USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Rockland > Town annual report of the officers of the town of Rockland Massachusetts for the year ending 1959 > Part 8
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John Hoadley, Mckinley heat- ing unit 510.33
John Hoadley, Memorial Park, leak 102.04
John Hoadley, installing bicycle rack 150.00
James Pool, painting
1,499.00
Tucker Top Shop, desk tops
780.00
Walsh Sheet Metal Works, me- tal ceilings 951.75
R. S. Esten, travel expense to Federal Conferences 3.10
Summer School Payroll
1,400.00
Henry Shortall, Summer School Director, postcards 5.25
Tests for Summer School stu- dents 16.83
132
Eighty-sixth Annual Report
Gledhill Bros., furniture
1,380.00
Boston Janitors' floor machine
256.16
32.00
Rockland Coal & Grain, ladder Royal McBee typewriter, office of Asst. Supt. of Schools
125.00
Payroll, clerical
1,282.06
Miscellaneous repairs
407.21
Paul Kelley, expenses attending meeting
2.00
Globe Ticket Co., tickets for R. H. auditorium
81.70
G. Dumanian, workshop at Amherst 23.60
Bay State Restaurant Co., Blod- gett oven 695.00
Singer Sewing Machine Co.,
sewing machines
153.50
Total Payments
$ 11,121.03
Balance December 31, 1959
$ 24,471.14
133
Town of Rockland
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of Rockland :
Reviewing the past year's activities in the Rockland schools, unquestionably a great accomplishment was the highly successful operation of our first summer school in many years. The summer school was limited in its scope for two main reasons :
1) To get a realistic sampling of pupil interest, 2) that the new problems posed by this departure from the routine might be kept to a minimum.
The summer sessions were a tremendous success both from the standpoint of student interest and attitude, as well as the work accomplished by the students. This suc- cess was extremely heartening to your Committee since the inclusion of a summer school in the Rockland School Cur- riculum enables your schools to work toward the accom- plishment of several desirable ends. These are :
A. The increased classroom instruction universally advocated by today's leading educators.
B. Increased usage of the schools of Rockland.
C. Last and most important, the offering of desired and/or needed instruction which could not be of- fered during the conventional school year.
The cost of staffing and maintaining our schools con- tinues to rise in relation to the continual increases in the school population. Your Committee is aware of the bur- den today's school costs place on the real estate taxpayers, but unfortunately cannot see any levelling off of costs until the pupil enrollment levels off. One factor contributing to this year's increase in the school costs was the passage by the State Legislature of an increase in the minimum salary to be paid to all teachers in public schools of the Commonwealth. The increase of the State minimum with- out accompanying legislation supplying the necessary funds could only mean an increase in the real estate tax
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Eighty-sixth Annual Report
burden. Your Committee plans to request our State Rep- resentative and Senator to couple any future legislature making mandatory increases in teacher's salary minimums with legislation to provide amount of revenue necessary for the increased costs.
The Townspeople of Rockland are again faced with a shortage of classrooms, this time in the elementary schools. Classes are now being conducted in auditoriums and on stages and, shortly the elementary schools simply will not be able to house the elementary school popula- tion. (Please see the Superintendent's report for a comp- rehensive explanation of this problem.) Although this space shortage can be solved temporarily by double ses- sions, the only educationally acceptable solution is the construction of a new building or additions to our present buildings. Although the thought of more school buildings may make the tax weary citizen groan, we all have a clear cut obligation to supply the children of Rockland an edu- cation and a place in which to receive an education. Your Committee has no preconceived ideas on what type of building or addition should be constructed, we only know there is a need for more classrooms. Your Committee can only hope that the people of Rockland will rise again to meet the challenge of the needs of today's increasing school population and direct their energy to the solution of this problem.
Finally, your Committee must advise you with great regret that our Superintendent of many years, Mr. R. Stewart Esten, reaches the age of mandatory retirement this year. Superintendent Esten has contributed so much in educational leadership, stability, and integrity that it is impossible to start showing in this report the tremendous asset he has been to our schools. The void caused by Mr. Esten's retirement will be most difficult to fill.
