Town annual report of the officers and committees of the town of Scituate 1949-1951, Part 26

Author: Scituate (Mass.)
Publication date: 1949-1951
Publisher: The Town
Number of Pages: 744


USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of the officers and committees of the town of Scituate 1949-1951 > Part 26


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For the two-fold purpose of obtaining reliable, objective in- formation for use in individualized instruction and to aid in coun- selling, the same testing program as stated in the last two annual reports was carried out last year. The test results were interpreted to the pupils and were given to the faculty for study, discussion and use. The parents were also given reports of the results on profile


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SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT


forms. Let it be understood that the value of such a testing pro- gram comes not from taking tests but rather from the help an inter- pretation of the results can give to pupils and teachers. Under existing circumstances only a limited time can be given to the indi- vidual conference. Longer and more frequent conferences with individual pupils must await the expansion of our guidance services. This important matter is receiving attention under the new build- ing project.


Two classes of the pre-driving and driver education course were successfully completed last year, one in the fall and the other in the spring. The use of a dual-control automobile contributed much to the interest in and to the results from the instruction. All pupils in both classes passed the tests with the inspectors from the Regisrar's office and were granted their operators' licenses. If highway safety were only a matter of knowing how to drive, our schools could solve this serious problem without difficulty.


The instrumental music program began this fall with handicaps caused by the loss through graduation and transfer of several key members of the band and orchestra and by a change of directors. In the few months since, however, rapid progress has been made under the new director.


The accomplishments in the extra-curricular activities of the school during the year contributed much in experience and knowl- edge to a large group of pupils and thus are worthy of brief men- tion. In dramatics, the annual Senior Class play of last April and the all-school show this fall were both well presented and played to large audiences. The Junior High, assisted by the music depart- ments, put on a radio program which was broadcast over WBET, Brockton, last March. The school was again well represented at the annual American Legion Oratorical Contest in Hyannis. Our athletic teams, both boys' and girls', were well coached and dis- played not only successful team play but also fine sportsmanship. The enthusiastic cheerleaders and the band rendered valuable assistance to the athletic program. Without being able to play any home games due to the regrading or our athletic field, the football team won the co-championship of the South Shore League. At the close of the season the football and field hockey teams were guests at a banquet sponsored by the local Board of Trade. The Student Council displayed leadership especially in the inauguration of a "Blue and White" week for the purpose of fostering school loyalty. The Key Club also carried out several projects of service to the school. Besides conducting two fine induction ceremonies, the Pro Merito Chapter raised funds with which it paid the outstanding


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SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT


bills for the initial equipment of gowns and other paraphernalia. The student librarians ably assisted the faculty librarian in the operation of the school library. Another capable "Chimes" staff produced several issues of the "Scituation" and climaxed its efforts with a noteworthy yearbook in June. Last month a Photography Club was organized and chartered. About thirty very worthwhile assembly programs were presented during the year. These pro- grams were planned to give opportunities for student participation and also to present educational information usually not covered in the regular classroom work.


The lack of a playing field has handicapped our physical edu- cation classes and the athletic teams during the fall. We have gladly assumed these handicaps for our athletic field has needed repair for some time. It is expected that we shall be able to use the new field in the fall.


The new front curtains on the stage of the auditorium are appreciated by all for they have been helpful in presenting assem- blies and shows.


This opportunity is taken to express thanks and appreciation to those organizations of the community which awarded scholar- ships at the graduation exercises in June.


There have been several changes in the faculty since last year's report. Mr. Harold Alpert, instrumental music instructor, resigned in the summer and Mr. Norman Dickinson was elected to fill the position. Miss Carol Vollmer of the Junior High staff resigned to teach in Japan and the position was filled by the election of Mr. Joseph Driscoll. Mr. Norman Walker tendered his resignation dur- ing the summer and Mr. William Johnson was engaged to fill the position of instructor of mathematics. He also assumed the coach- ing of football this fall.


