USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Middleton > Town annual report of Middleton, MA. 1963 > Part 5
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10
Dec. 1961
Joan Freund, B.S.
Boston University
3
Sept. 1963
Selma Klein, M. Ed
Salem S. Teachers Col.
4 Sept. 1963
Cynthia Lundgren, B.A., B.S.
Gordon College
4
Sept. 1962
Carol Minteer, B.S.
Gordon College
4 Sept. 1963
George Boyle, A.B. J. Nellie Johnston B.S., M.Ed.
Salem S. Teachers Col.
5
Sept. 1949
Brendan White, B.S.
Boston University
5
Sept. 1963
Janet Foley, B.S.
Gordon College
6 Sept. 1961
Dorothy Ruark, B.A., B.S.
Gordon College
6 Sept. 1962
Eugene Winter, B.S.
Lowell S. Teachers Col.
6 Sept. 1954
Ruth Chasse, M. Ed.
Lesley College
Ungraded
Edward Bruzzo, B.S.
Tufts University
Art Sept. 1953
School Adj.
Coun. Sept. 1962
Rose Durgin, M. Ed.
Boston University
Reading
Sept. 1956
Phy. Ed.
Sept. 1960
Music Sept. 1962
Dorothy Jackson, B.A. Boston University
Sept. 1958
Lois Crane, B.A., M. Ed.
Boston University
Henrietta Giannino, M.A. New York University
Tufts University
5 Sept. 1963
100
SCHOOL REPORT
HOWE-MANNING SCHOOL Staff Members 1963-1964
Name
Date of Grade Appointment
Carlotta Miller, M. Ed. Boston Univ. Speech
Sept. 1963
William C. Wiswall, M.D.
Bowdoin College
Boston Univ. Physician
Sept. 1960
Leo P. Beninato, D.D.S. University
Georgetown
Dentist
Sept. 1959
Phyllis S. Brown, R.N. Union Hospital
Nurse
June 1960
Barbara T. Clarke
Secretary June 1961
Majorie L. Comack
Fisher Business College
Clerk Dec. 1959
Mary E. King, B.S.
Univ. of N.H.
Cafeteria Mgr. Aug. 1958
Mary Silva
Cafeteria worker Sept. 1955
Lorayne Hocter
Cafeteria worker Sept. 1957
Helen Doucette
Cafeteria worker Sept. 1959
Perley D. Lovelace
Head Custodian
June 1957
T. Myron Reynolds
Custodian and
Attend. Officer May 1960
10
SCHOOL REPORT
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
The Middleton School Committee hereby submits its annual report to the citizens and taxpayers of Middleton.
During the past year, the school committee felt the need to in- crease the number of its regular meetings from once a month to twice a month. Even with this increased number of regular meet- ing dates, several special meetings had to be held in order to deal intelligently with the many problems of education, budget, policy, personnel, space and maintenance that came before us.
Again this year the committee pursued the policy of meeting with one or more of our staff members each month to discuss his or her phase of our school program. Although this procedure is time consuming it provides the committee an excellent opportunity to gain first-hand information and an understanding of all aspects of our operation.
As a result of these interviews with staff members, our frequent discussions with Mr. Port regarding educational matters, the evaluations of achievement test results, and the performance of our pupils after they leave Howe-Manning, the school committee is confident that our educational program is a good one. We will continue to pursue our policy of obtaining for Middleton school children the best possible education for the least possible expenditure.
Of necessity many of our decisions involve the expenditure of money. In all of our spending we have been cognizant of the tremendous strain that education has placed on the Middleton tax- payers' pocketbooks and have made every endeavor to be most prudent in the expenditure of any and all school funds so as not to add unnecessarily to this burden.
In spite of our efforts to keep spending at a minimum, the several major repairs and improvements described in the Superin- tendent-Principal's report in this section were approved in an effort to keep our building in satisfactory condition and functional.
Again this year, the committee has been plagued with the problem of turnover in its membership. One member, Mr. Robert Brown, moved to Danvers so was no longer eligible to serve on our local committee. His place on the committee has been filled by Doctor Edward Jones. Mr. Norman Nathan had to resign from his membership on the committee because of a change in his working
102
SCHOOL REPORT
hours which prevented him from attending meetings. Mr. Francis Masse was appointed to fill out Mr. Nathan's term. Although it takes each new member some time to become oriented to the work of the committee and the continuity of its program is apt to slow down, we feel most fortunate in obtaining men of this calibre as replacements.
