USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Williamsburg > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Williamsburg 1958 > Part 4
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this group stands so ready to assist both by thought and deed in the educational progress in Williamsburg.
The townspeople must recognize that a small high school is not only expensive but at best is limited in the breadth and depth of the educational program it can offer. The students from the surrounding towns have done much to make our program more fruitful not only to themselves but to our own students. Several courses would not be available but for the increased number of students to make the offering of them feasible. Although we believe our High School is better than most, it is im- possible to furnish extended training in mathematics, science and foreign languages without outside assistance. Larger schools can come closer to meeting the increasing demands on modern education, especially for those stu- dents with higher than average abilities. Many responsi- ble educators believe that the small high school must soon give way to the larger school where students of all abili- ties can be recognized and given the opportunity to ob- tain an education at the highest level possible. The day cannot be far in the future when the Town of Williams- burg must decide whether to combine with its neighbors and form a Regional High School, or "go it alone" with an expensive and less adequate educational system.
The Committee has again enjoyed the cooperation of all those with whom it has dealt and wishes to express its gratitude to all who have contributed in its efforts on be- half of the school system.
Sincerely,
KENNETH W. SHERK, For the School Committee
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Superintendent's Report
The annual report of the Superintendent of Schools is herewith submitted. It is the fifty-seventh since the original school union was formed and the sixth since the five-town union was formed.
Education during the past year has undoubtedly been highlighted in newspapers more than ever in the history of our country. The effects of Sputnik, of Dr. Conant's report, the National Defense Education Act and a new state minimum salary were of major importance to our local school system. A stimulus received from these events has been of great interest and concern to our com- munity.
Briefly, the National Defense Education Act authorizes over one billion dollars in Federal Aid during the next four years. This money has been set up so that every young person, from the day he first enters school, should have an opportunity to develop his gifts to the fullest. The money has been specifically allotted for the finding and encouraging of talent, with improving the ways and means of teaching, and with the furthering of knowledge itself. Massachusetts, under the leadership of the State Board of Education, is preparing its proposed plan for the administration of allocated funds. The Act is divided into ten different titles. Our local school system is pri- marily concerned with Title III - financial assistance for strengthening science, mathematics and modern lan- guage instruction; Title V - guidance, counseling, and testing ; Title VI - Language development.
Williamsburg was not affected immediately by the new $3,600 minimum salary law for teachers in Massachu-
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setts. However, the new minimum does imply that the maximum salary for teachers also be raised. It is fortu- nate that the Williamsburg Committee revised its sched- ule in December of 1957. At present we are forced to hire a teacher with a Bachelor's Degree at $3,600 (our schedule $3,300). As many of you have read in the newspapers, most surrounding towns will hire new teach- ers (without experience) at a beginning salary of $4,000. If we are to retain and attract teachers to Williamsburg, we must at least make our salaries comparable to other communities.
School Committees of Union #51 again met at Smith's School for the annual meeting in April. At this meeting, Mr. Kenneth Sherk, Williamsburg, was elected chairman ; Mr. Clement Burr, Southampton, vice-chairman; Mrs. Gertrude Lucy of Worthington was named secretary. The Adjustment Counselor, Mr. N. Deming Hoyt, pre- sented a very complete picture of his work in the three towns of Williamsburg, Worthington and Westhampton. The possibilities of adding a second counselor were dis- cussed. It was voted to contribute $250.00 to the Hol- yoke Mental Health Clinic as we call on their services frequently. The reappointment of the Union Secretary and Adjustment Counselor was voted for the school year 1958-59. The next union meeting will take place in Worthington. We wish to extend our most sincere thanks to Mr. Lauri Ronka and the Board of Trustees for their most generous hospitality during the past two years.
There were no changes in teachers at either of our ele- mentary schools. Mr. Hoyt, Adjustment Counselor, re- signed during the summer to accept a similar position in Springfield, Mass. Mrs. Helen Judd, Junior High teach- er, resigned to return to Goshen as Principal of their ele- mentary school. Mr. Edmond Houle, High School Prin- cipal, resigned in April to accept a position in East Long- meadow. I wish to thank these three people for the years of service to Williamsburg.
