USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Weymouth > Town annual report of Weymouth 1955 > Part 22
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and the Town Hall has decided advantages. Consequently, the oppor- tunity to purchase this building at a very low cost is the most economical answer to a problem that needs an immediate solution.
Conclusion
The rapid growth of the school system in the last seven or eight years has brought many problems which pressed for decision. The proper solution of these problems, together with the need for maintaining the high stand- ards of our schools during this period of expansion, has meant long hours of work for everyone connected with the Weymouth schools. We hope progress has been made in the improvement of our instructional program guided and directed by our staff of competent principals, supervisors, and directors. The Weymouth schools are staffed by capable, conscientious and enthusiastic teachers who deserve all the credit due them in theil all-important job of molding the minds and characters of the citizens of tomorrow.
To the office staff, I wish to express my thanks for their long hours of overtime work without extra compensation and for their whole-hearted cooperation throughout the year. To the School Committee, I extend ap- preciation for friendly counsel and support and full recognition for the countless hours they selflessly give to the many problems confronting our schools in this critical period.
Respectfully submitted, ELMER STEPHENS MAPES Superintendent of Schools
SUPERVISION AND CURRICULUM CONSTRUCTION REPORT OF FLORA H. MCGRATH
Director of Instruction
Organized courses and planned supervision attempt to maintain those standards which time and use have proved to be of high quality and to add those practices which have been designed to enrich the work of the classroom. With the absorption of many inexperienced teachers, subtle changes take place in instructional procedures unless there is a continued effort to perpetuate those practices accepted by the majority of successful teachers as preferable.
ARITHMETIC COURSE OF STUDY
This year has seen the practical application throughout the town of the intensive efforts of those teachers who formulated the new arithmetic courses of study for grades I through VI. The compilation and editing of these courses again brought to our attention the invaluable service offered to the learning situation through the organization and planning of these materials.
The course for grades VII and VIII is not completed. However, enough work has already been done on the grade VII course to insure completion in 1956.
We regret that we are not able to fill the many requests from other places that have come to us following the completion and use of this new course, but the expense and time involved do not permit this procedure.
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LANGUAGE COURSES OF STUDY
While these courses are now in need of revision, there has been only time to have additional copies made of the unrevised edition to meet our immediate needs. With the present schedule now being followed, any an- ticipated time for revision is not yet in sight.
TESTING PROGRAM
The use of town-wide surveys through the use of standardized and teacher-made tests continues to be an effective means of indicating strengths and weaknesses in our academic program.
ARITHMETIC TESTS
From January through March 1955, arithmetic tests were given in all grades IV through VI with most encouraging results.
Number Tested
Lowest Median Score
Highest Median
Grade
Score
IV
621
50
95*
V
639
50
88 **
VI
565
70
95 ***
* A median of 95 indicates that one-half of that particular class had a score of 95 or above. Of 23 fourth-grade classes tested, 14 classes had a median of 70 or above.
** Grade V actually showed an improvement over grade IV even though scores did not run so high inasmuch as of 23 fifth grade classes tested, 17 had medians of 70 or above.
** Grade VI showed the greatest improvement with no class showing a median score below 70.
LANGUAGE TESTING
During September, October, and the early part of November, a lan- guage survey was conducted with the following results :
Number
Lowest Median
Highest Median
Grade
Tested
Score
Score
IV
959
73
90
V
677
52
88
VI
694
68
83
Of 75 classes tested, 45 classes had medians ranging from 70 to 100. Low scores in some classes may be accounted for by the fact that it was necessary to give some of the tests very early in the school year with an introduction of new and more difficult material.
In April, May, and June of 1955, a language survey was conducted in grades VII and VIII with tests which included not only technical gram- mar, but spelling and written composition. In many cases, the composition revealed the wide and mature reading interests of the pupils; in cthers, special science interests; and unfortunately in still others, the results in- dicated only a choice of the poorest type of television program.
Number Tested
Lowest Median
Highest Median Score
Grade
VII
677
71
92*
VIII
521
58
95 **
Score
* In grade VII, 21 classes were tested with 100 per cent of the medians above 71. ** In grade VIII, 15 of the 18 classes tested had medians of 70 or above.
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SPELLING
In May, Miss Gallant gave spelling tests to 2,793 pupils in grades I, II, and III. Following an analysis of these results, teachers' meetings were held to discuss methods and procedures.
