USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Fairhaven > Town annual report of the offices of Fairhaven, Massachusetts 1962 > Part 5
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Fairhaven began its week-long Sesquicentennial Celebra- tion under precarious skies and strong, gusty winds. Fishing vessels and related industries opened their doors to the pub- lic, sight-seeing trips along the waterfront were enjoyed by many, and a 10-mile marathorn had 35 runners competing with George Conefrey of Brockton's Spartan Athletic Club blazing a speedy trail through the streets of Fairhaven to win the Fairhaven Sesquicentennial 10-mile road race that was sanctioned by the New England AAU. In the evening, a grand Queen's Ball was held at the Town Hall with over
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400 attending in formal dress. The coronation ceremonies took place in a flower garden constructed on the stage at the Town Hall Auditorium with Miss Martha Jean Moseley being crowned Queen of the Sesquicentennial and receiving the treasure chest of gifts which included her crown, a solid gold bracelet, a queen's bouquet, gift certificates, and an all- expense-paid trip to Atlantic City for the Miss America pageant. Following the crowning ceremonies dancing con- tinued until midnight.
Commemorative Catholic Masses, and a special inter- denominational Protestant service at the First Congrega- tional Church were held Sunday morning followed by a Firemen's parade and muster with a musical concert at Cushman Park concluding the day's activities.
Youth days were held on Monday and Thursday being highlighted by a visit from Ted Williams on Thursday. Open house was held at the Atlas Tack throughout the week with many hudreds visiting the industrial plant. On Monday a story hour was held at the Millicent Library, conducted tours of the Fire Station were made by many, tennis clinics were held at the High School, races for the youngsters at each of the town's playgrounds, and a soap box derby. Highlighting the evening program were block dances in all sections of the town and Colonel Clark, one of the nation's top authorities on scallops and scalloping, concluded the day's activities with a special lecture on "Sea Scallops and Sea Scalloping" at the Town Hall.
The Fairhaven Mothers' Club arranged a tour of 19 beau- tiful old homes and buildings in Fairhaven on Tuesday. White whale signs marked the route, and a map with brief details of each stopping place was distributed to the tourists. Tea was served at the Unitarian Memorial Church with an open house at the Millicent Library which had a beautiful Historical Memorabilia Exhibit and refreshments.
On Wednesday open house was held at all town facilities as well as the business and industrial plants. Exhibitions were put on at Cushman Park during the day and two movies
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were shown at Keith's Theatre, "Down to the Sea in Ships" and "Whaler Out of New Bedford". A gala square dance was held at Livesey Park with hundreds dancing and many more looking on.
A pageant of Fairhaven entitled "A Proud Past and a Hopeful Future" was held at Cushman Park Thursday de- picting Fairhaven's 150-year old history with a cast of 100 to the delight of more than 2,000 persons who turned out for the event. One of the highlights of the program was a 10- minute dissertation by Francis Whitworth, an 85 year old veteran of the Fairhaven Player's theatrical group who spell- bound the audience as he portrayed Mark Twain. His dress and appearance were almost identical to the famed author. Winners of the Title and Slogan contest were announced. While the pageant was in progress, more than 500 persons visited the arts and crafts exhibition at the Rogers School auditorium which featured about 100 paintings, mostly oils, with water colors and pastels. Other works of art included ceramics, braided rugs, and tollwear. Many merchants had agreed to give special prices in a spirit of cooperation with the town Sesquicentennial week. Visitors as well as residents were quick to make purchases of the five cent hot dog and ice cream cone as well as the many other items, on which prices were slashed to the good old days.
One of the funniest games seen by residents of this area was a donkey baseball game which pitted the Fairhaven Brothers of the Brush against the Town of Dighton Brothers of the Brush. There were many aching backs as the donkeys often refused to budge or threw the riders before the eyes of thousands of spectators. Friday evening following the donkey baseball game more than 500 persons stood outside on the Town Hall steps to watch the arrivals that attended the gala costume ball.
