USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Norwell > Town of Norwell annual report 1930-1939 > Part 30
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School Superintendent
To the School Committee of the Town of Norwell:
In discussing the work of the schools for the past year and the problems which confront them for the next year, there is much to concern us which is of real im- portance. In order to present these problems clearly I will divide this report into several parts and conclude with a summary.
. The reading problem in the grade schools.
In accordance with my recommendation the Elson Basic Reading System has been placed in the grade schools. The Curriculum Foundation Series is used as supplementary reading. The basic system marks a re- turn to the teaching of the sounds of letters and combina- tions of letters and is a step away from the old method which taught words only as words. The children learned to read by remembering words and had no method of pronouncing unfamiliar ones. While the new system has not been in use for a long period of time, I feel that it is safe to predict that there will be a great improve- ment in the ability of the children to read and compre- hend unfamiliar material.
The Curriculum Foundation Series, which is really an integral part of the reading system, includes supplemen- tary readers in the fields of Health, Art, Science, Number, and Home Life. In the past children learned to read nice stories which involved the teaching of vocabulary but of little else. They read about talking animals, about elves, and about other children doing real and fanciful things. This was interesting to them but it did not in- volve thought. Today children in the lower grades are learning to read, but they are also learning to read ma- terial which is of itself worthwhile.
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EIGHTY-SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT
When this reading system, with its supplementary ma- terial, has been extended through grades six, there is every reason to believe that children will be ready to approach work in the Junior High School with a well trained mind. They should be well prepared to con- tinue their education under a situation which necessitates independent preparation of school work. They should be well grounded in the fundamentals of the elementary school subjects.
II. The problem of the teaching load in the high school.
The increased enrollment in the high school has made it necessary to give too heavy a teaching load to the principal and to the teacher of Foreign Languages. Next year will find that this increase will make even more classes necessary. The teaching load at present is as follows:
Teacher
Classes Taught No. Pupils
Mr. Daggett
Biology 27
General Science 7 24
General Science 8 30
General Science 9 30
Physics 7
Miss Hurley
French 1
10
French II 12
French III 3
Latin I 11
Latin II
6
Latin III or IV
0
Ancient History 31
Mrs. Turner
Bookkeeping I 23
Bookkeeping II 11
Typing I 13
7
Typing II
Stenography I 11
Stenography II 5
Typing A 5
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TOWN OF NORWELL
Miss Minard
Junior Business Training 16
Arithmetic 7
Arithmetic 8 24
Algebra 30
14
Advanced Algebra
7
Geometry
8
Mr. Allen
English 7
24
English 8 30
English 9 29
English 10 30
College English 19
Commercial English 19
Mr. Farr
Social Science 7 23
Social Science 8 30
Social Science 9 18
Economics 9
Problems of Today
24
Miss Jenkins
Sewing 6 19
Foods and Clothing 10
Foods 8 16
Homemakers 9 9
Foods-Boys 10 9
Foods-Boys 11 1
Next year American History will be taught in addition to these subjects. It has been the custom in the past to give this subject in alternate years and require both Juniors and Seniors to take it. This will no 'longer be possible as the enrollment in these two classes is so great that they can no longer be combined in one group. This will mean that there will be a permanent increase of one subject in the list offered.
It will readily be seen that the principal is carrying too much classroom work. In a school as large as the present one it is vitally necessary that time be provided while the children are in the building for the principal to meet the problems which arise from day to day. The only way to do this is to lighten his teaching load.
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EIGHTY-SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT
Under the old scheme of organization, in the old build- ing, all pupils who were studying were in the same room with those who were reciting. It is not good pro- cedure to have a situation such as this exist. Study pupils should be in one room, under one teacher, at work in a quiet situation.
In order to teach the one subject which is to be added, to teach certain of the subjects which are now taught by the principal, and in order to supervise study periods, it will be necessary to employ another teacher when the school opens in the fall.
III. The problem of rooms in the new building.
The present schedule, with the addition of the subject of American History, will call for the rooms shown in the schedule below. I am listing each room with the classes which would be taught in it and showing the anticipated enrollment in each class. It is clear that each room will be in use nearly all of the time and that there will be little opportunity for expansion in the num- ber of subjects offered in the curriculum.
Mathematics Room
No. Pupils
Arithmetic 7 .39
Arithmetic 8 21
Algebra 14
Advanced Algebra
8
Geometry
11
English Room
English 7 39
English 8 23
English 9 30
English 10 29
English (College)
20
English (Commercial) .32
Business Room
No.
