USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Berkley > Town annual report of Berkley 1940 > Part 4
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69.73
Rose, Mary A.
1.90
1.90
Rose, Manuel
15.20
15.20
Rose, Manuel F.
3.80
3.80
Rose, Zona P.
4.94
65.55
70.49
Rose, Richard
3.04
3.04
Sanborn, Watson
3.80
3.80
Seeley, George
1.14
1.14
Sellers, Annie
193.80
193.80
Sellers, Freeman
45.60
45.60
Senechall, Julia
1.90
57.00
58.90
Seward, Leland
.76
.76
Slivinski, Genevieve
8.36
89.30
97.66
Shaw, Bertha E.
9.50
141.55
151.05
Shepard, William and Veronica
4.75
34.20
38.95
Shepard, Edith
117.80
117.80
Short, Ira
28.88
28.88
Shippei, Martin and John Johnston
19.00
19.00
74
ANNUAL REPORT
Per.
Silva, Frank
.95
Real 59.85
Moth
Total 60.80
Silvia, Julia
34.20
34.20
Silvia, M. Manuel
7.60
7.60
Slocum, Estella heirs
65.55
2.00
67.55
Smith, Arthur H.
51.30
51.30
Smith, Angeline heirs
3.80
3.80
Smith, James heirs
17.10
17.10
Smith, Kendell and Mary
14.44
14.44
Smith, Merle and Blanche
4.56
32.49
37.05
Smith, John heirs
54.34
54.34
Smith, Manuel and Mary
.76
11.40
12.16
Society of the Congregational
15.20
15.20
Soper, George O.
3.80
3.80
Souto, John
6.84
172.52
179.36
Souza, Adeline
55.10
55.10
Souza, Emelinda and Arnold Silvan
39.52
39.52
Souza, Marion
12.16
188.10
2.00
202.26
Stanley, Richard
9.50
9.50
Staples, Calvin P.
21.85
21.85
Staples, Fannie
236.74
236.74
Staples, Percival and Hattie Pierce
.38
.38
Staples, Sumner heirs
69.35
69.35
Stedman, George A.
144.40
144.40
Stetson, George W.
45.60
45.60
Stiles and Hart
165.49
165.49
Stone, Florence
131.10
131.10
Story, Annie
133.00
133.00
Strange, Walter heirs
2.47
2.47
Swift, Lawrence B.
40.90
2.47
3.00
46.37
Sylvester, Thomas and Helen
2.28
101.65
103.93
Sylvester, Jacoppina F.
26.60
26.60
Sylvester, Warren
3.80
3.80
Sylvia, Anthony
18.24
182.59
200.83
Tailor, Susie E.
29.07
29.07
Talbot, Esther M.
50.35
50.35
Taunton, City of
95.57
95.57
Taunton Gas Co.
38.00
38.00
Tavares, Joseph C.
10.64
121.03
131.67
Templeton, Olive F.
44.65
44.65
Terry, Mary
3.04
3.04
Tew, Frank P.
.76
.76
Thornton, Phelix
4.56
4.56
Thurston, Allen H.
11.40
11.40
75
ANNUAL REPORT
Per.
Real 1.90
Moth
Total 1.90
Tirrell, Annie S. D.
Tolly, E. and L. Thompkins
51.68
51.68
Townley, Alfred Jr.
18.62
18.62
Travers, Manuel
3.61
104.50
108.11
Trenouth, Frances
114.00
114.00
Trenouth, Clarence
1.52
1.52
Triguario, Francisco
5.13
5.13
Trond, Lewis
15.20
121.60
136.80
Trond, Mary
34.20
34.20
Turcott, George H.
78.47
78.47
Vaughn, William and Smith and others
1.90
1.90
Viall, Fannie
121.60
121.60
Victurine, Joseph
31.35
68.40
98.75
Victurine, Joseph and Clara
15.20
15.20
Washburn, Vivian E.
60.80
60.80
Washburn, Forest
6.27
6.27
Western Union Tel. Co.
87.40
87.40
Westgate, Daniel L.
29.64
29.64
Westgate, Emma
99.56
99.56
Westgate, S. Erford
13.49
13.49
Westgate, Williard F.
