USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Middleton > Town annual report of Middleton, MA. 1954 > Part 6
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SCHOOL REPORT
lesson under the direction of the Art Supervisor, Mr. Bruzzo, and to complete this work under the direction of Mrs. Taylor.
Classes in guidance instruction are now held weekly with eighth grade pupils under the direction of Mr. James Georgakakos and Mrs. Eleanor Lozeau. Emphasis in this has been placed on planning for high school. Also the types of occupations available after high school, together with the scholastic preparation needed to qualify are high- lighted.
New spelling texts have been added in Grades Two through Eight and have already proven of considerable aid to the language arts program.
To aid pupils in their study of current events and language arts, the "Junior Scholastic" magazine has been added to the curriculum in Grades Six, Seven, and Eight. This weekly periodical, which the pupils purchase individually for a small sum, is used as a basis for current events discussions and reading for interest and pleasure. This magazine is especially adapted for students of these grade levels for subject matter and vocabulary enrichment.
HEALTH
Two new and vital additions have been made to the school clinic during the past year. The school now has its own equipment for testing hearing competency. This set can be employed to test children individually or in groups. The other item is the new Massachusetts Vision kit for testing eyesight. Heretofore, it was necessary for the school to await its turn sometime during the school year when the state-owned equipment would arrive after being used at some other school in the vicinity. Now it is possible to test children immediately when teachers suspect difficulties existing in the above-mentioned areas.
Much improvement has been noted in the condition of the child- ren's teeth since the inception of the school dental clinic. A word of appreciation is expressed here to the Middleton Women's Club who have contributed $50.00 to date and to the Parent-Teachers Association who have contributed $25.00 to help defray expenses of dental work done for children unable to pay for the service.
EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
One of the additions to school life at Howe-Manning School has been the formation of the school orchestra under the direction of Mrs. Doris Nyquist, Music Supervisor. This unit has been formed
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SCHOOL REPORT
during the past year and has already performed for the public at Graduation Exercises and for the Parent-Teachers Association. The orchestra meets once a week under the direction of Mrs. Nyquist for rehearsals. This enables the students to gain experience performing with others which should be excellent preparation for future aspirants to high school musical organizations such as band and orchestra.
This past year saw the beginning of instrumental instruction at Howe-Manning School. Through the cooperation of Carl Fischer Music Company of Boston, Mr. Edward Miles of Lowell visits the school on Tuesday afternoons and lessons are given at the close of the regular school day. Students may purchase their own musical instruments or borrow school instruments of which there are several.
With the beginning of the present scholastic year, individual piano lessons are now being offered on Tuesday afternoons at the close of the regular school day. Mrs. Patricia Burke of North Reading is the instructor. Thus, the school is attempting to fulfill its role of offering to the community cultural opportunities which might not be readily available to small communities.
Again, this year, school assemblies are held periodically on the average of twice a month. National holidays are observed in appro- priate fashion with each classroom teacher responsible for one assembly during the school year. The assemblies are held on Thursday mornings and the programs are introduced and presented by the children. A subscription to "Plays" magazine has been entered. This magazine presents graded material to aid teachers in selecting pro- grams to be presented at assemblies.
Tuesday, October 19th, saw the faculty at Howe-Manning School act as hosts for the North Shore Chapter of the American Childhood Education Society which is composed of kindergarten and elementary school teachers in towns along the North Shore from Gloucester to Lynn. It was the second time in 17 years that this group met in this community. More than 500 teachers attended this meeting which presented an opportunity to Middleton to display its educational facilities.
The Middleton Teachers Association, composed of the fuculty members of Howe-Manning School, prepared and staged an "Open House" for parents of the children attending school for the second year in a row in observance of National Education Week which was held in November.
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SCHOOL IMPROVEMENTS
Foremost among the new equipment purchased during the past year has been the opaque projector. This machine will project a page from a textbook onto a screen or wall for all the children to see and is a valuable teaching aid, particularly when there are only a few copies of the material to be studied or discussed.
