USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Norwell > Town of Norwell annual report 1940-1949 > Part 13
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SIGNALS FOR NO SESSIONS OF SCHOOL Signal is 2-2-2
The "No School" announcement will be broadcast over WNAC and WEEI between 7 o'clock and 8 o'clock.
SCHOOL CALENDAR
1942
January 5-School opens
February 20-School closes
March 2-School opens
April 17-School closes
April 27-School opens
Week of June
22-School closes
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TOWN OF NORWELL
SUMMER VACATION
September
9-School opens
October
12-Holiday
November
11-Holiday
November
25-School closes at noon for Thanksgiving
December
23-School closes at noon for Christmas vacation
1943
January
4-School opens
February
19-School closes
March
1-School opens
April
16-School closes
April
26-School opens
May
31-Holiday
Week of June
21-School closes
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
To the Taxpayers of Norwell:
Each year Norwell loses a number of its good teachers. 1941 was no exception to this rule. Mr. Graham of the High School faculty entered the United States army, Miss Garland at Center Primary accepted a position in Winchester with a substantial increase in salary and Miss Wigglesworth at the Ridge Hill Primary and Miss Bowlin, our Supervisor of Music resigned to be married. Mr. Wilson, Mr. Thayer, and Miss Burkett, all of the High School staff also severed their con- nections with the school system this year. Seven vacancies in a staff of sixteen is too large a percentage for the best interest of the schools.
Because our salaries are much too low and the fact that living expenses have increased fifteen to twenty percent, the Committee is asking for a sufficient amount of money to grant a ten per cent increase in salary to all teachers in the lower income brackets, who continue to give satisfactory service. This is in line with many other towns the size of Norwell.
We have secured the services of Mr. Wallace Knowlton as teacher of Social Science, Mr. Lochlin Huth as Coach and head of the Science Department and Mr. Edward Rogean as principal of the High School. These three men, all keenly interested in sports have planned a pro- gram in athletics which gives every pupil the opportunity to participate in some good sport. Through this increase in sports a better morale has been developed. As a side issue, Norwell is now winning its share of basketball games.
Much criticism has been directed at the present system of transpor- tation in Norwell. There has been something of a demand for new busses with steel bodies and modern equipment throughout. Quite naturally this would increase the cost of transportation. Your com- mittee has given the matter very careful study and feel this year, when we are at war is not the time to spend money which is not abso- lutely necessary. We have this to say about the busses now in use. Each bus is inspected every two months at an official inspection station and a card recording the result of the inspection is forwarded to the Registry of Motor Vehicles, which is our guarantee of safe equipment.
After five and a half years, the driveway at the High School be- came so worn it was necessary to have it resurfaced this Fall. In order to hold this gravel a coat of tar will be applied in the Spring. Signs to guide the motorist have been set along the drive which we
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NINETY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
earnestly trust will help in the matter of parking. We urge everyone to take enough pride in the appearance of the grounds, to refrain from driving across the lawns. It is an attractive building. Let us keep it so.
During a large part of this year the High School building has seen much additional use. The Men's Defense classes, the Women's Civilian Defense Corps and the Boy's Club have all used the building in addition to the Boy Scouts and the regular school activities. This is as it should be and the Committee has been glad to grant the use of the hall for these units, but we trust you all realize this means an added cost of upkeep which you will find reflected in the 1941 expenditures. It has also added much work to the already heavy load of Mr. Lind, our janitor. Because we cannot afford to allow Mr. Lind to work until he drops, we are asking for a small amount of money in the 1942 budget with which to pay a helper for him with this extra work.
In common with the homes of the town, the schools have felt the shortage of water. At Ridge Hill, for three weeks before Christmas vacation, there was barely water enough to carry the school into the afternoon. At last this meagre supply gave out and the Committee hired Howard Maxim of Middleboro to drill down through the bottom of the well now in use. When completed, this bed rock well will assure us a sufficient supply.
