USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Duxbury > Town annual report for the town of Duxbury for the year ending 1941-1945 > Part 52
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During National Education Week in the fall, all schools held open house either in the afternoon or in the evening in order that the parents and friends could visit. Worth while programs were designed in order to give parents a clearer idea of what is taking place in the schools. At the present time, committees of teachers are cooperating with the P. T. A. by planning a series of four meetings built around various activities that take place in the schools.
INSTRUCTION
The problem of what to teach and how to teach is always with us. Methods do not change radically from year to year, but it is vitally necessary that there be a
205
continual evolution in order to adapt to the latest prac- tices which have been substantiated by careful research. During the latter part of 1945, this gradual change has been continued in Duxbury schools. Attention has been given in particular to several problems :
1. Standardized tests are a necessary part of the school program. These tests enable us to compare the accomplishments of Duxbury children with the accomplishments of children from all over the coun- try. For the next few years we have committed our- selves to the policy of using these tests early in the year. This enables us not only to find out how our children do in comparison with others, but it gives us time during the year to do something about it. The tests now in use emphasize background, ideas, ability to read, ability to apply knowledge to prob- lems, and ability to use the tools of learning-such as writing, dictionaries, reference books, and so on. This program will extend from the third grade through the senior year of High School.
2. The problems of scheduling are extremely difficult in a small school system. The High School schedule is continually being changed or adapted to the needs as they arise. The Elementary School teachers have spent some time discussing means of improv- ing upon class schedules so that they may develop a better plan of alloting time to the various sub- jects.
3. The Rinehart Functional Handwriting System has been adopted by the Duxbury schools on an experi- mental basis. Under this plan, the classroom teacher teaches penmanship but receives help from
206
an expert supervisor who visits the class once a month. The whole system is very carefully designed to bring about good results and it is expected that accomplishment in this field will be very satis- factory this year.
4. A series of Elementary Schools teachers' meetings is being held weekly in order to discuss and clarify the many problems connected with improving in- struction. The emphasis in these meetings is on teaching rather than on school routine. Our pro- cedure is to decide as a group which problems are most pressing and to work upon them. Most changes that have been made have been developed in these meetings. The teachers have also clarified somewhat the Program of Studies in some areas and this next year will go on to finish that job. At the present time one of the most popular reading systems published is being used in the Duxbury schools. Our arithemtic course of study is also de- termined by the system used which is up-to-date and well developed. In the Social Studies the work has been divided up as follows:
A. Grade One studies life in and about the home.
B. Grade Two makes a study of the community and some of the services a community ren- ders to its citizens.
C. Grade Three carries on a study of commun- ity life but the study is built around the life of contrasting peoples such as the In- dians, the Dutch and the Swiss.
207
D. Grade Four continues the study of com- munity life with particular emphasis upon a very cold country, a hot, dry country, and a hot, moist country. In Grade Four there is also a study of early life in Dux- bury, Massachusetts, and the American Colonies.
E. Grade Five studies American History from the time of the American Revolution up to the present. The emphasis here is upon everyday life and the great men who have contributed to the development of Amer- ica. Economic and political developments as such are not stressed on this level.
F. Grade Six studies the modes of living throughout historical times in other parts of the world. The lives of people and their famous men are studied as well as the geography of the various regions.
There is often criticism of the public schools because it is felt that they do not teach enough American His- tory. If the above listing had been carried up through the High School, it would be noted that American His- tory is taught on three different levels-the first one in Grades Four and Five with a biographical approach, the second one in Grade Seven with a chronological develop- ment with more emphasis on political and economical de- velopments, and an advanced chronological study of his- tory in Grade Eleven as well as a course in Problems of American Democracy, which studies current problems with some emphasis upon their background in American History.
208
IMPROVEMENT OF PLANT
In the six months that I have worked in Duxbury, I have been impressed with the large amount of time and money that must be spent on the physical piant. It would seem that it would be most economical to make only such expenditures as seem absolutely necessary in the elemen- tary schools and when any major changes are made in the high school plant, they should be done well so that the item will not continually recur. It was necessary to work on the drainage system at the High School. A very thorough construction job was undertaken which should give a permanent solution to that problem. In another year a thorough job must be done particularly around the windows in order to save fuel and leakage which is ruining the plaster inside. Unfortunately, a large amount of money had to be spent in drilling a well at the Tarkiln School, but since this was a matter that vitally concerned the health of the pupils, the money was well spent. Due to war conditions, there has been some accumulation of repair work in the High School building which will make it necessary to raise the budget item for this purpose for the next few years.