Grade
Number Tested
Number Without Error
Median Number of Errors
I
956
572
0
II
924
183
3
III
913
281
3
READING
In November, a reading survey was conducted in grade I for the pur- pose of studying reading progress in the early stages.
Content: The first 28 words at the pre-primer level
Purpose : 1. To measure and compare results in terms of the basal system used
2. To study the effect of size of class in grade I
3. To study effect of single session (four classes were on single session for the first two school months)
4. To gather and pass along to others effective pro- cedures for teaching new words and reviewing those already taught
5. To determine ability of children to listen and to fol- low directions
Results: Number of pupils tested: 1,020 Number without error: 476 or 47 per cent
The results of the survey were graphed. Practices which have proved effective in the introduction of new words, in the daily word drill, and in the types of vocabulary checks were gathered and distributed to the teachers of grade I. It is felt that this will prove of help to new teachers throughout the year.
REMEDIAL READING
In the reports of the remedial reading teachers this year, all are in agreement as to what they consider the three outstanding causes of reading failure - mental immaturity, excessive absence, and numerous transfers from one school system to another.
Transferred Repeated from other at least
Teacher & School
Number Pupils
Systems
one Grade
Boys
Girls
Miss Connell Johnson Athens
57
11
*31
44
13
Mrs. Nolan
Academy Ave. Adams
54
14
22
41
13
Miss True
Hunt
Homestead
59
20
24
39
20
Mrs. Tracy
Nevin Pond
55
15
23
36
19
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Miss Crowley Pratt Ralph Talbot
56
19
31
39
17
Miss Lennon James Humphrey Washington 52
17
22
40
12
* Repeaters are usually very slow learners except when repeating for reasons of long absence.
In one school 25 per cent of the pupils had made enough gain in one year to be discharged from the class, 7 per cent were promoted to the Junior High School, 3 pre cent were transferred to the Junior Manual Arts Class, and 12 per cent were transferred to other school systems. In nearly every case a gain in reading achievement has been noted.
Again, the preponderance of boys in the remedial classes is signifi- cant in that it bears out what is now quite generally accepted: namely, the slower rate of maturation of boys during the early school years.
It is recommended that a remedial or an adjusted program be ini- tiated on the junior high school level in order to give to these slower mov- ing groups a better opportunity to achieve at their level.
MENTAL ABILITY TESTING
All pupils in grades I through VI now have had one or more mental ability tests. This work was concluded for the year 1955 in November.
STANFORD-BINET
All pupils classified in the following groups were given individual Binet tests:
1. All children whose scores on group mental ability tests were extremely low
2. At the request of the principal, to all children who were hav- ing difficulty, academic, emotional, or social, in adjusting to the school environment
3. To all children who, on entering grade I, showed marked ten- dencies of extreme immaturity
4. To all pupils recommended for the Junior Manual Arts and Trainable Classes.
INDIVIDUAL PUPIL ADJUSTMENT
The greater the increase in school population, the greater the num- ber cf problems which arise in the program of pupil adjustment. We have in the grade schools today a number of pupils who would profit by the work of the Junior Manual Arts Class, but each of these cases requires much individual attention before placement. He must first be given a Binet test, the results of which are compared with his previous testing records. This, together with the teacher's observation and adjustment de- termine to some degree the pupil's ability to achieve. The next step in this adjustment is a home visit made either in the day or evening when- ever the parents are available.
Monthly meetings have been held with staff members of the Quincy Child Guidance Clinic of Quincy to study this problem of pupil adjust- ment. As a further service, provided by state legislation as a feature of the Special Education Program, the Weymouth Public Schools are to have
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the services of Dr. S. Cooper of the Child Guidance Clinic on a consulta- tion basis.
A study of this adjustment problem indicates a need for a full-time trained psychologist or an elementary guidance consultant to take over the many individual problems now being handled by the Directors of In- struction.
COMMUNITY STIMULATED PROJECTS
In cooperation with the Weymouth Fire Department, the children of grade VI entered an essay contest emphasizing need for fire prevention. It is felt that this helps to make children more keenly aware of the causes and prevention of fires, especially in their own homes.
