USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Merrimac > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Merrimac 1958 > Part 6
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We draw to your attention the fact that in Grades 7 - 12 in the year 1948 there were 155 children. Merrimac has thus increased the number of its students 60% in ten years in these grades.
The elementary school population has grown from 279 pupils in 1948 to 412 in 1958, an increase of 44% in ten years. And by consulting the 1957 annual report of this Committee or the report of the local School Building Needs Committee both of which contain long-range pupil enrollment projections, it becomes obvious to everyone that the elementary school population will increase over 100 pupils in ten years and the secondary school popula- tion will also.
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TOWN OF MERRIMAC
CLASSROOM SHORTAGE
These facts cannot be considered lightly. It is obvious that this town will have to take effective steps shortly to provide the necessary classroom facilities for the growing elementary school population. We refer the citizens of Merrimac to the Report of the School Building Needs Committee for a more comprehensive report on this matter.
The Merrimac Elementary School was constructed with twelve classrooms for approximately 360 pupils. The original plans called for 16 rooms but were reduced in number because of the lack of funds. There are now 412 pupils housed in this building. This was made pos- sible by the installation of a folding partition in the all- purpose room making two additional classrooms avail- able. This change was not a difficult one and these two makeshift classrooms are quite serviceable. However, for approximately two hours each day one class must join with another class for more or less common activities in order to make one-half of the original all-purpose room available for school lunch purposes. Further expansion of classrooms within the building is neither feasible nor desir- able. Again, to prevent repetition, we refer you to the School Building Needs Committee for a thorough study of the alternatives.
CLOSING OF HIGH SCHOOL
Reviewing the year we saw the end of platooning in our local schools on June 20, 1958, with the transfer of the local junior and senior high school students to the Pen- tucket Regional District School in West Newbury. The high school building which served as a senior high school
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SCHOOL REPORT
in the morning and as the junior high school in the after- noon was returned to the jurisdiction of the Board of Selectmen in accordance with custom and law. The limit- ed size of the building, the inadequacy of the educational program and the general deterioration of the building led to a favorable vote by this town to join the Regional Dis- trict in 1955. With the opening of the Regional School in September, Merrimac began transporting all its students in Grades 7 through 12 to the new school.
On June 13, 1958, the last class, consisting of 21 students graduated from Merrimac High School. The names of the graduating students were:
Edna Anne Armstrong
James Joseph Manning
Thomas Irving Atwood
Robert Charles Calnan
Lloyd Donald Crossman
Carolyn Jean Merritt Richard James Moughan Barbara Ann Peirce
Joanne Elizabeth Donaghue Ginger Ann Prescott William Henry Ferguson Sheela Ann Fowler
Marjorie Diane Roberts Frances Elizabeth Smith
David Wayne Grant
Lillian Smith
Marsha Joyce Hargraves
Margaret Ann Staples
Lawrence W. Ingraham
Wayne Bradley Stone
Bessie Eva Walker
EDUCATIONAL PRINCIPLES
We believe that every child has the right to a sound education. Especially during the elementary grades the education of our children must be critically evaluated, for during this period changing behavior patterns can be effected. During these years the child is flexible, eager, open to suggestion and generally favorable to learning. A good foundation is likely to lead to desire for further learning. On the other hand, unpleasant experiences lead to distaste for schools and learning.
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TOWN OF MERRIMAC
This belief has led our local school to exercise a dynamism which has permitted annual improvements in our educational program. Advantage has been taken of the growing body of psychological knowledge to adjust our program to meet individual child needs and the wishes of society. Provisions for individual differences have been instituted to permit each child to learn and develop to his capacity.
We submit that Education has had to contend with immense obstacles in its growth, since resistance to change is one of man's natural characteristics. Can we teach what was taught 100 years ago in the same way? How many of us made the bread we ate for dinner; and if we did, did we grow the wheat? How many of us made our own clothes; and if we did, did we grow the materials of which cloth is made? Shall we teach people to make a shoe from start to finish? With the rapid changes in the social, industrial and cultural changes, education has had to adapt its methods and procedures.
The report of the elementary school principal describ- es the reorganized instructional program for Grades 4 to 6 in the Elementary School. This program coupled with the Primary Plan for Grades 1 through 3, has given the local elementary program the best possible educational basis available.
We believe that every child should be taught by well- trained, professional, devoted teachers; that good teachers must be supported by a competent administrative staff. A competent staff will teach effectively, thus lessening the need for remedial instruction. Your teachers are selected for their competence as contributors to the welfare of your child. A broad general background with specific training in teaching is required. A teacher must have not only training in psychology and learning, but also a love for children and a desire to see them grow.
