USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of the officers and committees of the town of Scituate 1958-1960 > Part 26
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Mrs. Mary Ann Hermance, A.B. from Bates College, practice teaching in second grade at Washburn School, Auburn, Maine, to teach Grade 2, Jenkins School.
John R. Kessinger, B.S. from Boston State Teachers College, sixth grade teacher at Huntington School, Brockton, since 1955, to teach Grade 6, Wampatuck School.
Leo M. King, A.B. from Tufts University, fifth grade teacher in Somerville since 1957, to teach Grade 6, Wampatuck School.
Miss Cecilia A. Letorney, B.S. from Suffolk University, student teaching in grade 3 at Ripley Road School, Cohasset, to teach Grade 1, Wampatuck School.
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
George D. McPhail, B.S. from Gorham State Teachers College, former teacher of science at Potter Academy, Sebago, Maine, Eng- lish and social studies at Westbrook Junior High School, Westbrook, Maine, principal and teacher of Grade 6 at Rocky Hill School, Westbrook, Maine, principal of Phippsburg Elementary School, Phippsburg, Maine, to teach Grade 6, Jenkins School.
Mrs. Carol Sandblom, B.S. from Wheelock College, kinder- garten teacher in Norwood 1959, to teach Grade 2, Central School.
Walter G. Sims, Jr., B.S. from Fitchburg State Teachers College, M.Ed. from Boston University, since 1958 sixth grade teacher in Mansfield, to teach Grade 6, Wampatuck School.
Mrs. Joan Stefenhagens, A.B. from Boston University, second grade teacher in Marshfield since 1956, to teach Grade 3, Central School.
RETIREMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS
Edward K. Chace, Superintendent of Scituate Schools since 1951, resigned to accept the superintendency in Moorestown, New Jersey.
Herschel G. Benson, Director of Athletics since 1952, resigned June 30, 1959 to become Director of Physical Education in Mascon- omet Regional School District, Topsfield.
Stuart E. Crapser, assistant principal and biology teacher in the high school, resigned at the close of school, 1959 to accept the principalship of an elementary-junior high school in East Long- meadow.
Miss Mary R. Agnew, first grade teacher, resigned at the close of June 1959 to teach in Germany with the U. S. Army.
Richard E. Cobleigh, fifth grade teacher, resigned effective close of school 1959 to accept principalship in Connecticut.
Mrs. Marjorie S. Cooper, first grade teacher, resigned June 30, 1959 to teach in Weston.
Mrs. Patricia E. Crisp, kindergarten teacher, resigned June 30, 1959 because of moving out of state.
Robert E. Deakin, sixth grade teacher, resigned effective June 30, 1959.
Miss Sally M. Donovan, English and social studies teacher in the high school, resigned at the close of school 1959 to be married.
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
Miss Bessie M. Dudley, English teacher in the high school since 1921, retired June 30, 1959.
Mrs. Mary Heffernan, kindergarten teacher, resigned in June to teach in Hingham.
Miss Ann Louise Hoar, Speech Therapist, resigned June 30, 1959 to accept full time position in Cohasset.
Russell E. Kidd, physical education teacher in junior-senior high school, resigned at the end of the 1958-1959 school year to teach in Canton.
Mrs. Florence O'Hern, kindergarten teacher, resigned at the close of June 1959 to teach in Hingham.
Edmund A. Peratta, English and social studies teacher in the high school, resigned June 30, 1959 to leave the teaching profession.
Miss Sandra L. Poole, art teacher in the elementary schools, re- signed effective June 30, 1959.
Edward Elliott Small, mathematics teacher in the high school, resigned at the close of school 1959 to teach in Acton.
Miss Jean M. Weldon, art teacher in the elementary schools, re- signed effective June 30, 1959.
Peter C. Wilcox, sixth grade teacher, resigned at the close of school 1959 to teach in Turkey.
Mrs. Elizabeth Davis, teachers' aide, resigned June 1959 be- cause the position was discontinued.
Miss Nancy S. Little, music teacher in the elementary schools, resigned October 2, 1959, to be married.
John A. Cogswell, custodian in the high school, retired Feb- ruary 27, 1959.
Thomas F. Woods, custodian in the high school, resigned May 1,1959.
