USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Dighton > Town annual report of the offices of the town of Dighton 1950 > Part 5
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ANNUAL REPORT
5 sound projectors
4 radios
2 record makers, with playback systems
1 tape recorder
1 micro projector
4 Ballopticons
6 Movie screens
3 Film strip projectors
One of our most serious handicaps is found in the problem of making the materials available to all of the pupils who will receive benefit from seeing them. This handicap will be largely eliminated when all of our elementary pupils are housed in one building.
School Housing
After seven years of consideration of our elemen- tary building needs in Dighton, acceptable recommenda- tions were voted at a special town meeting held in No- vember of this year. At that time the Town approved the expenditure of $550,000 for the construction and equipping of an eighteen room consolidated building with auditorium-gymnasium-cafeteria facilities. The town preferred to replace the three elementary schools with the one structure rather than to approve a plan of partial consolidation of twelve or sixteen classrooms.
With the increases in costs of construction and with the building material shortages that are developing, our architect and the building committee are faced with the serious task of planning a school that is structurally and educationally sound. The Massachusetts School Build- ing Assistance Commission establishes certain mini- mum standards below which a community may not go if it wishes to be eligible for State Aid.
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ANNUAL REPORT
After consultations with our architect, Mr. Israel Almy, the building committee has approved the elimina- tion of the use of steel wherever this can be done and still be consistent with sound building practice. Short- ages of materials can affect the bids submitted to the extent that the appropriated $550,000 will not be enough to carry out our plans. Should plan changes fail to en- able us to remain within the amount appropriated it will be necessary for the voters to meet again to either vote additional funds or to approve recommendations that will provide for fewer classrooms. We hope that construc- tion may be started by the first of April. January 2, 1952 is still a possibility as a building dedication date.
Repairs and Improvements
With replacement of our elementary schools being a distinct possibility repairs were limited to those of an emergency nature. In the North Elementary School the library, the band room, and the hall were repainted. Other painted or varnished woodwork was touched up where necessary. The entire building received a general cleaning.
In the South School the walls and ceilings in some classrooms were repainted. The basement stairway on the East side of the building and the basement assembly room were redecorated. Many minor repairs were made throughout the school. Aproximately one hundred desks were refinished by the Vocational Department at the high school. A special effort was made to have the build- ing as habitable as possible from a cleanliness point of view.
At the North Primary School minor repairs were made and the building was given a thorough cleaning. The insulating of the ceiling of the room on the North
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ANNUAL REPORT
side makes this area much more comfortable in cold weather.
For a number of years we have been postponing de- sirable improvements in all of our elementary schools. If circumstances should postpone school construction for any appreciable period of time, extensive improvements in all three of the schools will be necessary. Such im- provements to be of any permanent value would entail the expenditure of very large sums of money. Very often the citizens look upon improvements in terms of painting certain areas on the inside and outside of a building. Our problems entail much more extensive and expensive work. Even though we should spend large sums on our present schools we would still have in one or more of the buildings, poor playgrounds, no facilities for physical education, school lunches, or assemblies, poor facilities for visual education and no auxiliary rooms. We would still have the same old shells masquerading under the guise of refurbished schools. Let us all hope that we won't have to start pouring out our money trying to make modern schools out of buildings that are not adequate for the type of program that we should be offering today.
New Equipment
The lack of oil burners in our schools makes it nec- essary for our custodians to go back to the schools on cold nights and on Saturdays and Sundays to fire their boilers. The extra hours involved poses a problem of the amount of work we can reasonably expect from them during the regular school day. In addition to the extra hour problem we find that the time spent tending boilers could be used to good advantage in keeping the building clean. Men are becoming more and more reluctant to continue in positions that require them to work nights and Saturdays and Sundays in addition to working during
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ANNUAL REPORT
the day. Even though the actual number of hours may not be excessive the custodians' freedom is greatly cur- tailed. The installation of an oil burner at the High School is desperately needed if we are to continue with our present janitorial personnel.
