USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Middleborough > Town annual report of Middleborough, Massachusetts 1961 > Part 11
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Committee Work in Grade Eight Grammar and Composition
Annual Presentation of Dickens' Christmas Carol
Arithmetic Grade Seven
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ANNUAL REPORT
Social Studies, Health and Physical Education, Homemaking, Industrial Arts, Fine Arts, General Science, Music and elective beginnings in For- eign Language Education. These are broken down as follows:
Language Arts (English Language, Literature, Reading, Spelling and Penmanship, Speech (both class and individual therapy.)
Mathematics (Arithmetic, introduction to the "new" Mathematics, and in grade eight, the beginnings of Algebra)
Social Studies (History, Geography, and Civic Education) Health and Physical Education (Gymnasium, Health Education, Sports)
Homemaking (Sewing, Cooking, guidance in Homemaking) Industrial Arts (Mechanical Drawing and Woodworking Shop) Fine Arts (Freehand Drawing and Art Appreciation)
General Science (selected "units" in Science in all grades correl- ated with the Senior High School program)
Music (Singing, Music Appreciation, Band, Orchestra, individual instrumental lessons)
Foreign Language (three elective groups: two in French, three periods per week; and one in Russian, one period per week)
Extraclass activities are provided for the learning experiences for the pupil, which cannot be offered as effectively elsewhere in the educational program of the school. In our school these are offered (1) through the "Club" programs which meet once a week at the same period for grades seven and eight. At the present time these are: Grade 7 Glee Club, Grade 8 Glee Club, Junior Red Cross Service Club, "The Echo" - school paper staff, Story Hour Club, Careers Club, Travel Club, Science Information Club, Art Club, French 7 and French 8 Clubs, Boy Chefs, Russian, Historical Research, Nature Club, "Cheerleaders," Agricultural Club, and the Junior High School Band. These vary from year to year according to pupil interest. (2) Activities after school hours: Orchestra, Baton Corps, Elementary Band, Girls' Sports, Boys' Sports, Homeroom Presidents' Council, the two French groups, and in some years a Traffic Patrol.
The pupil produced assembly program-one program developed in class work around given subject materials by each division in the school, the annual Music Festival, a culminating activity for that depart- ment, which takes the place of the former famed "Operetta," an annual Talent Show for the benefit of the sports program, and the annual Mag- azine Drive are other customary activities. While the magazine drive raises the money to carry on the diversified club work, it is also an im- portant unit in Business Education and this aspect has become increas- ingly emphasized over the years. Occasionally speakers from the bus- iness world, the sixth grade program of Civics films, the Science Fair, and the annual Play Day complete this program.
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ANNUAL REPORT
THE SPIRIT OF YOUTH IN THE LIFE OF AMERICA
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ANNUAL REPORT
"Planning" is the most important word in all education, and be- comes doubly emphasized in both the instructional and activity pro- grams in the junior high school. "Balance" is also the guiding word of the administrator in order that no special "empires" of interest are established.
Constant reevaluation in both areas of subject matter and related activities is absolutely necessary in local communities, which accounts, in part, for no published State Curriculum for junior high schools.
NEW TECHNIQUES FOR THE PRESENT YEAR
At long last it has been made possible for the teachers of Language Arts to have individual interviews with pupils on their writing of compo- sition in addition to the help days (in all academic fields) set up for after-school attendance. This has been made possible by eighth grade classes working on a project in conjunction with the National Council of the Social Studies on geography research conducted by the Principal as- sisted by the student teachers. In grades six and seven each teacher in the Language Arts field has one period per week available for this com- position work.
Teachers are now using more audio-visual aids in all subject fields, and the need for more machines in this area becomes more and more apparent.
The introduction of the one period a week in Russian and the con- tinuation of the elective French program have been most successful.
Faculty groups working on curriculum improvement are active. For example, the Committee on Mathematics Curriculum representing all grades and schools in the town is in its third school year of weekly meet- ings held at the junior high school. In-service courses in both Reading and Language arts are being conducted, and many teachers are taking extension courses at Bridgewater State College. Meetings of teachers teaching on the same grade level and other meetings of those in the same department are being emphasized this school year. All school principals meet monthly in an Administrative Council with the Super- intendent of Schools.