Pupils Bookkeeping I .. .. 16
Fin. Business Training. . 20
Stenography I
20
Stenography II
9
Bookkeeping II
20
Economics
16
Social Science Room
Social Science 7 39
Social Science 8 21
Social Science 9 30
Ancient History
31
American History
22
Problems of Today .24
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TOWN OF NORWELL
Foreign Language Room
Latin I 14
Latin II 10
Latin III and IV
5
French I
14
French II
8
French III
8
Art Room
High School Drawing .. 20
Domestic Arts Room
Sewing 6 9
Foods 7
16
Clothing 8
10
and
Food
Home Making 9 19
Camp Cooking II
.19
Science Laboratory
Biology
30
General Science 7
39
General Science 8
24
General Science 9
30
Chemistry
15
Grade 5 Room
All grade five subjects.
Grade 6 Room
All grade six subjects.
Study Hall
All pupils who are not re- citing each period.
Typing Room
Typing I
20
Typing II
14
Typing A
5
Shop Room
All shop classes.
Additional Rooms for special purposes : Nurse's Room, Dental Room, Principal's Office, Gymnasium, Audi- torium, Cafeteria.
It will be seen from this schedule that there is little room for increase in the number of subjects offered. Since the day can include only six periods without lengthening it, only six classes can be taught in each room. Our present course of study calls for six classes in all but two of the regular class rooms. This means that but two more subjects can be added without drop- ping some of those now offered. There could be three classes of typing added. The typing room. because of its special equipment, is not suited to regular class room work. It seems to me that these rooms constitute the minimum size for a high school in Norwell.
86
EIGHTY-SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT
IV. The problem of teaching shop to boys in the high school.
We have heard much recently about the changing character of the High School population. Today the High School is the school of all the people. It is no longer intended to prepare a specialized group for col- lege entrance. The fact is that very few of the grad- uates of the Norwell High School actually continue their education further than the twelfth grade.
This means that many of the traditional subjects have little to offer to the boys in school. The foreign lan- guages and the field of higher mathematics have little use to this group who are not planning to contnue their education. They are usually too difficult to be grasped intelligently.
The girls are well taken care of in the Household Arts Course. There they learn to cook, to sew, to plan menus, to budget the family income, in short, they are learning to be good homemakers in the community.
It is only just and right that the community should provide some training which would enable the boys in the school to become better able to take part in life as they will find it. Manual dexterity is a desirable asset in any walk of life. The ability to use tools in the many situations which arise in the home is a necessary part of life today and it behooves the school to train boys to do this.
A shop for this purpose should include benches for 24 students, tools such as are found in the ordinary home (with certain additions for specialized work), and prob- lems which arise out of home situations. These last should include repairing minor leaks to plumbing fix- tures, repairing furniture, setting glass, drawing sashes, repairing electrical equipment such as is found in the home, and making the various shelves and small articles which are needed in every home. This shop should not attempt to teach a trade, it should only try to develop
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TOWN OF NORWELL
those tool skills which are helpful and necessary in the ordinary rural home.
I know of no new high school building which has been built recently where such provision has not been made. Manual training is today a recognized part of secondary education and should have been provided in Norwell long before this, had room been available.
V. The problem of teaching Latin in the High School.
The enrollment in the high school is dropping each year. The per pupil cost of these classes is mounting as the enrollment drops. The reason for the small num- ber of pupils in these classes is two fold. In the first place, few colleges require Latin for admission today. Nearly all, except the New England Women's colleges, will admit students without this study. In the second place, there is little use of Latin in life today. For this reason pupils are reluctant to pursue a study which is difficult and in which they see no value to them.
The time has come when the school committee should give serious consideration to the problem of continuing the teaching of this subject in the Norwell High School. There are many subjects of greater educational value to more pupils which can well be taught in place of Latin.
V. A discussion of the cost to the town of adding two new teachers.
Norwell receives reimbursement from the Common- wealth of Massachusetts under both Part I and Part II of Chapter 70 of the General Laws. This reimburse- ment is based on teachers employed by the town. The reimbursement on a qualified teacher would be as fol- lows:
Part I $200
Part II 675
Total
$875
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EIGHTY-SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT
For two teachers the total will be $1750. In order to receive the maximum reimbursement a salary of at least $1100.00 must be paid. Probably the sum of $2600 would be needed to pay the salaries of two additional teachers for one year since shop trained teachers can usually command and get somewhat more than can teachers without that training. The net cost to the town would be the difference between $2600 and the reimbursement which would be $1750 for two teachers. This net cost is $850. It should be clear that the educational gain from the expenditure of this small amount of money by the town would be proportionately very great.
