USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Plainville > Plainville, Massachusetts annual reports 1951-1959 > Part 79
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The first Annual Field Day at the elementary school was held in the Spring of 1959. The children enjoyed a lunch of hot dogs, potato salad, potato chips, milk and ice cream under the shade of the trees on the school lawn. Many parents were in attendance and enjoyed the various activities demonstrated by the children of all grades.
The Talent Show sponsored by the Plainville Teachers' Club to raise funds for the purchase of books for the school library and to present a one hundred dollar scholarship to a King Philip Regional High School student was a complete success, thanks to the support of the parents and their friends. It is most gratifying to witness such cooperation between the home and the school.
The Spelling Curriculum Guide that was being prepared by our teachers at the beginning of the year has been completed. A copy of this guide was sent to the State Department of Education for approval. It is the opinion of an official of this department that our Spelling Curriculum is among the best to be found in the state.
The Parent-Teacher Association has purchased another television set for the elementary school. This television set has improved the efficiency of our Audio Visual program. Without this, it would have been almost impossible to schedule "Parlons Francais" into our curriculm. "Parlons Francais" is a program which brings the teaching of French into the classrooms of the elementary school. At present only the children in grades two, five and six that can spare the time from their regular school work are participating in this program. Grades two, five and six being grouped homogeneously were chosen for this program as we could more effectively pinpoint the children who could afford the time.
61
ANNUAL REPORT
1959
Many new books have been purchased for the elementary school library with the money donated by the Parent-Teacher Association and the Plainville Teachers' Club. There is still a need for additional books before our library will reach its full potential.
The library mothers as usual are doing an excellent job, not only in operating the library five afternoons a week but also in the purchasing and cataloging of new books. Without their assistance the library would not function as efficiently.
Parent-teacher conferences have been scheduled three times a year in order to keep the parents better informed as to their children's progress. These conferences will help the teachers help the children and the benefits gained by all concerned will be immeasurable.
The conferences scheduled in November of 1959 were a tremendous success. 98.6 percent of the parents of the pupils in grades one through six met with their children's teachers. It is hoped that future conferences will be as successful, but parents should feel free to make appointments with the teachers or school administrators at any time during the school year.
Play activity areas; such as, hopscotch, dodgeball, basketball, football, baseball and volley ball have been installed on the playground. As a result, the children have organized games during their recess periods.
I wish to extend my sincere thanks to all of those with whom I have had the pleasure of working. With their excellent cooperation my task as teaching-principal has been a gratifying one.
ART
Miss Louise B. Spier, Supervisor
It is with pleasure that I submit my fifteenth annual report on the art activities of the Plainville Schools.
The art program has endeavored to give the pupils an opportunity to learn the basic principles of art, to experiment and use various art media, to develop skill and creative power, to appreciate and enjoy the beautiful.
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ANNUAL REPORT
1959
The art supervisor's schedule has been increased to three full days to take care of the two additional grades. This arrangement has also made it possible to have fifteen minutes for art service which in addition to the fifteen minutes per day recess period makes a total of one hour per week. While this is not quite adequate, it is better than last year when there was no time for an art service period.
Last January, all grades saw the movie "Learning To Use Your Brush".
The Library Poster Contest in grade 1 through 6 was a successful project. It encouraged interest in our school library as well as developing ability to make a good poster. The P.T.A. gave the books which were awarded as grand prizes, one for each grade. 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize ribbon badges were given in each room through the courtesy of the Robbins Company of Attleboro. The grade prize winners are as follows:
Robert Miranda
Grade 1
Kathy Thibedeau 2
Donna Morin 3
Carolyn Goodman 4
Karen Preston 5
Linda Morrison 6
Interesting T. V. programs on Art for the 4th grade are given every Wednesday. The program is called "Lines and Shapes". Cut paper design, string prints, potato prints, finger painting, clay modeling, weaving and mosaics have been demonstrated.
