USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Chelmsford > Town annual report of Chelmsford 1952 > Part 16
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Responding Rhythmically: Those people who saw the square dance contest last February know only too well the benefits which this ac- tivity gives. The winners of the trophy to date are:
First year - Westlands
Second year - Princeton
Third year - Westlands
The East Chelmsford School group was accorded the privilege of appearing on a television program because of its excellent work.
Playing: Rhythm instruments are used with many songs in the lower grades.
Creating: Under this activity we have added new verses to fa- miliar songs, songs have been written, and dances have been worked out.
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REPORT OF SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
I wish to take this opportunity to thank the teachers who have helped in carrying out this important program.
In the Spring, we started a boys' glee club in the High School. The boys responded enthusiastically and their initial appearance at "Open House" was most promising.
In February, four students of the special glee club, Avis Hulslan- der, Caroline Reis, Philip Silk and Allan Walker were given the op- portunity to attend and participate in the All State Music Festival in Framingham. Singing with a select group under a well known con- ductor was an inspiring experience which they will never forget.
Since September my work has been in the elementary schools.
Music is largely a social activity and when we perform or listen to it, we find special enjoyment in sharing such experience with others. Music festivals are the means for developing worthy standards of music and help bring about a certain degree of uniformity to the school music program.
The May Festival was held as usual. Kathleen MacElroy was chosen by her classmates to be the May Queen .. This festival is a cul- mination of the years activity and is one in which the children and those who are interested in their musical growth find enjoyment.
In April I attended the National Music Educators Conference, of which I am a member, in Philadelphia. At these conferences much can be gained which is worth the time and money spent.
At this time I wish to express my thanks to all those who have helped me in carrying out the music program, especially the Booster Club which made it possible for the young people to go to Framingham.
John E. Hahn, Jr.
This being my first year as music supervisor at Chelmsford I cannot offer as conclusive a report on the progress of the music pro- gram as one should like to have. However, I would like to state that the instrumental program in both the high school and elementary schools is functioning very well.
A program similar to that of last year is being maintained, in that the band members have lessons three days a week, one period per day. There is also a rehearsal for the entire band one day a week after school.
Two days a week lessons are given at the elementary schools so that each student has one lesson each week.
I am very pleased to say that the band has impressed me very much. The reading ability of the students on the whole is very good
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REPORT OF SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
and I can truthfully say it is one of the best sounding high school bands I have ever heard. This of course being the result of the ex- cellent work done in the years previous to my appointment by my predecessor, Mr. Bernard Larkin.
The band performed at every football game and impressed the spectators with various drills and formations at each half time.
The annual band banquet at Christmas time was held in the Congregational Church in North Chelmsford, and proved to be a very successful affair.
Prior to the banquet the band members traveled throughout the sections of Chelmsford and played Christmas Carols for the "shut-ins" and elders in the town. I should like to mention here that the trans- portation provided for the band, twirlers and cheerleaders by the school department has been .excellent.
1 The Glee Clubs are showing good improvement in part singing. There is some evidence of shyness on the part of the singers when performing in front of audiences but this is being overcome by in- creased appearances before such audiences.
The mixed glee club performed at a Christmas Party held at the St. John's Church in North Chelmsford. The same group is also giv- ing two performances in Jannary. One program for the Rotary Club of Lowell and one for the members of the Unitarian Church in Chelms- ford Centre.
The instrumental program in the elementary grades is being ex- panded as much as time permits, with beginners being added to the groups of students already studying instruments. This work being of much importance as it is here in the grades that the nucleus for a successful high school musical program is formed.
With the ever increasing use of music in all forms on radio, tele- vision and motion pictures, it is becoming more and more apparent that we must offer along with our other subjects a music program which will enable the student to share musical enjoyment with others and experience the joy of self expression through music, whether it be with an instrument or with his own voice.
ART PROGRAM E. Ruth Greenberg
The art program is based on the following major objectives:
1. Stimulating creative abilities in all children: Originality and creative expression is encouarged in all child- ren.
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REPORT OF SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
2. Helping the children to develop powers of observation: The child is encouraged to judge his work and to observe line, . form, color, light and dark, texture (art elements). This will help him to translate, graphically, his thoughts and ideas.
3. Building a capacity for appreciation :
Appreciation grows out of the combination of seeing and do- ing. The children are exposed to the best works of man and nature so that everyone may enjoy beauty in all of its visual forms.
4. Preparing them for a richer, and fuller life:
Art experiences which will help them in their daily living, will be of great value to them, both now and in the future.
5. Discovering and guiding the talented :
A great responsibility is the recognition and guidance of the talented. Encouragement and careful guidance is important, but at the same time, understanding is vital.
