USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Town annual report of the officers of the town of Plymouth, Massachusetts for the year ending 1962 > Part 21
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N. Y., Chicago & St. Louis Rwy. bonds, 3's of '86 5,083.94
Northern Pacific Rwy. bonds, 4's of '97 5,997.59
Pere Marquette Rwy. bonds, 33/8's of '80 2,982.43
Reading Co. Rwy. bonds, 31/8's of '95
5,076.63
Seaboard Airline Rwy. bonds, 3's of '80 2,987.91
Seaboard Airline Rwy. bonds, 458's of '63 4,998.43
Southern Pacific Rwy. bonds, 23/4's of '96 1,704.34
St. Louis-San Francisco Rwy. bonds, 4's of '80 1,987.36
Texas & Pacific Rwy. bonds, 41/2's of '75 4,906.88
Virginian Rwy. bonds, 3's of '95 4,057.88
Wheeling & Lake Erie Rwy. bonds, 23/4's of '74 1,990.12
American Tel. & Tel. bonds, 25/8's of '86 2,011.56
American Tel. & Tel. bonds, 23/4's of '82 2,008.93
American Tel. & Tel. bonds, 23/4's of '80 2,017.06
American Tel. & Tel. bonds, 338's of '73 2,017.96
American Tel. & Tel. bonds, 31/4's of '84 4,081.38
American Tel. & Tel. bonds, 43/s's of '85 5,053.68
American Tel. & Tel. bonds, 43/4's of '98 5,060.12
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Associated Telephone bonds, 35/8's of '81 2,034.06 Bell Tel. of Pennsylvania bonds, 43/4's of '01 5,134.21 Chesapeake & Potomac Tel. bonds, 438's of '98 5,067.43 Chesapeake & Potomac Tel. bonds, 41/8's of '93 4,752.56 General Tel. of California bonds, 41/2's of '86 5,065.40
General Tel. of California bonds, 418's of '88 5,019.19
Illinois Bell Tel. bonds, 3's of '78 2,034.60
Illinois Bell Tel. bonds, 31/s's of '84 2,853.91
Mountain States Tel. & Tel. bonds, 31/8's of '78 2,030.29 Mountain States Tel. & Tel. bonds, 31/2's of '90 5,043.96 Mountain States Tel. & Tel. bonds, 438's of '88 5,056.99 New Eng. Tel. & Tel. bonds, 3's of '82 2,041.98
New Eng. Tel. & Tel. bonds, 3's of '74 4,651.59
New Jersey Bell Tel. bonds, 31/8's of '88 4,858.35
New Jersey Bell Tel. bonds, 3's of '89 2,018.15
New York Tel. bonds, 338's of '96 4,935.74
Northwestern Bell Tel. bonds, 498's of '89 Pacific Tel. & Tel. bonds, 31/8's of '87
5,042.72
Pacific Tel. & Tel. bonds, 314's of '78
2,045.78
Pacific Tel. & Tel. bonds, 23/4's of '85
1,933.65
Pacific Tel. & Tel. bonds, 31/8's of '83
2,009.99
Pacific Tel. & Tel. bonds, 314's of '79 Southern Bell Tel. bonds, 23/4's of '85
1,921.58
Southern Bell Tel. bonds, 45/8's of '93 4.907.02
Southern Bell Tel. bonds, 438's of '01
5,143.75
Southern New Eng. Tel. bonds, 41/8's of '91 Wisconsin Tel. bonds, 41/2's of '92
5,057.72
Alabama Power bonds, 47/8's of '89
5,018.07
Alabama Power bonds, 5's of '90
4,011.56
Arkansas Power & Light bonds, 318's of '74 3,767.68 Boston Edison bonds, 45/s's of '87 6,237.29
California Elec. Power bonds, 41/2's of '88
5,075.30
California Elec. Power bonds, 35/8's of '85
4,109.10
California Oregon Power bonds, 37/8's of '86
7,826.20
Central Maine Power bonds, 33s's of '85
2,813.83
Central Vermont Public Service bonds, 234's of '75 1,946.21
2,018.97
2,878.85
4,694.46
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Central Vermont Public Service bonds, 31/2's of '81 2,691.38
Community Public Service bonds, 53/8's of '87 5,088.44 Community Public Service bonds, 514's of '91 5,096.58
. : Cons. Edison of New York bonds, 3's of '79 7,211.18
Cons. Gas, Electric Light & Power of Baltimore bonds, 23/4's of '86 4,020.54
