USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of Saugus 1952 > Part 9
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During all of the examinations the physicians were assisted by the School Nurse, Miss Frances R. Mclaughlin, R.N. Defects noted were re- ported to parents. Miss Mclaughlin made many follow-up home visits.
The Rotary Club has presented much equip- ment to the clinic room at the Veterans Me- morial School and to the schools generally: a Massachusetts Vision Testing Set; ten earphones for pure tone audiometer for the testing of hear- ing; a bed; a lamp, and a cabinet for medical supplies. These are deeply appreciated by the Nurse and all of us connected with the schools.
In her report Miss Mclaughlin writes of the great importance of the cafeteria program at the Felton and Veterans' Memorial Schools. To quote, "we must teach the children, especially those of high school level, good food habits to
Officers of the Rotary Club look on while Nurse Mclaughlin ond pupils try out the new earphones presented by the Rotary Club.
counteract the damage annually being done by the hurried 'drug store' diet to which they re- sort" - also "The Cafeteria program - has greatly contributed to an overall improvement in the general health of the children, particu- larly a certain group who were below the aver- age rate and pattern of growth." -
Miss Mclaughlin also serves as Supervisor of Elementary Attendance. In this capacity she made 108 home calls as well as caring for all other phases of the work. She aptly points out, "needless to say the combination of School Nurse and Supervisor of Attendance is not an ideal situation because of the psychological aspect." Not only should there be separation of these two functions but there should be an additional nurse to aid in the care of 3350 school pupils. The standard pupil load for each School Nurse is 2000. With the Attendance work there are two full time positions.
Cafeterias
The School Lunch Program, praised by our School Nurse, is such an important addition to our school health program that it should receive more than passing notice. Inaugurated January 14, 1952 on the day of the opening of the Vet- erans' Memorial School it has served well the pupils of the Felton and Memorial Schools. A total of 38,711 meals have been served. Accord- ing to the regulations of the Federal Lunch Pro- gram free meals must be available at all times for needy pupils. There were only four hundred of these issued. The reimbursement from the Federal government, which aided in lowering the cost to the children, amounted to $2,168.37. Free surplus foods of great value were also received to enrich the program. Some of the articlees were: powdered milk, powdered and fresh eggs, canned beans, peas, peaches, cherries, peanut butter, cheese, smoked hams and turkeys. Our Cafeteria Director, Mrs. Lillian Soderstrom, has plans ready to open the next unit January 26 at Sweetser School and the Saugus High School building at a later date. Due to Federal regula- tions, when the new program is instituted at Sweetser and at the High School, the sale of candy in the former and candy and tonic in the latter must be abandoned. Our Federal Lunch program is a valuable and important part of our children's education. We have a good beginning. Our goal is to expand steadily until a hot meal is available at small cost to every pupil in the Saugus Schools. To date under Mrs. Soderstrom's able direction and her staff of excellent helpers the program has operated steadily in the black.
For years the High School Cafeteria, under Mrs. Flood's able direction, has made a valuable contribution to the welfare of the pupils. The Federal Subsidy and Surplus Foods should im- prove the already fine program.
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Physical Education
Our Elementary School Physical Education Su- pervisor, Miss Griffin says, "A dream has been realized for the children of Saugus-a gymnasium in the Veterans Memorial School, which is also enjoyed by the children in the Felton School." She is right! This room represents for Saugus another "first" of which we hope there will be many. She also says, "it has become necessary with the addi- tion of the Veterans' Memorial School to visit eacl: school but once in three weeks"-"Outlines of the work to be covered are given to each teacher the first of the month, at which time the work is pre- sented by me"-"Work is informal in our lower grades, rhythm training, action stories, singing games, marching and folk dances"-"In the up- per grades the work is more formal." The work could be improved by the addition of another in- structor. To actively supervise over two thousand pupils on a three week rotating basis is a difficult task for one supervisor. In her report Miss Griffin mentions the fact that our new, movable furniture is of great aid in giving pupils more open space for indoor physical education. Our physical education supervisor should be commended for attending the Olympic Games in Helsinki, Finland, at great fin- ancial sacrifice, during the summer vacation.
