USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Weymouth > Town annual report of Weymouth 1959 > Part 25
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Agricultural Dept., High School 2,124.96
331
Elementary Summer School
250.00 4,450.00 23,831.44
Miscellaneous Cash Receipts : Day Vocational School Sales:
Auto Repairs
$ 89.35
Cabinetmaking
1,929.49
Carpentry
1,020.14
Printing
320.78
Sheet Metal
1,059.48
Supplies, etc.
160.50$4,579.74
Manual Arts Sales
1,110.08
Junior Manual Arts Sales
113.53
Evening Practical Arts Sales
28.60
Fines, damages, refunds,
sale of supplies, etc.
2,560.00
8,392.88
TOTAL CREDIT'S 566,346.71
Federal funds received and expended for school purposes
109,995.69
$ 676,342.40
TOTAL NET COST TO TOWN
$2,764,465.12
FEDERAL FUNDS RECEIVED UNDER PUBLIC LAW 874
Balance from 1958
$109,995.69
Receipts :
May 12, 1959
82,705.00
TOTAL
$192,700.69
Expended in 1959
109,995.69
BALANCE-January 1, 1960
$ 82,705.00
FEDERAL FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR VOCATIONAL DEPARTMENTS
Smith-Hughes Fund:
Day Vocational School
$700.00 284.00 984.00
Evening School
Respectfully submitted, HENRY HOFFMAN, Chairman N. ROBERT OLANDER, Vice-Chairman THOMAS F. SHIELDS, Secretary WALLACE H. DRAKE, M.D. THEODORE L. HANABURY
EDWARD J. HOWLEY, M.D. HAROLD B. NASH
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REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the Members of the School Committee:
I respectfully submit my fifteenth report as Superintendent of Schools, the seventy-fourth report since the office was established.
Excerpts from the reports of directors, supervisors and special teachers follow:
1. ART
The addition of Mrs. Dorothy W. Barron to the art staff in the Fall of 1959 has made a great improvement in the spread of the work in our department. She has served twice as a yearly substitute, first, two years ago when Miss Vera B. Freeman had a sabbatical year for advanced study and again when Miss Marion E. Ray had a similar leave last year for ex- tended travel in Europe. Our schools have profited in three ways from these years. Miss Freeman's study brought us the benefit of new ideas; Miss Ray's travel provided, through her, cultural enrichment for our children; and the permanent addition of Mrs. Barron has relieved the heavy pressure of an excessively heavy load for all of the staff.
The increased enrollment which has resulted in double sessions in the high school has made it necessary to have the art classes scheduled for forty teaching periods a week, instead of the former twenty-three art classes, and twelve additional periods for Design for Living Classes. This fact plus and extracurricular art work that has always loaded our program at this level has made another full-time art teacher imperative. Also, the steadily increasing administrative duties made released time from the class- room a must for the Director, Miss Silvester. Shifts in assignments have solved the problem for the present.
In the High School another room was equipped for use in September when double sessions started. Because classes in Art and Design for Living had to be carried on simultaneously, Room 210, adjacent to the original art room, was prepared with locker space, a sink, and a large bulletin board. Extra cafeteria tables were borrowed to serve as art desks. This is a temporary arrangement until the new high school is ready.
It has been a privilege to be allowed to plan the details of the art rooms for the new high school and to have our recommendations consid- ered. It takes many hours of extra time to do this planning, but it is true that those who work in specialized rooms probably know best how to plan them for efficient use.
During the past year, a beginning was made on a re-evaluation of the art program, especially at Junior High level. It is hoped that some concrete results will come from continued study of this problem and that a guide or basic plan may be written up that can serve as a standard for art accomplishment. This same idea will be carried out also at elementary level and eventually at high school level.
