USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Middleborough > Town annual report of Middleborough, Massachusetts 1959 > Part 13
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Creative thinking is not an ordinary objective. It is that which de- termines the success or failure of each child. It means the power to question, to try, to experiment, to discover and even to invent. We know that, in the sciences, in discoveries or in history as a whole, progress has been achieved by people who dared to try the new and the unproved. In
all teaching and learning we try to get effective thinking.
The visual arts are a natural and direct outlet for the creative desire. Our drawing, coloring, painting, lettering, design and crafts are the outlets through which we have tried to develop creative work. Our children have been given opportunities to work with a large variety of materials which have challenged the inventiveness in them. We hope these avenues of expression will lead to new discoveries, not only in art but also in the making of a life and even in the making of a living.
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ANNUAL REPORT
Children are better satisfied when they work and achieve in school than when they do nothing or very little. If he feels that what he is doing in school will be valuable to him and sees the need for the work, it seems that he will be better satisfied with school generally. Children should take pride in their school.
During the year we have tried to carry out these aims and with the cooperation of the parents and school administrators, I think we have obtained valuable and, I hope, lasting results. We have tried to make art and music a valuable part of our school program this year.
Dr. Charles W. Eliot, formerly president of Harvard once said, "A good school gives training to the eye, ear and hand, and imparts an ac- curate and faithful use of all the senses."
NORTH MIDDLEBORO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT
ORGANIZATION
School
Grade
Number of Pupils
Teacher
Plymouth Street
1
23
Marjorie C. Huntley
Pleasant Street
2
20
Margaret J. Walsh
Pratt Free
3
20
Patricia A. Murphy
4
21
William J. Browne, Jr.
84
The North Middleboro Elementary School District is under the direct supervision of the Superintendent of Schools.
Commencing this fall, this district has had two new teachers assigned to grades 3 and 4 at the Pratt Free School. Mr. William J. Browne, Jr. replaced Mrs. Elinore S. Stewart who retired during the summer months. Mrs. Stewart has been a public school teacher for some twenty years and came to Middleboro at the time the Pratt Free School was taken into the Middleborough Public School system. Mrs. Stewart has been a most valuable member of our staff. The union of the Pratt Free School into our system came about on January 1, 1952.
In the grade 3 teaching position at the Pratt Free School, Miss Patricia A. Murphy replaced Mrs. Virginia C. Smith, who was trans- ferred to the School Street School.
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ANNUAL REPORT
If one examines the pupil numbers in this area as depicted in the organizational chart preceding this report, one can readily observe that class sizes are increasing. In my short term of service as your Superin- tendent of Schools, I have seen this area change from a total student population of approximately 80 students covering eight grades to the same number of students divided into four self-contained grades.
Such growth in student population is indicative of growth in the area. I also feel that our new highway system as well as business de- velopments in this section of the State can play an important part of even greater pupil growth. With these thoughts in mind, I feel that we should make ourselves ready and provide ourselves with a suitable building site. This, then, is my contention and recommendation for wise educational planning in the North Middleboro Elementary School Dis- trict.
DIVISION OF STUDENT ATHLETICS
Henry E. Battis, Director of Athletics
Organization
Memorial High School
Joseph S. Antone, Jr., Coach of Track, Assistant Coach of Football, and Assistant Coach of Basketball.
Henry E. Battis, Assistant Coach of Baseball.
Robert G. Brown, Coach of Basketball, Coach of Baseball and Freshman Coach of Football.
Carolyn E. Gravelin, Coach of Girls' Field Hockey, Basketball and Soft- ball.
Franklin E. James, Coach of Cross Country and Coach of Tennis.
Joseph A. Masi, Coach of Football and Freshman Coach of Basketball.
Middleborough Junior High School
E. Fen Carpenter, Coach of Girls' Intramural Athletics.
Edwin Denton, Coach of Boys' Intramural Athletics, Soccer and Basket- ball.
This past year we have witnessed fewer changes in personnel, the athletic program itself and facilities than in any year in recent history.
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ANNUAL REPORT
Very few changes were anticipated in the program and of these none materialized to any degree of success. This past fall an attempt was made to combine about a dozen of the larger, more mature eighth grade boys with the freshman football team. This appeared to be bene- ficial to both the eighth grade soccer program as well as the ninth grade football program. It also appeared to be in the best interest of the boys themselves, as they would be competing with other boys more their same size, age and ability. Dismissal time at both schools being the same, the biggest problem in attempts of this plan in the past were now eliminated. However, other problems, not anticipated, such as equipment, lockers, insurance and so forth cropped up, making the venture less successful than we had planned. It is hoped that next year we can profit by this year's experience and offer a combined eighth and ninth grade team as practically every other school in the district does.
