USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Norwell > Town of Norwell annual report 1930-1939 > Part 11
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78.07
1831
1
159
TOWN OF NORWELL
dicine and is the equivalent to an examination which costs the individual $40.
In the pre-school clinic held for those entering school for the first time, 27 of 28 entering took the test. This is a valuable clinic as teeth, tonsils etc receive.attention during the summer vacation and the pupil enters school in perfect physical condition.
In closing we leave with you as a matter for attention at no far distant date, the heating of the Central building : also the necessity for shower baths in the building. At present we are running six fires and it is difficult at times to heat one of the rooms and the assembly hall.
One large plant should be installed which would ade- quately provide for all the rooms and corridors. We feel sure it would mean a saving in fuel in addition to function- ing better. At the same time a locker room with shower baths for boys and one for girls, should be built in the assembly hall basement. These are necessary adjuncts for the proper care of pupils after athletic contests. Possibly next year when the town receives a little over $800 more from the state, would be the proper time to request funds for this work.
Thanking the parents and other citizens of Norwell for their co-operation, we respectfully submit this report.
NELLIE L. SPARRELL, Secretary BENJAMIN LORING, Chairman GRACE B. V. D. DINSMOOR.
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EIGHTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
would conform to state regulations. It was found neces- sary to have separate toilets for boys and girls on each floor.
Bids were received as follows for this work :
Manus Perry, $1,744 .; Howard Delano, $1,738 .; Archie Merritt, $1,479.69.
The contract was awarded to Archie Merritt for $1,479., he deducting the 69 cents to make the amount an even one.
This was the full extent of the alteration to the build- ing intended by the committee. In planning the change in the fire escape necessitated by this addition, the workman hired by the contractor to do this work submitted a plan of the fire escape to the State Dept. of Public Safety. This brought a visit from the Supervisor of this district to the scene, to look over the building. He promptly notified the architect of further alterations necessary to have the building conform to state regulations of school buildings, and has followed this with a letter to the committee in which he further specifies that these alterations shall not only include proper toilet facilities but a proper heating and ventilating system and new egresses and stairs in the front of the building to eliminate fire hazards. These he allow- · ed to be put over into 1932 for which we are asking for a special appropriation of $2,300. an amount estimated as sufficient by the present contractor. Since it was not work planned by the School committee but required by the Com- missioner of Public Safety, it was thought best to ask for a separate appropriation and explain its purpose to the tax- payers. If this appropriation is granted proposals will be published and bids received from all interested contractors.
In view of the fact that many opinions on whether we
157
TOWN OF NORWELL
are obliged to carry out these requests or demands of the Dept. of Public Safety, have been given, we venture to publish in this report, sections of the school laws bearing upon the situation. Chap. 143, Sec. 15 reads in part. "No building which is designed to be used or in which altera- tions shall be made for the purpose of using it or continu- ing its use, in whole or in part, as a public building, shall be erected and no alteration shall be made therein, until a copy of the plans and specifications thereof has been deposited with the supervisor of plans by the person causing its erec- tion or alteration, or the architect thereof. Such plans and specifications shall include those for heating, ventilation and sanitation, if the supervisor of plans so requires. Such buildings shall not be erected or altered without sufficient egresses and other means of escape from fire, properly located and constructed."
This section, goes on further to say that a certificate of approval shall be issued by the supervisor of the depart- ment of Public Safety to the person making the alteration or to the architect, when the specifications comply with the law. If however, the specifications submitted do not com- ply with Sec. 15 to 60 inclusive, a set of specifications nec- essary for compliance to the above sections shall be issued by the Dept. itseli and a copy of same given to the inspector in whose district the building is located, who shall enforce the requirements thereof and supervise the alteration's.
This clearly means that the State has the right to proceed with the work if the town fails to do so in which case it is possible the labor would be lost to local men.
Sec. 16 reads in part: "Whoever makes alterations in violation to Sec. 15 shall be punished by a fine of not less than $50 nor more than $1000.
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EIGHTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
Sec. 42 gives the inspector power to issue an order to the proper person directing different heating, ventilation and sanitation provisions as he may find necessary. Any school committee, who has charge of any public building, who neg- lects for four week's to comply with the order of such an inspector, shall be punished by a fine of not more than $100.
These are the laws and the penalties attending violation thereof which hedges your committee in its work-hence the request for the appropriation. Few individuals today try to evade two of the laws pertaining to automobiles on the highways, namely that all such automobiles shall be registered and drivers of same licensed. Should we not be as particular to obey these protective laws which the State has thrown about the health and safety of her greatest asset the child.
