USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Fairhaven > Town annual report of the offices of Fairhaven, Massachusetts 1952 > Part 6
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SCHOOL BUILDING NEEDS
The use of new rooms and the elimination of undesir- able ones gives us only temporary relief from overcrowding. There will be one spare classroom in the East Fairhaven School and two in the Oxford. With our present high wave of enrollment in the sixth grade and a still higher one expected to enter the first grade next September our ele- mentary school facilities will probably be sufficient only through June 1954.
In September 1954 we may expect crowding again, this time not only in the elementary schools but in the High School. The situation in the High School will be serious by September 1955.
A JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
With the certainty of increased enrollments in both elementary and high school grades some action is necessary at this time to secure adequate housing. We recommend the immediate building of a junior high school which will take the seventh and eighth grades as soon as completed and which will undoubtedly have to include the ninth grade a few years later. We repeat the recommendation made last year at this time that the Town immediately acquire land located between Washington Street and Spring Street east of Bryant Lane, the site which we con- sider best suited for a junior high school. To this recom- mendation we add that a building committee should be approved at the Annual Town Meeting to bring in plans for a new building.
TEACHERS' SALARIES
The School Committee has been confronted with the problem of determining what should be a reasonable and adequate salary schedule for the teachers. We believe it
119
should be high enough to retain teachers who have served us long and faithfully and to obtain replacements for addi- tional teachers when necessary. It should be fair also to the many teachers who prefer to remain in Fairhaven even· though they might get more elsewhere.
A comparison of the normal salary scale for classroom teachers in the 26 Massachusetts towns with populations from 10,145 to 15,442 indicates that the median salary maximum is just a little over $3700. Only two are lower than our current Bachelor's maximum of $3400.
The Committee has felt that a raise to $3700 by September 1953 would be a reasonable move. Our maxi- mum would still be below the median of the 26 towns which were studied as of last September. We also feel that a minimum of $2700 is necessary.
A summary of the changes in the Bachelor's Degree Schedule is as follows:
Date
Minimum
Maximum
Note
Sept. 1951
$2400*
$3300
* $2500 in May 1952
Sept. 1952
2500
3400
New legal minimum
Sept. 1953
2700
3700
Adopted Dec. 16, 1952
Your attention is called to the report of the Superin- tendent and to other reports included herewith as a part of the report of the School Committee.
Respectfully submitted,
ALBERT M. GONSALVES, Chairman EDITH M. MOORE, Vice-Chairman CLARENCE E. MAGUIRE
WALDO E. HAYDON
HAROLD S. MACOMBER
DAVID W. FITZGERALD
School Committee
120
Report of Superintendent of Schools
To the Fairhaven School Committee :
I submit herewith my fourteenth annual report as Superintendent of Schools.
ATTENDANCE AND MEMBERSHIP
1948-49
1949-50
1950-51
1951-52
Average Membership
1,788
1,900
1,926
1,916
Percent of Attendance
94.62
93.21
94.06
94.12
Further information concerning enrollment by school, grade, and age may be found in the accompanying tables.
TEACHER CHANGES
Name
Began
Left
Memo
Dorothea L. Jameson
Sept. 1941
June 1952
Leave of Absence
Gertrude E. Gidley
Sept. 1944
June 1952
Retired
Catherine E. Delaney
Sept. 1946
June 1952
To Framinghanı
Ruth E. Parker
Sept. 1946
June 1952
To New Bedford
Ann C. Sullivan
Mar. 1947
June 1952
Doris R. Dionne
Sept. 1947
June 1952
Rose C. Bettencourt
Dec. 1947
June 1952
Retired
Katherine F. Booth
Sept. 1950
June 1952
To New Bedford
Roy C. Moore
Sept. 1950
June 1952
To Business
Philip E. Tracey
Sept. 1950
June 1952
To Business
To Japan
Regina A. Burgess
Sept. 1951
Feb. 1952
Kathryn B. Pichette
Sept. 1951
June 1952
Catherine Poitras
Sept. 1951
June 1952
To Dartmouth
Mercia C. Pike
Jan. 1952
June 1952
To Dartmouth
James J. Yeannakopoulos Sept. 1950
June 1952
The changes reprted above indicate a turnover of 18% during the year. Fourteen regular teachers and one sub- stitute were engaged to fill the vacancies caused by these changes. Two additional teachers were required when schools opened in September making a total of 84 full-time members on the teaching staff at the close of the year.
