USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Middleborough > Town annual report of Middleborough, Massachusetts 1955 > Part 9
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11,269.93
$759,178.40
Enoch Pratt Fund
$10,918.75
M.L.H. Peirce Charity Fund
3,798.74
M.L.H. Peirce Fountain Fund
4,144.49
Copeland Library Fund
3,998.23
Harriet G. Beal Library Fund
1,000.00
Harriet C. Peirce Library Fund
500.00
Thomas S. Peirce Fund
470,429.51
Library Trust Fund Income Account
564.35
Thomas S. Peirce Library Fund
61,390.00
Cemetery Perpetual Care-Principal
86,151.78
Cemetery Perpetual Care-Income
27,923.76
George A. Richards Playground Fund
11,358.79
Mary Hullahan Library Fund
3,000.00
Post War Rehabilitation
51,800.00
Post War Rehabiliation-Mun. Light Dept.
22,200.00
$759,178.40
INDEBTEDNESS
Net Funded or Fixed Debt $1,593,000.00
Water System Extension Loan, Taunton St.
$324,000.00
Sewage Disposal System Loan 225,000.00
27,000.00
Water Main Extension Loan-Barracks New School Buildings
1,017,000.00
$1,593,000.00
Loans Authorized
123
ANNUAL REPORT
RESERVE FUND
Transfers
Appropriation
$10,000.00
Selectmen
$ 720.54
Assessors
6.54
Town Hall
248.77
Police
598.93
Fire
212.68
Health
543.64
Highway
1,888.55
Welfare
654.06
Veterans Benefits
735.44
School
2,392.48
Insurance
734.62
Old Fire Station
111.24
Water
580.95
$ 9,428.44
$ 571.56
December 31st Balance
Respectfully submitted,
WALDO S. THOMAS, Town Accountant
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE OF MIDDLEBOROUGH, MASS.
LE
OUTH
COUN
NIX
W
INCORPORAT
For the Year Ending December 31, 1955
126
ANNUAL REPORT
At the meeting of the School Committee held on Thursday, Jan- uary 26, 1956, it was voted:
"To accept the report of the Superintendent of Schools and to present it to the town as the report of the School Committee."
JOSEPH C. KUNCES, Secretary to the Committee.
School Committee Membership 1955
Francis J. Silvia, 17 Prospect Street, Chairman
Term Expires 1956
Walter D. Rudziak, Wareham Street 1956
James M. Bonnar, M.D., 33 Pearl Street
Walter J. D. McNeil, Mitchell Street 1957
1957
Robert L. Anderson, 4 Arlington Street
1958
C. Trafton Mendall, 18 Forest Street 1958
Regular meetings of the School Committee are held in Room 7, Town Hall, on the first Thursday of each month, at 7:30 P. M.
Superintendent of Schools J. Stearns Cushing, 65 Bourne Street
Office, Room 7, Town Hall Telephone 81
The Superintendent of Schools also serves as Secretary to the School Committee
Assistant Superintendent of Schools Joseph C. Kunces, 12 Washburn Street
School Physician Stuart A. Silliker, M.D., 29 Oak Street
School Nurse Ila P. Jackson, R.N., 106 South Main Street
Supervisor of Attendance Benjamin J. Mackiewicz, Park Street Service terminated June 30, 1955 John Rebell Service began September 1, 1955
Census Enumerators M. H. S. Class of 1956
School Calendar 1956
First Term-January 4 - February 21
Second Term-February 27 - April 18
Third Term-April 23 - June 14, Elementary Schools June 21, Memorial High School
Fourth Term-September 5 - December 21
No-School Days Good Friday, Memorial Day, Columbus Day, Veterans' Day, Thanksgiving Day and day following.
IN MEMORIAM
J. STEARNS CUSHING Died December 30, 1955
He served as Superintendent of Schools in his native town for nearly 30 years - longer than any other man. He kept the schools at a high level of efficiency. He lived long enough to see three new school buildings in process of erection, a goal he had long labored to attain. His great interest was the welfare of the children of Middleboro and he spent his life working for their betterment.
128
ANNUAL REPORT
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the members of the Middleborough School Committee:
Herewith is presented the annual report of the public schools of the Town of Middleborough. In this presentation, I shall attempt to combine the work initiated and completed by Mr. Cushing as well as that phase of the program as carried on by myself as his immediate assistant.
