USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Plainville > Plainville, Massachusetts annual reports 1951-1959 > Part 82
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REHABILITATION
and TRUST ACCOUNTS
891.42
Post War Rehabilitation Fund
891.42
727.30
School Fund
727.30
262.60
War Relief Fund 262.60
$1,881.32
$1,881.32
NET FUNDED OR FIXED DEBT
Funded or Fixed Debt School Building
$325,000.00 $325,000.00
ANNUAL REPORT
of the
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
of the
KING PHILIP REGIONAL SCHOOL
DISTRICT
WRENTHAM, MASSACHUSETTS
For the Year Ending December 31, 1959
7
1959
ANNUAL REPORT
123
KING PHILIP REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT COMMITTEE
Mr. Hugh McC. Marshall
Term Expires 1961
Mr. Seth Armen
Term Expires 1961
Mr. Henri Beauchemin
Term Expires 1960
Mr. Roger Goodwin
Term Expires 1960
Mr. Edward M. Hemmingsen
Term Expires 1960
Mr. Robert C. Haseltine
Term Expires 1960
Mr. Alvin J. Freeman
Term Expires 1960°
Mr. Charles W. Semple
Term Expires 1960°
Dr. C. Stanley Raymond
Term Expires 1960°
Organization Mr. Hugh McC. Marshall, Chairman Mr. Edward M. Hemmingsen, Vice Chairman Mrs. Dana Hill, Secretary
Superintendent of Schools
Mr. Frederick J. Delaney, 207 Franklin Street, Wrentham, Mass. Telephone: Office-EVergreen 4-3143 - Residence-EVergreen 4-2654
Superintendent's Office
Mrs. Paul F. Sheehan Mrs. Robert R. Sharp
Regular Meeting of the School District Committee
Every second and fourth Tuesday at King Philip Regional High School at 7:30 p. m.
° Appointed by Local School Committee
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ANNUAL REPORT
1959
TO THE CITIZENS OF THE KING PHILIP REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT:
We are pleased to report to you our progress for the year 1959.
We urge you to carefully study the individual reports as presented by our Administrators and Department Heads. We believe we have been successful in our efforts to provide a good educational program for the students in the District, at a reasonable cost to the Region.
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We wish to assure you, the citizens of the Region, we will continue to evaluate our program in the future, and endeavor to maintain high standards in the King Philip Regional School.
We wish to thank our Administrators, Staff, Student Body, Local News- papers, Citizens of the District and all others who have contributed to the welfare of our School during the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
HUGH McC. MARSHALL, Chairman King Philip Regional School District Committee.
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ANNUAL REPORT
1959
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS To the School Committee and the Citizens of
King Philip Regional School District
May I present my third annual report as your Superintendent of Schools.
As has been the practice for many years, included in my general report are the reports of the Principal, Vocational Director, Supervisors, Department Chairmen, School Nurse, plus the usual tables and statistical data.
Importance of the Classroom Teacher
The public school is one of the principal institutions provided by demo- cratic society to guide and direct the growth of its young people toward the role of citizens. Together with the home and assisted by other agencies in the communities, the school provides activities designed to guide the all-round development of individual youth.
The school's prime resource by which these objectives will be realized is the classroom teacher. It is he who will plan and direct the objectives by which the individual's growth will be shaped; in the school it is he who will contribute most to the process of meeting the individual student's needs. To accomplish this he must know something of what the students are like as a group and as individuals; he must realize that each young person will have need of these skills, attitudes, and understandings to a different degree and that they can be met only through teaching that takes into account this individuality.
The teachers' salary schedule is presently on a par with some communities in this area. The teaching salary range at King Philip, as of September, 1960, is $4,000 to $6,400 on the bachelor's degree level and upwards to a maximum of $6,700 on the master's degree. There seems to be no question as to the upward trend of teachers' salaries. King Philip must be prepared to move along with this trend in order to retain and obtain the most competent teachers for our children.
