Randolph town reports 1960-1963, Part 50

Author:
Publication date: 1960
Publisher: Town of Randolph
Number of Pages: 968

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I wish to commend the hundreds of high school students, who, under trying conditions, have behaved admirably and have con- tinued to maintain a high standard of academic achievement. The removal of grade 9 pupils in September will make possible fur- ther revision of the curriculum and a relief from the crowded conditions. However, the relief will be only temporary, and by 1967 the building will be too small and approximately a 50% addi- tion should be ready by that time.

We read constantly of the "drop-out" problem in our country, and it is a problem of national concern. Therefore, it is a mat- ter of pride that we show only a 3.2% dropout in Randolph. Even so, we continue to be interested in the problem, if we lose only 1 % or one pupil.

Your particular attention is called to the report of the Direc- tor of Guidance, concerning the scholarships awarded the grad- uates of the Class of 1963 from Randolph High School. This is positive proof of the fact that pupils attending Randolph High School, if they will work, can compete with pupils attending any secondary school, public or private.

ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT

Our school population continues to expand and stories that we have reached a levelling-off period, are in error. Grade I this year, with a total of 581 pupils shows an increase of 52 over that of last year, again, despite the fact that St. Mary's has a first grade of about 85 children. Each week pupils enter our schools as new homes are completed, and even though quite a few pupils have moved out of town, we have a net increase of 37 elementary pupils from September through December. Our latest tabulation. shows a total day-school enrollment of 5,163.

Many people do not realize that in addition to our regular en- rollment, we provide money in our appropriation for many other activities, such as:

a. Evening Practical Arts courses for approximately 400 people.

b. Tuition and transportation costs for Randolph pupils at- tending Vocational schools out of town. This amounts to $18,170.10.

c. Tuition and transportation costs of $17,412.00 for handi- capped students to attend specialized schools.

d. The sum of $4,015.00 for the operation of six summer playgrounds for a period of eight weeks in the summer. Funds are also provided for the payment of custodians who work overtime when many youth organizations use the school facilities for basketball and other recreation- al activities during the indoor season.

e. The operation for fourteen weeks of two clinics on Satur- day mornings from 9:00 to 12:00 noon for the instruction of pupils of grades 3-8 in the basic techniques of basket- ball.

All of our school facilities are truly community buildings, for they are constantly used evenings and weekends for a multitude of activities by practically all organizations of Randolph.

The need for an administrative headquarters wherein might be centered all personnel involved in the total operation of the Randolph Public Schools is constantly felt. The efficient and proper operation of a school system the size of Randolph makes such a building an absolute must. Also in the operation of our total school plant, worth at least $8,500,000, it is necessary that enough money be appropriated for a common-sense repair and maintenance system. It is a fool's economy to put off proper repairs and maintenance until major breakdowns occur. We are constantly being told that government should operate as effi- ciently as private business, and certainly business protects its plant investments. A major step has been made in this direction

TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASSACHUSETTS

with the appointment of the maintenance supervisor, but he needs a crew competent in number in ability, and sufficient funds if we are to protect the capital investment of the people of Randolph.

We were all deeply grieved early in 1963 with the sudden and untimely death of Mr. Fred Murray, assistant principal and sixth grade teacher at the Devine School. Mr. Murray had also served as Director of our summer playgrounds, and on the town Recrea- tion Committee, as well as being President of his P.T.A. He was an outstanding educator, father, husband, and a real gentleman. His loss was felt by all of us who worked with him.

The success of the Randolph Public Schools depends upon the cooperation of all concerned, and this applies to parents as well as school personnel. Respect for authority must be taught in the home, as well as in school and church or temple. This respect is an ever-growing thing, and must be nurtured early in the child's life. Parents should not be governed by the child's statement that "other kids do it", for this same line of attack is employed by the "other kids" on their parents. We must all work together, and "stick" together, for the good of our youth and the good of our nation.