Consumers Power bonds, 4's of '86
5,045.65
Duquesne Light bonds, 35/8's of '83 3,877.94
Fall River Elec. Light bonds, 334's of '83
3,001.95
Georgia Power bonds, 33/8's of '82 3,108.60
Houston Lighting & Power bonds, 31/4's of '86 2,471.34 Idaho Power bonds, 4's of '88 5,000.00
Idaho Power bonds, 5's of '89 5,036.39
Kentucky Utilities bonds, 33/4's of '86 5,062.00
Long Island Lighting bonds, 5's of '91 5,076.24
Madison Gas & Elec. bonds, 45/8's of '88
5,086.77
Maine Public Service bonds, 27/8's of '75 1,912.29
Mass. Elec. bonds, 43/8's of '92 5,037.18
Milwaukee Gas Light bonds, 31/8's of '75 3,023.51
Mississippi Power & Light bonds, 27/8's of '77 4,033.37
Montana Power bonds, 27/8's of '75 5,914.74
New England Power bonds, 23/4's of '79 2,005.33
ยท New Orleans Public Service bonds, 41/2's of '87 5,036.46 New Orleans Public Service bonds, 412's of '92 5,048.59 N. Y. State Elec. & Gas bonds, 45/8's of '91 5,099.21
Niagara Mohawk Power bonds, 43/4's of '90 9,250.50
North Shore Gas bonds, 4's of '75 4,039.94
Northern Indiana Public Service bonds, 318's of '73 6,897.34
Orange & Rockland Utilities bonds, 41/2's of '88 4,766.81 Otter Tail Power bonds, 47/8's of '91 5,057.29
Pacific Gas & Elec. bonds, 3's of '70 2,011.22
Pacific Gas & Elec. bonds, 3's of '71 2,043.42
Pennsylvania Elec. bonds, 5's of '90
5,089.73
Public Service of New Hampshire bonds, 314's of '73 2,078.04
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Public Service of Oklahoma bonds, 414's of '87 4,970.00 Rockland Light & Power bonds, 31/8's of '78 2,814.53 Savannah Elec. & Power bonds, 37/8's of '86 5,096.33 Southern California Edison bonds, 3's of '65 2,006.05
Southern California Edison bonds, 314's of '64 1,967.12
Southern Nevada Power bonds, 514's of '89 5,000.00 St. Joseph Light & Power bonds, 5's of '89 4,046.87
Utah Power & Light bonds, 35/8's of '81 3,103.68
Virginia Elec. Power bonds, 33/8's of '81 4,786.82
Wisconsin Elec. Power bonds, 37/8's of '86 5,080.77
Wisconsin Michigan Power bonds, 3's of '78 1,937.87
Wisconsin Power & Light bonds, 45/8's of '89
5,026.17
Worcester County Elec. bonds, 33/8's of '85
4,185.09
Aluminum of America bonds, 31/8's of '64
1,001.36
American Tobacco bonds, 3's of '69 993.11
General Motors bonds, 31/4's of '79
2,010.21
National Dairy Products bonds, 31/8's of '76 998.27
Ohio Oil bonds, 43/8's of '87 5,010.89
Sears Roebuck bonds, 43/4's of '83
3,000.00
United States Steel bonds, 41/2's of '86
4,964.02
Accrued interest on bonds as of Dec. 31, 1962 4,567.67
Due from town for military service credit 290.50
$548,621.74
2. Liabilities:
Annuity Savings Fund
$424,277.80
Annuity Reserve Fund
66,405.83
Military Service Fund
5,291.53
Pension Fund
52,391.73
Expense Fund
254.85
$548,621.74
Respectfully submitted, JOHN P. RYAN, Chairman CORA B. GRADY, Secretary ROMEO W. CARLETTI Contributory Retirement System Board of Retirement, Plymouth
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REPORT OF ADVISORY AND FINANCE COMMITTEE FOR 1962
During the past year the Advisory and Finance Commit- tee has assisted departments to coordinate their efforts by working together which has resulted in financial benefits to the Town. We believe that until the Town changes its methods of operations and accepts centralized purchasing and centralized repairs and maintenance, more substantial savings in the cost of running our government cannot be realized.
