USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Middleborough > Town annual report of Middleborough, Massachusetts 1958 > Part 10
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Middleboro has two patients at the Plymouth County Hospital, one of which is a new case this past year. There is also one patient at the North Reading State Tuberculosis Hospital.
The Health Department in cooperation with the Saint Luke's Hospital conducts an X-ray clinic at the hospital twice monthly. One hundred ninety-five persons were X-rayed during 1958 and of those X-rayed at this Clinic, follow-up physical examinations were given to one hundred eight persons.
Dental Clinic
Three hundred eight of our school-age children were examined by our School Dentist, George P. Cannucci, D.D.S., assisted by the Public Health Nurse, Mrs. Marguerite Mclaughlin and our School Nurse, Mrs. Mary Edgerly. The results of this examination put those children examined in a Class IV status (a classification given for areas where dental care is at a low level). Through cooperation from the local Kiwanis Club, the School Department, and our School Dentists, a good start was made on a well-rounded program for continuance as a full-time project of the Health Department.
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ANNUAL REPORT
There is a request in the budget for 1959 for a Dental Clinic appro- priation. This is to be utilized to purchase some new, modern equipment for a Dental Clinic so that our children may have their teeth properly taken care of.
Many parents are taking care of their children's teeth through regu- lar planned visits to their family's dentist. However, there are many children whose families cannot afford to have this preventative medical care. I strongly urge that all those who can continue to have their chil- dren's teeth cared for by competent medical physicians to keep up the good work. Those children whose families do not have the financial means should not be denied the privilege of sound, healthy teeth.
During the last four months, our Dental Clinic filled seventy-nine teeth, extracted thirty-eight teeth, cleaned twelve children's teeth, and treated eight children's teeth for other difficulties. A total of one hundred thirty-seven children were actually helped.
Premature Birth Assistance Program
Eighteen children were born prematurely during 1958. The Depart- ment of Health assisted four of these families with the financial burdens which premature births often bring about. One hundred seventy-one days of hospital care were provided at a cost to the Town of seventeen hundred ten dollars. The budget requests for 1959 have not been increased as the 1958 figures were unusually out of proportion.
Diphtheria, Small Pox, and Tetanus Control
During 1958, three clinics were held (March 31, April 28, and May 26) for inoculation of pre-school and school-aged children. The so-called "three-in-one" shot gives immunity to all three of these dreaded maladies at one time and cuts administration expense for the Town. Thirteen hun- dred seventy-six children were inoculated.
A word of thanks is deserved here by the Medical Doctors, Registered Nurses, and interested mothers for their cooperation and help during the Immunization Clinics.
Infantile Paralysis
Since the marvelous discovery of Dr. Jonas Salk, this dreaded disease, which has struck so many persons in the world, we can almost say with certainty that this disease has "hit the dirt". There were minor flare-ups of this disease during the Summer of 1958, but nothing which could be classed as an epidemic.
The March of Dimes program sponsored by the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis has expanded its purposes to include those persons afflicted with birth defects, arthritis, and its many varied forms. Con- tinuing support should be given this program in order that more of our fellow-men can live normal lives.
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ANNUAL REPORT
Mosquito Control
The Board of Selectmen has cooperated with the State and County Mosquito Control Program. This program, designed to combat the com- mon mosquito which is so annoying to most of us on warm summer nights, is one which may take several seasons to realize definte corrective action.
The Public Health and School Nurses
This report would be incomplete if some space were not allocated to the wonderful program of cooperation between the Town, the School De- partment, and the Middleboro District Nursing Association.
Mrs. Marguerite Mclaughlin, our Public Health Nurse, has been most cooperative at all times throughout the year. She has given up many of her noon-hours to assist patients in medical treatment and she has re- turned to work at one o'clock just as if she had taken her hour for lunch.
Mrs. McLaughlin, the District Nursing Association's representative, has done a wonderful job in follow-up on Tuberculosis Clinic check-ups, communicable diseases, premature baby program, and general nursing care.
Mrs. Mary Edgerly, our School Nurse, and the Superintendent of Schools, Joseph C. Kunces, should both be commended for their coopera- tion and genuine interest in the health and welfare of the children en- trusted to their care.
