USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Middleborough > Town annual report of Middleborough, Massachusetts 1953 > Part 5
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Permit me to illustrate by what I saw some time ago in the Town of Middleboro. I was waiting for the lights on South Main Street when two little girls, one about seven, the other about three, came to the corner. They stopped and the older girl said to her younger sister, "We don't cross now. That light is red. We don't dare go across when the light is red, because the cars are coming the other way and somebody might run over us. We have to wait until that light is green and then we can go across." As I listened and watched this scene, 1 thought how times have changed. Fifty years ago this was no problem. Today this is a major problem that must be met by the home and the school.
The changing times present new problems. These must be met with changes in the curriculum. A phase of my work, therefore, has been to conduct grade meetings with the teachers of the various schools. In these meetings, modern methods are discussed, revisions are made to the cur- riculum of studies, standards are set for each grade and problems in teaching common to the system are considered. This work is of a co- operative nature with the teachers. I want to pay sincere tribute to the teachers for their support in this work.
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ANNUAL REPORT
The increasing number of students enrolled in our schools and schools throughout the country have placed a premium on good teachers. Another of my duties is to assist Mr. Cushing in screening candidates for the School Committee who make final selections. It is hoped that this practice will provide us secure teachers of a quality who will make outstanding contributions to the education of the children.
In addition, my duties require me to work with the principals of the respective buildings in assisting new teachers to make a good adjustment in our system. In the process of performing these duties, I have found it necessary to recommend to Mr. Cushing, after consulting with the principals, that two teachers be relieved of their duties and they be given the opportunity to resign. In both cases, the recommendations have been fulfilled and the necessary changes in the teaching personnel made.
I have visited all of the schools in town on an average of once each week and have found the instruction to be on a high level. The coopera- tion extended to me by the principals and the teachers has been excellent.
In keeping with the changing times, the School Committee has adopted an insurance plan of which operation has become a part of my duties. In summary, the plan offers the following coverage:
An insurance plan which covers bodily injuries sustained while (1) on way from home to school, (2) while at school, (3) on way home from school, and (4) while participating in required school activities other than as a spectator, within the foregoing description. There is no limit to the number of accidents during the policy term which is extended through September 30, 1954. Other insurance provisions have been made for those participating in football.
This plan, although optional to the parents, has been subscribed to by the parents of 1,178 pupils at a cost of $1.25 each.
In no phase of education does the idea of overcoming handicaps apply more impressively than in adult learning. Here, nearly every student is faced with some challenge, that of age, of time available for study and financial burden. Yet, the minute an adult student registers for a course, he is creating for himself a priceless opportunity, one that he accepts with full awareness of what he has to overcome and with full realization that the success of his undertaking will not be easy, but for that very fact will be inspiring and worthwhile. In this way, not only is his learning increased and his skill improved, but more importantly, his character is strengthened and toughened.
At the present time, the Middleboro Public Schools are offering three classes in adult education - one in shorthand and two in elementary typewriting. These classes meet on Monday evenings at 6:30, 7:30 and 8:30 P.M. in the high school. Each class is of one hour duration and con- tinues for a period of twenty sessions. Mrs. Esther L. Moore is the instructor and is assisted by Mrs. Elizabeth Kraus.
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ANNUAL REPORT
The following table summarizes the enrollment:
Course
Men
Women
Total
Non-Resident
Veterans
Shorthand
1
16
17
0
1
Typewriting
2
22
24
1
2
Typewriting
3
17
20
5
2
Total
6
55
61
6
5
A registration fee of $5.00 is made by each person. Those completing the course will receive a full refund. All non-resident students receive no refund. Veterans may register free of charge. Textbooks are pur- chased by the students.
The perfect means of informing the citizens of the Town of the "happenings" within the schools has yet to be found. However, the monthly newsletter, "Middleboro School News" (in itself a good learning experience for the students enrolled in our Business Education Depart- ment of the high school in practical experience in typewriting, working with duplicating materials and machines, etc.) which is being sent home with your child is one attempt to impart the highlights of your schools. In addition, information has been released to a cooperative press and per- sonal speaking appearances have been made to interested groups within the town whenever requested.
