USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of the officers and committees of the town of Scituate 1955-1957 > Part 29
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Mrs. Doris Reddy, Diploma
Central, Grade 3
Mrs. Vera Reublinger, Diploma Jenkins, Grade 2 Miss Gertrude Reynolds, M.B. Vocal Music Jenkins, Grade 5 Guido J. Risi, B.S.
Mrs. Joan K. Sampson, B.S.
Jenkins, Grade 5
Mrs. Barbara Sargent, B.S.
Central, Grade 5
Miss Patricia E. Smith, B.Ed. Mark A. Swift, B.S.
Hatherly, Grade 1
Central, Grade 6
Mrs. Rose Trefry, Certificate
Central, Opportunity Class
Mrs. Madeline Vickery, Diploma Jenkins, Grade 2 Miss Gertrude Ward, Diploma Hatherly, Grade 1
Miss Eleanor Wescott, Diploma Central, Grade 5
SUPERVISORS
Herschel G. Benson, M.S. Director of Physical Education
B. Norman Dickinson, Ed.M. Mrs. Helene Fulton, Diploma Mrs. Gertrude L. Russell, Diploma Samuel J. Tilden, Ed.M.
Director of Music
Supervisor of Art
Coordinator of Reading Director of Guidance
HEALTH OFFICERS
Max D. Miles, M.D. School Physician
*W. B. Parsons, D.D.S. School Dentist
*Mrs. Lillian Higgins Hygienist
Miss Margaret J. O'Donnell, R.N. Nurse, Hatherly and Central Schools
Mrs. Flora D. White, R.N. Nurse, High and Jenkins Schools
*Employed by Board of Health
SUPERVISORS OF ATTENDANCE
William F. Kane, Chief of Police, All Schools Miss Margaret J. O'Donnell Mrs. Flora D. White
Hatherly and Central Schools Jenkins and High Schools
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
SECRETARIES
Mrs. Dorothy Foster
Mrs. Muriel L. Johnson
Mrs. Jean E. Strzelecki
Mrs. Martha Thompson
Mrs. Yvonne Twomey*
High School
Mrs. Doris Walker **
High School
*Resigned January 11, 1957 ** Began work January 14, 1957
CAFETERIAS
Mrs. Gertrude Timpany, Supervisor
All Schools
Miss Annie Barry, Manager
High School
Mrs. Genevieve Hill
High School
Mrs. Maureen Stark
High School
Mrs. Irene D. Johnson
High School
Mrs. Giertrug McCarthy
High School
Mrs. Florence James, Manager
Mrs. Harriet Bubin
Central School
Mrs. Roberta R. Merritt
Central School
Mrs. Agnes C. Pierce
Central School
Mrs. Gertrude Queeney
Central School
Mrs. Bessie M. Dooley, Manager Jenkins School
Mrs. Enid Billings Jenkins School
Mrs. Grace Jakubens Jenkins School
Mrs. Florence Flaherty
Jenkins School
CUSTODIANS
Herbert E. Bearce
John A. Cogswell John F. Curran Chester Gurney*
William F. Harrington
Francis W. Hartnett Daniel E. Healy
Head Custodian and High School High School Jenkins School High School Central School
Hatherly School High School
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Jenkins School
Superintendent's Office
High School
Central School
Central School
SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
Earl Jenkins Percy Mayo ** Joseph Murphy Harry Soule Thomas F. Woods
Central School High School Jenkins School Central School High School
* Resigned December 14, 1956
*Appointed January 24, 1957
BUS CONTRACTORS
Alfred J. Elliott
Route A
Andrew Finnic
Route B
William Mays
Route C
C. Alan Merry
Route D
William Steverman
Route E
Richard S. Tibbetts
Route F
Lissie Berg
Route G
James Finnie Henry Bearce, Jr.
Route H
Route J
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETINGS
The Scituate School Committee meets regularly at 7:30 P.M. each month, September through June on the second Tuesday of the month unless announced in the press in advance otherwise. Meetings are held in the Office of the Superintendent of Schools, Administration Building, Cudworth Roard, Scituate Center, and are open to the public.
APPOINTMENTS WITH SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
The Office of the Superintendent of Schools is open to parents and townspeople for conference and consultation about school affairs between 8:00 A.M. and 3:30 P.M. any school day. Because of an increasingly full schedule, the Superintendent recommends that appointments be made in advance by telephone for conferences during the school day or between 7:30 and 9 P.M.
SCHOOL TELEPHONES
Between 8:00 A.M. and 3:30 P.M., school days, call 15 or 1100.
