USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Fairhaven > Town annual report of the offices of Fairhaven, Massachusetts 1960 > Part 6
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SUPERINTENDENT AND SECRETARY TO THE COMMITTEE
Lynwood P. Harriman, 128 Pleasant St. Office WY 3-1241 - Residence WY 3-8977 OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT Fairhaven Junior High School Building Beatrice M. DeCoffe, 212 Main St. Secretary to the Superintendent Elaine M. Marshall (Mrs.), 55 Wilding St. Financial Clerk Nesta M. Oliveira, 90 Huttleston Ave. Correspondence Clerk
The office of the Superintendent is open daily from 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. except Saturdays when it is open in the forenoon only.
Personal appointments with the Superintendent may be made by calling the office.
SCHOOL PHYSICIAN
Charles P. Sykes, M.D., 5 Morelands Terrace, New Bedford SCHOOL NURSE AND SUPERVISOR OF ATTENDANCE Louise F. Dennie (Mrs.), R.N., Water St., Mattapoisett ASSISTANT SCHOOL NURSE Barbara F. Keith (Mrs.), R.N., 101 Washington St.
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1
School Calendar
1960-61
Weeks
Open
Close
Days
First Term
16
Wed., Sept. 7
Fri., Dec. 23
72
Second Term
7
Tues., Jan. 3
Fri., Feb. 17
34
Third Term
7
Mon., Feb. 27
Fri., Apr. 14 34
Fourth Term
9
Mon., Apr. 24
Mon., June 26
45
39
185
1961-62
Weeks
Open
Close
Days
First Term
16
Wed., Sept. 6
Fri., Dec. 22
73
Second Term
7
Tues., Jan. 2
Fri., Feb. 16
34
Third Term
7
Mon., Feb. 26
Fri., Apr. 13 35
Fourth Term
9
Mon., Apr. 30
Wed., June 20
42
39
184
There will be no school on the following days which occur during the scheduled terms of 1961 :
May 30 Memorial Day
September 4
Labor Day
October 12
Columbus Day
October 27
Bristol County Teachers' Convention
November 11
Veterans' Day
November 23-24 Thanksgiving Recess from noon Nov. 22
NO-SCHOOL SIGNAL 22
7:00 A.M. Indicates no school for all day.
11:30 A.M. Indicates no afternoon session for Grades 1-8.
Announcement will be made as early as possible on Radio Stations WBSM and WNBH.
It is the policy of the School Committee to order the no- school signal only in the most severe weather conditions or when road conditions are such as to make transportation extremely hazardous or impossible. When school is held in inclement weather, parents are expected to use their own judgment in sending children to school.
129
Report of the School Committee
To the Citizens of Fairhaven :
MEETINGS
Your School Committee has held 31 meetings averaging three to four hours each during this fiscal year at which the public and press were welcome, except when personal prob- lems were discussed in executive sessions. Policy decisions involving curriculum, personnel, use of school facilities, en- rollment, repair and upkeep of school buildings, and staff procurements have been among the more difficult problems confronting the School Committee. We have attempted, whenever possible, to acquaint the people of the town with the proceedings of the Committee by allowing full informa- tion to the public information media so that their coverage might keep people informed. The coverage of the public in- formation media cannot substitute for attendance of citizens at School Committee meetings. It is hoped that citizens, who are interested in the public schools, will avail them- selves of the opportunities of attending School Committee meetings for the purpose of observing, at first hand, the problems involved in securing adequate public schools for our children.
The School Committee has met with interested groups of people, at other times than their regular meetings, as indi- viduals and as a group on problems of special interest to the town and to the public schools as a whole. It is their hope, as individuals, that persons having special problems of in- terest, attempt to have their problems solved by the staff members whenever possible.
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ENROLLMENT
As of October 1, 1960, the official enrollment of the public schools indicated a total of 2575 pupils. The high schools and the East Fairhaven School show the greatest overload- ing above designed capacity at the present time. The Junior High School has an enrollment of 480 pupils and was de- signed for an ideal enrollment of 450. Rooms in the junior high school building, which were designed for special uses, such as art, music, auditorium, etc., are now being used for general classroom purposes.
The enrollment of the high school is 836 pupils this year, in a building designed for an optimum number of 700. As we expect to graduate approximately 198 students and take in nearly 250 freshmen next year, it is expected that even with the decrease of 110 tuition students, the enrollment may well top 790 pupils in the fall of 1961, even with Matta- poisett students attending the new Old Rochester Regional High School.
