USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of Saugus 1954 > Part 23
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Beginning Teachers
The beginning teachers met with the su- pervisor in June, for a day of orientation. The curriculum, books and materials were examined at that time. Some of the teachers visited for a short time in a classroom in the building to which they had been as- signed. In September each beginning teacher was given an opportunity to observe an ex- perienced teacher on her own grade level. Once a month the beginning teachers have been meeting with the supervisor to receive help.
Arithmetic Committee
The following committee was selected to study the curriculum and adopt a new text for use in the first six grades: Clara Clark, Chairman William Couture, Secretary
Edith Cook Dorothy Hart
Ruth Farris Helen Pendergast Gertrude Wirling Elizabeth Loeffler Helen Brownrigg, Consultant
No. Saugus Grades 5 and 6 Unit on the Crusaders
The committee is about to make a recom- mendation after having examined and stud- ied many worthwhile books that were sub- mitted by several book companies for examination. A course of study will be writ- ten by the committe which will give specific directions for using the text selected. The teachers will meet to become ac- quainted with the new book through the instruction of the committee.
Reading Committee
The reading committee has met once a month to study the curriculum and make suggestions for the improvement of the teaching of reading. The suggestion to al- low children to proceed on their own a- chievement levels in reading from grade to grade was put into effect this year. A study of the reading methods being prac- ticed by the grade teachers was made and the results were found to be satisfactory. Group reading was being done in all the primary grades (1-3). All combination grades automatically do group reading. A few of the teachers in the intermediate grades (4-6) were teaching unison reading. A review of the reading books being used to carry out this teaching was made and some suggestions were made for providing some other books where they were needed.
Remedial Reading
Instruction was given to 240 children with reading difficulties. The following improve- ment was shown in a pre-test retest evaluation:
No. of children Reading Grade levels
1
3
13
21%
40
2
86
11%
77
1
23
1%
This chart clearly illustrates the value in this program. The children are given help by Mrs. Ina MacNeill until a decided im- provement is shown and then they are allowed to read independently in their grades. If so much value can be shown on a schedule of one half hour a week per child then the expansion of this program would be of great benefit to the school system. This is an indication of the need for a permanent reading teacher in every building or in every two buildings.
Testing
The fifth grades were given the Short
Form of the California Test of Mental Ma- turity in January. The third and sixth grades were tested in March with the Stan- ford Achievement Test.
The first grades were given the Metro- politan Readiness Test by the first grade teachers on the opening of school in the fall. Those children who scored low on the general readiness test were given an intel- ligence test to determine further their readiness for the reading program.
Group intelligence testing was adminis- tered to those children who had no previous record of having been tested in the Saugus Testing Program. Many of these children had transferred into the system.
The guidance director helped out in the testing of some individual children. Thirty- seven children were tested during the year. There were twenty-five boys and twelve girls. In most cases the teachers requested another indication of the native ability of the individuals. The Stanford-Binet was ad- ministered in each case.
Units of Program Planning
The planning of programs around specific units of study was tried out this year. Units or topics of study were suggested to stimu- late a general theme of unifying and coor- dinating the program. This was done to help dovetail the creative arts with the ele- mentary school program. It was carried out in an experimental way so that super- visors and teachers could work together in a more unified way. This was a very succes- ful venture and will continue in the plan- ning of the curriculum. Many teachers showed excellent results as some of the pictures show. An example of this type of work was on display during American Edu- cation Week in several of the buildings.
Newsletters
The newsletter of the supervisor was sent to each teacher five times during the year. It contained directions for program planning, instruction in methods, directives from the functioning
committees and scheduled meetings.
Cooperation
The many projects that have been carried out during the past year were done so by the cooperation of the administrators, super- visors, principals and teachers. The element- ary supervisor wishes to express apprecia- tion for such splendid cooperation.
Helen R. Brownrigg Elementary Supervisor
194
Armitage pupils viewing classroom motion picture.
Mr. Couture teaching soap carving to Grade 6 Pupils. Armitage School.
