USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Merrimac > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Merrimac 1959 > Part 6
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ЗАГЛЯНЕТ
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TOWN OF MERRIMAC
SCHOOL REPORT
In accordance with custom and with the Acts of the General Court, 1859 Chapter 57, we herewith submit to you the 89th annual printed school report.
CARL G. OLSON, Chairman VIRGINIA H. WEBSTER, Vice-Chairman IRVING A. BLAKE, Secretary KENNETH G. FOWLE F. N. SWEETSIR, M. D.
School Committee
SCHOOL OFFICERS
John C. Jakobek, Superintendent of Schools
Office Address: Main Street, West Newbury, Mass. Telephone FOrest 3-2280
Dorothy M. Peirce, Secretary
Address: 52 West Main Street, Merrimac
Kenneth E. Haskell, Supervisor of Attendance Address: Bear Hill Road, Merrimac A. Frances Davis, M. D., School Physician Address: 16 Main Street, Merrimac
Annie L. Gleed, R. N., School Nurse Address: West Main Street, Merrimac Working Certificates :
Helen R. Donaghue, Merrimac Elementary School Kenneth E. Haskell, Merrimac Elementary School Office of the Superintendent, Pentucket Regional School
DIRECTORY OF SCHOOL STAFF - MERRIMAC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Position
Name
Training
Total Yrs. Experience
Yrs. in Merrimac
Principal Ass't. Principal, Remedial Reading INTERMEDIATE
Helen R. Donaghue
21.5
13.8
Miriam M. Felch
Bridgewater Normal 1929 B. S. Kutztown, Pa., State Teachers College 1936
12
12
UNIT:
Philip Yeaton
B. S. Univ. of N. H. 1951
2
2
Freida L. Zeidman
B. S. Boston Univ. 1958
1
1
James W. Johnston
B. S. Suffolk Univ. 1955
3
3
Nancy W. Ayers
B. A. Univ. of N. H. 1953
4
4
Alice L. Brown
B. A. Providence - Barrington
2
2
David W. Shaw
B. S. E. Bridgewater Teachers College 1957 Posse School of Phys. Ed. 1938
0
0
Genevieve Smithson
6
0
PRIMARY UNIT:
Mae Ethel Davis
Salem Normal
31.5
26.5
Charlotte R. Goltz
B. A. Wellesley 1935
5
2
Marion F. Quimby
B. S. Univ. of N. H. 1949
10
2
Florence L. Coe
Salem Teachers College 1933
11.4
4
Dorothy K. Edgerly
Salem Normal 1926
13.5
6
Ethel B. Whiting
A. B. Bates College 1913
14
14
Rosalie G. Carter
B. S. Tufts 1955
4
4
Marie J. English
A. B. Emanuel College
1
1
Nancy L. Darsinos
B. S. E. Bridgewater Teachers College 1958 B. S. Lowell Teachers College 1957
2
2
Resigned 6/30/59
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SCHOOL REPORT
Music & Art
Pauline T. Dyer
Retired 6/30/59
1
0
Bible College 1957
Resigned 6/30/59
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TOWN OF MERRIMAC
REPORT OF THE MERRIMAC SCHOOL COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of Merrimac:
Your School Committee is committed by law and prudence to provide your children with a proper education. This report will deal primarily with elementary education in Merrimac in 1959 and the needs in the near future. For a report of secondary education we recommend to you the report of the Pentucket Regional School Committee, on which three members of this committee serve.
ENROLLMENTS
Although we are not presenting the annual classroom enrollments of Merrimac students, the following informa- tion is pertinent.
Secondary school enrollments
a) have increased from 209 in 1955 to 271, or 30 % in the last five years
b) have increased 48% in the last ten years
Elementary school enrollments
a) have increased from 333 in 1955 to 414, or 24 % in five years
b) have increased 47% in 10 years
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SCHOOL REPORT
REVIEW OF CLASSROOM NEEDS
In 1957 this committee noted the developing class- room shortage based both upon experience and projections. This was reported in the 1957 Annual Report. Based upon this knowledge this committee sponsored an article at the 1958 Annual Town Meeting establishing a School Building Needs Committee. This article was favorably acted upon. The Town Moderator named Arnold W. Spofford chairman, and Irving Blake, Mrs. Clifford K. Clark, Kenneth Fowle, Edmond Hamel, Alvin Heath, Mrs. Russell Kaskiewicz, George Stevens and Mrs. Milton Webster to this committee.
