USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Weymouth > Town annual report of Weymouth 1961 > Part 16
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2. Central sound-film and filmstrip libraries have been expanded to 250 and 2706 separate titles, respectively. In addition, Weymouth has continued to be selected as a permanent-loan repository for more
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than 165 outstanding sound films from industry. Also available to all teachers are more than 400 records and pre-recorded tapes. Expansion of these facilities has enabled the department to better meet the require- ments of all good teaching: "The right material, at the right place, at the right time."
3. Results from the distribution last year of the instructional ma- terials catalogs developed by our department for elementary and junior high - senior high levels have been immediate and most stimulating. These catalogs of nearly eighty pages each were placed in the hands of every teacher in the Weymouth Public Schools. Requests for materials from the catalogs alone have tripled since their release.
4. In-service training was conducted on a continuing basis both with school A-V co-ordinators, individuals, and groups of teachers as the need is indicated or requested. A most promising development in this area was the offering of a televised course in audio-visual instruction for graduate or undergraduate credit which could be tailored to the practical applications of the local school situation. While this course was offered on an experimental basis this year, the opportunity for Weymouth teachers to participate was of considerable value. In spite of its many shortcomings, this type of instruction has much merit and must be considered of great potential value in the future.
5. Student-training continued this year with the licensing of nearly three hundred students to operate sound-projectors and other audio-visual tools during the year. In addition, the department has worked closely with the Tufts Library and other outside groups in a training and advisory capacity.
6. Educational television was continued for the fourth year in grades 1 through 6 with an expanded program as follows: PHYSICAL SCIENCE, Grade 6; EXPLORING NATURE, Grade 5; PARLONS FRANCAIS, French for Grades 4, 5, and 6; LITERATURE, Grade 3; FOLK MUSIC and DANCE, Grade 2; PRIMARY SCIENCE, Grades 1 and 2; INSIDE- OUTSIDE, Grade 1; and LISTEN and SAY, Grades 1, 2 and 3. At the junior high-senior high level the following programs are available for use: ACCENT ON MUSIC, SCIENCE SPECIALS, FOCUS (world af- fairs), THE HUMANITIES (English, Grade 11) and AFTERNOON AT SYMPHONY (Boston Symphony Orchestra). Effectiveness of these programs is maintained by regular submission of teacher evalu- ations and critical suggestions to the television studio. The improved quality of both the television lesson and the detailed lesson plans sup- plied each teacher have assured a bright future for this powerful edu- cational medium. Parents are offered an opportunity to observe, study, and work with their children in each televised area since all programs thus far are "open"-channel and available to all who may wish to use them. Above all, television continues to demonstrate that it may cure at least two common ills of education: the lack of truly outstanding teachers and the lack of an adequate supply of instructional materials.
At the new high school, plans have been made for the inclusion of "closed"-circuit television in addition to the "open"-circuit television available at all other buildings. This will enable the new school to develop far more flexible and vital programs than could possibly be done under existing conditions.
7. Elementary French via television was introduced this year to all sixth grades as a follow-up step to its use in grades four and five.
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This program utilizes most effectively the combined facilities available only through the medium of television: a. superior teacher, b. un- limited resource material, c. uniform teacher-training and planning facilities via television, d. the inherent fascination of television itself, and e. in this particular study, knowledge of the language as it is first learned, by listening and speaking only.
8. Weymouth High School's language laboratory has continued to function in the dual role of a most successful learning area and the focal point of many visitors from other school systems where labora- tories were to be installed. After the second full year of operation, language teachers are most optimistic about student attitudes and achievement. Reports from students now enrolled in college rarely fail to specifically mention the valuable help of the language laboratory in their language preparation.
9. Automated teaching, more popularly known as "Teaching Ma- chines" or "Programmed Learning," was introduced into the Wey- mouth instructional program on an experimental basis in the fields of junior high English and algebra and senior high plane geometry, solid geometry and trigonometry. This entire area is too new for more than a preliminary evaluation. However, it promises to be a most ef- fective means of meeting one of our critical problems; namely, that of enabling the individual student to progress at his own rate of speed.
