USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Weymouth > Town annual report of Weymouth 1954 > Part 20
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After a preliminary study and survey, the School Committee was able to make an insurance plan available to the students enrolled in all of our schools through a local insurance firm. This insurance plan, which is made available to the students on a voluntary basis, has been subscribed to by approximately 75% of the entire student body, and it would, therefore, appear that the parents have indicated their desire to continue this in- surance plan in the future.
The School Committee wishes to thank all of the employees of the school department for their splendid cooperation during 1954. We are sure that we can continue to work together in the best interest of our school children and the Weymouth taxpayers.
Attached is a report of our 1955 operational budget, together with the expenditures for 1954. Because of salary commitments and increased oper- ational costs due to growth and expansion, this budget reflects a propor- tionate increase.
Account Classification
ADMINISTRATION
Salaries
$37,400.00
Legal Expense
350.00
500.00
Building Program Expense
500.00
Other General Expense
3,413.88
2,560.00
Total
$44,557.11
$40,960.00
INSTRUCTION
,
Salaries of Directors, Supervisors, Principals, and Teachers
$1,234,506.01
$1,416,254.00
Expenses of Directors, Supervisors. Principals, and Teachers
16,137.78
18,931.00
Textbooks
31,439.24
36,240.00
Supplies
46,303.85
48,950.00
Other Expenses of Instruction
515.19
900.00
Total
$1,328,902.07
$1,521,275.00
Expenditures 1954 $40,793.23
Estimates 1955
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OPERATION OF SCHOOL PLANT
Custodians' Salaries
$110,758.30
$122,886.00
Fuel
25,400.54
28,687.00
Light and Power
19,093.92
22,880.00
Water
2,713.65
3,500.00
Telephones
3,815.11
4,040.00
Custodians' Supplies
11,298.58
13,200.00
Total
$173,080.10
$195,193.00
MAINTENANCE OF SCHOOL PLANT
Salaries
$43,590.04
$48,409.00
Materials and Supplies, non-contract
23,221.17
24,100.00
Repair of Buildings and Equipment, by contract
58,052.97
35,135.00
Replacement of Equipment
13,435.42
11,944.00
Other Expenses
765.85
855.00
Total
$139,065.45
$120,443.00
AUXILIARY AGENCIES
Library Books and Supplies
$4,582.70
$6,750.00
Graduation Expense
450.78
575.00
Promotion of Health
15,854.46
18,349.00
Transportation of Pupils
76,062.39
80,110.00
Junior High School Athletics
3,882.01
7,400.00
Tuition
5,174.25
5,000.00
Support of Truants
164.86
208.00
Insurance
904.56
1,412.00
Rent (Clapp Memorial)
520.00
Other Expenses
157.25
100.00
Total
$107,233.26
$120,424.00
Expenditures 1954
Estimates 1955
Account Classification
CLASS FOR EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN
$6,466.34
OUTLAY AND NEW EQUIPMENT
Capital Outlay
$7,523.22
$7,345.00
New Equipment
13,662.40
19,272.00
Total
$21,185.62
$26,617.00
DAY VOCATIONAL SCHOOL
Salaries of Director and Teachers
$81,857.24
$86,974.00
Expenses of Director's Office
3,207.86
3,517.00
Textbooks
1,311.76
1,500.00
Supplies
11,303.55
13,600.00
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Operation of Plant Repair of Buildings Repair and Replacement of Equipment Transportation of Pupils New Equipment Outlay
5,618.61
8,500.00
319.04
2,100.00
3,633.49
3,460.00
3,690.00
6,564.72
1,410.00
2,556.48
Total
$116,372.75
$124,751.00
EVENING SCHOOLS
Commercial
$1,071.56
$1,041.00
Woodworking
1,481.12
1,669.00
Practical Arts
5,464.23
6,469.00
Adult Civic Education
75.88
270.00
Part-time Apprenticeship
1,024.30
1,050.00
Trade Extension
41.66
Total
$9,158.75
$10,499.00
TRAVELING EXPENSE
Out of State
$370.86
$550.00
In State
354.06
350.00
Total
$724.92
$900.00
TOTALS:
1954 Expenditures
$1,946,746.37
1955 Estimates
$2,161,062.00
WAR VETERANS' PENSIONS
$2,112.25
$4,985.00
TOWN HALL HEATING
$3,182.03
$3,299.00
HALL RENTALS
$7,000.00
$9,750.00
CREDITS
The following income was received by the Town in 1954 as credits to the schools. The law requires that the Town shall appropriate the full amount of the school budget, but in determining the net cost for the sup- port of schools these amounts should be deducted.
