USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Town annual report of Plymouth, MA 1951 > Part 16
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STABILIZATION FUND
Plymouth Five Cents Savings Bank
$3,166.76
Plymouth Savings Bank 5,307.59
South Weymouth Savings Bank
5,409.33
Danvers Savings Bank
5,431.77
Beverly Savings Bank
5,496.95
U. S. Treasury Bonds, 21/2's of 67/72
25,000.00
CONTRIBUTORY RETIREMENT SYSTEM FUNDS Bonds
$147,489.82
Bank Stocks
15,460.00
Federal Savings and Loan Ass'n
5,147.12
Savings Banks
12,719.56
Plymouth National Bank
1,164.14
$181,980.64
SCHEDULE J
BORROWING CAPACITY, JAN. 1, 1952
Valuation for 1949, less abatements on $544,603
$25,405,532
Valuation of Motor Vehicles for 1949, less abatements
1,560,506
Valuation for 1950, less abatements on $445,283
26,539,847
Valuation of Motor Vehicles for 1950, less abatements
1,776,920
Valuation for 1951, less abatements on $718,022
27,708,153
Valuation of Motor Vehicles for 1951, less abatements
1,923,553
$84,914,511
Average
28,304,833
5%
1,415,242
Total Debt Incurred and Outstanding
$784,000
Less:
Water Loans 195,000
Total Debt Within Debt Limit
589,000
Borrowing Capacity, January 1, 1952
$826,242
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ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
School Department
OF THE
Town of Plymouth Massachusetts
1820
MASS
30
MOJ
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31
1951
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IN APPRECIATION
We, the undersigned members of the Plymouth School Committee, hereby express to our fellow committeemen, Mr. David A. Cappannari and Dr. William E. Curtin, our deep appreciation of the services they have rendered to the schools of Plymouth during a period of nearly 15 years. Mr. Cappannari was appointed to the School Com- mittee in May, 1937, to succeed Mr. Edward A. Buttner, deceased. Dr. Curtin was appointed in June, 1938, to suc- ceed Mr. Edward W. Bradford, retired. Both have been re-elected regularly and have served continuously since appointment. It was with deep regret that we learned of their decision to retire from the School Committee at the end of their term, March 1, 1952.
Mr. Cappannari and Dr. Curtin have given unstintingly of their time in the effort to give wise direction to our Plymouth schools through unusually difficult years-the years of recovery from the effect of world-wide financial depression and the distressful years of World War II with the resulting shortages of teachers and of schoolhousing. We are most grateful to them for their intelligent and courageous support of all efforts to meet these problems constructively and wisely. We extend to them our heart- iest congratulations on having rendered to the schools of our community through these many and difficult years & service characterized by breadth of vision as well as practical common sense acquired through mature ex- perience, by a fine spirit of co-operation, and always by a wholehearted devotion to the welfare of the children and youth of our community.
E. HAROLD DONOVAN, Chairman SIGNE L. J. BORGHESANI, Secretary WILLIAM H. ARMSTRONG RALPH C. WEAVER
February 26, 1952
Of Plymouth School Committee.
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Term Expires
Dr. E. Harold Donovan, Chairman 1954
Signe L. J. Borghesani, Mrs., Secretary
1954
William H. Armstrong
1953
Ralph C. Weaver
1953
David A. Cappannari 1952
Dr. William E. Curtin
1952
ADMINISTRATION
Burr F. Jones, Superintendent of Schools
Donald T. Welch, Temporary Asst. Supt. of Schools Office, Town Square, Telephone 600 Interviews by appointment
Secretary, Elinor B. Sanderson
Clerk, Theresa A. Gallerani
Office hours: School Days-8 a.m. to 12 m. and 1 to 4:30 p.m .; Vacations-9 a.m. to 12 m. and 1 to 4 p.m.
School Physicians: Dr. Frank J. Abate, Jr. Dr. Medora V. Eastwood
Office hour at School Department: 8:45 to 9:15 a.m.
School Nurse, Hilda Swett Interviews at School Department Office or at school buildings by appointment.
