USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of Saugus 1955 > Part 16
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Due to the polio epidemic school opened two weeks later than usual. Several days before school opened the staff worked with me to get every- thing that we possibly could ready for the students when they came to school on opening day. I want to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Bow- ley and his staff of custodians for all the assistance they gave us during the summer months.
I should like to take this opportunity to thank Chief Roland Mansfield of the Police Department, Sergeant Ernest Dunham and Safety Officer Walter Elsmore for their co-operation during the past year.
Last June we held our first outdoor graduation at Stackpole field. Although it was held in the afternoon and threatening weather prevailed, we had a large audience. We received many compliments for the way things went off.
In November the band went to New York to play at the Polo Grounds at the New York Giants-Philadelphia football game. The band parents earned money to finance this trip. Four bus loads of parents and students left early Saturday morning and arrived home early Monday morning.
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The V. F. W. Color Squad took part in this program with the band. I wish to thank them for their fine assistance. Many people agreed with me that we have one of the finest bands in New England.
I am certain that you know how difficult it is to get qualified teachers in the following fields, for we have discussed the matter a great many times: Industrial Arts, Mathematics and Science. I doubt that the gen- eral public realizes this fact. It is impossible to get substitute teachers in these fields. For that matter I am finding it very difficult to get any sub- stitute teachers. At present we have only three substitute teachers on our list. Frankly something should be done about this.
We are looking forward to the not too distant future when all of the facilities in the new High School will be ready for use.
JOHN A. W. PEARCE Principal
REPORT OF THE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
Because I assumed my duties as principal only last summer, this report is being confined to the current school year.
The task of organizing the school has been particularly interesting and rewarding, since it has been concerned with the bringing together of all the junior high pupils to one building. Two of the advantages of this con- solidation deserve comment. First, the morale of the pupils has been im- proved by the realization that they now have their own school and their own program, unrestricted by the demands of the senior high school. Secondly, the physical plant, although limited according to modern educa- tional standards, offers numerous facilities which were not available at the Sweetser School and at the former Central Junior High School when it was only an eight-room annex of the old high school.
The student body is very proud to have its own junior high band of over 45 pieces conducted by Jerome Mitchell, and a mixed chorus of about 54 voices, led by Miss Lerlean Ross. Under the direction of Miss Dorothy Lynch and Miss Alice Willis, the student staff is at work preparing the first issue of their new publication, as yet unnamed. With Miss Marion Clark as adviser, a small but efficient library is in operation, staffed each period entirely by student workers. It is expected that the boys and girls soon will have chosen their school colors and written their first school songs.
In other years the required subjects in the junior high school in Sau- gus have been English, mathematics, social studies, literature, spelling and science, with art and singing electives. This year, in addition to the above subjects, it has been possible to make physical education available to the eighth grade twice a week and to the seventh grade once a week. Also, double periods of sewing and general shop are now being provided through- out the year for the eighth grade pupils and one-half year for the seventh grade pupils. Singing is required of all pupils.
Many junior high schools do not offer spelling as a separate subject. Our belief is that there is an acute need for better spelling, not only in Saugus but in most communities. We are therefore giving special em- phasis to the teaching of spelling by scheduling it two periods a week. This instruction is in addition to the spelling taught informally in Eng- lish and other classes.
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The literature courses, which in Saugus include units of developmental reading and which were previously allotted five periods per week have of necessity been reduced to three periods in grade eight and to four periods in grade seven. However, we are still devoting more time to this subject than is the average junior high school.
Remedial reading has been instituted this year for slow readers who find themselves greatly handicapped in all of their subjects. Four of our teachers are giving individualized instruction to pupils in groups of ten. Our regret is that because of scheduling difficulties not all of the pupils who would profit from the benefits of this teaching can receive it.
Averaging not more than seven study periods a week, our junior high school pupils, as you can see, have a busy program.
Although we have progressed since September, there is still much ahead to be achieved. By way of illustration, our art course is confined largely to freehand drawing since we do not have the equipment for a crafts program, which is ideally suited to the junior high age. We lack a specially trained guidance counsellor, who plays an important part in the junior high school of today, not so much in the field of vocational guid- ance, perhaps, as in social and educational guidance. One must keep in mind, I believe, that the junior high youngster's problems are vital and serious to him, and he needs help frequently in solving them. The teach- ers, though willing to discuss these problems, average about 175 pupils in their classes, and consequently cannot always give individuals enough of this kind of help.
Particularly gratifying has been the enthusiasm of the newly founded Parent-Teacher Association, which approximately 600 parents have joined to date. Under the leadership of President Richard Paulsen, the organiza- tion has taken complete charge of the room-to-room sale and distribution of government saving stamps and bonds, has twice aided the principal and faculty in successfully observing open house, and has sponsored the play "Pinocchio," which was produced by the Harvard Radcliffe players.
