USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of the officers and committees of the town of Scituate 1949-1951 > Part 38
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CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
LeRoy E. Fuller Principal
M. Beryl Rafuse
Grade VI
Mildred S. Young
Grade VI
John J. Kelly, Jr.
Grade VI, Assistant Principal
Mary E. Monahan
Grade V
Eleanor Wescott
Grade V
Mrs. Vera Mitchell
Grade V
Marguerite O'Hern
Grade IV
Mrs. Editha Lawless
Grade IV
Mabel Kendall Grade IV Grade IV
Mrs. Barbara Jennings
Grade III
Mrs. Doris Reddy
Grade III
Patricia Thompson
Grade III
Mrs. Winifred McAuliffe
Grade III
6
Mrs. Flora Harvey
Football Coach
Algebra II, French I English II, III, IV
Anne L. Cunneen
SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
Florence Hyde
Grade II
Mrs. Madeline Vickery
Grade II
Rose M. Fisher
Grade II
Mrs. Elizabeth Thompson
Grade II
Mrs. Jane Gillingham
Grade I
Priscilla Kelley
Grade I
Gertrude Ward
Grade I Grade I
Barbara Burney
Mrs. Rose Trefry
Opportunity Class
Mrs. Ann Freeman
Assistant Physical Education, Assistant to School Nurse
HATHERLY SCHOOL
Marion Fleck
Kindergarten
Mrs. Florence O'Hern
Kindergarten
Mrs. Mary Heffernan
Kindergarten
Mrs. Edna Locklin
Kindergarten
SUPERVISORS
Mrs. Mary Bauer Physical Education
B. Norman Dickinson
Instructor, Instrumental Music
Gertrude Reynolds Instructor, Vocal Music
Mrs. Helene Fulton
Instructor, Art, Elementary
Methyl Bates Reading Consultant
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
Mrs. Ella Dickinson Hygienist
SUPERVISORS OF ATTENDANCE
Margaret J. O'Donnell
Elementary School
William F. Kane High School
SECRETARIES
Mrs. Mary A. Driscoll Thelma Sylvester High School
Superintendent's Office
Mrs. Martha Thompson Central Elementary School
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
CAFETERIAS
Annie Barry
Manager, High School
Mrs. Genevieve Hill
High School
Mrs. Maureen Stark
High School
Mrs. Irene D. Johnson
High School
Mrs. Florence James
Dietitian, Central Elementary School
Mrs. Agnes C. Peirce
Central Elementary School
Mrs. Gertrude Queeney
Central Elementary School
Mrs. Helen Young
Central Elementary School
Mrs. Gertrude Timpany
Central Elementary School
JANITORS
Donald E. Quinn Head Custodian, High and Elem. Schools
John A. Cogswell
High School
Donald Stone
Central Elementary School
Earl Jenkins
Central Elementary School
Harry E. Soule
Central Elementary School
Lewis Newcomb
Hatherly School
BUS CONTRATORS
Lissie Berg
Route G
Front St. Sales & Service
Route A
Prescott Damon
1
Route F
Russell H. Dyer
Route C
Andrew Finnie
Route B
James Finnie
Route H
John Jakubens
Route E
C. Alan Merry
Route D
Mrs. Malvina Young
Route J
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the School Committee of Scituate:
I am honored to submit to you my first annual report.
When the academic year began on September 5, the total en- rollment, including Kindergarten, was 1216, the largest increase occurring in the Junior High School. By October 1, the enrollment had climbed to 1274, and by January 7, to 1282. At present there are 129 children in the Hatherly School, 724 in the Central Ele- mentary School, and 429 in the Junior-Senior High School. The Central Elementary School is operating at capacity. The Junior- Senior High School is operating far above capacity. Hatherly School has two vacant rooms. We anticipate a total enrollment of 1400 in September 1952.
TEACHING STAFF CHANGES
Frederick A. Calkin, Superintendent of Schools, retired July 1. I am honored to be selected to succeed him. The Indians say that one should never judge a man until one has walked seven days in his footsteps. I have worked for six months in Mr. Calkin's posi- tion. I have respect and admiration for the man and the job that he did as Superintendent. My hope is that I can achieve as much as he did, and gain the respect that was his.
Mrs. Eunice M. Cole, after thirty-one years' experience in the Scituate Schools retired in June. Miss Maida L. Riggs left to accept a position in Massachusetts State University. Miss Virginia Knight left to accept a position in the Hingham Schools. Mrs. Mary L. Bailey is on leave of absence. Mrs. Evelyn B. Finnegan, Miss Mary S. Kingsbury, Miss Edith Fish and Borah L. Kreimer resigned.
