USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Dighton > Town annual report of the offices of the town of Dighton 1963 > Part 6
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Priscilla Hopkins William Alves
SELECTION-"The Green Cathedral" Hahn
THEMES-
"Our Accomplishments-Present and Future"
"Educational Difficulties and Needs"
"Our Next Challenge-High School"
Russell Levinson Jennifer Babbitt Ralph Simmons
21
ANNUAL REPORT
INTRODUCTION OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEMBER- Robert T. Roy Superintendent of Schools
PRESENTATION OF DIPLOMAS- Thomas C. Sherman Chairman, Dighton School Committee SELECTION-"The Lord Is My Shepherd" Koschat
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE- Members of the Graduating Class
AMERICA-School Band
Traditional
BENEDICTION-Veronica Hagopian
RECESSIONAL-"Heads Up March" Kinyon
CLASS OFFICERS
President ....... Stephen Spinney
Vice President Donna Souza
Secretary Norma Rubadou
Treasurer Ralph Simmons
Robert T. Roy, Superintendent of Schools Edward F. Aleixo, Principal Charles H. Lincoln, Instrumental Music Philip E. Turner, Vocal Music Graduation Co-Chairman Everett W. Jose Kenneth D. Schindelwig
22
ANNUAL REPORT
GRADUATES
*William P. Alves *Jennifer L. Babbitt Sybil M. Bacon William B. Ball Brian A. Brooks
** Russell H. Levinson Hugh F. MacDonald, Jr. Paul A. Maguire Sheila M. Maguire
Sharon L. Marshall
Stephen E. Carpenter Mary A. Costa Paul J. Costa
George M. McCombs Joyce A. Medeiros
Robert E. Costa
** Ralph E. Owen, Jr. Bruce B. Perry Robert G. Perry
Elizabeth D. Dumin
John M. Dunne
Walter F. Plonka
Jean E. Dupont
William R. Pruitt
John J. Fernandes
Margaret A. Gomes
Gregory V. Guckenburg Veronica Hagopian
George F. Riley 3rd
Alan T. Robert
Nancy M. Roderick
Mary L. Rogers
David R. Rose
Norma J. Rubadou Pamela C. Silvia
Charlotte A. Simmons
Glenn R. Jennings Joanne J. Knorr
*Ralph F. Simmons, Jr. Brian P. Souza Carol Ann Suoza
*Donna M. Souza
*Stephen D. Spinney Mark T. Vermilyea Bette J. Willette
** High Honors
*Honors
*Gene M. Korlacki Susan LaFrance William R. Lavigne Philip E. Lavoie
Cynthia A. Rasmussen Donna L. Ribeiro Alice E. Riley
*Mary-Lou Harwood Susan Lee Hayward Christina A. Hoffshire Geoffrey A. Holt Lynda P. Hopkins Wayne R. Hopkins Elaine J. Hurwitz Judy A. Hyland
23
ANNUAL REPORT
ENROLLMENT-OCTOBER 1, 1963 DIGHTON SCHOOLS
DIGHTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Grade
1 2 3
4
5
Opp. Class Total
Dr. Rose Borges, Principal
Teachers:
Roberta Babbitt
27
27
Dorothy B. Bagley
26
26
Jessie H. Bradley
26
26
Doris M. Ferreira
27
27
Margaret F. Harrington
30
30
Stephanie A. Rozowicz
30
30
Jo-Anne M. Scaldini
26
26
Nancy L. Durfee
28
28
Mary G. Fleming
29
29
Helen M. Simmons
28
28
Helena Chamberlain
29
29
Mary M. Fitzsimmons
28
28
Joan LaFrance
28
28
Mary I. Dewey
25
25
Janet MacBeth
27
27
Helen C. Turner
27
27
Anne M. Phillips
14
14
Total Elementary School
106
86
85
85
79
14
455
DIGHTON JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Grade
6
7
8 Total
Edward F. Aleixo, Principal
Teachers:
31
31
William J. Donlan
31
31
John S. Needs
32
32
Charles T. Ryan, Jr.
36
36
William R. White
24
24
Everett W. Jose
24
24
Kenneth D. Schindelwig
24
24
Eunisa G. Wordell
Total Junior High School
62
68
72
202
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ANNUAL REPORT
AGE-GRADE ENROLLMENT-OCTOBER 1, 1963
AGE
Grade
5
6 7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
Totals
1
20
77
9
106
2
18
60
8
86
3
23
55
6
1
85
4
13
57
15
85
5
13
52
10
3
1
79
6
12
39
6
4
1
62
7
8
48
7
4
1
68
8
8
48
13
3
72
Opportunity
Class
3 4
4
1
2
14
Total
657
DIGHTON SCHOOLS FACULTY-DECEMBER 31, 1963 Dighton Elementary School
Name
Home Address
Education
App'd.