Another problem that has been reduced this year is the actual schedul- ing of the High School Yearbook staff to work periods in the regular school day. The planning and publishing of such a book is a tremendous under- taking and one filled with all kinds of very valuable learning. In fact, those who work on the book are equipped in the process with much in- formation and many skills which can be of frequent use to them in all
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future activities which involve any kind of advertising or publication. With this in mind, it has been suggested that a simple basic course in journalism and publication design be made an elective course open to sophomores. From such a group, the staffs for the senior yearbook could be selected with the assurance that they would be able to do a successful job.
As in previous years, work was submitted to the Scholastic Art Exhi- bition in 1959. About eighty subjects were sent for consideration. Many were hung and the following pupils from the South Junior High were given special awards:
Grade 7. Paul Montague-Award of Merit.
Grade 8. Cynthia Dow-Gold Key, National Award of Merit; Karen Gelotte-Two Gold Keys.
Grade 9. Bruce Cameron-Two Gold Keys and National Award- Honorable Mention; Martha Lindsay-Award of Merit; Louise Loughan- Award of Merit; Paula Nicolai-Award of Merit; William Park-Gold Key, National Award, Gold Medal.
Other activities have included helping at the Science fairs and making scenery for plays and musical shows at elementary and junior high levels.
The Old Colony Club invited a group of especially art-minded high school students to attend a lecture and demonstration given at one of their meetings by a well-known Boston art teacher and artist. Those who were selected to attend were very much interested and were stimulated by the new ways of working that were demonstrated.
2. MUSIC
The elementary vocal music program has continued in much the same pattern as in past years. Addition of the seventh grades in the Pond and Nash Schools has benefited both the vocal and instrumental groups.
The elementary course of study in vocal music was revised and given each teacher in the elementary schools. It is the belief of some of the special music teachers and of many of the regular teachers that the music book material should be changed. Some of the more recent series have long playing records to supplement the learning process. Not all of the songs have been recorded; however, some of the more difficult and some of those that need demonstration have been. Many new teachers entering our system each year, especially those who have attended colleges and universities, not teachers colleges, have had little or no training in music. With a partially recorded program, these teachers would have help and substitute teachers would have a definite help in their difficult situations.
With the rapid development of the small electric organs during the past few years, it would seem wise to consider the purchase of some of the larger models for use in school auditoriums for assemblies and for regular programs. The cost is considerably less than that of some pianos and they are especially useful in the vocal program. The value of organs was demonstrated in recent programs at the Nash and the Hunt Schools where in both instances the P.T.A. groups hired organs for accompaniment at the Christmas Pageants.
The elementary school choruses have performed at regular school as- semblies and at P.T.A. meetings on several occasions and have done some very fine work.
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The Bicknell Junior High choruses have performed during Education Week, at the Christmas program, at the annual Style Show and the Arts and Crafts Exhibition in late spring. Smaller groups have appeared at assemblies during the school year. "It has been our aim to make music not only available to everyone but possible for everyone. This objective is being attained by tailoring the choice of music to meet the varied tastes and talents found at this age. It has resulted in larger numbers of stu- dents desiring to participate. This attitude and the general interest in our rather limited appreciation program more than justify our opinion that young people like good music if they give it a chance."
The Central Junior High choruses, including both the ninth grade mixed glee club and the girls' glee club, performed at the Rotary Club Concert in February. The boys' glee club, the girls' glee club and the mixed glee club all performed at graduation exercises in June, at Open House, at the Christmas Concert and at assemblies during the year. The girls' glee club attended the Southeastern Music Festival held in Dedham and received a very high rating.
South Junior High ninth grade choruses performed at the Pilgrim Congregational Church, at meetings of Academy and Nevin P.T.A.'s, at the Student Council meeting of the three junior highs, at the music festival at Dedham, at the Old Colony Club, at the Choral Assembly at South Junior High; and smaller groups performed at assemblies during the year.
The junior high choruses have also shown a marked improvement in their scheduled appearances. They are handicapped to some extent as they have to rehearse during the lunch periods and only once or twice a week. The three junior high choral groups are well above the average groups in their class and are conducted by excellent directors, viz., Mrs. Mary A. Mulligan at Bicknell, Mr. Stephen R. Scotti at Central and Mrs. Marion E. Carpenter at South.