51.30
51.30
White, Caleb
3.80
3.80
White, Carrie L. B.
104.50
104.50
White, George B.
5.70
5.70
White, Joseph
2.28
98.23
100.51
White, Louis and Lillian
174.80
174.80
White, Stewart and Carrie
1.90
45.60
47.50
Whittaker, Edward E. heirs
.76
.76
Whittaker, Linneus C.
91.39
91.39
Whittaker, Lucy M.
57.00
57.00
Whittaker, Norman E.
100.70
100.70
Williams, Anna M.
60.80
60.80
Williams, Florence N.
33.25
33.25
Williams, Hannah S.
6.84
6.84
Williams, Hattie P.
5.70
5.70
Wilson, John and Pauline
39.71
214.70
254.41
Wilson, Meridith C.
81.13
81.13
Winchoba, Charlotte
2.28
92.15
2.00
96.43
Winchoba, Mary
36.86
36.86
Winchoba, Walter
65.36
2.00
67.36
Winslow, Edward W.
30.40
30.40
Winslow, Lena B.
180.69
180.69
Wood, Bertha
96.14
96.14
76
ANNUAL REPORT
Wotherspoon, William and Ruth E.
9.50
9.50
Youngburg, Mary D. heirs
41.80
41.80
Yurgutis, Adam
26.60
125.02
151.62
Yurgutis, Adam S.
24.70
24.70
Zrebric, Martin and Francis
6.84
74.10
2.00
82.94
POLL TAX
Adams, George E.
$ 2.00
Barrow, Lawrence
2.00
Adams, Vernon D.
2.00
Barrow, Thomas
2.00
Adams, William
2.00
Bartell, Louis
2.00
Allen, James
2.00
Bassett, Arthur
2.00
Ames, Frank E.
2.00
Bettencourt, Gil
2.00
Ames, Elijah
2.00
Bickford, Clayton
2.00
Ames, John H.
2.00
Bailey, Frederick
2.00
Ames, John
2.00
Bindon, Albert
2.00
Anderson, Percy
2.00
Bindon, Albert W. J.
2.00
Anderson, Philip
2.00
Bindon, William
2.00
Andrews, Emery
2.00
Braese, George
2.00
Andrews, Francis
2.00
Braese, Thomas C.
2.00
Andrews, Orton G.
2.00
Braese, Victor
2.00
Andrews, O. Vincent
2.00
Brailey, Ernest
2.00
Andrews, R. Donald
2.00
Brailey, Silas E.
2.00
Andrews, Samuel
2.00
Braizer, Elmer
2.00
Anthony, Ralph H.
2.00
Brier, Louis 2.00
Ashley, Charles E.
2.00
Brier, Richard
2.00
Ashley, Clinton N.
2.00
Briggs, Adelbert A.
2.00
Ashley, Harold
2.00
Briggs, Alvin E.
2.00
Ashley, Herbert M.
2.00
Briggs, Merton
2.00
Ashley, Herbert W.
2.00
Briggs, Job D.
2.00
Ashley, LeRoy
2.00
Brightman, John B. 2.00
Ashley, Walter C.
2.00
Brown, Frank
2.00
Ashley, Walter M.
2.00
Burke, Michael
2.00
Aspinwall, Herbert
2.00
Cavalier, William
2.00
Avery, Vincent
2.00
Cambra, Anthony
2.00
Babbitt, George R.
2.00
Carr, Francis
2.00
Babbitt, John
2.00
Caswell, George W. 2.00
Babbitt, Joseph
2.00
Chace, Irvine A.
2.00
Babbitt, Lawrence
2.00
Chace, LeRoy M., Jr.
2.00
Babbitt, Milton
2.00
Clegg, Arthur L.
2.00
Babbitt, Richard
2.00 Clegg, Damon
2.00
Babbitt, Russell
2.00
Clegg, Norman
2.00
Baker, Charles H.
2.00
Champagne, Joseph
2.00
Barrow, John W.
2.00
Cochrane, Ralph
2.00
77
ANNUAL REPORT
Cochrane, Arthur
2.00
Fleck, Frank
2.00
Chystie, Richard
2.00
Flint, Fred E. 2.00
Cobb, Carlton
2.00
Flint, John K. 2.00
Cobb, Edwin
2.00
Forest, John 2.00
Colpitt, E. Roy
2.00
Freeman, Joseph 2.00
Colpitt, Norman
2.00
French, George
2.00
Conant, Edward W.
