USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Fairhaven > Town annual report of the offices of Fairhaven, Massachusetts 1951 > Part 6
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Supervisors of Music and Art were formerly employed four days a week, but since February they have been employed full time.
EMPLOYEES
The School Committee has 110 regular employees, including the Superintendent, 83 Teachers, 15 Custodians and Maintenance Men, 3 Clerical Staff, 1 Nurse, and 7 Lunchroom Workers. We recognize their right to organize and to present requests or grievances individually, in groups, or by representatives. All employees have been notified of this policy and have been invited to make use of it without fear of unfair practice on our part.
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SALARIES
The Committee has received communications from the teachers' association, the union of custodians and mainte- nance men, and from other individuals, requesting a general raise in salaries. We are of the opinion that some increase should be given on the basis of wages paid else- where and the higher costs of living. The Committee has attempted to solve the problem with fairness to the employees, to the schools, and to the taxpayers. We have placed in the 1952 budget an amount sufficient to raise the wages of lunchroom workers 80 cents per day and the annual salaries of other employees $200 as of January 1, 1952.
The changes in teachers' salary schedules for teachers without degree, with Bachelor's Degree, and with Master's Degree, are indicated under columns headed O, B, and M, respectively :
Date
Minimum 0 B M
Maximum O B M
Note
Apr. 1949
$2000-2100-2300
$3050-3300-3500
Fully effective 1951
Sept. 951
2300-2400-2600
3050-3300-3500
New legal minimum
Jan. 1952
2500-2600-2800
3250-3500-3700
Proposed
TABER PLAYGROUND
Mr. George H. Taber, Jr., of Rye, N.Y. has leased to the Town for playground purposes a two-acre tract of land east of the Anthony School. The lease is to run from year to year until or unless cancelled by either party on six months' notice. Mr. Taber writes, "I hope the use of my land will be beneficial to the children of the Anthony School." In recognition of Mr. Taber's generosity the School Committee has designated the area as the TABER PLAYGROUND.
REPAIR PROGRAM
The repair program has continued with the employ- ment of three and four men. One has been employed as a substitute custodian for two long periods and occasionally at other times. While the maintenance men do a large part of the repair work, it is necessary to call in others for some work on plumbing, heating, roofing, and electrical jobs. The present plan has worked out very well and we hope to continue it.
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SCHOOL ADDITIONS
It is gratifying to report that additions to the Oxford and East Fairhaven schools were begun this fall and con- struction is proceeding under contracts negotiated by the School Building Committee of which we are members. It is expected that these additions will be finished in the fall of 1952 and that a few rooms will be available in Septem- ber to avoid the possibility of serious overcrowding.
SPECIAL RECOMMENDATIONS
Purchase of Land. The School Committee calls to your attention the continually increasing population of the Town and the large number of elementary school children. One "wave" of large enrollment is now in the fifth grade and will reach the sixth in September 1952. Another wave of larger proportions is anticipated in 1953 backed up by birth statistics indicating large entering classes to 1957. It is apparent that new facilities will be needed within the next few years in addition to those now being built at the Oxford and East Fairhaven schools. We recommend that the Town immediately acquire land located between Washington Street and Spring Street east of Bryant Lane, the site which we consider best suited for a junior high school.
Purchase of Jeep. The maintenance department could make good use of a jeep, or similar vehicle, for carting equipment and materials and for use with snowplow equip- ment when necessary. We recommend that the Town provide for its purchase.
Purchase of Bleachers. The old wooden bleachers at the High School stadium were finally condemned as unsafe for further use. The present bleachers on the west side of the field are inadequate and there are none on the east side. We recommend that the Town purchase additional bleachers and that $1500.00 be appropriated for this purpose.
High School Lunchroom. The High School Lunchroom has been operating for many years with a "revolving fund" without any special appropriation. Prices have been kept as low as possible with the assistance of federal surplus
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foods and reimbursement and the overhead paid by the Town in the items of heat, light, janitor service, water, and supervision. The fund has become too low to provide a safe margin of working capital. We are now confronted with the problem of higher expenses for food and labor and must raise prices or secure additional revenue elsewhere. We recommend, therefore, that the Town appropriate $2,000. for the High School Lunch Account.
Respectfully submitted,
WALDO E. HAYDON, Chairman CLARENCE E. MAGUIRE, Vice-Chairman LAWRENCE B. MAXFIELD EDITH M. MOORE HAROLD S. MACOMBER, Jr. ALBERT M. GONSALVES
School Committee
125
Report of Superintendent of Schools
To the Fairhaven School Committee:
I submit herewith my thirteenth annual report as Superintendent of Schools.
