USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Duxbury > Town annual report for the town of Duxbury for the year ending 1956-1960 > Part 69
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434.57
December 31, 1960, Balance 434.57
Water, Out of State Travel
1960 Town Meeting Appropriation
200.00
Expenditures in 1960
140.99
Balance closed to Revenue (town)
59.01
200.00
1960 Water Department Motor Vehicle
1960 Town Meeting Appropriation
3,000.00
Purchase of vehicle and equipment 2,443.70
December 31, 1960, Balance 556.30
Cleaning Water Mains
January 1, 1960, Balance
996.40
December 31, 1960, Balance 996.40
Autumn Avenue and Winter Street Water Mains
May 2, 1960, Proceeds of Loan
21,500.00
Expenditures in 1960 16,724.02
December 31, 1960, Balance 4,775.98 Appropriation Balances December 31, 1960 $6,847.24
188
ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE
Water Department
Accounts Receivable :
(Unclassified)
Jan. 1, 1960 Balance outstanding 176.60
1960 Commitments 415.67
Cash Receipts
592.27
Hydrant Rental :
The Water Department billed the Fire Department for $28,770.00 Hydrant Rental, but made no formal commitment to the Town Collector for this item.
The Fire Department paid the Water Department $28,770.00 on December 20, 1960.
Meter Resettings :
January 1, 1960
Balance Outstanding
80,00
1960 Commitments
1,393.60
1,473.60
Abatements authorized
Cash Receipts
December 31, 1960
Balance due 83.60
Service Connections :
January 1, 1960
Balance Outstanding 1,062.21
1960 Commitments
5,069.05
Refunds
100.82
6,232.08
Abatements authorized 99.00
Audit adjustments
by Town Accountant
334.75
Cash Receipts
5,409.77
December 31, 1960
Balance due
388.56
Water Rates:
January 1, 1960
Balance Outstanding
9,011.84
1960 Commitments
51,825.94
60,837.78
Abatements authorized 139.35
Audit adjustment
by Town Accountant
25.21
Cash Receipts
49,926.14
50,090.70
December 31, 1960 Balance due 10,747.08
Water Department, Accounts Receivable
Outstanding December 31, 1960
11,219.24
none 1,390.00
5,843.52
189
MEMORANDUM ACCOUNT Water Department "Surplus"
January 1, 1960-Balance-
(see 1959 Town Report)
3,235.75
Hydrant Rental
28,770.00
Income-Meter Resettings
1,390.00
Income-Service Connections
5,409.77
Income-Water Rates (metered, etc.)
49,926.14
Miscellaneous accounts receivable
592.27
Salary Adjustment Section (balance of encumbrance closed to Town's Revenue) 222.00
Balance of general M & O appropriation, closed to Town's Revenue 37.11
Balance of Out of State Travel, closed to Town's Revenue
59.01
Balance of Water Department Interest,
closed to Town's Revenue
1.74
89,643.79
Appropriations by the Town, M & O 42,264.00
Appropriation for Out of State Travel
200.00
Interest
7,608.00
Water District Notes
8,500.00
West Duxbury Water Loan
5,000.00
Water Loan, Phase I
20,000.00
1960 Motor Vehicle appropriation
3,000.00
Service connection charges
refunded 100.82
Appropriation for
Commissioners' Salaries 450.00
87,122.82
"Surplus" December 31, 1960 2,520.97
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF DUXBURY
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31
1960
192
SCHOOL COMMITTEE Year Ending December 31, 1960
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP
Term Expires
Mr. Edward L. Butler, Chairman
1962
Mrs. George G. Palfrey, Secretary
1962
Mr. John A. Brock, Jr. 1961
Mr. Walter B. Collins 1963
Mr. Herbert R. Nelson
1963
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS Everett L. Handy
SECRETARY TO THE SUPERINTENDENT Miss Helen F. Hanigan
193
REPORT OF THE DUXBURY SCHOOL COMMITTEE
For the Calendar Year 1960
To the Citizens of Duxbury :
Because it would be very difficult to add much to what the Superintendent of Schools has said in his com- prehensive report, we will content ourselves with some general comments.
