USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Berkley > Town annual report of Berkley 1951 > Part 5
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I am pleased to submit my ninth annual report as Super- intendent of Schools for the Town of Berkley. Incorporated herein is the report of the School Committee.
Financial
In 1951 the Commonwealth of Massachusetts certified for payment to the Town of Berkley the amount of $18,718.00 on account of schools, making the net cost of operation $20,431.16. This was $1,300.02 less than Berkley paid to operate its school department in 1950 when the net was $21,731.18 and $490.67 less than in 1949 when the net was $20,921.83. However, these figures are purely informational in nature and in no sense should be interpreted as being a reflection of operating efficiency.
Certain set factors determine the major cost of operating a school system. 96% of our budget is for items such as salaries, tuition, transportation, electricity, fuel, and insurance. All of these are set commitments except salaries which can be cut by the committee. However, the maximum salary paid to an indi- vidual for teaching service is $2,800.00 which is only $200.00 more than the lowest salary paid to an inexperienced teacher in many other towns.
The items that make up the additional 4% of the budget are books, supplies, miscellaneous, and replacement of equip-
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ANNUAL REPORT
ment. Of the 119 towns under 5,000 population without high schools only seven spend less per pupil than Berkley.
The budget to be submitted for 1952 will show a gross increase of $1,655.90 and a net of $718.00. This increase is caused by the necessity of providing the salary of an addi- tional teacher on a full year basis, for expanded heating re- quirements, and for tuition.
Personnel
After teaching in Berkley for seven years, Miss Catherine Kula of Taunton resigned to accept a better paying position in Brockton. Miss Kathleen Kelliher, a graduate of Lesley Col- lege and a resident of Taunton, was elected to the vacancy. Mrs. Marcine Weiner, teacher of grades three and four, re- signed in June. Mrs. Anne K. Greene, a graduate of Lesley and a resident of Swansea, was elected to that position.
Due to the increase in enrollment that we have been ex- periencing over the past several years, the employment of an additional teacher was deemed advisable by the Committee in order to eliminate the necessity of having some children attend school in the morning only, while another group attended the afternoon session only. Mr. Richard Flemming, a graduate of Bridgewater State Teachers College and a resident of Taunton was elected to teach the sixth grade and part of the seventh.
In November, Mr. Horace Clough was selected by the ยท Committee to replace Mr. Russell Coombs who resigned from the janitor's position to accept other work.
Heating
After a number a years of discussion relative to the heat- ing problem at the Berkley School, the necessity of providing heat for the auditorium made the townspeople cognizant of the urgency of the problem. From September until the system was in operation in January, the sixth, seventh and eighth grades were required to attend school on a shortened schedule, with one group attending from eight o'clock until twelve and the other from twelve o'clock until four. At this time the auto- matic controls have not been completed but we are able to use the system on a limited basis.
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ANNUAL REPORT
The providing of heat for the auditorium, the health room, the corridors, and the basements has made for a distinct im- provement in the school. We shall be able to provide adequate heat and ventilation to the classrooms without the handicaps of overheating and underheating such as we encountered with the old coal burning furnace system. No longer will we have to close the school because of the impossibility of properly heating it. No longer will the children have to sit in chilly rooms on cold days.
We have more than doubled the space that is heated and so can expect that the cost will be considerably higher. Al- though the facilities of the building have been described in previous reports there are many who still do not realize that heretofore we were not heating our basements, halls, or audi- torium.
Improvements of Building and Grounds
Many years have elapsed since the first request for a drink- ing fountain in the west corridor. This year the fountain was voted by the School Committee and installed. The necessity of using the auditorum for classroom purposes required the installation of new lights, chalkboards, and school furniture. Fluorescent lights were purchased to replace the old ones that were woefully inadequate. Fifteen used desks and chairs were purchased from the Somerset School Department for a nominal sum. A Webster record player was furnished the music de- partment.
