USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Middleborough > Town annual report of Middleborough, Massachusetts 1952 > Part 8
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The entire renovation of two more classrooms the past summer continued the policy of refinishing at least two rooms a year. What- ever future arrangements or grading may be made, Bates School will continue to serve the town for many more years. In addition to its classroom use, the school is the scene of many faculty and other service meetings due to its central location.
Academic needs continue to rate "special education" as the greatest need where not only help for retarded pupils must be planned, but also enriched courses for the above average group in the grades repre- sented.
The many calls from the Armed Forces, Vocational Schools, Col- leges, as well as from our own and other school systems, proves the importance attached to the grades represented in the so-called "junior high school" years as a link between the elementary school and various kinds of secondary education.
In times of stress, the schools must continually restate their phil- osophy, aims, and functions. Education, like all other institutions of democracy, must be able to meet its critics with a positive program. It must restate fundamentals, but must also ever be advancing. The junior high school has to continually measure itself to at least six functions: (1) to continue for all pupils common education in the basic knowledges and skills which will lead to wholesome, well adjusted behavior, attitudes and ideals; (2) to stimulate pupils to develop a widening range of cultural, social, civic and recreational interests as well as a basis for future vocational decisions; (3) to assist pupils to make intelligent decisions regarding future educational opportunities, and to stimulate them to reach their highest development of their own powers; (4) to endeavor to provide some different educational facilities to meet pupil needs; (5) to prepare pupils to take their places in the present complex social order of community life; and (6) to provide a gradual transition from elementary education to higher programs
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ANNUAL REPORT
answering their individual needs and interests. This may seem a large order, but "where there is no vision, the people perish" and the work of each subject field. each activity and each school experience must contribute to these growths as along with the home and the church. The school does its part to build a firm foundation upon which Youth can build a life.
I should like to thank all faculty members, supervisors, Superin- tendent of Schools, members of the School Committee, fellow principals, Maintenance Department, parents, and most of all, the pupils for the co-operation and challenge of the past twenty-five years.
MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL Lindsay J. March, Principal Home and School Relations
The year 1952 has been characterized by a continuation of condi- tions which, during periods of war, have made it difficult to achieve the usual objectives for a school. These conditions and the increased emphasis on the helping of pupils to develop in competence as citizens and as persons for the complex living of today, have created a sense of inadequacy on the part of the school staff. In addition to learning to live with new conditions, we have come to realize more than ever that only the united forces of home and school can cope with present day educational problems.
In 1952 increased efforts have been made to learn how to utilize the combined strength and resources of home and school. Last winter the freshman class adviser planned meetings of small groups of parents. A meeting was arranged for the parents of the pupils in one home room, the parents themselves assuming a share in the planning. Time was given to informal conferences during a coffee hour. Many parents expressed themselves very favorably in regard to these conferences. Similar meetings are being planned for the parents of freshmen and sophomores this winter.
Parents have shown a willingness to assist teachers in conducting educational trips, often furnishing transportation in their own cars. Other persons in the community, not always parents, have responded generously to requests for help in other ways, even to assisting in instruction in fields in which they have special training and experi- ence. We believe there are great possibilities for the use of the com- bined strengths of school and home. We are thinking more in terms of closer co-operation between a particular parent and a particular teacher than of the organization of parents as a group.
School Citizenship
The program for stimulating interest in effective citizenship has continued. The Silver M Society has been organized for the purpose
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ANNUAL REPORT
of giving recognition to a sizeable group of pupils who have demon- strated that they are "learning to live together well." Appreciation is here expressed to Mr. Robert Goldstein for his support of the entire program in school citizenship.
The Student Council very successfully administered a constructive Hallowe'en program by which one thousand pounds of clothing and useful articles were collected for the use of needy persons in foreign countries where war has deprived them of the necessities of life.
Schedule Changes
A new time schedule was adopted in September by which longer class periods were provided and by which time for activities was scheduled in the middle of the day instead of at the beginning. Classes start while pupils are fresh and longer periods permit demonstrations and other teaching activities which were not possible with shorter periods.
The change in schedule, at a time when four new teachers have come on the faculty, has necessitated a "shake down" period while teachers and pupils are becoming accustomed to fitting old duties into a new time schedule. The general result seems to be a favorable one with further benefits to be reached as minor adjustments are made.
Future Plans
There are serious problems that are not being solved, some in regard to curriculum that are of long standing and others having to do with housing. They are problems which grow more acute with the social changes that are coming from wartime living, and from increased enrollment.
