USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Mattapoisett > Town annual report of the officers of Mattapoisett, Mass 1958 > Part 7
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Receipts from Town of Marion
$6,775.00
Receipts from Town of Mattapoisett
6,766.66
Receipts from Town of Rochester
3,125.00
$16,666.66
Payable by the Town of Marion
$3,387.50
Payable by the Town of Mattapoisett
3,383.34
Payable by the Town of Rochester
1,562.50
8,333.34
$25,000.00
Paid on the order of this Committee
9,367.68
Balance on hand or due from the member towns
$15,632.32
190
Payments on order of this Committee: 1958
July 5 F. S. Brightman Co., Office supplies $ 13.25
Corse & Tibbetts, Surveys, plans, boring data, school site 1,850.00
J. A. Hagen & Co., Reimbursement for telephone charges and office supplies 41.00
J. A. Hagen & Co., Reimbursement for printing service 25.00
Alfred L. Humphrey, Treasurer's Bond
25.00
Barbara H. Macy, Reimbursement for keys and expense of attending meeting Smith Office Equip. Co., Inc., Office supplies 18.20
Aug. 18 Comm. Mass., Bureau of Acct., Cash book 11.39
Bristol Co. Blue Print Co., Typing of 12 pages of Minutes 10.00
30 Gilbert D. Bristol, Jr., First of 24-payment contract 187.50
Oct. 6 Smith Office Equip. Co., Inc., D-29-H. C. Insulated legal file 254.00
Smith Office Equip. Co., Inc., Folders for file 19.77
J. A. Hagen & Co., Reimbursement for telephone charges 76.45
Gilbert D. Bristol, Jr., Payment on contract 187.50
11 Gilbert D. Bristol, Jr., Payment on contract 187.50
Corse & Tibbetts, Survey of school site Corse & Tibbetts, Topo. survey of school site, plotting, drafting, prints, etc. 1,360.00
878.00
20 Gilbert D. Bristol, Jr., Payment on contract Dennis Mahoney & Sons, Rental of office bldg., 3 mos. 75.00
187.50
Ropes, Gray, Best, Coolidge and Rugg, Professional service 439.36
Brownell, Sherman & Whittier, Examination of land titles 746.33
Nov. 3 Gilbert D. Bristol, Jr., Payment on contract 187.50
Victoria Kern, Salary 109.32
17 Victoria Kern, Salary Gilbert D. Bristol, Jr., Payment on contract John L. Carlos, Electrical work in Supt's. office
109.32
187.50
25.13
20 Hartley Saw Mills Co., Option on land for school site 68.00
5.50
191
Acushnet Saw Mills Co., Inc., Option on land for school site 150.00
Dec. 2 Gilbert D. Bristol, Jr., Payment on contract 187.50
Victoria Kern, Salary 109.32
Dennis Mahoney & Sons, Fuel oil
41.25
Eugene F. Phelan, Real estate appraisal
545.00
The Postmaster, Matta., Stamps
10.00
Robert N. Flanders, Jr., Painting inside Supt.'s office
365.17
Bristol Co. Blue Print Co., Typing of Minutes
21.00
N. E. Tel. & Tel. Co., Service
59.78
15 Gilbert D. Bristol, Jr., Payment on contract Victoria Kern, Salary 109.32
187.50
31 Gilbert D. Bristol, Jr., Payment on contract Victoria Kern, Salary
187.50
109.32
*$9,367.68
* This balance includes these accounts payable : To the Collector of Internal Revenue, $67.00; and to the Treasurer of Plymouth County, $32.25. The total of these accounts payable at the striking of this bal- ance is $99.25.
The 1958 charge of $25,000. assessed to the mem- ber towns of this school district is computed as pro- vided in Section IV D of "Agreement Among the Towns of Marion, Mattapoisett, and Rochester, With Respect to the Formation of a Regional School District".