121
JANITORS AND MAINTENANCE MEN
Name
Began
Left Memo
Henry J. Ellis
Feb. 1929
July 1952
Retired
Frank E. Bettencourt
Nov. 1947
Feb. 1952
Dana R. Lange
May 1948
Jan. 1952
HIGH SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM
Receipts
Sales (178 days)
$26,581.70 Ave. $149.33 per day
U. S. and State Funds
7,191.62 Reimbursement
Town Appropriation
1,500.00
$35,273.32
Expenditures
Food
$23,498.46
Labor
9,602.91
Other
632.49 Equipment and Misc.
Decreased Inventory
109.09 Food only
Balance to Surplus
1,430.37
$35,273.32
The lunchroom is in a good financial condition due to the town appropriation of $1500, a continued supply of government "surplus" commodities, a very high pupil patronage, and excellent management by Miss Jameson and Mrs. Nietupski. Without the appropriation the operat- ing loss would have been only $69.63. The appropriation was needed, however, to restore a cash balance which had become too low over a period of less fortunate years.
ELEMENTARY LUNCH PROGRAM
Receipts
Balance, Jan. 1, 1952
$
341.89
Sales
2,507.91
U. S. and State Funds
1,399.56
Mothers' Club Tag Day
285.13
$4,534.49
Expenditures
Milk
$3,597.69
Balance, Dec. 31, 1952
936.80
$4,534.49
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The elementary lunch program has included milk only. With the completion of the new additions it will be possible to institute a full lunch program in the Oxford and East Fairhaven schools. Whether this is done or not will depend upon the need in each locality and the possibility of secur- ing the necessary funds to put it into operation.
A cash allowance of about $2000 would be required to start an elementary school lunchroom. The Committee would also have to furnish heat, light, fuel, janitor service, supervision, and the salary of one employee. With these provisions and the government food and reimbursement we should expect to provide good meals for 25 cents each.
HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ACCOUNT
Receipts
Balance, Jan. 1, 1952
Receipts
$ 870.74 4,400.21
$5,270.95
Expenditures
Payments
$4,063.47
Balance, Dec. 31, 1952
1,207.48
$5,270.95
The High School Athletic Account can carry all ex- penses of football, baseball, and basketball, except for Insurance, but can not include tennis and Junior Varsity football. The cost of supplies for physical education classes and the athletic expenses not carried by the Athletic Account are included in the 1953 budget under the new item, Physical Education.
REPAIRS AND IMPROVEMENTS
Our school buildings have been kept in a good state of repair through the efforts of the Maintenance Department. With the large amount of property which we have to keep up, there is always work enough to keep three men busy. Four were employed during a part of the summer.
The most outstanding piece of work this year was the refinishing of the Larch Avenue Auditorium. The new finish is a most pleasing combination of harmonizing colors. In
123
the coming year we must replace the window shades which were in no condition to put up again and, if possible, we should replace the stage curtains.
The men have done some painting in all schools and have painted the High School bleachers. They have worked on a multitude of items from door locks to gutters, flag poles, playgrounds, backboards, steel plates, furniture, sewers, and masonry. The men have also substituted for janitors and have assisted when any additional help was required.
DEPARTMENT OF MAINTENANCE AND BUILDING PERSONNEL
The work of the maintenance men and janitors is often closely related. Some repairs can be made by the janitors but in many cases the maintenance men or outside help must be called. The superintendent himself decides what should be done. He must determine whether a floor needs a certain treatment, whether a roofer should be called, or whether a brush is hairless enough to be replaced.
The maintenance foreman could do this work better than the superintendent and allow the latter to use his time to better advantage. I recommend that the mainte- nance men and janitors be reorganized as a department of maintenance and building personnel with one man desig- nated as supervisor.
