USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of Saugus 1951 > Part 5
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Second, it is necessary that the work of the department be based on respect for the individual. Optimum adjustment can hardly be forth-coming if the individual can gain no respect from his fellows. A permissive, understanding attitude that permits the individual to maintain a strong sense of personal integrity enhances the possibilities that the pupil may make a satisfactory adjustment.
Third, it is necessary that the concept of growth, with its myriad of implications for change, be adopted as a modus operandi. What a student may be today is not necessarily a measure of what he might be tomorrow. That growth is a promise for the future, the guidance department must accept as a rule of operation, and must utilize as an approach with every individual.
Fourth, it is necessary that the work of the department be centered around the concept that optimum adjustment is not a matter of developing segmented portions of human personality, but rather that optimum adjustment is a matter of the development of the totality of human personality.
Finally, it is necessary to accept the basic precept in guidance that the approach to the problems of human personality must be objective. That is, that we must employ the scientific approach to human problems. Subjective judgments, moralization, and personal opinion must be minimized if the work of developing maximum adjustment is to proceed with maximum effectiveness.
In reviewing the things that have been done by the depart- ment since the incumbent took over, it is conjectural whether all of these things may be termed "accomplishments". It is too early to determine the extent to which the following activities have been or are constructive. It is hoped that the future may prove that the activities of the department to date have been accomplish- ments in the constructive sense.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
At the outset the activities of the department were devoted largely to the removal of administrative functions from the realm of guidance. The excellent cooperation of Mr. Pearce in this matter deserves some particular mention. The maintenance of permanent records, issuance of report cards, issuance of special reports and notices of failure, the programming of courses, the assignment of students to home rooms and classes are among the administrative duties from which the director has been relieved. Needless to say, from a guidance point of view, release from these duties has accom- plished much to permit more adequate attention to the objectives of the department stated above. On the other hand, these changes have had a negative effect in some respects, since the changes seemingly have been a source of annoyance to some staff members. Naturally, any change in the status quo involving additional duties can be expected to cause some disturbance, but it is unfortunate a public relations sense.
The next major change involved the suspension of the guidance classes. This action involved a number of considerations. Both Mr. Pearce and my predecessor, Mr. Gibbs, indicated some dissatisfac- tion with these classes. It was evident that the student body was not enthusiastic about the classes. The time devoted to the classes effectively inhibited spending much time in assisting individual students, and since the philosophy of the incumbent is that counsel- ing is the core of the program, the guidance classes were suspended. Whether this was a wise move remains to be seen. It is true that more time can now be spent with individual students, and this is considered to be an advantage. On the other hand, the large num- bers of students, and the many details that the director must attend may be said to point out the desirability of resuming the classes in order to reach more students. Basically, it is a question of which that the changes mentioned perhaps have not been constructive in is more valuable, to help individual students a great deal by specific reference to their own needs, or to help students in a general man- ner with broad reference to their group needs. The director feels that at the present time the former is more desirable than the lat- ter, although some reservations must be made in view of the dis- turbingly large numbers who are not being reached by the pro- gram as it is presently constituted. The resumption of group guid- ance classes is being maintained as an open question and as a possi- bility for the future.
The next major change involved the removal of the guidance office to new quarters. The former office of the Superintendent of Schools has been made available, and the new quarters are a great improvement over the old.