If the items in the budget and the articles in this warrant are voted as recommended by this committee, the net increase in the tax rate will be approximately $4.10 notwithstanding the fact that we are financing a regional school, adopting the Personnel Board Report, and purchasing new equipment for all departments.
The amount requested for the 1962 budget was $3,392,- 554.46. This committee recommends $3,262,784.86. This rep- resents a net appropriation decrease of $129,769.60.
It is the hope of the Advisory and Finance Committee that each town meeting member will take the suggestions offered by this committee and bring about this net increase of approximately $4.10 in the tax rate.
In another effort to bring about a more realistic tax rate, we are recommending the acceptance of Article 99 in order to return to the Town Treasury unexpended balances of appropriations that are now unnecessary and that have been idle for one or more years.
In closing, we thank the various departments for their cooperations during the past year and their assistance in pre- paring the budgets and the warrant for this annual town meeting.
As an added incentive to the town meeting members in their consideration of the budget and the warrant, we sug-
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gest that you keep in mind the Town's share of projected capital outlays which are as follows:
Redevelopment - 1962 $200,000.00
Federal Harbor Project - 1963 250,000.00
Junior High School Renovations - 1963
80,000.00
Manomet School Building Addition - 1963 160,000.00
Sewer Project
(?)
1,250,000.00
$1,940,000.00
Respectfully submitted,
ADVISORY AND FINANCE COMMITTEE
Term expires March, 1962
ALVIN R. TAVARES, Chairman
LEONARD E. BASINSKI
MISS R. DOROTHY CANUCCI DONALD A. NEWEY WILLIAM B. STEARNS, JR.
Term expires March, 1963 Term expires March, 1964
GINO BORSARI EDWARD F. BARNES
RICHARD W. BRAMHALL
HENRY L. BASTONI
HORACE A. GENOVESE HAROLD T. MACCAFERRI
MRS. MARY I. GOVONI
LESLIE W. MacLEAN
VICTOR A. SHIFF
CHARLES T. SANDERSON, 3d. Vice Chairman Attested: Leona Asker, Secretary
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SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
Article 7
$3,262,784.86
Special Articles
759,623.41
State and County Assessment (Net) 234,335.69
Overlay Deficit (1957)
15.46
Overlay Deficit (1958)
81.76
Overlay Deficit (1959)
268.32
Overlay for 1961 (Estimate)
90,000.00
Total Recommended Expenditures $4,347,109.50
Estimated Receipts
$1,188,629.55
Excess and Deficiency (Articles
17, 105, 106)
398,000.00
Parking Meter Receipts (Article 7)
12,435.00
Stabilization Fund
89,000.00
Real Estate Fund
42,650.00
Sale of Cemetery Lots
2,500.00
Waterfront Protection
11,531.25
Poll Tax (Estimate)
9,100.00
Total from Sources other than Tax Levy $1,753,845.80
Balance from Real and Personal $2,593,263.70
Based on the 1961 valuation of $39,960,600, this total will require a tax rate of approximately $64.90.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
School Department
OF THE
Town of Plymouth
MASSACHUSETTS
1620.
P
CHUSE
NM
D
FOR THE YEAR ENDING
DECEMBER 31
1962
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REPORT OF THE PLYMOUTH-CARVER REGIONAL DISTRICT SCHOOL COMMITTEE
To the Residents of the Towns of Plymouth and Carver:
The Plymouth-Carver Regional School District Com- mittee has concerned itself during the past year with the construction of the new school on the site on Obery Street. Our intention is to have the construction com- pleted for occupancy in September of 1963. At the time of this report, there appears to be no reason for our not having classes in the new school on that date.
