USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Weymouth > Town annual report of Weymouth 1960 > Part 22
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26
TESTING PROGRAM
All pupils in grades I, IV, and VI have been given a mental ability test and all those in need of individual testing have been given the Stanford- Binet or the Wechsler-Bellevue tests. In addition to these, standardized achievement tests and teacher-made tests for general supervisory purposes have been administered.
294
Mental Ability Tests
Number of Pupils
Date
Grade Tested
Average I.Q.
Name of Test
January
I
963
109
February
IV
870
111
October
IV
882
%
December
VI
969
*
Pintner-Cunningham Pintner-Durost Elementary Pintner-Durost Elementary Pintner Mental Ability
* Records not completed
Standardized Achievement Tests
November
IV
935
December V
906
Complete Battery of Iowa Basic Skills
Iowa Basic Skills in Read- ing
* Records not completed
Teacher-made Tests for General Supervisory Purposes
April
III
917
Median Score 95
Arithmetic
May
II
932
100
Spelling
October
V
906
„ 84 English
CURRICULUM
English
According to previous plans, a complete revision has been made of the Course of Study in English for grades VII and VIII and all work has been completed. The revision of grade IX Course of Study in English is now in progress.
French
Parlons Francais, French by TV, which began last year in grade IV is now being continued in grade V and will probably be introduced next year in grade VI. At that time, it will be necessary to make a decision as to the continuation of a French program in the junior high schools. A second language should be taught in the elementary schools, but the questions which arise are: Who should be included in the classes? What language should be taught? Who should teach it?
Science
Science by TV in grade V seems to be giving satisfaction in its second year; but the grade VI program assumes more background than the pupils have acquired. It is hoped that this situation will improve as the program is developed further.
IN-SERVICE TRAINING
A course is now being given in French for all teachers who need further work in this language. Twenty-three teachers from grades IV, V, and VI are enrolled in this course. In addition to this, all teachers from grades IV and V attend a workshop conducted by a representative from Station WGBH who gives special instruction in French pronunciation.
295
A course in science is being given by Boston University to a limited number of grade V teachers making a special study of science by TV for the elementary schools.
STUDENT-TEACHER TRAINING PROGRAM
Each year a number of college students preparing for the teaching profession are trained in Weymouth. This year twenty-five students have received their practice teaching in Weymouth in grades I through IX. This requires special planning on the part of the participating classroom teacher who is given the responsibility of this training program.
REMEDIAL READING
The Remedial Reading Program which gives encouragement and help to both slower learners and those with specific reading difficulties is giving excellent service. The total number of pupils with reading problems helped from January 1960 to January 1961 is 777. Some of the causes of reading difficulties recorded by the remedial teachers are as follows:
Mental immaturity in grade I 127
Excessive absence in grade I
62
Transfers from other towns 62
Numerous transfers 34
Repetition of grade (slow learners) 113
Unfavorable home conditions 36
Physical factors (hearing, speech, sight) 54
In addition to the above causes listed, there are other pupils who seem to have reading difficulty for no apparent cause.
Of those enrolled, 143 reached their proper reading level and were dis- charged. Others, however. went on to the junior high schools although they needed much more work. This indicates that classes for remedial work are much needed in our junior high schools.
SPEECH CORRECTION
During the year, 145 pupils with various types of speech defects have been given individual help. Following improvement, these pupils are taught in small groups. A total of 49 pupils were discharged during the year. The principal speech difficulties noted are as follows:
articulation 106
stuttering 24
delayed speech 9
cleft palate 2
lip reading 2
voice defect 2
It is a great service to help these children some of whom have speech defects so serious as to affect them mentally and emotionally.
COOPERATIVE COMMUNITY PROJECTS
Parent-Teacher Associations
This year the usual custom was observed of granting requests of Parent-Teacher organizations in the Town for speakers to explain the school program and general curriculum. Miss McGovern, Miss Gallant, and I gave special programs for seven organizations during the year.
296
Rotary Club
The annual essay contest conducted by the Rotary Club for the students in grade VIII had for a subject, "Is There Need for Urban Re- development in Weymouth?" Much interesting work was done by 931 participants who probably benefited more through the effort expended than through any financial award that might have been received. The three winners were each awarded a money prize of $15.00. These winners together with their parents and English teachers were invited to the Rotary Club dinner where each contestant was given an opportunity to present his essay.
