USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Norwell > Town of Norwell annual report 1940-1949 > Part 6
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A. LESTER SCOTT
SAMUEL B. SYLVESTER, 2nd SIDNEY E. DEAN FRANCIS E. MacFARLANE LORING H. JACOBS CLEMENT R. THOMAS
LYONAL FORKEY HUMPHREY W. TURNER
A. R. GORDON, Chairman
REPORT OF NORWELL COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY
On June 11, 1940, Brig. Gen. Edgar C. Erickson, Adjutant General of the Massa- chusetts National Guard, wrote informing the undersigned of his appointment by the Governor "to organize and direct a Safety Committee in your community, for the purpose of co-operating with all local, State and National agencies having to do with the defense of the United States."
An initial committee of twelve was organized immediately and the report was sent in to General Erickson's office on July 15, outlining its preliminary activities. After consultation with the authorities in Boston, the committee was later enlarged to include the following citizens:
A. Lester Scott
Horace Gaudette
Sidney E. Dean
Ralph H. Coleman
Alfred J. Wilson
Irving R. Henderson
James A. Liddell
Gordon O. Thayer
Ernest H. Sparrell
Col. William Woodworth Dr. Raymond G. Vinal George D. Sargent
William O. Henderson
John Osborn
Mrs. Alan C. Virtue
Perry Osborn
Chester A. Bell
Cecil Whitney
Mrs. A. L. Scott
Theodore M. Dyer
Mrs. Nellie Sparrell
Lloyd Henderson
Mrs. Ella Stoddard George A. Beach
Kenneth Torrey Donald C. Wilder A. R. Gordon
Lincoln Simpson
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NINETY-FIRST ANNUAL REPORT
On September 12 we were informed that a State committee known as the Massa- chusetts Committee on Public Safety, of which Mr. Chandler Bigelow is Secretary, had been organized to take over the work of the Defense Committees. This committee, as well as the original one, sent out bulletins containing various kinds of information, especially with regard to recruiting activities. We have consulted with Mr. Bigelow and have held several meetings, at which was outlined a general plan which can be summed up, briefly, as follows :
For the execution of this plan, various sub-committees have been formed:
1. Recruiting.
2. Protection of persons and property :
(a) Police
(b) Fire Department
(c) Air Defense
3. Public Utilities :
(a) Water
(b) Light
(c) Fuel (d) Sanitation
4. Subversive Activities.
5. Transportation and Food Supplies.
6. Finance.
7. Publicity.
8. Arms.
9. Communication.
In order to provide what we considered reasonable publicity in this matter, we drafted a notice which was distributed, to be read to the various local organiza- tions, and since this expresses the general purposes of the Committee, we are including it:
"TO THE CITIZENS OF NORWELL:
"Every thinking person is aware that practically the entire world is passing through an unparalleled crisis the most important element in this upheaval is the life and death struggle between two violently opposed ideas of government, Democracy and Dictatorship. We in the United States are not yet actively engaged in this fight in a military sense. We are, however, directly and vitally involved because the totalitarian powers threaten every community which refuses to accept their orders and because the same forces which have been largely responsible for the downfall of other nations are at work here. Our most important task today is the preservation of our country, whether that involves actual war or merely the co-operative effort of all of us in strengthening and improving our own government. We cannot take freedom for granted.
"Because of this world situation the Governor of Massachusetts has directed the formation of local committees on Public Safety for every city, town and village in the State. Their purpose is not to alarm people, but to organize for any kind of emergency, military or civil, and incidentally to arouse every citizen to a new sense of pride in his country and a willingness to contribute his share in the common cause of sound defense and good government.
"Our local committee includes the representatives of the various town or- ganizations and is working to gather information about our resources, to plan for emergencies, and to see to it that subversive activities are not given any opportunity to become a threat to anyone. From time to time information will be given out as needed. Any members of the committee, which includes practically all town of- ficers, are ready to answer your questions and to explain the committee's organization and activities. We shall welcome gladly and avail ourselves immediately of any material assistance or well-considered suggestions. Let us make Norwell the best organized town in the State."
