Town annual report of Middleborough, Massachusetts 1957, Part 6

Author: Middleboro (Mass.)
Publication date: 1957
Publisher: s.n.
Number of Pages: 194


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In conclusion let me say that while the use of the space allotted for locker rooms, training and equipment is still in the experimental stage, and while constant changes in personnel make it hard for any program to be perfect, the members of the Department are trying very hard to give the boys and girls the full benefit of the facilities so generously provided for them.


68


ANNUAL REPORT


HEALTH


Stuart A. Silliker, M.D., School Physician Ila P. Jackson, R.N., School Nurse


Report of School Nurse, January - December 1957:


Children cared for by nurse 651


Children to a doctor 7


Home visits 4


Other visits and consultations with parents 253


Physical appraisals by the school physician:


Grades I, IV, VII and X - total 715 pupils. One 7th grade pupil was done by the family doctor.


Immunization clinics for polio vaccine were held on February 12; March 4, 5, 6, 12, 20; April 23; May 1, 8; June 4 and October 28. Total inocu- lations 2,641. Clinics for Asian Flu Vaccine for Town employees and school personnel were held on November 1, and 27 - 116 persons were inoculated.


Speech correction: Mrs. Helen Lamb, speech therapist, conducts classes and interviews one full day each week. Forty-two pupils received in- structions; 34 others have been examined and are under supervision.


Audiometer tests given 2428, individual retests 251, failures 77.


Massachusetts Vision Tests given 3192, retests 131, failures 129.


Heights and Weights were done at Junior High School in February and at Union Street School in October.


Communicable diseases: One case of measles was reported, chicken pox, mumps and scarlet fever were more prevalent, but did not become epidemic; six cases of ringworm, one of the scalp, - and three cases of conjunctivitis were seen.


Chest X-Rays were done for school personnel at the Mobile Unit Clinic, May 20 - 24.


Middleboro Public Schools LUNCH AND MILK PROGRAM Joanne McComiskey, Supervisor of Accounts ORGANIZATION Memorial High School Mrs. Bertha I. Dunham, Head Cook Mrs. Estelle Wheeler, Assistant Cook Mrs. Blanche Perry, Part-Time Assistant


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ANNUAL REPORT


Middleborough Junior High School Mrs. Arlene P. Stevens, Head Cook Mrs. Geraldine Wilbur, Assistant Cook Mrs. Madeline Dill, Baker, Assistant Cook Mrs. Madelene D. Davis, Part-Time Assistant


Mayflower School Mrs. Barbara Quindley, Head Cook Mrs. Jeanne E. Roberts, Assistant Cook Miss Joanne N. Cabral, Part-Time Assistant


Upon the resignation of Mrs. Persis Alden as head cook at the Memorial High School in January, Mrs. Bertha I. Dunham was appointed head cook at this school.


When the new Mayflower School cafeteria was opened on November 19, 1957, Mrs. Barbara Quindley, assistant cook at the High School, was appointed head cook at the Mayflower School. Mrs. Estelle Wheeler was appointed assistant cook at the High School to replace Mrs. Quindley.


Mrs. Jeanne E. Roberts was transferred from part-time assistant at the Junior High School to assistant cook at the Mayflower School. Mrs. Madelene D. Davis was appointed to replace Mrs. Roberts at the Junior High School, and Miss Joanne N. Cabral was appointed part-time assist- ant at the Mayflower School.


In September the Elementary Milk Program, which had been handled as a separate program, was incorporated into the lunch program and named the Middleboro Public Schools Lunch and Milk Program.


The elementary milk portion of the program encompasses all of the 10 elementary schools within the Town. In-town and suburban schools alike are presented with the opportunity of a morning milk program. The cost per half pint bottle to each child is $.04 per day. The balance between the charge of $.04 made to the pupil and the cost of the milk from the dairy is made up by the National Special Milk Program.


