USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Norwell > Town of Norwell annual report 1950-1959 > Part 34
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During the planning and construction stages many difficulties arose which hampered our progress and extended the completion date. Your committee acted as prudently as good judgment dictated through each of these "crises" in order to obtain the planned result, making no sacrifice in quality of workmanship to justify an earlier occupancy date.
Many of our townspeople were as concerned as we were about the infringement on our original playground area. The final development, however, gives our children an enlarged and better planned playground that the one they originally enjoyed, the cost of which, by using the excellent local labor available in our town, is well within the amount ap- propriated for the purpose. We do regret that, because of the lateness of th completion of the work, we shall be unable to seed the playground
73
TOWN OF NORWELL
until spring. The School Building Committee extends a cordial invitation to all our townspeople and urges each of you to visit and inspect the new building. We believe you will then feel, as we do, extremely proud of what the citizens of Norwell have accomplished toward the maintenance of high standards in public education.
Your building committee has also been working on the problem of additional elementary facilities. We have nothing definite to report at this writing as the matter is still in the survey stage. As soon as specific plans are formulated, we will place before you at a town meeting our suggestions for your consideration.
Respectfully submitted, ROBERT H. KROEGER, Secretary for the Norwell School Building Committee
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of Norwell:
The citizens of Norwell should be proud of their schools. Your Com- mittee feels very sincerely that the type of educational program in Norwell is equal to and better than most programs in any of the surrounding com- munities. Your Committee also feels that there is still room for improve- ment and is earnestly striving to better the situation constantly. During the past year it has added to the elementary program a helping teacher to give special help to small groups as needed. It has resumed the School Savings Bank System.
For the secondary program it has already expanded the domestic arts and manual arts as required by the State.
The Committee is expanding both art and music supervision for all the system in September. It further is re-establishing a physical educa- tion program under the ful-time directorship of Mr. Felix Dixon.
Last year's report stated that the School Committee was working on a Teachers' Salary Schedule. A sub-committee consisting of Mrs. Er- nest H. Knight and Mr. Wilder Gaudette of the School Committee; Mr. Richard Ross, Mr. John Lindsay, Mr. Fred Small and Mrs. Perry Osborn representing the teachers; Mr. W. M. Marland and Mr. G. Herbert Repass of the Parent-Teachers Association; and Mr. Orville Devine of the Advisory Board held a series of meetings with the following schedule resulting: (In part)
"A. No degree
B. Bachelor's degree
Minimum $2500.00
Maximum 4300.00 15 steps
Minimum $2700.00
Maximum 4500.00 15 steps
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ONE-HUNDRED-FOURTH ANNUAL REPORT
C. Master's degree
Minimum $2900.00
Maximum 4700.00 15 steps
"No teacher shall receive more than 3 annual increments in salary unless he/she presents evidence of 2 approved credits earned during each 3-year period. On recommendation of the Superintendent, travel or au- dited courses may be counted for credit.
"After 5 years in the Norwell system merit increases may be granted at the discretion of the School Committee."
This schedule was recommended to the School Committee and was accepted on November 12, 1953 effective on January 1, 1954. With the establishment of this schedule the Committee feels that it is now in a position to attract and retain the more highly qualified teachers thus continuing Norwell's high standard of education.
In the summer of 1953, we established Rental Rates and Janitor Fees for both buildings.
Again this year our most pressing problem is expansion; although our new High School Addition has relieved the strain at the Elementary School level temporarily (with the opening of the High School Addition both sections of the fifth grade were removed to the Secondary Education Building), our Elementary growth has continued at an accelerated speed. Beginning with the first of January 1954 there were 14 rooms devoted to the Elementary level and in September 1954 it is certain that we shall be utilizing either 18 or 19 rooms. There are only 10 rooms in the Ele- mentary School. In September 1954 the present Elementary School Build- ing will be able to house only the first four grades by using both the auditorium and the cafeteria as classrooms.
It is further essential that the Elementary Grades be removed from the High School as the Secondary level will be requiring the 4 rooms now being used by the fifth and sixth grades.
Therefore, it is imperative that by September 1955 we have another Elementary School Unit, preferably in the West End of the Town for better than 50 per cent of the pre-school population is located here; and the present developments are still expanding.