Principal
Dr. Rose E. Borges
2520 Pleasant St., Dighton
Calvin Coolidge College 1927
Faculty
Roberta Babbitt
2430 Berkley St., Berkley
Perry Normal School 1960
Dorothy B. Bagley
8 Allen Lane, Somerset
Perry Kindergarten Normal 1948
Jessie H. Bradley, B.A.
Berkley Street, Berkley
Wellesley College, Bridgewater Teachers College
1954
Helena Chamberlain
Framingham Normal
1961
Lena W. Cowell, B.S.M.Ed.
Middle Street, North Dighton 198 Bourn Avenue, Somerset 37 Briggs Street, Taunton
Calvin Coolidge College
1921
Mary I. Dewey
224 So. Walker St., Taunton
Murray State College
1962
Doris M. Ferreira
490 Woodman Street, Fall River
Perry Normal School 1949
Mary M. Fitzsimmons, B.S.
108 Broadway, Taunton
Bridgewater Teachers College
1961
Mary G. Fleming
Bridgewater Teachers College
1960
Margaret F. Harrington
Framingham Teachers College
1946
Joan LaFrance, B.S.Ed.
Bridgewater State College 1963
Janet MacBeth. B.A.
Wilson College, Chambersburg, Pa. 1963
Anne M. Phillips
59 Freedom Street, Fall River
Bridgewater Teachers Colloge 1948
Stephanie A. Rozowicz, B.S.
16 Fayette Place, Taunton
Lesley College 1963
Emmanuel College
1963
Jo-Anne M. Scaldini, A.B.
4 Luther Road, Medford, Mass.
4 Avon Street, Somerset
Framingham Normal School 1946
Helen M. Simmons, B.S. in Ed. Helen C. Turner
538 School Street, North Dighton
Framingham Normal School
1946
-
25
ANNUAL REPORT
Bridgewater State College
1963
Nancy L. Durfee, B.S.
1503 Somerset Ave., Segreganet 233 Whipple St., Fall River 488 Spring Street, North Dighton 17 Plastic Ave., Taunton
26
Dighton Junior High School
Name
Home Address
Education
App'd.
Principal
Edward F. Aleixo, M.Ed.
50 Clifford Street, Taunton
Bridgewater State Teachers College 1960
Faculty
William J. Donlan, B.S. in Ed.
20 Monson Street, Brockton
Bridgewater State Teachers College
1961
Everett W. Jose, B.S. in Ed. 233 Andrews Street, Nio. Dghton Bridgewater State Teachers College 1960
John S. Needs, B.A.
7 South Street, Taunton
University of Mass. 1961
Charles T. Ryan, Jr., B.S.
1 Norwood Ave., Rockport, Mass.
Bridgewater State College
1962
Kenneth D. Schindelwig, B.A.
60 Clark Street, Somerset
Stonehill College
1962
William R. White, B.S. in Ed.
2299 Bay Street, Taunton
Bridgewater State College 1962
Eunisa G. Wordell, B.S.
1458 Somerset Ave., Segreganset
Boston University
1963
Elementary Supervisor
Dorothy L. Beckwith, B.S., M.Ed. Broad Street, Rehoboth Boston University
1962
Director of Music Education
Philip E. Turner, M.A.
200 Worcester St., Wellesley Hills Boston University 1961
Music Supervisors
Vocal
Charlotte E. Hathaway
17 Plastic Ave., Taunton State College, Lowell 1961
Instrumental
David L. Watson, B.M.
Somerset Avenue, Segreganset Boston University 1963
ANNUAL REPORT
Part Time Instructors
Name
Home Address
Education
App'd.
Peter B. Denison, M.A.
Catherine M. Donle
356 Kaufman Road, Somerset 1374 Pine Street, North Dighton 107 Fairhaven Ave., Swansea
Barrington College 1963
James E. Owens, Jr., B.S.
Rhode Island College
1963
Maureen E. Shanahan, B.S.
18 Glenwood Ave., E. Providence 68 Lake Street, Abington, Mass. Somerset Ave., Segreganset
Massachusetts College of Art
1960
Mary L. Watson, B.F.A.