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Your school committee and superintendent spent sev- eral weeks interviewing candidates for the High School Principalship. Mr. Bertrand Roger of Newburyport, Mass., was the final choice. Mr. Roger is a graduate of Georgetown University. He received his Master's de- gree at Boston University. His previous experience was as Principal of Epping High School in New Hampshire.
Mrs. Jane Pike Marx of Amherst has replaced Mr. Hoyt as Adjustment Counselor. Mrs. Marx was gradu- ated from Radcliffe College and received a Master's de- gree in Social Work from the University of Minnesota. Mrs. Marx comes to us most qualified with previous ex- perience as a case worker at the Children's Home Service of Minnesota. During her graduate studies, she received both the Hill Foundation Scholarship and the U. S. Public Health Scholarship, Mental Health Division. Mr. Donald MacGregor of Derry, N. H., accepted a position in the Junior-Senior High School. He has had five years' teach- ing experience before coming to Williamsburg.
Enrollment figures in all our schools taken October 1, 1958, are as follows :
Anne T. Dunphy School
154
Haydenville Center School
132
Helen E. James School
237
523
Smith's School
11
Special Class Northampton
3
The above figures include tuition pupils from the follow- ing towns :
Cummington
1
Worthington
10
Plainfield
1
Goshen
16
Chesterfield
12
Westhampton
26
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Effective September, 1959, the Williamsburg School Committee has raised tuition rates for the above pupils. The new rate will be $350 per school year for senior high and $300 for junior high pupils. The town of Williams- burg received $17,871.29 during 1959 as payment for tuition of these pupils.
Improvements
1. To continue our long range program of replacing furniture at the Helen E. James School and be- cause of increased enrollment, approximately 60 units of furniture have been purchased.
2. The Study Hall at the High School was completely painted during the summer.
3. A new horizontal ladder was added to the Hayden- ville School playground.
4. An additional freezer was bought for the cafeteria.
5. Window shades were replaced at the High School.
6. Needed brickwork was done at the Anne T. Dun- phy School.
7. A new duplicator was purchased for the High School.
Audio-Visual Aids
A much needed movie projector was purchased for our High School. At present all three buildings have good projectors. A tape recorder for the Haydenville School has been added. This piece of equipment is used prin- cipally for reading and as an aid with those classes par- ticipating in our German program.
Music
Miss Olive Healy has the following report to make con- cerning our music program in Williamsburg: In addition
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to the customary graded work, programs in the elemen- tary schools have included an operetta in the spring at the Haydenville school and musical participation in the Christmas program at the Anne T. Dunphy School.
The Junior-Senior High School gave a spring concert, and the Senior High School Glee Club furnished music at the evening programs of Class Night and Graduation in June. Several of our students took part in the 3-day All-State musical festival last spring, representing us in both the orchestral and choral divisions.
Our entire High School Glee Club had an audition at the Western Mass. music festival last May, with their customary good report, and participated in the Massed Chorus. We had representatives of both Orchestra and Chorus recently in the District Festival of Music held at Chicopee, Mass. on December 13th. At this writing we have a group of students preparing to try for the All- State festival to be held next April on Cape Cod. Due to the general condition of heightened awareness of all things musical, I feel that orchestral work and Glee Club work should now be undertaken on the Junior High School level as well as the Senior High School level.
Physical Education
Our programs, under the direction of Mrs. Evelyn Kmit and Mr. Earl Tonet, have shown further develop- ment during the past year. Teachers in grades 1 through 6 have been given specific daily exercises which all stu- dents must perform. Mrs. Kmit was instrumental in obtaining special pieces of equipment made by Smith's School students. A report of this was included in a re- cent issue of the Daily Hampshire Gazette. Mr. Tonet has expanded his athletic program by including cross country for the first time.