TOTAL EXPENDITURES, 1954
$1,946,746.37
CREDITS:
State Reimbursements:
Equalization Aid
$214,083.87
Special Class Aid
2,000.00
Transportation
12,296.80
Day Vocational*
43,173.60
Evening Practical Arts*
2,701.90
Evening Apprenticeship*
160.61
Tuition Paid to Out-of-Town
Trade Schools
1,093.92
$275,510.70
* for one half cost of instruction
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Tuition:
Day Vocational
$14,340.37
Evening Apprenticeship
891.50
State Wards
4,164.55
City Wards
905.64
High School
468.64
Elementary Grades
120.00
Agricultural Dept. High School
1,223.88
Class for Mentally Retarded
472.50
22,587.08
Miscellaneous Cash Receipts:
Day Vocational School Sales:
Auto Repairs
$248.78
Cabinetmaking
1,680.73
Carpentry
768.82
Printing
363.09
Sheet Metal
1,034.71
Supplies, etc.
96.32
4,192.45
Manual Arts Sales
451.28
Junior Manual Arts Sales
85.90
Evening Practical Arts Sales
268.80
Fines, damages, refunds, sale
of supplies, etc.
1,302.68
6,301.11
TOTAL CREDITS
304,398.83
TOTAL NET COST TO TOWN
$1,642,347.48
FEDERAL FUNDS RECEIVED UNDER PUBLIC LAW 874
March 18, 1954
$32,164.00
August 20, 1954
6,907.02
October 15, 1954
5,246.11
$44,317.13
FEDERAL FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR VOCATIONAL DEPARTMENTS
Smith-Hughes Fund:
Day Vocational School
Evening Practical Arts
$1,190.67 196.18 $1,386.85
George-Barden Fund:
Day Vocational School
850.00
$2,236.85
Respectfully submitted, GEORGE H. THOMPSON, Chairman WILLIAM A. CONNELL, JR., Secretary WALLACE H. DRAKE, M.D.
EDWARD J. HOWLEY, M.D. HAROLD B. NASH
WILLIAM F. SHIELDS
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REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the Members of the School Committee:
I respectfully submit my tenth report as Superintendent of Schools. the sixty-ninth report in such a series:
Excerpts from the reports of directors, supervisors, and special teach- ers follow:
ART
A review of the year 1954, in terms of the school Art program, points out several facts, one, that Weymouth has made real progress in the last decade by using Art more and more as a part of the educative process, not merely as a subject that stands apart.
Every classroom teacher uses art mediums and techniques to add to the interest and understanding of the academic subjects. In this use, the teachers often need the advice and assistance of the Art specialist. With this in mind, it will be seen that some flexibility in scheduling the special- ist's time is most important. A balance needs to be achieved between the set schedule of teaching every minute of every day and the other extreme of no schedule at all and being on call for whatever school or teacher wishes assistance.
The specialist has skill in guiding and developing the child's creative ability and there should be time definitely scheduled for this basic teach- ing; along with this, every Art specialist should have some time for the infinite number of non-routine things that she is called upon to do.
On the tight teaching schedule of our Elementary Art Supervisors the time for consultation and special help for individual teacher problems is very limited. Sometimes, it is necessary to forego the regular supervision with the children to find time to give such assistance.
There are constantly many such situations throughout our schools. It may be in connection with studying a dam and a model is to be built; possibly a village is to be made of some far away country that is being considered. Sometimes a P.T.A. meeting is to be highlighted by an ex- hibition, or a very large project may be in process, such as a play, pageant or operetta that needs scenery. The Art class periods are short, most in- adequate for this type of help, and the Art specialist has need of school time hours to do some of this work.
The delivery of special supplies is another thing that needs school time. If they are delivered after schools close in the afternoon, the teachers will have left by the time the Art teacher arrives.
