USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Randolph > Randolph town reports 1944-1949 > Part 8
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164
TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
Report of the Superintendent of Schools.
Mr. Chairman and Members of the School Com- mittee, Randolph :
I submit herewith for your approval my annual report of the Randolph public schools for the year 1944. Included herein are the reports of the high school principal, super- visors, school physician, nurse and the necessary statistical tables.
It is most gratifying to state that we have passed through another test year, testing whether this town under war conditions could actually maintain its public schools by the employment of a teacher for every classroom and per- mitting each child to attend and pursue the normal work of his grade. This accomplishment was made possible by your co-operation.
Despite the teacher shortage and the wage competition in and out of the profession, every class had a teacher when schools resumed sessions last September. Ninety-five per cent of our teachers stood by and returned to their classes. Here was an example of loyalty and devotion so often over- looked today. Without compulsion and without military obligations, these teachers, in the truest sense of the word, enlisted and took their battle stations in the class room where the great American way of life and its ideals first took root and where they will be maintained and defended through the power of education for the common good.
To the thinking public and they who support the schools it will be of interest to note that the war statisics and information now being released are being interpreted in terms of educational service. Although not free from criti- cism and possible corrective measures, these reports, never- theless, admit that our schools have rendered indispensable
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contributions to our nation's welfare. The speed with which ten million men conformed to intricate and technical special- ties demanded of them in modern war could not have been accomplished had it not been for the fundamental prepara- tion given them in our schools today. Likewise it is con- ceded that the gigantic undertaking of training another ten million, men and women, for war jobs and millions of others in pre-induction courses must have had some very close relationship to the effective and intellectual training found in the American schools. These interpretations must be comforting thoughts to teachers and school people in gen- eral who, long ago, learned to work without noise nor glam- our but who always believed, and still believe, that the schools, in the last analysis, are the real citadels of democ- racy.
It is not amiss in recognizing the negative aspects of this training, namely, that some three million men were found to be physically unfit for war service and some six hundred thousand were classified as illiterates. Although the former group, "unfit for war service," is specific, in gen- eral most of these men in life would prove to be self sup- porting and useful citizens, while the latter is definitely an educational defect possible of correction.
Physical education in Massachusetts is a requirement. It is a wise and well-balanced part of the educational pro- gram in the building of health for ALL the children. It should be integrated with courses in science, economics, ath- letic, games, dancing and the applied arts of home making, cooking, nursing, personal appearance and job getting.
Our two instructors in physical education are doing commendable work. The high school, however, demands most of their time, with the result that much of the training in the grades is left to regular classroom teachers who have neither the specialized training nor the time for this instruc- tion within their allotte programs.
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The summer playground activities were conducted under the supervision of Mr. Zapustus and three assistants. Three centers were established for a period of eight weeks : one on the high school field under the care of Mrs. Julia Mar- tus; one at the Devine school with Miss Stella Krupka as instructor and the third at the Belcher Park district under the supervision of Miss Ethel Powers. The playgrounds were open shortly after the close of school and closed the latter part of August. Average daily attendance was 145. Programs included such activities as games, sports, hand craft, singing and field trips. Special days were set aside for pet shows, exhibitions and sports and a final exhibition of all the children and their work on the high school grounds, Sunday, August 27th.
I wish to call your attention to the progress made and the method of scoring results in the handwriting program under the direction of Mr. Rinehart and his supervisors. Here is a picture of the year's results with interpretations and values in terms of the individual and the class as a whole. If this is possible in penmanship, it is also possible to obtain similar graphs of the progress and achievement in any or all subjects through the twelve grades. Although tests are not the final answers to a child's progress or to the rating of a school dealing with human beings, they do have values and results which teachers want to know.
We hope to complete the introduction of new text books in English, history, reading and arithmetic this coming year. This will include work-books in the various subjects so badly needed in the grades, particularly where there are two grades in a room.
The teaching staff is loyal and doing excellent work. They are well trained. Their educational preparations are high. Teachers are generally required to complete four years of training in certified schools before they are ready for public school work. In some school systems a Master's degree in education is required in the high school. To meet
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the growing requirements today, many of our older teachers have voluntarily taken extension or summer school courses to obtain their degrees. This is an example of true profes- sional progress which should always have its equivalent in the teacher's pay envelope. This, we know, has been your policy within the limits of your budget.
I wish to acknowledge the sincere and faithful efforts of teachers and pupils in all the various war activities which our schools have faced. In the total amount of bonds and stamps purchased within the period from September, 1943, to June, 1944, it appears that the honors will go to the De- vine School. The grand total for all schools was $58,576.60.
