USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of the officers and committees of the town of Scituate 1952-1954 > Part 33
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55
Dear Mr Chace:
During this year it has been necessary to move the art classes quarters several times to provide for increased student enrollment in the high school. This has resulted in cramped space and inade- quate working quarters for the students and little or no storage space for basic materials and equipment.
However, the enrollment has continued good; and, generally speaking, the students as a group have been most cooperative and have sustained an interest in the class work, and, in many instances, volunteered to help with decorations, posters, signs, simple set painting for all school productions, and decorations for the Ath- letic Banquet. In addition, students have entered the Boston Globe- sponsored art contest, in which several won recognition. An exhi- bition of some class work was displayed at a Parent Teachers Asso- ciation meeting. Some of the students have taken trips with the art teacher on Saturdays to exhibitions at the Museum of Fine Arts, the Institute of Modern Art, and the Annual Art Festival in Boston.
There are actually four distinct groups in the art classes: Junior High School, Mechanical Drawing, Art Appreciation, and Art Elective.
In general, on the junior senior high school level, the main objectives are not to train in mastery of the subject since this is done in advanced specialized schools. However, students are en- couraged in all their work; and given an opportunity to work with various materials and mediums in order to grow in their ability to control them, and increase their knowledge, and understanding through appreciation of not only the fine arts, but the many related arts such as the industrial arts, fashion illustration, ceramics, tex- tiles, advertising, and many others.
The students are trained to develop better working habits, to evaluate their own work honestly, to observe more clearly, to become more skillful and accurate, to use and cultivate the imagi- nation, to become flexible in handling of materials, and to begin to understand and appreciate the need of high standards of quality in their work. As a result, the students will gain greater enjoyment in their work and become able to apply this knowledge whenever possible.
In conclusion, I wish to thank Mr. Chace and Mr. Froberger, who have understood my problems and have been most helpful.
54
SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
Thanks, too, to Mrs. Shirley O'Donnell for her patience and under- standing when I have "invaded" her department. Without the help of Mr. Quinn, and Mr. Cogswell, custodians, my work would have been much more difficult.
Respectfully submitted,
ALMA W. SHMAUK, High School Art Teacher.
REPORT OF THE HIGH SCHOOL CAFETERIA MANAGER Dear Mr. Chace:
Through June 1953 the High School Cafeteria participated in the Federal Lunch Program, and, with the reimbursements and commodities offered by the government, we were able to serve the children a nutritious lunch for twenty cents. Many have taken advantage of the Lunch Program, and we are hoping to increase this number when we go on regular schedule.
As you know, due to the construction in the High School we were unable to open our cafeteria in September 1953. We sincerely hope that in the very near future, with more room and better facilities, we shall be operating our cafeteria, and the children will again be able to take advantage of the Lunch Program.
Respectfully submitted,
ANNIE M. BARRY, Cafeteria Manager.
REPORT OF THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS PRINCIPAL
Dear Mr. Chace:
I herewith submit my report as principal of the Central and Hatherly Schools.
We are continually hearing reports of the increase in elemen- tary school enrollment throughout the country. The following table will bear this out and will show the distributions of elementary school pupils in Scituate as of October 1, 1953.
CENTRAL SCHOOL
Gr. 2
Gr. 3
188
141
Gr. 4 148
Gr. 5 131
Gr. 6 136
Special 12
Total 755
55
SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
HATHERLY SCHOOL
Gr. 1 171
171
Grand total 926
HOUSING
It became necessary to discontinue kindergartens in September 1953 in order to provide housing for the large grade one to six enrollment. All classrooms in the two elementary school buildings are being used with each of the two large kindergarten rooms in Central School housing two classes. With the opening of the new Jenkins School, the re-establishing of kindergartens and the reduc- tion of classes to a more desirable size, we will still need to con- tinue the use of Hatherly School during the school year 1954-1955.
