USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Town annual report of the officers of the town of Plymouth, Massachusetts for the year ending 1959 > Part 47
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There are so many individual credits to staff members that are deserving of your attention that one approaches the task with an understanding that many of our worthy accomplishments must remain unsung. It has been pleas- antly simple to observe the great pride which our entire school has felt in the athletic successes which have been achieved by our boys and girls in their various intra-school competitions. There are no words to properly describe the achievements of our boys' teams. Our weekly newspaper and our local radio station have kept you fully acquainted with a story of success that is difficult to equal.
A special word of thanks to Mr. James Connell, local insurance executive, who has so willingly assisted our
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Business Education department in their efforts to have our young people better understand the advantages that are available to them in our business community. It is sincerely hoped that Mr. Connell's activity here is but an opening of a door that has too long seemed closed.
Particular pleasure has been found in our ability to re-introduce Music into our curriculum. Because of the late appointment of our music teacher, it was not possible to schedule classes in this field except for Grade 7. It is hoped that more of his time will be made available to us next year in order that this wonderful enrichment may be made available to all students.
Our annual publication, The Junior Journal, is a source for the employment of many student talents. It is our wish that you might share our understanding and ap- preciation of the many honest efforts that are displayed here. This year's student editors are enjoying experiences in leadership that will certainly prove of great value to their personal development and to the pride and pleasure which all of us will share in the enjoyment of this finest- of-all student creations.
In conclusion, may I suggest with all due humility that this year, even as in the years that have preceded, your Junior High School has found itself facing increas- ingly complex problems squarely. Mr. Mugford's passing leaves us with a distinct understanding of our great de- privation. We seek your understanding of the seriousness with which we view our tasks, and we offer you the very simple promise of continued service of a most able staff of wonderfully sincere faculty members.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM J. GAULT, JR.
Acting Principal
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ANNUAL REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF GUIDANCE
The function of the Guidance Department in the Plymouth school system is to serve as an adjunct to the instructional and administrative activities of the educa- tional structure. Our guidance program is geared to the development of individual potentialities, thus our goal is to satisfy the vocational, educational, and psychological need of all pupils in the school organization.
In the elementary schools, scholastic ability and achievement tests are administered and the results are recorded in each pupil's cumulative record folder. These results serve the dual purpose of measuring and compar- ing level of ability with level of achievement, and of pro- viding a guide in determining pupils' grade placement. Last spring the Director of Guidance, the two Junior High School counselors and Mr. Mugford, principal of the Junior High School, visited all of the elementary schools to con- duct orientation meetings with the sixth graders. After a description of the program and activities of the Junior High School, there was a question and answer period which gave the sixth graders an opportunity to gain information which hopefully will make for a smoother and easier transition from the grade school to the Junior High School.
The greater part of guidance counselors' time is de- voted to counseling with individual students. At the Junior High School level these conferences involve such matters as grade placement, transfers, school work (including de- ficiencies or failing marks), course selection, Career Book information, personal and social problems.
Testing is an integral part of the guidance program in the Junior High School. Results of the N.E.D.T. (National Educational Development Test) and of the Science Re- search Achievement Tests serve as tools in the counselors'
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appraisals of students in conferences between guidance staff members and pupils, parents, teachers, administra- tors and referral agencies. At a Parents' Night, part of the meeting was devoted to an explanation and discussion of the testing program.
In both the Junior and the Senior High Schools we have continued to expand the vocational information files which are available to all students. In connection with oc- cupational counseling, mention should be made of the serv- ices offered by members of the Plymouth Rotary Club. Rotarians in various classifications have signified their willingness to consult with students interested in learning more about the profession or vocation they represent.
In the Senior High School the guidance staff ad- ministered the following testing programs : National Merit Test (for juniors), P.S.A.T. (Preliminary Scholastic Apti- tude Test, a "practice" test for juniors and seniors in prep- aration for the College Board S.A.T.) and the annual battery of tests for sophomores. This battery consists of tests covering school ability, occupational interest, read- ing ability, clerical aptitude and spatial relationships. This year we added a test in English expression to the battery. As before, the counselors discuss and interpret the results of these tests, and provide each student with a copy thereof. The Guidance Department, in cooperation with the English Department, made arrangements for the ad- ministration of Reading Comprehension and Listening Comprehension tests to college preparatory juniors and seniors for the purpose of appraising the effectiveness of the Harvard series of reading films.