With the above changes the program has developed along cer- tain lines. An interview schedule has been set up running from 8:45 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. Students have not availed themselves of the hours after school, but the director has used this time to tend
SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
to details and clerical routines implicit in his job. The interview schedule has been utilized to talk with approximately 200 - 250 students. This figure is much lower than that which might be ex- pected reasonably considering the time element. Actually, it should have been possible to interview almost twice that number, but local conditions have precluded this. It is anticipated that as the pro- gram develops more students will be interview during a commen- surate period of time
Additional accomplishments have included the following: Pre- liminary arrangements have been made to utilize the services of the Boston University Office of School and College Relations' test- ing program on February 28; an occupational information program under the auspices of Northeastern University will be launched on January 23, to be followed by monthly programs in the same series; a tentative date, March 5, has been set for the Career Insti- tute, an annual program sponsored by the Lions Club, to be pre- sented this year with the ccoperation of Northeastern University; inspection of other high school programs and consultation with other guidance people in connection with membership in the Greater Boston Vocational Guidance Club; the usual round cf talks at Parent-Teachers Organizations, clubs, forums, and panels; and a preliminary plan to set up testing, cumulative records, and a teacher-counselor organization in the elementary schools and the junior high schools; a proposed in-service program to accompany the expansion of the program along the lines indicated above. The usual activities of a guidance program account for the remainder of the activities of the department; that is, conferences with par-
Girl's Club Dance, S. H. S. Assembly Hall
SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
ents, interviews with school representatives, attendance at profes- sional meetings, institutional visits, and ordinary administrative and clerical routines.
The immediate needs of the department seem three-fold. First, the dissemination and acceptance of a guidance point of view in the school system. Second, the establishment of expanded program of teacher-counselors. Third, the procurement of a competent, ma- ture, full-time secretarial assistant.
In the first instance, the fulfillment of the objectives of the guidance department requires that the director sell the program to the staff. Changes must be made slowly so as not to upset accepted practices too abruptly. The staff must be made to see that the changes made or attempted are made only to permit the development of the program along professionally acceptable stand- ards, and not to threaten or interfere with the integrity, desires, and long established practices of the staff. The director feels quite strongly that any guidance program needs to be student centered, and that its energies must be devoted to those students.
In the second instance, the large numbers of students to be served requires the expansion of the counseling services. Obviously, the desirable solution would be to add trained counselors. Inasmuch as this may be inexpedient at the present time, a system of teacher- counselors seems the most satisfactory compromise. Every effort must be made to serve individual students individually, if optimum adjustment is a desirable objective of guidance.
Finally, the work of the department, the need for privacy and confidence in the discharge of the department's responsibilities and functions, the desirability of continuity in office practices, and the volume of clerical work all point to the desirability of securing the services of a competent, mature, secretarial assistant. This may be said to be the most immediate need of the department, inasmuch as the needs enumerated above are obviously matters of long run policy, work, and planning.
In conclusion, the most gratifying aspect of the director's em- ployment to date has been the quality and quantity of cooperation from the administration. Especial thanks are extended to the Superintendent, Mr. Pearce, Miss Jacobs, Mrs. Marsh, Mr. Tirrell, Mr. Philbrick, and Mr. Earle for their assistance in facilitating the adjustment of the director.
The director sincerely and optimistically hopes that a more satisfactory and more complete report of progress may be made in another year.
JAMES A. DOUCETTE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
Report of School nurse (Includes Physicians)
The general health of the Saugus School children is good and compares quite favorably with others in similar neighborhoods; geographically, environmental and economically.
The first health service for each school year is the physical examination which begins in early September and is usually com- pleted by early November. As a result of this examination for 1951, there were one hundred and four notices for defects sent to parents suggesting corrective treatment, and these were followed-up.
The Massachusetts Hearing Test, a pure tone audiometer test, was given to all pupils in grades one, three, five, seven and the High School pupils with excellent results. There were twelve cases found in need of treatment and already improvement has been noted.
The eye examinations were done in the first four grades by the teachers and re-checked where questionable by the nurse. The fifth through twelfth grades were examined by an optometrist who has generously given his time and efforts. Forty-one cases were referred for further examination and treatment.
The dental clinic is under the supervision of the Board of Health. 'This clinic is held each Tuesday and Thursday morning while school is in session.
The pupils in the ten elementary schools were weighed during November and May. This information is recorded on the health cards and the pupils' report cards.