LEAVES OF ABSENCE
Mrs. Barbara Sargent, sixth grade teacher.
Mrs. Madeline Vickery, second grade teacher.
Mrs. Jean Strzelecki, secretary in the high school.
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
DECEASED
Miss Eleanor Gile, Librarian in the high school, English and history teacher in the high school from 1938 to 1954 when she be- came librarian, passed away December 24, 1959.
REPORT OF INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT - HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
It has been a most rewarding experience professionally to have acted as Superintendent of Schools in Scituate the past few months.
From the close association with the School Committee I have been deeply impressed with its awareness of the problems confront- ing school systems today, nationally and locally.
There is no complacency in the earnest efforts of the School Committee to improve our schools, to adapt them to the complex changing patterns of modern society, to procure and retain compe- tent teachers.
Many Scituate residents were plagued by nostalgic twinges dur- ing the razing of the Hatherly School. The younger generation is anticipating entering the new high school in September 1960. School housing is one of the ever-present school problems.
It is essential that a spirit of mutual confidence exist between the home and the school. Much more is expected, much more is de- manded of students than was formerly. To aid the young people attain these expectancies is the function of the home and school. The ultimate responsibility rests in the parents. Are we as par- ents increasingly expecting the schools to assume more and more of ; the fundamental responsibilities - for example in the areas of good grooming, driving cars, respect for authority?
The principals in each of the schools are eager to talk with par- ents or to arrange conferences between the teachers and parents. Call the school and make an appointment.
After a study of the program by teachers and administrators Scituate will participate in TV's 21-inch Classroom. This coming July and August it is planned to have a self-sustaining summer school. Enrichment courses and remedial courses will be offered depending on the needs.
This year algebra was offered in grade eight. Advanced classes in English and Physics are being held after school. Students par-
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
ticipating receive no formal credits for these courses but receive a great deal of personal benefit.
Last year's Science Fair was a great success. We hope this year's will be even better.
Scituate High School athletic teams have been good representa- tives of our school and have had their share of victories in inter- scholastic competition. Scituate has an athletic program that offers an opportunity to practically every boy and girl to participate in some area of athletics.
The Student Council has been a most active and valuable agency in the school. The Key Club, Future Teachers, Future Nurses, Librarians, Junior Classical League, Senior Girls Boosters have functioned well as extra-curricular activities. The Chimes and Scituation received much praise for 1959 issues.
Miss Bessie Dudley retired after 38 years of service at Scituate High School. She was a wonderful teacher and friend to all.
Miss Eleanor Gile died during the Christmas holiday after a long illness. As a teacher, later as school librarian, she contributed much to Scituate. Her loss is great.
The Class of 1959 was the first at Scituate to have an outdoor commencement. We hope to hold this year's graduation exercises on Lawson Common and be blessed with the same weather conditions as last.
Excerpts from the reports of elementary principals, supervisors and special teachers follow.
EDWARD L. STEWART, Principal
CENTRAL SCHOOL
Once again this year, realizing that closer ties must be made and held between the home and school, Central School has been open one night a month so that parents might have conferences with the teachers. This makes it possible for all parents to have at least one and usually more than one conference with the teachers during the school year.
Under the new plan for P.T.A. units in Scituate, the Central School P.T.A. was formed this year. Greater interest in school affairs has developed from this plan.
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
Central School held its first Science Fair last April. All grades took part in this Fair. It was a tremendous success with both parents and pupils. Hundreds came to see the exhibits. A Science Fair for the 1959-60 school year is being planned for March.
T. E. ABBOTT, Principal
JENKINS SCHOOL
The pupil transfer to Jenkins School from September 1959 to January 1960 showed an over-all increase in pupil enrollment of twenty-eight children. This additional increase of pupils has filled all of the prior existing classroom space in Jenkins School.
Testing programs of achievement and mental maturity have been continued to facilitate our placement of pupils. This past year the Stanford Achievement Test and the Kuhlmann-Anderson Test were given as group tests.
Monthly meetings between parents and teachers called the "Evening In" program were instituted to share and compare observa- tions regarding pupil progress. This has been a successful step in understanding children by both parents and teachers.