As in the Junior High School, the majority of the guidance staff's time is spent in counseling with students individually. Last year the Guidance Department initiated a program wherein individual conferences were held with every sophomore and junior to plan and project the aca- demic program of studies through the senior year. Services
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rendered by the counselors cover such areas as job surveys and placement, military service information, guidance con- cerning post-secondary school selection, application, and financial aid, and counseling relative to personal, social, and school problems.
In view of the expanding numbers seeking admission to four-year colleges, junior colleges, business and voca- tional schools, a Parents' Night was held for college bound students and their parents in the fall. The purpose of the meeting was to explain the procedures and problems attendant to preparation, entrance requirements, selection and entrance examinations for post-secondary schools.
A statistical survey of the class of 1961 reveals the following figures:
80 or 52% went on to school or college 12 or 8% went into office work 21 or 14% took other employment 3 or 2% married 27 or 17% went into the armed services
11 or 7% were undecided
Of the 52% who entered post-secondary school, the breakdown is as follows :
34 or 22% - 4-year colleges 7 or 4.6% - 2-year junior colleges
13 or 8% - business schools 9 or 6% - technical schools
5 or 3% - hairdressing schools 4 or 2.6% - Preparatory schools 1 or .7% - Professional nursing schools
5 or 3% - practical nursing schools 2 or 1% - high school postgraduate
By all indications, the class of 1962 will have a higher percentage of graduates entering four-year colleges, junior colleges and other post-secondary schools.
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No guidance department could function without the assistance and cooperation of the administrative staff, principals, teachers, nurses, clerks and custodial staff ; the Guidance Department appreciates and acknowledges this help with thanks. By the same token we are grateful for the services rendered by agencies outside the school, such as the Judge Stone Child Guidance Center, the S.P.C.C. and the Massachusetts Division of Employment Security.
Every member of the guidance staff is taking or recently has taken graduate course work to increase pro- fessional competence, and each counselor continues to at- tend meetings and conferences to expand understandings and skills in the field of guidance counseling. As Director of Guidance, I wish to express thanks to my staff for their sincere effort and devotion to their profession.
Respectfully submitted,
EDWIN E. CALVIN,
Director of Guidance
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REPORT OF SUPERVISOR OF ATTENDANCE Clarence H. Murphy, Supervisor
Sickness
Truancy
Other
Total
Elementary Schools
47
14
11
72
Junior High School
139
72
43
254
Senior High School
38
21
32
91
Total Cases Investigated
417
Employment certificates returned 81
Total calls concerning investigations, employment certificates and night visits with parents re : truancy or behavoir problems
1342
EMPLOYMENT OF MINORS
1958
1959
1960
1961
Certificates to minors 14-16 years 24
36
20
20
Certificates to minors 16-18 years 108
152
171
105
132
188
191
125
SCHOOL CENSUS, OCTOBER 1, 1961
Persons 5 to 7 years
Males 265 1173
Females 262 1165
Totals 527
Persons 7 to 16 years
2338
Totals
1438
1427
2865
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SCHOOL ENROLLMENT - DECEMBER 1961
ELEMENTARY GRADES
JUNIOR HIGH
SENIOR HIGH
1 2
3
4
5 6 S.C.
7
8
9
10
11
12 Total
Senior High
224
155 138 517
Junior High
31
256 263 254
804
Hedge
35
26
24
30
27
27
34
26
25
31
28
24
337
22
Cornish-Burton
22
23
26
269
Oak Street
24
22
46
Cold Spring
35
32
33
29
30
28
13
33
32
33
30
35
25
17
405
Mount Pleasant
25
32
21
33
26
28
165
Manomet
(7
12)
34
33
39
29
28
33
215
TOTALS
293
242 223 235 206
194
75
256 263 254 224 155 138 2758
22
27
25
27
32
29
14
Grade groups enclosed in parentheses are taught by one teacher.
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REPORT OF THE MUSIC SUPERVISOR
1961 has been a year of healthy growth in the musical development of the boys and girls in the elementary grades of the Plymouth schools. In our classrooms there has been fuller use of all phases of the music program, especially of the record library which is beginning to take shape in each school.
