USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wayland > Official reports of the town of Wayland 1951-1953 > Part 24
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certain that the local property tax will not be able to provide the funds necessary to meet this need. Governor Herter expressed the support of his administration in increasing state aids for the schools in his inaugural message. If legislation is passed providing a sufficient utilization of state revenues to support the schools, the means to meet this critical issue will be available.
TEACHING STAFF
The staff has increased to fifty members, of whom sixteen joined our staff during the past year. Seven teachers filled new positions, while nine replaced staff members who resigned to accept positions in other communities or to leave the profession. It is interesting to note that twenty teachers have served our community more than three years.
During the year two of the principalships became vacant, with Stanley Clement becoming principal of Braintree High School and Hubert Ward accepting a position as principal of the Junior High School in Foxboro. W. Maxwell Griffin is the new headmaster of the High School, coming to Wayland from Syracuse University where he was attending the Graduate School of Education and was Director of the Reading Program in the College of Liberal Arts. The new principal of the Cochituate School is Elmer R. Kane, who was on the Concord school staff last year.
SCHOOL FACILITIES
The Town appropriated $225,000 at the March Town Meeting to construct and equip an eight-classroom addition to the High School. Due to requirements by the State Department of Public Health in excess of those anticipated, an additional appropriation of $12,500 was made at a Special Town Meeting on October 22, 1952. The Town also appropriated $15,000 to extend the water main in order to complete a loop from Cochituate Road to Pelham Island Road and to construct a road from the High School to Pelham Island Road. These improvements afford better protection in the event of fire and easier access to the building. All of these appropriations are subject to reimbursements by the State of approximately 40%. The facilities have been planned and constructed under the supervision of the School Building Committee.
The Town established a School Site Committee at the October Special Town Meeting to prepare recommendations for the next Annual Town Meeting concerning the acquisition of a site or sites for an elementary school or schools.
This committee has made a thorough study of the proper location of the new elementary school, which will be required by September, 1954.
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This study has included a review of the distribution of elementary school children, the distribution of the pre-school population, the distribution of recent permits to build houses, the location and number of lots in sub- divisions now under development, the location and size of new sub- divisions presented to the Planning Board, and land readily available for the construction of additional houses.
In the evaluation of this information, several facts guided the recom- mendation of the committee:
1. As the pre-school population enters school from year to year, both the Center and Cochituate Schools will require relief. Thus, the next new elementary school should be located between the present schools.
2. When the acreage available for houses located south of State Road is completely developed, more than one additional elementary school will be required. This next new school should be located properly in relationship to other future schools as well as the Center and Cochituate Schools. The area of the Town west of Cochituate Road, south of Five Paths, and north of Mansion Inn when fully developed is expected to have as many pupils as can be provided for in a two-room-to-the- grade elementary school.
3. There were 25 pre-school children per year living in this area according to the census of last January. There have been 70 permits for new houses in this area issued after the time when houses could have been built and occupied when the census was taken. In addition, there are many lots under active development, as well as 275 acres available for development. By September, 1954, when the school needs to be available, it is expected that there will be 35 to 45 children per grade in the area. The additional children which the school can provide for will be transported from more sparsely settled areas of the Town.
4. The exact site being recommended by the committee, which is located on high land east of Old Connecticut Path and between the old Weston Aqueduct and Maiden Lane, has the following desirable characteristics:
a. Central location geographically and in relation to the present and probable future population.
b. Satisfactory size and shape to provide adequate playground areas and proper setback of the building.
c. Access from a secondary road to minimize noise and traffic hazards.
d. Sufficient reasonably level area for economical development of playground.
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e. High land with good subsoil condition to provide good drainage and waste disposal.
f. Water and road developments required have long been recognized as essential. These developments in connection with the school will represent an economy.
g. Minimum interference to abutters. The boundaries include the aqueduct, roads and major change in elevation.
The Town is fortunate to still have such a satisfactory school site available in this area in view of the extensive housing development that has occurred. This points up the importance of making a thorough study of the future school site needs of the Town, so that fully adequate sites can be reserved.