An anticipated change that fell short of expectation was tennis. The actual pupil participation did not coincide with the interest indicated by the poll that was taken, which encouraged us to add it to the program. However, much was accomplished with the small group that did turn out, and although interscholastic competition was impractical, a worthwhile intramural program was carried out. We are in hopes that with the start made this year, there will be enough additional interest next spring to warrant competition with a few outside schools.
A second anticipated change which did not materialize was inter- scholastic soccer in the junior high school. The organization of this pro- gram presented a tremendous problem, since it was not only a new ven- ture for us but for every other school with whom we could compete. Most of the other schools in the area were interested in the plan, but had not planned ahead, as we had, and with time an important factor a postponement to next fall became necessary.
The past year has witnessed many changes in our athletic facilities, but all of them were of a minor nature. We still have facing us the two major problems of which I have been writing in detail in reports for many years - the girls' locker room facilities at the Memorial High School and the athletic field at the Middleborough Junior High School. However, steps have been taken to remedy both of these problems, and preliminary plans have been discussed. It is hoped that either one or both of these problems can be remedied this coming year, since the athletic program at both schools are seriously handicapped under the present conditions.
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ANNUAL REPORT
DIVISION OF ART EDUCATION Sylvia G. Matheson, Supervisor of Art
The aims of the school program in art this past year have been many-fold. In the elementary grades art education was used to stim- ulate creative imagination; to supply a wide variety of materials; to pro- vide time for the child to use materials and to explore their possibilities; to encourage the child to use his own experiences as a basis for individual expression; and to teach simple techniques in using tools and materials.
In the secondary schools art was presented to the students to help them gain confidence in their ability to express original ideas through art; to learn to use color, proportion, line, form and rhythm to produce the desired effect; to appreciate beauty in nature and in man-made objects; to plan carefully and evaluate what they made in terms of pur- pose; to educate for leisure time enjoyment of the arts and crafts; to develop the power of discriminating observation; and to develop visual memory.
Art education has become increasingly important to the enrichment of the school curriculum. This was inevitable as we devoted more atten- tion to the needs and interests of the pupils. Art today is a creative experience. The child learns about the art with which he lives. He uses art to supplement other learnings in the curriculum.
During the past year, in addition to teaching at the Memorial High School three periods per day, visits have been made regularly to all schools. In these schools I have taught a lesson in each classroom on the days scheduled for my visits. I also left instructions for follow-up work with the teachers. The art work was exhibited in each classroom during the entire school year, which gave an opportunity for visitors to view the work and also for the pupils to appreciate and carefully evaluate their work.
The pupils at the secondary level were given the opportunity for more specialized and technical instruction in the many fields of art ac- cording to their individual interests, talents and skills. In addition to becoming a popular area in the curriculum for its selection as a field of study, many students found the art program a most desirable and valu- able one for the selection as an elective subject.
The courses offered in the art program at the Memorial High School are as follows: Freehand Drawing and Mechanical Drawing two periods per week. Interior Decoration, Costume Design, Industrial Design and advanced Freehand Drawing and Painting (the latter for seniors) are full time courses which meet daily.
Seven students of the Memorial High School Class of 1959 are attending art schools at the present time.
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ANNUAL REPORT
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. At the time of the awards one of these pupils was attending the Middleborough Junior High School and the other was in attendance at the Memorial High School. Also, six from the Memorial High School and eight from the Middleborough Junior High School re- ceived blue ribbons for their excellent work.
The bulletin board in the office of the Superintendent of Schools has been used as an area in which to view the work of the students during the past year. Each school has been assigned a definite time in which to furnish material for the large display area. This has been a source of admiration by many visitors to the office as a sampling of the excellent creative ability of many of our more talented pupils.
During National Education Week nine pupils from Grade Two at the Union Street School demonstrated their creative ability in art before the Townspeople in a window of Egger's Inc. The demonstration was designed to show how art is presented to stimulate the imagination of the child. This showcase also demonstrated the fact that art is a way of seeing things, of telling things, of expressing ideas, and of under- standing ourselves, as well as others, and a means of making life richer for all.
