USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of Saugus 1954 > Part 22
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Your High School Principal came to Saugus in 1935. There are 13 of our present staff of 39 who were here when he came. Mr. Philip Bradbury, Head of our Science Department, and a member of our staff since September 1945, died in May of this
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year. His death left a big gap in our staff. Mr. John Taylor, who has been sick for nearly a year, was forced to retire early in the fall. Mr. Taylor had been a member of the staff for over 20 years. We miss him a great deal. He was an outstanding Book- keeping teacher and was Faculty Manager of Athletics for many years during the late thirties. Mrs. Norma Merolla, one of our English teachers, who had been with us for only a year, resigned during the summer. Mr. James Tirrell, Head Custodian at the High School was forced to retire early in the fall because of ill health. Mr. Tirrell was here when I came to Saugus and over the years he was very helpful to the principal in many ways. We all miss him.
At the opening of school in September we welcomed the following new teachers: Mr. Calvin Grass as Physics teacher. Miss Joan Wrightson as one of our English teach- ers, Mrs. Patricia Stokowski as one of our Commercial teachers, and Mrs. Faith Shoer as our new Girls' Physical Education in- structor. This is a new position.
In September it was necessary because of the large number of pupils in Grades 7 and 8 to go on the two platoon system. This meant hiring additional teachers. These teachers are: Paul O'Brien, teacher of 8th grade English; Jean Riccardelli, teacher of 8th grade Literature; Joseph Sardella, teacher of 7th grade Mathematics; and Arthur Statuto, teacher of 7th grade Eng- lish. Miss Norma DeFelice was hired as a clerk, spending part of her time in the Guidance Officer and the other part of her time in the Principals Office.
This is my 20th year as Principal of Saugus High School as I indicated earlier in my report. Back in 1939 we graduated 215 students. We have never reached that number since. For several years now our graduates have numbered well under 200. With the opening of our new high school we can expect to reach the 200 mark very soon. We feel that with all of the improve- ments that have been made and will con- tinue to be made in our School Offerings Saugus High School will be ranked as one of the best in the state.
John A. W. Pearce Principal
2. Report of the Guidance Director
The Guidance Department has continued to develop and expand its operations along
substantially the same lines indicated in previous reports. That is, increasing atten- tion to the problems of seeing more and more individual pupils individually; con- ferences with parents and interested staff members on pupil problems; increased em- phasis on acquiring more pertinent infor- mation on individuals, of assistance il counseling with them; more concerted effort on post-secondary school placement.
The stress which is placed on assistance to the individual pupil obviously carries with it the problem of inequitable pupil-staff load. A larger enrollment, and a concerted effort to expand individual service, are rapidly bringing about an impossible situation. Good intentions, unfortunately, may have to give way to the sheer load of numbers of pupils to be helped as more and more pupils come to know that they can receive help on a variety of problems, and difficulty of case load increases.
To that end, we have found it necessary, with increasing frequency, to call upon out- side agencies for assistance. The Division of Employment Security and its Division of Vocational Rehabilitation have been par- ticularly helpful in problems of placement. Private agencies have assisted in many cases involving problems of pupil adjustments; but their assistance, by and large, is pre- dicated upon the parents willingness and ability financially to utilize such services. Of particular assistance in meeting the problem of increasing pupil load in the Guidance Office has been the willingness of Mr. Leahy to share in the work of this department.
Since a good part of the work of the Director of Guidance involves the establish- ment of working relationships with schools, college, and employing institutions who take our graduates, an increasing amount of time has to be devoted to meeting with their representatives.
The most productive change which has occurred since the last annual report has been the addition of a clerk who spends most of her time in the offices of the Di- rector of Testing and Director of Guidance. A particularly good choice, Miss Norma De- Felice has materially contributed to the more effective discharge of the responsibili ties of this office.
As this report goes forward, we are busily engaged in participating in the planning for
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the opening of the new High School. As we think of all the ramifications of this new project, with all of its constructive aspects, we become acutely conscious of the increas- ing responsibilities implicit in the venture.
If we are to work with these young people with maximum effectiveness, and with in- creasing emphasis on the individual, it would seem imperative that we give serious consideration to increasing the staff mem- bership in the Guidance Department. As our enrollments go up, our case load goes up. It is manifestly impossible, despite the wonderful efforts of many people giving up some of their time from full schedules to do individual work with pupils, to give the services required by 900-1200 pupils, unless specific assignments are made for that purpose. The need, then, for the future is the assignment of additional personnel in guidance duties to meet the overwhelm- ing case load.
