USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Rockland > Town annual report of the officers of the town of Rockland Massachusetts for the year ending 1945 > Part 5
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This fall three of our former teachers returned from the war to take up their accustomed duties in our schools. They are Mr. Arigo LaTanzi, in our high school and Mr. John Metevier and Mr. Paul Casey in the Mckinley School; each in his former position. We are very happy to have them with us and trust their services will prove beneficial to the educational growth of our children.
Closing of Two Elementary School Buildings
With the closing of the war and the re-adjustment of our teaching staff it became apparent that an opportunity presented itself to improve our instruction to the pupils in our two small schools, namely the Gleason and Central Street buildings where we have maintained double grades for several years. With the increase of some transporta- tion we could accommodate these pupils in our Mckinley and Lincoln Schools where single grades prevail. More efficient instruction is possible in these buildings where each teacher has but one grade.
If we find it necessary to pass through a period of unemployment, as followed World War 1 and our govern- ment produces something similar to the Works Progress Administration it may be possible for us to secure some of these federal funds and build two additional rooms on the Jefferson School as well as a small auditorium and gymnasium combination. A similar combination for the Lincoln School will be desirable. With these improve- ments our elementary school buildings will be quite satisfactory for the present. We are greatly handicapped without either an auditorium or a gymnasium in these two buildings. Pupils need adequate space for physical exercise and a place to meet as a school unit.
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SEVENTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
The school yard at the Lincoln School has presented a problem which is being partially solved by the addition of a playground at the rear of the building. It is hoped that the land will be seeded and ready for use in the fall of 1946. Then it will not be necessary to use the hard sur- faced front yard for recess and playground activities.
Transportation
During the war years when the transportation of school children was under the Office of Defense Transportation it was necessary to follow the designated ruling of trans- portation for those who live two miles or more from the school.
For years prior to the war the rule of the local School Committee had been to transport those in the first eight grades if they lived a mile and one-quarter or more from the school. The distance for those riding on the school bus during four years of high school was two miles.
When the O. D. T. removed the restriction on school transportation in August it was deemed advisable by the School Committee to return to the pre-war ruling in grades 1 to 6 and adopt the two mile rule for grades 7 through 12. With the closing of the Central Street and Gleason Schools, certain parents have asked for a still greater mileage reduction. On the single session plan, under which we now operate, it became necessary to secure a third bus to allow pupils to leave home as late in the morning as possible. It also provides earlier transporta- tion at the end of the school day. This additional bus has increased our transportation costs. No pupil needs to leave his or her home before 7:45 A. M. under our present arrangements. Even with our return to the shorter distance for children to walk in the first six grades, there has been agitation for a reduction in the mileage to three- quarters of a mile or a mile. If this change is made our transportation bill will be increased by $5,000. The only exceptions we are making to the fixed rules are based upon the health of pupils. If the attending physician feels that the health of the child is impaired by the walk
87
TOWN OF ROCKLAND
to and from school he may submit a certificate stating this fact and the pupil will be allowed to ride on the school bus. Such certificates must be renewed at least yearly and oftener if the case warrants. If a pupil enters the bus without permission he is soon discovered and is re- moved. We welcome information pertaining to infractions of the rule.
Repairs To Buildings and Grounds
Necessary repairs to the plumbing and heating equip- ment have been made in all of the schools. All floors in all buildings have been refinished with a floor filler, and several blackboards have had a coat of stain. Several window shades have been replaced in the buildings especially in the high school.
The snow rails on the Mckinley School roof were re- placed as they had completely rusted through and had produced a safety hazard. It was necessary in the removal of the old rails to replace a considerable number of slates.'
There is need for redecoration of several rooms in all of our buildings this year if funds and labor are available. The outside wood work on the Junior Senior High must have a coat of paint as well as a refinish on the window sash in the building. The walls of the cafeteria and gymnasium should be refinished. If the town approves of installing oil burners in the Junior Senior High it will improve our heating in the school and probably allow us to function with two janitors in that building.
The driveways leading to the Jefferson and Mckinley Schools should be repaired and improved. Both buildings need brick repointing and repairs to the roofs.
Conclusion
Two studies which have been made recently and re- ferred to by the Principal in his report "Planning For American Youth," an Educational Program for Youth of Secondary School Age and the Harvard Report "General Education in A Free Society" will vitally affect our educational planning and thinking in the years just ahead.
