USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Norwell > Town of Norwell annual report 1940-1949 > Part 39
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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 SCHOOLS
Signal 7:30 A. M. on the Fire whistle
"No School" signals will be broadcast from WNAC (1260) between 7:00 and 7:45 A. M., and from WEEI (590) at 7:20 A. M.
Schools will close in extremely bad weather, but each parent must decide, 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.
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NINETY-SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT
Employment certificates of those between 14-16 for employment during out of school hours are secured at the schools only, or during the summer, from the Superintendent of Schools.
SCHOOL CALENDAR
January 2, 1946
February 16-February 24
School opens Vacation
April 13-April 21
Vacation
Memorial Day
May 30 and 31 Week of June 21
Closing Schools
If the Schools are closed on account of weather, the closing dates are extended.
SUMMER VACATION
September 4, 1946
School opens
October 18
Teachers' Convention
November 11
Armistice Day
November 28 and 29
Thanksgiving Holidays
December 21-January 1, 1947 Holidays
January 2, 1947
School opens
February 15-February 23
Vacation
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
To the Taxpayers of Norwell:
The year 1945 was a difficult one in the administration of the schools and your Committee exceeded the appropriation by $2,071.51. Two factors are responsible for this condition: Reopening of Ridge Hill School and the reconversion of the heating system at the High School. We propose to give you the details and ask for your support at the Annual Meeting to pay these "Unpaid Bills."
In January, 1943, the Ridge Hill Primary building was closed, when we were ordered by the Fuel Administration to convert all oil burning units to coal burning units. This was not possible of accomplishment at Ridge Hill, therefore the Committee voted to close the building. Thereafter, the first three grades were housed at the Center Primary with three teachers until September, 1943, when, because of the increased enrollment. the third grade and its teacher were moved to the High School building. The enroll- ment of grades 1 and 2 increased to the point in January, 1945, where it was necessary to add a third teacher to the staff. The number eligible to enter in September was so large it was not possible to house them at Center Primary, which fact, together with the lifting of the oil ban, caused the Committee to vote to reopen the Ridge Hill building. It was necessary to spend $1,076.44 in repairs to put the building in proper condition for occupancy and $670.64 for the services of a janitor and the salary of a; teacher-one having been transferred from Norwell Center.
The first week of December we experienced a flood at the High School; not unique to Norwell but in common with many other buildings through- out the state. The water entered the building by way of the coal bin, flowed on into the heater cellar, flooding the pump and rendering the motors useless. The water in the coal froze, making it impossible to burn. After contacting unsuccessfully all the fuel concerns for miles around, the Committee finally found a company in Quincy, who would sell us coal for a very limited time, provided we send a truck for it at their yard. This coal was so poor it required the constant services of a man to keep it broken
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TOWN OF NORWELL
up enough to burn. Even with this extra labor it was impossible to prop- erly heat the building. With the uncertainty of getting fuel, poor as it was, and our obligation to the State to keep the High School open, it was decided as an emergency measure to reinstall the original oil burner which we had kept. This cost $798.27.
At the annual meeting $500.00 was added to the school appropriation so that a survey of the schools could be made. This amount was kept as a separate item in our accounts and was drawn upon only for expenses of hiring experts and working material for reports. However, at the close of the year when we realized we were exceeding our appropriations we were obliged to use the balance as we could not apply to the Advisory Board for a transfer until our appropriation had become exhausted.
Some Norwell parents have at times questioned the adequacy of our Norwell schools. It is true that we cannot offer the wide range of courses provided by cities and large towns. In the first place, we do not have large enough classes to justify breaking down each grade into a number of units with optional courses of instruction; and secondly, the town can not afford to appropriate sufficient money to hire teachers for a number of unneces- sary, yet perhaps interesting, option studies.