It seems fit to chronicle the progress made with the health work in the schools. A few still scoff at the idea of free clinics held by the State for the benefit of school children and relate how well they got along in their day without these physical examinations. But the majority of Norwell parents take advantage of every opportunity to check on the physical conditions of their children. This fact is very clearly shown in the result of the recent Tuber- culosis test held in the Norwell school, when 230 of an en- rollment of 298 voluntarily took the test. Nineteen reacted to the first test and later submitted to an X-ray examina- which showed four still were suspects. In the very thor- ough physical examination which is the last step in the test, only one was found definitely to have tuberculosis. This case is now receiving sanitarium treatment.
.
All this work was done by experts in their field of me-
155
TOWN OF NORWELL
The business course seems to appeal to more pupils each year. This we know is because it is the practical course for the majority of our boy and girls. Three typwriters will have to be added to the equipment of this department to keep up with the added number taking the course.
When it became known in the Fall that there was need for an assistant in this work, Miss Ruth Smith a Norwell High School graduate who had taken the business course at Boston University offered to give her full time to gain experience. As a result, she has been elected head of the Commercial Dept. of the Bridgewater High school. The Committee are deeply grateful for her splendid work while in the school and rejoice that her public spiritedness receiv- ed an early reward.
In 1919 Kaustine Clemical Toilets were installed at Dist. . No. 1, Ridge Hill. For the first few years these function- ed in a very satisfactory manner. Some five years ago they began to be a decided annoyance, which has increased each year until they have become a serious menance to the health of the pupils attending this school. The committee have been to a great expense during these years in an at- tempt to counteract this menace, having spent nearly $150. in 1931 for that purpose.
Realizing the futility of these efforts, the committee vot- ed in December to build a small addition to the rear of the building large enough to accomodate one flush toilet for each floor. This in itself would not have been a very ex- pensive proposition.
Realizing that all alterations in public buildings must pass state inspection, we acquired the services of Mr. Wm. Dinsmoor an architect who has had much experience in such matters, to draw up plans and specifications such as
School Superintendent
To the School Committee and Citizens of Norwell :
This, my fourth annual report, is herewith submitted for your consideration. Included in it are the reports of the High School Principal and of the Special Teachers.
The work of the past year has not been characterized by any striking developments. In writing this annual mes- sage there comes a desire for something unusual to report, but after all, oustanding features are, as a rule, obtained at the expense of ordinary activities which go to make up the every day duties of a school system. This year has been marked by many points of excellence as shown in the prize speaking contest, in the drawing exhibits, in the bank- ing record, in athletics, in music and dramatics, in the ef- ficiency of the lunch room, in the delightful conduct of so- cial functions, and last but not least in the standing that graduates take in higher institutions of learning.
At the close of the school year Miss Muriel Simonson, teacher of English in the high school, tendered her resig- nation. Miss Simonson had been with us but two years yet in that time had demonstrated her ability in English, music, and extra curricula activities. This seemed like a hard vacancy to fill but we were fortunate in securing the services of Miss Dorothy Myers, an experienced teacher and a graduate of Tufts College. So far Miss Myers has shown a thorough knowledge of her subject and a very
101
TOWN OF NORWELL
wholehearted interest in the school. The work of Miss Jennie White, who substituted for Mrs. Pinson during her leave of absence, was such that she was able to secure a position in the Duxbury graded schools. This speaks ex- tremely well for her year with us. It is a pleasure to re- port the return of Mrs. Pinson to health and the school.
The enrolment shows an increase of twenty-one pupils over that of last year. Eighteen of these pupils are in grades seven to twelve. This necessitated an unlooked for expense in the way of books, supplies and school furniture. No doubt the increase in enrolment is due partly to the un- employment situation. This is certainly not the time to have fourteen to sixteen year old boys holding positions that should be given to men. Every thinking person realizes that this must be a time of economy. We who are con- · nected with the schools are anxious to do our part but not to the extent of depriving boys and girls of today of educa- tion that will make them leaders of tomorrow. In a recent newspaper article a man who was nominated for the high- est office in the United States makes the following state- ment : "Whatever may be the exigencies, one thing must not happen. There must be no curtailment of educational facilities. The school systems for the education of our children in every State and Town must be kept up to one hundred percent efficiency. A State or a Town can afford to lose time on the construction of a road, building, or a bridge, and by speeding up construction at a later time pos- sibly catch up, but education must be continuous. Time lost in preparing our children to take their places in the world can not be made up. There are only certain years in which the great majority of them can attend school and during that period it is the solemn duty of every State and Town to provide full and complete education."
