USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Norwell > Town of Norwell annual report 1920-1929 > Part 5
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NEW BUILDING CONSTRUCTION
The present High School Building is wholly inadequate for the purpose. In size, in arrangement, in hygienic con-
121
TOWN OF NORWELL
ditions, in every element that goes to make up an acceptable High School building the Town Hall is deficient. That we are able to carry on there the very successful school that we have is a piece of the rarest good fortune. Under such con- ditions we cannot hope for long to hold together such a com- petent teaching corps as we now have. Too much credit cannot be given to the Principal and his assistants for the excellent spirit they show in working under such adverse conditions. It is no less difficult for the pupils, and the kind of pupils we have in that school certainly deserve the best there is. They are good earnest students and are mak- ing the best of very trying circumstances. How long are they to be sacrifice to the "Good Roads Movement" ?
Since what seems the ideal solution to this problem, both educationally and financially-The Union High School-has not met with the support it merits; and since, to make any great progress in our school system, we must reorganize it; Norwell should give immediate consideration to a building project which will place all of her school children under one roof, or perhaps better, under three connected roofs.
I can visualize a long low building of one story construc- tion with a wing forming an ell at either end, the space be- tween these ells itself making a large auditorium; the whole structure being a rectangle with its longest dimension the front. In one wing the Junior High School, in the other the Senior High School would have their separate activities while across the front on either side of the imposing main en- trance would be found the grade rooms of the elementary schools and the administration offices. Directly back from the main entrance would be the doors of the auditorium, admission to which would be possible from either of the other sections of the building. In the frieze above the main entrance would appear the name of the school. Is there no family in the town whose members will earn the right to there perpetuate their name ?
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SEVENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REPORT
CURRICULUM
Aside from the intensification of the course in United States History and Civics, there have been no marked chan- ges in this element of the local school system. This change, made necessary by act of the last General Court, was greatly to be desired. Its inclusion however in the grades makes one more reason for the need of an improvement in our or- ganization, since it means another demand on the time of the teachers in the eighth grades.
Results of increased emphasis on one subject in the curri- culum are becoming increasingly evident. This subject is Reading, one in which more poor teaching has been done almost universally than in any other taught in our schools. and all because of a misconception of its true function. The universality of this misconception is illustrated by a definition of reading found in a popular dictionary used in many schools and advertised as the very latest compilation extant. This dictionary says, "Reading-utterance aloud of the words of books, etc." This is the most popular form of reading lesson found in schools of today, "utterance aloud of words of books." Why take so large a part of six or seven years to teach what the average child learns in three ? If this is all of Reading, why teach it at all. Words-words- words-with nothing behind them! This is one of the curses of the world today.
Reading is immeasurably more than the "utterance of words of books." Consider the definition of this word evolved from the collective effort of a group of educators from the environs of Boston. These men, sitting in a semi- nar in Education at Harvard University, under the leader- ship of Professor Ernest Carroll Moore, agreed upon the following: "Reading is the art of securing appropriate reac- tions from written or printed symbols." More universally but less accurately this is stated as the ability to get the author's thought from the printed page. Accepting this
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TOWN OF NORWELL
less accurate expression we have something vastly greater than is indicated by the dictionary definition as quoted. It is this broader and better thing that we have been endeavor- ing to secure. If this endeavor be continued persistently I am sure we shall eliminate one of the most prolific sources of difficulty in learning other subjects of the curriculum.
TEACHERS
By the rarest of good fortune we had but two resignations from our teaching force at the close of the school year last June. Under the smile of that same "fickle goddess" we were able to increase rather than diminish the strength of the staff by the change. How fortunate we were cannot be appreciated by those who do not have the duty of seeking teachers in these days. Here the chief difficulty is the ques- tion of salary. When other towns and cities are paying twelve, thirteen, fifteen hundred dollars and more for elemen- tary teachers who have but one grade in their rooms, we cannot expect to draw the best teachers into our system. I am forced to confess that I cannot see how Norwell can in- crease her salary schedule without further aid from the State. Such aid may be granted by the current session of the General Court by changes in the law concerning the dis- tribution of the state funds, or in some other manner. If such aid is forthcoming I feel sure the benefits thereof will be given to the teachers at once. It is, of course, the privil- ege of the Town Meeting to determine whether Norwell considers her teachers worth as much as expert road- builders. This is a question worthy of the thought of the new voters at that meeting, the women of Norwell.
Another difficulty to be faced in securing teachers is the problem of a place to board. Fortunately this is less a prob- lem in this town than it might well be if we had not so many home teachers. I fear that it is not appreciated how fortu- nate we are that our teachers who live at home are as good as
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SEVENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REPORT
they are. We are sometimes prone to forget that, "a prophet is not without honor save in his own country and among his own people."