I have made little or no mention of our fine elementary section which is operating smoothly and efficiently thanks in a large measure to the able assistance of Miss Doris Lennox, who was recently appointed "teacher in charge of the elementary grades."
Reorganization always calls for much additional work. My sincere thanks go to our teaching staff for their willing performance of the many extra duties required of them and to Mr. Morgan for his valuable assist- ance at all times.
ASHTON F. DAVIS
Principal
REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF GUIDANCE
For the period January 1 to June 22, 1955, the Director of Guidance was employed on a part-time basis only, and was in Saugus, generally, one and one-half days per week. Starting on August 18, the director resumed full-time status on the job.
During this period the department co-operated with the Division of Employment Security in administering the General Aptitude Test Battery to the members of the senior class who registered for job placement with that agency. Eighty students were registered and tested.
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Through arrangement with graduate students at Harvard, individual intelligence tests were administered to approximately 150 boys and girls at all school levels, elementary, junior high, and high school. This arrange- ment made it possible to secure valuable information, while saving approxi- mately $1,500.00, estimated cost of such service if we had to go on the mar- ket for it.
Senior high school students eligible for assistance were placed in co- operation with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. Some dozen stu- dents were referred on this service.
The Director of Guidance conferred with representatives of schools, colleges, businesses, and the military. Among such contacts were Bates College, Brown University, Essex Trust Company, John Hancock Company, Mansfield Beauty Academy, and many others.
Career conferences, arranged in co-operation with Northeastern Uni- versity, were presented on a monthly basis. Speakers were heard by the members of the junior and senior classes on a variety of occupations in- cluding: the building trades, physical and occupational therapy, engineer- ing, nursing, art, radio and television, clerical and office machines, and others. This program reached some 90 pupils per month for 6 months.
Additionally, the director attended a number of professional meetings, including the Ninth Annual Regional Guidance Conference at Springfield, Mass.
Conferences with parents were held, particularly in connection with registration for courses, at which time the Director of Testing and the Director of Guidance conferred with upward of one hundred parents.
Considerable time and effort was given to assisting members of the senior class in college placement and in scholarship competition. In the class of 1955, 51 of 159 graduating seniors went on to post-high school training. The institutions at which they matriculated are consistent with those to which previous classes have gone.
The fact that requests for and need for psychological counseling have increased, although gratifying as evidence of confidence on the part of students and parents, has created a definite problem for the department.
It is anticipated that requests for additional personnel, in the face of an apparently impending economy wave, will not meet with great favor. However, it is a matter of simple arithmetic to show that the work of this department cannot be done efficiently or effectively as matters now stand. We have 960 pupils in the Saugus High School. We will have upward of 1,100 next year. With six periods per day for 180 days of the year, a total of 1,080 fifty-minute periods can be devoted to pupils. This means that the director can see each of the 960 pupils approximately once in the year. To suggest that "good" guidance can be done on such a schedule is ridic- ulous. Allowing each pupil one-half period of time only would mean seeing the individual pupil twice in the school year.
In view of all of the other duties: parent conferences, teacher confer- ences, attendance at meetings in and out of Saugus, committee functions, college placement, co-operation with local organizations, which the director must perform, the time that can be devoted to guidance of individuals is minimal. As an example, the time that must be spent with one individual on college placement alone will run from 3 to as many as 12 periods, and in rare instances even more. Each time such a senior is given that much
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attention, an undergraduate is deprived of his "time" with the department. Each time a problem arises concerning emotional difficulties, the director must, of necessity, see the individual more frequently. Even when such cases are referred to outside agencies, it is necessary to keep very close con- tact with these cases, and may require a weekly contact with the pupil.
In a word, the problems - educational, vocational, or personal - of 960 pupils, 1,100 next year, cannot be handled adequately by a department so definitely undermanned as to afford each individual pupil a three quarter hour period of time in the year.
It is strongly and urgently requested that consideration be given seri- ously to expanding the size of the department in order that boys and girls at Saugus High School may be given some help in working through the difficult problems which face all adolescents today.
Following is a numerical account of the fifty-one members of the class of 1955 who have gone on to institutions of higher education or training.
Institution
No. Attending
Tufts College
2
Framingham Teachers' College
3
University of Massachusetts
7
Burdett College
1
College of William and Mary
1
Boston University
4
Dartmouth College
1
Jackson College
1
Nasson College
1
General Electric Apprentice
1
Preparatory Schools
4
Katherine Gibbs School
1
Salem Teachers' College
2
University of New Hampshire
2
St. Lawrence College
1
Nurses' Training Schools
4
University of Missouri
1
Northeastern University
5
Lowell State Teachers' College
1
Middlebury College
1
New England School of Art
1
Springfield College
1
Merrimac College
1
Massachusetts School of Pharmacy
1
Applying for entrance to various institutions
3
JAMES A. DOUCETTE Director of Guidance
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REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF TESTING
The following is the report of the testing program carried out during the year 1955 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.
