USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Berkley > Town annual report of Berkley 1943 > Part 5
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Most of the positions available to boys and girls who have not graduated from high school are blind alleys. When this war is over the vast majority of these young people will be without jobs. A boy who is plan- ning to enter the service will be better able to progress if he has had the advantageof a high school education.
Every pupil who finishes the eighth grade must continue his education if he is mentally, physically and morally fit to do so. However, without the cooperation of the home, the job of the school becomes extremely difficult.
PROMOTION AND RETARDATION
As our age-grade tabulation sheet shows, there is not as serious a retardation problem in Berkley as
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ANNUAL REPORT
we find in some towns. Some factors beyond our con- trol aggravate the situation. Retardation contributes to lack of interest, disciplinary problems, and an early withdrawal from school. No pupil should be retarded if his best interests will be served by promotion. With very few exceptions our pupils should finish grammar school by the time they are fifteen years of age. Each child should progress with his social age group and be taught acording to his ability even though that ability might not be high enough to do the normal work of the grade. A good teacher always realizes that there is a wide variation of ability in any grade. To insist that a child be retarded until such time as he reaches a high level of attainment cannot be justified.
At the present time we have twenty pupils who are retarded, two or three years. This means that if they continue to be promoted from now on, they will be at least sixteen years of age before entering high school. Twelve of them will be sixteen, four will be eighteen and four will be seventeen. Some of these have been kept back six or seven times.
When, after careful consideration and after a con- sultation with the Superintendent, a teacher decides that a child will profit more by repeating a grade, that judgment should be final. No school committee member and no parent is in a position to know the situation well enough to be able to override such a decision. All too often, school committee members in some communities, rather than antagonize a troublesome parent, will bring pressure to bear so that children who should be retarded are given a promotion. My policy will be to support the judgment of the teacher unless that judgment can be proven to be faulty.
ART SUPERVISOR:
I strongly recommend the employment of a teacher of art for the Berkley Schools. The teaching of art is a specialty just as is music and the talents of one who has specialized in this field are required if a satisfactory program is to be carried out. In most schools that have no art supervisor, the drawing program is not adequate. By sharing such a teacher with other towns, the cost to Berkley would be nominal.
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ANNUAL REPORT
SCHOOL BUILDINGS:
We are unable to use our auditorium during cold weather because of the lack of heating facilities. At the present time two of our five furnaces are in poor condi- tion and will need replacing in the near future. It seems advisable that serious consideration be given to the in- stallation of a central heating plant that will replace our inefficient hot air furnaces and will at the same time take care of the heating of the auditorium.
From information available it would be inadvisable to provide central heating at this time because of the scarcity and inferior quality of some of the equipment necessary. This project should be undertaken, however, whenever feasible, both from an efficiency and a finan- cial standpoint. The interior of the building is sadly in need of redecorating, largely as a result of the dirt that accumulates on the walls and ceilings. This situation can be largely attributable to the present heating sys- tem. To add more furnaces to our present five, would be folly.
The natural lighting at the Berkley Grammar School is unusually good. The lighting at the Myricks School is poor.
EDUCATIONAL COSTS:
Educational costs throughout the country have ad- vanced during the past several years and will continue to rise slightly in the future because of wage and price adjustments from time to time. Any appreciable in- creases are unlikely if the national trend continues to be toward stabilization of the cost of living. Some supply items have doubled in price. Many articles are becoming extremely scarce. Necessary repair costs are almost pro- hibitive, especially when the work must be done by out of town labor.
CONCLUSION:
For any school system to run efficiently it is neces- sary for parents, townspeople, school committee mem- bers and faculty to work together. We should all be in- terested in providing the best education possible for the pupils of Berkley. Petty politics, personal likes and
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ANNUAL REPORT
dislikes, and penny pinching have no place in education. To do less than our best for our children is unjustifiable. The education of these children is the responsibility and the duty of all of us. Let us meet our obligations with our best.