Through the contributions made by Parent Teacher Association members at meetings, a new magazine rack has been made for the school library. The funds realized from the "Little Red Schoolhouse" which is passed around at the meetings were of sufficient amount to allow for the manufacture of the magazine rack together with sub- scriptions to popular children's magazines to be placed on display to encourage interest in good literature.
Cumulative records pertaining to each child are now in the hands of each classroom teacher. Records of tests and other data are kept in these folders which are then handed on each year to enable the teachers to know their children more quickly and easily.
A new meat slicer has been purchased for the school cafeteria and has proven to be of tremendous assistance to the cafeteria staff.
ATHLETICS
This year, because of the class in the gymnasium it has been necessary to curtail the physical education program started last year whereby each teacher in Grades One to Five was allotted one period a week to take their class to the gymnasium for organized play activity. However, physical education classes are being held for the students in Grades Six, Seven and Eight under the direction of the Physical Education Supervisors, Mrs. Eleanor Lozeau and Mr. David Phillips. Basketball and baseball teams representing the school played full schedules last year and this same program will be continued this year. Volleyball has caught the interest of the students, especially the girls, with girls games with North Reading being played.
EMPLOYMENT CERTIFICATES
These certificates, which are required by State law for all boys and girls between the ages of 14 to 21 who wish to work, may be obtained from the Principal at his office between the hours of 9 A.M. and 3 P.M., Monday through Friday. Applicants for these certificates must present a birth certificate and evidence of schooling (diploma or report card) when applying. Any questions about this matter may be answered by telephoning the Principal's office.
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SCHOOL REPORT
COMMUNITY USE OF THE BUILDING
The school facilities continue to be employed by various groups in the community. The Ladies Auxiliary of the Veterans of Foreign Wars has conducted a first aid course for townspeople as a public service using one of the classrooms once a week for a period of weeks. The two churches and their various societies have employed the school facilities from time to time. Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts have used the building for meetings and planned programs. The gymnasium is in use three nights a week for older boys who play basketball under adult supervision. The auditorium is now the established place for the annual Town Meeting and also for Special Town Meetings. A copy governing the use of school facilities may be obtained from the Principal's office.
CONCLUSION
The preservation of the American way of life is one of the major responsibilities of education. In the early days of our country, mastery of the Three R's only was all that was considered necessary. Today, as our society becomes more complicated, more and more schooling is deemed necessary to prepare our future citizens for what lies ahead of them. We, at Howe-Manning School, are attempting to recognize our responsibilities as the important beginning segment of the long process necessary to prepare today's children for the heritage that will be handed to them as tomorrow's citizens.
My appreciation is expressed here for the cooperation of the Superintendent of Schools, the School Committec, teachers, super- visors, Mr. Hayward, the Cafeteria staff, the Parent-Teacher Asso- ciation, and to all who have assisted Howe-Manning School in any manner.
Respectfully submitted,
RAYMOND S. DOWER, JR.
Principal
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SCHOOL REPORT
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL NURSE
To the Superintendent of Schools of the Town of Middleton:
This past year has been a very successful one as far as Health and Dental Programs have been concerned.
We feel very fortunate indeed to be the possessors of two fine pieces of equipment. The Massachusetts Vision Test and the Audio- meter, both of which have been approved by the State Department of Health. Every child has been tested for both hearing and vision loss, and our failures are few in comparison to the number of children tested. Often times poor school work can be attributed to one of these difficulties, so it is very important to have immediate treatment or advice.
All children received the Patch Test and those that had positive reactions were x-rayed. All personnel were x-rayed. This is a state law which must be carried out every two years.
Immunization shots for diphtheria and tetanus were given in the spring and booster shots were given to those that had a lapse of two years.
A good many examinations, fillings, and extractions have been done by Dr. D'Urso in the Dental Clinic this year. The children have been very cooperative and seem to enjoy their visits.
Physical examinations were done by Dr. Rogers in Grades 1, 4, and 8. Any child in these grades is given a preference of having it done by their family physician or here at school. Sport physicals also were given to those participating actively in sports.
