Town annual report of Ipswich 1954, Part 5

Author: Ipswich (Mass.:Town)
Publication date: 1954
Publisher: Lynn News Press / J. F. Kimball
Number of Pages: 114


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Detailed descriptions of professional com- mittee activities appear in the reports of principals and supervisors. On the elemen- tary level, the work in coordinating the cur- riculum in the various elementary schools has continued. A reorganized elementary social studies program has been developed, the area of arithmetic has been studied, a handwriting curriculum has emerged, and the art and music areas have been revitalized and defined. Methods of reporting to par- ents have been analyzed and parents have shared in the development of new report cards. A beginning has been made toward setting up more specific grade objectives in the elementary reading program.


On the high school level, the groundwork has been laid for evaluating the present cur- riculum to see if it adequately meets the needs of the non-academic as well as the academically minded pupil. Teachers in each subject area have considered objectives for their courses. The Industrial Arts in- structors have projected an enriched pro- gram with a greater variety of offerings for the boys. The English teachers have made a real beginning toward a better-organized program for grades 7-12. The Guidance Director has received the professional advice of numerous teachers as the Cumulative Record Committee developed a new com- prehensive method of keeping individual pu- pil records.


The leadership of the chairmen of the professional committees described and the


helpful assistance of the individual teachers serving as committee members are deserving of considerable praise. Their efforts have resulted in greater educational opportunities for our pupils. The work of several of our local teacher study groups has caught the attention of educational leaders at some New England colleges and in other school systems, and numerous requests have been forthcom- ing for written reports of the findings of our Ipswich professional committees.


3. Cooperative Activities of the Staff with Home and Community :


During 1954 there have been many en- couraging developments as attempts have been made to bring our schools closer to the people. We are not only interested in interpreting our programs to the public, but we want the citizens to share in edu- cational planning with us through the me- dium of citizen educational advisory com- mittee.


Membership in our three elementary P.T.A.'s was at an all-time high in 1954. As the results of concentrated efforts, many fathers, as well as mothers, have been at- tracted to varied, interesting meetings. More than 100 parents attended an organizational meeting of the newly formed High School P.T.A., and there is much optimism that this group will provide a vital link between the home and the school.


During the past year a record number of individual parent-teacher conferences have been held. Hardly an afternoon goes by that one cannot observe a teacher and a parent conferring as each gains valuable in- sight toward a better understanding of the pupil involved.


The past success of the New Schools Citi- zen Advisory Committee and the Length of the School Day Advisory Committee has led to formation of a citizen advisory group rel- ative to methods of reporting pupils' prog- ress to parents. These laymen have already made many valuable suggestions, and many of their ideas will be incorporated into the new reporting methods decided.


The formation of a Youth-Adult Com- munity Council has been initiated by the School Department. The objective of this Council is for adults and teen agers to meet together and to work in the best in- terest of the young people. Codes of con-


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duct for teen agers will be considered, and recognition will be given to the positive achievements of our adolescent group.


Staff members have availed themselves of every opportunity during 1954 to describe school programs to community, civic, and fraternal groups. This has resulted in an increased understanding on the part of many laymen of what our schools are trying to do.


A LOOK AHEAD


Outline of Professional Education Pro- gram for 1955


SUGGESTED MAJOR OBJECTIVES-To pro- vide by cooperative efforts of school, home, and community the most effective education in a desirable school environment, allowing each child to learn to the level of his in- dividual capacity.


I. Cooperative efforts of school, home, and community by:


A. Increased contact between the home and school through P.T.A. activi- ties and personal conferences with parents.


B. Continued work with laymen study- ing school problems through the medium of citizen educational ad- visory committees.