Budget
What the district wants and what it is willing to pay for affect the scope and quality of curricular offerings that can be scheduled in the school. The amount of money available for the educational program determines the number
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of curricular activities that may be offered. It determines the teacher-pupil ratio in the classroom, which affects directly the amount of attention each teacher can give to individual students and the degree to which she is able to teach wide ranges of abilities and interests. It determines the class and extra curricular load assigned to each teacher, and the extra time for planning and conferences with students. It will determine the number of specialists who can be employed to bring resources and assistance to classroom teachers. Perhaps most important, it determines the quality of teaching that can be secured by fixing the salaries that can be paid to teachers.
Through the far-sightedness of the School Committee the 1960 budget was closely scrutinized so that it is in keeping with what the districts wants and what it is willing to pay for.
The per-pupil cost for 1960, Grades 7-12, will be $427.52 which is favor- able with other regional districts of comparable size.
Enrollment
Elsewhere in this report you will find statistical data with reference to school enrollment. Since we opened the school in 1957 with an enrollment of 835, we are now at 1053, an increase of 218 pupils. Present census figures show that the enrollment will reach, by 1963, in grades 7-12, a figure of 1338. This figures does not take into consideration new housing developments and people moving within the district.
Conclusion
Education today is faced with numerous challenges - changes in the home, at work and in the use of leisure time. Proper use of natural resources, a smaller world, industrial economy, school enrollments, and education for all people are among those challenges that must be of sincere concern. And so, in our district, we must be continually alert, we must study and evaluate our curriculum, equipment and facilities. Constructive criticism and sugges- tions from all citizens and fellow educators are welcome.
In closing this report, may I express my sincere appreciation for the cooperation, understanding and help given me by the School Committee and organizations in the district. It has been a pleasure to carry out my respon- sibilities.
Respectfully submitted,
FREDERICK J. DELANEY Superintendent of Schools.
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ANNUAL REPORT
1959
REPORT OF THE PRINCIPAL OF KING PHILIP REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
To: The Superintendent of Schools Regional School Committee, Citizens of the District:
I am pleased to report real progress in carrying out the objectives of King Philip Regional High School.
The grouping of students so that they will have the opportunity for maximum achievement is proving to be of great value. The factural evidence of this is that the normal achievement for King Philip students is above the natural standing.
The levels of instruction have been expanded to include a new level. This level was created to help any student who was three or more years retarded on achievement. All parents were invited to have individual con- ferences so that they might know what the new level of instruction was designed to accomplish. The parents had the opportunity to decide whether they wanted their son or daughter to take part in the new level of instruction. The parent interest and cooperation is excellent and the students are making very satisfactory progress.
The Academic inventory for the class of 1960 has been completed. This shows what subjects had been taken and how many advanced courses completed.
The elective courses in Art, Crafts, Industrial Arts, Home Economics and Foreign Language have been reorganized so that they are limited to the 7 and 8 Grade level. The New System is less confusing to the 7th and 8th Grades and provides parent and student the opportunity to make a choice that will benefit the students' future program.
The Department Chairmen have done an outstanding job in planning and carrying out the program of activities for their respective departments. Monthly meetings are held with the Chairman to coordinate the activities of the school.
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ANNUAL REPORT
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The Handbook for Teachers was completed and this gives the operating policy for the school. It also answers many questions that have been raised during the first two years of operation. All teachers have immediate reference to the operating policy.
The Student Council of the School is now organized and they have written and adopted a constitution. The Student Council Convention of Southeastern Massachusetts will be held at King Philip Regional High School during the month of April.
The sound film entitled "Library Service of the Future" has been com- pleted. Copies of the film have been sold to the State Department of Education, the National Association of Libraries and Simmons College. The film was made a part of the course for the training of professional librarians at Simmons College. King Philip Regional High School has two copies and they are available for showing, free of charge, to any interested groups of the district.
The representative group of the students who were selected to take part in the first educational exchange have worked hard and have learned a lot in planning and carrying out this educational activity. The parents and all the people of the district can be proud of their young people as they take their educational activities beyond the classroom.