Elementary and Junior High Secretary
Hannah E. Lassen
2168 Pleasant Street, Dighton
Cafeteria Personnel
Alfrena Bettencourt, Head Cook
636 School Street, No. Dighton
Grace E. French, Assistant
815 Center Street, No. Dighton
Louise G. Gomes, Assistant
954 Hart Street, Dighton
Fannie C. Lima, Assistant
461 Brook Street, Dighton
Bertha R. Stafford, Assistant
1463 Somerset Ave., Segreganset
Custodians
Antone Costa
Elm Street, Dighton
Dighton Elementary 1956
Frank Rogers
356 Lincoln Ave., North Dighton
Dighton Elementary 1960
Manuel L. Sanson, Jr.
437 School Lane, Dighton
Dighton Junior High 1961
Alvin Silvia
374 School Lane, Dighton
Dighton Junior High
1957
Northwestern University 1961
William H. Horner, B.A.
Bridgewater State College 1962
ANNUAL REPORT
27
28
ANNUAL REPORT
SCHOOL NEEDS STUDY COMMITTEE REPORT
The School Needs Study Committee has held a series of meetings to determine the needs of the town in regard to its schools.
First action taken by the committee was to hear a report of the present facilities and to study the projected enrollment figures as presented by the School Building Assistance Com- mission.
A survey of all pre-school children currently residing within the town was undertaken to determine, as closely as possible, the number of children who would enter in each of the next six years.
The results of this survey were as follows: Class entering in 1964-95; 1965-86; 1966-85; 1967-88; 1968-76. There were 65 in the following year's class at the end of 10 months of this year.
These figures would indicate that there would be four first grades entering the elementary school next September which would fill each classroom. This year there is one class- room not utilized as a home room.
In the succeeding years, barring any unforeseen popula- tion explosion, there would be enough students to fill three rooms per grade without overcrowding the 33 limit which is now the policy of the Dighton School Committee.
Dighton Junior High School has adequate space to ac- comodate grades six, seven and eight for at least the next four years.
A major consideration in the committee's figuring is the possible construction of a town office building, under the Federal Redevelopment Act, which would release three more classrooms to the school department.
Home construction this year, according to figures available in the office of the Board of Selectmen, is continuing at a
29
ANNUAL REPORT
normal pace. This, then, would not cause any radical change in population figures.
A recommendation of the committee is the removal of the Civil Defense headquarters from the Junior High School, thereby releasing more space to the school. If total removal is not possible, it would seem wise to remove immediately such potentially dangerous materials as oxygen, alcohol, and other hospital drugs from the school premises.
With possible town office construction being considered, it would appear that, provided such construction is carried out, the school department could eventually switch to a four grade elementary school, four grade middle school type of administration without undue difficulty.
However, since these points remain questionable at this time, the committee recommends that this report be accepted as a report of progress, and the committee remain intact for an indefinite period.
If said plans fail to materialize, further planning might become necessary within the next calendar year.
Nevertheless, any construction of schools at this time appears to be unnecessary. If, in the future, it becomes necessary to build, the town would be that much closer to the maturity of the bonds on the elementary school, and the yearly interest payments on the Dighton Rehoboth Regional High School would be decreasing. The town would therefore, be in a better financial position to handle such construction.
Respectfully submitted,
J. GERALD FLEMING, Chairman WILLIAM MARSDEN MRS. WARREN PERRY ALAN HAYES RICHARD PARCHESCO MRS. KENNETH BARROW KENNETH HOLMES MRS. FRANCIS MCCLELLAN
30
ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE DIGHTON-REHOBOTH REGIONAL DISTRICT SCHOOL COMMITTEE
The Dighton-Rehoboth Regional High School has now been open three years and we are moving into our fourth year. The present senior class will have attended the school four years when it is graduated in June. This year we are able to offer the complete program as planned when we opened the school.
ENROLLMENT
As of October 1, 1963 the total enrollment in the school was 715 pupils. We have an enrollment of 649 in the academic school and 66 in the vocational school. At present we have 58 tuition students from Berkley with the majority of these students in grades 9 and 10. Last spring the Seekonk School Committee asked us if we would take 70 of their sophomores in September as they could no longer go to East Providence High School. We accepted these students and along with three others enrolled previously we have 73 students on a tuition basis from Seekonk.
Seekonk is working on plans for a new high school and expects to have one in 1965. As the Seekonk pupils leave at that time we will be feeling the increase in numbers from Dighton and Rehoboth so that no great change should take place in the school program.