At Dighton High School through the most efficient efforts of our custodians many repairs and improve- ments were made. The type of construction here multi- plies the problems of cleaning and repairing. Consider- able money is saved each year because of the jack-of-all- trades abilities of Howell and Louis Carr. In this school all floors are scrubbed, sealed, and waxed during the summer months, but this is not only a yearly project. Throughout the year the floors must receive periodic at- tention in order that they may be kept in good condition at all times. All of the building receives a thorough going over in order that deterioration may not start. All walls and woodwork receive a thorough cleaning and a definite plan of repainting and revarnishing is carried out.
E. L. McGuire of Taunton was employed to replace the broken slate shingles on the main wing of the school and to repair various sections of the tar and gravel roof over the auditorium. Next year some of our exterior trim will need attention.
During the past year we have purchased the follow- ing new equipment:
1. An aluminum portable scaffold for the high school.
2. Two sets of steel goal posts for the football field.
3. One air compressor for the general use of the schools.
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ANNUAL REPORT
4. On oscillating sander for the vocational de- partment.
5. Thirteen new typewriters.
6. One drinking fountain for exterior of high school.
7. Public address system at high school.
8. Ampro sound projector for general use.
9. One fryolator for high school kitchen.
10. One electric steam table.
From the Massachusetts Educational Agency for Surplus Property we were allocated for nominal charges a large quantity of miscellaneous items. From this agency we received two 8 K. W. gasoline generators. One of these has been installed for the furnishing of emergency light and power for our kitchen and cafeteria. Limited use of this unit is planned for the entire build- ing.
The State Department of Vocational Education fur- nished without cost a much needed new radial saw that has a value of $420.00. The 1950 Senior Class left as a gift to the High School enough money to pay for another display case for the corridor. Mr. Louis Carr made this case to match the one that he made for the Class of 1949.
School Costs
Although we have minor increases in some of our budget items, the bulk of increases are attributable to the necessity of providing for adjustments in salaries of personnel. The new budget that will be presented to the Town will be considerably in excess of that presented
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ANNUAL REPORT
last year. Increased income will offset about $2,000 of the additional gross cost. At the present time the prices of many of the items that we purchase are higher than ever before. However, because of increases in State Aid during the past two years our net cost to the Town will be only about four thousand dollars more than the actual net cost in 1948.
At its regular meeting in December the School Com- mittee adopted a new salary schedule providing for the following maximums and minimums:
Non Degree Teachers
Bachelor's Degree
Master's Degree
Minimum
$2,400.00
$2,600.00
$2,800.00
Maximum
3,000.00
3,200.00
3,400.00
The acquisition of fifteen credits toward a higher degree qualifies each teacher for a one hundred dollar increase beyond the maximum.
The high school principal, special teachers, and vocational teachers are not on the salary schedule. Their salaries are adjusted by the Committee when necessary.
As of January first all teachers will receive the salary to which the schedule entitles her. This schedule was adopted subject to the approval of the Town, and if necessary funds are made available the amount of the increases will be paid to each teacher, retroactive to January first.
New Legislation 1
Under a change in the State Law all schools must now deposit all cafeteria and athletic receipts with the Town Treasurer to be disbursed by him upon the presentation
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ANNUAL REPORT
of school department warrants. The School Committee has control of and supervision of these accounts. Pre- viously these receipts and disbursements were under the control of the High School with rules and regulations of the School Committee being carried out. Unlike appro- priated funds the monies in these accounts do not re- vert to the Town at the end of each fiscal year but are carried forward and can be used by the cafeteria and the athletic departments.
A new law was passed relating to the failure of re- employment of a non-tenure teacher. It is now neces- sary for a School Committee to notify before April 1st any non-tenure teacher who will not receive a contract for the following year.
Legislation providing for more aid to education was defeated in this year's session of the Legislature. Vari- ous bills will be presented again this year in an attempt to gain a larger degree of State participation in the rap- idly rising cost of the educational program.