The following winners were chosen:
Donna Sliva
1st place Central Junior High School
Susanne Markhard
2nd place South Junior High School
Dorothy Loud
3rd place Central Junior High School
Daughters of the American Revolution
The Susannah Tufts Chapter of the D. A. R. again invited the pupils of grades VII and VIII to participate in the notebook and essay contest on some phase of American history. The following pupils received recog- nition and awards for their work:
Robert Cole Grade VIII Central Junior High School
Catharine Connolly
Grade VII Central Junior High School
Joan Thompson
Grade VIII Bicknell Junior High School
Algot Heleman Grade VII Bicknell Junior High School
Kiwanis Club
The Student Government Day sponsored by the Kiwanis Club for all pupils of grade VI furnishes excellent motivation for students to find out more about town government, town officials, various departments, and financial support. Mr. Thomas Clegg, sixth grade teacher at the Hunt School, was chairman of this activity. Material for this program was made available through the booklet "Your Town Government," compiled and edited by Mr. Thomas L Stetson, Principal of the Adams School.
Weymouth Fire Department
The Weymouth firemen who visit the schools four times a year are responsible for the Junior Fire Marshal Fire Prevention Program which teaches children the danger of fire hazards. In this program, a Deputy Fire Marshal is chosen from each class following a contest in which the pupils search out and enumerate fire hazards in their own homes or in the neighborhood. The culmination of this program is usually a poster or essay contest to help pupils to become aware of fire hazards and to have a better understanding of fire prevention.
Weymouth Police Department
Several times each year, Safety Officer Riley of the Weymouth Police Force, visits the school for the purpose of giving instructions, showing motion pictures and slides on safety. The pupils seem to be greatly im- pressed by the valuable safety instructions received during these visits.
Social Service
The complete co-operation of the Weymouth school children in com- munity drives has been of unusual caliber during the year of 1960. The
297
officials as well as the handicapped workers of the Morgan Memorial Goodwill Industries sent a special letter of appreciation and gratitude for unusual performance this year when Weymouth children brought in 3,712 filled bags.
Red Cross
Each year several schools participate in making favors for the Red Cross to be distributed to the Veterans Hospitals on special holiday occa- sions. This year the Nash, Ralph Talbot, McCulloch, Nevin and Hunt Schools made approximately one thousand favors for this purpose.
Through helping these organizations which in turn help the handi- capped and the sick, children become conscious of the needs of others less fortunate. To stimulate humane interest and to increase desire to relieve human need and suffering are vital issues in the education and training of the young.
GENERAL SUPERVISION
All elementary and junior high schools have been visited regularly for the purpose of helping new teachers, noting how the curriculum is being made effective, conducting necessary teacher meetings, sponsoring work-shops and in-service programs, and working in all areas that con- tribute to the improvement of classroom procedures. With the able assistance of Miss Helen McGovern and Miss Dorothy Gallant, the effective completion of a myriad of details and duties is made possible.
HIGH SCHOOL Report of Wallace L. Whittle, Principal
We are now in the second year of double sessions at the High School and the educational disadvantages noted in the 1959 report are now more noticeable than in the first year of this organization At the risk of being repetitious, I should like to mention just a few of these disadvantages.
Marks, on the whole, have been on the down grade. This is particu- larly true of the pupils who work afternoons and evenings and try to do all of their studying in school. The students who have a sincere desire to obtain a good education continue to do well, but, for many pupils, the need of greater parental interest and supervision is becoming increasingly clear.
A large number of pupils work outside of school from four to eight hours a day, and come to school tired and unable to even approach their best work. Furthermore, all preparation for class cannot be done in school. This situation is strictly a parental problem and parents must realize that no pupil can attend school for six classes a day and then work outside without having his education seriously affected.
For the sophomore in particular - although this applies in part to all groups - the lack of availability of rooms in which to meet seriously hampers the teachers in arranging meetings with the pupils to give them extra help in addition to the regular classes. This situation has a tendency to put the pupil "on his own," but many do not have the maturity or desire to accept this responsibility properly.