My sincere thanks to Mr. Sharp, Mr. Rogers and to the teachers for the continued loyal and friendly cooperation. It is a pleasure to work with such an excellent staff and also to work with the children.
MUSIC
Mrs. Harriet F. Washburn, Supervisor of Vocal Music
Once more it is a pleasure to submit my annual report on the music accomplished in the past year in the Elementary School. Continued progress can be assured with the splendid enthusiasm and cooperation of the teachers and the children.
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ANNUAL REPORT
1959
The music periods in all of the rooms are usually happy ones and as I go from one grade to the next the quality of tone, expression, ability to read and coordination are very noticeable.
The T. V. program, as presented on Channel 2 by Tony Salatin, was ably done and enjoyed by the children. They learned the songs he taught very quickly. It was fun to watch the folk dancers on that program and the children learned from watching professional dancers. The second graders used some of the favorite folk songs they learned as part of the Music Festival program.
We found that the Symphonets were an excellent help in learning to read music, thus carrying over into the regular work as well as in the study of another instrument. The work was so successful last year in the third grades that we are continuing it in the fourth grades this year and finding that the children are interested and doing well. Last year, Mrs. Kauffman and Mrs. Grant taught these instruments but this Fall Mrs. Kauffman is teaching the third graders and Mrs. Munroe the fourth graders. Much credit is due these teachers for the success of this project.
The two Glee Clubs - one of boys and one of girls - with fifteen minutes of practice a week, learned to sing well many songs of semi-classical music and seemed to enjoy their participation in this particular line.
Due to my illness last Spring I was unable to be present at the Music Festivals, but with the aforementioned cooperation of the teachers and children, the accompanying ability of a senior girl from King Philip Regional High School and Mrs. Anne Hawkins, the programs were most successful and a credit to all.
My deepest gratitude goes to children, teachers, Mrs. Andrews, Mr. Pothier, Mr. Smith, Mr. Rogers and Mr. Sharp for making the music program a success and my work very happy and soul-satisfying.
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC
Dr. Warren S. Freeman, Supervisor
The instrumental music program in Plainville has moved forward this year with unusual success. Nearly 100 children are now enrolled in the
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ANNUAL REPORT
1959
program. These include members of the advanced band, the beginners band, the baton twirling classes and our new accordion groups.
It is very encouraging to notice the large number of Plainville students who are enrolled in the King Philip Regional High School band. The excellent preparation which these players received in the Plainville instru- mental music program makes this transition between the two schools in the music field a smooth one.
In the past year I have used Mr. George Coneconto, Mr. Frank Cubala and Mrs. David Horan to assist me in the instructional phases of the program. These young people have provided the opportunities to give a great deal of help to each one of the students in the program.
In addition to the regular school program, we have also inaugurated a new activity, a self-sustaining program of private and semi-private instruction on all instruments. This provided the necessary advanced training for those who have progressed to the point where the parents feel that additional private instruction is necessary. In a small community such as Plainville, no adequate instruction on the various instruments is available. Thus the school is able to serve as a means for which this instruction can be made available to the parents at a very low cost.
At this time I would like to express my personal appreciation to Mr. Sharp, the superintendent of schools; Mr. Rogers, the principal; and to all of the teachers for their unfailing cooperation in the overall development of our program.
SCHOOL PHYSICIAN
Dr. John T. Cotter
The examination of the students in the Elementary School is progressing satisfactorily. All new students have been examined.
The general health of the students is good. Enlarged and diseased tonsils and adenoids were the most prevalent findings again in the examinations conducted this year and these cases have been reported to the parents.
There have been no serious epidemics in the area during the past year.
One student has been referred to the State-conducted Speech Clinic and one student is continuing his attendance at the polio clinic with progress noted.
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ANNUAL REPORT
1959
A Diphtheria prevention clinic was conducted in the Spring of 1959 and was fairly well attended. Triple and double antigen were used depending on the age of the child treated.