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SCHOOL REPORT
We have stemmed somewhat the high turnover rate of the local staff by increasing salaries. We recognize that good teachers require more money, but this difference in terms of per pupil cost is but a few dollars a year. Your children deserve good teachers. By increasing the length of service in our schools we have provided for continuity of instruction without which the progressive educational development of our children cannot succeed. We emphasize that this educational system cannot be better than its teachers.
The need for substantial teachers is evident when we realize that it is neither prudent nor productive to let the students resort to their own propulsion alone. By incen- tives that stir the imagination, the teacher can and must direct pupil energies, guide and counsel them to achieve to their full dimension. Teachers must teach pupils that are willing but not able to learn, able but not willing to learn and able and willing to learn. This places an immense responsibility upon our teachers and therefore every effort has been made to secure and retain competent staff members.
We believe that every child should attend a school equipped to serve his general and specific needs, where the teacher can do his best teaching and where the child can do his best learning.
A good classroom, for example, gives sound training in attitudes and citizenship responsibilities, and at the same time provides for the mastery of fundamentals. Schools exist to provide the knowledge, skill, attitudes, appreciations and loyalties that will develop the innate capacities of the child.
We must constantly keep in mind that children learn from being in and around a school. If standards of clean- liness, orderliness, neatness, sanitation, etc., are to be instilled in our children, then providing the proper en- vironment for attaining these traits is imperative. While
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TOWN OF MERRIMAC
the physical plant alone does not necessarily provide for the development of citizenship traits, its absence to any degree makes a good program difficult, if not impossible, to a degree. The school plant should be a major factor in facilitating the whole instructional process.
We believe that the sacrifices which Merrimac makes, the price it pays to educate its children in terms of concern, money, planning, work, etc., are investments rather than expense. Good schools build men and women who are law-abiding, self-supporting, thrifty, vocationally com- petent, honest, healthy.
We cannot accept the crash and splash programs of admirals, generals or self-styled spokesmen for the people to save money by educating only the intellectual elite. The basic strength of America rests on all the citizens since they must continue to make wise choices to keep this country strong and free. We quote Somerset Maughan in relation to freedom: "If a nation values anything more than freedom, it will lose its freedom; and the irony of it is that if it is comfort or money that it values more, it will lose that, too."
It would be well to consider the Russian attitude to- ward education, not to emulate the type of education, but to understand their total commitment to it Education in the Soviet is of first importance, their complete dedica- tion to it as a means for improvement and survival, and as a means for surpassing the United States has already been documented by travelers to Russia.
ENTRANCE AGE
The entrance age for children to be enrolled in the first grade in September, 1959 is five years and eight months as of the first of September. This means that children wishing to enter grade one must have been born before January 1, 1954.
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SCHOOL REPORT
REIMBURSEMENTS
Although reimbursements from the State and other money due on account of the operation of a school system by Merrimac go, by law, to the Town Treasurer and are placed in the General Revenue Account, the total educa- tional cost to the Town is somewhat offset by these amounts. Especially under Chapter 70 of the General Laws, it is noted that this money is returned to the Town to partially offset the tax losses in communities by the State's pre-empting of certain tax resources.
The following amounts of money and their sources have been certified as having been due Merrimac:
General School Fund (Chapter 70) $ 36,144.83
Superintendent's Salary & Expense
1,233.54
Transportation (Chapter 71) 7,455.00
State Wards 3,286.25
Tuition (High School)
313.50
Transportation (out of town students)
222.00
Vocational School Transportation and Tuition 2,108.45
Other (Chapter 560, 1949)
18.90
TOTAL $ 50,782.47
It is important to keep in mind that these amounts are frequently one to two years behind the time that these expenses were incurred by the town. The point is that the reimbursements, in particular, represent a larger percentage of the school expenditure when compared to the actual school costs of the year in which they were incurred rather than compared to the present year or next year.
The annual report of this Committee does not include several important areas of interest to the townspeople because of their coverage in the report for 1957. For
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TOWN OF MERRIMAC
statements regarding the importance of education, teach- ers' salaries, and state aid, we refer you to the 1957 report.
The people of Merrimac can be justly proud of their elementary and secondary school. Good schools reflect the interest of the community in their children and their own welfare.
Respectfully submitted,
IRVING A. BLAKE, Chairman VIRGINIA H. WEBSTER, Secretary KENNETH G. FOWLE
CARL G. OLSON FREDERICK N. SWEETSIR, M. D.
