USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Town annual report of the officers of the town of Plymouth, Massachusetts for the year ending 1959 > Part 46
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14 Giovanni Alberghini, Plymouth
81
11
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14 Della M. Laubinger (Seekins), Plymouth
69
4
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14 Mary A. Leonard, Plymouth
92
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15 Blanche E. Parker (Perrault), Plymouth
75
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17 Charles H. Erickson, Plymouth
84
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13 David J. Morin, Plymouth
19 Harold S. Damon, Plymouth
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21 Ovila Dragon, Plymouth
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21 Thomas Groetzinger, Plymouth
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Grace C. Lahey (Weston), Plymouth .
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Pompeu G. Victoria, Brockton
64
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23 James Shaw, Plymouth
63
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25 Aniello Ingenito, Plymouth
65
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27 Fetal Death
29 Erminia Tassinari (Borgatti), Plymouth
76
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31 Kathrine J. Curry (Mahoney), Plymouth
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31 Louisa Venturi (Zanotti), Plymouth
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31 Joseph W. Wild, Plymouth
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ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
School Department
OF THE
Town of Plymouth MASSACHUSETTS
1820
S
CH
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31
1961
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REPORT OF THE PLYMOUTH-CARVER REGIONAL DISTRICT SCHOOL COMMITTEE
To the Residents of the Towns of Plymouth and Carver:
This is a report to you from the members of the Re- gional School District Committee. Much has transpired during the past year and the Committee will attempt to present a concise report of their activities.
In November 1960 the District received permission to borrow $100,000 for preliminary plans and purchase of land for a school site. Before this money could be borrowed, a hearing was held with the Emergency Finance Board at the State House. Approval was received from the Emer- gency Finance Board for the Committee to borrow this money in January.
In March the following members were elected to the Regional Committee: Dr. Samuel Stewart, Mr. David Cap- pannari, and Mrs. Adeline Keller from Plymouth and Mr. Franklin Wilbur from Carver. Appointed from their re- spective School Committees were: Mr. Erwin Washburn from Carver and Mr. Spencer Brewster and Mrs. Jane Gel- lar from Plymouth.
Many public meetings were visited by members of the Committee at which time they spoke on the proposed new High School.
At the annual Town Meeting in March, the Town Meeting Members in Plymouth and the Town of Carver approved the indebtedness of the District in the amount of $2,550,000.
Within the legal period of time required, a petition for referendum was circulated and a sufficient number of signatures was secured which required the Selectmen of the Town of Plymouth to call for an election. The election defeated the action taken previously by the Town Meeting Members.
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Under the existing statute at that time, the Commit- tee was forced to make sufficient changes in the plans to reduce the amount originally requested. Many meetings and conferences were held with the architects and the School Building Assistance Commission to revise the plans without affecting to any major degree our educational program.
In June a special Town Meeting was called and the indebtedness of the District in the amount of $2,450,000 was approved. Again, under the provisions of Chapter 283 and Section 9 an election was held in August at which time the voters confirmed the action of the Town Meeting held in June.
In October the Chairman and Superintendent ap- peared before the Emergency Finance Board and approval was given for the District to borrow $2,450,000 in the form of notes or bonds.
Also, during the month of October, the Committee advertised for bids on preliminary site work. This was awarded to the lowest bidder - Eastern Tree & Landscape Corporation of Dedham. As of February 1962, two-thirds of the preliminary site work has been completed.
In November, $2,350,000 in bonds were sold at an in- terest rate of 3.2% and a premium of 100.74. An additional $200,000 is being held by the District awaiting the actions of the Towns relative to the use of Stabilization Funds and matching funds from the Commonwealth. The Com- mittee voted to accept the recommendations of the Finance Committees of both Towns relative to the use of Stabiliza- tion Fund money. If the Stabilization Fund article is ap- proved by both Towns, the District will issue no additional bonds as indicated by the Committee in the letter of trans- mittal to both Boards of Selectmen.
This report must recognize the services of the mem- bers of the Plymouth High School Building Committee,
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the Interim Regional Committee, and the Citizens Group that have helped in advancing the project to this stage.
The Committee hopes to open bids early in April 1962 and plans to have classes begin in September 1963.