GUIDO J. RISI, Principal
WAMPATUCK SCHOOL
. : : A testing program in achievement and mental maturity has been carried on as usual, with the only change being the use of Kuhl- mann-Anderson tests in place of the California Mental Maturity tests.ยป
During the school year, pageants and plays under the direction of the classroom teachers and the music department were presented for the appropriate holidays.
This year we had two more rooms equipped with venetian blinds which greatly increased the facilities for use of our audio- visual equipment.
With the break-through of the road to the school from Ermine Road, we have been able to ease our bus transportation from past years when 80% of our pupils were transported. This figure has dropped to 71%.
JOSEPH C. DRISCOLL, Principal
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
GUIDANCE
During the past year the Guidance program has continued its general policies of testing, student conferences, educational guid- ance, placement, and occupational information.
Testing in the system is constantly being revised in order to have well-validated tests, adapted for the best use of teachers and princi- pals. Academic ability tests are administered at the end of the second, fifth, and eighth grades as well as at least one in the high school. Achievement tests are given at the end of the year to all grades. The Cooperative and California tests are given in the junior and senior high, the Stanford, Metropolitan, and S.R.A. in the elementary. All juniors took the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude test of the College Board in October. Seniors and juniors took the National Merit Scholarship examinations as well as the regular College Boards. The General Aptitude Testing Battery of the United States Employment service was administered to seniors who do not plan to go to college.
The college preparatory group is becoming increasingly higher. The geographical distribution of colleges continues to broaden as applications to the competitive colleges steadily increase. In the last three years Scituate has had students enrolled in a degree pro- gram at over sixty different colleges which included: Archbishop Cushing, Bates, Boston College, Boston University, Bowling Green, Bowdoin, Bridgewater, Brown, Connecticut, Cornell, Delaware, Dickinson, Franklin & Marshall, Framingham, Goucher, Florida, Harvard, High Point, Hobart, Illinois, Lesley, Lowell Tech, Maine, Maine Maritime, Massachusetts, Massachusetts Maritime, Miami, M.I.T., Michigan, Middlebury, Mt. Holyoke, Nasson, New Hamp- shire, Nichols, Northeastern, Norwich, Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania State University, Regis, Ricker, Roanoke, Rhode Island School of Design, Rollins, Russell Sage,, Simmons, Skidmore, St. Anselms, St. Lawrence, St. Michaels, Stonehill, Swarthmore, Syracuse, Trinity [Washington], Tufts, U. S. Coast Guard Academy, U. S. Military Academy, U. S. Naval Academy, Vermont, Wheelock, Williams, and Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
Two year specialized schools include: Green Mountain, Colby Jr., Vermont Jr., Westbrook, Mt. Ida, Endicott, Dean, Comptometer School, Fisher, Chandler, Pierce, Lasell, Leland Powers, Wentworth, Franklin, Wilfred, and East Coast Aero Tech. :
: Schools of Nursing represented include: Quincy, Mass. Gen- eral, Newton-Wellesley, Mass. Memorial, Faulkner, New England?
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
Deaconess, Worcester, Mt. Auburn, St. Elizabeth's, Catherine La- boure, and Children's.
During the year all of the Armed Forces present programs to boys and girls not going to college and explain collegiate programs to those who are. Representatives of Boston business establishments are in contact with the school in regard to students planning to enter work upon graduation.
The Guidance services have been expanded in the elementary schools during the past year in that increased individual intelli- gence testing has been made possible. At the request of teachers and principals, Stanford-Binet and Wechsler-Bellevue tests are admin- istered to children who may benefit from an individual test. Seventy- two such tests have been given since the beginning of the present school year. A case report is written on each child to help teachers toward a better understanding of the child's strengths and weak- nesses.
Dr. Vernon Drehmel, consulting psychologist, and Mr. Charles Munson, consulting psychometrist, both of the Quincy Child Guid- ance Center, spend every Friday morning in the schools and are available at that time for consultation with teachers concerning children with emotional problems arising in the class-room.
Mrs. Coleman, Miss Murphy, and Mr. Finnegan have been as- sisting in the Guidance program along with their class-room duties. Mrs. Coleman has been doing the individual testing in the elemen- tary schools, as well as assisting in the high school. Miss Murphy has been working with Grade 8 and Mr. Finnegan with Grade 7.