The evaluation of the program is scheduled for the Academic Year 1960 -61. This will mean that we will get full accreditation from the New England Association of Secondary Schools and Colleges.
The cooperation and support of the Superintendent of Schools, Regional School Committee and Citizens of the District is greatly appreciated as we strive to improve the quality of education for the youth of the district.
Respectfully submitted,
WARREN H. PRESSLEY, Jr., Principal King Philip Regional High School.
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ANNUAL REPORT
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MUSIC DEPARTMENT
Raymond R. Hill, Director
The Music Program has progressed steadily during the past year. At the present time approximately one-half of the students enrolled at King Philip are participating in a music activity.
General Music - This is scheduled one period per week. General Music is required at the seventh grade level; and due largely to the excellent facilities and equipment available at the school, we are able to provide these first year students with a sound and diversified program. The course includes singing, theoretical subject material a program of listening and experience in a wide range of exploratory topics pertaining to music. At the present time we have seven General Music classes scheduled weekly.
Instrumental Music - The Band meets three times a week during the Activity period, and in addition to the full rehearsals the members are sched- uled for heterogeneous instrumental class instruction during their study periods. During this past year the Band has been very active. The schedule of activities and performances include the following: The Spring concert; a trip to Dedham, Massachusetts to attend the Southeastern District Music Festival, where the members competed for the first time and received a final rating of "A" from the Adjudicator; the Memorial Day Parade in Plain- ville and Wrentham; a Concert at each of the elementary schools in Norfolk, Plainville and Wrentham; a Concert at the State School; the Graduation Exercises at King Philip which included Class Night, Baccalaureate and Grad- uation; performances at the football games both at home and away; participation in School assemblies; a Concert at the Massachusetts School Food Service Association Convention held at King Philip, and the Christmas Concert. Besides the Band which numbers sixty-three, we had to form a new instrumental group to provide instruction for the thirty-three seventh grade instrumentalists who came up from the elementary schools. This class meets one period per week.
Choral Music - The Choir is elective in Grades IX - XII, and up until June 1959, we had forty-two members. However, at the start of the school year in September the membership increased and the Choir now totals one hundred and ten students. This activity is scheduled to meet twice a week during the Activity period. The Choir participated in the Spring Concert, the Graduating Exercises at King Philip, and at the Christmas Concert. A
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Junior Choir totaling one hundred and forty, seventh and eighth grade students was organized in September, and this group made its first appearance at the Christmas Concert.
In addition to the above, one music period per week has been scheduled for the Fourth Level Students. This program was specifically planned to meet the needs and interests of these pupils. It includes instrumental music, sing- ing and music apprecation with particular emphasis on individual participation.
We have not been able to include an orchestra in the music program during this past year, but we did utilize the services of the available violinists, and in so doing the Concert Band had the experience of working with strings in performance of some of the more intricate and serious music. We are particularly proud of the fact that one of our musicians tried-out and was chosen to represent King Philip in the Greater Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra.
The Music Department feels that much has been accomplished in this past year, and we look to the future for continued growth both in the progress of the Music Program and the Educational Opportunities offered to the students at King Philip.
READING PROGRAM
Alice E. Church, Chairman
Our development reading program is planned to help students raise their level of comprehension, increase and develop their vocabularies, increase their rate of reading, and to learn good study habits and methods.
The program under the direction of Mrs. Alice Church was offered to all eighth graders and twelfth graders two hours each week during the first two terms of the 1958-1959 school year. At the same time, seventh and ninth graders studied for one term as part of their language arts program. The last two terms of the same school year, the course was offered to upper and lower level tenth and eleventh graders. September to January, 1959-1960, the program has been offered to all seventh graders three hours per week.
The Controlled Reader is used to improve directional attack, vocabulary, comprehension, rate of reading, and to decrease the number of regressions.
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ANNUAL REPORT
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The Tach-X is used to broaden eye span, develop visual memory, and preception. It is used, also, in vocabulary study and spelling.
The Reading Rate Accelerators have been used with some students to aid in increasing rate.