I wish to thank Mrs. Claudy, school nurse, for her able assistance to me in conducting these examinations and to thank the faculty for its cooperation.
SCHOOL NURSE
Janet Claudy, R. N.
Early in the school year our school physician began his examinations of all pupils in grades one and four. These annual examinations, while sched- uled to include only the boys and girls in these seven classrooms also serve to provide physical check-ups for any pupil who is recommended by parent or teacher. As is the custom, all parents will be notified of any abnormal physical findings.
During September all students were weighed and measured. This data is recorded on individual "health records" so that the rate of growth and development might be observed.
Dental examinations for every pupil took place during October. This annual survey is conducted by a qualified representative of the Massachusetts Health Department. No treatment is provided, but parents of children who are found to be in need of treatment are so advised. Parental cooperation has been excellent, and it is indeed gratifying to report on the excellent dental condition of our pupils.
Each pupil was given a hearing test during the first school semester and it is planned to conduct a similar program of vision tests for every student during the second semester. As a result of these hearing and vision tests, no treatment or diagnosis is ever made except by a child's family doctor.
A series of three immunization clinics was held in the health unit during the Spring of 1959 for children whose parents had requested these innocu- lations to provide immunization againstt diphtheria, whooping cough and tetanus. Similar innoculations will be provided during the Spring of 1960 for those requesting this form of treatment.
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ANNUAL REPORT
1959
Because a child's scholastic progress is very definitely affected by his physical condition it has become increasingly essential to include many types of physical examinations in a school health program.
The success of such a program could not be achieved without the cooper- ation of pupils, parents, teachers and all school officials. My sincere thanks to all these individuals and to our school physician, Dr. John T. Cotter.
CLOSING
Again, let me express a sincere appreciation to the members of the School Committee for their cooperation and assistance. Their understanding of school problems has helped to make what I would call a successful year.
Respectfully submitted,
KENNETH L. SHARP, Superintendent
STATISTICS
Extracts from the School Census, October 1959
Girls
Boys
Pupils between 5 and 7
100
104
Pupils between 7 and 16
319
324
419
428
Perfect Attendance for the School Year 1958-59
Grade 6 - Paul Lyman, Sharon Hill, Edna Parmenter, Gerald Nadeau, Joan Tremblay
Grade 4 - Mark Bigelow, Maryelayana Reybrock, Mary Winslow
Grade 3 - Leslie Gucwa, Michele Hill
Grade 2 - Nancy Barrett
Grade 1 - Robert Miranda, Cheryl Gucwa
Work Certificates
Number of full-time educational certificates issued 6
Number of part-time educational certificates issued 4
Number of part-time employment permits issued 3
Number of full-time employment permits issued 0
Average number of days the Elementary School was in session
182
ATTENDANCE FOR THE YEAR ENDING JUNE 1959
Aggregate
Attendance
Attendance
Daily
Average
Total Membership
Membership
Average
Attendance
Percent of
Tardy Marks
Number of
Dismissals
Number of
Grade 6-D
3,805
20.90
23
22.18
94.23
2
8
Grade 6-R
5,097
28.01
30
29.52
94.86
6
3
Grade 6-T
4,503
24.74
27
26.51
93.30
5
22
Grade 5-K
4,952
27.21
29
29.91
90.97
28
6
Grade 5-M
4,982.5
27.37
30
29.07
94.15
6
6
Grade 4-S
5,626
30.91
34
32.84
94.12
35
16
Grade 4-W
5,424
29.80
33
31.83
93.63
12
18
Grade 3-G
5,991.5
32.92
38
35.22
93.47
4
2
Grade 3-K
5,954.5
32.72
35
34.76
94.11
9
4
Grade 2-C
4,796.5
26.35
30
28.51
92.45
10
12
Grade 2-M
5,030
27.64
29
29.45
93.84
3
11
Grade 2-H
4,984.5
27.39
30
29.59
92.56
10
19
Grade 1-C
3,627
19.93
22
21.90
91.04
7
11
Grade 1-MO
3,576
19.65
24
21.31
92.36
7
11
Grade 1-MA
3,536
19.43
22
21.46
90.54
9
1
Grade 1-H
3,628.5
19.94
22
21.58
92.40
0
0
Total
75,514.