*
Rhythm Coordinotion, Grace. Armitoge School, Grode VI, under the direction of Physicol Educotion Supervisor, Miss Griffin. This type of work is mode possible only through movoble furniture.
Music
During the year some additions were made to the equipment needed and many sets of books were purchased. Miss Elaine Grillo supervises the vocal music at all levels of the school system. Thirty- three hundred and fifty pupils are far too many for one person. In both Music and Drawing we should add another instructor at the earliest pos- sible opportunity.
There are 65 pupils taking part in the high school choral program. In addition there is a Mixed Glee Club for all those who care to sing. The Boys Octet and Girls Sextet are made up of those will- ing to practice before and after school. During the year some of the activities were: school as- semblies, Talent Night, Open House, P.T.A., Grad- uation Exercises, radio broadcast, Northeastern Music Festival, All State Concert, and two excel- lently done operettas in the Veterans' Memorial School Auditorium, "Waltz Dream" in March, and "Forest Prince," in December.
S. H. S. Operetta, "Forrest Prince" presented under the direc- lion of Music Supervisor, Elaine Grillo and Dromatic Cooch, Mrs. Anderson.
Band
The 1952 Town Meeting generously appropriated Thirty-eight hundred dollars for new uniforms. Director Mitchell correctly says, "resplendent in their brand new uniforms, the Saugus High School Band has had a very active year." Activities have been: playing at all football games; Concert at the State House on Good Government Day; the 17th annual concert at the Lynn Auditorium; the Northeastern Music Festival at Everett; visit of Robert Taft to Saugus; Memorial Day parade; New England Music Festival at the University of Massachusetts; Armistice Day Parade in Lynn; dedication of DeFranzo Circle and Veterans' Mem- orial School, and Santa Claus Parade. For the Christmas Season the brass choir visited all of the schools and the Town Hall with an evening pro- gram at Saugus Center and Cliftondale.
The Band Parents Association under the Presi- dency of Mrs. Chester Hood rendered invaluable assistance in providing transportation, refresh- ments, chaperones, caring for uniforms, directing publicity, selling tickets and raising money for the general expenses. It is difficult to see how the band could function without their generous aid.
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"Resplendant in their brand new Uniforms" the Saugus High Schaol Band and Drum Majarettes pase. Director Jerame Mitchell is nat in picture.
Drawing
One visit is made by the Supervisor to each of the sixty-seven grade classes each five weeks. Teachers carry on the work during the interven- ing period. Mrs. Kellogg, the Drawing Supervisor, reports "that Visual Aid material is encouraged as far as equipment allows. The new felt and flan- nel boards installed by many teachers at their own expense or by Parent-Teachers groups are of great benefit for Art expression and Art work" -. "Some lantern slides have also been made for the project"-"only a few schools are equipped with easels and painting materials for primary grades" -"exhibitions of high school work have been pre- sented to several community organizations, name- ly: "The Civic League, The Riverside Club, and the Eastern Star" .- "Illustrative material was pro- vided for the school display sponsored for Edu- cation Week."-"Every school in town has con- tributed to the Junior Red Cross program which is under the art Department."-"Articles in leather, bookmarks, place mats, and favors for Veterans in the Bedford and Murphy General
Army Hospitals have been completed as requested by the Lynn Chapter of the Organization." As stated in the preceding section there is great need for an additional Art Supervisor to assist Mrs. Kellogg.
Grade 3-4 pupils make a Christmas panel shawing perspective.
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Attendance
Our Supervisor of Secondary School Attend- ance, Mr. Harold E. Haley, a member of the High School Staff reports that "the greater part of the absences in the Saugus High School have been due to illnesses of a minor nature." He has found few cases of truancy. Only 3 cases have necessia- ted court action. It would appear that on the whole our pupils enjoy attending the Secondary Schools.
Testing
During the fall months Mr. Leahy has been freed of the testing of the elementary pupils. Conse- quently he has. had additional time for work in conjunction with the Director of Guidance in the two Junior High Schools and the Senior High School. Areas in which testing has been done are: algebra, mental ability, and general subject achievement.