Town
% of Total Total Charge
Town's Share
Marion
40.65% of $25,000. = $10,162.50
Mattapoisett
40.60% of $25,000.
10,150.00
Rochester
18.75% of $25,000. = 4,687.50
Total charge
$25,000.00
Respectfully submitted,
PAUL M. GIBBS,
Treasurer
TOWN OF MATTAPOISETT SCHOOL REPORT 1958
School Committee
WALTER E. LONGMORE, Chairman Term expires 1959
LENORA P. DeCOFFE, Secretary Term expires 1961
RICHARD B. YOUNG Term expires 1960
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS GILBERT D. BRISTOL, JR. Office: Church Street, Mattapoisett Telephone SK 8-2772
Residence : Converse Road, Marion
School Calendar
1958-59 Weeks Open
Close Days
First Term 17 Wed., Sept. 3
Tues., Dec. 23 74
Second Term 7 Mon., Jan. 5 Fri., Feb. 20 35
Third Term 7 Mon., Mar. 2 Fri., Apr. 17 34
Fourth Term 8 Mon., Apr. 27
Wed., June 17 38
39
182
1959-60 Weeks Open
Close Days
First Term 16 Wed., Sept. 9
Wed., Dec. 23 71
Second Term 7 Mon., Jan. 4
Fri., Feb. 19 35
Third Term 7 Mon., Feb. 29
Thurs., Apr 14 34
Fourth Term 9 Mon., Apr. 25
Wed., June 22 42
39
182
There will be no school on the following days which occur during the scheduled terms of 1959:
Friday, March 27-Good Friday
Monday, October 12-Columbus Day
Friday, October 23-Plymouth County Teachers' Association Convention
Wednesday, November 11-Veterans' Day
Thursday and Friday, November 26 and 27- Thanksgiving Recess from noon Wednesday, November 25
NO-SCHOOL SIGNAL
Two Long Blasts on Fire Siren at 7:00 a.m. This signal indicates no school for all day.
It is the policy of the School Committee to order the no-school signal only in the most severe weather conditions or when the transportation service is inter- rupted. When school is held in inclement weather, parents are expected to use their own judgment in sending children to school.
The no-school announcement will be broadcast by radio stations WNBH, WBSM and WBZ.
Report of the School Committee
To the Citizens of the Town of Mattapoisett:
The School Committee of Mattapoisett presents for your approval a report of progress for the year ending on December 31, 1958.
Enrollment of young persons attending schools at public expense was recorded to be 620 pupils on Octo- ber 1, 1958. Of the aforementioned total number of pupils, 340 were enrolled in the grades one through six, and 154 were recorded on the attendance registers of the grades seven, eight and nine in Center School, making the total enrollment of the latter school, 494 pupils. In the grades ten, eleven, and twelve there was an enrollment of 126 pupils of which 103 students at- tended the Fairhaven High School, and 23 youngsters have been learning trades in vocational schools.
Some anxiety exists among the members of your school committee concerning a notice from the School Committee of Fairhaven that after September, 1960, no more Mattapoisett pupils will be permitted to en- roll in the Fairhaven High School. This notice was reported in last year's Town Report, and we wish to state that further correspondence with the School Com- mittee of Fairhaven has failed to produce any guaran- tee of an extension of time for acceptance of our children into high school grades ten, eleven, and twelve after September, 1960.
Mr. Ralph C. Glidden, Jr., Superintendent- Principal of Center School, resigned effective on July 15, 1958, to accept the position of union superinten- dent of schools in the towns of Bolton, Carlisle, Har- vard, and Stow.
Following Mr. Glidden's resignation, Mr. Joseph A. Kobak, Jr., formerly assistant principal here, was
195
elected to the position of principal of the Center School, effective on August 1, 1958.
It was during the months of July and August, 1958, that local school committee members who were mem- bers of the regional district school committee began to think in terms of the desirability of a three-town union of the elementary schools of Marion, Mattapoisett and Rochester to coordinate with the regional junior-senior high school district voted by the towns. Arguments which proposed the hiring of an education consultant to the regional district school committee, who would be the superintendent of schools for the member towns, gained in favor, and negotiations to effect this plan were started.