Well-balanced meals are now offered in three of our schools; the Memorial High School, Middleborough Junior High School, and the May- flower School, at a cost to the pupil of only $.25 per meal. These meals are prepared to offer the necessary calories, proteins and vitamins as required by the Office of School Lunch Programs, and are closely super- vised by the Boston office.


To supplement the large volume of food purchased by the cafeterias, surplus foods which are price-supported by the Federal Government are supplied to the schools for the cost of transportation and handling. These foods include corn meal, shortening, dried milk, dried eggs, rice, white flour, canned fruits and whatever meats are currently being price-sup- ported. Since September the cafeterias have had only hamburg and canned pork and gravy, as hams, luncheon loaf, turkeys and the like have not been surplus foods.


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ANNUAL REPORT


In addition to the quantity of canned foods purchased at wholesale prices from dealers in large institution-type tins and quantities, fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as staple items are purchased here in Mid- dleboro. All milk for the elementary milk program, the noon milk pro- gram and the noon lunch program is purchased locally. From January to December 242,231 half pints of whole white milk were purchased. This figure is equal to approximately 60,560 quarts of whole white milk.


The following is a breakdown of milk and lunches served in 1957:


Elementary Milk Program


Number Purchased


Free


Number Sold


87,100


8,116


78,984


Noon Milk Program


School


Purchased


Number Sold, Adults


Number Sold, Pupils


Number Free


M.H.S.


23,927


193


23,509


225


J.H.S.


19,547


173


18,821


552


Mayflower (Sept. - Dec.)


5,006


91


4,834


141


48,540


457


47,164


919


Noon Lunch Program


Number


Number Sold, Adults


Number Sold, Pupils


Number Free


School


Served


M.H.S.


39,849


2,063


36,182


1,604


J.H.S.


62,390


3,072


57,461


1,857


Mayflower (Nov. - Dec.)


4,352


195


4,091


66


106,591


5,330


97,734


3,527


DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC EDUCATION


Luther Churchill, Supervisor of Music Dorothy R. Ferry, Assistant to the Supervisor


It is a pleasure for me to submit herewith my twentieth annual report of the activities of the Music Department in the schools of Mid- dleboro.


In the vocal music field, Miss Ferry and I have coordinated the work in such a way that a very definite course of study is being given in each grade throughout the Town. Most of the theoretical problems relating to the reading of music, singing with good tone, and enunciation and expression have been completed by the end of the sixth grade. I supervise the vocal program at the High School, School Street School and the 4th and 5th grades at the Mayflower School. This year the general chorus periods at the Junior High School were eliminated. This change was


Number


Number


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ANNUAL REPORT


necessary because of the size of the classes. I found that trying to teach music to a class of close to 200 students was a waste of time and effort, so I asked Mr. Burkland if this could be eliminated. He arranged his schedule so that our music teacher in the Junior High School (Mrs. Cas- selberry) now meets with each of the classes for two forty-minute periods each week. In addition to her regular classroom work, Mrs. Cas- selberry conducts an eighth grade choir period once a week. Miss Ferry and I visit Mrs. Casselberry once each week to offer any assistance we can in the vocal program.


The addition of the Rounseville Building to our Music Department enabled me to change the High School vocal program. We now have a Male Glee Club of about thirty boys, which meets with Miss Ferry once a week, and a Girls' Glee Club of about one hundred students which I direct. These two groups take the place of a general music class.


In the instrumental field, Miss Ferry and I divide the work. She has about 30 beginners at the West Side School and I have about 45 begin- ners at the Mayflower and School Street schools. These children are given free class instruction each week from the time they report with their instruments until school closes in June. These students then pro- ceed to private teachers and, if possible, join the Elementary School Band, made up of children in the 5th and 6th grades, which is directed by Miss Ferry after school hours once each week. The Junior High School band has a membership of about 45 pupils under the direction of Miss Ferry, which meets once a week during school hours. Our High School band, under my direction, has a personnel of about 90 students, including the Twirling Corps, and meets twice a week during the regular school activity period.