Again, in many ways, we seem to be in a period of calm before a storm. With the increase in enrollment that is already a fact in the lower grades, and no plans established for housing these children when they reach high school age, turbulent times must be expected with serious loss to the pupils.
I wish to express my appreciation for the understanding and sup- port given me .by the School Committee and Superintendent of Schools.
AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT William H. Tufts, Department Head
The year 1952 will be remembered for many things that happened. The produce that farmers had to sell took a downward dip in price, while the machinery, insecticides, fertilizer and other materials farmers had to buy continued to advance. The poultry operators were hard hit and for that reason the opportunities for agricultural students summer placement last spring were not nearly as numerous as in
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ANNUAL REPORT
former years. However, all but three freshman boys out of the last year's enrollment were continually employed during farm placements and received good wages as well as valuable training.
The department tries to place as many boys as possible in posi- tions for the following summer before they recess for Christmas vaca- tion. These are times that call for long-range planning. Before the boys leave school for their summer assignments, we talk over, collec- tively, and have individual conferences with each pupil so that he may clearly understand what is expected of him and the responsibilities he has to his employer. Each time we satisfy an employer, by furnish- ing him with a pupil that is willing to learn and help the farmer to run his enterprise so it will return a profit to him, he is pretty sure to call for more help from the same source the next year.
The school officials in Middleboro have done everything possible to supply farmers with help from the school by releasing pupils for emergency tasks such as blood testing, vaccinating of poultry, etc., but where harvesting of crops requires several weeks of work and in some instances a month, we believe it works against the boys' best interests when he stays out of school. If demands made on the pupil's school time have long passed the stage where they are teaching him skills, they could reach well beyond the mental and physical reach of the boy.
In the last few years, several of our outstanding agricultural boys almost reached the breaking point because they were trying to do for their parents more than should normally be required of them.
Thirty years ago a boy graduating from a Vocational Agricultural Department had to know how to harness a double team of horses and use them plowing, mowing, and harrowing with horse-drawn equip- ment, as well as acquire a general knowledge of basic agriculture, including the three R's. Today, our graduates have a far greater range of fundamentals to cover in practically the same time. They have seen more changes take place in agriculture in the last five years than we adults have been able to observe in the last forty.
Large quantities of pullets must be handled by the poultry operator and his crew, and just about the time the birds are recovering from one shot it is time to jab them with the needles for something else. Some of our old veterans at the game will say we did not do those things years ago and will laugh at our jet-propelled motion in trying to speed up the operations. However, when we look at the record we discover we did not raise so many chickens years ago. We would not have to look far for reliable evidence to show that 45 to 50 per cent of the chickens started, were not raised by some farmers in 1920.
A new pig disease in Bristol County is causing serious losses and many farmers in Plymouth County realize this disease is too close for comfort. Notwithstanding with all these problems confronting farmers in 1953 more than the average amount of optimism prevails.
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ANNUAL REPORT
Each morning as the people of the world awaken, 60,000 more people pull their chairs up to the breakfast table. This ever-increasing population places a strain on the supply of food in many parts of the world. At the present rate, we are not able to produce milk fast enough for the increased consumer demands. It takes considerable time to raise a good dairy heifer.
As we face these challenging economic and social transitions in 1953 of world scope, we can look forward with renewed hope that the world is gradually becoming a better place in which to live. Youth has confidence in the future.
Every student enrolled in the agricultural course at Memorial High School is required to have a supervised work program. The boys or girls who go home from school each afternoon with a part-time job, study, or recreational program cut out for them until supper time or are gainfully employed with a newspaper route may consider them- selves lucky because they become the men and women who find it easy to assume responsibility in the years ahead. This kind of people is in demand before they even graduate from high school.
Several years ago a boy from Plympton, Massachusetts, stopped to visit with me after school. Our discussion led to farm placement for the next year. He was quite surprised that I should be the slightest concerned about his summer placement. He said to the writer, "Do you realize I am wanted by three farmers to work for them next summer?" Within the next couple of weeks he picked the farmer he would rather work for and gave me the other two addresses so I could place other boys on jobs. I realized what splendid opportunities our surrounding towns provided for this boy to earn and learn.
When a colt is being trained he is usually teamed up with a pair of horses that know how to work and possess a good disposition. The boys in this department have some excellent people to work for on the farms in this neighborhood. They have been patient and, under- standing the shortcomings of a new recruit, have tried to teach him the commercial and accepted practices.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT Henry E. Battis, Supervisor
In the past few years, many changes have been made in the Physi- cal Education program, but very few improvements. The lack of decent facilities (which I have gone over and over again in report after report) makes any improvements impractical, if not impossible.