Finally, as this report goes forward, men- tion must be made of the fact that I am on part time status during the academic year 1954-1955. May I, for the records, take this opportunity to express to you and to the members of the School Committee my appreciation for your and their cooperation in making it possible for me to pursue my studies toward the doctorate. Although my program means reduced service to the pupils for the present, it is earnestly hoped that my program may ultimately lead to greater effectiveness in my role as an educator.
Following is a list of the graduates of the graduating class of 1954 and a numerical account of the fifty-three members of that class who have gone on to institutions of higher education or training.
Graduates 1954
Glenn Dale Agersea Dorothy Jean Allan
Mary Lillian Amabile
Beverly Ruth Arquet Francis Grant Beckford
William Paul Beliveau
Robert Nelson Belyea John Allen Bird Domenic Angelo Bisesti
Robert Cyrus Blades Frederick Whitney Brooks Elinore Jeanne Brown Nancy Ellen Brown John Joseph Bucchiere, Jr.
Laura Ada Buckwell Margaret Ida Campbell Anthony William Celentano Frederick Louis Chalifoux Jean Frances Chapman Jeanette Ann Chapman Delia Therese Ciampa Gene Frank Ciampa Arthur Mackenzie Cole
Ulysse Joseph Comeau, Jr.
Eleanor Arlene Comstock
Carol Mary Cook Albert Joseph Couturier Gordon Bruce Currier Judith Ann Currier
David Ernest Curtin
Norma Jean DeFelice Joan Denham Lorraine Rita D'Entremont
Beverley Audrey Derrah
Robert Whiteford Diamond
David Paul Donaldson
Albert Fryer Doran, Jr. Jane Ann Dudman John Edward Dunlop
David Alan Dwyer
Jean Louise Dwyer
Earl Arvid Ekstrom, Jr.
Earl White Ellis Alwin Carleton Evans George Marshall Falzarano
Donna Phyllis Fauci
Betty Joan Fisher
Janice Claire Fusi
Donald William Garniss Gaye Garofano James Franklin Gavin John Charles Gavin
Kenneth Frederick Gibbon
Lois Norma Gillespie
Robert Michael Glebus Arthur Richard Gomes John Augustus Gould, Jr.
Ann Mary Gregson Janice Louise Haley Paula Jane Haley
Charles Alfred Hammett
Phyllis Mae Harrie
Ronald Lee Heiseler
Joan Geraldine Henneberry
David Edward Hewitt Doris Louise Hills Carole Ruth Hollett
Kenneth Lesley Houghton
George Irving Hull Gene Sterling Hunt
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John Parker Husler Barbara May Husson Martha Jane Hutchins Robert Arthur Jackman Joseph Edward Jennings Albert Lawrence Jervis Edith Florence Johnson George Emery Keating Janice Lee Kenerson Robert Paul Krzywicki David Leslie Larkin Wilson Abbott Laverne John Henry Leahy Donald John Paul Lee Ralph Ronald LePage Thelma Florence Lloyd Alfred Joseph Long, Jr. James David Long Carole Alayne Ludwig Marjorie Edith Lynch Richard Bennett Lynds
William Alfred MacLaren Mary Louise MacMillan Douglas MacNeill William Lawrence MacNeill Constance Nancy Maker
William Davis Poland Sandra Janet Pomerantz Arthur William Potter Philip Felix Quinn Robert John Randazzo, Jr. June Leora Randall Donald Edward Reardon Davis Oliver Rippon Shirley Anne Lorraine Robie Richard Dominic Salerno Marilyn Therese Sarno Carl Augustus Sawyer Margaret Ann Sciré Barbara Salome Seeds James Francis Smith
Richard Lloyd Smith
Robert Gordon Specht Elinore Frances Stanley
James Stead
Sandra Merle Stone
Richard Sherbut Straw, Jr.
Lovice Arlene Sullivan
Robert Ernest Swallow
Nancy Lee Catherine Taylor
Norman Joseph Taylor Paul Thomas Thibodeau
Nancy Ann Turcotte
Dolores Ann Theresa Maresco
Roger Frederick Tuttle
Elizabeth Ann Tyler Evelyn Ann Ulban
Robert Charles Venn
Donna Jean Ventullo
Mary Louise Vondenberger
Lois Patricia Walsh
Elizabeth Deborah Walton
Alice Jean Watson Charles Herbert Wells
Shirley Janett Wells
William Charles Whittredge
Joanne Hazel Wormstead
Harold Yanofsky
Patricia Allene Young
Graduates, class of 1954, attending institu- tions of higher education and training
Institution
No. Attending
Boston Trades
1
Melrose Hospital
1
Holy Cross 1
Radcliffe 1
Colby Junior 1
Salem Hospital
1
Robert Allen Patterson, Jr.