School Dentists: Dr. William O. Dyer Dr. James A. McDade
Dental Hygienist, Jane B. Bradford
Dental Clinic Office, Governor Bradford Building Telephone 1255-M
Custodian of Buildings, John J. McCarthy
Telephone 600
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SCHOOLS
Senior High School-Telephone 26
Edgar J. Mongan, Principal
Junior High School-Telephone 460 Mary M. Dolan, Principal Cornish-Burton School District Donald T. Welch, Principal
Cornish-Burton School-Telephone 933
Oak Street School-Telephone 1661-W
Cold Spring School-Telephone 708-K Hedge School-Telephone 1140 Emmett B. Finck, Principal
Mount Pleasant School-Telephone 1097 Mrs. Helen S. Manchester, Principal
Manomet School-Telephone Manomet 3356 Mrs. Elouise E. Cashin, Principal
SCHOOL CALENDAR 1951-1952
Open: Close:
September 5, 1951
December 20, 1951
January 2, 1952
February 15, 1952
February 25, 1952 April 18, 1952
April 28, 1952 June 20, 1952
School Holidays: Columbus Day, Oct. 12; Teachers' Con- vention Day, Oct. 19; Armistice Day, Observed Nov. 12; Thanksgiving Recess, Nov. 22-23; Good Friday, April 11; Memorial Day, May 30.
NO-SCHOOL SIGNAL 2-2 Repeated on fire alarm
7:05 No school for Junior and Senior High Schools.
8:15 No morning session for Grades 1 to 6, inclusive.
12:15 No afternoon session for Grades 1 to 6, inclusive. Radio station WEEI broadcasts no-school signals shortly after 7:00 a.m.
Radio station WBZ broadcasts no-school signals during the following periods: 7:00-7:25 a.m., 7:30-7:45 a.m., 8:30-8:45 a.m., 12 m .- 12:15 p.m.
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FINANCIAL STATEMENT
REIMBURSEMENTS AND RECEIPTS
From the Commonwealth:
1. General aid for public schools $39,627.39
2. Aid for specific purposes
(1) Transportation 14,584.12
(2) Vocational Tuition 1,278.34
(3) Teachers of Retarded Children, Salaries 900.00
(4) Americanization, Salaries 296.50
(5) Vocational Pottery School 69.07
3. Tuition, State Wards 2,226.40
From Other Sources:
1. Tuition, Out-of-town Pupils
(1) Carver (Town of) 14,406.56
(2) Plympton (Town of) 6,884.83
2. Miscellaneous Receipts 848.62
Total
$81,121.83
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
Salaries
Appropriation $411,032.00
Expenditures $407,641.61 89,438.76*
Balance to Excess and Deficiency $3,390.39
General
91,051.19*
1,612.43
Totals
$502,083.19
$497,080.37
$5,002.82
Reimbursements and receipts, account of schools
81,121.83
Net expenditures for schools $415,958.54
(from appropriations to School Dept. for salaries and general)
*Including Trust Fund Income of $7.34.
** For itemized information as to the expenditures under all appropriations for schools, including appropri- ations voted under special articles, see the preceding report of the Town Accountant.
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ANNUAL REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE AND SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the Citizens of Plymouth:
We are glad to submit below the annual report of the public schools, which this year will be a joint report of the School Committee and Superintendent of Schools. The report will record some indications of progress in 1951 and will mention certain needs yet to be met.
TWO MAJOR SCHOOL PROBLEMS
The two most challenging problems created by World War II and confronting schools throughout the country are: (1) the great need for more trained teachers-a problem which we hope can be at least partially solved by improvement in salaries and by the co-operation of Liberal Arts Colleges, and (2) the need for more and better school buildings-particularly elementary school buildings at this time. These problems arose from the extraordinary increase in the birth rate since the close of the war and from our inability during the war to re- place old buildings with new or to rehabilitate school buildings long in use.
TEACHERS' SALARIES AND TEACHER SUPPLY
The salary appropriation for 1951 placed Plymouth on a competitive basis with other comparable communities in Massachusetts in respect to the minimum and average salaries paid teachers. We have been working toward this goal each year since the new schedule was adopted in 1947. The School Committee is gratified with the progress made in this direction and has voted to put into effect as of January 1, 1952, the professional study requirement earlier contemplated in the formulation of the schedule and agreed upon by teachers and the Committee, whereby teachers are required to earn four credits for professional
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study during each three-year period in order to advance on the salary schedule. This is a provision being made by an increasing number of communities to encourage teach- ers to grow in proficiency and to be able to appraise and apply worthy new developments in the science and art of teaching. In this connection, it should be said that a considerable number of Plymouth teachers have been taking professional courses during the past several years, and the proportion of our staff having 5 or 6 years of post-high school training is above average in Massachu- setts towns ranging from 5000 to 50,000 population.