Subsequently, the School Committees of Marion and Mattapoisett petitioned the Commissioner of Edu- cation and requested his approval of the formation of a new school union. On August 1, 1958, upon the recom- mendation of the Commissioner of Education, Dr. Owen B. Kiernan, the State Advisory Board of Education ap- proved the formation of a school union between Marion and Mattapoisett, with the proviso that the School Com- mittee of Rochester be permitted to join this newly approved school union on July 1, 1959.
After the approval of a new school union for the aforementioned three towns, the local school commit- tees and the regional district school committee agreed upon a procedure of seeking candidates for the super- intendency, examining their credentials and qualifica- tions, and interviewing those applicants who met with the approval of a sub-committee.
The sub-committee upon selection of applicants for the post of union superintendent of schools and edu- cation consultant to the regional school committee in- terviewed a large number of school administrators. A small number of "finalists" were chosen as candidates
196
to appear before the fifteen members who constituted the school committee of the region and member towns.
As a result of the examination of candidates and committee deliberations, Mr. Gilbert D. Bristol, Jr., Superintendent of Schools to the Town of Abington for the past ten years, was elected to the post of union superintendent of schools and education consultant to the regional district school committee here, effective on August 15, 1958.
We wish to report that Principal Kobak and Super- intendent Bristol have shown promise as excellent school administrators during the short time we have been working with them, and your school committee looks forward to efficient and effective school admin- istration in the months ahead.
The office of the union and regional school dis- tricts has been installed in the Old Post Office Building on Church Street, this town, where Mrs. Victoria Kern, formerly secretary to the superintendent of schools, in Marion, is performing the clerical duties.
The School Committee of Mattapoisett has entered into a new school administrative unit with the thought that by working together in a somewhat larger school system we should ultimately produce a better correla- ted program of grades one through twelve education to serve the children of our town.
Our appreciation and sincere thanks are expressed to all those who have assisted us in the solution of problems we have encountered during the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
WALTER E. LONGMORE, Chairman LENORA P. DeCOFFE, Secretary RICHARD B. YOUNG*
School Committee of Mattapoisett
* Chairman of School Superintendency Union 55. Annual meeting on Thursday, April 2, 1959.
Report of the Superintendent of Schools
To the School Committee and
Citizens of the Town of Mattapoisett
Because of the absorbing nature of the duties and time limitations imposed by the organization of a new union and regional school district, I know that I have been dilatory in the common courtesy of expressing to you a sincere "thank you" for my election to the post of superintendent of schools here. For your ever- present friendliness, cooperation, and guidance, I am sincerely grateful. I am deeply impressed by the high ideals of local persons who are serving upon your school committee and, consequently, by the possibility of effecting continued improvements in resources for the education of children residing in this community. It is a source of great personal satisfaction to have been chosen to lead the public school systems of three com- munities which are so highly regarded throughout the Commonwealth.
My professional colleagues George R. Austin. Superintendent of Schools in Carver, Lakeville, and Rochester; Robert B. Patch, formerly Superintendent of Schools, Marion; and Ralph C. Glidden, formerly Superintendent of Schools, Mattapoisett, deserve the highest commendation for their advice and painstaking assistance to the local and regional school committees, making possible the organization of this wholly new school administrative unit prior to the election of a new superintendent of schools.
You will understand that since I have been your superintendent of schools for but four months at the
198
writing of this annual report, my statements will, of necessity, be in prospect rather than in retrospect. I do, therefore, pledge to you the best program of edu- cation that I can administer with your support.