In conclusion, I wish to thank all the members of the Ran- dolph School Committee with whom I have had the pleasure of working. The willingness of all of these people who give so gen- erously of their time, their energy and their ability, with no re- muneration, towards the successful growth of the Randolph Schools, is a source of inspiration to all. I extend my thanks and appreciation also to Mr. William J. Lynch, Assistant Superintend- ent of Schools, and to the principals, supervisors, teachers, and clerks, cafeteria, custodial, and maintenance personnel, for their wholehearted devotion and cooperation in providing an educational program for the children of Randolph, of which every citizen may be justifiably proud, and I also wish to thank all those employed in the other Departments of the Town who have cooperated so well with us on every occasion.

Respectfully submitted,

THOMAS L. WARREN Superintendent of Schools

ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT

REPORT OF THE HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL

Perhaps the most pressing item to report is the housing situ- ation in the high school building. This building is officially listed with a capacity of 1200 pupil stations. This means any place where a student can sit - including 80 seats in the Library, 80 in the oral English room (now the Language Laboratory) and 40 in what was formerly the School Department office (now used by the Guidance Department). This is a total of 200 pupil stations. Al- lowing 60 seats available for students in the Language Laboratory and the Library, this would make the classroom capacity about 1050 - not 1200. According to the School Department enrollment figures as of October 1, 1962, there were 1144 pupils in Grades 9-12 and according to figures on October 1, 1963 for the same grades, the number was 1207 pupils - about 157 more than ca -· pacity, and on December 20, 1963, it was 1241.

Projecting the picture into 1964 and counting pupils now in Grades 8-11, which would be Grades 9-12 next year, (not count- ing possible losses or gains), we arrive at the figure of approxi- mately 1333 pupils, which the present building could not handle. Therefore, the decision to make the system a 6-3-3 is a wise one, and, we believe, the only course open. Thus the high school will become a three-year school. However, as a three-year school, the high school building is not yet out of the woods, be- cause again using the school department figures as of October 1, 1962, and with a three-year high school, the enrollment projec- tion would indicate these facts: September of 1964 would have an enrollment of 956; September 1965 - 1075; September 1966 - 1124; September 1967 - 1187. We have again passed the saturation point and the end is not in sight. It would seem, therefore, that in the not too distant future, serious thinking must be done about the housing in the Senior High School. The need is more imme- diate than most people realize, and the alternative is to again put the High School on two shifts, either in 1967 or 1968. As of this date, the school population is 5161 pupils. The writer can remember the time when the population of the whole town of Ran- dolph was not much larger than that.

During the year 1963, many former students and teachers of a beloved Superintendent of Schools, Mr. Adolph O. Christiansen, were saddened by the passing on of an educator who had given much of his life to the service of Randolph and its people. He was an upright and loyal citizen of the town. His record has been one of steady, sure and safe progress in the field of education. Careful behind-the-scene contacts with those in his charge, his advice and encouragement to teachers and pupils alike, paid dividends of which only he would know. Today, his work and ef - forts will live on, as he would wish them to, and although he suf- fered much in his last illness, through it all he retained his

TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASSACHUSETTS

courageous spirit and his high ideals of public and private life, giving to both to the best of his ability. Of Mr. Christiansen it can be said that - he is not gone who lives in the hearts of those he leaves behind. He will live through the years eternal life in the minds of those who knew him best.

Randolph, during the past year, including the high school, was subjected to considerable vandalism which, unfortunately, has been experienced by other area communities. In addition, the high school was victimized by a series of four needless "bomb-scare telephone calls which, of course, were found to be spurious. All of this may give rise to the legitimate question, "Why?". There are many reasons which could give rise to such actions, but the most important thing to consider is that these things present an inaccurate picture of the young people, inasmuch as only a very small number or percentage of children are involved; yet all students are tarred by the same brush. It is the usual thing to give publicity to happenings performed by poor school citizens to the extent that many or most of the fine things young people do are ignored. To know the vast bulk of students in this school would indicate to anyone that these are the youngsters who have adopted, and support out of their own pockets, an overseas or- phan; these are the youngsters who also voluntarily, and at their own suggestion, contribute to a memorial to the late President Kennedy; these are the youngsters who voluntarily sent a large contribution of their own money to the bereaved family of the Dallas Police Officer Tippitt; these are the youngsters who vol- untarily contribute of their time and energies to regular hospital work. Many are the acts of many students to indicate they are children with fine "bringing up" and stellar citizenship qualities. We can be proud of most of them and look forward with confidence to the future in which these same individuals will take an active part.