The Bicknell band, under the direction of Mr. Richard C. Haapaoja, has shown a marked improvement. The band played at several assemblies at elementary schools during the past year and was well received. The membership of the band and the performance level have both increased greatly. The opening of the McCulloch School should give the three North Weymouth elementary schools a more concentrated program, which in turn should aid materially in the advance of Bicknell's band.
The South Junior band and orchestra are under the direction of Miss Mary L. Butler, who began teaching in Weymouth in September. The in- strumental music groups at the South Junior High School meet every school day for rehearsal. The band, in particular, has made noticeable progress. It has performed at the weekly assembly program every Thursday since the third week of school. Each performance consists of entrance and exit marches, participation in the opening exercises and a special selection during the course of the program. As special selections, the band has dis- played versatility in its ability to play overtures and waltzes as well as accompaniment for solo instruments. This is a very enthusiastic group which met with much success in its appearance at one of the Junior High football games. A Brass Choir, made up of members selected from the or- chestra and band, performed as a part of the annual Christmas presenta- tion. The orchestra, being small, has not yet been presented at an assem- bly.
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The Central Junior High Band under the direction of Mr. Paul A. Warren was again very active at assemblies, parades, special programs, and festivals including Parents' Visitation Night, Christmas Concert, Ro- tary Banquet, Memorial and Armistice Day parades.
An all-town junior high band was organized late in the year and per- formed at the annual Spring Concert. The all-town elementary band met weekly at Central Junior High for rehearsals, beginning in January. This group is a vital part of the music program, offering the first combined band experience to all students who play band instruments in the elemen- tary grades. They performed quite admirably at the annual Spring Music Festival, held at Central Junior High in June.
For the first time the music department sponsored a Weymouth Solo and Ensemble Festival in February. All musicians were invited to par- ticipate performing as soloists and in small groups for adjudication and ratings. The participation and interest in this event far exceeded ex- pectations and it is felt that this is an excellent means of motivating students to high levels of individual performance.
A summer school was organized and attended by approximately forty students. It is hoped that this program may eventually become a part of the regular summer session.
The High School band performed at all of the football games. The band performed at the Winter and Spring Concerts and presented a special Assembly Concert at Central Junior High in March. The band appeared at Boston Garden in support of the basketball team, also in March. The band also participated in both the Memorial and Veterans' Day Parades in Weymouth and for High School graduation in June. The musical high point once again was the band's participation in the regional festival at Dedham where adjudications are given and ratings received.
Several members of the chorus, band and orchestra once again rep- resented Weymouth at the Regional, State and New England Festivals and earned important positions within these organizations. There are also two band and orchestra members who are members of the Greater Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra which rehearses on Saturday mornings, and several members participate in musical groups both in Weymouth and surrounding towns.
Double sessions at the High School have made the scheduling of all music groups a difficult task. The students have to arrive early or stay late and with many having outside jobs and other demands on their spare time it is impossible to have any single group at top strength. With the band for football games, the entire band was not able to rehearse during the week and had to do so Saturday mornings. There is no possible plan that will enable any of the high school music groups to rehearse as an en- tire organization. They must rehearse as sections and then assemble be- fore the public performance. The students are to be commended for their interest and extra time they have given.
With double sessions at the high school and the continued growth at the elementary and junior high levels there is a definite need for addition- al help. Mr. Warren is now instructing at the High School and the Central Junior High with an inadequate amount of time for either group. With additional duties added, there is not time to have ensemble groups at the
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elementary level, or for any small ensemble groups at any level which are so important to the continued growth of any program. With the help of one additional person, more leveled elementary and junior high programs could be maintained.
3. PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND ATHLETICS
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
The past year was an outstanding year in physical education in the Weymouth schools. With the near completion of the elementary school building program, the daily physical education program and the after- school activity program were of high standard.