Construction has been in two phases: the first contract was let to Eastern Tree & Landscape Corp., of Dedham, Mass. Their contract of approximately $91,500 involved the clearing of the site; land compaction in the area of the actual building; general landscaping of most of the school site; and the development of the athletic playing fields. At this time, the playing fields have been laid out and will be ready for seeding this spring. It was our hope to have the football field seeded in the fall of 1962, so that interscholastic football could be played on the Obery Street site in 1963. Unfortunately this was not accom- plished by the contractor, in spite of repeated pressures by the Committee. We will have to utilize John Seaver Memorial Field on Standish Avenue next fall through the courtesy of the Plymouth Park Department.
The building construction is being done by J. L. Mar- shall & Sons of Pawtucket, Rhode Island. We have em- ployed Mr. Marshall Jackson of Marion, Mass., as Clerk of the Works. As of this date, construction is proceeding rapidly; fortunately, we have not had any major delays either by material shortages, labor difficulties, or weath- er. The Committee has maintained a close watch on con- struction, and receives monthly progress reports from Mr. Jackson. Mr. F. Edward Nicolas, Superintendent of
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the Plymouth-Carver Regional School District, makes vis- itations to the site approximately three times a week. In addition, the architects visit the site twice a week. With this amount of supervision, we believe that the towns of Plymouth and Carver can be reassured that the con- struction complies closely to the specifications.
Work is progressing in acquiring the necessary equipment, both fixed and movable, which will furnish the school. We believe that we are providing adequate equipment and have attempted to stress quality as a means of long range economy. We have been utilizing the services of Mr. Samuel Crabtree of Belmont, a pro- fessional school equipment consultant, for this purpose. Numerous conferences with the faculty and department heads have been held by the superintendent to ensure procurement of the needed equipment. Unfortunately, the amount of equipment that we will be able to move from the present Plymouth High School is limited in view of its age, and because much of it will be necessary for the Plymouth students who will continue to occupy the buildings on Lincoln Street. This amount of money is reflected in our construction budget for equipment.
As the result of the delays in construction caused by the failure of the first bond issue, new plans and specifica- tions had to be prepared by the architects. We believe that because of this "second look," we have achieved over- all a better school, however, we had to eliminate three classrooms. The architects' fees for the second plans (drawings and revisions) plus the cost of blue prints, amounted to approximately $71,000. Because of this, and the necessity for equipment as already outlined, we have submitted articles to the two towns requesting appropria- tions of $120,000 to complete construction. Whether this money is raised by bond issue or other means will be de- termined by the Finance and Advisory Committees of the two towns prior to Town Meeting. Examination of the
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construction budget will make clear the need for the added sum of money.
During the past year, Mr. Julian Demeo of Wayland was appointed Headmaster of Plymouth High School. The decision to employ Mr. Demeo was made as a joint deci- sion by the Plymouth School Committee and the Plym- outh-Carver Regional School District Committee. Since October, Mr. Demeo, in cooperation with his faculty, has outlined a new curriculum to be effective in September of 1963. Copies of this curriculum have been given to all students entering Plymouth-Carver Regional High School next September. We believe that this curriculum rep- resents what the two towns desire for the education of their children. It is not unique or radically new. It merely represents what every good high school in Massa- chusetts offers its students.
We expect to add some fifteen new teachers to the faculty when the school opens. This is not because this is a regional school, rather this is because we are opening a new school with added courses, an additional pupil load, and a desire to reduce the overcrowded condi- tions which we have suffered during the past few years. We intend to have a teacher-pupil load which is consistent with the students receiving adequate instruction.
The Plymouth-Carver Regional School Committee has a large job ahead of it. We have, we believe, excellent administrators who will make the job much easier for us. We will make policy, but leave the administration of the policy to our professional administrators. We have high ambitions for our school; a good sound education is the only heritage that we can leave our children. We are not attempting radical departures in education in the new school, rather we hope to provide an educational facility
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that will fill the needs of all students, whether college bound, or interested in business training or artisan trades. To this end, we believe that thus far, we have achieved our purpose.