In April the School Committee, acting with the Selectmen, appointed Mr. Robert Cottle to replace the vacancy caused by the resignation of Mr. Thomas Cann. We wish to express our grateful appreciation to Mr. Cann for his years of constructive service on the School Committee, sev- eral of which he served as chairman.
The Schol Committee wishes to express its appreciation also to the thoughtful work of the School Building Committee in its planning the addition to the High School; and it further wishes to express its appre-
75
TOWN OF NORWELL
ciation to the citizens of Norwell for their continued interest and support to the schools' needs.
LOUISE E. KNIGHT JAMES P. HALL ROBERT COTTLE WILDER A. GAUDETTE, Chairman NELLIE L. SPARRELL, Secretary
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
Superintendent of Schools CLIFTON E. BRADLEY Office: Salmond School, Hanover Tel. TA 6-2433 Residence: 339 Center St., Hanover Center Tel. TA 6-2353
Supervisors THEODORE HEWITT, Music MADELINE GULLIVER, Art RINEHART SYSTEM OF WRITING
School Physician RAYMOND G. VINAL, M.D.
School Nurse CATHERINE A. ROE
School Dentists WILLIS B. PARSONS, D.M.D. DONALD W. PARSONS, D.M.D.
Janitors ROBERT PIKE - High School JAMES D. DOLBY - High School GORDON LAMBERT - Elementary School
SCHOOL COMMITTEE REGULATIONS
Children who become five years of age on or before 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 vac- cination certificate. Exemption must be renewed every six months.
SIGNAL FOR NO SESSIONS OF SCHOOLS
Signal 7:00 A.M. on the Fire Whistle (one long whistle).
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ONE-HUNDRED-FOURTH ANNUAL REPORT
"No School" signals will be broadcast from WBZ between 7:00 and 7:45 A.M. and from WEEI and WBET.
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 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, 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 certi- ficate or other legal proof of age is required to be shown.
Employment certificates of those between 14-16 for employment out of school hours are secured at the schools only, or during the summer, from the Superintendent of Schools.
SCHOOL CALENDAR
Jan. 4, 1954
School Opens
Feb. 20-Feb. 28
Vacation
April 16 - Good Friday
School Closed
April 17-24
Vacation
May 30, 31 - Memorial Day Obs.
School Closed
June 23
Close of High School
SUMMER VACATION
Sept. 8, 1954
School opens
Oct. 12
Columbus Day
Oct. 21
Teachers' Convention
Nov. 11
Armistice Day
Nov. 24 at noon-Nov. 25, 26
Thanksgiving Holidays
Dec. 22 noon-Jan. 3, 1955
Vacation
Jan. 3, 1955
School Opens
Feb. 19-Feb. 26, 1955
Vacation
SCHOOL DEPT. FINANCIAL SUMMARY
Appropriation 1953
$150,695.00
Expenditures 1953 150,685.00
RECEIPTS 1953
State Aid
$28,161.55
State Aid - Transportation
13,647.91
State Aid - Superintendent
1,256.51
Tuition - State Wards 327.66
Tuition - City Wards
865.81
TOTAL
$44,259.44
NET COST TO TOWN
$106,426.00
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TOWN OF NORWELL
SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
It is a pleasure to submit this my eleventh annual report to the School Committee and citizens of Norwell.
As Superintendent in the School Union - of Hanover, Hanson and Norwell, I have seen the school enrollment of this South Shore area almost double, and the number of teachers in the three towns go from 55 to 91. Each of the three towns has a fine new elementary school, and Norwell has just entered its ten-room addition to its High School. These are indications of growing communities, and OUR TOWN will continue to grow and have better schools for its children.
With the opening of our High School addition on January 4 Norwell once again has enough rooms to adequately care for its pupils. At present Grades six through eight are in the annex, using six regular class rooms. The shop and domestic arts room were expected to be ready shortly afterwards for regular classes in those subjects. The High School will now occupy three class rooms released on the second floor, while the Grade Five children, who have been in the cafeteria and in the auditorium of the elementary building will occupy the first floor rooms on the east end of the High School building. In September 1954 one additional class, a fourth grade, will have to be put into the High School building. In September 1955 the buildings will again be completely full, and an elementary building in the west end of town should be completed shortly thereafter.
The athletic field, which was cut in width very slightly, has been lengthened and regraded to correct a drainage problem. After being seeded in the spring it should be a great improvement over its former condition.