S. J. Tilden, Director
READING
Grouping of our children according to reading abilities places much emphasis on our reading program. Through our reading program, a language-arts curriculum should develop for a better correlation of subject matter and continuity.
We have come a long way, but we still realize that constant social changes bring about emphasis on different areas. We, as ad- ministrators, must always keep before us the realization that we must educate each child, we must do what we consider will be of greatest benefit for each child. We cannot lose sight of our goals.
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
Grouping our children according to reading needs has helped each child progress as his capabilities have allowed.
Mrs. Elaine Allan has joined the Reading Department and she is able to take some of our children who do need remedial teaching. More time is needed and can be taken care of through added help.
Our phonics program of last year has been continued with the work being more of a supervisory nature now.
Our school population has grown and with this growth has come added responsibilities to teacher and administration. We must hold onto what is good of the old. We cannot be afraid to try some- thing new and we must keep our eyes set always on the goal ahead - motivation, challenge and success for all our students.
Gertrude L. Russell, Coordinator of Reading
0- -
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
New activities have been added to the Physical Education Pro- gram which we hope will better enable it to meet the physical and social needs of the students. We hope to set up a curriculum which will be a progression of skills from grade one through grade twelve.
From the findings of our physical fitness tests for the previous year, more time is being spent on calisthenics and corrective exer- cises in the Junior-Senior High program. Although our students compare well with the national averages, we feel it is of great benefit to the student to build up physical strength, agility and co-ordina- tion. Not as much time can be spent with individual students on Corrective exercises as is needed because of some larger classes re- sulting from double sessions.
We have added tennis and golf to the physical education pro- gram for boys this year with the hope the students will continue with them as a means of exercise and recreation in later years.
Our Athletic program is one of the most encompassing for our size school in the area. We offer two fall activities for boys and one for girls; three winter activities for boys and one for girls; three spring activities for boys and two for girls. There is a large turnout for all sports showing the interest and the need for them.
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
The intramural program is hampered by the double sessions but is operating on a limited scale. When the new high school is completed the intramural program will be more inclusive for both boys and girls during the fall, winter and spring seasons.
As in the past a word of thanks for the splendid co-operation received from the police, highway and park departments. They con- tributed greatly to the success of our interscholastic program.
Lawrence C. Keenan, Director
O-
SCHOOL PHYSICIAN
Comprehensive physical examinations have been given to pupils entering Kindergarten or grade 1, and in grades 2, 5, 7, 9, and 11, and also to those taking part in competitive athletics, and to those who had moved here from other towns during the current year. Where important defects were found the parents were advised to consult their own physician. Many members of the School Staff were also examined.
Football games here were attended so that injured players might have first aid by a doctor. I have been consulted often about pupil's illnesses and injuries received at school. Schools have been periodic- ally inspected. I have assisted at the polio clinics held by the Board of Health in schools.
Max D. Miles, M.D.
O-
DUTIES PERFORMED BY SCHOOL NURSES
1. Give First Aid when needed and keep daily record of treatments given.
2. Heights and weights on all pupils yearly.
3. Mass. Vision test on all pupils every year.
4. Mass. Hearing test on all pupils every year.
5. Physicals done on pupils in Grades 1-5-9, Athletic squads and pre-school yearly.
6. Keep Health records on all students.
7. Change all records to Post-index system.
8. Attend Health Meetings.
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
9. Transport ill children in emergency only.
10. Consultations with doctors, teachers and parents.
11. Check pupils after 3 day absence.
12. Check schools for Health and Sanitation.'
Ellen Meiser, R.N. Eva A. Mckeever, R.N.
ADULT EDUCATION
The Scituate Practical Arts School is once again serving the town with a variety of classes in the adult evening program .. We offer fifteen separate courses with emphasis on crafts; these courses have proven their popularity over the years. The extent and success of the program is due in large part to the excellent faculty that conducts these classes four nights each week.
An adult program, such as ours, fills a vital need in an advanced industrial society where the economic wealth of the country. has given to most of its citizens more leisure time. Since it can be said that the mark of a truly educated person is his use of leisure time, this program attempts to provide productive use of leisure time.