SCHOOL BUILDING NEEDS
The School Building Committee has served the town well in planning and building the new additions at the Oxford and East Fairhaven schools which are almost com- pleted at this time. It should be remembered, however, that these additions were not planned to take care of all our elementary school needs but only grades one to six.
The most urgent need is for still more room for the increasing number of children. Elementary school and high school facilities will be filled by September 1954. The High School can not continue much longer to accommodate the eighth grades. The elementary schools will soon have no room for the seventh grades. The Town should make
124
immediate plans for a new junior high school to accommo- date the seventh and eighth grades. The building should be capable of enlarging later to include the ninth.
Attention should also be given to the Rogers School which already needs additional rooms to care for all the pupils in what is normally the Rogers School district.
DRIVER EDUCATION
The Registry of Motor Vehicles recommends strongly that high schools offer a driver education course. Many towns offer such a course and our Student Council requests it. The course should be introduced here.
CONCLUSION
With this report are included reports of the High School Principal and the School Nurse and a number of statistical and financial reports which should be of interest to the citizens of the town.
Respectfully submitted,
FLAVEL M. GIFFORD Superintendent
125
Report of the High School Principal
To the Superintendent of Schools:
I have the honor to present my sixteenth annual report as Principal of the Fairhaven High School.
ENROLLMENT
The school enrollment on October 1, 1952 was 722. There were 551 in the four-year high school, 137 in grade 8 and 34 in one seventh grade temporarily housed in the High School Addition.
GRADUATION 1952
On June 18, 1952, 110 seniors received diplomas from Mr. Albert M. Gonsalves, Chairman of the Fairhaven School Committee. Awards were made as follows:
The Julia A. Sears English Prize, the D.A.R. Good Citizenship Award, and The Lady Fairhaven Cup to Dorothy Leitao. The Lady Fairhaven Citizenship Award and Scholarships from The Fairhaven High School Alumni Association, The Fairhaven Mothers' Club, and the Fairhaven-Mattapoisett Teachers' Association to Louise
Lopes. Scholarships from the Fairhaven High School Alumni Association, The Mattapoisett Woman's Club, and the New Bedford College Club to Carol Scott. Scholarships from the Fairhaven-Mattapoisett Teachers' Association, The Ricordo Holt Fund, and the F.H.S. Key Club to Carol Hirst. Scholarships from the Holt Fund and from the Anna P. Trowbridge Fund to Lorraine MacLennan. The Lady Fairhaven Cup to Charles Hazard. The Bausch and Lomb Science Medal to Shirley Townsend. Unfortunately, ill health caused Louise Lopes to withdraw a few days after the opening of college, so her scholarships were returned to the donors.
The speaker was Dr. J. Wendell Yeo of Boston University.
ACTIVITIES OF GRADUATES
Since graduation 28 members of the Class of 1952 continued their education. Among the colleges which
126
students have entered are: M.I.T., University of Massa- chusetts, University of Rhode Island, University of New Hampshire, University of Maine, Providence College, New Bedford Textile Institute, Boston University and North- eastern University. Three went to business schools and two to nursing schools.
There were 28 members of this class who completed the Business Course. Of these one is in the Armed Forces, two entered higher schools, and 25 found employment in offices.
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION
On January 26, 1952 Fairhaven High School com- pleted its first century of service. The event was marked by suitable newspaper publicity and by the printing at the school of a ten-page history of Fairhaven High School written by an alumnus, Mr. Earl J. Dias of the English Department. Miss Mabel Hoyle, Head of the English De- partment, whose well-coached Senior Plays have delighted Fairhaven audiences, wrote and produced an impressive historical pageant entitled "The Three- Tenses". A large cast of students enacted episodes from the past, the present, and the future of the school. Effective aid was provided by the vocal and instrumental music departments and by many teachers who helped to make the two performances of the pageant run smoothly. The Class of 1952 brought out a Centennial edition of "The Huttlestonian" dedicated to Mr. Henry H. Rogers and the theme of the graduation program in June was "A Century of Service".
