USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of Saugus 1955 > Part 17
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There have been several changes this year in the revision of the cur- riculum in the Art Department due to the fact that an additional teacher has been hired. Miss Angela Restivo, a graduate of the Massachusetts School of Art, was appointed to teach art in the Central Junior High School and the Saugus High School. This has allowed an expanded program of art in the junior high school so that now it is offered once a week as an elective subject, rather than the limited and irregular schedule of previ- ous years. Miss Restivo is also teaching art in the high school where classes are offered as an elective subject meeting twice a week. A simpli- fied course in mechanical drawing is being taught by her to some of the Freshman students with two double periods each week.
Although the art room and the craft room of the new high school ap- pear as separate rooms they are arranged as an art unit providing a northern exposure which is considered most suitable for this type of class- room. The tilt top individual tables in the art room are most adaptable for either mechanical drawing or free-hand illustration.
Instruction in crafts is an elective subject taught a double period twice a week. This course is being directed by the art supervisor and has been planned to enable a student to design and create artistic and useful objects of art. The tools and equipment in the craft room have been selected to acquaint the student with a variety of crafts.
210
The schedule of the art supervisor in the elementary schools now in- cludes a visit to each classroom once in four weeks, as well as demonstrat- ions and the planning of the instruction with each individual teacher. In co-operation with Miss Helen Brownrigg, the elementary supervisor, art techniques are correlated with other subject matter on the elementary level.
As in former years, the Art Department has worked with the Junior Red Cross Council directed by the Lynn Chapter of the Red Cross. These activities are supervised by Miss Helen Towle of the high school faculty.
The Art Department has co-operated with various Parent-Teacher As- sociations and other community organizations in assistance with their pro- grams and publicity material.
It is recommended :
that more reference material be provided for both the art and craft groups at the high school by textbooks and illustrative material.
that financial means be allotted for postal and express charges to obtain exhibits arranged with the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and other sources for high school use.
that more equipment be provided in the craft laboratory to care for the number of students who have elected this subject since facili- ties are now limited for carrying on an individualized program.
that in the reconstruction program for the junior high school the art room may be provided with a sink, better bulletin space, enclosed cabinets and suitable furnishings to provide a well-rounded art pro- gram for students of this age.
that the program for providing bulletin boards and easels be com- pleted for the elementary grade classrooms.
It is most gratifying that a more complete art program can now be offered to our high school students by the modern facilities available in the art unit of the new high school. The centralization of the junior high school gives opportunity for a more unified schedule since the appoint- ment of an art teacher who is proving to be most capable in directing that part of the curriculum where assistance was most needed.
It is the right of every pupil to have the opportunity to receive educa- tion in creative art to meet his personal needs. A well-balanced program with a wide variety of experiences is now being provided "to ensure the emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual growth of each individual."
ANSTRICE C. KELLOGG
Art Supervisor
REPORT OF INSTRUCTOR IN DRIVER TRAINING
During the first half of the fiscal year 1955, the Driver Education De- partment completed the program initiated in September 1954. By June 1955, thirty students of the senior class had received driver training in- struction .*
Increasing interest in driver education is evidenced by the fact that the State requirements for a driver education certificate have now been increased to require that a student must now satisfactorily complete:
1. At least 20 clock hours of classroom instruction.
2. A student must complete at least 6 hours of actual driving instruc- tion.
211
3. A student must have 6 clock hours of observation in the high school driver education car.
With the new requirements that have been set up by the State De- partment, the fall program has been initiated. We have had eighty-seven requests for driver education from members of the senior class, but with the present physical set-up, we will be able to process only about one-third of these requests by graduation time in June 1956.
ELMO FALZARANO
Instructor of Driver Training *- By vote of the Saugus School Committee an additional, free, driver training car will be obtained in order that the over eighty seniors who wish instruction may be certified.
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISING NURSE AND SUPERVISOR OF ATTENDANCE
It has been most gratifying and rewarding to have an assistant in my department since the opening of school in September. The assistant nurse, Miss Myrtle Neth, has been an invaluable aid to our school system and I feel we were most fortunate in obtaining her services.
Our cheerful, spacious health suite in the beautiful new high school has provided a most pleasant atmosphere in which to work. I have been amazed at the number of spontaneous, favorable comments from the stu- dents regarding our quarters.
Since my last report, it is well to note that we have progressed to the point where we have a full time speech therapist. In my opinion, this completes a necessary phase which has long been absent from our pro- gram.