The enrollments for the past six years were as follows:
1948
435
1949
452
1950
476
1951
518
1952
614
1953
713 (Dec. 1)
Through examination of an enrollment chart, found elsewhere in this report, we can estimate that we shall have approximately 1100 pupils in our schools by 1960. If the housing building rate continues as at present, this estimate would need to be increased.
A complete study of the number of children of all ages living on each street further indicates that we now have enough of school age to warrant building a new school of at least 12 standard classrooms in the west end of town.
Norwell has gone forward in a number of ways this past year. The establishment of full time non-teaching principals in both buildings is
78
ONE-HUNDRED-FOURTH ANNUAL REPORT
educationally sound. Such principals should have adequate clerical help so that they can spend a good share of their time in supervision and leadership of their staffs.
The work of a teacher who assists pupils needing special help is also a valuable addition to our program this year. The individual attention thus secured should make for more rapid progress at a later time.
Plans for further improvement of our system are as follows: Mr. Dixon is to be relieved of Science teaching and is to devote all his atten- tion to the Physical Education and Athletic Program. Further expansion of the girls' Physical Education Program is also contemplated. A full time Science teacher will be secured in the fall, and it is expected that the Science room will no longer be used as a home room, or for other than Science classes. The work of the Domestic Arts teacher is expected to be full time, and other arrangements will have to be made for handling the lunch room supervision. The shop program is planned to be available to certain high school boys as well as to the junior high boys.
The dual control car, made available to both Norwell and Hanover High Schools by Tanner Bros. - Ford Agency of Norwell - is now in use for the whole school year. The car comes without expense to the Town, but the cost of the teacher and the expense of running it are budget items. Because of the fine record of High School trained drivers, and because insurance costs are now reduced for the parents of school-trained drivers, the demand for this over-the-road training is increased. The car is shared by the two High Schools in alternate periods during the year.
Fortunately the State Aid formulas are such that as we increase the number of teachers, and as we increase the expenses of transportation, our total State Aid likewise increases. The amount of aid, plus certain tuition charges is expected to be $53,500.00 this year, approximately 28% of the total budget.
The largest increase in the budget total is in the teachers' salaries, which are now paid according to a schedule adopted by the School Com- mittee this fall after study by a representative group of townspeople. Inequities for teachers, who have been longest in service, will be adjusted gradually over a three-year period. It is hoped that more teachers may thus be encouraged to remain in Norwell.
Changes and additions in the bus service have been necessary to keep up with the new houses in the town. The School Department is anxious to keep the numbers on each bus at a comfortable maximum or below, and will continue to adjust loadings as conditions demand.
Two major changes were made in the High School because of the annex. The heating plant size was doubled by opening up an unused cellar and installing a new unit. Although both are steam boilers, the new building is heated by circulating hot water produced through the use of converters. The second major change was in the kitchen which likewise has been doubled in size and thoroughly modernized. Additional
79
TOWN OF NORWELL
tables and chairs were installed in the cafeteria by the School Committee.
At the same time other changes were made in the old building. Thermostatic controls were placed on the univents, fluorescent lights were placed in each classroom, the intercommunication system was put into operation in all rooms, the enlarged electrical service was made available on the old panel, the dumbwaiter was revamped and electrified, the door of the basement enlarged, a new oil burner was installed, and the oil storage tank replaced with one of a larger capacity. These were th result of monies voted to be spent under direction of the Building Committee.
The School Committee made the following improvements this year: Painting of two class rooms and the auditorium; installation of new shades and drapes in the auditorium windows, and repaving the hallways and stairs. An emergency lighting system, ordered by the Dept. of Public Safety, was installed both in the high and elementary buildings. At the elementary school drapes burned by heat and sunlight were replaced by venetian blinds. This leaves replacing of the stage drapes at the High School for this year's budget. Also items are in for hard surfacing two driveways.
Further plans for expansion call for including money for additional teachers in the budget. The third grade will be in three sections instead of two in September and the present third grade as it goes into grade four will be split into three sections. Therefore two new teachers will be needed on the elementary level.
The School Department notes the passing of Minot Williamson who for years drove the stage, and later a bus for our school children. He was always faithful to his duty.