ATHLETICS
Football, basketball and baseball were carried on as usual during 1952. The basketball team was invited again to play in the Eastern Massachusetts Tournament in Boston Garden. They were defeated in the opening round by the strong South Boston team. Tennis and Track, which have been revived recently, attracted a number of students.
The cheer leaders entered the contest held in Prouty High School, Spencer, Massachusetts and for the second consecutive year won first prize in the senior division.
12.7
SPECIAL PROJECTS
During American Education Week in November the Senior Class sponsored Accent on Courtesy Week. Miss Hoyle assumed the leadership of the project. Valuable aid was furnished by many students and teachers so that the activity attracted considerable attention and brought home to the entire school the importance of consideration for others.
Just before Christmas Mrs. Bruce arranged to have ten graduates now in college visit school and take part in a panel discussion of problems that confront students as they enter college. This assembly for Juniors and Seniors was interesting and helpful.
In order to make better use of the school day and to provide time for club and class meetings, vocal music groups and school assemblies, the bell schedule was rear- ranged as recommended by a committee of teachers. A daily Activity Period has been provided by dropping the short study period before or after lunch and by shortening class periods two minutes. The length of lunch periods was not changed. The Activity Period is proving helpful to teachers and pupils. In addition to the uses already mentioned, pupils are finding opportunities for securing extra help, for making up work, and for additional study. The slight shortening of class periods is in part made up by the fact that there are fewer interruptions of classes because of choral groups or assemblies. We could restore the class periods to their former length by closing school at 2:00 instead of 1:45.
Special stress is being laid on education for citizen- ship. Under the direction of the Student Council a straw vote was taken in school just before the national election. There was school-wide interest in the project and the election was carried out well with registration of voters, use of election boxes, and careful tabulation of results.
With the encouragement of the Fairhaven Improve- ment Association the Student Council is working on a plan to inform pupils about town government, through elections, visits to the Town Hall, talks by town officials, and the preparation of a study unit on town government.
128
IMPROVEMENTS
During the summer, the Larch Avenue Auditorium was redecorated in such a way as to increase greatly the at- tractiveness of the hall. New drapes are now needed for the windows so that we can darken the room for motion pictures.
There should be a study of lighting in some of our classrooms.
We are still having trouble with badly worn locks on old wooden lockers. In some cases one key will now open several locks.
Each year we have more records to store away for safe keeping in case transcripts of marks are requested. Our files are overflowing with valuable and irreplaceable records. We should secure a metal file to hold our oldest cards safely.
Electric typewriters are in use in some offices now. It would be well to purchase an electric typewriter for use in our advanced typing course.
The physics department needs an electrically operated vacuum pump for use in the laboratory when certain ex- periments are to be performed.
Many high schools offer automobile driver training. We have had a request from the Student Council for such a course and I recommend that we begin such instruction as soon as arrangements can be made and a suitably trained instructor secured.
CONCLUSION
It is the purpose of Fairhaven High School to encour- age the development of the character and ability of each student in such a manner as to provide personal satisfaction and a disposition to contribute to the public good.
This general aim can be reached only by the coopera- tion of all concerned : parents, pupils, teachers, and school officials. For the desire of so many to work together for the good of all we at the High School are grateful. We
129
recall with appreciation the leadership and encouragement given by the Superintendent and the interest shown and the assistance afforded by the School Committee. To the task of preparing students for what General Eisenhower has called "effective personal and social life in a free society" we promise our best efforts as professionally trained teachers and as individuals eager to help young people.
Respectfully submitted,
CHESTER M. DOWNING Principal of High School
130
Report of the School Nurse AND SUPERVISOR OF ATTENDANCE
To the Superintendent of Schools:
I present herewith my tenth 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 school year. Diphtheria immunization was given under the auspices of the Board of Health. The nurse has also assisted in cases referred to the Bristol County Mental Health Clinic, a clinic to which may be referred children having particular 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. Forty-nine were reported in 1951 and 34 in 1952.