Grades 1-2 take full advantage of their new, movable furniture.
Elementary Supervision
Miss Helen Brownrigg of Cambridge was chosen last spring by the School Committee to fill this important post. Miss Brownrigg is a graduate of Salem Teachers' College with Major in work for Special Class pupils. She has taught in West- ford, Winthrop, Germany and has served as Ele- mentary Supervisor in the City of Westbrook, Maine. She holds the degree of Master of Edu- cation from Boston University where she special- ized in all phases of Elementary Supervision in- cluding the Improvement of Reading.
Since Saugus has had an Elementary Super- visor for the first time this September her report is printed in full:
"The period between September and December has proved profitable to the supervisor and the program is well in operation. The teachers have reacted favorably and co-operatively. This has helped to make the work interesting and smooth running.
It is felt that the areas covered in this report are all worth mentioning and have been included with equal stress. Some have been time-consuming and others have
been completed easily and quickly. The areas are:
a. personal conferences
b. testing
c. committee meetings
d. inventory checking
e. programs
f. public relations
g. attendance at professional conferences
Personal Conferences
The teachers have conferred with the supervisor about suitable materials for slow-learners and retarded readers. Wherever a suggestion has been made the teachers have complied with the use of the materials and seem to be eager to be relieved of the burden of trying to keep the child on an even keel with the brighter children.
Mrs. MacNeill has given very freely of her time to acquaint the supervisor with the reading program and the extra help program. A few adjustments were made in her schedule. It is felt that only children of the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grades would benefit by an extra help program. Any children in the 5th and 6th grades who need help who have special disabilities would be accepted as indi- vidual cases.
There have been several conferences with the school nurse concerning problem children and typical children. The school nurse has given advice and insight into problems of children's welfare and children's growth.
Some parents have contacted the supervisor for advice and clarification of children's progress.
Each new teacher in the system was taken to visit with several of the teachers of their own grade. This experi- ment of orienting the new teachers with the materials and system proved to be a successful venture. The teachers were helpful in encouraging the new teachers to talk over with them the problems of their grade.
Committee Meetings
The Report Card Committee has held three meetings. There has been very good attendanc at these meetings and the interest has been growing in the members of the committee for the need of a change. The committee is working steadily in the direction of a change. The past meeting brought the members to the actual completion of two of the areas of study: Social Habits and Work Habits for the Primary Grades.
The Visual Aids Committee is active in acquainting the system with the materials that are available in the school system for classroom use. The visual projects of the class seem to be an outgrowth of the interest in visual aids and especially the introduction of flannel boards. The teach- ers have taken an interest in doing project work and mural drawing.
Inventory Checking
The inventory lists have been carefully checked and kept on file in the supervisor's office. Wherever there has been a need, additional supplementary books have been ordered. All books ordered for the first six grades will be referred to the supervisor for approval.
A few professional books have been ordered for use in the system.
Programs
A safety program was given by an insurance company December 1-5, for the first three grades. This was a very worthwhile program and will be repeated next year.
Two meetings were held with the first grade teachers to study the readiness program. The teachers were agreed that this new program was a necessary part of the reading program. Its benefits to the child could be measured in the children's adjustment and reactions to school and school materials. All of the teachers feel the child is better prepared to assume the actual reading process after his experience with this program. The first grade teachers
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will meet in January and exchange copies of their own original seat work. In this way each teacher will be able to add to her own collection.
During American Education Week a display of equip- ment. material and children's work was put in the window of the Saugus Credit Union by a committee of teachers. Through the encouragement of the teachers many of the parents were in attendanec in the schools during that week.
Yaung Artists at North Saugus Schaal at the dauble easel using large Charts far reading readiness. Mrs. Kellogg is Art Supervisar.
Testing
The testing of the first grades has been completed. The Pintner-Cunningham Primary Test of Mental Abilities Form A was administered to each child. The interpre- tation of the test results will be given to the Superintend- ent after the holidays.
Five Binet Individual Intelligence Tests were given at the request of several of the teachers. This program will continue wherever it seems advisable. Copies of these results and summaries of the reports will be kept on file in the supervisor's office.