BUILDING NEEDS
With the restrictions imposed upon the school system by reason of overcrowded classrooms, plant facilities are now quite inadequate for a first-class education system, as we shall reach a maximum number of teachers for which spaces are available in September of 1961. Enrollment trends still indicate an addition to the junior high school building to house a 9th Grade, which will allow the deduction of approximately 200 students from the high school enroll- ment, and thereby allow the School Committee to provide more terminal courses for students, who wish training in vocational subjects.
In view of the fact that there seems to be an increasing desire on the part of many citizens for the establishment of public school kindergartens in Fairhaven, it should be pointed out that it is necessary to have a minimum number of four classrooms built for this purpose as well as at least two new classrooms at the East Fairhaven School to alleviate congested conditions there, which are expected to grow even worse in the next few years. For these reasons, we again suggest the appointment of a School Facilities Survey Com- mittee to study the overcrowded conditions, as well as the need for more plant for expanded programs, with a view toward presenting recommendations to the Town Meeting for the construction of additional facilities or the renovation and alteration of existing facilities.
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BUILDING REPAIRS
After an extensive survey by the architectural firm of I. T. Almy of Fall River, the School Repair Survey Commit- tee recommended to the Town Meeting, assembled in special session of October 1st, 1960, that the town bond itself for a sum of money sufficient to carry out the extraordinary re- pairs called for in the survey. The Town consequently voted to transfer the amount of $18,000 from the Excess and De- ficiency Account and authorized the issuance of bonds in the amount of $227,000 under Chapter 275 of the Acts of 1948 for these purposes. This Chapter enables a town to provide funds by loans for the remodelling, reconstruction, or repair of public school buildings and limits, in its wording, the funds for "remodelling, reconstruction, or making extraor- dinary repairs to public buildings owned by the city or town." It was felt, however, by the bonding attorneys that the language of the motion was not completely in accord with the language of the enabling act, by reason of the inclusion of the word "extensive" as well as "extraordinary" in the motion. A legislative act has been filed to validate the action of the Town Meeting, but since this may take some time and legislative validation may be delayed beyond the time of the Town Meeting, we have asked the Selectmen to include in the articles for the next annual Town Meeting, the following article: "to see if the Town will vote to amend the appropriation to the (1960) School Repair Fund made October 1st, 1960, so as to limit the purposes to remodelling, reconstruction, and making extraordinary repairs to our public school buildings; and to re-affirm the transfer of $18,000 from the Excess and Deficiency Account and author- ization to borrow $227,000 under Chapter 275 of the Acts of 1948 for such purposes."
TEACHER'S SALARIES
Your School Committee this year declined to make any change in the teacher's salary schedule and intends to con- tinue operating under the salary schedule adopted in Decem- ber of 1959. However, the provisions of the salary schedule of 1959, make it necessary to provide in the 1961 Budget for a year of complete operation of the new contract salaries as well as the regular step increments. This alone results in an increase of $68,483.00 in the 1961 School Budget. The eco- nomic principle of supply and demand makes the acquisition
132
of properly qualified teachers unavailable to us unless we can pay salaries comparable with other communities in our general geographical area, as in the past. We are, at the present time, paying salaries comparable to all other towns in the area with very few exceptions.
It has been our attempt to select our teachers on as pro- fessional a basis as possible, and we have tried to keep in our service only those, whose professional competence was at such a high level that they could be reasonably expected to be meritorious of tenure status at the end of three years of service. We have attempted to improve our screening and evaluative process to allow us to be more selective and to rid us of incompetent teachers. Our policy of professional im- provement has been consistent with this desire. We believe that our present staff is largely as professionally competent as any that we could possibly expect, and that our improve- ments in methods and curricula are a reflection of this policy for professional improvement. Our expectations for a finer school system should result.
COMPARATIVE EXPENDITURES
We have consistently, over the years, spent less per pupil in average membership than the average cost per pupil in the Commonwealth or in Group II (Towns with over 5,000 popu- lation). The most recently released figures show the follow- ing average cost which includes Transportation, but not Capital Outlays or General Control.
GRADES
FAIRHAVEN
GROUP II AVG.
STATE AVG.
1-8 Elementary
257.92
278.62
284.58
9-12 High School
282.64
398.12
401.02
1-12 All Grades
260.92
304.76
324.51
The large difference found in the high school figures is due to our high pupil-teacher ratio and lower than average high school salaries.