2.00
Frizado, Manuel
2.00
Conant, Roger H.
2.00
Frizado, John
2.00
Conant, Wendell D.
2.00
Furtado, Frank
2.00
Costa, Antone
2.00
Furtado, Joseph
2.00
Costa, Manuel
2.00
Furtado, Joseph, Jr.
2.00
Cox, William
2.00
Furtado, John
2.00
Craw, Willis
2.00
Gaffney, Harry
2.00
Crimlisk, George
2.00
Gagnon, Andre
2.00
Cummings, Bertrand
2.00
Garcia, Manuel
2.00
Cummings, Carlton
2.00
Garrity, James
2.00
Cummings, George S.
2.00
Geanecopoulous, James
2.00
Cummings, George
2.00
Girard, William
2.00
Cummings, Leroy L.
2.00
Gonzaley, Mario
2.00
Cummings, Clyde L.
2.00
Goodwin, John
2.00
Curtis, George E.
2.00
Gouddo, Isaac
2.00
Cushman, Don A.
2.00
Gracia, Anthony
2.00
Davis, Arthur
2.00
Grace, Joseph
2.00
Dean, Edmund
2.00
Green, Ernest
2.00
DeCosta, Melvin
2.00
Gutholm, Carl
2.00
DeCosta, Gerald
2.00
Gutholm, George
2.00
Dias, Joseph
2.00
Hadro, John
2.00
Dillingham, John
2.00
Haines, Earl
2.00
Dow, Stephen
2.00
Hall, Lewis L.
2.00
Dow, Arlon
2.00
Hall, William
2.00
Dulack, Charles
2.00
Harrison, Charles
2.00
Dupont, Joseph
2.00
Harrison, David
2.00
DeMoura, Antone
2.00
Harvey, Edward
2.00
Dumoulin, Albert
2.00
Haskell, Allen
2.00
Eaton, William
2.00
Haskell, Russell
2.00
Ellsworth, Charles
2.00
Haskins, Henry
2.00
Faria, Manuel
2.00
Hatch, Allen L.
2.00
Farmer, Walton W.
2.00
Hatch, George
2.00
Farr, Thomas
2.00
Hathaway, Edmund
2.00
Faye, Cleo
2.00
Hazzard, Samuel
2.00
Fernandes, Antone
2.00
Hefferlin, William
2.00
Fernandes, Joseph
2.00
Hefferlin, John
2.00
Fernandes, Manuel P.
2.00
Holmes, Clifton
2.00
Fernandes, Manuel P., Jr.
2.00
Holmes, Charles
2.00
78
ANNUAL REPORT
Holmes, Warren
2.00
Marshall, Manuel
2.00
Howard, Charles M.
2.00
Martin, Anthony
2.00
Howland, Robert
2.00
Martin, Manuel
2.00
Howland, Robert A.
2.00
Martin, William
2.00
Hoxie, Ralph H.
2.00
Martin, Manuel, Jr.
2.00
Hyde, Ralph E.
2.00
Mattos, Manuel G. 2.00
Ide, Monroe
2.00
Mazzolo, Joseph
2.00
Ide, Warren L.
2.00
Mazzola, Faldo
2.00
Jack, William
2.00
Mazzola, Nondino
2.00
Jack, William
2.00
McAlice, Joseph S.
2.00
Johnston, John
2.00
McAlice, Joseph I.
2.00
Jones, Archie
2.00
McCabe, Allen T.
2.00
Jones, Benjamin
2.00
McCarthy, Robert
2.00
Jones, Daniel
2.00
McCrady, James
2.00
Jones, Erving E.
2.00
Melesky, Roman
2.00
Jones, Edwin
2.00
Melesky, Stephen
2.00
Jones, Winfred
2.00
Melesky, William
2.00
Kaye, Joseph
2.00
Milko, Samuel 2.00
Kelsey, Andrew
2.00
Mitchell, George
2.00
Kelsey, James
2.00
Mitchell, William
2.00
Kelsey, John
2.00
Moskall, John
2.00
LaFrance, Albert
2.00
Moskall, Paull
2.00
LaFrance, Louis P.
