USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Middleton > Town annual report of Middleton, MA. 1960 > Part 8
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SUMMER SCHOOL
A six week summer school was conducted at the Masconomet Regional High School, beginning July 11 and concluding August 19, 1960. Twenty-four courses were offered, and one hundred and thirty- six students were enrolled in the various classes. The school was primarily remedial in nature.
Course offerings were as follows: English 7 through 10, Arithmetic 7 and 8, General Mathematics I, Biology, General Science 7 and 8, Shorthand I, Bookkeeping I, Algebra I and II, Plane Geometry, French I and II, Latin I, Spanish I, Remedial Reading, U. S. History, Driver Education and Training (Theory and On-the-Road), and Personal-Use Typewriting. Class periods were one hour in length.
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A report pupil enrollment by town shows that 44 students were from Boxford, 18 students were from Middleton, 53 students were from Topsfield, and 21 students were non-residents of the school district.
The summer session faculty was composed of ten teachers, six of whom were from the regular staff; the others are regularly teach- ing in Hamilton, Danvers, Topsfield, and Medford.
In an effort to aid the summer session in becoming self-support- ing, tuition rates are to be increased from $15.00 per course for resi- dents, to $20.00 per course. Non-resident fees are to be increased from $30.00 per course, to $40.00 per course. This increase will be effective with the 1961 Summer School.
The summer school was under the direction of Mr. William R. Stanton, head of the Business Education Department.
It is hoped that as our summer school matures, it will be possible to augment the present remedial program with the addition of enrichment and exploratory courses drawn from all areas of the regular school curriculum.
FACULTY
The instructional staff now numbers 58, an increase of 9 over last year. All of the additional teachers, with the exception of the reading specialist, were required because of the increase in enrollment and the need to add more sections in the required subjects in the upper grades.
Five members of the faculty resigned in June to accept teaching positions in other school systems. The names of teachers new to the faculty in September, and of those who resigned in June, are listed in another section of this report. The enrollment increase already projected for September 1961 will necessitate employing five additional teachers exclusive of the special class teacher.
The quality of learning that goes on in any school depends upon skillful teaching. Skillful teaching, moreover, requires competent, well-qualified teachers. Of great importance in the securing of such teachers is the adequacy of a school's salary schedule. Masconomet's salary schedule for teachers, for the present, at least, is such as to enable the District to retain its competitive position with other school systems vying for quality teachers. Two modifications in the salary policy recently made by the School Committee will help to strengthen our position. The first of these is the removal of the restrictive clause requiring "a teacher to be at normal maximum for his classification
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for two years before becoming eligible for supermaximum". The other modification increases the upper limit of the supermaximum by $500 -- from the present $1,000 to $1,500 - thus emphasizing further the importance of "merit" as a significant element in the salary policy. Neither of these changes, however, will have any effect on the 1961 budget for salaries.
The Committee has also accepted the provisions of Chapter 32B of the General Laws thus permitting the District to share 50% of the cost of a Group Insurance Plan for all employees. This Group Insur- ance Plan which will include life insurance, accidental death and dis- memberment insurance, and group hospital, surgical and medical insurance, is to become operative as early in 1961 as the necessary details can be worked out.
Masconomet has a remarkably able and alert faculty - one in which the citizens of the District should have justifiable pride. Their concern and genuine interest in the students under their care is exceptional and their professional preparation and skill in teaching compares with the best in New England.
Being cognizant of the need of education, generally, to have an adequate supply of teachers, our school has tried to do its share in the training of new teachers. During the past year four students from three colleges have been given the opportunity to do their practice teaching in the classrooms of Masconomet. Two from Northeastern University trained in our English department; one from Boston Teachers' College, in our Social Studies department; and one from Simmons College in our Home Economics department.
SELF-EVALUATION
Masconomet Regional High School holds membership in the New England Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. Since the New England Association serves also as an accrediting body - one of six such regional accrediting associations in the country - a school's membership in it is an important element in helping its graduates to qualify for admission to institutions of higher learning. One of the conditions for retaining membership in the Association is that member schools must undertake a self-evaluation study once in every ten years. All Massachusetts secondary schools presently hold- ing membership in the Association are required to complete this self- evaluation before 1965.
In keeping with this condition of membership your regional high school plans to carry on its program of self-evaluation during 1961-62. When the staff has completed its study and evaluation of our high
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school, a committee of educators drawn from other high schools will be appointed to visit Masconomet and spend several days making their own evaluation as a check against that already made by the staff.
