USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Town annual report of the officers of the town of Plymouth, Massachusetts for the year ending 1962 > Part 22
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Personnel
Many changes have taken place during the past year.
Mr. Lawrence Bongiovanni, Principal of the High School, resigned to accept a position with the State De- partment of Education. Mr. Bongiovanni had been a mem- ber of the school staff for 18 years. We sincerely wish Mr. Bongiovanni much success in his new position. Mr. Julian Demeo, Jr., Assistant Principal of Wayland High School, assumed the duties of high school principal October 1, 1962.
After twenty-five years of teaching in the Science Department of the High School, Mr. John Packard chose to resign. Mr. Packard has joined the State Department of Education and we wish him success in this field of endeavor.
The sudden passing of Mrs. Viola Figueiredo, Home Economics teacher, was a great shock to all who knew and worked with her.
Mr. William Gault, Jr. was appointed principal of the Junior High School following his service as acting prin- cipal from January to June, 1962.
Mr. Alton Cavicchi, a member of the Plymouth School Committee for nine years, was signally honored when he was elected President of the Massachusetts School Com- mittee Association for the year 1962-1963. Mr. Cavicchi
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has been an extremely active member of both his local Committee and the State Association for a number of years.
Retirements
After a total of 169 years of dedicated service to the youth of Plymouth, the following staff members retired during the year 1962. We wish them many years of happy retirement.
Miss Helen Johnson - Senior High School 1922-1962
Miss Jeannette Jacques - Senior High School 1931-1962
Mrs. Lucy Rae - Hedge School 1924-1930
1953-1962
Miss Helen Holmes - Cornish-Burton School 1916-1962
Mrs. Helen Manchester, Principal
Mt. Pleasant School 1935-1962
Mrs. Margaret Healy - Junior High School 1952-1962
School Plant Improvements
The following improvements were made in the school buildings during 1962:
Senior High School
Installation of fluorescent lights
Junior High School
Replaced feeders and service for electrical load Hedge School
Painted jets and gutters and remainder of trim
Corrected washout
Gravel parking area
Repairs to three flat roofs
Repaired front steps
Manomet School
Painted outside trim
Front roof repairs
Mount Pleasant School
Boiler converted to oil
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Harris Hall
Renovations and Equipment - $7,543.65
All of the equipment purchased, and much of the materials used in renovating will be removed and used in other schools throughout the system
We would like to express our appreciation to the residents of Plymouth and to the members of the staff for their fine cooperation in making this past year a most successful one. It is only through such cooperation and support that we can attain the ultimate educational goal, the preparation of our pupils to meet the needs and re- quirements of every day living.
Respectfully submitted,
SPENCER H. BREWSTER, Chairman J. ROBERT BROWNING, Secretary ALTON S. CAVICCHI MARY M. DOLAN HARRY F. DOYLE
JANE GELLAR Plymouth School Committee F. EDWARD NICOLAS
Superintendent of Schools
EMMETT B. FINCK
Assistant Superintendent
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ANNUAL REPORT OF THE PRINCIPAL OF THE PLYMOUTH HIGH SCHOOL
A number of significant events highlight the year 1962 at Plymouth High School.
Pupil enrollment continued to increase from 531 stu- dents in September, 1961 to 601 students in September, 1962. Average daily attendance remained fairly constant at approximately 95%. This creditable percentage of at- tendance is attributable mainly to the health services provided to our students within the school and the per- sonal contact maintained with the home by the school nurse and the supervisor of attendance.
During the year 5% of the student body dropped out of school. While this figure is considerably less than the state and national averages of 22% and 40% respectively, nevertheless it is a condition about which we should all be concerned and attempt to minimize. Besides studying the drop-out problem, the school guidance department is working closely with many cooperating agencies which include the family, the Judge Stone Guidance Clinic, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, the Youth Service Board and various church groups to achieve this end. Recommendations will be forthcoming upon com- pletion of the study.
