USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Merrimac > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Merrimac 1961 > Part 7
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Respectfully submitted, -
.
JOHN C. JAKOBEK
Superintendent of Schools
15
TOWN OF MERRIMAC
SCHOOL CENSUS as of October 1, 1961
Boys
Girls
Total
From 5 to 7
88
87
175
From 7 to 16
322
321
643
410
408
818
Comparative Totals for 6 Year Period
ī
1956
1957
1958
1959
1960
1961
From 5 to 7
131
126
150
131
160
175
From 7 to 16
481
531
536
552
585
643
612
657
686
683
745
. 818
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.
16
SCHOOL REPORT
1961 - 1962 SCHOOL CALENDAR PENTUCKET REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL AND SCHOOL UNION No. 53
1961
September 5, 6
September 7, Thursday
October 12, Thursday
October 18, Wednesday
November 14, Monday
November 22, Wednesday
November 27, Monday December 22, Friday
Teachers Workshops Schools Open
Schools closed - Columbus Day Schools cloosed - Essex County Teachers Convention Parent-Teacher Conferences Elementary - No School Schools close at end of school day for Thanksgiving Schools open Schools close at noon for Christmas Holidays
1962
January 2, Tuesday
February 16, Friday
February 26, Monday
April 13, Friday
Schools open Schools close for Winter Vacation Schools open Schools close - Spring Vacation Schools open
April 23, Monday
May 30, Wednesday
June 15, Friday
Schools closed - Memorial Day Pentucket Regional High School Graduation - Last day for Seniors only All Elementary Schools close
June 20, Wednesday
June 21, Thursday. Pentucket Regional School Closes
185 days - Pentucket Regional School
183 days - All Elementary Schools
17
TOWN OF MERRIMAC
MERRIMAC 1962 SCHOOL BUDGET
Appropriated 1961
Expended 1961
Requested. 1962
GENERAL CONTROL:
School Committee Expense
$ 100.00 $
51.25 $
100.00
Superintendent's Salary
1,860.00
1,860.00
2,100.00
Transportation & Expense
200.00
200.00
200.00
Secretary & Office Expense
900.00
807.74
1,000.00
Law Enforcement
200.00
200.00
200.00
COST OF INSTRUCTION:
Teachers' Salaries
84,067.00
80,787.46
92,673.00
Textbooks
2,150.00
2,190.30
3,242.00
Supplies
2,580.00
3,182.92
3,690.00
Special Class Tuition
0
0
400.00
Individual Pupil Testing
933.00
75.00
0
COST OF OPERATION:
Janitors' Salaries
5,700.00
4,884.15
5,800.00
Fuel
3,000.00
2,347.33
3,000.00
Janitorial Supplies
700.00
877.37
800.00
Maintenance
2,500.00
1,887.09
2,500.00
Libraries
400.00
244.40
400.00
Health
1,750.00
1,756.56
1,817.00
Transportation
4,895.00
4,742.94
4,973.00
New Equipment (NDEA)
0
0
2,378.00
Telephone and All Other
275.00
288.12
275.00
School Lunch
900.00
900.00
900.00
$113,110.00 $107,282.63 $126,448.00
Vocational Appropriation
$ 3,000.00 $ 2,706.83 $ 2,800.00
18
SCHOOL REPORT
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL NURSE
My report for the school year dating from January 1961 to December 31, 1961:
Pre-school clinics were held on May 11 and 12.
Number of children given physical examinations
by Dr. Davis at the pre-school clinic 36
Number of complete physical examinations given by Dr. Davis during the school year in the first and fifth grades and all new students 99
The Tuberculin Patch Test was held on October 23rd, 25th, 27th, 30th, November 1st, and 3rd :
There were no reactors this year.
Number of children tested 139
Diptheria clinics were held on March 3rd, April 7th, and May 10th.
Number receiving initial three shots 4
Number receiving booster shots 186
Number of children tested with the
Massachusetts Vision Test 434
Number of children failing this test 37
Number of children seen by an eye specialist 28
19
TOWN OF MERRIMAC
Number of children tested with Audiometer for hearing 428
Number of children failing this test 11
Number of children seen by a doctor 10
Miss Chesley, state dental hygienist, examined the childrens' teeth for the second year.
