USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Middleborough > Town annual report of Middleborough, Massachusetts 1951 > Part 6
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Fifth, the follow-up of graduates and school-leavers can be the most effective means of accurately appraising the entire school pro- gram. Your director of guidance has conducted such a follow-up survey of the Class of 1950 and 1951. Results of the survey have been submit- ted to the Superintendent of Schools and they have also been published in the local newspaper. A follow-up card file is being maintained to record information so acquired. These studies should be made for each graduating class in the fall after graduation, one year after graduation, and three years after graduation.
Sixth, the research and study function of the guidance program is necessary to keep our schools abreast of the needs and interests of the pupils so that we are always building a better school program.
At the present time, efforts are being made to progress along all phases of the guidance program. Obviously, the progress is not equal in all parts. Endeavors are being made to continue the improvement and co-ordination of the services rendered in the Memorial High School and the Bates Junior High School and to begin those services which are applicable in the primary and elementary grades.
In conclusion, I wish to make the following recommendations for improving the guidance services for the following year:
1. That additional time for counseling purposes be provided in both the junior and senior high schools;
2. That provisions be provided in the budget in the amount of one hundred dollars ($100.00) to enable the purchase of current occupational information for the coming year;
3. That a bookcase be placed in the high school library so that a duplicate set of educational catalogs may be kept there;
4. That citizens of Middleboro, who are in a position to employ young people without work experience, use the guidance office as one of their sources of potential employees;
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5. That funds be provided that follow-up studies may be conducted in the fall for the present graduating class and for the Class of 1951; and,
6. That a guidance council be formed which will represent staff members from the various school levels and democratically assist in planning many of the future guidance activities.
"Guidance is the process of helping a person to develop and accept an integrated and adequate picture of himself and of his role in the world of work, to test this concept against reality, and to convert it into a reality, with satisfaction to himself and benefit to society."
BATES SCHOOL Henry B. Burkland, Principal
Instructional Program
In former reports I have stated the inadequacy of the physical plant in the matter of providing for many of the generally accepted objectives of the Junior High School. While every effort is made to integrate the skills, attitudes, ideals, and understandings acquired in the elementary grades, there is little chance for courses of an exploratory nature. Due to the complexity of the program the very elementary program of homemaking arts has had to be omitted, but fortunately the industrial arts program has been partially preserved. One day a week in the Industrial Arts Shop has been allocated to the Agricultural Department housed at Memorial High School. Individual differences of pupils are met only by the careful planning of the various subject teachers, since no provisions for classes of either advanced or retarded pupils are at present in force. Beginning with the second semester, and due to the loss of two additional units which I shall later describe, a remedial program in basic reading skills will be established on an in- dividual basis in grade seven, and on a class basis in grade eight. For- tunately, with the ninth grade housed in Memorial High School, the pupils in that grade have elective choices carefully supervised by Mr. March and the director of guidance, Mr. Deich.
Every local situation has interests that have a bearing on the formation of the curriculum of its schools. This is the school year when the biennial revision and examination of the syllabus of study at Bates School takes place, and teachers are working in selected fields on this problem.
The fine arts, under Mrs. Matheson in Art and Mr. Churchill in Music, surpass the accomplishments of the majority of schools in the state.
The losses in the "platoon system" cannot be overlooked in the program of instruction in any school. It is impossible for any pupil to receive the same amount of instruction in half a school day as in a reg- ular school day! The alleviation of this condition, if only temporary now, aids in this angle of the educative process as well as in other aspects of school life.
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Student Body Organizations
The most important student body organization in the junior high school is the homeroom. This basic pupil grouping is paramount and receives the most attention of any student activity. Special exercises along with the administrative duties of the homeroom are well organ- ized at Bates School.
Under the supervision of Mr. Henry Battis, supervisor of physical education, Mr. Louis J. Rando organizes intramural touch football, baseball, and with the cooperation of the Y.M.C.A. in the use of its gym, basketball. The gymnasium limitations are more apparent every year, in that more pupils should be having the opportunity of partici- pation. A Junior High School League has been organized this year with Lakeville, Carver, Rochester, Marion and Wareham cooperating and Mr. Rando representing Middleboro on the directorship. We have the pupil, parent, and teacher interest: what we need is acommoda- tions for participation.
The social program has been made possible by the cooperation of the Y.M.C.A. and its secretary, Mr. Orlo McGeath. A series of well-su- pervised grade parties has been held most successfully. It is most desir- able that such activities remain under the supervision of the school, and this arrangement has made this possible.
The work in the Junior Red Cross and the 4-H Clubwork, relegated this year to an after-school project, will miss greatly the interest of the late Miss Abby Rugg Field, whose work will be mentioned later in this project.