The sudden passing of Mr. Cushing on Friday, December 30, 1955, after 28 years of service to the Town of Middleborough as Superintend- ent of Schools, has been of profound sorrow to his family, community, friends and associates. Mr. Cushing has always exemplified the best qualities of an educator and Superintendent of Schools, maintaining strength of character and devotion to duty, based on high moral prin- ciples, with kindness and consideration to his fellow colleagues and associates, eager to contribute always to the growth and development of the teaching profession and the public schools of Middleborough.
Nineteen hundred fifty-five shall be known as the year of "school plant development." A hard working committee composed of Messrs. Francis J. Silvia, Chairman, C. Trafton Mendall, John C. McDonald, Charles P. Washburn and Clifton A. McCrillis have devoted many hours of service in carrying out the wishes of the citizens in present- ing to them a 650-700 pupil capacity Junior High School and a modern addition to the high school which will not only increase the capacity of the present building but permit a more varied curriculum for the students. These buildings, although not completed, are well under way and should be ready for occupance in September 1956.
In addition to these buildings, the School Committee serving in the capacity of the Elementary School Building Committee has adver- tised for bids on a twelve room school. If, and when, all three units are complete, and providing Middleborough does not increase in popu- lation in an abnormal manner, Middleborough will be in excellent shape regarding classrooms for some few years.
Thirteen teachers have resigned during the year. The following summary of reasons for leaving is herewith presented:
2 Advanced Study
1 Marriage
1 Home Duties
1 Deceased
Other Positions
The replacement of experienced people is a difficult one. How- ever, I do feel that we have been most fortunate in securing some excellently qualified personnel. Six of our replacements possess Mas- ter's Degrees and all but five of them have had at least three or more years of teaching experience.
129
ANNUAL REPORT
The increase in enrollment with particular emphasis of the student to study mathematics at the secondary level has necessitated the em- ployment of one additional teacher in the high school. The additional grade six at the Bates School also required the service of another teacher. Both these individuals have had previous teaching experi- ence and possess Master's Degrees. At the West Side School, a teacher with seventeen years of public school experience has been added to the faculty on a part-time basis to relieve the Principal for adminis- trative duties.
I would be remiss if I did not pay tribute to one of the finest teachers ever to serve the Middleboro Public Schools, Miss Anna C. Erickson. I was one of those fortunate high school students to have studied under her and later to serve on the same faculty with her, and I know that her ability to teach mathematics and her genuine interest in people will never be forgotten. Mr. Cushing, in his opening school bulletin had this to say: "The sudden passing of Miss Anna C. Erickson, of our high school faculty, was a stunning blow. For 29 years she had served her school and the community well. Her pupils always spoke in words of praise for the help she had given them. All had found their work in advanced study simple because of her untiring and generous expenditure of time. For her long service, We are most fortunate and thankful. We shall miss her."
The teaching of reading in the public schools throughout the coun- try has received much criticism. Being cognizant of this unrest on the part of the parents, we, in Middleboro, have placed our greatest emphasis in reviewing our methods in this area. As an outgrowth, many adoptions and adaptions have been realized during this year.
The experimental summer remedial reading program under Miss Leah M. Boutin is now an established institution. In addition, group- ing of students for reading only according to abilities has been tried successfully at the Washburn Unit, School Street and West Side Schools. Outstanding results depicting as much as two years improve- ment have been realized.
All teachers in grades 1-5, along with fellow colleagues from Carver, Lakeville and Rochester, convened at Carver for an afternoon of study in phonics as applied to reading. This type of study along with a sound program of testing has given our teachers a greater in- sight into this most fundamental of all subjects.
Our problems do not culminate with the teaching of subject mat- ter alone. One of our chief responsibilities is to convey pupil prog- ress in the classroom to the parent in the home. Many hours of study with teacher committees have been carried on so as to improve the vehicle of reporting. The cards devised this year are experimental and, therefore, they have been duplicated in temporary form. At the close of the school year, teacher committees will again meet to review the cards and to adopt a permanent one.
On the secondary level, a basic question here that concerns us regards the extent of the school's responsibility in providing different offerings for varying groups. A second, but closely connected question, is whether the role of the school should be limited to developing stu- dent skills in the 3 R's however broadly interpreted or should encom- pass personal and social objectives.
