USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Dighton > Town annual report of the offices of the town of Dighton 1957 > Part 6
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7
The State Department of Education, Division of Special Education has been inquiring recently as to when we would have room available for a special class. They were told when additions were made to the schools such classes would be included.
As for the high school, we are still faced with the prob- lem of rooms enough for the courses offered. This year we added a course in senior science and this created a general shifting of classes. We asked for permission to use the assessors' office. Until this permission was granted it was necessary to tie up the library for classes one period a day. In this day of emphasis on research the library should be available as much as possible.
In June the last class in the academic high school will be graduated with Freetown pupils in it. Berkley and Dighton pupils will be the only ones attending the academic high school next fall. The elimination of the Freetown pupils has provided some extra room but not enough to cancel out any
10
ANNUAL REPORT
classes. In some ways their leaving has hurt as they pro- vided many students who were quite brilliant and helped our competitive spirit.
It is my hope that the Dighton School Needs Committee and the Regional Committee will soon through their studies, come up with some plan that will give us our needed facilities and still not create too great a burden on the taxpayers.
Repairs and Improvements
Retubing of the boiler at the High School was the only major repair work completed this year. The schools were given a thorough cleaning during each vacation and over the summer. Floors were refinished and waxed. Paint was touched up and the kitchen at the High School was repainted.
The dishwasher at the High School will have to be replaced this year. It will also be necessary to do some inside painting at the Elementary School. Some type of laboratory table should be installed in the science room for grades seven and eight and a similar one for general science classes at the High School.
Mr. Alvin Silvia replaced Mr. Manuel Mello as custodian at the elementary school. Our four custodians have continued to do their outstanding work throughout the year. Comparing the work done and the results with that in other schools, I would say we are indeed fortunate to have such capable and hardworking custodians.
Parent-Teacher Association
The P. T. A. has been very helpful in aiding our program by supplying funds for elementary field trips. They have also supplied scholastic awards and a scholarship for a high school graduate. This organization continues to be an agent for promoting good relationship between the schools, the
11
ANNUAL REPORT
parents and the teachers. Again I state you should support your P. T. A.
Conclusion
I want to thank the School Committee, the parents and the teachers for the cooperation given me this year.
I would especially like to thank our three administrators for their work:
Mr. Charles Day works hard to keep his program and equipment up to date in our very small quarters.
Mr. Edward Nicolas has taken the necessary steps to improve our curriculum and his use of the testing program has enabled him to give a great deal of help to his pupils.
Mr. James Dowd, the High School Principal, has worked hard to improve our curriculum and help your children select the program best suited for them. Interest in a college education as evidenced by the numbers of pupils taking College Board Examinations and filling out college application blanks can be directly attributed to Mr. Dowd's untiring efforts to help these people.
Again I ask for your continued cooperation and want you to feel free to call upon us at any time that we can be of help.
Respectfully submitted,
ROBERT T. ROY, Superintendent of Schools
12
ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL NURSE
Mr. Robert Roy Superintendent of Schools
Dear Mr. Roy :
I submit the following report for 1957.
The annual physical examination was given to all pupils attending Dighton schools by Dr. Charles M. Souza, school physician. Pupils taking part in the athletic program were first examined before they were allowed to participate in any competitive sport.
The Massachusetts Vision Test and Puretone Audiometer Test were again given. After retesting and individual testing, parents were then notified of a failure to pass the test.
The pre-school clinic and registration day have been combined and was held on April 30th. Twenty-four children were vaccinated and sixty-nine were registered for entrance in the first grade in September.
The "Get Acquainted Day" was held the first week in May. It again proved as successful as in previous years.
Polio clinics were held in January, February, March and June. These clinics completed this program for Dighton.
Through the Board of Health Asian Flu Vaccine was made available for teachers and school personnel. A good percentage took advantage of the clinics.
In October a "virus infection" started in the High School and soon affected all grades and teachers. Absenteeism was high for about three weeks.
