USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of the officers and committees of the town of Scituate 1943-1945 > Part 32
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Physical Educ., History
Ella L. Vinal
Mathematics
Anne L. Cunneen
English-Grades VII & VIII
Dorothy L. Maxim
Geography, Hygiene-Grades VII & VIII
Elizabeth Giles
Math., Science-Grades VII & VIII
Mrs. Maud C. Williams.
History, Civics-Grades VII & VIII
Doris M. Rowell
.Art
Gertrude M. Reynolds
Music
Donald F. Leach
Instructor in Instrumental Music
HATHERLY SCHOOL
LeRoy E. Fuller Principal
Grade VI
M. Beryl Rafuse
Grade V
Helen Pearl Grade IV
Elizabeth Van Dusen
Grade III
Jeanne H. Lockhart
Grade II
Barbara O. Annis
Grade I
Mrs. Doris L. Reddy
Assistant
JENKINS SCHOOL
LeRoy E. Fuller. Principal
Mildred S. Young
Grade VI
Mrs. Louise T. Hosmer
Grade V
Marguerite I. O'Hern
Grade IV
Eunice M. Cole
Grade III
4
Carol Vollmer
Esther M. Harrington
SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
Rose M. Fisher
Grade II
Gertrude J. Ward
Grade I
Mrs. Rose M. Trefry
Special Class
Priscilla Kelley Assistant
Mrs. Madeline B. Vickery
Assistant
SUPERVISORS
Mrs. Barbara Arnold
Art-Elementary Schools
Gertrude M. Reynolds Music-Elementary Schools
HEALTH OFFICERS
Max D. Miles, M. D. School Physician
W. B. Parsons, D. D. S.
School Dentist
Margaret J. O'Donnell, R. N. School Nurse
SUPERVISORS OF ATTENDANCE
Margaret J. O'Donnell
Elementary Schools
Joseph A. Dwyer
High School
William F. Kane
High School
JANITORS
Augustus Abbott
High School
Frank H. Cole
High School
Lewis B. Newcomb 2
Hatherly School
Frank Young
Jenkins School
HIGH SCHOOL CAFETERIA
Ina L. Wilder Manager
BUS CONTRACTORS
Mrs. Malvina H. Young
Route A
Prescott A. Damon
Route B
R. H. Dyer
Route C
Joseph W. Appleton
Route D
Wilson S. Brown
Route E
Robert E. Huntley
Route F
Allan R. Wheeler
Route G
1. Mr. Calkin returned as Principal on Dec. 3, 1945.
2. Succeeded Charles Peirce on Oct. 23, 1945.
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of Scituate:
The School Committee presents to you herewith, the report of the Superintendent of Schools, together with the reports of the Principals and heads of the several departments.
In these reports are detailed accounts of the work and of the progress which is being made. You will find an account of the re- pairs to school property, a report of the various activities, and a discussion of problems which have been met. The present hous- ing conditions make it very difficult, but every effort is being made by the department to give the pupils of Scituate the best in modern education. It is hoped that as soon as conditions make it possible Scituate will have the new school building which is so much needed.
The Committee wishes to take this opportunity to thank the citizens of Scituate for their generous support of the schools, and trusts that you will continue to give the same support in the future. Every effort will always be made by the Committee to cooperate with the citizens of the town for the betterment of the schools.
Respectfully submitted,
MRS. EMMA L. DAMON, Chairman FRED T. WATERMAN, Secretary THOMAS W. MACY
School Committee.
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the School Committee of Scituate:
I take pleasure in submitting my twentieth annual report for your consideration.
The school year opened for the fall term of 1945 on September 5. The October 1 census showed a total enrollment of 851 in the three schools compared with 849 in 1944. The Hatherly School numbered 242; the Jenkins School, 245; and the High School, 364.
TEACHING STAFF CHANGES
There were no teacher changes at the High School during 1945. However, Mr. Frederick A. Calkin returned from a leave of absence for military service on December 3 and resumed his duties as principal. Mr. Nelson is continuing as a member of the staff for the present.