Respectfully submitted,
SAMUEL K. STEWART, M.D., Chairman ERWIN K. WASHBURN, Vice-Chairman JANE GELLAR, Secretary SPENCER H. BREWSTER DAVID A. CAPPANNARI ADELINE KELLER FRANKLIN P. WILBUR
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Term Expires
Spencer H. Brewster
1965
Dr. J. Robert Browning
1965
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. Superintendent of Schools
Mrs. Elizabeth R. Beane, Secretary
Mrs. Lorraine A. Gould, Secretary
Mrs. Severina M. Estes, Secretary (Part-time)
Mrs. Theresa Leonardi, 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 Julian Demeo, Jr., Principal
Junior High School - Telephone PI 6-0460 William Gault, Jr., 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 Mr. Robert G. Dickie, Principal
SCHOOL CALENDAR
1963 - 1964
Open: September 4, 1963
Close: December 20, 1963
January 2, 1964
February 14, 1964
February 24, 1964
April 20, 1964
April 10, 1964 June 26, 1964
School Holidays: Teachers' Convention, October 25; Veterans' Day, November 11; Thanksgiving Recess, November 28, 29; Good Friday, March 27.
- -400-
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, inclusive 12:15 p.m. No afternoon session for Grades 1 to 6, in- clusive
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 $87,057.75
Aid for specific purposes:
Transportation
72,251.00
Vocational Tuition
1,315.14
Vocational Transportation
730.64
Special Classes
21,173.40
Americanization Classes
252.50
Adult Education Classes
773.06
Tuition, State Wards
696.00
From other sources:
Miscellaneous receipts
2,400.00
$186,649.49
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EXPENDITURES
General Control
Salaries:
Superintendent
$9,600.00
Assistant Superintendent
8,700.00
Superintendent's Office Secretaries
9,915.51
Supervisor of Attendance
1,800.00
Supervisor of School Buildings
6,150.00
Office Supplies 1,150.81
Professional Books
187.39
Telephone 626.30
Traveling Expense in State
46.19
Automobile Expense
500.00
School Committee Expenses
349.67
39,025.87
Out-of-State Travel
139.79
Expenses of Instruction
Salaries:
Principals
$39,745.06
Supervisors
27,341.70
Regular Teachers
668,829.44
Guidance Personnel
28,533.48
Substitute Teachers
8,419.00
Home Teachers
672.00
Audubon Teachers
1,526.63
Summer School Teachers
1,560.00
School Secretaries
15,735.98
Evening School Personnel 835.17
Text and Reference Books
15,485.04
Stationery, Supplies and Other Expenses of Instruction 25,169.37
Traveling Expenses of School Personnel 431.95
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Driver Training Car Expense Art Supplies Libraries
421.15
198.03
1,041.47
835,945.47
Operation of School Plant
Salaries of Custodians
$56,772.62
Custodians Supplies
3,596.92
Telephones
2,118.95
Truck Expense
566.66
Coal and Oil
20,239.85
Gas
1,550.58
Lights
11,130.93
95,976.51
Maintenance of School Plant
Repairs and Upkeep of Buildings
$25,422.09
Replacement of Equipment
5,552.93
30,975.02
Auxiliary Agencies
Promotion of Health:
Salaries
$17,283.28
Medical Supplies
367.86
Nurse's Car Expense
476.72
Mental Health Services
1,390.00
Public School Transportation
78,011.70
Private School Transportation
6,967.00
Tuition
7,062.36
Physical Education
1,061.04
Athletics
5,071.93
Band Expenses
30.00
Lunch Program
750.00
High School Graduation Expenses
517.22
Salaries of Noon Supervisors
5,110.60
Outlay New Equipment 9,963.21
124,099.71
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Vocational Education
Tuition
$4,429.23
Transportation
1,979.24
Adult Education Classes
1,543.15
7,951.62
Americanization Classes
505.00
Total
$1,144,582.20
Reimbursements and Receipts, account
of schools 186,649.49
Net Expenditures for Schools, Exclusive of Building Program $957,932.71
Public Law 874
Balance on Hand, January 1, 1962 $25,575.59
Amount of Grants - 1962 19,176.00
Total
$44,751.59
Expenditures:
Office Supplies
$55.60
Guidance Telephone
18.71
Out-of-State Travel
91.61
Travel to Harris Hall
125.00
Custodial Service at Harris Hall
227.50
Text and Reference Books
219.93
Equipping 2 rooms at Manomet School
790.58
Films and Filmstrips
3,020.27
Matching Fund for P.L. 85-864, Science
1,475.74
Recovering Gym Mats
523.25
Audiometer
338.00
2 Craig Reading Machines 439.80 Autoharp 92.00
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Repairs to front roof at Manomet School 480.00
7,897.99
Balance on Hand, December 31, 1962 Public Law 85-864, Title V, Part A, Guidance Balance on Hand, January 1, 1962 $2,528.81
