USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Norwell > Town of Norwell annual report 1920-1929 > Part 46
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The septic tank put in this year seems to have taken care of our difficulty in disposing of the sewerage. We hope it continues to be satisfactory.
Permission was granted the Conn Instrument Co., to sell musical instruments to pupils in the school. In return the company have agreed to send an instructor to the school to give lessons at twenty-five cents each to each pupil who purchases an instrument. We have no knowledge as yet of the success of this experiment.
The health work and the dental clinic are progressing. Two days each week for Dr. Parsons our dentist would help more in cleaning up his work but he is getting over the ground as fast as his time will allow.
We would like to ask parents to watch at this time of year especially for impetigo, known as apple sores. Each year at about this time there is an epidemic of this disease. This year much criticism has been directed at the commit- tee for allowing pupils to attend school while suffering from impetigo. The committee does not allow pupils so inflicted to attend school, and the nurse and teachers do not allow them to remain if they come to school. They do have to remain until Miss Roe can carry them home however, and perhaps in the meantime spread the disease.
The blame rests with the parent who sends the child out in the morning, for impetigo is easily recognized. For the sake of your child and that of others please watch for this disease.
Our High School has arranged a series of games in
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TOWN OF NORWELL
basket ball with surrounding towns and has carried off its share of honors. Much credit for this is due Mr. William Dunbar who has assumed the role of coach to the boys team. Mr. Dunbar is an ardent lover of the game, having played on many teams and coaches the boys for sheer love of the thing, receiving no pay whatever.
While it is not regular school work it seems fitting to call your attention to the splendid programs provided by Miss Graves for the Parent Teachers Association meetings held each month at the High School. The speakers are all very worth while and at each meeting one of the teach- ers presents her pupils in a brief exhibition of their work. This gives the audience the next best idea they could ob- tain of the school work, to a personal visit to the class room.
In closing we would like to thank the taxpayers for their interest in the work and solicit your further support.
Respectfully submitted,
NELLIE L. SPARRELL, BENJAMIN LORING, GRACE DINSMOOR
School Superintendent
To the School Committee of the Town of Norwell
I herewith submit my first annual report as Superintend- ent of the Norwell Schools.
Inasmuch as my term of office covers a period of less than four months the report will necessarily be brief.
First, I wish to pay a tribute to your former superintend- ent, Mr. Leon M. Farrin. The delightful spirit of loyalty and co-operation which I found existing among all mem- bers of the staff resulted in a system pleasing to one taking over the work.
Improvements in any line of work are suggested after one has had time to study conditions governing the work. A recommendation that might be made at the end of four months might not be made at the end of ten, so I hesitate to make comment or recommendation.
In a building where grades seven and eight are housed with the high school the recent trend in education is to follow the junior senior plan of organization. Such a plan would recognize grades seven and eight as a part of the senior high school.
Some of the advantages of such an organization would be, departmental work, instruction by high school teachers, promotion by subject plus introduction of new subject mat-
101
TOWN OF NORWELL
ter; thus a teacher of English in the high school would teach English in grades seven and eight. What would be true of teachers of English would be true of teachers of other subjects. The plan is further explained by the high school principal in his report.
The inside of the High School Building should receive attention. The walls and ceilings of rooms and corridors need tinting. With the furnaces in repair it should be easy to keep the inside as attractive as the outside.
There is need of a room for school library purposes. It has been suggested that the balcony of the hall could be made into such a room with small expense.
Last year's school report voices the feeling that some- thing should be done to modernize the elementary school plant. What to do is harder sometimes to determine than how to do. The enrolment in the first six grades is as follows :
Grade
I
II
III
26
28
31
45 IV
20 V VI
30
The distribution of pupils is ideal for one teacher for a grade. In the present arrangement there are six teachers in the first six grades but in just one instance does a teach- er have one grade. If the present plan of two elementary buildings is to be the policy of the town an effort should be made to modernize those buildings.
Doubtless there are other improvements that should be mentioned but if the policy of doing a little each year is followed it will not be long before the result will be a well equipped plant with no material increase in the tax rate.
102
SEVENTY-NINTH ANNUAL REPORT
The most important factor in any school system is its corps of teachers. The best that time and reasonable sal- aries will afford should be secured. The supply of would be teachers is greater than the demand. From this sur- plus teachers should be chosen who, not only will do the work of the class room but who will leave a lasting influ- ence for good. The old addage "the teacher makes the school" was never more true than at the present time, there- fore I urge that vacancies be filled with extreme care. Class room instruction is a most important element in the suc- cess of the school. It should be the aim of all concerned to make this as efficient as possible.