Science Demonstration
Watching Movie of Grey Squirrel
9. Report on Audio Visual Education Committee
Ballard
Edith Sheehan
Cliftondale
Marleah Graves
Emerson
Clara M. Hinckley
Felton
Mary T. Lavin
Lynnhurst
Bertha Schaefer
North Saugus
Marion Emmett
Viola Wilson
Oaklandvale Roby
Kevin Barry
Veterans Memorial
Gloria Solomita
Armitage
Mary H. Walsh Chairman
Elementary Supervisor Helen R. Brownrigg, Consultant
During the year 1954 our Audio-Visual program took another forward step when Saugus became a participating member of the Film Cooperative recently formed by the Massachusetts Department of Educa- tion. A 16 mm film loaned to the cooperative by the Saugus School Department, entitled us to the use of all films placed in the Film Cooperative by other participating
cities and towns. In addition, we were given a generous amount of credit with the regu- lar film library of the Massachusetts Office of Audio-Visual Education. From this source we may borrow films without further charge for the school year.
The Parent Teacher Associations through- out the town have cooperated again with the School Department in procuring equip- ment for their respective buildings. A 16 mm sound projector was purchased for the Emerson School and a combination radio- tape recorder was added at the Felton School. There is a new filmstrip projector at the Sweetser School, and a recently pur- chased television set installed in the Lynn- hurst School by the Parent Teacher Asso- ciation. The central filmstrip library has benefited by a generous donation of one hundred dollars from the Saugus P. T. A. Council for the purchase of additional film- strips.
Currently working on audio-visual pro- jects, are the North Saugus and Lynnhurst
195
Schools where tape-recorders will be pur- chased in the near future. About half the cost of the recorders will be provided by the School Department. The Armitage School Parent Teacher Association is work- ing on an important visual education pro- ject: the installing of large cork bulletin boards in all classrooms of the building.
A tape recorder was purchased by the High School Glee Club with assistance from the School Department. The recorder will be used in activities of the Glee and Dra- matic Clubs.
A duplicate card file of all audio-visual equipment has been completed by the com- mittee. The model, serial number, date of purchase, by whom purchased, from whom purchased, cost, and guarantee were listed for each piece of equipment in use in the Saugus schools. One set will be kept in the Office of the Superintendent of Schools and the other in the Audio-Visual Library.
The members of the Audio-Visual Aids Committee are to be commended for coop- eration not only in handling the visual aids materials in their own buildings, but for time spent in attending demonstrations for the study of new equipment, and in pre- viewing films and filmstrips for closer co- ordination with the curriculum needs.
An increased number of teachers and principals have joined the Eastern Massa- chusetts Branch of the Division of Audio- Visual Instruction. An interesting meeting of the organization was held last spring at the Boston University Faculty Club. Mem- bers of the School Committee, Superin- tendent Jesse J. Morgan, and High School Principal John A. W. Pearce attended.
A workshop is being planned by the com- mittee to aid teachers who have expressed a desire to know more about the operation and care of the various types of equipment. We are looking forward to increased ac-
tivity in our audio-visual aids program for the coming year.
Mary H. Walsh, Chairman Audio-Visual Aids Committee
10. Report of Supervisor of Elementary School Physical Education
Physical education is concerned with the education of the "whole child" through physical activity. Games, athletic sports, play and recreation are now considered to be a part of the good life, essential to the art of finer and better living. Physical edu- cation is vitally concerned with the physical, mental, social and emotional development of boys and girls.
The program furnishes unique situations which make it possible for the child to make much progress toward the attainment of opportunities to create, to succeed, to adjust to the group, to lead, to follow, to com- municate, to contribute to group welfare, and to develop a repertoire of activities for use outside school hours. Also it provides not only for their needs and interests to-day, but will help them maintain physical fitness, achieve social maturity, and meet with satis- faction the adult problems of leisure time.
Games with official rules such as volley- ball cannot be learned properly on courts without markings. In order to save time for such games, as well as circles and paral- lel lines frequently used in relays and circle games, lines have been permanently marked on the hard top playing areas.
Play days were held in June with a large number of parents in attendance.
Activities of the children from the North Saugus and Lynnhurst Schools were filmed and later shown to them, and it is planned to add other schools to this film.
During the week of our April vacation I attended the National Convention of the American Physical Education Association in New York City. An all day workshop on
Grade 2
Grade 3
Elementary Physical Education was a Con- vention highlight. Another all day workshop was held by the National Section on Dance.
Prior to the National Convention, I at- tended an all day meeting of the Inter- national Congress on the Essentials of Phy- sical Education for Youth at Springfield. More than 100 representatives from 41 foreign countries participated in the Con- gress and many later attended the Conven- tion in New York. Sponsored by the American Physical Education Association, it was the first international congress on physical education to be held in the United States.
