USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Norwell > Town of Norwell annual report 1940-1949 > Part 31
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71
Respectfully submitted,
LLOYD B. HENDERSON, Dog Officer.
REPORT OF THE ASSESSORS
The Assessors were pleased this year to be able to make a one dollar reduction in the tax rate. This was due to the fact that the appropriations at the annual town meeting were held down and a lower State tax than we have had in the past.
Indications at present point to a higher rate this coming year but this will be governed largely by the action of our State Legislature.
Financially the town stands at the highest it has ever attained. Taxes are well collected and we have a very sound General Fund.
1944 RECAPITULATION
TOWN
Raised at Annual Town Meeting $ 102,505.85
From Surplus Overlay 19,000.00
$ 121,505.85
STATE
State Tax
$ 4,719.00
State Parks and Reservations
85.37
State Audit and Municipal Accounts
18.61
$ 4,822.98
COUNTY
County Tax
$ 4,062.89
1943 Underestimate
149.67
Tuberculosis Hospital Assessment
1,533.10
$ 5,745.66
OVERLAY of Current Year
$
4,829.96
Gross Amount to be raised
$
136,904.45
ESTIMATED RECEIPTS
Income Tax
$ 8,397.34
Corporation Taxes
3,507.55
Motor Vehicle Excise
4,000.00
Gasoline Tax Under Acts of 1943
4,687.99
Licenses
450.00
Fines
70.00
Moth Assessments
294.00
Town Hall Rental
200.00
Charities
100.00
Old Age Assistance
6,000.00
Old Age Tax (Meals)
511.63
Schools
5,000.00.
79
TOWN OF NORWELL
Interest
400.00
$
33,618.51
OVERESTIMATES:
State Parks and Reservations
$
2.64
Taken from Surplus Overlay.
19,000.00
Total Available Funds
$ 19,002.64
Estimated Receipts
$ 52,621.15
Net Amount to be Raised by Taxation
$ 84,283.30
Tax Rate per $1000-$35.00.
TAXES FOR STATE, COUNTY AND TOWN PURPOSES, INCLUDING ÖVERAY
Committed to Tax Collector:
Personal Estate
$ 7,940.66
Real Estate
74,950.64
Poll Tax
1,392.00
Total
84,283.30 $
Value of Assessed Real Estate:
Land, exclusive of buildings
$ 413,590.00
Buildings, exclusive of land 1,727,810.00
Total
$2,141,400.00
Value of Assessed Personal Estate :
Stock in Trade $ 24,225.00
Machinery
154,725.00
Live Stock
33,895.00
All Other Tangible Property
14,025.00
Total
$
226,870.00
Total Valuation of Assessed Estate
$2,368,270.00
MOTOR VEHICLE EXCISE
Number of Cars Assessed
886
Value of Vehicles Assessed
$93,010.00
Excise Committed to Collector
3,379.90
TABLE OF AGGREGATES
Number of Persons Assessed :
Indiv.
Corp.
Total
Personal Estate Only
56
4
60
Real Estate Only
812
17
829
Both Personal and Real Estate
171
4
175
Total number of persons assessed
1,064
Number of Dwelling Houses Assessed
831
Number of Acres of Land Assessed
12,294
Respectfully submitted,
RALPH H. COLEMAN, Chairman JAMES A. LIDDELL, A. LESTER SCOTT,
Board of Assessors.
80
NINETY-FIFTH ANNUAL REPORT REPORT OF SPECIAL COMMITTEE UNDER ARTICLE 22 ON THE NEW PRIMARY SCHOOL BUILDING
Report of the committee appointed by the Selectmen to serve with the School Committee to bring in a recommendation at the next town meet- ing. as to the advisability of a new Primary School building, either as an addition to the present High School or as a separate unit.
1-Present Situation:
We have three school buildings-one primary open; one closed. The High School is now taking care of grades three through High School. If grades seven through High School alone were in this building it would be adequate for years to come. At the present time there is no room for needed additional courses, such as manual training. Right now, due to the crowded conditions, classes are held in the drawing room during part of the lunch period, the noise and commotion in the lunch room seriously inter- feres with the teacher properly conducting the mathematics course. Also, the cafeteria has to be used as a study hall during certain hours of the day. This condition is far from satisfactory for study purposes. The science room which should be devoted entirely to laboratory work is used for vari- ous other classes as well. Furthermore, it is a well established fact that the smaller children should not be crowded in with the older ones. At Center Primary this year we have a very large first grade. The playground areas around both Center Primary and Ridge Hill are too small, in poor condition and too close to traffic, creating danger to the children.