Art
Mrs. Elizabeth Ferrante has guided our youngsters through art experiences for the past year. Art is offered
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in all grades from one through six and on an elective basis in Junior High School. An art exhibit of children's work was held in the spring at both elementary schools. Some provision to continue Art in the High School on an elective basis should be considered.
New Activities
Our greatest accomplishment in High School has been the recent addition of a Student Council. Officers have been chosen and a constitution adopted. Much time has been given to this project by both students and teachers. The main purpose of the council is to direct student activities and to help with suggestions and recommenda- tions affecting the student body as a whole.
A Press Club is also new to Williamsburg High. All news items are handled by this group.
Health
The Williamsburg Committee has obtaind the services of Dr. John Modestow as school dentist. The Dental Health Clinic, sponsored by the Board of Health, is oper- ating at the Junior-Senior High School. Examination of children's teeth has been made and parents have been notified of the results. The Clinic is an added facility in Williamsburg, allowing families without a regular dentist to have children's teeth taken care of.
Cafeteria
Under the supervision of Mrs. Helen Wells, the cafe- teria during this past year has continued to serve young- sters from the Anne T. Dunphy School and the Junior- Senior High School. Hot lunches are transported daily to the Haydenville School. Miss Marjorie Cowles, of the Office of School Lunch Programs, visited our schools and reviewed menus planned. She stated that our program met the Type "A" meal pattern requirements and that
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School Lunch personnel were observed in the process of meal preparation and serving to children. She found our group to be most cooperative and interested in the success of the overall program. Our congratulations to these people.
I am grateful to the teachers, School Committee, Mrs. O'Neill, the P.T.A. and other members of the community for their continued support and assistance during the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
J. WALTER RICHARD, Superintendent of Schools
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Report of Remedial Reading Program
Mr. J. Walter Richard Superintendent of Schools Williamsburg, Mass.
Dear Mr. Richard :
I herewith submit my report as teacher of Remedial Reading. More and more, the importance of reading is being recognized. The academic success or failure of every pupil in every subject is dependent on his reading ability. Very often, too, his success as a person, his feel- ing about himself, and the realization of his full poten- tialities are dependent on this ability.
The remedial reading program, now in its fourth year in the schools of Williamsburg and Haydenville, is de- signed to correct reading difficulties and increase reading ability and enjoyment. Students for this work are chosen from third through eighth grade classes, usually those whose "reading age" is two years or more below their mental age.
All pupils in these schools are tested in reading twice a year by means of the Gates Reading Survey, and once by the Stanford Achievement Tests. On the basis of these tests, the teachers' estimate, and interviews in the Reading Clinic, we feel we have a true picture of each pupil's reading ability at the time, and an accurate record of his progress.
The books, periodicals, and other material used in the Reading Room are bought by the school or borrowed
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from the Regional, Forbes, Meekins, and Haydenville Libraries, or from teachers and pupils. The Book Fair, sent by the Hampshire Bookshop to the three schools, gives pupils, their parents, and teachers a chance to see hundreds of new books and buy them at a discount.
Remedial Reading pupils meet four times a week, for half hour sessions, individually or in small groups, according to need, for a "course" of three months. Each pupil starts with his own interests and at his own level, and works intensively for this period of time. Our aim is to raise his reading level, to increase his appreciation of what he reads, and to further his desire to read.
I wish to thank you, the School Committee, teachers, parents and pupils for your help.
Respectfully submitted, JEAN SNOW,
Teacher of Remedial Reading
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Report of School Nurse
Mr. J. Walter Richard Superintendent of Schools Williamsburg, Mass.
Dear Mr. Richard :
The annual report of the school nurse is herewith sub- mitted for the year 1958. Vision testing was completed in September with 527 pupils tested. 29 failed the test. 14 were fitted to new glasses. The other 15 were due for a check-up or glasses were broken and needed to be replaced. Notices sent home to parents were promptly taken care of.