CONCLUSION
In looking forward to another year there are several problems that present themselves and upon which we must continually be working :
1. We have outgrown our present school plant. By September of 1947 the situation will be serious and some major adjustment must be made. Every ef- fort should be made to have the new school available at that time in order to prevent serious curtailment of the program.
209
2. As I visit the classrooms, I am struck by the serious shortage of teaching aids which help to make the building of new ideas vital and interesting to the students. Careful attention must be given to build- ing up this phase of our program.
3. The High School has developed an excellent system of keeping pupil records. An equally efficient sys- tem should be developed for the elementary schools next year.
4. Our enrollment for next year indicates that it will probably be necessary to have three combination grades : a combination First and Second, Third and Fourth, and Fifth and Sixth.
5. A long-term study has started and will continue to be developed on the ways and means of developing our curriculum in order to give our children the best possible program.
In conclusion, I wish to thank the members of the School Committee and the members of the school staff for their fine cooperation throughout the school year and their consistancy in making decisions in the light of the best interests of the children of Duxbury.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN A. WHITEHEAD,
Superintendent of Schools.
%
210
Report of High School Principal
To the Superintendent of Schools :
The present secondary school program of studies is made up of all the educational experiences for which the school accept responsibility. As in the past, it includes the content and skills of the subjects of the curriculum, but it now also includes all of the learning activities found in the association of pupils and teachers in class- rooms, homerooms, assemblies, club meetings, guidance programs and athletics.
In an attempt to provide for the educational needs of pupils in grades 7 to 12, the secondary school program includes three broad areas of learning.
1. General education includes subject fields of Eng- lish, Social Studies, Literature and Mathematics. It also includes certain necessary information, attitudes, skills, appreciations and understand- ings, which are considered necessary to all citi- zens for intelligent living in a democracy.
2. Preparatory education, through an adequate guidance program, provides information and skill which will prepare a pupil for further edu- cation or for a vocation or both.
3. Avocational education, through extra class activ- ities, clubs, dramatics, sports, hobbies, etc., pro-
211
vides development of school training which leads to constructive use of leisure time.
The needs of our pupils in the above areas have re- ceived careful attention in the past year. Many problems have arisen and some have involved changes in the cur- riculum or improvement of facilities, while others have led to the establishment of new policies. Achievement of a modern school program involves planning over a period of time, so special attention is now being given to the problems necessary in this planning.
CURRICULUM
Changes in curriculum offerings during this year in- clude the addition of some new subjects, as well as re- organization of others. Subjects added this year include Consumer Education, Commercial Law, Mechanical Drawing and Retail Selling. Through reorganization, improvement has been made in boys' and girls' physical education and industrial arts. Opening of the Home Eco- nomics Cottage Laboratory has provided an opportunity for the reorganization of the subject matter in that field.
Through the employment of a part time librarian and the addition of some of the needed equipment, a well or- ganized library is being developed. This development provides an opportunity previously impossible, for in- struction in the use of the library.
The quality of instruction is necessarily affected by the appropriateness of the physical facilities provided in the classroom. Crowded conditions in some classrooms and the lack of the proper rooms in which to carry on in- struction, forces us to do less effectual teaching than we would prefer. When a sufficient number of rooms and
212
rooms with the proper number of seats can be achieved, we may expect an increase in the quality of learning.
Since my report for 1944, conditions have changed so that we have been able to add a late bus three days a week. This extra service is of distinct value in increasing the quality of instruction because pupils can be kept in the afternoon for special help and make-up work. It also allows us to carry on an expanded extra class program. The employment of the Art and Music supervisors in the Duxbury schools for two days a week instead of one, has made for much more satisfactory programs in art and music. Our offering in the commercial subjects have been materially improved by the addition of an ediphone, a mimeograph and an electric calculator.