For the Future
A year ago, in my last report, I mentioned that we had three major projects to incorporate into our Town's Program of Health. First, mos- quito control; second, a land-filled dump; third, a zoning law. Two of these three have been augmented into our daily lives during the past year. One remains, a solution to the situation at the Town Dump. An unsani- tary condition, a fire hazard, an eyesore, and a continuing expense seem to sum up the situation on that tract of land off Plymouth Street. Definite remedial action should be taken to clean-up this old-fashioned method of trash disposal.
The equipment which is used by our employees in garbage and trash pickup is getting old. Both trucks are operative and are doing their daily work well. A well-planned program of systematic replacement of this machinery should be worked in to the over-all budget requirements of the Town. Certainly the replacement of both of these vehicles in one year would bring additional tax burdens on the taxpayers. A study will be con- ducted during the coming year to work this thought into more tangible form.
In passing, I am proud to inform you that I was appointed one of our Commonwealth's first Registered Sanitarians. The Board of Regis- tration of Sanitarians (new in Massachusetts) is one of the highest pro- fessional groups of Health Personnel in the country.
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ANNUAL REPORT
In closing, I should like to take this opportunity to express my thanks to my associates in the Health Department for their help, cooperation, and advice during the past year. Their interest has made my job that much easier.
A word of formal thanks to Mr. Edwin O. Wilson, who has helped me in many ways. A sincere thank you to you, the Board of Health for the opportunity to work together for a common cause.
Respectfully yours, ROBERT CARTMELL, Health Officer
ANNUAL REPORT
of the
SCHOOL COMMITTEE of
MIDDLEBOROUGH, MASS.
OLE
OR
PLYMOU
ity
OUNTY MASS,
OUGH *
INCORPORATED
Q 166
For the Year Ending December 31, 1958
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ANNUAL REPORT
At the Meeting of the School Committee held on January 22, 1959 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 1958
Term Expires
C. Trafton Mendall, Chairman, 18 Forest Street 1961
Walter D. Rudziak, Vice Chairman, Wareham Street 1959
Eugene H. Savard, Everett Street 1959
James M. Bonnar, Jr., 33 Pearl Street
1960
Walter J. D. McNeil, Mitchell Street 1960
Richard A. Fickert, Plymouth Street 1961
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
Joseph C. Kunces, A.B., M.A. The Superintendent of Schools also serves as Secretary to the School Committee
School Physician
Stuart A. Silliker, M.D., 29 Oak Street
School Nurse Mary H. Edgerly, R.N., North Street
Supervisor of Attendance John Rebell, Everett Street
Census Enumerators M. H. S. Class of 1959
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ANNUAL REPORT
School Calendar 1959
First Term - January 5 - February 20
Second Term - March 2 - April 17
Third Term - April 23 - June 12 (Elementary Schools)
June 19 (Memorial High School, Middle- boro Junior High School)
Fourth Term - September 9 - December 23
No-School Days
Good Friday, Teacher's Convention, Columbus Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving Day and day following.
No-School Signals
In the event that there will be no school in all schools all day, the "no-school" signal (Fire Alarm 2-1-2) will be sounded at 7:15 A.M. only. If there is to be no school in all schools other than the Memorial High School and the Middleborough Junior High School, the signal will be sounded at 8:15 A.M. only.
If school is to be called off for the afternoon session only, in all schools other than the Memorial High School and the Middleborough Junior High School, the signal will be sounded at 12:15 P.M.
If the "no school" signal is sounded on days where there are Eve- ning School Classes, these classes will also be cancelled.
Announcements for "no school" will be broadcast over radio sta- tions WEEI, WBZ, WBET and WPLM and over TV Channel 4.
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ANNUAL REPORT
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the Members of the School Committee:
"Paradoxical though it may seem, society as a whole must come to the aid of the individual - finding ways to identify him as a unique per- son, and to place him alongside his fellow men in ways which will not inhibit or destroy his individuality. By its educational system, its public and private institutional practices, and perhaps most importantly, by its attitude toward the creative person, a free society can actively insure its own constant invigoration." - The "Rockefeller Report on Education".
As Superintendent of the Middleboro Public Schools, I feel certain that the excerpt quoted outlines the chief role that we as educators must. follow in guiding the youth of this community. Granted, we alone cannot achieve total success. We need the assistance of the home, the church and the community itself to bring this goal into full fruition.