GUIDANCE Samuel Deich, Director
The Guidance Department in Middleborough, as in most school sys- tems, is organized to carry out six basic functions: namely, testing and the collection of personal data concerning each student, counseling, the collection of educational and vocational information, educational and vo- cational planning, job placement, and the follow-up of graduates.
The work of the Guidance Department under each of these functions has been explained in detail in previous reports. These activities are being carried on this year much the same as in the past years, and need not be mentioned again at this time. Nevertheless, in the interests of greater efficiency and the demands of an increasing school population, and be- cause I consider that good guidance is educational insurance, I should like to make certain recommendations in connection with the functions of testing and the collection of personal data, and counseling.
The schedule of tests which was adopted last year has been contin- ued this year. At the present time, Reading Readiness Tests in the first grade, Mental Ability Tests in the third grade, Achievement Tests in the fourth and fifth grades, Intelligence Tests in the seventh grade, and the Boston University Battery of Tests in the eleventh grade have been ad- ministered since the start of school in September 1953. To be administered immediately after the Christmas recess are the Achievement Tests in grade three, Diagnostic Reading Tests in grade six, Primary Mental
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ANNUAL REPORT
Ability Tests in grade nine, and Occupational Interest Inventories in grade ten. Subject matter Achievement Tests will be given in grade eight during the early spring.
The amount of work involved in collecting, organizing, and keeping personal data and test data is extensive. At present, the Director of Guidance, assisted by other part-time guidance workers, devotes approxi- mately half of his time to this work. As a result, little time is available for counseling and working with individuals or groups, the most im- portant part of the guidance program and the work for which I am employed by the School Committee. It has been possible to schedule an interview with each pupil in the high school in the spring when pro- grams for the following school year are being planned. Although a number of students visit the guidance office voluntarily, a more careful study of each individual pupil's needs is necessary and can be made possible by additional counseling supplied to all students in the fall and winter. This need for added counseling becomes even more evident as our program of studies allows for a wider selection of subjects and, as a result, brings with it a greater opportunity for making bad as well as good decisions. Therefore, it is recommended that additional guidance time be made available which would result in added pupil service during the school day. Parents are still urged to continue their requests for guidance confernces concerning their children during after-school hours and in the early evening.
Your high school youth is giving a great deal of time and thought to the most important subject in the world, HIS FUTURE. We can help them to make the wise decisions that will give them a good start on the road to happy, useful citizenship.
There has never been greater need for people with a well developed knowledge of right from wrong who realize the importance of good pro- ductive citizenship. Every person is important and has the right to serve his fellow men according to his own desires and aptitudes. Society needs all kinds of work done, so every job is important and every worker is needed.
Your Guidance Department solicits the cooperation of every parent in helping pupils find their proper places in the work that society expects of them. The problems are many; the needs of the community, state and nation are great. The time is short for us to provide our high school pupils with the tools necessary in the service of others. We need your help and understanding for the good of our youth.
"What is a school ? A school is many things. A school is a student and a teacher ... and a textbook ... and a bulletin board. A school is a desk and a table and a stapling machine ... and a piece of chalk. A school is a truck and a gasoline pump and a bus and insurance. A school is a superintendent and a doctor and a nurse. A school is a lump of coal
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ANNUAL REPORT
and a telephone, a brick, and a quart of oil. A school is a tape recorder and a hot lunch program and a microphone. A school is a community ... a people ... a way of life. A school is a school board and an education association ... a school is YOU. A school is not only your investment in the future ... it IS the future. A school is all things . .. and many more. But, mostly, a school is hope. Hope that the things we hold dear, our freedoms and our cherished rights, our learning, our traditions, our rights to disagree . . hope that these things will continue to exist and ripen and spread. It is literally a sacred trust of the schools to encourage and guide the growth and development of these things. This, then . . . a child and a book and a teacher and hope .. . this is a school."