133
CONCLUSION
It was with great regret that the School Committee at their meeting of December 14th, 1960, voted to accept the resignation of Mr. Clarence I. Bangs as a member of this Committee. Mr. Bangs has been a faithful member both in attendance and interest in School Committee proceedings and business.
It was also with great regret that the Fairhaven Public Schools lost the services of Mr. Samuel Gillespie, Senior Building Custodian at the Junior High School, who died De- cember 24th, 1960. Mr. Gillespie's loyal service, and cheer- ful uncomplaining dedication to his work will be sorely missed.
We would like to call your attention to the report of the Superintendent of Schools and other staff members included herewith as a part of the annual report of the Fairhaven Public Schools.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN T. MORGAN,
Chairman FRANCIS P. DELANEY Vice-Chairman
ALBERT M. GONSALVES WILLIAM Q. MacLEAN, JR. CECIL H. WHITTIER School Committee
134
Report of Superintendent of Schools
To the Fairhaven School Committee :
I am pleased to submit herewith my third annual report as Superintendent of Schools.
ATTENDANCE AND MEMBERSHIP
1956-57
1957-58
1958-59
1959-60
Average Membership
2276
2333
2476
2502
Percent of Attendance
95.07
93.06
93.78
94.45
Further information concerning school attendance and enrollment by grades may be found in the enclosed table of supporting information.
TEACHER CHANGES
Name
Began
Resigned
Memo
Norman M. Peckham
9-59
3-24-60
Little Compton, R. I.
Constance Dauplaise
9-58
3-27-60
Married
William R. Gurnett
9-58
3-23-60
Unknown
Flora Ferguson
9-58
3-23-60
At Home
Mary J. Sykes
9-59
3-25-60
Home
Harriet R. Martin
9-57
4- 5-60
California
Marcia R. Fortin
9-59
1-12-60
Unknown
Eugene H. Goldrick
9-58
6- 1-60
New Bedford Voc. H.S.
James E. Butler
9-59
6- 6-60
Unknown
Elizabeth A. Thompson
10-58
6-10-60
Littleton, Mass.
Harriet A. Caddell
1-49
6-16-60
Retired
Louanda J. Mach
9-59
6-10-60
Further Study
Mary S. Mattfield
9-58
6-27-60
Providence, R. I.
Barbara M. Simmons
9-58
7-18-60
California
LEAVES OF ABSENCE
Name
Date
Memo
Martha A. Berg
5/1/60 - 8/30/61
Maternity Leave
Arthur G. Boucher
5/27/60 - 8/30/62
Military Leave
Roland N. Seguin
9/1/60 - 1/30/61
Military Leave
Marjorie A. Souza
9/1/60 - 8/30/61
Maternity Leave
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TEACHER SHORTAGE
The problem of filling teacher vacancies seems to be slightly less difficult this year in comparison with previous years. The positions which are difficult to fill seem to be those in specific fields such as primary grades, homemaking, industrial arts, mathematics, science, library, and guidance. The source of new teachers has seemed to be still almost en- tirely the local area. In almost all cases, the teacher is no longer a transient, who seeks room and board in our com- munity, but in almost every instance, is a resident of the greater New Bedford community. Of the twenty-two new teachers beginning in Fairhaven this year, fourteen were beginning teachers and eight had taught previously. Two of the teachers were from Fairhaven, ten were from New Bed- ford, three from Mattapoisett, one from Fall River, two from Dartmouth, one from Hingham, one from Minnesota, one from New Hampshire, and one from Pennsylvania.
ENROLLMENT AND SCHOOL FACILITIES
Our high school enrollment has reached alarming pro- portions. Predictions made in 1956 indicated an expectance of 706 pupils in 1959, our total was 787. The same report showed an expectancy of 741 students in the fall of 1960, and our actual total was 836. Although, the students from Mat- tapoisett will be leaving our school system in September of 1961, we may expect our enrollment to decrease to a mini- mum of 770 and possible enrollment of 790 seems indicated. With a maximum rated capacity in the high school building of 750 students, it should be obvious that we are crowded dan- gerously with 836 students. Overcrowding in excess of 800 students causes the necessity of having 40 students in some classes which results in serious hampering of the educative process. This will, I am sure, endanger our chances of ac- creditation for college entrance which will be completed in September of 1961.
The School Committee requested the appointment of a School Facilities Survey Committee to study the problem of overcrowding and to determine the need for the alteration of the existing facilities or the construction of new facilities. This committee has never been appointed. It has long been the feeling of the school administrative staff that the best solution to our high school problem would be the expansion of the new junior high school building to provide for the re-
136
moval of the 9th Grade from the present high school building and the consequent organizational change to a 6-3-3 school system. It is my belief that this will be required, before we can secure full accreditation for college entrance.