2.00
Murphy, Cornelius F.
2.00
Leger, William
2.00
Murphy, John
2.00
Lawrence, George
2.00
Murphy, Michael
2.00
LeCornec, Paull
2.00
Murphy, Patrick W.
2.00
LeCornec, Walter
2.00
Murphy, Peter J.
2.00
Little, Howard
2.00
Nunes, Edward
2.00
Longton, George
2.00
Olsson, Eric G .
2.00
Longton, John
2.00
Overlock, Royce
2.00
Longton, Walter
2.00
Paige, Manuel
2.00
Lucke, Stephen
2.00
Paull, Robert
2.00
Macomber, Charles
2.00
Paull, Stewart
2.00
Macomber, Clinton
2.00
Pierce, Arthur
2.00
Macomber, Russell
2.00
Pierce, Bion L. 2.00
MacInnis, Frank
2.00
Pearson, Cecil
2.00
Mairs, Isaac
2.00
Perry, H. Huntley
2.00
Makepeace, Lester
2.00
Perry, Richard
2.00
Mann, Arthur
2.00
Peterson, Charles
2.00
Marquis, Manuel
2.00
Phelan, John
2.00
Marshall, Antone
2.00
Phelan, Michael
2.00
Marshall, Frank
2.00
Phelan, Walter
2.00
Marshall, Joseph
2.00
Phillips, Benjamin
2.00
Marshall, Joseph
2.00
Phillips, Edmund
2.00
79
ANNUAL REPORT
Phillips, Walter I.
2.00
Smith, Merle A.
2.00
Pittsley, Albert H.
2.00
Smith, Manuel S. 2.00
Pittsley, Nelson
2.00
Smith, Manuel S., Jr. 2.00
Poole, Elmer
2.00
Souto, John S. 2.00
Poole, Percy
2.00
Souza, Adeline 2.00
Potter, Charles
2.00
Souza, Adeline T.
2.00
Pysz, Wojciech
2.00
Souza, Gilbert
2.00
Quintin, Leo
2.00
Souza, Marion 2.00
Quintin, Nelson
2.00
Staples, Calvin
2.00
Quintin, Norman
2.00
Stedman, George
2.00
Ratcliff, Albert
2.00
Stetson, George 2.00
Ratcliff, William
2.00
Stone, Ernest
2.00
Raymond, Ernest
2.00
Story, Albert T.
2.00
Reed, Frederick A.
2.00
Story, Elliott J.
2.00
Reed, William V.
2.00
Story, Waldo G.
2.00
Reed, William V., Jr.
2.00
Sullivan, Austin
2.00
Regan, Albert
2.00
Swift, George 2.00
Rich, C. Elliott
2.00
Swift, Lawrence
2.00
Rines, George R.
2.00
Sylvester, Thomas
2.00
Robbins, Arthur
2.00
Sylvester, Maynard
2.00
Rogers, Joseph
2.00
Sylvester, Warren
2.00
Rogers, John
2.00
Sylvia, Anthony
2.00
Rogers, Manuel
2.00
Sylvia, John
2.00
Roman, Edward
2.00
Taber, Clarence
2.00
Roman, Barney
2.00
Talbot, Allen
2.00
Rose, Anthony
2.00
Talbot, Frank
2.00
Rose, Frank
2.00
Tavares, Joseph
2.00
Rose, Joseph D.
2.00
Thornton, Felix 2.00
Rose, Manuel
2.00
Tompkins, Lloyd H. 2.00
Rose, Richard
2.00
Trigueiro, Francisco 2.00
Sellers, Freeman
2.00
Tolly, Edward 2.00
Seward, Leland
2.00
Townley, Alfred W. 2.00
Shaw, Charles
2.00
Townley, Alfred W., Jr. 2.00
Shephard, James
2.00
Travers, John 2.00
Shepard, William
2.00
Travers, Manuel
2.00
Shippie, Martin
2.00
Trenouth, Clarence
2.00
Silva, Frank
2.00
Trond, Lewis
2.00
Silvan, Arnold
2.00
Turcott, George
2.00
Silvan, Eino
2.00
Turner, Henry
2.00
Slivinsky, Joseph
2.00
Victurine, Joseph
2.00
Slivinsky, Peter
2.00
Victurine, Joseph, Jr. 2.00
Slocum, Mathew
2.00
Washburn, Charles
2.00
Smith, Arthur
2.00
Washburn, Forrest 2.00
Smith, Kendell
2.00
Washburn, Gordon
2.00
80
ANNUAL REPORT
Westgate, Daniel L.
