USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Plainville > Plainville, Massachusetts annual reports 1951-1959 > Part 4
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91
We wish to express our thanks to Superintendent Laurence G. Nourse, Principal Roland L. Wolcott and the teaching staff for their co-operation in the past year.
We urge you to give careful consideration to the reports that follow by the Superintendent and Principal and also our financial statement.
Respectfully submitted,
CLINTON E. BARTON, Chairman EDWARD H. HEMMINGSEN, Secretary HELEN A. SMITH
57
ANNUAL REPORT
MONEY AVAILABLE FOR SCHOOLS IN 1951
Appropriation
$62,735.00
Refund
22.50
Interest on Town School Fund
14.54
$62,772.04
Expenses
General Expenses
School Committee
$120.00
Superintendent's Salary
2,360.00
School Union Travel
240.00
Clerk's Salary
447.86
Miscellaneous Expenses
233.81
Expenses of Instruction
Salaries
39,218.94
Books and Supplies
3,216.23
Operation of School Plant
Janitor
3,699.97
Fuel
4,149.29
Miscellaneous
1,477.60
Maintenance
955.75
Health
644.33
Transportation
4,251.75
Tuition
317.73
New Equipment
538.77
Town Hall
739.76
Driver Education
157.27
Total
$62,769.06
Balance
2.98
58
ANNUAL REPORT
THE TOWN RECEIVED FROM THE STATE ON ACCOUNT OF SCHOOLS
1949
1950
1951
General School Fund
$13,374.31
$13,546.49
$14,001.49
For Superintendent
743.37
1,417.84
1,458.60
For School Bus Transportation
1,396.17
1,462.36
2,305.86
From Tuition
Youth Service Board
156.38
574.03
State
156.00
225.00
184.14
Private
25.00
100.00
75.00
$15,851.23
$17,325.72
$18,025.09
Total Expenditures
$50,594.62
$53,959.55
$62,769.06
Receipts from outside sources
15,851.23
17,325.72
18,025.09
Expenditure by the Town of
Plainville
$34,743.39
$36,633.83
$44,743.97
1952 ESTIMATES IN ACCORDANCE WITH CHAPTER 643, 1948
Chapter 643 State Aid
$14,261.49
For Superintendent
1,458.60
For Transportation
2,470.00
For Trade School Tuition
158.87
For Youth Service Board
520.09
$18,869.05
Additional Receipts-1951
1. Sale of old equipment, Dominican Convent J. L. Hammett Co.
$110.00
149.10
2. N. E. Tel. & Tel. rebate
6.62
3. Town Hall Rental
25.00
$290.72
PLAINVILLE SCHOOL COMMITTEE BUDGET 1951
1952 Budget
1951 Expended
1950 Expended
1949 Expended
School Committee
$120.00
$120.00
$120.00
$120.00
Superintendent
Salary
2,460.00
2,360.00
2,079.96
1,999.92
School Union
240.00
240.00
240.00
203.37
Clerk
504.00
447.86
624.57
470.09
Miscellaneous
180.00
233.81
Teachers' Salaries
43,592.00
39,218.94
34,708.35
32,228.39
Books & Supplies
3,500.00
3,216.23
3,003.86
2,969.66
Operation of School Plant
Janitor
5,350.00
3,699.97
2,491.20
2,563.80
Fuel
3,776.00
4,149.29
2,894.62
2,452.79
Miscellaneous
2,236.00
1,477.60
1,044.35
1,306.25
Maintenance
750.00
955.75
871.33
967.53
Health
1,068.00
644.33
618.59
601.02
Transportation
4,250.00
4,251.75
3,710.43
3,043.11
Tuition
317.73
426.56
501.09
New Equipment
525.00
538.77
393.50
640.50
Town Hall
739.76
575.54
522.10
Town Hall, Special Appropriation*
1,186.00
Driver Education
175.00
157.27
156.69
. . . . .
$68,726.00
$62,769.06
$53,959.55
$51,780.62
*Special Appropriation, Grading Town Hall Yard Expended
750.00
745.82
$4.18
60
ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the Plainville School Committee:
I have the honor of submitting to you my twenty-eighth annual report and the forty-fifth in the series of reports.