DIVISION OF MUSIC EDUCATION
Richard E. Nelson, Instrumental
Eunice M. Sherman, Vocal
VOCAL MUSIC EDUCATION
School music aims, as applied to Middleboro are:
1. A love of music on the part of the child, through singing.
2. Intellectual development through the techniques.
The three accomplishments toward which we are striving at present are:
1. Voice culture, or tone quality
2. Interpretation
3. Music reading
In the four months of being vocal music instructor, we have worked mainly on voice culture and music reading, touching on interpretation in songs taught by rote, such as holiday songs. Voice culture is taught by
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ANNUAL REPORT
imitation and suggestion. Posture, breathing, resonance, and enunciation are suggested in using songs or short vocal exercises already known. Music reading, a reasoning process, presents the principles of time and tune. The essentials which enter into music reading are:
1. Ability to find do
2. Knowledge of rhythms (time)
3. Chromatics
At the elementary level, the first and second grades have mostly rote songs, with the attention on the subject matter. There may be a repeated rhythm they can tap out, or play with the rhythm instruments which some of them have. There may be a part of the song that can help the monotones, or uncertain singers. All of the elementary teachers have weekly outlines to go by, in which I have tried to put all the different essentials. The third, fourth, and fifth grade outlines make use almost entirely of the songs from the NEW MUSIC HORIZON textbook. Wherever possible in any grade, I like to correlate other subject matter areas with their music.
At the Junior High level, Mrs. Casselberry has worked out a pro- gram in Music Appreciation, showing rhythms and dances from all over the world, along with an appreciation of the Music masters. They also sing songs using these topics, combining appreciation through active participation.
The work of the a Cappella Choir has gone very well. Forty-eight of the most interested and cooperative students meet each day the first period. Since September, we have presented two concerts, performed for National Education Week, participated in two assemblies, and 17 of the members auditioned for Southeastern District Festival, and all were accepted.
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC EDUCATION
Since the retirement of Luther Churchill, the music program has been divided into two areas. Mrs. Eunice M. Sherman is very capably handling the vocal music, and I am handling the instrumental music. Mrs. Sherman and I meet twice each week to coordinate the two pro- grams as one specialized field, music education.
Each year the instrumental music program is growing larger, with this year being the largest. This year there are approximately 85 begin- ners studying instrumental music in the elementary grades. A form letter was mailed to the parents explaining the care of each pupil's instrument, as well as proposing a daily home schedule for practice. The classes during school time are rotated each week so that the children do not miss the same subject each week. The teachers and principals have found it to be valuable in that any one child is not penalized in one partic-
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ANNUAL REPORT
ular subject. In the spring we formed three school bands in each of the elementary schools: West Side School, School Street School and May- flower School. Each of these bands was made up of all the students that played instruments in that school. During the last week of school, they performed at an assembly, which also served as a demonstration for the next year's beginners.
At this time there are about 300 students studying instrumental music in the Middleboro Public Schools. A look at the perpetual band will show the increasing numbers each year.
Grade
IV
V
VI
VII
VIII
TX
X
XI
XII
37
61
54
16
24
20
17
16
-
68
(1959-60)
77 (1960-61)
100 (1961-62)
115 (1962-63)
180 (1963-64)
195 (1964~65)
Such student numbers as graphically depicted must be anticipated and plans must be made for these people in the near future. In 1961 our High School Band will be well over the 100 mark, which will be too large to operate efficiently. At that time it will be necessary to divide this group and to form two separate bands in the high school. This fall a new organization was started, which is called the Symphonic Band, and is made up of the better musicians in the high school concert band. These persons were selected by audition. Eventually this organization will become our second band in the high school; composed of musicians not in the concert band. The seventh period has been set aside at the high school for instrumental music with the concert and marching band meet- ing Monday and Friday, the Orchestra on Tuesday and Thursday, and the Symphonic Band on Wednesday.
The highlight of the year was the appearance of the high school band on Veterans Day in their new black and orange uniforms, that were purchased by the Peirce Estate Trustees. They have been greatly appre- ciated by the town's people, and have created an overwhelming enthu- siasm among the band members. The grey and blue uniforms have been transferred to the Junior High School Band.
193
ANNUAL REPORT
DIVISION OF HEALTH SERVICES
Stuart A. Silliker, M.D.