At the Hatherly School, Mrs. Vera L. Mitchell continued as substitute teacher in Grade VI and Mrs. Doris L. Reddy in Grade III until the end of the school year in June. Miss Carol Vollmer was then transferred to the Grade VI position, leaving a vacancy in Grade V. Miss Beryl Rafuse of Chelmsford, a graduate of Truro Normal School with twenty-five years' experience in the Chelmsford schools. was appointed to the fifth grade position. Miss Elizabeth Van Dusen of Braintree, a graduate of Gorham Normal School, with a B. S. in Education degree from Boston Uni- versity, was appointed to the Grade III position. Miss Van Dusen has been a third grade teacher in the Milton schools for the past seven years.
There were two changes at the Jenkins School. The vacancy in Grade V. caused by the tragic death of Mrs. Marion Murphy on July 6. was filled with the appointment of Mrs. Louise Hosmer of Scituate. a graduate of Illinois College, with three years' teaching experience in the schools of Illinois. During the summer Miss Margaret Paul resigned from the Grade I position to take a similar one at Stratford. Connecticut. Miss Gertrude Ward of Scituate was appointed to this vacancy. Miss Ward is a graduate of Perry Kindergarten Normal School, and has had twenty-two years ex- perience in the primary grades of the West Bridgewater school -.
At the end of the school year in June Mr .. Dori- D. Ward retired from teaching and Mrs. Barbara Arnold, a graduate of the Massachusetts College of Art and a former Scituate teacher, was appointed as Supervisor of Drawing for the elementary grades.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
Mrs. Ward has been a teacher of Art in the Scituate schools for the past twenty-two years. Her achievement in this field has been outstanding and she is missed by both teachers and pupils. Our best wishes go with her.
UPKEEP OF SCHOOL PROPERTY
The major expenditures for the upkeep of school property, including the replacement of school equipment and the purchase of new equipment, were for the following items:
Hatherly School
Repairs to furnaces Re-finishing pupil desks Shingling front side of roof
Jenkins School
Repairs to furnaces
Painting all window sashes-inside and out
Repairing slate roof
Erection of new 45-foot flag pole
Ten tables and chairs for upper grades
High School
Interior painting and varnishing-including three class- rooms, the library and boiler room
Repairing roof
Kitchen equipment-Cafeteria
Studio couch-teachers' room
Circular Saw-Shop
Drill Press-Shop
Bench Grinder-Shop
Household Arts Building
Inside painting-entrance hall and offices Oil Burner-reconversion and repair
SCHOOL BUILDING NEEDS
(a) Elementary
In last year's report I stated the conclusions of Miss Alice B. Beal, Supervisor of Elementary Education of the Massachusetts Department of Education, regarding the inadequacy of our present elementary schools and the desirability of providing a new central building for the elementary pupils. I shall not repeat those con- clusions here but suggest that you refer to them again in the 1944 report.
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
During the year your Superintendent has visited some of the towns in Massachusetts that have constructed new elementary school buildings within the last few years, and he has conferred with superintendents and others who are making a study of school building needs and are planning school house construction.
At the beginning of the present school year the school commit- tee wrote Dr. Julius E. Warren, Commissioner of Education, to see if he might arrange to have the staff of the State Department of Education "make a survey of our present elementary schools with the idea of helping us plan a program that should aid in de- termining the design of a new building and the facilities it should inelude."
In response to this request Dr. Warren appointed the follow- ing committee :
Alice B. Beal, State Supervisor of Elementary Education, Chairman.
Sarah A. Beard, Consultant, School Libraries, State Depart- ment of Education.
Ethel M. Brooks, R. N., Chief Supervisor of Public Health Nursing, State Department of Public Health.
Ruth E. Davis, Director of Teacher Training, State Teachers College, Bridgewater.
Lois L. Decker, Supervisor of Physical Education, State Teach- ers College, Bridgewater.
Anna A. Kloss, State Supervisor of Household Arts Education.
Martina McDonald Driscoll, State Supervisor of Education in the Field of Music.
Priscilla M. Nye, State Director of Art Education.
The members of this committee have made several visits to Scituate and have had conferences with the principal of the ele- mentary schools and the superintendent of schools. A final meet- ing was held at the State Board of Education offices at Boston. All phases of the educational program were discussed and the building facilities that would be required to carry on the best type of an elementary program.
A report is being prepared, under the direction of Miss Beal, and should be in the hands of the school committee soon. The re- sults of this survey will be of value to the committee appointed by the town to secure preliminary plans and specifications for a new elementary building.