MUSIC Luther Churchill, Supervisor
The past year has been a very interesting and exceptionally busy one for the music department. The records show a total of thirty-five public appearances involving our choral groups, bands and orchestras.
One's attention is immediately attracted to the large number of con- certs by the choir and the few appearances of the orchestras.
Since 1938 when I was first appointed to this position, my aim has been to develop both vocal and instrumental music up to the standards set by the Music Educators National Conference. We have accomplished this in the vocal field and have failed in the instrumental development if one considers the type of performance which these groups are capable of presenting. The reason for this wide difference in accomplishment is largely due to the amount of rehearsal time allotted to the instrumental groups. For instance, the Bates School Band and Orchestra rehearse about thirty minutes each week. The orchestra rehearsal comes after school hours which naturally eliminates those bus pupils who have a desire to participate in this activity. The high school band and orchestra practice one period each week and although fifty minutes is allotted ac- cording to the schedule, the actual practice time amounts to approximately forty minutes. The loss of ten minutes is taken up by students getting instruments ready to play and getting into their seats on a very crowded stage. You will find attached a chart showing the number of students playing band and orchestral instruments which proves beyond a doubt an intense interest in these activities. It then remains for us to find more time for instruction. Whether this is possible with the terribly crowded conditions and lack of space for our large bands and orchestras is a problem. It might be of interest to note here that most of the school bands in the district rehearse two or three periods each week.
The new song book series (New Music Horizons) with the records and teachers' manuals have been provided for all grades from I to VI ex- cept at the Plymouth Street, Pleasant Street and Pratt Free Schools
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ANNUAL REPORT
where there are double grades. When the new book for mixed grades is published, we should provide the three North Middleboro Schools with this new modern song book.
Several schools have been provided with new record players and I wish, particularly, to mention the very excellent record player and class- room piano which was procured for the new addition to the West Side School. The teachers and music department personnel are very grateful to the building committee for this aid in promoting music in our schools.
This year more children have started to study instruments that ever before. A total of sixty-two students from grade IV to grade IX divided as follows have their instruments and have begun either class or private instruction.
Grade IV 27
Grade VII 1
Grade V 22
Grade VIII 7
Grade VI
4
Grade IX 1
This is certainly a healthy sign for the future of the instrumental groups. However, the first question which comes to mind is, where are we going to put these youngsters in a group when they become proficient enough to play in the band or orchestra.
For several years we have had the privilege of using a bass horn and baritone horn belonging to the V. F. W. Post in Bridgewater. During the summer, I was asked to return these instruments as they were going to start another band in Bridgewater. I am very grateful to the Trustees of the Peirce Estate for providing the music department with two very fine instruments to replace the ones borrowed. Without this aid, two of our high school musicians would have been without instruments this year.
Mr. Donald Hayward of South Easton who has taught clarinet, flute and saxophone in the schools for several years was appointed assistant supervisor of instrumental music in the schools of Braintree in Septem- ber. We have been very fortunate in obtaining two excellent teachers to take over his class. Mr. Carleton Swift of Quincy is teaching at the high school and Mr. Herman Young of Hull is teaching at the School Street School.
Recommendations
1. That more time be allotted for practice with the Bates School and high school bands and orchestras. I would like to suggest that the high school band be allotted three practice periods each week and the high school orchestra two periods. The Bates School orchestra should meet during school hours twice each week and the Bates School band an equal amount of time.
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ANNUAL REPORT
2. That the present course in music appreciation being given in the high school be transferred to the Bates School curriculum including books and records and that the remaining two sets in the World of Music series be provided for the high school curriculum.
3. That a platform, no more than four inches high, be constructed and placed on the floor in front of the stage in the auditorium at the high school on which the grand piano will be placed. This piano is a valuable instrument and is constantly being moved from the stage to the floor and vice versa which is contrary to the usual treatment given such an instru- ment.
PLANNING A PERPETUALLY BALANCED BAND FOR MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL
Instrument
Grade
IV
V
VI
VII
VIII
IX
X
XI XIII TI.