I am justly proud of the speed and efficiency which the School Committee showed in the redistribution and housing of the Belcher school pupils after the destruction of that school by fire March 11th. On the third day after the fire, two hundred thirty-nine pupils were back to school; some in the Prescott school, some in the Congregational church, while others were transported to the Tower Hill school. I wish to express my thanks to the Standing Com- mittee of the First Congregational Parish and to their pas- tor, Rev. Harry Butman, for the use of their pleasant class- rooms and to Mr. Dillon and his teachers for revamping their schedule to meet this emergency and to the Tower Hill teachers for their timely assistance.
It was a pleasure to work with the Belcher School Re- Building Committee appointed at the last town meeting. Here was a group of efficient men and women contributing their best to a common cause. In this connection, as strange as it may seem, even to superintendents in general, I had the single honor, and the first in my school career, to be ap- pointed to an official board for the purpose of building or reconstructing a school building with power to vote. I have on some occasions been invited to serve in an advisory capac- ity but never to sit in and to register an opinion scored by a vote. No superintendent can hope to know all the answers
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to school problems but having been trained for educational work he should be able to contribute a little to the sum total of experiences and intelligence of other members on a board. I have not been alone, however, in this strange sit- uation for school committees in the past have been wholly denied this service, much less vote. I, therefore, appreciate the trust placed in me.
Two scholarships were again presented by the Stetson High School Scholarship Fund Committee to worthy grad- uates. These and the awards by the American Legion and the Daughters of the American Revolution are academic gifts of achievement, not alone to our pupils but to teachers who work with them.
Three recommendations are submitted for your study :
1. The appointment of a reading supervisor to serve the three towns in this district.
2. Repairs to the high school building, purchase of chairs for the auditorium and the installation of new clocks.
3. To continue the study begun some years ago of schoolhouse planning, locations and types of schools for this growing town.
This year just closed has been a busy one. Whatever we may boast of as achievements have been the results of inspiration given us through your assistance and co-opera- tion for a common good.
Respectfully submitted,
A. O. CHRISTIANSEN, Superintendent of Schools.
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ONE HUNDRED AND NINTH ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF PRINCIPAL OF STETSON HIGH SCHOOL Hubert F. Gilgan, Principal
Mr. A. O. Christiansen,
Superintendent of Schools, Randolph :
An unusual circumstance accompanied the opening of school in September of this year and that was the fact that there was not a single change in the faculty of the school. We opened with the same teachers that we had when school was closed in June. This was particularly gratifying and, we believe, as it should be. We have always maintained that it is good business to keep worthwhile teachers in Ran- dolph, if possible, because if what they have to offer is ad- vantageous to children of other communities, the same is true for the children of Randolph. Of course it would not be possible to compete with the salary schedules of some communities but we feel that it should be made worth while for good teachers to remain in Randolph.
While the teacher shortage problem has not affected Randolph in any serious proportions, there is one angle which is affecting the efficiency of school and that is the im- possibility of securing substitutes. If a teacher is absent for a day or a week, it means that the classes of that teacher are without an instructor unless one of the regular teach- ers is free and can teach the particular subject. The regu- lar teachers willingly and cheerfully pitch in to help carry the load brought about by the absence of a fellow teacher but we hope for the sake of the pupils that the days of nor- malcy will soon return and our schools will be adequately staffed at all times.
In last year's report we suggested that consideration be given to the possibility of earning secondary-school credit towards a diploma by boys now in the armed forces. A large number of boys now in the service did not graduate from high school. We have had many requests from them
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about what Stetson would do toward granting of credits to- wards diplomas for work done while in the service. As yet no formal request has been made for granting such credit but we know that such requests will come in, and soon. We advise that a system be worked out whereby the service rec- ord of each applicant can be studied and a determination made as to what subjects can be honored and how much credit be allowed for each subject. Space does not permit a detailed outline but we would recommend the following plan, approved by the National Association of Secondary- School Principals. Credit should be granted for
A. The basic or recruit training program. (Max- imum credit of four credits [two units].)
B. Specialist or Technical Training programs. (Maximum credit of four credits [two units] for the successful completion of a specialist training course of 12 weeks.)
C. The off-Duty Program, i. e., correspondence courses taken under the supervision of the Armed Forces Institute. (The amount of credit be allowed to be comparable to the amount of credit we would grant for the successful completion of the same or equivalent subjects taken in the school.)
As we have said, this is but the basic outline, a start- ing point from which to proceed. But may we recommend a quick disposition of this matter so that we may be ready for immediate action when the time arrives.