C. Greater utilization of community resources, physical and human, for enriched pupil experiences.


II. Provide the most effective education by:


A. Professional committee activity.


1. Curriculum revision stressing co- ordination of material offered in the different grade levels.


a. language arts


b. science


2. Evaluation of present High School curriculum.


3. Expansion of supervisory pro- gram in art, music, remedial reading, and guidance.


III. Provide desirable school environment by:


A. Attempting to meet the present challenge of overcrowding, inade- quate facilities, and half-day ses- sions.


B. Providing professional assistance to those working for, or planning, new school facilities.


IV. Providing opportunities for each pu- pil to learn to the level of his individual capacity by:


A. Surveying to determine pupils three or more years mentally retarded, and providing for special class in- struction for pupils eligible.


B. Continued adjustment of instruction in all subjects to the individual needs of the pupils.


A Message From The Superintendent


For the past three years I have had the opportunity to attempt to provide educa- tional leadership in your community. As I conclude my third report to you, I cannot but be optimistic relative to the educational future of our Town.


Despite the serious problems resulting from lack of proper housing, there are hope- ful signs that 1955 will see a real start made toward solving the problem. Townspeople are increasingly aware of the need for new school construction, and indications point to favorable town meeting support for new housing in the near future.


School buildings now in use have been kept in good repair, and a planned schedule of renovation has resulted in a better phys- ical school environment.


Our community members have demon- strated a sincere interest in sharing in our educational planning and have voted school budgets adequate to provide for increased enrollments and expanded services.


Our students have shown a growing awareness of the need to assume the re- sponsibilities of young adulthood, and, on numerous occasions, have brought honor to themselves and to the community by their performances in school activities.


The teaching staff is professionally com- petent, and the enthusiasm of the newer teachers, coupled with the experience of our older teachers, has resulted in a well-bal- anced teaching force, interested in the con- tinued improvement of our curriculum.


The School Nurse and Doctor have pro- vided the finest of health care for our stu-


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dents. The clerical, custodial, and cafeteria staff have carried out their jobs with great efficiency.


Citizens should take real pride in the School Committee members they have elected. The Schocl Committee has care- fully considered recommendations and pro- posals presented, and has provided real lead- ership by setting up many valuable services for our pupils including the initiation of guidance and remedial reading services.


The accomplishments in the past have been possible only by the cooperative efforts of many people - laymen and professional. It is on the basis of this past cooperation and the expectation that it will continue in the future that we confidently prepare for the educational challenges that lie ahead.


Respectfully submitted,


DR. ROBERT F. SAVITT, Superintendent of Schools.


REPORT OF THE HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL


To the Superintendent, to the School Committee, and to the Town of Ipswich:


This, my second annual report, is sub- mitted with keen regret since it also signals my departure as Principal of the High Schcol from active participation in the school affairs.


A LOOK BACKWARD


The past twelve months have been fruit- ful months in many ways. While all the goals we set have not as yet been reached, for those still to be achieved there has been a very real beginning made.


Chief among our accomplishments in line with our projected plan are the following:


1. The development of a Student Council with an intense realization of its re- sponsibilities and a growing awareness of its importance in the school organ- ization.


2. Plans formulated for the fuller utiliza- tion of our Recreation Room under the direction of the Student Council.


3. Curriculum surveys started in the fields of English and Science for the better adjustment of our material to the needs in these fields.


4. The 100% utilization of classroom space for greater efficiency.


5. A real beginning of a Study-Habits program through divided class period which includes not only presentation but time for supervised study as well.


6. Inclusion of an individualized program for 7th and 8th grades with a complete departmentalization of the 7th grade thus enabling our special facilities (shop, physical education, etc.) to be further utilized.


7. The initiatory steps in the develop- ment of a Parent-Teacher Association which has included grade meetings


150 Students Participate in High School Variety Show


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leading to greater understanding and appreciation of what each is attempting to do.


8. Development of a Program of Studies Handbook to assist students and par- ents to make a wiser and more satis- factory selection of electives for a full high school program.


9. Reorganization, with the guidance de- partment, of the program of electives so that, with almost no restriction, a person may elect a program which fits his individual needs.


None of these things could have been ac- complished without the cooperation of stu- dents, faculty, administration, and towns- people.