The usual height and weight program and head examinations were carried out.
Dr. Rogers and I would like to thank Mr. Dower, Mr. Rivard, Dr. D'Urso and the entire personnel for their cooperation and assist- ance.
Respectfully submitted,
LOUISE M. BRENNAN, R.N.
School Nurse
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SCHOOL REPORT
REPORT OF READING SUPERVISOR
To the Superintendent of Schools of the Town of Middleton:
I am submitting with pleasure the annual report of my first year as Reading Consultant in Middleton. Since my responsibilities are actually twofold, this report has been divided into two sections, the first on the testing program, and the second on the reading program.
The Testing Program
The testing program that has been set up here in Middleton involves three major areas of testing: intelligence testing to determine what capacity a child has and what we may expect from him, achievement testing to determine how well a child is achieving in various subject fields as compared to national norms, and aptitude testing to determine in grade one the child's natural strengths and weaknesses for beginning reading.
The policy was established three years ago of giving the Stanford- Binet individual intelligence test to all entering first graders. About thirty of these were given last spring to the present first graders, and the remaining thirty-five were given early this fall. These tests have given the first grade teachers an indication of what they can expect from each child. A number of speech, language, emotional, and even visual difficulties were recognized in these tests alone. Since the school now has three test results on all children through grade three who began school in Middleton, this test is now being admin- istered to the children in grades one through three who entered from other towns, so that our records may be complete.
Various group tests of intelligence have been given in the upper grades. This year a standardized intelligence testing program is being set up as follows. In adidtion to the Stanford-Binet test in grade one, the SRA Primary Mental Abilities Test will be given to all children in grades four and seven. In this way there will be a primary, intermediate, and junior high intelligence rating on every child. Also, in order to bring the records up to date, the California Mental Maturity test has just been administered to upper grade children on whom there is no mental capacity data.
Achievement testing is done at the end of every school year. In grades one through five the Metropolitan Achievement Test is used to measure a child's ability in a given subject, as compared to other
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children in other schools. Last year the lowa Achievement Test was introduced in grades six through eight. This test is administered by the teachers, and then sent back to the company to be scored by machine. The booklets are kept by the publisher, and the results of the test sent to the school.
The final test given is the Monroe Reading Aptitude test, which was given in November to first grade children. This test attempts to measure the particular visual, auditory, language, and other skills necessary in learning to read, and it indicates to the classroom teachers the specific strengths and weaknesses of each individual child. They now have a good idea of the skills and abilities of each first grade child in relation to reading.
The purpose of this entire testing program is for your child's teacher to know him better, and thus be better able to help him achieve his educational goals.
The Reading Program
When the school year began in Middleton this fall, there existed a remedial reading program which had been operating for the past three years. Much progress had been made, but there was still a fairly large number of children who were more or less severely retarded in reading. All but a few were able to read somewhat. However, there were some children in grades two and three who knew only a few words at sight.
The first action taken in setting up this year's reading program was to give an informal reading analysis to every child having difficulty with reading. A record was kept on this analysis, which is filed in the reading room. The purpose of this analysis was to learn the level at which each child could read comfortably, and also how well developed was his skill in attacking new words.
A change was made from last year's program in setting up the groups for teaching. Children have been grouped with other children who are capable of doing about the same kind of work, regardless of grade. In this way, the teacher can carefully cope with individual needs, since the material the children work in is the right difficulty for all members of their group.
The present teaching program consists of ten classes each day, from Monday through Thursday, of one-half hour each, ranging in size from three to eight. Fridays are spent in testing and conferences. There are fifty-six children in the school having special help in read- ing at the present time. This year the school was fortunate in receiving a new set of books for use in the remedial program. This means that the children have material to use which is appropriate to their skill, and which they have not seen before.