An effort was made to improve the playground area at the rear of the building but it is still very unsatisfactory for basket- ball practice. A blacktop court should be installed. The com- pletion of the job of sanding and refinishing the desk tops has improved the appearance of the classrooms considerably.
General
For the past several years the Berkley Woman's Club has operated a dental clinic for the children. The cost of this service has become too great for the club to carry and so the service is being discontinued. We are deeply grateful to those public spirited women who gave so generously of their time and money for the good of the children. A dental clinic is of
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ANNUAL REPORT
such a vital necessity that we hope in some way the Town may again accept this responsibility as it did several years pre- viously.
Our schools continue to be well supplied with books and supplies. The high school records show that Berkley students do unusually well in high school. This indicates that they are receiving a sound foundation in those skills, attitudes and habits that are necessary for doing high school work success- fully.
Conclusion
The fine support given by the many Berkley people who are interested in the school children is deeply appreciated. In closing I wish to point out that without a cooperative school committee a superintendent cannot do his best work and a school system suffers as a result. I am fortunate to have a committee that has been highly cooperative, and that has been sincerely interested in providing the best education possible for the children of Berkley.
Respectfully submitted, JOHN J. ROLFE
Superintendent of Schools
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ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL NURSE
Mr. John J. Rolfe Superintendent of Schools Berkley, Massachusetts
Dear Sir:
I take pleasure in submitting my annual report as school nurse in the Berkley Grammar School.
A health program should start early in life and continue throughout its duration. This is not always possible and chil- dren enter school with bad teeth, infected tonsils and enlarged neck glands. Toxins or poisons absorbed in the system from these defects tend to make a child feel tired and listless and he has difficulty keeping up with his class. If these defects could be corrected in the early grades, the result would be a healthier, happier child.
The annual physical examination was given by Dr. Souza and one hundred twenty-nine notices were sent home to par- ents notifying them of conditions needing attention. We have had six tonsillectomies during the past year.
Members of the Woman's Club regret they will be unable to continue operating the dental clinic. There was not enough interest or cooperation shown and the burden of transportation and the financing of the clinic fell upon a few members. I greatly appreciate all help given me with this clinic. Dr. Israel Helfand, clinic doctor, reports that forty-six pupils at- tended the clinic with the following operations completed:
Extractions 51
Silver fillings 95
Zinc oxide bases 40
Pulpcapping for exposed nerves 9 Cleanings 21
A total of $544.00 was paid Dr. Helfand. $155.00 was paid by the pupils with the balance being paid by the Woman's Club. Urgent treatment was given without charge to five pupils. This clinic has made parents more conscious of the need for early dental care and an increasing number of pupils are going to their own dentists.
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ANNUAL REPORT
1
An epidemic of chicken-pox occurred during the year re- sulting in a large loss of school time. Parents are asked to watch for early symptoms suggesting communicable diseases and keep a child home until a return-to-school permit is se- cured from the school doctor. This is the only way we can hope to control epidemics.
The toxoid clinic was held in March and was well at- tended. Fifty-eight percent of the pupils have been im- munized against diphtheria. Fourteen children were present at the pre-school clinic which was held in June.
Due to the activities of installing the new heating system, the Mass. Vision Test and the Pure Tone Hearing Test were omitted but will be given later in the year.
Several home visits have been made this year. The school health program concerns, not only the school, but also the home. It is only by co-operation between the two that we can promote health consciousness in parents and pupils.
In closing, I wish to thank all those who gave me such courteous co-operation during the year.
Respectfully submitted, ELLA F. DILLINGHAM
Registered Nurse
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ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE MUSIC SUPERVISOR
Mr. John J. Rolfe Superintendent of Schools Berkley, Massachusetts
Dear Mr. Rolfe:
I feel that the town of Berkley has been very progressive in providing materials for my work. I am very grateful.
Since January of last year new books for the fourth and fifth grades have been provided, superseding those published around 1930. Both teachers and children have welcomed the change.