I am of the opinion that conditions in the Norwell schools are better than in most towns of similar size. You are fortunate in having such a loyal group of teachers, who are anxious to co-operate in bringing the best in education to the system.
With such a corps of teachers plus the co-operation of the parents, a school enrolment the size of Norwell should be satisfied worth nothing short of the best.
I would suggest the careful reading of reports by the High School Principal and special teachers, also, examina- tion of statistical reports.
In closing I wish to express my sincere appreciation of the excellent spirit of co-operation which has come to me from all connected with the schools.
Respectfully submitted,
HAROLD E. JACKMAN
Superintendent of Schools
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TOWN OF NORWELL
ENROLLMENT
High School 67
Seniors
8
Juniors
17
Sophomores
15
Freshmen
27
Grammar School 105
Grade 8 25
Grade 7 17
Grade 6 30
Grade 5
20
Grade 4
13
Center Primary 59
Grade 4 12
Grade 3 18
Grade 2 15
Grade 1
14
Ridge Hill 38
Grade 3
13
Grade 2 13
Grade 1
12
Total 269
SUMMARY OF SCHOOL CENSUS
Number of males between 5 and 16 years 153
Number of females between 5 and 16 years 134
104
SEVENTY-NINTH ANNUAL REPORT
Total 287
Divided as follows :
Males between 5 and 7 years 39
Females between 5 and 7 41
Total 80
Males between 7 and 14 years 88
Females between 7 and 14 years 73
Total 161
Males between 14 and 16 years 26
Females between 14 and 16 years 20
Total 46
NELLIE L. SPARRELL
Census Enumerator
Norwell, Oct. 1, 1929.
SCHOOL SAVINGS January 3, to December 18, 1928
Total amount deposited $1 500 09
Average monthly deposit 166 66
Average weekly deposit 44 11
Average number of weekly depositors 165
Average per cent of pupils depositing each week 71
SIGHT AND HEARING TESTS
Number of pupils examined 268
Number found defective in eyesight 25
Number found defective in hearing 3
Number of parents or guardians notified 27
NORWELL AGE AND GRADE DATA AS OF OCTOBER 1, 1928 BOYS
Age
5 6 7
8 9 10 11
12
13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Total
Grade
16
II
5 7 1
13
III
8
6 2
1
17
IV
2
4
2 1
9
V
1
2
5 1
1
10
VI
4
6
1
11
VII
3
7
10
VIII
1
4
6
2
13
IX
4
8
4
1
17
X
1
5
2
1
9
XI
ยท 1
3
2
1
7
XII
2
1
1
4
Total 9 10 17 9 7 9 16
13 11 10
14
7
3
1 136
I
9
5
2
TOWN OF NORWELL
105
NORWELL AGE AND GRADE DATA AS OF OCTOBER 1, 1928 GIRLS
Age
5 6 7 8 9 10
11
12
13
14 15
16 17 18 19 20 Total
Grade
11
I
7
3
1
16
III
5
6
1
12
IV
7 6 1
14
V
3
4 2
9
VI
6
8
2
2
18
VII
2
4
1
7
1
5
2
3
11
IX
4
5
1
10
X
1
4
3
1
9
XI
3
2
1
6
XII
1
1
1
1
4
Total
7 12 12
14
10
11
13
9 10
12
10
3
2
1 0
1
127
106
SEVENTY-NINTH ANNUAL REPORT
9
6
1
VIII
High School Principal
Mr. Harold E. Jackman, Superintendent of Norwell Schools :
As I spend a few moments in retrospection to prepare my report I look back upon a very pleasant year of service. Under Mr. Farrin, our former superintendent, I went through a most congenial period of orientation. Under you I have enjoyed thus far, the feeling that the High School is "mine" and, as with your predecessor, I have ac- ted accordingly, doing at all times what I thought best for the school-that "best" always being determined, to a large degree, by the influence of my more experienced associate.
I am pleased to state that there is in the High school nothing radically new upon which I can report. Abrupt changes usually are disturbing to such an extent that such changes are rarely justified. In most changes, I believe, one should "make haste slowly."