Appropriation articles have been filed for decision at the Annual Town Meeting to acquire the site and to begin the preparation of plans and specifications for the building. After the plans are completed, a Special Town Meeting will be requested to authorize the construction.
GROWTH OF WAYLAND SCHOOLS
The rapid increase in school enrollment has continued in 1952 and will certainly continue in the years immediately before us. The way in which the community meets this situation will have lasting effects upon the education of Wayland children during the next half century.
Part of the increase results from high birth rates in recent years. Another major part results from the construction of new homes in the Town. The enrollment on October 1, 1952, was 101 pupils higher than last year and was distributed through the grades as follows:
1-141
5-110 9- 65 10- 58
2-127
6- 94
3-111
7- 93 11- 57 4-147
8- 84 12- 42
Considerable increase in enrollment will occur as the students in the higher grades graduate and pupils enter the first grade.
A census of pre-school children is made each year by the Town Clerk. The pre-school population on January 1, 1952, was distributed according to year of birth as follows:
1947-141 1948-146
1949-157 1951-157
1950-121
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TREND OF OCTOBER 1 ENROLLMENTS
Elementary Schools
Actual
Estimated
1100
1
1000
1
900
800
1
700
1
600
500
1
400
-
300
-
-
100
1
1
1945
1946
1947
1948
1949
1950
1951
1952
1953
1954
1955
1956
1957
Junior-Senior High School
Actual
Estimated
1
I
-
-
-
-
1
1945
1946
1947
1948
1949
1950
1951
1952
1953
1954
1955
1956
1957
1958
1959
1960
1961
1962
1963.
The known facts of school enrollment and pre-school census have been combined with the average annual change in school enrollment during the past four years resulting from the substantial increase in housing to arrive at an estimate of the enrollment which may be expected in future years.
INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM
The quality of the educational experience of each child in school depends upon many considerations. One of the most important factors is the understanding which is brought to each day by each teacher. Before school opened this year, all of the teachers met together for four days to discuss the school curriculum and methods of helping children to learn. This workshop provided an opportunity for the new and the returning members of the staff to become professionally and personally acquainted.
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A firm basis for the solution of the upcoming educational problems is created before the teacher meets her class for the year.
GUIDANCE
Guidance as a special function was first recognized in 1950 when Mabel Draper and Jean Nelson were assigned responsibility in the junior and senior high levels, respectively. The time allotted to guidance has been increased and the assignment extended to include the elementary schools.
A significant contribution has been the organization of guidance committees in each of the schools. The purpose of these committees is to extend guidance services to all students, to make case studies, and to coordinate the testing program.
Another significant step has been that of making professional clinical services available to aid teachers and parents in studying personality prob- lems which are affecting the learning experiences of children. The services of social, welfare and medical agencies in the Greater Boston area are utilized as necessary.
HIGH SCHOOL
The high school curriculum continues to offer to students experiences leading to higher education, to the business world, and to the world of more general work opportunity. Integrated within each of these courses are threads of general education which are designed to aid students in the area of human relationships and to develop the social and communication skills necessary to get along with people in this changing world. High schools have accepted this challenge because research has demonstrated that the lack of ability to get along with fellow-workers is the number one reason for job failure.
Instructional programs change as people change and, to this end, two aspects of the Wayland High School program are receiving attention. Recognition is being given to the wide range of differences within a grade and, secondly, attention is being given to the total impact which the school makes on a student as he progresses within a grade and from grade to grade. A few of the current developments are mentioned merely to pinpoint the status of our curriculum development. For example:
1. In recognition of the range of reading levels and interests, a substan- tial library development is in evidence. About 600 new books and several issues of magazines and periodicals have been procured since
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September, 1952. Some of these have been donated and others pur- chased, but each has been screened with the purpose in mind of developing effective reading habits. The Wayland Public Library has been cooperative in helping to supply needed reading materials. Wayland High School is attempting to meet pupil needs through a wider selection of reading materials.
2. A further development which recognizes the differences in how pupils learn is the audio-visual service. The school has a basic program which includes weekly delivery of films. In addition to this, classroom teachers are free to augment this schedule as they plan their courses with students.