PUPILS AND THEIR PROGRESS
Below will be found an Age and Grade Distribution Table in which is shown the number and distribution of the school children of the town. Explanatory notes have been added to assist those unfamiliar with the interpretation of such statistical tables.
TABLE AGE AND GRADE DISTRIBUTION
5 6 7 8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
T
U A
Per Ct.
O A
Per Ct.
I
1 | 22
10 |
2
II
11
8 | 3 | 1|
23
0
0
4
17
III
3 | 7 |4 | 0 | 2 |
1
17
3
18
3
18
19
2
11
4
21
13
5
38
2
15
21
6
29
5
24
26
9
35
1
4
18
6
33
1
6
VIII
-
2 | 4 | 8 | 3|
1 |
-
-
-
-
16
6
38
0
0
IX |
1
1
-
X
-
XI
İ
5| 5| 01
10
5
50
0
0
XII
-
4
22
24
19
20
18
25
15
26
21
16 8 |2 |0
220
57
26
23
10
-
38
4
11
2
6
-
-
IV
2 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 1|
-
V
5 | 6 |0|1|
1
2
1 |
2
VII|
-
1
00
8 |
1 |
-
-
1
1 |6| 6 |0 | 1|
14
7
50
1
7
1 |3 |1|0
5
4
80
0
0
-
-
VI|
-
| 6 | 9 |1|
6 | 9 |1|
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SEVENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REPORT
This tabulation is made for ages on December 31, 1920.
Numbers at the heads of columns represent the ages to the nearest year.
Roman numerals at the left of horizontal lines of figures indicate the grades.
Each block under an age number encloses the number of children of an age six months on either side of the age desig- nated at the head of the column.
The heavily leaded lines forming steps diagonally across the table represent the limits within which normal entrance and progress would place the pupils. Thus a first grade pupil would fall between the ages of five years and six months and seven years and six months, the two year spread making allowance for differences in ages upon entering school.
U. A. indicates that the numbers in this column are repre- sentative of children above grade, correspondingly O. A. stands for those who are below their normal grade. Theor- etically these two columns should be approximately equal. Here we find more than fifty per cent come under age pupils than of those over age. The number in the accelerated group in the High school is particularly significant, showing that our younger pupils hold their standing to the end of the course.
THE DENTAL CLINIC
Although in its probationary stage the clinic has already demonstrated its potentialities. Thru it some appalling evidences of neglect were found, and evidences of excellent care occasionally noted. Practically every school child in the town has been examined by Dr. Eldredge and many have taken advantage of his presence in the town to have defects remedied.
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TOWN OF NORWELL
SCHOOL NURSE
The work of the School Physician and School Dentist has heen ably supplemented by the School Nurse. Too much cannot be said of the value of this work. At present it is to all practical purposes a private venture but should be taken over by the town at once. The value of such an official to the community cannot be overestimated.
May I at this time express my appreciation of the support I have received from the committee and the friends of the Norwell schools.
Respectfully submitted, STEPHEN G. BEAN.
Report of Principal of High School
To the Superintending School Committee:
I hereby submit my annual report of the High School for the past year. The co-operation between teachers and pu- pils has been fully maintained during the past year with gratifying results. I am glad to announce that we have at this time practically a self-governing school. Its spirit is excellent. The students appear ambitious and eager to ac- cept suggestions to improve their work. New names are appearing frequently upon our honor roll and this fact stimulates others to increased efforts.
The spelling exercises introduced last year have been con- tinued with a higher requirement. Their value is already manifested in the regular work of all departments. Agree- able to the new State requirement, all members of the two upper classes are pursuing a course in United States History and Civics besides their other work. This has entailed upon some, more periods per week than is reasonable, but thus far, the work has been carried on without detriment to them- selves.
The increasing numbers anticipating the Commercial Course, will make it necessary to increase the number of our machines. This matter should meet your early considera- tion in preparation for another year.
As our classes increase, we are more and more inconve- nienced by the lack of facilities which are apparent to all who visit the school. Several times each week, we are obliged regularly to conduct two exercises, and at times three, in the same room at one time. Such a condition is
129
TOWN OF NORWELL
most unsatisfactory to teacher and pupil, and that we have been able to secure results under these limitations, is a testi- mony to the efficiency of teachers and the desire of the stu- dents to succeed in their work. That some solution for this difficulty may be found in the near future seems almost a necessity if the school is to maintain the standing which all should desire.
