Town annual report of Middleton, MA. 1958, Part 6

Author: Middleton (Mass.)
Publication date: 1959
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 140


USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Middleton > Town annual report of Middleton, MA. 1958 > Part 6


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HOWE-MANNING SCHOOL STAFF


One more teacher was added to the staff this year .This came about as a result of the larger enrollment at the second grade level.


The faculty now consists of nineteen classroom teachers, an Art Supervisor, Music Supervisor and Reading Specialist. New teachers added to the faculty include: Grade One, Mrs. Jeremiah Murphy; Grade Two, Mrs. Kenneth Lewis and Mrs. Robert Sperry; Grade Four, Mrs. Ralph Eustis; Grade Six, Mr. Silvestro Borrelli; Grade Seven, Miss Jean Harrington and Mr. Frank S. Taft, Jr .; Ungraded, Miss Ruth Chasse.


Dr. George Haykal, School Dentist, and Mrs. Arthur King, Cafeteria Manager, joined the staff in September and Mrs. Richard Boardman became a cafeteria staff member at that same time.


A major effort has been made this past year to make proper use of the time and training of the Howe-Manning School staff. Activities which do not require special training have, in the past, absorbed too much classroom time, - a definite loss to the children. Some of these non-teaching and time-consuming tasks have been taken over by P.T.A. members.


The Savings Stamp Program is now handled by Mrs. Willis Esty, Mrs. Joseph Connor, Mrs. Wilbur C. Rundlett, Jr., Mrs. Robert Scales and Mrs. Robert Jordan.


Another group of P.T.A. mothers have released the teachers, and thus saved teaching time, by collecting lunch money on Monday mornings. This group consists of Mrs. William Shaw, Mrs. Richard Sterling, Mrs. Robert Scales and Mrs. Robert Jordan.


The children are the recipients of the advantages resulting from this volunteer help since the teacher is released to perform pro- fessional tasks of instruction on these occasions. The sacrifice of time made by these interested mothers has been appreciated by the under- signed, the teachers and the children.


A new lunch ticket system has greatly facilitated the issuing, processing and collecting of tickets, thus saving considerable time for the cafeteria staff as well as the teaching staff.


117


SCHOOL REPORT


CURRICULUM


Again this year we have been engaged in curriculum revision through the medium of the curriculum workshop in which we partici- pated the second Wednesday of each month. This year work was completed in the areas of Physical Education, Spelling, Handwriting and Music. It is planned to complete our formal study of the various areas of the curriculum this coming year.


Educational television has been a new and successful addition to our curriculum. Experts teach the children in the following areas: Grade Two, Music; Grade Three, Literature; Grade Four, Social Studies; Grade Five, Science of Living Things; Grade Six, Physical Science. The classroom teacher has a study guide and outline of each weekly lesson and introduces the children to the subject-matter before it is presented on the screen. The teacher then follows up with the usual classroom teaching techniques.


The second phase in map and globe replacement was accomplished this past year and has enabled us to finish the bulk of our moderniza- tion in the social studies area.


A survey of speech handicapped children was made in November by Dr. Wilbert Pronovost of Boston University. Children with speech problems were referred by the teachers to Dr. Pronovost for testing. After testing, the children were classified according to their difficulties. Thirty-five children were found to be in need of speech therapy. Some of the problems will be handled by the classroom teachers and others will be handled by a speech therapist.


ACTIVITIES


The Future Teachers of America Club, Safety Patrol, School Band and sports teams have been very active this past year and the children continue to learn the valuable lessons in helping others, cooperation, service to community and good sportsmanship that make these activities so important.


The appointment of Mrs. J. Nellie Johnston as audio-visual and television coordinator has been a boon to the audio-visual program and to the Student Projectionists Club, as the new coordinator is so very much interested in this phase of learning and is so much more available to everyone on an instant's notice than the undersigned.


The student newspaper which we anticipated in my last annual report has become a very successful reality under Miss Nancy DeSautels, faculty advisor. To date, three excellent editions have been distributed.


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SCHOOL REPORT


I am happy to report that the school facilities continue to be used by such local organizations as the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Brownies, Cub Scouts, Y.M.C.A., Grange and various church organizations.


MAINTENANCE


Painting of the office suite, tiling of the cafeteria floor, painting of the outside window sash, purchase of more auditorium chairs and repair of desk tops are the major repair and replacement items accom- plished this year.


In line with recent public concern over school safety as regard fires, Chief Purdy has just completed a fine-tooth-comb inspection of the Howe-Manning School and all items recommended by him have been carried out.


One important change in stock room methodology has been effected under the direction of Mr. Winter, Vice-Principal. Heretofore, the only accounting in the stockroom has been by visual inspection or purchase order slips. This is not satisfactory since those things which are understocked cannot be had when they are needed. Mr. Winter's system gives us an accurate physical inventory.


HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS


During this past year the last of our Senior Classes graduated from Holten High School and our first and only class to graduate from Salem High School will do so in June 1959.


A careful watch is kept on all high school students and conferences are held at Salem High by the undersigned with students in all four classes whose report cards indicate that they are experiencing some scholastic difficulty. According to the policy established in October 1957, the School Committee has seen fit to refuse to pay the tuition of any high school student over 16 years of age who because of excess absences, lack of daily preparation or decided lack of effort is not doing satisfactory work. To date the School Committee has had to implement this policy in only one case.


We look forward to the opening of Masconomet Regional Junior- Senior High School in September of this coming year.


EVALUATION


A touchstone of educational success is continual evaluation. Our testing program and the statistical file set up in my office last year have served to convince us that the Howe-Manning School children


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SCHOOL REPORT


are receiving a good education. However, just as in all other things, there is room for improvement and careful plans are being evolved in certain areas.


After each high school marking period the numerical and percent- age statistics are presented to the School Committee.


It is our hope that by carefully considering our progress as we go, we will be able to adjust and to improve our program of studies with as little difficulty as possible.


CONCLUSION


This school year has already been and will continue to be as it progresses, I am sure, a momentous one. For during it, there has been a change from two administrators to one Superintendent- Principal. For many reasons this is a good move, but the School Committee realizes that to do this there must be some adjustment in duties to be performed and thus they have very wisely set up a vice- principalship. The person chosen for this task had to be experienced, energetic and well-liked. Such is the man presently acting in this capacity, Mr. Eugene C. Winter, Jr.


It will be necessary for us to continue to make adjustments at the Howe-Manning School. Within a year the 6th grade will be the last grade before entrance into high school rather than the 8th grade as it has been in the past.


In all present and future adjustments, the undersigned extends his appreciation to the entire staff, the School Committee and the citizens of the Town of Middleton for their support and cooperation. Once again I pray that God will show all of us who are working for the good of the children of Middleton the way to enlighten their minds in appreciation of things intellectual, of country and of home.


Respectfully submitted,


GEORGE E. PORT, JR.,


Superintendent-Principal


120


SCHOOL REPORT


REPORT OF THE SCHOOL NURSE


To the Superintendent-Principal, Howe-Manning School:


During the year 1958 the following health programs were con- ducted at Howe-Manning School:


Patch tests were given to grades 1, 4 and 7 with 191 children being tested. This is a part of a five year survey program being conducted by the Essex County Health Association.


There were 478 children given Massachusetts Vision Tests with 39 failures. All of these failures are presently under treatment with their own physicians.


Hearing tests were given to 485 children by means of an audio- meter. Thirty of these failed the test and were referred to their own physicians.


' In May of 1958 our yearly diphtheria-tetanus clinic was held and I am pleased to say that very few parents have not taken the oppor- tunity to protect their children from these dread diseases. Booster innoculations should be given at least every 4-5 years to keep the immunization effective.


Physicial exams were completed in grades 1, 4 and 8. Fifteen of the 154 children went to their own physicians and the rest were examined by Dr. Lois Rogers, the school physician. The school physical examination is a screening process to discover defects in the children at an early age. Slips sent home for a questionable disorder should be followed by a visit to the family physician. The slip should be signed by him and returned to the school to become part of the child's health record.


Heights and weights are checked annually and children who are either above or below normal are given dietary advise and checked more frequently.


A pediculosis check is conducted twice annually.


Respectfully submitted,


IRENE RICHMOND, R.N.,


School Nurse


121


SCHOOL REPORT


REPORT OF THE DENTAL CLINIC


To the Superintendent-Principal, Howe Manning School:


At the Howe-Manning School in September 1958, 206 children sought dental treatment by the school dentist as compared to 129 children seeking dental treatment in September 1957. Not all of the 129 seeking dental treatment in the 1957-1958 school year were completed.


Of the 206 children examined 43 required no treatment at all. The remaining 163 children had 454 cavities and required 248 extractions giving an average of 2.7 cavities per child and 1.5 extrac- tions per child. It would be almost impossible to treat all of these children at the School Dental Clinic, and, therefore, the school dentist is strongly recommending that parents please take their children to their own family dentist.


Some of these children are headed for serious dental problems in the not too distant future if immediate attention is not received. The parents are requested to make every effort to rectify these con- ditions while most are still in the manageable state.


It is worthy to note that most parents are concerned with their children's dental appearance. This is particularly important for children entering their teens as they are soon to take their places in society.


Respectfully submitted,


GEORGE J. HAYKAL, D.D.S.,


School Dentist


122


SCHOOL REPORT


REPORT OF REMEDIAL READING SPECIALIST


To the Superintendent-Principal, Howe-Manning School:


"The urgency and scope of education are so great that we must enlist all of the wisdom and imagination of the profession to find better ways of serving children." This quotation from Durrell's Improving Reading Instruction expresses the goal of the Remedial Reading Program at Howe-Manning School.