II-If we do not build a new central elementary building we must go back to one of two choices:
(a) Two grades in each room with one teacher and this is a bad backward step. This compromise makes fifth grade adjustment hard and is poor preparation in the formative years. It is a well recognized fact that pupils started in a multiple room do not do as well as one teacher to a grade.
(b) The first two grades at Ridge Hill and three and four at Center Primary, or vice versa. This would involve an additional transportation cost of $1000 a year as well as the difficult problem of assigning which of the grades should go to which school. This would mean the maintenance cost of two buildings instead of one. There is a constant threat of a short- age of water at the Center Primary as the present source supplies three places, the Town Hall, Center Primary and a private family.
III-Ideal Plan:
A new central building for the first six grades possibly located on the high ground of the old High School lot.
(a) This would create post war employment.
(b) National figures show that we may expect increased enrollments in the lower grades.
(c) The overcrowding of the High School would be solved.
(d) Transportation simplified.
(e) A fine playground would be provided.
(f) The younger children would be separated from Junior High and High.
(g) Hot lunches would be served in a cafeteria.
(h) We would recommend a seven or eight room building to provide room in which to divide a large class or to give separate help to slow stu- dents or to provide space for a future kindergarten. An assembly hall would not be necessary, if two rooms were built which could be thrown into one by means of sliding partitions.
Permanent benefit to the town would be the result of building a fine school for its youth. It would attract to Norwell people characteristic of
81
TOWN OF NORWELL
this community which would mean added revenue to the town.
We recommend a building committee of seven, to be made up as follows: the three members of the School Committee, two members ap- pointed by the School Committee, two members who must be parents with children in the Norwell schools, to be appointed by the Selectmen.
We also recommend that the town appropriate a sum of $250 for the use of the building committee to enable them to inspect buildings of the type needed in this town and cover any other expenses of this committee.
Signed
EMILY S. RIPLEY, Chairman
MARGARET H. McMULLAN, Secretary BEATRICE M. THOMAS
NELLIE L. SPARRELL
JAMES P. HALL
HORACE D. GAUDETTE
82
NINETY-FIFTH ANNUAL REPORT
NORWELL SCHOOL DIRECTORY
School Committee
JAMES P. HALL, Chairman MRS. NELLIE L. SPARRELL, Secretary
HORACE D. GAUDETTE
Tel. Hanover 136 Tel. Norwell 76-W Tel. Hanover 171-2
Superintendent of Schools CLIFTON E. BRADLEY Office, Salmond School, Hanover, Mass., Tel. 172 Residence, Center Street, Center Hanover, Tel. 246-12
Supervisors GERTRUDE REYNOLDS, Music H. RODMAN BOOTH, Art RINEHART SYSTEM OF WRITING
School Physician RAYMOND G. VINAL, M. D. (on leave) J. D. R. WOODWORTH, M. D. (acting)
School Nurse CATHERINE A. ROE
LOUIS WHITING CHARLES BALDWIN FRANK LIND
School Dentist WILLIS B. PARSONS, D. M. D. Janitors Ridge Hill School Center Primary School High School
SCHOOL COMMITTEE REGULATIONS
Children who become five years of age on March first may enter school the following September.
No child under seven years of age will be admitted to school for the first time after October first of any year.
A child entering school for the first time is required to present to the teacher a birth certificate and vaccination or exemption from vaccination certificate. Exemption must be renewed every six months.
SIGNALS FOR NO SESSIONS OF SCHOOL
Signal is 2-2-2 on the Fire whistle
The "No School" announcement will be broadcast over WEEI and WNAC between 7 A. M. and 8 A. M.
Schools will close in extremely bad weather, but each parent must de- cide, depending on the conditions of distance, amount of waiting for the bus, protective clothing, etc., whether or not to send children to school in stormy weather when schools are in session.
WORK CERTIFICATES
Work certificates for those between the ages of 16-21 are issued at the offices of the Superintendent of Schools, the High School and from the homes of the School Committee members and the Superintendent of Schools. When possible the school office should be used. A birth certificate or other legal proof of birth is required to be shown.
Employment certificates of those between 14-16 for employment during
83
TOWN OF NORWELL
out of school hours are secured at the schools only, or during the summer, from the Superintendent of Schools.