The annual essay contest sponsored by the Weymouth Rotary Club held its reading of the winning essays on June 13. The subject, "My Debt to America", in which 568 grade VIII pupils participated, was an inspir- ing choice. Money awards of $15.00, $10.00, and $5.00 were made to the winners. Two Quiz-down Globe programs were held this year with the Pond and Pratt Schools participating in the spring and the Johnson and Athens Schools entering this fall.
Through the Moral and Spiritual Values Committee, an excellent letter writing contest was conducted. Pupils wrote to President Eisenhower requesting that "In God We Trust" be the motto for all schools in the United States.
These contests have value in that they stimulate great interest in a selected subject.
ORIGINAL UNITS AND RELATED CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
Many excellent units on science, literature, history, and geography which are always an indication of dynamic teaching, have been observed throughout the schools. This may be one of the reasons for the increase in the number of invitations extended to Weymouth teachers to participate in educational panels throughout the state.
CONCLUSION
To Mr. Mapes, Superinendent of Schools, to the members of the School Committee, to Miss Dorothy Gallant, Assistant, and to the teachers and principals, I wish to extend my continued appreciation for the coopera- tion and assistance which I have received.
HIGH SCHOOL Report of Wallace L. Whittle, Principal
In the past few years, the high school has been kept off-balance or upset by pupils going to and coming from the Bicknell School during the school day, and by seventh and eighth grade pupils operating on an en- tirely different schedule, some of the time on double sessions. Also, there were many in the ninth grades during the past two years who preferred vocational school work to high school work but could not enter the voca- tional school until the tenth grade. These conditions caused a great deal of friction, unrest and confusion.
This year, for the first time, the high school is operating as a three- year school. The above mentioned conditions are no longer present and
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the general improvement in the attitude, deportment and morale of the pupils reflects the change. We are all happy and grateful that this par- ticular phase of our "growing pains" is over.
ยท At the present time there are approximately eleven hundred (1100) pupils in the main high school. Next year we shall have at least eighty- five more Weymouth pupils in addition to one hundred thirty pupils from Hull. This increase will necessitate the addition of nine more teachers to the high school staff. Fortunately, the cost of this increase will be borne by the town of Hull. In the following year, we shall need to keep these nine teachers and add at least three more as the enrollment for Wey- mouth pupils alone will approach the fourteen hundred mark.
With the availablity of two music instructors for the first time, we have been able to schedule band, orchestra, and choir five times a week. In the past, those subjects have been scheduled two or three times a week, with the choir meeting after school hours. The orchestra, which meets before school, and the choir, which meets at noon, use the audi- torium; the band meets at noon in the boys' gymnasium. Although we do not like to use the auditorium at noon for music, as it could well be used for other meetings, the program is a distinct improvement, and should eventually lead to better musical groups.
As I mentioned last year, our athletic income has been constantly dwindling and this year, because of the extremely wet fall, it has been far below normal. It appears that in order to continue at our present ievel, an appropriation by the town of approximately $8,000 will be ne- cessary.
We have on the student council a group of young people who are putting far more than the usual amount of time and thought into im- proving the school. They have sixteen committees, each with a faculty adviser, meeting regularly and sincerely striving to be of real benefit to the student body. They are to be congratulated on their attitude and in- terest. Such a group is of inestimable value to the school.
Two new clubs have been formed. The Camera Club has a member- ship of twenty, and the Dramatic Club with 160 members has proved to be exceptionally popular. Both of these clubs meet and have their activi- ties after school hours.
Open house for parents was held on December 12th. Each parent fcl- lowed his child's program for one day, thus meeting in class with each teacher, who discussed the purpose, content, value, etc. of his subject. After the completion of the formal program, refreshments were served, and the parents given the opportunity to discuss at length with the teacn- ers any problems that their children might have. The reaction of both parents and teachers was extremely favorable. The program unquestion- ably was the most successful that we have had at the school.
High School
The awards given in June were as follows:
Weymouth Teachers' Association William Palmer, Joyce Provost, Arthur Reade, Jr., Lois Vigdor
Parker T. Pearson Memorial Scholarship - Edwin Lofgren, Jr.