10. During 1961, the director participated in the following events of particular significance to Weymouth and the total effectiveness of the audio-visual services offered:
a. Member of the Massachusetts Audio-Visual Advisory Commit- tee; chairman of standing committee on School Building Specifications and Standards for A-V Purposes; chairman of Southeastern Regional Preview Committee.
b. Selected as Massachusetts representative at Eastern Regional Leadership Conference of National DAVI, NEA, at Concord, New Hampshire.
c. Panelist and committee member at national convention of DAVI, NEA, at Miami, Florida.
d. Presentor, co-ordinator and evaluator of experimental television program "A-V via T-V" conducted in Weymouth for Weymouth teach- ers.
e. Participant in overhead projection seminar workshop sponsored by the Tecnifax Corporation, Holyoke, Massachusetts.
f. Co-sponsor with Tecnifax Corporation of overhead projection workshop at Weymouth with school personnel from Braintree, Hing- ham, Milton, Quincy, Scituate, Weymouth and Whitman attending.
g. Numerous workshop-demonstrations through the year involving such equipment and materials as the "Controlled Reader", "Skill Building," and a wide variety of "Programmed Learning" machines and materials.
These are some of the major developments in the fifteenth year of operation of the Department of Audio-Visual Instruction in its endeavor to provide the best possible services to the most teachers and pupils for their greatest possible achievement.
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8. HANDWRITING
Attitude plays an important part in the success or failure of a handwriting program in a school system. Parents, in general, have the attitude that they want to see their children write legibly. This atti- tude is shared by the members of a school committee and the admin- istrative staff. The responsibility of achieving a satisfactory hand- writing product is then delegated to the handwriting consultant and the teachers.
The next step is to create a favorable attitude towards the hand- writing on the part of the pupils. Having achieved a wholesome atti- tude towards handwriting, it is then possible to develop an effective handwriting program through the use of adequate instructional ma- terials and tenable teaching techniques.
The attack on the handwriting problem is three-fold. The first objective is to teach the form and arrangement of letters to the point of mastery. The second objective is to have each pupil achieve the speed for his grade. The third objective is to make handwriting functional in all writing activities. To achieve these objectives, we provide instruc- tional and motivational materials for pupils and teachers. Teachers are instructed at regular intervals in methods to be used in teaching and the handwriting product is checked at the end of each interval with a diagnosis of same given to the teacher in writing for remedial purposes.
At the close of the last school year our records show that 90% of the pupils scored excellent, 5% scored good, 5% were fair and none were poor on the formal handwriting test. It was found in checking the in- formal handwriting that there had been excellent transfer in handwrit- ing quality to spelling, arithmetic, English composition, etc. .
9. HEALTH
There has been no change in the personnel of the School Health Department in 1961.
In October a Titmus School Tester machine was purchased. This instrument is approved by the State Department of Public Health and is equipped to give the prescribed Massachusetts Vision Test. It is far easier to handle and does not require the amount of space which was necessary with the old equipment which frequently and easily became out of order.
In September the regulation requiring all pupils who are absent. from school for five consecutive days to present a certificate from a physician when they return to school was changed to read as follows: Children who are absent from school because of a communicable di- sease such as measles, mumps etc., must secure a certificate from a physician before returning to school. Vaccination exemption regulations. were also changed. Certificates are to be renewed annually-not every three months as formerly. These changes were made with the approval of the Board of Health and the State Department of Public Health.
The problem of working parents who cannot be reached, and who have left no adult responsible for children who become ill or injured at school, seems to increase each year. A questionnaire is sent out to parents asking for the name of some adult who is responsible for the child in the parents' absence, but this does not always solve the prob- lem.
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The double session in the high school is reflected adversely in the heaith habits of many pupils. Irregular meals and inadequate rest are frequently causes of dismissals because a pupil does not feel able to remain in school. All dismissals, however, are with the parent's knowl- edge and consent.
It is noteworthy that the trend today in school health services is to de-emphasize first aid and emergency care and to have more tho- rough periodic examinations-preferably given by the family physi- ·cian with a better follow-up and recording program.
The elementary school nurses were able to take an in-service course on mental health. They also have taken a Red Cross refresher course on first aid procedures.
In May pre-school registration was held for children who were to enter Grade 1 in September. The school nurses interviewed all parents registering these children regarding the pupils' health and advised a thorough examination by the family physician and dentist before the child entered school. Each year more parents comply with this sug- gestion.