Athletics is an integral part of the life of any high school. It is also a part that has its ups and downs. For a period there will be good teams and then periods when we will be building. Most schools experience this. Our track team is a case in point. Ever since our very capable track coach, Mr. G. John Pistone, has taken over the track coaching duties, starting from scratch, has by hard work, persistence and know-how, built up our teams so much so that Randolph High School Cross-Country Track Team won championships and trophies in the following events: Catholic Memorial Invitational Meet (Division II), South Shore Champion- ship Meet, State Cross-Country Meet, South Shore Principals' Meet and Hockamock League Championship Meet. Congratula - tions to Coach Pistone and to the boys for a job well done.

A few facts concerning our graduates of 1963 deserve men- tion here. Ninety-one students in a class of 176 went on to further

ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT

their education - representing about 52% of the class as against 14% the preceeding year. 45 out of 51 pupils applying to colleges received 86 acceptances. This 51 represents an increase of 60% on acceptances over the previous year. 29 members of the Bus1- ness and General courses were accepted to study beyond high school compared to 11 in 1962. Six students received a total of 13 scholarships and loan grants from colleges and universities in the New England area. Of the Business course students who did not continue their education, 73 were placed in jobs before graduation. College acceptances received by our 1963 graduates came from Northeastern, State Colleges at Bridgewater, Boston and Lowell, Massachusetts State, Boston University, Boston Col- lege, Tufts University, Lowell Tech, Boston Conservatory of Music, Harvard, Holy Cross, Middlebury, Providence, Amherst, Bowdoin, South Hampton College, Bentley, Moody Bible Institute, Barrington University of Connecticut, Assumption, Simmons, Curry, Suffolk, Syracuse among others. We think it appropriate at this time to say that it is too bad that more schools do not make it possible for more of the less-than-brilliant students to go to college. There are so many boys and girls who don't rank in the top ten percent of their classes, but do have other charac- teristics which would make them quite desirable as students in many colleges. Since stress is so strongly placed on high schol- arship alone, many worthy students have no chance of a college education. It is unfortunate, but that is the way it is.

Respectfully submitted,

HUBERT F. GILGAN Principal

REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF GUIDANCE

It is herewith my pleasure to report to the Superintendent of Public Schools, to the Members of the School Committee and to the townspeople of Randolph on the activities of the Guidance De- partment of the Randolph Public Schools for the year 1963.

The guidance program has now assumed a definite and defin- able tone and temper in the Randolph Public Schools. The serv- ices that are within its function are well known to school person- nel, to the student bodies of the secondary schools, and in a sense, to the lay people of the community.

The emphasis in guidance must be geared to the full and proper development of each student, as an individual. Conse- quently, it is incumbent upon the guidance program to direct each

TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASSACHUSETTS

one of its services towards this end. In the Randolph Public Schools, this is now being done in a manner which is inclusive of all aspects of education, but pointedly, exclusive of the responsi- bilities relative to the functions of administration and instruction.

The year 1963 witnessed a change in staff personnel, when Mr. James A. Sullivan, a counselor in the High School, accepted the position of Director of Guidance in the neighboring town of Holbrook. Mr. Sullivan was an exceptionally able counselor and made a number of worthwhile contributions to the guidance pro- gram here in Randolph.

In November, Mr. Sullivan's duties were assumed by Mr. Thomas Cassese, who comes to us from the Weymouth School System. The excellence of his background for the position has been evidenced by the rapid adjustments he has made to his responsibilities and by the high quality of his efforts.

Otherwise, the Staff has remained unchanged. Miss Winifred M. Brennan, Assistant Director, and Miss Isabelle J. Bennett continue to serve on the High School level, while Miss Anna K. Good and Mr. Adelino J. Bernardo serve as counselors at North Junior High School.