ATTENDANCE AND MEMBERSHIP
1947-48
1948-49
1949-50
1950-51
Average Membership
1,704
1,788
1,900
1,926
Percent of Attendance
94.14
94.62
93.21
94.06
Further information concerning enrollment by schools, grade, and age may be found in the accompanying tables. You will note the increasing membership in the elementary schools and the normal attendance record which year after year deviates very little from 94%.
TEACHER CHANGES
Name
Began
Left
Memo
Mary S. Fletcher
Jan. 1921
June 1951
Retired
Lorraine D. Kelley
Nov. 1944
June 1951
To teach in Wareham
Elsie N. Peltz
Sept. 1946
June 1951
Leave of Absence
Henry W. Pope, Jr.
Sept. 1949
June 1951
Kathryn G. Driscoll
Nov. 1949
Feb. 1951
Gertrude C. Young
Jan. 1950
June 1951
To live in Florida
The small number of changes this year may be attri- buted to a more attractive salary schedule, good working conditions, and to the fact that 43% of our women teachers are married.
HIGH SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM
Receipts
Sales (177 days)
$26,627.40 Ave. $150.44 per day
Federal Funds
7,073.62 Reimbursement
Increased Inventory
232.81 Food only
From Surplus
970.85 Loss
Total
$34,904.67
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Expenditures
Food
$24,915.31
Labor
8,899.80
Other
1,089.56 Mostly Equipment
Total
$34,904.67
During the month of December a daily average of 427 pupils bought regular meals (at 25 or 30 cents) and 146 others bought milk only while an unrecorded number bought sandwiches or other items.
Higher costs required increased prices beginning in September. The cash balance on December 31 was $1,951.82 with unpaid bills amounting to $2,409.50 and federal funds due us amounting to $1,381.57. While this is, of course, a solvent position, we should have a larger amount of working capital. The cost of the proposed in- crease of 10 cents an hour in wages is estimated at $1000. In order to increase wages, to restore some working capital and to avoid raising prices again, a special appropriation of $2,000.00 should be made for the High School Lunch Account.
ELEMENTARY MILK PROGRAM
Receipts
Balance, Jan. 1, 1951
$ 363.20
Sales
2,249.92
Federal Funds
960.05
Mothers' Club Tag Day
224.54
$3,797.71
Expenditures
Milk
$3,455.82
Balance, Dec. 31, 1951
341.89
$3,797.71
Federal reimbursement was at the rate of 11% cents per bottle to June and 2 cents per bottle since September 1951. This income and the Mothers' Club donation of one- half of the Tag Day receipts have enabled us to furnish milk at less than cost and to provide free milk for from 50 to 60 children from October to May.
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HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ACCOUNT
Receipts
Balance, Sept. 1, 1950 $1,296.90
Sept. 1, 1950-Dec. 31, 1950 1,949.21
Jan. 1, 1951-Dec. 31, 1951
5,031.90 $8,278.01
Expenditures
Sept. 1, 1950-Dec. 31, 1950 $2,547.90
Jan. 1, 1951-Dec. 31, 1951
4,859.37
Balance, Dec. 31, 1951
870.74 $8,278.01
The report of the High School Athletic Account is given for the period beginning September 1, 1950 because the last Town Report contained the summary of the account to that time.
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM
An additional seventh grade teacher in September permitted a better organization of that grade. The seventh grades have been literally pushed out of the Oxford and Rogers schools and are now located as follows: one at Tripp, two at Anthony, and two at the High School Addition.
Three teachers employed part-time are now employed full-time: Mr. Tracey in the High School Commercial De- partment, Mrs. Johnson, Supervisor of Music, and Mrs. Modesto, Supervisor of Art.
With the addition of Mr. Gavin to the Physical Edu- cation staff there has been a better program for boys in grades four to eight and a program of intra-mural sports has been started. Mr. Gavin will handle high school track in the spring.
We should plan for three additional teachers for grades one to seven. Such an addition would permit an organization of classrooms with an estimated average of 29.7 pupils per room.
An additional teacher of Household Arts would pro- vide a much better program for high school girls. Such a teacher should be added as soon as the Committee sees its way clear to do so.
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REPAIRS AND IMPROVEMENTS
The work of the Maintenance Men has included a great many items the most important of which are as follows:
Oxford School. New corridor ceiling, repairs to tower and conductor pipes, painting exterior, and building shelters at two entrances.
Rogers School. Cement work in basements and boiler room, repair of window sash and weather-stripping, paint- ing several rooms, repairing portable, and laying new floors in corridor and two classrooms.