It is, of course, disturbing that we no sooner find our- selves in a competitive position for teaching service by reason of the salary increases granted in recent years than we find that further increases become necessary because of a further depreciation in the purchasing power of the dollar. To meet this situation many of our compet- ing communities are again increasing salaries. In order to maintain the purchasing power of the teachers' salaries in Plymouth, the Committee is requesting an appropria- tion for 1952 that will revise upward the salary schedule by 5% and provide also the usual annual increment of one step on the schedule. The action of the present State Legislature in increasing the state minimum salary pay- able to teachers in Massachusetts from $2300 to $2500 or 9% is added evidence of the necessity for increased com- pensation to teachers.
In considering the matter of teachers' pay we cannot disregard the warning of state and federal authorities that far too few of our young people are preparing for teaching as a life work. The numbers will fall short of meeting the requirements of the schools four years hence. The allurements of other occupations are too great and many of these occupations require much less preparation than four or five years of post-high school education. Herein lies one of the most critical problems facing our local schools. It is also nation-wide in scope.
For your evidence Auce 31, 1951
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SCHOOL BUILDING PROGRAM
The need for additional school housing both for our present enrollment in Plymouth and for the expected growth in the school population have been set forth in preceding annual reports. We are gratified that significant progress is being made in meeting these needs.
NEW COLD SPRING SCHOOL
The new Cold Spring School was opened on September 5, 1951, the first day of the new school year, with an en- rollment of 209 pupils. This is the first building to be completed in the new school building program in Plym- outh. The school is located on approximately 8 acres of land containing the former Murray lot on Alden Street and is about midway between the Hedge and Cornish Schools in one of the more rapidly growing sections of the Town.
Built in accordance with the best standards of modern elementary school design, this structure was planned to take full advantage of the area of the lot and its topog- raphy. The ground floor, with front entrance on Alden Street, contains the auditorium and cafeteria. The audi- torium is 38' x 55', has a good stage, and a seating capacity of 300. The floor is of asphalt tile and the ceiling of sound- absorbing acoustical material. The walls are textured plaster with a wainscot of glazed tile. The auditorium may be used as a playroom when a part or all of the fold- ing chairs are removed and stored.
The dining room adjoins the kitchen but may be com- pletely shut off and used for pupil activities when it is not in use as a cafeteria. The dimensions of the dining room are 36' x 38'. The kitchen is 23' x 38'. It contains up-to-date equipment for preparing large quantities of food and now serves as the food preparation center for four elementary schools. Glazed tile wainscoting is found in both kitchen and dining room. The building is planned so that the auditorium and dining room can be used for community purposes without interfering in any way with
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COLD SPRING SCHOOL Dedicated December 2, 1951
the classroom section of the building. Public conven- iences are provided on the ground floor.
All of the eight classrooms, with the exception of the Practical Arts room, are on the main floor of the school, which is entered from Standish Avenue. The classrooms are approximately 23' x 36'. Each room is equipped with built-in pupils' wardrobes and provided with ample storage space for pupils' work and instructional materials. Plastered walls are painted in attractive pastel shades which take full advantage of natural light, harmonize with the color scheme of the room, and are restful to the pupils' eyes. The ceilings are of sound-absorbing acous- tical tile, the floors of asphalt tile. There is ample tack board space for the display of pupils' materials and a green chalkboard adds to the attractiveness of the room. A sink with hot and cold water and bubbler is provided in each classroom. Directional glass blocks with a strip of clear glass below give excellent natural lighting with a minimum of sky glare. Artificial lighting in the class- room is provided through flush lens fixtures. The room
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for beginning pupils is larger than the other classrooms, thus making provision for varied activities. It has its own lavatory and separate entrance.
In general, the building is of first - class construction. All floors are reinforced concrete. Exterior walls are of solid masonry with facing of red water-struck brick. The roof construction is of steel and wood; pitched roofs are covered with slate and flat roofs with tar and gravel. All exterior windows on the front of the building are of wood sash. The classroom windows are of steel sash.
The offices and supplementary rooms include a dental clinic, health room, secretary's office, principal's office, and women teachers' room. Toilet-rooms have floors of ceramic tile with glazed tile wainscot and plastered walls above. The corridors have linoleum wainscots over plastered walls. The hall floors are of asphalt tile and the ceilings are acoustically treated.