On the whole the co-operation of the parents continues to be excellent. Occasionally, though, I wonder if some peo- ple are fulfilling adequately the duties of a citizen and par- ent when they fail to provide proper conditions of study at home. The parent who does not insist upon the home study period, as asked on each pupil's report card, is neglecting his duty toward his child and toward the community. Some parents are not at home to insist that the study periods be
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SEVENTY-NINTH ANNUAL REPORT
uninterrupted. Others are so gullible that they are led to believe that no home work has been assigned or that the pupil has been able to do all the work as asked while at school. Sometimes it seems as though it would be better to grade the parents rather than the pupils, for after all, the average high school pupil does, in the long run, what his parents allow him to do.
Last year in my report I expressed my faith in the mem- bers of the graduating class of 1928. By no means am I disappointed. Half of them are enrolled and continu- ing their studies in some higher institution of learning. The remaining students are employed in forms of activities which are profitable to the individual to a greater degree than if he had not graduated from high school. Of those who went away from us last year perhaps the one who entered Radcliffe by examinations in English, Latin, French, and Mathematics furnishes us with the most defin- ite criterion with which we or others may judge the thor- oughness of our high school work. This student, Miss Helen Wiggin, was later publicly honored for her scholas- tic accomplishments while in competition with students from schools of many states.
Our lunch room is being operated in a most pleasing and satisfactory manner. It is a relief to know that day after day competent people are planning for and serving our young people with clean wholesome food at a price slightly above cost. Parents would do well to make occas- ional inquiries as to what is offered and what is purchased. I sometimes fear that the nickel given by the parent for hot potatoes and gravy is used for ice cream.
It is gratifying to see plans materializing toward the real- ization of a closer union of the upper six grades. I be- lieve that the formation of a six year high school will be
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TOWN OF NORWELL
the greatest step toward efficiency of organization that Nor- well has made in quite some time. This can be effected without increased expense to the taxpayers-though it will give them eventually far greater dividends on their invest- ment.
A six year high school greatly facilitates the selection of a course to meet more nearly the needs of varying ca- pacities, interests, and probable future possibilities. It gives the individual who is to withdraw as soon as the law permits a few more contacts than would have been possible under the old plan of a teacher for each grade or two. In the past it has been the tendency of most schools to do the most for those who planned to go to college. This group represents a decided minority,-usually less than ten per cent of the total enrollment. The other group, already handicapped by circumstances over which the individuals rarely have control, is allowed to follow along as best it can until one by one the individuals fall by the wayside. It is not right. There is no justice in any plan which caters to those already favored by heredity or environment at the expense of those less favored. The latter group is deser- ving of the best that can be given by way of training, encour- agement, and guidance. The other group is the better able of the two to care for itself-if either must. The public school is the last possible opportunity for contact with this less gifted group. The other group will have an oppor- tunity in its later years of school. But it is intended that neither group be neglected. With this six year plan there is enough elasticity to meet better than hereetofore the needs of all.
Somewhere in the Norwell school system there is a very weak spot in the grammar training of the pupils. The situation, though not alarming, is so bad that the blame can not be placed upon the shoulders of any one teacher. There
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SEVENTY-NINTH ANNUAL REPORT
must be a laxness in the early training of the children. It has been suggested that it may be due in part to lack of pride in accuracy. Even on high school papers it is not infrequent that I find a pupil misspelling his own name. This shiftlessness is illustrated again in the tendency of some pupils to write the same word with three different spellings on the same sheet of paper. That type of shift- lessness originated long before the pupil attained the high school age. In defense of my school and teachers I must say that the fault lies in either the elementary school or the home-both perhaps. If such is the case the parents and citizens should know it .- They are being told.
The new plans, with one teacher in charge of all English for the six grades, will facilitate the location of the present weaknesses. By way of correction our English will be so systematized that we shall be able to proceed along lines of far greater uniformity and of better relationship one to the other than we have as yet.
A major feature of the new plan is the advantage given the youths of the present seventh and eighth grades in hav- ing contacts with several personalities instead of with merely the personality of one grade teacher. Many ed- ucators feel that it is the personality of the teacher which is really the source of the inspiration and real training for the famous "Seven Cardinal Principles." Is it not rea- sonable, then, to assume that with a few possible exceptions the student who comes in contact with three teachers must have an advantage over one who meets but one teacher hour after hour? Is it not reasonable to expect that a pupil who has contacts with both men and women teachers has a more rounded point of view than one who has merely one or the other ?