East Fairhaven School. Exterior painting, caulking, around doors and windows, refinishing floors, building backboards, and changing shades and building visors to darken auditorium.
Anthony School. Exterior painting, pointing, caulking repairs to brickwork, gutters, roof, equipment, and moving fence to east side of new playground.
Tripp School. Removal of trees and work on chalk- boards.
High School and Addition. Moving and repair of bleachers, caulking, repairs to hoist, blackboards, backstop, goal posts, window sash, cement work on stadium, and help in seeding field.
All Schools. .. Repairs to locks, windows, doors, roofs, and assistance when needed in refinishing floors, setting glass, and repairing furniture and other equipment.
Work done by others has included the following:
East Fairhaven. New ceiling lights in auditorium and new shades in one classroom.
Anthony School. Installation of electric clocks.
High School and Addition. Replacement of water heater, scrubcoating of part of Addition, new grates in one boiler, asphalt tile floor in foods laboratory, new shades in several rooms, repairs to Addition roof, and installation of fin-type radiation in four rooms.
129
Oxford School. Scrubcoating to seal brick exterior.
Tripp School. Repair brickwork and replace grates in one boiler.
TRANSPORTATION
The accompanying transportation report includes 567 pupils who were being transported in December. An in- crease in the number from New Boston Road, Bridge Street, and Oak Grove Lane has required an additional bus trip. The number of pupils transported from Sconticut Neck is now 307.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Winning the basketball tournament at the Boston Garden for the second time in two years was an event of great credit to the High School team and its coaches.
The lease of land by George H. Taber, Jr. to the Town for playground purposes has been a valuable improvement at the Anthony School.
The Parent-Teacher Associations are to be commended for their continued interest in the schools. Their gifts of scholarships and films and their other activities have been well worth while.
The School Building Committee of 13 members, with whom I have been glad to cooperate, is now bringing its plans to a successful conclusion in the construction of the Oxford and East Fairhaven school additions.
The Bristol County Mental Health Clinic is now assist- ing us in cases which we are no longer able to refer to the State clinics.
The High School Band and Orchestra participated with distinction at the State Music Festival held in Weymouth and at the New England Festival in Boston.
The Instrumental Music Fund has expended for instru- ments this year the sum of $1,533.16. At the end of the year the cash balance was $82.22 and there were 32 out- standing loans totaling $730.02. More pupils would pur- chase instruments if more money were available for loans.
130
Sixty pupils from the High School participated in the vocal music programs of the Massachusetts and New England Music Festivals and were given excellent ratings.
CONCLUSION
Your attention is called to the accompanying reports of the High School Principal and the School Nurse and to the various statistical and financial reports submitted herewith.
Respectfully submitted FLAVEL M. GIFFORD Superintendent of Schools
131
Report of High School Principal
To the Superintendent of Schools:
I have the honor to present my fifteenth annual report as Principal of the Fairhaven High School.
ENROLLMENT
The school enrollment on October 1, 1951 was 753. There were 548 in the four-year high school, 142 in grade 8 and 63 in two seventh grades assigned here because of overcrowded elementary schools.
GRADUATION 1951
On June 20, 1951, 125 seniors received diplomas from Mr. Clarence E. MaGuire and Mr. Harold S. Macomber, Jr., members of the School Committee. Awards were made as follows: The Julia A. Sears Essay Prize and a scholarship of $125 from the Fairhaven-Mattapoisett Teachers Asso- ciation to Philomena Duarte, The Lady Fairhaven Cup to Margery A. Greenfield and Robert S. Dexter, The Lady Fairhaven Citizenship Award and the Palestine Scholar- ship of $100 from Arlan's Department Store to Barton B. Leach, The Bausch and Lomb Medal for Excellence in Science to Eleanor L. Baker, the D.A.R. Good Citizenship Award and a scholarship of $100 from the Fairhaven- Mattapoisett Teachers Association to Richard Cargill, '48, a scholarship of $100 from the Fairhaven Mothers' Club to Mary E. O'Leary, a scholarship of $100 from the Matta- poisett Woman's Club to Carol A. Longmore, a scholarship of $50 from the East Fairhaven P-T. A. to Robert Barrows, '49. The class gift to the school was the sum of $100 for the purchase of additional lighting equipment for the stage. The guest speaker was Mr. Everett S. Allen, assistant to the editor of the New Bedford Standard Times.