We believe that 1960 finds the Duxbury School Sys- tem in good condition. We have a hard working and able Superintendent who continues to keep himself and his Committee informed on current educational ideas and opinions, as well as to conduct an efficient adminis- tration. Our principals and department heads are doing a fine job, and, because their work is so important to the success of a good school system, we feel most fortu- nate to have excellent classroom teachers. We also ap- preciate the work being done by our faithful and loyal non-teaching personnel.
Whenever new educational ideas come along, we try to use those which seem worthwhile and practical for Duxbury. We might note that this year we have revised our science program in conformity with the recommendations of the Physical Science Study Com- mittee headed by Dr. Zacharias of M. I. T., have added a practical electronics course to our shop program, and have raised the passing grade in our High School from D to C. Our school supervision has been strengthened by the appointment of two additional department heads.
194
We are keenly aware of the importance of good guidance services for our students and commend Mr. Mendenhall for his initiation of evening programs where students and parents have had an opportunity to talk with the representatives of junior colleges, colleges, teachers colleges, vocational colleges and representatives from various industries.
Next fall will find our new junior-senior high school ready for occupancy, thus removing the hindrance caused our program due to lack of space. We feel sure Duxbury will have every reason to take pride in this building, and a special debt of gratitude is owed to Dr. Handy and Mr. Howard Clark, Chairman of the Building Committee, who have given so much of themselves to bring this project to a successful conclusion.
Again this year the Massachusetts Legislature has raised the minimum starting salary for teachers, and quite likely will raise it again for next year. This Com- mittee continues to feel that a merit program represents the best way to insure good teachers for Duxbury. Our teachers have accepted the principle of merit pay, and while we will continue. to strengthen our basic salary schedule, we do not contemplate an across the board increase as such.
As more fully outlined in the Superintendent's re- port, our year has been saddened by the passing of three members of our school community. Their contribu- tions to our school life were many, and we are richer for having had them with us.
In conclusion we thank the many organizations and individuals who by their interest and efforts have helped our schools in so many different ways. Once again our
195
sincere thanks and deep appreciation go to Dr. Handy for his tireless and capable leadership, which is doing so much to make our school system a good one.
Respectfully submitted,
EDWARD L. BUTLER, Chairman MARTHA M. PALFREY, Secretary JOHN A. BROCK, JR. WALTER B. COLLINS HERBERT R. NELSON
196
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
This report marks a year of great losses as well as a time of advance for the Duxbury schools. On July 7, 1960, Frances Redlon Wolfe died. She was a long time resident of Duxbury, and a member of our high school faculty for the last three years. Later, on Sep- tember 11, Mr. T. Waldo Herrick, who transported Dux- bury children for nearly thirty-five years, passed away. On December 27, Mrs. M. Abbie Peckham, a teacher in the Duxbury schools for more than fifty years, died at the Brae Burn Nursing Home in Whitman. Their influ- ence for good in the Duxbury schools will be hard to replace. Their passing is noted further in another part of this report.
Notable advances included a number of curriculum changes. Standards of performance were improved by raising the passing grade at the high school. A college board assistance program was put into operation. Science instruction at the elementary and high school level was improved by the addition of about 350 science books for reading and research. A new electronic course was set up in connection with the industrial arts department. A significant change in teaching procedures in science was begun in connection with the teaching of physics. For a second year, foreign language study was taught in the elementary grades. Procedures and practices in language teaching were strengthened by rescheduling and by the use of recording devices. The Gillingham pro- cedure for teaching reading to pupils we had not pre- viously been able to help was continued with apparent success.
In October the first meeting to carry out an evalu- ation procedure of our high school was held. Successive
197
meetings will continue through 1961. The actual evalua- tion by a visiting committee will be carried out in 1962.
In-service training courses, at school department expense, were provided for both elementary and high school teachers.
Academic achievement as shown by our testing pro- gram indicated that our average performance was most favorable when compared with the normal expected performance.
At this writing the new high school is about 75 per cent complete. It is expected that the completion of the last of this work will take several months, however. Occupancy is definite for September with the probability that the building will be ready prior to this date. The completion of this building is an important step in the long range plan for the growth and development of the Duxbury school system.
