USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of Saugus 1953 > Part 18
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Respectfully submitted, JOHN A. W. PEARCE Principal
December 22, 1953
Building strong bodies
100
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The Twirlers
Prom
Amy Elizabeth Adams Elizabeth Adelhelm *Ralph Everett Allan *Clyde Edgar Allen, Jr. Richard Woodruff Amidon Larry Richard Anderson Winifred Arsenault
*Lorene Mildred Atkins Bruce Howard Banks John Anderson Barnes Clara Katherine Bentley Marcia Louise Blake Concettina Annette Borghetti Robert George Boudreau William Joseph Bourque Richard Wallace Boynton Donald Joseph Brazis Donald Francis Brennan Rita Marie Buckless * Ann Louise Burns Paul Thomas Carr *Frances Ada Chiabrandy Catherine Claire Chisholm
*Judith Cochrane Joseph Daniel Colanto
GRADUATES, SAUGUS HIGH SCHOOL-CLASS of 1953
Patricia Marie Collette Charles Herbert Copp Allan Earle Cousens William Robert Cray, Jr. John Metcalf Cryan Anna Florence Curran Donald Irving Curtin Bruce Owens Davis Frank Robert Davey Dolores Fay Daviaux Jacquelyn Patricia Denham Dorothy Wynne Devonshire Nathaniel Diamond, Jr. Arthur Daniel Doherty Carol Ann Doucette
*Richard Allen Dudman Dorothy Eva Durgin * Alfred Walter Eicholzer
*Edward Ronald Eldukonis Edward Emerson Elder Thomas Paul Enderwick Ronald Errington Frederick James Essery Charles Vassar Feuless Robert Martin Flaherty
Joyce Ann Flanagan Viola Marie Fournier Paul Marie Fleuriel *Mary Jeanette Gallucci
*Dorothy Louise Grant George Oswald Gregson Walter Allan Gustafson *Joan Jacqueline Hanlon Kenneth James St. Pierre
*Beverly June Sampson Bruce Joseph Sampson Barbara Sandberg Earle John Sanford Donald Stephen Sherman JoAnn Shuff Joseph Kenneth Simms Jane Claire Smiledge Ann Maybelle Smith Gail Virginia Snow
*Virginia Caroline Sproul *Mary Ann Stazinski Arline Stead
*Frances Hazel Stewart
William Edmund Stirling Shirley Ann Sullo June Audrey Swanson Thomas Richard Taatjes
* Honor Students Donald Herbert Harrington Leonard Roy Hart Edward James Healey Edmund Harvey Hennigar Carol Ann Higgins LeRoy Franklin Hobart Lois Frances Hobbs Beatrice Leona Holmes James Robert Holmes
Chester Nelson Hood, Jr. Alice Leah Hubbs
*Judith Irby
Charles Alfred Johnson, Jr. Lucy Kasparian
Marilyn Ruth Kelley
*Shirley Joan Kelley Robert Lionel Kelly Robert Harris Kelly
*Betty Louise Rumson Thelma Rita Tangredi
*Janet Charlotte Tennent Loretta May Thorne Barbara Ann Towers William Eldon Tucker
*Leslie Lee Lawrence George Fleetwood Layden
*Selma Ruth London
*Lucille Frances Losano
*Carl Hargraves Love Helen Marian Luoma John Richard Lynch Barbara Anne MacDonald
Gail Holden Mackenzie John Archibald MacNeill, Jr.
Richard Michael White
Barbara Marie Williams
Dorothy Ann Williams
Blair Winburne Woods
2. Report of Guidance Director
In keeping with the philosophy that the major task of the guidance office is to work with individual pupils, it is a pleasure to report that over one thousand interviews were held during the year.
In addition, conferences were held with approximately three hundred parents during this period.
Our testing program has been enlarged considerably. I refer to the report of the Director of Testing for details on the scope of the program. Particular reference i smade here to the addi-
tion, with the excellent cooperation of Mr. Leahy, of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, The Ohio State Univer- sity Psychological Examination, The Engineering and Physical Science Aptitude Test, and the Anderson Chemistry Test. These tests alone represent over two hundred test scores, and have been invaluable in counseling with pupils.
We have continued our policy of cooperation with the divi- sion of Emplyoment Security, and all members of the senior class who are in the job market have been registered with that agency for job placement. One hundred and thirty members of the classes of 1953 and 1954 have taken or will take the aptitude tests of that agency.