We should like to extend our gratitude to the citizens of Mid- dleton for their approval of the new elementary school building. With this additional facility we can continue to carry out a sound and effective educational program.
We should also like to thank the dedicated members of the School Investigating Committee and School Building Committee for their endless hours of serious effort.
We should like to solicit the continued cooperation and interest of the parents. We are confident to best serve the interest of each student a program of mutual respect and cooperation between home and school must be adhered to. A better insight into the scope of the school committee's problems and work can be gained by attending school committee meetings. These are open to the public. The regular meetings are held at the Howe-Manning School on the second and fourth Thursday of each month. The committee extends a cordial invitation to any citizen of the town to attend these meetings.
We should like to extend our sincere gratitude to Mr. Port and Mr. Winter, our faculty, our supervisors, our cafeteria workers, custodial staff and lunchtime supervisors for their loyalty and sup- port during the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
MIDDLETON SCHOOL COMMITTEE
David V. Harding, Chairman
Rosamond Bastable, Secretary Page Campbell
Edward Jones Francis Masse
103
SCHOOL REPORT
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT- PRINCIPAL
To the Middleton School Committee:
Herein is submitted my sixth annual report as Superintendent of the Middleton School System and Principal of the Howe-Manning School.
CURRICULUM AND EDUCATIONAL PLANNING
In recent years I have reported in June to the School Commit- tee concerning the educational achievement of the children insofar as this achievement can be measured by achievement tests. This past June the practice was continued. As you may remember, the average test gains for the period of September 1962 to May 1963 should measure eight months. The actual test gains for each class ranged from a low of 6 months in one case to a high of 18 months.
In grades five and six we added departmentalization to the existing homogeneous grouping and in grade six a team-teaching project is being developed in science. An experimental program of departmentalization in grade four did not prove to be wholly suc- cessful. Therefore, a variation of this program, including limited team teaching, is being tried this year. Joplin planning in reading and mathematics was continued as in previous years.
The items listed under the long-range plan printed in last year's annual report continue to be valid goals of the administra- tion. As previously pointed out, however, the steps may have to be accelerated or delayed according to current circumstances.
A series of special programs consisting of lectures and per- formances in music, art, the culture of other countries, the history of Middleton, etc. was presented to the children in grade six. The intent behind these lectures was, of course, educational; but it was also intended to lift the eyes of the children to horizons higher than their immediate times and environment. We are deeply in- debted to such local citizens as Mr. Lennart Winquist, Mr. Gerrit Vermeulen, Mrs. Charles Hadley Watkins, Mrs. Elmer Campbell, Jr., Miss Dorothy Jackson (our Music Supervisor) and her parents, the Museum of Fine Arts, Mr. Bruzzo and many other fine people for their assistance in this valuable program we intend to repeat and enlarge upon this year.
Like school systems throughout the country, many of our chil- dren have spelling problems and the School Committee wisely
104
SCHOOL REPORT
adopted the Row-Peterson series of spellers. Although no single textbook or method can be the complete answer to spelling, we hope that the extensive amount of writing and phonetic practice which this series demands will alleviate the problem. A formal study of the entire Spelling Program is also being made by a committee of teachers.
This past year modern mathematics was introduced to the top division in grade five, to articulate with the modern mathematics program developed in 1959 for the top division of the sixth grade. In addition, the average divisions of both grades are receiving limited training in this new approach to mathematics during the school year now in progress. A committee of teachers is currently constructing a curriculum which would incorporate modern mathe- matics into all grades beginning in September 1964.
Traditional grade one has been converted to a non-graded primary program this year. It is expected that this program will progress a year at a time until it encompasses grades one, two and three. This plan permits children to progress at their own rate, avoiding repetition of that which they have already mastered, and being checked quite frequently so that each "level" is a challenge - but one which the child can handle.
CAPITAL OUTLAY AND REPAIRS
A 16 mm motion picture projector was purchased, making use of the matching funds provided under the program known as the "National Defense Act."
In order to partially alleviate the tremendous heat in the boiler room, ductwork and a fan were installed in that area.