Norwell Committee on Public Safety
A. R. GORDON, Chairman.
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TOWN OF NORWELL
In view of the fact that no actual military emergency exists, and because the public safety is therefore not immediately threatened, your committee exists now principally as a nucleus for further organization and as a precautionary agency for any type of emergency. It stands ready, however, to assist in any activity for the good of the community which may properly come within its jurisdiction. We feel sure that we shall have the wholehearted support of every patriotic citizen.
A. R. GORDON, Chairman.
75
NINETY-FIRST ANNUAL REPORT
SCHOOL DIRECTORY School Committee
JAMES P. HALL, Chairman
NELLIE L. SPARRELL, Mrs .. Secretary
HORACE D. GAUDETTE
Tel. Hanover 136 Tel. Norwell 76 Tel. Rockland 443-J
Superintendent of Schools THOMAS E. RUSH
Office, Hanover High School, Hanover Centre, Mass., Tel. 243-2.
Residence, Broadway, South Hanover, Tel., Hanover 97.
Supervisors MYRTLE A. BOWLIN, Music H. RODMAN BOOTH, Art
Health Service
DR. RAYMOND G. VINAL, School Physician DR. WILLIS B. PARSONS, School Dentist CATHERINE A. ROE, School Nurse
Janitors
RICHARD WHITING C. ALMOND BRUCE
FRANK LIND
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 six years of age will be admitted to school for the first time after October first of any year.
If there appears to be room in the first grade, tests will be given to children who are too young to enter school. No child may take this test who will not be five before the opening of school.
A child entering school for the first time is required to present to the teacher a birth certificate and vaccination or exemption from vaccination certificates. Exemp- tion certificates must be renewed every six months.
SIGNALS FOR NO SESSIONS OF SCHOOL
Signal is 2-2-2 given at 7:30 A. M. from both Norwell Fire Stations.
The "No School" announcement will be broadcast over WNAC and WEEI be- tween 7 o'clock and 8 o'clock.
SCHOOL CALENDAR
1941
January 6-School opens
February 21-School closes
March 3-School opens
April 18-School closes April 28-School opens
May 30-Holiday
Week of June 20-School closes
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TOWN OF NORWELL
SUMMER VACATION
September
9-School opens
October
13 -- School closes
November
11-Holiday
December
19-School closes
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
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
To the Taxpayers of Norwell:
This year the Norwell school system suffered severely with the loss of seven of its teachers. Five of these teachers left because with a drastically reduced school budget your Committee was unable to give any salary raises, and other towns offered these teachers better paying positions.
If the town of Norwell hopes to hold its better teachers, there must be proper leeway in the budget to provide salary increases for deserving teachers. We in the town of Norwell, however, under the present plan of compensation for our teachers are little better than a proving ground for green teachers, and our children must bear the brunt of any consequences. It is impossible for any School Committee or Superintendent to replace this many teachers in one year at low salaries and have all turn out to be good teachers; some turn out well; others cannot make the grade. The good ones are taken away from us as soon as they really get their feet on the ground and begin to establish a real place for themselves on our staff. The only good ones we can retain, are those who are willing to take a low salary because they prefer to live in the town or those who have family ties in Norwell.
Transportation in any town such as Norwell with its scattered homes always has many problems. This year your Committee made several necessary changes. Larger buses were placed on Ridge Hill and Church Hill routes in order to properly seat the pupils. The time schedule was working hardships on some sections of the town. This was carefully revised so that those children who are now picked up early in the morning are the first to be returned home; whereas those who are picked up late have to wait until later in the afternoon for their home bus. In this way the school day is evened up as well as possible for all sections of the town.
To better serve the requirements of each section, the routes have been changed for the Church Hill and Ridge Hill buses. The Church Hill bus now goes over Circuit Street from Main Street to Pine Street and the Ridge Hill bus covers Prospect Street to Grove Street, thence to Route 3. These additions serve more pupils at no additional cost.