At the 1959 Annual Town Meeting, Chairman Arnold Spofford presented a summary of the conclusions of the School Building Needs Committee, a full report of which will be found in the 1958 Annual Report. This report was favorably received by the voters at the Town Meeting. Another article proposed by the School Committee to es- tablish a Building Committee was acted upon favorably.
Although the final plans of the Building Committee have not been revealed to this committee, the preliminary plans revealed at the Special Town Meeting in October showed plans for having as many as 38 pupils per class- room. This number of pupils per classroom cannot help but lead to an educational loss, not necessarily to all, but certainly to many children in classes of this size.
As each of us knows, sometimes it is difficult to have unanimity even within a family on matters as simple as which is the best television program to watch on Sunday evening. Unanimity is rare and differences will continue as to how to educate our children, in what size classrooms, the number of students per class, and the type of construc- tion. We recognize this.
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TOWN OF MERRIMAC
This committee has proceeded to ascertain the pupil needs and educational needs of Merrimac. We have stated in our educational specification our recommendations to be incorporated in the new addition based upon the program you are now supporting.
THE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM
The type of educational program that Merrimac sup- ports should determine the nature of its classrooms. In Merrimac under the competent leadership of Mrs. Joseph Donaghue and the administration, a sound elementary program has been provided. Our position has been that the citizens of Merrimac wish this program continued.
Knowledge is not poured into a child. The educational program at the elementary level must accept proven principles of instruction.
The public schools are the people's schools. Our system of education is based upon your will. It must be founded upon the desire of all the people to develop all the potentialities of its children. Your wishes have in- dicated that you do not want schooling by mass production methods giving many students minimum doses of stereo- typed courses suited to average abilities. You have elect- ed to support your schools to meet the exacting needs of every pupil, the average, talented and under-achiever.
SCHOOL COSTS
As we have stated before, we are cognizant of the cost of educating our children. We submit that the citizens of Merrimac are getting a good education for their children.
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SCHOOL REPORT
Did you know, however, that according to Form 1234 which your assessors must submit to the State, $109,300.00 was credited toward the education of your children? This includes both direct and indirect reimbursements and credits.
Did you know that the State also returns $24,614 to the Pentucket Regional School District as Merrimac's share of the annual construction principal ?
The circle graph shown here illustrates how the money to operate your schools, elementary and regional, is affected by assistance from the Commonwealth. Fortu- nately, or unfortunately, however, this money must be raised by taxation first. This graph does place the total cost of education to Merrimac in the right perspective proportionately.
52 % TAXATION $149,284
9 %
39% REIMBURSEMENTS & CREDITS $109,300
REGIONAL REIMBURSEMENT $24,614
Since there were 414 elementary pupils, 273 second- ary pupils and 11 vocational pupils to be accomodated educationally, Merrimac had to finance the education of 698 students in September, 1959. The total money which had to be raised, less reimbursements and credits, was $149,284 or $214.00 per pupil. When we consider that
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TOWN OF MERRIMAC
this amount includes payment of principal and interest on buildings, maintenance and operation, and improvement of plant and program, this is a small amount indeed to compare to the values received.
Since we, too, pay taxes, share in the services provided by the Town of Merrimac, and make our homes here, we are concerned with the cost of educating our children. We are also concerned with other costs too. We note the professed anguish which comes from building and school costs, and yet this proposed educational addition to the Elementary School is but a small fraction of the cost of one mile of the proposed Route 110 freeway. Are we to believe that the freeway is valued more than the education of our children? Are the costs of roads less onerous be- cause the money is from the State or Federal government?
In conclusion, this Committee reaffirms the following statements. We have endeavored to constantly improve the quality of our educational program. A quality pro- gram in education should include adequate library facili- ties and provisions for special education. The special Town Meeting vote to support a six-classroom addition to the Merrimac Elementary School will not suffice to meet the classroom needs in the elementary grades.
Respectfully submitted,
CARL G. OLSON, Chairman IRVING A. BLAKE, Secretary VIRGINIA H. WEBSTER KENNETH G. FOWLE FREDERICK N. SWEETSIR, M. D.