One of our greatest problems is to interest and develop pupils in playing the stringed instruments. In spite of this difficulty, we are con- tinuing our Junior High School orchestra under Miss Ferry's direction and the High School orchestra meets with me. These groups rehearse only once each week.


Other instrumental groups meeting each week include the Junior High School brass choir with Miss Ferry and the High School dance band under my direction. Both of these groups meet after school hours.


In September the Music Department at the High School moved into their new quarters in the Rounseville Building. Outfitted with a set of risers suitable for seating a band, orchestra or choir, a new piano and new folding chairs, this building now provides us with a place to work unhampered by the constant changing of chairs and conflicts which had become an unbearable situation. I assure you that this year has been a pleasurable experience for me, for after waiting many, many years, I now have a place to work without the feeling that I am bothering other people. It is difficult for me to find the adequate words to express my appreciation.


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ANNUAL REPORT


In closing, I want to thank you for your continued interest in our Department. I also want to express my appreciation to the School Com- mittee, all principals and teachers, for their assistance and understand- ing. Miss Ferry and I are proud of our music organizations and the public performances which they present. However, we realize that a large part of our success has come from a very loyal and devoted teaching force.


MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL Samuel Deich, Principal


ORGANIZATION


Grade


Number


Post Graduates


1


XII


121


XI


133


X


17


IX


193


619


No responsibility has with it the opportunities for periods of elation or depression as those duties connected with the education of adolescents. It is pleasing to note that during this past year the periods of elation outweighed the periods of depression.


In discussing the changes that have taken place, perhaps we should start with the changes in our physical plant. The classroom building has been given the beginning of a "new look". During the past summer the entire first floor, including corridors and classrooms, was repainted. At the same time, this entire area was relighted so that not only were the light fixtures replaced but additional fixtures were added in each classroom to improve the lighting. The boys' basement areas and the entire girls' locker area were repainted and relighted. The entire front lobby and stairway was repainted and relighted. The old emergency gas lights in the first floor corridor and auditorium were replaced with automatic electric-battery controlled units. The south side of the build- ing was waterproofed prior to the painting of the classrooms. Room 1, formerly used for agriculture, was redecorated and is now being used as an art room. The former art room is being used as a home room for sophomores and as an English classroom. New tablet armchairs have been placed in Room L2, a science lecture room. During the year, re- finished desks have been placed in Room 26 and it is planned that addi- tional replacements will be made in other rooms as the desk units are available. New window shades were provided on the south side of the building. Existing shades on the front of the building were repaired for continued use by the students in the Homemaking Department.


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ANNUAL REPORT


The high school custodians are to be commended for the fine manner in which they conducted their summer cleaning responsibilties. In addi- tion to their regular clean-up activities, they also bleached and re-sealed all the second floor area of the high school. At the present time all floors except the third floor of the building have sealed floors.


The Washburn Unit, since September, has been under complete reno- vation. The change that is taking place there is truly an educational experience for the boys and the teacher involved. Those of us who re- member it as an elementary classroom building would be sincerely im- pressed with the progress that is being made in the industrial arts pro- gram. Necessary bracing of the roof rafters has been accomplished. Mr. C. P. Washburn has given generously of his time and effort. Classroom partitions have been removed. The plumbing in the girls' toilet has been removed. Space areas are being re-arranged for the various power tools. The remaining classroom in the area is being provided with window openings to enable the teacher to supervise the shop area while in the classroom. All of this work is being done under the supervision of Mr. Henry E. Battis, as the industrial arts teacher. At the present time, only freshmen are enrolled in the course for a total of two periods a day. All skilled craftsmen who come in to work, that is electricians, and plumbers, have the students working along side of them as appren- tices. By September, 1958, we should be prepared to undertake a full- scale industrial arts program that will include freshmen and sophomores.