With the homes in Norwell widely scattered, the bus routes are bound to work hardships on some families. Massachusetts' State Laws require that no child shall walk more than two miles from his home to reach a school bus line. In Norwell, the buses are so routed that no child needs walk more than 34 of a mile to reach his or her school bus. Your Committee wishes it were possible to have the school bus stop at each child's home, but such a plan would involve an exorbitant transporta- tion cost for the town and is out of the question. We hope that the parents of those children who do have to walk some distance to a bus will realize the limitations which the budget for transportation necessitates in our bus routes.
Your Committee realizing the Town's peoples' desire for every economy in 1940 did its utmost to keep expenditures at the lowest possible figure.
77
NINETY-FIRST ANNUAL REPORT
Although the average cost of books per pupil throughout the State in towns the size of Norwell is about $2.00, the actual cost in Norwell for the year 1940 was only about $1.62 per pupil.
Certain essential projects were postponed-the High School badly needs three new bubblers to supply the children with drinking water; reference books are needed for the school library; additional chairs for the assembly hall; new equipment for our science classes; and, the ever-present demand for more adequate athletic equip- ment. We hope that in 1941 there will be sufficient surplus in the budget so that these needs can be filled.
Every high school should have proper athletic equipment. Athletics in Norwell have been supported wholly in the past by funds which the students have raised by selling tickets to various school activities and by money raised by the Parent and Teachers Association. As a result, the cost of athletics has been borne by those good natured few who buy tickets to these activities. Your Committee feels it would be more equitable to have money for athletics provided in the budget, that the cost be borne by the taxpayers rather than the generous friends of the pupils.
Last year a band was organized in the High School, which has been sup- ported thus far by the Parent and Teachers Association. As with the athletics it would seem advisable for the school budget to provide funds for this branch of the musical education of the pupils.
The Committee wishes to call attention to a number of additions, which it feels are needed at the High School building, some of which were omitted for one reason or another when the building was erected, but which should be supplied as soon as funds are available.
All gutters were omitted from the building. The lack of these on the back of the building cause periodic flooding of the boiler room, which we propose to counteract by placing a cement apron under the auditorium windows with two drains carrying the water underground to a gutter at the foot of the terrace. One such drain has been installed from the dry well, which is successfully relieving the boiler cellar of water which collects in the pit beneath the boiler room stairs.
A bubbler is needed in each of the shower rooms and another in the west corridor of the first floor just outside the room now occupied by the fourth grade.
Wide cement walks from the back doors to the playground are needed, to keep the terrace in good condition, and to prevent tracking dirt into the building, thus lenghtening the life of the floor covering. This would lighten the heavy duties of the janitor who takes justifiable pride in the building and its appearance.
Last but by no means least is the need for a course in manual arts. A fireproof room could be prepared for such a course by recessing light in the basement, under the room originally designed for manual arts and by erecting one cement wall and a floor. This could be done at a moderate cost, and with a small quantity of equip- ment would furnish the beginning of a very practical course.
It is our aim to have provided for the schools those persons and things which shall best train the pupil to find and maintain his fitting place in the life of his community and the world. He must learn to control himself, live amicably with his fellows and contribute his share to the general welfare of his community.
As changes in the teaching staff occur, it is the earnest intention of the committee to select candidates who seem best suited to carry out this objective. We trust we may merit your support in our effort to bring about this result.
We wish to state our appreciation of the efficient manner in which the Superin- tendent, Teachers, Health Department, Supervisors, and Janitors have performed their duties the past year.
JAMES P. HALL, Chairman. HORACE D. GAUDETTE. NELLIE L. SPARRELL, Secretary.
78
TOWN OF NORWELL
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the School Committee of the Town of Norwell:
At one time or another most persons are caused to reflect upon the changes which have occurred; changes in social, economic and industrial life; changes in attitudes; changes in our institutions and so on. Changes are continuing to occur, in fact they seem to be occurring with increasing speed and growing complexity. The one thing or condition of which we can be sure is "change."