We hear and read much today about the lack of teaching and under- standing of our town, state and national governments. It might be en-
298
lightening to list some of the related activities to the above field in which our students have been taking part in addition to their regular work over a period of years under the direction of the Social Studies Department.
1. Co-operation with the Massachusetts Department of Education in a "Get out the Vote" campaign. At this time the understanding of registration and voting procedures at national and state levels are stressed. This year the student body held a mock election.
2. In March, at Town Meeting time, the teaching of procedures and problems of town government are stressed.
3. Participation in Student Government Day program. At this time, the workings of state government is emphasized. In this program, the seniors elect a student to represent the school at the State House on the day when students from all over the state take over the state offices. Officers are drawn by lot, and our representative might be a member of either house, or any one of the state officers.
4. Participation in Student Exchange Program. In this program, a group of our students visit a city school and the governmental offices, and a group of city students visit Wey- mouth and attend the Town Meeting.
5. Senior participation in the Oratorical Contest sponsored by the American Legion. This contest stresses a better understanding of the Constitution of the United States.
6. Delegates to meetings of the United Nations Council of the South Shore.
7. Participation in seminars conducted on the problems of metro- politan Boston sponsored by the New England Economic Education Council and Boston College.
8. Attendance at "Youth Workshop" this year sponsored by the Weymouth Junior Chamber of Commerce at the Naval Air Station at South Weymouth. These meetings deal largely with the danger of public apathy.
All of the above programs aim for a better understanding of civic problems, and democratic ideals and the development of the will to carry out in practice the principles of the democratic faith.
We have added a course in distributive education this year. The pupils in this course attend school in the morning and do supervised work at various commercial establishments for at least three hours each day in the afternoon. The course is vocational in character and the cost is paid largely by the state. The pupils in the course are highly enthusiastic about it.
Our extracurricular activities and assemblies continue to be curtailed because of the short school day and the lack of space. These can be worked into the program in most cases only by cancelling regular classes. When this is done, the educational program suffers.
This year the Student Council sponsored a Book Fair. More than 600 titles, covering many areas, were offered to the students for one week, and were available to parents on Open House nights. The books were all paper covers, most of which cost 35c to 50c. The total sale amounted to
299
more than 5,000 books. We were pleased with the acceptance of the fair, and gratified with the types of books purchased by the students. The proceeds from this fair go to the Student Council Scholarship Fund from which is awarded a scholarship of $500 each year.
The awards given in June were as follows:
Monday Club of Weymouth, Jennie B. Worster Scholarship-Barbara Gould
Monday Club of Weymouth Scholarship for Nursing-Judith Ellison P. M. Club Evening Division of the Monday Club-Gary Robinson
Old Colony Club of South Weymouth-Leslie Gould
Old Colony P. M. Club of South Weymouth-Gail Geffers
Women's Catholic Club of Weymouth, Annie G. Scollard Scholarship- Carole Morris
Sons of Italy Scholarship-Rita Cicchese
Hunt School, C. Y. Berry Memorial Scholarship-Eleanor Fay
Nevin School Parent-Teachers' Association
L. Mae Chessman Scholarship-Sylvia Humes
Grace B. Simmons Scholarship-Jeffrey Everson
Pratt School Parent-Teachers' Association In memory of Mabel E. Roode-Barbara Belcher
Third Annual Parker T. Pearson Scholarship presented by the North Weymouth Parent-Teachers' Association-Patricia Chalet
Central Junior High School Pupils' and Teachers' Scholarships- Kathleen Davis and Linda Jonason
South Junior High School Pupils' and Teachers' Scholarships-Sally Lawrence and Philip Walls
Weymouth High School Student Council Scholarship-Jean Dunning Weymouth High School Future Nurses' Club-Carol Guinette
Weymouth High School Key Club Scholarship-Edward Perry
Weymouth High School Alumni Association Scholarships-Maryellen Callahan, Phillip Cleaves, Carole Boynton, Dorothy Frederick, Carol Jacobson, Bruce Philbrick, William Stella
Alice W. Dwyer Scholarship-Gail Gordon Frederick W. Hilton Award-Anne West