2.00
Wallace, Irving
2.00
Westgate, Daniel W.
2.00
Williams, Frederick L. 2.00
Westgate, Harold
2.00
Whipple, Arthur 2.00
Westgate, S. Erford
2.00
Williams, Norman
2.00
Westgate, Willard
2.00
Wilbur, Alden
2.00
Whalen, Milton
2.00
Wilson, John T.
2.00
White, Chester
2.00
Wilson, George
2.00
White, Joseph
2.00
Wilson, Meredith
2.00
White, Manuel
2.00
Winchoba, Walter
2.00
White, Louis
2.00
Winslow, Edward
2.00
White, Merton
2.00
Wood, Henry
2.00
White, Stewart
2.00
Woods, Robert
2.00
Whitman, Wayne
2.00
Yurgutis, Adam
2.00
Whittaker, Elmer
2.00
Yurgutis, Adam S.
2.00
Whittaker, Linneus
2.00
Young, Hiram
2.00
Whittaker, Merle
2.00
Zeitler, Charles
2.00
Whittaker, Norman
2.00
Zrebrec, Martin
2.00
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE School Committee OF THE
TOWN OF BERKLEY
For the Year Ending December 31, 1940
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Term Expires 1941
Arthur E. Robbins, Chairman
Berkley, Massachusetts
Mildred A. Babbitt, Secretary 1942
Berkley, Massachusetts
William Cox 1943
Berkley, Massachusetts
Superintendent E. Perley Eaton - B.S., M.A., M. Ed.
Residence : 76 Spring Street, North Dighton, Mass.
Office: Dighton High School, Segreganset, Mass. Telephone: Dighton 3361.
Office Hours: 8:30 - 9:30 A. M. - Monday, Wednes- day and Friday. 2:30 - 3:30 P. M. - Tuesday and Thursday.
Secretary Jessie A. Perry Dighton
School Physician Charles A. Briggs, M. D. Assonet
School Nurse Ruth A. Deane, R. N. Assonet
No School Signal:
In case of severe storm a no school notice is broadcast from Station WEAN at 7:00 A. M. and at fifteen minute intervals until 7:45 A. M.
3
ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE BERKLEY SCHOOL COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of Berkley :
On July 10, 1940, the Joint Committee of the Dighton-Berkley-Freetown-Gosnold Superintendency Union received and accepted the resignation of Nor- man D. Bailey, for ten years superintendent of schools in the district. To the superintendency the committee elected E. Perley Eaton, superintendent of schools in the Groveland-Georgetown-Boxford-Rowley Superin- tendency Union, and he came to the district on August 1, 1940. Mr. Eaton's splendid record of training and successful experience in public school teaching and ad- ministration is reflected in the fine manner in which he has assumed his new duties.
The only change in the teaching staff was occa- sioned in August, 1940, when the committee accepted the resignation of Francis C. Champagne, for three years teacher of grades four and five at the Berkley School. To the vacancy thus created came Ernest H. Hale of Fall River, a graduate of the State Teachers College at Hyannis.
The schools of Berkley should be a source of pride for its citizens. Our boys and girls are adequately housed in comfortable, well-equipped buildings. And, of more importance, we have a fine corps of teachers.
The unfinished room at the Berkley School has been temporarily transformed into a gymnasium where attention is given to the child's physical develop- ment through the medium of competitive sports, in- cluding basketball, badminton, and volley ball. Un- der Mr. Hale's direction, a Rifle Club has been organ- ized, and the rifle range which has been set up in the basement of the new annex has caused not a little favorable attention. Also through Mr. Hale's efforts, the boys and girls now take part in the publication of a school paper, issued bi-monthly. 4-H Clubs in foods, metalcraft, and handicraft, and the Boy and Girl Scout troops also serve in the promotion of purposeful, worth- while activities for our children. And on the academic side, Berkley is not to be found lagging in achievement. Our boys and girls enjoy a full program of curriculum offerings.