AUDIO-VISUAL AIDS
The High School now has available for use in its classes the following Audio-Visual equipment :
One sound motion picture projector equipped with a microphone and turn-table.
One silent motion picture projector.
One portable amplifier.
One combination opaque and glass slide projector. One glass slide projector.
One projector for film strips and 2 x 2 slides.
One portable electric record player.
One radio transcription player.
One radio.
A small number of film strips.
A number of speech and musical recordings.
We subscribe to a motion picture rental service which provides us with about 150 teaching films a year.
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EXTRA CLASS ACTIVITIES
The High School is developing an organized program of extra class activities of various types. These supple- ment the work in the three broad areas of learning pre- viously mentioned. Each student activity has a teacher advisor so that adult advice and assistance is always available to the pupils. However, so far as possible, in keeping with the general welfare, pupils are encouraged and allowed to work out their own ideas.
ACTIVITIES
ADVISORS
Student Organizations Student Council and Marshalls Athletic Association Partridge
Junior Red Cross
Charles L. Sewall Charles L. Sewall Elizabeth M. Bassett Ellen W. Downey
Class Organizations
12th Grade
11th Grade
10th Grade
9th Grade
8th Grade
7th Grade
Genevieve M. Collins Elvira F. Suitor Elizabeth M. Bassett Charlotte D. LeClaire Edmond B. Gesiak Ellen W. Downey
Student Clubs
Library Service Club Senior Glee Club Science Club
Chemistry Club
Elesebeth B. Bencordo Emily P. Lawrence Edmond B. Gesiak Elvira F. Suitor
Student Committees Student Hand Book Myles Standish Movies Assemblies
Charles L. Sewall Walter E. Scott Charlotte D. LeClaire
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Student Sports
Supervisor of Cheer Leaders Girls' Activities Field Hockey Basketball Softball Boys' Activities
Charlotte D. LeClaire
Carola E. Kapff
Charles L. Sewall and Earl W. Bassett
Six-man Football Basketball Baseball
GUIDANCE
Upon the resignation of Miss Margaret K. Elliott, our capable Educational Advisor for the past five years, the work in the guidance field was added to the schedule of Mr. Charles L. Sewall of the faculty. The well organized Guidance Program begun by Miss Elliott has been con- tinued and expanded. The most important improvements in this field include the installation of a new detailed guidance and activity record for all high school pupils, the beginning of regular classes in group guidance for the 8th and 9th grades, an increase in the amount of time allowed for guidance work, and the beginning of a work experience program. When fully developed, it is planned to achieve work experience of at least one week for all students not engaged in college preparation.
To assist teachers in providing pupils with more in- telligent help in solving their educational problems, the school has begun the use of the Iowa Tests of Educational Development. Each home room teacher is provided with a test record of the pupils in his room. This teacher as- sists his students to plan their programs in high school. The guidance director interviews all students and works
215
especially with those whom home room teachers find are in need of special attention. Special attention is given to new students entering from other communities and to those who are about to enter employment.
Our library is being catalogued and supervised through the services of a part-time librarian. Modern library practices are being installed. The addition of tables and chairs to the library, installation of moveable seats in place of the stationary desks, installation of bullet.n boards, additional book shelves, file drawers, a magazine rack and a librarian's desk, have all helped to provide improved library service and have tended to create a better library atmosphere in the library and study hall. During the past year, 62 new books were added and a gratifying increase in book circulation has been noted.
HIGH SCHOOL OFFICE
Until this year, office space for administering a modern program of secondary education was inadequate. The principal had no private office and the guidance office was located at the other end of the building, next to the stage.
By reorganization, arrangement was made whereby there are now private connecting offices for the Guidance Director and the Principal, adjacent to a secretarial office, all located near the front door of the building. By these changes, efficiency in the administration of the school has been greatly improved.
Duxbury High School is accredited in Class A by the State Department of Education. During the past year, our privilege of certifying students to college entrance without examination, was again renewed. In December
216
1945 Duxbury High School was voted to membership in the New England Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools.
I wish to express my thanks to you and to the School Committee for your continued understanding and help. I am also appreciative of the efforts of our teachers, whose loyal cooperation accounts in great measure for whatever success we are achieving.
Respectfully submitted,
WALTER E. SCOTT,
Principal.