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SEVENTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
The Harvard Report has brought out several interesting deductions :
1. Practical Arts should be emphasized for both boys and girls at least one of the four years in high school.
2. Colleges have been willing to modify their entrance requirements and to recognize the ability to do college work instead of subjects taken in High School.
3. Any competent citizen must have had a sequence of studies in high school rather than a year of this and a year of that.
The real objective of the report was to contribute to- wards the development of an educational policy at Harvard. It did nevertheless bring considerable light into the field of secondary education.
In the Study: "Planning For All American Youth" there are one or two deductions I wish to make.
1. Secondary Education may need to enlarge its scope and extend educational opportunities into the 13th and 14th years. (Compulsory attendance would then be raised from 16 to 18 years of age.)
2. Education must be suited to the personal and social needs of the people it serves.
3. Education should be continuous; it should go on after youth leave the school. (A Guidance Director could help greatly in this respect).
Vocational Guidance
I am sure we shall all agree that only the man or woman who is happy in his work, who is fitted for it by nature and trained for it through education can make the fullest use of his powers. Through guidance and testing we can measure personality, reasoning powers, intelligence, mechanical ability, imagination, memory, and speed in comprehension. We should therefore have a vocational guidance director as soon as possible to achieve these ends for our pupils.
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TOWN OF ROCKLAND
I wish to thank the members of the Rockland School Committee, supervisors, principals and teachers for their sympathetic understanding of the problems confronting our educational system and for their eagerness and earn- estness to assist in the solution of them.
Respectfully submitted,
R. STEWART ESTEN, Superintendent of Schools.
REPORT OF JUNIOR - SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
Mr. R. Stewart Esten Superintendent of Schools Rockland, Massachusetts
My dear Mr. Esten :
This fall's enrollment was greater than that of the pre- vious two or three years. On October 1, there were 649 pupils enrolled in the school. Fifty-nine percent of the en- rollment was in Senior High and forty-one per cent in Junior High. It can be assumed that the termination of war-time working conditions is at least in part responsible for this increase in enrollment.
On the average, the daily attendance record for the year was satisfactory. However, attention should be called to the fact that on stormy days the absences have been quite high ranging from twenty-five to nearly fifty per cent of the enrollment. In the matter of tardiness there was improvement during the year.
The pre-induction training program was carried on to the end of the school year in June, but was not resumed this fall as the war's end has terminated the need for such a program. Recently we received a letter of thanks from
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SEVENTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
the War Department for the assistance rendered the war effort by having the pre-induction training as a part of our school's program. It is planned, however, to continue the class in Aviation. One of the most important objec- tives of that program, physical fitness, should not and will not be dropped. Greater stress will be given to physi- cal fitness in all of the physical education classes.
Beginning this fall, Problems of American Democracy was made a required subject for all Seniors. Today, as our way of life is being challenged from many quarters and by perplexing problems, the wisdom of this require- ment should be evident to all citizens of the community.
A battery of tests to determine abilities, skills, apti- tudes, and interests will be given this spring to two of the classes as a part of our testing program. These tests will be administered and scored by the Cooperative Testing Service of Boston University. On the basis of the results some guidance will be given to the individual pupil. It should be understood that this will be limited guidance service for the most important factor in guidance is not the giving of tests but the evaluation and interpretation of the results. Therefore, in this important function of guidance, our need remains the addition of a trained full- time guidance director to our staff.
Weekly sales of stamps and bonds have been continued at the request of the government. The sales have been high with an average of over eighty per cent of the student body making weekly purchases. However we have not been able to attain the ninety per cent average sustained week after week all during the war.
Information and assistance has been given to many former pupils, some in the services and others recently discharged, relative to the completion of their high school studies. Many of these boys are desirous of completing their work to qualify for a diploma. All have been advised to do this as soon as possible so that full advan- tage may be taken of the 'G. I. bill of rights.'
91
TOWN OF ROCKLAND
The shop machines, a lathe, one drill-press, and a band saw, ordered last year, were not delivered until late sum- mer. Some of the motors which operate these machines have not yet arrived. This situation has delayed the strengthening of our offerings in vocational training, one of the real needs in our program. With a broader pro- gram, more boys in the Senior High should take advan- tage of the training offered by this department.
The school was again represented in the American Le- gion Oratorical Contest. One intra-school prize-speaking contest was also held during the year. Aside from class- room training in speech, our forensic activities were limited to those two events. It is hoped that the various forensic meets which had to be abandoned during the war years because of transportation restrictions, and at which our pupils did so well in past years, may be resumed in the immediate future.