Along with meeting the normal daily responsibilities of learning, many students participated in related curric- ular activities in which they distinguished themselves by their thoughts, words and actions. Fourteen honor students participated in a Goals for Americans pilot proj- ect sponsored by the Massachusetts State Department of Civic Education; another seven students participated in a panel discussion, Youth Speaks its Mind, at Bridgewater State College. The Student Activities Society received wide recognition for the Charity Project it conducted, as have the Band and the Marching Girls for their fine
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performances. The basketball, baseball and football teams earned recognition for the outstanding records they compiled. The Plymouth High School basketball team culminated the season by winning the Class C Cham- pionship of the Eastern Massachusetts Basketball Tourn- ament. These worthy experiences have added much to the personality of the school and have contributed greatly to the notable esprit de corps which exists between the student body and the staff.
Members of the graduating class of 1962 were ex- tremely fortunate to be beneficiaries of $12,000 in schol- arship aid. Like their predecessors, a high percentage of the graduating class is furthering its education. This benevolence provided more students more opportunities to continue their studies. What feed-back has been re- ceived from these students and from the schools they are attending merits strong words of praise and thanks to all who have provided scholarship aid.
The increasing pupil enrollment necessitated a staff increase in order to carry out the school program. Addi- tions have been made in the Guidance, English, Business and Science Departments. Other changes in staff resulted from retirements and resignations. Especially noteworthy was the resignation of the principal, Mr. Lawrence M. Bongiovanni, who left to assume wider educational re- sponsibilities with the Massachusetts State Department of Education, and the retirement of Miss Jeannette C. Jacques and Miss Helen Johnson who served Plymouth students for thirty-one and forty years respectively.
To continue to provide quality education for our stu- dents and to prepare for the transition to the Plymouth- Carver Regional High School, the staff has been engaged in numerous, diverse activities. The Head of the Social Studies Department participated in a conference of twelve teachers to advise the Massachusetts State De- partment of Civic Education as to the kind of evaluation
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to be employed by the one hundred high schools presently using the tryout edition of the resource unit on Ideology and World Affairs. Some teachers were members of school evaluation teams; some teachers visited other schools to learn about their development; many teachers returned to school to enrich their background; all teachers were involved in developing the curriculum.
Plymouth High School was singularly honored in 1962 to be chosen by the Massachusetts State Department of Civic Education to conduct a pilot course on Goals for Americans, a project initially sponsored by President Ei- senhower. Fourteen honor students participated in the seminar; and the program, operated by the Plymouth High School English and History Departments in conjunc- tion with the State Department of Civic Education, in- volved such survey techniques as the following: expert consultants, field trips, extensive reading, group dynamics, and research projects. The goal was to expose the students to the possibility for ... and the advisability of ... mean- ingful civic action. That the ideal was achieved is evi- denced by the students' creation of a program for curric- ulum enrichment entitled The Plymouth Plan, which is in the process of being printed by the Massachusetts State Department of Civic Education for distribution throughout the state.
These are the highlights of the year 1962 at Plymouth High School. They are significant because they required extraordinary service. The community can well be proud of these accomplishments. We highly commend those who earned them.
Respectfully submitted,
JULIAN DEMEO, JR.
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In Memoriam
VIOLA M. FIGUEIREDO Teacher
Plymouth Junior High School
1938 - 1962
Died October 1, 1962
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ANNUAL REPORT OF THE PRINCIPAL OF THE PLYMOUTH JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
This year's use of the Harris Hall facilities has made for another season of pioneering for the students and faculty of Grade 7. Much credit must be given to all concerned in the evident success of this venture. The officials of the Cordage Company and Father Norton, pastor of St. Mary's, are due great thanks for the spirit of cooperation which they have displayed.
The very reasonableness of the class sizes provided in the seventh grade has made possible a wonderful increase in the teachers' ability to offer greater attention to the individual needs of these young people. More time has been provided for the development of foundation knowledge in the basic areas of English, mathematics, and social studies. The science program has been broad- ened and enriched, and this has been one of the most wonderful improvements to be observed. In physical education we have more than doubled the previous weekly allotment of time, and the progress which has been evident here is ample indication of the worthiness of this increase.
In all three grades we have returned to a procedure of grouping that is based on measurements and interpre- tations of several areas of student achievement and ability. This was a primary function of our guidance counselors, and particular thanks is offered to them and to the many teachers who gave of their time and thought in these important determinations.