Again I offer my sincere thanks to the entire school personnel and parents for their assistance and cooperation.
Respectfully submitted,
ESTHER BOWDEN, R. N., School Nurse
13
ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE PRINCIPAL OF THE DIGHTON HIGH SCHOOL
Mr. Robert T. Roy Superintendent of Schools Dighton, Mass.
Dear Mr. Roy :
My second annual report as Principal of Dighton High School is herewith submitted. My contact with Dighton High School over a period of one calendar year, at this writing, enables me to give a detailed report of the class of pupils which was graduated in June of 1957.
I think it is of great importance to include such a report, particularly this year. Schools in general are and have been under attack. In the recent past, because of scientific and technical developments in the world, the place and function of all levels of education are now being subjected to close scrutiny.
The graduating class of 1957 numbered 55 pupils. Of this number 48 ;- 19 boys and 29 girls were under my immediate or direct control. Of these 48 pupils, 17 went on to continue their education at the post-secondary level. This number is about 35% of the above total. Of much more significance is the fact that of a total of 15 pupils following the College Preparatory curriculum 12 are in the college or nurses' training school of their choice. This is a very respectable 80% of the total number actually preparing for further education on the college level.
Of the 19 boys who were graduated; 9 are in the United States armed forces, 6 in four year colleges, 2 in two year technical schools, and 2 are employed in local industry. Of the 6 who are in four year colleges; 2 are at Northeastern University pursuing studies in engineering, 1 is at the Uni- versity of Massachusetts studying business administration, 1 is studying pharmacy at the University of Rhode Island, 1 is in pre-medical studies at Stonehill College and 1 is preparing for a teaching career at Bridgewater Teachers' College.
14
ANNUAL REPORT
Of the 29 girls who were graduated; 15 are in office work, 2 in industry, 2 at hairdressing school, 2 at home, 1 a retail store clerk, 3 in a 4 year college, 2 in nurses' training, 1 pursuing studies in the field of X-ray technology and 1 in a secretarial school.
Of the 3 girls in college, 2 are at the University of Massa- chusetts and one is at the Bradford Durfee Technical Institute. The 2 girls in nurses' training are at Union Hospital in Fall River and St. Luke's Hospital in New Bedford. The young lady studying X-ray technology is at Pratt Diagnostic Institute and the young lady in secretarial school is at the Air Age School of Secretarial Science in Boston.
Some of the pupils mentioned above were able to obtain admission to the institution of their choice without examina- tons, others satisfactorily fulfilled the examination require- ments of the institutions requiring such. We have maintained a close contact with a majority of these pupils. All are achieving at a level of performance not wholly inconsistent with the scope or level of their preparation at Dighton High School.
Of the 14 girls who had pursued the commercial cur- riculum, 10 took Civil Service examinations for positions in the clerical services of the Commonwealth. Their per- formance on these examinations was highly consistent with their level of achievement or preparation at Dighton High School. In addition their performance in the examinations ad- ministered by the personnel of the Taunton office of the Massachusetts Division of Employment Security was com- pletely in line with their school performance.
An analysis of this rather detailed report would indicate that the performance of our function was reasonably respecta- ble. It would also indicate that those pupils who are con- tinuing their education are preparing for fields on which there is pressure for preparation in the immediate present on a national level. It would seem therefore that apart from the consideration of the individuals involved, Dighton High School is making a not insignificant proportionate contribution to the community, state and nation.
15
ANNUAL REPORT
In the event that the reader now is of the opinion that too many conclusions have been drawn too rapidly from small numbers in one class alone, I deem it wise to briefly mention the statistics of the certainties and intentions of the present senior class. At this writing three girls have been acceped without examination at the University of Massachusetts. Two girls have been accepted without examination at Bridge- water Teachers' College. One girl has been accepted at Colby Junior College, and one girl has been accepted for nurses' training at Union Hospital. One young man has been accepted without examination at the University of Michigan. Other institutions at which some of the boys and girls have applied (in some instances multiple application) are New Bedford Institute of Technology, Bradford Durfee Technical Institute, Northeastern University, Norwich University, University of Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island, Amherst, Bow- doin, Cornell, Dartmouth and Yale. One young man is plan- ning on additional training at a preparatory school and one young lady is considering entering into a school of mer- chandising.