After 3:30 P.M., on holidays, Saturdays, or Sundays call as follows:
Superintendent's office, and high school - 15 Central, Jenkins, and Hatherly 1100
ADMISSION TO THE SCHOOLS
To be admitted to Kindergarten, a child must have reached the age of four years, eight months, on September 1 of the year he is to enter school.
To be admitted to Grade One, a child must have reached the age of five years, eight months, on September 1 of the year he is to enter school.
Children whose birth certificates are dated later than Janu- ary 1, will not be enrolled.
A vaccination certificate must be presented to the school when a pupil enters for the first time.
A birth certificate must be presented for those pupils whose births were recorded outside of Scituate.
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
"NO SCHOOL" SIGNALS
THE POLICY OF THE SCITUATE SCHOOL COMMIT- TEE IS TO HOLD SCHOOL WHENEVER THE BUSSES MAY SAFELY OPERATE.
If it is necessary to close schools, the NO-SCHOOL signal, which is 3-1-3, will be sounded in North Scituate, Scituate Harbor, and Greenbush as follows:
Junior-Senior High School (Grades 7-12) 7:00 A.M.
Hatherly School (Grade 1 only) 7:10 A.M.
Jenkins School (Grades K, 2-6) 7:15 A.M. Central School (Grades K, 2-6) 7:20 A.M.
Afternoon Kindergartens 10:00 A.M.
Evening classes 6:30 P.M.
NOTE: IF ALL SCHOOLS ARE CLOSED IN THE MORNING, THE AFTERNOON KINDERGARTENS WILL ALSO BE CLOSED BUT WITHOUT A 10:00 A.M. SIGNAL.
If all schools are closed, the signal, 3-1-3, will be sounded at 7:00, 7:10, 7:15, and 7:20 A.M. Radio stations WBZ, WHDH, WNAC, WEEI and WJDA will be requested to announce that school in Scituate has been cancelled for that day.
SCHOOL CALENDAR 1957
WINTER TERM: (January through March)
Wednesday, January 2, 1957 Schools reopen at usual times
Friday, February 15, 1957 Schools close at regular times One week vacation
Monday, February 25, 1957 Schools reopen at usual times
SPRING TERM: (April through June) Friday, April 12, 1957 Schools close at usual times One week vacation
Monday, April 22, 1957 Schools reopen at usual times
Friday, May 30, 1957 Schools closed: Memorial Day Friday, June 21, 1957 Schools close for the summer
FALL TERM: (September through December)
Monday, September 9, 1957 Teachers' Meeting
Tuesday, September 10, 1957 Schools open for year Friday, October 18, 1957 ... Schools closed: Teachers' Convention Monday, November 11, 1957 Schools closed: Veterans' Day
Wednesday, November 27, 1957
Schools close early for
Thanksgiving Recess
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
Monday, December 2, 1957 Schools reopen at usual times Friday, December 20, 1957 Schools close for Christmas vacation at usual hours
WINTER TERM: (January through March)
Thursday, January 2, 1958 Schools reopen at usual times
SCITUATE KINDERGARTEN INFORMATION
Kindergarten hours are from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. or from 1:15 p.m. to 3:20 p.m. Please be careful to learn the correct hours when your child is registered.
Registration Day: Children who will enter Kindergarten for the first time in September, 1957, should be registered at the school he is to attend Thursday and Friday, August 29 and 30, 1957, between 9:00 a.m. and 12 noon. You will need to take with you his birth certificate and vaccination certificate. You will want to take your child to school when he is registered to let him know where the school is and to give him a chance to meet some of his future friends. Classes will begin on Tuesday, September 10, 1957. Preparation for Kindergarten: Your child will be more nearly ready for Kindergarten if he knows his name and address, and will repeat them if asked; can speak clearly and thoughtfully; will listen when spoken to; can carry out simple instructions.
He will be happier in Kindergarten if he can put on his own clothing, including his rubbers; has good toilet habits; has been taught to keep fingers and objects out of his mouth; has learned to obey; stays with relatives and friends occasionally without crying for his parents; accepts new friends.
He will fit more readily into Kindergarten if he can share toys with other children and enjoys taking small responsibilities.
He will be healthier and stronger if he eats without being coaxed; plays out-of-doors when the weather permits; goes to bed regularly, getting twelve hours sleep each night.
You and your child will benefit if his clothing is simple and washable; labeled with his name; provided with large loops for hanging; equipped with pockets; roomy enough to be put on and taken off easily.