Plans are being made by the Board of Health in connection with the Norfolk County Hospital to give tuberculin tests in 1962 to all pupils in grades 1, 6, and 11.
As in the past, the school nurses and teachers check pupils care- fully who have any known physical defect but who are, nevertheless, able to be in school. A yearly report to the Departments of Education' and Public Health is made of their current physical condition and grade. This fall 249 names were on the list. This does not mean these pupils are ill, but that they are observed closely and any deviation from nor- mal is noted and reported.
At this time I would like to express the appreciation of all of the School Nurses to the Principals of each school and to the teachers who never fail to give their whole-hearted co-operation to the School Health Department whenever the question of the health or welfare of any pupil was concerned.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
The following needs must be met before the School Health De- partment can function as it should:
1. A new filing system whereby health cards can be readily seen and securely kept in order. Cards in a visible index can be kept up to date and have markers for ready reference.
2. A physician designated by the school committee to act as advi- sor to the school nurses who would be easily available to them.
3. Scheduled monthly visits to each school by the school physician for the following purposes:
a. Each new pupil soon after entrance should have a physical appraisal.
b. To examine any pupil the teachers or school nurse deem ad- visable.
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c. To be available to the school nurse when advice on school health matters is needed.
4. A secretary for the department is needed. The student help available is inadequate and a pupil should not have access to another pupil's records.
In view of the fact that there are to be changes in 1962 in the school nurse personnel, I would like to recommend that this is the time to have a survey made of the present practices and policies of the School Health Department. This survey might be made through help from the Norfolk County Tuberculosis and Health Association or the Harvard School of Public Health. Brookline has already had such a. study made and a similar project is in process in Newton.
10. HOME INSTRUCTION FOR PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN
Fifty-two children, thirty-one boys and twenty-one girls, received home instruction during the year 1961. Twenty-one were from South Weymouth, fourteen from North Weymouth, thirteen from East Wey- mouth, and four from Weymouth.
All grades except sixth were represented with twelve from high school, twenty-three from junior high, fifteen from elementary, and two ungraded.
·Of those in the home class in June, two graduated from high school, one having completed her entire senior year at home. The others. were promoted and returned to school in September, except two who re- mained in the home class and one who, after three years in the class, became eighteen and found employment.
The disabilities represented were: 11 fractures, 6 rheumatic fever, 5 appendectomies, 2 each of the following: asthma, cerebral palsy mononucleosis, dislocated hip, cystic fibrosis, pneumonia, spinal fusion, and 1 each of arthritis, car accident, epilepsy, emotionally disturbed, hemiplegia, gall stone operation, hypospadia, herpes ingroinal nerve, meningitis, open heart surgery, spina bifida, tumor operation on knee, chorea, and water on knee.
With the co-operation of the parents and pupils, we were able to assist the children in maintaining their classwork so that when they returned to school they were about at the same level as their class- mates.
11. SCHOOL LIBRARIES
Highlights of 1961 in our libraries included continued large circu- lation in the junior high schools, further book fair activity, more library club activity and general continuation of a fine program by our four excellent librarians.
During National Library Week in April, a stimulating "Meet the Authors" program was held at Central Junior for junior high school students. Guest speakers included Robert Webb, author of "We Were There" books; Jan Nickerson, author of teen-age girls' stories; and Jan Norton, illustrator.
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At the high school, reference use of the library has increased with the addition of new titles such as "The Cumulative Book Index", "Books in Print" and "The Subject Guide to Books in Print." A new system of library cards is being used which simplifies the student's library visits and permission to be there.
The Second Annual Paperback Book Fair was held in the high school library the week of November 27th. It resulted in sales figures that were very close to last year's. At South Junior High, the Library Club ran a Paperback Book Fair for four days in November. The sale of over 1,000 books indicates the interest aroused in pupils and their parents.
Library Club members from the three junior high schools visited the Children's Book Fair in Boston on November 14. They enjoyed the speakers: Ruth Sawyer, the author, and Barbara Cooney, the illustrator, and were amazed at the tremendous display of 3,000 books of interest to children. The High School Library Club has visited several places, including the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, Harvard, the Science Mu- seum, the Gardner Museum, the Book Fair Distributors and the Boston Globe, and has had some social events, winding up with a large Christ- mas party.