We have received our usual number of visits from school representatives and have arranged for inspection trips for our pupils at a number of these schools and establishments. Some thirty-five graduates of the class of 1953 entered post-secondary schools.
The remainder of the time was devoted to attendance at pro- fessional meetings, including the American Vocational Associa- tion convention and the Elementary School Principals' Associa- tion convention; speaking engagements to local organizations; paritcipation in in-service groups working on curriculum revision; and administrative and clerical routines which are a part of every school job.
Although our program has been enlarged and its effective- ness improved, it is felt that more progress can be made and will be made. Once again, 'the greatest immediate need would seem to be the addition of a full time secretarial assistant to permit the delegation of clerical routines and to release the guidance director for more meaningful work with pupils and parents.
Graduates Class of 1953 attending institutions of higher education:
Institution
No. Attending 7
Boston University
Northeastern University
6
Bentley School of Accounting
1
Worcester Academy
1
Cushing Academy 1
Randolph-Macon 1
Wentworth Institute 2
Massachusetts School of Art
1
G. E. Apprentice School
2
Rittners School Floral Design
1
Sargent
1
Yale University
1
State College of Washington
1
Norwich
1
Tufts College
2
Missouri School of Mines
1
University of New Hampshire
4
University of Massachusetts
1
Jeanne Mary Melanson John Joseph Miner Alan Richard Mooers
*Carol Louise Morrison Richard Allen Morrison
* Mary Marcia Ann McCann Margaret Mary McCarthy Janet Adele McKenney
*Marcia Isabelle Mclellan Barbara Jean Nelson George William Nicholson Nancy Jane Northway Richard Elliot Otte
* Arthur Anthony Pereira Nancy Jean Poole Florence Theresa Quinlan Robert Warren Reed Beverley Ann Rees Charles William Reilly, Jr. Robert Ernest Ringenwald Barbara Dean Rollins
Patricia Joan Kilroy Edward Arthur Krom Joseph Ernest LaFrance John Davis LaViska
* Bruce Warren Tutein
Catherine Evelyn Vickers
Joseph Robert Wallace, Jr.
*Edwin Allen Walkey Richard Randall Warren
*Shirley May Weinbrecht Lucille Marie Weyler
* Barbara Ann Malfetano Ronald John Marland Michael Nicholas Matt
Thomas Vincent Meagher
Dewanne Marie White Lois Mae White
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Stockbridge School
1
Mass. Institute of Technology
1
Simmons
1
Burdett
2
Newton College - Sacred Heart
1
Salem Teachers' College
1
Chandler Secretarial
1
Lynn Hospital 1
Beth Israel Hospital
1
45
On the whole this year has been one of progress. We hope to continue in that direction.
Very truly yours, JAMES A. DOUCETTE Director of Guidance
December 22, 1953
3. Report of Director of Testing
The following is a report of the testing program carried out during the year 1953 in grades seven through twelve:
Grade 7: Otis Quick Scoring Mental ability test for all pupils.
Grade 8: Metropolitan Achievement Test, Partial for all pupils. Grade 9: Otis Quick Scoring Mental Ability Test for all pupils.
Grade 11: The Boston University battery of tests for all Juniors, in collaboration with Mr. Doucette. Due to the moving up of the dates of this test to earlier in the school year, two of them occurred in the calendar year, one in February and the other in December.
Grade 12: The Ohio State Psychological Test for all sen- iors interested in college. The results of these are discussed and interpreted by Mr. Doucette in conference with each pupil.
Subject Tests: The Lankton Algebra I test was given to all Algebra I pupils, at the end of the school year.
The Anderson Chemistry test was given in October. It is to be given again at the end of the course to check individual pro- gress during the year.
Individual Testing: After completing study on the measure- ment of intelligence and receiving a testing certificate for use of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, I have started a program of individual testing of intelligence. To date approxi- mately fifty pupils have been given this test. After testing these pupils, I submit the results and recommendation to Mr. Doucette, who, in turn, discusses the matter with pupils, their parents, and their teachers. To date we believe we have had some very en- couraging results and the continued use of individual testing with problem cases should help many of these pupils to a better ad- justment toward school, and a maximum intellectual growth.