PERSONNEL
The school year 1953-1954 opened with several additions to the elementary school faculties. Mrs. Vera Reublinger and Miss Margaret MacDonald were assigned to grade two; Miss Susan Stamler and Mrs. Doris Mckinlay were given fourth grades; Mrs. Edith Fennessy was given a fifth grade and Mrs. Anne Murphy was appointed physical education instructor for grades one through four. Four kindergarten teachers were assigned as follows for this year: Mrs. Mary Heffernan and Miss Marion Fleck to grade one, Mrs. Edna Locklin to grade three and Mrs. Florence O'Hern to grade four. Miss Shirley Mann was engaged as a cadet teacher and assistant to Mrs. Elizabeth Bassett who was appointed Director of Reading. Mrs. Grace Lull and Miss Mary Monahan were trans- ferred to sixth grades and Mr. Royal Graves was made a full-time assistant principal.
CURRICULUM SURVEY
Last spring a curriculum survey was begun and at the time three areas were studied, namely: science, arithmetic and health. When these areas are completed other subjects will be undertaken which will result in a definite course of study for the schools of Scituate.
WORKSHOP
In December one school day was given over to a workshop in arithmetic which was sponsored by Ginn and Co., publishers of our textbook "Living Arithmetic". Miss Elizabeth Sylvester, con- sultant, discussed at length "How to Teach Arithmetic", during which she presented many devices that could be used in the teach- ing of arithmetic in the classroom. To make it a real workshop all
56
SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
teachers then proceeded to make some of the devices to carry back to their classes. The workshop plan is one of the newer approaches to teaching that is now being used.
CAFETERIA
Mrs. Florence James, dietitian of the Central School, writes as follows: "During the past year by using the commodities donated by the U. S. Department of Agriculture and the reimbursements of the School Lunch Program we have been able to serve a complete 'Type A' lunch for twenty-one cents. The 'Type A' lunch includes 2 ounces of protein, one-half pint of milk, 6 ounces of fruit and/or vegetables, 2 teaspoonsful of butter, plus a dessert, furnishing the child with one-third to one-half his daily nutritive requirements. One-half pint cartons of milk are sold for five cents, the average daily consumption of milk being about 600 cartons.
"The newly acquired folding, easily movable Sico tables have been most satisfactory, decreasing noise and confusion in the dining room and making use of the room as a playroom and auditorium possible.
"With the September increased enrollment we have been for- tunate in having the assistance of Mrs. Irene Johnson of the High School Cafeteria Staff."
AUDIO-VISUAL PROGRAM
This year has been a marked increase in the use of audio-visual aids. Our filmstrip library has become an established feature of our educational program. We have been able to make some worthwhile acquisitions this year. Both pupils and teachers have been trained in the proper care and operation of our audio-visual equipment.
Most helpful of all has been the acquisition of a tape recorder. This machine has been used to great advantage in diagnosing and correcting reading difficulties of individual pupils. There has been a tachistoscope lens purchased for our projector which should further aid our efforts to help pupils to read well.
FIELD TRIPS
Parents have been most cooperative in providing transporta- tion for class groups to go on educational field trips. Trips to Plymouth, Science Museum, Logan Airport and historical Scituate have proved worth while. A modern educational program makes provision for experiences such as these.
57
SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
In closing I should like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation for your support and 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 DIRECTOR OF READING
Dear Mr. Chace:
I submit herewith my first report as Director of Reading for the Scituate Public Schools. I should like to begin, if I may, with three brief excerpts from your annual report of 1953:
"The Schools of Scituate are the Public Schools . . . We have one goal - education of the individual . . . Our plan is to do everything in our power to reduce the differential between read- ing level and grade level through the grades by means of guidance and individual instruction."
With the goal and plan expressed by you in mind, I have attempted after this very short time as Director of Reading to answer two rather difficult questions: (1) What appear to be Scituate's basic needs in regard to reading? (2) What is the Read- ing Office doing to satisfy these needs and so help to achieve the goal?
Our needs in Scituate, like those of other similar communities, stem from old and persistent problems. Scituate has been trying to solve these problems and has, it seems to me, made some fine progress. If I interpret the needs correctly, they may, perhaps, be summarized as follows:
1. The need of parents to know about the reading process as we understand it today, how it is related to individual capacity and growth, what the reading skills are and how to make use of them.