Public Relations
It is hoped and planned to develop good public relations with every member of the school department and to try to give as much good publicity to the activities of the schools as possible. This is the aim of the supervisor for the first year. A contact has been made with the writer of the Saugus column in the "Lynn Item". It is hoped a column will be set up in the local paper.
Every effort to speak to all P. T. A.'s before the close of school will be made. The Armitage and Ballard have been scheduled for January and the Council has already been reached. An appearance was made at the Emerson.
Professional Conferences
October 2-4 was spent at the New England Reading Conference at Poland Springs, Maine. This professional meeting is a regional meeting that has great value and stimulation. The area of Study Skills in Content Subjects in Relation to Reading was the theme of the conference.
The Massachusetts Mental Health Association held a one-day institute at the Beaver Country Day School in Brookline, Mass., on Saturday, September 20th.
A meeting of the Cerebral Palsy Association was held at Boston University December 5th. This was a very worth- while experience and a greater understanding of the
problem was gained by the supervisor. More and more this type child will appear in the public schools. It is the aim of the association to have these children attend regu- lar classes. The classroom teacher will have to learn to make an adjustment for this type of child.
Recommendations
The supervisor has visited every classroom at the re- quest of the teacher or on routine purposes. These have been unscheduled as is the plan of the supervisor in the future. It will not be necessary to stay on a set plan of visiting.
The books of the Reading Program are adequate at present and teachers are able to conduct classes with the supplies on hand. There is an urgent need to revise the present curricula and this will entail book changes.
There is a need for schoolroom equipment and building repair. The teachers should be given some new and inter- esting materials with which to work.
Professional books could be added to the school system to start a source library for teacher use.
Children's school libraries and Classroom libraries should be started as a town project in the way of book appropriations."
The basic tasks of the Elementary Supervisor are to help teachers teach more skillfully than they normally would and to constantly revise the curriculum in the light of new developments in education. Miss Brownrigg has visited many classes, has worked with committees and large groups of teachers. Results of this work will show increasingly as time goes on.
The report of the Director of Guidance, James A. Doucette, is printed in full:
"The major portion of the time of the Director of Guidance has been devoted to individual counseling inter- views. During the period of this report some 750-1000 interviews with pupils and/or parents have been held. The major emphasis in these interviews has been on as- sisting with educational, vocational, and personal problems.
Significant activities have included the administration of a battery of five guidance tests to 154 of the members of the Class of 1953. These tests were administered during
tent pa
S
The Felt Board allaws pupils to rearrange and re-group the same Motifs in mony ways. It is also helpful in moking the work in reading, music, literature and other subjects interesting.
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their junior year, with the co-operation of Mr. John Leahy, Director of Testing, and the Boston University Office of School and College Relations. The cost, $1.25 per pupil, falls short of determining the real value of the testing program to the pupils.
Since very little time can be devoted to placement activi- ties, we were fortunate in having the services of the Division of Employment Security in assisting with the placement of our graduates of 1952. Although a follow-up of placements is being made by the State agency, it is not available at the present time. However, all members of the Class of 1952 were registered by that agency. Over 50% of the graduates, some 96 in number were inter- viewed by the Division of Employment Security person- nel. Approximately 25% of the class were given the general aptitude test battery by the agency. We are fortunate in having a free, state employment service such as this, since time limits the placement activities of the school.
A four-week period in the spring was devoted to the pre-registration of pupils for their programs for the next academic year. This involved a rather large number of conferences with parents. Mr. Leahy's leadership in this registration project was noteworthy.
In a co-operative project the testing office and the guidance office have initiated a pre-college testing pro- gram. It is the hope that we may be able to screen pre- college students via the testing program by establishing local standards based on the successes of our graduates in college. A statistical follow-up is planned and will be reported upon at such time as significant data is available.
Finally, apart from these highlights, a series of related activities has been part of the program. Conferences with outside school representative; professional meetings; visits to other schools; talks before P. T. A. groups, civic and service organizations; assemblies for pupils on educational and vocational problems; and ordinary administrative and clerical routines.