The textbooks and workbooks used are: Texts - "How to Become a Better Reader" and "How to Improve Your Reading" by Paul Witty; Work- books - the Scott, Foresman "Basic Reading Skills for Junior High and High School." The graded S. R. A. Reading Laboratory is used to a great extent. Ward Miller's "Word Wealth" is used in the High School for vocabulary study.
All students are given the S. R. A. Diagnostic Reading Survey Test at the beginning of the course to discover individual student strengths and weak- nesses in comprehension, rate, and vocabulary. A second form of the test is given at the end of the course to determine individual progress. This year the seventh graders were given the Personal Reading Record Tests between terms to again inventory their skills. The Iowa Tests are also given for further profiling.
The course will be offered to eighth graders and in the High School during the last two terms of the current school year. It is hoped that with the addition of another reading teacher and the further integration of the propram in the language arts courses that all students will have an opportun- ity to become part of the projected study in smaller classes where more individual attention can be given.
Along with the development program a remedial program has been instituted this year. This remedial course is being offered once a week to all students in the level IV group. The program has been surprisingly well received.
Apart from individual and group improvement in the various reading skills, one most important result of the program is the growing awareness among the students of reading as a skill in itself and of its basic importance to the entire school curriculum.
SOCIAL STUDIES DEPARTMENT
Erick Sargent, Chairman
This department offers a variety of courses which are geared to take the
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child systematically from a history of the world up to a modern course in the history of the United States. At the same time we offer a number of elective courses for the student interested in specialized study.
An understanding of why things were done as they were and the effects of the past and present on our future are two of our basic aims.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
Elmer Silva, Director of Physical Education & Athletics
Physical Education:
As reported last year the National A. A. U. physical fitness and proficiency tests were given to all students. Approximately 63% passed all phases and these students will receive certificates from the National Association for their excellent performance.
From the results of the A. A. U. tests and general observations of all grades, there is a definite need for more physical education classes for grades seven and eight. It is hoped that these two grades will receive three classes per week next year rather than the two now scheduled for all students.
Miss Frances Rich is our girl's instructor this year, replacing Miss Audry Palmer and Miss Gloria Vasile. She coaches all girls' interscholastic athletics, teaches all girls' physical education classes, and this year inaugurated a drill team which many of you might have seen performing so well at one of our football games.
As the enrollment at King Philip increases and the physical education classes grow larger the need of another instructor for both boys and girls becomes essential if more individual attention is to be given to the needs of all students.
This spring a demonstration of the winter program in physical education will be given. It is hoped many will attend to get first-hand information of what is being done in the physical education department.
Athletics
Our athletic teams are improving and the spectator interest is improving but still leaves much to be desired. More and more students are attending
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ANNUAL REPORT
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the athletic events but the adults of the district are very conspicuous by their lack of attendance at these functions.
The changes in the coaching staff this year are: Mr. Clarence Bennett, head football coach, resigned for a position with the Maine State Department of Education. We will all miss Coach Bennett but wish him well in his new venture in education. As yet no decision has been made for his replace- ment. The assistant coaches, Mr. John Robbins, and Mr. Michael Cosentino, did an excellent job with the boys in taking over the remainder of the season.
Mr. Walter Littlefield and Mr. Donald Horan, our assistant baseball coaches, have both moved to new teaching positions.
Mr. Robbins and Mr. Sargent will assist Mr. Cosentino in the develop- ment of our baseball program. Mr. Cosentino is also Assistant Ice Hockey Coach.
At the time of this writing our basketball and hockey teams are doing very well and it is hoped that all of you will make every effort in seeing both of these fine teams in action.
Health Education
This phase of the education program is not in operation this year. It is hoped that the physical education staff will be increased so this important phase of the program can take its rightful place in the school curriculum.
Driver Education
Classroom instruction in driver education is the only part of the program in operation this year. Behind-the-wheel instruction must be obtained by the student from commercial driving schools.
I have been very pleased with the cooperation which this department has received from other departments, the administration, and the Committee. We in the department look forward to continued growth in the fields of physical education and athletics.