Miss Shirley Bedell, the new home economics instructor, comes to us highly recommended by the State officials. She has had pre- vious experience in Marshfield, and Wilmington and is a graduate of Framingham State Teachers College. She replaces Miss Mary S. Kingsbury who resigned because of marriage.
Robert D. Burgess, industrial arts instructor, comes to us from Ipswich schools where he had taught since 1943. He had previously been shop instructor in Mansfield from 1926 to 1943. He replaces Borah L. Kreimer who resigned to take a position in industry.
Miss Methyl Bates, reading consultant to the Scituate schools, is a graduate of the Gorham State Teachers College in Maine, and Boston University, where she received her B.S. and Ed.M. degrees. She has taught, in addition to a rich experience in Maine, in Brain-
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
tree and Belmont, last summer directing a Remedial Reading School in Braintree. She is a new appointment, filling a need of long duration.
Miss Dorothy Anderson, graduate of Wheaton College, Wheaton, Illinois, with two years' experience in Huntington Junior High School, is filling a new position in our Junior High School.
Mrs. Mary Heffernan and Mrs. Edna Locklin, both experienced Kindergarten teachers, are filling two new positions as teachers in the Hatherly School.
Miss Barbara Burney, graduate of Fitchburg State Teachers College, is an added teacher in the first grade. Mrs. Jane Gilling- ham, graduate of the Perry Kindergarten School, Boston, has four years of experience as a teacher in West Lebanon, N. H. She re- places Mrs. Finnegan in the First Grade.
Mrs. Elizabeth S. Thompson, graduate of Lesley College, Cam- bridge, has a year's experience in New York state. She replaces Miss Knight in Grade Two.
Mrs. Flora D. Harvey, former Marshfield, Milton, and Mont- pelier (Vermont) teacher replaces Mrs. Eunice Cole in Grade Three.
Miss Patricia Thompson, Grade Three, graduate of Lesley College, Cambridge, replaces Miss Kendall, moved to Grade Four.
Mrs. Barbara A. Jennings, graduate of Perry Kindergarten School, Boston, and with four years' experience in Plainville, and Framingham, replaces Miss Edith Fish, Grade Four.
Mrs. Editha H. Lawless, with long experience in the Boston schools, comes to us as a new teacher in Grade Four.
Mrs. Winifred McAuliffe, former Scituate teacher, returned as a new teacher in Grade Three.
SCHOOL ENROLLMENT AND HOUSING
It would seem that any estimate of the size of the school enroll- ment, both in individual schools and as a whole, which may be made by the Superintendent of Schools, is likely to be upset by increases in population. The fact that the enrollment has increased by 66 boys and girls since September is an indication of the rapid growth of our Town.
In 1950, we closed the Hatherly and Jenkins School expecting that they would not be re-opened. By September 1951 Hatherly School was housing four groups of approximately 33 each; by Sep-
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
tember 1952, Hatherly will be in full operation, and by Septeniber 1953, both Hatherly and Jenkins must be in full operation unless a new primary school is built.
Doubtless some townspeople will say, "Why did you not build the Central Elementary School larger?" The answer is simply this: Had anyone stood on the floor of the town meetings and advocated increasing the size of Central Elementary School by six to twelve rooms at the time the building was planned, the people would have thought him visionary, to say the least. Had anyone in 1948, when the population of the schools was 894, said that in 1952-1953 the school population would be 1400, the same would have been said.
Yet today we are faced with a September 1952 school popula- tion of 1400. The new Central Elementary School is now too small.
We must set up a committee which will investigate the elemen- tary school situation, examine both Hatherly and Jenkins, look into the costs of erecting one or even two new Primary Schools, either on the civic centre property or in geographically strategic locations, and report to the Town.
The new addition to the Junior-Senior High School, according to the estimate, will cost $980,000, but the cost of living and the cost of building materials have gone hand-in-hand. Hence, to keep within the $980,000 we have cut four rooms from the original plans. The projected edifice will accommodate 750 boys and girls.
Remembering that the Central Elementary School, opened in April 1950, was too small by four classes in September 1951, it might be well to restore the four rooms to the high school so that its life expectancy without further addition may be increased. Certainly, if the new addition is not completed before September 1953, the high school must go on double session, meaning halving the educa- tion at twice the cost.
