USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Norwell > Town of Norwell annual report 1950-1959 > Part 46
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In continuing our program of maintenance and improve- ment this year we are asking that gutters be placed on the main building of the high school. This would eliminate a recur- ring expense. We also request that money be provided to black- top the parking area at the high school to make it usable in wet weather.
Because of the public demand for classes in Adult Education,
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TOWN OF NORWELL
the committee inserted the necessary article in the warrant for the special town meeting on November 8th authorizing the holding of such classes. Authorization was given and the sum of $360 was transferred from the Excess and Deficiency Fund to finance the work.
Our budget continues to grow each year mainly because we are increasing our teaching staff and are putting our present teachers onto the schedule that we adopted a year ago. The increase in teachers' salaries should become static by next year for then the major portion of them will have reached the peak of the salary schedule. We still, however, anticipate that our faculty will be increasing as our school population continues to grow.
During the year, bids were advertised and contracts awarded as follows:
Curtain and Drapes for High School
Major Theatre Equipment Corporation
Curtains $489, Change in Curtains $85, New Track $80
Total
$654.00
Alden House Decorators
Total
1,135.00
Fred R. Burnside & Sons
Total
1,322.00
Golden Associates, Inc.
Total
675.00
Contract awarded to Major Theatre Equipment Company
at
Total
654.00
Painting-Exterior of High School
A. Hoyt
$700.00
John Egon
1,313.00
Eldon Lauzon
1,350.00
E. Evarson
792.00
Contract awarded to A. Hoyt
at
700.00
Fuel Oil-Both Schools
National Coal Sales
per bbl.
3.10
White Fuel Corp.
per bbl.
3.114
N. E. Petroleum
per bbl.
3.07
Brockton Ice & Coal
per bbl.
3.07
Contract awarded to Brockton Ice & Coal
at
3.07
Driveways at High School and Elementary School Warren Brothers
2,615.00
Old Colony Construction Co.
3,400.00
Lanzilotta
4,362.00
Bradford Weston
3,200.00
Contract awarded to Warren Brothers
at
2,615.00
Conversion of Library-High School Warren E. Shaw
345.00
John Anderson
2,640.00
Contract awarded to Warren E. Shaw
at
345.00
108
ONE-HUNDRED-FIFTH ANNUAL REPORT
Again, we wish to express our appreciation to the Building Committee for its continued efforts in behalf of our expanding school system, and for its successful achievement - the comple- tion of the Sparrell Building.
During the past year, the School Department was saddened by the death of two highly respected retired teachers. Mrs. Florence Pinson and Miss Maria Tolman served the youth of Norwell faithfully and well for many years and will be long remembered by former pupils and school personnel.
To the citizens of Norwell again we express our appreciation for their continued support and understanding of the education problems facing us at this time.
LOUISE E. KNIGHT GRACE F. COLE 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 MADELEINE 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. LORRAINE MacLEOD, Dental Hygienist
Janitors ROBERT PIKE - High School JAMES D. DOLBY - High School GORDON LAMBERT - Elementary School
109
TOWN OF NORWELL
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 vaccination certificate. Exemptions must be renewed every six months.
SIGNAL FOR NO SESSIONS OF SCHOOLS
Signal 7:00 a.m., on the Fire Whistle (one long whistle).
"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 certificate or other legal proof of age is required to be shown.
Employment certificates of those between 14-16 for employ- ment out of school hours are secured at the schools only, or during the summer, from the Superintendent of Schools. Schools.
SCHOOL CALENDAR - 1955
April 8 April 18-22 May 30 June 18 June 22 September 7 October 12
Good Friday - No school Spring Vacation Memorial Day - No school Elementary Schools close
High School closes
Schools open Columbus Day - No school
October 21
Teachers' Convention - No school
November 11 November 23 November 24-25
Veterans' Day - No school Schools close at noon
Thanksgiving recess
December 22
Schools close at noon
December 24-Jan. 1 January 2. 1956 February 19-25, 1956
Christmas recess
Schools open
Vacation
110
ONE-HUNDRED-FIFTH ANNUAL REPORT
SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
At this time I take pleasure in making my annual report, my twelfth to the Town of Norwell. Each time I have attempted to set down the accomplishments of the year. However, more important have been the items that appear to be indicative of our forward trend, and which continue to point to growth and to challenging solutions ahead.
