USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Town annual report of Plymouth, MA 1959 > Part 13
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201.79
Bertha C. Lawday 200.00
Roswell B. & Annie P.
William C. Picard 200.00
Nelson 100.00
James E. & Mabelle J.
Maud A. Fiske
200.37
Van Amburgh 250.00
Sadie M. Sharp
100.62
Charles J. & Nicholas
Richard Holmes
200.75
J. Stasinos 400.00
Frank L. Bailey
225.65
Nina P. Lowry 250.00
Arthur E. Blackmer 200.25
Marion M. & Edgar P. Westmoreland 200.00
Benjamin F. Dunham, Jr. 200.25
Mary B. Dunham
100.12
William W. Nemec
200.00
Albert R. Robbins
250.38
Henry O. Davis
1,000,00
New funds established in 1959:
Granville E. Davis
400.00
Albert F. & Marion A.
Elizabeth S. & Ario A.
Ralston 200.54
Karle 200.00
Sarah A. Ellis
200.54
George R. Read
200.00
Elizabeth M. Foster
100.27
Alberto C. Ransden 300.00
Mrs. George B. Sweeney 100.27
Winslow W. Sears
200.00
Mary Anastacio
200.54
Chester E. Sampson
200.00
Carleton S. Perkins
300.00
Alfred W. Sampson
200.00
Esther S. Franks 400.00
Esther M. Bunker
150.00
Total Plymouth Federal Savings and
Loan Association $48,320.94
Plymouth Federal Savings and Loan Association - Page 3
CHARLES E. HINCKLEY LOT IN CHILTONVILLE CEMETERY Brockton Savings Bank $1,000.00
ABNER & CHARLES H. LEONARD FUND
People's Savings Bank 148.46
ST. JOSEPH'S CEMETERY FUND
Plymouth Savings Bank 157.15
PHOEBE R. CLIFFORD FUND
Deposited with State Treasurer
200.00
Total, Cemetery Perpetual Care Funds $268,123.75
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FRANCIS LeBARON POOR FUND
Plymouth Savings Bank $971.19
Plymouth Five Cents Savings Bank
$1,003.67
NATHANIEL MORTON PARK FUND
Plymouth Savings Bank $2,000.00
MURDOCK POOR AND SCHOOL FUND
Plymouth Savings Bank $730.00
CHARLES HOLMES POOR FUND
Plymouth Five Cents Savings Bank . $743.42
JULIA P. ROBINSON POOR FUND
Plymouth Five Cents Savings Bank $300.00
WARREN BURIAL HILL CEMETERY FUND
Plymouth Savings Bank $1,239.33
MARCIA E. JACKSON GATES PUBLIC LIBRARY FUND
Plymouth Savings Bank $1,000.00
Plymouth Five Cents Savings Bank
$1,000.00
PHILIP JACKSON FUND
Plymouth Federal Savings and Loan Association
$1,066.37
UNCLE THOMAS JACKSON PARK FUND
Plymouth Federal Savings and Loan Association $800.00
ELLEN STODDARD DONNELLY FUND
Plymouth Five Cents Savings Bank
$2,358.21
ALICE SPOONER FUND
Plymouth Five Cents Savings Bank
$1,768.63
POST-WAR REHABILITATION FUND
Plymouth Federal Savings and Loan Association
$1,370.77
PLYMOUTH NATIONAL BANK STOCK INVESTMENT FUND
Plymouth National Bank Stock $2,000.00
Plymouth Five Cents Savings Bank 7,340.91
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STABILIZATION FUND
Plymouth Federal Savings and Loan Association
$17,704.08
Dedham Institution for Savings
24,092.05
Danvers Savings Bank
18,180.77
Plymouth Five Cents Savings Bank
22,397.91
Beverly Savings Bank
11,504.24
Plymouth Savings Bank
16,492.12
Concord Co-operative Bank
16,284.45
Peabody Co-operative Bank
51,492.51
Suffolk Franklin Savings Bank
25,291.72
Provident Institution for Savings
25,287.05
$245,054.00
CONTRIBUTORY RETIREMENT SYSTEM FUNDS
Bonds
$342,866.73
Bank Stocks
51,774.75
Federal Savings and Loan Association
10,000.00
Savings Banks
12,000.00
Plymouth National Bank
3,138.35
$419,779.83
SCHEDULE J BORROWING CAPACITY, January 1, 1960
Valuation of 1957 Property, less abatements on $823,160 $34,791,565
Valuation of Motor Vehicles for 1957, less abatements 2,821,848
Valuation of 1958 Property, less abatements on $786,723
36,200,327
Valuation of Motor Vehicles for 1958, less abatements
2,876,387
Valuation of 1959 Property, less abatements on $727,624 37,199,651
Valuation of Motor Vehicles for 1959, less abatements
2,679,033
Total
$116,568,811
Average Net Valuation
$38,856,270
Normal Borrowing Capacity, January 1, 1960:
For general purposes
$1,942,813*
Outstanding Debt, January 1, 1960:
General - Inside Limit
$472,000
For water purposes $3,719,965
Water
$235,000
Available Borrowing Capacity, January 1, 1960:
For general purposes
$1,470,813
For water purposes
$3,484,965
*May be increased with approval of State Emergency Finance Board from 5% up to 10%.