6. Helping the children to develop desirable social habits and good citizenship:
Class projects are excellent means for providing experiences in responsibility, cooperation, and initiative.
In the high school the course is so planned as to provide a founda- tion for those who wish to pursue a career in the art field, as well as for those who wish to enjoy art as a hobby. It includes experiences with a variety of materials, in both fine and applied art, and covers projects in design and color as well as lettering, sketching, painting and crafts.
Besides the regular work that is carried on in these classes, there are many other activities in which they actively participate. Some of these are the decorations made for the various social functions car- ried on by the different classes, posters and signs for announcing school events, and decorating the school for the Christmas season. The results of these activities are enjoyed by both students and faculty.
In the elementary schools, there are projects with various mate- rials, such as water colors, clay, paper sculpture, and papier mache, as well as sketching, painting, craft work, and decorating for various holidays. Projects are carried on, not only with commercial mate- rials, but with scrap materials found around the home, as well.
In November, a poster contest was held for the third through the eighth grades and sponsored by the Chelmsford Fire Department. This annual event encourages the children to participate actively in expressing their ideas on fire prevention.
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REPORT OF SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
Early in the year, the upper grades of the elementary schools studied the principles of design, and then carried out these principles in various projects, and paintings.
The lower grades were actively involved in sketching, painting, and working with various media, including both commercial and scrap materials.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION Boys-Mr. Ciszek
The teaching of physical education in the Chelmsford schools in- cludes the common emphases of physical education methods which are concerned with emphasizing ways to develop skill; "selling" phy- sical education to pupils; teaching cooperation to pupils; and under- standing and influencing the child and adjusting the program to him. The development of strength and endurance is emphasized in the high school.
The physical education program in the grammar schools is divided into two phases. This division is necessary because of the age groups involved. Further division of these groups is necessary because of the climate.
In the fifth and sixth grade group the indoor program consists of basic tumbling skills where facilities are available. Skills in handling a basketball, fundamental boxing techniques and games of low or- ganization are also taught indoors.
Outdoors, these students are taught the basic skills involved in the game of football. Speedball is introduced in a reserved manner. Baseball skills are taught and demonstrated during the spring season. Games of low organization and relays are also utilized in the outdoor program.
The students in the seventh and eighth grades are taught the more advanced skills of football and speedball while the outdoor program is in progress. In the fall four schools were involved in a series of touch-football games during the gym period. The advance skills of baseball are taught in the spring. Group and team games are utilized extensively to teach the various skills involved in the major sports played indoors and outdoors. A series of excellent movies demonstra- ting the rules and skills of basketball, football and baseball are used to help facilitate the teaching of these numerous skills. Boxing and tumbling make up a part of the indoor program where the facilities are available.
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REPORT OF SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
A basketball league is conducted during the winter months at which time the students have an opportunity to practice the skills learned during the physical education classes. Similar competition is made available during the baseball season.
The high school program is also divided into two phases, indoor and outdoor. Regardless of the location, the class is always started with exercises that are intended to develop the larger muscles in the body. Out-doors the exercises are followed by football, speedball, vol- leyball and relays in the fall. In the spring, softball and track are added to the aforementioned activities.
Indoors the program is built around gymnastics and tumbling. Gymnastics and tumbling are included in the physical education pro- gram because of the strength and skills that are developed through participation in this sport. Since there is no other activity to develop fully upper body strength, ability and balance this sport occupies a prominent place in the high school physical education program. Bas- ketball, volleyball and relays are utilized to supplement the more rigorous activities of gymnastics and tumbling.
The extra-curricular program conducted for the high school stu- dents is designed to provide recreation, relaxation and enjoyment during the after school hours. This program consists of a bowling league, basketball league, gymnastic club and volleyball league.
One of the high points of the physical education program is the Field Day conducted in May. All schools take part in the activities which include competition in the sundry track and field events.
Girls-Miss Cordingley
Physical education has many objectives; the physical, the emo- tional, the recreational, and the mental are among them. All of them are important, but too often the recreational objective is overlooked. More and more physical educators are coming to realize the importance of the recreational objective. Most programs today are aimed at giving the children activities with carry-over value- activities that can be used for recreation out of school. This type of program has to be sacrificed in many communities because of lack of equipment and facilities. Chelmsford is one of these communities. Some carry-over activities can be taught, but there are many more which have to be neglected. Where the situation is not ideal, the program must be adapted to fit the facilities.
The need for recreational education in high schools today is great. We must try to teach the children not only the activity, but also give
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REPORT OF SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
them knowledge concerning physical education and recreation. They should know why they have to take part in physical education classes; what good it will do them; why they need activities to take care of their leisure time. Besides developing skill and acquiring knowledge, the pupils learn how to get along in a group, how to follow directions, they learn about cooperation and sportsmanship. The physical activity serves for improving coordination, flexibility, agility, muscular strength, etc. Every objective is equally important-none should be overlooked.