At Norwell Center, the well located beneath the Town Hall, does not furnish enough water to adequately supply the school. When funds can be spared a well should be driven for the use of this school.
The Committee is aware of the fact that this country is at war and every individual and municipality must exercise the strictest econ- omy. However, regardless of our effort to keep expenses down, there is an increase in our budget for 1942, due in part to increased cost all along the line. Whatever funds are entrusted to the School Department for 1942 will be administered with this rule in mind
"Buy only what you need Take care of what you have
Waste nothing."
JAMES P. HALL HORACE D. GAUDETTE NELLIE L. SPARRELL, Secretary
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the School Committee of the Town of Norwell:
Last year the report of the Superintendent contained a brief dis- cussion of the increasing speed and complexity of changes and their effects upon and meanings for education. This year has brought increasing world difficulties, more rapid change and increased demands upon the energies, time and abilities of all our people. Children come to school from environments charged with uncertainties, filled with talk of war and impending dangers and laden with nervous prepara tions. At such a time, the school should be to these children a place of safety where they can experience calm and happiness. Yet it must be a place where they can learn about matters important to them as developing citizens and where topics and discussions are adapted to the children's ages, needs and levels of development. Therefore at- tempts have been made to have our schools be realistic and display a proper sense of proportion.
Seven changes have occurred in the teaching staff during the year. New teachers need time to become acquainted and oriented in their
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TOWN OF NORWELL
positions. This results in temporary interruptions to program making and development of courses of study. However, the work of teacher committees is continuing. Our new members are willing and able to make excellent contributions.
New language books, a complete and definite course of study in Music, and a nearly complete course of study in History and Geography are now in use by teachers of the elementary grades. The revised edition of the reading system has been placed in grade one; it is ex- pected that the latest edition will be placed in grade two and possibly grade three this coming year. New committees are now working on the subject of Spelling and the teaching of Reading. To these subjects new emphasis and increased attention have come in the high school also. Thus, through a continued study, the newest and best can be selected to replace the old as it wears out, and changes in the school program can be made to serve the best interests of the pupils and the community.
Other attempts at improvement include a changed schedule and broadened program at the high school, development of a permanent record system and new report cards for the elementary grades and the testing by trained persons of all first grade pupils.
The new report cards have been developed to improve the marking system, make more complete and more easily understood reports to parents and to emphasize the need for attention to the development of personal habits, work habits and social habits. The development of character and good citizenship is of primary importance.
The permanent record cards will contain records of children while attending school at Norwell and will be kept at the building where the children last attended.
During the past three years it has been planned to have each child in grade one tested by trained persons as soon as possible after the opening of school. This provides the teachers with valuable informa- tion and helps them in adjusting instruction to the needs and abilities of children. It makes it possible also to advise parents more soundly on whether or not their children should be in school at the age they are permitted to enter. Through the cooperation of parents, it has been possible to prevent several children from attempting school too early and from the harmful effects of such practice.
Attempts have been made to follow a plan looking toward the continuous maintenance and improvement of the schools and school property. With costs rising as they are, the school can be properlly maintained only through an enlarged budget. Other costs should not be permitted to restrict expenditures for education, particularly at this time.
It is hoped that suggestions contained in previous reports will be kept in mind. In particular, the following should receive careful consideration:
1. Provision for handwork for boys
2. Expanding of the program of physical education
3. Continued development and revision of courses of study for all grades
4. Provision for adequate "visual aids"
I wish to thank all my co-workers for their splendid cooperation and the School Committee for its continued confidence and support. Respectfully yours,
THOMAS E. RUSH, Superintendent
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NINETY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
To the Superintendent of Schools
Mr. Thomas E. Rush:
I herewith present my report on the activities of the Norwell High and Grammar School for the fall period of September 1941 to January 1942 and shall confine this report to activities during that time or to activities which are being planned for the future.