Piccolo
1
1
1
3
Flute
1
1
3
2
1
8
Eb Clarinet
6
12
4
7
8
1
10
5
1
54
Bass Clarinet
1
1
3
1
3
2
11
Tenor Saxophone
1
1
1
1
4
Baritone Saxophone
2
2
Cornet or Trumpet
11
4
5
4
4
5
2
4
5
44
Horns
1
1
1
2
1
1
7
Trombones
2
3
2
1
3
2
1
1
15
Baritones
3
1
4
Basses
1
1
1
3
6
Snare drum
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
2
12
Bass drum and Cymbals
2
1
1
4
Tympani
1
1
Glockenspiel
1
2
1
4
Total
25
23
15
21
21
12
31
16
17
181
PLANNING STRING PLAYERS FOR ORCHESTRA
Violin
1
3
6
1
2
7
1 2
23
Viola
1
1
Cello
1
1
1
1
1
5
Total
2
3
6
1
3
8
2
-
-
4
29
1
1
Bb Clarinet
1
1
Alto Saxophone
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ANNUAL REPORT
ART
Sylvia G. Matheson, Supervisor
"The Useful and the Beautiful are never separated."
The two main purposes of teaching art in the schools of Middleboro this past year might be stated :-
I. Art has been included in the school program to assist the pupils to develop to the full extent of their needs and capacities.
II. Art has been offered to assist the pupils to become a useful, valued, and co-operative member of his social group.
The two chief aims of art education as stated above may be defined more specifically as follows:
a) to provide an opportunity for children to develop a feeling of responsibility toward the community;
b) to develop individual and group co-operation in securing and maintaining an ideal environment;
c) to help to bring about efficient methods of thinking and to en- courage initiative;
d) to assist in developing emotional stability;
e) to develop good taste particularly with regard to objects selected for the immediate environment of the home, and to develop greater dis- crimination in personal creative output;
f) to develop interest in the arts of leisure-time activities;
g) to develop skills, not in isolation, but in relation to the needs of expression.
Keeping these purposes in mind, a complete outline of lessons was planned to aid the teachers in grade one through twelve. Every suggested activity was soundly conceived to stimulate original thinking on the part of the student. Every lesson was based on an interest and fulfilled a need. In all the schools, art work was on display covering the above objectives throughout the entire year. The teachers exhibited the pupils' art work in their rooms in a most artistic manner. This has given visitors a chance to see and appreciate the outstanding work of the pupils in all grade levels.
The last four years the art students have designed and painted decorations for the Christmas display. We have kept the decorations in the true Christmas spirit (the highest festive spirit is always a religious spirit).
Therefore, each year at Christmas we did reconsider the source and meaning of our faith in order to recreate that spirit which brought forth the traditional symbols of the Nativity and which inspires us to create new images and decorations. Only thus can we make the art of celebrating Christmas a high festive ritual, an imaginative expression of the wonder of faith. The excellent work done by the pupils brought much praise and appreciation from the townspeople. These projects have shown the public the values of the pupils' art education not only as a lesson in de- signing and painting, but also, a lesson in being of service to the com- munity on such a beautiful occasion.
Thus, the spiritual value of art training goes with its practical value. Many of those who cannot see the spiritual worth can see the practical worth. One of the surest evidences of the broadening realization of this lies in the fact that every progressive community throughout the United
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ANNUAL REPORT
States is using art training in its public schools as a means of advancing community interests. The reason is plain. One cannot change, materially, the taste of a people already grown up. To affect these standards per- manently, one must begin with the children in the public schools. Art teaching is an economic reward to every community that realizes this and forwards the art work of its schools.
HEALTH
Dr. Stuart A. Silliker, School, Physician
Physical Examinations required by the State for pupils in grade one, four, seven and ten were given with the assistance of the School Nurse. More thorough physicals have been given to all boys participating in sports. These examinations, with some individual office calls, have con- stituted the main duties of your physician.