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ANNUAL REPORT OF THE
School Department
OF THE
Town of Plymouth MASSACHUSETTS
1620.
MOL
.....
S.
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31 1959
-- 246-
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Term Expires
Alton. S. Cavicchi
1960
Joseph S. Contente
1960
Jane Gellar
1961
Harry F. Doyle
1961
Spencer H. Brewster
1962
Dr. Samuel K. Stewart
1962
ADMINISTRATION
Chester V. Sweatt, Superintendent of Schools
Elinor B. Sanderson, Executive Secretary
Mrs. Elizabeth R. Beane, Secretary
Mrs. Barbara S. Talbot, Secretary (Part-time)
Mrs. Theresa Leonardi, Secretary (Part-time)
Office hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 12 m. and 12:30 to 4:30 p.m.
School Physicians: Dr. Frank J. Abate, Jr. Dr. Medora V. Eastwood
School Nurse: Hilda R. Swett, Telephone PI 6-2442 Interviews arranged at School Department Office or at school buildings by appointment.
School Dentists: Dr. William O. Dyer Dr. Francis C. Ortolani
Dental Hygienist: Jane B. Bradford Dental Clinic Office, Governor Bradford Building Telephone PI 6-1255
Supervisor of School Buildings: John J. McCarthy Telephone PI 6-0600
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SCHOOLS
Senior High School - Telephone PI 6-0026 Lawrence M. Bongiovanni, Principal
Junior High School - Telephone PI 6-0460 Loring R. C. Mugford, Assistant Principal
Cold Spring School - Telephone PI 6-0708 Emmett B. Finck, Principal
Cornish-Burton and Oak Street Schools Mrs. Eleanor L. White, Principal
Cornish-Burton School - Telephone PI 6-0933 Oak Street School - Telephone PI 6-1661
Hedge School - Telephone PI 6-1140 George Theodoras, Principal
Manomet Elementary School - Telephone CA 4-3940 Mrs. Elouise E. Cashin, Principal
Mount Pleasant School - Telephone PI 6-1097
Mrs. Helen S. Manchester, Principal
SCHOOL CALENDAR
1960 - 1961
Open: September 7, 1960
Close:
December 22, 1960
January 3, 1961
February 17, 1961
February 27, 1961 April 14, 1961 June 21, 1961
April 24, 1961
School Holidays: Columbus Day, October 12; Teachers' Convention, October 21; Veterans' Day, November 11; Thanksgiving Recess, November 23, 24, 25; Good Friday, March 31; Memorial Day, May 30.
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NO-SCHOOL SIGNAL 2-2 Repeated on Fire Alarm
7:05 a.m. No School for Junior and Senior High Schools 8:15 a.m. No morning session for Grades 1 to 6, inclus- ive
12:15 p.m. No afternoon session for Grades 1 to 6, in- clusive
Radio Station WPLM broadcasts no-school signals at 10- minute intervals beginning at 6:30 a.m.