Merrimac School Committee
10
SCHOOL REPORT
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
To the School Committee and the Citizens of Merrimac:
Your Superintendent of Schools is devoting his entire annual report to one of the major decisions to be made by the people of Merrimac in 1960 that pertains to the educa- tion of your children. Already the citizens have taken forward-looking steps to meet this situation. You will recall that a School Building Needs Committee and a Building Committee have been established by your votes.
THE SUPERINTENDENT'S ROLE
The Superintendent of Schools by law is the executive officer of the School Committee, and under its general direction shall have the care and supervision of the public schools, shall assist it in keeping records and accounts and in making such reports as are required by law, etc. It is customary for the superintendent to advise the School Committee on professional matters, to make the needs of the public schools known to the School Committee and, through them, to the citizens of the community. This has been done since my term of office began.
One of the matters to be again acted upon by the voters of Merrimac in the near future is the addition of classrooms for Elementary School pupils. There is only one way in which this can be done, and that is by the vote of the citizens of Merrimac. The Legislature in its wisdom has provided for this.
ADVISORY CAPACITY
What is the position of your superintendent on the matter before the people? It is simply this: every bit of factual evidence available to the people upon which their
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TOWN OF MERRIMAC
judgment can be made is presented to them. From personal conviction, on previous occasions I have stated that the schools belong to the citizens of Merrimac, their children attend them, and their taxes pay for the cost of educating their children. This I now reaffirm.
Some townspeople have suggested that the attitude of the superintendent should be one of unconcerned accept- ance of whatever any group such as the Building Commit- tee decides. The decisions of the Building Committee are their own, but any superintendent would be derelict in his duty if he did not make known the financial and education- al impact of forthcoming decisions to the School Committee and, as in this case, to the people whom he represents through the School Committee. Therefore, a rather exhaustive study of school needs is presented.
PROJECTIONS AND CLASSROOM NEEDS
In previous reports of the School Building Needs Committee (1958) and the School Committee Report (1957), the projected classroom enrollments were present- ed to you. They will not be repeated but they can be referred to for reference. These projections were based upon three factors: annual birth rates, enrollments over a ten-year span, and the enrollment trend. This is the generally accepted method of projecting school enroll- ments. You will notice that there are differences in these figures. The latter projection was corrected to correspond with the additional data available in 1958. It is just as important to make corrected increases upward as it would be to decrease projections if the facts warranted it.
Just a word about projection figures. It is obvious to everyone that statistics can be controversial. The pro- jections which were presented to you can be defended because they were actual figures for October first enroll- ments, actual birth rates and the enrollment trend for ten
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SCHOOL REPORT
years. Taking a ten-year October first enrollment figure and projecting it on a May fifth or any other date base may not be sound. Taking only actual numbers presently enrolled may err because in-migration and out-migration is not accounted for. In addition, there are many methods of central tendencies besides averages over which disagree- ments may develop.
But even with differences in methods of projecting enrollments, the situation before the citizens of Merrimac is not final. The classroom needs as presented at the Special Town Meeting in October by the writer were based upon the assumption that the people of Merrimac want their present educational program continued. Basically this program provides for 25-30 pupils per classroom in order that the rapid, average and slow learners may re- ceive proper attention. This can be done if the present program is continued. But if 37 or 38 pupils are housed in 839 square feet of classroom space, not only will the teacher be limited in the amount of individual attention that she can give the deviant child, but the limited area will confine her in the types of activities which can occur within the classroom.
WHAT ARE GOOD CLASSROOMS?
As everyone knows, new classrooms may not neces- sarily be good classrooms for teaching purposes. May I respectfully suggest that each of you make it a point to visit one or more of our classes to see the work going on. The pupils are not necessarily all in a row doing exactly what everyone else is doing. In a sense, the classroom is a laboratory of activity. Because pupils differ in ability to learn, differ in their desire to learn, differ in interests and differ in their achievement level, many types of learn- ing must go on simultaneously to keep every child learning.
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TOWN OF MERRIMAC
In addition to a pupil desk and chair, other furniture should be available. An area should be available for quiet reading and study within the classroom. An area for science work, exhibits and displays assists in learning. Ample space must be provided for charts, maps, globes, regular and supplemental textbooks and other tools of learning. Sufficient blackboard and tackboard space must be provided.