Grade 9: Otis Quick Scoring Mental Ability Tests for all pupils.
Grade 11: The Boston University battery of tests for all juniors, in collaboration with Mr. Doucette, was given in December.
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 I Test, Anderson- Chemistry Test, Dunning-Physics Test, Seattle-Plane Geometry Test, Blyth-Second-Year Algebra Test, Nelson-Biology Test and the Shaycroft Plane Geometry Test. The results of these tests were submitted to the subject teachers and department heads for study and analysis.
Wherever necessary, upon recommendation of subject teachers and/or requests by parents individual testing was carried out, using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for children.
The subject teachers, the Director of Guidance, Mr. Doucette, and the Principal, Mr. Pearce, were all helpful by their assistance and co-operation in carrying on this program.
JOHN B. LEAHY
Director of Testing
REPORT OF THE HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION-SECONDARY SCHOOLS
Although physical education was a part of the Saugus secondary school program during the early stages of World War II it nevertheless totally dwindled and disappeared from the curriculum until its re-establishment and re-organization during this year of 1955.
Girls' Physical Education-Old High School
The first step toward the physical, the social, the emotional and rec- reational development of the pupil was begun with the inauguration of a high school girls physical education program. By putting to good use the asphalted outdoor areas and the old high school auditorium a full and complete program was presented right up until the close of school in June. Such activities as volleyball, soccer, basketball, games, relays, folk dancing, exercises and kickball were a part of every girl's program twice weekly.
During those days of inclement weather and at times when the audi- torium was not available instruction was given pertaining to proper grooming, hygiene, cleanliness, personality, manners and dating.
Junior High School Physical Education
With the opening of school in the fall a program of physical education was begun for both the boys and girls of the Saugus Junior High School. In spite of the lack of equipment and the inadequacy of play areas an in- teresting and varied program, somewhat patterned on the future program
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for the boys and girls of the new Saugus High School, was set up. Empha- sis was placed on skill drills and modified team and lead-up games in which large numbers can participate during a class period.
To enable the boys and girls to further put into practice the skills and fundamentals learned during their physical education periods an after school program was made available in order to conduct class competi- tion. The boys met, once each week, at Stackpole Field and engaged in touch football contests. The girls late in November concluded an after school volleyball tournament.
At the present time an adequate program of folk dancing, stunts, tum- bling, basketball, volleyball, softball, and track are in the plans for the winter and spring seasons.
The remodeling of the old auditorium into a modern combination auditorium-gym with the creation of boys and girls shower and locker rooms should be a part of our future Junior High School physical educa- tion planning.
Boys and Girls Physical Education-New High School
Up to the time of this report the gymnasium and other areas are still in the process of being made ready. The folding bleachers, basketball backboards, and locker-room benches have yet to be installed.
Once the physical education plant is accepted and with the availability of the necessary equipment the Physical Education Department intends to fulfill five specific goals:
1. The developing and maintaining of physical fitness.
2. Developing useful skills.
3. Developing desirable standards of social efficiency.
4. Developing ability to enjoy wholesome recreation.
5. Developing desirable health and safety habits.
Proposed Physical Education Program
High School Boys
High School Girls
Football Skills
Hockey Skills
Touch Football
Hockey
Soccer Skills
Soccer Skills
Soccer
Soccer
Speedball
Speedball
Games and Relays
Olympic Games
Basketball Skills
Basketball Skills
Basketball Basketball
Rhythms and Dancing
Rhythms and Dancing
Evaluation
Evaluation
Stunts and Tumbling
Stunts and Tumbling
Apparatus Apparatus
Volleyball Skills
Volleyball Skills
Volleyball Volleyball
Boxing
Modern Dance
Wrestling
Golf
Fishing
Softball
Golf
Evaluation
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Softball Track Evaluation Homeroom Competition Touch-football Basketball Softball
Homeroom Competition Soccer-speedball Basketball
Volleyball Softball
JOHN C. JANUSAS Head of Physical Education Department Secondary Schools
REPORT OF THE MUSIC SUPERVISOR
During the winter and spring of 1955 the music supervisor continued her activities in the elementary, junior high, and high school. The daily classroom music of grades five and six culminated in a music festival. This was the second festival held for these grades; it was expanded into a two- day affair to accommodate the large number of children taking part. Again, there were opportunities for the children to enjoy singing in a massed group and for individual class performances. One of the satisfying results was the increased number of class performances.
The outstanding event of 1955 was the coming of another music teacher. Miss Lerlean Ross, formerly of the Westfield school system, is now assistant to the supervisor. With two teachers, it is now possible to offer some music to every child, enrolled in grades one through eight. The junior high school now includes in its program one period per week of general music for every student. This is not the "ideal" but it is a good beginning. These classes are conducted by Miss Ross and myself.