With the feeling that we are progressing I look ahead
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TOWN OF NORWELL
constantly preparing for the transition with the desire to make the change with as little abruptness as possible. The reorganized school, I am sure, will be a stronger unit than ever before.
Respectfully submitted, W. B. GIFFORD.
School Dentist
Mr. Harold Jackman Superintendent of Schools Norwell, Mass.
Dear Sir :
The following is an outline of the work completed in the detal clinic from January 1, 1928 to December 31, 1928.
Children were examined in the grades up to the High School.
Number of examinations 183
Number applications for clinic 145
Number of completed cases 50
Number of fillings
Amalgam 217
Cement and Amalgam 53
Copper Amalgam 78
Cement 28
Porcelain
39
Number of Extractions
Temporary teeth
64
Permanent
20
Number of treatments 67
Number of Root Fillings
5
Number of Porcelain Crowns 2
Number of Cleanings 81
Respectfully submitted, WILLIS B. PARSONS, D. M. D.
School Nurse
January 1, 1928 to December 31, 1928
Number of visits to schools 248
(These visits include visits made with school doctor and dentist. )
Number of visits to houses 243
Number of inspections (sanitary) 54
Number of inspections (teeth, throats, skin, hair) 42
Number of visits to clinics 65
Number of children carried home ill 11
Number of children excluded from school
28
Excluded on account of chicken pox
20
Excluded on account of scarlet fever
1
Excluded on account of measles 3
Excluded on account of impetigo 4
Number of children given T. A. T. 105
Number of children having physical defects 70
Number of children having physical defects partially corrected 15
Number of children having physical defects
wholly corrected
35
PRE-SCHOOL CLINIC
Numbering children entering school 21
Number of children examined at clinic 100%
Total number of defects 24
Number of defects partially corrected 7
de
114
SEVENTY-NINTH ANNUAL REPORT
Number of defects wholly corrected 12
Number given T. A. T.
11
Respectfully submitted,
CATHERINE A. ROE.
Supervisor of Drawing
The course in drawing and art appreciation which I have outlined for the schools of Norwell includes a study of these three important phases: Representation, color and design. I have found it wise and more profitable to take up these phases in this sequence as it seems to me, and to others working along these lines, to be the simplest, the most natural line of development.
Along with these, also, are included problems in applica- tion and construction, but for lack of working hours, I have tried to put the emphasis on the thorough understand- ing of the primary principles of order and beauty and to suggest, in my teaching, the many ways in which these principles may be applied to very practical problems.
Representation includes the study of facts and appear- ances of form and shape. The objectives towards which we work are as follows :
1. To develop the habit of using drawing as a language.
2. To develop the visual memory and creative imagin- ation through the use of drawing.
3. To develop the power of discriminating imagination.
Color includes the study of the spectrum, the primary, secondary and intermediate steps in the color wheel, color
116
SEVENTY-NINTH ANNUAL REPORT
harmonies in nature and in art, and the ability to use cray- ons and paints successful. The objectives towards which we work are as follows :
1. To know the primary colors, and what combinations of these form the missing colors.
2. Ability to recognize and make pleasing color schemes.
3. Ability to use hues pleasingly.
4. To develop a color sense in respect to hue, value (light, middle, dark.)
Design includes a study of the laws of order in Nature and their application in art. The objectives before us here are as follows :
1. To help the student to recognize, understand and enjoy order as the basis of beauty in Nature and Art.
2. To give him power to create orderly and possibly beautiful designs in color, line, shape, and form.
3. To develop creative imagination in design.
4. To develop discriminating taste in selection and ar- rangement of lines, shapes, and groups of same.
Construction and application includes the technical exe- cution of the child's ideas. It develops the habit of inven- tive and creative expression in materials and increases his skill in the use of tools and materials.
Behind and through these objectives I have worked es- pecially hard to stimulate a really thoughtful altitude on
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TOWN OF NORWELL
the part of the student, to dispel fear, to encourage orig- inal thinking and a reasonably free expression of ideas.
To encourage this, I have judged the work by its intel- lectual, symbolic or imaginative content rather than by its technique, primarily. I think I can say I have not worked in vain or had too high hopes, for I find among the stu- dents a delightfully original and personal touch, once their fear and reserve is forgotten in their work.