What should be our building program? There are several answers. One which is sensible and which will keep pace with the expected increases follows:
Date of Completion September 1952 September 1953
Type of Building
Full occupancy of Hatherly School (6 rooms) Completion of addition to Junior-Senior High School
September 1953
Full occupancy of Jenkins and Hatherly Schools (13 rooms) unless a new primary building is erected
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
September 1954 Either new additions to Hatherly and Jenkins or two new primary schools (Grades 1-3 in- clusive) located at geographically strategic points. (20 rooms total)
The expected enrollment in September 1960-1961 may be 2000.
Prophets can be wrong. These figures are based on current trends in movement into the Town and in birth data. Trends may change.
TEACHERS' SALARIES
There has been comment that we are putting money into schools and are neglecting teachers' salaries. This is not so. If we are to have good schools, we must have good teachers. Teachers are the schools. Without good teachers we have nothing. Our salary scale is among the best in the Commonwealth. I believe that we shall attract the best teachers in the state and in the East. My policy will be to recommend hiring the best teachers available at the sal- aries allowable within our scale. I shall try to see that competent teachers remain.
MAINTENANCE
New schools do not remain new; old schools grow older. Equipment and buildings need constant attention. It is not good economy to neglect repairs until replacement is a necessity. We must set up a plan of preventive maintenance and allow enough money to care for such maintenance. Cutting "repairs and replace- ments" in a budget is false economy.
I wish to praise the work of Donald Quinn, chief custodian. He has given of his time far beyond that required. He has directed a good staff of janitors, undermanned as they are, in maintenance and even minor repairs. Next fall the janitors in all three schools will be coordinated under one head and will be able to give even better service to the schools.
When one recalls that our school bus is operated by janitors from 8:00 to 9:10 a.m., from 11:20 a.m. to 1 p.m. every day, as well as on all out-of-town athletic trips (often beginning at 1:30 p.m.), thus reducing at those times the high school staff to one man, and the Central Elementary Staff to two men, we see the need of an additional janitor.
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
HEALTH
One nurse cannot do an adequate job caring for 1400 boys and girls. We need a comprehensive program of testing such as the following:
(a) Physical examinations by physician assisted by the nurse: Grades K, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11, as well as for all ath- letes, boys and girls.
(b) Eye examinations: Grades 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11.
(c) Chest X-rays and/or patch tests: Every year.
(d) Dental examinations: Grades 1, 2, 5, 8, 10, 12.
(e) Hearing examinations: Grades K, 1, 4, 7, 9, 11, 12.
(f) Complete system of follow-up to see that recommendations are followed.
We need a full-time nurse in the high school which has been neglected because Miss O'Donnell's time has been occupied more and more with the 853 elementary pupils. With the opening of Hatherly School, she finds herself at times expected to be in three places at once. Many times when nurse service is needed at the high school, she is not available through no fault of hers. Emergency matters must, therefore, of necessity, be referred to available per- sonnel, often office workers, and free teachers. There is no nurse to supervise the nurse's office at times when patients, often girls, need rest, quiet and attention. Ill pupils are taken home by any one who is free. Too many pupils have not been tested for physical defects, hearing defects, and eye defects from Grade 7 through Grade 12.
Then there is the matter of setting up and administering a pro- gram of health education. This has not been done and cannot be done until we have another nurse.
GENERAL
I find these things:
1. A loyal staff of teachers, willing to work beyond required hours, interested in the welfare of the boys and girls, and willing to improve themselves through in-service training and study.
2. Two principals who are doing excellent jobs in the face of obstacles such as crowded conditions, insufficient clerical assistance, and (in the high school) not enough free time in which the assistant principal may assist in administration. Both men are valuable aides in administration of the schools. I wish to pay highest tribute to
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
them for full cooperation, unfailing help at all times, and out- standing leadership.
3. An esprit de corps which is very good.
4. A Parent-Teacher Association which is interested in the problems of the schools, and which, better still, is ready to assist the superintendent, the principals, and the teachers in solving them.
5. A community which is interested in its schools and which is willing to support them.
6. A School Committee which is enthusiastically interested in the welfare of the children.
7. A loyal staff of janitors, cafeteria workers, and office workers who are doing a good job.
8. A community which is so attractive that it is growing faster than it thinks it is.
The reports which follow are supplementary to this report. I trust that you will give them your attention too.