130
ANNUAL REPORT
Approximately fifty per cent of our high school graduates attend school beyond high school. It is, therefore, alarming to read (Annual Report of the Board of Trustees of the Educational Testing Service) that at the present time only half of the high schools in the United States offer courses in Chemistry and slightly less than half offer courses in physics. This is not the case in Middleboro.
Regardless of the "life adjustment" objectives of many of our sec- ondary schools today, I feel certain that the citizens of Middleborough want a greater emphasis placed upon the 3 R's and it is on that basis that the course offerings and the reorganizations of some of the sub- ject matter has taken place in the high school.
The stress on the 3 R's does not mean that the personal and social objectives of the school child have been neglected. The work of the Guidance Director and particularly that of the Dean of Girls in the high school, as attested by their respective reports, substantiate this statement.
"A good school system should serve the citizens of the town- not only the children-but adults as well."
This basic guide has prompted the School Committee to expand the course offerings in the evening division for the adults. The follow- ing table depicts the course offerings, the enrollment and the instruc- tors in the evening division:
Course
Enrollment
Instructor
Typing (Beginning)
20
Lillian M. O'Neil
Typing (Advanced)
14
Lillian M. O'Neil
Bookkeeping (Beginning)
17
Walter G. Hicks
Bookkeeping (Advanced)
11
Walter G. Hicks
Stenography (Beginning)
12
Myrtle Otto Marden
Adult Civic Education
12
Wilrene F. Card ยท
(learning to speak and write English)
Nature Work Shop
25
Richard Headstrom
Hooked Rugs 20
Helen G. Read
Total 131
During the year excellent strides were taken in the reconditioning of many of our schools. Using sound "Yankee ingenuity," the toilet fixtures, many desks and chairs and the oil-fired heating units were salvaged from the Bates School. The toilets were only six years old and thus were modern. Some of these units were installed in the School Street School and the remainder of them in the Flora M. Clark School. Both schools previously possessed slate-type fixtures which had been installed at the time of construction of the buildings. With this changeover, both schools now have modern, sanitary toilets and lavatories.
Our only school without an oil-fired heating system has been the School Street School. The salvaged burner, thoroughly reconditioned, has been installed in School Street School; thus providing us with more uniform heating and a cleaner building.
This summer the Flora M. Clark School and the South Middleboro School were painted on the outside. The Rock School received a complete interior paining.
131
ANNUAL REPORT
Black top walks have been installed at the Flora M. Clark and South Middleboro Schools. In addition, the grounds at the South Middleboro School have been beautified with the planting of shrubs.
A new floor has been laid on the first floor of the original building at the West Side School.
The portion of the basement playroom used for class purposes at the Union Street School, as well as the two downstairs toilets, has been painted.
Outside rubbish can depositories have been constructed at the South Middleboro, Rock and Pleasant Street Schools.
New oil-heating units have been installed at the Pleasant Street and Rock Schools.
Playground apparatus purchased with community funds and the assistance of the Peirce Trustees were installed by this department at the Rock, Flora M. Clark, South Middleboro, Pleasant Street and Plymouth Street Schools.
The Memorial High School Chemistry and Physics laboratories have been remodeled and now perform the dual function for experi- mentation and recitation.
All the schools have been thoroughly cleaned, the chalk boards and floors refinished, and the lighting has been improved.
The planning and systematic approach to the improvement of our physical plants is producing results. With the exception of the Memorial High School, the interior painting of the School Street School and some adjustments in the heating system of the Union Street School, our schools will need but minor repairs for this coming year.
The accomplishments of the past year can be found in the accom- panying reports from the Principals and Supervisors.
Teacher Changes 1955
Transfers:
Mary Anacki, Transferred from Bates School to the Memorial High School.