On three occasions I have presented to the Joint School Committee of the Union the need for an elementary supervisor, whose work would cover the close supervision of approxi- mately 55 elementary teachers, out of a total teaching staff of 97 in the three towns. Norwell now has 16 of these. This Committee acting jointly has not been able to get together on this matter, but each committee has preferred to make indi- vidual arrangements, whereby the supervision of the elementary teachers will be the responsibility of full-time non- teaching principals.
Norwell has gone along with this solution which may need adjustment when the new building is completed and the number of elementary teachers increases to approximately 24 in Grades 1-6.
We have now been in the Sparrell addition for over a year, with two divisions of grades 6, 7 and 8 occupying the main floor, and the Domestic Arts, Industrial Arts, and Art programs being on the lower floor. The allotment of space to those grades has released the second floor of the main building to the High School, which is expanding rapidly. Costs of running the enlarged building have now been established and can be carried in the budget as a definite sum.
In September 1955 the enrollment of the Norwell High School, Grades 9-12, will just about equal that of Hanover, and although we will still be in the small high school class, we will have more than double enough boys and girls available for athletic teams to be on a really competitive basis.
To meet the enlarged high school enrollment we now have a full-time Science instructor, with the Science room being used for Science only. The Home Economics teacher is now on a full-time basis, although she is still supervising the school lunch program on an after-school hour basis. Physicial education for both boys and girls for the children of all grades is new this year. The Supervisor of Art has increased her time from 21/2 days to 4 days. An attempt was made to do the same with the Music Supervisor, and it is expected that this can
111
TOWN OF NORWELL
be worked out this year. The Shop program, new in September 1954 on a half-time basis will be changed to full-time in September 1955. A rearrangement of the Mathematics program will add another teacher in this department on January 2, 1955 when Mr. Reynolds returns from the service. With all of these changes Norwell High School will be in an improved position to provide excellent education for its children.
This year there are 37 children listed as attending private and parochial schools. This is approximately 41/2% of school age children, and is a slight decrease from other years.
Unexpectedly the Town received $2,181.96 from public law 874, toward the costs of educating children of parents who work on federal property, other than post offices. This money is especially helpful in federally controlled areas where expansion is rapid. An accurate census to determine where parents are working is necessary to determine our claim. Those who change to federal jobs should notify the school office.
The average cost of educating a child in our schools is approximately $245.00 per year. State Aid reduces the local share of this to approximately $175.00 per pupil.
The budget is up substantially this year. The salaries of teachers are still in the process of being adjusted to the standard in other towns. Added to this is the number of new teachers which are needed to care for the expanding enrollment.
Since the yearly State Aid formula is tied to the number of teachers employed, as we have to increase our staff we do increase our aid to the rate of $1437.50 per each new teacher. This year we should receive $58,000.00 on account of general aid, transportation aid and tuition of State Wards. This is 28% of the budget.
The State will pay a total of $134,219.69 in 20 equal installments, which is 50% of the total "approved" cost of the new Sparrell building, for which the Town voted $272,000.00 in March 1953.
The physical improvements to the school plant this past year included the following: Hard surface of front drive to High School, and to lower road at the Elementary School, new stage drapes at the High School, painting of the Science Room, painting of 2/3 of the exterior of the High School, painting of
112
ONE-HUNDRED-FIFTH ANNUAL REPORT
toilet rooms and hallways, and increased facilities on the enlarged High School field.
Planned for this year: Continued painting, both interior and exterior, at the High School; start of a progressive plan of painting at the Elementary School; hard surfacing of the High School parking lot (article) ; placing gutters, etc., on the High School (article) ; and repair to the High School chimney. The Elementary School parking facilities should be improved by extending the area toward the brook in the lower driveway.
This year we have had two elementary classes in temporary quarters, the second grade under Mrs. Lincoln in the elementary cafeteria, and the special help class under Mrs. Fitzsimmons. In September 1955 we must look for additional space for the new fourth grade, which is coming along in 3 sections. Also there will be another division in the High School due to larger numbers moving up. The present 4th grade is approaching numbers that will call for another split just as soon as a new building is ready, and the present seventh grades would be split further at once if we had room.