A cross-section of our school health picture and newer policies might be interesting and informative.
Encourage all pupils to have the school health appraisal done by the family physician and dentist.
Encourage all parents to have the child's immunization program checked periodically. "Booster doses" must be continued at proper in- tervals to safeguard health; especially is this true of diphtheria inocu- lations since this disease is on the increase at high school level. It can be avoided!
Encourage all parents to consult the family physician regarding the Salk polio vaccine program. (The Mass. Dept. of Public Health advocates the above.)
Present Statistics:
2 Attend Lynn Sight-Saving Class
3 with artificial eye
5 with no vision in one eye
4 with seriously impaired vision (20/50 or less)
7 post-rheumatic fever
17 post-polio
3 with club feet
4 with cleft palate (repaired)
4 with cerebral palsy
8 asthma cases (severe) several minor cases
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6 hearing loss requiring lip-reading
2 hearing aids
8 with crutches or braces
2 with curvature of the spine
1 home teacher (continually)
5 home teacher (temporarily)
2 Spina Bifida (post-operative)
931 Salk polio inoculations
4 glasses purchased by Lions Club
4 tonsillectomies done through Rotary Club
1 glasses purchased through St. Vincent De Paul Society
5 referred to Child Guidance Clinic
Even since September it has been possible to devote more time to teacher-nurse conferences, nurse-pupil conferences (especially on secondary level), and to devote more time to home visits, thus enlightening and cementing relationships helpful to all concerned.
The Saugus schools have lost a valuable friend in the death of Doctor William Wolfson, optometrist. His personal concern and unselfish efforts in behalf of the student body will long be remembered and greatly missed.
Supervisor of Attendance
At present we have one pupil confined to the Essex County Training School, and one on probation until late spring. Classroom registers are checked frequently and accumulative absence records carefully watched. Each seven consecutive school day absence must be covered by a physi- cian's certificate. Home calls when indicated, and telephone calls where they could be considered effective resulted in the minimum amount of ab- sence and truancy.
FRANCES MCLAUGHLIN Supervising Nurse and Supervisor of Attendance
ATTENDANCE REPORT, SAUGUS HIGH SCHOOL AND JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Throughout the year I have carefully checked the attendance of pupils absent from Saugus High School. Pupils absent for 5* consecutive school days have been required to present a doctor's certificate to be readmitted to school.
*- Now seven.
The annual check was made soon after schools opened in September to see that all pupils under 16 years of age returned to school. The usual home calls have been made for the Saugus High School and Junior High School. Upon receiving notices of new pupils transferring to our school, I have checked to see that they reported within a reasonable time after tak- ing up their new residence in Saugus.
A most important part of my work is to check the attendance of pupils believed to be truant from school. During the first ten weeks of school since September the number of pupils truant from school remains proportionally about the same as in former years, considering that our en- rollment at Saugus High has increased about 100 pupils since September 1954. Fortunately our truancy problems arise from a comparatively small percentage of our student population.
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Since September, due to a shortage of teachers at the High School, I have been carrying a full teaching load in addition to handling the attend- ance problems of the school. It has helped to have student aid in making telephone calls. The present situation is not ideal in that it does not allow sufficient time for a supervisor to interview pupils who have been absent from school for inadequate reasons.
In closing I wish to express appreciation for the co-operation of local officials, parents, and teachers who have assisted me in my work.
HAROLD E. HALEY Supervisor of Attendance
Saugus High and Junior High School
REPORT OF THE ELEMENTARY SUPERVISOR
Beginning Teachers' Workshop
The elementary supervisor continued to give direction and guidance to the new teachers who had been appointed to the teaching staff in Septem- ber, 1954. This work required frequent visits and consultations with the individual teachers. The teachers who were appointed the previous year and had one year's experience were included in this workshop and the total number in the workshop was eighteen. The teachers rated themselves at the beginning of the year and at the end of the year. Growth was deter- mined by the teacher's own evaluation and progress was noted by the comparison made between and two ratings.
This plan will be continued in the next few months with the new teachers who were added to the staff in September, 1955. Each new teacher had an opportunity to observe an experienced teacher conduct a class on his or her grade level. The elementary supervisor substituted in the new teacher's classroom for one afternoon to allow the beginning teacher this opportunity to observe. The experienced teachers were most co-operative in helping to make this program a success. They conferred with the inex- perienced person after the demonstration and offered to act as a helpmate in orienting the new teachers to the Saugus schools. This program of orientation was received with enthusiasm by the beginning teachers.