The purpose for all this is to create an atmosphere which promotes an interest and desire to learn. Not every- one learns easily from books. A will to learn and learning can come about through reading, yes, - but also from observing, listening, constructing, writing, discussing, experimenting, drawing and painting. If learning is enhanced through experiences other than reading, the facilities conducive to these experiences must be provided. Your superintendent firmly believes that parents do not send their children to school to keep them out of harm's way. Children are sent to school to be educated.
For example, a typical classroom in this day and age should have provisions to darken the room for strip films, slides, films and television. Audio-visual blinds conducive to presentation of these teaching aids can be provided at this time with an absolute minimum of expense, - the difference between regular blinds and audio-visual blinds. To neglect this installation because the original building does not have them is shortsighted. Matching colors and materials in audio-visual blinds are available. The improvement in audio-visual blinds since 1951, the small difference in cost, and the tremendous increase in the availability of audio-visual materials demand this install- ation both for economy and efficiency.
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SCHOOL REPORT
TEACHING EFFICIENCY
Of course, all sorts of temporary adjustments and makeshift arrangements can be made to "make do" if these facilities are not available. This is done where necessary. But in planning a new classroom, arrange- ments for teaching efficiency can be most easily and economically incorporated in the planning phases. As a typical example of lack of foresightedness in many class- rooms is the lack of easily accessible electrical outlets. Of course, this might save a few cents at the time of construc- tion, but the inconveniences will last for the lifetime of the classroom. In addition to the inconvenience, long electric cords extended over the floor to electrical pieces of equipment present a threat to pupil safety. Is this economy ? Someone with no children exposed to these threats to safety may so conclude and apparently a few with children in school have come to this, what is univer- sally considered, undesirable conclusion.
The investment that goes into a classroom is great. But the large returns-in young people - is greater.
Americans are known generally for their open-mind- edness to better use of machines and more efficiency. Why cannot we apply this to our teaching? In service fields and industry this is common. The installation of equip- ment or machinery to help the teacher do a better job raises all sorts of objections. We want to do a better job more quickly. There is not enough time to do as much as we want. Teachers could help children more under an efficient system.
In their infancy some items may not have been used as efficiently as possible but we now know how to use educa- tional devices to assist learning; many of them would reduce the cost in time of learning what needs to be learn- ed; others save teacher time. Students need the time to learn other things. More and better education is what we need and desire. Here is one way of helping.
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TOWN OF MERRIMAC
EDUCATIONAL SPECIFICATIONS
How are educational specifications prepared ? It is the customary practice to use all resources available. In our case, reference was made to a great wealth of educa- tional study, research and practice. The generally accept- ed method of enrollment projections was the starting point. After the numbers of pupils were determined, it was necessary to provide classrooms for them in accord- ance with the educational program now in use in Merrimac and described earlier in this article. This is the beginning, not the end, of planning unless your interest is in providing walls and ceilings to keep in the heat. This may keep the pupils warm.
Teacher advice was then secured from the present teaching staff and the principal, Mrs. Joseph Donaghue. Since teachers are in intimate contact with the work and activities in the classroom, their recommendations in regard to teaching efficiency were requested. Who knows better the daily needs of the classroom teacher? In the final analysis the activities to be carried on should deter- mine the facilities. Just as in building a home, the wife should, if she cares to do it, decide what and how the equipment should be arranged, so in the classroom, the teacher should be well-informed on the needs and consult- ed. The experiences of hundreds of teachers in hundreds of classrooms have had an effect upon the educational specifications which the superintendent advocates.
To keep the cost of maintenance down, a recurring cost for the lifetime of the school, the advice of local custodial men and experts in the fields of equipment and maintenance was called upon. Again to prevent excessive maintenance costs which soon make up any additional construction costs, materials requiring a minimum of maintenance were suggested. Although this is far from a complete statement of educational specifications, it illust- rates how educational specifications are determined.
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SCHOOL REPORT
WHY CITIZEN SUPPORT OF EDUCATION SOMETIMES FALTERS
1. The results of education are intangible. People can see a shiny new convertible in their yard but not the value of child growth in their home or school.