In the critical days ahead it may become increasingly difficult to maintain a normal school atmosphere. We may lose faculty members to the military services. However, a recent survey of the Massachusetts Secondary School Principals' Association indicates that under the present regulations and laws the average high school boy should be able to complete his four-year course unless he be- comes nineteen before that time or enlists in one of the branches of the active service. It is recommended that our boys continue on to graduate as long as that possibility exists. We shall attempt to carry on as normally as possible, but it would be a disservice to our young people and to our country if we failed to teach the heavy responsibilities of citizenship that the immediate situation necessi- tates.


14


SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT


This report is concluded with sincere thanks for your help and cooperation. We shall miss your thoughtful advice and wise counsel in the days ahead but we are glad that you can look forward to your days in retirement. Appreciation and thanks is also extended to the school committee, the staff and the student body for the co-operative support given throughout the year. Finally, a word of thanks goes to the class of 1950 for its fine spirit of helpfulness during graduation week.


Respectfully submitted, GEORGE A. J. FROBERGER,


Principal.


.


REPORT OF THE CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PRINCIPAL


Mr. Frederick A. Calkin Superintendent of Schools Scituate, Massachusetts


Dear Mr. Calkin:


I am pleased to present the following report for your con- sideration.


Th big event in the lives of the elementary school children of Scituate occurred on the day when they entered the beautiful new Central Elementary School. Teachers and pupils alike had looked forward to this day with great anticipation. This was a great expe- rience, meeting so many boys and girls for the first time, about seven hundred, making new acquaintances, and adjusting them- selves to new regulations. They were thrilled with the beauty of the colorful rooms, they were mystified by the public address sys- tem, and they were awed by the size of the building.


In most cases pupils were regrouped in order to provide smaller classes, this being possible with the additional number of rooms available. However, with the opening of school in Septem- ber, all classrooms were occupied, and it became necessary to use the library for classroom purposes.


The following table shows the distribution of pupils by grades as of October 1, 1950.


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SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT


Kind.


I


II


III


IV


VI


Special Class


Total


98


131


124


121


87


89


103


15


768


Several additions to the teaching staff were made as follows: Mrs. Robert O'Hern to the kindergarten, Mrs. Vera Mitchell to a fifth grade, Miss Virginia Knight to a second grade, Mrs. Mary Bauer to teach classes in physical education, and Mr. Norman Dickinson to give instrumental instruction.


I should like to touch upon a few special features in the Cen- tral Elementary School, namely: the public address system, the library, the cafeteria, the health unit, and the kindergartens.


The public address system is invaluable as a means of com- munication in a building of this size and as a teaching aid. On occasions we have heard radio broadcasts, one giving a brief history of Scituate, another carrying the United Nations Day Program. More recently we have been able to carry programs of Christmas music via the radio and the record player. During this same period we scheduled carol singing from the cafeteria each day at 9:45 A.M. by two or more classes, thus giving each group the experience of singing before a microphone. Two classes also presented radio dramatizations written or produced by the pupils.


As previously stated, it became necessary, with the opening of school in September, to use the library to accommodate a group of second grade pupils. However, we have reserved sections of shelves for library books and an opportunity will be provided for pupils to use them. I should like to express my thanks to the Scituate Parent-Teacher Association for the very generous gift of books and magazine subscriptions and to those individuals who have also contributed books and magazines.


On several occasions reports of the service the cafeteria is rendering have appeared in the local paper. About 400 complete meals are served daily in addition to a large number of desserts and bottles of milk. The cafeteria is capably managed by Mrs. Robert James, dietitian, who is assisted by Mrs. Fred Peirce, Mrs. Daniel Queeney, and Mrs. Helen Young. Additional help is pro- vided by pupils. Two lunch periods are required to accommodate the entire enrollment. Grades 1, 2, and 3 are served at 11:15 A.M. and grades 4, 5, 6 and Special Class at 12:30 P.M.