Ila P. Jackson, School Nurse
Children cared for at office 1184
Children cared for at schools 78
Children to doctor's office 12
Children ill, taken or sent home 146
Home visits 29
Other visits and consultations with parents 278
Physical appraisals by Dr. Silliker: Grade I, 371; Grade II, 27;
Grade III, 6; Grade IV, 311; Grade V, 10; Grade VI, 5; Grade VII, 287; Grade VIII, 5; Grade X, 123; Seventh Day Adventist School, 14. Total 1,159.
Massachusetts Vision Tests: Testing awaiting new audiometer.
Immunization Clinics: On April 13, 342 pupils, including 101 from the high school were inoculated; on May 11, 143 pupils; on June 8, 83 pupils.
Communicable diseases: Chicken pox, mumps and "pink" eye have been with us most of the year; a few cases of German measles early in the year; one case of scarlet fever; two of polio; scabies in one family; an outbreak of ringworm this fall.
Heights and weights are required now but once a year. All grades I - VIII, including Seventh Day Adventist School, completed.
Hair inspections: One routine inspection; 229 individual inspections. Milk program : 69,985 bottles issued; 9,370 free bottles. Cost $4,176.87. Meetings attended : 12.
MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL John A. Small, Principal
This is the last year of grace before the avalanche of pupils hits the high school enrollment figures at the Memorial High School of Middle- borough. Presently, we expect only an increase of 10-15 as a maximum increase for our fall enrollment in September 1954. These will be ab- sorbed without too much "bursting of the seams", but a prediction for the September 1955 enrollment would be hazardous.
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ANNUAL REPORT
The ever-present problems of an educational system are also ours. The need for space naturally limits our programming and increases the teacher load. In order to build Memorial High School from their present Class A standing to an AA standing, we must expand our program to include the Home Economics and Vocational Fields. Our Science program is presently being studied and will be broadened. It will better prepare our college preparatory students, and aid our other groups to get a better insight into the scientific world. Our girls are limited to two years of physical education due only to lack of adequate facilities.
The child of today in the high school group is a very complex problem. He was born in the late thirties and his first realization of life was during war time. A time of production on gigantic scales with limitless oppor- tunities for employment. These children cannot fathom the despair of the depression and its many inadequacies, although their mothers and fathers were an active part. Thus we, the educators, must compete with television, the atom bomb, the h-bomb, the automobile and the everex- panding frontiers of science for their attention. They cannot wait to own their own cars, and be free as the wind, to come and go over distances prohibitive in their teachers' childhood. Thus, the teenager of today is moving toward the future much faster than any group in our history.
To deal with this problem, we must have adequate facilities, sufficient supplies and materials, but more than this, we must have the type of personnel on our staff who teaches with a vision of the future, rather than the past. Our present faculty is a well rounded, capable group, extremely talented and well trained. Its organization and personnel is a compliment to my predecessor and the administration that assembled them. Never have I seen a more cooperative group eager to work for and with the pupils and administrators. It is very important that we hold this fine staff and add strong candidates in the future. Competition is keen for new graduates from our teacher colleges, and we must offer salaries, working conditions and chances for advancement that will keep those we have and bring the best to us.
DEAN OF GIRLS Helen A. Pardey
It has been the policy of Memorial High School that the Dean of Girls have no definite plan of action - that her time should be free to meet the current needs of each day. The discontented, unadjusted girl does not like to attend school, nor does she do a satisfactory grade of work. With the help of the principal, the attendance supervisor, and the director of guidance, a dean tries to ferret out the cause of discontent: lack of adjustment to her study program or friends, unhappy home conditions, or need for financial aid. The solution to the problem sometimes necessi- tates the finding of a house in which the girl may live and work, and counseling her from day to day in the new environment.
A healthy school situation would allow the dean to have friendly, in- formal conferences with every girl during her freshman year or with each new arrival to learn of her interests and activities. This would establish a friendly association between the two before a specific problem appeared and provide information for desired recommendations. Though time has been allotted, the inadequate environment around the dean's desk under the stairs of the balcony of the auditorium, the room where some music group is practicing almost every period of the day, restricts the fulfillment of this goal.
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