Bouve-Boston
1
Richard George Pearce
Univ. New Hampshire
1
Northeastern University 6
Boston University
7
Brown 1
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Edwin Bradford Marshall William Charles Mathews Nancy Esther Maxwell Richard Edward McAdoo John Joseph McEachern, Jr.
Thomas Joseph McGann
James Anthony McGill, Jr.
Rosemary Gertrude McQuaid
Thomas Leon Melanson Anne Osborn Merrill
Donald William Mills, Jr. Mary Louise Mills William Frederick Mills
Anita Louise Mitton
Davis MacGowan Morgan
Michael Francis Moynihan, Jr.
Lois Grace Mulley Richard Allan Murphy
Arnold Darrell Myers
Dorothea Madeline Nagle
Elisabeth Ross Nelson
Patricia Ann O'Brien Elizabeth May Orpin Hedley Charles Parsons
Lillian Joyce Pettis Lois Ann Philbrick Gerald Martin Pinciss
Salem Teachers' College Huntington Prep.
3
1
N. E. College of Pharmacy 1 Institution No. Attending
Framingham Teachers' College 3
General Electric Apprentice
3
Chandler School
3
University of Massachusetts 3
2
Norwich Dartmouth Springfield
3
1
Forsythe 2
East Coast Aero Tech. 2
Mass. Institute of Tech. 1
Essex County Agricultural
1
Washington State
1
Franklin Technical
1
James A. Doucette Director of Guidance
3. Report of the Director of Testing
The following is a report of the testing program carried out during the year 1954 in grades seven through twelve:
Grade 7: Otis Quick Scoring Mental Ability tests for all pupils.
Grade 8: Stanford Achievement Test (Partial) for all pupils.
Note Grade equivalents: Para- graph Meaning 8-9, Word Meaning 9-3, Spelling 8-9, Language 9-4, Arithmetic Rea- soning 8-6, Arithmetic Compu- tation 8-7, Total test average 8-0. Month of test, March.
Grade 9: Otis Quick Scoring Mental Abil- ity Tests for all pupils.
Grade 11: The Boston University battery of tests for all juniors in col- laboration with Mr. Doucette. Grade 12: The Ohio State Psychological Test for all seniors interested in college.
Subject Tests: At the close of the school year, the following tests were given to the various subject pupils: Lankton-Algebra 1 Test, Anderson-Chemistry Test, Dunning -Physics Test, Nelson-Biology Test, Blyth -Second-Year Algebra Test, and the Shay- croft-Plane Geometry Test. The resultant statistics derived from these tests were sub- mitted to the various subject teachers for pupil and course evaluation.
The individual testing program using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for children instituted last year was continued; testing all problem cases submitted to the Guidance
Department for special attention.
This program could not have been ex- panded to the present extent without the additional time which has been alloted me and without assistance which has been given by the various teachers whose pupils have been tested or the assistance and coopera- tion of Mr. Doucette.
John B. Leahy Director of Testing
4. Report of Supervisor of Secondary School Attendance
The most important part of my work concerns pupils truant from school. Investi- gations have shown that many cases of juvenile delinquency had their origin in frequent unnecessary absence from school. If pupils are apprehended before truancy becomes habitual with them, they can be taught the error of their ways through personal interviews and periodical checking of their attendance. If their school program has been a contributing factor, adjustments can be made. A major factor in preventing truancy is the interest and cooperation of parents. Without this the attendance super- visor is severely handicapped. As it is, the truancy problem arises from a compara- tively small percentage of our enrollment.
Pupils absent for three consecutive days have been checked throughout the year. Those absent for five consecutive days have been requested to present a doctor's certifi- cate to be readmitted to school.
Increased enrollment has resulted in more absentees to check. The two platoon system in the Central Junior High School makes necessary a second check daily after 12:15 P.M. Upon receiving notices of pupils trans- ferring to our schools I have checked to see that they reported within a reasonable time after taking up their new residence in Saugus. The usual home calls have been made for the High School, Central Junior High, and Sweetser Schools.