Miscellaneous
In spite of the fact that nearly every year we assure the parents that we are well supplied with teaching aids and with modern textbooks the question still is presented from time to time. We are ever alert in providing for the children the latest and best in the textbook field. This year most of our first grades are trying out a new series of readers to replace the reading system that we have been using. In our North Primary School new Arith- metic devices have been purchased with a view to their adoption. We have no hesitancy in discarding outdated and outmoded books even though their physical condi- tion may be good. However, we do try to get a reason-
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ANNUAL REPORT
able amount of wear from textbooks whose content is modern and usable.
Several transportation routes were extended during the past year in cases where the health and general wel- fare of the pupils required such action. The additional cost is reimbursable from State funds.
The Division of Vocational Education recommended the discontinuance of our evening classes because of in- adequate membership. The Committee will provide this service at such time as public interest warrants such action.
In June provisions were made for enrollment of all pupils who were eligible for school attendance in Sep- tember. The response was so gratifying and the first grade beginning in September was such an improvement that this policy will be continued in the future.
Because of the certainty of overcrowded conditions at the High School next year, the School Committee found it necessary to notify the Rehoboth School Depart- ment that after this year Dighton could no longer accept their high school students. Those who are now in attend- ance here will be permitted to attend until their gradua- tion. The Committee was very reluctant to take this action, especially because the Rehoboth boys and girls have been excellent students and because they have been a real credit to our high school. We have been very proud of them.
Conclusion
From time to time we receive many questions from parents regarding our schools. It is impossible to cover
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ANNUAL REPORT
all phases of the educational system each year. There- fore, I believe that parents should review from time to time the reports that have been made in recent years.
The School Committee, the Superintendent, and the teachers are grateful to the townspeople for their inter- est in their schools and for their continued support. Con- structive criticisms and suggestions as well as requests for information are welcome at all times.
Respectfully submitted, JOHN J. ROLFE,
Superintendent of Schools
Report of the School Nurse
To the Superintendent of Schools:
Dear Mr. Rolfe:
I wish to submit the following report as School Nurse for the year 1950.
Health is a state of well being that prevails when all body processes, physical, mental and emotional are working together harmoniously, so that one can meet the demands of life capably and serenely. Through our an- nual examinations and recommendations for correction when necessary, we aim to help each student to maintain as near perfect health as possible.
A physical examination by our School Doctor was given each pupil. The eye examination either by the
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ANNUAL REPORT
Massachusetts Vision Test or Telebinocular was also given, as was the Puretone Audiometer or hearing test. An improvement in hearing was noted after the removal of tonsils and adenoids in several cases. With the aid of glasses, where they are needed, there is always an im- provement in work noted.
The Dental Clinic continues to be well attended with 137 pupils attending and practically all pupils com- pleting the necessary work that had to be done. Each year shows a decided improvement in the condition of the children's teeth. This is just another way of helping to maintain physical fitness and to teach good health habits.
At the Pre-school Clinic where vaccinations are done and a free physical examination with recommenda- tions for correction, the child is not only prepared for en- trance into school, but is acquainted with Dr. Souza and myself which prepares him for the later examinations.
There are clinics and resources available for every need, and where help and information has been needed I have given it.
Two classes in Home Nursing was started this Fall at the High School. This course not only teaches the care of the sick in the home, and simple treatments, but is another way of teaching good health habits.
Again I wish to thank the teachers for their co- operation and help in carrying out this health program.
Respectfully submitted,
ESTHER BOWDEN, R.N.
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ANNUAL REPORT
Report of the Principal of the Dighton High School
To the Superintendent of Schools:
Dear Mr. Rolfe:
I herewith submit my second annual report as Prin- cipal of Dighton High School.
The present day philosophy of education, giving adolescents what they want and need, tends to keep more and more pupils in school. The fact that less than three per cent of our students leave school when reach- ing sixteen indicates that our program of studies-col- lege, commercial and vocational-is giving the neces- sary training and our extra-curricula program including social functions, assemblies, and athletics, is bringing about the desired contacts among young people.