The Kraus-Weber test for muscular fitness was administered to all elementary school children in town. The classroom teachers aided by the physical education supervisors administered, scored, and tabulated the results. This is a standardized test devised by two medical doctors after more than ten years of research into physical ills resulting from lack of muscular strength. As this is a test of minimum muscular fitness, a child who does not pass the complete test is below the standard of physical fitness considered necessary for healthful living. Of the 4851 pupils tested last year, 1155, or over 20 percent, failed to pass one or more parts of the test. This gives us food for thought. Obviously our children are not getting sufficient muscular activity. Could it be that they are sitting too long in front of television? Most of our failures were the abdominal and lower back muscles. At the conclusion of the test, letters explaining the test were sent to the parents of each child who failed. It is interesting to note that when the same test was given to European children they scored much higher than those in the United States. Evidently they sur- pass ours physically. It might be well for us to find out why.
The physical education department has taken the results of the test into consideration in planning the program of activities for the current year. More emphasis has been placed on muscle building activities such as calisthenics, tumbling, rope climbing, etc. With the limited time of one hour each week alloted to physical education, it is impossible to correct the situation without the co-operation of the parents. They should see that their children have at least two hours of strenuous activity daily. We are hoping that the test results of the current year will show some improvement in the muscular development of our school population.
Boys' participation in the after school program, consisting of voluntary activity in three seasons, increased in attendance over the previous year as did girls' activity during the winter season. This activity is for fifth and sixth grade boys and girls.
JUNIOR HIGH
The program in physical education for the Junior High Schools con- tinued with little or no change during the year. A drawback to a well rounded program was caused by our inability to furnish activity to the seventh grade boys and girls housed in elementary schools. It is planned to furnish this activity next year when the number of seventh grade classes housed in elementary schools will be increased to seventeen.
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HIGH SCHOOL
Double sessions at the high school have made it necessary to forego all girls' intramural activity. In other respects, the program has continued as usual.
JUNIOR HIGH ATHLETICS
This program has increased in interest the past year to the extent that the number of boys wishing to participate is far too high for a single coach to handle. This will necessitate the addition of an athletic coach for fall activity. Through the co-operation of the Town Recreation De- partment, the large number of boys wishing to participate in winter and spring activities other than varsity squads have been provided with an opportunity to participate in town league activities.
HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS
The consolidation of the two departments, i.e., Physical Education and Athletics has been in effect only since September 1, so a report on the Athletic Department would not cover the past year. It is, however, planned to increase the number of boys and girls participating in extra- curricular activities by the addition of other sports. As a result of a decision of the School Committee, the minor sports of wrestling, golf, and tennis will be added to the program.
4. GUIDANCE
The guidance department is now completing its sixteenth year of service to the schools of Weymouth. During this sixteenth year, two major forward steps were made possible through the reimbursement pro- visions of the National Defense Education Act. A counselor was added to the guidance staff in the high school, and Weymouth began participa- tion on an annual schedule basis in the National Guidance Testing Pro- gram. Under this program, the guidance counselors administer School Ability and Educational Progress Tests to all tenth grade students. These tests aid in the identification of the talented. At the same time, the test results provide opportunities to compare test scores with school achievement and help in determining to what extent students are working up to capacity. Furthermore, these test scores are extremely helpful in counseling a student in connection with educational and vocational plans during the student's three years in high school.
A brief summary of the Weymouth school guidance program during the past year is as follows:
1. The Collection of Data About Pupils
Complete records of personal data are necessary for all counseling. Each member of the guidance staff spends a part of each day on individual student records.
2. Collection of Data About Educational Institutions, Scholarships, and Vocations
Surveying the literature on occupations, schools, and colleges is a necessary part of each day's work. In this connection, the guidance de- partment subscribes to five information services and daily sends for books, pamphlets, and monographs. Good counseling requires adequate informa-
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tion about educational institutions and vocations. Providing the student with this information aids him in making good decisions. Furthermore, it is imperative to maintain in as complete form as possible, adequate scholarship files and an up-to-date list of all colleges having loan funds under the Federal Defense Education Act. Students in the business, gen- eral, vocational, and agricultural courses frequently seek to further their education beyond high school in various evening schools. The guidance department has on hand extensive information concerning all accredited evening and part-time courses.