Approximately 50 children have participated in the string program of the elementary grades. Their work made possible an orchestra group in each building con- taining 5th and 6th grades. In June, the most advanced players from these groups formed an all-elementary school orchestra which played at the Spring Musical, pre- sented in Memorial Hall. The beginners' violin classes also took part in this Musical.
Another outgrowth of the string program was the Plymouth Youth Orchestra, which, too, participated in the Spring Musical. This 20-piece orchestra was com- posed largely of junior and senior high school pupils, who met weekly with me in late afternoon.
It has been gratifying to have a young man, who began his "'cello study in the elementary schools" string program, the recipient of a scholarship from the Plym- outh Philharmonic Orchestra. For the second year, Daniel Ellis of Manomet is receiving this scholarship, enabling him to study 'cello with an excellent private teacher.
The glee clubs of the elementary schools also par- ticipated in the Spring Musical at Memorial Hall, as well as in numerous programs within their own schools.
In September a new music book was introduced into third grade. It is based on the concept of providing a well rounded music program for the children, and is prov- ing a source of inspiration to both pupils and teachers.
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It has necessitated some changes in the course of study in music for the elementary grades, which course has been in the process of formation and revision throughout the past three years.
In the spring at the urgent request of members of the 1961 high school graduating class, I met weekly after school with a volunteer group of about 40 of its members to assist them with music for their graduation exercises.
It is especially pleasing to find so many parents showing interest in their children's musical progress. Besides the goodly number of boys and girls who are tak- ing advantage of the programs of instrumental instruc- tion in the elementary grades, many children are taking instrumental lessons from private teachers. This private instruction is most valuable in the child's musical growth, and also helps to raise the level of all group performance.
We are glad to find a large number of our boys and girls using their music in the community organizations to which they belong, as well as in their homes. We hope that their number will increase, as we work toward our goal of "Music for every child; every child for music."
Respectfully submitted,
GRACE M. MESERVE
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ELEMENTARY PHYSICAL EDUCATION REPORT
During the past ten years there has been increasing concern over the physical well being of the people in the United States. There has also been a great deal of pres- sure put on the youth of this country concerning their physical fitness. This year we have started on the road to achieving one of the main objectives in the program of elementary physical education in Plymouth and that is to start a physical fitness program.
During the last week in September, we administered the President's suggested minimum fitness test which his council on youth fitness has devised. Three test items composed the whole test; pull-ups for arm and shoulder strength, sit-ups for flexibility and abdominal strength, and squat thrusts for agility. This being a minimum test the boys had to do only one pull-up, 14 sit-ups, and 4 squat thrusts in ten seconds while the girls had to do 8 pull-ups of a modified version, 10 sit-ups, and three squat thrusts in ten seconds. If the participant failed any one of the test items, they would fail the whole test.
During the first test 890 pupils from the five Plym- outh elementary schools ranging from the third grade to the sixth grade were tested. The number of failures was very high, 38% to be exact. After an eight week period a second test was administered in which 860 pupils were tested. There were 25.1% failures which was a drop of 12.9%. The greatest amount of failures occurred in the area of strength, and the boys, because of the more difficult pull-ups, had the greatest number of failures.
This minimum test proves that we must place more stress into the development of the upper body segments. The test itself is unimportant unless we do something about the lack of fitness in our youth. The Plymouth School Board has made it possible for the children to have a ten-minute exercise period each day. This ten-
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minute exercise period administered daily along with the supervised recess period and the regular weekly physical education class is a good start for reducing the number of physically unfit youth of Plymouth.
Respectfully submitted,
ROBERT D. HASELTON
ANNUAL REPORT OF ORAL HYGIENE-DENTAL CLINICS
January 1961 - December 1961
I herewith submit my report for the year 1961:
It is hoped that the high standards of the dental department in the Plymouth Public Schools may serve to inspire the pupils to study dentistry or follow careers allied to dentistry.
In the fall the School Dentists examined 2,513 pupils from the Elementary-Senior High School. 1,140 pupils were found to have all needed corrections made, and many others were found to be receiving dental care at this time.
The parents were notified as to the results.
We have recommended more study hours in Nutrition in the Junior and Senior High Schools.
There were 209 Pre-school examinations made by the School Dentists in conjunction with the medical ex- aminations in May with the parents present.