3. The administrative and guidance functions of the school are being closely integrated. Individual conferences are the bases for schedule making. A pupil with a purpose for taking a course is well on his way toward a successful completion.
4. The Laboratory phase of the Science Department is undergoing en- richment. Laboratory time is scheduled, and additional equipment is being acquired. Students going to college have the experience of a laboratory science, and those taking a terminal course have opportunity to work out applications of scientific principles. A Junior High science room in the addition will aid this development.
5. Effective teacher-pupil planning is being encouraged. To facilitate this, a workshop for the staff was held prior to the opening of school in September. Out of this is evolving departmental meetings of teachers from grades 7 through 12. Teachers of English, for example, get together to consider how the work of one grade relates to that of another in a developmental sense.
6. The increase in student population within our high school and the addition of new classrooms offer new opportunities in developing the curriculum. For instance, a new art room and a Junior High science room are now in use. These subjects, taught in their new setting, offer a chance for active pupil participation which tends to develop added interest at the seventh, eighth, and ninth grade levels.
7. The effectiveness of the school day has been increased by the hot lunch program. Lunch is served to three separate age groups, with the result that all students enjoy a more integrated school day of courses and activities.
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8. Use is made of community resources. Student groups are transported on field trips to places which offer background for related school work. Resource persons from the community are invited into the classroom. Students have the chance for part-time work experience through cooperation with local employers. There has been cooperation between the Student Council of Wayland High School and the Way- land Kiwanis Club for the purpose of creating wholesome recreation for the youth of Wayland.
9. An Art Room was included in the new wing of the High School. This room has special adjustable desks, display walls, sink, and storage compartments. This addition of a kiln, potter's wheel, loom and woodworking table will complete the equipment necessary for a rounded arts and crafts program. During the year the junior high students prepared an exhibit of United Nations posters which was sent to the United Nations Secretariat in New York. The high school classes made linoleum block prints of original Christmas card designs.
10. Fourteen members of the Class of 1952 have entered advanced schools. Ten have gone to colleges, including Mt. Holyoke, Colby, Boston University, Northeastern, Boston College, Columbia, Michigan State and Rhode Island School of Design. One student entered the Newton-Wellesley Hospital School of Nursing, one student entered Mt. Ida, two students attended Burdett College and Burroughs School of Machine Operation, and another is at the United States Coast Guard Academy. Seven boys entered the Air Force, two the Army, and one the Navy. Twenty-nine students are employed in office work, construction work, telephone operating, and sales.
11. Shirley Bentley was awarded the Wayland Woman's Club Scholar- ship, the Reader's Digest prize, and the D. A. R. Good Citizenship prize. The Wayland High School P. T. A. awarded scholarships to Shirley Bentley, Gail Osmond, Charles Nixon, and Patricia DiModica. The Cochituate Mothers' Club scholarship went to Bette Richardson. Gail Osmond won the American History award.
12. The College Club, numbering 84 Wayland High School students, completed a successful second year with a program to provide better preparation for college and advanced schools of training through stress on entrance requirements, accurate knowledge about colleges and scholarship opportunities, tutorial help, and opportunity for added social graces. College club members were ushers and usherettes at many school functions throughout the year. They held their Spring
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Tea with the help of the College Mothers under the general chair- manship of Mrs. Allan Finlay. Dr. George Rohrbaugh, president of Chandler School for Women, challenged all students to prepare for post-high school training and pointed out many scholarship opportunities. The visitation tours of college campuses and buildings were sponsored by the College Mothers, and plans are under way to sponsor another College Night in 1953.
13. Again this year, with the help of Mr. Roland Darling of North- eastern University, seven occupational meetings are scheduled. Ex- perts in various fields are to come to our school and talk with our young people:
October
Mechanical jobs for men with the airlines and aircraft companies ;
What it is like to be a secretary, bookeeper, or other office worker.
Careers on the stage, in radio or television, or in speech therapy.
November
A day in the life of a nurse;
How young men are trained for mechanical jobs in radio and television ;
Preparing for college for a career in accounting, finance, in- surance, industrial relations, or business management.