Special Class
There were five children referred to special class for the educable for individual help and instruction. A sub-special class was urged by the State Department of Special Education in compliance with the General Laws 71, Section 46, Amendment 514, Acts of 1954. At the time only 4 children in the community were eligible for this sub-special class. A town having 5 or more children must organize a class to give instruction to children with I. Q.'s below 50. The elementary supervisor has been certified as examiner and school psychologist for referring children to special classes. In 1956 there will be five such children making a special class for the trainable mandatory under the above statute.
Open House
Each year during American Education Week the parents are invited to observe a regular day in the classroom. This day, set aside by the indi- vidual principals during that week, has been very successful through the enthusiastic response of parents and the generous co-operation of the teachers. Parent-Teacher Associations have aided the principals on this day by welcoming parents and visitors into the buildings.
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Arithmetic Workshop
A new series of arithmetic books were adopted by the committee ap- pointed for the study of arithmetic books. This adoption was made in February, 1955. On May 23 and 24, 1955, an arithmetic workshop was con- ducted by the committee under the chairmanship of Mrs. Clara Clark. Miss Elizabeth Sylvester, consultant for the Ginn Publishing Co., was the guest speaker on this occasion. Each classroom teacher was given a chance to exchange ideas and to add to her materials for motivating children in the new methods of teaching arithmetic. An exhibit of commercial and teacher made materials was displayed by the committee. This was a very successful workshop and the committee did a splendid job in making the workshop a success.
Speech Program
In September a new speech program was inaugurated for the correction of speech defects of our children who need therapy. This program is under the direction of Miss Jean Mckinney. It is a continuation of the Satur- day morning program that has been in operation for the past two years.
All of the children of grade one were examined and those children of grades two through eight who were referred for help by the classroom teachers. All children who were found to have a minor defect were placed on a waiting list. All other children were selected for corrective teaching. There were 503 children examined and 198 children in grades 1-6 were recommended by the therapist for help. Thirty-six of these children were rated as having severe speech defects.
The children are being treated by the therapist on a schedule of classes in a block system. The block system is one whereby the therapist works with five of the elementary schools for two months; the remaining six schools for two months; then back again to the original five. This schedule is repeated throughout the school year. Each child is thus visited twice a week for a two month period. This program has been operating successfully for the past three months.
Testing
The testing program has been continued with success during the year. An intelligence test was administered to the fifth grade and achievement tests were given to the third and sixth grades. An individual test of the Revised Stanford-Binet Form L was given to 31 children. Group intelli- gence tests were given to 64 children in grades one and two. A readiness test was given to children entering grade one in September.
Teachers' Meetings
Several meetings were held with the teachers by grades and by build- ing to co-ordinate curriculum and to interpret programs for better teach- ing. Principals met with the superintendent of schools and the elementary supervisor to help co-ordinate the administration of the elementary pro- gram. Many parents co-operated in conferring with the elementary super- visor in regard to individual children who needed guidance and direction in the learning process. This is a vital part of the supervisory program. It is gratifying to know that this type of conference is successful and help- ful in fostering good relations between school and community.
HELEN R. BROWNRIGG Elementary Supervisor
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REPORT OF THE AUDIO-VISUAL AIDS DEPARTMENT
Another goal has been reached in our audio-visual education program. All Saugus schools are now equipped with 16 mm sound projectors. Film- strip and motion picture projectors within easy reach will encourage teach- ers to more frequently use these teaching aids.
Continued membership in the Massachusetts Public School Film Co- operative supplies us with an increased number of non-commercial educa- tional films at reasonable cost.
Our filmstrip library is steadily growing. Every filmstrip is carefully previewed and checked with the curriculum before purchasing. A new list- ing of our filmstrips is being made according to subjects and grade levels. My appointment as supervising principal at the Roby School permits more time for proper previewing and listing of materials.
Recently thirty Saugus teachers, including principals, supervisors, and heads of departments met in the Roby School to attend a demonstration of devices developed for the improvement of reading. Further evaluation of the equipment is being made by the group before recommendation for purchases is made.
Student participation in the program is progressing. The members of the High School Visual Aids Club are definite assets in the new school. To replace the loss of these students at the Central Junior High School, fifth and sixth grade students in the Lynnhurst, North Saugus and Roby schools were trained last year to help fill the gap this year. With these boys as a nucleus Mr. Joseph Curran has organized another club at the Junior High level.