The Committee's attention is called to our improved guidance services and to the list of colleges our graduates are attending.
Attention is called also to the report on school finances, and to the special reports on our school health program.
Eighty-eight persons are now involved in the total school program. Including four janitors for the new high school, this number will be increased to ninety-five in 1961.
The main body of this report gives detailed infor- mation on the above together with statistics on personnel, finance, census, pupil population growth, cafeteria serv- ice, and adult education classes.
I wish to express my sincere appreciation to all school personnel for their help and cooperation during
198
the year just closed. I would like to commend our faculty for their accomplishments and for their devotion and loyalty to our schools. I wish to express my grateful appreciation to our School Committee. Under the Chair- manship of Mr. Edward L. Butler the Committee has devoted itself to the many problems of our schools, and has moved ahead with improvements, whenever, in its judgment, these improvements could be justified on the basis of need and cost. Long range plans for the future have been an important part of the Committee's work. Mr. Butler has served on the Building Committee and Mr. John Brock on the School Site Committee.
I would also like to express my appreciation to the new high school Building Committee, Mr. Howard M. Clark, Chairman. This Committee has not only been con- cerned about the completion of a good high school build- ing, but has taken a keen interest in the kind of education this building will help to make possible.
Our special thanks to the Duxbury Garden Club for its interest in our schools through its expressed plans to set up a Natural Science Area adjacent to the schools. When ready this area will supplement the work of the science and Audubon classes.
Finally, we can all point with pride to the work of the Parent-Teacher Association, the Booster's Club, the Foreign Exchange Student Committee, and the many community organizations and individuals who have worked for the betterment of our schools.
EVERETT L. HANDY
Superintendent of Schools
199
THE CURRICULUM
Several changes and new procedures were initiated in the curriculum area during the year just ended.
1. The "passing" mark was raised from "D" to "C". This was done in an effort to raise academic standards.
2. "College Board" assistance classes were again put in operation to help students to review and do further preparation for college board exami- nations. These classes meet once each week after school except in the case of English. The English classes meet during pupil's study periods. Classes are held in mathematics, science, foreign lan- guage and English.
3. Both the elementary and high school libraries re- ceived a large number of new books to strengthen our resource material in the sciences. Three hundred fifty books were purchased, one hundred fifty for the elementary grades. These purchases were made with government funds, and were in addition to our regular yearly library purchases.
4. To strengthen instruction in industrial arts and physics electronics equipment was purchased through the means of government funds. The electronics age needs technicians urgently. It is said that for every engineer there is need for six technicians. Students must use instrumentation to learn technology. They must observe, test, check, and experiment. Instruments and equip- ment must be identical with that used in in- dustry. The equipment purchased for use in this course is "Labpower". Tasks are specifically planned and the instructor sees and controls all work done.
200
5. This year a new plan for teaching high school physics was put into operation. The plan was that developed by the Physical Science Study Committee, of which Professor Zacharias of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology was a leader. The project started in 1956 with a grant from the National Science foundation.
In the new course, physics is presented not as a mere body of facts, but basically as a continuing process by which students seek to understand the nature of the physical world. In addition to the student's textbook there are: a laboratory guide and a set of inexpensive apparatus; a large num- ber of films; standardized tests; a library of paper back books in related fields; and a compre- hensive teacher's resource book.
The P. S. S. C. physics course is the work of several hundred people, mainly school and college teachers. In 1959-60, nearly 600 high schools and 25,000 pupils participated in the program. The course appeals to students who are inclined toward the humanities as well as to those whose interests are strongly in the field of science.
The course consists of closely connected parts. Part I is a general introduction to the funda- mental physical notions of time, space, and matter. For example, as the student learns of the almost boundless range of dimensions from the immensely large to the infinitesimally small, from microseconds to billions of years, he finds out how these magnitudes can be measured. He learns that instruments serve as an extension of his senses. From experiments in measuring time and space the student moves on to an understanding of velocity and acceleration.
The P. S. S. C. physics course guides the student from the simple and familiar to the more subtle
201
ideas of modern atomic physics. Part II deals with the study of light. In Part III motion is studied from a dynamical point of view. Part IV introduces the student to electricity and through it to the physics of the atom.