FOREIGN LANGUAGE DEPARTMENT Robert Grant, Chairman
Instruction in the modern languages of French, Spanish, and German is being accomplished with the following objectives being strived for:
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1. Drill in the grammar and vocabulary of the language.
2. An acceptable pronunciation of the tongue.
3. Intensive drill and training in the spoken language, with constant repitition of French, German and Spanish idiomatic expressions - to enable the student to acquire a reasonable comprehension of the spoken tongue.
4. A reading knowledge of the language.
5. An ability to express oneself in writing in the language.
Instruction in Latin is being accomplished as above with the exception of the oral spoken part of the language, the emphasis being placed upon reading and comprehending Latin, and noting the derivation of many English words from their Latin mother.
BUSINESS DEPARTMENT
Helen Kelleher, Chairman
Enrollment in the Business Department showed a decided increase.
A new business subject, "Fundamentals of Business", was inaugurated to take the place of "Salesmanship". "Fundamentals of Business" includes the elements of salesmanship, business structures, a review of business English, business arithmetic, and a large unit on business law. This subject proved very successful and is being further developed in the current year.
The business graduates were in particular demand. All those who had saticfactorily completed the business course and wanted an office position were given a choice of several openings. Graduates were placed in local and Boston business firms.
MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT
Edward J. Morgan, Chairman
The Mathematics Department has been efficiently working to fulfill the immediate aims of the Department in meeting the basic needs of the individual student. To attain these well stated aims, the program has been enriched with multiple opportunities for the student to gain a complete knowledge of the subject matter offered.
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ANNUAL REPORT
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In these times of ever-increasing opportunities and the challenges offered in mathematics and allied fields, the Departmennt will continue to introduce new subject areas of study wherever feasible. A course "Introduction to Calculus and Analytic Geometry" is now under consideration.
It is the purpose of each member of the Mathematics Department to give special assistance to each student whenever possible. Although the method of homogeneous grouping by levels has aided in the teaching process, the teachers themselves have effectively sub-divided their individual classes to .give greater opportunities to each student.
Periodic meetings have helped to organize the Department into a team- regulating policy and better acquainting each member with the problems and attainments in each individual classroom.
VISUAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
Francis J. Gallipeau, Chairman
Use of materials and equipment - Approximately 3500 hours of use of Audio-Visual materials and equipment by teachers of King Philip Regional High School. This includes use of films, rented and free, filmstrips, opaque projector, overhead projector, phonographs and cameras.
Four (4) football films were taken this fall (approx. 2000 ft.)
One (1) basketball film (300 ft.) scheduled.
One (1) hockey film (300 ft.) scheduled.
One (1) baseball film (300 ft.) scheduled.
Films will be used by coaches for study and improvement of players and also for public relations.
The production of one (1) 15 minute 16 mm sound film showing the Health and Physical Education Program at King Philip Regional School is scheduled this winter under the direction of Mr. Elmer Silva, Director of Physical Education.
The photography Laboratory established last year is under complete operation. A nucleus of five students has been instructed in dark room procedure, and these, in turn, will train other interested pupils.
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ANNUAL REPORT
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LANGUAGE ARTS DEPARTMENT
Grace W. Capron, Chairman
It is the aim of the English Department to stress reading, speaking, writing, and listening, the basic skills, in all classes at all levels. The Reading program continues with special emphasis in grade seven. Films and records are used frequently in the study of literature. Reading reports, research papers, and reference work require the use of the library facilities. Creative writing is encouraged and some pupils have availed themselves of the oppor- tunities to participate in several contests and have had original essays and poems printed in high school anthologies. Many special projects have been accomplished relating the importance of English to daily life. Excellent displays of pupil work have been featured in the cases in the bus lobby. Oral expression has been emphasized through prepared and impromptu panels and reports. Extra help is available to all pupils. Student activity has produced better study habits and greater interest in literature. A student teacher from Northeastern University has been an asset to this Department. After a period of observing, the student teaches classes under supervision.
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