All children should be taught to carry and use a handkerchief, and to cross streets carefully.
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
You can help by providing in the family: trips to parks, farms, train stations, airports, fire stations; pleasant experiences with suit- able stories read aloud; attentive listening to his experiences; an- swers to his questions.
Have you told him that school is a wonderful place to be? Is he looking forward to it with pleasure? If so, his chances for happier and more effective school experiences are much better.
WHAT YOUR CHILD WILL DO IN KINDERGARTEN
It looks like Play It's really Work .
Painting-Using bright colors to create satisfying symbols all his own, with movement of arms, wrists, hands and fingers can be a joyous experience.
Story Telling-Relating what has happened at home ... the new baby, the picture he has painted, something constructed, the new car, a visit to a relative, a ride on the train.
Dancing and Singing-Hopping, skipping, and running in rhythm . dancing like whirling leaves, or gliding like an airplane . .. singing of falling snow and growing things.
Looking at Books-Turning pages, looking at brightly colored pic- tures, telling others about them, making up stories about them, and showing others what is interesting or funny.
Building with Blocks-The building in which Daddy works, the bridge over the river, the fire station, the garage, the house . . . all the things they have found interesting.
Listening to Stories-Teacher reads from a book, other pupils tell of their activities, teacher tells about her vacation . .. all like to talk, and all learn to listen.
Sharing Playthings-Taking turns with toys and games, with scis- sors and paste brush, letting others play and cut ... understanding how a group can have fun and get things done too.
Cutting and Pasting-Scrap books, illustrations for a story, pictures for a bulletin board display, decorations and designs appropriate for holidays ... creating in the third dimension.
Going on Trips-Visiting a fire station, a post office, the grocery store, a farm, a boat in the harbor, the train station, the animals at the park ... even the neighbor's goat!
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
WHAT KINDERGARTEN WILL DO FOR YOUR CHILD
.
It looks like Play It's really Work .
Writing Skills-Working with paints and crayons is relaxing and gives the thrill of accomplishment as well as providing practice in the use of hand and arm muscles.
Language Skills-Speaking before a class, giving a recitation or a report, is sometimes difficult, especially for shy children. Telling stories helps overcome this.
Reading, Social Skills - Doing things with others, in harmony, where the help of all is necessary. Using words clearly to express thoughts, with good pronunciation of words.
Interest in Books-Books become interesting, friendly things, and words in print tell a story teacher will read, making books and read- ing very desirable.
Broadening of Interests-Knowledge of the world is necessary for reading with understanding. Working together with teacher's en- couragement helps make learning fun.
Listening Skills-Listening isn't easy for an age characterized by activity, but listening and thinking are necessary for getting mean- ing from the sounds of words.
Social Skills-At home, playthings are mine-in school, ours ... It's a hard lesson, but a necessary one for school and for living with others pleasantly.
Writing Skills-Cutting on a line is hard ... Keeping paste within bounds takes terrific concentration . .. small hands and young muscles need training and development for pens.
Reading Skills-Children need to see for themselves, to touch, to hear, to smell . . . he builds understanding, and understanding plus a book makes reading a wonderful experience.
Your Child's Health is Very Important: Before starting school, it is wise to: see that good health and eating habits have been formed; have the child examined by your physician and dentist; provide protection against diphtheria, whooping cough, and tetanus; (a booster shot is recommended before entrance to Kindergarten).
At all times, you should be on the lookout for the following symptoms: cough or cold, running nose, fever, earache (or dis- charging ears), rash, conjunctivitis (inflamed eyes), nausea, vom- iting, swollen glands, ringworm. If these symptoms occur you should
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
keep the child at home, calling the family physician. (You will want other parents to do this to prevent your child from becoming ill; you will want to do your part to keep illness from spreading to others.)
The school nurse makes regular visits to the school to examine children whose condition warrants it; may visit you to discuss the child's health and his needs; will help you to secure proper treat- ment through advice and information; is a friendly person, anxious to maintain high standards of health.
In school your child will be observed by the teacher and the school nurse; given first aid treatment in case of accident or illness (you will always be called if he needs to be sent home); examined by the school physician in Kindergarten; examined by the school dentist in grades 1, 2, 3; given a vision test each year, and a hearing test every year (if defects are found, you will be notified so that you may consult your doctor or dentist).
We hope you will visit the school when notified that health examinations are to be given and help in every way to keep your child and others in the best health possible.