Although we have progressed in our understanding of Art in relation to the growth of the child, we have retrogressed in our tight and ever contracting schedules which were far more flexible and satisfactory during the twenty years previous to 1950. These points all seem to indicate that another elementary Art Supervisor is needed soon and justifiably so.
At the junior high level there have been many adjustments necessary in order to make progarms, subjects, and personnel work out right, Mr. Philip Dolan came to the South Junior High Art Department in Septem- ber. He is a graduate of the Massachusetts School of Art and has had four years of very successful teaching at all grade levels in New York State. We are fortunate to procure anyone of his skill and ability in teaching and in the handling of the junior high age group.
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The most objectionable teaching conditions in junior high have been having charge of a homeroom and teaching Mechanical Drawing. Classes of Art and Mechanical Drawing in the same room, at the same time and taught by the same teacher is bad. It might have been done in the old days of copybook art, but the creative work of today is such that no teach- er can successfully carry on these two subjects simultaneously. Each sub- ject requires a completely different mental attitude and approach.
There has also been the quite inflexible choice to be made, at some grade levels in junior high, of Art or Music. It should be possible for the talented pupils to be able to have both subjects, if they wish.
At the Bicknell Junior High School this year the Art teacher has no homeroom duties and there is better preparation time, more time for display work in the many corridor cases as well as for the assembly and other programs. Also at this school, classes of all boys and all girls have been scheduled. This has worked out very well, for art work has been given using subject matter of special interest to each group.
The high school classes have continued to increase in the junior and senior years through the Design for Living courses. Each year more elect these subjects than can be accommodated. When the freshmen are no longer in the high school next year, the numerical difference in classes will be small, but it may be that the additional Design classes will more than balance the freshmen loss. Design for Living III and IV are full credit courses, meeting four times a week, while Art meets twice a week.
Other courses, such as appreciation, crafts, drawing and painting could be given if it were possible to have larger quarters. As it is, the present space is used to the very limit of its capacity with overflows spreading onto the corridor floors for some large work. It would answer a great need if room 210 could be added to room 209 by enlarging the present passageway between the two rooms.
In counting our blessings, we are thankful for the steady progress we have made over the years, but looking ahead we can still see how challeng- ing the future is; art workshops for the teachers, perhaps for parents also, advanced classes for the really talented, a print and fabric and three dimensional library with its wares to be loaned to teachers for special display, and many other plans too numerous to mention here.
2. MUSIC
The assignments of the supervisors and special teachers of music for the school year are as follows: Vocal Music; High School chorus and Junior Annex, Mr. Jack; South Junior High School and Bicknell Junior High School, Mrs. Buswell; the Nevin, Pond and Pratt Schools, Mr. Warren; the other eleven elementary schools, Mr. Lyons.
The new course of study in vocal music for grades 1-6 has been used since September with excellent results. The organs, in the schools that have them, have become indispensable to the music program. Not only are they a great help especially to those teachers who are deficient in musical knowledge, but they are invaluable in preparing special programs. Many of the teachers in the larger buildings complain that they do not get the opportunity to use them often enough. A two story building ought to have one for each floor. Christmas pageants were presented at the Hunt and Adams Schools.
The very fine chorus and glee club work in the Junior High Schools has continued this year. School activities have included: assemblies, Dramatic Club plays, education night, P.T.A. meetings, plus the annual
251
Christmas Concert and Spring Operetta in each school. In addition, the South Junior High Glee Club has performed at the Rotary Club and the Old Colony Club. The high school chorus sang at the annual concert, at the Rotary Club, and graduation.
Instrumental music assignments are as follows: High School orchestra, Mr. Jack; High School band, Mr. Stewart; Bicknell Junior High and Junior Annex, Mr. Stewart; South Junior High, Mr. Warren; Elementary Schools, Mr. Jack, Mr. Stewart, and Mr. Warren.
Instruction is being offered this year on the "Symphonet" in most fourth grade classrooms. The "Symphonet" is a small, inexpensive, pre- band instrument which is used to increase reading ability and to develop co-ordination between eye, hand, and breath. It provides an opportunity for every child to play a musical instrument. Weekly lessons are presented and the classroom teacher assists by supervising practice.