I am grateful to the townspeople of Berkley for the support they have given our schools. I am especially appreciative of the cooperation, friendship and invalu- able help that the School Committee, principals, and teachers have given me on every occasion. Their attitude makes being superintendent in Berkley a real pleasure.
Respectfully submitted, JOHN J. ROLFE,
Superintendent of Schools.
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ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE MUSIC SUPERVISOR
Mr. John Rolfe,
Superintendent of Schools,
Berkley, Mass.
Dear Mr. Rolfe:
I herewith submit my annual report as Music Su- pervisor in the public schools in the town of Berkley.
Grades I and II learned many rote songs and later noted the number of phrases in many of these and rec- ognized the repetition of similar motives and figures. The next step was the application of syllables by rote. It is extremely important that these early rote songs be taught correctly. These, learned first through EAR training, must be accurate in tonal relationship in prep- aration for the application of the syllables and later for EYE training from staff notation. These steps follow one another so closely great care should be exercised in correct presentation.
The child is taught to use light, head tones and never to allow himself to sing with a harsh, reedy qual- ity. This applies not only during the music lesson but at all times when he sings. Teachers are requested to ob- serve this and to insist upon it. Simple board work in scale and in tonic chord drill are taught early in the second year and book study of songs is begun after the Christmas holidays. Individual attention is given to the "Listeners" and the number in this group is decreased as the child finds his singing voice.
Grades III and IV have much specific drill in theory. This includes time problems, the establishing of do, mi. sol in different key signatures, the effect of a sharp, flat and cancel the singing of chromatics and writing from dictation. The plan of work is to sing, recognize visually, and to write many of the problems in theory as progress is made by the class.
The upper grades have done two, three, and four part music, learned keys and written scales in the differ- ent kinds of minors and related majors. With the use of the piano a part of the music period was spent in the choosing and singing of songs from the community song books.
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ANNUAL REPORT
In Myricks the upper grades devoted some time to the rhythm band. Pupils used the orchestra scores and whenever possible some member of the class accompan- ied at the piano. This work is delightfully entertaining and excellent practice for ensemble playing.
Just before the fall vacation the supervisor was ap- proached by several of the Myricks pupils regarding piano instruction. In many towns and cities classes are formed for the training of those boys and girls inter- ested in learning to play some musical instrument and arrangements are made to have these lessons conducted in the schools. The piano is acknowledged as the foun- dational instrument. A request for instruction originat- ing with the pupils themselves would be well worth con- sidering. With the auditorium at the Berkley Common School made available for this type of work, classes in folk dancing and gymnastic drills could also be formed. I would ask your consideration of this project and per- mission to organize and instruct such groups.
Respectfully yours, LOIS J. SNOW,
Supervisor of Music
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ANNUAL REPORT
FINANCIAL STATEMENT-1943 RECEIPTS
Appropriation, Refund,
$23,553.27
2.85
Total,
$23,556.12
EXPENDITURES
General Expenses,
$ 742.26
Teachers' Salaries,
7,642.46
Health,
532.06
Text Books and Supplies,
588.51
Tuition,
4,222.47
Transportation,
5,700.00
Janitors' Services,
1,226.00
Fuel and Light,
613.19
Maintenance, Building and Grounds,
2,002.78
Furniture and Furnishings,
13.25
Other Expenses,
266.16
Balance,
6.98
$23,556.12
NET COST TO TOWN
Expenditures, $23,549.14
RECEIPTS-1943
Reimbursement Teachers' Salaries, Part I,
$1,920.00
Reimbursement Teachers' Salaries, Part II,
1,917.12
Reimbursement, vocational, ,
Tuition,
534.19
Transportation,
1,943.56
Reimbursement, Superintendent's Salary and Travel, 196.92
State Wards: Tuition and Trans.,
779.70
High School:
Tuition
2,476.77
Transportation,
2,870.00
Total receipts-1943, $12,638.26
NET COST TO TOWN,
$10,910.88
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ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL NURSE
Mr. John Rolfe,
Superintendent of Schools,
Berkley, Massachusetts
Dear Sir:
The annual report of the school physician and school nurse is hereby submitted.