One aspect of the Principal's work, which has increased by leaps and bounds, is that of cooperation with the social agencies serving the town: Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Children, the Juvenile Pro- bation Officers, the State Department of Child Guardianship, and the local Police Department. Many towns and cities have felt the need of a School Adjustment Officer, and soon this will be a necessity here.
THE STAFF
In order to carry out the above program, a superior staff is neces- sary. We are fortunate, indeed, at the Middleborough Junior High School in this respect. The faculty members, both experienced and new, are in the main, specialists in their field. In Grade Six, for example, we
Science Grade Seven
Children of All the People
Grade Eight Literature in the Library
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ANNUAL REPORT
are working now on a "core curriculum" in Language Arts and Social Studies, which is proving most successful. The classroom teacher is the most important unit in the entire school system, for "as is the teacher, so is the school"! One member of the faculty, Miss Margaret Rourke, has received her certificate as a registered School Psychologist this past year, and others are completing in-service courses to attain other certi- fication. We have 100% membership in the State and Local Teachers' Organizations and the highest number of National Education Associa- tion members in the history of the school. The school was honored by Mr. John Sullivan winning a national scholarship to study Russian in the Foreign Language Department at Dartmouth College last summer. The loyalty and cooperation of the present force is indeed noteworthy.
Excellent meals are served daily in the school cafeteria under the guidance of Mrs. Arlene Stevens, Head Cook. Pupils are also learning proper eating habits and manners under the direction of five men who, in turn, take charge of the cafeteria lunchroom in which three sittings occur daily.
The school secretaries, Mrs. Elsie Wheeler and Mrs. Helen Caswell, work during the school year, summer, and "vacations" on the local and state records and on the preparation of materials needed to keep a smoothly functioning administration for the current and coming school year.
Custodial services by the school custodians and the school main- tenance workers have contributed largely toward keeping the school in fine condition after five and one-half years of occupancy. Here we stop to pay tribute to Mr. Warren Jefferson, who retired September 1 after 34 years of service.
GUIDANCE
Guidance means many things to many school people. It is nothing new. Parents, teachers, relatives, clergymen, and social workers have for many generations rendered valuable service to young people. In our present social and economic set-up in which the stigmata of various home conditions and backgrounds is so apparent, we find that American education has had this problem to face in greater service and intensity. Guidance can be academic, vocational, social, personal, group, or indi- vidual. It cannot be confined to counseling alone and has to be carried on by specialists and by the entire school staff through many channels. Guidance has to be concerned with data on the individual, upon com- munity resources, and has to encourage youth to make decisions of its own. Thus, in this scientific age, the schools are doing their share to make a more determined approach to this problem.
In the Junior High School we have been hampered in our guidance work due to lack of time in staff members' programs to do all that might be done. In a school with a 56.4% of transported pupils, it stands to rea- son that much of the work must be done during school hours. By divid- ing it among five faculty members more has been accomplished in the past year than ever before. Group testing has been planned by Mrs. Frieda Churchill, individual testing by Miss Rourke, group discussion by
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ANNUAL REPORT
the homeroom teachers, counseling by Messrs. Pickering and Denton plus the Principal with girls' counseling by Mrs. Churchill and other women of the staff. More has been accomplished in this field than in any previous year as the need has become more acute. We are indebted to the agencies already mentioned for cooperation and help in this area of the school's work.
PARENT COOPERATION
The inauguration of the Office Hours system following each of the first three quarterly reports has proven more and more desirable. At the latest of these 364 aggregate interviews with parents were held. There have been more private interviews after school hours held with parents than ever in the school's history.
The Parent-Teacher Association continues to be of great help to the school. In the past year, two record players were presented to the school, and a grant of fifty dollars to the School Library and twenty-five to the Athletic Fund were all gratefully received. In a departmental school serving the entire community, the secondary school P.T.A. becomes less of a social group as found in the elementary school districts and more of a program of parent education as to school innovations and techniques. Four of such meetings are held annually plus a meeting of parents of eighth grade pupils to confer on both entering the Senior High School and Vocational High Schools. In addition to these, activities are planned by the Ways and Means Committee to raise money for special projects. It has been gratifying to have our local program recommended as a sample of junior high school associations by the State Congress of Parents and Teachers.
Only by continually working together can parents and the school do what is best for the child. There is a song that ends "Pull Together Always is the Motto of the P.T.A."