With hundreds of persons gathered before the Town Hall a time capsule donated by the Revere Copper and Brass Co. was filled with historical mementos and buried on the south- east corner of the Town Hall property. The capsule is a 30 by 10 inch cylindrical container, made of 3/16 inch thick cop-
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per and weighs approximately 30 pounds. The items were placed in a canvas bag, wrapper in foil, and then dipped in wax to insure their preservation. Placed in the capsule was a copy of the Fairhaven Charter dated 1812, proclamation announcing Sesquicentennial Week, Town Report of 1961, Founders' Day programs, souvenir program, a history of Fairhaven, Moby Dick Trail Map, a copy of the Standard- Times, a copy of the Fairhaven Star, Phoenix Press, Fairhaven High School public speaking reports on the Ses- quicentennial, Fairhaven High School Sophomore Class Ses- quicentennial stationery, Atlas Tack Corporation sample box of tacks, special programs of Sesquicentennial Week on the queen's ball and donkey ball game, newsclippings of Colonel Eugene S. Clark's illustrated lecture on scalloping, house tour ticket, Millicent Library annual report, cachet and bronze Sesequicentennial medal, Sesquicentennial bumper sticker and official pin, Sesquicentennial tile, Unitarian Me- morial Church brochure, whaling film ticket to "Down to the Sea in Ships", official replies to invitations to Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt and Kevin White, State Secretary. Governor John A. Volpe together with his wife, daughter, and granddaugh- ter assisted in the burial of the capsule noting that "just a few hundred years ago, Indian moccasions were shuffling these very streets".
Fairhaven's rich heritage was framed in a colorful array of floats that thrilled and delighted more than 75,000 per- sons that lined the streets to watch the mammoth parade. Forty-four floats and more than 100 musical marching units, antique autos, and horse-drawn vehicles participated. Top- hatted, frock-coated men sporting proud, bristling beards promenaded with their gowned ladies carrying parasols. The modern touch was provided by floats, the bands, smart- stepping drum and bugle corps units, and beauty queens and their courts. Traffic congestion was the heaviest in this area in many years. Long before the parade started, all roads into Fairhaven were clogged with bumper-to-bumper vehi- cles. Following the parade, the famed Brothers of the Brush had their beards removed at Cushman Park by skilled bar- bers. The Sesquicentennial celebration ended with a choral
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concert at Cushman Park where some 1,500 persons stood in final tribute to the Fairhaven Sesquicentennial and sang the American National Anthem.
The Brothers of the Brush were one of the first groups formed during the Sesquicentennial and were the best public relations or advertising media for the celebration. They formed even prior to the year of 1962 and continued their support throughout each and every function. Every parade in Greater New Bedford was attended by these "Ambas- sadors of Good Will", the sick were visited, people in rest homes and homes for the aged were entertained as were the children at St. Mary's home. Some members even kept their beards after the week's festivities were over to parti- cipate in Dighton's 250th anniversary. For all their co- operation and assistance, the committee and the town wish to give them a special vote of thanks. We sincerely hope that the unity shown during this 150th anniversary year will continue with their organization of the 150 Club.
In conclusion, we wish to thank the members of the steer- ing committee, the people who worked in any way for the success of each affair and all the townspeople for their whole-hearted support during our great Sesquicentennial celebration.
WALTER J. BOROWICZ, Chairman
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A copy of Fairhaven's original charter being presented during Founders' Day by Rep. William Q. MacLean to the Board of Selectmen. Left to right, Walter Silveira, Rep. William Q. Maclean, James B. Lanagan, Walter J. Borowicz.
Brothers of the Brush
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of the SESQUI CENTENNIAL
QUEEN'S BALL
Martha Jean Moseley being crowned queen by Mrs. Vivian White Phillips, Miss New Bedford of 1958. Left, Katherine Lawton, second runnerup; center, Ann Margaret Rezendes, first runnerup.
QUEEN
FAIRHAVEN
1812
¥ 1962
QUEEN'S FLOAT
Martha Jean Moseley, Sesquicentennial Queen; Katherine Lawton; Ann Margaret Rezendes.
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East Fairhaven Improvement Association Float
-
Antone Medeiros and Family
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BURYING TIME CAPSULE
Governor John A. Volpe and grand- daughter with Chairman of the Board of Selectmen Walter J. Borowicz.
Francis Whitworth, 85 years old, por- raying Mark Twain in pageant.
-
123
After
Harry L. Young, Chairman of Brothers of the Brush, being shaved by Park Commissioner Weber R. Torres, Jr.
Before
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SCHOOL REPORT
OF THE
TOWN OF FAIRHAVEN
MASSACHUSETTS
AIRHA
OF
NM
TO
IASS,
INCORPO
TOWN HALL
22-1812.