New Elementary School
The outstanding achievement of 1951 was the completion of the new Plainville Elementary School. This outstanding achievement was the result of earnest efforts of the present Building Committee and the School Committees of the past several years. All of these people, with many interested par- ents and citizens, have given devoted efforts to the accom- plishment of this delightful new school. The affect on the conduct of the schools will be seen directly and indirectly in all the attached reports. This building is rapidly becoming a delightful and practical center for social and athletic events and entertainments. It will be more and more used as a civic center. However, the main purpose of this school is an en- larged and more effective educational program. Details of this objective will be seen in the present and future reports. We in the school department are all proud of an excellent building, very appreciative of the generosity of the citizens, and accept the building as a challenge to greater achievement in behalf of the pupils of the Town of Plainville.
Co-operation of Parents
The new school is itself an excellent example of the co- operation of the parents with the teachers and pupils of our school. Many citizens have shown interest and helpful co- operation with the Building Committee and the School Com- mittee in bringing about the authorization and the actual con- struction of this school. The amount of personal work given by members of the Building Committee and many citizens of the town in completing many details of the grounds, the building and the gymnasium is an exceptional example of this spirit. Few towns can give equal examples. To meet the modern and enlarged objectives in the educational growth of young people, the cooperation of parents and citizens in the operation of the schools is of prime importance. It has long
61
ANNUAL REPORT
been the desire of school teachers and administrators to secure the interest of parents in the work of their children in order to meet the individual needs more effectively. There are at the present time many more examples of this interest and co- operation taking place. The Parent-Teacher Association has long been active in Plainville and their efforts in this enterprise are continuously appreciated. The Well-Child Conference held each year is an example in the field of health where parents have served a most practical purpose. The Plainville Monthly Bulletin has given a statistical list of school events and activi- ties. A start has been made in giving more space each month to educational aspects of the work of the schools. This will be enlarged and with the active interest of teachers and parents in suggesting topics for the bulletin more valuable information at a time when a topic is of immediate interest can be given. Such information can well supplement the work of the annual town report. I am sure that many more varied examples of the cooperation of parents and teachers will arise in the future.
Supervision of Instruction
In any large activity a supervisory program is essential. As the Plainville schools have grown the greater has been the need for an enlarged program of supervision. Starting this year, a full-time principal for supervisory and administrative duties has been in effect. In the fields of music and art, part- time instruction in the high school and supervision in the elementary school has been in effect for some time. This fall I have started a series of joint meetings of the people in the above program in order to coordinate and make effective the joint approach to this problem. The principals and supervisors of both Norton and Plainville are working together in this matter. A modern supervisory program is a helpful program with the individual teacher. It is aimed to meet his or her needs and to supplement and make more effective the class- room instruction. I believe we have unusually high profes- sional interest on the part of our teachers and that outstanding teaching is being done in the Plainville schools. The outline of a good supervisory program follows:
A. General Objectives
1. Supervision of classroom instruction and all educational activities.
2. Evaluation of teaching efficiency and educational prog- ress.
62
ANNUAL REPORT
3. In-service training of teachers.
4. Building the local program of curriculum revision.
5. Stimulating professional zeal and staff morale.
6. School-community relations-public relations.
B. Methods, organizations, procedures more frequently used to carry out above objectives.
1. Classroom visitations and conferences.
2. Classroom demonstration.
3. Visiting other teachers.
4. Teachers' meetings.
5. Professional reading and discussion.
6. Experimental study of teaching problems.
7. Participation in curriculum construction.
8. Supervisory bulletins.
9. Organization of work shops for teachers.
Additional School Staff
The September 1952 plans are underway for two addi- tional teachers for the Elementary School. As a result of the annual school census and an examination of town records the estimate for the first grade for September 1952 is fifty-two stu- dents. Two classrooms of first grade students are clearly neces- sary. In two years, the present new school will be at capacity. An additional teacher is urgently needed to meet the large classes at present time in grades three, four and five. The relief of this situation will be to have two classes of the largest grade or some combination of these to make the total enrollment in each room under thirty. Under the present size of classes it is impossible to expect satisfactory results for all pupils. The amount of attention to individual pupil needs, both in class time and after-school time, cannot meet the de- mand. The two additional elementary teachers will make pos- sible satisfactory conditions for the coming school year. For the future, it is very necessary that careful study and plans be undertaken by the School Committee and the School Planning Committee. Whether the future school building problems are
63
ANNUAL REPORT
met through Regional High School or through increased local facilities, it is financially advantageous to plan to take action while the present Massachusetts School Building Assistance Commission is operating and ready to help in the solution of these problems. The following table gives the statistical data for study of this problem:
Plainville School Enrollment
High School
1952 Est.
1951
1950
1949
1948
1947
Grade 12
15
10
16
13
16
12
Grade 11
23
17
13
18
13
18
Grade 10
30
25
15
19
18
13
Grade 9
27
32
28
16
22
23
95
84
72
66
69
66
Elementary School
1952 Est.
1951
1950
1949
1948
1947
Grade 8
27
29
39
27
22
21
Grade 7
27
27
28
36
24
20
Grade 6
37
27
25
27
36
23
Grade 5
38
37
26
25
25
35
Grade 4
41
38
31
36
26
24
Grade 3
35
41
38
27
23
27
Grade 2
35
35
39
39
31
20
Grade 1
52
38
32
38
37
30
292
272
258
255
224
200
387
356
330
321
293
266
Art Work Shop
Under the direction of the Art Supervisor, Miss Louise B. Spier, arrangements have been made with Binney & Smith Company of New York City to conduct an Art Workshop for all of the Elementary teachers in both Norton and Plainville. This program will be carried out in the new Norton Elemen- tary School on March 5, 6, 7, 1952 from 3:00 to 6:00 and from 7:00 to 9:00 p. m. Miss Wilmar Greer of Columbia University will be the representative sent by the Company to conduct
64
ANNUAL REPORT
these classes. The teachers attending the Art Workshop are given the opportunity to get a broader scope of Art Education in the use of materials and the planning and teaching of School Art through actual participation where projects are carried through to completion. This is an excellent opportunity, at no expense to the town, to give our teachers some of the latest techniques and plans in the teaching of Art.
Physical Education Program
With the new school plant, the Plainville young people now have the best of modern facilities for the Physical Edu- cational program. These facilities are planned for the full use by the High School as well as the grammar grades and the Elementary School. An excellent start has been made to put these facilities to full use for both the physical education and the athletic activities. These plans will be intensified this year and in the future, with the aim of giving all pupils in school-not just the athletes-an active part in this program.
School Lunch
The excellent facilities in the new school for the conduct of the school lunch program is much appreciated. Its opera- tion is proceeding very satisfactorily. Financially, the school lunch program with the assistance of the Federal and State funds can proceed without financial assistance from the town. For most of the past year, the monthly balance has been ap- proximately $600. At the end of 1951 there was a temporary deficit until the receipt of reimbursements from the State funds. There is every expectation that the lunch room can continue to operate most satisfactorily on its current receipts without any request for local funds.
I urge a careful reading of the attached reports which I have received from those in charge of special divisions of the school program. These all merit your study.
PLAINVILLE HIGH AND ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS Mr. Roland L. Wolcott, Principal
As Supervising Principal of Schools, I have found that during 1951 greater amounts of my time and effort have been directed toward administrative duties rather than supervisory. This was not unexpected as the reorganization of grades, teach-
65
ANNUAL REPORT
ers, teachers' schedules, curriculum and buildings was recog- nized as the major task for the summer and fall.
Since August, my time has been occupied primarily with problems concerning the equipping and completing of the two buildings so that both schools could open and operate effi- ciently. Supervision of instruction and in-service training of teachers has through necessity been set aside until physical needs were met. During the year ahead, a great percentage of my time will be available for work with the teachers rela- tive to the study and improvement of curriculum content and teaching methods.
With the fine cooperation of everyone, including the pupils, we were able to open the high school on schedule and the elementary school only thirteen school days later.
The separate reports of the High School and Elementary School follow:
Plainville High School
The High School was completely separated from all other grades including the junior high when school opened in Sep- tember. This reorganization has proved most beneficial to all concerned. It necessitated the rearrangement of the sched- ule and made possible the addition of many new and improved features to our curriculum. The school day now consists of 6 regular class periods, and an activity or "X" period of one hour in length each day. Below is a schedule of the activities for each day in the week now offered during this time.