The Follow-up Study, conducted on each graduating class, provides a multiplicity of facts concerning a variety of subjects which prove beneficial to an analysis of the school and its needs. In relation to the Class of 1962, the Study showed the following breakdown of graduate activities: Employed: 56%; Further Edu- cation: 35%; Armed Services: 5%; Homemaking: 3.5% and Un- employed: 5%. Such figures illustrate patterns of planning for curriculum needs and remained near the norm of years past.

The placement figures for the Class of 1963 evidenced a significant change in this scheme, however. In a class of 185, 180 members (96%) were situated in a school or a job before graduation day in June. Eighty-two graduates went into employ- ment; three into the service, and ninety-five had been accepted for further education. Suddenly, the area of further education had swung from 31.6% in 1961 and 35% in 1962 to well over 50% in 1963.

In addition, the number of students matriculating at four year colleges almost doubled from twenty-five in 1962 to forty- seven in 1963. In the complex society of today, such a trend is highly desirable, but at the same time, it places an onus on the school system to react and provide properly for these students in their newly-stated needs, while assuring that the standards of excellence affecting the other students remain high and demand- ing.

ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT

It has been said that a sign of the worth of a guidance program can be measured by the amount of scholarship money it attracts to its students. While it is difficult to accept this premise without debate, it is facile to report on the increase in money which was made available to the graduates of the Class of 1963.

The Class of 1962 had received $43, 775.00 in scholarships, including $30,000.00 from the Service Academies and the NROTC and $8,000.00 from various colleges and universities. This was a sizeable increase over the sum of 1961, but now seems pale in light of the awards made to the Class of 1963.

Scholarship money received by the Graduating Class of 1963 totaled $68,400.00 which was an overall increase of $24,625.00 over the previous class. In fact, increases occurred in three areas of giving. Community resources contributed $5,320.00 as compared to $4,375.00 in 1962; colleges, which awarded but $8,250.00 in 1962, soared to $47, 770.00, representing a growth of just under 600%; and outside agencies, which gave $450.00 in 1962, awarded $3,400.00 this year, a growth of 800%. The Naval Reserve Officers Training Corp also awarded a grant, worth $12,000.00 to a senior chosen through intensive competition, who matriculated at the College of the Holy Cross.

Included among these grants were a National Scholarship to Harvard worth $7,200.00, the highest honor given to an entering freshman; a $5,800.00 scholarship to Providence College; a $6,400.00 grant to Tufts University; and a $2,000.00 award from the Francis Ouimet Scholarship Foundation. The latter award was won by a Randolph student for the first time and is given in honor of the man who brought golf to prominence in the United States; it is both competitive and unique.

Summer scholarships for undergraduates also took on new dimensions with four young men in the Junior Class winning grants in this area. Francis J. Azzariti, Jr. attended Harvard Summer School and studied Natural Science, his second such grant from a college; Kenneth E. Ekman pursued the Liberal Arts Seminar at the Mount Hermon Summer School; while David A. Reed and Steven L. Silverstein were participants at a Thayer Academy-Tufts College seminar in Science.

Seven Randolph High School students won national recogni- tion in competition with school children from all over the United States, as a result of their efforts in the National Merit Scholar- ship Qualifying Test and the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test.

TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASSACHUSETTS

The latter test established Mr. Ekman as a finalist in the Sperry and Hutchinson Scholarship Program and identified James Franklin, a Junior, as a semi-finalist in the Telluride Associa- tion Summer Study Program.

The Merit Program awared Letters of Commendation to Mr. Silverstein, Walter A. Hesford and Matthew S. Fox, and identified Donna L. McNeil, Mr. Reed and Mr. Ekman as semi-finalists. The latter's score of 157 placed him among the top twelve in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The final status of the three semi-finalists will not be determined until April of 1964, but the excellent placing of three students in this highly competitive test is, in itself, highly significant.

Business and colleges were widely represented in their vis- itations to Randolph High School during 1963. Fifteen firms sent speakers to the school in conjunction with the Northeastern Uni- versity Occupational Information Program, and a half-dozen more presented speakers, through the efforts of Miss Brennan.