In the fall and spring, the fundamentals of football, field hockey, softball, track and tennis were taught with most of the time spent in the actual participation in these sports. Interest was as high as
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ANNUAL REPORT
ever and a survey of our testing program showed average improve- ment with both boys and girls.
In the winter, the fundamentals of basketball, volleyball, boxing, wrestling and tumbling were taught.
One of the few changes made during the past year was in devoting additional time to the marching tactics program for the boys. Many letters and visits from fellows in the service let us know how much the few marching fundamentals help them in their training so we feel the additional time is warranted.
The increasing demand for instruction in square dancing was met in the girls' program. Classes in the modern dance also proved popu- lar with the girls, as well as helpful in the development of rhythm, coordination and poise.
In recent years, the numerous deaths caused by boxing have brought about many surveys-the result of which has been almost complete elimination of interscholastic boxing and even a marked reduction in the colleges sponsoring the sport. Our boxing program has been con- tinued, not because we disagree with the experts, but because it is controlled boxing, closely supervised and consisting almost entirely of fundamentals.
You will notice that, contrary to former years, a large portion of this report is not devoted to the inadequacies in the physical educa- tion plant at the high school. We have been over them so many times that repetition seems unnecessary. However, you might be interested to know that some of the girls', also freshman, basketball teams in the district refuse to play on our court; and we are rapidly approaching the day when we will be confronted with the problem of dropping varsity basketball or playing all our games away from home.
HEALTH
Dr. Stuart A. Silliker, School Physician
In assuming the responsibility of the health of our school children, I well realize the importance of the most excellent work done by my predecessor, the late Dr. Edward L. Perry.
The health record of our school children must be attributed to his faithful service, careful examinations, and expert medical knowledge. I can only try to carry on with equal enthusiasm and maintain his high standards.
Our School Nurse, Ila P. Jackson, has been most helpful in out- lining the Health Program and should receive high praise for her work with the children.
Ila P. Jackson, R. N., School Nurse
Children cared for at office 1362
Children cared for at school 72
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ANNUAL REPORT
Children to doctor's office 17
Children ill, taken or sent home 166
Home visits 33
Other visits and consultations with parents 305
Physical examinations have been given as required by law by Dr. Perry and Dr. Silliker. These are not, as yet, complete for this school year.
Audiometer Tests have been given when the machine has been available and 2,416 were given during the year.
Massachusetts Vision Tests are not complete but 450 have been done. Six children have been fitted to glasses financed by the Com- munity Christmas Fund.
Anti-Diphtheria Clinics were held in April and May and 333 chil- dren inoculated.
Heights and Weights were taken and recorded for all children in grades I-VIII both in the spring and fall.
Communicable Diseases, Measles and German Measles, were epi- demic from January through June. Sporadic cases of chicken pox, mumps and scarlet fever were reported at intervals. In June there was a slight flurry of infectious conjunctivitis.
Hair inspection was given in all grades I-VIII, except the North Middleboro Schools. Five additional rooms were inspected and 176 individual inspections.
The Milk Program has steadily increased and 67,688 bottles of milk were issued which is nearly 8,000 more bottles than were dis- tributed last year. The number of free bottles issued to undernourished children was 14,892. Milk distributed had a value of $4,194.75.
Teacher Changes 1952
Resignations:
Patricia Charbonneau Chaplain, Assistant Supervisor of Music
Leonard J. Anderson, Memorial High School
Joseph C. Kunces, Memorial High School
Rita A. Madden, Memorial High School Edward W. Whitmore, Memorial High School Janette Fickert Batchelder, Bates School Margaret E. Richey, Bates School
Wilrene F. Card, Washburn Unit
Joanne M. Coughlin, Washburn Unit Lillian R. Rudolph, West Side School
Withdrawals:
Harlan D. Charette, Bates School, died June 29
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ANNUAL REPORT
Appointments :
Therese A. Sheehan, Assistant Supervisor of Music Fred Kiamie, Memorial High School (T) Joseph A. Masi, Memorial High School
Philip A. Rapisardi, Memorial High School Lewis T. Voultos, Memorial High School
Norma D. Woodburn, Memorial High School Norman R. Bergeron, Bates School
Harlan D. Charette, Bates School
Valerie Gibbs, Bates School Rena Bell, Washburn Unit Wilrene F. Card, Washburn Unit Lorraine E. DiMuzio, Washburn Unit Rose A. Sweeney, Washburn Unit Carol A. Chaplain, Union Street School
Meredith G. Pickett, Union Street School
Myra A. Shaw, Pratt Free School Elinore S. Stewart, Pratt Free School
Mary E. Gallagher, Rock School
Laura B. Grota, South Middleboro School
Transfers:
Fred Kiamie, Memorial High School to Washburn Unit Louis J. Rando, Bates School to Washburn Unit, Principal, Grade VI Bessie B. Bailey, Union Street School to Washburn Unit, Principal, Grade III
Ruth A. Cushing, Union Street School to Washburn Unit Kathryn M. McLaughlin, Union Street School to Washburn Unit Florence K. Churbuck, Flora M. Clark School to West Side School E. Fen Carpenter, Rock School to Bates School
Bessie B. Bailey, Principal, Washburn Unit to Union Street School, Grade III
Ruth A. Cushing, Washburn Unit to Union Street School Kathryn M. Mclaughlin, Washburn Unit to Union Street School
Returned from Leave of Absence:
Frances A. Starck, Flora M. Clark School
Respectfully Submitted,
J. STEARNS CUSHING, Superintendent of Schools
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ANNUAL REPORT
PART II
STATISTICS and OTHER INFORMATION
FINANCIAL REPORT
Receipts
State Aid for Public Schools, Chap. 643, G. L.