I feel a real debt of gratitude to Ipswich. There are many folks who have provided inspiration and assistance just when it seemed the challenges were greatest.


I want to pay special tribute to Dr. Robert F. Savitt, our Superintendent, for his kindly understanding and dynamic leadership since I have known him.


Our town, through the ballot, indicated its wisdom with the excellent selections of members of our hard working School Com- mittee.


I foresee a bright future for Ipswich's schools with such capable people providing such enlightened direction.


My sincere thanks to everyone who has made my all too brief stay in Ipswich such a profitable one for me.


Respectfully submitted,


WILBUR F. STANTON, Principal.


REPORT OF THE BURLEY AND SHATSWELL SCHOOL PRINCIPAL


To the Superintendent, to the School Committee and the Town of Ipswich:


As Principal of the Burley and Shatswell Schools. I herewith submit a report of prog- ress in the Elementary Schools under my direction.


A LOOK BACKWARD


Curriculum Development


Continuing where we had left off last year, the curriculum study in the area of Social Studies arrived at a program for grades 1 -- 8 which went into practice in Sep- tember. Briefly the areas include:


Grade 1-Life in the Home, the School and on the Farm.


Grade 2-Life in the Home and the Community.


Grade 3-Life in the Home, in this and other communities with special emphasis on Food, Clothing and Shelter.


Grade 4-Ipswich, Massachusetts as our State, and New England.


Grade 5-United States of America (Physical Characteristics and expansion ) .


Grade 6-Ancient Civilization and the Old World (then and now) World today (Recent history Grade 7-Neighbors and Possessions of the United States, the World today (Recent history and global Geography) .


Grade 8-United States History.


Textbooks and supplementary material were purchased to fit into the broad areas for each grade and the development of units has been undertaken.


The area of Arithmetic was studied and a new basic text was established. As our present series needs to be replaced, the new series has been introduced.


In the fall of 1954 a curriculum study group in Science was started. At the pres- ent time each grade level is being surveyed by the group. As a result of this study, a set of broad objectives, a list of units for each grade, a list of experiments or expe- riences, as well as a report as to how well the present text meets our needs will be { ready. This should be in the hands of the school committee by early spring and in time to adjust the program for the new school year. The area of Health has been combined with Science.


The results of the work by the hand- writing committee can be evaluated to a ( certain degree. The outline prepared for


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grades 1-2-3 has met with immediate ap- proval and success. This outline eliminated the necessity of purchasing workbooks. The handwriting committee recommended a system of cursive writing that would quite easily come about from manuscript. It was accepted by the school committee and placed in use in the fourth grade.


A LOOK AHEAD


Curriculum Development


The subject area that should command the attention of the elementary staff after Science should be Language Arts. Certain phases of this area, reading as an example, has already been started by the Supervisor of Reading and is reported elsewhere.


Every subject area needs constant re- study an evaluation, and so Social Studies and Arithmetic will be checked on as the school year progresses.


Physical Plant


The Shatswell School appearance on the lower floor has been brightened by having the rooms and the front stairways redeco- rated. The boys basement has been brought up to state standards and repainted. Part of the school yard was given a treatment of asphalt.


The big news at the Burley School was the opening of the cafeteria and the at- tractive and wholesome meals that have been served since September. An average of 175 hot dinners have been served each day.


We look forward to continuous progress in the redecorating at the Shatswell School. With a second coat of asphalt, the play area will then be in condition to paint lines, circles and thus enable the children to play a variety of games. The rest of the play area should be graded to eliminate the large hollow spot that has gradually appeared and which fills with water several times a year, restricting the playing area.


Parts of the Burley School will be in need of redecorating during the coming year and the windows need to be tightened. Provisions have been made in the school budget.


In both Burley and Shatswell we look forward to gradually supplying each room with much needed storage space and dis- play area.


Home and School Relations


It is gratifying to the staff to note the increase of parental conferences that are being requested. This can only lead to a better understanding of the child's needs both in and out of school.