Councils of pupil leaders meet weekly with advisers for student participation in the running of the school. The Homeroom Presidents meet with the principal, the Safety Patrol with Assistant Principal Mr. Norman W. Lindsay, the Setting-up Drill Leaders with Mr. Rando, and the Current Events Bulletin Board Council with Mr. George Borges.
Weekly meetings are held of the Band and Orchestra with Mr. Churchill or Miss Charbonneau, the Assistant Supervisor of Music, in charge. Likewise, the Cheerleaders have weekly meetings with Miss Mary Anacki of the Faculty.
Special Interest Clubs have been maintained for sixth and seventh grade pupils meeting simultaneously one period, weekly, with Faculty members as leaders and pupil officers and committees planning pro- grams. Here, at least, pupils have one elective choice. After the Christ- mas recess, it will be possible to have an eighth grade activity period at the same hour.
The annual eighth grade operetta was produced last April, and "The Band Wagon" proved as popular as its many predecessors. Departments of the school cooperate in this yearly project, but no time is taken from academic work for rehearsals. Even the intensive rehearsals of the last two days preceding the production are accounted for by deducting time from music classes for academic work.
Assemblies have been presented by various departmental divisions, many of them of a very high order. The ingenuity of both pupils and teachers in these presentations with only a double classroom as an
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assembly hall continues to amaze visitors. An added feature at two assemblies this year was the appearance of the newly formed volunteer School Choir of sixth and seventh grade pupils directed by Mrs. Mar- garet Richey.
The above mentioned activities tend to develop the whole child; physically, socially, and spiritually as well as academically. Many of us have met leaders who by poise and personality have contributed much to the world's progress.
Teachers
It is most fitting that this section of my report open with a tribute to Abby Rugg Field. A teacher in both our senior and junior high schools during her work in Middleboro, Miss Field was well described as "a devoted citizen." Her sudden passing on December 20 brings to mind her many civic contributions in Church, Clubwork, and Commun- ity Services. Most loyal to her school she was alone but not lonely, for her active interest in her school, club, and church school associates kept her a most active person. She loved Life, was generous to a fault, and her enthusiasm was a challenge to many of younger years. With the exception of a very few dear friends, her professional associates were her "family." The Great Change came as she had often wished, while she was busy. Truly, as Whittier has said,
"Our hearts grow warmer in the presence Of one who seeking not her own, Gave freely for the love of giving, Nor reaped for self the harvest sown."
Two years ago in this report I named the members of the Faculty and listed their special administrative and extracurricular duties. Again, I wish to thank my assistant, Mr. Lindsay, and each and every member of the faculty. The duties of classroom teaching are augmented by specialized duties of testing, health work, clubs, guidance duties, and general school administration. Without the understanding and cooperation of the faculty members the many problems would become insurmountable. "As are the Teachers, so is the School!" is still a true adage. Educational leaders plan ideas, but the classroom teacher is the most important person in the school set-up in relationship to the pupil's education.
In addition to the Bates School Faculty, I should like to pay tribute to our Public Librarian, Mrs. Mertie E. Witbeck and her assistants. By continuing a course of Library Instruction in connection with eighth grade English classes, by special trips to the Public Library, and by close cooperation with the classroom teachers and the Parent-Teacher Association, Mrs. Witbeck's work for the Bates School has been of in- estimable value. Another auxiliary faculty member is Miss Ila P. Jackson, an outstanding school nurse. Always ready, and never too busy, to aid in matters of health and safety, Miss Jackson is a valuable liaison officer between the school and the home, and yearly we become more dependent upon her advice.
Each member of the faculty might be named for outstanding work in some field of endeavor. Two have received, during the past year, state recognition for outstanding achievement. Mrs. Frieda Churchill
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has carried on the work of School Savings to a high degree of efficiency, and Mr. Gardner Sherman has received high commendation by state officials for his work. Mr. Sherman instructs the Agricultural Mechan- ics course already mentioned as well as the boys' industrial arts in grades seven and eight.
New teachers the past year have been Miss Janette Fickert, replac- ing Miss Elizabeth Speight, now teaching in Heidelberg, Germany; Miss Ann Minott, replacing Miss Nancy Kendall, now doing graduate work at Syracuse University; and Mr. Paul Kelley, replacing Mr. C. T. Mendall, who has entered the field of law. These three new members of the official family come well prepared by study and experience for their positions.
Faculty meetings in the building have had to be at a minimum due to the "platoon" system, but active faculty committees have met regu- larly and have accomplished a great amount of study and work. Fac- ulty evening social meetings have been enjoyed from time to time.
