USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Middleborough > Town annual report of Middleborough, Massachusetts 1958 > Part 12
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Speech therapy services have been provided for the children at the Mayflower School. Our Speech Consultant, Mr. Mason P. Wakstein, has conducted a survey of the speech needs of the children. At present he visits the Mayflower School on Monday mornings to help many of the children who have speech difficulties. The speech correction program is a vital part of the educational process. We live in a highly communicative world in which success depends on effective oral communication. Parents who are interested in discussing their children's speech development can arrange to consult with Mr. Wakstein.
I wish to extend my appreciation to Mr. Luther Churchill, Supervisor of Music, his assistant, Mr. Richard E. Nelson, and to Mrs. Sylvia G. Matheson, Supervisor of Art, for their excellent tutelage in their respec- tive spheres, for their cooperation in many phases of the school program, and for their helpfulness in public programs presented by the school.
In the education of the child, character training and academic in- struction go hand in hand. Moral and social values are not set apart from the child's school routine. Pupils are taught courtesy, responsibility, and dependability by many examples and participation activities in the school day. Mention can be made of opening exercises and such instruction, Red Cross programs, and correlative classroom plays and projects directed toward good citizenship. Each room relies upon the pupils to carry out the many necessary housekeeping tasks, which are looked upon with as serious a vein as an academic lesson. Pride in getting the correct milk count, doing a good job in dusting, passing inspection in doing a good cleaning job on your dinner table, all instill a sense of accomplishment and responsibility in the growing child. A supervised, yet a freedom of movement type of passing in and out of the building, and going to various classrooms stresses self-discipline in behavior. A fine social atmosphere is achieved in the cafeteria where, under teacher supervision, pupils learn many of the courtesies of human relationships. In numberless ways, by teaching and examples, the teacher constantly strives to imprint upon this impressionable mind the virtues of right living and good citizenship.
With Mrs. Virginia Cahoon's resignation, Mrs. Frances P. Hinckley has joined the staff of teachers at Mayflower School. Mrs. Hinckley taught grade 4 one year and grade 3 one year in Ipswich, Massachusetts, prior to coming to Middleboro.
With School Street School and Union Street School, the Mayflower School combines to form the Central Elementary Schools P.T.A. It has proven to be a satisfactory arrangement, with educational and business meetings held as a group, while parent visitation days are held by the individual buildings. The popularity of the open house visitations is sub- stantiated by the large number of parents that appear to confer with their
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child's teacher and view his work. The P.T.A. organization can boast of selecting and procuring fine educational programs, maintaining an active ways and means committee, and providing a social note to its meetings. Credit must be given to the officers and many committee workers in making our P.T.A. an integral unit of the school.
The hot lunch program progresses very satisfactorily, serving ap- proximately 200 pupils daily. Mrs. Barbara M. Quindley, head cook, and her assistants, Mrs. Jeanne E. Roberts, and Miss Joanne Cabral deserve a word of praise for their efforts in offering a varied and tasteful bill of fare, and for the efficient management of the kitchen. The aid in the pro- curement of the meal, the fine social atmosphere at the tables, and the orderly exits from the cafeteria, are all a tribute to the teachers, all of whom eat lunch with their own classes. Not to be slighted is the profi- ciency in many tasks, both in the kitchen and in the cafeteria, by various pupil helpers, which round out a smooth, efficient operation.
Nearing the end of a second year in operation, all facets of the physi- cal plant of the Mayflower School are passing satisfactory inspection under use. This is a commendation to the planners and builders of the school. Last summer but a few minor repairs were necessitated. To pre- serve its original finish, a seal coat was applied to the floor of the multi- purpose room. The use of the grassed area for play has resulted in less sand being brought into the builidng. Constant vigilance by all personnel, and excellent maintenance by head custodian, Mr. Ernest Bigelow, assisted by Mr. Edward Medas, has resulted in little appreciable wear to the building.