The demand for additional education services in the form of kindergartens, and additional vocational programs, indi- cates a minimum need of 12 to 14 classrooms which should be built as soon as possible. This would allow the expansion of the science department as well as the vocational programs and vocational offerings at the High School. It is our even- tual hope to be able to offer programs in automotive me- chanics, and horticulture in the high school program.
SCHOOL SERVICES AND STAFF ORGANIZATION
It has been our intention throughout my tenure of office to increase the services to children as much as possible in order to better fulfill our function of providing a program tailored to the needs of individual pupils. We still have need for further guidance services in the junior high school as well as a need for a school adjustment counsellor, under the state program, in order that we may better be able to know more about each individual student, his home life, and the way that he learns.
One of our more important problems has been the prob- lem of co-ordinating instructional programs between the ele- mentary, junior high school, and senior high school. To this end we have transferred Mrs. Mercia C. Pike from a position as Co-Director of Guidance at the junior high school to a position as Co-Ordinator of Curriculum and Special Services. In this position, she is to act as a consultant with the prin- cipals on all matters of curriculum, instructional methods, and instructional services. She is to serve under my direc- tion to implement programs of instruction and give direc- tions to curricular programs in all grades. It is her respon- sibility to initiate and carry out programs of instruction and supervision at the request of the principals. She is in charge of all curriculum services carried out by the departments of Art, Music, Reading and Language Arts, Audio-Visual Serv- ices, and Library Services, as well as assume the responsi- bility for all federal aid programs, such as the National De- fense Education Act and Federal Aid to Impacted Areas.
137
Since the science of education has progressed so rapidly in the past ten years, it has been necessary for us to find increased ways of interpreting from one department to an- other, the learnings and responsibilities of each individual teacher and the relationship of one teacher to another. We have with this new position completed the organizational changes necessary for the complete administration of the curriculum program.
BUILDING AND MAINTENANCE PROGRAM
The maintenance of school plants and facilities during this fiscal year has taken a disproportionate amount of my time. The increase in buildings and grounds areas has greatly increased the work load, not only for myself, but for the maintenance staff this year, because as in previous years maintenance men have been used for substitutes for janitors who have been out on sick leave, and we have this year used janitors for a period of nearly 70 days. Because of the standards of cleanliness and repair that we would like to see with our school buildings and grounds, the Committee has decided to increase the maintenance staff by two members in the spring of 1961, in order that these buildings may be properly cared for and that it will not be necessary to ask for an extensive repair program again.
I feel that a great deal of credit and praise is due our custodial and maintenance staffs for the excellent job that they have done in keeping our buildings presentable at all times. Our standard of cleanliness and building care has never been excelled in Fairhaven.
THE SUPERINTENDENCY
I have attended thirty-one meetings of the School Com- mittee this year, as well as three meetings of the Finance Committee, seven meetings of the School Repairs Survey Committee, as well as many meetings of various building committees and staff committees. The professional man- agement of a school system of this size is becoming much more complicated as time goes on with the addition of federal programs, as well as additional staff members. At present, we have a total of 124 professional staff members, including principals, supervisors, teachers, co-ordinators, and school nurses. There are 10 clerical workers, 15 custodial workers,
138
and 5 maintenance men as well as approximately 60 more full-time or part-time people in the cafeteria division, which brings a cumulative total of approximately 185 persons. In order that better co-operation may be effected throughout the system on the purchase and use of equipment, supplies, and services, as well as the amount of time which I spend involved in working with architects, engineers, and contrac- tors for major repair programs, I feel in the very near future we should provide for a business administrative assistant to the Superintendent. I find myself increasingly unable to keep informed on the small details of the administration, as well as remiss in my duty of providing the proper instruc- tional leadership for the school system.
CONCLUSION
I am including herewith as a part of the 1960 School Re- port, messages of interest from the Co-Ordinators of Ele- mentary Education and Curriculum, the Principal of the High School, the Principal of the Junior High School, and the School Nurse and Supervisor of Attendance.
Respectfully submitted,
LYNWOOD P. HARRIMAN Superintendent of Schools
139
Report of the High School Principal
To the Superintendent of Schools:
I present, herewith, my second annual report as Principal of Fairhaven High School.