The nurse assists in the elementary school milk pro- gram by encouraging the children to drink milk, collecting and depositing the money every Friday, ordering the milk, and preparing the records. The current price is 57/8 cents per half-pint bottle, of which the child pays 37/8 cents and the government 2 cents. The Mothers' Club Tag Day makes possible free milk to needy children, and this year the dealer is giving two bottles of free milk in each class- room that needs it. Daily orders during the fall term varied from four to five hundred bottles.
SUMMARY OF NURSE'S WORK
Classroom visits
1102
Follow up visits
181
Office calls
9
Referred to School Physician
2
Physically Handicapped children
30
131
Home visits to above
12
Accidents in School
21
Children for Toxin Clinic
270
Audiometer Tests Retests
1524
136
Mass. Vision Tests
952
The nurse cooperates with the Board of Health by making arrangements for pupils to come to the Dental Clinic held in the Tripp School every Tuesday and Thurs- day morning. Dr. Edward J. Mee is the dentist and Mrs. Eleanor Gonsalves the dental assistant. Twelve to sixteen children are treated at each clinic. Charges vary from 20 to 35 cents and work is done free of charge for those unable to pay.
SUMMARY OF DENTAL WORK
Fillings
376
Cleanings
101
Extractions
169
Examinations
123
Treatments
60
Attendance cases are rare that do not involve health. There have been some cases where investigation showed absence due to truancy, but none where the cause has been neglect by the parent.
Respectfully submitted,
LOUISE F. DENNIE, R.N.
School Nurse Supervisor of Attendance
Agent of the Board of Health
132
Financial Statement SCHOOL EXPENDITURES AND 1953 BUDGET
Expended 1951
Expended 1952
Budget 1953
ITEMS
GENERAL CONTROL
Salaries and Expenses
$
9,214.23
$
9,285.88
$ 10,120.00
INSTRUCTION
Teachers
262,216.76
272,141.24
299,330.00
Textbooks
5,309.66
6,252.49
6,530.00
Supplies
7,949.56
8,505.74
9,040.00
OPERATION
Janitors
28,943.98
28,499.27
33,350.00
Fuel
8,702.11
10,912.11
11.800.00
Other Expense
8,029.21
8,341.08
8,750.00
MAINTENANCE
Repair and Replacement
14,446.76
12,750.46
15,275.00
OUTLAY
Building and Grounds
749.93
1,050.81
4,550.00
New Equipment
1,540.45
503.04
4,000.00
OTHER AGENCIES
Transportation
12,734.58
14,952.33
19,900.00
Tuition
466.31
457.25
1,000.00
Health
3,699.62
3,516.53
4.000.00
Physical Education
1,250.00
Lunchroom
2,000.00
Sundries
998.77
1,950.69
1,700.00
TOTAL EXPENDITURES
$365,001.93
$379,118.92
$432,595.00
APPROPRIATION
345,873.80
360,528.18
414,135.00
FROM OTHER INCOME
$ 19,128.13
$ 18,590.74
$ 18,460.00
* Including Transfers and Refunds but not Dog Tax
RECEIPTS ON ACCOUNT OF SCHOOLS
EXPENDABLE INCOME
High School Trust Funds.
$ 13,440.72
$ 12,844.85
$ 12,800.00 3,760.00
Elementary Trust Funds
3,608.77
3,779.28
Balance from Previous Year ..
125.00
Bristol County Dog Fund
1,920.68
1,966.60
1,900.00
TOTAL
19,095.17
18,590.74
18,460.00
OTHER INCOME
School Aid, Chapter 70*
84,409.96
88,019.98
89,000.00
Transportation, Chapter 71*
1,094.01
2,000.00
Tuition
17,894.12
16,383.67
20,150.00
TOTAL
$102,304.08
$105,497.66
$111,150.00
.....
* Due in year indicated but may be received the following year.