Number examined 406
Number of cards sent home requiring dental care 159
Number of children who have been to a dentist and returned the card 60
I have administered first aid to all accidents occuring at the school, and have taken children to the Hale and Amesbury Hospitals.
Number of home visits made 195
Reports have been made out and sent on the following:
Physically handicapped Blind and partially blind
Vision testing
Hearing testing
Tuberculin Patch Test
Results of all physical examinations
All records are up to date. I have attended meetings pertaining to the school health program.
Respectfully submitted,
ANNIE L. GLEED, R. N.
School Nurse
20
SCHOOL REPORT
REPORT OF THE PENTUCKET REGIONAL DISTRICT SCHOOL COMMITTEE
For The Year Ending December 31, 1961
In accordance with Chapter 71, Section 16K, the Pentucket Regional District School Committee submits its eighth annual report to each of the member towns.
SCHOOL OFFICERS
JOHN C. JAKOBEK, Superintendent of Schools
Office: Pentucket Regional High School, West Newbury, Mass. Telephone: FOrest 3-2280
DOROTHY M. PEIRCE, Secretary, Superintendent's Office Address: 2 Summer Street, Merrimac, Mass.
PAUL H. FARRIS, Supervising Principal
Office : Pentucket Regional High School, West Newbury, Mass.
Home: 30 Church Street, Merrimac, Mass.
LELAND E. GIARD, Assistant Principal
Address: 8 Willow Avenue, Newburyport, Mass.
DOUGLAS V. CROOK, M. D., School Physician
Address: 121 Keeley Street, Haverhill, Mass.
MRS. MARIE T. BLAISDELL, R. N., School Nurse Address: 253 School Street, Groveland, Mass.
ATTENDANCE OFFICERS:
Norman P. Cotton, 20 Union Street, Groveland, Mass. Kenneth E. Haskell, Bear Hill Road, Merrimac, Mass. E. Wallace Towne, 200 Main Street, W. 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
18
M. A. Boston University 1950
10
Assistant Principal
James L. Topham
B. S. Ed. Bridgewater Teachers Col. 1951 M. Ed. State Teachers College Boston 1960 A. A. Boston University 1950 B. S. Boston Univ. School of Ed. 1952 M. Ed. Boston Univ. School of Ed. 1956
Resigned 9/9/61
Assistant Principal
Leland E. Giard
9
Guidance Director
Robert J. Collier
B. Ed. Cortland State Teachers Col. 1947 M. Ed. Boston University 1957
14
Guidance Director
Milton C. Burton
B. Ed. Keene Teachers College 1941 M. Ed. Boston University 1948 CAGS Boston University 1952 B. S. Ed. Salem State College 1960
Guidance
Maurice Feingold
1
Guidance
Helen M. Costello
A. B. Pembroke College 1940 M. Ed. Boston University 1959
16
Girls' Phys. Ed.
Susan F. Hatch
B. S. Springfield College 1960 B. S. Springfield College 1950 M. Ed. Springfield College 1960
11
English, Dept. Head
Ray E. Franklin
A. B. Notre Dame
14
English (Sr. H. S.)
Anna M. Hanson
A. B. Gustaous Adolphus College 1957
4
English (Sr. H. S.)
Enid Burns
B. S. Simmons College 1938
13
English
Sandra J. Turner
M. A. Breadloaf School of English 1939 B. Ph. Siena Heights College 1959
2
TOWN
OF
MERRIMAC
1
Boys' Phys. Ed.
Roger Bryant
Resigned 8/31/61 16
Resigned 6/30/61
21
Position
Name
Training
Total Yrs. Experience
English
Ronald L. Fenerty B. A. University of New Hampshire 1961
0
English Cynthia H. Bunshaft B. A. Northeastern University 1957
4
English Robert C. Gardner B. S. Boston University 4
English (Jr. H. S.)
Cornelia E. Wolfe
B. A. Boston University
21
English, Social Studies Mary E. Parry (Jr. H. S.)