ROCK-SOUTH MIDDLEBORO DISTRICT
Edward W. Sawicki, Principal
Organization
Grade
No. of Pupils
Teachers
Rock School
1
25
Mabel I. Fornaciari
2
27
Alice C. Harlow
So. Middleboro
3
.25
A. Margaret Mitchell
4
17
Veronica L. Hawkins
94
Regular periodic visits to the Rock and South Middleboro schools insure their being instructed in any academic developments consistent with over-all school policy. In like manner, administrative procedures such as report cards, weekly bulletins, supplies, books, and general main-
1
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ANNUAL REPORT
tenance receive the same consideration as in the larger Mayflower School. Observation of teaching techniques, grouping procedures, and trial use of new texts and devices serve to guage their introduction and continuance in all schools. Therefore, there is mutual benefit to the Rock, South Middleboro, and Mayflower Schools in the coordination of their super- vision.
Last year particular emphasis was placed upon grade standards. A slightly larger number of pupils were retained, but we cannot point to one as being a mistake in judgment. Not only is there a marked improve- ment in the academic progress of these pupils, but an attitude of con- fidence and anticipation has replaced one of discouragement and defeat.
As of September, 1958, grade 4 at South Middleboro is being used as a controlled group in remedial reading. Miss Leah Boutin employs reme- dial reading techniques with the entire class. One visit per week is made. At that time new principles are taught and previous ones reviewed. Then Mrs. Hawkins stresses these as they occur in their daily work. This ramification should bring results in spelling as well as in reading.
At the Rock and South Middleboro schools a speech evaluation survey has been conducted by Mr. Mason P. Wakstein. Those children who need speech correction will receive therapy during the spring term.
Rock and South Middleboro schools are self-contained teaching units whereby the teachers are with the pupils from the moment they arrive by buses until they depart in the afternoon. These teachers teach the pupils, supervise them on the playground, and eat with them. Their in- struction transcends the academic. Such close contact affords many les- sons in good citizenship and a proper sense of moral and social values. A warm word of praise goes to these teachers for this vital aspect of helping boys and girls to grow.
In November, Mrs. Alice C. Harlow replaced Mrs. Margaret Szupillo as Grade 2 teacher at Rock School. Mrs. Harlow received her B.S. in Education degree from the State Teachers College at Bridgewater, Massa- chusetts, in 1940. She has previously taught in Plymouth, Pembroke, and Plympton.
The Rock-South Middleboro Schools P.T.A. alternates its meetings between the two schools. There is gratification in attending one of its meetings, for not only is there a display of fine spirit, but the attend- ance is usually a high percentage of the parents. These people are inter- ested in the academic endeavors of their children, and also are concerned with the physical betterments that they can make to the schools.
Decided improvements were made to these two buildings the past year. At the South Middleboro School a portion of the exterior of the building was painted. New doors were installed on the front of the build- ing, and storm windows provided for the grade 4 room. In the grade 3
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ANNUAL REPORT
classroom the ceiling was painted, a new greenboard and bulletin board were installed, and the window ventilators were altered. A new slide door was installed at the Rock School and some better desks and chairs were provided for the grade 2 classroom.
WEST SIDE SCHOOL
Louis J. Rando, Principal
Organization
Grade
No. of Pupils
Teacher
1
26
Sara E. Matheson
2
27
Florence K. Churbuck
3
21
Margaret E. Peck
4
27
Doris P. Orr
5
24
Ernestine B. Wood
5
25
Myrtle A. Marden
6
28
Louis J. Rando (A.M.)
Florence G. Caldera (P.M.)
178
In grades one through six the prescribed courses of study are being taught effectively.
In addition to the regular classroom teaching, the Remedial Reading Program has done much to improve the pupil with a reading handicap. Miss Boutin spends three afternoons a week at the building. Most of her work is focused on the pupils in grades three, four and five who need added help and practice. Each of these groups receive the equivalent of one and a half hours of instruction weekly.
Another area successfully being handled at the school is the Music Program under the supervision of Mr. Luther Churchill, Supervisor of Music, and Mr. Richard Nelson, his assistant. The regular outline and course of study in this area is the responsibility of the classroom teacher. In addition, an instrumental program for beginners is conducted by Mr. Nelson. Pupils of this school participate in the townwide Elementary Band. An Elementary Choir has been in operation here for the last three years. Pupils of grades five and six make up this group, and have shown great talent in the various programs of which they have participated.