3. The Testing Program
Counselors administer group and individual tests in Grades 7 through 12. These tests identify aptitudes, abilities, and potentials at each grade level. During this past year, in accordance with the National Defense Education Act, as implemented by the Massachusetts State Guidance Plan, an extensive schedule of aptitude and ability testing and interest measurement was arranged in Grade 8. Federal reimbursement is pro- vided for this program.
4. Nation-wide Testing Programs
Weymouth High School is a permanent center for the College Board tests. Information about these tests and the testing dates is available to students at all times. Other tests organized on a nation-wide basis and administered at Weymouth High School include the Merit Scholarship Program, the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test, the Betty Crocker Scholarship Examination, and the American Federation of Labor Exam- ination.
5. Counseling
Every student in Grades 7 through 12 has at least one counseling interview each year. Also, students come to the counselors at any time and as often as they desire for counseling in connection with their own problems. During the past year, there was a grand total of 5,305 confer- ences and interviews in the high school guidance office. This included 2,679 scheduled conferences for which the students were asked to come and 2,112 voluntary conferences which were requested by the students themselves. These totals are tabulated on the basis of each visit made by a student to the guidance office and, of course, students often make more than one visit during the year. The grand total also included 268 visits from parents and 246 other conferences involving veterans, gradu- ates, employers, college admissions officers and others.
6. Placement
The class of 1959 numbered 389 in the high school and 60 in the vocational school. Of the total of 389 in the high school, 187, or 48.0%, continued their education. Approximately 45% entered employment and the balance of 6.4% entered military service.
7. Follow-up
The guidance department each year conducts a follow-up of the pre- vious year's graduates. In this way, it is possible to obtain an evaluation of the guidance work and the effectiveness of the total school program Preparing a follow-up survey, conducting it, and tabulating the results take place over a period of six months from April to September. Results of these annual follow-up programs are available to anyone interested. Busi- ness and industrial concerns interested in the Weymouth area often write requesting copies of these follow-up surveys.
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5. ADJUSTMENT COUNSELOR
The purpose of the School Adjustment Counselor Program is two-fold: (1) to save children from becoming delinquent, and (2) to protect the mental health of children so that they can profit from their school ex- perience and develop socially and emotionally.
The responsibilities of the Adjustment Counselor involve (1) counsel- ing and helping those children in the primary and elementary grades who are neglected, maladjusted, emotionally disturbed, neurotic or otherwise potentially delinquent and who are referred to her by a teacher, principal, or other school personnel; (2) co-operating with teachers, principals, and all other school personnel in assisting and readjusting such children; (3) assisting the family to better understand the needs of the child and to help establish or improve the moral, spiritual, economic or physical con- ditions that threaten his welfare; (4) serving as a referral agent to obtain the professional assistance needed by the child or his family; (5) enlisting the help of clergymen and local leaders in a community effort to save such children from delinquency.
The problem of maladjustment is found at all grade levels and in all strata of society. In a typical elementary or junior high school will be found children of borderline intelligence who are intellectually very back- ward and for whom special educational, psychological, and social adjust- ments must be made. There will be those with specific mental or educa- tional disabilities who can be helped with proper remedial instruction. There will be children who manifest varying degrees of conduct disorders and social or personal maladjustment.
Personality maladjustment may show itself in the form of aggressive behavior, withdrawing behavior or nervous habits. Bullying, stealing, destructiveness, insolence, disobedience, defiance, truancy, temper tan- trums, are types of aggressive behavior. Withdrawal patterns include shyness, fearfulness, daydreaming, secretiveness, and unsociability. Nerv- ous habits are seen in nail-biting, fidgeting, thumb-sucking, tics, and enuresis. These are the outward danger signals observed by the teacher.
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