217 Report of School Committee
To the Citizens of Duxbury :
We present here our report for the calendar year 1945 and insofar as possible present our views on the future needs of the Duxbury schools.
ADMINISTRATION
In April 1945, Mr. Walter E. Scott, Principal of the High School, became Acting Superintendent of Schools for the remainder of the school year following the resig- nation of Superintendent George E. Green. On July 1, Mr. John A. Whitehead, Principal of the James H. El- dredge School in East Greenwich, Rhode Island, became our Superintendent. After careful study, the School Com- mittee has concluded that our administrative needs are at present best served by having a superintendent who is trained and experienced in elementary school work. With our High School Principal, and a Superintendent trained in elementary work, we are able to provide ade- quate supervision at all levels of instruction. The Com- mittee is well pleased with the progress to date under this arrangement.
More and more emphasis is being placed upon super- vision of instruction. Courses of study, although not elaborate, have been written, and through meetings and courses progress is being made in helping teachers im- prove their teaching. As more of the detailed problems of the Superintendent are disposed of, this important subject of supervision of the teaching program will re- ceive still more attention.
.
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INSTRUCTION
There has been a continual effort to improve and ex- tend the services offered by the schools. The Cottage Laboratory has now been completed and we thus have the facilities to offer a good program in Home Economics. A remedial reading teacher has been engaged who not only has corrected a large number of cases of reading difficulty, but is taking measures to prevent these prob- lems from arising. A part-time librarian is enabling the High School to make better use of the library facilities there. A physical education teacher now supervises the physical education program in the elementary grades, and provides physical education instruction for High School girls. This provides a more adequate program for girls than Duxbury has been able to offer in the past. We now engage the art supervisor two days per week instead of the former one day. A supervisory service for handwriting has been engaged on a trial basis for one year. An extra classroom and teacher in the basement of the Village School have eased the load in the third and fourth grades.
. In addition to these specific items, there is also the constant effort to improve the methods by which all in- struction is provided-to keep Duxbury abreast of edu- cational progress.
PHYSICAL PLANT
At the last Town Meeting, the Town provided the sum of $4,000.00 to provide facilities in the elementary grades. At that time, the Committee did not know whether the problems of inadequate space and the correction of read- ing difficulties in the elementary grades could best be met by the construction of additional rooms, or by the
219
use of additional teachers assisting the regular teachers in the same rooms. The solution adopted was the con- struction of one additional room in the basement of the Village School at a cost of $900.00. Later in the year, several unforeseen expenditures became necessary so that the balance of the $4,000.00 was used rather than call a special Town Meeting to ask for additional funds. Of the balance of $3,100.00, approximately $2,100.00 was spent with the advice of an engineering expert to recon- struct the sewage disposal system at the High School and should provide us with a permanent solution. The State Department of Health condemned the well at the Tarkiln School necessitating an expenditure of $1,000.00 for a new well, pump and tank.
The problem of housing becomes increasingly serious, especially in the elementary grades. Next year we must probably use another basement room. In the following year (1947-1948) a large class will enter the High School creating a problem there. The School Committee urges the construction of a consolidated elementary school at the earliest possible date.
FINANCES
The cost of operating the schools will continue to rise. To control these costs as much as possible, an improved accounting system has been installed and the budget pre- pared in great detail. We invite citizens to inspect this budget at the Duxbury Public Library or at the Super- intendent's Office, and to feel free to discuss any item with the Superintendent, or the School Committee.
By far the largest item of expense is that of teachers' salaries. Near the close of the year, a group of citizens and teachers prepared and presented to the School Com-
220
mittee a new salary schedule. The Committee accepted this schedule in the belief that it is fair and adequate, that it will make for better teacher morale, and that it will enable us to compete with other towns for the best teachers when vacancies occur.
THE FUTURE
We feel that the schools will be only as good as the citizens wish. We feel that there can be progress only when everybody is familiar with all the facts. Hence, we wish to go on record as stating that it is our policy to make information concerning the Duxbury schools freely and frankly available, and that the details of plan- ning and the estimates of expense involved will be made public as soon as possible. As a start, two News Letters were published during 1945. Early in 1946 a detailed budget will be available for study. Also early in 1946, a three year plan of development for the Duxbury schools will be published and distributed. A detailed statement of the basis for the new salary schedule will be easily obtainable.