The selection of children for the Remedial Reading Program was based upon three factors: general test results to determine where the child rated in relation to his contemporaries, the opinion of the class- room teacher regarding attitudes and individual differences, and the results of the Durrell-Sullivan Capacity and Achievement Tests to determine his particular strengths and weaknesses.


Upon this comprehensive basis sixty-seven children were selected for the program. Not only those who were not successful, but also those who indicated that difficulties would be encountered were included. Through this policy we carried a heavier pupil load than systems which accepted only children who read two or more years below grade level. By re-teaching the tools of reading namely: phonics, vocabulary building, and comprehension, before pupils knew serious failure, they achieved more readily at their present level and were able to carry on class work with greater facility.


Meeting four or five periods a week pupils averaged a gain of one year and four months according to Durrell-Sullivan Achievement Tests given in May. The security and confidence built through the methods of our skills program encouraged our children to handle all reading subjects more readily and to seek reading for recreation during their leisure time.


Respectfully submitted,


E. FRANCES DONOVAN,


Remedial Reading Specialist


123


SCHOOL REPORT


REPORT OF MUSIC SUPERVISOR


To the Superintendent-Principal, Howe-Manning School:


The music department is happy to report that it had a very successful program in 1958 - one which was quite active in both the vocal and the instrumental fields. Our first major event usually consists of a few band or vocal numbers for the December PTA meeting. We are planning on presenting a pageant this spring which will utilize the talents of the entire school and the different organiza- tions of the school. The band will play a major part in this pageant, and various classes will add their vocal talents as well as their acting talents.


Last year the Howe-Manning School band marched with the Memorial Day parade as usual, and plans to do so again this year. This may become a memory for Middleton. It is not an easy task for youngsters of the 5th-8th grade level to march and play at the same time. It is a task which requires trained coordination and strict cooperation from each individual in the marching unit. Therefore, you can see where it might be quite difficult, if not impossible, to ask children of 5th and 6th grade level to put out a good marching band. They still are struggling with their ability to play, let alone march.


Aside from the public programs we put on in the course of a school year, we also have an active program within the classroom. A program which includes singing, listening, rhythms, playing, and creating activities suited to each class. This program varies in emphasis and degree of difficulty with each class from the lowest grade to the highest grade, and is planned according to the needs and abilities of the children in each grade.


In the instrumental department this year, we have, with the permission of the school committee, invited Mrs. Sylvia Nichols and Mrs. Lucy Barnes into our school to give private and class instructions on various instruments. These instructions are given at the school after school hours. Any child taking lessons on an instrument, either at the school or with a teacher of his own choosing, may after reach- ing a certain level of attainment on the instrument, join the band. This band meets twice a week under my personal direction.


We are fortunate in having an accomplished pianist as our sixth grade teacher. Mr. Borrelli volunteered his services for the develop- ment of class instruction in piano.


124


SCHOOL REPORT


To summarize, at present, we have a brass and woodwind teacher, a violin teacher, and a class piano teacher. We are still seeking a drum teacher who will be willing to come to the school after hours to give lessons.


The school owns a baritone horn, a trumpet, and a newly acquired E-flat alto saxophone which are loaned to deserving pupils who show interest and ability. After a few months, these students are usually ready to obtain an instrument of their own and to put the school instruments back into circulation. Our instrumental program is off to a fine start this year. We had an instrumental demonstration in October, and with the help of the instrumental teachers We invited into our school, approximately twenty pupils were well into their lessons by the end of November. (This does not include those students who take lessons outside of the school.)


Respectfully submitted,


SANDRA J. MASI,


Music Supervisor


125


SCHOOL REPORT


REPORT OF THE ART SUPERVISOR


To the Superintendent-Principal, Howe-Manning School:


The art program at the Howe-Manning School is planned in the light of the students' emotional aesthetic and manual needs.


A wide variety of media are used, including clayola, crayons, construction paper, water colors, papier-mache, poster paints and colored chalk.


In the lower grades creative expression is encouraged though thoughtful guidance is given in such a manner as to promote art skills without thwarting creativeness. The children's schema or symbolism are accepted, though growth is promoted by easily under- stood suggestions.


In the middle grades a little more attention is given to historical accuracy and correctness of detail with which this age group is so concerned. Drawing is encouraged to remain at the personal subjective level though simple criticisms that can be understood are not withheld.


In the upper grades greater drawing skill is promoted and the approach to drawing becomes more geometric, particularly in the drawing of houses, airplanes, streets ,tanks and other objects that lend themselves to geometric description.