Respectfully submitted,
DR. SAMUEL STEWART, Chairman JANE GELLAR, Secretary SPENCER BREWSTER DAVID CAPPANNARI ADELINE KELLER ERWIN WASHBURN FRANKLIN WILBUR
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In Memoriam
MARGARET E. BROWN
Teacher Plymouth Junior High School 1939 - 1961
Died August 9, 1961
In Memoriam
LORING R. C. MUGFORD Principal
Plymouth Junior High School
Teacher 1940 - 1959
Principal 1959 - 1961
Died December 27, 1961
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Term Expires
Spencer H. Brewster
1962
Dr. Samuel K. Stewart
1962
Alton S. Cavicchi
1963
Mary M. Dolan
1963
Jane Gellar
1964
Harry F. Doyle
1964
ADMINISTRATION
F. Edward Nicolas, A.B., M.A., Superintendent of Schools Emmett B. Finck, B.S.Ed., Ed.M., Asst. Supt. of Schools Mrs. Elizabeth R. Beane, Secretary
Mrs. Lorraine A. Gould, Secretary
Mrs. Theresa Leonardi, Secretary (Part-time)
Mrs. Barbara S. Talbot, Secretary (Part-time) Office hours : Monday-Friday, 8:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. or by appointment Office phones : PI 6-0600 - PI 6-0619
School Physicians : Dr. Frank J. Abate, Jr. Dr. Medora V. Eastwood
School Nurse: Hilda R. Swett, Telephone PI 6-2442
Interviews arranged at School Department Office or at school buildings by appointment.
School Dentists : Dr. William O. Dyer Dr. Francis C. Ortolani
Dental Hygienist : Jane B. Bradford
Dental Clinic Office, Governor Bradford Building Telephone PI 6-1255 Supervisor of School Buildings : John J. McCarthy Telephone PI 6-0600
Supervisor of Attendance: Clarence H. Murphy
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SCHOOLS
Senior High School - Telephone PI 6-0026 Lawrence M. Bongiovanni, Principal
Junior High School - Telephone PI 6-0460 Loring R. C. Mugford, Principal
Cold Spring School - Telephone PI 6-0708 George H. Hesse, Principal
Cornish-Burton and Oak Street Schools Mrs. Eleanor L. White, Principal Cornish-Burton School - Telephone PI 6-0933 Oak Street School - Telephone PI 6-1661
Hedge School - Telephone PI 6-1140 George Theodoras, Principal
Manomet Elementary School - Telephone CA 4-3940
Mrs. Elouise E. Cashin, Principal
Mount Pleasant School - Telephone PI 6-1097 Mrs. Helen S. Manchester, Principal
SCHOOL CALENDAR 1962 - 1963
Open :
September 5, 1962
January 2, 1963 February 25, 1963
April 22, 1963
Close : December 21, 1962
February 15, 1963
April 11, 1963
June 21, 1963
School Holidays: Columbus Day, October 12; Teachers' Convention, October 26; Thanksgiving Recess, Novem- ber 22, 23; Memorial Day, May 30.
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NO-SCHOOL SIGNAL 2-2 Repeated on Fire Alarm
7:05 a.m. No School for Junior and Senior High School
8:15 a.m. No morning session for Grades 1 to 6, inclu- sive
12:15 p.m. No afternoon session for Grades 1 to 6, inclu- sive
Radio Station WPLM broadcasts no-school signals at 10- minute intervals beginning at 6:30 a.m.
Radio Station WBZ-WBZA broadcasts no-school signals shortly after 7:00 a.m.
Radio Station WEEI broadcasts no-school signals shortly after 7:00 a.m.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
REIMBURSEMENTS AND RECEIPTS
From the Commonwealth:
General aid for public schools $70,242.39
Aid for specific purposes :
Transportation
71,905.52
Vocational Tuition
830.69
Vocational Transportation 371.50
Special Classes
17,820.61
Americanization Classes
273.50
Adult Education Classes , 751.01
Tuition, State Wards 576.34
From other sources:
Miscellaneous receipts 2,400.00
$165,171.56
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EXPENDITURES
General Control
Salaries :
Superintendent
$ 9,900.00
Assistant Superintendent
3,950.04
Superintendent's Office Secretaries 10,498.98
Supervisor of Attendance
1,500.00
Supervisor of School Buildings 6,000.00
Office Supplies
886.05
Professional Books
150.32
Telephone 439.23
Traveling Expense in State
193.11
Automobile Expense
400.00
School Committee Expenses
402.20
$ 34,319.93
Expenses of Instruction
Salaries :
Principals
43,207.60
Supervisors
23,866.64
Regular Teachers
639,486.75
Guidance Personnel
25,374.96
Substitute Teachers
8,539.41
Home Teachers
257.75
Audubon Teachers
1,449.00
Summer School Teachers
1,057.00
School Secretaries
13,429.99
Evening School Personnel
598.54
Text and Reference Books
13,818.53
Stationery, Supplies, and Other
Expenses of Instruction
23,389.96
Driver Training Car Expense
402.99
Traveling Expenses of School Personnel 470.80
795,349.92
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Operation of School Plant
Salaries of Custodians
$54,914.15
Custodians' Supplies
3,145.37
Telephones
1,889.88
Truck Expense
916.86
Coal and Oil
17,685.76
Gas
1,483.62
Lights
10,317.27
$ 90,352.91
Maintenance of School Plant
Repairs and Upkeep of
Buildings
28,365.54