Withdrawals:
Carolyn C. Alger (married) Eugene W. Baer (Connecticut)
Laureat J. Bernard (Ipswich)
Alan L. Buchsbaum
John E. Driscoll (Melrose)
Mary D. Dunsford (Winthrop)
Anna C. Erickson (deceased)
Michael A. Hennessy (Wellesley) Raymond C. Lemieux (Leave of Absence)
Virginia Lewis (Saugus) Joan M. McNeil (Newton)
Therese A. Williams (at home) John S. Zynsky (Wakefield)
132
ANNUAL REPORT
Appointments:
Roger W. Arnold (Memorial High School)
Lorraine R. Chouinard (Memorial High School)
Edward M. Falk (West Side School) Dorothy R. Ferry (All Schools)
Robert E. Hoye (Memorial High School and all others) Vitautas S. Maneikis (Bates School) E. Richard McDonald (Bates School)
Mary-Ellen McKenna (Bates School)
Doris P. Orr (Part-time: West Side School)
Alfred J. Pasquale (Memorial High School) George S. Robertson, Jr. (Memorial High School) Albert F. Soule, Jr. (Memorial High School) James L. Toman (Memorial High School) Barbara A. Tripp (Flora M. Clark) Louise C. Walker (Bates School)
Returned from Leave of Absence:
Lorraine E. DiMuzio
Conclusions
At this time, I wish to extend my sincerest appreciation and gratitude to the School Committee and School Personnel for their cooperation throughout the year.
JOSEPH C. KUNCES
Assistant Superintendent of Schools
GUIDANCE
Robert E. Hoye, Director
The aim of all guidance is to assist the learner to acquire sufficient understanding of himself and of his environment to be able to utilize most intelligently the educational opportunities afforded by the school and community. The problem of guidance arises from the fact that an immature but growing individual with a unique combination of abilities and limitations is confronted with a complex and ever- changing environment. Guidance used to be regarded as an effort "to see through Johnny and to see Johnny through." The emphasis today has shifted to an effort "to help Johnny see through himself and to see himself through." It seeks to assist each student to choose, and make satisfactory progress in, those activities which will contribute most to his development, individual happiness, and social worth.
Here in Middleboro, I concentrate my efforts on two major aspects of guidance: namely the getting of information from the student to formulate an appraisal, and the giving of information to the student to formulate an adjustment.
133
ANNUAL REPORT
The Complete Scope of Guidance in the Middleboro Public Schools
APPRAISAL By means of
a. Tests.
b. Rating scales.
c. Diagnostic records.
d. Autobiography.
e. Interviews.
f. Observations, anecdotes, etc.
g. Group discussion.
h. Psychiatric case study.
i. Case history, cumulative records.
ADJUSTMENT By means of
a. Changes in the environment through
1. Curriculum
2. Extra-class activities
3. Physical environment
4. Discovery and provision of educational and vocational opportunities
b. Changes in the individual through
1. Interviews
2. Lectures
3. Group discussions
Testing is a fairly reliable means of obtaining information from the student in certain areas. I am most interested in instituting a well balanced testing program through the grades.
Proposed Testing Program 1956-57
Type of Test
Grades
1 2 3
4
5
6
7 8 9 10 11 12
Achievement
X X X
X X
X
X
x
X
Intelligence
X
X
X x
Aptitude
X
X X
Perhaps the best means of obtaining information from the student is the interview. It offers a first hand contact with the student. The role of the counselor is not to make decisions for the pupil, but rather to help him intelligently to solve his own problems. At Memor- ial High School, we attempt to interview each student individually. Such subjects as college preference, work requirements, program form- ulation, study help, poor scholarship, and personal problems may be brought to the guidance office. Assisting me in the counseling service are: Mrs. Helen Pardey and Miss Virginia Bartlett at Memorial High School, and Mrs. Frieda Churchill and Mr. Robert Gross at the Bates Junior High School.
The guidance director needs the cooperation of many people in his efforts. Teachers, administrators and the community in general have a very important role. The local newspapers have been most cooperate in publishing news of a guidance nature. Pastors of the several Middleboro churches have assured their assistance in handling problems of a moral nature. Without such cooperation, the guidance department could not function adequately.
134
ANNUAL REPORT
The Sophomore Class at Memorial High School was among one of the first in this area to take the High School Vocational Aptitude Tests by the Educational Testing Service of Princeton, N. J. We were chosen as a result of my meeting with Dr. John French, research associate, who devised the tests. The tests hope to predict success in particular fields of vocational education-mechanics, electricity, carpentry, beauty cul- ture, homemaking, agriculture, etc. Industrial aptitude and intelli- gence tests were administered to the Senior Class at Memorial High School in cooperation with the Industrial Technical School of Boston. Both tests were obtained at no cost to the school department.
I have secured the services of a practicing psychologist who visits me bi-weekly to discuss and diagnose individual cases. Dr. David Haughey of the Brockton Mental Health Association has willingly of- fered his services and I consider this an important addition to the guidance offerings in the school system.