Until this fall the athletic program was somewhat handicapped by transportation difficulties, but now we are again able to use busses. From the standpoint of wins, our football team did not have a very successful sea- son this fall. However the team showed real possibilities at times and it maintained a fine spirit right to the last whistle. In boys' basketball last winter we had another fine team, making the Eastern Massachusetts (Tech) Tournament at the Boston Garden where its performance brought credit to the school and town. In track, we won the South Shore meet held at our field in June. We also won the first annual South Shore cross-country run which was held in Brockton in November. The baseball season was not quite so good as it usually is, but there is much interest in the newly formed baseball league which will operate this spring. Girls' basketball enjoyed a good sea- son. We again found it difficult to schedule games for the Junior High athletic program. Our proudest asset in the whole program has been that good sportsmanship pre- vailed at all times.
92
SEVENTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
Due to the delay in delivery of the sound projector ordered last March and not received until late fall, the step-up in the use of visual aids will not get under way until after the new year. In the years just ahead all types of visual aids wlil be used in the schools making teaching more interesting and effective.
Attention should be called to the need of new lockers for the boys' gym classes. Those now in use have had many years of service and have been repaired many times.
The efficient service of the members of the Pro Merito Honor Society as student librarians once again merits our thanks and appreciation. The school library was also aided in increased usefulness by the annual gift of money from the Rockland Woman's Club for the purchase of books.
In October, we welcomed back Mr. Arigo LaTanzi to his position on the faculty after several years of service in the Coast Guard. We lost the services of Mr. Earle Komarin in November when he resigned to enter business. No doubt there will be other faculty changes in the new year, especially in the return of those on military leave.
Our school is exceedingly grateful for the many scholar- ships and awards given at graduation each year. To the boys and girls of Rockland High this indicates sincere in- terest of the townspeople and is an incentive for doing their best. Some are materially aided thereby in continu- ing their education beyond high school. The following awards were given at graduation in June 1945:
Rockland Woman's Club Scholarships - Grace Farah, Eunice Spaziani, Frances Benner.
H. May Hurley Scholarship - Robert Tompkins
Fraternal Order of Eagles #841 of Rockland - Barbara Olson.
American Legion Scholarships - Jean Derby and Ger- maine McCabe.
American Legion Auxiliary Scholarship - George O'Don- nell.
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TOWN OF ROCKLAND
Chamber of Commerce Community Prize Essay - Marcia Stanley.
Prize for Highest Average in Mathematics and Science - Dominic Mastrodomenico.
Good Citizenship Medal of D. A. R. - Marjorie Belcher.
Rockland Strand Theatre Scholarships - Clare Conant and Florence Feener.
Athletic Scholarships - George Miller, George O'Don- nell and Richard Scott.
Washington and Franklin Certificate for Excellence in United States History - Robert Clement.
Winner of Legion Oratorical Contest Post #147 - Patricia Parker.
Complimentary membership for one year in Chamber of Commerce - Richard Sears and Robert Christie.
Prize Winners for essays written for War Memorial Book of V. F. W. - Frances Benner, Dorothy Gerstle and Marcia Stanley.
There is universal agreement that we face an era far more perplexing than any that has passed. The difficult problems ahead will challenge man's intellect and charac- ter. Thus all agree that education is more important for the future of our nation - and our world - than ever before. But what kind of an educational system will produce a world where men may live in security, dignity, and peace? Two recent studies by outstanding authorities indicate some of the answers to that question. One of these is entitled "Education for All American Youth" by the Ed- ucational Policies Commission of the National Education Association and the other is "General Education in a Free Society" by the Harvard University Committee. It is recommended that these reports be read by all citizens, especially those interested in improving the present school program to meet the challenges of tomorrow.
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SEVENTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
In closing, I extend my thanks to the School Commit- tee and the Superintendent for their assistance and to the faculty and pupils for their helpful cooperation.
Respectfully submitted,
GEO. A. J. FROBERGER,
Principal
REPORT OF SCHOOL PHYSICIANS AND SCHOOL NURSE
Mr. R. Stewart Esten Superintendent of Schools Rockland, Massachusetts
My dear Mr. Esten:
We herewith submit our report as school physicians and school nurse for the year 1945.
We have examined all pupils of the elementary grades as required by section 53, chaper 71 of the General Laws. We also have examined Junior High and High School pupils who were candidates for the athletic program to the end that only those pupils who were physically quali-' fied would engage in the competetive sports programs.