Personal contact was established with the Admissions offi- cials of over ninety colleges and universities in the year just ended. This was done either through travel on the part of the Director, or through visitations from the colleges to Randolph High School. In addition to calls from the officials of Harvard, Boston College, Marietta, and other regular visitors, Randolph High School students listened for the first time to the Admissions Officers of Princeton University, University of Pennsylvania, College of the Holy Cross and Brown University.

During the summer, two members of the Staff participated in special study programs. Miss Bennett was a member of a Coun- seling Institute at the University of Southern California and the Director attended and addressed a seminar at Boston College, entitled "Excellence in Administration."

As were provided in last year's Annual Report, statistics on the number of counseling interviews for grades 7-12 through the year 1963, break down as follows:

ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY -EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT

Students, Grades 7-12: (mean estimate)

2,003

Interviews Conducted

10,163

Nature of Interviews: Scheduled

6,187

Walk-in

3,976

10,163

Type of Problem

Personal

958

Occupational

1,043

Educational

7,728

Testing

434

10,163

By Class

Grade 7

2,084

1,988

1,292

1,299

1,510

1,990

10,163

Two significant facts are illustrated by these statistics. First of all, each child, Grades 7-12 was interviewed on the av- erage of five times during the year. Such an arrangement far exceeds the suggested State formula of one or two counseling sessions each year. Secondly, the high percentage of walk-ins (38%) indicates that the students are well aware of the services offered by the Guidance Department and are willing to seek them out, when necessary.

As we review, therefore, the progress and the efforts of the Guidance Program in 1963, this Office cannot help but feel a sense of satisfaction in the professional efforts of the Counsel- ing Staff and a sense of appreciation for the cooperation lent to our efforts by the Superintendent of Schools, the School Commit- tee, the School Administrators and their faculties and by the students and their parents, and by the community-at-large.

The challenge which we must meet in the years ahead will not lessen, however. It is obvious that the changing world will demand unceasing efforts on our part to adjust to it both rapidly and adequately. Thus, the need for the Elementary Guidance Consultant becomes more poignant with each passing day; the outline of our curriculum must be evaluated and revised con- stantly, particularly with the onset of a'new secondary school approach in the Fall of 1964; and the needs of each student must be paramount in our minds in every effort and determination.

TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASSACHUSETTS

When these challenges are met, then we must be alert to those which will follow as a result. In so doing, we, as educators, will best serve our community.

Respectfully submitted, WILLIAM J. CASEY Director of Guidance

REPORT OF THE PRINCIPAL OF NORTH JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL

It gives me great pleasure to submit to you my second annual report as the Principal of the North Junior High School for the 1963 school year.

I should like to highlight in this report the direction in which education is traveling in our complex and swiftly-moving society and the steps which have been taken during the past year by the Randolph School Committee, the Superintendent of Schools, and the administration of the North Junior High School to begin to prepare our youth to meet the challenges of this multi-faceted and complex culture in which we live.

Success in society and the working world in general is be- coming more dependent each year upon the education we give our youth. Each year more unskilled and semi-skilled workers are replaced by machines, computers, and automatic devices. What can the public schools do to prepare our youth for this kind of world?

Because of the vast changes taking place, the trend in educa- tion is to produce well-educated citizens rather than people who are specifically and rigidly trained to perform in only one area. At the junior high school level we are primarily concerned with presenting the best academic education we can to the students according to their capabilities, regardless of their future ambi- tions.

To this end we have taken several avenues so that our stu- dents may meet the community's demands.

In general, new textbooks were purchased in all academic areas as a result of revisions which were made to bring our curriculum abreast of current educational trends. All of our academic subjects have been arranged in a three-track system so that students can be challenged to produce work which is in keeping with their mental capacities.

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Randolph town reports 1960-1963, Part 50

Author: Publication date: 1960 Publisher: Town of Randolph Number of Pages: 968

Author:
Publication date: 1960
Publisher: Town of Randolph
Number of Pages: 968