Weymouth High School Alumni Association - Joan Arnold, Arthur Bandini, Barbara Bender, George Crawford, Jr., Robert Pitts, Jr. Alice W. Dwyer - Dorean Cushing
298
Frederick W. Hilton Award - Malcolm Tobey
Rotary Club - David Bartlett, Mary Frates, Raymond Hoitt, Sheila Nelson
Monday Club - Jean Richardson
Old Colony Club - Joanne Fall
Old Colony P. M. Club - John Lombard
Catholic Club - Jeanne Burke
Sons and Daughters of Italy - David Bartlett Kiwanis Club - Virginia Mahn, Robert Ribbe
C. Y. Berry Memorial - Malcolm Tobey
Pratt School - Harriet Badger, Joyce Malette
Nevin School - Virginia Mahn, Roberta Pannier
Fraternal Order of Eagles No. 2899 - Christa Karcz
Fraternal Order of Eagles No. 2899 Ladies Auxiliary - Edwin Lof- gren, Jr.
Past Commanders Memorial - Jean Richardson
Brainwey Players - Nathaniel Puffer
Briarwood Community Association - Edward Porter
South Junior High School - Jean Hale
Class of 1949 - Joyce Provost
Meritorious Progress Award - Christa Karcz
Rotary Club Award - John Lombard
The Daughters of American Revolution Good Citizenship Award was made to Jean Hale
WEYMOUTH VOCATIONAL SCHOOL Report of Ray G. Parker, Director
The enrollment of our school on September 12, 1955 was 231 and had increased to 246 by September 30. This is a slight increase over 1954.
There have been fewer boys enrolled from outside towns this year The reason for this is we do not admit any boy who has not completed the ninth grade. There has also been a tendency to have only those boys who are interested in a trade attend rather than those who are discon- tented in school and remaining only until they become sixteen years of age.
The junior high schools are now taking care of the training in the ninth grade, and there the shop program is set up to give the boys short courses in each trade so that they can make a wiser decision as to the kind of work they like best.
The enrollment predictions indicate that by the 1960's there will be approximately 500 boys who will want trade training, and it is important that we provide shops and classrooms for them. The State Department of Vocational Education is prepared to help us conduct a survey which will aid us in selecting the type of additional courses which we should offer.
The deportment in the school shows an improvement this year which is due to the following reasons: the boys are a year older entering from the junior high schools; the merit award system established in 1954 al-
299
lows a gold pin suitably inscribed to one boy in each department who is rated as an outstanding school citizen. If the same poy wins a second time, he is given a certificate. The boy who has the greatest number of points at the end of the year receives a plaque.
The Student Government Committee is continuing to do an excellent job of promoting good citizenship. The chairman of this committee is Robert Fay, who is the senior class president. Only the more serious cases of poor discipline are handled by this group.
The Open House which is held in May each year was well attended. The shops and classrooms were open as well as the home of Mr. Lynch and the house that was being built for Mr. Tracy. We are always glad to have the opportunity of meeting the parents and friends and have them see the type of training that is offered here.
Our school entered a contest sponsored by the Ford Motor Company which awards prizes each year for projects submitted from all over the country. Louis Marshall, a graduate of the cabinetmaking department, was awarded fourth prize which consisted of a cash prize, a gold pin and a certificate. This was one of more than 40,000 entries representing every type of craft taught in shop, drawing and graphic arts classes. More than 5000 projects selected from 1000 schools in 600 cities in every state and territory and province of Ontario were represented in the final judging contest.
The State Department of Vocational Education requested us to join a selected group in a nation-wide program of a new series of tests de- signed for a better means of selection of courses in secondary schools and especially in the vocational schools. The department has been working toward this goal for some time.
There have been sixty-six boys trained in the driver education classes and fifty-one of them have received their driver's licenses.
The classes in Problems of Democracy have the experience of having, in addition to their regular recitations, speakers from various branches of industry, business and the armed forces. They made a trip to the State House where they were conducted on a tour of the building. While visit- ing the House of Representatives, they were given formal recognition by the members. They also visited the hearing rooms and the Senate Cham- ber. Our local Representatives, Messrs. William Connell and George Thomp- son, were hosts for the day. They also visited the Quincy District Court where they had the opportunity of seeing justice in action first hand.
Our placement continues to run high and any boy who wanted to have a job was placed at the trade for which he was trained.
In the Auto Repair Department, there were 648 jobs completed with a market value of $6,249.48. The boys are trained in every area that will be found in the average garage.