I visited each elementary school approximately once in three weeks to check on the general health of the individual child and for teacher-nurse conferences. The two Junior High Schools and the High School pupils were examined less frequently, and always upon the special request of the teachers.
Eighteen cases were referred to Child Guidance Clinic; six- teen were examined by the Traveling Mental Hygiene Clinic; ap- proximately two hundred and eighty-six were excluded for con- tagious and skin diseases; one hundred and four cases of first aid administered and two emergencies taken to the hospital.
I made two hundred and nine home visits and eighty-eight telephone calls to encourage treatment and correction of condi- tions influencing home-school life.
Six successful pre-school clinics were held in early May at which a total of one hundred fifty-two were examined by the doc- tor and dentist plus eighty-eight children who were just registered.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
The major problems confronting us are: The need of a speech therapist to handle the alarming number of cases which require attention and have been neglected because of unavailable services and facilities and the desperate need of dental services for the Junior High School pupils.
It is noted in the school physicians' reports that conditions of teeth and tonsils are better.
The new method of spaced examinations in grades 1-3-5-7 allows more time for the individual pupils. One physician stressed the need for a gymnasium for improvement in posture. Another stressed the health value of the Cafeteria and hot lunch program at the Veterans Memorial School.
The Physicians are almost unanimous in the opinion that the general level of health of school pupils improves from year to year.
I wish to thank the parents, teachers, doctors, school offici- als and all others who by their cooperation enabled us to improve the health of our Saugus school children.
FRANCES R. MCLAUGHLIN, R.N.
Report of Music Supervisor
Music, of itself, has long been considered a fine thing. Since it has been proven to have the power to aid in the development of normal, happy, and healthy people it has assumed a greater place in our society. Our need to create something worthwhile and beautiful is being constantly foiled in a world which spends its days working at noisy machines. We must have some activity to interest us during our leisure time. An activity which we can pursue alone or in groups has an added advantage over those which are dependent upon others as a regular practice. An ac- tivity which can be followed from early childhood into adulthood and later life once more has the advantage over those which re- quire the strength of early youth. Music meets all of these requirements.
I believe that music is a necessary part of the modern school because youth must be trained in the fine art of creative recrea- tion. Music is the one subject which is truly democratic. All can take part regardless of degree of ability. A child may be a per- former of music or a consumer. With the proper guidance every child may be led to take part in some form of music (music takes many forms besides singing and playing of an instrument).
At no time am I interested in using the classroom situation for the exclusive purpose of developing professional musicians. The finding and encouragement of talent through the experience
SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
provided by the school is my concern; further development is the prerogative of the private teacher.
I am interested in developing an awareness and appreciation of good music in every boy and girl in our system, according to his ability to do so. By appreciation is meant the ability to evalu- ate, judge, appraise a musical experience and derive enjoyment from it.
If we want our boys and girls to turn to music in their leis- ure hours as a form of recreation, we must begin to provide ex- periences in music the first day of school, which they will find physically and mentally satisfying. If we can present music to the children in such a manner that each one will feel that he is actively participating and experiencing an enjoyable experience, or activity, I am sure he will develop a liking, if not love, for music which in turn will open up another avenue of worthwhile recreation throughout his life. This I am sure you agree is our main purpose in sending a child to school; to equip him with the "know-how" of wresting the most out of life.
The grade school music is conducted daily by the classroom teacher. The supervisor has tried to suggest activities and meth- 'ods which would be of value in attaining our aim, namely, creat- ing an interest in music. The work outlined has attempted to maintain a slight degree of uniformity throughout the town but has not always been possible since facilities and equipment vary in each building. Ideally the music program should consist of singing of rote songs, singing by note, listening, playing of simple instruments such as bells etc., dancing, and an opportunity to express themselves through creation of original melodies and dances, dramatization.
ELAINE G. GRILLO
S. H. S. Cheer Leaders '51
SAUGUS
5
SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
Report of Art Supervisor
The Art program as planned for the public schools of Saugus is related to the subjects of the school curriculum, correlating and integrating with other class subjects, that they may be more effectively motivated and vitalized to the pupil.