Under the guidance of Mrs. Sylvia G. Matheson, Art Supervisor, and the supervision of Mr. Carver H. Mann, Art Teacher, the study of art
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ANNUAL REPORT
has been extended this year. The skills taught in this phase of school work do much to help correlate the work accomplished in other areas.
Not only is the school interested in the academic and cultural devel- opment of the pupil, but also in the pupil's physical growth and devel- opment. All of the children in grades one through six have been given the Audiometer Test and the Massachusetts Vision Test. Children in grades one and four have received physical examinations. Speech cor- rection classes have been held weekly. Under the direction of the Public Health Department and the school nurse, immunization clinics have been conducted. Pupils have been weighed and measured. All accident cases of a serious nature are referred to and handled by the school nurse.
The guidance and standard testing is done by the classroom teacher. All grades are given some form of a standard test, using the results to help the teacher better understand the child and his capacity to learn.
The child is also taught Health, Safety and Good Citizenship.
I would like to express my sincerest thanks to the West Side School P.T.A. for their generous donations. The Opaque Projector purchased by them this year completes the audio-visual equipment needed by the school to promote a good program.
Most of the school playground, badly in need of grading and surfac- ing, was completed this fall. The original building has been shingled on two sides. On the inside, the boys' and girls' toilet rooms have been painted making for good clean sanitary facilities. The major repairs this past year have done much to improve the looks of the building and to provide a safer play area for the pupil.
SCHOOL STREET SCHOOL
Robert W. Gross, Principal
Organization
Grade
No. of Pupils
Teacher
3
32
Muriel J. Gorey
3
32
Ethel H. Manwaring
3
33
Barbara F. Churbuck
4
33
Marilynn F. Dutra
4
32
Ann M. Callan
5
32
Helen D. Robbins
5
33
Alice G. Austin
Robert W. Gross
227
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ANNUAL REPORT
As is indicated by the above statistics, School Street School is organ- ized, as it was last year, with three third grades, two fourth grades, two fifth grades, and eight faculty members. Our class membership averages 32 pupils. This is a most efficient number with which to carry out an effective educational program.
In addition to the seven regularly assigned classrooms, we are most fortunate to have one room available for use by the various supervisors for special purposes. Such a room makes it possible to conduct extra educational services without causing a general disturbance in the orderly day-by-day procedure in the classroom.
Education is a total development in the growth of a child, and in order that each pupil may achieve a maximum of educational opportuni- ties various skills and techniques must be utilized. We at School Street School follow, in our educational program, the basic curriculum guides provided by the Middleboro School Department. These valuable courses of study have been compiled by various individuals of our system, who by their experience in the classroom and by studying at various higher insti- tutions of learning, have been able to compile a most satisfactory guide in various subject fields.
Our Reading Program continues to be based on the individual needs of the pupil. Reading classes are grouped according to these needs. The faculty members use special reading skills and techniques necessary for the particular grade and their work is enriched by the efforts of our Remedial Reading instructor, Miss Leah Boutin. The basic reading sys- tem in all grades is the Scott, Foresman Reading Program.
We have followed this grouping according to needs one step further this year. As a result of a research study, it was learned that pupils having difficulty with reading tend, also, to have difficulty in spelling; bearing this in mind we initiated a special course in Third Grade spelling so that our reading groups are now being taught spelling that corresponds to their group needs. This program appears, at the writing of this report, to be fulfilling our expectations.
In order to make more meaningful to the student the value of library work, our fourth grades were given a course in library techniques by Mrs. Mertie Witbeck. This instruction was conducted in the Middleborough Public Library.
The testing program as outlined by the Administrative Council is being followed. All pupils in Grade three have been given the California Test of Mental Maturity and all pupils in Grade five have had the Stan- ford Achievement Test. The results of these standardized tests are most valuable in aiding the teacher to present a more realistic academic course based on the performance demonstrated by the pupils on these tests.