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
(b) High School
In recent years the peak in our high school enrollment was in 1941 and the low in 1943. Since the latter date there has been an increase again, the enrollment this year being within 10 of the 1941 enrollment. With this in mind it seems proper that I should again call your attention to the desirability of providing additional classrooms in the high school in the near future.
Our school service flag now contains 367 stars, and to the ten gold stars previously listed it has been necessary to add four more. Thomas Nelson Ewell was graduated with the Class of 1937 and Renie Joseph Jacobucci with the Class of 1932. Robert Augustus Cole was a member of the Class of 1924 and Edwin Ray Spear of the Class of 1940. Our sympathy is extended to the families of these former members of our school.
The school department lost two of its members through death in 1945. Mrs. Marion P. Murphy lost her life in the fire which destroyed her home on the night of July 6. She had taught Grade V at the Jenkins School for a period of one year, and was an excellent teacher. Charles Peirce became janitor of the Hatherly School on June 1, 1942 'and continued until his death in October, 1945. We always felt grateful to him for taking over the duties of this position at a time when it was impossible to secure the services of younger men. He took a real interest in his work and it was always well done.
Your attention is called to the following reports of the school principals, the school physician and the school nurse; also to the various statistical tables and to the financial reports.
Respectfully submitted,
HAROLD C. WINGATE,
Superintendent of Schools.
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
REPORT OF THE HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
Mr. Harold C. Wingate Superintendent of Schools Scituate, Massachusetts
Dear Sir:
It is a sincere pleasure to me to be delegated to make the High School Principal's Report for 1945.
On December 3 of this year Scituate High School was happy to welcome back its principal, Mr. Frederick A. Calkin, who had served in the armed forces since June, 1942. Previous to that date I had been the Acting Principal. During this time the world changed from war to peace. Up to the very end our school carried forward its war time activities with a loyalty and sincerity that comes only from a deep sense of responsibility to community and country.
The coming of reconstruction shifted the emphasis from war to peace, but in no sense lessened the obligations placed upon our schools. That this truth is fully realized by our teaching staff and student body can not be questioned as there is no decrease in either purposeful effort or wholesome enthusiasm for the activi- ties that count. Classroom instruction continues to meet a high degree of efficiency. extra-curricular activities are increasing their scope and effectiveness, and the few direct war-time activities that still remained are supported with undiminished faithfulness.
The Junior Red Cross and the weekly sale of Victory Bonds and stamps are two examples of this. In the latter the total sales for the school year ending last June was $9.197.50, and for 15 weeks of the current school year it has totaled $7,717.75 which earned our school two hospital unit panels which have been placed upon two hospital beds in the Westover Field Hospital at Chicopee, Mass. Each panel reads as follows:
"The students and teachers of Scituate High. School Scituate, Mass.
TO SPEED YOUR RECOVERY have successfully completed a war bond and stamp campaign to help finance the hospital facilities you are using."
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
The enrollment of our school on October first was 365 dis- tributed as follows:
7th Grade 75
Juniors 54
8th Grade 65
Seniors 50
Freshmen
58
Post Graduate 1
Sophomores
62
This is an increase of eight over that of the corresponding date last year.
Fifty seniors received their diplomas last June. Although war made it impossible for many to continue their education the fol- lowing September, others did, and we find them enrolled in the following institutions; Becker Junior College, School of the Mu- seum of Fine Arts, Boston University, Fay School, Northeastern, Tufts and Worcester Polytechnic.
Our school holds a "Class A" rating with the State Depart- ment of Secondary Education, and the certificate privilege of the New England College Admissions Board. The certificate grade is B or 85.
It is my considered and sincere opinion that if a compre- hensive study of scholarship were made in secondary schools Scituate High School would have a favorable position. However, I would not let this opportunity go by without emphasizing the necessity of excellent scholarship as an indispensable criterion for successful college work.
Closely associated with scholarship are school attendance and conscientious home study. Both are responsibilities which par- ents and pupils must share with the school. A system of deten- tion periods, primarily to give the pupil an opportunity to make up work due to absences, was inaugurated the last semester of last year. It was successful in impressing upon the pupil the necessity for making up work, and indirectly made for better attendance. During the present semester it is suspended until such time as conditions may demand its return.