2. The need to know that these skills are being taught and learned as effectively as possible.
3. The need to know exactly where their children are in read- ing as expressed in terms of reading level and to know the strengths and weaknesses which have contributed to that placement.
4. The need of parents, teachers and children for a plan of procedure in strengthening reading skills.
58
SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
5. The need of teachers for help in putting that plan into practice.
6. The need of all to see and hear measures of progress.
7. The need on the part of parents and teachers to discuss reading problems with such a person as the Director of Reading in the hope that correction and progress may be effected.
What is the Reading Office doing to satisfy these needs? First, the Reading Office is making as much as possible of the Director's time available to parents for conferences and reports. We believe that this provision is very important. Any parent may confer with the Director about any phase of his child's reading by simply making an appointment. Such conferences are followed, if war- ranted, by tests and analyses of the child's reading ability. During these analyses tape recordings are often made so that the parent may later hear exactly what strengths, weaknesses and skills are revealed. A conference with the teacher follows to discover possi- ble sources of disability. The child's physical, mental and emo- tional maturity records are studied and augmented. A definite and specific program of reading is laid out and a copy of this program discussed by the Director with both teacher and parent. In the course of this discussion the parent may learn precisely what he can do to supplement instruction during class and in the Reading Office. Our objective is not only a degree of immediate reading success but also subsequent reading growth. Regular progress checks are made and the program revised and extended. Approxi- mately ninety such conferences have been held by the Reading Director since September.
Second, the Reading Office is encouraging the planning and scheduling by interested groups of parents of meetings during which all phases of the reading program are discussed by the Director. One such meeting has already been held. After the dis- cussion conferences were held between parents and teachers, mate- rials were displayed, equipment demonstrated and questions about the reading program were answered. Particular emphasis through- out this meeting (attended by about 280 parents of children in Grades One and Two) was placed on the Phonics Inventory which the Reading Office had recently administered in those grades. Similar inventories, followed by meetings of a like nature, will, we hope, be scheduled by parents to cover the remainder of the elementary grades.
Since we know how much the interest and informed assistance of parents has to do with their children's success in reading, the Director is making a special effort to clarify for parents just how
59
SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
complex a process reading is as well as the factors of individual capacity, growth and maturity which influence it.
Third, the Reading Director is urging, demonstrating and teaching group reading which emphasizes auditory skills and pho- netics. The latest professional books on these and other areas of reading have been placed in the Reading Office and in the office of the Hatherly School for the use of all teachers. Moreover, the services of the Director are ready as time will allow for demonstrat- ing the most worth-while techniques in teaching word-attack skills. Thus far her efforts have been largely confined to primary and early intermediate grades, but she plans to spend more and more time in observing and teaching upper-grade skills. Exercises in some variety and on all grade levels are filed in the Reading Office for illustration and adaptation. Teachers are urged to make use of these materials.
Fourth, the Reading Office is attempting to provide by every possible means books, devices and equipment to insure an awaken- ing and stimulation of interest in books and the reading process. Since books must compete with radio, motion pictures and tele- vision, we are concerned that our motivation and equipment be consistent with the scientific age in which we live. We are en- deavoring, moreover, to supplement our basal reading system with small numbers of fresh, new books so that children needing more practice on any given level, may have increased interest and the pleasure of anticipation. Reading lists have been prepared and are available to parents so that books borrowed from the library or purchased for the child may be suited to his reading level.
Because there are no adequate school library facilities for our children, the Reading Office continues to procure from the State Library numbers of books for use over long periods of time. The Director hopes, however, that a truly fine elementary school library may soon add to our efficiency.
Finally, the Reading Office is vitally interested in the good work of Miss Anne Cunneen in helping those in Grades Seven and Eight whose reading is below level. Gates Silent Reading Tests, Forms A, B, C and D have been administered by Miss Cunneen at the request of the Director, and results have been graphed for the use of Miss Cunneen and the Junior and Senior High School Prin- cipals. Conferences have been held with Miss Cunneen and some other high school teachers relative to reading problems.