December
What engineers do and where they work;
New and unusual fields of work for men and women;
How young women prepare to become physical therapists or physical education instructors.
January
Careers for men and women in chemistry or physics;
How young women prepare for careers in retailing, fashion, and retail advertising;
How young men are trained to become tool designers, tool makers, pattern makers, draftsmen, steam and diesel engineers, and industrial electronics technicians.
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February
Jobs for the summer ;
Careers in music and allied fields ;
How young women train to become dental hygienists.
March
Careers for young women in home economics and nutrition ; Jobs for high school graduates in industry in June, 1953; Jobs for high school graduates with the Telephone Company in June, 1953;
April
Juniors, what are you planning?
How to apply for full-time or summer employment.
14. At various intervals throughout the year representatives from lead- ing colleges visit our school and talk to our students. We encourage employers to visit school to tell us of their needs and to interview students for job placement. Baby-sitting placement has been very active, and Judy Cook, a senior, has done a fine job in the record keeping of our placements.
CLASS OF 1952
OFFICERS
President, Robert Teele
Secretary, Shirley Bentley
Vice-President, William Withington
Treasurer, Gail Osmond
GRADUATES
Beverly Janet Barr
Barbara Louise Dermott
Carol Louise Beadle
Beverley Carol Dermott Patricia Veronica DiModica
Shirley Anne Bentley Peter Alfred Bogren
John James Dudley
Alfred Philip Dusseault, JE.
Richard David Brogan Richard Harry Butler Lois Ann Connors Janet Maxine Cook
Audrey Ruth Emery Roger M. Estey
Mae Minnie Ferjulian
Ann Marie Davis Carol June Davis Donald LeRoy Decker
Joan Marie Frazer
Frances Hope Gaudet
Frederick Robert Gersbach
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Ernest Steven Henley John Cousens Hodges David Joseph Houston Judith Lee Kelsey Marie I. LeBlanc June Elizabeth Lundy Sally Jean Mclellan Beverly Teresa Moran
Loran Gardner Peters
Clara I. Pettigrew
Bertha Elizabeth Phylis
John W. Phylis Herbert Donald Place Helen Louise Powers Bette Louise Richardson Richard Hayward Sanderson
Warren Paul Savignano
Richard Douglas Schlosky
Charles Melville Nixon
Nancy Elaine Smith
Barbara Ann O'Connell
Arnold Swagerty
Robert Bruce O'Connell
Robert M. Teele
Diane Elizabeth O'Neill
Russell Frederic Wade
Kenneth Warren White
Frank L. Wight
William Ralph Withington
Janet Gail Yarrish
COMMENCEMENT SYMPOSIUM
TODAY'S YOUTH IN TOMORROW'S WORLD
Today's Youth in Tomorrow's World Arnold Swagerty
Sports for the World of Tomorrow David Houston
Social Development for the World of Tomorrow Diane O'Neill
Spiritual Development for the World of Tomorrow Gail Osmond
Economic Understanding for the World of Tomorrow .Patricia DiModica Political Growth for the World of Tomorrow Charles Nixon Peace Through Cooperation Shirley Bentley
COCHITUATE SCHOOL
The work in the Cochituate School for the first half year may be characterized as exploratory in nature, due to the fact that the position of principal has been newly filled.
Preliminary faculty meetings were held to integrate the findings of the pre-school teacher workshop with problems indigenous to the Cochi- tuate School. These exploratory conferences resulted in the determination of large areas of concern as follows:
Guidance. It was felt that the need to be met first was in the area of guidance. Children who had special problems and/or disabilities deserved immediate attention. A Guidance Committee, composed of six teachers, the principal, and Miss Jean Nelson, Director of Guidance, was set up. This committee resulted in a program of referrals, -- teachers
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Myrtle Gail Osmond
would submit their reports on children explaining why they felt that these children required immediate diagnostic attention. Batteries of tests - intelligence, psychological, achievement, and physical - were then administered to determine the exact nature of the problem or prob- lems. Conferences were held involving the teacher, the parent, the principal, and the director of guidance to clearly define the problem (s) to the parent and to establish corrective measures. In conjunction with this work, the school nurse, doctor, and dentist have been of great assistance in isolating physical disabilities.