Financial Statement
Appropriated
$429,000.00
General Construction Cost
$346,529.50
Land 12,250.00
Surveys and Land Improvements 2,840.44
Equipment 29,789.53
Architect, Clerk-of-Works,
Engineering, and Counsel Fees 34,137.01
Insurance and Advertising 1,415.18
426,961.66
To be expended for Fencing and Equipment
2,038.34
$429,000.00
TOTAL
NEW MANOMET SCHOOL
Carrying out the vote taken at the Annual Town Meeting of March, 1951, on Article 75 of the Warrant, the Manomet School Building Committee worked with the Town Planning Board and the School Committee to make a complete study of the elementary school housing needs
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in the Manomet area. Three firms of architects studied the problem and made reports.
The firm of Walter Gaffney and Associates was chosen to make complete plans for a new building. These plans, together with alternate plans for an addition to the present Manomet School, were presented at the Special Town Meeting on September 27, 1951. It was voted unani- mously to accept the plans for a new Manomet School to be erected on approximately ten acres of land known as the Pratt lot on Point Road, Manomet. An appropriation of $300,000 was voted to carry out the plans.
Plans for the new school call for the construction of a six-classroom elementary building with a brick veneer exterior. This building is to have a clinic for the use of the medical and dental staffs, teachers' lounge and work room, and a multi-purpose room for use as a lunchroom, auditorium, and playroom. A stage will be built at one end of the multi-purpose room to facilitate its use as an auditorium. A kitchen will be located at the opposite end of the room.
Bids on the general contract were submitted by four- teen construction firms. The contract was awarded to the low bidder, C. A. Batson, of Brockton, Massachusetts. The contract calls for completion of the school by October 31, 1952. Russell W. Anderson was appointed to serve as Clerk of Works.
The members of the Manomet School Building Com- mittee are: Dr. Bryce Prindle, Chairman; Mr. Alton Valler, Secretary; Mr. Howard Barnes, Mr. Thomas Dutton, and Mr. Ralph C. Weaver, representing the School Committee. The original School Planning Committee which made the survey and reported to the Town at the annual and special Town Meetings was composed as follows: Mr. Russell W. Anderson, Chairman; Mrs. Louise Meyer, Secretary; Mr. Thomas Dutton, Mrs. Albert Hayden, Mr. Lionel Moreau, Dr. Bryce Prindle, and Mr. Alton Valler.
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REHABILITATION OF EXISTING BUILDINGS
During the war period little could be done by way of repairing and improving school buildings. Since that time, there has been a continuous effort to make needed repairs and improvements. The following major undertakings should be mentioned.
Mt. Pleasant School
1945-New heating plant
1948-Exterior of building painted
1951-Entire interior painted, classroom floors refin- ished, boys' toilets modernized
Cornish-Burton School
1949-Cornish exterior painted
1950-Exterior of Burton painted
Entire interior both Cornish and Burton painted
New sanitaries installed in Burton
New floors were laid throughout both buildings Hedge School
1947-New heating plant
1949-New level playground constructed, doubling area
1950-Draining playground and hard-surfacing portion of playground
Oak Street School
1950-Exterior and interior painted
1951-New heating plant installed, new floors laid throughout, boys' toilets modernized
NEXT STEPS CONTEMPLATED IN REPAIR PROGRAM
The School Committee is asking appropriations for a continuation of the repair and improvement program in 1952 as follows:
(1) For painting the interior of south wing of Hedge School-$2000.
(2) Painting of exterior of Junior-Senior High and in- terior of Junior High, waterproofing of east and west ends of Senior High, modernizing boys' toilets in Junior High - $16,000.
(3) Draining, grading, seeding, and fencing newly ac- quired playground area at Junior High School - $4,000.
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SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
This year's enrollment at the Senior High has reached the highest point for several years, the December enroll- ment being 478 pupils, about 30 more than last year. This increase resulted from the entrance of an exceptionally large ninth grade from the Junior High as compared with a relatively small class of 116 graduating last June. Prin- cipal Edgar Mongan reports that these larger numbers and the choices of elective subjects made by pupils have given rise to certain space problems. Though the problem of available classroom space is not likely to become more acute within the next several years, it undoubtedly will become acute as soon as the larger classes now found in the first four grades of the elementary schools move forward into grades 10 to 12, unless other circumstances arise in the meantime to decrease the High School enroll- ment. Principal Mongan points out that the proposed vocational school if established would offer much addi- tional space and at the same time would adequately fulfill our need for vocational training of which we now have a very small offering particularly for the boys, namely the courses in radio, basic machines, and electricity - studies introduced at the behest of our Armed Forces during the war period. These courses have been retained as pre- vocational courses which help to arouse and sustain the interest of certain students to whom academic subjects have little or no appeal.