The Rounseville Building, formerly used as a Junior High School shop, has been converted to a music education classroom, where all the musical groups of the High School conduct their rehearsals. It has been repainted. The Peirce Estate has generously provided the funds neces- sary for platform risers and a very beautiful studio console piano. These changes have been physical changes that are necessary to keep our school plant in working order.


There have been individuals and community groups who have been generous with their time and money so as to benefit this High School. A public salute is offered to them.


Of course there are many organizations in the community who annually support our schools in the form of scholarships and encouragement. To these organizations this high school is indebted and earnestly solicit their continued support.


Next come the educational changes which represent our most im- portant responsibility. The academic year beginning in September found us operating under changed requirements for promotion and graduation. Basically, the changes make it mandatory for all sophomores, juniors and seniors to successfully complete four units of credit in prepared subjects, one of which must be the respective credit in English. In order to be eligible for promotion, the members of the freshman class must earn a minimum of three credits in prepared subjects, one of which


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ANNUAL REPORT


must be English I. This action was necessary in view of the increased responsibility of the high school to not only provide for an increase in the quantity of students in our schools; but to provide them with quality as well. One of the important aims to be gained by these changes is to place additional responsibility for learning upon the individual pupil, while at the same time increasing the responsibility for teaching on the part of the school. It is interesting to note that we of the High School have been aware of this responsibility long before international space travel created an educational storm this past fall. A year ago we re- ported "our educational trust is a sacred one". Certainly our feelings have not changed, and I am pleased to report that our high school person- nel are increasingly aware of the importance of their responsibility.


June of 1957 brought about the retirement of Ernest E. Thomas, vice principal and teacher of history. There have been many principals of Memorial High School; in the history of the high school in Middleboro there have been only two vice principals. Certainly an annual report will permit the liberty to express to Mr. Thomas the sincere thanks of the teachers with whom he worked so closely, the students with whom he came in daily contact, and the parents, most of whom were in school during his time.


In closing, I wish to publically re-affirm my belief in the calibre of the young people who attend our High School. As long as they continue to support our school with their desire to learn, so long can we continue to teach. If this year has been successful, we owe that success to the fine teaching staff of our school and the support and encouragement of the Superintendent of Schools, the Middleboro School Committee and the general public at large.


TABLE A Total Enrollment


Lakeville


Freetown


Boys


Girls


Total


Post Graduate


1


1


Seniors


29


46


75


121


Juniors


25


1


54


79


133


Sophomores


30


77


93


170


Freshmen


30


90


101


191


Totals


114


1


267


349


616


TABLE B Graduating Classes 1953 -1957


Class


Boys


Girls


Total


1953


44


43


87


1954


50


56


106


1955


51


57


108


1956


44


63


107


1957


39


69


108


-


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ANNUAL REPORT


TABLE C


Number in Number going Number in Total continu-


Class


Class


to college


other schools


ing study


%


1953


87


19


17


36


41.3


1954


106


23


21


44


41.5


1955


108


30


27


57


52.7


1956


107


29


23


52


48.5


1957


108


23


23


46


42.5


TABLE D Schools entered by graduates of Class of 1957


Colleges


Boys


Girls


Total


Bates College


2


1


Boston University


1


1


Bouve College


1


Bridgewater State Teachers College


6


Brown University


2


Fisher Junior College


2


Jackson College


1


Northeastern University


3


1


Smith College


1


University of Vermont


1


23


Other Schools


Boys


Girls


Total


Boston Barber School


1


Brockton Business School


2


Brockton School of Nursing


1


Burdett


2


Cambridge School of Business


1


Catherine Labouré Hospital


2


Eastern Airlines School


1


Eastern School of Musical Repairs


1


Industrial Technical School


1


Radio-Television School


1


New Bedford Institute of Technology Stockbridge School of Agriculture Wilfred Academy


7


1


2


23


46


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ANNUAL REPORT


GRADUATION OF THE MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL Class of 1957