JOHN B. LEAHY
December 22, 1953 Report of Supervisor of Secondary Attendance
Throughout the year I have carefully checked the attendance of pupils absent three consecutive days from Saugus High and Central Junior High. As required by the School Committee, pupils absent five or more consecutive school days due to sickness have been requested to present a doctor's certificate to be re- admitted to school.
I have carefully checked, daily, absences of pupils suspected of truancy. The number of cases of truancy continues to be about the same as in former years.
The annual check was made in September to see that all pupils under 16 years of age, who should be attending Saugus High and Junior High Schools, had returned to school or were absent for good reasons. During the year when I received notices of new pupils transferring to our schools, I have checked to see that they reported within a reasonable time after taking up their new residence in Saugus.
Throughout the year I have made home calls for the High School, Central Junior High and Sweetser Schools. I have also made calls checking the attendance of pupils residing in Saugus but enrolled in Vocational Schools elsewhere.
In closing I wish to express appreciation for the cooperation of local officials, parents, and teachers who have assisted me in my work.
Respectfully submitted, HAROLD E. HALEY Supervisor of Attendance Saugus High and Junior High Schools
December 22, 1953 Report of Instructor in Driver Education
Our present course in Driver Education was begun in May 1953. During the five month period in which the course has been presented, twenty-three students successfully completed their classroom instruction and passed the driving test given by a Reg- istry Inspector.
From January 1953 to January 1954 seventy-five students received credits for completion of the Pre-Driver Education course.
The Driver Education Program as presented in the Saugus High School is divided into two parts:
1. Pre-Driver Education.
2. Behind The Wheel Training.
Pre-Driver Education is the instruction every prospective students receives before learning to drive. The following factors are considered :-
1. The physical and mental qualities and attitudes which are necessary for anyone who aspires to be a safe driver.
2. The laws, rules and regulations governing the operation
of motor vehicles.
3. Automobile accidents, their causes and prevention.
4. The vehicle, its construction and operation.
The purpose of Pre-Driver Education:
1. Fundamental objective is to reduce the toll of motor vehicle accidents and loss of life among boys and girls of High School age.
2. Immediate objectives are two fold:
a. To develop among students the proper attitudes to- ward driving.
b. To provide students with knowledge which will be of value to them both as drivers and pedestrians.
The Lesson Plan Used:
1. Historical, social and economic implications of the traf- fic accident problem.
2. The Driver: His attitudes and physical characteristics.
3. The Car: Its construction and maintenance.
4. Fundamentals and arts of driving.
5. Rules of the road.
6. The development and use of streets and highways.
7. The application of driving skills.
8. Cooperation among drivers, pedestrians and cyclists.
9. Traffic accidents and their control.
, - ISCHOSE UNIVER SUMNICHT PROGRAM
COURTESY HANSON CHEVROLET .M.
Presentation of Auto Driving Car from Harold Hanson of Hanson Chevrolet, Inc., to Chairman George A. McCarrier of the School Committee Instructor, Miss Louise Solomita in the car
The course is supplemented by talks by trained discus- sion leaders, John Mello of the Registry of Motor Vehicles and Police Chief Roland E. Mansfield.
The use of visual aids :- 10 films, the selection made was to bring out points most challenging to the students' interest.
Discussion of questions and problems following each unit provides an opportunity for forming attitudes and challenging the interests of students and motivating their activities.
Respectfully submitted, LOUISE SOLOMITA
6. Report of Band Director
The Saugus High School Band has had another active year highlighted by the newly formed "Greater Lynn Music Festival", held last February at Swampscott High School. Participating in the festival were the Lynn, Marblehead, Saugus and Swampscott High School Bands. Each group performed individually before an appreciative audience augmented by the performance of an "All Select" group of one hundred musicians. The festival will be held each year, with each town or city taking turn as host. Mar- blehead is the site this year.
Following this, came the annual spring concert in April, at the Lynn City Hall Auditorium before a capacity audience.
May was a busy month. The Northeast State Music Festival was held at Malden. The Band then attended the New England Music Festival at the University of Connecticut. Highlight of this trip was the overnight stay in Hartford. The group was taken on a tour to the Heublin Estates conducted by the publisher of the Hartford Times, Colonel Henderson. The band members and twirlers then paraded to the Hartford State House, where official greetings were extended by Mayor Cronin.
The month was closed with the appearance of the band at both the Lynn and Saugus Memorial Day parades.