Along with the need for vocational training, consider- ation should be given to the strengthening of our work in educational and vocational guidance. After our boys and girls in the elementary grades have laid the foundation for further training and have moved forward into the Junior and Senior High School grades, the schools should be able to assist them in considering such questions as:
(1) In what field of work do my chief interests lie?
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(2) For what fields do my qualifications seem likely to fit me?
(3) What are the advantages and disadvantages and the financial rewards found in these fields of work?
(4) What further training beyond High School do these fields of work require?
In the pre-high school grades, namely 7, 8, and 9, the two guidance counselors are teachers who give about half time to counseling. They encourage the pupils to begin think- ing along these lines and help indivduals to make needed adjustments in school as well as counsel with both parents and pupils in regard to the choice of courses.
Guidance service is not at present adequate on the Senior High level. Prior to the World War, the Principal, Dean, and one or two faculty members all of whom have had training in guidance counseling carried on the pro- gram, each giving part-time to it. Soon, however, the faculty members went into the Armed Forces. Since their return, their regular teaching assignments have absorbed their entire time during the school day and the counseling service has been largely limited to such time as the Prin- cipal and Dean have been able to give it with such supple- mentary help as has come from the Boston University Testing Service. These tests have been given each year for several years to pupils in grades 10 and 12 and show pupil achievement, interests, and aptitudes. Many of our neighboring communities including Norwood, Needham, Weymouth, and Stoughton are developing effective guid- ance programs. How best to strengthen our Plymouth guidance program on the Senior High School level is a problem to which Principal Mongan asks our early con- sideration.
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JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Though the Junior High School is reduced by about 30 pupils this year on account of the unusually large ninth grade which graduated to the Senior High in June, Prin- cipal Mary Dolan points out that a considerable number of the class groups are larger than the classrooms were intended to accommodate. We are doubtless approaching the time when it will be necessary to consider reducing or eliminating the tuition pupils of whom we now have 58 in the Junior High School. A new consolidated school recently opened in Carver and the proposed Union High School to serve Kingston and associated towns, if con- structed, may soon afford a substantial reduction in tuition pupils. Among the various needs by way of equipment should be mentioned new desks in the Art room to replace the high tables moved in from the old High School build- ing, also modernized equipment in the cooking room.
Standardized Testing Program
The Boston University Testing Service, as applied in the Junior High School, supplies the school, the pupil, and his parents with reliable information about the pupil's achievement in the fundamentals of reading, English, and mathematics.
The selection of a course of study by the pupil has too frequently been the result of nothing more than snap judgment. The sign posts provided by the test, if properly interpreted and understood, can be most helpful at cur- riculum-choice time. To insure the positive use of the information - parents, who are welcome at all times, are sent individual invitations to come to school, in order that everyone concerned may have the fullest possible share in the decisions which must be made. There is good reason to believe that the tests as used here are helping to make for happier, more successful, and better understood indi- viduals.
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ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
Reduction in Oversized Classes
The reduction in the size of our classes in the elementary schools as a result of the opening of the new Cold Spring building in September was one of the most important steps taken toward the improvement of our school work. Five teachers were added to our staff. In 1950 there were 27 classes having over 30 pupils, of which 15 had 35 or more, the largest being 41. This year 21 have 30 or more pupils, of which only 2 have 35 or more pupils, the largest being 36. The average class size exclusive of the Practical Arts groups was 34 in 1950-51 as compared with an average class size of 27 this school year.
Instructional Material
The introduction of new arithmetics was completed with the opening of school in September. The new lan- guage series will be completely installed in 1952. Early replacement of spelling books should be made and atten- tion given to handwriting materials and methods. A col- lection of elementary science materials with cabinet for orderly arrangement and safe-keeping would be of much assistance for the purpose of illustrating Science instruc- tion and is very desirable for each elementary building. Visual Aids
The visual aids program has been extended by the purchase of film strips and necessary equipment, each major school building now being supplied with a motion picture projector and several have film strip projectors. The purchase of opaque projectors has been started. The steady development of the visual education program is due to the well-established facts that a large percentage of what children learn is learned through the eye and that far greater interest in a subject is aroused among children if discussion and reading are accompanied by visual aids such as still or motion pictures.
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