School Committee
SCHOOL CENSUS as of October 1, 1958
Boys
Girls
Total
From 5 to 7
26
24
50
From 7 to 16
255
281
536
281
305
586
Comparative Totals for 6 Years Period
1953
1954
1955
1956
1957
1958
From 5 to 7
141
120
116
131
126
50
From 7 to 16
419
447
504
481
531
536
560
567
620
612
657
586
NO SCHOOL SIGNAL
NO SCHOOL announcements will be made over Stations WBZ and WHAV after 7 o'clock in the morning. 6:30 A. M. 11-11-11 No school, all grades.
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SCHOOL REPORT
1958 - 1959 MERRIMAC SCHOOL CALENDAR
1958
September 2 - 5 Teachers' Workshop
September 8, Monday School opens
October 13, Monday
School closed - Columbus Day
School closed - Veterans' Day
November 11, Tuesday November 26, Wednesday School closes at end of school day for Thanksgiving holiday
December 1, Monday School opens
December 19, Friday School closes for Christmas holidays 1959
January 5, Monday School opens
February 20, Friday School closes for winter vacation
March 2, Monday School opens
March 27, Friday
School closed - Good Friday
April 17, Friday School closes for Spring vacation
April 27, Monday School opens
June 19, Friday School closes
June 26, Friday Teachers' last day
180 days - 38 weeks
Approved April 21, 1958
1959 BUDGET MERRIMAC SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
Appropriated
Expended
1958
1958
Requested 1959
GENERAL CONTROL
$
100.00
$ 87.68
School Committee Expense
$ 100.00
2,888.88
2,904.23
Supt. Schools Salary
1,666.66
200.00
200.00
Transportation & Expense
200.00
1,000.00
1,472.79
Secretary & Office Expense
1,000.00
225.00
217.50
Law Enforcement
200.00
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TOWN OF MERRIMAC
COST OF INSTRUCTION
$ 93,493.33
$ 92,262.05
Teachers' Salaries
$ 73,257.77
2,000.00
1,618.80
Textbooks
2,160.00
1,600.00
3,142.28
Supplies
2,310.00
COST OF OPERATION
$ 5,500.00
$ 5,264.88
Janitors' Salaries
$ 5,500.00
2,500.00
2,011.92
Fuel
2,500.00
600.00
604.40
Janitorial Supplies
600.00
5,100.00
4,119.18
Maintenance
4,000.00
300.00
357.32
Athletics
400.00
33.68
Libraries
400.00
1,150.00
1,568.96
Health
1,650.00
10,000.00
12,370.00
Transportation
14,235.00
200.00
377.95
New Equipment
400.00
300.00
321.17
Telephone & all other
275.00
$127,557.21
$110,454.43
$ 374.08 Dog Tax
$ 1,148.52 Transfer from Surplus Funds
$129,079.81
$128,934.79
$ 4,000.00
670.55 Transfer from Surplus Funds
$ 4,670.55
$ 4,597.25
Vocational Appropriation $ 4,500.00
REPORT OF THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
With the realization that there is no one single method of organizing instruction that will perfectly meet the ed- ucational needs of all the children all of the time, we tried this year to place the children of our fourth, fifth and sixth grades in an educational setting which would give them a well rounded opportunity for learning, with- out hampering their physical or social development or their emotional adjustments.
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SCHOOL REPORT
We have no grade distinction in our Primary Unit. Children progress at their own rate of speed in reading, from the Readiness book through the 32 Reader. Some children take three years to complete this work, others have the privilege of taking four. Teachers have a close range of levels in their rooms. At no time is a child taught anywhere in basal reading except at his proper reading level. This Primary Unit was followed by the Inter- mediate Unit which also placed children in rooms by read- ing levels only.
We now follow the Joplin plan for teaching in the intermediate grades. The children are placed in the traditional classroom for all subjects except reading. An hour is set aside each day for the teaching of reading. At that time each child goes to a room where his level of reading is taught.
It is generally found that the pupils of these three grades usually are reading at five to eight different levels. The placing of a pupil is determined by the achievement of the pupil as indicated by tests and other criteria. This grouping is studied and changed after each marking period, thus enabling a pupil to move steadily along at his own rate.
Generally, the concept of a retarded reader has been a child who cannot read the material in the grade where he had been placed. Frequently, the truth is that many times these so called retarded readers are not retarded when we think of a different concept of retardation which measures a child's achievement compared to his ability or capacity, or potential at that particular time as measur- ed by various tests results. This is really the only true concept which should be considered. Sometimes children who are regarded as doing very satisfactorily are actually the most retarded when the concept of ability versus accomplishment is considered. We consider these to be ones who need to be challenged and given the opportunity
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TOWN OF MERRIMAC
to advance to their portential ability.