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TABULATION OF ATTENDANCE RECORD School Year Ending June 1952
SCHOOL
Grades
Principal
Total
Membership
Average
Membership
Average
Attendance
Percent of
Attendance
Tardiness
High
19-12
Chester M. Downing
567
530
501
94.51
508
Addition
7-8
Chester M. Downing
216
198
188
94.64
145
Rogers
1-6
Ruth B. Wilbur
355
323
302
93.55
112
Oxford
1-6
Harry Rogers
259
248
233
94.04
54
Anthony
1-7
Mary S. Toledo
250
236
221
93.65
111
Tripp
1-7
Elizabeth I. Hastings
242
222
208
93.94
173
E. Fairhaven
1-5
Helen R. Porter
185
159
150
94.37
58
Total
1-12
2074
1916
1803
94.12
1161
TRANSPORTATION OF PUPILS December 1952
School
Andrade
Cozy Cab
U. St. Ry.
Other
Total
High School
9
58
52
119
H. S. Addition
5
39
18
62
Tripp
18
9
27
Rogers
32
32
E. Fairhaven
167
167
Oxford
1
6
7
Anthony
11
N. B. Voc. H. S.
6
33
39
N. B. Sight Saving
1
1
Bristol Co. Agric.
25
81
24
130
Parochial H. S.
2
10
12
Total
267
196
144
3
610
3
3
St. Joseph
11
134
ENROLLMENT BY SCHOOL AND GRADE OCTOBER 1, 1952
School
I
II
III
IV
V
VI VII VIII Sp. Tot.
Oxford
49
35
35
48
36
51
12 266
Anthony
30
24
27
31
24
35
58
229
Tripp
35
28
34
31
31
32
32
223
Rogers
58
50
44
52
54
41
33
332
E. Fairhaven 47
40
34
31
34
32
218
Addition
34 137
171
Total Elem. 219 177 174 193 179 191 157 137
12
1439
High School IX 149; X 171; XI 119; XII 111; P.G. 1 551
Total Enrollment
1990
SUMMARY OF ENROLLMENT
October
Elementary
High School
Total
1932
1714
546
2260
1933
1640
583
2223
1934
1649
624
2273
1935
1631
606
2237
1936
1589
648
2237
1937
1423
670
2093
1938
1431
709
2130
1939
1326
702
2028
1940
1267
690
1957
1941
1237
613
1850
1942
1172
506
1678
1943
1113
460
1573
1944
1134
482
1616
1945
1157
495
1652
1946
1190
507
1697
1947
1172
552
1724
1948
1284
506
1790
1949
1355
562
1917
1950
1385
565
1950
1951
1393
548
1941
1952
1439
551
1990
135
AGE AND GRADE TABLE October 1, 1952
Age
GRADES
Totals
I II III
IV
V
VI
VII
VIII
IX X
1
XI
XII |P G Special
5
89
89
6
112
41
-
153
7
15
108
41
164
8
3
22
108
34
167
9
5
19
125
49
1
199
10
1
6
25
85
51
2
170
11
7
30
98
34
1
2
172
12
2
12
26
80
25
145
13
3
12
28
81
29
3
156
14
3
9
21
83
39
2
4
161
15
1
5
7
28
93
41
1
176
16
1
2
6
31
43
37
120
17
1
6
25
57
89
18
2 1
7
14
24
19
1
1
2
20
OVER 21
1
1 1
3
Totals
219
177
174
193
179
191
157
137
149
171
119
111
1
12
1990
Boys
118
88
95
91
96
96
76
60
76
83
50
42
1
9
981
Girls
101
89
79
102
83
95
81
77
73
88
69
69
3
1009
Note :- The numbers directly above and directly below the heavy line include pupils who may be considered of normal age and grade.
136
SCHOOL ENTRANCE
Children may enter the first grade if they are five years and six months of age on or before September 1 of the current school year. Consequently children will be admitted to the first grade in September 1953 if born on or before March 1, 1948. Certificates of birth and vacci- nation are required at the time of entrance.
COMPULSORY SCHOOL AGE
All children must attend school between the ages of seven and sixteen. Certain exceptions may be made by written permission of the Superintendent of Schools for children who have reached the age of fourteen and have completed the sixth grade.
EMPLOYMENT OF MINORS
Employment permits, sometimes called "School Cards", are required for all persons under twenty-one who are em- ployed in manufacturing, mechanical, mercantile, and certain other work. These may be obtained at the office of the Superintendent of Schools. The minor must appear in person and present a birth certificate or other suitable evidence of age.
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