Catherine R. Griffin Supervisor of Physical Education Elementary Schools
11. Report of the Art Supervisor
The visit of the Art Supervisor to each elementary school has been made every five weeks. Because of the establishing of
Grade VI, Felton School - Wire, string, with plenty of news- papers and paste, are used to model figures for the manger group, at the Felton School. Working and planning class pro- jects together helps each pupil to feel a degree of success and achievement, as well as to recognize his own progress.
Groups or Committees work together on a wall mural Grade IV - Lynnhurst School.
additional classes at the Cliftondale, Lynn- hurst, Veterans Memorial, Roby, and Sweet- ser Schools, as well as the two-platoon classes at the Central Junior High School, the class time allotment for supervision had to be curtailed in order to include these rooms. Three full days and part of the fourth day each week are now devoted to instruction in twenty-one different groups of senior and junior high school classes. The schedule of the Art Supervisor is on file in the office of the Superintendent. Art outlines have been planned and distributed in the elementary schools so that each teacher may continue the instruction of this subject between visits of the Supervisor. Assistance and direction have been given to make the Art program fit the needs and interests of the individual grade and classroom.
The same philosophy for the elementary classes as well as that for the secondary schools aims to create and maintain an
Posters, to advertise the Ice Capades, were made at the High School for the Rotary Club, who graciously donated a paint sprayer to use in the art department throughout the town.
Grade 2 at the Lynnhurst School using poster paint at the easel and bulletin Board to illustrate factual material about Christmas.
integration and correlation of subject areas.
"The importance of art grows as it shows its inter relationship to all learning, just as art is related to all human activity in every day life."
The course in Curriculum Planning, this past year, emphasized this fact as most important. In order that this outgrowth could be realized, class subject units for each grade were planned with the Elementary Supervisor, Miss Helen Brownrigg, who has been most co-operative with suggestions that would fit the subject matter of the elementary program of studies.
The Art course encourages not only ex- pression in different areas but also improve- ment in graphic form. Through the six elementary grades, training has been given in color, form, tone, representation of line, texture, and design. This procedure develops creative expression which is continued into the curriculum on the secondary school level where Art is an elective subject.
Both the elementary and secondary schools have given assistance to the Lynn Chapter of the Red Cross through the Junior Red Cross Council whose activities are directed by Miss Helen Towle of the high school faculty.
Illustrative material was made available to the Saugus Public Library in connection with the summer reading program, and dis- plays have been presented in the High School library.
A special effort was made to observe the 325th celebration of the town in each school building. An exhibit of local history was shown in the Town Hall.
In place of sponsoring a proposed contest, the Saugus Rotary Club has been most gen- erous in presenting a paint sprayer to the Art Department which may be used in the schools throughout the town. It is this sort of interest by civic organizations which fur- thers the educational program in our public schools.
It has been most gratifying that, as Art Supervisor, an opportunity has been given by the School Building Advisory Committee and the Superintendent of Schools to assist in the planning of the Art Department of the new high school. Specifications and a suggested lay-out were presented and in- corporated in the final blue print of this new school. A detailed requisition of equip- ment, furnishings, and materials for the
Art room and craft laboratory has been submitted so that the curriculum needs for the high school will be met and ready to function when the new building opens in 1955.
It is recommended :
that greater opportunity to work in terms of the third dimension be provided, especially for the elementary grades.
that bulletin boards within the reach of the younger student be procured so that he may arrange and exhibit his own accomplishments.
that the program of art easels be com- pleted in all of the elementary classrooms.
that financial means be allotted for postal and express charges to obtain ex- hibits arranged with the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and other sources for high school use.
that Art books and publications be pur- chased for use as reference material in the Art room of the high school.
The appreciation of the Art Supervisor is extended to the members of the School Committee; Mr. Morgan, Superintendent; Mr. Pearce, Principal of the High School; Miss Brownrigg, Elementary Supervisor; and to the elementary principals and teach- ers who have been understanding and help- ful in planning and directing the Art pro- gram in our schools for this past year.