The program this year in the elementary schools has to be limited. Because of the increased number of pupils and classes, it has become impossible to visit each grade weekly. Classes which were combined in previous years are now so large that they must be taken separately, therefor, the first four grades (and in one school the first five grades) suffer. They are allowed but one half hour of physical education every two weeks. The time allotment in the upper grades is a little better, varying from thirty-five to forty-five minutes weekly. Because of the inadequate facilities in most of the schools, classes in the winter and on rainy days are poor. Space is limited; the rooms in which we play are often cold and damp; in one place no balls may be thrown.
The activities for grades one and two include all types of games, simple relays, rhythms, singing games, memetics and story plays. The games in these grades are fairly simple and of low organization. The children learn how to skip, hop, run, jump and throw and catch balls. In the third and fourth grades, the games become a little more difficult. Team games of low organization are introduced. Relays and rhythms are also advanced. Singing games and memetics are still taught.
Starting with the fifth grade the girls and boys are separated in the classes. Here the activities are mainly lead-up games to team sports such as softball, rhythms, folk dancing, marching, posture, re- lays, team games and games of higher organization. In the seventh and eighth grades, team sports are more prominent. Field ball was introduced this year, and also soccer lead-up games. Team games, relays, folk dance, posture and marching are also included. In the spring, softball will be taught and a girls grammar school league will be conducted again.
In the high school, the girls have two forty-five minute classes each week. Another class was added this year, thus making the classes smaller. The average class has about 30 girls. High school activities have included field ball, soccer, speedball, posture, gymnastics and
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REPORT OF SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
basketball. During the rest of the year instruction will be given in volleyball, work on the parallel bars, tumbling, field events and soft- ball.
Field hockey was offered as an organized sport for the first time this year. The team made progress, and should really do well next year. Also offered for a varsity sport is basketball. In the spring, an intra-mural softball league will be started.
Health teaching has been purely incidental. However, I hope to be able to acquire some films for use in the grammar schools.
HEALTH Helen M. Jewett, R.N.
The School Nurse devotes her mornings to visiting the various schools, checking the children with the principals and teachers. Home calls are usually made after school hours. A call to the McFarlin School any time during the day is relayed to me.
The State Department of Health changed the rules governing physical examinations. More time is spent on each pupil so that he or she may be more thoroughly tested. Dr. Blechman and Dr. Boucher examined grades 1, 4, 7 and Juniors in High School this fall. This will mean that each pupil will be checked four times during his school- ing in Chelmsford.
The vision of the pupils in grades 1, 3, 5, 7 and Freshmen and Juniors in High School will be checked each year with the Massachu- setts State Vision testing machine. The State Department of Health insists that any child who fails on this test should be taken to the family eye specialist and that his recommendations be followed.
Immunization clinics were held in March and April in all the schools by Dr. Blechman and Dr. Horan. Sixty-five children who had never been immunized received the triple vaccine. (Diphtheria, Whooping Cough, Tetanus) one shot every three weeks for three doses. In addition there were two hundred Booster shots (Diphtheria, Teta- nus) given. We feel that our town children are very well protected against Diphtheria.
Dr. Horan and Dr. Blechman vaccinated sixty-five pre-school children at our clinic in April.
Last year there were 280 pupils receiving work at the dental clinic. This year there will be over 400 taking advantage of this opportunity.
The High School Health Program was carried on throughout the
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REPORT OF SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
year with periodic talks by physicians, dentists, state nutritionist and tuberculosis workers. Also your school nurse talked on various phases of Health and on many occasions illustrated these programs with movies.
The health program in the elementary schools consists in the distribution of booklets, posters, related materials, movies and film strips. Discussions vital to the physical well-being of all have also been stressed.
Actual work accomplished during the past year is listed below:
Pupils inspected in schools (pediculosis, etc.) 2248
Number visits to schools 254
Number of visits to homes 156
Number of first aid treatments 344
Number examined by the school physicians 655
Number examined by the school dentist 357
Number sent or taken home for illness or suspected contagious diseases 184
Number examined for eyes
960
Hearing to be done in January 1953
Talks on Health and Hygiene 78
Individual instruction to pupils
108
Treatments secured :
Medical 6
Surgical
14
X-ray 2
Number of pupils accompanied to:
Doctor or Hospital 14
State Clinic 4 ...
My aim has been to work with the classroom teachers in helping the children realize the meaning of good health and how it is main- tained.
SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM Mary E. Stevens
The object of the School Lunch Program is "to improve the health of the nation's children through more and better school lunches at lower cost."
The Federal Government, through the Massachusetts Department of Education, assists both financially and by providing "abundant foods" or surplus commodities.
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REPORT OF SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
A hot lunch is being provided for which the standard is set by the Federal Government and which includes 1/2 pint whole milk, 2 ounces of protein (meat, fish, cheese, peanut butter, egg or dried beans or peas), 3/4 cup of vegetables and/or fruit, 1 slice bread and butter or margarine. This provides from 1/3 to 1/2 of one day's nutri- tive requirements and children are encouraged to eat the complete luncheon.
About 400 lunches per day are now being served in five town. schools in addition to recess and luncheon milk which is also sub- sidized by the government. There may be no profit from luncheons and all income is used in the School Lunch Program.
"A school lunch program which realizes its full educational pos- sibilities contributes to the conviction that health is a way of living, and through the cooperation of home, school and community makes it contribution to improved health and physical fitness of the individual and thus to community health."
SCHOOL CALENDAR
1952 - 1953
Begin - September 3, 1952
End - December 19, 1952
Days out - October 13 - Columbus Day October 31 - Teachers' Convention
November 11 - Armistice Day November 27, 28 - Thanksgiving
Begin January 5, 1953
End - February 20, 1953
Begin - March 2, 1953
End - April 17, 1953
Days out - April 2 - Holy Thursday April 3 - Good Friday
Begin - April 27, 1953
End - June 24, 1953
INDEX
Accountant's Report : Page
Appropriations and Transfers 232
Balance Sheet 170
Payments
183
Recapitulation
230
Receipts
177
Trust Funds:
Custody of
241
Income and Payments of
242
Appeals, Board of
150
Assessors, Board of
122
Building Inspector
163
Cemetery Department:
Commissioners Report
151
Perpetual Care Funds
101
Civil Defense Committee
161
Constable
163
Dog Officer 150
Fire Engineers 137
Forest Warden
164
Health Department:
Report of Board of Health 138
Report of Plumbing Inspector 144
Report of Slaughtering Inspector
145
Highway Dept.
175
Inspection of Animals
147
Library Department:
Adams Library, Librarian 135
Library Trustees, Secretary 132
Library Trustees, Treasurer 134
MacKay Memorial Library, Librarian 136
Middlesex County Extension Service 148
Park Commissioners 166
Planning Board
156
Police Department, Report of Chief
158
INDEX-Continued
Page
School Department:
Art Supervisor
275
Budget for 1953 271
Financial Statements 270
Lunch Room Supervisor 281
Music Supervisors
273
Personnel Roster 261
Physical Education-Supervisor of Boys
277
Physical Education-Supervisor of Girls 278-279
Principal of the High School 272
School Calendar 282
School Committee
254
School Nurse
280
School
Superintendent
256
Statistics:
Attendance
259
Distribution of Personnel 268
Distribution of Salaries 269
Enrollment by Grades (Diagram) 260
Enrollment Distribution by Grades 259
Growth of Chelmsford Schools 259
Membership by Age & Grade-Boys 266
Membership by Age & Grade-Girls 267
School Buildings
268
Sealer of Weights and Measures 157
Sinking Fund Commissioners 165
State Audit, Report of 167
Tax Collector
119
Town Clerk:
Annual Town Meeting, March 10, 1952 37
Appointed Town Officers 5
Births
10
Elected Town Officers 3
Deaths
22
Financial Report
99
Jury List
94
Marriages
16
Pre-Presidential Primary, April 29, 1952 54
Presidential Election, November 4, 1952
82
Presidential Primary, September 16, 1952 73
Special Town Meeting, March 17, 1952
53
Special Town Meeting, July 21, 1952 66
Special Town Meeting, December 4, 1952 90
INDEX-Continued
Page
Town Clerk: Continued
Warrant, Annual Town Meeting, March 10, 1952 28
Warrant, Election-Town, March 3, 1952 28
Warrant, Pre-Presidential Primary, April 29, 1952 54 Warrant, Presidential Primary, September 16, 1952 69
Warrant, Presidential Election, November 4, 1952 80
Warrant, Special Town Meeting, March 17, 1952 51
Warrant, Special Town Meeting, July 21, 1952 62
Warrant, Special Town Meeting, December 4, 1952 86
Town Treasurer 100
Veterans' Benefits Director 154
Veterans' Emergency Fund:
Secretary's Report
153
Treasurer's Report
155
Warrant, Annual Town Election and Annual Town Meeting,
March 2, 1953 and March 9, 1953
243
Welfare Agent
127
MEMOS
MEMOS
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MEMOS
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