In Norwell, a student taking the college course receives ample prepara- tion in all the required courses for college entrance examinations. He is taught Latin but does not have the option of Greek. He is taught French but is not given the options of Spanish, German, or Italian that he might get in a city school. He is taught algebra, geometry, solid geometry and trigonometry. He is taught American History but has no options of An- cient, Medieval, and Modern, or European History. He has the 4 high school years of English and 1 year of physics or chemistry. He can and does receive ample instruction in all the required college preparatory sub- jects and evidences of this adequate preparation are the records of many of our graduates who have won honors in their later college courses.
An excellent preparation is also given in the commercial course for students not planning to continue further with their education. Bookkeep- ing, shorthand, and typing are adequately and well taught. We would like to have a course in manual training, but several years ago, when we had the opportunity of dividing the cost and services of a Manual Arts teacher with the Town of Hanover, the Finance Board and the Town refused to ap- propriate the necessary funds. Without town approval and backing, Manual Training has therefore been pigeon-holed. This we regret and hope that in the near future our Townspeople will realize the value of such a course and insist that funds be provided in the school budget for the installation and support of Manual Training.
Our teaching staff has steadily improved in quality and our purpose is to give the best of instruction in all necessary and required studies, real- izing that because of our limitations in size and available funds we can not expect to offer the wide range of optional studies provided by larger school systems.
Teachers' salaries have been raised regularly each year and before too many more years will be, we hope, on a par with salaries in the larger towns and cities. Such a program should guarantee us the best of teaching service, by holding those teachers who are doing excellent work and enabl- ing us to make proper qualified replacements for those teachers who are not up to standard.
As our teachers wield a tremendous influence in the development and training of our youth, it is false economy to do other than raise their salaries to the level of the best city schools. Even the highest teachers salaries are pitifully low when one considers the training and education required for their work and the summer study that most school systems should expect from their teachers.
80
NINETY-SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT
We are publishing herewith a Table of Expenditures for Support of Schools for the State Fiscal year ending June, 1945. As this table gives the whole picture of expenditures in Norwell and nine of the surrounding towns, we urge you to study it carefully. We trust that you will continue your interest and assist us in providing better facilities for the pupils when the time comes to do so.
JAMES P. HALL, Chairman THOMAS S. CANN NELLIE L. SPARRELL, Secretary
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT FINANCES-1945
Appropriation
$46,500.00
Special Appropriation
500.00
Dog Tax
578.78
$47,578.78
Overdraft
2,071.51
Total Expenditures
$49,650.29
REIMBURSEMENTS
Part I Mass. School Fund
$3,020.00
Part II Mass. School Fund
4,571.24
Mass. Wards (1942-43, late bill)
153.66
Superintendency Union
635.69
City Boston Wards
446.80
Mass. Wards
184.62
Total Reimbursements $9,012.01
Net Cost to Town
$40,638.28
STATISTICS FROM MASSACHUSETTS TEACHERS' FEDERATION EXPENDITURES FOR SUPPORT OF SCHOOLS (School Year Ending June 30, 1945)
Town
1940 Value Popu- per lation Capita
Cost per Pupil Av- erage Teacher eral Member- load 1945 ship
Con- trol
Instruc- Text tion
Books
Sup- plies
Jani- itors
Fuel
Re- pairs Health tation
Norwell
1871 $1266 $139.25
22.3 $2070 $26,114 $1472
$715 $2827
$964
$1306 $2161 $5663
15
334
Pembroke
1718
1792
143.08
22.2
1961
28,313
571
1593
3331
2003
860
675
6024
15
333
Duxbury
2359
3211
165.39
24.5
5029
32,690
1513
1890
5645
1936
2607
1002
7935
16
392
Marshfield
2419
3244
144.99
25.4
2928
32,264
1010
1452
4367
1761
1569
1464
9210
16
407
Kingston
2783
1645
128.45
22.8
2919
35,791
1221
1884
4223
2537
1499
1550
4098
20
456
Hanover
2875
1602
135.33
22.1
1854
39.729
1693
3260
3956
2672
2045
1342
7114
22
487
Cohasset
3111
3067
179.22
21.1
2851
55,661
839
4005
5314
1921
2499
2771
6390
25
527
W. Br'water
3247
1053
99.16
27.2
4018
39.270
916
1710
3000
2775
1535
1328
3078
22
598
E. Br'water
3832
1181
111.88
26.6
3543
49,048
1550
1961
5253
2888
728
1993
6470
25
664
Scituate
4130
3133
134.69
26.7
3806
68,828
1330
2319
7050
2868
4358
3263 11382
31
829
Gen-
Salaries
Average Pupil Trans- Total Mem- por- Teach- ber- ers ship
TOWN OF NORWELL
81
82
NINETY-SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
To the School Committee Town of Norwell
It gives me pleasure to submit this, my third annual report on the condition of the schools of Norwell.