VI. In accordance with the information given in the above paragraphs I make the following recommenda- tions for your consideration:
1. That the reading system be continued through grades five and six;
2. That an additional teacher be employed in the high school;
3. That there be the rooms in the new high school such as are indicated in the report, with the addition of such administrative offices as are needed, of a gymna- sium-auditorium, and of a cafeteria;
1. That there be included in the new school a shop for boys and that there be employed an additional teacher to carry on this work;
5. That there be serious consideration given to the problem of dropping Latin from the list of subjects taught in the High School.
I am inclosing the reports of the High School principal and of the various supervisors, together with some sta- tistical information.
89
TOWN OF NORWELL
I wish to thank you on behalf of myself and the other members of the school staff for your helpful coopera- tion during the past year.
Respectfully submitted, WILLARD B. SPALDING,
Superintendent of Schools.
High School Principal
January 23, 1936.
To the Superintendent of Schools,
Mr. Willard B. Spalding:
I present my report for the Norwell High and Gram- mar School for the year 1935.
Curriculum changes have been very few this past year. I have felt that the course of study we are using is adequate at present and corresponds favorably with those of other schools. One addition was the course, "Ad- vanced Camp Cooking," who have previously completed camp cooking. These particular classes are proving very satisfactory. We have also departmentalized courses. This tends for unity, and much more satisfactory teach- ing. The very excellent sets of text books recently acquired will be a tremendous help in keeping our courses up to date.
Our athletic teams for the past year had a fair amount of success. We finished second in the South Shore Basket-Ball League, being defeated for the title by Marshfield. The girls basket-ball team was fairly suc- cessful winning four, while losing five, several by a two point margin, however. The teams were coached by Mr. Jackman and Miss Jenkins. In the base-ball league we were not as fortunate, finishing a tie for last place.
The graduating class was large, numbering twenty members. Of this number four have continued school, and the remainder have found employment of various kinds. The graduation schedule was as follows: Bac- calaureate, June 12, given by the Rev. Alfred Wilson; Class Night and Banquet, Friday, June 17; Graduation, Monday, June 19; Senior Reception, Wednesday, June 21.
The graduation number of the "Shipbuilder" was pub- lished in June. This was directed by Mr. Allen, aided
.
91
TOWN OF NORWELL
by the undergraduate staff. It is becoming increasingly difficult to finance an edition of this sort without finan- cial loss. I doubt if an issue is published by the grad- uating class of 1936.
There has been one change in the faculty enrollment; Mr. Farr has replaced Mr. Jackman as teacher of social science and athletic director. Mr. Farr did his under- graduate work at Bowdoin College, and is doing his graduate study at Harvard University.
A three town dramatic contest was staged December 12-13-14. The participants, Hanover, Scituate and Nor- well, each presented a one-act play. A popular vote was taken in each town, and the school with the greatest composite score was declared the winner. The contest was won by Scituate, who received a cup for her efforts. This seems to be a very worthwhile endeavor and plans are already being made to continue another year.
The burning of the school building December 20 was very unfortunate. Transferring pupils to new surround- ings is often a difficult problem. The authorities were able, however, to engage Hanover High School for an afternoon session, 2:30-5:30. This requires much shorter class periods and much more study. Both teachers and pupils have cooperated in a fine manner, and the school routine is being carried on as before.
In closing I wish to express my appreciation to you for the help given me in the recent difficult circum- stances. I also wish to thank again the Norwell teachers and pupils for their fine spirit, and finally may I thank the town of Hanover and its teaching staff for their kind- ness and courtesy to us.
Respectfully submitted,
PHILBROOK DAGGETT.
Supervisor of Music
To Mr. Willard Spalding,
Superintendent of Schools.
I submit my annual report of the music department of the Norwell Schools:
The new, "Music-Hour System" books, gradually be- ing installed throughout the town, have a threefold pur- pose, that of guiding students in the finer appreciation, to provide opportunities for self-expression in the arts, and to discover and encourage genius in the creation of new work.