The proposed new Elementary School at Ridge Hill cannot possibly be ready before September 1956 when further moving along of rooms with more divisions will very nearly fill the new building. This will relieve the present High School of elementary grades so that there will be room for the Junior High and High School expansion. Support of the Building Committee's program is imperative by all townspeople if we are to keep ahead of our enrollment problem.
We note the passing this last year of two of our veteran retired teachers, Mrs. Florence Pinson and Miss Maria Tolman, both of whom taught in our schools for many years. They will be remembered by many former pupils.
Two teachers have been on a leave of absence, Joseph Reynolds who was called into the service and who is to return January 1st, and Richard Ross who is studying in Washington. Mrs. Paradise, a former teacher of our High School Mathematics' classes, took over as Mr. Reynolds' military substitute. She will continue in order to assure the pupils of continuity in this important subject field. Mr. Reynolds will be assigned to relieve several teachers of their overload.
The bus contracts run out in June, and ordinarily would be advertised for bid. Some adjustments will be necessary to accommodate all the children in the west section of the Town in September 1955. Since a major change will take place a
113
TOWN OF NORWELL
year later with the new building, it might prove more feasible to renew the contract for one year, contingent on the greater change of September 1956 when several routes will be effected.
We now have a new sponsor for our dual control car, The Beal & Harlow Company of Rockland, donating a Chevrolet for the use of the two High Schools for the current year. An attempt is being made to give over-the-road instruction to as many as possible so that they and their families might benefit on insurance costs. The substantial saving in insurance is an indication of the value of this program which is sponsored by the Registry of Motor Vehicles.
A new Practical Arts course for adults is now possible at the High School building and plans are progressing for evening classes in such courses as dressmaking and furniture repair. Courses in Practical Arts in any City or Town of the State are open to Norwell residents free from tuition costs after blanks are signed by the School Superintendent.
At the Special Town Meeting it was voted to form a Regional High School Study Committee. Although much of the evidence available to the Superintendent points to the growth of our Town to where our High School would become ideal in size without union with another Town, the matter should be thoroughly studied. The office of the Superintendent stands ready to offer maximum assistance in furthering this study.
The total enrollment for the last ten years follows:
1945
328
1946
341
1947
413
1948
435
1949
452
1950
476
1951
518
1952
614
1953
688
1954
786
The pre-school census of January 1, 1954 showed an average number in each age group from birth to age 5 of 91. However, the very important factor is that each of these age groups has increased about 80% since January 1951 or in three years. If succeeding pre-school census figures continue at the same rate, it would indicate that we would have to supply four classrooms for each group as they go through school. We are still in the ore-classroom stage per grade in the upper High School, two-classroom stage in the middle grades, and have only three classrooms per grade in the first three grades.
114
ONE-HUNDRED-FIFTH ANNUAL REPORT
Approximately 50% of our pre-school children are living in the area west of Jacob's Lake, and approximately 421/2% of the present school age children are in that area. Over 200 houses have been built in the three major housing projects, with many additional homes outside the projects.
No attempt has been made to count new houses in the rest of the Town, but the relief bus to the east end of Main St. is now full, and the bus from River St., Church Hill area, will soon need relief. The number of houses in Norwell has risen as follows:
Jan. 1, 1948
855 dwellings
1949
909
1950
923
1951
954
1952
1024
1953
1099
1954
1181
1955
1221 (estimated)
Every indication that we have at this time is that Norwell will continue to grow. The new Route 128, and the proposed change which will make Route 3 a limited access highway connecting in Boston with expressways to all areas points only to expansion in the whole area. We must continue to match this growth with more and better schools.
The Superintendent wishes to acknowledge and thank the many who are working in Norwell for the benefit of our youth. Through such co-operative action we can solve our problems and have better schools in a good community.
Sincerely,
CLIFTON E. BRADLEY, Superintendent.
115
TOWN OF NORWELL
REPORT OF HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
Norwell, Massachusetts December 17, 1954
Mr. Clifton E. Bradley
Superintendent of Schools Norwell, Massachusetts
My dear Mr. Bradley:
I herewith submit the annual report of the high-school principal.