Guidance and Counselling
This department has been aided by the appointment of Mr. Samuel Deich of the Memorial High School faculty as Director of Guidance for all the schools. Mr. Deich has already held two meetings in a series for all faculty members. Mrs. Churchill and Mr. Rando of the faculty rep- resent Bates School on the Guidance Council. The homeroom teachers and principal have carried on a number of guidance projects. Much of this has been made more effective due to the cooperation of the ele- mentary principals whose pupils come to Bates School, namely, Mrs. Hammond, Miss DeMoranville, and Mr. Edward Sawicki. Their help has been most valuable. Cumulative records are carefully kept, and a guidance folder for each pupil in the school. Parents have been most cooperative, and there have been more school-arranged conferences with parents the past year than in any previous year of Bates School's existence. This is a healthy sign. In addition to these personal con- tacts, a general consultation period has been set aside after each report card hometaking in addition to the regular Parent-Teacher Association meetings. Not only scholastic guidance is the aim of this service, but social, psychological, physical, and attendance guidance are maintained. In the latter area, Mr. Clifford Lovell, Attendance Officer, has been most cooperative and understanding.
Service Units
The Health and Library services have already been mentioned. A School Library is maintained on the third floor corridor area under the supervision of the student-teacher trainees who come to the school to work in various departments throughout the year from the Bridge- water State Teachers' College. These trainees also form an important connection between the school and the nearest State College, where the late President John J. Kelly, the Acting President Dr. Clement C. Maxwell, and the Faculty have been most helpful in planning in-serv- ice training for our teachers, and by assistsing our faculty committees in curriculum construction problems.
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Textbooks on the whole are modern and in good condition. The rapid rise in cost of textbooks and all school work materials has made it necessary that only essentials be requisitioned.
Audio-Visual Aids play a large part in the modern school program, and Bates School is well equipped for a school of its size in this area of education. One more record player and a tape recorder are the two objectives now being sought to add to this department, as well as a more modern opaque projector. The interest of the P.T.A., the Peirce Trustees, and the Service Clubs have assisted in building up this department.
The School Plant
Built in 1886 the building continues to serve the town well. It is important to note that in any re-grading the school will still be used, and that any improvements made will benefit future pupils as well as those now attending the building. Last year I made pertinent remarks in my report on the unadaptability of the building to departmental Junior High School use, and these conditions have not changed. How- ever, with the rooms on the third floor used for activity rooms only, the eight rooms in the main building are well built, attractive and will make fine rooms for more stationary elementary classes. Only the building of a new building large enough for the adaptation of the senior and junior high grades can make this use possible, as has been stated many times.
At the present time, the third floor rooms and the shop are used every period, as also is the Rounseville Building, which might well be used for the growing musical or art activities in a hoped for regrading process.
The double classrooms used for instruction, lunchrooms, assemblies, and meetings were wholly redecorated last summer and are most at- tractive. Such a program of refinishing two rooms a year is another hope. The new treads on the corridor stairs have proven a wise safety measure and have also cut down on the noise as well as the danger and added to the general appearance of the building. The Art Room has been returned to the top floor where the overhead lighting is a help.
The loss of a special classroom for Opportunity Class use might appear under a number of headings in this report, as it remains to be a lack in instruction and efficiency as well as in housing. Here again, the adequate building program should provide for the housing of such classes, both for the academically retarded throughout the school sys- tem, and for the physically handicapped children in our midst.
The Shop Area was enlarged to care for the additional use of the Shop by the Farm Mechanics course. This change uses up all available basement space in the building, so the limit of expansion there has been reached.
In the matter of play space, Bates School is more fortunate than many. More out-of-door equipment will be welcome, especially due to the lack of a gymnasium for this age group. The annual Child Health Play Day each May shows, however, what can be accomplished by any school having the pupil and teacher interest necessary.
,
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Lighting in the school continues to need improvement as great strides in this area have been made since the lights were installed. It is hoped that unit fixtures can be installed as the present artificial light- ing is replaced in order that lights can be switched on only where most needed.
Four rooms now have the Univent System of heaters and ventila- tors. This number should be increased by additions annually so that ultimately all rooms would be so equipped. These machines are not only more satisfactory, but in the long run, much more economical.
The aforesaid corridor used as a library is better than none, but far from the needed library facility for a junior high school! It is also used for some small group meetings, but in addition to being frowned upon by building inspectors, having no outside ventilation, it is as un- satisfactory now as it was when used for high school use twenty-five years ago.
The refinishing of the First Aid room during the past summer has been much appreciated by the patients, the nurse, and the teacher in charge.
Administration
From the foregoing sections, it can be easily seen that the work of the administrator grows more complex as the pattern of education changes. In my report of last year, I explained how this position has become a full time, year around responsibility. Many communities over the country are already extending the work of many of the staff over the twelve-month period. It must always be remembered that the com- modity the school deals with is of the Human Life variety, and it is high time that the American public took as much interest, at least, in planning for the future citizens of the nation as well as its industrial products. The general improvement in citizenship can be raised in proportion to the restoration of services like the Opportunity Class, and by the addition of others.