SCHOOL SOCIALS
Due to the fact that this year we have escaped hurricane destruc- tion, we have been able to hold our own school socials in the gymnasium. One social for either grade seven or grade eight pupils has been held plus one afternoon party for all sixth graders in the town from the three schools which house that grade. Pupil committees and teacher and par- ent patrons should be gratified with the results of their efforts. Thanks are due the Y.M.C.A. for its cooperation in the 1960 - 1961 season for offering its facilities. To conduct oneself properly at social functions is a duty for this age group.
COMMUNITY SERVICES
Just as we hope to develop a school community within the school itself, and as we call on the resources of the town community as a school, we should contribute to it. Training for community participation starts while people are young. Through the two Bands, Junior High and the Elementary Band which meets here, both under Mr. Nelson's expert direction, the Glee Clubs, the Junior Red Cross, the Homemaking De-
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ANNUAL REPORT
partment, plus a number of homeroom groups, a great deal of commun- ity service has been rendered to the town in a number of ways. This is extremely important in the time in which we find ourselves, when every juvenile offense to society is so well publicized, but the many good and wonderful things done by our young people do not receive the publicity due. Excellent services to hospitals, homes, fund-raising for various cha- rities, etc., done not only by the teenagers in school projects, but also by organized youth groups out of school must be advertised to adults so that a true picture of our wonderful young people can be obtained by the many fine things they are doing daily. Having spent forty-two years with youngsters of various age levels my personal praise goes to the large majority of them!
RECOGNITION
Since my last report the school has lost three outstanding teachers. Mrs. Myra Andrews Shaw of the Mathematics Department retired after forty-six years of service to the children of Middleborough and Lake- ville. Due to a painful accident she could not appear for her tribute from the pupils, so the entire "school" visited her with tokens of love and appreciation, and her framed testimonial from the School Commit- tee was taken to her by a former pupil and fellow-teacher, Mrs. Chur- chill. Mrs. Eleanor Sanborn of the Language Arts department left to be director of French at the newly established "Middle School" in Bridge- water, and Harold Gay of the Social Studies department left to become Principal of the Rochester Memorial School.
APPRECIATION
All members of the faculty have not been named in this report, but a roster of the present staff will name those without whose loyalty,coop- eration and advice the above program could not be carried on. The School Nurse comes in for special mention, and it is my observation that with the growing "population explosion" this faithful worker, Mrs. Ed- gerly, needs assistance in her outstanding services to the schools. The chief librarian, Mrs. Witbeck, and her assistants at the Town Public Library, deserve "honorable mention" for their continued cooperation over the years. The Special Teachers (Mrs. Sibley, Messrs. Nelson, Mo- gilnicki, and Battis) have brought much in their offerings to the school. The retirement of Mrs. Sylvia Comley Matheson as Supervisor of Art Ed- ucation must be mentioned in this report, as well as others, since her development in Art Education grew from small beginnings to highest interest of our pupils in her field. The school is, like all schools, grow- ing all the time in membership, and the problems of expansion will be a major problem in its development. With the leadership of Stanley Kruszyna, Superintendent of Schools, and the present School Commit- tee, the public can be reassured by their advice and understanding as I have been personally. The Public Schools are a "big business" and war- rant the interest of all citizens of the town, both old and young. In these days when our paramount aim is to continue our way of life with the liberties we enjoy, I close this report with a quotation from Woodrow Wilson, "Without popular education no government which rests upon public action can long endure"!
Respectfully submitted,
HENRY B. BURKLAND, Principal Middleborough Junior High School
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ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE PRINCIPAL OF THE MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL
Stanley Kruszyna, Superintendent of Schools
Town Hall
Middleboro, Massachusetts
Dear Mr. Kruszyna:
It is with pleasure that I submit the following report as the Princi- pal of the Memorial High School.
Memorial High School functions as a cohesive unit on the basic premise that the school should effectively meet the needs of the in- dividual pupil. To achieve that end, a program of studies has been con- structed which contains a number of curricula and a large variety of required and elective courses in each area. Construction of the program was a cooperative effort involving all staff members. In addition to the basic program, which has been geared to meet the needs of the individ- ual, there is also a variety of co-curricular activities, from clubs and intramural sports to interscholastic teams.