414.88
458
445.64
93.00
153
150
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ANNUAL REPORT
1959
MEMBERSHIP BY AGE AND GRADE, OCTOBER 1, 1959
BOYS
Ages
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
Total
Grade 1
18
24
4
46
Grade 2
13
27
6
1
47
Grade 3
15
29
3
1
48
Grade 4
10
24
2
36
Grade 5
10
23
4
37
Grade 6
8
15
4
27
TOTAL
18
37
46
45
38
34
19
4
241
MEMBERSHIP BY AGE AND GRADE, OCTOBER 1, 1959
GIRLS
Ages
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
Total
Grade 1
16
26
3
45
Grade 2
16
26
2
44
Grade 3
15
19
1
35
Grade 4
11
25
1
37
Grade 5
9
20
1
30
Grade 6
8
21
2
31
TOTAL
16
42
44
32
34
30
22
2
222
LIST OF TEACHERS - DECEMBER 31, 1959
School
Name
Where Educated
Date of Appt.
Grade 6
John W. Rogers
Suffolk University, A.B.
Boston State Teachers College, M.Ed. 1958
Grade 6
Eugene F. Thayer
Boston University, B.S. in Ed. 1959
Grade 5
Constance Watts
Emerson College, B.S. in Ed. 1959
Grade 5 Alice M. Medlicott
Fitchburg Teachers College
1957
Grade 4
Dorothea L. Donnelly
Framingham State Teachers
College, B.S. in Ed.
1958
Grade 4
Helen M. Munroe
Salem Teachers College
1959
Grade 4
Beatrice H. Wood
Framingham State Teachers College
Grade 3
Ruth T. Carpenter
Tufts College, B.A. 1930
1959
Grade 3
Esther F. Grant
Bridgewater State Teachers College
1946
Grade 3
Phoebe Kauffman
Eastern Nazarene College, B.A.
1956
Grade 2
Doris Hammer
Plattsburg State Teachers College, B.S. in Ed. 1956
Grade 2 Helen L. Henderson
Boston University, Sargent College, B.S. in Ed.
1956
Grade 2 Ida L. Meade
Bridgewater State Teachers College, B.S. in Ed. 1953
Grade 2
Carol Titus
University of Mass., B.S. in Ed.
1959
Grade 1
Phyllis M. Martin
Framingham Teachers College, B.S. in Ed.
1954
Grade 1
Marjorie Morgan
Framingham Teachers College, B.S. in Ed.
1958
Grade 1
Lydia Palmer
R. I. College of Education, B.S. in Ed.
Columbia University 1959
Grade 1
Catherine D. Thayer
Boston College, B.S. in Ed.
1959
Drawing
Louise S. Spier
Mass. School of Art, B.S. 1945
Music Harriet Washburn
Boston Teachers College 1948
Music
Dr. Warren Freeman
Boston University B. Mus., Md. Ed., Ed.D.
1955
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ANNUAL REPORT
1959
REPORT OF THE SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit to you my report as Sealer of Weights and Measures for the year ending December 31, 1959.
Scales
Adjusted Sealed
Fee
Total
Over 10,000 lbs.
1
5.00
5.00
100 - 5,000 lbs.
2
7
1.00
7.00
Under 100 lbs. Weights
9
33
.50
16.50
Avoirdupois
16
47
.10
4.70
Liquid Measures:
1 Gallon or under
3
.10
.30
Automatic Liquid Measuring Devices:
One inch
7
24
1.00
24.00
Over one inch
1 6
3.00
18.00
Oil and Grease Pump
8
.25
2.00
Farm Holding Tank
I
2.00
2.00
79.50
Reweighing of Commodities Put up for Sale - 176
Inspection
32
Cash paid to Town Treasurer
$79.50
Salary
$100.00
Transportation
15.00
Supplies
25.00
$140.00
Respectfully submitted, ADRIAN J. WHEELER Sealer of Weights and Measures.
