USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Weymouth > Town annual report of Weymouth 1956 > Part 23
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In regard to the organized guidance and counseling service in general, certain changes and improvements have been made during the year. A full-time secretary has been assigned to the department. As a result, it is now possible to handle with efficiency the large amount of clerical work and statistical material which arises in connection with guidance proce- dures. This work includes orders, requests, and a certain amount of statis- tical calculation originating in the junior high counseling offices.
The addition of one room adjoining the Guidance Office at the South Junior High School, and the assignment to the Guidance Department of the room in the High School building formerly occupied by the Director of Instruction has resulted in insuring greater privacy in individual confer- ence work with students and parents ..
Finally, in connection with the counseling services, it is important to note the appointment of an additional counselor at the High School. This brings guidance work in the High School more closely in line with the standard counseling ratio of one counselor to every 300 students. This ratio is recommended in evaluation procedures followed by the New Eng- land Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools, the accrediting asso- ciation of which Weymouth High School is a member.
With reference to high school graduates, annual follow-up surveys conducted since 1948 show that approximately one-half of our graduates enter employment immediately following graduation, and that about one- third go on to further education. Because of nation-wide enrollment pressures on college and universities, it has become more difficult for stu- dents to obtain admission. Therefore, it is important to point out once more the necessity for early planning and early preparation. Students should make good scholastic records. A student, and his or her parents. should find out as early as possible and within reasonable limits, whether or not the student has the necessary scholastic ability. If the answer is in the affirmative, the student should plan in his junior year to take the College Board Scholastic Ability examinations and to visit and select colleges of his choice before September of his senior year. All applica- tions for admission should be filed before the Christmas vacation of the senior year.
Once again, it is a pleasure to mention the Guidance Department personnel. Six counselors have a Master's Degree with specialization in Guidance. Two other counselors should receive this degree during the coming year. Five counselors have had ten or more years of experience in guidance work. Four counselors have the Binet Certificates in testing; also, two of these counselors have certificates for giving the Wechsler- Bellevue Intelligence Scale.
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5. AUDIO-VISUAL INSTRUCTION
The basic tools of education are those involving the senses of sight and hearing. The selection, utilization and integration of suitable ma- terials to produce effective learning through these senses is the function of the department of audio-visual instruction in close cooperation with teachers, principals, supervisors and directors in all curriculum areas at all levels.
A summary of the major activities of the audio-visual program fol .. lows:
1. All audio-visual materials used in the senior high school were operated by members of an efficient "A-V Club" of over thirty boys and girls. Under the leadership of the high school coordinator, a senior manager, and a junior assistant manager, this group has participated in the training and organizing of classroom operators for all teachers who have requested them. Their services also in- clude the effective handling of all scheduling details, and overall responsibility for the club's activities which also include inspect- ing, repairing, and servicing of all films and equipment used in Weymouth. Similar clubs are functioning at the South Junior High School, the Central Junior High School, and the Bicknell Junior High School.
2. A half-time 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 re- quested, catalogued, followed up, booked, recorded, reported, listed, described, kept accounts, and filed data pertaining to more than 6,500 films, filmstrips, exhibits, and other audio-visual materials used during 1956. Teacher-pupil participation in the use of these materials has increased to the extent that existing personnel and facilities are extended beyond their capacities to meet all requests.
3. The Central Filmstrip Library has been expanded to more than 1900 titles. New materials are constantly previewed by several teacher-committees representing all subject areas and grade levels. All purchases are made following committee recommendations.
4. In-service training of teachers and coordinators has been con- ducted at all levels on both an individual or class basis as the need has been indicated or requested.
Highlights of 1956 include the following:
1. Selection of Weymouth by the State Department of Education as a repository for the permanent retention of the complete library of THE NEWS MAGAZINE OF THE SCREEN, a most valuable educational film series produced monthly for grades 4 through 12 on an annual basis
2. Development of a Weymouth-Hingham Film Cooperative compris- ing over fifty educational films deposited by industry on a per- manent-loan basis
3. Receipt of a "Teletrainer" from industry for special units on tele- phone techniques at elementary and high school levels
4. Establishment of a film evaluation group comprising the audio- visual directors of Quincy, Braintree, Hingham, Milton and Wey- mouth
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5. Creation of a Central Film Library of primary and elementary subjects with the acquisition of forty educational films. This is a most urgent need to meet our increased enrollment and requests.