The loss to the high school of two full-sized class- rooms with no significant drop in the total enrollment of Grades 8 and 9 has caused some serious overcrowding in many of these sections. The greatest hurt had occurred within the eighth grade where classes have ranged to a most unpleasant and educationally unrewarding size of
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thirty-nine members. In Grade 9 certain adjustments in our programming of the daily schedule have allowed for an alleviation of this problem in the foreign language and science sections.
I am particularly pleased to note that we were able this year to increase by three fold the number of boys allowed to participate in the industrial arts program. An- other series of schedule changes allowed a much larger than usual number of girls to benefit from our business education program. To further enrich the business curric- ulum, we have added a full course in business arithmetic or in review mathematics.
By providing a more flexible scheduling of Grade 9 classes we have for the first time in recent memory grant- ed the individual course selections of all preparatory students. This flexibility has served in other ways to improve the all important factor of student morale and personal motivation for those who have accepted the seri- ous challenges of college entrance. Modern concept alge- bra has been given for the first time to all students in these sections. I am most pleased to report that there are far fewer than the usual number of college math failures at this mid-point time of the school year.
Our system of marking has been revised in an effort to more clearly indicate student progress and achieve- ment in our periodic reports to parents. We are entirely anxious to facilitate a more rewarding system of com- munication between the school and the many homes it daily works to serve. To this end we have already held six evenings for parent visits designed to serve different grade or group purposes. The general meeting in the school auditorium found something close to four hundred parents, teachers, and other friends in attendance. This was certainly the largest gathering within personal mem- ory and served to display the wonderful interest which is so much a part of our Plymouth school community.
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This school year has known the loss of two very fine faculty members, Mrs. Viola Figueiredo and Mrs. Margaret Healy. Their efforts on behalf of our chil- dren have been sorely missed, and we can be thankful only for the quality of their replacements.
Never before have I so truly appreciated the fine faculty of this school. They have worked unstintingly in their efforts to improve the quality of our educational program. It is they who have made possible the pride which is presently mine in the increased benefits which have come to our student and parent groups. I should feel personally remiss if I did not express my thanks for the fine spirit of cooperation which has come from the superintendent's office. To these people and to you, the citizens who interest themselves in good school develop- ment, I express my gratitude for your many assistances to me, and I humbly renew my promise to work in all possible ways to make of our school one in which we may take increased pride in the years to come.
Sincerely,
WILLIAM GAULT, JR.
Principal
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ANNUAL REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF GUIDANCE
With the addition of two full-time counselors this academic year, the Guidance Department has expanded its services to the school and community. Mr. Edwin Denton joined the Plymouth Junior High School, and Mr. Joseph Jayko, the Plymouth High School.
In the elementary schools we have continued the scholastic ability and achievement tests for the two-fold purpose of measuring and comparing ability with per- formance, and of providing a tool to assist in proper grade-placement of pupils.
Thanks to the cooperation of the elementary school principals and sixth grade teachers, we were provided with anecdotal records, scholastic evaluations, and pupil questionnaires regarding future plans, and questions per- taining to junior high school; these questionnaires provide a space for answers to the following statements: "I feel that these OCCUPATIONAL PLANS seem: (check one) REALISTIC - UNREALISTIC" and a similar statement relative to EDUCATIONAL PLANS; lines for both par- ent and teacher signature follow the boxes to be checked. All of this information was used for the purpose of de- termining pupil placement in homogeneous groups.
As in the past two years, the guidance staff and the junior high school principal, Mr. Gault, visited the five elementary schools to conduct orientation meetings for the purpose of familiarizing the pupils with the junior high school program, activities and facilities.
In order to provide guidance services to Harris Hall, a schedule was made out so that the two junior high school counselors give an equitable amount of time to grade seven.
When the seventh grade met in afternoon session, a home room guidance committee composed of teachers with
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Mrs. Doris Rogers as Chairman, and Miss Muriel Carlson as ex-officio member, prepared an outline of topics and ordered 14 sound films to correlate with this outline. Suitable for both grades seven and eight, with subjects such as "Getting the Most Out of School," "You and Your Attitudes," these films have proven to be most useful.