The course is taught in our high school by Mr. Robert Sullivan who spent a large part of the summer months organizing and preparing to teach the new course.
6. The new extended foreign language program is moving ahead satisfactorily under the guidance of Miss Mary Murrill. Some changes were neces- sary in scheduling of elementary school classes, and these changes have resulted in an improved teaching situation. At the high school the use of tape recorders has been helpful in strengthening ability in oral language. These devices are used mainly after school hours, and are paving the way for the effective use of the language labo- ratory in the new high school.
7. The Gillingham approach to teaching reading to pupils who have special reading problems is establishing itself as a successful procedure in our elementary grades. Eleven teachers have now been trained in this procedure under the guidance of Mrs. Helen Durbrow, formerly of the Chil- drens Medical Center in Boston.
Basically the Gillingham approach is alphabetical. The children are taught a few letters comprising one or two short sounds. When these letters are known by their names and sounds they can be made into words. Slowly new letters and letter combinations are introduced and new words are added and finally used in sentences. This approach is somewhat different from the whole word ap- proach which works well for most students. The
202
whole word approach is the building of a memo- rized vocabulary, which is complemented by a basic phonics program.
8. Closely related to progress in curriculum im- provement is the plan of the School Committee to have our high school evaluated by a committee from the New England Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. The first part of this procedure will be a self evaluation to begin in January 1961. The faculty will first make a study of the purpose or philosophy of high school edu- cation. This will be followed by a study of the community. The evaluation will cover all fields of instruction, the student activity program, library and audio-visual services, guidance services, health services, the school building, the school staff and administration, and the individual staff member. Following the self evaluation the actual evaluation will be made by a visiting committee when the high school is located in the new build- ing. Many extra hours of work will be required by the faculty and administrative staff over a two year period.
9. In addition to the practice of teachers to take further courses in their special fields at nearby colleges and universities, two in-service training courses were organized this year. The first was a course in mental hygiene presented by a group from the Judge Stone Clinic in Brockton. This course was most helpful in guiding teachers in dealing with emotionally disturbed children. It also improved the skill of the teachers in their work with Dr. Page, of the Clinic staff, on his visits to Duxbury.
The second course was in the use of maps and
203
globes. This course was presented by Mr. Hugh Blanchard of the Rand McNally Company. Dux- bury is one of the very first school systems in the country to offer a course of this nature. It was most interesting to the teachers and should strengthen the teaching of geography.
10. A broad general program of testing is being continued in the Duxbury Schools and includes intelligence, achievement, aptitude, and other special tests mainly in the field of reading. Out- side our schools our students take vocational tests with the U. S. Employment Office, the merit scholarship tests, and the College Board tests. At the elementary level, intelligence, achievement and reading tests are given. Individual intelli- gence tests (Binet and Wechsler) are given to pupils as needed. A wide range of reading and language disability tests are given in connection with remedial reading instruction by Mrs. Bush. For the school year just closed standard achieve- ment tests given in May showed the following favorable results.
Grade
Expected Average Achievement
Actual Average Achievement
1
1.8 grade equivalent
2.3 grade equivalent
2
2.8 grade equivalent
3.7 grade equivalent
3
3.8 grade equivalent
4.7 grade equivalent
4
4.8 grade equivalent
5.6 grade equivalent
5
5.8 grade equivalent
6.7 grade equivalent
6
6.8 grade equivalent
7.8 grade equivalent
At the high school level the S. R. A. achievement series was administered at the end of April to grades 7 and 8. The Iowa tests of educational development (achievement) were given at the same time to grades 9, 10 and 11.
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The California Test of Mental Maturity was given to grade 8. The School and College Ability Test was given to grade 10. These are tests of scholastic aptitude.
Cooperative Achievement tests in English, Science, Mathematics, Foreign Language, and Social Studies were given to students in these these subjects in grades 9-12.
The Kuder Preference Records were given in grade 8 and the results used in the guidance program. Their purpose is to help pupils identify their interests as they relate to school subjects, further education and to occupations.
College bound seniors took the usual College Board testing program. The juniors took the pre- liminary scholastic aptitude tests in October (1959), the regular SAT's in March 1960 and the Achievement test in May 1960.