Tours and visitations are an excellent way for youngsters to gain an insight into the offerings beyond high school. This year the largest group of students ever to take advantage of the Annual College Day at Thayer Academy, were delighted with the opportunity of meeting with college representatives and discuss admission procedure. Other tours of colleges, hospitals and places of employment have been ar- ranged by this department and have been will received. The conduct of the Middleboro students has been above the ordinary while on such trips.
In connection with the United States Department of Employment Security and Miss Agnes L. Murphy of the Middleboro office, I have succeeded in setting up a unique part-time employment service for youngsters of working age. This program has been well received by the students and has proven a most successful experiment.
GUIDANCE
Helen A. Pardey, Dean of Girls
To a dean, as to everyone, days come only one at a time; singly they arrive and each is different from the other. To report the number of formal conferences held within the dean's office would be but a half picture of the services rendered to girls and boys, their parents and their teachers, the nurse, the principal and assistant principal, visitors from colleges, graduates, prospective new members of the school, and representatives of community groups. For many of these services take place in the school corridor, classroom, or principal's office; on the street or in public buildings; or by telephone in her own home.
Much of a dean's work is concerned with individuals. Now in addition to counseling on social problems, she is assisting the guidance director with educational problems. This union of duties is a natural one because students do not separate one area from another. The counseling varies with the particular student whether it concerns personal health, finances, employment, personal standards of conduct, adjustment to difficulties in home or school, choices for subjects for preparation for a particular career or for a particular school, or assistance in comparing institutions of higher learning.
135
ANNUAL REPORT
Moreover, the dean also has group contacts within the building. Of major importance is the teaching of four classes daily which leaves but two periods for counseling. Her sponsorship of the Girls League gives her many informal contacts with very many girls as she meets with every committee after school hours (in any spot not used in the junior high session); with the Entertainment Committee to produce the Christmas assembly; the annual dance, the annual Mother-Daughter party, and the June outing; with the Program Committee to plan auditorium meetings for all girls which for this year include a career program on "Teaching," a talk by Mrs. Witbeck on "Books for High School Girls," and a demonstration on care of skin and hair by Mrs. Cecilia Hancock; with the Sunshine Committee to recognize the sick and bereaved; with the Publicity Committee to advertise assembly meetings and all activities of the League; with the Decoration Commit- tee to plan fitting decorations; with the Refreshment Committee to plan the acquisition and preparation of food for the dance and Mother- Daughter party. The Executive Board composed of the officers, chair- men of the six committees, and home-room representatives meets twice a month to carry on business and promote a school or community project for this group of 233 members. Such contacts keep the dean aware of student interests and needs.
Another group contact is the sponsorship of the Silver "M" Society composed of both girls and boys. This necessitates the promoting the ideals of good citizenship, organizing the groups for the choosing of new members, and the planning of the tapping ceremonies. A third group contact presents itself as she works as social advisor with the Student Council officers in preparing guest tickets, with classes or other organizations for their social functions, and in attendance of the school functions of the school.
A dean's work often takes her from the school building to become a public relations worker within the community by visiting within homes, by interpreting parts of the school program to church groups or incoming students and parents, by serving on Cabot Club or com- munity project committees. Her understanding of students in their situations is in proportion to her knowledge of their situations. It is essential that the dean know her community and be known in it.
As superintendents, principals, and other school officials represent the school outside the community, so does the dean as she participates in state or regional conventions; assists in the biennial conference for college admission officers, principals, deans and guidance officers in promoting a better understanding of the transition problems from high school to college; visits nursing schools, business concerns, or college campuses; or answers inquiries of new deans.
In the prayerful words of Linda Kincannon, she would ask for adequacy in giving service to all who come to her as her day unfolds-
"God give me sympathy and sense And keep my courage high; God give me calm and confidence And please, a twinkle in my eye."
136
ANNUAL REPORT
ART Sylvia G. Matheson, Supervisor
Herewith is presented the annual report of the Art Department of the public schools of the town of Middleborough.
"Art Education, awakens the child's sense of observation so that he possesses a seeing eye and an understanding mind."
The major objectives for art education in the Middleborough schools this past year were:
1. To develop the creative abilities in all of the pupils.
2. To develop the powers of observation and visual judgment.
3. To develop the capacity for appreciation.
4. To discover, conserve, and guide the talented pupil.
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