The School Association meetings continue to show success with many parents taking advantage of this opportunity to participate. There is always room for improvement and the staff and the elected officers look for- ward to an even greater membership and participation.


The Shatswell Association took on as a project assignment a new flag pole and with the help of the Veterans of Foreign War Auxiliary it was obtained and placed in use early in January.


Both P.T.A. groups joined together with the Winthrop Association for a program during Education Week.


This report would not be complete with- out something being said about the various groups that each year have a part in helping progress in our school. Starting with the townspeople who provide the money, to the school committee and the Superintendent who direct the affairs of the school and then to the teachers who through continued effort and loyalty and with understanding give to their work a lot more time than many realize.


I believe it is safe to say that our children like school because there is hardly a day goes by that each can't say :-


"We discovered something new today, something that we didn't know yesterday; we did something today that cleared up a problem and will be helpful tomorrow; we worked hard and long and still we had fun; school today was wonderful."


Respectfully submitted


BERTRAM H. BENNETT, Principal


Burley - Shatswell Schools


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Burley Cafeteria Kitchen-Before; Unused Basement Room


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Burley Cafeteria Kitchen -After; 160 Hot Lunches Served Daily


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REPORT OF THE WINTHROP SCHOOL PRINCIPAL


To the Superintendent, to the School Committee, and the Town of Ipswich:


Following is the report of past activities as accomplished in the Winthrop School during the school year of 1954, plus the hope of achievements to be accomplished in the school year ahead.


A LOOK BACKWARD


As has been the situation for many years, the opening of the school year in September found the Winthrop Schcol housing a large enrollment. However, after much plotting and planning, a space was found for each and every one of the two hundred and eighty eager little individuals waiting to further their opportunities for an educa- tion.


Routine work took shape very quickly with all concerned accepting conditions as they found them. Very few building im- provements had been made during the sum- mer vacation period as it was considered unwise to indulge in any large expenditures


trusting that better things will materialize in the very near future - the shape of a new building.


It was with a feeling of regret that the seventh grade teacher, Mrs. Leighton, was transferred from the Winthrop family to continue her career at the Ipswich High School. This change was made to make space for a new second grade. In this grade a new teacher, Mrs. Ablow, has directed her class in a very satisfactory manner. The two changes already mentioned are the only ones having taken place during the past year in the Winthrop personnel.


Audio Visual Aids have been utilized, when opportunity allowed, in order to vary the regular routine and add to the interest of the program.


Early in the school year, Mrs. Evans was appointed to fill the position of full time Remedial Reading Teacher. Although satis- factory accommodations, due to a very cold hall room, could not be made, nevertheless the general supervision of the reading pro- gram has proven to be of great value to teachers and pupils alike. Many children have received individual help daily, and there has been noticeable improvement in reading skills throughout the entire read- ing program.


Ipswich Citizens Share in Education Planning


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Pupils have taken necessary tests for proper level placement in so far as it has been possible. Metropolitan Achievement Tests, Primary Mental Ability Tests, in the prescribed grades, and Benet Tests for chil- dren needing special adjustment attention, have been given throughout the year and followed by a sincere effort on the part of instructors to recognize the results of these various tests and have made adjustments ac- cordingly.


Art and Music have as usual stood their ground in the field of education. Super- visors have been requested not to teach, as such, but to give attention to guidance in their particular courses and act as resource people in the specialized area. Many classes have received the special class instruction which the supervisors can so ably give. Teachers through conferences have received necessary instruction and help in problems which they have found difficult and such help has always been given in a gracious manner.


After a long period of deliberation, the Handwriting Committee, with the approval of the School Committee and Superintend- ent, finally adopted a revised Kittle system of handwriting for use in grades one through three. Following in the same vein, the Stone and Smalley System of Cursive Writing was accepted for teaching in grades four, five, and six. Grade four has been working on the first "change-over" to be followed next year by grade five and the next year by grade six. This departure from the old Zaner System will be watched with interest and carefully evaluated.