Our compact and complete health unit has been visited by many school superintendents and several doctors. Each has cx- pressed his genuine approval of the layout with its most modern


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SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT


type of equipment. We feel now that we are in a position to ren- der a service second to none with this equipment in the capable hands of the school physician, the dentist, the nurse, and the dental hygienist.


The kindergarten unit of the new school brings nothing but praises from all who see it. The teachers who are privileged to work in these rooms are most happy and the children are benefitting from this well-equipped unit. We are indebted to Miss Pauline Smith, Miss Frances Sullivan, and Miss Ruth Bulger, all of Boston, for their many helpful suggestions in the matter of equipment and procedure.


Mr. Dickinson, teacher of instrumental music in the depart- ment, is able to give one complete day to the Central School. In addition to giving instruction on the various instruments he is now giving the boys and girls an opportunity to play together, thereby hoping to develop an elementary school orchestra.


Mrs. Bauer, who was engaged to teach classes in physical edu- cation, has been able to meet each class, grades one through four, twice a week. Miss Riggs, in addition to her work with the Senior and Junior High classes, has carried on the work with the boys and girls of grades five and six.


As in past years our boys and girls have contributed generously to the various drives - the Plymouth County Hospital, the Junior Red Cross, and the Scituate Camp for the Blind.


I should like to take this opportunity to express my apprecia- tion to you for your support and for that of the School Department, and to thank the teachers for their cooperation during the year.


Respectfully submitted,


LEROY E. FULLER, Principal.


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SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT


REPORT OF THE SCHOOL PHYSICIAN


To the School Committee of Scituate:


The outstanding event of the year for me to report is the com- pletion of the new elementary school, with its modern equipment and provision for the safety and well-being of the children. I am particularly grateful for the greatly improved facilities for the examination of the pupils and for attention to their health needs. The space given over to the doctor, dentist and nurse is in practi- cally constant use and apparently enjoyed almost as much by the children as by the staff. It will prove a wise investment I am sure.


The regular physical examinations of the pupils, with special attention where it was needed, have been given this year. Although the time with each pupil is short, good results are obtained. How- ever, at a Harvard Course for School Physicians this spring, it was urged that it was more satisfactory to examine each child only every three or four years and then spend four times as much time with him, and take one quarter of the children each year in this way.


There have been no serious epidemics. As usual the greatest interference with school health has been due to colds and grippe- like infections. And still too often a child with such infection is sent to school instead of being kept in bed.


I thank warmly the other members of the school staff and the parents for their help in watching over the health of the school children.


Respectfully submitted,


M. D. MILES, M.D., School Physician.


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SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT


REPORT OF THE SCHOOL NURSE


Mr. Frederick A. Calkin Superintendent of Schools Scituate, Massachusetts


Dear Mr. Calkin:


The year 1950 marked the beginning of a new era in School Health Services for us. Nearly a quarter of a century had been spent in the old schools, under the most trying conditions, attempt- ing to carry on a satisfactory School Health Program.


So great is the contrast in working conditions in the Health Unit in the new Elementary School that memories of the old days will rapidly fade away. It would be difficult, indeed, to find words to express the intense pleasure that working in this new Health Unit can give a person. Plans which existed only on paper a short time ago have become a reality. The new facilities present unlimited possibilities for health instruction to approximately eight hundred children of impressionable age, when guidance in the development of mental and physical health habits is of vital importance. The Health Unit, more than any other factor, has created an awareness of optimal health goals.


To mention but one phase, just getting children of Kinder- garten age to the School Dental Clinic, is in itself a wonderful thing for the children. At a time when it is most beneficial to them, these children receive the Sodium Fluoride treatments for the prevention and retardation of dental decay. Our School Dental Program is the outgrowth of persistent efforts by the School Dentist over a twenty-five year period, to provide the best in dental service to school children. I do believe that the program is appre- ciated by the parents.