Class of 1960
On June 15, 1960, Mr. Francis P. Delaney, Vice-Chairman of the School Committee, presented diplomas to 166 seniors. Of these, about forty per cent are continuing their education. Thirty per cent are attending four-year colleges, thirteen per cent are in the service, three per cent are married and thirty-four per cent are employed.
Scholarships and awards valued at $4,001.16 were given out as follows :
Scholarships and Awards
Recipient
Amount
Fairhaven Mothers Club
50.00
Carol Wyzga
Fairhaven Mothers Club
600.00
Carol Wyzga
Mattapoisett P. T. A.
100.00
Judith Hiller
Mattapoisett P. T. A.
150.00
Beverly Bastien
Mattapoisett Police Association
150.00
Cynthia Messier
Mattapoisett Police Association
100.00
Cynthia Messier
Fairhaven High School Alumni
200.00
Thomas Mendell
Fairhaven High School Alumni
200.00
Beverly Turner
Future Nurses Club
100.00
Judith DePina
Chester M. Downing Key Club Award
150.00
Napoleon Holmes
Chester M. Downing Key Club Award
15.00
Linda Browning
East Fairhaven P. T. A.
50.00
Linda Orpin
Bausch and Lomb Science Medal
$100.00
Charlotte Cejka
Lady Fairhaven Cup
200.00
Jane Morrill
Lady Fairhaven Cup
200.00
Terrance Cray
Girls Club Scholarship
200.00
Barbara Ellis
Anna B. Trowbridge
150.00
Nancy Moore
N. B. College Club
150.00
Shirley Price
Mattapoisett Teachers Association
250.00
Denise Johnson
Chester M. Downing Future
Teachers Award
250.00
Kathryn Kozuch
140
Fairhaven Teachers Association
50.00
Kathryn Kozuch
Fairhaven Teachers Association
100.00
Denise Johnson
William A. Haslam Scholarship
75.00
Marjorie Dumas
Varsity Club
100.00
Sherman Rounsville
Mattapoisett Womens Club
Sherman Rounsville
Mattapoisett Womens Club
Sherman Rounsville
Standard-Times
Denise Johnson
Lady Fairhaven Award
50.00
Joy Lapierre
Catholic Women's Club
221.16
Doreen Sylvia
Bates College
200.00
Carol Wyzga
Rogers School P. T. A.
200.00
Shirley Price
The Class of 1960 gave to the school the sum of one hun- dred-fifty dollars which was added to a similar gift from the Class of 1959 for the purchase of a projector for daylight use. The purchase was made during the fall. The projector is now in daily use.
SCHOOL POPULATION AND FACILITIES
In September, 233 Freshmen entered Fairhaven High School bringing the total enrollment in all classes up to a maximum of 837. This number has caused us to over extend our facilities in certain instances. Some classes in English and science are crowded to the point where effective teach- ing is difficult to achieve. Our physics, chemistry and biology classes are too large for the facilities available. For example, in biology, some classes include well over thirty pupils who must be seated in such a fashion that demonstra- tions and blackboard work cannot be observed properly. In chemistry, it seemed feasible to remove one laboratory bench to permit using the laboratory for class activity. This was necessary because the number of pupils in general science classes required the use of classroom area formerly reserved for chemistry. However, the move reduced the number of available laboratory work stations so that laboratory periods are congested.
We have been forced to make extensive use of the audi- torium in the main building for study hall purposes. Study in this area is difficult. The auditorium was not constructed for that purpose and this fact together with the inadequate lighting there makes for a situation not conducive to study.
141
GUIDANCE AND COUNSELING
Services of the Guidance Department are constantly ex- panding. With the addition of clerical help, more time is available for personal counseling. Homogenous groups in English, mathematics and science and a program of develop- mental reading also provide greater opportunity to meet individual needs.
Great effort is being extended by the entire faculty to assist our young people so that they will make wise educa- tional and vocational plans. This can be done intelligently only when all available facts regarding their potentials and limitations have been mustered, appraised and the world of educational and vocational opportunities revealed. The task is tremendous and will be successful to the degree that stu- dents, faculty and parents work together.
Wednesday evenings have been set aside on an appoint- ment basis by the Guidance Department for meetings with parents or parents and pupils. At this time, student plans and problems are discussed by those most vitally concerned.
Forty percent of the graduating class of 1960 are pur- suing programs of advanced education. Fairhaven High School graduates are successfully achieving at numerous colleges and schools, among them Ivy Colleges and the seven top Women's Colleges. Some of these young people shared their experiences with classes of 1961 and 1962 through a panel discussion held in December.
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