Respectfully submitted,
HOBART A. CAPEN
Chairman
135
Town of Rockland
REPORT FROM SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the School Committee, Parents, and Citizens of Rockland :
I herewith submit my annual report as Superintend- ent of Schools for the year ending December 31, 1959.
It contains brief statements of the High School and Junior High principals along with statements of the vari- ous departments in our schools.
A careful examination of them will inform you of our accomplishments in our educational system with sugges- tions for possible improvements.
School Housing
One of the major problems facing the administration today is the housing of pupils, especially at the elementary level.
The projected enrollment, with no provision for the housing construction program of Rockland, shows that by September of 1962, we will need eighteen new rooms for elementary children.
At that time our school organization would be set up on the 6-3-3 system adopted by the School Committee when the Senior High was constructed. That is, with grades 1 through 6 in elementary buildings, grades 7 through 9 in the junior high and grades 10 through 12 in the senior high.
The present normal capacity of our elementary schools with 38 classrooms is 1080 pupils. Our present elementary enrollment is 1529, which means 449 pupils in excess of normal capacity. Two hundred thirty-one of these pupils are in Grade 6 which we have placed, tempo- rarily, in the Junior High School, The other 218 pupils are in overcrowded classrooms, and there is one class now on the Jefferson School stage.
This coming September our elementary enrollment
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Eighty-sixth Annual Report
will increase to approximately 1600. Again 194 of the Grade VI pupils will be placed in the Junior High School, but the excess of 326 pupils will be housed in improvised facilities not intended for instruction rooms, i.e., corridors, stages, basements, etc. When all possible facilities have been converted to classroom use, which will be by Sep- tember of 1962, the only alternative - without a school building program - will be dual sessions.
A forecast of the building program indicates that there will be 594 new homes in Rockland by 1965. This means, according to state ratio, about 891 pupils, or 30 new classrooms, in addition to the foregoing.
PROJECTED ENROLLMENT
Grade
1959
1960
1961
1962
1963
1964
1965
1966
1967
1968
1
313
325
350
325
375
360
375
390
400
425
2
278
313
325
350
325
375
360
375
390
400
3
237
278
313
325
350
325
375
360
375
390
4
249
237
278
313
325
350
325
375
360
375
5
194
249
237
278
313
325
350
325
375
360
6
*231
* 194
*249
237
278
319
325
350
325
375
7
259
231
194
249
237
278
313
325
350
325
8
203
259
231
194
249
237
278
313
325
350
9
154
203
259
** 231
** 194
** 249
** 237
278
313
325
10
147
154
20
259
231
194
249
237
278
313
11
137
147
154
203
259
231
194
249
237
278
12
114
137
147
154
203
259
231
194
249
237
Total
2516
2727
2940
3118
3339
3496
3612
3771
3977
4153
* Will be housed in Junior High
** Will be housed in Junior High
Elementary: Present capacity: 37 rooms
Needed by 1962: 55 rooms
Needed by 1968: 77 rooms
Junior High: Present capacity: 750 pupils Senior High: Present capacity: 800 pupils
By 1968 we will need housing for 1828 pupils in Junior and Senior High Schools
Town of Rockland
137
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Eighty-sixth Annual Report
Superintendent's Advisory Council
Through the work of the Superintendent's Advisory Council, meeting monthly to consider problems which affect the entire school system, projects of potential bene- fit are proposed and sponsored. The esprit de corps is ex- cellent. Following studied consideration of the Junior High guidance program, our School Committee is recom- mending a full time guidance counselor to work with and under the direction of the Senior High Guidance Director ; this co-ordinated effort to begin next September. Provi- sion for the undertaking has been made in the school budget.
Following Dr. Conant's Report, the Council also gave consideration to the gifted child of the elementary schools. In organizing our sixth grades in September, we placed in one division those children who have proved their ability to accept more work at comparatively the same rate of speed and thereby gain added enrichment in their school studies. We hope that this venture will prove its worth and can be continued throughout the high school courses, thereby developing the potentialities of leadership throughout mature life.
Operation and Maintainance
For 1959 the total appropriation for maintenance of buildings and grounds amounted to $99,252.88, or ap- proximately 15% of the total school budget. This rather large sum is more readily understood when it is consider- ed that approximately 53% of this total, or $52,870. is for salaries of thirteen regular, and one half-time custo- dian, the Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds, and part- time summer workers while custodians are on vacation.