This past year has been a memorable one for school children and teachers, for both the end of the war in Germany and the death of the President came in school time, and were appropriately observed with im- pressive school assemblies. The end of the war with Japan, coming as it did during the summer vacation, was adequately celebrated before school opened in the fall.
The change from war to peace time conditions was distinctly noticeable in our high school. The tension was off. Senior boys, who were facing immediate induction, were informed that they would be permitted to finish the school year. The rule, permitting diplomas to be granted to those entering the services in the middle of their senior year, was changed so that the full year is required. Returned service men were soon being wel- comed home and invited to tell of their experiences. Fewer boys and girls left to enter employment. The war was over.
Immediately plans were made to provide educational facilities for the returned veteran. The State set up regional high schools for those who have not completed their education. Principals of high schools were dele- gated as the advisory officers. Provision has been made to accept credit for basic training and for courses taken while in the service.
During the fall the Superintendent has met with groups of teachers for the purpose of furthering the regular educational program. The inter area meetings have been resumed with teachers meeting on a grade level to discuss problems in common. Two general meetings have been held where all the teachers of the Union were brought together. Other meetings are planned for the spring. The elementary teachers are working on the problem of the educational program for a new building.
The number of prospective teachers available to fill vacancies has reached its lowest point, so that teacher colleges are considering release of girls to go out in the middle of their senior year to fill vacancies. The demand has been so great that inexperienced girls are commanding $1,500.00 to start in their work. The result has been a gross unfairness to older teachers who have started at a lower rate, and who are now being paid only what a beginner expects. The few men who have returned to teaching have not materially helped the situation, so that adjustments in salaries must still be considered. This shortage is expected to continue for two more years at least.
The Ridge Hill School was reopened in September because of the over- crowded condition of the lower grades. The enrollment in the Ridge Hill School is small, but seems to be rising. The quality of the education in these Grades One and Two should be very high as a result of the ideal size of the classes.
The establishment of a late bus three times a week from the high school is a definite forward step. Provision can now be made to assist pupils who have missed work, or who are behind in their work, and for extra curricula activities that extend beyond the regular school day.
The Federal government has subsidized our food program to the extent of $2,234.57 during the school year 1944-45. This amount, which the gov- ernment charges off as aid to farmers, has made it possible for a large pro- portion of our children to have a warm, nutritious lunch with milk each
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TOWN OF NORWELL
day at a reasonable cost to the child. It would appear that this program has improved general health considerably.
The high school has been able to have a full time assistant who works under the direction of the Domestic Arts teacher in preparing lunches, and the number served has become so large that a second assistant is needed.
The Center Primary and Ridge Hill teachers continue to sacrifice some of their own time to prepare warm soups for the children.
Our high school continues to be a Class A school, which permits us to certify qualified candidates to many of the colleges.
Norwell's enrollment figures have turned upward from last year and were 341 on October 1, and 344 on January 1.
The Building Committee, whose report appears elsewhere, has made noteworthy progress during the year toward providing an adequate ele- mentary school building which will relieve the over crowded conditions at the high school.
The schools have kept abreast of progress through replacing obsolete text books. By a planned program the number of books replaced in any one year need not to be too great to become a financial burden.
Not all the projects planned for 1945 have materialized because of the scarcity of materials, but improvements include, installation of lights in the storage closets, reconversion to oil at the high school, and a new duplicating machine.