The time table already drawn up for this project, calls for the completion of the first phase by the end of the present school year. The second phase is to be completed by February 1962 with the Visit- ing Committee evaluation scheduled for a four-day period early in March. These evaluation studies are not intended to compare one school with another, but rather, to provide an opportunity for each school to determine to what extent and how well it is meeting the educational needs of the youth of the region it serves.
GUIDANCE SERVICES
Guidance is an integral part of our total school program. The major activity of the personnel of the guidance department has been directed toward providing students with the quality and quantity of individual and group counseling which will help them to develop and carry out the kinds of educational and vocational plans that are com- mensurate with their abilities, interests, and motivations.
To this end, each student is assigned to a counselor with whom he has at least two counseling interviews during the course of the school year. Many students seek additional conferences.
To support and assist the work of the counselors a broad program of aptitude and achivement testing has been instituted. Through tests of this sort much objective data is secured about each student to help him and his parents understand better his strengths and weak- nesses, and to provide the school with valuable statistical information to guide it in future curriculum planning and development. Already as a result of the testing that has been done it appears that Masco- nomet - not unlike other secondary schools - has a significant number of students with fine academic potential, but who, as yet, are not making use of their God-given talents in the classroom. We refer to such students as "under achievers". They are the ones who con- stitute a real challenge to teachers as well as parents, to seek means by which these unchallenged minds can be awakened to greater academic achievement. Only through the close cooperation of parents, teachers, and counselors, all working together in harmony, can this sort of problem be ultimately resolved.
Through the efforts of the guidance department, our students are continually being provided with important educational and occupational information. This is done in several ways. A series of career con- ferences supplied through the courtesy of Northeastern University is
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held monthly, affording interested students an opportunity to learn firsthand about various occupations from persons working in them. School and college admissions officers frequent the school to talk with students and counselors. Student field trips to schools and colleges in the New England area are carried on throughout the year as an added service to students.
The growth in student population and the number taking advantage of the services available through our guidance department has caused an acute space problem which has been partially relieved for the present by taking over the Student Activities room as an annex to the original guidance quarters. A further illustration of the effort of increased enrollment is the necessity this year to do all our large group testing in the auditorium where conditions for testing are not as good as those to be had in the cafeteria.
SCHOOL LIBRARY
This year has seen major growth in the Franklin C. Roberts, Sr., Library. Such a development was to be expected because of increased enrollment in the school, acquisition of more books, and the continued support of teachers who are strongly in agreement over the value of the library to them and to the students.
Administratively, several experiments have been tried. Among these are instruction in the use of the library and its resources with emphasis on library laboratory periods for the three upper grades, the multiplied use of the library by classes supervised by an instructor for research purposes, and the development of an improved library pass system.
After discussion with the chairmen of the English and Social Studies Departments, a plan to orient seventh grade students to the library, and to instruct eighth and ninth graders in resource and research aids and in the use of the card catalogue, was tried. The librarian met during the eighth period with these classes on a planned schedule.
Use of the library as a laboratory period is defined as an oppor- tunity for students to use research materials under the direct super- vision of librarian and teacher for the specific purpose of preparing a research paper on a given topic. Most of the upper classes in English and Social Studies have begun required project work in this way.
Advanced sections of the seventh and eighth grades in which there are many students who cannot otherwise be in the library except after school come in regularly each Monday during the eighth or
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activity period. New library passes were developed in an effort to maintain better controls of the number of students in the library at a given period and to curtail unauthorized wandering in the corridors. Teachers feel that the new pass system is working effectively.
There are two conference rooms connected with the library. One of these has been converted into a teachers' work area and profes- sional library. This same room is also used daily by the Latin III class and by students receiving reading instruction. The remaining con- ference room is kept free for student use.
The library has acqquired several more excellent reference works this past year and as a result student use of the reference section of the library has increased. Through their working with modern editions of reference works our students are beginning to realize the import- ance of current material and the inadequacy of out-dated books in the preparation of special reports, particularly in the area of science.
The Library Aid program begun last year continues to work well giving interested students an opportunity for training in library work while at the same time rendering a useful and valuable service to their school. Those students who wish to serve as assistants are checked with the Guidance Department for ability, grades, and general quality.
Our library continues to assist the public libraries in the member towns of the District in every possible way. When teachers supply the school librarian with units of work planned for the month ahead, this information is passed along to the public libraries. Reading lists are also placed with them. Shelf list cards continue to be sent to them for their information.