Radio Station WBZ-WBZA broadcasts no-school signals shortly after 7:00 a.m.
Radio Station WEEI broadcasts no-school signals shortly after 7:00 a.m.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
REIMBURSEMENTS AND RECEIPTS
From the Commonwealth:
1. General aid for public schools $65,562.38
2. Aid for specific purposes
(1) Transportation 41,548.25
(2) Vocational Tuition 1,157.30
(3) Vocational Transportation 372.63
(4) Special Classes
16,776.43
(5) Americanization Salaries
337.50
(6) Adult Education
1,049.62
3. Tuition, State Wards From Other Sources:
1,758.99
1. Miscellaneous Receipts
1,861.21
$130,424.31
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EXPENDITURES
General Control
Salaries:
Superintendent
$10,000.00
Superintendent's Office Clerks
10,521.15
Supervisor of Attendance
1,240.00
Supervisor of School Buildings
5,407.00
Office Supplies
798.61
Professional Books
184.06
Telephone 365.41
Travel Expense in State
188.58
Automobile Expense
400.00
School Committee Expense
344.47
$29,449.28
Expenses of Instruction
Salaries:
Principals
$37,708.92
Supervisors
16,706.62
Regular Teachers
535,066.16
Substitute Teachers
6,819.11
Home Teachers
191.00
Summer School Teachers
1,050.00
Audubon Teachers
1,440.00
School Clerks
9,697.58
Text and Reference Books
12,399.09
Maps and Globes
477.09
General Supplies
9,806.72
Manual Training Supplies
3,212.15
Domestic Science Supplies
1,202.57
Typewriters and Supplies
2,076.72
Audio-visual Supplies
1,259.53
Driver Training Expenses
672.85
Traveling Expenses of Prin., Teachers, Supvs.
277.74
640,063.85
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Operation of School Plant
Salaries of Custodians
$42,439.28
Custodians' Supplies
3,115.68
Telephones
1,486.42
Truck Expense
531.90
Coal and Oil
17,727.87
Gas
1,313.90
Lights
8,842.59
75,457.64
Maintenance of School Plant
Repairs and Upkeep of Buildings
$21,649.76
Equipment Replacements
7,268.66
28,918.42
Auxiliary Agencies
Promotion of Health:
Salaries
$13,825.00
Medical Supplies
183.69
Nurse's Car Expense
355.14
Mental Health Services
1,076.00
Libraries
174.68
Public School Transportation
55,174.10
Private School Transportation
5,576.00
Tuition
2,256.54
Athletic and Band Expenses
4,046.74
School Lunch Expenses
1,000.00
High School Graduation Expenses
451.06
Salaries of Noon Supervisors
4,581.10
88,700.05
Outlay
New Equipment
$5,910.65
5,910.65
Vocational Education
Tuition
$2,442.29
Transportation
968.83
3,411.12
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Adult Education
Salaries:
Americanization Teachers $615.00
Evening School Teachers, Custodians, Clerk 2,013.90
2,628.90
Total $874,539.91
Reimbursements and Receipts, account of schools 130,424.31
Net Expenditures for Schools, Exclusive of Building Program
$744,115.60
Public Law 874 (Federal aid to schools where children's parents work on Federal Projects)
Balance on hand January 1, 1959 $8,918.88
Amount of Grants - 1959 15,008.00
Total $23,926.88
Expenditures - 1959:
Out-of-State Travel $233.32
Expenses of Instruction:
Participation in educational television program
652.75
General Supplies
4,571.31
Repairs and Upkeep of Buildings: Plumbing at Hedge School
383.11
Major Repairs: Lighting at Sr. High School
1,134.82
Libraries:
Jr .- Sr. High School magazines 477.20
Library books 694.93
Other Expenses:
Elementary School Lunch Program
1,237.33
Outlay - Equipment:
Television sets 1,052.04
Copy Machine for High School 224.75
Audio-visual Equipment 4,034.95
Total
$14,696.51
Balance on Hand December 31, 1959
$9,230.37
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Annual Report of School Committee and Superintendent of Schools
In this, my second annual report, I wish to emphasize the subject that has run through the school reports of the past twenty years, namely, the need for a more adequate school plant. I shall stress the secondary school needs for that is where the pressure is greatest today. The en- rollments, forecast for many years, are now here.