The Superintendent is especially pleased to find so many people ac- tively interested in the development of a fine school system for Norwell youth. The work of the Building Committee has been an inspiration. The continued support of the PTA is encouraging. The attitude of the staff and of the townspeople has always been helpful. The School Com- mittee is to be congratulated on their forward looking plans. I look for- ward to better schools for our children.
Yours,
CLIFTON E. BRADLEY, Superintendent.
Norwell, Massachusetts December 23, 1953
Mr. Clifton E. Bradley Superintendent of Schools Norwell, Massachusetts
My Dear Mr. Bradley:
I herewith submit the annual report of the high-school principal.
80
ONE-HUNDRED-FOURTH ANNUAL REPORT
The high school currently offers three courses, as such, to the en- rolled students.
The college preparatory course is devised to afford a preparation for the liberal arts type college and for certain post secondary professional schools and colleges.
The commercial course is designed to offer a training for immediate entrance into some phases of business life. It also serves to satisfy the entrance requirements of most commercial schools and colleges.
The general course offers to those pupils who have made no definite plans for continued training beyond high school a number of subjects from which they may select those that seem to best meet individual needs.
New shop and domestic art facilities now permit subject offerings jn general industrial arts and in home economics.
Economic geography, psychology, personal typing, advanced foods, home management, driver education, and review mathematics are recent additions to the program of studies.
Increased enrollment has necessitated the division of classes. Several English and science classes are now meeting in two sections.
The 1953-54 high school program of studies follows:
NORWELL HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM OF STUDIES 1953-1954
IX
College Preparatory X XI
English 5 English
5 English
5 English 5
Algebra 5 Geometry
U. S. History
5 Review Math. 5
Gen. Science
5 French 1 5 Phys. Ed .*
1 Prob. of Dem. 5
Latin I
5 Latin II
5 French II
5 Phys. Ed .* Electives
1
Phys. Ed .*
1 Phys. Ed .* 1 Electives
Electives
Electives
Physics
5 Physics 5
Civics
5 World His.
5 Algebra 11
Algebra II 5
1 Type
5 (Per .** ) 172
Driver Ed. 1
Econ. Geog. 5
Commercial
IX
X
XI
XII
English 5 English
5 English
5 English
5
Intro. Bus.
5 Bookkeep.
5 U. S. History
5 Review Math. 5
Gen. Math.
5 Typing I
21/2 Typing II
Prob. of Dem. 5
Phys. Ed .*
1 Phys. Ed .*
1 Shorthand I Phys. Ed .*
Electives
Electives
5 Biology
5 Electives
21/2 5 Shorthand II 5
1 Typing III 215 Phys. Ed .* 1
Gen. Science
Biology
5 Driver Ed.
Type Econ. Geog.
(Pers .** )
XII
31
TOWN OF NORWELL
Civics
5 W. History French I
5 Econ. Geog. 5 Electives
5 French II 5 Econ. Geog. 5
Driver Ed. 1 Driver Ed. 1
Adv. Foods
Adv. Foods 21/2
General
IX
X
XI
XII
English
5 English
5 English
5 English 5
Civics
5 W. History
5 U. S. History
5 Review Math. 5
Phys. Ed .*
1 Phys. Ed .*
1 Phys. Ed .*
1 Prob. of Dem. 5
Electives
Electives
Electives
Phys. Ed .*
1
Algebra I
5 Geometry
5 Econ. Geog.
5 Electives
Gen. Math.
5 Bookkeeping
5 Algebra II
5 Econ. Geog. 5
Gen. Science
5 Biology
5 Physics
5 Physics
5
Int. Bus.
5 French I
5 French II
5 Type
Type
Driver Ed.
1 (Pers.) **
11/2
(Per .** )
11/2 Adv. Foods
21/2
Algebra II
5
Driver Ed.
1
Adv. Foods
21/2
NOTES:
** Meets Twice Weekly
** Meets Three Times Weekly
Industrial Arts, Chorus, Band and Art are electives.
The new addition to the high school building is completed It consists of seven classrooms, a home economics department, an art and mechan- ical drawing room, a general industrial arts shop, storage space, and lava- tory and toilet facilities. The new structure is completely functional and adequately meets present educational requirements. Grades six, seven and eight are housed as homerooms in the annex.
Grade five now occupies the two classrooms on the first floor, east side of the building. The inclusion of four elementary classrooms in the high school building (with the probability of five in September of 1954) points sharply to the need for expanded elementary housing facilities.