ADMINISTRATION
In an attempt to provide more time for instruction and assistance to the individual, the class schedule was changed somewhat after the Thanksgiving holidays. A schedule was prepared so that each pupil would have the same classes each day. This provides five rather than four fifty-minute periods, and allows greater stress of the mastery of the fundamentals of the particular subjects. The teacher has the time to assist the individuals in the phases of the work that may be causing difficulty or in the case of the exceptional student to guide him in work in broader fields of knowledge. Under this plan the pupil has less free time for study periods but instead has additional time in the classroom under the direct guidance of a teacher. The student is therefore able to get needed help at the right time and may pro- ceed with his work with little or no delay. Additional courses in Hygiene, Penmanship, Spelling, Literature and Home Economics have been added to the curriculum, without omitting any of the subjects previously taught. These courses provide a more thorough ground- work on the necessary fundamentals of education. However, with the increased burden upon the teachers, during a few periods of the day every teacher in the school has a class and it is necessary in some cases to have pupils study in rooms where classes are being held. Fortunately this is the exception rather than the rule.
Another change which has worked out very advantageously is that less passing from room to room is required and in many instances the teachers rather than the classes exchange rooms. This means less con- fusion in the corridors and, since the students are already in their rooms and at their own desks, all the necessary books and materials are near at hand.
Still another advantage is that there are now three lunch periods rather than two. This avoids a certain amount of haste and confusion in being served and provides recess periods where the children play with others of their own age.
STUDENT ACTIVITIES
The usual program of student activities is being carried on. With the addition of an extra period each week for the club activities pro- gram, a large number of pupils are participating. The Student Council, Glee Club, Hobby Clubs, Athletic Clubs and Air Raid Precaution groups are availing themselves of this opportunity. Some are com- pletely organized and others will complete their organization in the near future.
The Student Council Dance in November was both a social and a financial success and the proceeds will be used to provide assembly programs that are interesting and educational.
The School Orchestra has been making rapid progress and many students are availing themselves of the opportunity for expert instru- mental direction. A bugle and drum corp is being formed and should this be as successful as now appears it will provide the foundation for a school band in the future.
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TOWN OF NORWELL
Interest in dramatics was dealt a severe blow when the other two schools, who in the past have participated in the Tri-Town Play Con- test, decided to withdraw. However, "Tom Sawyer," presented by the members of the senior and junior classes, is now in rehearsal and is to be presented in the near future. The Inter-Class Plays will be held in the spring and the usual high level dramatic performance may be expected.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
An integrated program of health, physical education, and athletics is progressing very satisfactorily. Physical education is provided for all groups, with Grades 4, 5 and 6 having one gymnasium period a week and grades seven through twelve two periods each week. The fine work being done by our health officials-the school nurse, school doctor, and school dentist-is worthy of commendation and is largely responsible for the excellent health of our students. All children are examined periodically and all students are carefully and thoroughly examined before taking part in the athletic program. An unusually large percentage of the students take part in inter-school and intro- mural athletics. This year the field hockey team had nineteen girls on the squad. Since this was officially the first season of play the girls had an exceptionally successful season, winning more than half of their games. Interest in basketball is intense as is shown by the fact that there are four complete boys squads, a varsity, and second team in the high school and two teams for the junior high. In all, these groups comprise forty-five boys or almost fifty percent of the boys enrolled in the high school. The girls have three squads, the high school varsity, and second team, and a junior high school team. Con sidering that many more would take part in atheletics were it not for the distances that they live from the school, this is really a remarkable record. It is pleasing to report at this time that the boys varsity bas- ketball team has four straight victories and has shown a remarkable spirit of sportsmanship and teamwork, and that the girls team has prospects for an excellent season. This enlargement and success of the athletic program has been made possible by the willing and help- ful manner in which Mr. Huth and Mr. Knowlton are conducting the boys program and Miss Anderson and Miss Mayo the girls program.