SCHOOL CALENDAR
January 2, 1945
February 17-February 25, 1945
School opens Vacation
April 14-April 22, 1945 Vacation
May 30, 1945 Memorial Day
June 13, 1945
June 20, 1945
Elementary Schools close High School closes
If the Schools are closed on account of weather, the closing dates are extended.
SUMMER VACATION
September 5, 1945
October 12, 1945
School opens Holiday
October 19, 1945
Teachers' Convention
November 22 and 23, 1945 Thanksgiving Holidays
December 22-January 1, 1946 Vacation
January 2, 1946
School opens
February 16-February 24, 1946
Vacation
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
To the Taxpayers of Norwell :
In reporting upon the administration of the schools during 1944, we intend to mention only a few items of outstanding interest.
We suffered the usual loss of teachers in June and your Committee went all out to obtain two very strong, experienced teachers to stiffen the Junior High Staff. Miss Elizabeth Farrar and Miss Irene Barteau were hired from the Abington system. This is a reversal of the usual procedure -we have heretofore lost out to places the size of Abington. This added strength to the staff where it was much needed as the Junior High is recog- nized as the difficult group to handle.
Other vacancies were filled by Mrs. Mirian Lincoln, Miss Ruth Joyce, Miss Mary Lloyd and Miss Mary Nash, all of whom have helped to make cur High School Staff the strongest in years. We are sorry that Mrs. Cole was obliged to ask for leave this year.
Increases in salary were necessary to hold some of our teachers and still more necessary to fill vacancies. The Committee feel fortunate to have filled all vacancies, as the situation regarding teachers is a very serious one. The fact that it is increasingly hard to fill vacancies, even at an increased salary must be recognized.
As the Domestic Science teacher spent so much time in supervising the preparation of the lunches, little time remained for instruction: so the Committee obtained the services of Mrs. Harriet Gauley to take full charge of the lunches, under the teacher's supervision. This arrangement provides excellent lunches and allows the teacher sufficient time for class instruction, all at no extra cost to the town as the School Fund covers it.
As there seems to be considerable discussion about the fact the Ridge Hill Primary remains closed, we feel some statement of the reasons would be timely.
84
NINETY-FIFTH ANNUAL REPORT
In January, 1943, we were obliged to convert the heating systems at the High School and the Ridge Hill Primary from oil burning units to coal burning units. This was in common with all public buildings throughout the country. The conversion at the High School was a simple, though ex- pensive, task but at Ridge Hill it was necessary to dig a cellar large enough for a coal bin and room for the operation of a stoker. In the middle of the winter this would have been a difficult and expensive operation. Centre Primary was equipped with a coal burning furnace, was large enough to accommodate the combined first and second grades after third grade had been removed to the High School building and the arrangement allowed for only one grade to a teacher. The transfer was made and conditions were very satisfactory until this fall, when the increased enrollment in the first grade made it necessary to hire an assistant teacher.
This has brought up queries regarding the reopening of the school. If the school is reopened we have a choice of these courses:
(a) Return the third and fourth grades to the primary buildings at each end of the town and have two grades to a teacher-admit- tedly a step backward educationally.
(b) Put grades 1 and 2 at one end of town with a grade to a teacher, and grades 3 and 4 at the other end of the town, alternating each year if desired. This would call for increased transportation.
The size of the incoming first grade in September will have much to do with the solution of this problem.
We have exceeded our appropriation for the first time in many years. Among the contributing factors, briefly stated are: extra teacher at Centre Primary, an unforseen repair bill of $268.00 on the vacuum pump at the High School and slight extensions of transportation routes. These last were granted where little children were obliged to walk quite a distance and then wait on corners without shelter or protection from auto traffic.
As the year closed we received the resignation of Dorothy Dondero, first grade teacher at Centre Primary, who accepted a better position in her home town. Mrs. Lucille Ackerman, an experienced teacher, is now in charge of grade one, assisted by Mrs. Madeline Drury, also experienced. Mr. Horace D. Gaudette, a valued member of the School committee for four years, also resigned. Elsewhere in the Town Report will be found the re- port of the Committee appointed by the Selectmen to serve with the School Committee to consider the advisability of a new Primary school.
This report deserves your earnest study and consideration as it is the business of every one to weigh the facts and probable cost of a new build- ing and vote on the question when and if it comes to a vote.