Of the 17 pupils completing the college preparatory curriculum, 16 are in various stages of completing plans for further education and one has a distinct possibility of a splendid opportunity in private business. Seven of these pupils have taken a part of the College Entrance Examinations and many of this number will complete this series in March 1958.
During this last school year, through the complete co- operation and assistance of all faculty members, the pupils and parents concerned; six of our pupils took the College Board Examination as Juniors. I fully expect that approxi- mately twelve of the present Juniors will take this examina- tion in May of this year. This is an excellent practice which we hope to continue to promote.
Attached to this report are the enrollment and curricula statistics for this year. These figures are based upon our enrollment condition as of October 1, 1957. Since that time one boy and three girls have left school and one girl has moved. One girl has been added to our numbers.
16
ANNUAL REPORT
It can be seen that our enrollment has remained about the same as last year. If we have the same attrition in the present eighth grade classes in Berkley and Dighton as we did last year, our enrollment will probably be about the same next year. After that it appears that there will be some problems.
Because of this enrollment condition and also wiser curriculum choices by the pupils, we were able to hold the Freshman classes in English to three divisions and in Fresh- man Algebra, Latin and Civics to one division. It is to be noted that none of our classes have over thirty five members. As indicated above this condition may be able to be continued through next year.
The addition of another teacher this year enables us to schedule the new advanced Senior Science class, split the office practice class into two divisions so the girls in these groups get more office machines practice, and arrange for three separate divisions at all levels of our English instruction. This last move is a very important first step in the total reorganization of our entire English program on which we are now working.
This additional teacher also enabled us to schedule a Review Mathematics class each year in the Senior year. This course not only replaces the formerly alternating Nursing Mathematics class, but also provides a senior course in Mathe- matics for those pupils not taking Bookkeeping II or advanced Mathematics. In addition, because we do not have to alternate Nursing Mathematics we can (and I believe should) offer advanced Mathematics each and every year.
In a thorough study of our program before issuing our bulletin for this year, we came to the reluctant decision that we would have to drop the scheduling of an expedited science program. This was necessary for two reasons:
(1) Future space requirements and limitations.
(2) Our experience indicated that if the science program were to be continued on an expedited as well as a
17
ANNUAL REPORT
regular track it would be almost vital to re-program a two-track sequence in Mathematics and Science. This would be virtually impossible in view of our numbers and space considerations.
We now plan to run the program for only two more years to discharge our obligation or commitments to those pupils who are presently in this system. The incoming Freshmen were not allowed to choose a split Science sequence.
As a part of the re-scheduling of Mathematics and Science classes, we were able to return to the normal or traditional Mathematic sequence so that after this year there should be no problem in a Foreign Language and Mathematics conflict. This is very important if our pupils are going to be able to complete the work they need or require in these fields. It is also important if we are to prevent placing them at a dis- advantage in one area in order to accommodate in another.
It is important to note here that because of the wiser and more sensible curriculum distribution in the Freshman class it now appears that we will be able to offer a class in Typewriting to College Preparatory Sophomores. This, in my opinion, is a most desirable and necessary forward step. I sincerely hope that we will be able to continue such an offering.
In revising our program of offerings an attempt was made to develop a proper sequence in the area of Home Economics. Since these courses, on a non-vocational basis, are considered to be unprepared they have been, and in many places still are, considered to be half-credit courses. In our revision just such credit was assigned to most of them. For this or other reasons the number of girls electing these courses was sur- prisingly low. In addition the extent of previous pursuit was so mixed at the various class levels, it was necessary to completely alter our plans for the sequence and nature of the offerings.