However, I take pride in the part that we have played. As I present the educational accomplishments of this past year, I feel certain that our actions have been most instrumental in providing better preparation for each pupil. Throughout the grades it has been our objective to aid, to guide and to develop each pupil's individuality through the medium of academic and cultural study.
With the beginning of school this fall, the number of minutes per week of class instruction in grades 1-5 has been increased by 75. Actually, then, this represents 15 minutes more per day and conforms with sound practices in elementary education.
The following table herewith presented is used as a guide in the time allocation of each school week.
Number of Minutes Per Week
Subject
Gr. I
Gr. II
Gr. III
Gr. IV Gr. V
Reading, Including Phonics
775
725
450
375
300
Penmanship
100
100
100
100
100
Arithmetic
50
100
20
200
200
Art
100
100
100
100
100
Music
100
100
100
100
100
Language
100
100
150
200
Spelling
100
175
100
100
Geography
150
150
History
150
Social Studies
60
Health and Science
60
80
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ANNUAL REPORT
Recess
150
150
150
125
125
Opening Exercises*
300
100
80
55
50
* In Grade I, additional time is allocated under this heading for the pur- poses of removing outer clothing, as well as assisting the pupils to dress.
Our greatest educational accomplishment in the area of school time allocation, however, is best demonstrated at the Middleborough Junior High School. Principal Burkland and I have both felt that the bus pupil (and this represents 54% of the total school's enrollment) did not have the opportunities of make up and individual assistance that were avail- able to the student who walked to school. At the same time, it was also noted the participation of bus pupils in extra curricular activities, as well as in measures of after-school discipline, were greatly curtailed. The new schedule, which commences at 8:00 A.M. and terminates at 2:10 P.M., provides all pupils with the opportunity for individual assistance, time for extra curricular activities participation, as well as disciplinary action whenever it is deemed necessary by the school.
The length of the school day is important, but the proper utilization of each day is most important, if educational standards are to be elevated - or merely maintained. There must be a common respect of this basic principle on the part of the teacher and class at all times.
From time to time, however, our various schools possess individuals who disregard this principle. These individuals are those persons who perform the acts of truancy, vandalism, serious disturbances and other measures which show a complete disregard for the educational welfare of fellow classmates, as well as respect for teachers. These individuals and their problems consume many hours of valuable school time.
To safeguard the educational opportunities of the students desirous of advancement, the following policy was recommended to, and adopted by, the School Committee:
"Voted: That effective March 6, 1958 the Middleboro School Com- mittee, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools and the Principal of the school concerned, shall deny membership in the pub- lic schools under its jurisdiction, any pupils who have reached the age of 16 and who are failing in work at school because of poor conduct, attend- ance or attitude." A definite procedure of parent notification and the opportunity to correct existing conditions on the part of the pupil have been prescribed and is being followed in the enforcement of this policy.
The lengthened school day and the almost ideal class sizes, which we possess in our various grades throughout the system, have provided us with an excellent opportunity to help all levels of learning. Some of the outcomes of this combination of conditions are as follows:
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ANNUAL REPORT
A. A more comprehensive reading-phonics program in grades 1-6 geared upon student abilities. The various test results obtained this past year have been excellent.
B. More reading and writing experiences on the part of the second- ary school pupils. The College Board Examination Scores of our pupils as well as other tests show that our pupils have done exceedingly well in these studies.
C. Better reporting systems have been developed this past year so as to keep the parent better informed as to the progress of his child. The report card, which was used this fall, is the result of three years of study by teachers, principals, and the Superintendent.
D. More helpful guidance procedures to aid the pupil have been adopted this past year.
a. Retention, promotion and transfer policies have been adopted not as a means of punishment, but assistance as regards the pupil.
b. Extra curricular activities have been limited in cases where pupils have demonstrated difficulty with class work. The policy regarding instrumental music instruction and participation in non-school athletic activities during school days for members of school ath- letic teams, are but two examples.
E. Higher standards for passing a grade and a return to the proper respect for a "C". In our various report cards "C" has been given the connotation of representing average work and accomplishment.
F. In present day critical areas of study such as science, a one day institute for all elementary teachers was conducted this year, so as to better acquaint them with the newest findings, as well as experimental methods of teaching, that could be conducted in the classroom. This proved to be a most satisfactory method of conducting such a "refresher course".