ACTIVITIES OF GRADUATES
Since graduation slightly more than one-third of the class has gone on to advance study. Among the four-year colleges ,that accepted members of the 1951 Class are M.I.T., Vassar, Columbia, Tufts, Boston University, Sim- mons, Gordon, University of Pennsylvania, New Bedford
132
Textile Institute, the State Universities of Massachusetts, Maine and Connecticut, and the Teachers Colleges at Bridgewater and Fitchburg. Four entered nursing schools, three went to junior colleges, two entered art schools, five chose schools of business such as Babson Institute, Bryant College, and Katherine Gibbs, and several are studying at other schools of college grade.
A study of the 41 business graduates in this class reveals that 28 were placed in offices, 4 went on to advanced schools, 2 are employed by stores, 2 are in the entertain- ment field, one is in the WAVES, one is at home, and three are in miscellaneous occupations.
ATHLETICS
A year ago after an unusually successful athletic season I wrote, "Friends of Fairhaven High School will long remember the year 1950". Now I must say that our friends have cause to remember the year 1951 also. For the second consecutive year our basketball team won the Class B Championship in the Eastern Massachusetts Basket- ball Tournament and for the first time since 1944 our football team defeated New Bedford High School.
The playing of the basketball team was of high order and reflected credit upon players and coach. After winning the championship, the team played the next Saturday night in the New England Tournament and defeated the team from Lancaster, New Hampshire. At all games the per- formance of players, cheer leaders, and band, and the conduct of the enthusiastic supporters were a credit to Fairhaven.
Money raised by popular subscription made it possible to send the first team to New York for several days and to give the other players and cheer leaders a trip to Boston with a baseball game in the afternoon and a basketball game in the evening. Suitable gifts were also provided.
The cheer leaders entered the contest for cheer leaders held at the David Prouty High School in Spencer, Massa- chusetts and came home with first prize in the senior division.
The baseball season was a good one marked by excel- lent playing on the part of the boys that showed the results of Mr. Clement's coaching.
133
The football team began the season with few experi- enced players, but they rapidly developed skill and compe- tence and as a climax to the season enjoyed a 6-0 victory over New Bedford.
The J. V. program began last year was continued this year and it is interesting to note that the J. V. team also won from New Bedford 6-0.
There is general agreement that interscholastic athletics properly conducted may provide wholesome recreation and encourage loyalty, cooperation, and fair play. That sports can make contributions far less valuable must be evident to all who have read of the consequences of over-emphasis, commercialism and dishonesty in connec- tion with certain college games. Constant efforts must be made to keep athletics in its proper place in the educational program and to make it contribute to health, physical fitness, and sportsmanship. The Massachusetts Inter- scholastic Athletic Council composed of representatives from the state associations of School Committees, Superin- tendents, and Principals is seeking to insure such controls as may be necessary.
GUIDANCE
The guidance program that has been developing here over a period of years is proving increasingly valuable. Since receiving her degree, Mrs. Bruce has continued her study at Boston University and is thus able to bring to her work the combined results of teaching experience and modern research. The testing program has been enlarged so that a greater number of students may be helped to make wise decisions with respect to educational and vocational plans.
HOME ECONOMICS
We are glad to have additional equipment for the clothing classes. Two new sewing machines, a steam iron, and an ironing board, were all needed. The new floor in the foods laboratory has improved that room and when it is possible to do so the remodeling of the laboratory should be completed. Additional courses in the field of home economics should be available, and I recommend that another teacher be provided to enable us to use our facili- ties to the fullest extent possible.
134
IMPROVEMENTS
In addition to the items mentioned we have had new window shades in several rooms and dark shades in one room in the addition to facilitate the use of projection equipment. Additional radiation has been installed in four rooms that were hard to heat.
There is need of improved lighting fixtures in some rooms and we should replace some badly worn locks on wooden lockers. We should add an electric typewriter to the equipment in the Commercial Department and we should secure an additional file to house important records. We should also consider adding a course in automobile driving such as is offered by many high schools in the state.
CONCLUSION
As life becomes more complex, the education needed by young people necessarily becomes more complicated also. The activities of the school are designed to be valu- able in themselves and at the same time to contribute to the development of young people who are fitted to live happily and successfully in the present and the future. The Massachusetts Department of Education lists eight needs of secondary school pupils that summarize what we are trying to provide. These needs are: 1. a chance to grow up mentally, emotionally and physically, 2. sympathetic understanding and guidance, 3. health, 4. appreciation of the physical environment, of scientific developments, of democracy, of human welfare, and of spiritual values, 5. recognition of beauty and good taste, 6. worthy use of leisure, 7. knowledge and skills that prepare for earning a living and 8. the urge to continue to learn. Such a pro- gram calls for competent teachers and an adequate plant. What was an adequate house, automobile or school fifty years ago will not serve today.