Since the teacher participates so largely in the Health Service Program, she readily sees how classroom interest in Health is stimulated by the experiences of children. It is the teacher who endeavors to promote right attitudes in her pupils, toward mat- ters of health. She encounters many special and varied types of problems. She makes daily observations and reports symptoms of illness. Therefore, she needs to know what to observe, when to exclude, and whom to re-admit. Now that the School Health Council is functioning, I would like to suggest that an opportunity be given for in-service training to teachers who are interested in health work. It seems very important at this time, when so much is being said about Civilian Defense needs. Plans are in process


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SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT


for greater use of Audio-Visual Methods as an adjunct to health teaching in the classroom.


Every child, timid or brave, has learned the way to the Health Unit. Their visits are frequent, for they have many problems. It is here that the school nurse can put her best knowledge and results of experience into practice. The child with an emotional problem receives the same consideration as the one who is taken suddenly ill or who has met with an accident.


I offer a few suggestions to parents: Please keep a child home if symptoms of illness are present. What if the child does miss some school work? It is an added strain on the child to be in school and not feeling well. Some youngsters are sent to school when they should be home under medical care. Teach your child to be responsible for articles of clothing, and take time to mark clothing with the child's name. Then there will be fewer cartons of unclaimed caps, mittens, hand knit and machine made sweat- ers, rubbers, parts of cow-girl and cow-boy outfits, etc., stacked in the office. Teachers have many responsibilities, and looking out for children's belongings at bus time certainly should not be one of their duties. It should be a part of the child's early home train- ing to take care of his personal belongings. Take time to observe your child's eating habits. Is the food which is intended for bodily nourishment consumed, or does it go into the garbage can? Many children with finicky eating habits seem to exert a great deal of influence over other children, causing them to imitate their tac- tics. I'd like to encourage parents to have conferences with the teachers and the nurse, especially in regard to school problems.


Standing orders for Public Health Nurses in the School Health Program as recommended by the Massachusetts Depart- ment of Public Health and approved by the Massachusetts Medical Society for nursing procedures relating to the care of the school child have been followed faithfully, in the schools, under the supervision of the School Physician.


I sincerely appreciate the assistance given me during the year by parents, local physicians, school personnel, and co-health workers.


Respectfully submitted, MARGARET J. O'DONNELL, R.N., School Nurse.


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SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT


HONOR PUPILS AT SCITUATE HIGH SCHOOL School Year 1949-1950 Honors (A's and B's in Major Subjects)


Josephine Forniri Joan Kettell Nancy Litchfield


Susan Anderson Eugene Cohen Barbara Crowell Jeanne Dwyer Harold McAvenia Lois Merritt


Joyce Bamber Robert Browne Richard Clapp Ann Dacey


Kenneth Brebner Elizabeth Grassie Donald Jenney


Martha Burrows Phyllis Cahoon Gladys Clapp Fred Gleason Jane Graham Richard Green Molly Marsh Bessie Mayo


Carolyn Bamber Paul Berg Letitia Bernard Gail Brazilian Phyllis Clark Lilla Fleming Carolyn Locklin


Senior Class


Elizabeth Murrill Penelope Rich Carol Stearns Charmaine Witt Junior Class


Robert Morrow


Anne Nitzsche


Scott Roberts


Ida Vespaziani


Peter Virtue


Bruce Wyman


Sophomore Class


Shirley Fitts Barbara Hunter Evelyn Jenney John Kettell


Freshman Class


Neil Murphy Peter Palmer Neil Towle


Eighth Grade


Ruth Mitchell


Diane Prouty


Priscilla Rand


Diane Sherman


Maureen Stark Mildred Sylvester


Nancy Taggart Thomas Whittaker


Seventh Grade


Gail McCarthy Carol Merritt Richard Mitchell


Robert Stewart Marilyn Svenson


Mary Sweener Norman Walker


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SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT


ATTENDANCE HONOR ROLL For the School Year Ending June 30, 1950


CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL


Name


Grade


Name


Grade


Dorothy Silipo


III


Harold T. Nason, Jr.