I beleive that Art should contribute to the full growth of the child not through imitation, but with guidance so that creat- ing and expressing his own ideas he fulfills this need. An appreci- ation and knowledge of Art principles should be a part of one's fundamental education. Not all students become artists, but every- one becomes a consumer.
Art activities should offer opportunities for thinking indi- vidually, creating, expressing with varied materials, accepting re- sponsibility, and learning to work with others. I believe blocks of work based on these fundamentals may be better realized with smaller classes.
Two days a week are devoted to supervision, guidance of teachers, and the presentation of new material in the elementary classrooms. It has become necessary with the addition of the Veterans Memorial School to visit the grade classroom but once each five weeks. Planned outlines as a means of guiding blocks of work for all grade classes are provided for each grade cover- ing a period of two months.
Three days each week are provided for classroom instruction in the Sweetser and Central Junior High Schools and the Senior High School. Art classes in the Central Junior and Senior High Schools have been held in the cafeteria these past few years, greatly handicapping the procedure for this program. Until this fall the auditorium of the Sweetser School was used, but by other arrangements a classroom has been provided.
This past year the high school classes contributed an exhibi- tion to the International Art program through the Lynn Chapter of the Red Cross. Assistance has been given to the activities of the Junior Red Cross by means of special guidance in the Senior High School and by projects in the junior high and elementary classrooms. Several exhibitions have been shown to various com- munity organizations. An integration with the graduation theme has been an annual Art project in both the junior and senior high schools.
ANSTRICE C. KELLOGG
SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
Report of Elementary School Physical Education Supervisor
A visit is made to each school every two weeks. Outlines of the work to be covered are given to all teachers the first of the month, at which time the work is presented by me.
Activities which have the greatest natural appeal for chil- dren of a given age group are chosen as far as possible.
In the lower grades the work is very informal in character, consisting of rhythm training, singing games, action stories, marching, folk dancing and games. Folk dancing cultivates the sense of rhythm and joy of movements, and is a means toward helping a self-conscious or awkward pupil to develop natural grace. The jolly music, the many nursery and Mother Goose rhymes set to traditional music never fail to make the child at home in its new and often times strange surroundings.
In the upper grades the work is carried on more extensively and more formally. This group consists of marching tactics or all exercises which involve quick and unexpected change of position, direction or momentum, free standing exercises, stunts, games, volley ball and punch ball.
The program of physical education aims at the following specific objectives: better posture, the improvement of physical efficiency, less mental strain and better mental health, the devel- opment of control and body movements, alertness, quick response, courage, self-control, self-sacrifice, courtesy, loyalty, obedience, cooperation, and initiative. It aims to create in youth an intelli- gent and healthful interest in physical activity and gives to him a fund of activity material for use in leisure time.
The exercise periods are for the purpose of correcting faulty posture, of stimulating the important body functions, and not less important of giving opportunity for flushing the class room with air from out of doors so that teacher, pupil and room will be in better condition for the further work of the day.
An entertainment for the Felton Parent Teacher Association was presented by the children of the school last June, and a size- able amount was realized for their treasury.
I wish to add that in the past the Parent Teacher Associa- tions have been most generous in providing their schools with equipment which was greatly appreciated by the children and myself.
Play days were held at the close of school and a large num- ber of parents were in attendance.
CATHERINE R. GRIFFIN
SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
Report of Band Director
It is my definite opinion as Band Director, that music is for everybody and everyone should have a chance to express them- selves through music, instrumentally, vocally, or through music appreciation.
Listed below are the three factors requested, in their respect- ive order, as they appear to me.