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SCHOOL REPORT
In the reading classes, the lesson time is spent in several areas of instruction. In the first place, the children work to build up a good siglit vocabulary by studying individual words and doing silent and oral reading in appropriate material. Secondly, there is emphasis on phonetic skills, and learning ways of figuring out new words. Thirdly, stress is laid on meaning. The children do workbook exercises, answer questions, and discuss the stories read, in order to stimulate concentration on the meaning of the material, and not just the words. These three working areas form the basis of the remedial reading program.
It would be practically useless to have severely handicapped children in a remedial reading class, if there were no carry-over into their regular classroom work. The teachers have been working together, formally and informally, to correlate the reading program in the regular classroom with the remedial program. The actual teach- ing of reading in the classroom is not supervised by the reading con- sultant, but procedures and materials are recommended which are appropriate to the reading skills of the children in the remedial classes. The classroom teachers are extremely understanding and cooperative about providing help and materials to these children in conjunction with their remedial work. They have also made real progress in adjusting other areas of work, such as spelling and social studies, to children who can't read material for their particular grade. This adjustment is sometimes difficult, since there may not be easy material available on the particular subject being studied at any given time.
It is difficult to evaluate the reading program thoroughly this early in the year. However, real progress can be seen in all of the classes. Of course, if a child is severely handicapped in reading, the progress will be slow, and perhaps not noticeable for a while. There is no magic formula, unfortunately, for bringing even the most co- operative of children up to grade level in a month or two. However, there have been a number of comments made by the classroom teachers about individual pupils and the difference they are showing in their regular work. Also, remarkable improvement in self-confi- dence has been observed in some of the children, when they suddenly discovered that they could really succeed in some of their school work. These changes have carried into the classroom and been reflected in improved attitudes and achievement. Future plans consist of working steadily in the direction and toward the goals set forth in this report.
Respectfully submitted,
BARBARA PRINN Reading Supervisor
130
SCHOOL REPORT
REPORT OF MUSIC SUPERVISOR
To the Superintendent of Schools of the Town of Middleton:
I submit, with pleasure, this report of the music program in the Howe-Manning School in Middleton.
We are continually trying to improve the singing and music reading ability of the school child. Many rote songs are learned, and note reading is actually started by the end of the first grade. Folk dancing is also enjoyed in many classes.
The new autoharp purchased for the school is so easy to play that all teachers and even some pupils are able to accompany their songs. It is thoroughly enjoyed by all.
All the pupils of the two third grades will be instructed to play flutophones this year, as part of their music lesson. These greatly help in preparing a child for an instrument by the time he enters the fourth grade. This is the ideal time for a child to start instrumental lessons.
Our instrumental program in Middleton is continuing to enlarge, with many more children taking advantage of the instrumental instruction given at the school. The school orchestra meets every Wednesday during recess period. This group made their first appear- ance at Graduation, playing selections before the graduation and also playing the graduation march. The school orchestra performed this term at a December P.T.A. program, playing waltzes, marches and Christmas selections.
May I take this opportunity to thank all in the school system for their fine cooperation and friendliness.
Respectfully submitted,
DORIS M. NYQUIST
Music Supervisor
131
SCHOOL REPORT
REPORT OF ART SUPERVISOR
To the Superintendent of Schools of the Town of Middleton:
The art program at the Howe-Manning School is planned to develop the natural creative abilities and esthetic sense of the child.
The child is encouraged to express himself freely, but taught nevertheless, such fundamental principles as he can comprehend. These are the principles of design, cool color harmony, warm color harmony, proportion, action, perspective, scale, and composition.
In order to develop a broad consciousness of the esthetic, a wide variety of media and techniques are employed. The following have either been used or are in planning: crayon, water color, poster paint, oil crayons, colored paper, paper sculpture, mobiles, scratch board, potato prints, clayola, ceramics, and group participation murals.
In the lower grades the child's natural love of coloring is en- couraged. By accepting his concepts and imposing no adult standards upon him, his eagerness for expression is permitted to develop. The selection of subject matter is such that he is made more aware of his environment and socially accepted ideas.
In the middle grades the variety of media is increased, and the subject matter more related to academic work.