In June, the season closed with a concert program presented at a testimonial dinner of County Commissioner C. F. Nelson Pratt. The final performance of the "Greater Lynn All-Select" group was at The Lynn Item's Music Festival.
The past four months of the new school year have been de- voted by the band members and twirlers to the preparations of the half-time shows for the football games. A highlight of the football season was the combined efforts of the Lynn School Band and Saugus Band for the Red Feather Drive at the Lynn English-Saugus football game.
The band members and twirlers are now busy preparing their music and routines for the music festivals and concert sea- son which lies ahead.
In conclusion, I believe, the values received by pupils in band participation are: Group cooperation, personal discipline, har- monious living and greater emotional and maturing opportunities through musical experiences, increased travel and enriched friendships.
To mention only a few, benefits a band brings to a school are:
1. Fine community relationships.
2. Music appreciation for both listener and performer.
3. Directed activity for talented students.
4. Homeroom assembly and P. T. A. programs.
5. Scholarship possibilities for outstanding students.
6. Development of the leisure time or vocational activity.
All of these actual experiences and opportunities which are not obtained through books or classroom discussion make a High School band an asset to any educational program.
May I express my sincere appreciation and gratitude to the band members and twirler's, who gave much of their time in order to make such fine programs and public performances pos- sible. Also, my thanks to those who have supported the instru- mental program and have helped considerably to make it a smooth functioning organization of which the citizens of Saugus may rightly be proud.
Respectfully submitted, JEROME J. MITCHELL Band Director, Saugus High School
Annual Saugus High School Band Concert, Lynn Auditorium, April 1953
APPENDIX B Health Reports Report of School Nurse and Elementary Supervisor of Attendance
During the school year 1953 the usual programs were car- ried on, such as physical examinations for 1750 pupils in alternate grades beginning with Grade One. Defective notices to parents were sent in the following areas: 28 notices in questionable tonsil cases; 17 suggesting corrective dental care; two postural
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Saugus High School Band, Jerome Mitchell, Director
defects, and three notices, through home visits, for immediate check-up on heart conditions. The Massachusetts Vision Test and Massachusetts Pure Tone Audiometer test was completed in alternate grades resulting in 48 eye defective notices and eight defective hearing notices. Most of these pupils were examined by their private physicians and the necessary treatment started.
A total of 2336 pupils were weighed and measured in Octo- ber and May. Results were recorded on health record and, for the interested parent, on the back of each pupil's report card.
It was necessary to make 152 home visits and innumerable telephone calls to facilitate good home-school relationships in in- stances where it was felt this would be beneficial to pupils, par- ents and teachers. Needless to say personal contact often elimi- nates doubts and mis-apprehensions which may have existed.
On two occasions an ambulance was required to immediately remove a pupil to the hospital. First aid was administered in minor unlimited cases by the principals, and in more severe cases by the school nurse or school physician.
Gradually new upright scales are being purchased to replace the portable one which had to be carried from school to school. North Saugus, Cliftondale, and Felton Schools have been equip- ped with these scales in the past two years and perhaps soon this will be standard, serviceable equipment for each of the 13 schools.
The Lynnhurst Parent-Teacher Association purchased a new bed and bedding and they expect to improve the interior of the room which now serves as a health room. I understand that a first-aid box is included in the tentative plans. For all this I am personally grateful.
Saturday morning corrective Speech Classes, begun October 1953
Referrals to the Child Guidance Clinic in Lynn are tem- porarily at a standstill due to the closing of the clinic at the State level. Plans and inquiries in an effort to have it re-opened have already been instigated by Saugus and surrounding communities.
Among the major accomplishments of the 1953 school year were the opening of the speech clinic, and the pre-school registra- tion clinics, which necessitated a visit to the child's private phy- sician and dentist for a check-up before entering school. The speech clinic was established in October under the direction of two speech therapists from the Lynn School Department and is
"Growing"
held each Saturday morning at the Veterans Memorial School. Forty pupils enrolled and regularly attend this clinic which emphasizes the fact that it has long been a need and is greatly appreciated by the parents of school and pre-school children alike. To predict its success or failure would be premature at this point. However, many a bewildered, unhappy parent, who is vitally concerned, will acknowledge the relief and peace of mind he feels as he watches the progress of this invaluable project.