The Diphtheria prevention program or Toxoid Clinic was carried out during the spring term of 1945. Medical authorities recommend that all children at the age of six months be given the Toxoid inoculations as a Diphtheria preventative. There appears to be an increase in the num- . ber of children entering our first grades who have been inoculated against this disease, showing that there is an awareness on the parent's part of public health standards and this is to be commended. We shall continue our year- ly Toxoid Clinic for the first grade pupils.
-
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TOWN OF ROCKLAND
To the Junior Red Cross and the Underprivileged Child Committee of the Rockland Kiwanis we are most appre- ciative for their financial assistance in tonsillectomy cases.
There are sixty-five children receiving free milk daily, at the present time.
Examination of the feet of school children was omitted in 1945 because of the inability of the School Department to procure the paper sandals which were necessary from a hygienic point.
The Chadwick Clinic made a visit on November 7, 1945. Six pupils were x-rayed and five were continued on the Follow-Up clinic to be x-rayed in one year.
The Massachusetts Vision test which is an improved method for school vision testing is being used in the ele- mentary grades and as the work is not yet completed figures are not available.
The audiometer for testing hearing which will be bor- rowed from the Massachusetts Department of / Public Health could not be booked for Rockland until January, 1946, hence figures are not available on the test.
On April 3, 1945 an assembly for high school girls was held in interest of Cadet Nursing, with a member of the staff of the Quincy City Hospital and three cadet nurses taking part. Much interest was shown by our students and subsequently several have chosen nursing as a career.
Elementary and Junior High School pupils examined by School Physicians 887
No. physical defects found by physicians 68
No. examined for High School Football squad No. examined for High School Cross Country 30
44
No. examined for High School Boys' Basketball No. examined for High School Girls' Basketball 11
No. examined for Jr. High School Basketball and Baseball 30
25
96
SEVENTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
Activities of School Nurse
No. visits to classrooms
1714
No. dressings to minor wounds 103
No. emergency treatments
20
No. taken home ill
40
No. weighed and measured
1584
No. individual inspections
2675
No. home visits 480
All cases of non-attendance which have been reported to me have been investigated. We wish to thank all those who have cooperated with us during the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
JOSEPH H. DUNN, M. D.
NORBERT F. LOUGH, M. D.
School Physicians
LOUISE A. CONSIDINE, R. N. School Nurse
REPORT OF JUNIOR - SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL CAFETERIA
My Dear Mr. Esten :
I herewith submit the following report on the cafeteria for the year 1945. It has been operated as usual on a self- supporting non-profit basis, and although at times it has been very difficult to get the food we wanted we have managed very well. The food has cost more than usual because it has been impossible to buy as advantageously as formerly.
The standard of the meals has remained the same; the . main dish consisting of meat, two vegetables, bread and butter, or a casserole dish for ten cents; salad, ten cents ; soup, sandwiches, milk, desserts, five cents. The state reimburses the cafeteria seven cents on the main dish if it conforms to their standards.
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TOWN OF ROCKLAND
Lunch is served in two twenty minute periods. The cafeteria employs a full time cook with the recent addi- tion of a part time helper. There are about twenty-five students who serve in the capacity of cashiers, checkers, assist with teacher's trays and help with milk bottles and trays at lunch time. These people receive free lunches.
We have done almost $2000 more business than last year and the business has more than trippled itself in the past ten years.
Respectfully submitted, ELEANOR B. LOUD
FINANCIAL REPORT FOR THE ROCKLAND HIGH SCHOOL CAFETERIA January 1, 1945 to December 31, 1945
Balance on Hand, January 1, 1945
$ 19 45
Cash Receipts for 1945
12 240 34
Total Cash
$12 259 79
Cash Payments for 1945:
Berwick Cake Co.
$ 551 28
Boston Provision Co.
1 233 35
Brockton Edison Co.
1 56
Continental Baking Co.
303 24
Crane & Sons, F. H.
387 27
Dowd Co., H. J.
88 02
Drake Bakeries
761 77
Globe Ticket Co.
85 90
Gumpert Co., S.
31 28
Heinz Co., H. J.
265 51
Hunt Potato Chip Co.
390 40
Loose-Wiles Biscuit Co.
360 79
McGrath, Margaret M.
811 20
Murrill, T.
30 00
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SEVENTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
Office of Internal Revenue
105 50
Plymouth Rock Ice Cream Co.