An audio-visual safety entertainment for primary grades was sched- uled in the spring in co-operation with Officer Elsmore's safety program.
Suitable films were selected and scheduled for viewing in schools throughout the town for observance of Brotherhood Week annually con- ducted by the Saugus Community Relations Committee.
The Saugus Teachers' Association under the direction of Mrs. Myra Beckman, President, assisted by the Visual Aids Committee, sponsored a tape recording demonstration by Miss K. Louise Nangle, Director of Audio- Visual Education in the Lynn public schools.
With the drastic reduction in the cost of magnetic tape, and the in- terest among teachers in the tape recorder as a teaching aid, we are look- ing forward to the establishment of an extensive tape library.
May I thank again the Parent-Teacher Associations, the School Com- mittee and Mr. Morgan for their co-operation in the development of our program.
MARY H. WALSH
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REPORT OF SUPERVISOR OF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PHYSICAL EDUCATION
A new challenge is being offered to teachers in the field of elementary education - that of assuming the responsibility of meeting and developing every child's need for strength, skills, health and knowledge, and so develop his capacities and powers that they become meaningful throughout life.
The "whole" child is the active child, to whom movement and doing are all important parts of his life. The child is provided with an integ- rated activity program so that he will know what to do and be able to do it, and will continue to want to do it throughout life. To accomplish this end of well developed children the teacher in the elementary school aids the child in his earliest years in gaining the tools to use-the neuromus- cular skills, the attitudes and desires, and the actual participation in graded and adapted activities.
The physical fitness of an individual may be defined as the degree to which he has developed his inherited resources. It is a function of the school physical education program to give each child an opportunity to participate in activities that will bring about this development, and help each one analyze his own needs. Normally vigorous participation in activi- ties provides for growth and development as well as enjoyment, and at the same time lays a foundation of fitness on which adult life can build.
Demonstration of activities by the children of the Emerson and Felton schools was presented for their parent-teacher group.
Play days were held at the close of the school year with many parents in attendance.
During the week of April vacation I attended the Eastern District Convention of the American Physical Education Association in Boston.
In October I attended a square dance workshop in the afternoon and evening for two days at Lowell Teachers' College. Some of the records of the conductor of the workshop are used in the elementary schools.
CATHERINE R. GRIFFIN Supervisor of Physical Education Elementary Schools
REPORT OF DIRECTOR OF CAFETERIAS
We are enthusiastic about our cafeteria in the new high school. Opera- tions start on January 3 and we anticipate a big program. With the excel- lent facilities offered in this kitchen food will be prepared for other schools. Gradually, we are offering hot lunches to more and more of our students.
217
We hope that all parents will continue to visit the various programs. A financial report follows:
Receipts:
Lunches
Subsidy
$ 51,670.13 14,933.61
$ 66,603.74
Expenditures:
Food
$ 34,614.38
Labor
19,385.71
Equipment
2,604.20
Laundry
369.84
Paper
423.00
Freight
288.14
$ 57,685.27
Balance
$ 8,918.47
Bills Payable
7,950.16
$ 968.31
Number lunches served
151,216
Bottles of milk
48,324
Number free lunches
4,113
LILLIAN S. SODERSTROM Director of Cafeterias
Note: Our federally subsidized cafeteria program is four years old on Jan- uary 14. During these years under Mrs. Soderstrom's guidance it has come to include over 3,000 pupils. The goal is in sight-a hot lunch available to every school child in Saugus.
218
APPENDIX B
Table I
ENROLLMENT BY SCHOOLS-AS OF OCTOBER 1, 1955
Schools
Grades
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
P.G. Spec.
Totals
Armitage
33
38
29
36
33
34
203
Ballard
61
53
52
70
236
Cliftondale
33
33
26
27
119
Felton
19
35
29
23
27
31
164
Lynnhurst
18
18
27
23
86
North Saugus
20
24
28
22
20
114
Oaklandvale
31
23
25
29
108
Roby
62
62
72
58
254
Saugus Junior High
28
134
139
367
340
1,008
Sweetser
33
36
30
32
68
69
268
Veterans' Memorial School 61
72
63
59
59
49
15
378
Saugus High School
301
242
223
189
1
956
Totals
371
394
381
407
341
322
367
340
301
242
223
189
1
15
3,894
219
APPENDIX B Table II AGE - GRADE TABLE October 1, 1955
Ages
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
21 & 20 Over Totals
Grade
371
1
73
283
15
394
2
97
272
21
4
381
3
82
274
25
407
4
148
214
39
6
341
5
90
212
33
6
322
6
95
196
25
6
7
1
101
221
33
11
1
93
186
44
13
3
340
8
95
162
30
12
1
1
301
9
77
118
37
8
1
1
242
10
79
109
28
5
1
1
223
11
49
108
24
7
1
189
12
1
1
P.G.