Also, over 34%, or $34,546. is expended for fuel and utilities, leaving a balance of about $12,000. to maintain our entire school plant of six buildings and all of its equip- ment for one year.
It was necessary to use available money from federal funds for some emergency repairs, in addition to the above amounts.
139
Town of Rockland
The major project this year has been the improve- ment of the Mckinley and Lincoln Schools for the safety of our children. Through the installation of heat activa- ted devices in these buildings, and by connecting all of the schools with the local fire station, we have eliminated to a large degree the fire hazard of these older buildings. At the Lincoln School in the basement, we have also in- stalled a plastered ceiling on wire lath as a further safety measure.
With the growth of our school system and the in- creased number of custodians to care for buildings and grounds, it seemed advisable to have these men in uniform, particularly for safety reasons. Many of our younger children formerly did not recognize our janitors from out- siders who might enter our buildings. With the custodial uniforms this hazard has been removed. Also, as our buildings are in constant use by outside organizations, custodial uniforms are very much needed.
Public Law 874 and the National Defense Act Public Law 85-864
The enactment of Public Law 874 demonstrates to a great extent the potentialities that rest within the federal government to render financial assistance to schools. This aid should be regarded not only by the federal govern- ment, but also by local educational agencies as aid due in justice to the communities.
This is a definite obligation on the part of the federal government to furnish financial aid toward the operation and maintenance of school in towns and cities where fed- eral activities have resulted in the influx of families into a given area. Rockland has benefited financially the past few years by these provisions in the law, enacted in 1950. This year we have received more than $24,000. to be used by the School Committee for the education of its children.
To encourage Guidance Activities in our schools the federal government has made possible additional monies under the National Defense Act Public Law 85-864 Title V for testing and more adequate equipment for the execu-
140
Eighty-sixth Annual Report
tion of the guidance activities. This past year we were able to secure under this law $843.50. This aid will assist our department immeasurably.
It will be possible to apply this for other funds under Title III for the improvement of instruction in Mathe- matics, Science or Modern Foreign Language.
Mental Health Clinic (Judge Harry K. Stone)
The Massachusetts Department of Mental Health, through the Division of Mental Hygiene, is developing, in partnership with various cities and towns throughout the Commonwealth, a community mental health program for children and their families. It is a positive program de- signed to do more than treat emotional disorders in school age and pre-school children and their families. It aims to promote mental health and, in this way, prevent the growth of emotional disorders. It is a program which aims to reach children early - before their problems become severe enough to require treatment. It seeks to help chil- dren early enough in their lives so that they will ultimately achieve adulthood free of the shadow of emotional dis- orders.
We have had this service rendered to our schools through the Judge Stone Clinic in Brockton. A study of the child is made on the basis of an examination by the psychiatrist and testing by the psychologist; and casework interviews by the psychiatric social worker with the parents. Sixty-four children in our schools have benefited this past year.
School Lunch Program
The School Lunch Program is an important activity of our schools, especially is it advisable during the months in the year when a warm dinner is essential to good health. Since the inception in our elementary schools of the pro- gram, we have charged 25ยข for the full meal which con- tains a balanced diet. The reason we are able to prepare this meal at such a low cost is due to the fact that we se- cure some Federal Commodities as well as State and Fed- eral money, the amount of nine cents per serving if the
141
Town of Rockland
meal measures up to the standards of a balanced diet.
This past year the federal commodities, especially the meats, have not been available in sufficient quantities so the cost of our program has increased.
This makes it necessary for us to supply the addi- tional cost from local funds. Previously, our School Bud- get absorbed the cost of the directors of each school cafe- teria but this year it will be necessary in order to be solvent to include also the wages of two of the assistants. This year we served 200,124 meals.
Summer School Program
This past year, for the first time in many years, Rockland operated a limited Summer School, with the following objectives :
1. To enable pupils to take a subject for which they had no time in regular school.
2. To offer opportunity for upgrading.
3. To give the pupil an opportunity to make up a subject and gain possible promotion.
The subjects established were those preferred by the majority, determined from surveys sent in the spring to all parents of school children :
1. Reading Improvement for Grades 1-3.
2. Arithmetic - Complete review of Grades 3, 4, 5, and 6.
3. English - English grammar in Grades 7-12.
4. Typing - Two courses for Beginners.
Classes were held on Monday through Friday from 9:00 A.M. to 12 :00 noon for a period of six weeks.