V


Stephen Galbreath


IV


Joyce Perry


V


Wendell Sides


IV


Alice Atkins


VI


Jean Stetson


IV


Mary Curran


VI


Jane Sylvester


IV


Pauline Jacobucci


VI


Richard Basler


Charles Rencurrel


VI


Nancy Cole


V Gail Roberts


VI


HIGH SCHOOL


Ernest Andrews


VII


Kenneth Roberts


IX


Adele Galbreath


VII


Judith Bernard


X


Lois Hodgdon


VII


Theresa Dowd


X


William Holman


VII


Shirley Fitts


X


Carol Merritt


VII


Paul Ford


X


Katy Andrews


VIII


David Stone


X


Donald Bongarzone


VIII


Lionel Street


X


Margaret Fraser


VIII


Robert Burbank


XI


Bessie Mayo


VIII


Richard Preston


XI


Diane Sherman


VIII


Robert Lee


XII


Edgar Locklin


IX


Donna Vickery


XII


Charmaine C. Witt XII


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SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT


ENROLLMENT, MEMBERSHIP, ATTENDANCE For the School Year Ending June 30, 1950


CENTRAL


ELEMENTARY


SCHOOL:


Total Membership


Average Membership


Per Cent of Attendance


Grade I


125


117.5


90


Grade II


123


115


91


Grade III


85


78


90.5


Grade IV


97


89.5


94


Grade V


97


92


93.5


Grade VI


71


67


94


Special Class


17


16.5


88


Total


615


575.5


91.5


HIGH SCHOOL:


Grade VII


75


72


91.5


Grade VIII


80


75


94.5


Grade IX


64


60


92.5


Grade X


66


63.5


93


Grade XI


59


55.5


93


Grade XII


51


49


92


Total


395


375


93


Grand Total


1010


950.5


92.3


MEMBERSHIP BY GRADES


October 1, 1950


Special


Grades


I II III IV V


VI Class


Total


Central Elementary


School


131 124 121


87


89


103


15


670


Grades


VII VIII IX


X


XI


XII


Total


High School


76


74


70


55


64


57


396


Total - Both Schools


1066


23


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SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT


FINANCIAL STATEMENT - 1950 RECEIPTS


Regular Appropriation $212,770.00


From Federal Funds - Smith Hughes and Geo. Barden 132.48


$212,902.48


EXPENDITURES General Expenses


School Committee Expenses


$284.08


Superintendent Salary


5,063.45


Superintendent Travel


335.46


Clerk


1,532.73


Truant Officer's Salary


100.00


Other Expenses of Administration


204.41


Expenses of Instruction


Salaries, Principals, Teachers, High


$57,882.45


Salaries, Principal, Suprs., Teachers, Elem.


70,356.01


Clerical Services and Expenses, High


1,333.55


Textbooks and Supplies, High


5,840.14


Textbooks and Supplies, Elem.


4,615.53


$140,027.68


Operation and Maintenance of School Plant


Janitors, High


$4,695.50


Janitors, Elen.


4,754.82


Fuel, High


2,868.29


Fuel, Elem.


1,627.27


Upkeep and Replacement, High


4,310.96


Upkeep and Replacement, Elem.


3,533.82


Miscellaneous, High


2,730.93


Miscellaneous, Elem.


3,337.39


$27,858.98


Auxiliary Agencies


Library


$355.25


Health


3,726.78


Transportation


20,721.98


Misc. Auxiliary


4,797.88


$29,601.89


Outlay


New Equipment


$1,196.32


$1,196.32


Special Items


Tuition and Transportation


$3,274.73


Overlay for Public Use of Auditorium


296.00


Payment to Teachers' Retirement Board


400.00


Summer Recreational Programı.