As I have stated publicly, I pledge to the Town of Scituate my unflagging interest in the welfare of the children, I pledge my un- failing energy in solving their school problems. I pledge a willing- ness to take into my confidence the citizenry of Scituate at all times. I believe that the schools belong to the people. As Superintendent I shall do all in my power to see that every citizen is fully aware of the problems, and I shall welcome assistance in the solving of them.
I pledge economy when economy does not jeopardize the wel- fare of the boys and girls. I shall try at all points to effect the most economical buying and maintenance possible.
My thanks to you, the members of the School Committee for support, loyalty, and friendship.
Respectfully submitted, EDWARD K. CHACE,
Superintendent of Schools.
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
REPORT OF THE HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
Mr. Edward K. Chace Superintendent of Schools Scituate, Massachusetts
Dear Mr. Chace:
The enrollment of this school on October 1, 1951 was 430 pupils. This was an increase of 31 pupils over the number on the corresponding date in 1950 and represented the largest yearly in- crease to date.
In order to accommodate the additional seventh grade division, it was necessary to make over the Art room into a Junior High class- room. The art classes have been meeting in the Administration Building, while the mechanical drawing classes are being cared for in the renovated paint room of the shop. The art department has carried on with good spirit in spite of the handicaps. Until the new addition is completed there can be no relief from the over-crowded conditions.
Nearly one-half of the Class of 1951 continued their education this fall, being enrolled in the following institutions: Antioch College, Brown University (2); Cornell University, Northeastern University (4); Skidmore College, Tufts College (2); University of Massachusetts (4); Wheaton College (Illinois); Wentworth Insti- tute (2); Wilbraham Academy, The Fay School (2); and in two schools of nursing.
Because of the large Junior High enrollment, it was not possible to seat all of the pupils at one time in the cafeteria. This necessitated an additional cafeteria group which has had to eat quite early. How- ever, we have rotated the divisions so that each group has to have early lunch only one day a week. The replacement of many of the old cafeteria chairs has been appreciated by all.
The rather comprehensive testing program in Senior High was carried out again satisfactorily and with helpful results. It was pleasing to have many parents attend the individual conferences with their sons and daughters when the test results were interpreted. More frequent conferences with individual pupils still await the expansion of our guidance services which, in the main, is dependent upon additional plant facilities. It is planned to include the Junior High in the testing program as soon as circumstances will permit.
Much progress was made during the year by the music depart- ments, both vocal and instrumental. The band and orchestra ren-
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
dered real service to the school and the community. With the large number of pupils, both in the grades and in Junior High, studying the various instruments under the band director, we should have a sizable band for the next few years. Again, we were indebted to the combined musical organizations for a fine Christmas assembly programı.
A fine tape recorder was recently presented to our school by the local Parents and Teachers' Association. The gift of this valu- able teaching aid was indeed appreciated.
The sharing of a dual-control automobile with the high schools of Marshfield and Cohasset continues to work out well. For the third year two classes of the pre-driving and driver education course were satisfactorily completed, one in the fall and the other in the spring. As they become sixteen years old, most of our young people avail themselves of the opportunity of becoming skillful and careful drivers by electing this worthwhile course.
Our football and field hockey teams enjoyed using the recently reconditioned athletic field and apparently showed their apprecia- tion by winning the South Shore League championships in football and field hockey this fall. We appreciated the use of St. Mary's fine baseball field last spring. Using a fund which we had been slowly building for the purpose, three small sections of steel bleachers were purchased in the late summer and were in use on the field during the football season. The boys of the Shop department assembled and painted the new bleachers. It is hoped that we can add more sections from time to time.
Last spring our baseball team won all of its league games and three divisional playoffs to qualify for the Massachusetts small- school baseball championship game at Fenway Park. We lost the championship in a well-played game. It is not often that any school has such an exceptional seasonal record and the fact that our team did so well last spring is worthy of comment in this report.