In a step toward strengthening the program at Memorial High School, and in line with recommendations made by the visiting com- mittee of the New England Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools, we were very pleased to have the biology laboratory completely renovated. The twelve new two-student units and the instructor's demon- stration bench make it possible to provide adequate work space for the necessary laboratory and class work. To complete the room, a new sink, new floor and wall cabinets, and new storage facilities for students' clothing have been installed. These changes make this room one of the most functional and beautiful rooms in the school. In addition, the preparatory room adjacent to the laboratory has been outfitted with a hood and exhaust fan to assist in eliminating undesirable odors. A portable science bench was also purchased to implement the teaching of general science. It is hoped that the science lecture room, where this bench is located, will be further renovated to complete our science department.
Other changes in the physical plant include a new front wall in room 27 and the refinishing of all desk tops in eight classrooms. These changes have aided immeasurably in improving the beauty of the school building. The physical plant, on the whole, is in fairly good condition. However, we are "bursting at the seams" and are faced with the problem of the ever-expanding school population. This was emphasized by the visiting committee in their evaluation of the school two years ago. Also, it is currently a major topic of discussion before the School Committee.
A significant change was made in the area of individual subject selection by Memorial High School students. In the spring, students made tentative selections to cover all courses for the balance of their
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ANNUAL REPORT
high school years. This process of looking ahead makes the student and his parents more cognizant of the future and the resulting plans that must be formulated. We sincerely hope that this long-range planning will assist our students to develop more effectively a well-defined goal toward which to strive.
Several hundred parents and friends were on hand to witness the first "School Fair" at Memorial High School. This fair was held in addition to our regularly scheduled science fair. Each department proudly displayed its "wares." The exhibits included representative class work of students, samples of textbooks, and audio-visual equipment in use in the school. There were actual demonstrations by students of work carried on in classes, including a student completing an oil paint- ing, another operating a voice recording machine, and others operating various business machines.
The developmental reading program has proved a valuable asset for many students at Memorial High School. Although established basic- ally for freshmen, many upper-classmen have availed themselves of the opportunity to participate and have found the course invaluable.
For the freshmen a reading test is given in the eighth grade and the scores studied in conjunction with scholastic grades and standard- ized intelligence test scores. On the basis of this investigation, students needing assistance are placed in basic, general or advanced reading groups, depending on their reading problem. The reading classes, meet- ing twice each week, are then geared to improve vocabulary, compre- hension, and speed.
For the second year, seniors with honor grades have been invited to join the Humanities class for extra study. Although no credit is given for this extra study, credit for participation in the course is noted on the students' permanent record cards and special mention of this is made on all college transcripts. The class meets on Monday evenings in conjunction with the evening school classes, and is taught by visiting college professors. The subject discussed and the lecturer change each month, as does the list of eligible students. This program enriches the senior curriculum for our top students and introduces them to college methods of instruction. The following professors have given their time for this program in 1961-62:
September
Mr. Donald White Boston College - Economics
October
- Mr. Dwight MacCormack, Jr. Dean Junior College - Humanities
November
- Mr. Joseph Versage Father John McGee Stonehill College - Sociology
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ANNUAL REPORT
December
- Mrs. Mary Gustafson Retired Accompanist - Metropolitan Opera Company - Music Appreciation
January
- Mr. John Sullivan, Extension Teacher Bridgewater State College - Stonehill College - Language Arts (Russian)
February
- Mr. Robert Daniel Bridgewater State College Art Appreciation
One session each month is open to visitors. In this way, additional students and interested adults are given the opportunity to attend a college lecture at our own High School.
The enthusiasm of these senior students, their faithful attendance, and their interest in maintaining honor grades all indicate that the class is a successful part of our educational program.
I have beer, exceedingly pleased with the interest, efficiency, and professional competence of all members of the high school staff. The complete cooperation of all persons involved is an essential item in de- termining the degree of success in the operation of the school as a whole. The secretaries have proved invaluable aids to the teachers and admin- istrators. Our custodial staff has done an excellent job in cleaning and maintaining the school plant. The school cafeteria operates very effic- iently and provides well over five hundred lunches each day. The tea- chers have been extremely cooperative in all ways. In addition to providing a meaningful learning experience for the students, they also have worked above and beyond the "call of duty," working on faculty committees, handling the yearbook, the student council, the senior play and many other extra-curricular activities too numerous to mention individually.