The '54-'55 program of studies includes several new subject offerings in the new department of general industrial arts and in the extended activities of the home economics department.
The program of studies for the school year 1954-55 follows: COLLEGE PREPARATORY
IX
X
XI
XII
English
5
English
5 English
5
English 5
Algebra I
5
Geometry
5
U. S. History
5 Review Math 5
Gen. Science 5 French I
5 French II
5 Prob. of Dem. 5
Latin I
5
Latin II
5
Phys. Ed.
1
Phys. Ed. 1
Phys. Ed.
1
Phys. Ed.
1
Electives
Electives
Electives
Electives
Chemistry 5
Chemistry 5
Civics
5
World Hist.
5 Trig. & Solid
5
Trig. & Solid
5
Ind. Arts
11/2
Biology
5 Psychology 5 Psychology 5
Adv. Cloth.
21/2
Pers. Type.
11/2 Driver Ed. 1 French III 5
Ind. Arts
11/2 Ind. Arts
11/2
Driver Ed. 1
Adv. Cloth.
21/2 Adv. Foods
21/2
Ind. Arts
11/2
Jr. Chefs
11/2
Adv. Foods 21/2
Jr. Chefs
11/2
IX
X XI
XII
English 5
English
5 English
5
English 5
Intro. Bus.
5
Bookkeeping
5
U. S. History
5 Review Math 5
General Math 5
Typing I
21/2
Typing II
21/2 Prob. of Dem. 5
Phys. Ed. 1
Phys. Ed.
1 Shorthand I 5 Shorthand II 5
Electives
Electives
Phys. Ed. 1 Typing III 21/2
Phys. Ed. 1
Civics
5
World Hist.
5
Psychology
5
Electives
Ind. Arts
11/2
French I
5
French II
5
Psychology 5
Adv. Cloth.
21/2
Ind. Arts
11/2
21/2 Adv. Foods
21/2
Driver Ed. 1
Ind. Arts
11/2 Adv. Foods 21/2
Jr. Chefs
11/2 Ind. Arts
11/2
Jr. Chefs
11/2
Gen. Science 5 Biology
5
Electives
Driver Ed. 1
French III 5
Adv. Cloth.
COMMERCIAL
116
ONE-HUNDRED-FIFTH ANNUAL REPORT
GENERAL
IX
X
XI
XII
English
5
English
5
English
5
English 5
Civics
5
World Hist.
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
Psychology
5
Electives
General Math 5
Bookkeeping
5 Trig. & Solid
5
Psychology 5
Gen. Science
5 Biology
5
Chemistry
5
Chemistry
5
Int. Bus.
5
French I 5 French II
5 Trig. & Solid 5
Ind. Arts
11/2
Pers. Type
11/2
Driver Ed.
1 French III
5
Adv. Cloth.
21/2
Ind. Arts
11/2
Adv. Foods
21/2
Driver Ed.
1
Adv. Cloth.
21/2
Ind. Arts
11/2
Adv. Foods
21/2
Jr. Chefs
11/2 Ind. Arts
11/2
Jr. Chefs
11/2
Norwell High School graduates continue to find themselves in a favorable position in their various post secondary-school academic or vocational endeavors. The Norwell graduate finds he can successfully compete with the pupil-products from other educational institutions. .
Forty-five per cent of Norwell High School graduates over the years 1949 to 1954 continued their education beyond High School.
The Norwell High School building houses grades five and six pending construction of new Elementary School facilities. Teachers Sproul, Neal, Johnson, and Verschoor faithfully and efficiently function at these grade levels.
Grades seven and eight are departmentalized as a Junior High School unit. Teachers Farrar, Barteau, Lindsey, and Crowe lead and guide their young people in mathematics, science, English, social studies, literature, and the fundamentals of spelling and writing. The difficult years of transition between Elementary School and High School at this age-grade are filled with meaningful activities planned to guide the pupil into "teen-age" maturity and to develop him further in his entire personality. Home economics and industrial arts classes are provided for the seventh grade girls and boys.
Mr. Francis DiSabatino joined the High School faculty this year as instructor in the sciences. Mrs. Paul Paradise returned to the staff in the mathematics department. Miss Alice Ungethuem is teaching social studies during the school year in the place of Mr. Richard Ross who was granted a leave of absence for graduate study in Washington, D. C.