We are indebted to the seventh grade teachers for their evaluation of each student to facilitate placement in grade eight in the system of homogeneous grouping.
Last year, to the battery of tests administered to the junior high school pupils we added the Modern Language Aptitude Test, a prognostic test to help us in counseling students relative to selection of Latin or French. The counselors tested pupils individually when needed, mak- ing use of reading, interest and intelligence tests.
Each counselor visited every junior high home room to explain the role of the counselor, to discuss the im- portance of attitudes, to explain the significance of achievement tests, and to acquaint the pupils with the availability of career information materials.
There has been an increase in the number of con- ferences between counselors and parents; the Guidance Department has been instrumental in arranging more in- dividual parent conferences with teachers.
In both the junior and senior high schools, the guid- ance staff has participated in Parents' Nights, the purpose of which has been to inform the public on such matters as program of studies, school policies, guidance services, testing program and interpretation of test results.
At the senior high school level we have continued our educational and vocational counseling of individual students along with educational programming and career planning. With the cooperation of local representatives
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in business and industry, and with the services of the Massachusetts Division of Employment Security, we have carried on our program of student employment assistance.
A major project in which the Guidance Department participated last year was the creation of a program of studies. This booklet of 21 pages covers vital areas such as "Notes on College preparation," "Notes ... " on various post-secondary school institutions (junior colleges, schools of nursing, technical schools, business schools, for example) and full descriptions of all of the course offer- ings at Plymouth High School.
I should like to express high appreciation for the splendid service rendered to our school by the Kiwanis Club of Plymouth in making funds available to us for vocational and educational orientation trips. Under this program, each month a group of five seniors accompanied by a counselor travels to a school, industry, place of business or some institution of the students' choosing, for the purpose of investigating the training or vocational opportunities.
Statistics for the class of 1962 show an increase in the percentage of graduates going on to college or other post- secondary schooling. The figures are as follows:
PLYMOUTH HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 1962
Total senior class
141 (Plus one
Total graduates
139
to graduate in August)
No. %
Total going on to schools or college
75
54%
4-year colleges
34
24%
2-year junior colleges and business schools 12
9%
Professional nursing
4 3%
Trade and technical schools
8
6%
Short term business schools
8
6%
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Hairdressing schools
4
3%
Preparatory schools
1
0.7%
Post graduate course at P.H.S.
2
1.4%
Other schools
2
1.4%
Employment in offices and banks
9
6%
Other work
16
11%
Undecided, plans indefinite
15
11%
Armed services - total
25
18%
Respectfully submitted,
EDWIN E. CALVIN Director of Guidance
REPORT OF SUPERVISOR OF ATTENDANCE
Clarence H. Murphy, Supervisor
Sickness
Truancy
Other
Total
Elementary Schools
45
12
8
65
Junior High School
156
68
33
257
Senior High School
189
54
46
289
Total Cases Investigated
611
Employment certificates returned
47
Total calls concerning investigations, employment certificates, adjustment counselling, and night visits with parents re: truancy, behavior and other problems 1528
In addition to the fine cooperation of the various schools I wish to acknowledge the assistance given by the Clergy, the S.P.C.C., the Salvation Army, the Wel- fare Department, the Medical Fraternity and the Courts, with particular reference to Mr. Frank Luongo, Chief Juvenile Probation Officer for Plymouth County.
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EMPLOYMENT OF MINORS
1959
1960
1961
1962
Certificates to minors 14-16 years
36
20
20
36
Certificates to minors 16-18 years
152
171
105
130
188
191
125
166
SCHOOL CENSUS, OCTOBER 1, 1962
Males Females Totals
Persons 5 to 7 years
213
206
419
Persons 7 to 16 years
1159
1118
2277
Totals
1372
1324
2696
SCHOOL ENROLLMENT - DECEMBER 1962
ELEMENTARY GRADES
JUNIOR HIGH
SENIOR HIGH
1
2
3
4
5
6 S.C.
7
8
9
10
11
12 Total
Senior High
247
207
139
593
Junior High
31
196 253
269
749
Hedge
31
29
24
23
29
26
13
33
29
21
22
28
26
334
Cornish-Burton
24
28
26
25
28
29
23
27
25
24
28
287
Oak Street
27
27
54
Cold Spring
30
30
32
31
28
30
20
30
29
31
32
29
30
12
394
Mount Pleasant
36
24
28
22
29
28
167
Manomet
(12
9)
37
22
33
36
15
15
30
35
244
TOTALS
279
268
239
216
229
204
76
196
253
269
247
207
139
2822
Grade groups enclosed in parentheses are taught by one teacher.