R
TED
FEB
FOR THE
YEAR 1962
School Committee
---
Term Expires
John T. Morgan, 10 Coggeshall St. (DECEASED AUGUST 19. 1962)
1965
Frank Marujo, 258 Alden Rd. (TO FILL UNEXPIRED TERM)
1965
G. Raymond Lamarre, 110 Green St. Chairman
1965
George R. Graves, 74 Hedge St. Vice-Chairman
1964
Cecil H. Whittier, 68 Laurel St.
1964
Albert M. Gonsalves, 145 Washington St.
1963
Antone C. Martin, Jr., 32 Huttleston Ave. 1963
126
SUPERINTENDENT AND SECRETARY TO THE COMMITTEE
Lynwood P. Harriman, 128 Pleasant Street Office : WY 3-1241 - Residence: WY 3-8977
OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT
128 Washington Street
Beatrice M. DeCoffe, 212 Main Street
Secretary to the Superintendent
Elaine M. Marshall (Mrs.), 477 Main 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 Street, Mattapoisett
ASSISTANT SCHOOL NURSE
Barbara F. Keith (Mrs.), R.N., 101 Washington Street
127
School Calendar
1962-63
Weeks
Open
Close
Days
First Term
16
Wed., Sept. 5
Fri., Dec. 21 73
Second Term
7
Wed., Jan. 2
Fri., Feb. 15
33
Third Term
7
Mon., Feb. 25
Thurs., Apr. 11 34
Fourth Term
9
Mon., Apr. 22
Fri., June 21 44
39
184
1963-64
Weeks
Open
Close
Days
First Term
16
Wed., Sept. 4
Fri., Dec. 20 74
Second Term 7
Thurs., Jan. 2
Fri., Feb. 14
32
Third Term
8 Mon., Feb. 24
Fri., Apr. 17 39
Fourth Term
8
Mon., Apr. 27
Wed., June 17 38
39
183
There will be no sessions on the following days which occur during the scheduled terms for the school year 1962 - 63 :
September 3
Labor Day
October 12
Columbus Day
October 26
Bristol County Teacher's Convention
November 12
Veterans' Day
November 22, 23
May 30
Thanksgiving Recess from noon Nov. 21 Memorial Day
NO-SCHOOL SIGNAL
22
7:00 A.M. Indicates no school for all day .*
11:30 A.M. Indicates no afternoon sessions for Grades 1-8.
* School will be held in the High School on all days re- gardless of weather conditions unless special announcement is made over the radio station WBSM and WNBH. Parents are urged to use their own judgment in sending students to school when the weather is inclement.
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 ex- tremely hazardous or impossible with respect particularly to Grades 1-8.
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Report of the School Committee
To the Citizens of Fairhaven:
MEETINGS
Your School Committee has held 30 meetings during this calendar year. Notices of these meetings are posted at the Town Hall announcing the time and place of each meeting as well as the items of business to be covered. All of our meetings have been open meetings and we invite interested members of the public to attend our meetings at all times. Copies of the agenda for each of our meetings are sent to radio and press, and representatives from these media are usually present at these sessions. Due to the fact that press representatives do not usually stay until the end of the meet- ings many times the interpretations of our sessions are erro- neous because the complete background of the meeting is not reported. For this reason, citizens of the Town are urged to attend our meetings. If for some reason a citizen or group of citizens wish to be heard or wish to consult with the School Committee, notice of such intended discussion should be given to the Superintendent, at least five (5) days prior to an intended visit, in order that matters of concern may be in- cluded on the agenda.
Your Committee considers itself to be the elected represent- ative of the people of the Town, and we solicit your support and help by attendance at School Committee meetings, by securing facts on school problems and policy decisions, and by aiding in communication of true facts regarding your schools. Acquaintance with the total picture of school prob- lems is difficult at best and although we have inaugurated the "Newsletter" in order that we can have a medium by which we can explain vital school problems, we realize that we cannot reach everyone with the information we would desire. You are invited at all times to communicate with the school administration to bring specific problems to their at- tention. If you do not receive satisfaction from the admini- stration, the problem will be referred to the School Commit-
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tee for a policy decision.
ENROLLMENT AND SCHOOL FACILITIES
On October 1, 1962, the official enrollment count in the public schools indicated a total of 2615 students compared with 2546 students one year ago. Of the increase, 35 stu- dents are in the elementary schools, 9 students are in the Junior High School, and 25 students are in the High School.