During the year several students from our upper classes moved from Norwell and were transferred to other schools. In all such cases, they have been able to maintain their stand- ing credibly and some have won distinction in their new field of work.
For a large part of the year, we had the entire teaching force of the previous year, and a large part of the success obtained, is due to the friendly relations and earnest co- operation of all. At the close of the school year, Miss Doris Wheeler accepted a position in the Commercial department of a school nearer her home, and Miss Rosalie Wheelock, under whose charge music had been established in the Nor- well schools and whose work has been so well and favorably known at our graduations, was compelled to relinquish her work here to devote her whole time elsewhere. The va- cancy thus caused in the Commercial department was filled by the appointment of Miss Dorothy Sleeper of Lakeport, N. H., who has carried on the work very acceptably in all respects. To succeed Miss Wheelock, Miss Ethel H. Stud- ley of Hingham was appointed director of music. In the short time that she has been with us, she has awakened a new interest in singing and has directed her work tactfully and successfully. To Mrs. Eldridge, instructor of drawing, great credit is due for the high standard of work throughout the year. Water color was introduced in the advanced class with good results. I wish to express my hearty thanks to all teachers and pupils for their loyalty and kind spirit which has been such a factor in the results attained.
Not for Circulation
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SEVENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REPORT
In conclusion permit me also to express my sincere appre- ciation of the uniform courtesy which you and the Superin- tendent of Schools have shown me, and to express the hope that the work of the school will continue to merit your ap- proval and support, and that of all the citizens of Norwell.
Respectfully submitted, J. M. NICHOLS,
Principal.
NORWELL PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1639 00054 9467
NORWELL TOWN REPORT
OF NO R
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INCORP
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1921
ERVE
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Seventy-Second Annual Report OF THE
TOWN OFFICERS
OF
NORWELL
OF NOR
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INC
1849.
RPO R
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31 1921
STANDARD PUBLISHING COMPANY ROCKLAND, MASS.
Norwell Public Library
INDEX
Appropriation Recommended 96 Articles in Warrant II4
Assessors 37
Auditor
95
Board of Health 105
Budget for 1922 IIO
Financial Statement II2
Forest Warden ICO
Highway Surveyor
Highways 55
Snow 87
Incidental
76
Jury List
113
Miscellaneous
91
Moth Superintendent 96
Overseers of Poor 39
Ridge Hill Public Library 108
School Committee
II9
Sealer of Weights and Measures 107
Selectmen
Incidental 30
Miscellaneous Appropriations 3-
Town Officers 28
Tax Collector 53
Town Clerk
5
Town Expenditures 118
Treasurer 45
Town Officers 1921 3
Tree Warden 98
Trustees
42
Town Officers
Selectmen, Assessors and Overseers of Poor EDWARD M. SEXTON WILLIAM J. LEONARD GEORGE M. CURRIER
Town Clerk Treasurer JOSEPH F. MERRITT HERBERT E. ROBBINS
Tax Collector WILLIAM H. SPENCER
Surveyor of Highways WALTER T. OSBORN
School Committee
BENJAMIN LORING MRS. AMY SYLVESTER MRS. NELLIE L. SPARRELL
Auditor ELIOT W. CROWELL
Board of Health
JOHN F. WILDER MINOT WILLIAMSON JOSEPH F. MERRITT
Constables
WALTER T. OSBORN FRED A. STODDARD
J. WARREN FOSTER JOHN F. WILDER LESTER D. WEST Cemetery Committee W. WALLACE FARRAR ARTHUR T. STODDARD HERBERT G. SIMMONS
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SEVENTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
Tree Warden FRED M. CURTIS
Sealer of Weights and Measures J. WARREN FOSTER
Field Drivers THE CONSTABLES Officers Appointed by Selectmen
Registrars of Voters
JOSEPH F. MERRITT JEREMIAH H. LEHAN
HENRY J. TOLMAN WILLIAM O. PROUTY
Warden of Almshouse ALONZO C. CHISHOLM
Forest Fire Warden Gypsy Moth Agent
ARTHUR COOMBS FRED M. CURTIS
Inspector of Animals J. WARREN FOSTER
Inspectors of Slaughtered Animals AMOS H. TILDEN ALPHEUS DAMON
Surveyors of Lumber, Wood and Bark
BERT RICHARDSON JOHN WHALEN
W. D. TURNER ARTHUR T. STODDARD
BENJAMIN LORING F. E. HENDERSON JOHN E. LESLIE J. FRANK TURNER
Keeper of Lockup ALONZO C. CHISHOLM ALONZO C. CHISHOLM
Town Weigher
Report of Town Clerk
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING, MARCH 7-14, 1921.