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY Glee Club
Remedial Groups Clubs
Reading
Commercial
Review Math
Art
Personal Finance
Photography
Location Geog-
Physical Fitness
raphy
Sewing
First Aid
Stagecrafters
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
Girls' Physical Education
Guidance
Boys' Supervised Study
Student Council Assemblies
Boys' Physical Ed- ucation
66
ANNUAL REPORT
The Remedial Groups are an attempt to provide special help in basic skills where the need is greatest. Students re- main in one group for a period of approximately five meetings and then move on to another group.
The Club Period has proved popular and educationally valuable to these young people. Membership in a particular club is voluntary and this, with the enthusiastic leadership of the faculty member, has provided an active and productive program.
Members of the Commercial Club assisted in printing the Senior Play Book. The Stagecrafters helped build the scenery for the Senior Play and have assumed the responsibility for the weekly radio program presented on WARA in Attleboro. The Photography Club has nearly completed its darkroom in the basement of the school and members will soon be able to develop their own pictures. The Sewing Club was able to secure the leadership of Mrs. Raymond Smith and under her direction members have been learning how to make clothes for themselves. Two treadle sewing machines are available for their use in the former lunchroom. One was purchased by the School Committee and the other was donated by Mrs. Rita Youngdahl.
The Driver Training class continues to provide instruction for all interested students who are eligible. The class instruc- tion is given during the club period and the actual driving is given three afternoons each week.
The Student Council was organized this fall under the direction of Mrs. Edward Rose. This new student organiza- tion has an excellent opportunity to provide training for lead- ership as well as contribute much toward high morale in the school. It has already found many opportunities to provide service for the school and appears to be gradually acquiring the desired stature.
The increased time allotted to physical education has made possible the complete use of the modern facilities of the new gymnasium and showers. Students are provided with suffi- cient time for travel, change of clothes and showers, and yet have a longer class time than previously.
67
ANNUAL REPORT
It has also been possible to provide additional time for art and music. The high interest and progress demonstrated by the members proves the value of this additional time.
The new time schedule permits a lunch period of sufficient length to enable high school students to travel to the new cafeteria for a complete lunch. To date slightly more than one-third of them have purchased their lunch daily in the cafeteria.
The change in buildings has given the high school a very pleasant and accessible auditorium; and the former office of the superintendent is being changed into a library by members of Grade 9 English class.
We were able to divide the large freshman class into two sections for English this year. This has been very advan- tageous as it has made it possible to meet more nearly the individual needs by working with a small rather than an excessively large class.
Our expanded curriculum has been made possible through the willingness of the individual faculty members to assume added duties which have increased their already heavy teach- ing load. This is most commendable.
Another first for Plainville was its most successful Science Fair held in the auditorium last spring under the direction of Mrs. Oliver Millett and Miss Rita Davis, Science instructors. It is planned to make this an annual event and plans are already underway for the 1952 Science Fair. The P. T. A. assumed all financial obligations incurred in presenting this educational program.
Recognizing its responsibility in assisting students prepare for their life's work, the school has made every possible effort, within its limited resources of time and money, to provide additional guidance services to students leaving school. This past year seven interviews were made with admissions officers in various colleges in which students were interested. The boys were taken on a plant inspection tour and given details of the apprenticeship program at the Brown & Sharpe Manu- facturing Company in Providence. Arrangements were made for the girls to attend the Open House at the Peabody School
68
ANNUAL REPORT
in Norwood. The testing facilities of the U. S. Employment Office in Attleboro were made available to every senior and follow-up interviews for specific types of work were arranged for all who desired them. This same service has been made available to this year's graduates also.
Five graduates of the Class of 1951 are enrolled in nearby schools and colleges. Each of the twelve other graduates is employed at the present time.
Elementary School
The first Spring Registration of prospective grade one chil- dren was held in early June. This provided parents, children and school officials an early opportunity to become acquainted. Registration details were taken care of at this time and made the opening day of school in the fall much easier for everyone. The children were given an opportunity to "go to school" in the first grade room for a short period. Refreshments were served by members of the P. T. A. Registration of pupils entering grade one in September 1952 will be held again this spring.