The opening of the fine new high school building now under construction will give pupils a much greater incentive to attend school regularly. It will offer ideal sur- roundings in which to work. It will provide increased facilities making possible an en- riched curriculum, with adequate programs of Physical Education, Home Economics, and Industrial Arts. This will lessen the number of pupils who tend to leave school before graduation. Citizens of Saugus will no longer
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need to be apologetic in speaking of high school facilities.
In closing I wish to express appreciation for the cooperation of local officials, parents and teachers who have assisted me in my work.
Harold E. Haley
Supervisor of Attendance
Saugus High & Junior High Schools 5. Report of Instructor in Driving Education
The objective of the driver education program conducted at the high school is to prepare better and safer drivers. The program is made up of two phases, the first of which is the classroom approach, where the student needs are met. Our constant effort is to create proper attitudes, to ac- quire knowledge of the car and its capa- bilities, to learn the rules of the road, and have proper regard for the rights of others. These are the things we emphasize to the students until they become second nature.
The second phase consists in the behind- the-wheel instruction where the student is given the opportunity to acquire the proper skills and habits. When the course is suc- cessfully completed with a driver's license
awarded, the students are then recom- mended to the Registry of Motor Vehicles for certification.
Unfortunately under our present organi- zation it is physically impossible to make available to the entire student body the opportunity to take the driver education training.
Realizing the value of high school driver education and the importance of providing an incentive to stimulate public interest in the subject, the Association of Casualty and Security Companies sponsors the Annual National High School Driver Education award program. Having been enthusiastic- ally received for seven consecutive years, it continues to make a substantial contribu- tion toward the expansion and improvement of this important phase of instruction in our nation's secondary schools.
The award program provides recognition for the development of comprehensive pro- grams of driver education on a state-wide basis, helps to keep educational agencies and other interested organizations aware of the need for driver education as an established subject in the secondary school curriculum,
SAUGUS HIGH
Boys' Dance Orchestra
Senior Concert Band - 1953-1954
Girls' Clarinet Quintet
Junior Band Members
and results in a national report concerning the annual status of driver education as a formal school offering. In recognition of state achievements concerning the "quan- tity" and "quality" of driver education in- struction in public secondary schools, the board of judges granted the "award of ex- cellence" to our state for the school year 1953-1954. We feel that our efforts here at Saugus contributed to this success.
Anthony A. Struzziero
Instructor of Driver Education
6. Report of Band Director
With the present world conditions that now exist plus the sharp increase in Juve- nile Crime, what better way can a young person spend his or her leisure time than in musical organizations, where it is the prime objective to promote team work, co- operation, self-discipline, respect for one another, and where the love of music and arts is expressed.
Every child in a public educational system of a democratic society is entitled to ex- perience the worth of the cultural accumu- lation of that society. To deny a child this cultural background of values is to deny him beautiful living. The cultural arts are vital and important in the development of a wholesome and a well-rounded personality.
With this viewpoint in mind, the Greater Lynn Music Festival held annually has broken barriers between the pupils of each community plus the exchange of new view- points, created comparisons, which have aroused interest in music. The visit of the Lyman Hall High School Band last May created immense interest not only among band members, but the general public as well.
The 325th Anniversary Parade brought to Saugus many musical organizations, na- tional as well as local, along with marching units that created much interest education- ally.
The accomplishments of the musical or- ganizations in the Saugus School Depart- ment last year proved their worth. High ratings were obtained last May at the North East State Musical Festival by both the Junior and Senior Bands at Lexington, Massachusetts. Here again, the young peo- ple of Saugus were able to travel to another community where they witnessed what other cities and towns were doing to better the musical arts.
İt is not the sole purpose of the Instru- mental Department to think in terms of professional standards of professional mu- sicians. Instead it presents an activity which permits pupils to enjoy musical experiences for music's sake alone. It also acts as a guide to those who are planning to use music either as a vocation or an avocation.
The marching band with its precision drilling and manoeuvering helps to train boys and girls to accept orders and also to share responsibility either in the line of march or performing at football games. The training received here proved invaluable to boys who in a very short time after gradua- tion will become eligible for the military service.
The dance orchestra comprised of boys in the high school band has helped boys to form groups of their own while in high school, and many have continued after graduation.
Through the co-operation of the School Department, Mr. Morgan and Mr. Pearce, instruments which were in dire need of re- pair have either been reconditioned or re- placed.
New instruments of the more expensive type which were purchased created interest and have helped the high school band in- strumentally. It is expected that a few more of these superior instruments will be added in the near future.
