixth and last of our basic functions of guidance work is the fol- low-up of graduates. The follow-up of June graduates starts in February of the following year. By waiting until this date, the opportunity is given for the graduates to become settled in their first employment or to have completed a semester in the educational institution of their choice. Con- sequently, the statistics on the class of 1953 are not available as yet.
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Statistics on the class of 1952 are complete and these records show good employment and excellent college placement. The following is a com- parison of the class of 1952 with the high school classes of the previous four years :
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