Many agencies are required to maintain a satisfactory
162
EIGHTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
school system, such as pupils, teachers, supervisors, mem- bers of the School Committee, parents, and taxpayers. In order to obtain the best results there must be co-operation on the part of all concerned. It would seem to me that this year has been an excellent example of such co-operation.
In closing I wish to express my appreciation of the un- usual kindness shown me during my recent illness by the School Committee, teachers, pupils, and citizens of the Town of Norwell.
Respectfully submitted,
HAROLD E. JACKMAN
SCHOOL CALENDAR 1932-1933
1932
January 4
School opens
February 19
School closes
February 29
School opens
April 15 School closes
April 25
School opens
May 30
Holiday
School closes June 24
SUMMER VACATION
September 7 School opens
October 12 Holiday
November 11 Holiday
November 24 to 28 Thanksgiving Recess
December 22 School closes
163
TOWN OF NORWELL
1933
January 3
School opens
February 17
School closes
February 27 School opens
April 14 School closes
April 24
School opens
May 30 Holiday
June 23
School closes
ENROLMENT SEPTEMBER 1931
High School
Grade 12
19
Grade 11 19
Grade 10 16
25
Grade 8
23
Grade 7
28
130
Grade 6
34
Grade 5 31
65
Ridge Hill
Grade 4 12
12
Grade 3
12
Grade 2
11
Grade 1
47
Center Primary
Grade 4
Grade 3 10
13
Grade 9
164
EIGHTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
Grade 2 20
Grade 1 11
59
Total in 1931 301
Total in 1930 280
Increase in 1931 21
Graduates of Norwell High School Attending Higher In- stitutions of Learning.
College
Robert Brown, Springfield Y. M. C. A. College
Joan Franceschini, Jackson College
John Lind, Northeastern University
Cynthia Robbins, Jackson College.
Helen Wiggin, Radcliffe College.
Normal School
Elsie Henderson, Bridgewater State Normal School Elsie Maxwell, Bridgewater State Normal School.
Business College
James Carey, Bryant and Stratton
.School of Osteopathy Joseph Szydłowski. Mass. College of Osteopathy
Hospital Training
Anna Mazur, Mass. Memorial Hospital
TEACHING STAFF STATISTICS SEPT. 1931
TEACHERS
Grades or Subjects
Home Address
Years of Experience
Education
Roland W. Payne, Prin
Mathematics
Norwell
7
A. Phillip Daggett
Science
Norwell
4
Colby College, Spring- field Y.M.C.A. College Bowdoin College
Lois C. Turner
Commercial
Norwell
12
Marion J. Hurley
Latin
Rockland
3
French
Marjorie L. White
Domestic Arts
Adams
2
Dorothy E. Myers
English
Somerville
1
Framingham College Tufts College
Oella Minard
Social Studies Mathematics
Milton
1
Bridgewater Normal
Florence B. Pinson Grace F. Cole
Grade 6
Norwell
21
Grade 5
Norwell
9
Salem Normal Bridgewater Normal
Center Primary Ella F. Orborne Marion G. Merritt
Grades 3 & 4
Norwell
19
Grades 1 & 2
Norwell
42
Norwell High Bridgewater Normal
Ridge Hill Minnie F. Jones Alice Blossom
Grades 3 & 4 Grades 1 & 2
Norwell Norwell
14
4
Norwell High Hyannis Summer School
165
TOWN OF NORWELL
History
Bridgewater Normal Tufts College
Music
AGE AND GRADE ENROLLMENT-BOYS
5
6
7
8 9 00
10 11
12
13
14
15 16
17
18
19
20 Total
1
8
2
1
15
2
10
4
1
15
3
4
8 2
1
11
4
6
2
3
14
5
4
5
3
1
1
6
8
6
4
2
15
7
2
6
2
4
1
5
6
1
12
8
3
8
2
2
15
9
3
2.