Though the purpose is mainly to provide useful productive opportunities to the people of Scituate, these classes also provide a valuable social outlet and promote community spirit through the genuine informal friendliness that prevails in all classes. There is also an incomparable feeling of accomplishment for the student who completes some project through the acquisition of new manual dexterity.
Any program, however, is only valuable when it fully serves the needs of the people. If this is not being done, please let your desires be known.
Edward J. Bielski, Director
MUSIC
The Music Department of the Scituate Public Schools is con- cerned first with the growth and development of the child through music and second with the growth and development of the musical organizations through the child.
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
Students in grades 1 through 6 receive a minimum of 20 min- utes music instruction per day through the classroom teacher and one half hour a week with the music supervisor, Miss Gertrude Reynolds in grades 4, 5, and 6, and Mr. Leonard Bearse in grades 1, 2 and 3. This instruction consists of singing, appreciation and theory, and is required of all students in these grades. Also offered as an elective is a sixth grade boys glee club, a sixth grade girls glee club, group instrumental instruction in grades four, five and six, and an elementary band.
Classroom music is continued in the Junior High grades seven and eight. The Junior High general music program consists of singing, theory and appreciation. Mr. Donald Hermance meets all seventh and eighth grade students, except those involved in accelerated courses, one period per week which is one half the State recommendation. Offered in the Junior High as electives are a glee club and band which, because of double sessions, meet outside of regular school hours.
When the student reaches high school he is no longer required to study music, but may join the High School band, orchestra, glee club or choir and through these organizations participate in local, state and New England contests and festivals.
An opportunity to perform before fellow students, teachers, parents and the general public is offered through music participa- tion. All elementary classrooms performed at Thanksgiving and Christmas assemblies. The elementary glee clubs also performed in the Thanksgiving and Christmas programs and at P.T.A. meetings. The elementary band, boys, and girls glee clubs did an outstanding job at the combined elementary and Junior High spring concert, as did the Junior High band and glee club.
The Junior High Band performed for the fifth and the sixth grades of the Jenkins and Wampatuck schools in September for the purpose of showing these students what they could look forward to if they entered the instrumental program. The Junior and Senior High organizations presented a very successful Christmas Concert and equally successful assemblies.
During the past year Scituate was represented at District, All- State and All-New England Festivals. Scituate students not only received top awards but were worthy representatives of our com- munity.
Robert E. Morrill, Director
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
ART
The Art program of Scituate in the fall of 1959 was reorganized with a staff including Mrs. Barbara Field who is teaching Art in the first to third grades, and Mrs. Alma Burden, formerly in the Junior and Senior High Schools, in the fourth to sixth grades. In Feb- ruary they will exchange classes so that not only the pupils but the classroom teachers will benefit from their varied experience.
The planned program is to stimulate and develop creative expression and true artistic enjoyment in all grades, and to have it carried over to other subjects so that the pupil is able to graphi- cally express thoughts or emotions which he is unable to do orally.
In grades one through six, the child experiments in a variety of media. Surplus scrap material and standard art material serve to help him express himself in crafts, abstract sculptural forms and pictorial representation. Group displays in the corridors and bulle- tin boards stimulate not only the pupil but encourage various grades to artistic competition and enjoyment.
The Art staff of the primary and elementary grades gave an illustrated talk to the Parent Teachers Association of the Central and Wampatuck Schools depicting the child's creative development. The exhibition clearly illustrated the independent thinking and artistic expression so carefully guided.
In the Junior High School, the Art program is geared to further develop and encourage the ideas set forth in the lower grades. Here the pupil tends to lose his independent creative expression and must be gently directed to a phase where pride in accomplish- ment is a worth-while achievement. The seventh grades work with various media in abstract design and pictorial representation. The eighth grades were reintroduced to the techniques of the brush and sponge which open the door to unlimited creative expression. Observation of detail is emphasized as well as optical changes in space.
In the Senior High School, the various classes during Art Week, November 1-8, made thirty-one posters which were displayed in libraries, banks and store windows throughout Scituate. The aim is to further develop skills and techniques in the variety of media offered at a higher level.
The Mechanical Drawing classes are working toward develop- ing precise skill which will enable them in the future to read blue prints in the trades, or introduce them to the fundamental principals of engineering.
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