It is my feeling that our faculty in all grades and
117
TOWN OF NORWELL
departments is stronger today than at any point during my tenure. I sincerely believe that the teacher-pupil relationship and the learning situations are productive to a very satisfactory and gratifying extent. I am sure that Norwell has every reason to be proud of its schools.
If the present trend in population growth continues, the Junior-Senior High School grades (grades seven through twelve) may enroll between five and six hundred pupils in the year 1961, just seven short years from now. If the Town wishes to maintain current high standards, thought might well be directed now to the need at that time for extended facilities and additional staff members.
Once again, I appreciate the guidance and cooperation from your office, the constant support of the School Committee, and the fine, faithful performance of duty by all staff members. It has been a pleasure to serve the people of Norwell as their High School principal. I am grateful for this opportunity to work with all concerned in the interest of the youth of Norwell.
Respectfully submitted,
FREDERICK A. SMALL, Principal Norwell High School
REPORT OF SCHOOL PHYSICIAN
Mr. Clifton E. Bradley
Superintendent of Schools
Norwell, Massachusetts
Dear Sir:
As school physician, I am pleased to submit the following annual report for the year 1954:
Routine complete physical examinations have been com- pleted in the following order:
1. All High School students, with especial attention to members of the athletic teams.
2. All Junior High School students.
3. All Elementary School students in the first and fourth grades.
4. All new entering students.
Routine growth measurements, hearing, and visual tests were also accomplished. Parents were notified and urged to consult their family doctors in the few cases needing restriction or where remedial defects were found.
118
ONE-HUNDRED-FIFTH ANNUAL REPORT
Contagion has been negligible with the exception of a few skin disorders which were isolated early by the cooperation of the respective teachers and the school nurse.
The sanitation of both buildings was checked in detail, and appears to be quite satisfactory. This includes water supply, heat, light, custodial and disposal service, kitchens, refriger- ation, personnel, and food service.
It is particularly pleasing to me to note the nice new athletic field and the new constructive and enthusiastic program in physical education which is being developed under the leadership of Mr. Dixon, Mrs. Knapp and Mr. Axon. In order to make the spirit of this new era even more effective for our school children, I would like to make the following suggestions:
1. Encourage participation in all after-school sport programs by making a late bus available. It is not advisable for any student to "hitch-hike," and especially for younger girls, to walk home to remote areas after dark.
2. Those students who may need discipline are frequently the ones who need and who benefit the most from athletic programs. When penalties are necessary, I hope that it need not necessarily be at the usual expense of the athletic programs which are probably the best controlled outlets for the vigorous physical drives of adolescent youth.
3. Encourage more use of
the Elementary School "Playroom" by:
(a) Urging children to wear "sneakers."
(b) Avoiding the handicaps and hazards of highly polished and waxed floors.
(c) Installing a regulation basketball court, because the "pedestal baskets" have proved to be unsatisfactory; and also the High School needs an extra court in order that both boys and girls teams can play after school hours without the present extreme practice limitations.
(d) Dancing should be allowed.
4. Enlarge the Elementary School playground area, and at least allow for a baseball field of "Little League" dimensions.
5. Put protective padding around the goal posts on the athletic fields.
6. The High School needs more shower facilities, with at least four more shower heads in the boys' locker-room.
7. The Elementary School should have shower facilities.
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TOWN OF NORWELL
8. Continue to improve the scope of personal health and hygiene teaching in the classes.
9. Recommendations for the proposed new Elementary School are:
(a) More adequate athletic grounds, gymnasium and shower-rooms.
(b) Adjacent, separated, dental and health rooms, with an entrance, exit, and connecting doorways, and a lavatory which is accessible to both rooms.
Many people have been responsible in promoting a good health program in our schools. I would like to particularly acknowledge the support of the administration as a whole, and particularly the school committee, the new building committee, and the individual cooperation of the school nurse and teachers.
Respectfully submitted,
December 4, 1954
RAYMOND G. VINAL, M.D., School Physician.
REPORT OF SCHOOL DENTIST AND SCHOOL HYGIENIST
Board of Health and
Superintendent of Schools
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