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REPORT OF THE MUSIC SUPERVISOR
The year just passed has shown continued develop- ment in the music program of the elementary grades. The general improvement in classroom singing has been grat- ifying. This has been especially apparent in the tone quality of the singing, and the ability of fifth and sixth grade children to maintain their parts in two or three part singing.
Each of the schools containing fifth and sixth grades has had its own glee club and beginners and advanced violin classes. The advanced violin classes, joined by a few other instruments, formed an orchestra in each of these buildings.
All of the glee clubs, orchestras, and violin classes presented programs in June, both for their schoolmates and for their parents. There were Christmas programs in all schools. The glee clubs participated in each of these, which, too, were given for both the children and the public.
One glee club also participated in the new community venture of singing Christmas carols in front of the Court House.
The emphasis on creative expression has begun to bear fruit. During the year several songs have been composed by children and sung by their classmates, and numerous additional stanzas for songs already known have been written. Two sixth grade boys, a pianist and a clarinetist, jointly arranged a composition written by the pianist, and played it at their June school program. It was very well received by both parents and children.
As an outgrowth of the rhythmic work in the class- room, at Christmas time children from the first four grades in one of the schools presented their own inter- pretation of the "Nutcracker Suite" by Tschaikovsky. With original dances in charming costumes made by the
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teachers and parents of the children participating, it was a memorable occasion for all concerned.
Especially gratifying has been the interest and en- couragement of the parents of our boys and girls. This, coupled with the splendid cooperation of teachers and administrators, has made possible a healthy growth in musical achievement, which we hope will be furthered in 1963.
Respectfully submitted,
GRACE M. MESERVE
ELEMENTARY PHYSICAL EDUCATION REPORT
Although I am new to the Plymouth School System, I am happy to report that the progress in our Physical Fitness program has not suffered. The wonderful cooper- ation of the teachers and administrators has made my period of adjustment a quick and easy one.
According to national figures, the greatest percentage of failures in Physical Fitness tests occur in the tests involving upper body strength. Since October, I have devoted one-half of every Physical Education period to various exercises designed to strengthen the shoulder girdle. The children have responded very well with the following results:
Total Percentage Failures
1961 - 25.1%
1962 - 21.3%
Copies of the test containing an explanation of each test item, a national norm chart, individual test results, and a composite test analysis have been sent to all teach- ers and administrators involved.
It is my aim within the next three years, the total number of failures in our Physical Fitness program will amount to less than 10% of the total number tested.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES J. VENTO
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ANNUAL REPORT OF ORAL HYGIENE-DENTAL CLINICS
January 1962 - December 1962
I herewith submit by report of the dental department of the Plymouth Public Schools for the year 1962.
The usual examinations in grades one through twelve were made in the fall by the School Dentists.
2,649 pupils were examined, and 1,290 were found to have all needed correction made at this time. 1,359 were in need of dental attention and were referred to their family dentist. However, each year an increasing number of children are receiving dental care.
We have recommended more study hours in nutrition in the Junior and Senior High Schools.
190 pre-school children were examined in May with the parent present. The importance of saving the decidu- ous (baby teeth) - the effect this has on the permanent ones was discussed.
114 Children had a family dentist
80 Children needed no treatment
45 Children referred to dentist
Percentage of Dental Corrections
Grades 1 - 6
Pupils examined in fall of 1961 1,280
Pupils with all corrections made 645
Results of these examinations as of June 1962
Pupils with dental certificates
Cold Spring School 64%
Cornish-Burton School 70%
Hedge School 65%
Manomet School 56%
Mt. Pleasant School 77%
Oak Street School 77%
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Sound precepts of dental health education must be instilled in children at an early age. This requires the cooperation of the child and parent.
Four basic steps to insure a good start toward this goal are:
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