The usual weekly visits have been made to the Berk- ly Grammar and Myricks Schools during the past year.
Except for colds, the schcol pupils have been free from contagious disease.
The mental clinic was held in January. This clinic is conducted by Dr. Olga Steinecke of the Taunton State Hospital and is confined to the first grade.
The ear testing examination, using the State owned audiometer, was given to the pupils. Four pupils showed hearing loss.
The Toxoid Clinic was held in May. A total of 34 pupils completed the treatment. There were 15 pupils who had only two of the three treatments.
Pre-school Clinic was held in May. There were 6 children from Myricks who attended and 20 children from Berkley.
In April, the Dental Clinic was held with 54 pupils attending. Dr. Edmund Tobin of Brookline conducts this clinic. Dr. Tobin is a conscientious dentist and is anxious for the pupils to take advantage of this service. Care of the teeth is a very important factor towards good health.
I have visited 50 homes during the school year. I appreciate the friendly cooperation I have received in all the homes.
Dr. Souza has examined all of the pupils at Myricks and Berkley Grammar School and has found a large per- centage of the pupils have bad teeth and throats. Dr. Souza urges the parents to have their children take ad- vantage of the dental clinic in May. Enlarged or diseased
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ANNUAL REPORT
tonsils can be the cause of keeping a child from having good health. A clean throat is insurance against colds.
It has been nice to find only one marked defect among all the pupils. This case necessitated an xray which was taken at the Attleboro Hospital. The xray proved negative but the child is being watched care- fully and serious trouble will be avoided.
Posture has been very poor. Dr. Souza plans to se- cure a moving picture on posture very soon.
Dr. Souza and I wish to thank the parents and teachers for their cooperation during the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
ELLA F. DILLINGHAM, R. N.,
School Nurse
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ANNUAL REPORT
GRADUATION PROGRAM BERKLEY AND MYRICKS SCHOOLS June 8, 1943 8 P. M.
[. PROCESSIONAL "Stars and Stripes Forever"
II. INVOCATION Rev. Wayne Philbrook
III. RESPONSE "Taps"
Chorus
IV. ADDRESS OF WELCOME Laura Fernandes
V. CHORUS Myricks School
(a) "O Sole Mio" (b) "Fly Now, O Song I'm Singing"
VI. ESSAY "Thoughts of Youth" Lillian Rose
VII. CHORUS Berkley School
(a) "The Serenaders" (b) "Give Us a Song"
VIII. RECITATION -
"At Home and Afar"
Helen Adams
IX. CHORUS Berkley and Myricks
(a) "Anvil Chorus" (b) "To Thee, O Country" with introduction by Doris Raymond X. ESSAY "Territorial Growth of the U. S." Althea Maker
XI. CLASS GIFT TO SCHOOL Robert Shepherd
XII. REMARKS
Mr. E. Perley Eaton, Superintendent of Schools
XIII. PRESENTATION OF DIPLOMAS Mr. E. Perley Eaton, Superintendent of Schools
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ANNUAL REPORT
XIV. CLOSING ADDRESS
"The Advantage of Living in America" Elizabeth-Ann Sellars
XV. STAR SPANGLED BANNER Audience
XVI. BENEDICTION Rev. Wayne Philbrook XVII. RECESSIONAL
GRADUATES
Adams, Carlton Robert
Adams, Helen Jean
Benson, Myron George
Bindon, James Albert
Blanchette, Patricia Louise
Brown, Phyllis Mary Cambra, George
Comerford Albert Vincent
Costa, Anthony
Fernandes, Laura
Frizado, Rose
Grace, Esther Isabel
Gutholm, Ernest
Ide, Douglas Earle Little, Howard LeRoy MacQueen, Marjorie Harriet Maker, Althea Lorraine Raymond, Doris Louise Reagan, Raymond L. Reed, Charles Alexander Rose, Eugene Alden Rose, Joseph Dutra Rose, Lillian Julia Sellars, Elizabeth-Ann Shepherd Robert William Souto, Anna Maciel
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ANNUAL REPORT
BERKLEY PUPILS ATTENDING DIGHTON HIGH SCHOOL
October 1, 1943.