We, the people who staff your schools, intend to initiate a coordinated program of education that shall assist each pupil to attain the highest achievement of which he is capable in each of the subjects taught in the grades one through twelve. Of course, the in- dividual who possesses a fitting and proper education for life as a citizen of the United States of America should have something more than the sum total of his learning in individual subjects. He should exhibit some ability to think independently in the analysis and solu- tion of a problem, to exercise sound judgment in pro- moting his own and the common welfare, and to find happiness in some enjoyment of the highest arts per- petuated by mankind. Because in the schools we are concerned with a young person's formal education, we believe that the public schools should foster that kind of education which is the best guarantee of successful self-education in subsequent years. In education, as in other facets of life, one has to set his "sights" upon a definite target and we are, in summary committed to the idea of a high quality of pupil achievement in fundamental subject matter which is taught within the framework of a program of education designed to pro- duce morally good American citizens.
It has been aptly stated, I believe that "few schools rise above the level of what is expected of them by their communities". To me this implies that citizens who expect a high quality of performance by the school must endeavor to supply moral and physical support to achieve the high goals desired in the schooling of our young people. I have the utmost confidence in the ability of your principal, supervisors, teachers, school
199
committee and superintendent of schools to produce the kind of school program that shall allow each in- dividual to develop to the full extent of his mental potentialities, but community support for this program must be produced before and not after its' accomplish- ment.
Upon my shoulders rests the responsibility for whatever is produced by this public school system from the time of my election to office until my resignation from it. Working with the staff of the schools, I shall endeavor to foster, in the words of the Report of the Harvard Committee (1945), "a system which shall be as fair to the fast as to the slow, to the hand-minded as to the book-minded, but which, while meeting the separate needs of each, shall yet foster that fellow feeling between human being and human being which is the deepest root of democracy".
A public school system's power adequately to cope with the teaching task confronting it is almost wholly dependent upon competent personnel, a proper- ly planned program, and a well-equipped school plant of sufficient size to accommodate the number and grades of pupils to be educated.
I have long held the belief that, in general, we have accomplished excellent results in the teaching of children within the average range of intelligence, al- though ample evidence has been accumulated to show that much learning could be gained in a few youngsters of average and above average intelligence if it were possible to place them for short periods of time in small classes organized for developmental instruction in such subjects as reading, arithmetic, and spelling. State legislation appears to have provided amply for children who possess less than average mental ability. Therefore, if the foregoing statements are correct, I am led to the conclusion that the children of above
200
average and superior mental potentialities are the ones who have suffered most from a lack of special atten- tion.
Our program of testing mental ability and subject achievement must provide for an early identification of academically talented pupils and care must be exer- cised to make certain that their choice of subjects properly fits their plans for education and vocation in the future.
Our regional district school committee has labored long hours and has conscientiously examined the dis- trict's need for a program of education and a school building to serve the developing requirements of the pupils enrolled in the grades seven through twelve of Marion, Mattapoisett, and Rochester. At the writing of this report, the aforementioned committee has recommended a program of education and plans for a school building designed for about 800 students. The projected program of pupil testing, counseling, and guidance in the proposed regional high school must be extended to serve the grades one through six in the district elementary schools. I am rather emphatic about this extension of guidance service to the lower grades because it is in them that we must first identify the mental ability and other talents of the pupil, deter- mine whether or not he is achieving to the full extent of his capacity, and schedule a program of studies to fit his developing requirements for education.
Although we envision an excellent program of education and school buildings adequate to house such, the key to the door of enlightenment remains selection and retention of persons who can teach effectively. There can be no compromise in any phase of the pro- gram of finding, securing for these schools, and retain- ing dedicated teachers here. Apparently there is no end in sight to the struggle involved in finding and maintaining a good staff of teachers. The new minimum
201
salary for teachers in the Commonwealth is $3,600.00 (Chap. 645, Acts of 1958). Commissioner of Education, Owen B. Kiernan, has stated that "it is reassuring to know that the General Court of Massachusetts is aware of serious recruitment problems facing school systems and accordingly adjusted the minimum salary. A majority of our School Committees, however, cognizant of these salary needs provided for higher minima and authorized schedules which are approaching competi- tive levels in sister states. This most assuredly is a step in the right direction." Locally, we have been most conservative in determining the new salary schedule for teachers with the minimum at $3,600.00 (the state requirement) and annual salary increments of $150.00. Many communities have adopted annual salary incre- ments of $200.00 and a few have been increased to $300.00. When viewed from the stand of Massachu- setts' antiquated method of assessing most school costs upon local real estate, our conservatism regarding salary increases for teachers is laudable, but when viewed by the other superintendent of schools who is hunting for teachers, it appears that we are fair game for a depleted staff of teachers this year.