In my report of a year ago I suggested that a modest but effective guidance program be organized, and I am happy to know that this met with your approval as well as that of the School Committee. Preliminary steps have been taken in this direction and a three-fold program which will include personal or charac- ter guidance, educational guidance and vocational guidance is be- ing prepared.
The interest shown in the program of testing which was ad- ministered in November 1944 proved to be real and on a wider
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
scope than anticipated. Prompted by this a more complete pro- gram was conducted last November. This program consisted of a battery of nine tests in the Iowa Tests of Educational Develop- ment for the sophomore and junior classes, a battery of educa- tional guidance tests for the freshmen class, and a battery of edu- cational and vocational guidance tests for seniors. The last two batteries were administered by the School and College Relations Department of Boston University. The results of these tests will be available early in February and pupils and parents who are interested are invited to conferences concerning the results in any individual case.
I believe it is not out of order at this time to call attention to the pleasing fact that the Iowa tests of 1944 showed that our school stood exceptionally high in the percentile study of achieve- ment covering hundreds of American High Schools.
Definite progress has been made during the past year in the use of audio-visual aids. Gifts from the Scituate Salvage Com- mittee and the Scituate Parent-Teachers Association has made it possible to purchase a film strip projector and to start a perman- ent library of film strips. This visual aid together with our sound motion picture projector, our lantern slide projector and our mic- rophone are of genuine assistance in successful classroom instruc- tion. With the addition of an opaque projector to these aids our school will have equipment in this field comparable with the best.
All of our athletic teams are competing in league schedules that are expanded to normal peace times. There is real satisfac- tion to have our teams once more able to make out of town trips by a school bus thereby decreasing the risk of accidents. Our champion girls' basketball team received wide and deserved com- mendation, and its inter-sectional post-season game with the Farm- ington High School of Unionville, Conn., proved to be a pleas- ing occasion.
In January of this year a broad program of calisthenics and gymnastics supplemented by corrective exercises was inaugurated. In addition there will be the intramural basketball and baseball games arranged especially for those pupils who are not menibers of the varsity teams. An active cheering and "pep squad" of girls, and a large pupil Athletic Association are definite assets which reflect genuine and wholesome interest in our entire athletic program.
The non-athletic activities likewise are progressing in a healthy and successful manner. The girls' glee club under the director hip of Miss Reynolds has been placed upon a rotating-period basis which has favored a growth in membership from 27 in June to a
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
membership of over 65 at the date of this report. In addition a glee club of 18 boys has been organized. .
With war restrictions removed from band equipment our band under the directorship of Mr. Leach is going forward with wholesome and enthusiastic growth. .
These musical groups have been of invaluable assistance at school assemblies and similar activities, and their steady growth promises even greater service in the future.
The 1945 "Scituate Calendar" met with such enthusiastic re- ception a year ago that a 1946 "Scituate Calendar" has been issued which contains block prints of scenes along the South Shore. The prints were drawn and cut by pupils of the art department under the supervision of Miss Rowell.
"The Chimes" Staff, overcoming many handicaps due to war conditions, issued its Commencement annual. It received many favorable comments.
Both the 1945 senior play, "Honest Abe" and the all-school, "Showboat Minstrels," under the direction of Miss Gile were financial and dramatic successes. Miss Gile was assisted in the musical parts of the latter production by Miss Reynolds and Miss Maxim.
An attractive series of school assemblies is being produced during the current year. Several are prepared by class and school organizations while others are from the School Assembly Service of Rochester, N. Y. Many of these assemblies are scheduled at 1:10 in the afternoon, and parents and friends are cordially in- vited and urged to attend.
We take this opportunity to acknowledge with sincere thanks and appreciation the receipt of the following gifts since the last report :
1. Silver pins and bracelets given by the Scituate Kiwanis Club to members of the 1945 girls' basketball team-The presen- tation was made at the club's banquet in honor of the team.
2. The use of "Dreamwold" for the 1945 Junior Prom-by Mr. William Wilson.
3. Film strip projector-by the Scituate Salvage Committee.
4. $50.00 for film strip library-By Scituate Salvage Com- mittee.
5. $75.00 for film strip library-by Scituate Parent-Teachers Association.
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
6. $50.00 for school band fund-by the Scituate Salvage Com- mittee.
7. Large framed oil painting - by the Scituate Historical Society.
8. Money for new motion picture screen-by the class of 1945.
Since the last report our service honor roll has an addition of 30 names. It now contains 367 names and 10 gold stars.