B. S. Salem Teachers College 1960
1
Latin & English
Mary E. Doherty
B. A. Regis College 1953
6
Latin & English Marguerita. E. Powell A. B. Wheaton College
French & Spanish Dept. Head
John P. Nionakis
B. A. University of Massachusetts M. A. French, M. G. School, Paris M. A. Spanish, M. G. School, Madrid
8
French & Spanish
Oscar E. Mejia
A. B. Atlantic Union College
4
German
Charlene Heald
A. B. Boston University 1959
2
Resigned 6/30/61
German
Albert L. Rasmussen B. F. A. Boston University 1956 0
14
Physics
Melvin H. Pollack
B. S. Boston University 3
General Science
Joseph Derro, Jr.
B. S. North Carolina State College 1954
3
Science (Jr. H. S.)
Harry E. Ryerson
B. Ed. Defiance College 1952
6
Science (Jr. H. S.)
Susan E. Burns
B. S. Salem State College 1961 0
1
Science (Jr. H. S.)
Marie Miller Scher
B. S. Ed. Farmington Teachers College
Resigned 6/30/61
22
SCHOOL
REPORT
Chemistry, Dept. Head
Robert E. Knights
A. B. Brown University M. Ed. Harvard
Biology
Resigned 6/30/61 1
B. S. Boston University 1959
Position
Name
Training
Total Yrs. Experience
Social Studies
Daniel S. Gulezian
B. A. Bowdoin College 1954
7
Social Studies (Sr. H. S.)
John Coggin, Jr.
A. B. Boston University 1957
Resigned 6/30/61 3
Social Studies Dept. Head
Carl R. Marshall
A. B. Harvard University 1951 M. Ed. Boston University 1952 Ph. D. University of Vienna, Austria 1956 B. S. Ed. Boston University 3
2
Soc. Studies (Jr. H. S.)
Louis A. Porcelli
Soc. Studies (Jr. H.S.) Francis J. Ferreira, Jr. B. S. Ed. Salem State Teachers College Civics Arnold G. Zins B. A. University of Massachusetts
2
Mathematics
Norman J. Landry B. S. Ed. Bridgewater Teachers College M. Ed. Salem Teachers College 1960
Leave of Absence
Math & Science
Richard Costello
B. S. University of Massachusetts 1954
0
Math (Sr. H. S.)
Walter B. Drescher B. S. Ed. Salem Teachers College
3
Math. (Jr. H. S.) Thomas R. DeLuca, Jr.B. S. Worcester Polytechnic Institute 1953
2
Math. (Jr. H. S.)
Robert M. Esposito University of New Hampshire
0
Math (Sr. H. S.)
Helen B. Jarest
B. S. in B. A. Clark University 1961
0
Math., Dept. Head
William H. Whiting
B. A. Bowdoin College 1952 5.5
M. Ed. Northeastern University 1961
B. S. Ed. Salem Teachers College 36
M. Ed. Boston University
Commercial
Ralph E. Hull
B. S. Boston University 1956 M. Ed. Boston University Graduate School
3
TOWN
OF
MERRIMAC
Commercial, Dept. Head
Louise E. Mills
Resigned 6/30/61
2
1 yr.
1
23
Position
Name
Training
Total Yrs. Experience
Industrial Arts Dept. Head
Howard M. Faulkner
Wentworth Institute 1952: B. Ed. Fitchburg State Teachers Col. 1957 M. Ed. Northeastern University 1960 B. S. Fitchburg State College 1961 B. S. University of New Hampshire
Resigned 6/30/61
Industrial Arts,
Arthur Foss
School of Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
2
Industrial Arts
Robert B. Hawes, Jr.
B. S. Ed. Northeastern University 1960
1
Home Economics
Carol Ann Leary
B. A. Regis College
3
Home Economics
Rosemary Currier
B. S. Boston University 7
Resigned 6/30/61 5
Home Economics, Dept. Head
Bonnie J. Wiegand
B. S. Simmons College 1954 M. Ed. Boston University
Instrumental & Vocal
Richard McLoon
B. M. Boston University School of Music 7
Vocal Music
Fred W. Hilse, Jr.