The seventh and eighth grade girls continue to participate in this program. Unless there is substantially more interest on the part of high school girls in the offerings in this area
18
ANNUAL REPORT
during the coming year, I firmly believe we shall be forced to review the necessity or desirability of continuing the program as it would normally exist.
As mentioned in my report of last year, we developed and inaugurated an achievement testing program. As the program develops and is augmented it should prove of great value to our pupils and teachers. The results will supply evidence for revising, or at least reviewing, the nature and scope of some of our offerings. In connection with the testing program I must mention the fine work which the personnel of the Taunton office of the Massachusetts Division of Em- ployment Security perform each year. They administer an extensive series of tests to all of our Seniors and spend much time in counseling and discussing the vocational and educa- tional possibilities for each of these boys and girls.
I would like to express a debt of personal gratitude to all of these fine people for their excellent work in our behalf.
The services and offerings of our library continue to improve thanks to the budgetary provision made by you and the School Committee. We still have much work to do in this area in order to provide complete and adequate service as a school library. Our thanks for the cooperation in the measures thus far undertaken.
During the past school year Dighton High School partici- pated in the Good Government Day and Student Exchange Day programs. These programs are promoted and developed by the Division of American Citizenship of the Department of Education. The visits to the State House and the exchange with the Attleboro High School students were very profitable and enjoyable experiences for our pupils. I would like to thank the authorities of Standard Coil Co., Inc., Mr. Miller and his associates at Arnold Hoffman Co., Director John B. Farrar and the personnel of the Bristol County Agricultural School for their splendid cooperation in the latter program. I also wish to express a debt of gratitude to Mr. Clayton Atwood, Mr. Percy Simmons and the Town Office Personnel for the kind cooperation in the exchange program. We cer-
19
ANNUAL REPORT
tainly plan to continue our participation in both these activities.
Members of the Class of 1957 participated in the Univer- sity of Massachusetts state wide Mathematics contest. Dighton High School was one of four schools participating in South- eastern Massachusetts. One of our pupils was the recipient of an award indicating that his performance was in the upper quarter of pupils throughout the Commonwealth. One of our pupils competed and did very well in the Fall River Exchange Club Scholarship for excellence in the study of United States History.
Members of the Class of 1957 participated and performed creditably in the National Merit Scholarship Competition. During October of this year ten members of the Class of 1958 took the Scholarship examination. A number of these pupils performed very well in the competition.
During the past year it was necessary to seriously review our position in interscholastic football in the Narragansett League. After long consideration it was decided, for the sake of the young men participating, that it would be wise to with- draw from league competition. School Committee permission was granted and our withdrawal was reluctantly accepted by league members. We are now trying to arrange a 6 or 7 game independent interscholastic football schedule.
In order to correct any misunderstanding that may have developed because of statements in the press regarding our reasons for withdrawal, I feel I must clarify our position. In 1951 all league members had a school enrollment of between 304 and 380 pupils. Dighton High School had an enrollment of 306 pupils. In 1957 Dighton High School had an enrollment of 274 pupils including the 51 boys in the Vocational School. The next smallest was Case High of Swansea with 522 pupils in grades 9 thru 12. The largest was Falmouth with 634 pupils in grades 9-12. The sole reason for the development of the position of Dighton High School in this matter was the removal of pupils from Rehoboth and Freetown. In other words our comparatively stable en-
20
ANNUAL REPORT
rollment position has been maintained even though we are now housing pupils from two of the original four towns: Dighton and Berkley. The class of 1958 is the last class whose membership is made up of pupils from Dighton, Berkley and Freetown. Our comparative position is thus reduced because of the reduction in the total population from whom we draw or whom we serve.
It was with sincere regret that we closed our football relationship with the four schools in that excellent league. We sincerely hope to be able to maintain a healthy competi- tive position in basketball and baseball in the Narry League.