$36,853.60
Amount of Grants 787.20
Total
$3,316.01
Expenditures - 1962
New Equipment
$1,131.56
Text and Reference Books
205.02
Travel
111.09
Tests and Scoring
858.39
Supplies
354.38
2,660.44
Balance on Hand, December 31, 1962 Public Law 85-864, Title III, Science
$655.57
Balance on Hand, January 1, 1962 $2,229.55
Amount of Grants 1,543.16
Total
$3,772.71
Expenditures - 1962
Supplies
$224.87
Equipment
298.39
523.26
Balance on Hand, December 31, 1962 $3,249.45
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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 third annual report in coopera- tion with the Plymouth School Committee. This report also includes various summaries from the departments that are important in the operation of our school system. Perusal of these in order to get an overall informed pic- ture of the work being done in our schools is important.
Committees
At present, there are two committees at work. The work of the Manomet Building Committee under the chairmanship of Mr. Henry Cappella culminated at a special Town Meeting on December 18, 1962, when a six room addition with auxiliary facilities was voted by Town Meeting representatives. At the writing of this report, beginning construction is foreseeable within the very near future.
The Renovating Committee under the chairmanship of Miss Mary M. Dolan is working diligently and tirelessly in order to finalize plans for changes in these two build- ings. It is hoped that these buildings will be ready to house sixth, seventh and eighth grades, and some fifth grades, in September 1963.
Curricula
Of necessity, there is an overlapping between physi- cal and curricula changes within our system. The op- portunity of housing seventh grade students at Harris Hall certainly provided an advantage to refine grouping at this level with the result that more individual help can be offered to these pupils.
Modern concept algebra has been given for the first time to all students in the college preparatory section of the ninth grade.
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Changes in scheduling also allowed for a larger par- ticipation in the industrial arts program for boys, and an increase in the number of openings for girls in the field of Business Education.
An outstanding accomplishment at the high school level was participation of 14 of our honor students in a pilot program sponsored by the State Department of Edu- cation entitled Goal for Americans. The primary result of this activity was the creation of a program entitled The Plymouth Plan which is presently being published by the State Department of Education, Civic Education Division.
Members of the high school faculty have been work- ing diligently completing changes in curriculum which will be effective next September.
Members of the elementary teaching staff completed their self-evaluation of our elementary schools. From this study, definite recommendations were made to im- prove and modify the elementary curriculum. As an immediate result, a system wide committee is presently working on report card revisions.
Ability grouping in reading at the intermediate level in all our Elementary Schools has become a reality as a result of a pilot program previously inaugurated in one of our elementary schools. Similar grouping in arith- metic at the intermediate level is in the experimental stage in one elementary school, and if it meets with the success that grouping in reading has reached, this pro- gram will become an integral part of the regular curric- ulum in the remainder of our elementary schools.
In the spring every child at the elementary level was administered a standardized achievement test. The re- sults of these tests indicate that our level of academic achievement compares favorably with national norms,
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and above average in several areas. The data from these tests are used by our teaching staff to strengthen and develop pupils to their greatest potential.
We would like to reiterate that a kindergarten pro- gram is a most important part of an elementary program. When the time arrives that space is avilable, we would hope that serious and positive thought would result in the establishment of a kindergarten program as an integral part of our elementary schools.
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