We had many cases of mumps and measles during the winter and spring. All pupils in the three schools had the hearing test in March. 7 failed this test.
Dr. Hemenway was assisted in Haydenville with 132 physical examinations during October. Dr. Hobbs was assisted in Williamsburg with 384 examinations. All pupils taking part in basketball playing, cheerleading or cross country must have a physical examination first. Home visits are being made to advise parents to help correct such minor defects as wax in ears, flat feet, dental care, overweight, underweight, posture, enlarged tonsils or adenoids, and skin rash usually due to an allergy.
All high school pupils are weighed and measured at the time of the physical examination. Primary grade children are weighed and measured twice during the year. Several overweight and underweight children have been checked more frequently. At the opening of school
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in September, assistance was given to teachers rearrang- ing seats to assure correct height of deck and seat for maximum comfort for each child.
Our dental program, sponsored by the Williamsburg Board of Health, was begun in December. Cards were sent home for parents to sign informing us that the child goes to his family dentist regularly or that they wish care by our school dentist. Dr. John Modestow examined the teeth of 218 pupils. Slips have been sent home as a result of the examination, asking parents if they wish this work done by Dr. Modestow. Several home visits were made during the year. Because of the cooperation of the parents, a telephone call has served the purpose in a great many cases when the both parents are em- ployed during the day.
A few children were referred to the Crippled Child's Clinic in Springfield for X-rays or postural exercises for correction of ortheopedic defects. Two boys are attend- ing the speech clinic in Springfield.
Several minor accidents were given emergency treat- ment and taken care of by family physicians. Classroom inspection is made in all primary grade rooms.
I wish to thank Mr. Richard, the school physicians, Dr. Hemenway and Dr. Hobbs, the teachers, the School Com- mittee and all parents for their cooperation in my work.
Respectfully submitted,
MARGARET MADISON, R. N., School Nurse
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State Audit TOWN OF WILLIAMSBURG Balance Sheet - August 31, 1958 GENERAL ACCOUNTS
ASSETS
LIABILITIES AND RESERVES
Cash
$92,605.32
Accounts Receivable :
Taxes:
Temporary Loans : In Anticipation of Revenue 1958 $35,000.00
Levy of 1954:
Personal Property
$95.40
Real Estate
178.36
$50,000.00
Levy of 1955:
State Recreation Areas
1,011.11
Personal Property
100.80
County Tax 11,842.11
Real Estate
1,180.25
County Retirement 1,578.02
1,281.05
14,431.24
Levy of 1956 :
Payroll Deductions:
Personal Property
1,342.32
Federal Taxes
908.78
Real Estate
3,284.81
County Retirement System
96.83
4,627.13
1,004.91
Levy of 1957 :
Agency :
Poll
12.00
Dog Licenses-Due County
108.50
Personal Property
1,373.86
Excess-Sale Lands of Low
Real Estate
9,826.57
Value
226.49
11,212.43
Land Purchase-Anne T.