Pursuant to a warrent under the hands of the Selectmen. duly executed and return, thereof, made by Walter T. Osborn, a constable of Norwell, the inhabitants of the Town qualified to vote in elections and in Town affairs, met at Town Hall on Monday, March 7, at 7 P. M. and took action as follows :
Article I. To choose a Moderator.
John Whalen was elected Moderator, by ballot. He was sworn by the Town Clerk.
Article 2. To hear the reports of the several boards of officers and committees of the Town and act thereon.
Voted that the reports of the officers, as printed, be accepted.
The committee chosen to look into the matter of a "Central School Building" reported progress and it was voted that they serve another year.
Article 3. To make necessary appropriations to defray the expenses of the Town, and for other purposes and to raise such sums of money as the Town shall deem ex- pedient.
6
SEVENTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
Voted to appropriate the following sums :
Support of Poor $ 1800 00
Almshouse 2500 00
Support of Schools 12500 00
Highways, including tarvia work
13500 00
Removing Snow 1500 00
Memorial Day 250 00
Sate Aid 1500 00
Soldiers' Relief
400 00
Town Officers 2400 00
Washington Street Cemetery
75 00
Tree Warden 50 00
Mowing Bushes
300 00
Board of Health
500 00
Inspection of Slaughtering
150 00
School Physcian
100 00
Square and Triangles
200 00
Town Hall
75 00
Electric Lights
500 00
James Library
300 00
Fire Department
300 00
Gypsy Moth
536 57
Superintendent of Schools
500 00
Interest
1950 00
State and County Taxes
6000 00
Gaffield Park
25 00
Incidentials
2000 00
Spraying Elms
200 00
Maintenance Plymouth County Hospital
438 54
Other appropriations and amounts authorized under dif- ferent articles :
Plymouth County Trustees $ 100 00
7
TOWN OF NORWELL
Ridge Hill Public Library 50 00
School and District Nurse Association I200 00
Electric Lights in Town Hall 170 00 Shingle and Repair Roof at No. 2 School House 200 00
Summer Street, special 600 00
Lincoln and Mt. Blue Streets, special 1500 00
Central Stree special 5,000 00
Voted to raise by taxation the amount necessary to carry out the appropriation not otherwise provided for, and as- sess it on the polls and estates of residents and on the estates of non-residents.
Article 4. What compensation will the Town make for removing snow and appropriate money for the same?
Voted to pay 50 cents per hour for shoveling snow.
Article 5. In what manner and time shall the taxes be collected for the ensuing year ?
Voted that the Statutes cover the collection of taxes.
Article 6. To make allowance to Town creditors.
A bill for janitor services at Town Hall was presented by Floyd Osborn. After discussion it was voted to lay it on the table.
No other bills were presented.
Article 7. What sum of money will the Town ap- propriate for the use of Post 112, G. A. R. on Memorial Day?
Appropriatioin made under Article 3, $250.00.
8
SEVENTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
Article 8. Will the Town cause a statement of its financial affairs to be printed in February next ?
Voted that a report be printed February, 1922.
Article 9. Will the Town appropriate a sum of money to be expended in the cemetery on Washington Street ?
Voted to appropriate $75.00 under Article 3.
Article 10. What price will the Town pay for labor on the highway for the ensuing year ?
Voted that the Highway Surveyor use his own discretion in fixing price.
Article II. What action will the Town take in regard to keeping the sidewalks in repair.
Voted to leave the care of sidewalks in the hands of the Selectmen.
Article 12. Will the Town give any instructions to Town Officers ?
Voted that the Highway Surveyor render to the citizens of the Town, by having printed in the next annual report, the amount of money expended for scraping and also money spent separately on each street in the Town for oil and repairs for th ensuing year; also to add a summary of amounts spent.
Article 13. What price will the Town pay for work at fires for the ensuing year ?
Voted that it he left to the Forest Warden to fix price.
9
TOWN OF NORWELL
Article 14. Will the Town take any action in regard to the care of parks, squares and triangles and make any appropriation for the same?
Approprition of $200.00 made under Article 3. Ex- pended under direction of Tree Warden.
Article 15. Will the Town make any appropriation for the James Library?
Voted to appropriate $300.00 for James Library under Article 3.
Article 16. Will the Town act with the Town of Han- over to have electric lights at the junction of River Street, Norwell, and Broadway, Hanover, and at Assinippi ?
Voted to act with Hanover to maintain lights at these locations.
Article 17. Will the Town appropriate the sum of $536.57 for the suppression of gypsy and brown-tail moths ?