Secondary School Needs
In the 1950s the larger elementary classes began to reach the secondary school. In 1952 it was reported that "seventh grade classes are so large they cannot be ac- commodated in the six small classrooms." It was also stated that "It is difficult to place a new student in the correct group in grades 7 and 8 since large classes force his placement wherever there is room. . . " The 1957 re- port was more emphatic, stating that there would be 22 rooms needed and only 16 that should be used. In 1957 the High School Principal stated that while 510 students could be seated in the rooms, it was impossible to sched- ule the rooms for 100% use as the number of students varied in the several subjects. Therefore, more rooms were needed. He also stated that the study hall would be inadequate for such an enrollment.
The enrollment has increased in the Junior High School from 549 in 1955 to 719 in 1959. During the same period the High School has increased from 398 to 526. The present Junior-Senior High School building is certi- fied by the Department of Public Safety for 1064 pupils. The enrollment as of September, 1959, was 1245 and we are operating under a temporary permit.
To meet the increased secondary enrollments last September certain drastic moves were made. The High School study hall was converted into two classrooms and
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the auditorium made into a study hall. Music was elim- inated to make another classroom available for Junior High use and the enrollment of many Junior High class- es increased to 40 pupils. Assignment of a Junior High pupil this year is a case of finding a room into which he can be crowded.
The estimated enrollments for September, 1960, in- dicate a further increase of 110 pupils in the secondary grades with peak loads yet to come. These numbers can- not be accommodated as we now operate and the double sessions plan has been voted by the School Committee, effective September, 1960. Grades 8 to 12 will attend classes from 7:55 A.M. to 1:09 P.M. and Grade 7 from 1:15 P.M. to 4:55 P.M. To compensate for the shorter hours, it is planned to employ more teachers and to re- duce class sizes to 26-30 pupils.
Lack of classroom space has been met for many years on the secondary level by the simple expedient of jam- ming more and more pupils into the available classrooms. There was no other way, as all classrooms were in use. The double session will make more rooms available and smaller classes possible.
The pressure for more space has come just as fore- cast. It can no longer be ignored. While provision should be made to abandon the Cornish-Burton School as soon as possible, and while growth in the Manomet area may well make an addition to the Manomet School necessary, the most urgent need for space is on the secondary level. The present Junior-Senior High building is crowded be- yond the certified limit. By 1962 it is most probable that the eighth grade will have to attend afternoon sessions to make room for grades 9 to 12. The alternative to a new building is the continuation of double sessions in- definitely. This is undesirable, and it is hoped the pro- posals of the present School Building Committee will be received favorably and a new building voted.
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School Plant Improvements
The following improvements were made in the school buildings during 1959:
Junior-Senior High School
Fluorescent lighting installed in several classrooms.
Fluorescent lighting installed in the auditorium and cafeteria.
Drinking fountains installed on the second and third floors in the Junior High.
High School study hall converted into two class- rooms.
Storage cabinets were built in several classrooms and laboratories.
New compressor installed.
Downspouts repaired.
Heating units installed in High School stairwells.
Hedge School
Floor tile installed in two classrooms.
Partitioning and painting of basement areas com- pleted.
One lavatory and two drinking fountains installed in the north wing.
Manomet School
Wooded area in rear of school cleared.
Cold Spring School
Parking area enlarged.
New dry wells constructed.
Mount Pleasant School
Platform constructed in all-purpose room.
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Oak Street School
Exterior and interior of building painted.
Gutter drains repaired.
Following the Chicago school fire, our buildings were carefully inspected by representatives of the local Pub- lic Safety Commission and the Massachusetts Depart- ment of Public Safety. Certain repairs have been made to conform to their recommendations.
Fresh air ducts have been installed in the boiler rooms in Mount Pleasant, Cornish, Hedge, Oak Street, and Junior-Senior High Schools.
Wire glass and steel sash has been installed in win- dows near fire escapes at Cornish-Burton and Junior-
Senior High Schools.
Exit doors were cut to allow freedom of passage from Junior High classrooms to the safer High School build- ing.