Fluorescent lighting was installed in three classrooms and two corridors in the 1937 section of the building. The change in these rooms has been dramatic.
A duplex vacuum pump was purchased to replace a pump in the boiler room which dated back to 1936 and which was on longer functioning well.
A 16-foot aluminum ladder was purchased so that lighting fixtures in difficult-to-reach areas of the building, such as the gymnasium and the stairwells, could be safely serviced.
All radiator traps in the 1937 section of the building were replaced due to a serious problem of leaking steam.
105
SCHOOL REPORT
A portable coat rack was purchased to augment the existing wall-mounted coat hooks constructed by our custodians.
A new ventilating fan, servicing the several lavatories in the oldest portion of the building, was purchased since the fan which had formerly done this work was worn out.
In 1959 the Superintendent-Principal warned that there was a need to seriously consider re-roofing the oldest section of the build- ing which is now twenty-six years old. It became imperative that it be accomplished immediately and therefore this work has been done.
A dictating machine was purchased so that instructions, letters, etc. could be put on tape, thereby increasing efficiency in the office work-flow.
AUXILIARY SERVICES
Instruction in band instruments on Saturday mornings and Wednesday afternoons continued this past year. This enabled the children to enjoy the cultural advantages of such instruction. Mr. Winter practices with these children as a band unit one noon recess each week.
Our safety patrol continued to enjoy the confidence of the Police Department, parents, teachers and children. This valuable service operates under the general supervision of Mr. Winter; although in their actual traffic duty, immediate control is managed by the Police officer on duty.
A new dental program was adopted this year which seems to promise a more thorough, and at the same time, more economical future for this service.
Lunch-time supervisors were appointed to oversee the children in the cafeteria and also to supervise the children at noon recess.
PUBLIC RELATIONS
For the third straight year a series of seminar-type sessions has been offered in an effort to help parents and interested citizens to know the schools' stand on matters of intelligence, achievement, discipline, retention, curriculum plans for the future, and many other subjects of interest. These small group discussions also afford the opportunity to obtain, at first hand, answers to many questions.
106
SCHOOL REPORT
Teacher-parent conferences have been continued on the second Wednesday of certain months. These scheduled half-hour confer- ences have afforded a fine opportunity for parents and teachers to discuss matters of common interest with the child's records at hand.
PARENT-TEACHER ASSOCIATION
Our Parent-Teacher Association deserves very special mention.
The capable leadership of Mrs. Willis Esty has made possible a highly successful year in the selling of United States Savings Stamps. Assisting Mrs. Esty this past year have been Mrs. Donald Aylward, Mrs. Richard Collins, and Mrs. Robert Jordan. These ladies, under the sponsorship of the Parent-Teacher Association, have given up their Tuesday mornings to sell savings stamps at the school and thus relieve the children and teachers of this time- consuming task.
Another group of hard-working parents, working under the general supervision of Miss Durgin and Mr. Winter, have processed and lent out the books in our new school library. This assistance has freed Miss Durgin to teach three more hours a week, thereby indirectly helping many children in need of specialized instruction. The ladies who have contributed their time to provide this valuable service are Mrs. Francis Masse, Mrs. Charles Gordon, Mrs. Thomas Ryer, Mrs. Robert Bixby and Mrs. Paul O'Dell.
The P.T.A. has also sponsored an educational talk by Carl DeSuze, a Christmas tree sale and a Minstrel Show which has be- come a looked-forward-to- annual event. The receipts from these activities have resulted in the purchase of very fine stage drapes which add color and prestige to our auditorium.
CONCLUSION
Francis Keppel, U.S. Commissioner of Education has said "Not until the next generation shall we know how good or how bad our present educational efforts and accomplishments are. This is the fundamental problem in creating the sense of urgency about educa- tional reform and the need for investment in education. Most of us, I think, feel that education is important, but few believe it to be urgent."
The elementary school years are the formative years, and as a result, very critical years. It is essential, therefore, that we provide the best possible educational program for these years. We must plan
107
SCHOOL REPORT
our programs with the greatest care, realizing that new research will give us new concepts, directions and goals and that we must operate within the framework of the knowledge which is now avail- able as a guide, in lieu of more definite knowledge, to the best practices in the field.