Replacement of Equipment
3,743.66
32,109.20
Auxiliary Agencies
Promotion of Health:
Salaries
16,683.28
Medical Supplies
234.77
Nurse's Car Expense
530.97
Mental Health Services
1,233.00
Libraries
891.10
Public School Transportation
81,689.75
Private School Transportation
6,077.00
Tuition
5,288.04
Athletic and Physical Education Expenses 4,824.27
School Lunch Expenses
750.00
High School Graduation Expenses 529.10
Salaries of Noon Supervisors
4,862.95
123,594.23
Outlay
New Equipment 3,971.07
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Vocational Education
Tuition
3,631.06
Transportation
1,850.68
Adult Education Classes
1,485.63
Americanization Classes
6,967.37 505.00
Total
$1,087,169.63
Reimbursements and Receipts,
account of schools 165,171.56
Net Expenditures for Schools, Exclusive of Building Program
$ 921,998.07
Public Law 874
Balance on Hand, January 1, 1961 $18,570.30
Amount of Grants - 1961 20,715.00
Total
$
39,285.30
Expenditures - 1961:
Tape Recorder $ 214.90
Photocopy Machine 299.10
Office Supplies 80.10
Census 160.10
Out-of-State Travel
402.52
Records for elementary school 126.92
Films and Filmstrips 2,959.13
Harvard Reading
Course 275.00
Tachistoscope
527.34
Joplin Plan at Cold Spring
441.77
Refrigerator
937.00
Hobart Mixer
1,073.50
Replacement of
window shades 201.90
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Matching fund for P.L. 85-864, Science Project No. 1176 6,010.43 13,709.71
Total Expenditures 13,709.71
Balance on Hand, December 31, 1961 $25,575.59
Public Law 85-864, Title V, Part A, Guidance
Balance on Hand, January 1, 1961 14.98
Amount of Grants 4,765.86
Total 4,780.84
Expenditures - 1961
New Equipment 1,555.42
Text and Reference
Books 160.56
Travel
96.48
Tests and Test Scoring 212.24
Total Expenditures 2,024.70
Balance on Hand, December 31, 1961
$ 2,756.14
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ANNUAL REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE AND THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the Residents of the Town of Plymouth :
I herewith submit my second annual report in co- operation with the Plymouth School Committee. This report in part will include various reports from the de- partments that are important to our school system. I recommend careful reading so that you may become better acquainted with your school system.
Since assuming the position of Superintendent, many unresolved situations have finally become realities. The passing of the school bond issue for the construction of a new four-year High School with the Town of Carver was a necessity as a forerunner in attempting to solve the many problems that are facing the Plymouth School Com- mittee. The School Committee can now actively plan for the future needs of the students in Grades 1-8.
Census
Last spring a thorough census was taken of all pre- school children. The following chart represents first grade entrants and is the result of the census:
1961 - 288 1962 - 239 1963 - 251 1964 - 266 1965- 220 1966 - 229
This is an actual census. No allowances have been made for increase or decrease of pre-school population.
Committees
There are two committees presently at work. The Manomet Study Committee under the chairmanship of Mr.
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Henry Cappella will present their findings at the annual Town Meeting in March of 1962. This Committee has worked hard and long in attempting to solve the school problems in the Manomet area.
The Renovations Committee for the Junior-Senior High School is seriously considering the many changes necessary to update and revitalize this building for use by the fifth and sixth grades and the Junior High School (grades 7 and 8). This Committee is under the chairman- ship of Miss Mary M. Dolan who is also a member of the Plymouth School Committee.
Curricula
Along with the many physical problems confronting the School Department there has been a continuous effort on the part of the administration and teaching staff to evaluate, improve, and implement changes in the curricu- lum at all levels.
Our Senior High School Science Department is cur- rently using the new materials provided by the Physical Science Study Committee and the Biological Institute. The English curriculum for the Juniors has been revised and brought up to date. This is just a very brief statement relative to the types of activity that are being carried on in our High School.
The grouping at the Junior High School has certainly allowed for a challenging experience to be offered to the students. Students at the ninth grade level are allowed to select a variety of courses, if qualified. French, Latin, Al- gebra, and Earth Science are being offered along with the required courses.