The public school has been and must continue to be affected by change. It must seem to some that it was not very long ago that the program of the public school consisted of three subjects, reading, writing and arithmetic. Then education was regarded as being much simpler, more narrow, less costly, and probably less important. However, as changes in other institutions of society arose, public education was forced to change. To help children adjust to the increasing complexity and meet the enlarged demands of the world in which they were living and maturing, public education has had to be broadened, extended and intensified. Probably changes in education will have to continue at accelerated rates to meet the demands of changing society upon maturing citizens.
The adjustment of education to the new and changing needs of the present and of the near future calls for careful thought and intelligent action on the part of parents, teachers and others dealing with children. It places upon the public serious responsibilities of liberal support and earnest cooperation.
Modern education attempts to deal with the whole child and tries to help him in his physical, mental, social and moral development. In this it tries to keep a proper balance. Under development, or handicaps to development in one direction may prove to be a serious handicap to development in another direction or in other direc- tions. To make possible the all around development of each child to the full extent of his abilities, it is necessary to have close cooperation between several persons- teachers, parents, nurses, doctors, dentists, etc.
In the schools much depends upon the teacher. At times, he works with pupils individually, at times with groups and at still other times with his pupils as an entire class. This calls for adjustments and careful planning by the teacher. He must keep in mind the need for well rounded development, the various individual needs of his pupils and the wide variation of abilities in his group or class. Familiarity with the school system in which he works, experience in the field of education and knowledge of the community increase the effectiveness of a good teacher. To have good teachers remain for at least three years in a school system, therefore is to benefit the community and the children of that community. This year, unfortunately, there have been unusually large changes in the teaching staff of the town of Norwell.
To assist in making the work of teachers more effective, the activities of cur- riculum development and course making, described in the Superintendent's report of last year, has continued. Before the close of this school year, carefully prepared courses of study in the fields of Language, Social Studies, and Music will be com- pleted. These, with judiciously selected textbooks for the first two, will be recom- mended to the school committee for consideration and possible adoption. A course of study in Art has been begun. Courses of study in other fields will be worked out as time permits and as needs arise. Through the cooperation of members of the staff, our efforts in health and in correction of defects are becoming more closely coordinated and are increasing in effectiveness.
To help in keeping before us the books and equipment now available in our schools, regular inventories are being taken and kept. These help us also in deter- mining what are our most pressing needs. To assist in ordering and checking, regular requisition and order forms have been put into use.
Attention has been given and should continue to be given to the proper making and keeping of pupil records. Such records are essential to good supervision, in- telligent guidance and effective teaching. They are important for reference during
79
NINETY-FIRST ANNUAL REPORT
the child's school life and many times after he leaves public school. At the high school such records are being kept. As rapidly as clerical help and money permit, records should be set up for pupils of the elementary school levels.
Attempts have been made to keep buildings and grounds in proper condition. This can be done most economically and to the best advantage of the children if a regular plan or cycle covering a three or four year period is followed. Books and equipment should be supplied or replaced as needed. Needs should not be permitted to accumulate until they require hurried action and large outlays of money. As such needs accumulate, pupils are handicapped and the community's investments suffer. It should be kept in mind that the tools with which pupils work and the environment in which they live and work are extremely important factors in the total development of each.
In the report of last year, it was suggested that the program at the High School be broadened to include additional subjects and activities. In part, this has been done. Consumer Science and General Mathematics are now being offered. The program should be enlarged further to include shop work and a more adequate program of physical education.
A summary of suggestions follows. It will be noted that most of these were discussed in last year's report of the Superintendent.
1. Careful planning for the future growth of the school population.
a. Possible further consolidation.
b. Elimination of combination grades.
c. Continued efforts to establish a definite plan for maintenance of school plants.
d. Additional building.
(1) Additions to the High School Building.
(2) Improvements or replacement of present primary buildings.
2. Enlarging of the school program to include:
a. Handwork for boys.
b. Adequate program of physical education.
3. Yearly provision for adding to the high school library.
4. Provision for adequate "visual aids."
5. Increased clerical assistance for the superintendent of schools.
For further, detailed information, may I respectfully refer you to reports sub- mitted by my co-workers.