Weymouth Teachers' Association Scholarships-Diane Brown, Murdo Dowds, John Goddard
Parker T. Pearson Memorial Scholarship-Marinda Burrell
Weymouth High School Teachers' Scholarship-Elaine Baxter
Weymouth Public School Custodians' and Maintenance Men's Associa- tion Scholarship-Carol Guinette
Merchants of Central Square Scholarship-Gail Gordon
Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, Order of Sons of Italy in America Scholarships-Rita Cicchese, Reginald Geloran, John Striano
Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie No. 2899 Scholarship-Linda Phillips Fraternal Order of Eagles Auxiliary No. 2899 Scholarship-Linda Jacobson
Weymouth Junior Chamber of Commerce Scholarship-Carolyn Hackett Weymouth Fire Department under the auspices of the Weymouth
Permanent Firemen's Association, Timothy G. McCarthy Scholar- ship-Thomas Stenhouse
300
Weymouth Firefighters' Auxiliary Scholarship-Patricia L. Boudreau Weymouth Rotary Club Scholarships-Patricia L. Boudreau and Lucille Comeau
Kiwanis Club of Weymouth Scholarships-Margery Crawford and Donald Roberts
Home and Community Service Committee of Weymouth Grange No. 387 Scholarship-Paul Gowey
South Shore Master Builders' Association, Inc. Scholarship-Benjamín Rand
South Shore Chapter of the Massachusetts Federation of Nursing Homes Scholarship-Judith Ellison
Brockton-Framingham Club Scholarship-Sylvia Humes
American Legion Post No. 79 Oratorical Contest-Nancy Wollaston
George R. Bean Post No. 401, American Legion Oratorical Contest- Barbara Gould
The Weymouth Rotary Club Award-Murdo Dowds
The Meritorious Progress Award given by the Class of 1921-Gail Johnson
The Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizenship Award- Karin Hanson.
WEYMOUTH VOCATIONAL SCHOOL · Report of Ray G. Parker, Director
The enrollment of our school on September 16, 1960 was 257. There were no non-residents admitted to the Sophomore class in September as there was no room available at that time. There were thirty-two boys who had elected the Sheet Metal course. As there was room for only sixteen, the other sixteen were enrolled in the Auto Repair, Cabinetmaking and Carpentry Departments.
The Printing Department has an enrollment of fifty-five boys, at least five more than should be assigned to this course because of crowded conditions in the shop. It seemed desirable, however, to accept these boys and start them in their training as there will be a much larger shop when the new school is completed.
In December, as some of the boys left school or transferred to the high school, there was room to admit a few of the non-residents who were on the waiting list. Four were admitted to the Carpentry Depart- ment and one to the Printing Department.
When the new school is completed, one of the new courses will be Electronics, which will be established under the National Defense Act Title VIII. This will require an accredited teacher in mathematics and physics. At that time we hope to schedule these classes in such a way that any boy in the school who has the desire and the ability to profit may enroll, and upon completion of the course, a graduate would have the opportunity to enter technical schools without taking a post-graduate course.
The mathematics offered at the present time involves some elemen- tary algebra, geometry and trigonometry which is functional to the trade trained for. The senior class in Sheet Metal is taking first year algebra.
301
However, due to the fact that there are only five periods per week on alternate weeks, this does not fulfill one complete year's requirements for high school algebra.
The classes in Problems of Democracy are given special training in the by-laws of the town. The boys in the Carpentry course are given instruc- tion in the building code regulations. The Cabinetmakers and Carpenters in the junior and senior years are assigned one period each week to the fundamentals of salesmanship. This is a new course started for these boys last year, and it is hoped that it will be helpful when they need to use the information.
The placement is still very high, and all boys are placed in the trades trained for, except those who enter the armed services and those who have decided to go into some other line of work.
The teachers deserve a great deal of credit for the careful, sincere and efficient instruction which they give the boys. The Vocational Teachers' Club sponsors Merit Awards to a boy in each department, each term, who has the highest rating in attitude, achievement and good citizenship. This year the winners were Stephen Navicky, Auto Repair; Barry Damon, Cabinetmaking; Peter Crossman, Carpentry; George Ohlson, Printing and Lester Jones, Sheet Metal.