During the past year the Winthrop Staff as a group has been busy with many pro- fessional study activities. Many have served on various committees, taken credit courses and endeavored in every way to improve educational methods in the Ipswich Public Schools.


Under the leadership of our guidance di- rector, teachers from the Winthrop School, in conjunction with other Ipswich teachers, have been making a careful survey of meth- ods of reporting a pupil's academic and social accomplishments to the parents. This committee has spent many hours in the past year formulating plans for presentation of the subject to a parent group which, we hope, will cooperate in making suggestions


for the improvement of methods of re- porting.


In spite of many obstacles due to the "Age and Infirmities" of the Winthrop School, there has been a wee spark of satis- faction felt by all that in spite of handi- caps, progress has been made. In everything that has been planned a definite aim has been manifested and hope for a successful outcome has been indicated. The individual child, and not mass production, has become the chief concern of all educators.


A LOOK AHEAD


The past has departed and now a wishful look into the future -


The first hope, naturally, is for new quar- ters where ample space will allow for edu- cational expansion, physically, mentally, and morally, for a building so patterned that the children of Ipswich will receive a healthy, happy environment and the parents will re- alize that the educational facilities have been creditably improved.


However, until such time as new school housing becomes a reality, the Winthrop Staff will continue to progress and endeavor to reach the goals planned for in the past.


In a personal vein, my thanks to the en- tire personnel of the school - teachers, lunch room assistants, and custodian for the fine cooperation which has made the year a pleasant one for both principal and pupils.


To the other members of our big family, namely, guidance director, nurse, doctor, art, music, and reading supervisors, audio- visual and recreation directors, the librarian, firemen, parents and any other associates who have so graciously assisted in carrying on the work of the schools, sincere thanks.


In closing, and speaking for the entire Winthrop personnel, sincere appreciation to our Superintendent, Dr. Savitt, and the School Committee of Ipswich for the many opportunities educationally and socially which have been granted to us in the past and a hope for a continuation of the same consideration in the future. Success is bound to be the result of friendly cooperation.


Respectfully submitted,


LENA J. ATHERLEY, Principal Winthrop School


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REPORT OF THE GUIDANCE DIRECTOR


To the Superintendent of Schools, to the School Committee, and the Town of Ipswich:


If we remember -


1. every individual is entitled to the op- portunity to develop his capacities to their fullest extent.


2. the fundamental dignity of the human being.


3. any person is worth more than any thing.


we are beginning to understand some of the underlying principles of guidance.


A LOOK BACKWARD


Every profession, job, or occupation, has its main and most important phase. That phase in guidance is the interview. Last year every youngster in the high school from the eighth grade through the twelfth was interviewed at least once and some as many as twenty times. Up to the time of this writing, all the seventh, eighth, ninth, and twelfth grade students have been in- terviewed.


During an interview, a youngster is given the information that is necessary to help him solve any problems that he might have. The situation is reviewed, alternatives are described and possible conclusions are pointed out, then the student makes his own decision. We do not give advice ex- cept in extreme cases when it has been re- peatedly requested.


In this manner the student learns the crit- ical approach to any problem and soon is able to solve his own without any outside help.


Some of the material available to the stu- dents is listed below:


1. A file of occupational information cov- ering almost every job available in the United States.


2. A library of college catalogues, cover- ing nearly every college, junior college, and prep school in New England and a scattering of catalogues from the major colleges throughout the country.


3. A file of trade schools, technical schools and apprenticeships throughout the East.


4. A source book on scholarships, fellow- ships, and loans for colleges and trade schools published by private agencies and the U. S. Government.


5. A source book giving the occupational cutlook for all careers, plus their re- quirements and job specifications pub- lished yearly by the U. S. Government.


6. Directories of approved correspondence schools, trade schools, nursing schools, junior colleges, prep schools, and ex- tension courses.




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