The high school choral groups continued to take part in all the school and town functions in which they were needed. The last program which the Glee Club put on for its own benefit in the "Old Saugus High" was a Spring Concert. This was the first Spring Concert which we have put on and many of the students and parents preferred it to the operettas of the past. Probably the reason is a fundamental one-every student enrolled in the Glee Club took part! Another experience enjoyed by all was the trip to Beverly last May. The Northeastern Music Festival was educationally worthwhile and fun.
During the fall of '55 it was necessary to cancel two programs; one a trip to Boston to sing for the Essex County Teachers' Association and the other our annual Christmas Concert. The late start of the fall term plus the construction within the new Saugus High School caused these can- cellations. Therefore, plans for the future are tentative since all depends upon the completion and functioning of the building. However, the Small Mixed Group will present a program of Christmas Music at Rotary and for the Library Tea.
ELAINE GRILLO
Music Supervisor
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REPORT OF THE BAND DIRECTOR
"Group living is often learned by pupils working together, playing to- gether in the family, in school, in extra-curricular activities, and in out- of-school life. Common goals and common purposes, with youngsters hav- ing a genuine part, enable them to feel equal in status with their associ- ates." (Hamren, Chats With Teachers-Page 27).
As Director of Instrumental Music in the Saugus Public Schools, I would like to submit my report for the fiscal year of 1955.
The Senior High School Band has had a very active year.
The Greater Lynn Music Festival was held at the Lynn City Hall Auditorium, in the month of February. This was the third in the series of the newly organized music function. The fourth meeting of these series will be held at the New Saugus High School in February, 1956.
During the month of March, the Senior High School, Twirlers' and Band Parents, journeyed to Wallingford, Connecticut, where a "Pops Concert" was given by both musical organizations, namely, the Saugus and the Lyman Hall High School Bands. Before returning home from Wal- lingford, the entire group visited the U. S. Submarine Base, at New London, Connecticut. This trip proved to be very worthwhile because of the base's facilities and many points of interest.
The 19th Annual Spring Concert was presented at the Lynn City Hall Auditorium before an appreciative and capacity audience.
The month of May included many musical activities with the appear- ance of both the Senior and Junior High School Bands and Twirlers' at the Northeast Music Festival at Beverly, Massachusetts.
This was followed by the New England Audition Festival at the Uni- versity of Rhode Island. Here, the Senior High School Band achieved the honor and distinction of receiving a rating of Superior, Division I, an accomplishment never before received by any musical organization in the history of Saugus.
The final appearances of the school year were at the Saugus and Lynn Memorial Day Parades, concluding with the Senior and Junior High School Graduations in June.
Because of the polio epidemic, the opening of the Saugus Public Schools was postponed for a two week period. However, the Band Mem- bers and Twirlers' began preparations for their busy schedule for the fall season.
To improve the military dress and precision marching, a boy drum major was initiated for the High School Band. In a matter of days, the at- tentativeness of the Senior Band members became very noticeable. This change came about because of the leadership and determination set forth by Drum Major, Theodore MacMillan.
The crowning point and greatest achievement, which will perhaps never be forgotten by the band members, twirlers, cheerleaders and band parents, was the appearance of the Saugus High School Band at the polo grounds, for the New York Giants versus the Philadelphia Eagles football game on November 20, 1955. The group entertained before 40,000 specta- tors, and countless others through television.
As band director, I have come in personal contact with many pupils from grades four through twelve.
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Teenagers do have problems and are one in the same at the period of greatest conflict, and also perhaps that of the greatest development. Teenagers have common tasks appropriate to their stage of development. It is important that we learn to understand the individual; therefore, we must learn to do so. This situation indicates that teenagers go from par- ental supervision to social control through group opinion, that of their own peers, and on to personal development. Therefore, group participation to- ward a greater social environment has been achieved by students in the instrumental program through personal contact, with members of their own organization and music organizations of other localities.
Because of a full schedule, the services of a part-time drill master to assist the Band Director in basic drill fundamentals during the regular school year, has proven to be of utmost value. Much more instruction, im- provement, and more time could be concentrated along these lines if a full-time drill master could be approved.
There is much to be desired in the purchase of superior instruments and also the replacement of instruments which are practically unplayable. However, I feel that this situation will be overcome in a comparatively short period of time.
This past year has been a pleasant one due to the co-operation and assistance of innumerable sources. I am sure that with the willingness and spirit which the young people of Saugus are known for, and through the continued interests and support of parents, the instrumental program will achieve musical heights never before realized.
Therefore, it is the aims and objectives of the instrumental program to give the young people of Saugus a fine structural musical education.
JEROME J. MITCHELL
Band Director
REPORT OF ART SUPERVISOR
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