The Student Government Committee, under the leadership of Robert O'Hanley as chairman, is composed of fourteen members of the junior and senior classes, and does a fine job in the school. The President of the Senior Class, Edward Tirrell, was selected to represent the school on Student Government Day at the State House. There has never been a better group of boys in the school than we have this year. It is evident by their actions that the large majority want to be good school citizens and learn their trade. It may seem to some that this is not true as they hear of the much publicized episodes of a few who are involved in wron- doing. But our experience proves that the greater percentage of the boys are fine young men.
This is the third successive year that the Chrysler-Plymouth Corpora- tion has sponsored the "Trouble Shooting Contest". This contest was held in Framingham, and all Auto Repair departments in the vocational schools in the eastern part of the state were invited to attend. The two boys from Weymouth were Loring Nudd and Frank Spearrin.
The Printing Department under the sponsorship of The Graphic Arts Institute was represented on the Jim Britt television show "Date Line Boston" for a half hour program. The success of this program was due to the efforts of John Collins, George Nott and Herman Perry. Two students from the Printing Department, David Serighelli and Benjamin Rand were selected by their classmates and instructors on the basis of excellent achievement in printing, to visit the Plimpton Press at Norwood, Massa- chusetts. This tour was sponsored by The Graphic Arts Institute of New England as part of the Printing Publishing Week held January 19th.
The Auto Repair Department under the supervision of Frank Meda and Philip Messina as shop instructors, and Henry Marshman as Related teacher, has had a busy and productive year. There were 355 jobs com- pleted, with a market value of $15,533.49. The training in this department covers all phases, including carburetion, ignition, automatic transmission, body work and painting.
302
The Cabinetmaking Department, under the supervision of William Dwyer as shop instructor, Jalmar Nelson as Related teacher and George Klay as related drawing instructor, has completed 205 jobs, with a market value of $12,296.99. The training in this department is excellent, and the craftsmanship is of professional quality. It is planned to make a great deal of the furniture and cabinets for the new school in this de- partment.
The Carpentry Department, under the supervision of Philip Henley as shop instructor and Fred Carlson as instructor in charge of house con- struction, Jalmar Nelson as Related instructor and George Klay as Re- lated drawing instructor, has completed 268 jobs, with a market value of $29,050.47. They completed a home for Fred Carlson on Francis Road, East Weymouth in June 1960. This is a Garrison type home consisting of seven rooms, with a laundry and office which connects the house and a large two-car garage. There is a fire alarm and inter-communication system in every room. The front lower half of the house has brick veneer.
In September the boys started a house of six rooms, breezeway and single car garage for Herbert Monroe of 350 Middle Street, East Weymouth, This is a shingled house with an ornamental strip of marble veneer in the front. This project will be completed in June 1961
The Sheet Metal Department, under the supervision of Harold Clarke as shop instructor, and James Boland as Related teacher, has completed 315 jobs, with a market value of $16,928.17. These projects include training in all phases of the trade. One of the training units consists of designing, fabricating and installing the forced warm air system in the houses built by the boys in the Carpentry Department. This year one of the eight foot brakes was replaced as the old one was worn beyond repair. The metal spinning lathe purchased last year has been used for many projects and has provided a desirable unit of training.
The Printing Department, under the supervision of John Collins and Herman Perry as shop instructors, and George Nott as Related teacher, has completed 271 jobs, with a market value of $25,343.23. The various groups in the School Department keep this shop very busy and no jobs are done for outsiders. When the Off-set Department is added in the new school the work load will be reduced.
The Related drawing for Carpentry, Cabinetmaking and Auto Repair is taught zy George Klay. The Carpenters specialize in Architectural Draw- ing; the Cabinetmakers in Furniture Design and Cabinet Drawing. The Auto Repair students follow a course recommended by the State Depart- ment. This includes simple projection, sketching and schematic drawing. The house plans drawn by the Carpentry Department include preliminary sketches, plot plan, three floor plans four elevations and a perspective sketch. The Cabinetmakers design the kitchen cabinets. When the draw- ings are completed and the plans are approved by the home owner, the Sheet Metal Department under the supervision of Mr. Boland designs the warm air heating system.
There were 112 students enrolled in the Driver-Education classes, thirty-two of whom received their licenses. This work is carried on by Otto Mahn, who also teaches Civics, Science and Problems of Democracy. The academic subjects are taught by Joseph Whittemore and Eric Roy.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.