Success in an educational program demands qualified teachers and the use of good materials, plus a child's effort in accordance with his ability. :
We believe that we are making effective provision for the learning needs of children in the regular classroom organization.
Our school reports to parents four times a year. The first report is a parent-teacher conference. This year we had one day released time for scheduled conferences. We have 240 families represented in this school. Only 18 families were not represented at the conferences. This is a 93% parent participation. Because the conferences bring teacher and parent together as a unit to help the child we hope to increase this percentage next year. 100% participation is our aim.
Our library is open three days a week. During that time each classroom has a scheduled library period. The complete routine of the library is supervised and staffed by members of the Parent-Teacher Association. During . the summer the books are repaired by the Girl Scouts under the supervision of the library chairman who also catalogues and marks all new books placed on the shelves. This year we received 450 books from the Merrimacport Library Association and 56 new books were purchased with money given by the Parent-Teacher Association.
During the summer, school was held for 6 weeks for remedial reading. Classes were held for 21/2 hours each day. There was an enrollment of 20 pupils. These children were invited to attend after an extensive study
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SCHOOL REPORT
was made by testing and checking on the individual child's reading growth. If a pupil had the potential ability but was not achieving at that ability level he was eligible. After the 6 week period more tests were given which showed the average growth in reading for the class to be 6.5 months. The maximum growth by one pupil was 2 years.
Respectfully submitted,
HELEN R. DONAGHUE, Principal
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL NURSE
My report is herewith submitted, dating from January 1, 1958 to December 31, 1958.
Number of School Visits 179
Number of Home Visits 356
The pre-school clinic was held on May 7th, 8th, and 9th. Number of children given physical
examinations by Dr. Davis at the pre-school clinic 55
The diptheria clinic was held on March 20th, April 17th and May 20th.
Number receiving initial three doses 26
Number receiving booster shots 166
A complete physical examination was given by Dr. Davis, to all children in the first and fifth grades who were not examined by their family doctor.
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TOWN OF MERRIMAC
Number of children tested with the
Massachusetts Vision Test 611
Number failing this test 49
Number of children seen by eye specialist 44 Number tested with Audiometer for
hearing 616
Number failing this test 15
Number that were seen by a doctor 11
The fourth year of the Tuberculosis Patch Test was held on October 27th, 29th, and 31st.
Number of children tested 150
Number of children reacting to the
patch test and taken to Middleton for X-rays by Mrs. Cecile Sargent 2
I attended meetings in Newburyport, Salisbury, West Newbury and Haverhill pertaining to the School Health Program.
Respectfully submitted,
ANNIE L. GLEED, R. N.
School Nurse
THE SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM
The school lunch program in the elementary schools has shifted from being a gastronomical filling station to that of being an important educational experience.
Within the memory span of most people is the re- collection of all children bringing their lunch to school in a paper bag or a lunch pail. These "good old days" of school food service were not without headaches. Faculty
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SCHOOL REPORT
members found it necessary to remain in rooms where children ate their lunches. Policing was required to see that paper and discarded food did not "litter up" the classrooms and grounds.
Although born from the depression period of the Thirties, the noon lunch program continued to grow in spite of improving economic conditions. During World War II Congress enacted a permanent school lunch assis- tance program.
The school lunch offers many opportunities for teach- ing cleanliness, food habits, manners and desirable social experiences. The educational outcomes of the school lunch program sometimes have more significance in the lives of children than the actual nutritional benefit accru- ing from consumption of food. The properly conducted lunchroom will be a factor in teaching children to wash their hands before eating, to eat and like a variety of foods, to sit down to a leisurely meal, to practice good table manners and to converse with others. The school lunch offers an unexcelled opportunity for health education.
We serve a "Type A" lunch that must meet the re- quirements of the National Lunch Program; the child gets one-third of his daily nutritional requirements.
From September through December, we have served 21,916 "Type A" lunches with milk and 7,637 bottles of milk to children who bring their lunches, and to the chil- dren who have recess milk. We also served 190 free "Type A" lunches to needy cases brought to our attention by Mrs. Gleed and Mrs. Donaghue.
ZELMA C. JACKMAN
School Lunch Supervisor
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TOWN OF MERRIMAC
REPORT OF THE PENTUCKET REGIONAL DISTRICT SCHOOL COMMITTEE for the year ending December 31, 1958
In accordance with Chapter 71, Section 16K, the Pentucket Regional District School Committee submits its fifth annual report to each of the member towns.