There were 210 pupils in attendance and 204 passed the subjects studied.
This project was so successful this past summer as indicated by both parents and students that it is our in- tention to continue it another year with the possible addi- tion of one or two teachers, and subjects.
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Eighty-sixth Annual Report
Television
During the past school year educational television again played an important role in the elementary school program. Pupils in Grades 3 through 6 were introduced to the study of French via TV and seemed to take to it quite readily.
Lessons in oral French were given twice a week and the teachers had their own bulletins and special previews in advance of the pupils. In the 5th grade the Natural Science telecasts were so comprehensive that they furnish- ed the basic course for that grade. Physical Science, Mu- sic, Art and Literature were also studied by television in the elementary schools *. To date our experience with educational television seems to indicate that pupils have profited a great deal at a relatively modest cost and with a minimum amount of time for these activities. Rockland teachers are making good use of this important teaching tool.
* As a supplement to regular teaching these programs offer invaluable possibilities.
*Regular guides are provided for the teacher's use in preparing the class for the scheduled telecast, and for a follow-up in the regular class time.
*Parents may view these programs at home by turn- ing their sets to Channel 2 during school hours, and see the kind of instructional program that educa- tional TV offers.
School Transportation
With the increasing real estate developments in our town beyond the 11/4 mile and 2 mile bus limits, and with the increase in enrollment, the cost of school transporta- tion continues to mount.
In 1959 we spent approximately $24,000. exclusive of out-of-town transportation which covers athletic events, special class, etc.
We are listing below the rules governing School Bus Transportation :
--
143
Town of Rockland
Pupils attending the first grade only will be trans- ported to and from school if they live within the limits of the town and reside more than three-quarters of a mile from the school which they are authorized to attend.
Pupils attending grades two through six will be transported to and from school if they live within the limits of the town and reside more than one mile and a quarter from the school which they are authorized to attend.
Pupils attending Junior-Senior High, grades seven to twelve inclusive, will be transported to and from school if they live within the limits of the town and reside more than two miles from the Junior High or Senior High Schools.
A pupil who is eligible to ride in the school bus is given an identification badge. No pupil will be allowed to ride on the school bus without his badge. If the bus permit is lost a replacement may be secured from the transporta- tion company upon payment of fifty cents.
It is understood that pupils who are transported will be expected to go to central points to take the bus as it is impossible for the bus to stop at individual homes.
Any pupils who fail to conduct themselves properly on the bus will find it necessary to walk to and from schools. The transportation privilege of a misbehaving pupil will be discontinued temporarily.
The principal has permission to detain pupils who have bus transportation if they are not doing a passing grade of work or misbehave in school. Parents should be aware of this ruling to caution their children. In case of stormy weather consideration will be given to the problem.
Business Manager
With the rapid growth of our school system there will be need for an Assistant Superintendent or Business Manager in Rockland. The addition of a manager seems to be the most realistic approach to the problems now facing the School Department, the major portion of which
144
Eighty-sixth Annual Report
results from the sharp rise in the number of pupils enrolled and the inevitable increase to be dealt with in the future. A Business Manager would be responsible for non-aca- demic phases of administrative work throughout the schools. He would assist the Superintendent of Schools, thereby releasing him to devote much more needed time to academic matters to which at present he can give but a minimum amount of time.
Conclusion
Rockland's growth has been so rapid in recent years that its expanded school enrollment, increased number of teachers, additional buildings and equipment, have all multiplied the complexities of school government, increas- ing immeasurably the work of the School Committee as well as that of the administration. A great many extra committee meetings have been held to conduct the multi- ple business under its jurisdiction.
Its members have cooperated with the administration for the best interests and advancement of the schools' pupils. For this I offer sincere gratitude.
I also wish to extend thanks to the members of the school faculty, the various helpful town organizations, service clubs, the Parent Teachers Association and indivi- dual citizen groups.