YOU AND THE SCHOOL
School and Home Together-When your child enters school, his teacher takes your place. It is very important to the child to feel that the teacher is a wise and competent person whom you trust. Never let the child feel that you don't approve of anything the teacher does or says. If you think the teacher is doing or saying things that keep your child from growing in the best possible man- ner, find an opportunity to talk with her personally. It may be that the child is misinterpreting something the teacher says. It has hap- pened, you know!
The Telephone-The school office will always take care of an emergency telephone call, but would like to have the cooperation of parents in avoiding calls like "Please tell Johnny to go to his aunt's this afternoon; I have to go down town." However, please do use the phone to make an appointment to come and visit.
Please Excuse-The habit of being on time, and of being regu- lar in attendance, can mean much to the child, so you won't, of course, keep him out unnecessarily, or make him late; it's a good idea to get him accustomed to taking an excuse, and one is required in kindergarten after absence. If he has been ill, please state type of illness.
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
Visiting the School-Classrooms are always open to parents, who are invited to come for individual conferences with teacher and principal. Of course, teachers are not free to talk with parents during the school day; they must not leave their classes unattended. Please call the principal to make an appointment, for much more satisfactory work will result if pupils feel that home and school are in harmony. As a parent, you know much more about your child than the teacher can learn in a few hours each day. Your talking with the teacher may be just the help she needs in understanding your child. Visit as frequently as you feel the need.
The Parent-Teacher Association: Parents of children entering school for the first time will find this organization a valuable medium of exchange between parents and teachers. Both groups work together not only for local projects, such as dancing classes or scout troops, but also for broader objectives on a national scale af- fecting the health and welfare of all children.
The monthly meetings offer programs which aid in under- standing the development of children, and provide opportunities for friendly, informal sociability between parents and teachers.
Dues are fifty cents a year, and fathers are strongly encouraged to attend, as well as mothers. In many schools, your child will bring home notices of meetings, and your attendance will please your child, since those present are counted room by room. The children are proud to be able to say that their room had the most parents present.
Adjustment of Parents and of Children
Entrance into school will be a new and strange experience for many children. Not all children will make the adjustment from home to school easily because of differences in temperament, atti- tude, and previous experience. If your child has been helped to look forward to school as a place where he will find new and interesting experiences he will be more likely to make a good adjustment.
Children who have been accustomed to playing with brothers, sisters, or neighborhood friends, will be more likely to adjust to a school group than children who have associated mainly with adults.
The child who has developed confidence in his ability to take care of himself will feel more secure than the child who doubts his own ability. Encourage independence and self-reliance in your child.
A child's work in school is important to him. Show an interest in the things he brings home from school. It means much to him.
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
Information about Busses
Parents are asked to consult with the principals, Mr. Abbott and Mr. Graves, regarding school busses, and bus schedules. Parents are urged to impress their children with the need for safety on school busses.
TO PARENTS
Due to recent outstanding incidents of child molestation, we have now become more aware of this problem. Parents, teachers and policemen must work together if boys and girls are to be protected from child molesters. This is what you - a parent - can do to help:
Discuss the matter calmly with your child. Be sure that he has been instructed what to do if he is approached; such as:
1. Refuse to get into a stranger's car or to go anywhere with him, and get away as fast as possible.
2. Report the incident to you, his teacher, or the police.
3. If possible, get descriptions of the car and the person. These should be reported to the police.
If you, yourself, see anyone acting suspiciously around a play- ground, or near children anywhere, don't become upset. Observe him so that you can identify him later. Get his automobile license number if you can, then notify the authorities. Cooperate with Po- lice and School Officials in every way you can.
Don'ts for School Children
DON'T ever get into an automobile with a stranger. Don't even go near the car.
DON'T allow a stranger to pick you up or touch you.
DON'T take candy or money or presents from a stranger.
DON'T go into a stranger's home or workshop or room.
DON'T let anyone fuss with your clothes.
DON'T go away from the playground or school with any stranger.
Please instruct your child accordingly.
Safety Education
Safety education should aim to develop independent, respon- sible actions on the part of your child, as well as provide for his immediate protection. He should be instructed in the following:
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
I Personal Knowledge
A. He should know and be able to tell distinctly
1. His own name, father's and mother's
2. Street and house number
3. Telephone number
B. He should know how his parents may be reached in an emergency.
II At School
A. In the Building
1. Use all schoolroom materials and equipment properly
2. Conduct self in orderly manner in corridors, on stair- ways and in toilets
3. Use care at drinking fountains
B. On the Playground
1. Keep grounds safe for play by removing harmful ob- jects
2. Do not run out into the street after balls
3. Do not throw snowballs on playground or to and from school
4. Do not bring to school articles which may cause accidents
5. Avoid strenuous play - younger children frequently try to compete with older children and fail to realize that they cannot play as hard as older children. Sometimes they get hurt.