1 949 46
Robbins Co., Donald F.
2 00
Rome Brothers
2 75
Ryan's Market
1 128 98
Stringer, Fred W.
103 00
Strong, Doris
29 80
Veritas Co., The
15 00
Washburn Bakery, Inc
821 28
Weatherbee, Charles N.
2 769 52
Total Cash Payments Balance on Hand
$12 228 86 $ 30 93
Respectfully submitted, ROSE T. MAGADINI, ELEANOR B. LOUD.
AGE GRADE TABLE AS OF OCTOBER 1, 1945 AGE
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16 17
18
Total
Grade
1
32
68
9
1
110
2
20
62
16
2
100
3
23
54
10 2
89
4
15
54
19
2
91
5
24
46
9
9
88
6
32
50
10
5
1
98
7
46
66
25
6
3
146
8
38
45
16
13
1
113
9
3
45
54
11
8
121
10
36 51
12
5
104
11
31
45
8
84
12
48
30
2
80
P. G.
1
1
Ungraded Total
1
1
2
1
4
3
2
14
32 88
95 86 91 101 108 130 124 114 110 113
44
3
1239
1
TOWN OF ROCKLAND
99
100
SEVENTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
ROCKLAND HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION EXERCISES Class of 1945
In the Auditorium Wednesday Evening, June 13, 1945
PROGRAMME
Processional, "March of the Priests Mendelssohn Rockland High Orchestra
Invocation The Rev. Clayton Brooks Hale
Honor Essay "Freedom From Want"
Collina Ann McLeod
Selections - (a) "In a Monastery Garden" Ketelbey (b) "Stouthearted Men" Romberg
Rockland High Choristers
Honor Essay "Freedom From Fear"
Barbara Ann Olson
Chamber of Commerce Prize Essay "Our Community" Marcia Elisabeth Stanley
Music, "Tango Tsigane" Gade
Rockland High Orchestra
Honor Essay "Freedom of Speech"
Florence Annie Feener
Songs - (a) "Praise for Peace" F. Flemming
(b) "One Alone" Romberg
(c) "This is My Country" Waring
Girls' Glee Club
Honor Essay "Freedom of Worship"
Grace Genevieve Farah
Woman's Club Scholarships Mrs. Robert Torrey, Chairman Scholarship Committee
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TOWN OF ROCKLAND
Awarding of Other Scholarships, Prizes and Presentation of Diplomas Mr. Dana S. Collins, Chairman School Commitee
Salute to the Flag
Song "Star Spangled Banner"
Chorus and Audience
Benediction The Rev. Clayton Brooks Hale
Recessional "Pomp and Chivalry" Roberts
Rockland High Orchestra
Director of Chorus - Miss Blanche G. Maguire
Director of Orchestra - Mr. Sarkis Kurkjian
Accompanists
Lillian Ivanelle Cunningham, Antoinette Mastrodomenico
GRADUATES
Phyllis Elizabeth Ames
*Theresa Julia Bailey Barbara Mary Barry
*Marjorie Elizabeth Belcher Marjorie Louise Bell
*Frances Julia Benner Edward Eugene Berry Muriel Dorene Borden Dorothy Louise Bowser Avis Grace Burbank Rosemary Ann Burke Geraldine Frances Burns Margaret Ann Cobb *Clare Teresa Conant *Jean Ann Conroy Alice Louise Conway Janice Louise Cummings
*Lillian Ivanelle Cunningham Mary Edith Davis *Jean Leslie Derby Frances Josephine Duven Clifford Dexter Elliott, Jr
*Hazel Louise Emmons
*Grace Genevieve Farah
*Florence Annie Feener *John Hurley Flavell John Joseph Flynn Caroline Bernice Garland Genevieve Barbara Grant
*Dominic Raymond Mastrodomenico George Miller
Patricia Ann Mollins Sally Anne Morgan John Frederick McAuliffe
*Germaine Flavia McCabe Eleanor Mary Mccarthy
*Collina Ann McLeod Genevieve Ann McVein
*Shirley Edna Nieforth
*Rita Frances O'Brien
*George Thomas O'Donnell, Jr. Pauline Elizabeth O'Hayre Ruth Elizabeth O'Kelly
*Barbara Ann Olson Betty Bradford Packard Robert Burton Packard
"Mary Margaret Parker Ralph Stanley Paulding, Jr. Angelina Marie Porrazzo Marilyn Prouty Charles Edward Rinkus Jennie Maria Sassi
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