6. Participation in the Elementary Principals' Convention at Amherst as audio-visual consultant
7. Participation on various panels which have appeared before sev- eral PTA groups and others both in and out of Weymouth to de- lineate the current school offering
8. Presentation of the audio-visual program in the Senior High School to more than 300 parents at its annual open house
6. HANDWRITING
Our records show at the conclusion of June 1956 that 97.5% of the papers scored were Excellent or Good. It is reasonable to conclude, there- fore, that 97.5% of the papers were eminently satisfactory. Only 2.5% of the papers were rated Fair or Unsatisfactory.
During the past school year we graded and diagnosed approximately 58,000 samples of handwriting for your pupils. A formal test was ad- ministered at four teaching-week intervals and a report was furnished each teacher in writing giving a careful diagnosis of the handwriting of each pupil in the room. We supplied the following instructional and mo- tivational materials to your pupils and teachers: teacher outlines and folders, pupil folders, motivation graphs, individual certificates to pupils who qualified, diagnostic charts, handedness tests, envelopes, seals, etc.
Our primary objective is to teach your students to read and write both cursive handwriting and hand lettering in order that they may have these two tools as efficient aids in school. business, and social corre- spondence. At each grade level we attempt to achieve the standard norm in speed and never lose sight of the fact that the concomitants of neat- ness, accuracy, and attention to detail in doing work are desirable charac- teristics that need to be developed along with technical skill.
7. HEALTH
The big health news this year has been the general acceptance by the public of the poliomyelitis vaccine. The first clinics were held in May, 1955 with only 1272 children being vaccinated, because parents were not sure of the safety of this program, and in the summer of 1955 the worst epidemic of poliomyelitis hit Weymouth, but only two mild cases de- veloped among the vaccinated group.
In February, April, August, September, October, and November of 1956 Polio Clinics were held and a combined effort was made on the part of the school personnel, Board of Health personnel, and volunteer work- ers to get everyone through 19 years of age immunized. That this united effort has been worth while seems evident because not one case of polio- myelitis in Weymouth has been reported for the year of 1956. It is planned that everyone through 19 years of age will have had the three doses of vaccine which are necessary for complete immunization before June of 1957. The secretarial work involved in keeping records of the pupils immunized in these clinics has meant many hours of work, and figures on those immunized will not be available until the last clinic is over. There are no plans at present to have this program another year.
In September, Mrs. Audrey Butler, R.N. joined the School Health Department, and initiated a new program. She will give the Massachu-
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setts Vision and Hearing test to every pupil in the school system. She has been especially trained to do this work, and will work five mornings and two afternoons each week. The value of having only one person do this work has been demonstrated by the fact that, although Mrs. Butler started this program in September, she has already tested more pupils than the school nurses with their many interruptions were able to test during the entire school year. With this program it is possible to keep more accurate records and do better follow-up work on the defects found. A new audiometer was purchased and the old one repaired.
The dates of registration for the pre-school clinics were arranged so the elementary school nurses could interview each mother who brought her child to school to register him for the first grade. This resulted in many children being examined by their family physician before entering the first grade, and ideally, all children should be examined by their family physician and dentists, and all remediable defects corrected be- fore entering school, enabling them to do their best possible work. This is also true for all routine health appraisals in grades 4, 7, and 10, and efforts are continually made to persuade parents to have the family physi- cian make these examinations.
Through the Weymouth Lion's Club sight conservation program, many pupils have been able to obtain glasses.
The greatest problem still existing is that of the dental health of school children and the inability of many parents to pay for private dentists.
8. HOME INSTRUCTION FOR PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN
The Home Class enrolled forty pupils this year, ten more than last, making it necessary to appoint an assistant teacher, Mrs. Grace Whittles. who taught three days a week. She had fifteen pupils from January to June.
Twenty-one pupils returned to school, one moved away and one was discharged to enter a retarded children's class. Fourteen of the seven- teen in the class in June were promoted, two had trial promotions and one is ungraded.
Ten were members of the class for a short time, three to six weeks; nineteen from two to six months; and four, from six months to a year. Three pupils were repeaters, viz; pupils who had been given instruction in previous years; one pupil has had instruction for four years and one for nearly seven years.