G. Vocational education for boys at the high school level has branched out to include automotive mechanics this year. This unit of study, combined with the wood working instituted last year, gives us the foundation for a good general shop course.
The Chicago school fire, I feel certain, has made many a citizen say to himself, "Are our schools safe ?" In reply to this question, I would like to state that all of our schools are inspected by the members of the School Committee twice each year, as well as inspectors from the Massachusetts Department of Public Safety. In each instance the recommendations of each group have been followed in attempting to correct any hazards that may exist.
For example, it was recommended by the Department of Public Safety to have the doors open outward at the South Middleboro School. By directive of the School Committee this was performed last summer.
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ANNUAL REPORT
At the same time, the School Committee sensed the importance of having an "electronic fire detecting eye" installed on the furnace at the Union Street School - and this was accomplished this past year.
The program of repairs and maintenance adopted by the School Com- mittee some five years ago is nearing completion. At the present time, and at the high school, the first, second and third floor rooms and corri- dors have been painted; the building has been completely relighted, the exterior trim has been painted and two thirds of the exterior of the building has been waterproofed.
In all of the other schools, with the exception of one classroom at the South Middleboro School and two sides of the exterior of West Side School, all the buildings have been painted on the inside and outside within the past five years.
In addition, the play areas at the Union Street School and the West Side School have received an oil coat penetration and seal application.
Repairs will never cease; but truly our school property is in the best condition it has been for some time.
Good education is most dependent upon good teaching. Good teach- ing, in turn, is the product of the good teacher. My chief responsibility, then, to the educational system of this community is to select and recom- mend highly qualified candidates to the School Committee for appoint- ment. In performing this duty this year, I have examined the credentials of 345 persons; contacted approximately 250 persons, and interviewed 101 persons. This duty is a year-round undertaking. However, with diligent application, the results are most gratifying. I feel that we have been most fortunate in the appointments that have been made.
It is interesting to note that during the year, one of my chief com- petitors for the services of the teacher has been the stork! However, I herewith present the following table which presents the teacher loss and the reasons for same:
Number of Teacher Resignations
Reason for Teacher Resignations
1
Collegiate Appointment
1
Retirement
1
Death
1
Resignation requested by the School Committee Sickness
1
1
Financial
3
Geographic-Financial
4
Pregnancy
1
Expiration of Temporary Certification
3
Personal
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ANNUAL REPORT
In the list of teacher appointments it is interesting to note that one of the teachers has had 18 years of experience prior to her appointment to the Middleboro Public Schools. Nine others have had from 2-14 years of service elsewhere, and the remaining appointments are undertaking the position of teacher for the first time.
If sound personnel practices are followed and coupled with long range planning in the staffing of schools, excellent results can be achieved. For example, as of September 1, 1958, the Memorial High School Faculty was composed of 31 teachers, including the Principal. Of this number, 15 of the teachers possess Master's Degrees, 14 possess Bachelor's Degrees and 2 are without degrees, but are graduates of institutions that did not offer degrees at the time they attended. These same 2 persons, on the other hand, have taught in Middleboro for better than 25 years each.
In addition, the ratio of men to women teachers has been improved so that the Memorial High School Faculty now possesses 15 men to 16 women. Incidentally, only 2 of the faculty members of this school are new to the teaching profession.
It is most evident as one reads this report that many educational accomplishments have taken place in 1958. These accomplishments, on the other hand, would never have materialized if it were not for a genu- inely interested and professionally minded School Committee, who place educational standards and service to children above all else. This is not an easy task, particularly when ever-rising costs are to be considered.
It is to this Committee and to my colleagues in the Middleboro Public Schools that I extend my sincerest thanks and appreciation for their ex- cellent support and cooperation during 1958.