The budget this year has necessarily been increased, first because of increased salary costs, and secondly by the addition of one teacher. The increase in the amount of State Aid is expected to balance somewhat the cost of the additional teacher.
Included in the budget are items to accomplish the following:
1. Provide equipment for six man football in the fall.
2. Purchase new typewriters-one third of total to be replaced.
Recommendations
1. That at least one man be secured on the high school faculty to handle athletics and physical education of the boys.
2. That physical education be considered vital enough to assign a qualified woman instructor to this work.
3. That the building program be acted on promptly to improve the high school classroom situation.
4. That the road in front of the school be hard surfaced.
The contracts with the bus owners run out in June of this year. If production of new busses makes it possible, any contracts made should specify new equipment.
I want to thank all who have contributed to the work of the Norwell Schools.
Respectfully yours, CLIFTON E. BRADLEY, Superintendent of Schools.
84
NINETY-SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT
PRINCIPAL'S REPORT
To the Superintendent of Schools
Mr. Clifton E. Bradley
I herewith submit my annual report of the activities of the Norwell High and Grammar School.
Scholastic Standing
Norwell High School has again been granted certification privileges with the New England College Entrance Certification Board and Rated Class "A" by the Commissioner of Education of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Certification privileges are granted only to schools whose graduates are successful in their college work. Many of our graduates have done successful work this year at: Boston University, University of New Hampshire, Rhode Island School of Design, Skidmore, Burdett College, University of Vermont, University of Connecticut, University of Maine, Chicago University, Intermont College, Rollins College, Norwich University, Bridgewater State Normal, Franklin Institute, Cornell University and La Salle Junior College. From time to time letters of commendation have been received from the colleges on the fine scholastic record of the graduates and a number of these are doing outstanding work and their names have been placed on the Dean's List.
Administration
The class schedule was changed this year in order to allow more time for individual instruction and to combat the overcrowding in the building. Unfortunately, it is not always possible to use all the facilities and in some classes students must sit two to a seat. By having seven class periods each day classes are divided and a greater variety of subject matter may be presented to the pupils.
A new type of report card is in use in the senior high school and is much more complete than the old one. It allows for notes by the teacher and the parents and gives an opportunity for the parent to get a more complete picture of the type of work the student is doing in the school. However, a report card at best cannot take the place of a visit and parents are urged to feel free to visit the school and classes at any time.
The late afternoon bus, which is scheduled three days a week, has been of tremendous assistance in aiding students having scholastic difficul- ties to make up their work. Many students who either through absence or any other reason were behind in their schoolwork could not or would not walk the long distances often required and as a result got farther and farther behind the rest of their class, now can remain in school, get special help from the teacher and still ride home. The present schedule calls for afternoon sessions on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday with the teachers and pupils remaining until 4:30 o'clock. Other groups interested in dramatics, athletics, art and music also may use this bus and it has meant a marked increase in the interest and attendance at these activities.
School Activities
The extra-curricular activities of the school are returning to normal with the successful completion of the war, the end of tire and gasoline rationing and an easing of the nervous tension and pressure of the war years.
The Inter-Class Play Contest maintained its extremely high level of dramatic performance with the presentation of three one-act plays. "Death Comes to a Quack Doctor," presented by the Sophomore class and "The Lord's Prayer" by the Junior class were exceptionally fine, but the largest audience ever to see the Inter-Class Plays voted that the coveted award be
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TOWN OF NORWELL
presented to the Senior class for their excellent production of "Command Performance."
The graduation pageant "So Nigh is Grandeur," written by Miss Elizabeth Ross of the graduating class, was very well received and declared by many to be better than similar pageants written by professionals.
The musical program has continued to grow with the Orchestra, Girls' Glee Club, Junior High School Glee Club and the newly organized Boys' Glee Club carrying on successfully and appearing at assemblies and at the graduation exercises. The grammar school children presented a number of fine assembly programs during the school year, marked by excellent choral music and as is the custom, contributed to the Memorial Day observ- ances at the various cemeteries.