With the above in mind and with the knowledge that Almighty God will not fail us as we strive to educate His children, I wish to express my thanks to the entire staff, the School Committee and the citizens of the Town of Middleton, all of whom have given so very much of themselves to the benefit of our children.
Respectfully submitted, GEORGE E. PORT, JR.
Superintendent-Principal
108
SCHOOL REPORT
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL NURSE
To the Superintendent-Principal, Howe-Manning School:
During the school year 1962-1963, the following health pro- grams were carried out at the Howe-Manning School:
The Massachusetts Vision Test, by means of a new Titmus, was given to 483 children. This new machine enabled the nurse to test in the health room, thus eliminating the problems of space, light, and the children putting on and taking off glasses. Eighteen failures were found and after retesting were reported in writing to the parents. Most have been or are presently under treatment.
Hearing tests were given to 507 children with 39 failures. These children were all referred to their own physicians and I am pleased to say most of them have been seen by private doctors. The hearing tests are done individually by means of an audiometer and the failures are rechecked before a written notice of failure is sent home.
The Mantoux Test was given to children in Grades 1 and 6, children coming into school and children entering their teens. In this test a drop of harmless liquid tuberculin is put into the skin. The Essex County Health Association and state health officials feel this test is more accurate than the patch testing done in the past. Only four positive reactions were found and follow-up visits were made to the homes. All contractors were checked at the Essex Sanatorium.
Physical examinations were given to children in Grades 1 and 4, starting in the Fall of 1962 and continuing through the Spring of 1963. A total of 95 children were given complete physicals by Dr. William Wiswall, the School Physician, with many mothers present. Sixty-four children went to their own family physicians for examinations. Reports of defects were sent home in writing for the more important findings, referring them to their own family physicians for care or correction. Hemoglobin determination and urine analysis are done on all children receiving the complete physical examination at school.
Approximately 1040 children visited the Health Room in the past year because of illness or accident during the day.
A pediculosis check is conducted twice annually on all heads. This condition has not been a problem in recent years.
109
SCHOOL REPORT
Heights and weights are checked annually on all children and those above and below are given dietary advice.
Forty-six attended the Diptheria-Tetanus Clinics held during the year, two receiving the original series of three shots and 44 receiving boosters.
Numerous Sabin Oral Polio Clinics were held during the school year. Ninety-nine received Type I in May, 1962, and 322 in January, 1963, a total of 421. Ninety-six children received Type III in June, 1962, and 289 in May, 1963, a total of 385. In March, 1963, 459 children received Type II. Only 12 children were not immunized, as their parents refused permission.
Home visits were made to many children on the emergency dental list.
Respectfully submitted,
PHYLLIS S. BROWN, R.N.
School Nurse
110
SCHOOL REPORT
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL DENTIST
To the Superintendent-Principal, Howe-Manning School:
During the year 1963 a total of 485 pupils were examined. In- formative reports were sent to all parents relating the condition of their children's teeth. Of the total examined, 325 were found to be in need of treatment.
According to the new program adopted this year, treatment at the school has been discontinued. There were 23 children who were in need of emergency treatment, which they received from a local dentist. The work done on these emergency case consisted of the following: 35 x-rays, 19 prophylaxis, 153 surface cavities, and 69 extractions. The emergency treatment of these 23 children was financed by local organizations and Howe-Manning School funds.
The first grades received tooth brushes and were given demon- strations as to the proper method of brushing teeth.
A thorough examination of all the children about to enter the first grade was accomplished and reports were sent to parents.
I extend my sincere thanks to the school nurse, the parents and the Superintendent-Principal for their valued assistance to me in carrying out this program.
Respectfully submitted,
LEO P. BENINATO, D.D.S.
School Dentist
111
SCHOOL REPORT
REPORT OF REMEDIAL READING SUPERVISOR
To the Superintendent-Principal, Howe-Manning School:
There are many good methods for teaching reading in use today. A critical review of these various methods has led us to select an alphabetic-phonetic approach for use in our remedial read- ing program. This system is based on the concept of word-building from letters (symbols representing sounds) to syllables to whole words (communication of thought). Upon this information we build phrases (thought units) before studying sentences and paragraphs. All of these steps lead toward better comprehension, which is our basic goal.