In the junior high schools, many pupils participated in the reading program and received certificates for reading and reporting on twenty books. Over 100 certificates were awarded at Central Junior High.
Instruction in the use of the library is given in all four schools. At the high school, the number of sophomore English classes involved in this instruction rose from 22 divisions last year to 36 in 1961.
"A junior high school library provides a vitally needed stimulus for reading and reseach at a very propitious time fo young adolescents who come from homes without books or interest in reading."
Statistics for 1961:
School
Number of Books
Added 1961
Total Circulation
Weymouth High
5,635
359
5,181
Bicknell Junior
3,244
278
15,164
Central Junior
5,288
528
16,257
South Junior
5,116
448
16,692
12. EVENING SCHOOLS
A gain of over 20% in the number of registrants for evening classes this year as compared with last year, the previous high point, shows the growing eagerness of Weymouth adults for further training and for the development of skills. A total of 1223 people registered in September. Of these, 970 were assigned to classes, while others could not be placed. There are waiting lists in Beginning Clothing, Advanced Clothing, Copper Tooling, Rug Braiding, Upholstery, Woodworking, Furniture Refinishing, Painting and Drawing and Cake Decorating.
We are fortunate in having a very competent staff of teachers in all areas. Most of them have been with us for several years. Many of the homemaking and crafts teachers have a considerable reputation and following, which means that their classes are very popular.
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The annual exhibitions and style shows were held on March 27 at South Junior High and on March 28 at Weymouth High School. The attractive exhibits of braided rugs, hooked rugs, upholstered furniture, decorated cakes, oil paintings, articles in copper, refinished chairs, desks and tables, decorated tablecloths, napkins, children's clothes, trays and other metal and wooden objects, along with the style shows of items made in clothing classes drew very large crowds.
Plans for next year include two new developments. First, we are to have a five-meeting series of lessons for the homemaking and crafts teachers in May, to enable them to meet a state requirement for pro- fessional improvement. Second, we will have registration in September at both the High School and South Junior High because of the tremen- dous number now coming for registration.
Classes and instructors are as follows:
WEYMOUTH HIGH SCHOOL
Tuesday Courses
Enrollment
Instructor
Cake decorating-two half year classes
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Miss Louise E. Watts
Beginning Clothing
22 Mrs. Alice M. Cullen
Decorative Art
18 Mrs. Clara M. Taylor
Rug Braiding
27 Mrs. Anna M. Emond
Rug Braiding
30 Mrs. Helen T. Jordan
Rug Hooking
18 Mrs. Leona M. Cook
Woodworking
21 Mr. Wallace T. Driscoll
Beginning Typewriting
35 Mrs. Dorothy M. Magraw
Beginning Typewriting
34 Mr. William J. McCarthy
Beginning Shorthand
30 Mrs. Irene Jackmauh
Beginning Shorthand
30 Mrs. Jane Gillis
Office Machines
20 Miss Jacqueline F. Chittenden
Thursday Courses
Cake Decorating-two half year classes
31
Miss Louise E. Watts
Advanced Clothing
20 Mrs. Alice M. Cullen
Copper Tooling
25 Mrs. Eleanor M. Aikens
Decorative Art
20 Mrs. Clara M. Taylor
Furniture Refinishing
26 Mr. Wallace T. Driscoll
Rug Braiding
30 Mrs. Anna M. Emond
Rug Hooking
17 Mrs. Leona M. Cook
Advanced Typewriting
30 Mrs. Dorothy Magraw
Advanced Shorthand
30 Mrs. Irene Jackmauh
Office Machines
22 Miss Jacqueline F. Chittenden
BICKNELL JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Tuesday Courses
Beginning Clothing
15 Mrs. Marion R. Rideout
Copper Tooling
25 Mrs. Eleanor M. Aikens
Thursday Courses
Advanced Clothing
25 Mrs. Marion R. Rideout
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CENTRAL JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Tuesday Courses
Beginning Clothing
26 Mrs. Anne Concannon
Cake Decorating-half year class
16 Mrs. Bessie Starkie
Painting and Drawing
21 Mr. Brian J. Doherty
Upholstery
15 Mr. Mario Comunale
Thursday Courses
Advanced Clothing
16 Mrs. Anne Concannon
Cake Decorating-half year class
12 Mrs. Bessie Starkie
Painting and Drawing
17 Mr. Brian J. Doherty
Upholstery
15 Mr. Mario Comunale
SOUTH JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Tuesday Courses
Beginning Clothing
22
Mrs. Christine Gardner
Decorative Art
22 Mrs. Alice B. Shields
Fabric Painting
20 Mrs. Marjorie Margeson
Painting and Drawing
21 Mr. Philip S. Dolan
Woodworking.