A number of social activities have been carried on during the school year and many have been successful largely through the kind services of the Social Activities Committee of the Norwell Association of Parents and Teachers. Their assistance has been extremely helpful and the dancing school classes, square dances and skating parties have been well attended and have provided clean, wholesome fun for the youngsters.
Athletics and Physical Education
The boys' basketball and baseball teams and the girls' basketball and softball teams carried on as usual this past year with Norwell a member of the South Shore League.
There were many well played, hard fought games with a fair share of victories considering that Norwell is the smallest town represented. Both the boys and girls have junior high school teams and played a schedule with the adjoining towns.
The representatives of Norwell at the South Shore Track and Field Meet at the Marshfield Fairgrounds did very well and during the past two years the participants from our school have won as many ribbons as any other school. For the first time Norwell entered a team in the Cross- Country Run held at the Brockton Fairgrounds and will undoubtedly continue to sponsor this sport.
All students in the junior and senior high school have two periods of physical training each week, which is more than half the schools of the state have been able to provide, but specially trained teachers in this field are needed and would mean that corrective exercises, proper calisthenics, tumbling and all that goes to make up a well rounded physical training program would be available to all students in both the high and grammar schools.
May I again stress the need of some type of handicraft work in the schools, not necessarily to train for a specific trade but that every boy and girl have some knowledge of the simple tools. This, of course, cannot be done at the present time and is just one of many things which it has not been possible to do during the past few years but should definitely enter any future planning.
I wish to thank you, the members of the committee and my co-workers for their splendid cooperation and spirit.
EDWARD J. ROGEAN
86
NINETY-SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE ART SUPERVISOR
Mr. Clifton E. Bradley Superintendent of Schools Norwell, Massachusetts
Dear Sir:
The following is my report for the Art Department of the Norwell Schools.
Work completed by the High School and Junior High classes was exhibited at a revival of the P. T. A. School Program Night. Projects and drawings by Grades Three through Six were shown in the classrooms on this occasion.
The annual Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals awards were presented at the Junior High School Class Day in June.
We have been asked to help with many school affairs, needing assist- ance that our student draftsmen and artists have been happy to supply, such as aid with dance decorations, posters, graphs, school newspaper draw- ings and scenery for plays.
I wish to thank all members of the Norwell School Department for their many acts of kindness and cooperation during the year.
Respectfully submitted,
H. RODMAN BOOTH, Supervisor of Art
REPORT OF THE MUSIC SUPERVISOR
Mr. Clifton E. Bradley
Superintendent of Schools
Norwell, Massachusetts
Dear Mr. Bradley :
Following is a report of the work of the Music Department in the Norwell Schools for the past year:
In the High School we have a Glee Club composed of forty-six girls who have sung at all the public functions sponsored by the High School.
In September a Boys' Glee Club of twenty voices was organized. They are working on a program of four-part songs to be sung at their debut later in the year.
The orchestra is small but enthusiastic, and we hope to recruit addi- tional members now that more musical instruments will soon be on the market.
The members of the Junior High School presented an operetta at the Thanksgiving Assembly. The entire Junior High has a music period once a week, and we have a Glee Club made up of the girls of the seventh and eighth grades who also meet every week.
In the grades we are working on the development of music reading ability and all-round musicianship. The children of the intermediate grades
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TOWN OF NORWELL
worked for several weeks on a Christmas operetta, "In Quest of Santa Claus," but were unable to present it as there was no school on the last day before vacation.
Respectfully, GERTRUDE M. REYNOLDS, Supervisor of Music
REPORT OF SCHOOL PHYSICIAN
Superintendent of Schools Norwell Massachusetts
Dear Sir:
Pursuant your request of recent date the following report is submitted.
The general sanitaary condition of the high school is excellent with the exception of the insanitary methods used in washing of dishes and cutlery. A modern dish washing machine should be installed which would result in lessening the possibility of transmission of many contagious dis- eases.
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