Looking at specific areas, the enrollment report indicates an increase of 13 students at Anthony School, 33 students at Oxford School, 3 students at Rogers School, and 13 students at Tripp School. The East Fairhaven School shows a total loss of 27 students, most of which is due to the transfer of students from the East Fairhaven School to the Oxford School. In the High School, the enrollment at the present writing is considerably above the 801 total figure which is the official enrollment of October 1, 1962. We expect the High School enrollment to exceed the total all-time high of 836 students next year. Our present projections would indi- cate a total enrollment in excess of 840 students in Septem- ber of 1963.
The School Committee strongly endorses the building pro- gram suggested by the School Facilities Committee. We feel its study has been exhaustive and complete, and we agree with its findings in nearly all instances. We are requesting the establishment in September of 1963, of at least one (1) portable classroom at the East Fairhaven School in order to prevent the necessity for double sessions at that location. With this addition, it is felt that we would be able to get through the rest of the 1963-64 school year without addi- tional building.
CONCLUSION
It was with great regret that the School Committee learned of the death on August 20, 1962, of Mr. John T. Morgan, a member of this Committee. Mr. Morgan had been a faithful member of this Committee since his election in
130
1955 having served as its Chairman in 1960 and 1961. His interest in educational matters, and his keen insight into the problems of the school system made him a valuable member of this Committee, and he will be sorely missed by all of us.
We would like to express our appreciation to the entire staff for the fine cooperation and dedicated service of its members, both professional and civil service. We would like to call to your attention the report of the Superintendent of Schools and other staff members which are included here- with as part of the annual report of the Fairhaven Public Schools.
Respectfully submitted,
G. RAYMOND LAMARRE, Chairman GEORGE R. GRAVES, Vice-Chairman ALBERT M. GONSALVES ANTONE C. MARTIN, JR. FRANK MARUJO CECIL H. WHITTIER
School Committee
131
Report of the Superintendent of Schools
L.P. HARRIMAN
Lynwood P. Harriman, Superintendent of Schools
To the Fairhaven School Committee :
I am pleased to submit herewith my fifth annual report as Superintendent of the Fairhaven Public Schools.
MEMBERSHIP AND ATTENDANCE
The following is the statistical analysis of membership and attendance for the past four years.
1958-59
1959-60
1960-61
1961-62
Average Membership
2,476
2,502
2,554
2,521
Percent of Attendance
93.78
94.45
94.71
80.09
Further information concerning school attendance and enrollment by grades and schools may be found in the tables of supporting information in this school report.
132
TEACHER CHANGES
Name
Began
Resigned
Memo
Marguerite A. Johnson
9-44
6-22-62
Retired
Walter D. Wood
9-29
6-13-62
Deceased
James K. Clark
9-61
6-22-62
Boston University
Francine M. Crisci
1-62
6-22-62
Lakeville
Marianne Severance
1-62
6-22-62
Needham
Donat F. Fortin
8-61
6-22-62
Fall River
Alice D. Gibbs
4-54
7-18-62
New Bedford
Alwyn Griffith, Jr.
9-60
6-22-62
New Bedford
James Pasquill
12-58
9-1-62
Old Rochester Regional
Roubine Alves
9-61
6-22-62
At Home
Jean M. Bagg
9-61
6-22-62
California
Emma J. Spalding
9-61
6-22-62
At Home
Margaret A. Hagen
9-59
6-13-62
At Home
George W. Evans
9-61
6-22-62
Business
John R. Moynihan
9-61
6-25-62
Old Rochester Regional
LEAVE OF ABSENCE
Beverly A. Shavinsky
7-1-62 -
9-1-63
Maternity Leave
STAFF VACANCIES
The problem of filling teacher vacancies this year has been considerably less difficult than in any of the previous years during my administration. We have had some difficulties in minor instances in finding qualified teachers in special fields, but on the whole, the problem of finding teachers has been much less difficult due to the fact that we have been able to offer attractive beginning salaries, personnel policies, and working conditions. We have been able to pay our teachers equal to or above the salaries of teachers in the surrounding areas. As a consequent result, we have been able to secure our first or second choice to fill a position rather than being left with a very narrow selection from which to choose. In most of our positions, with the exception of positions in the lower grades, we have been able to be very selective in our choice of the candidates available. Consequently, it would appear that our present group of probationary teachers are of the highest caliber that we have had for some time. With very few exceptions, our group of new teachers appear to be excellent material, well-trained, and professionally prepared to do the job for which they were selected.