Members of the elementary teaching staff are con- ducting a self-evaluation of their schools. The results of this evaluation will be used as a basis for improving our curriculum.
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Grouping at the intermediate level in the reading area has already become a reality in one school and it is planned that in the near future this Modified Joplin Plan will be introduced into the other elementary schools in the Town. Acceleration in the self-contained classrooms is also being introduced in several of our schools.
In the spring every child in the elementary grades was administered a standardized achievement test. The results of these tests indicate that the level of academic achievements compare favorably with national norms and above average in several areas. Also, the data is being used by the teachers to help strengthen and develop the pupils to their fullest potential.
I cannot leave this section without making mention of the need for a kindergarten program for the town. This should seriously be considered if and when the facilities are available.
Personnel
Several changes have taken place during the past year. We were very fortunate in filling our vacancies with qualified individuals, but it is still difficult to secure and retain the quality of teacher we wish to have instruct our children.
The untimely passing of Mr. Loring R. C. Mugford, principal of the Junior High School, leaves our school system without the services of a highly respected edu- cator.
The sudden passing of Mrs. Margaret Brown, after a short period of retirement, was deeply felt by all who knew and associated with her for so many years.
Mr. William Gault has been appointed to the position of Acting Principal of the Junior High School for the re- mainder of the school year.
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After screening and interviewing several candidates, Mr. Emmett B. Finck, Principal of the Cold Spring School, was unanimously appointed to the position of Assistant Superintendent of Schools.
Mr. George Hesse, a teacher at the Hedge School, was appointed to the Principalship left vacant by the promo- tion of Mr. Finck.
This fall an additional clerk was added to the school staff to assist the Principals of the Manomet and Mt. Pleasant Schools. This will leave the services of these two educators available to perform the duties for which they were trained.
In the School Department Office, Miss Elinor Sander- son, a loyal and faithful member of the staff for 15 years, left to assume the position of Office Manager for a local concern. I personally wish to express my thanks to her for her capable assistance during my beginning months as Assistant Superintendent. Mrs, Barbara Talbot left to accept another position after serving the School Depart- ment for 3 years. Mrs. Lorraine Gould and Mrs. Severina Estes were appointed to fill the existing vacancies.
Retirements
After 46 years of dedicated service to the town, Miss Margaret Christie, second grade teacher at the Cold Spring School, chose to retire. Miss Christie will be missed by the members of the School Department, but she is wished much happiness in her retirement.
Mr. Claiborne Young, teacher of Biology for 17 years in Plymouth High School, retired to enjoy his leisure in his New Hampshire home. Mr. Young was a dedicated educator, and will be long remembered by the many stu- dents who enjoyed both his classes and the many extra- curricular activities for which he was responsible.
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Mrs. Maxine Ludington retired after serving 19 years in various schools of our town. Mrs. Ludington is wished many happy years of profitable leisure.
Finances
The continued rising cost of education in the Com- monwealth is of major concern to the taxpayer. The anti- quated system of support for public education in our state by which the real estate owner feels directly any increase in school cost needs to be studied and a better system of taxation for support of public education is necessary.
In a cost comparison of communities with a popula- tion of over 13,500 Plymouth ranked 40th out of 48 com- munities. The per cent given is the per cent the school tax rate is of the total tax rate.
1961 Tax Rate
Total
School
Per Cent
Rank
Auburn
$61.50
$41.00
67%
1st
Plymouth
$60.80
$22.65
37%
40th
Southbridge $82.50
$22.77
28%
48th
School Plant Improvements
The following improvements were made in the school buildings during 1961 :
Junior-Senior High School
Gutters repaired at Junior High
Playground hardtopped Exterior painted at Junior High
Fluorescent lighting installed in several classrooms
Mount Pleasant School
Fluorescent lighting installed
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Hedge School
Heating controls replaced
In conclusion, may I express my appreciation to the residents of Plymouth for the fine support given to their schools. It is only through such continued support that we can instill the democratic principles in our youth upon which the future of the country rests.
Respectfully submitted,
SPENCER H. BREWSTER, chairman JANE GELLAR, Secretary ALTON S. CAVICCHI MARY M. DOLAN HARRY F. DOYLE
SAMUEL K. STEWART, M.D. Plymouth School Committee
F. EDWARD NICOLAS
Superintendent of Schools
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ANNUAL REPORT OF THE PRINCIPAL OF THE HIGH SCHOOL
The year 1960-1961 witnessed some changes in the school which were the result of two factors - changes in personnel and the continuing process of trying to provide our students with the best possible education within the framework of existing conditions.