Our annual Open House program held in November during American Education Week was centered in the new elementary building. Again the members of the faculty presented a pro- gram designed to help parents and the public become more familiar with the school curriculum and teachers' methods.
Getting settled and adjusted in our new and wonderful quarters has taken time, effort and patience. Everyone has been most cooperative including the children, the faculty and the staff. The advantages over the former facilities are too numerous to mention. The auditorium-gymnasium is easily accessible for assemblies, rehearsals and group activities, as well as physical education for grades 7 and 8.
The new cafeteria with its modern equipment is proving to be very popular with the students. A daily average of 200 or more are fed a full meal including milk at a cost of 20 cents per meal.
Our playground is sufficiently large; and it is hoped that this next year it will be possible to provide much-needed play-
69
ANNUAL REPORT
ground equipment. It is essential for the health and safety of the children.
We are challenged by the educational possibilities pre- sented to us in the physical facilities of the renovated high school and the new elementary building. These conditions greatly encourage better teaching; but they can never guaran- tee it. We will constantly strive toward better teaching at all levels and hope that the schools will continue to have the full support of the parents in constantly working toward the im- provement of educational opportunities for the youth of Plain- ville.
I would like to take this opportunity to urge parents to visit the schools while they are in session. We welcome any constructive criticism of our procedures and will be most pleased to discuss any phase of our school life. I feel very strongly that unjust and unfounded criticism of your teachers and your schools can accomplish nothing but bring about a deterioration in the morale of both students and faculty mem- bers. It is a great satisfaction to find a decided increase in at- tendance at the monthly P. T. A. meetings; and through this medium many of our objectives can be reached. We must build together-not tear down separately.
The Faculty and I appreciate, Mr. Nourse, your guidance and many kindnesses extended during the past year.
ART
Louise B. Spier, Supervisor
"A thing of beauty is a joy forever: It's loveliness in- creases: It will never pass into nothingness: " -Keats.
Our new school building and our remodelled high school are a joy for both pupils and teachers. The elementary build- ing is certainly a thing of beauty and is in a beautiful setting. The fall foliage of the surrounding trees was a lovely sight to behold from any of the school room windows as well as when approaching the building. Speaking for myself, I am especial- ly pleased that the high school art room has been elevated from the cellar of the old building to the first floor of the new high
70
ANNUAL REPORT
school. It would seem that our boys and girls should be in- spired to do their best in such pleasant environments and well- equipped buildings.
The children in the first three grades are experiencing and enjoying easel painting, finger painting, modelling and crayon drawing. Those of the fourth grade had the thrill of their first transparent watercolor painting and are ardent enthu- siasts. The older children have crayon, watercolor and cup paper as mediums of expression in their design, illustration and construction work. All pupils have made simple Christ- mas gifts to take home. The seventh and eighth grades en- joyed making Christmas decorations for the windows at the front of the building. Groups of three-dimensional candles alternated with cut-out snowflakes.
Again this year, the pupils are making nut cups for the holidays throughout the year for the American Red Cross to be sent to veterans hospitals. Several letters of appreciation and thanks have been received from the hospitals at Roxbury and Davis Park. The seventh and eighth grade students sent illustrations depicting American life to the International School Art Exchange Program under the Junior Red Cross sponsor- ship. A letter of last July from Mrs. Lillian T. Robertson, executive secretary of the North Attleboro chapter of the American Red Cross tells us that the destination of our paintings was Belgium, France, Ireland, Italy and the Nether- lands.
The high school Art Club is an interested group of boys and girls. While the weather was good in the fall, we did some outdoor sketching using pencil, crayon or watercolor as mediums and achieved creditable results. Linoleum block printed Christmas cards were designed, cut and printed. The mechanical drawing class is comprised of first year high school boys. They are learning to use the draftsman's tools and the rudiments of mechanical drawing.
For the May meeting of the P.T.A. a set of forty-seven slides and a talk on "Growth Through Art" was given. These slides were prepared by the Midcentury White House Exhibit Committee of the National Art Education Association for the purpose of showing the close integration between creative and mental growth of the child. Examples of work of the var-
71
ANNUAL REPORT
ious stages of growth were shown at the low, average and high levels of development of individual children.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.