Athletic, social, club and musical activities offer a balanced program in the extra curricula. Every student has the opportunity to engage in one or several of these activities subsidiary to, but important in, the entire educational program.
Miss Elizabeth Farrar, Director of Guidance, has reported placement of a number of Norwell graduates with various banking and insurance concerns in a neighboring city. Miss Farrar indicates that the business world is pleased with our "pupil product" and is eager to offer employ- ment to more of our young people when they have finished their training in high school. We are proud of our graduates who are achieving suc- cessfully either in continued education or in vocations of their choice.
The teaching staff, grades five through twelve, is composed of pro- fessional persons who are well prepared in subject and grade areas. They are conscientious, hard working, and devoted to the instruction of youth.
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ONE-HUNDRED-FOURTH ANNUAL REPORT
They are the prime essential to sound educational practice and it is their exemplary application to duty that makes for the good school. Norwell is indeed fortunate in its faculty.
It is a pleasure and a satisfying experience to work with a School Committee, a Superintendent of Schools, a Staff, and a Public who share common cause in the interest of the youth of Norwell.
Respectfully submitted,
FREDERICK A. SMALL, Principal Norwell High School
December 5, 1953
Mr. Clifton E. Bradley
Superintendent of Schools Town of Norwell
Norwell, Massachusetts
Dear Sir:
Please accept the following annual report for the school year of 1953.
The general health of all students has been good with only the usual incidental minor illnesses. There has been very little contagion to date, and the attendance averages have been high.
There has been good sanitation and custodial care including heat, ventilation, cleaning, water supply, refuse disposal, and kitchens.
The new State regulations for school physicians, together with the rapidly increasing numbers of students, has created an ever increasing work load and responsibility. It is my desire to examine all students annually, if possible. The school nurse and I have been able to examine all the students in the High School building. The elementary school pupils have been examined in the first and fourth grades, as recommended by the State. Other routine eye and ear tests are being recorded in the usual program by the nurse and teachers.
Parents are notified of problems needing attention, and are urged to consult their own doctors.
It is hoped that the gymnasium and playroom can be utilized more fully with planned physical education and competitive sport programs as soon as the delayed new building is ready.
I would like to recommend the use of approved personal hygiene teaching films and pamphlets to the adolescent boys and girls as part of the school program. This might be discussed at PTA with emphasis on the need of primary parental responsibilities.
The school nurse will submit a supplemental detailed analytical
33
TOWN OF NORWELL
report.
Respectfully submitted,
RGV:L
Raymond G. Vinal, M.D. School Physician
December 4, 1953
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL DENTIST AND SCHOOL HYGIENIST
December 4, 1953
Superintendent of Schools Norwell, Mass.
Dear Sir:
We feel that we have just completed a very successful year in the elementary schools. All children in the first five grades who were eligible for the clinic were completed. We have had to maintain the rule that a child must have resided in the town for a year before he could have his work done by the school dentist.
The hygientist, working one day a week throughout the school year, gave all necessary prophylactic and fluorine treatments, thus relieving the dentist for restorative work. Near the end of the school year she was able to move over to the junior high school for the benefit of some of the older pupils.
We believe that the secret of good healthy mouths for our school children is to get at them early. We urge all parents to take advantage of the pre-school clinic which is started at the end of the school year in June.
Respectfully submitted,
W. B. PARSONS, D.M.D.
School Dentist
LORRAINE MacLEOD
Dental Hygienist
Mr. Clifton E. Bradley Superintendent of Schools Norwell, Mass.
Dear Sir:
The following is the report of the School Nurse for 1953:
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ONE-HUNDRED-FOURTH ANNUAL REPORT
Pupils in Grades 1-4 - 6-12 given Physical Examination
Number of reportable defects 31
Number of reportable defects corrected 17
Number of visits to schools 319
Number of pupils given first aid 275
Number of visits to homes of school children 211
Number of ill children transported to their homes
147
Number of sanitary inspections
16
Grades 1 through 5 given Mass. Vision Test.
Grades 1 through 5 ears tested with Audiometer
Respectfully submitted,
CATHERINE A. ROE
ENROLLMENT IN THE NORWELL SCHOOLS
As of October 1, 1953
Grade
Elementary
High School
Total
1
30
1
30
1
28
88
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