Another matter requiring mention is our Driver Educa- tion program. In the past this important instruction has been offered only to members of the Senior Class. This is a highly undesirable practice because of the fact that by the time our pupils are Seniors more than 50% of them are licensed operators. The program then has an entirely dis- proportionate value attached to the certificate awarded for satisfactory completion of the program. This certificate value looms large when the automobile insurance advantages are attached to it. If we are to offer a Driver Training and Education program worthy of the name, it must be made available to the pupils as they become 16 years of age; subject to parental permission.
With these considerations in mind, we were able to have Mr. McGuirk become a certified instructor to reduce the pressure of the program. With Mr. McGuirk and Mr. DeMarco offering instruction and training in this program, we are better able to handle the almost 100% participation by the present Senior Class. In addition to these steps we are now providing the classroom instruction to the present Junior class. It is hoped that as the Seniors finish their training, and by providing on-the-road training during the summer months; we will be able to start next September with the incoming Juniors. Then, by offering the classroom instruction to the Sophomores as well, we will ultimately provide this program on a regular basis to our pupils at a level where it will be more truly Driver Training and Driver Education,
21
ANNUAL REPORT
with properly reduced emphasis on the Certificate solely for its insurance advantage.
In as much as your own report will no doubt cover staff changes and considerations of space needs I shall not belabor these points.
In the program of Studies and Bulletin of Information distributed last spring new attendance and academic require- ments were presented. Attention of the parents is called to these regulations which were adopted for the purpose of strengthening the quality and efficiency of our classes. We have our share of pupils who do not want to be in school and whose parents are not interested in insisting that the required study be done in school and at home. (Again I repeat, it is impossible to obtain an adequate secondary education by merely attending school 5 or 6 hours per day.) All of the faculty is very grateful for the fine spirit of cooperation evidenced by a majority of the parents.
Every citizen should be aware today of the importance of adequate education and study. They should know as well that no pupil has a right to a High School diploma. Every pupil has the right to the opportunity of at least a secondary education at public expense. The exercise of this right to this opportunity presupposes the interest, the educational back- ground, and ability to take advantage of it. The existence of public schools presupposes parental interest and cooperation. The increasing emphasis on education today, its increasing costs for facilities, materials and services demand no less.
This report of results and progress would be impossible without the complete cooperation of a fine faculty. I expess my hearty thanks to them. I also wish to thank the School Doctor and Nurse, the cafeteria personnel and the custodial staff for their fine cooperation. A special debt of gratitude is hereby acknowledged to Chief of Police Charles Mason and the members of the Dighton Police who have been of great help in promptly handling various situations during the year ; and who provide fine protection at all of our functions.
22
ANNUAL REPORT
I could not close without a deep and sincere expression of appreciation to you personally and the members of the School Committee for your interest, encouragement and complete cooperation. A continuation of this climate, with the parent and pupil cooperation, will only serve to enable all of us staff members to more effectively meet the educational challenge which, for survival, we must face.
Respectfully yours,
. JAMES J. DOWD, Principal
DIGHTON HIGH SCHOOL ENROLLMENT STATISTICS October 1, 1957
Dighton
Berkley
Freetown
Class
B
G Total
B
G Total
B
G Total
Taunton Total B Total
Freshman
31
20
51
4
10
14
0
0
0
0
0
65
Sophomore
14
30
44
6
5
11
0
0
0
0
0
55
Junior
13
25
38
1
11
12
0
1
1
1
1
52
Senior
10
19
29
2
7
9
3
10
13
0
0
51
68
94
162
13
33
46
3
11
14
1
1
223
Total Boys-85
Total Girls-138
Our distribution of pupils enrolled in the various curricula is as follows:
CURRICULA STATISTICS
Class
College
Commercial
General
Total
Freshman
32
15
18
65
Sophomore
24
16
15
55
Junior
22
13
17
52
Senior
17
24
10
51
95
68
60
223
23
ANNUAL REPORT
Our recitation classes, exclusive of music groups, physical education classes, and clubs, are :
No. of Pupils No. of Classes
No. of Pupils
No. of Classes
1-5
2*
21-25
11
6-10
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.