71
ANNUAL REPORT
1959
REPORT OF THE FOREST COMMITTEE
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
We herewith submit our report for the Town Forest Committee for the year ending December 31, 1959.
Appropriation Labor
$75.00 74.10
Balance .90
Respectfully submitted,
Town Forest Committee
Alec Fredrickson Robert J. Proal Everett W. Skinner
REPORT OF THE TREE WARDEN
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit my report as Tree Warden for the year ending Dec- ember 31, 1959.
Appropriation
$300.00
Bancroft's Inc., Trimming
$94.50
Parkhurst Nurseries, Maple trees
117.00
Alec Fredrickson, Planting 28 Maples Truck and Labor
60.00
Expended
267.50
Balance
$ 32.50
Respectfully submitted,
ALEC FREDRICKSON
Tree Warden.
72
ANNUAL REPORT
1959
REPORT OF DUTCH ELM AND INSECT CONTROL
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit my report on Dutch Elm Control and Insect Control for the year ending December 31, 1959.
Appropriation
$600.00
Labor
$439.15
Bancroft's Inc., Taking down elms and taking samples 159.00
Expended
598.15
Balance
1.85
Respectfully submitted,
ALEC FREDRICKSON Tree Warden.
REPORT OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
I hereby present our annual report of the Police Department for the year ending December 31, 1959:
During the year 45 arrests were made. Crime against public order; 23. Crime against property; 21. Crime against persons; 1.
Complaints and investigations; 1,143.
Papers served for our department and for out-of-town departments: Summons; 51. Subpoena; 1. Warrants; 5. Jury Duty; 1.
Motor Vehicle accidents for year; 116. Persons injured; 48. Fatal; 2. During the year there were 273 doors and windows left opened.
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ANNUAL REPORT
1959
Appropriation
$14,520.00
Chief Ernest LaPorte
$4,300.25
Night Patrol, Sgt. Leon Parmenter
3,424.00
Elmer C. Pease
1,089.75
Saturday and Sunday days off
1,221.00
New. England Tel. & Tel. Co.
505.16
Church Traffic
233.50
School Traffic
534.00
Vacations
198.00
Special Duty
494.35
Wrentham Lock-up
100.00
Dog Officer
150.00
Gun Licenses
25.00
General Supplies
292.30
Cruiser
1,632.52
New Equipment
319.90
Expended
$14,519.73 $ .27
Balance
During the year the cruiser has traveled 31,086 miles. We have had forty-nine (49) calls for the use of the emergency ambulance. In this instance we have taken, by doctor's request, persons to the following hospitals: Sturdy Memorial, Veteran's Hospital in Boston, Foxboro State Hospital, Roger's Nursing Home in Sheldonville and Plainville, Park Davis, Providence, R. I., Massachusetts General in Boston, and to the Pondville Hospital in Norfolk.
We greatly appreciate the help that the North Attleboro Police Depart- ment has given us by relaying messages and helping out in some of our cases. We also appreciate the aid of the Attleboro Police Department in our emer- gency runs to Sturdy Hospital.
We regret the illness of our former Chief of Police Elmer C. Pease, which forced his retirement June 24, 1959.
In conclusion, I wish to thank the members of the Department, the members of the Fire Department, the Board of Selectmen, and the various Town Officials, for their cooperation and assistance during the past year of 1959.
Respectfully submitted,
ERNEST LAPORTE,
Chief of Police.