Achievement as measured by these tests (SRA achievement) in grades 7 and 8 are shown in the following tabulation.
Grade
Expected Average Achievement
Actual Average Achievement
7
7.8 grade equivalent
9.2 grade equivalent
8
8.8 grade equivalent
9.9 grade equivalent
Achievement as measured by the Iowa Tests of Educational Development gave the following results.
Grade 9
Class Composite Score in Percentiles 99th %ile
10
96th %ile
11
92nd %ile
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Students taking the National Merit Scholarship tests had scores ranging from the 99th percentile to the 34th percentile. Last year our high school had a finalist, and this year's results indicate that this record may be repeated.
Seniors (grade 12) had scores on the College Board tests that averaged 533 on the verbal test, and 519 on the mathematical section. The national average score is about 500.
All test results are made a part of a student's record, and are used by teachers, students, parents, and the guidance counselor for guidance purposes. They show progress in fundamentals, achievement in special fields, capacity to do school and college work, and interest in as well as aptitude for various vocations. The test results also reveal strengths and weaknesses which can be used in appraising the effectiveness of teaching methods and subject content.
206
THE NEW DUXBURY JUNIOR-SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
The new high school is now approximately seventy- five per cent complete and should be ready for occupancy no later than September first, 1961. It may be ready before that date.
The school is located as part of a campus develop- ment plan for the school system as a whole, and includes the following facilities.
General classrooms
16
Art 8
1
Music
1
Library (seating 60)
1
Commercial
2
Science
4
Home Economics
2
Language Laboratory 1
Auditoruim (seating 403)
1
Cafeteria (seating 300) 1
Gymnasium 75 x 96 1
(Bleacher seating 720)
The building is arranged so that related educational areas are placed adjacent to each other. For example, there are three special areas close to the home economics department: the cafeteria where home economics stu- dents can find out about large group food service, the auditorium where fashion shows may be presented, and the art room where help in design of clothing can be given. The science rooms are close to the small auditorium which can be moved into quickly for the showing of films
PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM IN399071138 ShawVS
HINEN
208
or the giving of large group lectures. The library is centrally located for all classes. The language laboratory is adjacent to the academic classrooms.
Some of the special features of this building are: a cafeteria in which the food for all schools will be pre- pared; the use of equipment in the cafeteria dining area which can be quickly removed so that the area can be used for social affairs; a gymnasium that provides for two teaching stations, each approximately equal in size to the present high school gymnasium; a language labo- ratory to strengthen instruction in foreign lagnuage; modern science laboratories to improve and extend in- struction in this field; and provisions for instruction by television.
There are many ways in which this building can be available for community use. The auditorium will be available for lectures, concerts, and plays. The gymnasium will include four badminton courts. The gymnasium may also be used for very large meetings such as a town meeting. It is School Committee policy to make the building facilities available whenever possible for com- munity use.
The school site has been developed to include a foot- ball field, a track, a varsity baseball field, a pony league field, two little league fields, a softball field, a field hockey field, a soccer field, a section with playground apparatus for small children, and numerous freeplay areas. The site encompasses approximately seventy-five acres. It will be maintained under the school department with the supervision of Mr. Roy Parks of the Park Department.
In September, grades four, five, and six will move into the old high school. The present elementary school will be occupied by the kindergarten and grades one, two and three. In each building there will be several rooms to provide for expansion of enrollment. It is estimated
209
that the present facilities, including the new high school, should be adequate to 1969-70, although a mathematical prediction of the actual effect of the new highway on school enrollment is difficult to determine.
Some comparison figures showing the cost and size of the new high school are given below.
Bid Cost (Building construction only ) $1,116,000.00
Number of square feet 73,276
Cost per square foot $15.23
Capacity 600
Cost per pupil
$1,860.00
Number of square feet per pupil 122
Other costs including architects fees, equipment, site development, sewerage disposal, and contingencies bring the total cost to $1,405,000.00.
Operating costs - janitor service, fuel, light and power, telephone, water, maintenance supplies - will approximate $25,000.00 per year. These costs will become a part of the regular school budget.
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