B. M. Boston Univ. School of Music 1956 2
Art
Joseph F. Aliquo, Jr. B. S. Ed. Tufts, Boston Museum School 1955
Librarian
Ruth N. Parker
A. B. Coker College 1942 4
224 2
24
SCHOOL REPORT
5
0
Industrial Arts
James D. Schultz Charles H. Russell
27
Industrial Arts
25
TOWN OF MERRIMAC
REPORT OF THE PENTUCKET REGIONAL SCHOOL COMMITTEE 1961
To the Selectmen and the Citizens of Groveland, Merrimac and West Newbury:
The Pentucket Regional School Committee submits this report to you for the year 1961. In previous years, we have conveyed to you the important guidelines by which the school is operated. Your approval of the school policies and practices has been expressed through your support and encouragement.
Budget for 1962
Copies of the 33 page annual school budget were available at the open hearing or they may be secured by notifying the office of the Superintendent of Schools. We will make no attempt to discuss the budget in its entirety but hope to indicate to you the most significant items of interest and concern.
The overall budget is increasing annually because enrollments are increasing, prices of materials are in- creasing, program improvements require greater outlays and personnel increases and needs are growing. We submit that these increases are necessary. We submit that the quality of the product justifies the expenditures. Our most precious resources, the minds and bodies of our children, are receiving the educational program required in this day.
Since classroom instruction is the most vital part of the educational program, we have tried to provide salaries which will retain our competent staff members and attract
26
SCHOOL REPORT
new staff members of like quality. It is our observation that the slightly higher cost of quality teaching is justified in the much greater educational growth in our children. Even so, our per pupil costs are below the State average for Regional Schools. We dare not lower the educational standards when the demands for more and better educa- ted people is increasing.
A significant increase may be noted in the capital outlay section of this budget. This increase has been caused primarily by the growing number of pupils at the school. To properly teach our children it has been necessary to provide additional pieces of furniture and equipment. One example of increased costs is the need for additional armchairs. In addition to supplying more chairs in the present classrooms, it will be necessary to equip the auditorium stage, the teachers workroom, and the family living room in the home economics section with armchairs to conduct classes. But chairs alone do not make adequate facilities for instruction. It will be neces- sary to provide other items as chalkboards, desks and equipment. Enrollments in industrial arts have dictated an increase in their equipment. In addition, a finishing room for woodworking projects is included for teaching purposes and as a safety factor.
The textbook account has also been increased. Again, increasing enrollments account for some of this but, in addition, the period of textbook replacements has begun. Although all books are required to have covers, there has been a noticeable amount of wear a.nd tear creating replacement needs. And with the changing class enrollments, new demands for better materials and more current information, the budget request was substantiated.
27
TOWN OF MERRIMAC
Dropouts
In American education a great wave of indignation has arisen because of the waste of manpower and talent through dropouts. This fact has been of local interest for many years. One of the factors in favor of regionalization was to arrest the practice of leaving school due to inad- equate, sterile educational programs. We can now forth- rightly state that this goal has been accomplished.
In a town by town study of dropouts in the three towns since 1955, the following information is evident. The dropout rate in Groveland has been cut about 67 percent; in Merrimac about 50 percent; and about 40 percent in West Newbury.
There are some aspects of the local dropout rate which are still undergoing study. Although we are very pleased with our results, program adjustments to provide better educational opportunities for many worthy drop- outs are being investigated. Even though we recognize that a few dropouts may be better served by other agen- cies, there is a percentage of dropouts that would be better served by the school.
PART II
Pupil Enrollments and Future Needs
In the short space of four years we have seen our pupil population grow from 655 pupils in 1958 to 842 in 1961. The impact of this figure is that it exceeds the 1955 enrollment projections submitted to and accepted by the School Building Assistance Commission in determining the size and facilities for this school.