Appropriation made under Article 3.
Article 18. What sum of money will the Town ap- propriate to pay the Superintendent of Schools?
Voted to appropriate $500.00 under Article 3.
Article 19. Will the Town raise and appropriate the sum of three hundred dollars for the purpose of fighting fires ?
Voted to appropriate $300.00 for fires under Article 3.
10
SEVENTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
Article 20. What sum of money will the Town ap- propriate for the spraying of elm trees along the highways?
Voted to appropriate $200.00 for spraying elms under Article 3.
Article 21. What sum of money will the Town ap- propriate for electric lights ?
Voted to appropriate $500.00 under Article 3.
Article 22. To see if the Town will authorize the Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen to borrow money on and after January 1, 1922, in anticipation of the revenue of the financial year beginning January 1, 1922 and to issue a note or notes therefor payable within one year. Any debt or debts incurred under this vote to be paid from the revenue of the financial year, beginning January I, 1922.
It was voted that the Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, be authorized to borrow money on and after January 1, 1922, in anticipation of the revenue of the financial year beginning January 1, 1922, and to issue a note or notes therefor payable within one year. Any debt or debts incurred under this vote to be paid from the revenue of the financial year beginning January 1, 1922.
Aricle. 23. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate for the use of the Plymouth County Trustees for County Aid to Agriculture the sum of $100.00 and choose a Town Director as provided in Chapter 273, Acts of 1918 and act thereon.
Voted to appropriate $100.00 and Horace T. Fogg was chosen Town Director.
11
TOWN OF NORWELL
Article 24. Will the Town raise and appropriate the sum of $50.00 for the Ridge Hill Public Library?
Voted to appropriate $50.00 for the Ridge Hill Public Library.
Article 25. Will the Town vote to raise and appropriate a sum not exceeding $1,200.00 for the services of a School and District Nurse for the ensuing year ?
Voted to appropriate $1,200.00 for School and District Nurse, the money to be spent under the direction of the District Nurse Association of Norwell.
Article 26. Will the Town resind the vote taken at the Special Town Meeting, April 23, 1919, whereby it was voted to accept the provisions of Chapter 284 of the Acts of 1915 as amended by Chapter 59, Acts of 1916, or give any further instructions to the Selectmen in regard to the time of calling Annual Town Meeting, or take any action relative to the same.
Voted not to resind this vote.
Article 27. Will the Town vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money sufficient to install electric lights in the Town Hall.
Voted to appropriate $170.00 to wire and equip the Town Hall for electric lights.
Article 28. Will the Town raise and appropriate a sum not exceeding $200.00 to repair the roof of District No. 2 School House ?
12
SEVENTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
Voted to appropriate $200.00 to shingle and repair roof at District No. 2 School House.
Article 29. Will the Town raise and appropriate a sum of money to gravel and tarvia the road on Summer Street from Lincoln Ellms to the Scituate line, the gravel to be procured from the pit of Joseph Whitcomb of Beechwood.
Will the Town appropriate the sum of $1,500.00 for the repairing and resurfacing of Lincoln and Mt. Blue Streets from the Hingham line to Cushing Corner ?
Voted to appropriate $600.00 for repairing Summer Street as called for in above article.
Voted to appropriate $1,500 for repairing Lincoln and Mt. Blue Streets, both amounts under the direction of High- way Surveyor.
Article 30. Will the Town convey to the Church Hill Cemetery Corporation all the right title and interest it may have in the old cemetery and the adoining lands or any part thereof at Church Hill and authorize the Selectmen to sign, execute and deliver in its name and behalf a quit claim deed of the same?
Voted that the Town convey to the Church Hill Cemetery Corporation, all right, title and interest it may have in that part of the Old Cemetery and adjoining lands at Church Hill, shown on plan drawn by Harrison L. House, E.E., dated October, 1920, and marked "Land to be conveyed to Church Hill Cemetery Corporation" and we hereby authorize the Selectmen to sign, execute and deliver to said Church Hill Cemetery Corporation, a quit claim deed con- veying the same.
13
TOWN OF NORWELL
Article 31. Will the Town appropriate a sum not to exceed $5,000.00 to be expended with like appropriations from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the County of Plymouth as provided by Chapter 155, Acts of 1918 and other Acts in amendment thereto and connection therewith, for highway construction on Central Street as petitioned by the Selectmen, and further authorize its Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, to borrow a sum not to exceed five thousand ($5,000.00) dollars and issue bonds or notes of the Town, bearing interest payable semi-annually and principal payable in five equal annual payments, to provide for said construction ?
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