Mary H. Edgerly, R.N.
A school health program requires the active cooperation of many people. It requires that family, community and school resources be inte- grated to provide a program that includes health instruction, health appraisals and screening facilities to detect children who have health problems, and follow-up procedures which assure that each child receives the services required.
This program included 613 first-aid procedures, communicable disease control, assisting the school physician with 677 health appraisals (131 physicals were done privately in their own doctor's office this year), health screening and health counseling.
The most dramatic part of the health program is the mass screening done in the fall.
Vision testing, using the Massachusetts Vision Testing Unit, is done on all children in each grade every year. Last year of the 2359 tested; 316 were retested, 291 failed. Notices were sent to the parents subse- quently; 202 of these children are under care.
The Maico Pure-Tone Hearing Test was given to 2350 pupils. The 114 who failed the group test were given an individual test with "Audio- grams" made of each one. Of the 72 that failed this test, 28 are under care. Each child was shown his own "audiogram" and told the impor- tance of early detection and care. Notices were sent to their parents.
Records of 1185 weights and heights were carefully tabulated with all information obtained during this program transferred onto individual health records.
An up-to-date file of all health records is maintained in each school, where these records are available for use by nurse and school personnel.
The following conferences were held: 549 teacher-nurse, 441 pupil- nurse, 218 parent-nurse, 232 principal-nurse, 19 superintendent-nurse, and 103 other conferences with such people as school physician, health workers and school personnel.
There were 342 sick children attended in school with 171 of these sent home. Of these, 56 were taken home by the school nurse. Home visits totaling 49 were made.
In the spring, five immunization clinics were held and a total of 712 school children received shots for Diphtheria and Tetanus.
194
ANNUAL REPORT
With testing finished (except for some of the first grades) and notices out by the Christmas vacation, the nurse is able to go on her regular schedule in January. From then on she tries to visit each school at least once a week.
The school nurse keeps a daily record of her activities, the list of schools visited, and her mileage so that there will be a more complete understanding of her work. From this information a monthly record is kept, and finally an annual report.
A careful evaluation is done every year on all physically handicapped children. These children have chronic diseases such as cerebral palsy, paralysis due to poliomyelitis, rheumatic fever, rheumatic and congenital heart diseases, arthritis, epilepsy, diabetes, chronic orthopedic diseases, congenital deformaties, severe asthma or severe speech defects, blind or partially-seeing children and children with severe hearing defects.
There are seventy of the above children who attend school regularly, six are unable to attend and have a home teacher. One child attends Perkins School for the Blind and three attend Boston School for the Deaf.
STATISTICAL SUMMARY
Assistance at Clinics
5
Assistance at Health Examinations
677
Classroom talks or visits
253
Teacher-Nurse Conferences
549
Pupil-Nurse Conferences
441
Parent-Nurse Conferences
218
Principal-Nurse Conferences
232
Superintendent-Nurse Conferences
19
Other Conferences
103
First Aid
613
Sick Children Attended
342
Sick Children Sent Home
171
Vision Tests
3249
Hearing Tests
2942
Home Visits
49
Not at Home
8
Records and Reports
9942
Transportation of Ill Children
56
Mileage
2153
Notices Sent Home
1370
Corrections
264
Heads Inspected
106
Weighing and Measuring
1685
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ANNUAL REPORT
DIVISION OF SCHOOL CAFETERIAS
Organization Joanne McComiskey, Supervisor of Accounts
Memorial High School
Mrs. Bertha I. Dunham, Head Cook Mrs. Estelle Wheeler, Assistant Cook Mrs. Edythe M. Dunlea, Part Time Assistant Mrs. Arlene V. Standish, Part Time Assistant
Middleborough Junior High School
Mrs. Arlene P. Stevens, Head Cook Mrs. Ellen E. Shaw, Assistant Cook Mrs. Madeline Dill, Baker - Assistant Cook Mrs. Winona J. Harrison, Part Time Assistant
Mayflower Consolidation
Mrs. Barbara Quindley, Head Cook, Mayflower Mrs. Jeanne E. Roberts, Assistant Cook Miss Joanne N. Cabral, Assistant Cook Mrs. Ethel M. Morrison, Part Time Assistant Mrs. Minnie V. Wills, Part Time Assistant, Union Street School Mrs. Elizabeth R. Kinsman, Part Time Assistant, Union Street School
When the Union Street School cafeteria began operation in October the bus pupils from the School Street School were offered the opportunity to participate in this program. These School Street School pupils are supervised during this period by a teacher from that school. The meal is prepared for the Union Street cafeteria at the Mayflower School and is transported to Union Street in insulated containers.