Levy of 1958 :
Dunphy School 600.00
Poll
560.00
934.99
Personal Property
7,551.76
Tailings-Unclaimed Checks
48.50
In Anticipation of Reimbursement 15,000.00
273.76 State and County Assesments 1958 :
Real Estate
176,000.88
184,112.64
Motor Vehicle and Trailer Excise :
Levy of 1955 188.09
Levy of 1956
163.39
Levy of 1957
1,165.54
Levy of 1958
2,252.44
3,769.46
Trust Fund Income : Henry M. Hills Hospital Bed Fund 121.55
Tax Titles
609.75
Whiting Street Worthy Poor Fund
939.27
802.18
Mary T. Main Worthy Poor Fund
401.21
Veterans' Services
64.04
School
195.00
259.04
Electa Waite Charity Fund
423.12
Water Department:
Lyman D. Waite Charity Fund
237.70
Rates
3,004.95
Albert S. Hills Charity Fund
223.05
Miscellaneous
764.56
Byron Loomis Schol Fund
508.15
Petticoat Hill Extension
197.50
Ethel Curry School Fund
50.80
Albert D. Sanders School Fund
800.66
Aid to Highways:
State
19,587.23
County
4,159.43
4,465.88
23,746.66
Federal Grants:
Estimated Receipts-to be Collected Overdrawn Accounts : Due from Collins School Fund 178.47
28,640.48
Trust Funds Bequests : Anne T. Dunphy Elementary School Fund 5,000.00
Anne T. Dunphy-Helen E. James School Fund 5,000.00
10,000.00
Farm Animal Excise : Levy of 1958
152.74
Tax Possessions
192.43
Departmental:
Henry W. Warner Worthy Poor Fund
64.00
3,967.01
Ellsworth H. Hyde School Fund 340.35
Disability Assistance : Administration Assistance
37.88 2,986.99
Due from Onslow G. Spelman School Fund 133.52
311.99
Aid to Dependent Children Administration Aid
85.09
6,154.23
Old Age Assistance : Administration Assistance
1,829.57
7,511.40
Schools-Public Law 874
6,011.90
Federal Works Agency-
Water Plans and Emergency
12.00
24,629.06
Revolving Funds :
School Lunch
2,866.76
School Athletics
1,416.98
4,283.74
Appropriation Balances :
Revenue :
General
$114,264.18
Non-Revenue :
New Elementary School
Construction 3,628.83
117,893.01
Road Machinery Fund
5,041.75
Reserve Fund-Overlay Surplus
5,444.05
Overlays Reserved for Abatements:
Levy of 1954 273.76
Levy of 1955
1,281.05
Levy of 1956
4,627.13
Levy of 1957
9,150.26
Levy of 1958 19,884.97
35,217.17
Revenue Reserved Until Collected : Motor Vehicle and Trailer Excise 3,769.46
Farm Animal Excise
152.74
Tax Title and Possession
802.18
Departmental
259.04
Water
3,967.01
Aid to Highway
8,746.66
17,697.09
Surplus Revenue : General
56,095.77
Water
8,574.73
64,670.50
$355,761.89
$355,761.89
DEBT ACCOUNTS
Net Funded or Fixed Debt : Inside Debt Limit : General
$16,000.00
Serial Loans : Inside Debt Limit : Helen E. James School Repair Loan Outside Debt Limit : General: Anne T. Dunphy Elementary School Loan $170,000.00
$16,000.00
Outside Debt Limit : General $170,000.00
Public Service Enterprise : Water 15,500.00
185,500.00
Public Service Enterprise : Water: Water Main South Street Extension Loan 2,500.00
Underground Supply Water Loan 13,000.00
185,500.00
$201,500.00
$201,500.00
TRUST AND INVESTMENT ACCOUNTS
Trust and Investment Funds: Cash and Securities : In Custody of Town Treasurer In Custody of Trustee
$115,291.78 3,810.30
In Custody of Town Treasurer: Henry M. Hills Hospital Bed Fund $18,411.53
Whiting Street Worthy Poor Fund 5,574.25
Mary L. Main Worthy
Poor Fund 3,021.26
Henry W. Warner Worthy
Poor Fund 6,008.84
Electa Waite Charity Fund
1,773.51
Lyman D. Waite Charity Fund
700.00
Albert S. Hills Charity Fund
5,000.00
C. J. Hills Charity Fund
5,000.00
Collins School Fund
12,381.51
Onslow G. Spelman School Fund
36,870.77
Byron Loomis School Fund
7,436.51
Ethel Curry School Fund
1,000.00
Albert D. Sanders
School Fund
6,508.30
Ellsworth H. Hyde School Fund 3,004.77
Cemetery Perpetual
Care Funds
1,325.00
Post War Rehabilitation
Fund
1,275.53
$115,291.78
In Custody of Trustee : Helen E. James School Fund
3,810.30
$119,102.08
$119,102.08
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