2
7
10
1
2
3
1
1
8
11
2
7
1
10
'12
Totals 8
12
9 15
8
16
12
11 13 22
7 7
11 2
153
166
EIGHTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
11
20
AGE AND GRADE ENROLLMENT-GIRLS
Total
5
6
7 8 9 10
11
12 13 14
15
1.6
17
18
19
20
Totals 11 16
9
12 14 14
13
10
11
12
7
9
8
1
147
7
1
1
6
6
1
13
7
3
5
2
1
11
8
4
5
1
10
9
3
2
3
8
10
2
4
2
3
11
11
4
4
1
9
12
11
5
17
2
11
6
7
3
3
4
14
4
8
6
17
5
8
9
14
6
5
167
TOWN OF NORWELL
16
1
168
EIGHTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
SUMMARY OF SCHOOL CENSUS
Distribution of Minors
October 1, 1931
5 Ycars or Over and
Under 7
7 Years or Over and
Under 14
14 Years or Over and
Minors
Yrs or over & under 21
In the registration of minors
Boys
26
98
30
0
Girls
34
85
19
0
Total
60
183
49
0
Distribution of the above minors
In public day school membership
47
177
45
In private school membership .
0
5
1
In State and County Institutions and special school for clefectives and delinquents
In Vocational Training
3
Not enrolled in any school
13
1
Total
60
183
49
0
Number of different illiterate minors 16 years of age or over and under 21 to whom educational certificates were issued from Sept. 1, 1930, to August 31, 1931, 0.
16
Under 16
Illiterate
169
TOWN OF NORWELL
SCHOOL SAVINGS COLLECTION FOR 1930-31
Town of Norwell
School Teacher
Deposits
Per cent
Grade 9-Mrs. Turner
$ 83 80
100%
Grade 6-Mrs. Cole
68 51
100%
Ridge Hill-Mrs. Jones
128 84
99%
Grade 7-Miss Minard
71 48
97%
Grade 12-Miss Simonson
125 16
96%
Grade 8-Miss Simonson
79 62
96%
Grade 10-Mr. Daggett
155 47
94%
Grade 11-Miss Hurley
124 00
94%
Grade 5-Miss White
79 60
94%
Ridge Hill-Miss Blossom
89 56
93%
Center Primary-Miss Merritt
152 92
77%
Center Primary-Mrs. Osborn
81 83
77%
$1 240 79
93%
The following win banners for the year :
Grade 9-Mrs. Turner.
Grade 6-Mrs. Cole
High School Principal
To the Superintendent of Schools
Mr. Harold E. Jackman :-
I present herewith my third annual report relative to the Norwell High and Grammar School for the year of 1931.
Changes which have been intended toward the better- ment of the school have been making themselves noticeable from time to time and more are bound to come as time and progress move forward. I will speak of these later in this report. It is to be realized however, that changes must be carefully thought out and planned for, far in advance of their execution if they are to meet with approval and suc- cess. People often do not realize the many cautious steps which one has to experience before an idea can be car- ried out successfully, and so the planning of a program is thus often long and laborious.
· The Senior Class of 1931 numbered ten, three boys and seven girls. Although the class was small, its influence was great. The boys were prominent athletes, and the girls excelled in their respective fields of choice. The class was fortunate in having raised sufficient fund to pay the expens- es of a trip to New York City over a week-end early in June. Miss Muriel Simonson accompanied them, and they not only received much novel amusement but educational value as well. This was a fine trip and well worth the efforts of any class that has the resources.
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TOWN OF NORWELL
Only the senior class took a trip in the Spring. The pre- vious year each class took an extended trip, each one trying to outdo the other. This plan not only involved too much individual expense but burdened the teachers with too much responsibility because of the type of place the classes want- ed to visit.
The operetta "The Sunbonnet Girl" was sponsored by the senior class. This production was not only hailed with high acclaim as a productive success but more money was realized from the sale of tickets than ever before. The operetta to be given this year is "The Gypsy Rover." This will be presented on Friday evening, April 8th, 1932.
Mr. Booth proved his ability in dramatic coaching when he presented our school play "Tons of Money" which was greeted by unanimous opinion to be the best play yet pro- duced by our high school. Miss Myers assisted Mr. Booth in this department.
The Juniors held their dance on March 20th. This social affair was a success in all respects. The decorations were cherry-blossoms and roses. There is an endeavor in the school to make each extra-curricula activity better than any of its kind which has preceded it.