The following is a summary of lunches served, as well as the morn- ing and noon milk program during 1959:
Summary of Lunches Served
No. of Pupil Lunches
No. of Free Lunches
No. of Adult Lunches
Total
Memorial High School
53,200
1,786
1,160
320
56,466
Junior High School
59,534
2,930
1,586
290
64,340
Mayflower Consolidation
53,634
2,243
1,215
842
57,934
166,368
6,959
3,961
1452*
178,740
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ANNUAL REPORT
Summary of Noon Milk Program
No. of Pupil Milk
No. of Free & Cooking
No. of Adult Milk
Total
Memorial High School
16,320
644
540
17,504
Junior High School
20,374
1,139
891
22,404
Mayflower Consolidation
6,370
1,480
297
8,147
43,064
3,263
1,728
48,055
Summary of Elementary Milk
No. of Pupil Milk
No. of Free Milk
No. of Adult Milk
In-Town Schools
54,778
842
11
Total 55,631
South Middleboro District
8,284
226
114
8,624
North Middleboro District
2,904
29
0
2,933
65,966
1,097
125
67,188
* Adult Lunch with Coffee or Tea.
292,531 bottles of milk purchased during 1959 (3-pints).
The following is a report of the finances of the entire program for 1959:
Opening Cash Balance, January 1, 1959
$8,354.40
Sales, January - December 1959
51,065.29
U. S. Dept. Agriculture Claims Received 1959
18,470.36
Other Income (Sale of Sink)
15.00
$77,905.05
Expended for Food, January - December 1959
$41,194.22
Expended for Labor, January - December 1959
15,758.40
Expended for Equipment, January - December '59
7,819.74
Expended for Other Expenses of Operation, January - December 1959
5,094.15
69,866.51
Closing Cash Balance, December 31, 1959 Add: 1959 Claims Not Yet Received
4,062.51
$12,101.05
Less: 1958 Claims Received in 1959
$8,038.54
3,391.41
$8,709.64
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ANNUAL REPORT
Less: Unpaid Bills, December 31, 1959
2,005.95
$6,703.69
In addition to the above financial breakdown, the Office of School Lunch Programs, acting as agent for the U. S. Department of Agricul- ture, supplied the Lunch and Milk Program with commodities, the whole- sale value of which was $9,725.35.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
Receipts
State Aid for Public Schools, G. L., Chap. 70
$91,516.84
State Reimbursement for Transportation, G. L., Chap. 71, S. 7A
38,147.72
Tuition and Transportation of State Wards
1,214.04
Tuition and Transportation of Non-Resident Pupils
44,526.50
Vocational Tuition and Transportation Reim- bursement
5,148.32
Adult Education Reimbursement
575.84
Special Class Reimbursement
6,318.46
Athletic Fund
5,985.01
Evening School .
381.46
Lunch and Milk Program
69,550.65
Rental of School Facilities
185.00
Library Fines
27.54
Restitution for Damages to School Property
26.61
Telephone Commissions
5.02
$263,609.01
Disbursements
Expenses of Instruction:
Salaries
$475,401.58
Textbooks
12,652.85
Music Program
1,099.12
Physical Education Program
1,850.00
Battis Field
1,200.00
Athletic Fund
9,860.36
Supplies and Other Expenses
15,835.77
517,899.68
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ANNUAL REPORT
Expenses of Operation of School Plant:
Salaries
$32,808.62
Fuel
21,166.75
Other Expenses
16,604.95
70,580.32
Expenses of Maintenance of School Plant:
Salaries
$3,700.00
Replacement and Upkeep
9,032.34
Repairs (Town Manager)
7,079.48
Outlay
1,788.18
21,600.00
Expenses of Auxiliary Agencies:
Salaries, Promotion of Health
$4,398.40
Expenses of Promotion of Health
139.40
Libraries
496.27
Transportation
48,573.05
Tuition
471.90
Other Expenses
765.55
54,844.57
Expenses of General Control:
Salaries
$14,515.36
Expenses of Administration
1,149.74
15,665.10
Expenses of Vocational Education:
Tuition and Transportation
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