Design is taught at all grade levels. The abstract principles are emphasized, for thereby some insight may be gained of their limitless applications. Only in textile like pattern design is a firm discipline imposed.


Color is taught in terms of its warm and cool characteristics, this gives a reasonable amount of guidance to the students yet leaves largely unimpaired, their freedom of expressive choice.


Group mural work is given at all grade levels and cooperative work habits thereby encouraged.


Manual and aesthetic skills are promoted at all grade levels by creative work done with papier-mache, pasted sawdust, construction paper, and clayola.


Poster technique and lettering are taught in the middle and upper grades and posters of a socially worthy nature are often made.


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SCHOOL REPORT


The overall program is integrated as much as practically possible with seasonal activities, school activities and classroom assignments.


Four classroom teachers are cooperating with the art supervisor in developing an art curriculum guide. This curriculum guide is being developed with separate divisions for each grade level. These divisions will be placed in the hands of the teachers of each grade level and should be particularly helpful in assisting individual teachers to carry out suitable art projects.


Respectfully submitted,


EDWARD B. BRUZZO,


Art Supervisor


127


SCHOOL REPORT


REPORT OF CAFETERIA MANAGER


To the Superintendent-Principal, Howe-Manning School:


From September 8th to December 1st, 1958, we have had 82 per cent participation in the hot lunch program, and hope to interest more, as it is a part of each child's educational process to eat foods prepared away from home. The largest number of children served at one time was 422 plus 15 teachers.


The menus are prepared by following closely the guidance of the Office of School Lunch Programs. A type "A" lunch requirement has been set up which consists of: two ounces of cooked meat or other protein, three-quarters cup of fruit and/or vegetable, one slice of enriched bread, two teaspoonfuls of butter, and one-half pint of milk. This is the minimum requirement and dessert is added as well as larger portions for older children. The Commodity Division sends a monthly allotment of flour, rice, cornmeal ,and some canned fruits and vegetables. By using these products to make hot breads, cakes, and pastry, careful shopping and bookkeeping, we are trying to live within our budget and so hold the price of each meal at twenty cents.


Further improvements have been made in the physical set-up. A new asphalt tile floor has aided considerably in making the cafeteria a pleasant place in which to eat. During the summer the ventilating system in the dish-washing room was improved. Trays, plates, bowls, and silver were purchased to eliminate the use of paper dishes. To facilitate the carrying of trays and plates we now use a recently acquired push-cart.


It was decided by the School Committee that children would not be allowed to work in the cafeteria this year. This necessitated a study of the mechanics of serving in order to serve the same number of lunches without lengthening the lunch period. With the able assistance of Jennie Johnson, Mary Silva, Myrtle Boardman, and Lorayne Hocter, this has been accomplished.


For the cooperation given the cafeteria, we take this opportunity to thank everyone.


Respectfully submitted,


MARY E. KING,


Cafeteria Manager


INDEX


Balance Sheet -


- 40


Cemetery Endowment Report


47


Cemetery Report


31


Charities - -


23


Cummings Fund - - - - 45


General Government - - -


9


Health and Sanitation - - - -


21


Highways -


-


- - 22


- - 27


-


- - - 32


- - - - - 42


Public Service Enterprises -


- 29


Protection of Persons and Property - -


18


Recapitulations - -


-


- - - - 34


Schools


- - 25


Town Officers


- - 3


Town Officers Salaries - - - 14


Town Treasurer's Account


44


Transfers from Reserve Fund


33


Unclassified Account


- 28


Veterans' Services


- - 24


Water


- 29


PART II


Assessors' Report


68


Building Inspector's Report


-


67


Board of Appeals


- 84


-


- - - - -


- -


-


-


-


-


Library and Parks -


Municipal Indebtedness -


Payroll Analysis -


INDEX (Continued)


Community Health Program


93


Dog Officer's Report - -


- 83


Electric Light Report - -


-


- 85 95 -


Fire Department Report -


- -


-


- 87


Flint Public Library Fund


- -


- 51


Jurors List


- -


- 66


Land Owned by the Town - -


- 40


Librarian's Report


- 53


Memoriam


-


-


-


-


2


Moth Department Report -


Planning Board Report


-


-


-


- 89


Public Welfare


Police Department Report - - -


Regional School Committee Report -


- -


- - - 78


Sanitary Committee Report -


- 94


Selectmen's Report - -


School Reports - -


- 107


Tax Collector's Report - - - 70


Town Clerk's Report -


- 57


Tree Department Report -


- 74


Water Commissioners' Report -


- 91


Wire Inspector's Report -


- 86


- 1


-


- - -


-


-


- -


- - 75


- - 90


- - - 76


- - -


- - 55


-


-


-


-


-


Warrant For March, 1959 - Inside Front Cover


Finance Committee Recommendations -


FLINT




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