The lower grades enjoy combining rhythm play and the toy orchestra with their many songs. The third and fourth grades study folk dances with regular work.
In the fifth and sixth grades the development of part singing leads to the formation of small ensemble groups and School choirs, forerunners of glee clubs, and chor- uses of the Junior and Senior High Schools.
It is distinctly the duty of the public schools to encour- age worthy performances of good music, for its own sake, and for the personal satisfaction in doing, but only the talented children should think of music as a vocation.
Since music today is reaching millions of listeners who never before were able to enjoy it, and since the desire to express ones self naturally follows this experience, un- suspected talent is bound to be discovered.
It is safe to predict that vocational opportunities for the talented and ambitious will present themselves in professional fields of teaching, criticizing, performing, conducting, composing and editing.
93
TOWN OF NORWELL
I find Norwell children especially appreciative of the better music and I feel they should have more opportuni- ties. A supervisor visiting a school room only once cach week can not give them half that she should. The teach- ers do unusually fine work in guiding these children in vocal work, but some organization in the town could do much by sponsoring piano lessons and a band depart- ment.
After all, piano is the foundation for a good musical education, both vocally and instrumental.
The voices in the High School Chorus are unusually good this year and they had started a very interesting program which on account of the burning of the building will necessarily be omitted. However, there are many redeeming features, and one is that we have some very fine music readers, which stimulate interest.
In closing, may I express my appreciation to all school officials for their very apparent interest in our school music.
Respectfully submitted,
PANSY B. STETSON, Supervisor of Music.
Home Economics
The Home Economics course has been planned to meet the ever changing conditions of the present day in such a way as to be most beneficial to the students in their individual home activities.
Very few changes were made in the course of study for the Home Economics classes at the beginning of the year. The fire necessitated changes in the course in the eighth and ninth grades only.
The course of study for the sixth grade sewing class is the same as in the previous year. The seventh grade has for the first time studied both foods and clothing. In the foods class the fundamentals of cooking have been taught. Much stress has been laid on the breakfast and luncheon units. In the clothing classes pyjamas, gifts, and one-piece dresses have been made.
For the first four months of the school year the eighth and ninth grade food's classes concentrated their efforts on the preparation and serving of lunches for the Nor- well schools. Since the beginning of the New Year these classes have turned their attention toward homemaking.
The Camp Cookery class for boys, which was so suc- cessful last year, has been continued this year. This course includes meal preparation, table courtesy, and service.
Since the loss of Norwell High School we have indeed been grateful for the use of the splendid Home Econo- mics laboratory at Hanover High School. The friendly spirit in which we have been received has been greatly appreciated.
Respectfully submitted, CHORIS A. JENKINS.
School Dentist
Supt. of Schools and Board of Health,
Norwell, Mass.
Gentlemen:
I present the following figures as a summary of the work in the dental clinic for 1935. This includes the work done in the pre-school clinic held in July and August.
Fillings in permanent teeth amalgam, porcelain and cement) . 391
Fillings in temporary teeth (amalgam and cement) 271
Extractions of permanent teeth 8
Extractions of temporary teeth 61
Teeth treated
27
Cleansings
163
Completed cases (State certificate given out) 180
Several rooms were one hundred percent.
We have established an office in the Center Grade School where we will continue to carry on for the chil- dren up to high school age.
Respectfully submitted.
WILLIS B. PARSONS, D. M. D.
School Nurse
January 17, 1936.
To the Superintendent of Schools,
Mr. Willard Spalding:
Respectfully submitting the following as a brief out- line in the health program, it is noticeable that much has been accomplished during the past year.
In March a Diphtheria-Prevention Clinic was held. Many school children who had not already been immun- ized against the disease took advantage of the clinic at this time, although it was primarily intended for. infants.
It is important to have children who are entering school for the first time as near physically fit as possible. We are fortunate in having Pre-School Clinics. The first is held in the spring of each year. At this time every child is given a thorough physical examination. Advice and suggestions for corrections of defects, if there be any, are recommended by the physician.
During the summer months the dental clinic continues for the pre-school child. This affords the prospective ยท pupil not only an opportunity to become acquainted with the dentist, but also to have any necessary dentistry done.