An important addition to the record library has been made in the form of three albums of R.C.A. Victor's "Listening Activities". These are the first of a set of six albums for the elementary school level.
But most important has been the fine Webster record player (three speeds-to which may be added a public address system) that was purchased and on which all of the record library may be played. It is portable so that each grade may enjoy the use of it, yet it is powerful enough to be used very satisfactorily when the whole school is together in the audi- torium.
The instrumental part of my work is showing some progress. There are nine children taking instrumental lessons at school, and five who are studying privately. At the gradua- tion exercises last June the orchestra was able to play a selection in addition to the processional march.
All concerned in my work have been most cooperative.
Yours truly, MARJORIE E. HAYWARD
Supervisor of Music
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ANNUAL REPORT
GRADUATION PROGRAM BERKLEY GRAMMAR SCHOOL
June 5, 1951
Auditorium 8:00 P.M.
1
Processional School Orchestra Invocation Rev. Francis Mckeon Chorus
Response "The Twenty-third Psalm"
Address of Welcome
"The Dance"
Robert V. Andrews Chorus
Recitation
Wallace A. Wood
"Our Country"
Piano Solo
Patricia J. Stetson
"Nola"
Claudia E. Wilson
Recitation "The Things I Prize"
"Shine, Glorious Sun"
Recitation
"What is Success?"
William M. Melesky
Recitation
Jean F. Ashley
"Danube Waves"
School Orchestra
Closing Address
Patricia J. Stetson Chorus
"Somewhere a Child is Singing"
Presentation of Awards by Berkley Men's Association Milton A. Babbitt, President
Presentation of Awards by Berkley Woman's Club Mrs. Arnold Perry, President
School Song
Chorus
Composed by Grades 7 and 8
Chorus Jean E. LaFrance
Accordion Solo
"The Glow-Worm"
"Nature's Treasures"
PROGRAM
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ANNUAL REPORT
Speaker Mrs. Jean T. Carroll
Class of 1926 - 1927
Solo
Bernard Hamlen
"The Thief" Mr. Arthur Peirce Class of 1926 - 1927 Accompanist-Miss Natalie Seaver "Through the Years" Miss Elizabeth A. Brady Teacher of Grades 1 and 2, 1926 - 1928 Sylvia A. Bettencourt, Class of 1951 Antonia Aguas, Class of 1952
Presentation of Diplomas Mr. Emery C. Andrews Class of 1926 - 1927
Benediction Rev. Joseph H. Pritchard Recessional School Orchestra
Mrs. Marjorie E. Hayward, Music Supervisor Mr. John J. Rolfe, Superintendent of Schools
GRADUATES
Bruce Michael Andrews Jean Eileen LaFrance
Robert Vincent Andrews
William Michael Melesky
Jean Frances Ashley Armand A. Morel
Guire Ashley Babbitt Sarah Silvia
Sylvia Ann Bettencourt Joan Bernadette Slivinski
Sarah Jane Bindon Patricia Jean Stetson
Charlotte Bessie Crimlisk Claudia Ellen Wilson
Wallace Alexander Wood
MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL ORCHESTRA Wallace A. Wood, President
Jean Ashley Judith Ingalls
Rebecca Babbitt
William Melesky
Roberta Babbitt
Alphonse Morel
Francis Barboza
Lawrence Perry Margaret Silvan
David Clark
June Clough Joan Slivinski
Natalie Dulak
Warner Goff
Stephen Thompson James Wallace
Alan Waterson
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ANNUAL REPORT
BERKLEY PUPILS ATTENDING DIGHTON HIGH SCHOOL DECEMBER 31, 1951 Freshmen
Jean F. Ashley
Guire A. Babbitt
Sylvia A. Bettencourt
Sarah Silvia
Sarah J. Bindon
Joan B. Slivinski
Charlotte B. Crimlisk
Patricia J. Stetson
Claudia E. Wilson
Wallace A. Wood
Sophomores
Lorraine V. Barboza Joseph Bonvie
* Mark A. Marshall David A. Pilling
June F. Conant
*Edward H. Rose
George B. Cummings
Alexander Houtzager Judith Mae Hunter Virginia Lee
"Paul E. Senechal Theresa Mae Sylvia Irving F. Wallace, Jr. Yvonne Washburn
Naomi White
Juniors
Ann K. Andrews David M. Ashley Eleanor M. Costa * Daniel R. Fernandes
Jacqueline K. Harrison Theodore Sherman King Lorraine Rose Paige Shirley Ann Smith
Warren E. Sylvester, Jr.