I should like to close by expressing my sincere appreciation for the interest and cooperation of the administration, the teachers
60
SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
and the parents of Scituate whose combined goal is education of the individual.
Respectfully submitted,
ELIZABETH M. BASSETT, Director of Reading.
REPORT OF ELEMENTARY ART SUPERVISOR
Dear Mr. Chace:
The Art Education programs in the Central and Hatherly Schools have included drawing, painting, clay modeling, lettering, finger painting and papier maché crafts, offering the children expe- rience in the use and enjoyment of a variety of art materials avail- able today.
Many illustrated panels, posters, stage scenery, room and hall exhibits show how teachers and children are integrating art with reading, history, geography, health and safety education.
An Art Workshop at the Hatherly School is studying new methods and trends in Art Education, which we all find helpful.
Thank you and the School Committee for the interest and support given me.
Respectfully submitted, HELENE D. FULTON Art Supervisor, Elementary Grades.
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL PHYSICIAN
Dear Mr. Chace:
The pupils of grades 2, 5, 7, 9, and 11 have been given this year the type of more comprehensive examination that was adopted the previous year, and also other pupils, regardless of grade, who were members of an athletic squad, or who had moved into Scituate from other towns the current year, were given similar examinations. This marked advance in caring for the health of the school children was made possible by the changing of the requirement that each child be examined each year, and by the provision of two school nurses instead of one.
61
SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
Where examination revealed important physical defects, the child's parents were advised to take him to their own physician for treatment or observation.
I have been consulted in regard to various injuries received at school, and the danger of contagion in certain situations. Foot- ball games at home were attended in order that injured players might have first aid.
I thank very much the School Staff and the parents for their help in caring for the health of the school children.
Respectfully submitted, M. D. MILES, M.D., School Physician.
REPORT OF HIGH SCHOOL NURSE
Dear Mr. Chace:
Medical examinations by the school or family physician of all pupils in Grades 7-9-11 have been completed. Appointments for these examinations were made sufficiently in advance to allow parents to attend if they so desired. In cases where the parents preferred that the examination be made by the personal physician, the doctor's report was forwarded to the nurse. Medical examina- tions of all transfer students and all candidates for High School athletic teams have also been completed.
Keystone telebinocular eye tests of all students in Grades 7-9-11 have now been made and during the Winter term Audi- ometer hearing tests are to be given these grades.
In November the nurse assisted in the State chest X-ray pro- gram which was held in the High School auditorium. This program covered all Junior and Senior High School students, all Scituate teachers, bus drivers, maintenance, and cafeteria personnel in all the schools.
In spite of the adjustment in the Nurse's hours necessitated by the double sessions it has been possible for a nurse always to be available at all times during school hours for emergencies at any school in Scituate.
Respectfully yours,
FLORA D. WHITE, R.N.
62
SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
REPORT OF THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NURSE
Dear Mr. Chace:
The School Health Program in the Scituate Schools is made up of several components, each with its own distinctive purpose, but at the same time so interwoven with the other that no one can function completely by itself. All have the same ultimate objec- tive - Health.
Good health supervision requires well-coordinated and inte- grated teamwork. The skill and knowledge of all interested in child health and welfare must be utilized to the maximum.
A child cannot and should not be thought of as subdivided into distinct component parts: he must be treated as a whole. It is the total child and not the individual disorder which is import- ant. In addition, the child cannot be thought of as separate from his family and the community of which he is but a part. The quality of the parent-child relationship and the child's relation- ship to the school environment and the community must be con- sidered. The child's health, therefore, is not an isolated incident, but is dependent significantly on the health of the family and the entire community.
It is generally agreed that health maintenance, health protec- tion and health promotion of the school-age child is the responsi- bility of the family.
Basic preventive medicine begins at home. The entire health team, however, which includes the family physician in a dominant role, the school physician, the dentist, the nurse, the teacher, and other specialists must work in unison very diligently, not only to prevent disease, but to promote ideal well-being and the health and happiness of the child.