The graduation program began on Sunday, June 14 by a very inspiring baccalaureate service at the First Parish Church conducted by Rev. Alfred J. Wilson. The senior class and faculty attended in a group. On Monday evening the Senior Class Day exercises were held, preceded by a banquet at which the members of the class of 1921 were guests. Graduation was on Tuesday evening. Those having speaking parts were the Misses Joan Franceschini, Gertrude Gauley and Madeline MacDonald. Mr. Jack-
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EIGHTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
man was the principal speaker and he presented a most interesting talk which proved not only a source of inspira- tion to the graduating members, but also to the audience.
In the field of high school athletics Norwell has made a very respectable showing. Clean play and good sportsman- ship is lauded rather than a winning team. We were for- tunate in claiming these as well as a winning team which went through the South Shore Basketball League schedule without a defeat. These victories brought the champion- ship banner to Norwell and it is now hanging in a conspic- uous place in our high school auditorium. Our boys' team was entered in the Brockton Tournament last March and won all its games up to the final when it lost to Foxboro. In recognition of their excellent playing, the Brockton Y. M. C. A. presented each boy with a silver charm, and the school with a plaque. Much credit for the fine record these boys made is due Mr. Daggett who coached the team.
I wish that the people of the town could fully realize how much the athletics of the school depend on their attendance at the games. We need them for financial support but even more so for their moral support. It is surprising to know that even though we had a championship team in basketball we took in about fifty dollars less in admissions than we did last year. This season our boys and girls will have to be out but one evening a week to play their games and this will be on Friday. This is a highly desirable move taken not only by our local school committee but also by all the high schools in the south shore district. Our mid- week games on Tuesday will be played in the afternoon. This plan prevents our boys and girls from becoming over- fatigued by being out late and playing strenuously two nights during their school week.
The school committee sponsored a banquet to the basket
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TOWN OF NORWELL
ball team to which tickets were sold to the people of the town and friends of the boys. Mrs. John Sparrell had charge of planning and preparing the menu and showed her splendid ability in this line. Through the efforts of Miss Helen DeFabio each player was presented with a gold basket ball charm. Mr. Loring presented to each member a framed picture of the squad. The cost of having these pictures framed was defrayed by Mr. Ernest Sparrell. Noise makers were prominent during the evening. Our school orchestra, directed by Mrs. Pansy Stetson, furn- ished music during the banquet and dancing was enjoyed later in the evening.
The school publication "The Shipbuilder" which was such a success last year has had to be temporarily discon- tinued because of the difficulty in securing sufficient adver- tisements to defray the expenses. It is of interest to know that the four issues published last year cost over four hundred dollars, and more interest to know that the paper was self-supporting. The present senior class is planning to publish a graduation number, and the quality of this will depend almost entirely on the amount of money which can be raised in advance for this purpose. Profit from candy sold at school functions has been allotted by the Student Council to the "Shipbuilder" fund. Conditions were made possible during the Fall of the current year, for the seniors to visit the new Herald-Traveler Building in Boston. This visit proved most interesting and illustrated how a large newspaper plant functions.
The Junior Prize Speaking contest was held in Hanson early in May. Norwell was respesented by two boys and two girls from Grades seven and eight. These four won the two first prizes, a second, and a third prize as well as bringing to Norwell the Sauccer trophy. This year, the contest will be held in Norwell about the first of May.
174
EIGHTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
Public speaking is a phase of education which is recognized as of great importance and a large attendance of Norwell citizens is urged to be present and thus encourage our youths in this line of endeavor.
The Home Economics department has been functioning very effectively during the year. Very appetizing lunches are daily prepared by classes under the guidance of Miss Marjorie White. It is the policy of this department to sell food at cost with no intention of making a profit.
I wish that each parent would co-operate more closely in helping to keep pupils in school each day. Absences hurt the caliber of school work and everything in one's power should be done to obliterate them. Tardiness is an- other matter in which parents could assist in the proper training of the children. In respect to each of these mat- ters, it is impossible for the school to take the full respon- sibility when it has the child but five out of the twenty-four hours in the day.
My final topic is in respect to thrift as practised by the pupils of the Norwell Schools. It was with great pride that I read in "The Massachusetts Banker" that not only the Grammar School but also the High School in Norwell led their respective divisions in the state, in their section, on the honor roll of the schools listed. Our pupils are inter- ested in thrift and it behooves us to keep this habit promin- ently before them.
I close this report, but only after praising my colleagues for their co-operation and endeavor to keep the Norwell High school running true to form. I believe that the first duty of the school is to teach pupils to do better the desir- able things they are likely to do anyway and although too
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