As we try to carry out the challenging assignments that come to us as teachers, we acknowledge with gratitude the understanding and leadership you have shown as our Superintendent and the interest and assistance of the School Committee.
Respectfully submitted,
CHESTER M. DOWNING
Principal
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Report of School Nurse AND SUPERVISOR OF ATTENDANCE
To the Superintendent of Schools:
I present herewith my ninth annual report as School Nurse.
The nurse cooperates with teachers, doctors, dentists, and parents in protecting the health of school children. Each school is visited once a week and more often if necessary.
There have been the usual eye and ear examinations during the year. Diphtheria immunization was given under the auspices of the Board of Health. Children in grades one to seven were weighed three times during the year. The nurse has also assisted in cases referred to the Bristol County Mental Health Clinic, a new clinic to which may be referred to children having difficulty in adjustment to school.
A record is kept of all pupil accidents during the school year in school and out, serious enough to cause absence from school or to require medical attention. Thirty-six were reported in 1950 and 49 in 1951. Reports are sent to the Superintendent and to the National Safety Council.
The nurse assists in the elementary school milk pro- gram by encouraging the children to drink milk, collecting the money every Friday for the following week, depositing the money to the credit of the town treasurer, ordering the milk and preparing the records for the Superintendent's office. The current price is 53/4 cents per half-pint bottle, of which the child paye 33/4 cents and the gorvernment 2 cents. The Mothers' Club Tag Day makes possible the distribution of free milk for about 50 needy children. Daily orders during the fall term varied from four to five hundred bottles.
SUMMARY OF NURSE'S WORK
Classroom visits 1072
Follow up visits
196
Office calls 18
Referred to School Physician
4
136
Physically Handicapped Children
26
Home visits to above
8
Accidents in school
20
Children for Toxin Clinic
251
Audiometer Tests
1269
Retests
123
Mass. Vision Tests
727
The nurse cooperates with the Board of Health by making arrangements for pupils to come to the Dental Clinic held in the Tripp School. A clinic is held every Tuesday and Thursday morning operated by Dr. Edward J. Mee with Mrs. Eleanor Gonsalves as dental assistant. Twelve to sixteen children are treated at each clinic. Charges vary from 20 to 35 cents but work is done without charge for those unable to pay.
SUMMARY OF DENTAL WORK
Fillings
440
Extractions
228
Cleanings
82
Treatments
69
Examinations
60
SUPERVISOR OF ATTENDANCE
Attendance cases are rare that do not involve health. There have been very few cases where investigation showed absence due to truancy, and only occasional cases where the cause has been neglect of parent. There have been no cases in which prosecution was found to be warranted.
Respectfully submitted,
LOUISE F. DENNIE, R.N.
School Nurse Supervisor of Attendance Agent of the Board of Health
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Financial Statement SCHOOL EXPENDITURES AND 1952 BUDGET
ITEMS
Expended 1950
Expended 1951
Budget 1952
GENERAL CONTROL
Salaries and Expenses
$ 8,912.15
$ 9,214.23
$ 9,600.00
INSTRUCTION
Teachers
240,195.03
262,216.76
289,350.00
Textbooks
4,715.97
5,309.66
6,100.00
Supplies
5,808.82
7,949.56
8,750.00
OPERATION
Janitors
25,937.00
28,943.98
30,150.00
Fuel
6,448.03
8,702.11
10,800.00
Other Expense
6,122.17
8,029.21
8,000.00
MAINTENANCE
Repairs and Replacement
12,143.69
14,446.76
16,100.00
OUTLAY
Building and Grounds
27.16
749.93
2,000.00
New Equipment
512.79
1,540.45
2,000.00
OTHER AGENCIES
Transportation
10,473.77
12,734.58
15,500.00
Tuition
628.61
466.31
700.00
Health
3,511.76
3,699.62
3,950.00
Sundries
847.81
998.77
2,000.00
TOTAL EXPENDITURES
$326,284.76
$365,001.93
$405,000.00
FROM APPROPRIATION*
306,427.00
345,906.76
386,000.00
FROM OTHER INCOME
$ 19,857.76
$ 19,095.17
$ 19,000.00
* Including Transfers and Refunds
RECEIPTS ON ACCOUNT OF SCHOOLS
EXPENDABLE INCOME
High School Trust Funds
$ 11,817.49
$ 13,440.72
$ 13,400.00
Elementary Trust Funds
3,696.55
3,608.77
3,700.00
Balance from Previous Year
3,045.95
125.00
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