14 Mr. Albert B. Noyes
Thursday Courses
Advanced Clothing
15
Mrs. Christine M. Gardner
Civil War Period
13
Mr. Thomas C. Higgins
Decorative Art
22 Mrs. Alice B. Shields
Furniture Refinishing
20 Mr. Albert B. Noyes
Rug Braiding
20 Mrs. Kay A. Hall
Rug Hooking
23 Mrs. Frances L. Clifford
Painting and Drawing
19 Mr. Philip S. Dolan
Mr. Francis X. Kelly continues as Principal of the classes at the High, Bicknell Junior High and Central Junior High Schools, and Mr. Thomas E. Lambe, as Principal of the classes at South Junior High School.
The Evening Vocational Program includes three Trade Extension courses, as follows: Architectural Drawing and Blueprint Reading, taught by George H. Klay, with 23 enrolled; Printing, taught by John F. Collins and Herman F. Perry, with 18 enrolled; and Sheet Metal Layout and Pattern Drafting, taught by William E. Sullivan, with 13 enrolled. These classes meet both Tuesdays and Thursdays. There is also a course for Licensed Practical Nurses taught by Mrs. Cynthia O'Malley, with 23 enrolled. Mr. Ray G. Parker is the Director of these classes.
13. SUMMER SCHOOL
The Weymouth Summer School completed its third session on Au- gust 4, 1961, with an enrollment of 285 students. Of this number, 151' students came from junior high schools and 134 from senior high schools. Of the total 285, five students were from non-resident families. This number included two from Norwell, two from Randolph, and one from Braintree. Non-resident students paid a registration fee of $30.00 per, course. Resident students paid a registration fee of $15.00 per course.
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Two hundred forty-eight students each enrolled in one subject and thirty-seven students each enrolled in two subjects. The subject enroll- ment was as follows:
Algebra (first year) 44 Latin 7
Algebra (second year) 13 Mathematics, General 21
Chemistry 12 Probability and Statistics 8
English
61 Remedial Reading 30
French
8 Selected Topics in Math. 10
Geometry, Plane
7 Typewriting 101
The summer school for the past three years has been open to students in Grades 9 through 12, and during the last two years a reme- dial reading program has been offered to students in Grades 7, 8 and 9. During this past year, it was decided to place all classes on a two-hour basis, except for typewriting and remedial reading. The longer class period proved most advantageous since it doubled the class time avail- able during the six-week summer session.
Also during the past year, arrangements were made to offer en- richment work that could not normally be fitted into the regular aca- demic program of the school year. In line with this arrangement, two courses were offered in mathematics and one in physical science. One mathematics course was organized for students who had had one year of algebra and the other mathematics course was open to students who had had two years of algebra. The physical science course was based upon elementary electrical science including circuits, instruments, and practical applications.
It is of interest to note that the junior high enrollment in the sum- mer school has increased each year. The following figures provide evi- dence of this fact:
1959
1960
1961
Enrollment from junior high schools
86
140
151
Enrollment from senior high schools
194
154
134
Enrollment from colleges
5
1
0
In addition to the increase in the junior high enrollment, many requests have been received that the summer school provide opportun- ities for students from the elementary grade. In recognition of this fact, it has been decided that the 1962 summer session should include oppor- tunities for students from the junior high schools and for students from Grades 4. 5. and 6. The subjects to be offered to these students will in- clude reading, language, and arithmetic.
THE SCHOOL BUILDING PROGRAM
Our extensive school building program will soon be completed. Since 1949 when the first construction projects were started, Weymouth has built eleven new schools (8 elementary, 2. junior high, and 1 high school), two additions to new elementary schools, and seven additions to older buildings. These twenty projects will have cost approximately $14,700,000, excluding interest costs. Bond issues have totaled $13,- 073,000. The amount of State reimbursements available over a thirty- two year period, 1950 through 1981, to defray a portion of the cost will be about $5,000,000.
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