I. PHILOSOPHY
A. Objectives of the program to achieve philosophy.
1. Knowledge of Fundamentals for all.
a. Testing for fundamentals
b. Teaching basic scales and rudiments of music
c. Nomenclature of instrument
d. Manipulation
2. To permit continuation with developmental music for all.
a. Techniques
b. Style
c. Interpretation
d. Manipulation
3. Personal Development
a. Grades - Create a spirit of competition, sense of achievement and motivation.
b. Preparation for Life
1. Vocational-Significance of music
2. Avocational-Significance of music
3. Esprit de Corps
4. Self-discipline
5. Leadership
4. Community Relationships
a. Civic responsibility for the pupils
b. Public relations for the school and the community
SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
II. ACCOMPLISHMENTS
A. Organizations under direction.
1. Senior Marching Band
2. Senior Concert Band
3. Junior A Band
4. Elementary Band
5. Dance Orchestra (Boys)
6. Brass Choir
7. Girl Orchestra (Now in process)
8. Majorettes
9. Associated with Band Parents Association
B. Activities participated in
1. Seasonal football games (9)
2. Boston University High School Day Game - Nov. 17th
3. Parades - Armistice Day, Memorial Day (Saugus and Lynn), Hallowe'en, Christmas Parade.
4. Brass Choir visits all Saugus schools to play Christmas Carols
5. Annual Spring Concert (Lynn)
S. H. S. Band '51
SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
6. State and New England Festivals
7. Debut of dance orchestra at high school "Open House"
8. Dance Orchestra at opening of Veterans Memorial School
9. Dance Orchestra at "Talent Night" Jan. 18th Dance Orchestra at Boy's Club Dance Feb. 1 Dance Orchestra at Senior Drama Feb. 15
10. Girl Orchestra at Girl's Club Meeting Feb. 13
11. Rehearsals
C. Purchases and Repair
Purchase of five instruments through War Surplus Depot, Taunton, Mass., BBb Base Horn - French Horn (Double F) - Eb Clarinet - Bb, Trombone. Have been repaired and now in use. September 1951.
D. Spring Concert
Happy report on attendance and financial status toward Band Fund.
E. Festivals
1. Superior ratings and happy report on appreciable de- velopment in the balance, cohesion, for the musical organizations of the school.
2. First appearance of the Junior A Band at the State Festival last May, at Marblehead, Massachusetts.
F. Broadcast of the Brass Choir - Station WLYN - December 21, 1951
I want to thank the School Committee Members, Principals, Students, Staff, and Administration, all of whom have been very helpful and cooperative. Also my thanks to the people in the community for their response and interest to the Instrumental Program.
Personal Thanks To: Mr. Jesse J. Morgan (Superintendent of Schools) Mr. Norman G. Young (Town Manager) Mr. John A. W. Pearce (Principal High School) Mrs. Chester N. Hood and Band Parents Association. Mr. Arthur Metzger (Drill Instructor) and past Mayor of Lynn Stuart A. Tarr.
JEROME J. MITCHELL
Report of Director of Testing
During the year 1951, group tests of mental ability were ad- ministered in grades five, seven, and one; achievement tests were administered in grades six and eight; and individual Common- wealth of Massachusetts tests were administered to all pupils recommended for the special class. Also various tests were admin- istered from time to time to check on problem pupils.
The needs for this department are: first, sufficient time in my daily program to administer more tests in the various grades, and an adjustment of my program to give me an opportunity to test in the morning rather than afternoon; second, a location, with desk and storage space, so as to enable me to work on this pro- gram when not actually administering tests; and, third, more tests for the balance of this school year, achievement tests for grades two, four, six, and eight.
JOHN B. LEAHY
S. H. S. Twirlers '51
SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
AGE - GRADE TABLE
Ages
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
Totals
Grade 1
109
241
12
2
364
2
104
198
20
4
326
3
113
213
36
4
1
367
4
3
115
181
40
7
4
350
5
94
182
28
11
.3
1
319
6
87
121
43
9
4
2
266
7
75
120
38
12
6
2
253
8
67
137
34
22
6
1
267
9
61
94
32
8
3
198
10
63
98
34
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