JAMES P. HALL, Chairman HORACE D. GAUDETTE NELLIE L. SPARRELL, Secretary
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT FINANCES-1944
Total Appropriation
Dog Tax
$41,183.85 684.15
Total Available
$41,868.00
REIMBURSEMENTS
Part I Mass. School Fund $2,760.00
Part II Mass. School Fund 4,075.32
85
TOWN OF NORWELL
Superintendency Union
643.22
Child Guardianship, Mass.
299.64
Child Guardianship, Boston
766.92
Insurance-electrical bill
43.50
Dog Tax
684.15
Total Reimbursements
$ 9,272.75
Net Cost to Town
$32,595.25
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
To the School Committee
Town of Norwell
It gives me pleasure to submit my second annual report on the condi- tions of the schools in the town of Norwell. First there are a number of situations existing, which are found the country over, and which are the result of the war:
(a) We have continued to call on married women teachers, some of whom have been out of teaching for a number of years. What we have lost on the one hand has been balanced by the mature judgement and experience that these former teachers can bring to our children.
(b) Our transportation system is suffering from the effects of con- tinued use of equipment without normal replacement.
(c) There has been some lack of textbook and workbook material, due to paper shortage, but in general we have anticipated most of the shortages in advance.
(d) Inter town teacher meetings and the return of teachers to even- ing functions at the schools have been curtailed because of the gas shortage. Student functions have been kept at a minimum, but have been well attended.
(e) Our high school enrollment is down, due principally to early enlistment of our youth. There are a few who formerly would have continued in school who are now working, but most of those of school age are in school. The loss of enrollment due to the war is particularly noticeable in the senior class.
(f) Our schools continue to help the war effort-the sale of stamps and bonds-junior Red Cross work-greater emphasis on phys- ical education, mathematics, and science-drives for paper and for milkweed floss, etc.
(g) The school lunch rooms are serving complete meals to more child- ren, at a minimum cost, due to federal subsidy. There is no question but that there is increased health and less malnutrition of children, partly because of the food-health program, and partly because of better economic conditions.
(h) Our teachers, who have been given raises, are actually receiving about the same net pay after taxes have been subtracted as they were several years ago, although living costs have been rising steadily. The pay schedule of these teachers will have to be given further study.
(i) If we are to accept the statements of those in authority, every boy in our schools will face military induction, whether or not
86
NINETY-FIFTH ANNUAL REPORT
the war is soon over. It is expected that bills will be placed before Congress this spring to bring about compulsory military training after the war. Public opinion would indicate that this would be for at least six months, and probably a year, to come at the completion of high school, or at age 18, approximately. Such military training will naturally demand the continued em- phasis in high school of strenuous physical education, and those subjects which will train our boys for mechanized warfare.
In September we were saddened by the announcement of the death in action in France of Carleton Ryder, former teacher of social studies in the high school, who was on leave of absence from his duties here. Mr. Ryder leaves Mrs. Ryder and two children, one, Carleton, Jr., who was born in November.
Norwell has taken a step forward in setting up a committee to study the need for a modern elementary school building to relieve the crowded conditions at the high school. Our lower grade children deserve a building that is planned particularly for them, with ample and safe playground space. A building committee should expedite the plans for such a building.
This year we had an unusually large entering class so that the first grade enrollment was 45. This necessitated the employment of an assistant teacher. A preliminary survey of children who might enter next year is being made. Indications are that it will be nearer normal, though federal figures anticipate that there will be increases in the elementary grades throughout our nation for a number of years.
At the high school level there has been a reorganization of teacher assignments so that the bulk of the seventh and eighth grade work is carried by two teachers. This has eliminated an unstable condition which existed when teachers were attempting to handle six periods of work a day spread through the six upper grades, with the ages of children ranging from 12 to 18. The high school teachers, relieved from continual classes, are now able to hold consultations with students and supervise study work. It has meant the hiring of an additional teacher, but the results are already ap- parent, particularly in the seventh and eighth grades.
Norwell receives reimbursement from the State under several laws. Under Part 11, Chapter 70 as amended, one of the items enumerated, from which reimbursement is figured, is the number of full time teachers hired. When a fully qualified teacher of experience is paid at least the legal salary of $1200 the reimbursement item amounts to approximately $775. This year we have two additional teachers on our staff at a cost in the school budget of $2500. The reimbursement to the general funds of the town will amount to $1550.
Note should be made of the fact that our list of expenditures for the year was increased by an item of $43.50 paid to Donald Crothers for elec- trical work done to a fire damaged fuse box. The above amount was re- bated to the town treasurer by the insurance company.