From birth through adolescence, these are necessary for the healthy growth of children - Favorable Emotional Climate - Medical Care - Adequate Diet - Communicable Disease Control - Accident Prevention - Dental Care.
As always in the past, every effort was made during 1953 to have the School Health Program function in full cooperation with all who were concerned with the health and welfare of children. The results obtained were quite satisfactory.
Prompt attention was given to all children who reported to the Health Unit because of illness or accident.
63
SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
The Schools provided transportation for children whose in- juries or illness made it necessary for them to be taken home. Children were also transported to the dental and other clinics.
Assistance was given to the School Physician during physical examinations. Appointments were made for parents to be present at time of pupil's examinations.
The facilities of the Child Guidance and Speech Clinic at Quincy Medical Center were used weekly.
Hearing and vision tests were given to pupils with suspected hearing loss or defective vision. About half of the tests have been completed for other pupils scheduled for the tests.
The members of the Health Curriculum Study Group were pleased with the results of the time and effort put into their project.
The study of Health in Schools recognizes the importance of the teacher in the health service program. It states, "Regardless of the frequency of examination, it must be emphasized that all examina- tion procedures should be supplemented by the day-by-day observa- tion of pupils by teachers".
In the elementary schools, the pupil remains with one teacher throughout the day and with that one teacher every school day for a school year. For that reason, the classroom teacher is in a strategic position to observe any departures from good health such as be- havior patterns, which may be signs or symptoms of social mal- adjustment or signs and symptoms of physical health problems. Conferences with the individual teacher are more easily arranged in the elementary school, and they provide an interchange of the lay observations she has made and the diagnosis and attendant recommendations that the physician has made.
One phase of the school health porgram which appears to be in need of strengthening is the importance of the Teacher-Nurse conferences. Further development of these conferences will bring about a keener understanding of the child's needs and how they should be handled.
My sincere thanks to my co-workers and all others who have contributed toward the success of the school health service program.
Respectfully submitted,
MARGARET J. O'DONNELL, R.N.
64
SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
REPORT OF EVENING PRACTICAL ARTS CLASSES DIRECTOR
Dear Mr. Chace:
I herewith submit my report as director of the Evening Prac- tical Arts Classes.
In the Spring of 1953 Evening Classes were given in Dress Making, Upholstering, Decorated Ware, Ceramics, and Hooked Rugs. These classes began in January of 1953 and met one night a week for a period of twenty weeks.
We were most fortunate in having an excellent staff of teachers. Mrs. Robert D. Burgess of Scituate taught Dress Making. Mr. Alex- ander M. Johnston also of Scituate taught Upholstering while his wife, Mrs. Eleanor Johnston, taught Decorated Ware. Another Scituate resident, Mrs. Whitton Francis-Smith, gave a class in Ceramics. Mrs. Gladys Cockburn of Abington taught her class in Hooked Rugs.
This Fall we had an open meeting in October at the Central Elementary School, at which time residents of Scituate could reg- ister for this year's Evening Classes. Our aim was to offer a few more classes than the previous year and also have our classes split so that ten lessons might be completed before the Christmas Holi- days and the remaining ten afterwards. We were gratified by the response of the people of Scituate. This year we offered classes in Slip Covers, Leather Craft, Decorated Ware, Rug Braiding, Hooked Rugs, and due to the demand found it necessary to give two classes in Dress Making.
We were pleased to welcome back our previous teachers, Mrs. Robert D. Burgess, Mr. Alexander M. Johnston, Mrs. Eleanor Johnston, and Mrs. Gladys Cockburn. To this already fine staff we were fortunate in adding Mrs. Eleanor Muncey of Cohasset to teach Rug Braiding and Mr. Howard Soule of Marshfield to teach Leather Craft.
It is our sincere hope that this Spring we will be able to have an open house at which time the pupils of our Evening Practical Arts Classes can place on display products of their own endeavors which they have accomplished in this past year through these classes.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.