At this point I would make the following two recommenda- tions which I believe should be labelled "necessary."
1. The purchase of a sufficient number of steel lockers which will adequately accommodate all pupils in both of the locker rooms and in both of the athletic dressing rooms.
2. Alterations which will provide a principal's private office.
Before closing this report I would be most unappreciative if I did not call your attention to our splendid cafeteria. Al- though the total patronage has been greatly increased over a period of a year and a half it has not lowered in any particular its high standards of service and efficiency.
In conclusion I express my thanks and gratitude to all those individuals and organizations whose friendly counsel and active cooperation have made it possible to accomplish the progress sug- gested in this report. I shall remember with much pleasure and satisfaction the loyalty that you, as superintendent of schools, the school committee, the teaching staff and school personnel, and the student body have shown me when I was the Acting Prin- cipal. It has been a happy opportunity for me to work with all of you.
Respectfully submitted, WESTLY J. NELSON, Acting Principal.
REPORT OF THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
Mr. Harold C. Wingate Superintendent of Schools Scituate, Massachusetts
Dear Sir:
I herewith submit my third annual report as Supervising
15
SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
Principal of the Hatherly and Jenkins Schools.
The following table shows the enrollment by grades as of
October 1, 1945.
Grade
I
II
III
IV
V
VI
Sp. Total
Hatherly
37
40
45
41
37
42
242
Jenkins
45
47
29
46
35
35
8 245
Total
82
87
74
87
72
77
8
487
The above figures are given as of October 1 since the school census is taken at that time. However, since that time transfers have occurred giving a total of 250 for Hatherly School and 246 for Jenkins School, or a grand total of 496.
With the coming of V-E Day and V-J Day the sale of stamps and bonds within the schools decreased. This was true through- out the country and was the natural reaction. The need of money to carry out the peace has been stressed and it is hoped that pupils will continue to buy stamps and bonds regularly. During the calendar year the boys and girls of the two schools have been responsible for the sale of $8,465.15 worth of stamps and bonds.
Boys and girls are naturally interested in nature in its many forms, birds, animals, weather, etc. To capitalize on this interest and to give instruction by a specialist in nature study, Miss Emily Goode of the Massachusetts Audubon Society was engaged to come to the Scituate Elementary Schools. Miss Goode comes to Scitu- ate every other week, meeting with the fifth grade pupils in each school for a one hour period. Much interest has been shown on the part of the children.
In the course of the school year there are many requests for contributions of money. The response to the appeal for the Junior Red Cross was very gratifying, the two schools contributing $61.47. At Christmas time ditty bags were filled with articles and sent to the Chelsea Naval Hospital. Scrapbooks were sent to children in the Children's Hospital. Also at Christmas time the boys and girls responded to the appeal for money for the Plymouth County Hospital.
The work in the elementary schools is being carried on under tremendous handicaps. The one great problem is the lack of sufficient rooms to allow for proper grouping. Classes are too large and as a result of this condition it is impossible to provide a school program varied enough to meet the needs and abilities of the pupils. A modern school program calls for the education of the whole child. We can not be satisfied with teaching the three R's only, important as they are. We must be concerned with the
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
growth of boys and girls in personality, character, and morality, in physique, intellect, and skills. A modern, well-equipped build- ing is necessary if such a program is to be carried out.
I should like to take this opportunity to express my apprecia- tion for your support and for that of the School Committee and to thank the teachers for their cooperation during the year.
Respectfully submitted,
LEROY E. FULLER,
Principal.
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL PHYSICIAN
To the School Committee of Scituate:
The physical examinations of the pupils have been carried out as in past years. A few cases needing correction have been discovered, most of them in families recently moved into Scituate. Except for two epidemics of severe colds the schools have been almost free of serious disease; but it is after such periods of good fortune that more dangerous illnesses flare up. And I remind the parents again to keep a child home and in bed, at the first sign of sickness. Epidemics of measles, scarlet fever, whooping cough, start from a single case that appears at first to be a simple cold or sore throat.
It is to be hoped that Hatherly and Jenkins Schools will not have to be used much longer. The school physician and nurse will rejoice over a new building no less than the teachers and parents will.
I thank, heartily, the other members of the school health staff, the teachers and parents, for their cooperation in attending to the health needs of the pupils.
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