74
ANNUAL REPORT
1959
REPORT OF TRUSTEES OF PUBLIC LIBRARY
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
One of the busiest establishments in Plainville during 1959 has been the public library. We have been visited by the kindergarten, several classes from the elementary school and at least one scout troop, in addition to the general public who often number fifty or more in an afternoon or evening. This activity is reflected in a circulation gain of approximately 18% over 1958. The library's services extend far beyond the lending of books. The amount of research done by students has surely doubled in the past year. These young people are learning that we have the information they need or we will make every attempt to get it for them, and that the library is a comfortable, pleasant place to study. Aside from the collection of books that we are building, two reasons for so many satisfied users of the library are our two librarians, Mrs. Richard Cobb and Mrs. Robert Cargill. These ladies are doing work worth far more than the slight remuneration they receive. The trustees are indeed thankful for librarians such as these.
During 1959 we have received more gifts than is is possible to mention individually. They include books, both new and used, magazine subscriptions, items of historic interest and volunteer services among other things, for all of which we are most grateful. It is good to report that the Friends of the Library carried on their assistance with a sale of used books plus a lecture by the author, Scott Corbett; and as a result of these projects, they donated $50. worth of new books to the library. Thank you, "Friends."
This year something over 200 new volumes were added to the library by our own purchases. We were also fortunate to secure a brand new edition of the Encyclopedia Americana bought with the balance of the Library Stabilization Fund. This tool has been most useful in supplementing the reference work done from the junior high through the adult level. When the need for reviews of current happenings became apparent, we subscribed to U. S. News & World Report. This along with all the magazines to which we subscribe is available for circulation.
As always we are eager to cooperate with the schools. This year we have worked with the elementary school buying some titles to correlate with the television library series which was viewed by the pupils. We have checked the books we own on the King Philip reading lists and have these on
75
ANNUAL REPORT
1959
hand to help the students. We have worked again with Girl Scouts on badges. There is a year round reading club in progress to stimulate reading interest among the boys and girls. Occasionally the librarians have been asked to speak to local groups. We are always happy to oblige these requests.
Looking to the future, we have several immediate needs. Of greatest importance is the need for more books to round our collection, for reference, and to add to our growing selection of popular reading for the adults of the community. We must continue our program of cataloguing so that our books will be of maximum use. The systematic maintenance program is vitally important to protect our investment and to keep our fine old building in the best possible condition. It is anticipated that funds will be available for the roof repairs this year. This is a necessity.
Eventually we forsee the growing need to be open more evenings and possibly Saturdays. We feel that very soon we shall have to pay the librarians at a better rate in order to maintain the excellent quality of work now being done. We also shall need new shelving as the collection grows and the old shelving weakens.
1959 has brought losses to the library. In April Mrs. Peter Kilham, who had been acting as librarian, moved to Providence. We are indebted to her for the fine work she did in the library. In December Mrs. Elmer Pease, for many years a trustee, signified that she would not seek reelection. Her service on the board should be regarded with gratitude by the entire com- munity for in past years there were many times when the library might have closed permanently but for Mrs. Pease's effort and interest.
In conclusion may we thank the townspeople for their interest and cooper- ation and all those who in any way have helped to smooth the path of progress for the Plainville Public Library.
Schedule:
The library is open Monday through Friday from 2:30 to 5 P. M., and Monday and Wednesday evenings from 7 until 9.
Statistics For The Year:
Circulation:
Juvenile fiction
3748
Juvenile nonfiction
1180
Adult fiction
1531
76
ANNUAL REPORT
1959
Adult nonfiction
804
Magazines
255
Total
7518
Appropriation
$2,252.00
Expenditures:
Supplies
$ 83.70
Dues (3 members M. L. T. A.)
6.00
Electricity
42.72
Heat
282.83
Parts and maintenance
126.36
Water
15.00
Books and magazines
455.39
Janitor
260.00
Librarians
980.00
Total
2,252.00
Balance
$ 0000.00
Respectfully submitted,
BARBARA P. FLUCK
RALPH L. POWER
ALICE M. PEASE
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