With the completion of the new high school, many of the desires of the Instru- mental Department will have been fulfilled. We have badly needed rehearsal rooms, uni- form storage, and instrument storage rooms. All of these new facilities will certainly benefit the young people of Saugus mu- sically and educationally. Music teachers enjoy a different kind of opportunity; they see the emergence and the flowering of a talent-an artistry-in the human beings under their guidance which in itself is a rich reward.
I wish to express my sincere thanks to the school officials, principals, instrumental teachers, instrumental pupils, twirlers, Saugus Band Parents Association, and to those who in any way have lent a helping hand to make the instrumental program a worthwile project.
JEROME J. MITCHELL
Band Director.
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Front, L. to R .- Ralph Rockwood, Beverly MacDougall, Elizabeth Merrill, Susan Mitchell.
Rear, L. to R .- Miss Frances Mclaughlin (School Nurse) - Mrs. Mary O'Brien, Public Health Dept .; Mrs. John R. Needham, Chairman M.O.D., Saugus.
Miss Mclaughlin, school nurse testing ears.
7. Report of School Nurse and Elementary Supervisor of Attendance
The usual school health programs such as physical examinations, weighing and meas- uring, vision and hearing tests, periodic health inspections, pre-school clinics, first aid and emergency treatment and appoint- ments for clinics, were available and com- pleted during the past year.
The outstanding public health highlight in 1954 was the Salk's Polio Vaccine Trial test given to over six hundred Saugus school children, and twenty-four cooperating com- munities. On the local level, grateful acknowledgement must be expressed to the generous personnel involved in bringing this program to a successful conclusion. To thank each individual would be impossible, but we are indebted to the chairman, local doctors and nurses, laboratory technicians, lay personnel, parents and especially to the "Polio Pioneers". Evaluation of this project is a tremendous job and will not be com- pleted until April.
Mrs. Mildred Tamminen, Mary Jane Kennedy (on couch ) , Mrs Margaret Laskey, R.N., Frank Fichere, Joan Carlton (on couch ) Mrs. Lillian Lehane, Miss Frances Mclaughlin (School Nurse) Miss Florence Pavles, Richard Svenson ( on couch), Mrs. Fran Donahue.
Miss Mclaughlin giving a routine check up.
The speech clinic continues to function each Saturday morning at the Veterans Memorial School. Each of the two therapists have five sessions of one-half hour classes grouped according to age and type of prob- lem. The first aim and objective is to help the child make a better social adjustment by attaining a speech pattern that will be accepted as normal to the listener. The comments of parents have been most favor- able and reflect an attitude that the speech clinic is very worth while. The parents have been most cooperative in taking turns as receptionists at these clinics.
I would like to devote the remainder of this report to recommendations and sug- gestions which I feel would be beneficial to the overall school health services.
The scope of the school nursing program must of necessity be broad and varied in order to serve the needs of each pupil. The State Department feels that 1200-1500 pupil load is more than sufficient for one nurse. As you know, our population is well over
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3700. After routine duties are completed, I have no time for health education except- ing on an informal individual basis in regard to both teachers and pupils. Our objective can be achieved only through a sound pro- gram of health education and health guid- ance for pupils, parents and teachers alike. Therefore I recommend that :
1. Additional nurse be added to the staff.
2. Nurse be given an opportunity to teach health guidance, especially at second- ary level.
3. Pre-school vaccination clinics and diphtheria clinics at secondary level be integrated in school health services.
The past year has been a pleasant one due to the cooperation and assistance from innumerable sources-the School Commit- tee, Superintendent Morgan, the doctors, school personnel, parents and local social agencies. I'm sure the school health pro- gram will continue to expand because of these combined interests and efforts.
Attendance Report
It was necesary to admit only one child to the Essex County Training School dur- ing the past year.
The attendance problem as a whole has not been too great considering our school population. There are fifteen elementary school cases requiring' constant supervision and checking.
FRANCES R. MCLAUGHLIN, R.N. School Nurse and
Attendance Officer.
8. Report of the Elementary Supervisor Pupils' Progress Report
The new report card was submitted to the School Committee for examination and ap- proval. The card was accepted in its present
No. Saugus Grades 5 and 6 armor and banners reproduced by children while studying History and times of Crusaders.
form and put into use for the first time in November after the first ten weeks of school. This launching of the card was pre- ceded by interpretation to the teachers in several meetings both as a group and in the individual buildings. A written manual was given to each teacher so that important points of the card could be correctly in- terpreted. Parents were informed of the changes that would take place in the new card. Members of the committee explained the card to parents at P. T. A. meetings. The successful launching of the card was due to the cooperation of everyone concerned.
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