In September, demonstrations were given in all the larger elementary schools and a great deal of enthusiasm was created. Beginning classes are in progress with some of the students almost ready to enter the ensemble groups of their respective schools. The elementary instrumental groups performed at assemblies and P.T.A. meetings at the Pond, Nevin, Pratt, Humphrey, Hunt, and Homestead Schools. Some of the instrumental classes in brass, reeds, and strings have to be given after the regular school day because of lack of time. More time, which would mean more instructors, should be provided for carrying on ensemble work and ad- ditional class instruction for those who have studied previously.
A Junior Symphony orchestra of 72 members has been organized from all sections of the town. They rehearse at South Junior for an hour and a half once a week. The June festival held outdoors at the high school was attended by the elementary and junior high orchestras and by the elementary bands.
The high school band played at the Norfolk County Teachers Con- vention in October, at football games, assemblies, and at the Quincy Christmas parade and massed band concert.
3. PHYSICAL EDUCATION
High School
The corrective program for boys has been expanded, and the request for participation has been so great that the present facilities are in- adequate. I believe that this activity should be encouraged and more adequate facilities made available.
The girls' physical education program in the High School does not include a corrective type activity. A study is being conducted on the possibility of adding this to the curriculum.
Junior High
With the opening of Bicknell Junior High, a program comparable to that of South Junior High was initiated. The curriculum is patterned after that of South Junior High. Mr. Chartier and Miss Smith are serving as the new physical education instructors. The boys' intramural program has been well received and included touch football and the introduction of soccer during the fall program. The girls' intramural program was also well attended and introduced field hockey as the fall activity.
252
The curriculum in physical education and the intramural program has been the same in each Junior High School. The indoor activity at Bicknell Junior High will be the same as South. However, the length of time spent on any one unit will be shortened at Bicknell due to the fact that Bicknell High does not have a divided gymnasium.
Elementary
The elementary school activity has been enhanced by the improve- ment in the facilities. The program has been supervised by Miss Peterson and since the fall by Mrs. Barry. The increase in number of elementary schools has made it necessary for all Junior High physical education instructors to assist in the elementary grades.
After School Activity Program
This program, which includes the 5th and 6th grade boys for the three seasons and the girls for the winter, has been conducted with certain necessary adjustments. The opening of the Pond School play area has enhanced the program there. The construction of play areas at the Hunt and Johnson schools has temporarily retarded the programs at these two schools. However, the play areas of neighboring schools have been utilized. The activity has been well attended at each school.
With the Adams and Nevin schools on double sessions, arrangements were made with the cooperation of Mr. Stetson and Mr. Hiatt to include the boys of both sessions in the activity. Similar arrangements have been made to include the girls of both sessions in the winter program. As a result, no boy or girl in the 5th or 6th grade has been deprived of this very popular activity.
Recommendations:
1. The resurfacing of Libby Field. The field is in extremely poor condition and is becoming increasingly hazardous.
2. The new football field at Bicknell Junior High School should be top-dressed.
3. The present corrective program for boys at the High School is hampered by the lack of space. I suggest closing off the stage of the boys' gym and using that area as an apparatus and corrective room. At present the program is being carried on in the Physical Education Office. The stage at present serves the purpose of seating the orchestra at dances and a few spectators at basketball games.
4. Many requests have been received from high school boys for con- sideration of the possibility of including hockey in the winter sports program. Requests have also been received regarding the possibility of including varsity tennis and golf to the spring program. All these are being studied, particularly the hockey request, as the M.D.C. has just completed a new ice rink in Milton.
4. GUIDANCE
It has been the practice, in each annual report, to outline the funda- mental plan of public school guidance and to mention the basic functions. These functions include the collection of educational and vocational in- formation, individual and group testing, counseling, educational, vocational and personal planning, college and job placement, and the follow-up of
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graduates. At the same time, each report has called attention to the threefold purpose of guidance; namely, to help students make wise use of educational and vocational opportunities, to assist them in developing their talents, and to enable them to make satisfactory social and personal adjustments. We continue to observe the threefold purpose and to carry out our work along the lines of the above mentioned basic functions, detailed explanations of which have been discussed many times in previous reports and need not be repeated here. This year, however, it is especially gratifying to speak of the cooperation given to the guidance counselors by the teachers. Many of our teachers have made good use of the compre- hensive collection of information and personal data in the guidance offices. Using this information, they have done excellent work in helping pupils understand their abilities and interests and in assisting them in making a good choice of subjects in preparation for the future.