It is a pleasure to report that significantly a larger number of pupils is being reached by the guidance pro- gram at this writing than was true at the time of the last report. The goal is to reach a much greater number of. pupils in the coming year."
Included is the eighteenth annual report of Mr. John A. W. Pearce, Principal of the Saugus High School. As a matter of record a list of the gradu- ates of the class of 1952 is appended. The Report follows:
"We have been working on a new Marking System for the Junior and Senior High School during the year 1952. It went into operation with the opening of school in Sep- tember. It seems appropriate that I give an explanation of this system:
A-Excellent. A pupil must
1. Acquire mastery of course objectives.
2. Demonstrate superior ability to reason and to apply principles in both oral and written work.
3. Take an active part in all class discussions.
4. Manifest initiative and interest in projects beyond maximum assignments.
5. Undertake all work independently.
6. Prepare written work neatly and legibly.
7. Complete assignments satisfactorily and on time.
B-Good. A pupil must
1. Acquire mastery of major portion of course objectives.
2. Show above average reasoning ability in the ability in the application of principles in both oral and written work.
3. Manifest initiative and interest in all assigned projects.
4. Complete assignments satisfactorily and on time.
5. Make definite contributions to class discussions and recitations.
6. Prepare written work neatly and legibly.
C-Average. A pupil must
1. Acquire satisfactory understanding of course objectives.
2. Show average reasoning ability in the applica- tion of principles in both oral and written work.
3. Manifest initiative and interest in major portion of assigned projects.
4. Make honest effort to do assigned work well.
5. Show initiative in making up assignments and in seeking teacher's help.
6. Show effort and interest by active class partici- pation.
7. Show willingness to carry out directions.
8. Maintain a passing average in tests.
D-Poor. A pupil must
1. Acquire mastery of minimum course objectives.
2. Show effort and interest in class participation.
3. Have assignments done to best of ability and on time.
4. Demonstrate willingness and effort to do assigned work to the best of his ability.
5. Show initiative in making up assignments and in seeking teacher's help.
F-Failure. A failing mark may indicate failure of pupil to
1. Satisfactory minimum requirements of course.
2. Pass major portions of test.
3. Demonstrate any aptitude for a subject.
4. Work to best of his ability.
5. Seek teacher's help or to make up work missed. Another project that we have been trying out since school opened in September is a new time schedule. This chart shows how it works.
Mon. Tues. Wed. Thurs. Fri.
X
1 1
2
6
2
2
2
3
3
3
4
4
Activity and Lunch 6
4 4
5
3 5 1
6 5 1
5
6
Still another project that we have been working on for the last year is that of co-ordinating the work of the two Junior High Schools in town, not only with each other, but with the work of the Senior High School. We have been ably assisted by Mr. Davis, Head of the English Department, Mr. Mccullough, Head of the Social Studies De- partment, Mr. Watson, Head of the Mathematics Department, and Mr. Bradbury, Head of the Science Department. Mr. Davis has been at- tending meetings of the heads of English depart- ments from schools in this district at Wakefield High School during this past year. Your Princi- pal has attended meetings of the New England Development Council at Melrose where problems pertaining to the Junior High School have been discussed.
Still another project that we have engaged in is that of having selected pupils visit some of the newer high schools in this part of the state. Pupils visited Newburyport, Lynn English, Attle- boro, and Bridgewater. Just recently pupils visited
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Chemistry classes at Melrose High School. Pupils in every case gave very helpful reports of these visits.
During the early part of the year the Guidance Department was moved from the first floor to the offices on the second floor formerly occupied by the Superintendent and School Committee. This room vacated by the Guidance Department is now used as an Art Room. Mrs. Kellogg now has a room that she can call her own.
During the past year the Senior Band attended two music festivals; one at Everett-the State festival-and the other at Amherst-the New England festival. The Junior Band also attended the Everett festival as did the combined Glee Clubs. These three groups did especially well. The Senior Play in February was very successful. Miss Grillo and Mrs. Anderson combined to put on two operettas, one in March and the other in December. They were both outstanding. The Band Concert in April was a huge success.
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