There have been two school clinies for the prevention of tuberculosis during the past year. As this is to be an annual clinic, it is restricted to grades six, nine, and eleven. No child is given the tuberculin test without his parents consent. The children who react to the test are X-Rayed, and, if necessary are given a complete physical examination by a physician with one parent present. From a group of one hundred and twenty-nine pupils tested, thirty-four reacted. These were X-Rayed and as a result eighteen were given further examination.
97
TOWN OF NORWELL
Hot lunches were served to the children in the pri- mary grades last year. We hope to continue this worth- while feature as a part of the health program.
I would like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation to those who have so generously cooperated with me in my work.
CATHERINE A. ROE.
TEACHING STAFF STATISTICAL SEPTEMBER 1934
TEACHERS
Grades of Subjects
Home Address
Experience
Education
Willard Spalding
Supt.
Norwell
12
Wesleyan University Boston University
Harvard University Grad. Sch. University of N. H. Grad Sch. Bowdoin College
Phillip Daggett
Science
Islands Falls, Maine Norwell
8
University of Maine Grad. Sch. Boston University Grad. Sch.
Edward Jackman
Social Studies
4
Tufts College
University of Maine Grad. Sch. Boston University Grad. Sch. Bowdoin College
Henry Farr
Social Studies
Norwell
6
Harvard Grad. Sch.
Lois C. Turner
Commercial
Norwell
16
Teachers' College, Bridgewater
Burdett Business College Boston University
Marion Hurley
Languages
Rockland
8
Tufts College
Harvard Grad. Sch.
Choris Jenkins Leonard J. Allen
Dom. Arts
Lynn
1
English
Turner, Me.
4
L
Oella Minard
Mathematics
Milton
6
State University Extension
Florence B. Pinson
Grade 6
Norwell
27
State University Extension
Grace F. Cole
Grade 5
Norwell
14
Teachers' College, Bridgewater State University Extension
EIGHTY-SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT
98
Boston University Grad. Sch.
Framingham Teachers' College Boston University Rutgers University Teachers' College, Bridgewater
Salem Teachers' College
Ella F. Osborn
Grade 3 & 4
Norwell
23
Marion G. Merritt
Grade 1 & 2
Norwell
46
Linda Betts Minnie F. Jones
Grade 1 & 2
Belmont
0
Grade 3 & 4
Norwell
18
State University Extension
Alice Blossom
Grade 1 & 2
Norwell
8
Hyannis Summer School State University Extension
.
Norwell High State University Extension Teachers' College, Bridgewater State University Extension Salem Teachers' College Norwell High
TOWN OF NORWELL
99
100
EIGHTY-SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT
ENROLLMENT IN THE NORWELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Ridge Hill School
Grade 1 19
Grade 2 15
Grade 3 19
13
66
Center Primary School
'Grade 1 12
Grade 2 23
Grade 3 16
9
60
Norwell High and Grammar School
Grade 5 36
Grade 6 39
Grade 7
Grade 8 23
32
Grade 9
30
Grade 10 32
Grade 11
21
Grade 12
14
230
Total enrollment 1934-35
356
Total enrollment 1933-34 343
Increase 13
Grade 4
Grade 4
Financial Statement
January 1, 1935. to January 1, 1936
TEACHERS
Phillbrook Daggett
$2,106.00
Rodman Booth
660.00
Leonard Allen
1,149.84
Edward Jackman
900.00
Henry Farr 433.28
Lois Turner
1,399.92
Marion Hurley
1,399.92
Choris Jenkins
999.84
Oella Minard
1,200.00
Florence Pinson
1,099.92
Grace Cole
1,099.92
Ella Osborn
1,099.92
Marion Merritt
733.33
Linda Betts
316.64
Minnie Jones
1,099.92
Alice Blossom
1,099.92
Pansy Stetson
408.64
Ruth Lawrence
15.00
Ethel Sproul
15.00
Grace Richmond
25.00
Miriam Lincoln
5.00
$17.267.01
SUPERINTENDENT
Willard B. Spalding, salary . . $1,066.56
Willard B. Spalding, expenses 205.79
$1,272.35
102
EIGHTY-SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT
JANITORSHIP
Joseph F. Merritt
$1,352.00
M. A. Bruce
234.00
Richard Whiting
231.70
$1,817.70
TRANSPORTATION
J. H. Sparrell
$2,535.00
M. F. Williamson
1,092.00
Herbert Joseph
975.00
$4,602.00
FUEL
Ramsay Oil Co.
$57.00
City Fuel Co.
22.78
Robie Leslie
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