From time to time new factors appear and have to be acknowledged. The guidance organization, although based upon universally accepted principles, should be flexible enough to adjust to these new factors as they grow in importance and influence. In other words, new conditions have to be met and new trends require certain changes in direction and emphasis. Two such conditions, one concerning guidance personnel and the other relating to college admissions, are now factors of sufficient importance to demand attention. Recognition of these conditions and the adoption of plans to meet them will result in carrying on a better, more efficient and more satisfactory guidance program.
The personnel factor refers to the need for additional counselors. It results from an increase in the school population and a broader scope of the guidance point of view. Guidance today serves more students and at the same time deals with more problems of students. In the early 1900's guidance meant vocational guidance and later on came to include educational guidance, particularly the selection of courses and subjects. Today guidance is concerned with a full range of personal problems and the counselor is required to deal with many other aspects of the student and his development, the social and emotional as well as the personal. Therefore, it seems proper at this time to recommend that more counselors be assigned to the guidance department. Only in this way is it possible to give adequate assistance to pupils and to meet the requirements inherent in the organization and operation of a modern guidance program.
The other factor demanding more than passing notice is the problem of college admissions. Although this problem affects only about thirty- three per cent of our senior class students, nevertheless it is important enough to demand attention at this time. We are approaching a period of large high school enrolments resulting from the high birth rate of the war and post-war years and this increased enrolment means more students seeking higher education. In fact, authorities have estimated that by 1959-1960, only five years in the future, an increase of three million college applicants is to be expected. The conclusion is inescapable that from now on it is going to be more difficult to obtain admission to college. In view of this situation, the following suggestions should be observed by both parents and students in considering the problem of college admissions.
1. Early preparation. Students in the seventh grade this year are going to be in the midst of the large numbers who will attempt to enter the universities in 1959 and 1960. Therefore, they should start to prepare now by making good school records and by beginning to think of college. This applies also to students in grades 8, 9, 10, and 11.
2. Identification of scholastic ability. Aptitude testing and interest inventories can contribute to intelligent selection of a college career.
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These tests are given in grade nine, the last year of junior high work, and the results are available to parents and students. Consultation of parents with the guidance counselors and teachers will lead to a more definite measure of a student's scholastic ability. Not every student is fitted by nature or training to take college preparatory work. However, if these conferences are carried on in complete honesty and with a realistic point of view it should be possible to determine within reasonable limits whether or not the student is good college material.
It is also recommended that juniors planning to attend college take the College Board Scholastic Examination in May of the junior year.
3. Early selection. By the end of the junior year in high school, students must select the college or university of their choice and a second or alternate college, should they be unable to gain admissision to the first.
4. Early application. All college applications should be completed and mailed before November 15th of the senior year. From now on it is quite possible that delay in selecting a college or university and in making application may result in sadness and disappointment to the student.
5. AUDIO-VISUAL INSTRUCTION
Instructional materials are the basic tools of education and, as in business and industry, education has improved upon its old tools and added new ones. Their selection, utilization, and integration is the function of the department of audio-visual instruction in close cooperation with teachers, principals, supervisors, and directors.
Continued improvement in the amount, quality, and use of equipment, more effective selection of materials, and closer integration with the curriculum-all are indicative of recognition of the values of multi-sensory learning and of the tremendous potential of audio-visual media.
A summary of the major developments and activities of the audio- visual program is listed below:
1. All audio-visual materials used in the High School and Junior Manual Arts were operated by members of a small but very efficient high school audio-visual club of nineteen boys. The senior managers have been indispensable in their effective handling of all scheduling details, training of new members, and over-all responsibility for the club's activities which also include inspecting, repairing, and servicing of all films and equipment used in Weymouth. Similar clubs are functioning at the South Junior High School, the Junior Annex, and the Bicknell Junior High School.
2. A part-time senior secretary has been of tremendous value in maintaining the audio-visual office, where an unusually large volume of clerical work is necessary. With two senior secretaries, the office has requested, catalogued, followed up, booked, recorded, reported, listed, de- scribed, kept accounts, and filed data pertaining to more than 5,000 films, filmstrips, exhibits, and other audio-visual materials used during 1954. This represents a 150% increase in volume over 1953 with a correspondingly greater pupil-participation increase.
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