Our cafeteria, which has been conducted by the Domestic Arts teacher and her pupils, now has the addition of a paid worker, who is able to release the teacher for more teaching in her field. At present this worker is being paid from cafeteria funds, at no cost to the School Committee.
The replacement of obsolete text books has gone forward. The new books in the reading system have been extended through grade six. Work books parallel the text material. The high school texts have been kept up-to-date. Through the generosity of our P. T. A. our library has had substantial increases.
A number of items that will make for better schools have been in-
87
TOWN OF NORWELL
cluded in the present budget. An inter room communication system was originally planned for in the new building, and part of the work on it was done. It is hoped that this may become a reality. The commercial depart- ment needs a new duplicating machine. Some of the storage space on the third floor needs shelves and lights. There should be an outdoor light over- looking the entrance and parking area.
These things should be considered in the future. Manual training, talked about for fifteen years, should become possible with the release of the room now occupied by grade three. Athletic instructors should receive additional pay for their evening work. The driveway in front of the build- ing should be given a permanent surface. Eventually the rear of the build- ing should have walks so that mud will not be brought in from the playfield. When gas is available provision should be made for a late bus to run on certain afternoons to take care of those staying for make-up work and athletics, and the first grade children should have a shorter day.
As Superintendent I wish to thank all those who have cooperated with me in the educational advancement of the youth in this town.
CLIFTON E. BRADLEY, Superintendent
REPORT OF THE NORWELL HIGH AND GRAMMAR SCHOOLS
Mr. Clifton E. Bradley Superintendent of Schools Norwell, Massachusetts
I herewith submit my annual report of the activities of the Norwell High and Grammar Schools:
The re-organization of the Junior and Senior High School program has been completed and is very satisfactory. The pupils of the seventh and eighth grades have two teachers who teach all subjects except the special- ized programs of art, music, and handwriting. The high school pupils have their own group of teachers who teach only high school subjects. This enables the teachers to give more time to the individual pupil and to assist him should he have difficulty in a subject. It also has the additional merit of having each group as a definite unit in itself.
In keeping with the recommendations of the war department and the armed services, we endeavor to follow their suggestions in so far as our facilities allow. These recommendations are continued stress on funda- mentals of English, Mathematics and Basic Sciences, and a thorough under- standing of governments, and particularly discussion of the reasons for the war, and a study of the philosophies of the different governments and nations.
Our graduates of last year are doing very well. Seven boys took the qualifying test for the Army and Navy Air Forces and all seven passed, which is a record no other school in the vicinity can even approach. In fact, the general average was about sixty per cent. All of them were not able to take advantage of this opportunity although all were qualified and had the educational training necessary to be admitted. A number of the girl graduates of the school are doing well at various colleges and special- ized schools.
The extra-curricula activities of the school and the athletic program are gradually expanding. The Inter-class play contest was extremely inter- esting and the dramatic performance of all contestants was excellent. For
88
NINETY-FIFTH ANNUAL REPORT
the first time in many years, one of the lower classes won the coveted award. The sophomores, in presenting "Ghost Farm" gave a fine perform- ance of a ghost story complete with chills and horrors and, in the final voting received first prize over the senior class, who presented "Boy Friend" and the junior class, who presented "Everything's Off."
The Assembly programs gave evidence of dramatic talent for years to come as was evident by the Xmas pageant given by grades three, four, five and six, and the Thanksgiving program presented by grades seven and eight. The Junior High School also presented a number of short skits and acts as part of the work of the English Department.
The pupils have an opportunity to put their talents for writing to good use in the High School paper "The Dinghy" which has been revived and is published the first of the month and the new Junior High School paper "The Skipper" is published the middle of the month. Both contain original essays, poems, news of the school, puzzle contests, cartoons, and other art work, all of which is contributed, edited and printed by the pupils them- selves.
The Student Council has been extremely active organizing programs and conducting many of the affairs of the school. An innovation is the adoption of a plan to have selected full length movie feature pictures once a month as well as short subjects and educational films as needed in the school program. The feature movies are selected and financed by the pupils themselves and are purely and simply for amusement since so few have opportunities to go to regular theatres. Dances are held once a month by the different classes. In connection with dancing and social activities, I would like to mention here the plan being worked out by school pupils with the assistance of the Parent and Teachers Association. It is to organ- ize activities in the town for different age groups and will be conducted by the boys and girls, assisted by the Social Activities Committee of the Nor- well Parents and Teachers Association. This activity bears tremendous promise of developing into a regular part of the child's development by planned social activity.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.