In closing I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the members of the School Committee, the Superintendent of Schools, and to all of the members of the staff at Memorial High School for their invaluable assistance and complete cooperation.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES L. MANOS, Principal
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ANNUAL REPORT
December 31, 1961 MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL TABLE A Total Enrollment
Carver
Boys
Girls
Total
Seniors
14
78
73
151
17
72
67
139
24
92
111
203
38
144
114
258
93
386
365
751
TABLE B
Number going
to college
Number going to
junior college
Number in
other schools
Total continuing
P study
42.5
1958
116
30
20
50
43.1
1959
112
26
2
27
55
49.1
1960
115
26
5
19
50
43.4
1961
117
23
4
23
50
42.7
CLASS OF 1961
*Mary Elizabeth Amaral
*Joan Lucia Barboza Patricia Diana Barrows Robert Joseph Bernabeo Brenda Joyce Bernier Marie Dorothy Boileau Charles Norman Bolinder Walter Addison Braley
*Evelyn Margaret Breck Barbara Ann Cabral
*LINDA ANN CARD Leona Mae Carr Sheila Ellen Casey
*VITO CASONI
*Carolyn Ann Castro Marilyn Elaine Chase Marilyn Jean Chase Clifford Eugene Chausse
Jack Paul Kwesell
George Joseph Landry William Douglas Langlois Edward Raymond Leighton
Joanne Marie Lemmo Robert Alan Levesque
*JOANNE MARY LIEPIS Laralei Logan Philip Norton Loheed Elizabeth Longworth
Donald Carlton Mackiewicz
Donald Carl Marden Kenneth Coleman Martin
*MARSHA EVE McNEICE Joseph Lincoln Medeiros David Francis Michael Trudy Ann Morris
#VALERIE ANN MULKERN
Per Cent
1957
108
23
23
46
Class
Number in
Class
Juniors Sophomores Freshmen
17 6
ANNUAL REPORT
Arleen Rose Chisholm Betty Ann Cobbett Margaret Ann Coburn Catherine Patricia Condon Cheryl Sue Crain Constance Susanne Crouse Claude daCosta
Dianne Elizabeth DeArruda Joseph Sylvanus D'Elia, Jr. Michael Dennett
Priscilla Lelah Derrick
. Andrea Margaret Dill Gregory Oliver Doyle
*DONNA LOUISE ERICKSON Dominic Philip Falconeiri James Francis Farley Susan Jane Fitting Nancy Marie Fontaine Jeannette Helen Forcier Hilda Fratus
*SHARON ANN GASKIN Robert John Gasunus Vincent Allan Gerrior Peter Jonathan Giberti William Everett Goodwin Paul Curtis Guilford Ann Marie Guimares Henry George Hadsell, Jr. *Judith Anne Hale Elwin Lane Hanson, Jr. Dianne Katharine Hayward Dorothy Irene Henderson Cheryl Lee Higgins Robert Henry Howe Meredith Louise Jackson Shirley Ann Jackson
*MARGARET ANN JARDULLO Brenda Mae Jesse *Caroline Lee Johnston *PATRICIA FRANCES KAHIAN +GREGORY JOSEPH KING
¿ Valedictorian
+ Co-Salutatorian
Paula Niedzwiecki Beverly Nunes Shirley Frances Parker Patricia Annette Peabody Nancy Jean Perkins Daniel Joseph Perrin
Robert Charles Perry
Gerald Francis Pittsley
Brenda Powers
Susan Lorraine Prescott
Stephen Linwood Priest
Paul Delmore Richard, Jr. ;
Mary Lou Robbins
Betsy Bradford Saccocia Carol Anne Shanks
Donald Richard Shurtleff
Henry Albert Silvia, Jr. Barbara Ann Skrivanek
Sandra Ethel Spaulding Sandra Lee Stulpin Florence Algie Taylor Frederick Michael Teceno
Sandra Chace Teeling Charlotte Ann Thomas George Bradford Thomas
¡LINDA BETH TIBBETTS Janet Martha Tufts Janice Louise Varella Donna June Vaughn David Allen Ventura James Richard Vickery Charles William Wambolt, Jr. Thomas Grant Washburn Philip Andrew White
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