An exceptional display of school spirit and cooperation was shown in the purchase of a fine new electric scoreboard for the school gym- nasium. The boys of the basketball team under the supervision of Mr. Huth collected waste paper and old magazines on the Friday and Saturday following Thanksgiving and by their sale realized enough money to buy the scoreboard and its accessories which they then pre- sented to the school. It is such fine spirit as this which definitely proves the value of athletics.
CONTRIBUTION OF THE SCHOOL TO DEFENSE
The school authorities and teachers are doing everything possible to protect the children should our school be endangered by enemy action. With the approval and recommendations of the Defense Com- mittee, plans have been completed and drills have been carried on so that all the children have been assigned to the safest possible positions in the building. We are indeed fortunate in having in the High School such a well designed and constructed building. All the chil- dren will be able to take refuge behind thick brick or concrete walls and in most cases surrounded on all four sides by solid walls. Every teacher in the school has certified in the Red Cross First Aid Course and the senior boys and girls have volunteered to assist the teachers.
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NINETY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
Two boys and two girls have been assigned to each of the lower grades, and are taking courses during the school days to fit them for this work. Miss Roe is instructing the girls in Practical Nursing and the boys in First Aid. In addition to this the boys are receiving instruction in Air Raid Precaution work. With this program we feel that parents may rest assured that everything humanly possible is being done for the protection of their children.
In closing my report I wish to express my appreciation to you, the members of the committee, and the faculty for the friendly en- couragement and loyal support always given me in my administrative efforts.
Respectfully submitted, E. J. ROGEAN, Principal
ART DEPARTMENT
Mr. Thomas E. Rush Superintendent of Schools Norwell, Massachusetts
Dear Sir:
The following is my report for the Art Department of the Norwell Schools for 1941.
In the 1940 report, the amount of time that I could devote to grades 4-6 was mentioned as being inadequate. I am pleased to re- port that this matter, I believe, has been equitably settled. Now all grades from 1-12 receive a fair amount of my time. This adjustment was made possible through a wisely constructed new schedule by Prin- cipal Rogean.
This present school year has shown an increase in the number of boys taking our Elementary Drafting Course, as was to be expected. Now and for many years to come, it is my opinion, draftsmen will be in great demand. I sincerely hope that boys and girls with ability will continue to lay the foundations for a career in this field. Without a plan being conceived and then executed in understandable drafting procedure, planes, ships, guns, and tanks cannot be built! And when this world horror has been defeated, the great public and private works of the inevitable Peace to follow will come from the drafting tables of Young Americans such as we have in our schools.
Exhibitions of children's Art work have been held in the various buildings at holiday and at special functions throughout the year. I wish to mention, especially, the efforts of the boys and girls in the Senior High School for their Christmas Decorations in their homerooms. This work is very pleasing to me because it comes so spontaneously each year. It is gratifying to note the beautiful results that are achieved with the simple materials at hand. As is our usual custom drawings and paintings by our school groups were shown at the Marshfield Fair in August 1941.
In closing, I would like to remind us all that the maintenance of National Morale depends on every cultural agency in this land. The teaching of Art in our schools is but a tiny part of the whole; and yet if our work is well done, boys and girls in our care will not "crack- up" through lack of knowledge of the eternal things. And surely Painting, Sculpture, Music and all of the Arts are among the ever- lasting values that are a free peoples' right to own. May I thank you
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and all other members of the school system who have helped make the work of my department worthwhile in 1941.
Respectfully submitted,
H. RODMAN BOOTH Supervisor of Art
REPORT OF THE MUSIC SUPERVISOR
To the Superintendent of Schools Town of Norwell
Dear Sir:
During the past year there have been two major parts of the music department that have been stressed: completion of the music outline for grades one through six and instrumental music.