III In the Community
A. Respect for Authority.
1. Respect for, and confidence in police
2. Regard rights of others, don't push in crowds, etc.
B. On the Street
1. Do not loiter on the way home
2. Obey traffic officer's signals promptly
3. Walk between white lines when crossing over to the other side
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
4. Stop and look in both directions for passing cars when an officer is not on duty
5. Take care of younger children
6. Walk on sidewalks
7. Do not run from behind parked cars
8. Do not ask for, nor accept, rides from strangers.
Physical Examinations
Before entering school, your child should have a physical and dental examination and any defects found should be corrected if possible in order that the child enter school in the best physical condition attainable. Such untreated handicaps can seriously retard mental and social development.
The periodic health examination of each school child by the school physician is a "screening" examination to find signs of trou- ble that might not have been recognized before. Lack of time pre- vents complete study of each child. Where serious defect is found, the child should be taken to the doctor of the family's choice, or to a clinic, for more adequate diagnosis, and for treatment. The school physician also examines children sent to him by teachers or the school nurse, for special attention.
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
WHERE SHALL WE HOUSE OUR CHILDREN? The fol- lowing table illustrates the housing problem which confronts your Superintendent of Schools and School Committee:
ENROLLMENT:
Grades
1951-1952
1957-1958
1963-1964
K
129
230
290
1
127
240
300
2
140
230
300
3
129
220
300
4
130
220
300
5
97
220
300
6
85
215
300
Sp
16
14
30
Total, Elem.
853
1589
2120
7
115
175
290
8
74
155
275
9
68
150
275
Total, Junior High
257
480
840
10
63
150
255
11
55
95
240
12
55
80
180
Total, Senior High
173
325
675
GRAND TOTAL
1283
2394
3635
In six years from 1951 to 1957 our total enrollment will have doubled. In twelve years it will have trebled. A simple rule of thumb for housing elementary pupils is to place 30 pupils in a room. Thus, in 1951 we needed 28 elementary rooms. In 1957 we shall need 53 rooms and in 1963 we shall need 70 rooms. In 1951 we had 28 elementary rooms (Jenkins School had been closed perma- nently). Today we will have 60 elementary rooms when Wampatuck School is completed.
To further complicate the problem of housing is the high school situation. With our 1953 addition and the Administration Building, we can accommodate 600 pupils. Today we have 684. Next fall we shall have 705. By 1963-1964 we shall have 1515. Because high schools' schedules are set up by subjects, not by rooms, some subjects such as French III and Latin III, Solid Geometry
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
and Trigonometry have small enrollments, often as few as 6 or 7 pupils. Hence, one cannot place 30 pupils in each high school room, nor can one drop subjects which are essential to college entrance.
Of course, we can place 35 in each elementary room, and then we need fewer rooms, but the quality of instruction lessens in direct proportion to the increase in class enrollment. Remember that to achieve an average of 35 to an elementary room means that some classes must have 40. The National Education Association, basing its recommendation on statistics, states that classes should never exceed 25, particularly in the primary grades.
In Scituate we aim at 30, but we do not hit that target. Many grades, including the first, now have as many as 38 to a room.
It is easy to say, "Why not put exactly 35 in every room?" Pupils live in various parts of the Town. It is not so simple to arrange transportation, room size (two rooms in Hatherly cannot accommodate more than 25!) , and parental desires so that we have the same number of pupils in all the rooms.
But to return to the table above. Between 1951 and 1957 our elementary enrollment jumped 736. Between 1957 and 1963 we expect it to jump another 531, and between 1951 and 1963 we expect a total jump of 1267 - and remember that in 1951 we had only 853 in our elementary grades!
Junior High School figures and Senior High figures are even more startling. Between 1951 and 1957 in Junior High increase has been 223 and Senior High increase 153. Between 1957 and 1963 we expect another increase of 360 in the Junior High School and 350 in the Senior High School. Between 1951 and 1963 the Junior High School will jump 583 (enrollment in 1951 was only 257!), and Senior High School will move a total of 502 (enrollment 1951 was 173) upwards.
The total school enrollment will leap upwards from 1283 in 1951 to 2394 in 1957 (it is 2126 this year), to 3635 in 1963! Remem- ber, too, that all predictions on Scituate's school enrollment, includ- ing those made by the School Building Assistance Commission, have always been low.
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