92 Children needed no attention
115 Children have a family dentist
40 Children to dentist
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Percentage of Dental Corrections
Pupils examined Grades 1-6 in fall of 1960 1,262 Pupils with all needed corrections made .... 649
Results of these examinations as of June 1961
Follow-up Program in Elementary Schools
Oak Street School 92%
Grade I had 100% in dental corrections
(Pupils with dental certificates)
Cold Spring School 68%
Cornish-Burton School
71%
Hedge School 59%
Manomet School
58%
Mt. Pleasant School 81%
All pupils in Grades 1-6 were given the opportunity to have a dental prophylaxis (cleaning of teeth), a total of 1,010 were completed by the Dental Hygienist.
Good dental health habits learned in childhood will prevent many serious troubles in later life.
A Three Point Plan for Good Dental Health:
1. A well-balanced diet that cuts sweets to a min- imum.
2. Correct tooth brushing right after eating, when impossible to brush rinse the mouth with water.
3. Regular check-ups with the dentist. Special emphasis was given to the educational pro- gram during Children's Dental Health Week in February.
Dental Clinic
This year to help facilitate our dental needs, we have a reconditioned Ritter dental unit, to replace the out- moded one at the Bradford Building, also, the dental cabi-
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net has been refinished. A new S. S. white portable dental chair that is of great service to the dentists in making the examinations in the schools where no dental chair is available.
Clinic sessions (reparative work and examinations) .... 80 Completed cases at Clinic 62
Fillings in six-year Molars (Permanent teeth) 65
Extractions
Temporary (Baby teeth) 91
Permanent (Special Class pupils-2, Grade II-2) 4 Treatments (Including X-ray) 134
Amounts received for clinical services rendered :
Fees returned to the Town:
For tooth brushes sold $103.94
For dental prophylaxis 99.60
For filling and extractions
13.00
Total $216.54
The Dentists again recommend that the Board of Health and other health offices encourage the use of fluoridated water in the Town, as a means to help prevent dental decay in the children's teeth.
I wish to thank the people with whom I work for the fine cooperation given me.
School Dentists
WILLIAM O. DYER, D.M.D. FRANCIS C. ORTOLANI, D.M.D., F.A.C.D.
Respectfully submitted,
JANE B. BRADFORD,
Dental Hygienist
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ANNUAL REPORT OF THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
The reports of the elementary school principals, Mrs. Elouise Cashin, Mr. George Hesse, Mrs. Helen Manchester, Mr. George Theodoras, and Mrs. Eleanor White are sum- marized belów.
To relieve the large numbers in grade one in the Hedge and Cold Spring Schools in September, certain first, second, third, and fourth grade pupils from Carver Road, South Pond Road, and Sandwich Street were transferred to the Cornish School where an additional first grade was set up. Even so, first grade classes at Hedge and Cold Spring Schools are in the middle thirties, about ten pupils more than is considered desirable for one teacher. Over- crowded classrooms at the Manomet School necessitated the assigning of an additional teacher to relieve the teacher load.
During the past year special emphasis has been placed on raising the scholastic and physical standards of achievement in all areas of the elementary grades. A strong phonics program - the Hay-Wingo Phonetic System - has been added to the regular reading pro- gram. Participation in the Television Educational Pro- grams is enriching the music program in second grades, the science in grades one, two, and six, and has added conversational French to the curriculum in grades four, five, and some sixths. Teachers of these grades are at- tending a monthly French Workshop conducted in Plym- outh by a member of Channel 2's educational staff. The Audubon course was taught in grades five; free instru- mental instruction continued for pupils in grades four, five, and six ; a course in the use of the library was taught to some sixth grades by Plymouth Public Library librar- ians ; and home instruction was made available to children
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so physically or mentally handicapped that school at- tendance was impossible. Field trips undertaken by ele- mentary pupils during the year were many and varied, but always an integral part of the curriculum.
New equipment was provided as needed in the various schools. The film library was expanded to include films suitable for primary grades and more filmstrips were pur- chased for each elementary school.
A new homework policy for elementary pupils was put into effect. Pupils in grades four, five, and six are assigned one home lesson a day and homework is recom- mended for pupils in the primary grades as individually needed.
The revised Metropolitan Achievement Tests were administered in grades one through six and the results showed that Plymouth elementary children are achieving well above the national norms in all areas.