Seniors
Charlotte Barton
Alice Brown
Cecelia Costa
Bertha Dulak
Rhoda Ide
Mary Turcott
Elaine White
Laura Wood
Juniors
Virginia Anthony Lois Babbitt
Russell Bennett
Doris Cummings
Arthur Dillingham
Agnes Milko
Mary Rattcliffe
Robert Sellars
Lucille Valli
Sophomores
Mary Bacon Edward Dulak
Daniel Faria
Laura Fernandes
Lorraine Gagnon Daniel Nunes
Esther Reed
Rose Slivinski
Eilene Souza
Edmund Trzinski
Barbara Valli
Doris Williams
Freshmen
Helen Adams
Patricia Blanchette
Phyllis Brown
Douglas Ide
Althea Maker Doris Raymond Lillian Rose Elizabeth Sellars
Robert Sheperd
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ANNUAL REPORT
Dighton Vocational School
James Bindon
Ernest Gutholm
Wilfred Briggs
George Jones
Kenneth Combs
Robert Makepeace
Manuel Faria
Kenneth Poole
John Fernandes
Raymond Reagan
Lawrence Gagnon
Alexander Reed
Jean Townley
DIGHTON HIGH SCHOOL HONOR ROLL (Berkley Graduates) 1936-1943
Arnold Colpitts
Alfred Howland
Russell Combs
Richard Hyde
John Dulak
William Jack
Gilbert Furtado
Sheldon Phillips
David Harrison
Stanley Poole
Frederick Haskins
Albert Ratcliffe
John Haskins George Stedman
Edwin Makepeace
SCHOOL CALENDAR-1943-44
Schools opened Sept. 8, 1943 Schools open Jan. 3, 1944 Schools open Feb. 28, 1944 Schools open April 24, 1944
Closed Dec. 17, 1943
Close Feb. 18, 1944 Close April 14, 1944 Close June 9, 1944
ENROLLMENT - October 1, 1943
Grade
Age
Totals
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
1
6
19
3
28
2
4
12
4
1
1
22
3
1
8
6
15
4
7
14
1
1
1
24
5
1
6
ยท)
4
1
1
18
6
14
4
3
2
23
7
4
11
2
3
20
8
3
10
3
1
1
18
6
23
16
19
22
7
24
23
17
9
1
1 168
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ANNUAL REPORT
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BERKLEY SCHOOL FACULTY
School
Teacher
Address Education
Appointed
Berkley Grammar
A Louise Unsworth, Principal 228 Berkley Stret, Taunton Bridgewater
1939
Anne Allen, B.S. in Ed. 4666 N. Main St., Fall River Bridgewater 1939
School Genevieve Harrington
298 Whipple St., Fall River Hyannis 1939
34 Maple St., Taunton
Bridgewater 1942
Mary E. Hathaway, B.S. in Ed. Edna Smith, B.S. in Ed.
38 Ingell St., Taunton
Bridgewater
1942
Myricks
Millicent B. Hackett
185 Dean St., Taunton
Bridgewater 1927
Grammar
Schoo] Mary Magina, B.S. in Ed.
Leonard's Ct., Taunton
Bridgewater
1943
Musis Supervisor Lois J. Snow
27 Counch St., Taunton
Joseph Furtado
RFD No. 1, Taunton (Myricks Grammar)
Janitors:
Chester White
RFD No. 1 Taunton (Berkley Grammar)
Mary Magina, B.S. in Ed.
Appointment, 1943 Leonard's Court, Taunton Bridgewater 1943
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ANNUAL REPORT
34000
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