JOSEPH C. KUNCES, A.B., M.A., Superintendent of Schools
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL CHANGES 1958
Teacher Transfers:
Joyce M. Jenness
Franklin E. James
Ethel H. Manwaring
Edith E. Matthews
Transferred from the Middleborough Junior High School to the Memorial High School Transferred from the Middleborough Junior High School to the Memorial High School Transferred as a part-time teacher at the Union Street School to a full-time teaching position at the School Street School Transferred from the West Side School to the Flora M. Clark School
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ANNUAL REPORT
Leave of Absence:
Louise C. Walker, commenced January 23, 1958; terminated March 6, 1958
Doris P. Orr, commenced February 21, 1958; terminated July 1, 1958
Teacher Withdrawals:
Albert C. Governor, January 23, 1958 Suzanne S. Howard, Marh 7, 1958 Catherine C. Carr, July 1, 1958 Lorraine R. Moriarty, July 1, 1958 Vincent P. Sullivan, July 1, 1958 Virginia T. Cahoon, June 30, 1958 Marjorie D. Levesque, July 1, 1958 Mary F. O'Connell, June 30, 1958 Margaret E. Szupillo, November 1, 1958 Helen Lamb, July 1, 1958 Dorothy R. Ferry, July 31, 1958 Virginia Bartlett, June 30, 1958 Mary Brier, July 1, 1958 Jack L. Oades, November 14, 1958 Margaret L. Fogg, August 28, 1958 Charles M. Stewart, June 30, 1958 Louise C. Walker, March 6, 1958 (Deceased)
Other Personnel Withdrawals:
Jane L. Thayer, July 5, 1958 John R. Dutra, October 27, 1958 Dianna Bradford, September 1, 1958 Blanche Perry, September 1, 1958
Teacher Appointments:
Richard E. Nelson, Assistant to the Supervisor of Music Janette B. Batchelder, Memorial High School Robert F. Brown, Memorial High School Phyllis A. Dupee, Memorial High School John E. Kearney, Memorial High School Angelo P. Medici, Memorial High School Barbara A. Young, Memorial High School Elizabeth M. Roht, Memorial High School Jack L. Oades, Middleborough Junior High School Marcel D. Richard, Middleborough Junior High School Margaret J. Rourke, Middleborough Junior High School John E. Sullivan, Middleborough Junior High School W. Robert Thomas, Middleborough Junior High School Frances P. Hinckley, Mayflower School Helen F. Hoye, Union Street School Edith E. Matthews, West Side School
.
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ANNUAL REPORT
Mr. Kyaw Sein, Headmaster of the State High School, Rangoon, Burma, discusses a problem in Social Studies with a group of Middleborough Junior High School students. Mr. Sein, a participant in the International Teacher Development Program, has been assigned to the Middleborough Public Schools for a period of eight weeks to study American educational methods and administrative pro- cedures.
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ANNUAL REPORT
Alice G. Harlow, Rock School
Mason P. Wakstein, Speech Therapist
Richard R. Ostlund, Middleborough Junior High School
Other Personnel Appointments:
Mary H. Edgerly, R.N., School Nurse
Robert Bowman, Assistant Custodian, Memorial High School
Joseph Oliver, Part-time Custodian, Memorial High School
Brenda L. Kazlauski, Clerk, Middleborough Junior High School
Dianna Bradford, Part-time Custodian, Memorial High School Minnie Wills, Part-time Cafeteria Assistant, Memorial High School
MIDDLEBOROUGH JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Henry B. Burkland, Principal
Organization
Grade
No. of Pupils
Number of Divisions
6
187
6
7
202
6
8
154
5
Junior Practical Arts
17
1
560
A revised syllabus of study has been prepared by Faculty Commit- tees the past year. This has been a valuable aid for new teachers espe- cially. It covers the work, by subject fields, in all three grades in the school. The work in Junior Practical Arts is covered by State requirements.
In the Art Department boys and girls in Grades 7 and 8 are now di- vided, which makes more specialized work possible. A course in Phonic Drill in Grade 6 has been introduced in addition to the regular periods in reading. The Report Card, revised last year, has proven to serve the purpose of the school. The work in Music, Art, Health Education, and Homemaking and Industrial Arts is now marked twice a year, while the academic work is marked each quarter. Miss Boutin, teacher of Remedial Reading, attends to the needs of pupils with reading' difficulties in after school hours. The annual Parent-Teacher Association Safety Essay Con- test and the Van Brode contest on biography both added impetus to the English composition program. A "core" program in Social Studies and English is taking place in one eighth grade division, while another is pursuing a course of enrichment for the "above average" pupils. Last spring a careful study of advanced pupils was made and sent on to the Memorial High School. Continuous checking is made in all the depart- ments of the school to save the best of the "old" and to introduce gradu- ally experiments with the "new". It has been of great satisfaction that
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