It is this helpful cooperation that has made and will continue to keep the high standards of quality set for Rockland schools.
Respectfully submitted,
R. STEWART ESTEN
Superintendent of Schools
145
Town of Rockland
REPORT OF THE PRINCIPAL OF ROCKLAND HIGH SCHOOL
Mr. R. Stewart Esten
Superintendent of Schools
Rockland, Massachusetts
I am happy to submit the report of the operation of Rockland High School for the fiscal year ended December 31,1959.
This year can be recorded as one of excellent aca- demic growth. Our pupils have been assisted by participa- tion in the TV programs broadcast over Channel 2. Mrs. Gertrude Ellsworth, Chairman of the English Department, participated in the training program and as a result was able to do much to enrich the educational background of our boys and girls. Educators in general, feel that the abandonment of this program is a distinct academic loss and it is sincerely to be desired that the program should be resumed.
Our library facilities have become more and more an integral part of the school and of immeasurable service to the student body. During the past year we have added to the library and at the present time we have 1,552 books in active circulation. We have 482 classified reference books in constant use by the students. Books have been donated to the library by Mrs. Melvin Hallett, the Rock- land Woman's Club, the Massachusetts Catholic Woman's Guild, Mr. and Mrs. H. Tudor White, and Dr. Forman, Librarian West Point Military Academy. We are grateful for their kindness. Mrs. Marianne Hanigan conducts a class in the use of the library five periods per week for all members of the freshman class and in addition conducts classes in the development of reading appreciation. The growth of the library symbolizes to a certain extent the desire of our students for good literature.
This year, in line with the suggestions of Dr. Conant, we offer Spanish I, and II; French I, II, and III; and Latin I, II, and III. Emphasis is being placed upon the study of
146
Eighty-sixth Annual Report
sciences and mathematics and we have courses in these fields offered in each of the four years. In general, we re- quire all students to take five major subjects per year in addition to two periods of physical education. Our physi- cal education program since September, has been under the general direction of A. Scott MacKinlay who came to us from New Hampshire. Our boys and girls now wear prescribed uniforms for physical education classes and a course of study has been established for both boys and girls in physical education. The faculty and student body regret the loss by illness of Mr. George Boothby, who serv- ed for many years as football coach and physical educa- tion instructor.
An attempt has been made, Mr. Esten, to raise the scholastic standing at Rockland High School. Eligibility for honor roll mention has now been standardized by the School Committee as follows: Highest Honors: A's in subjects meeting three or more times each week plus a grade of 3 or higher in citizenship and effort. For honors: a grade of B or better in all subjects meeting three or more times weekly plus a grade of 3 or higher in citizenship and effort. Membership in the National Honor Society is attained as follows: members are chosen by the faculty from those students who stand in the upper 30% of the senior class and upper 25% of the junior class scholastic- ally. Only 15% of the senior class and 10% of the junior class may be elected to membership, which is based on scholarship, service, leadership, and character. It must be borne in mind that scholarship alone does not elect a student to the National Honor Society.
It is fitting to mention that Miss Mary Jane Skatoff of the Class of 1959 won national recognition as a semi-final- ist in the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. Also, Robert Najarian, a member of the Class of 1960, is the recipient of a letter of commendation from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation for his superior perform- ance on the same test. Rockland High School is deservedly proud of the achievements of these young people.
147
Town of Rockland
The Lelyveld Memorial Organ is in daily use by stu- dents studying the organ. Pupils are permitted to practice on the organ during study periods if they are studying under the direction of a qualified organ teacher. We now have six students using this facility.
The entire program of studies is under revision and the teachers are working on this revision during regular department meetings.
Our band, under the direction of Mr. Calvin Schraga, shows marked improvement. At the present time the majority of the members come from the Junior High School and we look forward to the time when we may have more senior members in the band. New uniforms are need- ed for the band both from the standpoint of appearance and morale building. The majorettes are being re-organ- ized under the direction of Miss Marilyn Norton of the faculty and we plan next year to have a corps of approxi- mately fifteen girls. The girls' chorus is doing well under the direction of Miss Eleanor Buba and I am particularly happy to announce that we have a boys' chorus of ap- proximately eighteen voices. They were heard for the first time at the Christmas Assembly.
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