$65,906.84
State Transportation Reimbursement, Chap. 71, Sec. 7a, G. L.
34,159.86
Tuition, State Wards
8,146.86
Tuition, Outside Towns
23,218.38
Federal Aid, George-Barden Fund
4,750.00
Federal Aid, Smith-Hughes Fund
319.58
Vocational Agriculture Reimbursement
2,423.80
Vocational Tuition and Transportation Reim- bursement 995.00
Evening Practical Art and Adult Civic Education Reimbursement
342.03
High School Lunch Program
15,382.14
Elementary Milk Program
3,868.65
Athletic Fund
4,585.29
Other Receipts
29.92
$164,128.35
Disbursements
Expenses of Instruction:
Salaries
$266,547.56
Textbooks
9,202.13
Physical Education Program
3,500.00
Supplies and Other Expenses
10,470.74
$289,720.43
Expenses of Operation of School Plant:
Salaries
$15,625.58
Fuel
9,015.39
Other Expenses
5,741.59
30,382.56
Expenses of Maintenance of School Plant:
Salaries
$2,740.00
Replacement and Upkeep
4,644.47
Repairs (Town Manager)
11,064.05
18,448.52
4
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ANNUAL REPORT
Expenses of Auxiliary Agencies:
Salaries, Promotion of Health
$3,666.33
Expenses of Promotion of Health Libraries Transportation
59.70
252.82
44,990.19
Vocational Tuition and Transportation-
5,591.73
Other Expenses
1,244.90
Expenses of General Control:
Salaries
$8,432.00
Expenses of Administration
616.73
9,048.73
Vocational Education Salaries
4,333.33
High School Lunch Program
14,632.18
Elementary Milk Program
3,973.14
Athletic Fund
4,051.51
George-Barden Fund
4,998.89
Smith-Hughes Fund
267.83
$435,662.79
55,805.67
106
ANNUAL REPORT SCHOOL CENSUS October 1952
Distribution of minors, October 1, 1952
5 years or over and over and under 7 under 16
(a) In the registration of minors (ages as of October 1, 1952) :
The registration of minors should include all persons of the specified ages who re- side in the town (city) whether they attend school or not. Pupils attending private schools should be recorded in the town where such pupils have their residence.
Boys:
239
796
Girls:
176
727
Totals:
415
1523
(b) Distribution of the above minors,
October 1, 1952:
In public school membership:
248
1466
In continuation school membership:
1
In vocational school membership:
16
In private school membership (see above)
4
27
In State and County institutions and spe- cial schools for defectives and delinquents:
4
Not enrolled in any day school: (Should equal corresponding totals in (a)
163
9
Totals:
415
1523
7 years or
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ANNUAL REPORT
STATISTICS FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR 1951 - 1952
School
Number of
Teachers
Number of
Enrolled
Non-resident
Pupils
Enrolled
Average
Daily
Attendance
Average
Membership
Per Cent of
Attendance
Memorial High School
27
530
84
479.1
506.2
94.7
Grade IX
167
Grade X
141
Grade XI
116
Grade XII
105
Post Graduates
1
Bates School
15
434
11
377.2
398.7
94.3
Grade VI
149
Grade VII
159
Grade VIII
126
Washburn Unit
5
136
0
153.3
166.2
92.2
Grade III
135
Grade VI
1
School Street School
9
297
2
269.6
288.9
93.3
Grade IV
152
Grade V
145
Union Street School Grade I
9
235
0
213.0
233.4
91.3
Grade II
130
West Side School
4
108
4
97.7
105.4
92.9
Grade I
32
Grade II
25
Grade III
26
Grade IV
25
Flora M. Clark School
2
50
0
42.5
45.8
. 92.8
Grade I
27
Grade II
23
Plymouth Street School
1
16
0
15.1
16.8
89.7
Grade I
5
Grade II
11
Pleasant Street School Grade III
1
22
0
20.3
22.0
92.2
Grade IV
13
Pratt Free School
2
45
0
40.2
41.7
96.4
Grades V 5, VI 14
19
Grades VII 15, VIII 11
26
Rock School
2
55
2
47.1
52.5
90.0
Grade I
24
Grade II
31
South Middleboro School Grade III
1
35
5
29.0
31.4
92.4
17
Grade IV
18
Totals
78
1963
108
1784.1
1909.0
92.7
:
1
9
105
Yearly
Pupils
Resigned July 1953. 108 Prin ..