We were fortunate, during the past year, to be able to purchase a 16-mm. Victor sound moving picture machine. This purchase was made possible by the class gifts of the classes of 1943 and 1944 as well as a contribution from the Activities Association. Visual Education is a factor in mod- ern education which has been proven and we believe the post-war use of the film in the classroom will be startling;
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military instructors have shown what movies can do that a straight lecture can't, that films register on the head as well as on the heart. We have begun using this machine but so far in a limited way. We are handicapped in the use of the films by two factors: (1) Lack of money to rent films and (2) a suitable place in which to show these films. We have not a single classroom which has an electric outlet to plug in to. Our auditorium is out of the question at present be- cause it cannot be darkened because of the large skylight. We are at present showing the films in the lunch room which is not adequate for the purpose. Perhaps both drawbacks could be remedied in the near future.
Two years ago we recommended that a Vocational Apti- tude Test, prepared by Boston University, be given to our pupils. We are happy to say that by the time this report is made public this will have been done. The test is scheduled for the Junior Class for January 22 and will be done at the cost of 80 cents per pupil. If this test were done for pri- vate individuals, it would cost ten dollars per individual. We believe the facts and information gained about the pupils by both the school authorities and the parents will prove the merits of this expenditure.
We wish to say a word in passing about the matter of obtaining a medical certificate from the school doctor by any pupil who has been absent from school three days or more. This may seem to some to be an inconvenience, but it does help to cut down the spread of contagious diseases in the schools. At least we do not hear of Randolph schools being closed because of a raging epidemic; rather it seems to be a safeguard to the health of our youngsters.
The last two years we recommended that the leaks in the building be tended to so that whenever it rains, water would not come through into the building. There is one leak in the skylight which allows water to fall on the play- ing surface of the Gym. Another pool of water forms on the
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TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
floor of the Sewing Room. Both conditions can be danger- ous and should be fixed. The Assembly Hall chairs still need attention, either repair or replacement. We further recommend that an auxiliary heating unit be placed in the Science Laboratory similar to those placed in the Lunchroom and Sewing Room. Since the heating pipes in the laboratory are placed at the ceiling, the heat from them does not reach the spots where it is needed.
We wonder if anything can be done to put the auxiliary clocks into condition ? There are twenty-one of these clocks around the building in the various rooms and no two of them keep the same time. This condition is most unbusinesslike and the clock system should be fixed so that the master clock and the auxiliary clocks all synchronize.
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REPORT OF THE ART SUPERVISOR Marguerite Williams
Mr. A. O. Christiansen,
Superintendent of Schools, Randolph:
Our art program throughout the grades is planned to give the students normal experiences, so that they will develop the habit of using art to enrich their activities and surroundings, both in and outside of school.
We have tried to guide each student to grow in free expression as well as appreciation. Recognition is given to those whose work shows honesty of expression as well as skill. When we realize the artist designs almost everything man uses, including all the means of war and, more impor- tant, all the constructive designs of peace, then our art education takes on new meaning.
In the elementary grades, drawing is a required sub- Ject. In High school, drawing becomes an elective subject and students may choose to study either mechanical or freehand drawing. I am pleased to report an increase in my High school classes during the past year.
Last Spring, we accepted the responsibility of creating ten background scenes for the Spring Music Festival. The older elementary and High school students, working in small groups, successfully completed these scenes, thus helping to provide the appropriate atmosphere for this very enjoyable festival.
In May, the schools of Randolph held an exhibition of all school work in Stetson Hall. At this time, the parents and friends of all the students were give nthe opportunity to leisurely enjoy the results of our art program from the first grade through High school. This exhibition repre- sented a great amount of work on the part of teachers as well as students.
May I, again, take this opportunity to sincerely thank all those throughout the school system who have been so co-operative and helpful during the past year.
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TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF HANDWRITING William L. Rinehart, Director Rinehart Functional Handwriting System
Mr. Adolph O. Christiansen, Superintendent, Randolph Public Schools :
I am pleased to submit the following report on the oper- ation of the Handwriting program in the Randolph schools for the school term of 1943-44.
In the initial handwriting tests administered in Sep- tember, 1940, 21% of the pupils made a score of "A" (Ex- cellent) ; 22% made a grade of "B" (Good) ; and 56% made grades below "B". In the tests administered in June, 1944, 87% of the pupils made grades of "A" (Excellent) ; 7% made grades of "B" (Good) ; and five made grades be- low "B". These scores indicate that excellent progress was made and I wish to compliment the pupils and teachers for their achievement.
During the school term, we graded approximately 12,- 260 formal and 36,780 informal samples of handwriting. A test was administered at monthly intervals; a detailed report was sent to each teacher monthly giving a diagnosis of the handwriting of each pupil. This report was made the basis for remedial instruction. Our supervisors visited each classroom monthly for the purpose of placing master copies of the assignment on the blackboard; also, to give general help.
We furnished the following materials : Monthly teacher outlines, pupil folder outlines, monthly diagnostic charts, term testing paper, monthly and yearly envelopes, room motivation certificates, individual handwriting certificates for ninth grade pupils who qualified, seals, etc.