Since early last autumn, the Massachusetts De- partment of Education has been working on a state plan by which local towns may take advantage of "The Na- tional Defense Education Act". The school committee has allocated a small sum of money in the 1959 school budget to match local funds with federal funds under the provisions of Public Law 85-864. Over the four year life of this law, it is anticipated that local pro- grams should be improved substantially in mathema- tics, science, modern foreign languages and pupil guidance.
I have been deeply impressed by the care and interest with which local and regional school com- mittees have organized a single administrative unit to
202
serve the Old Rochester Regional School District and Massachusetts Superintendency Union Number 55. The regional school district is the organization of the grades seven through twelve and the superintendency union constitutes the administrative unit of grades one through six in the towns of Marion, Mattapoisett and Rochester.
By the choice of a single superintendent of schools whose function is to administer both the school region and the superintendency union, it is my belief that the member towns have taken the first step toward a better coordinated program in the grades one through twelve.
To all who are concerned, I pledge my best effort toward efficient administration of schools in the mem- ber towns.
Respectfully submitted,
GILBERT D. BRISTOL, JR.
Superintendent of Schools
Report of School Nurse
1957 -1958
To the Superintendent of Schools:
The report of school nursing for 1958 is submitted herewith.
Regular school visits 87
Classroom inspections 30
Conferences with Teachers 22
Conferences with parents
26
Professional treatments 199
Massachusetts Vision tests were given to every pupil with twenty-six failing to pass the test. Twenty- two of these have had treatment.
Pure-Tone hearing tests were given to all pupils, with six failing to pass the test. All have been to a physician.
Vision and hearing tests were given in May and June to the class entering in September. Two vision and one hearing failure were found.
Three clinics for inoculation with diphtheria, whooping cough and tetanus were held in March, April and June. Five children were given the three doses and sixteen pre-school and forty-one school chil- dren were given booster doses.
Dental clinics were held at the Center School un- der the auspices of the Board of Health. The dental work is summarized as follows.