Seniors
Charles M. Ashley Shirley Babbitt Daniel D. Cambra
* Kenneth W. Carpenter Florence Delano Edith Fernandes
James Joseph Furtado James E. Garrity Beverly Ann Gilmore Irene Rose
Alice Constance Souto
* Vocational Shop Students
Jean E. LaFrance
Joyce Nutbrown
William M. Melesky
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ANNUAL REPORT
FINANCIAL STATEMENT - 1951
Appropriation
$39,150.10
Expenditures
General Control
$ 1,607.05
Teachers' Salaries
14,969.50
Books and Supplies
929.27
Janitors' Salary
2,095.84
Fuel
1,365.98
Repairs
109.18
New Equipment
448.94
Health
664.04
Transportation
9,852.00
Tuition
6,999.90
Electricity
85.32
Miscellaneous
279.34
Insurance
273.04
39,139.40
Returned to Town
10.70
Receipts
Reimbursement Chapter 70
General School Aid
9,431.41
Reimbursement Superintendent's Travel and Salary
373.31
Reimbursement Vocational Education
922.72
Transportation
7,980.80
Total Receipts 18,708.24
NET COST TO TOWN
$20,431.16
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ANNUAL REPORT
ENROLLMENT - OCTOBER 1, 1951
Grade
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 Total
Catherine L. Murphy 30
30
Kathleen Kelliher
38
38
Anne K. Greene
27
11
38
Edna C. Lincoln
8
28
36
Richard C. Flemming
17
10
27
A. Louise Unsworth
13
22
35
Totals
30
38
27
19
28
17
23
22
204
AGE-GRADE ENROLLMENT - OCTOBER 1, 1951
Grade
Age
Totals
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14 15
1
2 23
5
30
2
7 27
4
38
3
4 18
4 1
27
4
3 13
19
5
6
3 18 3
1
28
6
3
3
1
1
17
7
9 5 13 10
8
3
1
22
-
2 30
36
25
23
25
17
26
14
4
2
204
SCHOOL CALENDAR Calendar Year 1952
School opens January 2, 1952
Closes February 15, 1952
School opens February 25, 1952
School opens April 28, 1952
Closes April 18, 1952 Closes June 13, 1952
School opens September 3, 1952
Closes December 19, 1952
School will close on the following days: April 11-Good Friday
May 30-Memorial Day
October 13-Columbus Day (October 12)
October 31-Teachers' Convention
November 11-Armistice Day
November 27 and 28-Thanksgiving Recess
4
1
23
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BERKLEY SCHOOL FACULTY
Degree
Address
Education
App'd.
Berkley Grammar School
A. Louise Unsworth Richard C. Fleming
B.S. in Ed.
566 Somerset Ave., Taunton
Bridgewater
1951
Anne K. Greene
154 Main St., Swansea
Lesley
1951
Kathleen A. Kelliher
29 Ashland St., Taunton
Leslcy
1951
Edna C. Lincoln
B.S. in Ed.
38 Ingell St., Taunton
Bridgewater
1942
Catherine L. Murphy
Clancy St., Swansea
Lesley
1949
MUSIC SUPERVISOR
Marjorie E. Hayward
Foundry St., South Easton
JANITOR
Horace Clough
North Main St., Berkley
School
Teacher
15 Forest St., Taunton
Bridgewater 1939
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