Testing. The Guidance Committee has also been responsible for the testing program for the Cochituate School along with the other members of the faculty. It was generally felt that the "normal" child required more attention than heretofore had been given to him in this area. A test- ing program has been set up which provides for regular achievement testing and for intelligence testing on a permanent schedule.
Curriculum Revision. The entire faculty operates as a continuing committee in studying our curricular offerings. The areas of spelling, handwriting, and arithmetic are now under study to determine what changes or revisions are necessary to improve the teaching in these subjects.
Audio-Visual Aids. A workshop for the faculty was held so that they could have demonstrated to them the latest techniques of using equipment such as the slide projector, the tape recorder, the 16-mm. sound projector and the strip-film projector. The workshop has resulted in a greater use of this equipment and in more efficient teaching techniques.
Reporting. A newly created study group has just commenced an analysis of this delicate area. No findings have as yet been reported.
CENTER SCHOOL
The faculty of the Center School is cooperating in the extension of the guidance services in the elementary schools.
The pre-school conference has led to many practical changes in the curriculum of the school.
A study of the system of reporting to parents is being undertaken jointly with a committee of the Parent-Teacher Association.
A notable event was the use of the new addition to the High School by four elementary classes, including all of the sixth-grade children of the Town. These classes are administratively a part of the Center School organization.
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A substantial improvement in the Center School building occurred with the installation of hot water, a dishwasher and serving counter in the lunchroom, a teachers' room, and sinks in the two first-grade rooms. Gutters and downspouts were repaired. The basement area was painted and additional lighting installed.
HEALTH SERVICES
Mary McNeill, the School and District Nurse, carried out the nursing services in the schools.
A check on absentees has been made throughout the year. Weight and height of children were recorded. The pre-school clinic was held in May for those children who planned to attend school the following Sep- tember. The school physician was assisted at the regular physical examina- tions. The audiometer test and the Massachusetts vision test were given to all cases where defects were indicated. The toxoid clinic, sponsored by the Board of Health, was conducted in the schools. The school physician was assisted in administering the diphtheria injections.
Dr. David R. Corey was the school physician until June. Dr. Char- lotte A. Stewart assumed these duties for the 1952-53 school year in accordance with the rotation policy. New legislation governing the regular physical examinations of students will result in a change from brief annual examinations of all students to more complete examinations at less frequent intervals.
Dr. Joseph P. Fournier replaced Dr. Lawrence F. Cusolito as the school dentist in September. The work of the dental clinic has been carried out with one morning each week provided at the Center and Cochituate Schools, respectively.
ATTENDANCE SERVICES
During the year 1952, David J. Allen, the Attendance Officer, in- vestigated 104 cases of questionable absence.
Number of students accompanied to school 6
Number of truants 12
Number having no legitimate excuse 9
Number taken for medical attention 8
Number taken home due to illness 71
Respectfully submitted,
REXFORD S. SOUDER, Superintendent of Schools
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SCHOOL CALENDAR, 1953
Schools reopen January 5
Winter Vacation .February 23-27
Good Friday April 3
Spring Vacation April 20-24
Schools close .June 19
Schools open September 9
Columbus Day October 12
Armistice Day November 11
Thanksgiving Vacation November 26, 27
(Elementary Schools dismiss at 11:45 and
High School dismisses at 12:15 on November 25)
Christmas Vacation
December 24-January 1
(Elementary Schools dismiss at 11:45 and
High School dismisses at 12:15 on December 23)
SCHOOL ENTRANCE
Any child who is five years and eight months of age on September first of the current school year may be admitted to the first grade, but in every case the admission of a child under six shall be dependent upon the fitness of the child to profit by the work of the school, such fitness to be determined by the Superintendent. Pupils under the age of seven years who have not previously attended school shall not be permitted to enter later than thirty days after the opening of school in September except by special permission of the Superintendent. Certificates of birth and vac- cination shall be required at the time of entrance.
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