Statistics support the above facts. For example, there are now approximately 3,100 books in our library. Circulation has more than doubled last year's figures - and this trend is certain to continue. Figures on student use are well above last year's. The circulation of magazines, pamphlets, and bound issues of articles from the National Geographic has also grown.
We continue to borrow books from libraries outside the District as needed in response to requests of students working on special projects. Principal sources used are the State Regional Center at North Andover, the Division of Library Extension in Boston, Lowell Institute of Technology, and the public libraries of larger neighboring com- munities.
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HONOR AWARDS PROGRAM
The encouragement of academic excellence on the part of its students is a continuing objective of your regional high school. At the end of each marking period a scholastic honor roll listing the names of all students whose marks in major subjects are of "B" grade or better, is prepared and published. A feature of our honor awards program and one that is unique among secondary schools, is the awarding of honor roll pins at an awards assembly following the close of each marking period.
These recognition pins in the form of a spearhead, embossed with a red enameled "M" and bearing the word "Scholarship", are provided in gold, silver and bronze and correspond to the three honor roll levels, namely, "Highest Honors", "High Honors", and "Honors". The recipient is entitled to wear the pin during the ensuing marking period. At the end of this time all pins are called in, a new honor roll list is prepared, and at a similar awards assembly the recognition pins are again presented to all who qualify.
Another feature of our Honor Awards Program is the presen- tation at an early fall assembly of scholarship certificates to all students whose final grades for the preceding year are of honor roll quality. These certificates, attractively printed in the school's colors and suitable for framing, designate the recipient as a "Masconomet Scholar". For the 1959-60 school year, 23% of our student body earned this distinction. This is a significant accomplishment and indicates that many of our students are meeting successfully the challenge of high acedemic standards that has been established.
As a further incentive to high scholarship a chapter of the National Honor Society was established to give added recognition to those seniors and juniors whose scholarship record is outstanding, and who, at the same time, have developed to an outstanding degree qualities of leadership, service, and character.
Under our charter, granted by the National Secondary School Principals Association (founders of the National Honor Society) the scholarship qualification is a demanding one. Seniors to qualify must have an average of 85% or better at the time of their election to membership; while juniors must have an average of 87% or better. The work of the preceding three and one-half years is the basis for determining this scholastic average in the case of seniors; and of the preceding two and one-half years in the case of juniors.
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Election to membership in the National Honor Society is by vote of the faculty on recommendation of the Chapter Council, which reviews carefully the eligibility of juniors and seniors for membership on the basis of the above-mentioned factors. One of the highlights of the past year was the special assembly at which 18 students (9 from the Class of 1960 and 9 from the Class of 1961) were formally in- ducted in the "New Meadows" chapter of the National Honor Society, as ours is called. The induction ceremony was carried on by an install- ing team from the National Honor Society Chapter of Marblehead High School. The entire assembly to which parents of the inductees had been invited, was a most impressive one with its element of sur- prise as to who would be tapped for this high honor, and its colorful pageantry.
It is significant to note here that both the special honor roll recog- nition assemblies and the annual National Honor Society induction assembly are well received by the student body. Such an exhibition of wholesome respect and admiration on their part for schoolmates who are able to win recognition for scholarship attainment is not only rewarding to see, but indicative of the general return by high school students today to a proper value sense which recognizes that those among them having special skills, whether these be along academic lines, in sports, in music or in any other field of endeavor, are justly deserving of appropriate rewards for their accomplishments.
HEALTH SERVICES
The program of health services in operation at Masconomet has been set up in accordance with regulations established by the Massa- chusetts Department of Public Health. Our schedule of complete physical examinations worked out as a continuation of the program operating in the elementary grades of member towns calls for such examinations to be given annually to all students in grades 8 and 12. Students and their parents are encouraged to have this physical examination given by the family physician whenever possible. Special Health Record Forms for the family physician's use in reporting the result of this examination are furnished parents through the office of the school nurse. Parents of students in these two grades wishing to have this physical given by the school doctor in lieu of the family physician may make such request in writing to the school nurse.
All students are given vision and hearing tests annually. Parents of those found to have some defect in either of these areas are notified in writing so that proper corrective measures can be initiated by the parent.
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All new students entering the school are examined for a visible scar of vaccination. In the absence of such a scar, the student must be vaccinated, or present a certificate from the family physician cer- tifying that such vaccination would endanger the health of the student, and requesting that this requirement be waived.
The health service also includes immunization programs against diphtheria, tetanus, and poliomyelitis. This fall the T.B. patch testing program was initiated and offered to all students in grades 9 and 12.