Anstrice C. Kellogg Art Supervisor
12. Report of Music Supervisor
The vocal music department during the year 1954 has been an active one. The en- thusiasm of the new teachers taking part in the In-service Training Program (started in 1953) resulted in the first Music Festival for the children in grades five and six. The program was entirely voluntary. A large group filled the assembly hall of the Vete- rans Memorial School; the children sang songs which they had prepared in their own classrooms under the direction of their teachers. We believe that this event pro- vided healthy motivation and we are plan- ning to repeat the program this spring. The coming of another music teacher is being eagerly anticipated for then there will be more opportunities for the children to take part in special programs.
The junior high school music program has been greatly hampered this fall by lack of facilities, teachers, and the two-platoon
198
system. It has been necessary to schedule music on a bi-weekly basis, and to reduce the number of periods to one per group. This situation should be alleviated with the addition of a new high school and music teacher.
The enrollment in the high school music groups has continued to increase. The fall of 1954 has seen the establishment of a separate glee club for both Freshmen Girls and Boys. The students engaged in the vocal groups have taken part in many varied activities as they have in the past. Saugus was represented in the All-State Concert. in the Northeastern Music Festival and many in-town functions. We plan to attend both of these functions again this spring. The Veterans of Foreign Wars sponsored the glee club float in the 325th celebration parade. On the same day the glee club pro- vided the choral numbers for the dedication of the new high school.
The most outstanding event in the music department was the creation and produc- tion of the musical comedy "Fostina Is a Lady". This completely original musical was undertaken in June 1953 and presented in March 1954. It was written to take care of the peculiarities involved in staging an operetta in the high school auditorium and to fit our very slender budget.
, Of the forty students who volunteered to write the dialogue and music, ten were chosen: they were Gerald Pinciss, Jean Dwyer, Sandra Hecht, Theresa Drewniany, Jean Gove, Melba Macleod, Joan Glinski, Natalie Newhall, Carol Crowell and Richard Provenzano. This group met throughout the fall and winter every Friday night. The meetings were held at various homes thus fostering sociability within the group. Dur- ing the week individuals developed ideas which had been discussed on Friday into words and music. Much of the composing was done by individual students as they were inspired - and as the March deadline approached! The students taking part in the performance had a "real taste of show business" when they were asked to learn the finale as it came from the composer's pens five days before the show.
"Fostina Is a Lady" will be long remem- of talent, persistence, enthusiasm and abil- bered by the music director as an example ity which our young people possess.
Elaine Grillo
Music Supervisor
Fostina - 1954 Robert Robinson and Nancy Brown sing of a "Director's Woes".
Working out a "Tune". Natalie Newhall and Theresa Drewniany hard at work.
Discussing possible lyrics at the home of Theresa Drewniany. L. to R .: Gerald Pincis, Elaine Grillo, Natalie Newhall, Theresa Drewniany.
Grade 6 - Armitage Practicing for Music Festival conducted by Miss Grillo last June.
13. Report of the Director of School Lunch Program
The School Lunch Program has had an- other active and progressive year. With the excellent cooperation of Mr. Wagner, Super- intendent of Buildings and the work of reno- vating the basement area of the Roby School was completed and on November 15th the hot lunches were served to the students. The response was overwhelming and has maintained an average of 71% of the stu- dent body which exceeds the State average by 30%.
At present Saugus has three very busy kitchens and 15 women preparing and serv- ing lunches to students in the High School, Veterans Memorial, Sweetser, Felton, Roby, Centre and Legion Building.
The year of 1955 presents greater ad- vancement. With the opening of a new High School and the redistribution of stu- dents in various buildings we hope to serve a greater number of boys and girls and continue to offer the same well planned menus as we have in the past.
We hope that every parent will make an effort to visit and observe the operation of the School Lunch Program.
Financial Report of School Lunch Program 1954
Receipts
1. Cafeteria
receipts $37,947.29
2. Federal
reimbursement 11,259.63
Total Receipts
$49,206.92
Expenditures
1. Food
$31,699.29
2. Labor
14,046.89
3. Equipment
4,060.00
Total Expenditures
48,806.18
Balance
$ 400.74
Number lunches served to children 114,763
Number lunches served
free to children 3,649
118,412
Number bottles milk
(Type C) 46,548 Lillian S. Soderstrom
Director of School Lunch Program
14. Report of Rinehart Functional Handwriting System
In the initial handwriting tests adminis- tered in September 1946, 3.5% of your pupils received a score of "A" (Excellent) ; 19.9% received a score of "B" (Good); and 76.5% scored less than "B". In the tests adminis- tered in June 1954, 93.8% of your pupils were graded "A"; 4.9% were graded "B"; and 1.3% scored less than "B". Handwriting certificates were awarded to 87% of your sixth grade pupils.