. Punchard
Jater, H.S.
Andover, Mais Here 22 yrs
7-7-53
ANNUAL REPORT
Cari R. Vande Chemistry physiology
Teaching Staff, December 31, 1952
Memorial High School
*Lindsay J. March, 62 School Street, Principal
*Ernest E. Thomas, 38 Peirce Street, Assistant Principal
*Rachel Alden, 7 Coombs Street, English
*Elliot R. Allen, 5 Coombs Street, Social Studies
*Virginia Bartlett, 39 Oak Street, Physical Education
*Henry E. Battis, 66 School Street, Head of Physical Education De- partment
*Laureat J. Bernard, 3 Rice Street, Social Studies
*Mary Brier, 63 Pearl Street, French, Mathematics, History
*Harold Card, 13 West Grove Street, Science, Driver Education John H. Chambers, 1093 High Street, Bridgewater, Agriculture
*Samuel Deich, 67 Pearl Street, Director of Guidance, Mathematics
* Anna C. Erickson, 61 Wood Street, Mathematics
*Alfred E. Farley, Mitchell Street, Physical Education
*Walter G. Hicks, Highland Road, Lakeville, Head of Commercial De- partment
*Virginia Lewis, Benton Street, English
Joseph A. Masi, Everett Street, Social Studies, Physical Education
*Esther L. Moore, East Grove Street, Commercial
*Lillian M. O'Neil, 21 Pearl Street, Commercial
*Helen A. Pardey, Pearl Street, Dean of Girls, Latin Philip A. Rapisardi, 3 North Street, Art
* Alban Richey, III, North Main Street, English
*Margaret H. Ryder, Main Street, Lakeville, Librarian
*William H. Tufts, 108 Canton Street, North Easton, Head of Agricul- tural Department
Lewis T. Voultos, 3 North Street, Science
*Dorothy L. Wetherell, 7 Coombs Street, English
*Evelyn F. Whitty, 11 Forest Street, Mathematics, Science Norma D. Woodburn, Pleasant Street, Science
Bates School
*Henry B. Burkland, 50 School Street, Principal
*Norman W. Lindsay, 327 Wareham Street, Assistant Principal, Science
*Mary Anacki, 4 Maple Avenue, English Norman R. Bergeron, 107 Tremont Street, Central Falls, R. I., Literature *George Borges, 6 Pleasant Street, Dighton, Mathematics
*Frieda H. Churchill, 71 School Street, Mathematics
*Faye H. Deane, 63 Oak Street, Social Studies
*Martinia K. Donahue, 2 Reland Street, English Valerie Gibbs, 39 Oak Street, Music
Robert W. Gross, 81 Oak Street, Social Studies
Paul F. Kelley, 329 North Avenue, Rockland, Social Studies Ann Minott, 82 Pearl Street, Art
*Gardner P. Sherman, North Street, Industrial Arts, Farm Mechanics
*E. Fen Carpenter, Bay Road, North Falmouth, Grade V
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ANNUAL REPORT
Washburn Unit
*Louis J. Rando, 298 North Warren Avenue, Brockton, Principal, Grade VI Rena Bell, 34 Kemper Street, Wollaston, Grade VI Lorraine E. DiMuzio, 82 Pearl Street, Grade VI Fred Kiamie, Everett Street, Grade VI
Rose A. Sweeney, 47 Hale Street, Bridgewater, Grade VI
School Street School
*Edward W. Sawicki, 547 Center Street, Principal, Grade V
*Leah M. Boutin, 60 Everett Street, Grade IV
*Mildred K. Bowman, 44 School Street, Part-time
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