The High School has maintained a slow steady growth during the last few years. As of October 1, 1950, there were 314 students enrolled in the school. This total was the greatest number of pupils that has been regis- tered in a single year. Since any further increase in num- bers would seriously hamper the educational facilities, it was regretfully decided not to admit sophomores from Rehoboth after the school year 1950-1951. Our enroll- ment should now remain at a reasonable figure for two or three years. Ninety-two per cent of our class rooms are utilized during the day, and while some departments are crowded, we are operating efficiently.
Enrollment indicating the distribution of pupils by towns and curricula statistics on October 1, 1950 follows:
9
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ANNUAL REPORT
ENROLLMENT STATISTICS
Class
Dighton
Berkley
Freetown
Rehoboth
~ Taunton
o Gosnold
74
Sophomore
36
11
16
24
1
89
Junior
33
16
17
22
0
0
88
Senior
35
5
7
15
1
0
63
Totals
141
48
60
61
3
1
314
CURRICULA
College
Commercial
General
Vocational
Totals
Freshmen
23
25
8
18
74
Sophomore
36
33
2
18
89
Junior
25
32
15
16
88
Senior
16
20
21
6
63
Totals
100
110
46
58
314
Totals
Freshmen
37
16
20
0
1 -
There has been one major change in our program of studies. Due to the low enrollment in the Vocational Household Arts Department for the past few years, it was deemed best to use the facilities we have, in cook- ing and sewing on an elective basis, and make them available to all girls. This year we are scheduling two classes in sewing, an introductory course and an ad-
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ANNUAL REPORT
vanced course. However, there was not sufficient inter- est in cooking to maintain a class in foods. Cooking will be available when the demand warrants.
The school continues to offer a rich program of learning experiences in the extra-curricula program. To- day's school is no longer a place in which students only read, write and recite. Experience has shown that there are other kinds of teaching and learning than the kind that consists chiefly of studying books. A detailed de- scription of this program has been given in previous re- ports. However, I believe the following should receive special mention:
(1) Photography, Audio-Visual Aids, Home Nursing, Cooking, Handicrafts, Traypainting, Personality and Driver Education, have again proven very popular.
(2) "The Golden Log," the school annual, is now part of the Activities Program and is open to all students. As in the past, the Seniors will edit the production under the guidance of Miss Ann Lanoue.
(3) An assembly program committee under the di- rection of Mr. Leo DeMarco has spent considerable time developing an Assembly Program consisting of educa- tional speakers and entertainers, student talent and ex- change assemblies between neighboring schools. It is the goal to have all students in the school participate in at least one program during the year.
(4) In athletics it should be noted that our football team again had an exceptional year. Although we were starting with an entirely new team, we only lost one game and finished first in the Narragansett Interscholastic League. We had the most successful baseball team in
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ANNUAL REPORT
the history of Dighton High School and in track retired the Boosters' Club Cup after winning the Narragansett Interscholastic League Invitation Meet three successive years. The Girls' Basketball Team again finished first in their division of the Narragansett Interscholastic League. This makes the fourth successive time they have fin- ished in first place.
Our school has had a proud record in the field of varsity athletics. Dighton's reputation for fair play and good sportsmanship is outstanding. It is our aim to de- velop young men and young women who, while exerting every effort to win, can win or lose with grace.
The guidance program has been greatly emphasized this year with excellent results. It has now reached a point where a qualified counselor is necessary to coor- dinate all parts and bring the necessary social, vocational and educational information to young people.
Group Guidance is required of everyone once a week. Problems involving social adjustments, job find- ing, and information concerning institutions of higher learning are continually being reorganized to meet the pupils' needs. A few of the topics covered this year were:
Information about the school. Sportsmanship at games. How to study. What is the purpose of going to college. How to get a job. Choosing a life companion.
A definite course of study has been constructed so that a topic is emphasized in the grade for which it is most suitable.
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ANNUAL REPORT
Again all eighth grade pupils in Dighton, Berkley, and Freetown, and the junior class in the High School were given educational and vocational aptitude tests through the facilities of Boston University.