The children of the low and average divisions in grades three through six were screened for possible reading difficulties with the Gates Survey Reading Test. Children who scored one or more years below their grade level were included in the remedial reading class. Other children were accepted upon teacher recommendation.
Eight months after the initial screening test was given, the children were retested with an alternate form of the Gates Reading Test. In the following table we show the difference between the two sets of scores in terms of average gain.
Grade 2 10 months
Average I.Q. 100 " I.Q. 91
Grade 4
16 months
*Grade 4
18 months
" I.Q. 93
Grade 5
12 months I.Q. 85
*Grade 5
11 months
I.Q. 82
Grade 6
12 months
I.Q. 87
*Grade 6
11 months
"
I.Q. 93
*First year members of the class.
The average gain for the entire remedial reading group was 13 months with an average total I.Q. score of 89. If the I.Q. score were 100, the expected growth would be eight months.
In September of the present school year (1963-1964), the children were again selected through the results of the Gates Sur- vey Reading Test and teacher recommendation. There are seven children from Grade 3, fifteen from Grade 4, six from Grade 5, and seventeen from Grade 6. We plan to use the alphabetic-phonetic approach again this year in the remedial reading classes.
112
SCHOOL REPORT
The effectiveness of the remedial reading program depends upon the success of the individual child in recognizing his own needs and the extent of his willingness to pursue a course of work by which he may overcome his reading difficulty.
Respectfully submitted, ROSE E. DURGIN
Remedial Reading Supervisor
113
SCHOOL REPORT
REPORT OF MUSIC SUPERVISOR
To the Superintendent-Principal, Howe-Manning School:
Our music program is planned to promote the enjoyment of music by every child. Skills are the means to an end - not the end itself.
The Music Supervisor visits each class once a week. During this period old songs are reviewed and children are guided in singing them more musically. New songs are taught. Children are helped to discover the relationship between the music and the printed nota- tion. They are encouraged to become aware of such things as rhythm patterns, time values, melodic intervals, major and minor music, key notes, and dynamics. Their understanding of these fac- tors grows through the grades. Uncertain singers are helped to "find their singing voices".
Each month the Music Supervisor prepares for each grade a list of materials and teaching suggestions. She observes the teachers and children and offers guidance and help to the teachers. She con- sults with the teacher about integration of music with other sub- jects. Music appreciation is fostered through listening to records and television as well as through singing.
Classroom teachers carry on the music program the rest of the week, reviewing material begun by the Music Supervisor and intro- ducing some new work. Unfortunately, their time is rather limited, especially in the upper grades.
Some classes enjoy unique activities. The ungraded class plays song flutes with real satisfaction. The second grades receive excel- lent instruction on television with folk singer Tony Saletan.
We are fortunate this year to have the Follett series of books, "Together We Sing", in all classes in all grades. These attractive books have a strong appeal as well as a sound music education philosophy and material for a good development program. We also have a new album of two LP records for each grade containing several songs from the book for that grade. These are proving helpful to all classes, both in learning the tune and getting the spirit of a song. Our pianos have been tuned and repaired, and in some cases moved to rooms where they were most needed.
The Boys' and Girls' Choruses rehearse separately once a week at noon recess. Some seventy boys and girls selected from grades four through six are now preparing a program for the December
114
SCHOOL REPORT
P.T.A. meeting. During the last year they sang at the December and May meetings. These groups are conducted by the Music Supervisor.
Mr. Eugene Winter conducts the band which rehearses twice a week at noon recess. Mr. William Bowers gives private and group lessons in band instruments Wednesday afternoons. This fall he held an assembly to demonstrate instruments and interest children in taking lessons.
Last year the Music Supervisor arranged three programs for the sixth grade as part of the "Higher Horizons" program. These included a voice recital, a cello recital, and a program of Mexican slides and songs.
The Music Supervisor wishes to thank the Superintendent- Principal, the teachers, and other staff members for their co-opera- tion and assistance this year.
Respectfully submitted,
DOROTHY L. JACKSON Music Supervisor
115
SCHOOL REPORT
REPORT OF ART SUPERVISOR
To the Superintendent-Principal, Howe-Manning School:
The art program at the Howe-Manning School has as its primary aims the development of creativity, the development of manual dexterity, the teaching of valid art principles, and the pro- viding of an opportunity for the children to release their emotions in a socially satisfying manner.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.