Exit door hardware was improved in several cases.
Emergency safety lights were installed in the center stairwell of the Junior High School.
The replacement of fixed classroom furniture was continued. The program is not yet completed, but fur- ther purchases will have to be limited until the Town makes decisions relative to new school construction.
Staff Retirements
Three teachers with many years of service in Plym- outh retired in 1959:
Miss Dorothy Judkins, third grade teacher in Corn- ish school, taught in Plymouth for thirty-two years.
Mrs. Susan Beauregard, sixth grade teacher in Cold Spring School, completed thirty-six years of service in Plymouth.
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Mr. Richard Smiley, Driver Training teacher, and formerly a biology and algebra teacher, taught in Plym- outh for thirty-five years.
These were dedicated teachers whose influence for good on the lives of their pupils can never be measured. They will be missed in Plymouth schools.
One principal, Miss Mary Dolan, of the Junior High School retired last June after forty-five years of serv- ice to Plymouth pupils. During this period several thou- sand young people came under her influence. Her pupils were expected to "toe the mark" and she ran a taut school. As usually happens in such cases, pupils respect- ed her for it. Those who looked discovered under the stern exterior a warm kindliness that they prized. Many a pupil was helped by Miss Dolan without knowing his benefactor. Those who know of her benevolences speak quietly of them because she prefers it that way. Her many friends wish her well in her retirement.
Mention should also be made of the retirement of Mrs. Sylvia Smiley who was manager of the Elementary School Lunch Program for fourteen years.
Public Law 874
This law assists schools financially whenever there is a specific percentage of children in school whose par- ents work on certain federal projects. The money is de- posited with the Town Treasurer by the Federal Govern- ment to be spent only by order of the School Committee. Expenditures for 1959 are shown in the School Commit- tee's Financial Statement.
The School Committee had hoped to use these funds for items that would ordinarily not be requested in the Budget. High priority was to be placed on requests for library books and audio-visual aids. Emergencies decreed otherwise. As the financial statement shows, a consider- able sum was spent on general supplies (at the request
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of the Finance Committee), the deficit in the Elementary School Lunch Program was absorbed, and certain emer- gency repairs made.
The major part of the balance in the fund is encum- bered as follows:
Installation of fluorescent lighting in Cafeteria $ 972.28
Matching funds for P. L. 864, Title III 2,124.50
Films
4,705.00
Other Items of Interest
A film library was started this year. Films were pur- chased in the fields of Science and Geography. The pol- icy is to purchase films that are basic to the common sub- ject areas. By adding films each year, we can soon have a library that will go far to meeting Plymouth's needs.
During the past year the Old Colony Mental Health Association, through its Judge Harry K. Stone Clinic, provided treatment for 53 cases, held interviews with 139, and closed out 7 cases. During the same time, the visit- ing psychologist held 87 consultations dealing with 77 clients and involving some 111 clock hours. This is a valuable service from which we receive very definite benefits.
Acknowledgement is made of a scholarship estab- lished by the late John D. Costa in honor of his mother, Mary D. Costa.
Adult Education Classes were conducted in furniture refinishing, cake decorating, sewing, rug making, typing, and algebra. 196 were enrolled during the year.
One hundred one pupils attended Summer School. Classes were held in Spelling, Arithmetic, Language, and Reading for grades 4, 5, and 6. Mathematics and English classes were held for grades 7 and 8.
A Plymouth School Committeeman, Mr. Alton Ca- vicchi, was elected Vice President of the Massachusetts Association of School Committees.
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The Elementary Principals attended the Elementary Principal's Association Conference at Amherst.
Mr. Lawrence Bongiovanni was appointed principal of the Plymouth Junior-Senior High School. Mr. Loring Mugford was appointed assistant principal in charge of grades 7, 8, and 9. Mr. Mugford, a teacher in the Junior High School for the past 19 years, thus becomes Miss Dolan's replacement, but overall responsibility for the Junior-Senior High building is given to Mr. Bongiovanni.
Miss Marjorie J. Cassidy, former second grade teach- er in Mount Pleasant School, was elected to fill the po- sition as Reading Consultant and School Psychologist in the elementary schools.