4
ANNUAL REPORT
The organization of classes in manual and practi- cal arts has displaced a handicap formerly encountered by Berkley students upon entering the Dighton High School, where, in the ninth grade classes in these sub- jects, they had to compete with Dighton students who had already had some preliminary training in this work in the seventh and eighth grades. The general shop work, under Mr. Hale's direction, provides a practical, interesting program of instruction for the seventh and eighth grade boys, while the girls in these grades are benefiting from instruction in sewing and knitting given by Mrs. Unsworth. With a limited amount of tools and material, the boys have been able to complete several projects in and around the school. These pro- jects, while serving as excellent training for the boys, also does much in the way of benefiting the school as a whole. Witness the building of the rifle range and a work bench, the construction of bulletin boards for the school, the repairing of the gym floor and other minor repairs about the building, and the setting up of goal posts on the common as evidences of their accomplish- ments.
Through the joint efforts of the teachers, the school committee, the Myricks P. T. A., and interested townspeople, there have been taken this year definite steps toward the establishment of a permanent dental clinic for the benefit of the school children. A den- tist's chair has already been purchased with funds raised at a public whist party. It is intended to pur- chase a drill and sterilizer when enough money has been raised for the purpose. Such cooperative efforts are worthy of commendation.
The committee would call attention to the report of the superintendent of schools. His treatment of the status of the educational program in our schools is worthy of careful consideration by all the townspeople. The committee would also urge the parents to visit the schools and see at first hand the program at work.
The committee anticipates that $22,067.68 will be needed to cover the school costs for the ensuing year. Attention should be called to the state reimbursement which will amount to approximately $12,390.00, leav- ing a net cost of $9,677.68 to be borne by the town for
5
ANNUAL REPORT
the operation of its schools. It should be made clear that the reimbursement allowed by the state reverts directly to the town treasury and not to the school de- partment.
The committee meets regularly on the Wednes- day preceding the first and third Mondays of each month. Townspeople should feel free to approach the committee and superintendent whenever they are con- cerned with matters pertaining to the schools.
Respectfully submitted,
MRS. MILDRED A. BABBITT, Secretary, Berkley School Committee.
6
ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the School Committee of the Town of Berkley :
I hereby submit my first annual report as Super- intendent of Schools for the year ending December 31, 1940:
Last August I became Superintendent of Schools in Berkley and therefore my report is based on in- formation obtained since that time. During the fall months the program of study of each school was care- fully studied. The principals cooperated in this work and valuable information was obtained, which will help in building a uniform program through the schools. The teachers were brought together in Union Teachers meetings. Discussions on general school sub- jects were held. All teachers have had an opportunity to study the project method and have produced some very favorabe projects. These staff meetings will con- tinue and other teaching methods will be discussed and carried out in the classroom. It is the hope of the administration that all teaching will be improved by having the teachers use other methods than those al- ready in their everyday procedure.
When I first observed the teaching in the schools of Berkley, I realized that progressive teaching and supervision had brought the schools to a relatively high plain of attainment. Nevertheless, schools can not stand still, and as with any endeavor there is always chance for improvement and coordination.
During the fall months the reading program of our schools has been under constant observation and has shown marked improvement. I wish to stress the fact that the teachers of Berkley have a full realiza- tion of the need of phonics, which has been neglected in many other school systems. For many years teachers taught phonics, word sounds and forgot that in reality they were teaching reading. They made phonics an end or aim of teaching, and not the means to the end-good reading. Educators and text- book writers, realizing this, prepared books and readers nearly free from phonetics. After a decade of using such books educators recognized that a mistake had been made and are including phonic lessons in the newest books.
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ANNUAL REPORT
In our schools a new reading system is advisable, as the present system has been in use for several years . and the books are worn and should be replaced. It would be the suggestion of the superintendent that a new reading system be studied by a faculty group with adoption in mind. After the selection has been made then to start with one set for the first grade, the first year; for the second grade the second year and so on. As the reading program is planned for six years the cost would be distributed as the books were put into use by the new classes.