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ANNUAL REPORT
In addition to our regular Music Program, under the supervision of Mr. Churchill; his assistant, Mr. Richard Nelson, conducts instrumental lessons here each Tuesday. At present twenty-eight pupils are receiving this additional instruction.
Beyond the academic aspects of the school program, we must be concerned with the health and safety of our school population. The School Nurse has examined the eyes of every pupil, each student in Grade four has had a physical examination by the school physician, and each pupil in Grade five has had his teeth examined by the school dentist.
All possible measures for the safety of the pupil are employed by the school personnel. The children are properly supervised while on the playground and at any time there is general passing in the building. Fire drills are held in accordance with the policy adopted by the Middle- borough School Committee.
Another important aspect of the school program is to help the pupils grow up to be the kind of citizens required for our democratic society. Children must be taught how to work together in groups, to respect the rights of others, and to respect the community in which he lives. This is the end result of learning together and performing the necessary duties in the classroom. Each teacher, during the course of the school day, utilizes any occasion that presents itself to instruct the class in the duties and responsibilities of being a good citizen.
We had only one change in the faculty at School Street this year. Mrs. Marjorie Levesque resigned at the close of school last June, and Mrs. Ethel Manwaring was elected to teach Grade three here. Mrs. Man- waring has had eight years teaching experience, five and a half years of them at the Union Street School.
Our Parent-Teacher Association during the year 1958 held two gen- eral type meetings and, also, held an open house on November 12, at which parents conferred with the teachers and were given an opportunity to view examples of their children's work. Through such activities the Parent-Teacher Association continues to be an effective aid to the total school program.
166
ANNUAL REPORT
NORTH MIDDLEBORO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Joseph C. Kunces, Principal
Plymouth Street
1
23
Marjorie C. Huntley
Pleasant Street
2
22
Margaret J. Walsh
Pratt Free
3
24
Virginia C. Smith
4
15
Elinore S. Stewart
84
The North Middleboro Elementary School District is under the direct supervision of the Superintendent of Schools, who serves this district as the principal. All of the teaching services of the district parallel those of the other schools. Much of the similarity of the services is maintained by conducting monthly faculty meetings, at which time basic problems are considered. This district has been fortunate in that all of the teachers have had extensive experience and have been in the employ of the Town for some time.
The three custodians who serve this district on a part-time basis are to be commended for their efficient and conscientious manner in perform- ing their duties. These three buildings are clean at all times.
Shortly after school commenced in September, the Plymouth Street and Pleasant Street Schools were given a touch up and one coat applica- tion of exterior paint. This work was performed by our maintenance staff. At the same time, a new chimney was installed at the Plymouth Street School.
At the Pratt Free School, the Trustees of this building had the fire escape repaired and a new outside rubbish depository installed.
FLORA M. CLARK SCHOOL Raye F. Guidoboni, Principal
Organization
Grade
No. of Pupils
Teacher
1 22
Edith E. Matthews
2
21
Raye F. Guidoboni
43
The basic function of an Elementary School is to lead every child in experiences so that he may become a good upright citizen, and lead a
167
ANNUAL REPORT
useful life in his community. These experiences include attitudes, abili- ties, and skills which give a child physical, emotional, and intellectual growth.
First a child's health must be considered. Yearly, a physical exami- nation is given in the first grade, plus a sight and hearing examination for all children. The School Nurse has made periodic visits to check each child's weight and to make suggestions for general care. Most children have made use of the opportunity to visit the Dental Clinic and the Diph- theria Clinic held in the spring.
A well child is usually emotionally stable and ready to progress in- tellectually. In our school the basic skills are taught, the so-called tool subjects. To progress a child must grow in efficiency in thinking, com- prehending the printed page, lettering, listening, and conversation, and of course, become better equipped to take up his reading, mathematics, geography, history and science. These skills we have tried to accomplish from year to year. They are supplemented by a visual-aid program. Field trips, film strips, slides, exhibits and pictures have been readily available. The pupils also have had creative experiences in the field of music and art. We have made our own musical instruments for a rhythm band as our part in the "Funny Parade" held each year. Many records have been made available by parents for listening experiences. All children have taken part in the art display for the Superintendent's bulletin board.