In the Cabinetmaking Department, there were 233 jobs completed with a market value of $8,809.25. These projects include any type of work found in a furniture factory or cabinetmaking shop.
In the Carpentry Department, there were 182 jobs completed which had a market value of $37,719.34. These projects include some work for the school department, kitchen cabinets, garden furniture and many small items. Some of the larger projects include a refreshment stand at Legion Field and a dog pound for the Health Department. This last project is not complete. The juniors and seniors completed a home for Edward Tracy
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at 132 Mount Vernon East in June. This is a six-room Cape Cod house with a two-car garage attached. A house was started in September for Edward McIntosh at 12 Grove Street. This is a five-room colonial-style house with garage attached, and will be finished in June, 1956.
The Printing Department completed 288 jobs with a market value of $19,046.28. The projects of this department are continuing to receive fa- vorable comments from the townspeople and those in the printing trade.
The Sheet Metal Deparment completed 240 jobs with a market value of $8,854.88. There were many small projects selected for construction and some heating and dust collector systems. The boys in the shop completed the installation of the heating system for Mr. Tracy and work has been started on the new house for Mr. McIntosh. The boys have fabricated the duct system for the South Junior High School and have completed addi- tions to the dust collector system in the cabinetmaking and also the car- pentry shops. Also built and installed was the duct work for the new vacuum system in the high school boiler room.
The printing related work covers mathematics, science, proofreading and layout. The carpentry and cabinetmaking related work consists of mathematics, science, theory and all important phases of the trade are covered in their instruction. In the related drawing classes for carpentry and cabinetmaking all of the projects which go through the shop are drawn by the boys before they are made, except in a few instances. The houses are designed by the boys to the specifications of the home owners. There are many drawings made in this department for the school depart- ment and others. Auto repair drawing consists of mechanical, automotive electrical, and diagrams. Related work in sheet metal includes mathe- matics, science, theory and drawing. These are included in the planning of the shop projects for a forced warm air heating system, on the new houses built by the carpentry classes, and the dust collecting system at South Junior High School.
Of this year's sophomores, 80 had completed the 9th grade, 14 were members of or had completed the 10th grade, and 1 the 12th. Seven were repeaters from last year.
There were 46 non-residents admitted. This is 14 less than last year. Income from tuition for the school year ending in June 1955 was $14,356.52. This money came from 18 towns in the South Shore area.
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CHANGES IN PERSONNEL
Resignations:
High School
Vocational School South Junior High School
Junior Annex Bicknell School Athens School
Elden H. Johnson School
Adams School
James Humphrey School
Washington School Hunt School
Homestead School Shaw School Edward B. Nevin School Pond School
Acting Supervisor of Physical Education
Nurse Secretary to Directors of In- struction and Guidance Assistant Secretary to Superintendent
Military Leave of Absence: Jefferson School
Bicknell School Hunt School Edward B. Nevin School
Junior Annex
Leave of Absence:
Central Junior High School Johnson School
Edward B. Nevin School
Return from Leave of Absence: Bicknell School Elden H. Johnson School Hunt School
Robert S. Lang Virginia E. Parker Norman H. Roberts Mildred D. Scott (Mrs.) Lois A. Terry, Secretary John F. MacDonnell Arline L. Finn (Mrs.) Jean R. Grojean (Mrs.) Nathalie F. Kelly, Cadet
Mary A. Cronin Nancy M. Early Frances Z. Rafkin (Mrs.)
Jean M. Bentley Anne M. Donohoe
Vivian E. Gasper Jo-An E. Scully Mary L. Desmond Joan M. Ippolito (Mrs.)
Jeanne Perrow Hodgdon (Mrs.)
Ann M. Hickey
Grace F. Mattair Barbara A. Holub
Amy B. Castle (Mrs.)
Phyllis G. Mann (Mrs.)
Mary J. Hayes (Mrs.)
Ruth C. Kennedy (Mrs.)
Doris E. Pinel
Marie F. Barry (Mrs.) Emma L. Evans (Mrs.)
Phyllis J. Denault
Rosemarie Pasqualucci
Joseph F. Spallino, Jr .- Armed Services 1955
Francis W. Gunville-U.S.A. 1954 Harry H. Thompson, Jr .- U.S.A. 1954 Richard V. Pinel-U.S.A. 1954
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