School opened in September with an enrollment of 429 children and grew to the aggregate of 438. One sixth grade division of 33 will be transferred to the new Washburn Unit adjacent to Memorial High School, which will leave an enrollment of 388. Five seventh grade divisions have been re-divided into four seventh grades. With these two changes, it will be possible to have the eighth grade full time the second semester beginning January 2, 1952. This, again, is only tem- porary, for until adequate housing can be provided, other make-shifts will have to be made next year. Not only are pupils affected by the "platoon" system, but parents and teachers planning an effective serv- ice are also hampered.
The interest of the Peirce Fund Trustees continues to be of great assistance to the school. The past year the Fund assisted in Industrial Arts in the amount of $2,375.32. The personal interest of these Trustees in the school is appreciated.
The Bates School Parent-Teacher Association has been a constant help in the administration of the school. Devoted officers and commit- tee members have spent hours of work on trying to foster activities that
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are for the progress of the majority of our pupils and the homes they represent. The organization has received deserved praise from the State group, and has given its support also to local Council work. A fine program of work, well carried forward, has led our P.T.A. to "cooperate with, but not try to operate" the school, Never once in my years here have I called upon our P.T.A. for assistance and been refused. The help and counsel from both officers and members has been invaluable.
The services of the "Middleboro Gazette," "New Bedford Standard- Times", and "Brockton Enterprise" in carrying school notes deserve credit. This means of public relations, along with speaking engage- ments taken by faculty members, helps to bring various phases of the work of the school before the public. In turn, the various business and professional men and women who have been willing to assist at assem- blies, clubs, and P.T.A. have kept the school connected with town and business interests. In fraternal, professional, community and social activities the staff members at Bates School have played important parts to the general good of both the school and the organizations.
I am sure that the Bates School teachers and parents join me in thanking Miss Rose Martin, our educational secretary, for the many services rendered to all throughout the year.
Junior High Schools are organized because they can better satisfy the educational and social needs of children in early adolescence. The way any community meets these needs is dependent upon many factors. I should like to thank the Superintendent of Schools, the members of the School Committee, Dr. Perry, Dr. Fulller, Mrs. Edgerly, the Public Health Nurse, as well as the staff members mentioned either specifi- cally or as a Faculty above for their help and assistance in trying to achieve for the young people of Middleboro some of these needs. We cannot be self-satisfied, for we have the challenge before us of offering education so that our number of children leaving school will still fur- ther reduce, and that services aiding the development of our children today into strong, loyal and informed citizens of tomorrow will ever in- crease. By integration, exploration, guidance, differentiation, socializa- tion and articulation we can meet the ten imperative needs of junior high school youth as set forth by the National Association of Secondary School principals: "1. To explore their own aptitudes and have expe- rience basic to occupational proficiency; 2. To develop and maintain abundant physical and mental health; 3. To be participating citizens looking forward to adult citizenship; 4. To have experiences and under- standings appropriate to their age which are the foundations of suc- cessful home and family life; 5. To develop a sense of values of ma- terial things and the rights of ownership; 6. To learn about natural and physical environment and the use of the scientific approach to prob- lems; 7. To experience the rich living from appreciation and expression in the fine arts; 8. To have socially acceptable and personally satisfying leisure time activities; 9. To experience group living with respect for other persons and their rights, and so to grow in ethical insights; 10. To grow in their ability to observe, listen, read, think, speak, and write with purpose and appreciation."
This then is the large order facing educators, but by wise planning, study, learning, and with a prayer for Heavenly as well as professional guidance, we can accomplish this vocation which must never lose its ideals in minutiae of detail.
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MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL
Lindsay J. March, Principal
A report including all activities that merit comment and all im- portant needs would be a cumbersome document. I have chosen to write on two topics which I consider of vital importance to the future succcess of the school.
The first subject concerns the unnatural and unfavorable conditions under which a high school operates today and the commendable way in which the faculty is operating the school program in spite of these conditions.
The second topic is concerned with the trends in the evaluation and accreditation of high schools and the influence these tendencies might well have on the planning of the educational program of the Memorial High School.
Teaching Problems
The unfavorable conditions to which I refer, and under which this and other high schools operate, are inherent in the times. Many pupils spend so much time in employment that they have little time or energy left for school work. There is great competition for interest in school when children have T.V., a car, movies, and the radio. Some of the interests are not new but young people earn more money with which to patronize them. It is hard to make a home-work lesson in history so interesting that it will compete with Arthur Godfrey, for instance, or to get a pupil to stay for help if he is losing a dollar an hour.
One person has said, "There is too much of everything." Pupils are confused and there is unrest. Boys who see ahead of them the prospect of time to be spent in the armed forces feel that school is no longer important. "It doesn't matter what subjects I take. I am going into service." Of course, an education is very important to a boy in service, but the teacher must prove that it is.
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