During the school year we graded ap- proximately 20,000 formal and 60,000 in- formal handwriting samples for your pupils. A formal test was administered at our teaching-week intervals and a report was furnished each teacher giving a careful diagnosis of the handwriting of each pupil in the room.
We furnished the following instructional materials: - outlines for teachers, folder out- lines for pupils, room motivation certificates, handedness tests, individual handwriting cer- tificates for pupils who qualified, term enve- lopes, stars and seals.
My supervisors join with me in expressing our appreciation for the splendid coopera- tion we have received from you and your teachers at all times. We are very pleased with the results obtained in your schools.
W. L. Rinehart
Director
200
APPENDIX B. TABLE I Age - Grade Table October 1, 1954
Ages
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
12 13
14
15 16
17
18
19
21 & 20 over Totals
Grade
1
85 290
11
2
388
2
85 288
13
1
387
3
3 158 206
30 6
403
4
1 101 207
28 4
341
5
98 190
26 5
319
110 208
38 -]
363
1 104 179
47
13
4
348
8
92 163
29
14
1
299
9
244
10
74 120
34
6
2
1
237
11
56 122
31
6
2
1
218
12
53
84
18
4
159
P. G.
1
1
1
3
2
4
4
14
Totals . . . 85 378 458 322 336 335 343 317 293 238 242 216 123
27
6
0
2 3721
TABLE II Enrollment by Schools - As of October 1, 1954
SCHOOLS
GRADES
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9 10 11
12
P.G. Spec. Totals
Armitage
33
35
39
34
33
34
208
Ballard
45
32
46
39
52
42
256
Centre
60
56
116
Cliftondale
40
36
36
32
144
Emerson
29
34
33
19
115
Felton
38
33
32
28
34
35
200
Lynnhurst
17
24
26
11
19
13
110
Memorial
73
71
70
66
57
82
14
433
North Saugus
24
25
19
17
19
16
120
Oaklandvale
23
28
25
29
105
ยท Roby
66
11
17
66
19 103
282
Legion Building
58
Sweetser
30
38 149 109
326
Central Jr. High. .
199 190
389
Saugus High
244 237 218 159
1
859
Totals
388 387 403 341 319 363 348 299 244 237 218 159
1 14 3721
TABLE III Furniture Replacement
Schools
Grades
Total Rooms Old
Armitage
N
N
N
N
N
N
6
0
Ballard
N
N
N
N
.N
O
5
3
Centre
2-O
2-N
2
2
Cliftondale
N
N
O
2
2
Emerson
N
N
O
O
2
2
Felton
N
N
N
N
N
O
5
1
Lynnhurst
N
N.
N
O
O
2
1
Memorial
2-N
2-N
2-N
2-N
2-N
3-N
N
14
0
North Saugus
N
N
O
O
N
N
O
O
2
2
Oaklandvale
N
N
O
O
2
2
Roby
2-N
N
N
2-0
N
3-0
4
5
Sweetser
O
0
2
Totals
47
23
1
2
3
4
5
6
Spec.
New
N
N
N
O
O
O
Legion
N
O
1
1
Spec.
74 118
44
6
2
6
7
During the year 177 units of new furniture were purchased.
201
58
Appendix C Net Cost of Operation, 1954
Funds Available to Schools:
By appropriation Annual Town Meeting.
$682,596.00
By transfer to Salary Account, December
1,125.00
Total Funds Available ................. $683,721.00
Receipts:
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, C. 70, as amended C. 643
$129,185.00
Transportation and Tuition of State Wards
3,091.69
Tuition: Out of Town Pupils.
273.09
Shop supplies, collections
73.17
From old desks and chairs.
116.00
Rental: Veterans Memorial School Auditorium
110.00
Misc .: Junk, lost books, toll calls, etc.
106.13
Total Receipts, 1954 ......
$132,955.08*
Net Cost, 1954
$550,765.92
Unexpended funds.
176.77
Actual Net Cost, 1954
$550,589.15
*Receipts constitute 19 per cent of expenditures
Appendix D Comparative Costs School year ending, June 30, 1954
Group
Grades 1-8 average
Grades 9-12 average
Grades 1-12 average
I Cities
$222.14
$340.20
$258.01
II Towns of 5,000 population or over*
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