At the nine pre-school registrations held in May a medical and dental form was given to each parent requesting that these be completed by the family dentist and doctor. It was felt that this had an educational impact since they were the people who best knew the individual child. The results were astounding, as evidenced by the fact that school opened in September and a thorough physical examination, an up-to-date immunization pro- gram, and corrective dentistry had been completed on over 75 per cent of the initial entrees. From a medical standpoint these pupils as a whole were better equipped to enter school than any group I had previously encountered as a school nurse.
In my capacity as attendance officer, many home visits were made. Many cases were found to be legitimate absences. During the year it was necessary to proceed with three court cases, all of which were placed on probation to the end of the school year.
For the first time in many years we are fortunate in not having a Saugus pupil committed to the Essex County Training School because of habitual truancy.
I wish to express my sincere thanks to the doctors, teachers, parents and school officials who have been so cooperative.
Respectfully submitted,
FRANCES R. MCLAUGHLIN, R.N. School Nurse and Attendance Officer
December 22, 1953
0
Library corner aids in creating desire to read
APPENDIX C
1. Report of Elementary Supervisor
This report comes at the completion of one full year in the position of Elementary Supervisor. The program has gone along very smoothly with the cooperation of administrators, principals, teachers and the townspeople. There have been a few changes necessary and several new programs have been started by the supervisor. Several vital areas of the required duties of the posi- tion have become routine and have occupied the time and the attention of the Supervisor at all times. Some of these routine areas that come under the supervision and scrutiny of the Super- visor are:
1. Requisitioning books and supplies for individual children who need special attention.
2. Group and individual conferences with teachers.
3. Handling children with emotional problems.
4. Conferring with parents about children.
5. Administering tests to individual children and to groups of children.
6. Observing teachers in the classrooms.
7. Guiding the development of new and inexperienced teachers.
8. Launching and helping to carry out town projects that are of interest to the community.
9. Interviewing applicants for teaching positions in the ele- mentary grades.
10. Acting as consultant to committees making curriculum studies.
The remaining portion of this report will concern itself with specific areas of the curricula that should be discussed at length for better understanding.
No lack of interest here - Teaching reading the interesting and easy way, Grade I, Cliftondale School, Mrs. Patricia Munro, teacher
Reading Testing Reporting to Parents Handwriting Children with low mentality
Overcrowding
Orienting new teachers
Reading
A reading course was offered to the teachers of Saugus by Harvard-Boston University Extension Courses. The majority of the elementary school teachers took advantage of this oppor- tunity and have put into application, during the present school year, many of the suggestions gleaned from the course. As a re- sult of this interest in reading, a committee has been appointed to study the reading curriculum in our system and to make re- commendations for the improvement of its course of study. It is felt that the area that needs special attention is the area of pro- viding for individual children.
A remedial reading program has been developed under the direction of Mrs. Ina MacNeill. This program is more intensive than the one formerly in operation. The former was strictly a helping program for slow children. It did not serve its purpose for it was not organized effectively for the utilization of a skilled person's time. It did not give specialized remedial help to those children with reading difficulties. The new program will identify children with reading difficulties who are achieving below their mental capacity. These children will work with Mrs. MacNeill on a rotating six day basis until they have improved sufficiently to continue independently in their regular classes.
How South
Science project, Grade 6 - The teacher is William Couture
Testing
A readiness test was given this year to the children enter- ing the first grade to determine their general readiness for the work of the first grade. If a child is doing poorly in first grade work there is need for another test to further determine his capabilities. These children making a poor adjustment were selected by the teacher and given a test of mental ability by the supervisor.
The third and sixth grades were given an achievement test in May to determine children's progress and to compare the achievement of our schools to that of other schools on a national basis. The median scores showed that the children are on grade level in the sixth grades, and about 2 months above grade level in the third grades.
The children in the fifth grades were given a test of mental maturity in January.
Reporting to Parents
Two new report cards have been drawn up by the members of the report card committee for the inspection of teachers. The primary report card was designed for the first three grades and the intermediate card will be used in the fourth, fifth, and sixth grades. These two cards have been sent to each teacher for her examination and constructive criticism. Once the work is finished on these cards and approved by the School Committee, the par- ents will be informed of the changes that will be made in inter- preting children's progress and in reporting to parents. It is hoped to use these cards for the first marking term of 1954-1955 school year. The members of the report card committee are as follows:
Building vocabulary through the flannel board
Marjorie Wiggin, Chairman
Doris Lennox Selma Rosenfield Marilyn Spierer
Myra Beckman Hazel Lindsey
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