The disabilities represented were:
12 rheumatic fever, 3 with heart complications
7 surgical cases, 2 leg and 1 pelvis fracture, 1 shoulder dislocation, 1 hip, 1 stomach, and 1 eyelid operation
4 polio
3 neurosis
2 kidney trouble
2 mononucleosis - these cleared up quickly
1 of each, bone deficiency, hemophilia, overactive thyroid, inner ear trouble, cancer, encephalitis, muscular distrophy, poor eye- sight, 1 undiagnosed
With the co-operation of the parents the children make remarkable progress although they have only three periods a week with the teacher.
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In most cases they are able to return to their grade and classmates. Both the children and their parents appreciate this opportunity to keep their education uninterrupted by accident or illness.
9. DRIVER EDUCATION
The Driver Education Program continues to interest larger numbers of students on a voluntary basis. Although new insurance regulations are largely responsible for this, there is a growing concern among parents for organized driver education. These two factors suggest that the class- room phase of driver education should be placed in a "required-subject" status. This would enable the school to reach the relatively few (ap- proximately fifteen per cent) who are not exposed to the most vital area of the program - that of attitude building.
A brief summary of the activities of the driver education program in both the high and vocational schools follows:
1. Students enrolled in driver education classes - 332
2. Students completing class work only - 310
3. Licenses isuued at school (number of students certified in both class work and driver training) - 220
4. Number of qualified students who were not certified because of scheduling difficulties and/or lack of instructional time - 140
It is encouraging to report that Weymouth-trained drivers continue to maintain an impressive record of driving safety.
10. AGRICULTURE
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The opening of school in September 1956 showed a total enrollment of 39 students divided according to classes as follows. Seniors 9 Sophomores 9
Juniors . 10 Freshmen 11
The above students may be geographically located as follows:
South Weymouth
9 Hingham 8
East Weymouth
3
Quincy
6
Weymouth
4
Abington 3
North Weymouth
3
Whitman 3
The following table will show the amount of labor and the value re- ceived for the work done the past year-October 1, 1955 to October 1, 1956;
Hours of Labor
Value Received
Boys
Average
Average
Reporting
Total
per boy
Total
per boy
33
41,5821/2
1,260 hrs.
$27,707.58
$839.62
The 33 boys mentioned above worked on 10 farms or agricultural en- terprises in Vermont, 8 in Weymouth, 8 in Hingham, 4 in Abington, and 1 each in Assinippi, Braintree and New Hampshire, representing 13 dairy farms, 8 greenhouses, 5 nurseries, 2 poultry farms, 2 landscape establish- ments, 1 market garden and poultry, 1 poultry and dairy farm, and 1 tree and estate concern.
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11. SCHOOL LIBRARIES
The year 1956, for the first time, found our Weymouth High School Library and our three junior high school libraries serving for a full year, in all cases, the students and teachers of the schools concerned. As time goes on, the function of the school library appears to be better and better understood, as indicated by increasing teacher interest in the part the library can play in classroom instruction; there is a gratifying amount of cooperation and planning in this area. There has also been an in- crease in the voluntary use of the library on the part of students.
Seventh grade classes in all three junior high schools continue to receive instruction in the use of the library one period each week. In two of the schools, this program continues through Grade VIII. There has been an increase in requests from teachers to schedule classes in the library, which librarians consider a more effective way of instruction in the use of the library.
There are students in each school who assist the librarians with many of the routine duties. These students have clubs which meet fre- quently, partly for discussion and partly for social activities. These clubs visit each other and similar clubs in nearby communities, with a program and refreshments the usual practice.
Exhibits from the Children's Museum are displayed for two weeks at a time at the High School. This program is under the direction of Mr. Paul Cleaves, Director of Audio-Visual Aids. Some recent exhibit titles follow: Mexico, Biology of the Boston Basin, Eskimos, Beauty in Shells, Minerals in New England, Shoe Industry. At Central Junior High a number of displays were prepared by the librarian in cooperation with members of the faculty. They incuded Early America, Fisheries, West Indies, Sugar, new books, social studies, history and science projects.
Libraries continue to be used frequently for meetings of many kinds. The Teachers' Association Tea for new teachers was held at Bicknell Junior High in October. Certain groups meet regularly in libraries, as they accommodate medium-sized groups in a more congenial atmosphere than do other areas.