28
SCHOOL REPORT
The question arises as to the consistency of further growth and its rate. There is no doubt that the next ten years will show a steady growth barring extremely un- usual circumstances. The evidence for this prediction is:
1. The combined total. of pupils in Grade One, in Groveland, Merrimac and West Newbury is over 200 pupils. This is also true of Grades Two and Three. The number of dropouts before Grade Nine is negligible.
2. On October 1, 1961, there were 1142 pupils in the three elementary schools which send pupils to this school. If every child continued his education, by the year 1967 we could expect 1142 pupils in Grades Seven through Twelve.
3. Official projected enrollments for the three towns predict over 200 pupils will annually enroll in Grade One for at least six years.
4. With more than 200 pupils in Grade Three and at least that amount predicted for that grade for years to follow, starting in 1965 we can expect 200 or more seventh graders annually.
5. The actual and expected long-range enrollments indicate the number of pupils to equal or exceed the totals shown below :
Actual Enrollments
Projected Enrollments
10/1/58
655
1962
900
10/1/59
730
1963
965
10/1/60
775
1964
990
10/1/61
842
1965
1020
1966
1040
1967
1085
29
TOWN OF MERRIMAC
6. If the projected pupils for the next four years are combined with the pupils presently in Grades One, Two and Three, there will be about 1500 pupils in the three elementary schools by 1964.
The line graph shown on the next page illustrates the effect of our pupil growth in relation to the numbers expected in 1955. The data from which the line graph was plotted is shown below.
PENTUCKET REGIONAL SCHOOL
Year
1955 Projection
Actual Enrollment
Tuition Students
1958
615
655 (10/1)
8
1959
647
730 (10/1)
9
1960
657
775 (10/1)
9
1961
714
842 (10/1)
10
1962
727
Projected 900
1963
742
965
1964
750
990
1965
775
1020
1966
1040
1967
1085
The weight of the evidence is clear. Additional educational facilities will be required in the near future.
30
SCHOOL REPORT
NUMBER OF STUDENTS
1000
/
975
950
-
925
1
900
-
875
-
Projected Euroliments
-
850
525
800
f
'775
750
Actual Enrollments
1
725
700
675
5,50
525
600
1958
1959
1960
1961
1962
1963
1964
1965
1966
196?
Graph of Pentucket Regional School Enrollments
1955 Projection
31
TOWN OF MERRIMAC
PART III
In view of the statistics in Part II this Committee has studied the alternatives open to the three communities. We have analyzed carefully the student population; the prospects for growth; the alternatives in new construction or additions. At the present time there appear to be strong tendencies toward a new regional junior high school closely related to the present building.
The reasons for this decision are: (1) that an in- crease to 1300 or more students by 1970 dictates a separ- ate building for the 500 seventh and eighth graders; (2) that junior high school age students should be separated from senior high school students, socially; (3) that enlarging the present building to 1300 and more students would make it an unwieldy administrative unit - not be- cause of the student body alone but more so because of its present arrangement; (4) that the long-range plan is more economical.
Someone has described our dilemma as follows. Add rooms according to a well-thought-out plan, leading to complications, or build an economical and sensible educa- tional building to meet our increasing needs. After ad- ditional study, this Committee will submit its considered judgment on our future needs. It is hoped that a final decision on additional housing will be forthcoming early in 1962.
In reviewing 1961 it is obvious that the success of your children at Pentucket and in life is due to your care- ful guidance. We realize that the home is the most important factor in success, but we were glad, along with the churches and other community agencies, to contribute to their welfare. We are grateful for your cooperation.
32
SCHOOL REPORT
We commend you for your encouragement of your chil- dren, for your willingness to sacrifice for your children, and for your efforts to provide them with a better life.
Pentucket Regional School Committee CARL G. OLSON, Chairman , HAROLD A. BILODEAU, Vice-chairman PAUL B. CONDON SYDNEY A. O'NEILL KENNETH G. FOWLE LOUIS A. CYR JOHN F. COLE PHILIP J. LAWRENCE BARBARA A. GOVE
REPORT OF THE PRINCIPAL OF THE PENTUCKET REGIONAL SCHOOL
This will occasion the fourth annual report of the Principal of the Pentucket Regional School.