The limitations of the physical plant necessarily place some severe restrictions on those areas where the need for change is recognized but about which nothing can be done because of circumstances over which we exercise no con- trol. Outstanding among the needs in this category are shop and home economics facilities available on a full-time basis, expanded science laboratories and an adequate lan- guage laboratory. The faculty has labored long making plans which hopefully could be implemented before the new high school building becomes a reality. It is sad to contemplate the educational opportunities which are now being denied the students in the school. To them it is little consolation and of less value to be told that others may enjoy the opportunities at a later date.
We can, however, point to many advances which have been made at the secondary school level in recent years. They have come about because of the support given the faculty by the Superintendent and the School Committee.
From time to time the suggestion has been made that too much emphasis is placed in this school on preparation for education beyond high school. There are also those who maintain that not enough is being done for the group in question. The fact of the matter is that the percentage of students from this school who go on to further educa- tion is increasing. At the time of writing, 63% of the class which will graduate in June of 1962 are planning an education beyond secondary school. It is obvious that the educational aims of such a large percentage of our stu-
-- 140 --
dents dictate emphasis on post-secondary school prepara- tion. This is not to say that the needs of the remainder of the students can be overlooked. Every effort is being made to cater to those needs within the framework of existing possibility.
The mushrooming interest in post-secondary school education has brought with it a series of problems for students and parents alike. The school's expanded guid- ance services, evening meetings with parents of college- bound students at all grade levels, and frequent pupil-par- ent-teacher conferences are attempts to alleviate those problems. Dissemination of information about colleges is now a must since the college horizons of parents and stu- dents seldom include colleges other than those they know, either personally, or because a friend or a friend of a friend attended. Most people think in terms of the "pres- tige" colleges. The term for first and second choice col- leges is now "prestige" and "insurance" colleges. There is some correlation between prestige and quality, but the prestige current in the world of rumor is not necessarily justified by performance, it may be appropriate to one di- vision of a university but not to another. It may not have attached to a college that it should have. It may be com- pletely irrelevant to the capabilities, the interests, and the needs of a particular student. Information about these matters is of vital concern to parents and students alike.
The secondary school must know about colleges and other post-secondary schools and try to transmit that knowledge to the student and his family. The facts which must be known about a college before a decision is made include not only the knowledge that it is large or small, but also information about its elective system, honors courses, its policy with respect to athletics, fraternities, and student personnel services. All these must be con- sidered carefully before students can make wise applica- tion to schools and colleges they hope to attend.
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For the first time the school had at its disposal the services of a full-time nurse. It is impossible to estimate the benefits resulting from this service, but it would ap- pear that because of it the school is a much better place for students and faculty alike.
It is only in recent years that the public at large has come to accept the concept that a cafeteria is a most im- portant part of any educational plant. Although our cafe- teria is crowded and the area reserved for the preparation of food is inadequate and antiquated, we are fortunate in quality, quantity, and variety of food prepared by the cafeteria manager and her staff and served to some one thousand students daily of which number more than five hundred eat complete meals.
Because of the outstanding performance by the stu- dents from Plymouth High School who attended the Tufts Youth Conference in 1960, the singular achievements of the student delegate to the State House, and the work of the Student Council, the High School was extended an un- precedented second invitation to the Tufts Youth Confer- ence in 1961. For these and other activities the Secondary School Principals Association in conjunction with the State Department of Education and the Sears Roebuck Foundation singled out the school and its student council for its leadership in the field of student government.
The progress made and the honors won I consider to be a tribute to the faculty and the student body who made them possible.
Respectfully submitted,
LAWRENCE M. BONGIOVANNI
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ANNUAL REPORT OF THE PRINCIPAL OF OF THE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
May I ask that you appreciate the difficulty with which I begin this annual report of the Junior High School principal. I am entirely aware of the sense of grief which has been felt throughout our community with the passing of a long-respected and deeply loved teacher and adminis- trator, Principal Loring R. C. Mugford. He has been to all of us, students and teachers, both a true friend and a respected educational leader.
Despite our very crowded conditions, many wonderful and varied extra-curricular offerings are still entirely available to our morning-session membership and to a certain few among the Grade 7 student group. Our band has continued to provide opportunities for both sessions. The annual Band Concert and Drum Major Drill again pro- vided eloquent testimony to worthiness of this activity. We know that you were just as proud of your children in this performance as we were. We offer this in evidence to prove the wonderful possibilities of achievement which the talents of Plymouth children allow when supervision of such excellence can be provided for them.
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