May I close this report as it began, with a strong ref- erence to the critical need for more instructional space. The demands being placed on our high schools become greater each day. With the present enrollments and the present building it would be difficult to meet the de- mands of forty years ago. It is impossible to meet those of today.
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Annual Report of the Principal of the High School
The two classrooms resulting from the division of the space formerly occupied by the library and the con- version of the auditorium and cafeteria into part-time study halls made it possible to accommodate every student who registered in September, 1959. However, these ac- commodations were far from ideal. At a time when the demand is for accelerated study, enriched curriculum, and individual study and research at the secondary school level, a high school without a good library leaves much to be desired.
Speaking of less than desirable situations, I should call attention to the fact that the conversion of the audi- torium now makes it impossible to hold general assem- blies within the school. This represents a double loss: the students are deprived of an invaluable opportunity to actively participate in school-wide gatherings - the ad- ministration is deprived of an indispensable means of direct communication with the student body. In every situation there are occasions when it becomes mandatory that student body and administration get together to dis- cuss common problems. A public address system serves many useful purposes but it is futile to expect that it can replace the face to face situation.
In spite of the limitations imposed by the physical plant, it has been possible to effect all the changes in cur- riculum announced a year ago. During the year begin- ning September, 1960, a carefully selected group of col- lege-bound juniors will be assigned to an advanced course in college mathematics. A number of our students have begun to perform well enough in National Merit Schol- arship competition so that advanced courses can no long-
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er be kept in the realm of future possibility. It is my hope that this forecasts the beginning of a program of ad- vanced placement in Plymouth High School.
The question is often asked as to why the school doesn't do more for the non-college preparatory student. This coming year one of the few positive aspects of double sessions will be a specialized course in home arts for girls and shop for boys. This will make it possible to continue into the 10th grade the vocational program which previously has stopped at the end of the 9th grade. This program will necessarily be limited to a few quali- fied students. It appears doubtful under present circum- stances that it will be possible to carry this program be- yond the 10th grade.
That a good vocational program extending through the 12th grade will serve to reduce the drop-out rate is certain. It should not, however, be looked upon as a cure- all for the problem of drop-outs. With only a few excep- tions public secondary schools across the land are faced with an increasing number of students who remain in school only because parental or legal pressures compel them to do so. The members of this group could con- ceivably be convinced to remain in school were they to be allowed to dictate terms with respect to attendance and acceptable standards of achievement. They might even stay long enough to accept a diploma which, under such circumstances, would degenerate into no more than a meaningless certificate of attendance.
At this point a word about the students of Plymouth High School would appear to be in order. In an era when newspaper headlines often scream about juvenile delin- quency and the refusal of teenagers to conform, we can take justifiable pride in the fact that the preponderant majority of our students are cheerfully accepting and achieving the educational goals set for them and are thus
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preparing themselves to assume their places in the com- munity of which they are even now an important part.
Of increasing concern to the school is the matter of adequate insurance for the students who participate in varsity football. The present coverage no longer appears to satisfy the need.
In another connection, measures should soon be un- dertaken for modernizing the boys' shower room. This facility is used by every boy in grades 7-12 and by mem- bers of all boys' athletic teams. The use to which this area has been subjected since the building was construct- ed makes the recommended modernization mandatory.
It is difficult to see how we can advance beyond the stage achieved by the curriculum changes already ef- fected and those outlined in this report. Further addi- tions to and enrichment of the offerings of this school can be achieved only through physical facilities and staff not available at present.
In closing, I once again wish to express my appre- ciation of the teachers and secretarial staff of the high school. In the final analysis it is they who are respon- sible for the level of success achieved.
Respectfully submitted,
LAWRENCE M. BONGIOVANNI
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Annual Report of the Junior High School
The serious congestion problem which has been men- tioned in several previous reports continues to exist in this school even to a greater degree than formerly. It necessitates the crowding of desks into classrooms which are too small to accommodate them. Next year there will be an enrollment increase of seventy or more. At pres- ent there are 715 pupils while the conservative estimate for September of 1960 is 787. In September of 1961 the estimate is 802.
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