All students taking part in any of the competitive sports are required to pass a physical examination before they can be permitted to participate. This examination is given by the school doctor.
Our health clinic is open daily throughout the school year to care for the health needs of students. On some days it is a busy place indeed, depending on what "bug" is currently running rampant. When it seems advisable to send home a student, who has become ill during the school day, the home is notified and the parent asked to make arrangements for transporting the student to his home. The fine cooperation given by parents in this and other matters involving the health services of our school is an important factor in making our health program the successful operation that it is.
SPECIAL FEATURES
Among the many fine features of our building are the several display cases placed at appropriate locations in the corridors and entrance lobbies. These offer a splendid medium through which the program of the school as interpreted through projects growing out of classroom activities can be exhibited for the benefit of all students, visitors to the school, and the general public.
These displays are changed on a regular schedule with all depart- ments of the school assuming responsibility for planning one or more exhibits during the year. Many favorable comments have been received on the quality of these displays, their originality, and the meaningful and interesting way in which they tell their story. All who have contributed to this continuing operation "showcase" are to be com- mended for their efforts in making effective use of these display cases. Special appreciation and thanks is due Mr. Theodore Meinelt, who, as chairman of the faculty committee on displays, has done much to stimulate faculty and student enthusiasm in this regard, as well, as to create an art consciousness that is felt in many areas of our total school program.
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The Business Education Department successfully sponsored for the second time an instructional seminar, open to teachers in the area, on "Modern Techniques in Business Education". The 1960 seminar dealt with the problem of ink and spirit-process methods of duplica- tion. Over 35 business teachers, representing 17 schools in Essex and Middlesex counties, attended this instructional seminar held on two successive afternoons. Also in attendance were representatives of the State Department of Education and the Veterans Administration.
The first instructional seminar held in November of 1959 dealt with the techniques and methods of using the electric typewriter as an effective teaching tool.
Masconomet held its first Science Fair on Friday and Saturday, March 25 and 26. Some 143 students, grades 7-12, entered 122 exhibits, which many of them had been working on over a period of several months in connection with their formal study of science. The exhibits were judged on the first evening by science teachers from other school systems who had consented to serve in this capacity. The judges com- mented most favorably on the quality of work done by our student exhibitors, and on the splendid manner in which the Fair had been planned and organized. They were, also, much impressed by the fine facilities for science instruction available to Masconomet students. Likewise, they were impressed by the high level of interest which had been developed by many of our students in this important subject area.
A special conference for Language teachers of the area was held in the spring by our Language Department. The one day conference featured a talk by Mrs. Anne Slack, instructor for the WGBH-TV series of French lessons which is broadcast for use in classrooms of many Elementary schools in and around the Boston area, and a first showing of the sound movie describing the Lingua-Trainor. The latter, prepared by Science Electronics, Inc., was filmed in large part at Masconomet with some of our advanced language students demon- strating the Lingua-Trainor in action. Opportunity was given to those attending the conference to visit our language laboratory and to experiment with the use of this modern equipment which is being so widely accepted today as an important aid to the teaching of all foreign languages.
MUSICAL ACTIVITIES
The activities of our music department are increasing because of an up-surge of student interest in the variety of music opportunities that are available to them.
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The formal part of the music program starts with general music instruction in grades 7 and 8. All students at this level take two periods a week of music with instruction centered around such learn- ing experiences as note reading, music notation through workbook material, general group singing, music talent testing, music instru- ment demonstration, and music appreciation. In grades 9-12 the only formal music taught is a course in music theory.
Beyond this there are several opportunities for those students having a strong interest, as well as some aptitude, in music to secure additional training through participation on a voluntary basis in one or more of the performing groups. These include the "Choralettes", a singing group composed of 55 7th and 8th grade girls; the "Masco- nomet Singers", a mixed chorus of 75 students selected from grades 9-12; an orchestra of 30 players drawn from grades 7-12; and a band numbering 50 members also drawn from grades 7-12. In addition, sectional meetings are held weekly for members of the band and orchestra.
Through its performing groups the music department has enjoyed an active and successful year. A concert last spring involving all of the groups was a performance that will long be remembered by Masconomet music lovers, both old and young, for its variety of selections, expert and brilliant execution, and superb staging. At Easter-time the "Singers", the "Choralettes", and the Orchestra together with the modern dance group from the Girls' Physical Edu- cation Department, presented a very fine assembly program telling the Easter story in song and dance. A similar program was prepared for our annual Christmas assembly and was presented the evening before for the enjoyment of parents and friends of the school.
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