278.91


$4,249.64


Total Expenditures


$210,454.64


School Department Credits


$30,415.40


From Federal Funds - Smith Hughes and Geo. Barden


132.48


Total Receipts


$30,547.88


NET COST OF SCHOOLS TO TOWN


$179,906.76


24


$7,520.13


SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT


SCHOOL DEPARTMENT CREDITS (Not available for use of School Department)


From State Funds :


State Aid, Chapter 70


$16,323.37


Transportation of Pupils


11,381.25


Maintenance of Household Arts Classes


2,058.03


Evening Practical Arts School


80.44


Trade School Tuition


315.34


Tuition from Town of Hingham


87.60


Miscellaneous Collections


169.37


Total Credits


$30,415.40


EVENING SCHOOL ACCOUNT


Balance on hand, January 1, 1950


$427.55


Expended during the year


0.00


Balance January 1, 1951


$427.55


GEORGE-BARDEN FUND - EVENING VOCATIONAL SCHOOL


Balance on hand January 1, 1950


$15.00


Expended during the year


15.00


Balance January 1, 1951


$0.00


FINANCIAL REPORT OF THE SCITUATE HIGH SCHOOL CAFETERIA For the Year Ending September 1, 1950


Balance on hand, September 1, 1949


$267.97


Receipts :


Lunch room sales


$8,417.85


Government subsidies


1,642.35


Ice cream, etc., bought by school organizations


165.48


Town of Scituate (Supplies for Household Arts


112.63


Dept.)


85,50


Special dinners, Election Day


$10,423.81


Total Receipts


$10,691.78


25


SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT


Expenditures :


Food


$9,359.37


Other Expenses


255.01


(Equipment, express, laundry, etc.)


Labor


947.80


Service charge on surplus commodities


21.15


Total Expenditures


$10,583.33


Balance on Hand, September 1, 1950


$108.45


FINANCIAL REPORT OF THE CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CAFETERIA For the Year Ending September 1, 1950


Receipts:


Cash on hand April 1, 1950


$300.00


(School Department Appropriation)


Cafeteria sales


3,662.18


Government subsidy


1,185.42


Miscellaneous


15.85


Total Receipts


$5,163.45


Expenditures :


Food and supplies


$3,607.41


Labor


489.20


Equipment


74.05


Miscellaneous


51.15


Total Expenditures


$4,221.81


Balance on Hand, September 1, 1950


$941.64


26


SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT


GRADUATION EXERCISES Class of 1950 Scituate High School WEDNESDAY, JUNE THE SEVENTH 8:00 P. M. HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM


PROGRAM


Processional: "Pomp and Circumstance" Elgar High School Orchestra


Invocation Rev. Allan D. Creelman


Address of Welcome


Francis Newton Duval


Presentation of Prizes and Scholarships


Presentation of Class Gift


President of Senior Class


Selection - "Homing" Del Riego


Sophomore and Junior Girls' Glee Club


Address: "The World You Are Entering"


Dr. Thomas H. D. Mahoney


Conferring of Diplomas Mr. Samuel J. Tilden Chairman, School Committee


Class Ode Malba Chase, '50 Joan Dwight, '50 Graduating Class


Recessional: "War March of the Priests" Mendelssohn High School Orchestra


CLASS OFFICERS


President, Francis Newton Duval Vice-President, George Joseph Mitchell, Jr. Secretary, Mary Elizabeth Murrill Treasurer, Malba Brooks Chase


27


SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT


ROLL OF CLASS MEMBERS


COLLEGE PREPARATORY COURSE


Janet Lee Best


"George Joseph Mitchell, Jr.


"Mary Elizabeth Murrill


"Jane Eudora Nord


*Penelope Rich


* Barbara Patricia Short


Charles Edward Mahon *Carol Stearns


*Donna Maria Vickery


*Charmaine Cleaver Witt


SECRETARIAL


* Velma Elizabeth Ahola Malba Brooks Chase Joan Dwight


*Josephine Eleanor Foniri


*Nancy Edith Litchfield


"Margaret Mary Noble


* Laura Ann Sampson


*Clara Vespaziani


COMMERCIAL


Ann Marie Brow Laurent Robert Rose Mary Susan Smith


Marilyn Susan Pratt




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