Some of the accomplishments in the various extra-curricular activities during the year should be briefly noted for they offered much in valuable experiences and knowledge to a large group of pupils. In athletics, aside from the comments made above, it should be stated that all our teams, both boys' and girls', demonstrated sound coaching and good playing and, what is most important, dis- plaved a fine spirit of good sportsmanship. Our efficient cheer- leaders and band contributed much to the athletic program. Again at the close of the season, the football and field hockey teams along with the cheerleaders were guests at a banquet sponsored by the
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
Board of Trade. In dramatics, both the annual Senior Class play and the all-school show afforded good experience to the participants and their efforts were enthusiastically received by large audiences. Our school representative in the American Legion Oratorical Con- test was chosen district winner at Abington High early in February and he went on to represent both the school and the district at the zone contest held at Wareham High School. The Student Council carried out another successful "Blue and White" week. Delegates from that group attended two district conventions during the year. The Key Club continued to strengthen its reputation for loyal service to the school. With the assistance of the local Kiwanis Club, our Key Club was able to send a delegate to the national convention held in Florida. The Pro Merito Chapter was the largest in its history and it put on the two induction services in a most impressive manner. The increased costs make it more and more difficult to put out the annual "Chimes". However, with real efficient work, the Chimes staff produced a fine yearbook in June and published sev- eral issues of the "Scituation" during the year. Once again our volunteer staff of student librarians gave able assistance in operat- ing the school library under the direction of the faculty librarian. Assemblies were held nearly every week throughout the year with very worthwhile programs most of which gave opportunities for student participation. The newly organized Photography Club conducted an interesting contest as part of the annual "Blue and White" week activities. Assurance is given that all of the extra- curricular activities were carried out with educational objectives in mind.
The Class of 1951 gave a very significant gift to the school at the graduation exercises. In honor of the memory of its class ad- viser, the late Norman L. Walker, the Class established a good sportsmanship award to be given each year in the spring. This class was also the first, as far as is known, to have its banquet at the Toll House. We shall long remember the Class of 1951 for its fine leadership and cooperation.
In June, Miss Mary Kingsbury who had been in charge of our Household Arts department for several years, resigned to be mar- ried. Miss Shirley Bedell was elected to fill the vacancy. In order to care for the additional seventh grade, Miss Dorothy Anderson was elected to the Junior High faculty and she assumed her duties in September. Soon after the opening of school this fall Mr. Borah Kreimer, shop instructor, resigned to enter business and Mr. Robert D. Burgess received appointment to the position.
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
The continued interest of those organizations of the community which give yearly scholarships at the graduation exercises is keenly appreciated by all concerned.
May I conclude this report with sincere thanks to you, the school committee, the high school staff, and the student body for the fine cooperation and support given me during the year. My heartfelt thanks and appreciation to you all for your many kind- nesses during my illness this fall.
Respectfully submitted, GEORGE A. J. FROBERGER, Principal.
REPORT OF THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
Mr. Edward K. Chace Superintendent of Schools Scituate, Massachusetts
My Dear Mr. Chace:
I herewith submit my report as principal of the Central Ele- mentary and Hatherly Kindergarten Schools.
CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Much has been said during the year about increased enroll- ment in our schools. The following table will show the distribution of pupils in the Central Elementary School as of October 1, 1951.
Gr. 1 Gr. 2 124 136
Gr. 3 130 Gr. 4 130
Gr. 5 96
Gr. 6 Special Total 88 15 719
In order to accommodate the above number of pupils properly twenty-three classrooms were necessary. Central School had twenty- two available rooms including the library and kindergarten rooms. During the summer of 1951 a semi-partition was erected in the west kindergarten room, thus providing the needed space for an addi- tional first grade. Although this set-up is not ideal, it does provide a room for cach teacher.
Several changes in personnel occurred before the opening of school in September. Mrs. Eunice Cole, a teacher in the Scituate
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
School System for many years, resigned to be married. Miss Edith Fish, a teacher in the system for the past two years, retired. Miss Jean Eisler, office secretary, resigned to be married. Appointments to fill the vacancies caused by the resignations and the creation of new classes were as follows: to grade one, Mrs. Jane Gillingham and Miss Barbara Burney; to grade two, Mrs. Elizabeth Thompson; to grade three, Miss Patricia Thompson, Mrs. Winifred McAuliffe, and Mrs. Flora Harvey; to grade four, Mrs. Editha Lawless and Mrs. Barbara Jennings. Miss Methyl Bates was engaged as reading con- sultant and Mrs. Martha Thompson as office secretary.
Recently an all-boy glee club was organized under the direction of Miss Reynolds and appeared for the first time singing a program of Christmas Carols over the school broadcasting system. This group consists of boys who have been selected from grades four, five, and six. Instrumental instruction continues in grades five and six under the direction of Mr. Dickinson. Boys and girls meet once each week for a lesson on the following instruments: violin, trumpet or cornet, trombone, clarinet, saxophone, and drums.
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