1
2
3
4
2
3
Totals 73
380
369
444
333
349
337
348
324
269
243
210
146
31
8
1
2
3,894
220
15
Spec.
367
APPENDIX B
Table III FURNITURE REPLACEMENT
Grades
Schools
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Spec.
New
Armitage
N
N
N
N
N
N
6
0
1-0
Ballard
2N
2N
2N
1N
7
1
Cliftondale
N
N
0
0
2
2
Felton
N
N
N
N
N
0
5
1
N-N
0
0
N - - N
2
1
2N
2N
2N
2N
2N
2N
N
13
0
North Saugus
N
N
0 -
2
2
Oaklandvale
N
N
0
0
2
2
Roby
2N
2N
2-0
1N
5
3
Sweetser
N
N
N
N
2-0
2-0
4
4
.
Junior High School
0
1-N
4-0
10-0
1-N
3-0
9-0
2
27
Saugus High School: All new except Mechanical Drawing.
Totals elementary:
49
24
Totals Junior High School:
1
19
Total Rooms Old
221
Lynnhurst Memorial
0-0
10
APPENDIX C
NET COST OF OPERATION
Funds Available to Schools:
By appropriation Annual Town Meeting Receipts:
$755,477.30
Reimbursement military retirement $ 506.24
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, C. 71, S. 46
620.00
Commonwealth of Massachusets, C. 70, as amended C. 643
142,334.81
Transportation and tuition of State Wards
3,850.88
Tuition: Out of Town Pupils
212.66
Shop supplies, collections
77.61
From junk-old desks and chairs
155.61
Rental of school facilities
170.00
Misc .: lost books, toll calls, etc.
47.79
Total Receipts, 1955 Net Cost, 1955 Unexpended funds Actual Net Cost, 1955
*Receipts constitute 24.4 per cent of expenditures.
147,975.60* 607,501.70 1,049.37 606,452.33
APPENDIX D
GRADUATES - 1955
Winnifred Jean Allan
Jean Priscilla Como
Charles Francis Ames, Jr.
Joan Phyllis Como
Carl Russell Amidon
Gertrude Marie Crilley
Patricia May Atkinson
Kenneth Arthur Ballard
Sheila Anne Banks
Dorothy May Curtin Janice Ellen Davey Janet Lee Davis
Aubrey Randall Bishop, Jr.
Sandra Jean Blunt
Judith Helen Bonquet
Broderick Albion Bradley, Jr.
Dorothy Patricia Brennan John Bruno
Muriel Esther Bryant
Shirley Theresa Carbone
Frederic William Case Jaonne Frances Casperian
Sylvia Dawn Chandler
Joyce Ann Cheney Margaret Anne Clark
Barbara Louise Dell Gloria Marie Diotte Leo Arthur Doty
Nancy Louise Doucette
Paul Clyde Downing Theresa Dorothy Drewniany Albert George Duffy William Freeman Dukeshire Mary Amelia Dunphy Theodore Earl Dwyer Julie Ann Eicholzer Anne Stratton Eisenhaux Joan Elaine Esposito
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Paul Shorey Estabrook Carol Ann Fielding John Francis Flanagan Joan Rita Forward Ralph Lawrence Galante George Eben Garland Lorraine Mary Gerniglia Margaret Jean Glebus Joan Helen Glinski Helen Josephine Gould Ellen Jane Gove Jean Anne Gove
John Cockburn Graham
Marion Hope Grant
Richard Thomas Gribbin
Sandra Louise Grove
Ann Hamilton Ronald Gavin Hart Maureen Ellen Hayes Sandra Helene Hecht
Lee Edward Hicks Donald Bruce Hines Margaret Mary Hohmann
Ellen Louise Holmes
Nancy Marie Holmes Harold Edward Jefferson Carolyn Anne Jennings
Russell George Julian, Jr.
Charles William Keefe, Jr. Doris Evelyn Keefe Marilyn Ann Kelty Richard Reiling Krom Pauline Edith Larson
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