To supplement this battery of tests, the Massachu- setts Employment Service conducted a series of voca- tional guidance tests to seniors. Due to the close co- operation between the Employment Service and the High School, we were able to efficiently guide the Senior graduates looking for positions. All seniors not continu- ing their education beyond High School were interviewed and classified according to their interests and abilities. A trained counselor went over each record and tested all doubtful classifications with a battery of vocational apti- tude tests. The counseling and testing results were use- ful in placing Seniors in suitable positions. Harmonious relations with nearby manufacturing companies have enabled us to place graduates yearly with satisfactory results.
During the year 1950, I received a certificate from the Commissioner of Education again approving Dighton High School as Class A. Our academic program remains high. Of the twenty-nine graduates preparing for col- lege, twenty-one applied to institutions of higher learning and all were accepted. In addition, four commercial graduates are continuing their education at business col- leges. The following table is a guide to the effectiveness of the scholastic program at Dighton High School.
Follow-up of 1950 Graduating Class
(a) Graduates 81
(b) Attending Teachers Colleges 1
(c) Attending Other Colleges 11
(d) Attending other schools 13
(Nursing, Business, Technical, Preparatory)
(e) Total continuing school 25 or 31 %
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ANNUAL REPORT
Two of our graduates are attending colloges under Scholastic Scholarships. Marie Allen won a competitive scholarship at Boston University School of Music and Robert Hunter received a scholarship at Brown Univer- sity.
The cafeteria continues to operate in a very suc- cessful manner. This year we discontinued the sale of sandwiches. It was felt that if a meal is to be purchased, it should be a hot one. Elimination of sandwiches has increased the number of hot plates sold by thirty-two per cent. It should be noted that the cafeteria is maintained through the Federal Lunch Program at no cost to the town.
Our banking program has now been operating suc- cessfully for four years. Last year a total of 156 stu- dents participated in the program depositing $1,784.27.
We are continuing to meet the requests of students for more social contacts. Our assembly program enables groups of students to present two or more assemblies in neighboring schools and in turn act as hosts to these schools. This year our musical groups presented an assembly at Westport High School, participated in the Southeastern Massachusetts Music Festival at Attle- boro, broadcasted over station WBET in Brockton, and played with other school bands at a Boston University football game. Our Junior Dramatic Club presented a play at Dartmouth High School. During the year, we welcomed the Dartmouth High School and Westport High School Glee Clubs at two assemblies. Our dances continue to be popular and well supported by the student body.
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ANNUAL REPORT
In closing this report, may I express my apprecia- tion to you, the School Committee, the Faculty, the Stu- dent Body, and the Custodians, for the splendid support and assistance accorded me.
Respectfully submitted,
EDWARD H. GILLESPIE, Principal
Report of the Music Supervisor
In accordance with the policies established by the School Department in recent years, the Music Depart- ment of the Dighton schools has made available to every pupil in the school system music in one form or another.
An active music reading program exists in the elementary schools and it includes all the grades from one to eight. Its purpose is to develop the ability on the part of each individual to read vocal music of medium difficulty, quickly and easily with a minimum of musical technical knowledge required.
The instrumental program offers an opportunity to any individual in Grades four to eight inclusive, to study any of the most common orchestral and band instru- ments that are in use in these organizations today. In some instances where the physical capacity of the indiv- idual is sufficient, instrumental instruction can begin in the third grade. There is a very limited number of school owned instruments available, so that for the most part
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ANNUAL REPORT
the individual student must provide his own instrument. In any case instrumental instruction is provided there is no instruction fee charged the pupil.
Extensive repairs were made on most of the school owned instruments this year as some of them had not been overhauled since their acquisition several years ago. In order to defray a part of the expense of the upkeep of school owned instruments, the School Committee voted and passed the recommendation that the nominal fee of $5.00 per instrument per year be charged each student using a school owned instrument. If this same service were provided by a commercial music house the yearly rental fee would be approximately $40.00.
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