Statistics :
School
Number of books
Added 1956
Borrowed from Tufts
Total Circulation
Weymouth High
5588
257
6,436
Bicknell Junior
1348
670
450
14,680
Central Junior
1389
378
300
4,631
South Junior
3504
324
463
14,059
"The school library is the laboratory of the educational program, im- plementing the efforts of the teacher and enriching the opportunities of the pupils." - From "Your Child and the School Library," a publication of the New England School Development Council.
12. EVENING SCHOOLS
Our Evening Schools began modestly ten years ago with classes in rug making and tray painting in answer to a popular demand for such a pro- gram. Almost every year since then, some new course has been added until this year we have eleven practical arts subjects, three commercial subjects, adult civic education and woodworking being offered with a total of thirty-two different classes.
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The only new subject this year is Cake Decorating and Party Refresh- ments. We have two classes in Upholstery, one more than a year ago. There are eight Clothing classes, always the most popular course. We have waiting lists in Beginning Clothing, Cake Decorating and Party Re- freshments, Upholstery and Woodworking.
Exhibitions of work done in practical arts classes and woodworking were held in two schools after classes closed in March. At South Junior High, the exhibit occurred in the gymnasium on April 4, and at the High School in the cafeteria on April 5. These exhibits of the work produced in these classes attracted many people interested in fine craftsmanship, and showed the value of the classes.
Registration for the classes starting in October occurred the evening of Thursday, September 13, 1956, at Weymouth High School. A total of 836 people registered then or later. A drawing was held to determine the order in which the people on the waiting lists would be called in the event of vacancies.
Assignments to classes are as follows :
WEYMOUTH HIGH SCHOOL
Course
Tuesday
Instructor
Clothing, Beginning
25
Mrs. Alice M. Cullen
Decorated Ware
20
Mrs. Clara M. Taylor
Foods
18
Miss Louise E. Watts
Rug Hooking, Advanced
13
Mrs. Leona M. Cook
Office Machines
20
Miss Olive E. Hackett
Shorthand, Beginning
25
Mrs. Irene G. Jackmauh
Typewriting, Beginning
57
Mrs. Helen P. Collins
Woodworking
25
Mr. Wallace T. Driscoll
Thursday
Adult Civic Education
15
Mrs. Edna L. Gloster
Clothing, Advanced
25
Mrs. Alice M. Cullen
Decorated Ware
17
Mrs. Clara M. Taylor
Cake Decorating and
Party Refreshments
15
(1/2 year) Miss Louise E. Watts
Furniture Refinishing
18
Mr. Wallace T. Driscoll
Rug Hooking, Beginning
10
Mrs. Kay A. Hall
Office Machines
20
Miss Olive E. Hackett
Shorthand, Advanced
21
Mrs. Irene K. Jackmauh
Typewriting, Advanced
11
Mrs. Helen P. Collins
BICKNELL JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Tuesday
Clothing, Beginning
26
Mrs. Marion R. Rideout
Thursday
Clothing, Advanced
20
Mrs. Marion R. Rideout
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CENTRAL JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Tuesday
Clothing, Beginning
25
Miss Dorothea A. Keaveney
Millinery
14 Mr. Norman B. Gleason
Upholstery
15
Mr. Mariano Comunale
Thursday
Clothing, Beginning
24
Mrs. Joan Casna
Upholstery
15
Mr. Mariano Communale
SOUTH JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Tuesday
Clothing, Beginning
25
Mrs. Christine H. Gardner
Fabric Painting
16
Mrs. Louise P. Fisher
Woodworking
25
Mr. Albert B. Noyes
Thursday
Clothing, Advanced
25
Mrs. Christine H. Gardner
Decorated Ware
14
Mrs. Alice B. Shields
Fabric Painting
15
Mrs. Louise P. Fisher
Furniture Refinishing
16
Mr. Albert B. Noyes
Rug Hooking
22
Mrs. Frances L. Clifford
Mr. Francis X. Kelly is Principal of the classes at the High, Bicknell Junior High and Central Junior High Schools, and Mr. Thomas E Lambe, of the classes at South Junior High School.
The Evening Vocational Program includes classes which meet both Tuesdays and Thursdays. There are 11 in the Carpentry Related Appren- tice Class with Mr. Bowdoin B. Smith as the instructor. There are 17 in the Diversified Related Apprentice Class with Mr. Eric A. Roy as the instructor. There are 18 in the Trade Extension Class in Printing with Mr. John F. Collins as the instructor. Mr. Ray G. Parker is the Principal of this school.