*Luana Marie Allen Manuel Antonio Barboza, Jr. Jane Mary Benson Janice Lillian Benson


* Anita Rhea Bernabeo


*Diane Louise Bernier Loretta Jean Bianchini Ruth Ann Bigelow Audrey Arlene Boardman


*Elizabeth Jane Bonnar


*HELEN MARGUERITE BOUCHER Blanche Daisey Bradley


*SALLY ANNE BRIGGS


*Suzanne Briggs Isabel Sara Brown Norman Edward Bruffee Jeanita Anna Burke


*Shirley Frances Byrnes


*JANE CAMPBELL Roberta Evelyn Caswell


*David Lewis Chamberlain


*James Forrest Churbuck Patricia Ann Dainis Arthur Manuel DeArruda Napoleon Joseph DesRosiers, Jr. Charles Ernest Dimond


*NANCY DRAKE Maria Fernandes Sallie Augusta Fickert


*James Patrick Flynn


*SUSAN ANNE FOSTER Elaine Carolyn Freitas


*Esther Nelson Garnier


*Lester Atwood Garnier Mary Louise Giberti James Joseph Gillis, Jr. Peter Andre Goble Esther Marie Gomes Thomas Emery Griswold Ernest DeFreitas Guimares, Jr. Annette Elizabeth Harding


* Alice Carol Hearn


*Natalie Louise Heifner John Francis Hogan, Jr.


*ROSALIND ALTHEA HOLLIS Robert Gardner Howard, Jr.


*Betty Ann Howes


*Keith Cordell Humphreys Stephen Foster Jackson


*Gregory George Jigerjian


*George Nelson Jordan Edward Ernest Kraus Robert Wentworth Lakey Paul Edward LaMothe Robert Leo LeBlanc Beverly Lorraine Leighton


Patricia Elaine Leonard


Joyce Loraine Letendre Carl Frank Lind, Jr. Patricia Ann Linton


CAROLYN MARIE MARSHALL Evelyn Camillo Martins


*Rochelle Matheson Elaine Sandra Maxwell Barbara Ann McCallum


*Robert Colby McCrillis


*Bonnie McCulloch Laurentina Marie Medas


¡PATRICIA MICHAEL David Mortimer John Anthony Munroe


Irving Henry Murphy, Jr.


Phyllis Miriam Grace Niro Greta Joyce Norlin Raymond Emile Parent


*Helen Anne Parker


*Stuart Thomas Peak, Jr. Elaine Frances Perkins


*Marilyn Ann Perkins Mary Esther Perkins Jean Rose Perry


*FRANCES JOSEPHINE PETKUNAS


*FRANK JOSEPH PETKUNAS


*Joan Beverly Pike Judith Amelia Piver Gail Spencer Pollard Terrence Valentine Powers


Thomas Victor Powers


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ANNUAL REPORT


Ann Marie Reynolds Lorenzo Walton Rice Norma Frances Rubeski Frank Eugene Sampson


* Dale Roberta Sena David Sopa Elizabeth Ann Stanley


*Judith Claire Sylvia Helen Mary Tanguay Jean Helen Tassinari Francis Arthur Teceno


Jane Louise Thayer Carole Irene Thompson


Edmund Howard Vera, Jr.


Roberta Elaine Walker Gwendolyn Gladys Washburn Jean Louise Washburn William Anthony Wheeler


*CAROLYN ELIZABETH WILLIAMS Shirley Louise Wilson


*Valedictorian


¿Salutatorian


*National Honor Society


Names in Capitals rank in upper tenth of class


Evening School - Adult Education Samuel Deich, Director


The Adult Evening School of the Middleboro Public Schools con- tinued its operation with the following changes in effect at the beginning of the Evening School season in October :


1. The Braided Rug class was discontinued.


2. The Advanced Shorthand class discontinued.


3. Two classes in Sewing for Beginners were started.


The courses being offered, size of enrollment, and the instructor in the respective classes appear in the table which follows:


Course


Enrollment


Instructor


Elementary Typewriting


30


Lillian M. O'Neil


Advanced Typewriting


16


Lillian M. O'Neil


Elementary Shorthand


22


Evelyn Banta


Bookkeeping (Beginning)


24


Evelyn Banta


Adult Civic Education


10


Wilrene F. Card


(Learning to speak and write English) Sewing for Beginners


39


Gladys Stevens


Total 141


Other statistics :


Number of veterans enrolled


9


Age distribution (as of 10-1-57) Under 20 years of age


28


20-29


28


30-39


42


40-49


26


50-59


12


Over 60 years of age


5


78


ANNUAL REPORT


In compliance with the Federal Acts regulating Vocational Educa- tion, the Superintendent of Schools annually appoints an advisory com- mittee, who, in turn, assists the Director of the Adult Education - Eve- ning School. This committee's recommendations are presented to the School Committee for final action. This committee's jurisdiction extends only in those subject areas that are federally supported. This year the courses in sewing have been so designated and receive 50% Federal reimbursement.


The committee is composed of the following persons: Mrs. Fred Blanchard, Mrs. Stuart A. Silliker and Mrs. Frank Rosen.


Middleborough Junior High School Henry B. Burkland, Principal ORGANIZATION


Grade


Number


6


176


7


162


8


188


Junior Practical Arts


18


544


Last April the annual Grade Eight Operetta was produced by co- operation of the Music, Literature, Art and Physical Education Depart- ments. The Social Studies department also assisted as the theme was "Davy Crockett", and the pupils did much research on the life and exploits of this colorful American. All pupils in Grade 8 had some part, and, the performance being the result of the entire grade working at the various angles, made an educational as well as enjoyable experience.


Since September an interesting experiment has been carried on in 6th grade spelling and penmanship, using suggestions for mass in- struction gathered at Harvard University by the Superintendent of Schools. The standard of spelling has been raised so far from 15.9% getting 100 scores in weekly tests to 58.5% now averaging weekly per- fect scores. In the penmanship classes, the Ayres Scale of Measure- ment has been used. The principal has taken charge of this course, assisted by various faculty members in the weekly testing.


Eight of the Junior High School pupils have benefited from the Remedial Reading clinic, conducted by Miss Boutin at the Mayflower School.


More extensive use of the gymnasium is now in process of revision with Miss Carpenter, Mr. Denton and Mr. Sullivan as the committee. A teachers' gym group has met weekly with Mr. Pickering as organizer.


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ANNUAL REPORT


PRINCIPAL AND PUPILS ENJOY ELECTRONIC ORGAN HENRY BENGT BURKLAND, B.S. Ed., M. Ed.


"This organ presented April 28, 1957, to the Middleborough Public Schools in honor of Henry Bengt Burkland, Principal of the Middleborough Junior High School, by his pupils and friends in appreciation of his unswerving loyalty and his contributions to the educational, musical and cultural development of this community."


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ANNUAL REPORT


A number of the faculty members are acting on committees revising the curriculum, and during the coming summer these will be combined into a Curriculum Guide for the Middleboro Junior High School.


The annual Teachers' Handbook containing the high-lights of the rules and administrative practices in the building has been revised the past year. It has proven valuable to teachers both "former" and "new."


The pattern of general testing on the Standard Test level for the Junior High School at present is: Grade six, general intelligence test; Grade seven, reading ability tests; Grade eight, achievement tests in all major subjects. The program has been headed by the principal, assisted by Mrs. Churchill and faculty members. Naturally all subject teachers are continually giving tests in their classes.


The instrumental instruction progresses well and for the first time an organ student, Marilyn White, is making use of the facility. The newly organized Elementary Band meets on Mondays, the orchestra on Tuesdays, and the Junior High School band on Wednesdays with Miss Ferry in charge of all three.




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