In the upper grades the training is a little more formal and emphasis is upon drawing, perspective, composition, and assembly or craft type of work.
Respectfully submitted,
EDWARD B. BRUZZO
Art Supervisor
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SCHOOL REPORT
REPORT OF THE HANDWRITING SUPERVISOR
To the Superintendent of Schools of the Town of Middleton:
I am pleased to submit the following report on the operation of the handwriting program in the Middleton school for the school year of 1953-54.
In the initial handwriting tests administered to your pupils in September 1951, 6.2% of the pupils received a grade of "A" (Excel- lent); 14.5% received a grade of "B" (Good); and 79.1% scored less than "B". In the tests administered in June 1954, 74.1% of the pupils received a grade of "A"; 17.3% received a score of "B"; and 8.6% received a grade of less than "B". Handwriting certificates were awarded to 70% of your pupils.
During the school year we graded approximately 3000 formal and 9000 informal samples of handwriting for your pupils. A formal test was administered at four teaching-week intervals and a report was furnished each teacher giving a careful diagnosis of the hand- writing of each pupil in the room.
We furnished the following instructional materials: teachers' outlines, pupil folder outlines, room motivation certificates, handed- ness tests, individual handwriting certificates to pupils who qualified, monthly and term envelopes, seals, etc.
My supervisors join with me in expressing our appreciation for the splendid cooperation we have received from you and your teachers at all times. We are very pleased with the results obtained in your schools.
Respectfully submitted,
W. L. RINEHART
Director
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SCHOOL REPORT
REPORT OF THE DENTAL CLINIC
To the Superintendent of Schools of the Town of Middleton:
The Dental Clinic has just completed a very successful year.
The clinic is operating two mornings a week. The children's teeth are examined at least once a year and a report is sent home to the parents notifying them of the dental defects which are present. The parents are then requested to consult their own dentist for treatment or they may request treatment by the school dentist.
I has been very gratifying to see a larger number of the children seeking dental treatment either in the school or by the family dentist. I believe that a great improvement can be seen in the condition of the children's teeth.
We are striving not only to correct the dental defects which are already present in the teeth of these children, but also to minimize future decay by instructing them in the importance of proper oral hygiene and in regular dental checkup by the dentist.
Respectfully submitted,
S. J. D'URSO, D.M.D.
School Dentist
INDEX
Balance Sheet
44
Cemetery Endowment Report
-
- 52
Cemetery Department
- 35
Charities - - -
-
- - - -
- 27
Cummings Fund - -
-
-
- - -
- 50
General Government - -
9
Health and Sanitation
23
Highways
Library and Parks
Municipal Indebtedness
36
Payroll Analysis
Public Service Enterprises -
- 33
Protection of Persons and Property - - - -
- 19
Recapitulations
- 38
School Department
-
-
-
-
-
-
- 29
Town Officers -
3
Town Officers Salaries -
13
Town Treasurer's Account -
- 49
Unclassified Account
-
-
-
-
- - 31
Veterans' Services
- -
-
- 1
28
PART II
Assessors' Report
- 78
Building Inspector's Report
77
Dog Officer's Report
- 89
Board of Appeals
- 90
Electric Light Report
- 91
Finance Committee Recommendations
99
-
-
-
- -
-
-
-
-
-
- -
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- - - - 46
- - -
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- - -
-
-
24 30
- -
INDEX (Continued)
Fire Department Report - 94
Flint Public Library Fund - - 61
Fire Station and Highway Building Committee - 96
Highway Department 83
Jurors List
- 76
Land Owned by the Town - - 51
Librarian's Report - 1 63
Moth Department Report - - 86
Planning Board Report
Public Welfare
- 98
Police Department Report
-
Selectmen's Report
- 65
School Reports 113 -
Tax Collector's Report
- 80
Town Clerk's Report -
-
- 68
Tree Warden's Report -
- 85
Wire Inspector's Report
93
- - 97
- - 87
Warrant for March 15, 1955 - Inside Front Cover
FLINT
MIDDLETON
PUBLIC LIBRARY
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