For my time allowance I have one day a week, which is divided into seven periods, allowing about thirty-five min- utes for the grades and one half hour for the high school. I should like to have forty-five minutes from the sixth grade up and one hour with the high school as their actual work- ing period is much too short. However, I am well pleas- ed with their work. I only hope that by the end of the year the students will realize at least a part of the mental stimulus and genuine pleasure in their work that I have re- ceived in working with them.
A great deal of the pleasure that I have enjoyed while teaching in Norwell this year his been due to the very help- ful, friendly, and hearty co-operation of the teachers and members of the school board. Without this sympathetic and homelike atmosphere which has always been a delight, I never could hope to accomplish what I have done and still hope to do. May I here express my appreciation to all who have made my visits to Norwell a real pleasure.
Respectfully submitted, VIRGINIA STARBIRD, Supervisor of Drawing
Supervisor of Music
Hanover Center, Mass.
To the Superintendent of School, Norwell :
Dear Sir :
The music work has been progressing very well through- out the schools and the different teachers have been work- ing fathfully to bring their pupils up to standard.
Grades one, two and three from Ridge Hill School gave a very interesting operetta entitled "A Christmas for Santa Claus."
A new system of books is gradually being installed througout the grades. With these music readers is a most interesting and practical course in Music Appreciation ac- companied by phonograph records which contain the same songs played by different orchestral instruments both in solo form and combination.
This year the high school boys and girls have their sep- rate glee clubs. Twenty of the best female voices were se- lected for the girls' glee club and eighteen of the best male voices for the boys' glee club. Both glee clubs are meet- ing once a week with Miss Graves as instructor and Mrs. Turner as pianist and another day with the supervisor. Outside study of the best composers is required, with one written lesson a week assigned for credit.
119
TOWN OF NORWELL
Much interest is being manifested in the preparation of "Miss Cheeryblossom," an operetta to be ready for pro- duction in a few weeks.
There is a movement in the air to establish a real in- strumental department in the schools such as surrounding towns are engaged in this year, that is the organizing of a band and orchestra. Miss Adelphine Carpenter of Marsh- field representing the Conn Music Company is the organ- izer, and she will be glad to advise any one interested.
Any boy or girl in the fifth grade or higher is eligible. Instructors from the Conn Music Company will be sent from Boston if you have an instrument sign up for lessons, which are only twenty-five cents. If you have no instruments Miss Carpenter will assist in selecting one.
The splendid support received from school officials and teachers is much appreciated.
Respectfully submitted, PANSY B. STETSON, Supervisor of Music
Report of the Parent-Teachers Association of Norwell
The program for the year is as follows :
September 1928.
Speakers : Mr. Harold E. Jackman, our new superintend- dent of schools.
Mr. Willis B. Gifford, Prin. Norwell School Committee.
Entertainment by the Sophomores under supervision of Miss Myrtle Graves.
October 1928
Speaker : Mr. L. L. Cleveland, Principal of the Cam- bridge High and Latin School.
Entertainment by Mrs. Perry Osborn's 3rd and 4th Grades.
November 1928
Speakers: Mr. Arthur Lord, Supervisor of Statistics in the Department of Secondary Education. Mrs. Albert Sylvester.
Entertainment by Miss Davies' 6th Grade.
December 1928.
Christmas Reading by Rev. W. M. Whitehill. Entertianment : Christmas operetta by Mrs. Minnie
Tones and Miss Alice Blossom's 1st. 2nd. and 3rd
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TOWN OF NORWELL
grades, Christmas tree for the children.
January 1929.
Dinner, Bridge, Dance, (postponed because of epidemic.)
February 1929.
Speaker : Charles Swain Thomas, Professor of English, Harvard University.
Entertainment by Miss Merritt's 1st and 2nd Grades.
March 20, 1929.
A speaker from the Department of Education. Rev. Alfred Wilson.
Entertainment by Mrs. Pinson's 7th and 8th Grades.
April 17, 1929.
Speaker: William Chase Greene, Professor of Classics, Harvard University.
Entertainment by Miss Hatch's 4th and 5th Grades.
May 22, 1929.
Speaker : Mr. Horace T. Fogg,
Entertainment by pupils under 'Mr. Ira Bagnall's super- vision.
June 1929.
Annual Meeting-Election of officers.
Entertainment by pupils under Mrs. Lois Turner's su- pervision.
Mr. John H. Gutterson leads the community singing at the meetings. Mrs. Minnie Jones and Miss Alice Blossom are in charge of refreshments.
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