The teachers should supplement the work in read- ing with the study of word forms. Flash cards locate pupil difficulties, which if corrected early, prevent per- manent mispronunciations. The study of sounds helps with spelling and primary teachers must do this work well. Oral reading is important and has suffered in many sections. Studies have shown that most reading is of a silent nature. However, each child should have an opportunity to read aloud and benefit by the cor- rection of mispronunciations. The mispronunciation of a word may prove embarrassing in adult life, and poor habits of speech are almost impossible to break after years of constant use. Reading workbooks sup- plement the readers. These aid in the problem of reading for meaning. Many children read aloud beau- tifully, but when asked to put into their own words what they have just read, are hopelessly lost. Silent reading and the search for answers to workbook ques- tions help much with this important problem. Reading is the most important subject in the grade school work, as all other school work is dependent on the ability to read for meaning in other textbooks.
In order that a school may do its best work it is essential that measurements be made concerning the mental ability of the child and the achievement in his studies. A definite testing program has been used throughout the schools of the district. It is the feel- ing of the present superintendent that it is money wast- ed if the tests are not used for more than just measure- ments of results obtained by the child. The tests should not be used entirely for grade placement and supervision of teaching, but as an aid to teaching the
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ANNUAL REPORT
child. Tests should be of a diagnostic nature. With a diagnostic test a teacher may find out what a pupil does not know and then by extra drill and help, the pupil will be able to learn what has been missed. If this course is to be followed the teacher becomes a vital part of the program and tests and retests from time to time throughout the school year. Standardized tests are certainly a help to the teacher for she is then able to tell how her class stands up with others through- out the country.
It is very important to emphasize the fundamental processes in penmanship, spelling and arithmetic. There is a tendency to overlook little mistakes but this is to be discouraged. In penmanship "yow" is written for "you". Other simple mistakes like this should be discouraged and all should be taught to be accurate in the fundamental processes: additions, subtraction, multiplication and division. There is much good in the older drill methods and teacher should not look upon the tables of multiplication and division as "old fash- ioned". They may be out of date, but they still retain valuable material. In spelling, word sounds are im- portant and each pupil must be taught to pronounce the word and to proceed carefully with the spelling of each syllable. This spring a "Union Spelling Bee" is planned to motivate better spelling.
Berkley Grammar School
The year 1940 has seen many interesting develop- ments, both in the school work and activities. Last spring, through the generosity of Mr. Clarence C. Trenouth, all the children of the school were taken to Boston to see spots of historic interest.
Under the supervision of Mr. James Horton and Mr. Francis Champagne, the boys of the seventh and eighth grades played a series of baseball games with grammar schools in several outlying towns, including Freetown, Raynham and West Bridgewater. The schedule will be continued in the future.
The 4-H Clubs held a very successful Amateur Night, the proceeds were used to help defray the ex- penses of club members who were eligible to attend
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the County Camp during the last week of June. Sev- eral children availed themselves of this opportunity.
Graduation exercises were held in June. Twen- ty pupils from the Berkley and Myricks Schools re- ceived their diplomas.
In August, Mr. Francis Champagne resigned to take a position in Seekonk. The school department was indeed fortunate to get Mr. Ernest Hale, a gradu- ate of Hyannis State Teachers College, to replace Mr. Champagne. Mr. Hale has had a wide variety of ex- perience in club work and has the degree B. S. in Ed. from Hyannis.
Physical Education has been added in grades four through eight and Sewing and Manual Training in grades seven and eight. These classes meet regularly on Tuesday and Thursday. I am sure that this work will prove of great value to the students.
Another introduction into the work of the school is Visual Education. The films have included subjects in history, geography and science, with an occasional newsreel and comedy. It is the hope of the superin- tendent that this program may be extended as it has been proven that pupils can retain material of moving pictures for a longer time than from other school methods.
Our activities, which are conducted after school, include Girl Scouts led by Miss Allen and Miss Harring- ton ; Boy Scouts, with Mr. Horton as leader; 4-H Lunch Box and Metalcraft Projects led by Mrs. Mildred Bab- bitt and a Handicraft Club led by Mr. Hale. Mr. Hale also conducts Junior Rifle Clubs. All of these groups have their own officers and carry on the work in an excellent manner.
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