I wish to thank every member of the School Department for the loyalty and co- operation shown. To members of the School Committee I am grateful for their continued confidence and support.
Respectfully submitted,
THOMAS E. RUSH, Superintendent.
Summary
RECEIPTS
School Appropriation
$36,050.00
Dog Tax
257.56
$36,307.56
EXPENDITURES
School Committee
$317.65
Superintendent of Schools
1,396.12
Supervisors
1,213.30
High School Principal
2,601.00
Teachers' Salaries
16,844.48
80
TOWN OF NORWELL
Janitorship
2,275.70
Transportation
4,720.00
Text Books
671.22
Supplies of Instruction
1,020.04
Janitor's Supplies
358.77
Lights, Gas and Telephone
982.57
Fuel
1,538.26
Equipment
566.28
Repairs and Replacement
758.36
Health
123.77
Grounds
126.29
Insurance
718.08
Miscellaneous Operation Expense
74.66
$36,306.55
Unexpended Balance
1.01
REIMBURSEMENTS FROM STATE
Massachusetts School Fund, Part I
$2,910.00
Massachusetts School Fund, Part II
5,095.92
High School Grant
1,250.00
Tuition-State Wards
157.50
Tuition-Private Pupil
100.00
Account Superintendent Union
630.03
$10,143.45
Net Cost to Town
$26,164.11
REPORT OF THE HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
To the Superintendent of Schools:
I herewith submit my annual report as principal of Norwell High School.
SCHOLASTIC STANDING:
Norwell High School has been granted certification privileges with the New England College Entrance Certification Board for four years. Colleges outside New England have extended such privileges. Certification privileges are granted to schools where graduates are successful in their work. Post-secondary institutions entered by 1940 graduates are: Cornell University, Miami University, Philips-Andover Academy, Rhode Island School of Design, and Bryant and Stratton. All are doing creditable work in these institutions. Many of the Norwell graduates attending these schools are making outstanding contributions in non-academic activities.
SCHOOL ACTIVITIES:
The usual list of school activities has been maintained during the year with a serious attempt to uphold high standards. Outstanding was the third successive honor of winning the Tri-Town Play contest with the presentation of the one-act play, "The Red Lamp." Norwell High permanently retains the cup. On April 8 the pupils presented a program for the Parent-Teachers' Association. The performance consisted of choral singing, a gymnasium exhibition for boys and girls, instrumental demonstra- tion and a fashion show. The Seniors with the play, "Hung Jury", won the Inter- class Play contest. In May Norwell held an interschool playday for girls. Over 300 girls from neighboring schools participated in groups and played games in the gymnasium and on the athletic field.
The school orchestra gave its first performance at the Christmas assembly. The girls choral group is preparing an operetta to be presented in February. Our school will be host to over 800 choral singers from nearby schools this May when the May- flower Festival is held at the high school.
81
NINETY-FIRST ANNUAL REPORT
At the opening of school, the first Norwell handbook was issued to pupils. This was a publication of the Student Council.
SCHOOL PROGRAM
Opportunity was afforded the large group of non-college pupils to study Consumer Science and Practical Mathematics. We believe that these courses are enriching the program for the pupils.
As a method of obtaining additional information and providing more adequate help in the reading progress of our pupils, we are using a "Development Reading Series". This is restricted to the seventh and eighth grades. The work will be ex- panded as the results determine and the program allows.
GUIDANCE
Occupational instruction in courses and a guidance class provide pupils a source of information concerning school and occupational opportunities. At least once and generally more often, pupils in grades eight and twelve individually confer with the principal regarding future plans. The instruction and conference plus a detailed permanent record of personal interests, scholastic standing, activity record and character rating, have materially aided in the guidance necessary to proper adjust- ments in school. More adequate guidance should be provided and will be as the program develops. HEALTH:
With the encouragement of the superintendent, a Norwell Health Council was organized to coordinate the work of the health agencies and the school program. The council consists of the school health officers, related department heads, and the high school principal. With the enthusiastic support of Doctor Vinal and Miss Roe, definite steps have been taken to give more adequate emphasis to health in the school. Further progress is anticipated.
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