I appreciate the fine co-operation we have received from your pupils and teachers.
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ONE HUNDRED AND NINTH ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF DIRECTOR OF VOCATIONAL GUIDANCE Joseph W. Daly
Mr. A. O. Christiansen,
Superintendent of Schools, Randolph :
Our guidance program during the past year was specifi- cally aimed at the guidance of three groups: (a) Pupils who leave school before the completion of the secondary school period. (b) Pupils who will not continue their schooling beyond the senior high school. (c) Pupils who are looking forward to entering college or some other type of higher institution. We have tried to give the pupils an opportunity to discover their interests, aptitudes, and abilities and to guide them in the wise choice of career and in making such decision about their future training or occupation as have to be made from time to time.
Toward this goal every member of the Freshman and Senior Classes was interviewed and as many members of the Sophomore and Junior Classes as possible. I also have given several Stanford-Binet Intelligence Tests. A com- plete guidance record of all students (Pupil War Inventory Blank) is now on file. Conferences have been held with various groups on the qualifications, opportunities, etc. of various occupations.
The Boston University Testing Service, with us for the first time this year, is of inestimable value in guidance. These tests will help us to discover the various aptitudes, interests, etc., of the pupils.
I am now taking two courses in order to learn more fully the meaning and interpretation of these types of tests.
In general the guidance program, due in no small meas- ure to the Boston University Testing program and the indi- vidual intelligence tests now being administered, has reached a satisfactory point of development.
In closing my report I wish to express my sincere appreciation to all who have aided me during the past year.
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TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
REPORT OF THE MUSIC SUPERVISOR Bernice D. Burdick
Mr. Christiansen,
Superintendent of Schools :
The music in the public schools for the past year included more student participation in musical programs than class room teaching. This method correlated with other school subjects, making it a comprehensive whole rather than independent courses with little or no relation.
Last spring the students of the Randolph schools pre- sented a festival, "The History of United States in Dance and Song." This required a knowledge of history of the Ameri- can Indians, the Pilgrims, Revolutionary Days, Building of the West and the periods during the Civil and World Wars. History classes co-operated by furnishing historical back- ground, life, customs, manner of dress of the people of these periods and the rich cultural influence contributed by them to the American way of life. The Art Department through its Supervisor, Miss Williams, designed and set up appro- priate stage effects. Over 300 children took part in this Festival.
This fall, for the purpose of variation, programs were presented by several schools.
The McNeill School presented a Thanksgiving program of the Pilgrims and the first Thanksgiving. At Christmas time the Prescott School had a program which included a musicale of "Christmas Shopping" and the "Eve Before Christmas." The intermediate grades presented the "Na- tivity of Christ" and the Junior High School Chorus sang classic songs.
The Devine School at a later period will present a patriotic program while the Belcher School will hold a spring or May Day Festival.
I wish to take this opportunity to express my thanks for the support and co-operation which I have received throughout the school system this past year.
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ONE HUNDRED AND NINTH ANNUAL REPORT REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC Myron B. Thomas
Mr. Adolph O. Christiansen,
Superintendent of Schools :
I herewith submit my annual report as Director of Instrumental Music and High school chorus.
On April 14, we presented to the people of Randolph a most enjoyable evening of concert music by the Stetson High school and Prescott Junior High School bands. The bands' program was augmented by solo, duet, and trio numbers by selected band members. The twirling corps of both bands added their talents to the program, the leaders of each corps giving solo exhibitions. The occasion was a memorable one for the Prescott Junior Band, since it was their initial appearance in their new uniforms. It was decided that the proceeds of the concert be used to defray the expenses of the uniforms. During Art Week, both bands participated at the exhibition on respective nights.
Each band held its prominent place in the Memorial Day parade which added greatly to the exercises of the com- memorative occasion. Stetson High school band formed the musical background for the high school graduation, while the Junior band commendably provided the music for the Junior High school graduation.
The annual instrumental survey was conducted this Fall in the usual manner, for the purpose of discovering and developing any prospective players.
The high school band holds its weekly rehearsals on Fridays in the Town Hall. Membership of the band, includ- ing the twirling corps, numbers 40.
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Prescott Junior band meets regularly on Thursdays. Its membership, including twirlers, is 45.
Plans are now underway in both bands for the annual concert. A varied and interesting program is being pre- pared.
The school chorus rehearses weekly on Tuesdays. The work is on general school choral selections. The chorus and Stetson High school band were well received when they pre- sented numbers at a meeting of the Ladies' Library Asso- ciation last Spring.
The extra half day granted me for preparatory work in the grades is greatly appreciated, as it enables me to dis- cover and develop talent among the younger children so that they will be thoroughly competent when they take their places in the Junior or Senior band.
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