The music supervisor has spent much time both in and out of school completing the outlines of theory and appreciation for grades one through six. These are made in detail for a year's work. Each teacher received the outline in September and it is proving very suc- cessful. The room teacher has not only her own grade outline but also the outline of the preceding and succeeding grade so that she may know what has been accomplished and just what she is striving for.
The instrumental department has greatly increased with many more taking part. The organization of the orchestra which made its debut at a P. T. A. meeting was a big accomplishment for those in the instrumental department. The orchestra also played for assem- blies and the class play.
At the present time the high school owns the following instru- ments: two violins, saxaphone, two trumpets, bass horn, and 'cello.
There are eight studying violin, two saxaphone, two clarinet, one 'cello, one bass horn, three trumpet, and one trombone.
In October drum classes were started with Mr. Jones as teacher. There are approximately 25 enrolled. This is in preparation for a drum and bugle corp to be organized in the spring.
Increase in interest in instrumental work is shown in the number of students starting private lessons.
The high school girl's glee club which is elective to the girls includes 40 members and has accomplished a great deal during the year. They have sung for the Norwell High School Alumni Reunion, P. T. A. and graduation.
In February the girls put on an operetta called "Eeny, Meeny, Miny, Mo." The girls worked very diligently on this, and it was very successful both financially and socially.
The money made from this operetta was used to buy blue and white material to make capes which the girls made themselves with the help of the home economics teacher. They made a debut in them at graduation and added much with their color and uniformity seated as an orchestra in front of the stage.
A new combination radio-phonograph has been added to the equip- ment at the Center Primary School for use in the music appreciation course. The radio was bought from money earned in various ways by the boys and girls.
I feel that the past year has been a very successful one for the music department in Norwell.
MYRTLE BOWLIN Music Supervisor
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NINETY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL PHYSICIAN
Mr. Thomas E. Rush
Superintendent of Schools
Norwell, Massacchusetts
The following constitutes my fifth annual report as school physician.
The regular spring pre-school clinic was conducted with the assistancec of the school nurse, Miss Catherine Roe, and other volun- teer chauffeurs. Only the few usual minor defects were found and advice given for corrections. It was gratifying to note that all the children who were products of local medical supervision and our "Well Child" clinics had a minimum of defects as compared with a few others.
The usual annual physical examination was made of all school children. The general health was good. Permanent defects were re- checked, new ones ascertained and referred for corrctions, and partic- ular attention given to the prospective competitive athletes. There was some improvement in the postures which would seem to be a direct result of our emphasis in the past few years.
There is considerable room for improvement in personal hygiene and cleanliness in spite of some propaganda effort before the examina- tions. Some pupils need to be introduced to soap and water, and others who claimed a recent acquaintance should be coached on more efficient application. The teachers are cooperating nicely in this endeavor, in spite of the handicap of a shortage of one of the vital factors: aqua pura.
The sanitation of the buildings is being maintained on a higher level. Credit for this is due to both the teachers and janitors, and in turn the pupils. The swarms of flies in evidence this fall emphasize the crying necessity of screens, flypapers, and other effective measures in all three school buildings.
Fortunately the little contagion prevalent this year has been well controlled by early isolations and frequent school inspection by the school nurse and myself, as well as the alertness of the teachers.
Again we are thankful and appreciative of everybody's cooperation.
Respectfully yours, RAYMOND G. VINAL, M. D.
REPORT OF SCHOOL DENTIST
Mr. Thomas Rush
Superintendent of Schools
Norwell, Massachusetts
Dear Sir:
I am pleased to present my annual report to January 1, 1942. The pre-school clinic was especially successful this year completing twenty- two children before their entrance in September.
The following figures show the work in the clinic for 1941, exclusive of the pre-school.
Fillings in Permanent Teeth 348
Fillings in Temporary Teeth
133
Extractions of Temporary Teeth 17
Extractions of Permanent Teeth 3 Teeth treated 75
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TOWN OF NORWELL
Cleansings 87
Completed cases 89
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