In the past we have explained in this column the philosophy and educational policy of the regional school. We have attempted to point out how and in what manner and means the program has been geared to provide a sound foundation for a good public school education. We have had the competent services of the dedicated staff of the school. We have had much to be thankful for, and the result, in so far as we can determine, demonstrates that our diligence and efforts to provide a quality educa- tion has in large measure produced a fruitful harvest.
33
TOWN OF MERRIMAC
As you undoubtedly know from our previous reports, and from facts contained in other sections of the town report, this school during the past year has been crowded. No one could foresee at the time of planning and erection of this bulding the accelerated growth and the migration of people in this regional community. Despite the pro- gress made this year, crowded conditions have tended to decelerate the advancement of our educational program. The next school year will have tremendous effects upon both our educational facilities and our educational program. At the present time I would remind you that the use of our educational facilities has reached a point of almost 100%. This figure will be reached during the next school year.
Discerning citizens might well think that such effective use of building facilities always results in a superior educational program. This may in some in- stances be true, but the extent of the correlation and the value containing therein would be predicated on the fact that effective teaching devices, techniques and standards would be at a maximum. It is generally agreed that highly efficient use of facilities in schools is attained when the percentage is around 80%. It is, in fact, under certain conditions, possible to have 100% efficiency of facilities, but the expense of this far out weighs the economy that seems apparent on the surface. To do this would sacrifice moderate class size, which is necessary for effective teaching. Entailed also would be indiscriminate use of classrooms for purposes not consistant with a good educational program; unrefined schedule programs that freeze students into a curriculum not designed for their best interest; the deprivation of special class groups for the talented, for the average, and for the slow learners; indiscriminate mixing of students of various age groups and maturity level in various aspects of the program. In short, this could result in educational hodge podge.
34
SCHOOL REPORT
While the efficiency in the use of our facilities and teachers would seem high, the actual advantages will not generally be on the same level. As an example: to use a class room for a science program when the facilities for experimentation and for demonstration are not present nor available, is to deprive students of a real quality education. Other areas may also be cited to substantiate this statement: to eliminate a student from Physical Education or from Industrial Arts, or other areas because of crowded conditions, is also an example of depriving students of quality education, even though the facilities are used to the maximum. To enlarge classes to the point where teachers are unable to provide adequate quality education and effectively make use of the individual differences that exist among our students is a further example of the erosion of quality education. To limit the scheduling program so that students may not elect the courses that they need because of the crowded conditions is another example of the erosion of the education. To find that students are mixed with other groups of students of dissimilar abilities and goals in large classes, because of the problem of scheduling resulting from the lack of available space is still another example of the erosion in quality education: to overload the teachers with extra duties and with extra students which generally prevents them from doing their most effective work does not give them the proper atmosphere for pupil learning effective- ness.
During this next year we will be using the specialized Home Economics room for other classes. This will deprive the Home Economics students from effective use of the
35
TOWN OF MERRIMAC
room for some homemaking activites. We will also be using the conference room adjoining the Superintendent's Office, making use of this small conference room for small group work. The teacher's room will also be used. This area is now used by teachers as a center of activities in making out and duplicating tests and other papers and especially by the teachers who do not, even now, have space available for their work. Next year this will be complicated by the fact that there will be three more teachers in addition to our present staff. This room, in- adequate as it is, will also be required for use as a class room. The auditorium will also be used (in addition to the cafeteria, which is now being used for study hall and large classes). This is an example of what might be called efficient use of our facilities, but the wear and tear on these areas and the resultant unavailability of these areas for their designed purpose seriously detracts from the efficiency that seems apparent upon surface examination. The use of areas designed for one purpose in order to put them to another purpose is merely robbing Peter to pay Paul and is of little value. It hurts educa- tionally, due to the fact that when a time arrives to provide a place for a special class to meet, in a room designed for that purpose, that room would not be avail- able. There is no place at the present time, thus, there is no choice to make -- one must take what one has and make the best of it. In any event, there will be serious impacts upon curriculum and upon quality education, which we have so diligently tried to establish at the Pentucket Regional School. Many classes will be too large for the most efficient instruction, in both Senior and
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