SCHOOL OFFICERS
John C. Jakobek, Superintendent of Schools Office: Pentucket Regional High School, West Newbury, Mass., Tel. FO 3-2280
Dorothy M. Peirce, Secretary, Superintendent's Office Address: 52 W. Main Street, Merrimac, Mass.
Douglas V. Crook, M. D., School Physician Address: 121 Keeley Street, Haverhill, Mass. Mrs. Marie Blaisdell, R. N., School Nurse
Address 253 School Street, Groveland, Mass.
Paul H. Farris, Supervising Principal
Address : Office - Pentucket Regional High School, West Newbury, Mass.
Home - 30 Church Street, Merrimac, Mass. James L. Topham, Assistant Principal
Address 1 Olde Town Way, Newbury, Mass.
Attendance Officers:
James Shanahan, 11 Broad Street, Groveland, Mass. Kenneth Haskell, Bear Hill Road, Merrimac, Mass. Norman L. Brown, 375 Main St., West Newbury, Mass.
DIRECTORY OF SCHOOL STAFF PENTUCKET REGIONAL JUNIOR - SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Position
Name
Training
Total Yrs. Experience
Principal
Paul H. Farris
B. A. Bates College 1942 M. A. Boston University 1950
15
Assistant Principal Guidance
Robert J. Collier
B. Ed. Cortland State Teachers College 1947 M. Ed. Boston University 1957
11
Girls' Phys. Ed.
Marion C. Wilson
B. Ed. Bridgewater State Teachers College
6
Boys' Phys. Ed.
Roger Bryant
B. S. Springfield College 1950
8
English, Dept. Head
Ray E. Franklin
A. B. Notre Dame
11
English (Sr. H. S.)
Robert M. Imray
B. A. Harvard University
English (Sr. H. S.)
Enid Burns
B. S. Simmons College 1938 M. A. Breadloaf School of English 1939
10
Reading & Remedial Reading
Barbara Whitehead
B. Ed. Keene Teachers College 1956
2
English (Jr. H. S.)
Robert C. Gardner Cornelia E. Wolfe
B. A. Boston University 1931
18
Latin & English
Mary E. Doherty
B. A. Regis College 1953
4
French
John P. Nionakis
B. A. University of Massachusetts
M. A. French - Middlebury Grad. School, Paris M. A. Spanish - Middlebury Grad. School, Madrid
5
Chemistry Physics
Robert E. Knights
A. B. Brown University M. Ed. Harvard
Biology
Linda Long
B. Ed. Tufts University
7
SCHOOL
REPORT
11
22
B. S. Boston University
1
English (Jr. H. S.)
Spanish
James L. Topham
B. S. Ed. Bridgewater Teachers College 1951
General Science Business Ed.
Joseph Derro, Jr.
B. S. North Carolina State College 1954
B. Ed. Defiance College 1952 3
B. S. Boston University
B. A. Bowdoin College 1954
4
Social Studies
Soc. Studies (Jr. H.S.)
Louis A. Porcelli Malcolm J. Hart Norman J. Landry
B. A. Merrimack College 2
Mathematics
Math. (Sr. H. S.)
Walter B. Drescher
B. S. Ed. Salem Teachers College
Math. (Jr. H. S.)
James C. Burns, Jr.
B. S. Ed. Salem Teachers College 1958
Math. (Jr. H. S.)
Ronald P. Courtney
B. A. Economics University of N. H.
German
George Chambers
B. A. Boston University 1958 Colby College
Commercial,
Louise E. Mills
B. S. Ed. Salem Teachers College 33
Dept. Head
M. Ed. Boston University
Commercial
Ralph E. Hull
B. S. Boston University 1956 Wentworth Institute 1952
2
Industrial Arts
Howard M. Faulkner
B. Ed. Fitchburg State Teachers College 1957
24
Home Economics
Carol Ann Leary
B. A. Regis College
Home Economics
Rosemary Currier
B. S. Boston University 4
Instrumental
Richard McLoon
B. M. Boston University School of Music 4
9
Vocal Music
Joanne C. Eckner
B. S. Columbia University T. C. 1947 M. Music Ed. Boston University College of Music 1953
Art
Gretchen Sanderson
B. S. E. Massachusetts School of Art
6
Librarian
Ruth N. Parker
A. B. Coker College 1942 1
23
TOWN OF MERRIMAC
Science (Jr. H. S.)
Science (Jr. H. S.)
Social Studies
Harry E. Ryerson Melvin H. Pollack Daniel S. Gulezian John Coggin, Jr.
A. B. Boston University 1957
B. S. Ed. Boston University
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