Clinics
Children treated
8
56
Fillings 50
204
Extractions Cleanings Other treatments
26
6
10
Respectfully submitted,
GRACE N. DECOSTA, R.N.,
School Nurse
Attendance Report
1957 -1958
Grades
Teacher
Total
Membership
Average
Membership
Average
Attendance
Percent of
Attendance
Tardiness
1 Clara D. Morgan
33
30
27
89.81
9
1 Elinor L. Martin
34
28
25
90.14
16
2 Sally S. Borden
30
27
24
90.52
28
2 Sylvia B. Cosman
26
23
21
92.07
17
3 M. Ruth Schofield
32
28
26
91.58
28
3 Rheta T. Tuttle
28
28
25
91.00
9
4
J. Maurice Berard
34
32
30
92.65
14
4 Christine R. Ford
34
32
30
92.69
8
5 Elizabeth Cushman
31
29
27
92.78
9
5 Gladys Charest
29
26
24
94.18
4
6
Winifred G. Blethen
32
31
29
93.17
4
6
Robert K. MacLauchlin 33
29
27
92.55
28
7
Mary B. Tinkham
23
22
20
94.92
13
7 Constance Duplaise
24
24
23
97.45
6
8 Joseph A. Kobak, Jr.
30
30
28
93.48
16
8 Lynwood W. Sutcliffe
31
29
27
94.06
3
9 Lucy E. Agnalt
23
23
22
94.23
27
9 Marjorie R. Root
22
21
20
94.52
17
Totals
529
492 455
92.88 256
Age and Grade Table
October 1, 1958
Age
Grade
Total
1 2 3
4
5 6 7 8 9
5
11
11
6
41
8
49
7
3
41
14
58
8
4
35
3
42
9
7
44
15
66
10
1
7
43
13
64
11
10
27
19
56
12
1 11
32
11
55
13
1
4
29
10
44
14
1
7
39
47
15
2
7
9
16
Total
55
53
57
54.69
52
56
49
56 501
Boys
32
25
31
29
38
29
37
27
27 275
Girls
23
28
26
25
31
23
19
22
29 226
Registration of Minors
October 1, 1958
Age Group
5-7
7-16
Total
Boys
52
270
322
Girls
57
238
295
Total
109
508
617
Distribution
Public Schools
61
476
537
Private Schools
14
23
37
Vocational Schools
7
7
Home Permits
Institutions
1
1
Segregansett
-
1
1
Not Enrolled
33
1
34
109
508
617
-
-
-
-
SCHOOL AGE
Children may enter the first grade if they are five years and eight months of age on or before September 1 of the current school year. Consequently children will be admitted to the first grade in September 1959 if born on or before January 1, 1954. Certificates of birth and vaccination, required at time of entrance, will be returned to the parents.
Parents desiring to enter children in the school for the first time should register them at the School on May 8 or August 28.
208
All children must attend school between the ages of 7 and 16. Certain exceptions may be made by written permission of the Superintendent of Schools for children who have reached the age of 14.
EMPLOYMENT OF MINORS UNDER 18
Educational certificates are required for all per- sons under 18 who are employed in manufacturing, mechanical, mercantile, and certain other establish- ments, and in certain trades. These certificates may be obtained at the office of the Superintendent of Schools or the School Principal. The minor must appear in person and should present a birth certificate. If the minor is between the ages of 14 and 16 and the employ- ment involves leaving school, permission must be ob- tained from the Superintendent of Schools personally.
List of School Personnel
Degree, College
Mattapoisett Service to June 1959 1
Gilbert D. Bristol, Jr.
M.S., Univ. Mass.
Superintendent
Victoria S. Kern
1
Secretary
Joseph A. Kobak, Jr. B.A., Univ. Mass. 4
Principal M.Ed. Bridgewater
Dolores K. Kelley School Clerk
1
Teachers (Elementary)
Jean M. Berard
B.A. Providence College 2
Winifred G. Blethen
B.A. Wheaton 8
Sally S. Borden
B.S. Baldwin-Wallace 2
Gladys I. Charest
E. Miss. Jr.
2
Elizabeth Cushman
B. Ed. Keene, N. H.
16
Christine R. Ford
Bridgewater 11
Elinor L. Martin
Wheelock 5
Clara D. Morgan
B.S. Worcester 13
M. Ed. Boston Univ.
M. Ruth Schofield
B.S. Bridgewater 12
Rheta T. Tuttle
B.S. Bridgewater 5
Marilyn Wilks
B.S. Wheelock 1
Donald Wormwood
B.S. Bridgewater
1
M.A. Boston Univ.
Junior High School
Lucy E. Agnalt
B.A. Pembroke 11
Joseph Flynn
B.A. Providence College 1
Eugene Kennedy
B.S. Bridgewater 3
Marjorie R. Root
B.S. Bridgewater 16
Barbara Staron
B.S. New Bedford Textile 1
Mary B. Tinkham
B.A. Boston Univ. 4
210
Supervisors and Special Teachers Degree, College Mattapoisett Service to June 1959
Helen O. Winslow
N. E. Conservatory
8
Supervisor of Vocal Music
Erma A. Stonehill B.M. Northwestern Univ. 4
Supervisor of Instrumental Music
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