2. The benefits of education are indirect. Even watching soap operas may give people pleasure whereas the benefits of the son's schooling may not be valued.
3. Educational rewards are remote; immediate desires prevail.
4. One recent observation expressed was that the more money some people have, the more they love it, the more materialistic they become, and the more apt they are to spend it on themselves. They are the "conspicuous consumers". They seem less willing to turn over part of their increased income to educate children.
5. Education is placed too low on people's scale of values. The propagandists against better schools would try to enlist the assistance of the people with meager finances. This is a specious attempt. The people who pay the least, need public education the most. Parents want to provide a better life for their children. Anyone with integrity will admit that for most persons education is the prerequisite for improvement. The well-endowed parent can, and often does, send his children to private schools, but you and I must rely upon public education to give our children a chance for happiness.
THE PUBLIC SCHOOL
Among the strongest reasons for taking the present position regarding the matter of classrooms is my deep conviction for the public school system of the United States, which can be stated as follows:
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TOWN OF MERRIMAC
The public school is the people's school. It responds to the people's will. More than any other American in- stitution, it has been shaped directly by the tireless efforts of the people. The public school represents the aspiration of parents for the future of their children, and of all citizens for the welfare of our country.
The free public school is an integral part of the structure of popular government. It is as essential to the preservation of the American way of life as the organic documents in which the framework of the Republic is out- lined and by which the freedoms of the people are guaran- teed. The public school began as one of the first ideals of a free world. It continues as the bulwark of a free society.
The public school is free. Its doors are open to all the children of all the people regardless of wealth, birth or social background. Free public education in the United States was not adopted as an inspiration of the moment. It is a result of three centuries of experience. It began and continues, a basic ideal in a free world.
The public school is the unifying force in America. It makes our people one. No other institution touches the life of every citizen. The public school binds us together in common ideals and purposes. It symbolizes the motto of the United States, "Out of Many, One".
The prosperity of the American people owes much to public schools which have produced a general high level of education. Educated people want more and produce more. Ignorance and prosperity have never been team- mates at any time in the history of the world.
Free public education contributes to the sound health, the deep loyalties and the courageous spirit of the men and women who constitute the forces of our defense. In the classrooms and laboratories of our schools and colleges are developed the technical knowledge and skill which con- tribute to national security.
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SCHOOL REPORT
In closing I will quote a 1916 statement of Alfred North: "In the conditions of modern life, the rule is absolute. The race which does not value intelligence is doomed. Not all your heroism, not all your charm, not all your wit, not all your victories on land or at sea, can move back the finger of fate. Today we maintain ourselves. Tomorrow, science will have moved yet one more step, and there will be no appeal from the judgment which will be pronounced upon the uneducated."
Respectfully submitted, JOHN C. JAKOBEK Superintendent of Schools
SCHOOL CENSUS as of October 1, 1959
Boys
Girls
Total
From 5 to 7
65
66
131
From 7 to 16
278
274
552
343
340
683
Comparative Totals for 6 Year Period
1954
1955
1956
1957
1958
1959
From 5 to 7
120
116
131
126
150
131
From 7 to 16
447
504
481
531
536
552
567
620
612
657
686
683
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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TOWN OF MERRIMAC
,
1959 - 1960 SCHOOL CALENDAR PENTUCKET REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL and SCHOOL UNION No. 53
September 8, 9
September 10, Thursday
October 12, Monday
October 23, Friday
November 11, Wednesday November 25, Wednesday
November 30, Monday December 23, Wednesday
Teachers' Workshops Schools open Schools closed - Columbus Day Schools closed - Pentucket
Regional & School Union Teachers' Meeting or visiting day Schools closed - Veterans' Day Schools close at end of school day for Thanksgiving Schools open Schools close at noon for Christmas holidays
1960
January 4, Monday February 19, Friday February 29, Monday April 15, Friday April 19, Tuesday April 22, Friday May 2, Monday May 30, Monday June 17, Friday
June 24, Friday 182 days
Schools open Schools close for winter vacation Schools open Schools closed - Good Friday Schools closed - Patriots' Day Schools close for spring vacation Schools open Schools closed - Memorial Day Pentucket Regional High School Graduation - Last day for Seniors only Schools close
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