New and very beautiful supplementary music books from the series, "Music for Living", are now being used for rote songs. The children have had the opportunity to entertain their parents on our visiting days, with choral readings, dramatizations and singing.
In conclusion, I believe, to have the best school worthy of the com- munity, is full cooperation with school officials, building associates, pupils and each and every parent. The most pleasant phase of being a teacher- principal is the opportunity of meeting all parents, teachers and many former pupils, thus enabling me to have a closer contact with the home and the pupil.
168
ANNUAL REPORT
DIVISION OF ART EDUCATION Sylvia G. Matheson, Supervisor
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF ART
The standards of art education in the Middleboro schools this past year were organized to consist of the following elements:
To develop the creative abilities of the pupils; to develop the powers of observation and visual judgment; to develop the capacity for apprecia- tion; to discover and guide the talented pupil; to provide for the develop- ment of socially desirable habits and good citizenship.
Using the above standards, a complete outline was planned for all of the twelve grades. In making the broad general plan for art experi- ences, the essentials of a well-balanced program were considered. Realizing that not all pupils respond to the same type of subject or medium of expression, lessons were planned in four major fields of experiences.
I. Graphic expression - drawing, painting, lettering.
II. Design - selecting and arranging, creating and decorating.
III. Craft and Construction - making articles from wood, clay, cloth.
IV. Appreciation - observing, discussing, choosing and arranging.
Units of work from the above outline stimulated many kinds of activi- ties which provided for individual differences and developed richness of experiences through integration with other subjects. We have concen- trated on correlating art with science in grades one through six this past year.
Art and science are not rivals, but supporting disciplines. The world needs creative people of all kinds. Part of the challenge to the arts lies in the fact that the arts can be made to contribute much to the shaping of a first-class scientist - not only because they help to make him a well- balanced, happy person, but because they exercise and intensify in him the very attributes he needs for his work: sensitivity, imagination, crea- tivity, and the capacity for sustained concentration. Art education is noteworthy in the way it respects and provides for individual differences. All boys and girls have a capacity to be creative and art is one of the phases of the total curriculum in which they can perform successfully with a variety of results. Lessons were given in this area to provide students to realize the supporting effect that art gives to science.
In March a three-day Art Workshop was held at the Mayflower School. A total of 28 Middleboro teachers were enrolled. We awarded In-Service credit certificates to all of the teachers completing the courses. The courses were divided into three parts. The first course conducted by
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ANNUAL REPORT
me covered Color Theory and Practice. Mr. Robert Brady, art instructor of the Memorial High School, gave a course on Composition and Design. Mr. Carver H. Mann, art instructor of the Middleboro Junior High School, gave a course in Ceramics and Crafts. Each course covered a ten-hour session. This workshop proved very inspiring and helpful to the teachers.
In the Massachusetts Scholastic Art contest (sponsored by the Boston Globe) two of our students were awarded the gold key of merit for their outstanding art work - one student from the Middleborough Junior High School and one from the Memorial High School. Three students from the High School graduating class are now attending art schools.
An exhibit of creative art work by the pupils has been on display in the office of the Superintendent of Schools. Each school was assigned a month in which to furnish material for the large bulletin board. This has been much admired and appreciated by the many visitors.
An exhibition of thirty-eight handmade dolls was on display in the Public Library during November. These dolls were created of discarded materials found around the home. This was a project of the students in the costume design class of the Memorial High School.
In October a fine exhibition of papier-mache masks made by the stu- dents of the Middleborough Junior High School was on display in one of the down town stores.
Throughout the year, besides teaching at the Memorial High School every day, visits have been made regularly to all of the elementary schools. In the elementary grades, I have taught a lesson in each class- room on the days scheduled for visits. Each teacher in the grades, as well as at the Middleborough Junior High School and Memorial High School, has been provided with a course of study.
DIVISION OF MUSIC EDUCATION
Luther Churchill, Supervisor :
Richard E. Nelson, Assistant to the Supervisor
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF MUSIC
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