Our evening classes constitute, at little expense, a very important fea- ture of our whole public school program. They enable hundreds of adults each year to acquire and improve skills which give them both pleasure and profit.
The School Building Program
The first School Building Committee was organized in June of 1948. The first two additions to elementary schools were started in April of 1949. In the eight-year period since 1949, seven new buildings and seven addi- tions have been completed. The new Jackson School in East Weymouth which will open about March 1st is included in the count above.
Bids for the replacement of the Shaw School will be opened on Febru- ary 15th. A newly appointed Building Committee for the Green Street School in North Weymouth is in the process of selecting an architect. Articles for the purchase of a site for the replacement of the Center Port- able School and the appointment of a Building Committee for this school are included in the warrant for the Annual Town Meeting in March, and consideration of the appointment of a Building Committee to plan addi- tions to the Homestead and Pond Schools should come before a Special Town Meeting this spring.
With the completion of the elementary school projects listed above
285
and the probable later need for an addition to the Ralph Talbot School, our elementary school building needs should be met for some years to come. This will be true if it is decided to keep the old frame Washington, Jeffer- son, Shaw and John Adams Schools in use for overflow enrolments in various parts of the town. The possible building of larger parochial schools would further postpone the need for more elementary school accommoda- tions.
The following new buildings and additions make up this extensive building program, which has been carried on by eight different Building Committees :
School
Size
Begun
Occupied
1. Abigail Adams addition
6 rooms
April 1949
Feb. 1950
2. Pratt addition
4 rooms
April 1949
Feb. 1950
3. South Junior High School
600 pupils
April 1950
Sept. 1951
4. Elden H. Johnson School
12 rooms
Nov. 1950
Nov. 1951
5. Homestead School
rooms
Oct. 1951
Jan. 1953
6. James Humphrey addition
6 rooms
April 1952
May 1953
7. Edward B. Nevin addition
6 rooms
July 1952
May 1953
8. Bicknell Junior High addition
8 rooms
Nov. 1952
Sept. 1953
9. Pond addition
5 rooms
June 1953
May 1954
10.
Elden H. Johnson addition
7 rooms
Nov. 1953
Sept. 1954
11. Central Junior High school
1000 pupils
Nov. 1953
Sept. 1955
12. Academy Avenue School
12 rooms
April 1954
Sept. 1955
13. Ralph Talbot School
12 rooms
Oct. 1954
Oct. 1955
14. Jackson School
12
room
Feb. 1956
Feb. 1957
15.
Shaw School replacement
12 rooms
March 1957*
March 1958*
16. Green Street School
12 rooms
July 1957*
Sept. 1958*
17.
Center School replacement
6 rooms
Oct 1957*
Sept. 1958*
18.
Homestead addition
3 rooms
Nov. 1957*
Sept. 1958*
19. Pond addition
6 rooms
Nov. 1957*
Sept. 1958*
Probable dates
The report of the Citizens Study Committee for Future School Build- ing needs which was made to the School Committee in November recom- mended all of the last four projects listed above. This report will be given further publicity and will be reproduced in part for Town Meeting Mem- bers and other interested citizens previous to a Special Town Meeting which should be held in April to consider action on a secondary school building program.
Double sessions will be necessary in September at the Shaw School for ten classes, at the Homestead School for six classes, and at the Pond School for four classes until the construction recommended above is com- pleted.
1957 Budget
The estimates for the 1957 School Budget will be found on pages 268 and 269, following the report of the School Committee.
The School Committee on December 11th adopted a revised teachers' salary schedule, increasing the minimum salary by $200.00 and the maxi- mum salary by $300.00. The maximum is reached in ten annual increments of $150.00 each and two annual increments of $200.00. (See revised salary schedule on page 302). These increases will be effective on September 1st, 1957.
286
The general increase in salaries was one-half of the amount proposed by the Teachers' Association. The increase is not sufficient to keep us abreast of surrounding towns and cities. Quincy's minimum salary is $250.00 higher and Hingham's and Hull's $100.00 higher. For the first time in many years, Brockton has a higher minimum than Weymouth. Braintree's minimum is $100.00 less, but two years ago it was $200.00 less. Three or four years ago we were well above the smaller towns in the South Shore area; now they are even with us or just below.
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