133
SCHOOL FACILITIES
As most town citizens are well aware, the enrollment in various areas of our school system has reached alarming pro- portions, resulting in a great need for immediate action toward securing additional school facilities. To that end, the School Facilities Study Committee, under the able chair- manship of Dr. Paul L. Sicard, has studied this need and has made certain proposals for the solution of the problem.
They propose that the Town immediately authorize the appointment of a school building committee to procure pre- liminary plans and drawings for an elementary school of approximately 13 classrooms on Sconticut Neck Road. They have selected a piece of property for this purpose, which they propose the Town acquire, in order that the project may proceed immediately. Due to the geographical nature of Sconticut Neck, there are very few areas on Sconticut Neck where a large group of students would not have to be trans- ported to any school built there. The site selected is very near the junction of Manhattan Avenue and Sconticut Neck Road where the greatest concentration of population on Sconticut Neck is located. The Facilities Committee feels that there is likely to be a large amount of future population growth in the area immediately to the north of the inter- section of Washington Street and Sconticut Neck Road. For this reason, they feel that this site could be of great value in taking care of this population growth, as well as Sconticut Neck, for some time.
Due to the large enrollment at the High School, which has been increasing to proportions far in excess of the 750 pupil rated capacity of the school, the School Facilities Committee proposes the addition of approximately 20 spaces at the Junior High School in order that the 9th Grade may be re- moved from the senior high school. This would leave the high school spaces available for the upper three grades of the school system. A great deal of study has gone into the request and it is my feeling that this addition would do a great deal to cut down the overcrowded situation at the senior high school and allow us to present a first-class edu- cational program
In line with the recommendations of the Evaluation Com-
134
mittee of the New England Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools, we would be able to carry out all of their recommendations and continue our accreditation of the sen- ior high school for some time to come, with only the eventual addition of gymnasium facilities, and industrial arts areas at the High School. There would, however, be some alter- ations necessary in the interior of the High School in order to allow expansion of certain areas; which would include the library, the language department, and the science depart- ment. These alterations could be made without a large ex- penditure of money.
CURRICULUM AND STAFF ORGANIZATION
Many very forward-looking strides have been made this year in the field of curriculum. Reading has been empha- sized greatly, on both the elementary and secondary levels, with the extension of a remedial reading program at the junior and senior high school and by the use, in the elemen- tary grades, of the Botel Reading Inventory, the phonovisual method of teaching phonics, and the S. R. A. Reading Labor- atory. These devices, in addition to the use of co-basal read- ing systems appear to have made great gains in reading speed, comprehension, and study skills. The problem of reading is one that we will always have, because the ability to read is not alone developed by teaching methods, but is a product of many diverse factors. Among these factors are native intelligence, emotional maturity, social and intellec- tual growth of the home, and an exhibited love of reading and scholarship by both teachers and parents. Since all of these factors are not developed in the same way by all children, it must be evident that there will be certain areas of weakness in the reading ability of individual children for as long as reading is taught.
We feel that "Johnny can read" in Fairhaven, even though there are many isolated instances of inability to read at grade level or above. These children, who do not read at grade level or above, are the children toward which, reme- dial reading specialists must aim their emphasis and direc- tion.
Curriculum study in the areas of science and social studies have been going forward under the able leadership of de-
135
partment heads and staff leaders in the elementary schools and we feel that our offerings and courses of study are pro- ceeding in the right direction for the most effective use of educational and staff resources.
Many other areas of curriculum development are treated in the reports of the Co-ordinator of Elementary Education and the junior and senior high school principals, so that I need not deal with them at greater length in this report.
PSYCHOLOGICAL AND SOCIAL PROBLEMS
As I mentioned in my last annual report, many of the prob- lems that we have with children have psychological and social implications, which need to be handled by a trained psychiatric social worker, in order to combat problems which children have in adjusting to school life, and the community. Many problems of juvenile delinquency, habitual school of- fense, and other minor social and moral maladjustments, can be greatly aided by a co-ordinated program covering these areas. The State Department of Education and the State Department of Mental Health in cooperation recommend the acquisition of a school-adjustment counselor, who would be a psychiatric social worker, trained to deal with social and emotional problems. This worker should be a full-time staff member who would have training and time to visit homes, talk with parents and teachers separately and to- gether, in order to arrive at the best solution for the good of the child. The program as developed by the State Depart- ments mentioned above is a state operated and subsidized program, whereby the state will reimburse the town for up to $4,500. towards the cost of the salary of the School Ad- justment Counselor.
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