We shall continue the development of the schools under the assumption that Duxbury wants a good modern edu- cational system.
Respectfully submitted,
KENNETH G. GARSIDE, Chairman HARRIET B. BORGESON, Secretary GEORGE C. SCOTT J. NEWTON SHIRLEY. HERBERT C. WIRT.
221 Financial Statement
January 1 to December 31, 1945
I. General Control
Expense of School Committee
$325.86
Superintendent's Salary
2,940.72
Other Expenses and Salaries 2,390.34
$5,656.92
II. Cost of Instruction
Salary of Principal
$3,099.96
Salaries of Supervisors
2,629.58
Salaries of Elementary Teachers
13,132.71
Salaries of High School Teachers
16,576.14
Textbooks-High School
648.03
Textbooks-Elementary
777.63
Supplies-High School
1,824.46
Supplies-Elementary
1,017.28
$39,705.79
III. Expenss of Operating School Plants
Wages of Janitors, High School
$3,233.76
Wages of Janitors, Elementary
2,138.22
Fuel, High School
1,004.13
Fuel, Elementary
685.25
Miscellaneous Expenses, High School
1,240.81
Miscellaneous Expenses, Elementary
891.78
IV. Maintenance and Repairs
High School
$860.46
Elementary
466.16
V. Auxiliary Agencies
Libraries, High School
$87.35
Libraries, Elementary
101.38
Health, High School
328.96
Health, Elementary
691.19
Transportation, High School
2,579.39
Transportation, Elementary
5,415.00
Insurance
584.95
$9,788.22
VI. Outlay
$5,945.42
$5,945.42
Total Expended
$71,616.92
Credits on School Expenditures received by Town Treasurer:
Tuition and Transportation of State Wards
$323.38
Tuition from Private Persons
180.00
Received from State on Account of Teachers' Salaries
3,490.00
3,993.38
Total Expended from Local Taxation
$67,623.54
$9,193.95
$1,326.62
REPORT OF SCHOOL POPULATION As of October 1, 1945
Tot Boys
Tot. Tot. Girls Pupils
Grade
1
Boys
6
9
11
37
63
Girls
6 23
8
20
18
38
Girls
4
10
3
1
22
6 11
3
2
12 34
5
5
1
1
15
17
32
Boys Girls
2
8
6
1
10
3-4 Boys Girls
1
5
1
3
4 14
3
9
7
3
1
1
24
22
46
4 10
7
1
6 Boys
2
9
5
1
1
16
34
Girls
5 8 00
2
1
30
11
41
Girls
3
9
2
4
1
19
14
33
4
7
3
9
Boys
4 12
3
1
1
Girls
10
10
Boys
1
7
1
Girls
9
11 Boys
7
9
1
17
26
Girls
1
2
4 6
2 1
13
16
Boys Girls
221
211
432
9
6
2
3 Boys Girls
2
6
3
3
1
4
3
1
5 Boys Girls
18
4 11
10
3
2
7 Boys
2
8
1
8 Boys Girls
3
3
7
2
15
21 36
1 5
3
1
9 19
3
4
2
3
12
5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17. 18 19 20 21
& over 26
2 Boys
3
222
BUDGET SUMMARY, 1942 - 1946
1942
GENERAL CONTROL
$1,903.26
1943 $2,472.43
1944 $4,069.06
$5,696.52
$3,973.00
School Comm. Exp.
566.12
1,052.89
694.32
325.86
325.00
Superintendent's Salary
340.32
338.02
1,437.57
2,940.72
1,825.00
Other Expenses
1,006.82
1,081.52
1,827.17
2,390.34
1,823.00
EXPENSES OF INSTRUCTION
30,655.76
30,977.77
33,277.50
39,705.79
50,617.00
Principals' Salary and Exp.
3,391.52
3,378.52
3,004.08
3,099.96
6,570.00
High
3,391.52
3,378.52
3,004.08
3,099.96
3,823.00
Elementary
0
0
0
0
2,747.00
Supervisors' Salary
2,480.00
1,594.36
1,728.00
2,629.58
3,290.00
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