The Kuhlmann-Anderson Intelligence Tests were used in grades one, three, and five and Stanford Binet and Wechsler Tests of Intelligence were given individually by the school psychologist to pupils whose group scores were questioned and to pupils whose achievement appeared above or below their mental ages or grade levels. Special Class pupils are given individual tests at least once every two years. Some provision for gifted pupils has been made in each of the elementary schools - acceleration in some cases; enrichment and advanced work in others.
The visiting psychologist from the Judge Stone Clinic continued his services to Plymouth teachers and a part- time speech therapist was employed by the School Depart- ment.
P.T.A. units have been active in each of the elemen- tary schools and have been most generous with their time and gifts.
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Services and activities in which pupils and teachers have participated during the year include enrollment in the Red Cross Association; clothing collections for "Save the Children" campaign; school insurance; and a weekly thrift program.
Elementary teachers have cooperated with the State College by accepting students in their classes for prac- tice teaching.
A thorough and careful school census was conducted with the elementary principals directing the program in their respective areas.
Principals and their staffs have begun organizing plans and procedures to be followed in their schools in the event of an emergency alert.
The entire elementary school personnel is now en- gaged in evaluating the elementary schools. The Elemen- tary School Evaluative Criteria prepared by Dr. Baker of Boston University is being used to make this evalua- tion. All areas are being studied - the curriculum, the school plant, the guidance and library services, and the teaching and administrative personnel. Recommendations for improving our elementary schools will evolve from this study.
The elementary school principals respectfully recom- mend that
1. specially trained remedial reading teachers be em- ployed by the school system.
2. a supervisor for the teaching of French be em- ployed by the School Department.
3. at all grade levels, particularly at the primary, class enrollments not exceed twenty-five pupils.
4. pupils in grades one, for at least the first two weeks of school, attend morning sessions only.
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5. changes be made in the curriculum as recom- mended by the Evaluation Study.
6. the school day be lengthened by thirty minutes, preferably in the morning.
7. the following programs be continued:
a. the development of school libraries
b. bringing old equipment up-to-date
c. purchase of films and filmstrips for elementary schools
8. parking spaces for school employees be provided where needed.
PERSONNEL CHANGES
Name
Position
Years Served in Plymouth
Allaire, Mrs. Pasqua Lena
Phys. Ed., Jr .- Sr. High Girls
4
Resigned
Brown, Mrs. Margaret E.
Art, Junior-Senior High
22
Retired
Busi, Mrs. Jane C.
Grade 1, Hedge School
7
Resigned
Callahan, Paul R.
Grade 5, Manomet School
1
Resigned
Christie, Margaret L.
Grade 2, Cold Spring School
46
Retired
Griffith, Marilyn
English IV, English II, Speech Arts, Senior High
2
Resigned
Hathaway, Leona A.
Grade 1, Hedge School
8
Retired
Holmes, Mrs. Jeanette M.
Grade 2, Cornish-Burton School
8
Retired
Jansen, Walter E.
English II, Senior High School
1
Resigned
Kazarian, Armand H.
Social Studies, Junior High School
2
Resigned
Loukas, Victor N.
Civics, Juinor High School
3
Resigned
Ludington, Mrs. Maxine
Grade 4, Cold Spring School
19
Retired
Maglia, Salvatore
Science, Senior High School
2 mos.
Resigned
McLaughlin, Mrs. Kathryn
Grade 2, Cornish-Burton School
1
Resigned
Mee, Mrs. Rosemary
English, Junior High School
1
Resigned
Pauzé, G. Roger
Special Classes, Junior High School
1
Resigned
Pontes, George
English & Literature, Junior High School
1
Resigned
Quintiliani, Carmen J.
Grade 6, Cornish-Burton School
5 mos.
Resigned
Sarson, John A.
Gen. Math & Science, Junior High School
4
Resigned
Wilson, Donald G.
Guidance & Psych., Senior High School
8
Resigned
Wood, Elizabeth A.
Grade 6, Cornish-Burton School
2
Resigned
Young, Claiborne H.
Biology, Senior High School
17
Retired
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PLYMOUTH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT INSTRUCTIONAL PERSONNEL
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Name
Degrees
Position
Education
Date Service Began
Lawrence M. Bongiovanni
B.S., M.Ed., M.A.
Principal
Boston U., M'dlebury Coll.
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