FINANCES
The total increase in the operating budget is $50,531.00. However, due to increased tuition costs and other reimburse- ments the net increase is $6,445.00. This increase is less than 11/2% and is not in line with the increase in budgets of other towns and districts where the increases range from 4% low to 16% high.
31
ANNUAL REPORT
It should be pointed out that according to the Regional District Agreement, tuition receipts are to be used to reduce the assessment to the member towns. It should be further pointed out that when these tuition pupils leave there will be a substantial increase in the District budget as not all the increase in the budget this year was due to taking in the Seekonk pupils. We would have had to have at least three new teachers and repair costs will probably increase as the build- ing grows older.
To date the Regional District School Committee is pleased that they have been able to operate the school with no great increase in the assessments to the member towns.
FACULTY
We lost some of the best members of our faculty last June for various reasons. Mr. Derek Little, boys physical education teacher and Mr. Ralph Wadsworth, head of the English Department both went to Glastonbury, Connecticut as supervisors in the respective fields. Mrs. Helena Kennedy, head of the commercial department and an outstanding teacher and advisor, chose to retire. Mr. George Fairbanks, head of the mathematics and science departments left to teach in Weston, Massachusetts. Others who left were Mr. James O'Donnell to teach in Boylston, Mr. Edward Galvin to teach in Attleboro and Mr. Warren Brightman to teach in Fall River. Mr. Charles Lincoln, part-time instrumental music teacher left to teach in Pembroke.
Mr. Clifford Wood a member of the faculty, was made head of the English Department. Mr. Richard Dias and Mr. Leo Wontkowski were made senior teachers in the science and mathematics departments respectivly. Other teachers hired were Mr. James Rennick, head of the Commercial De- partment. He formerly taught in Barrington, Rhode Island. Mr. Barry Bird of Providence College, Miss Janice Dovner of the University of Massachusetts, Miss Ethel Fraga of Stone- hill College, Mr. Peter Nord of State College at Bridgewater,
32
ANNUAL REPORT
and Janice Wojcik of the University of Massachusetts were all brought into the English Department. Mr. Ronald Crane a graduate of Bryant College was added to the commercial department. Mr. James Owens of Rhode Island College was made a part-time industrial arts teacher. Mr. Donald Ruggeri a graduate of Springfield College assumed the duties of boys physical education instructor. Mr. Theodore Lippold of Oberlin College, Mr. Wallace Wood of State College at Bridge- water and Mr. Raymond McDonald who formerly taught in New Bedford were added to the science and mathematics departments. Mr. David Watson who had taught in Berkley and Rehoboth is the new instrumental music instructor. Mr. Russell Latham, Special Class teacher at Palmer River School in Rehoboth was transferred to the high school to teach the older members of the special classes in the district.
Although we lost some good teachers we have been fortunate in replacing them with some outstanding, young, ambitious people.
PROGRAM
We are still maintaining the excellent program of studies that we started with in our first year. The school is a very busy place every school day from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Many educational and social activities take place after school hours.
The program for those in need of special education that has been started is a step in the right direction. These people formerly left school and now will be able to better round out their educational and social background with from one to three years in high school.
We are also planning to offer adult evening courses again and hope the response is good from the townspeople.
We have money in the budget to start a summer school program and may be able to offer some courses in the summer of 1964.
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ANNUAL REPORT
MAINTENANCE
Our buildings have been kept in good repair by Mr. Howell Carr, head custodian and his very able staff. The interior of the building was for the most part planned without painting by the contractor. The custodians as part of their summer program have painted about 50% of the building. We have also filled in the traffic island near the parking lot and cleared the brush around the pond. This pond will be dragged and enlarged primarily for fire protection and second- ly for skating. The grounds have been maintained and some of the drainage problems that arose have been taken care of.
We owe a great deal of thanks to this staff for their loyal interest in the plant.
CONCLUSION
No report would be complete without mentioning our cafeteria. Mrs. Ella Jones and her staff still produce meals and gain student participation that is the envy of most other schools in the area. It should be pointed out that this opera- tion is entirely self supporting.
In conclusion I wish to thank Mr. Joseph C. Harrington, Mr. Charles F. Day, Mr. Francis Lussier and Mr. Francis Vitale, the able administrators of this school, for their co- operation over the past year. On behalf of the Regional School Committee I wish to thank the citizens of Dighton and Rehoboth for their support and invite them to visit a school they should be proud to share with others.
Respectfully submitted,
ROBERT T. ROY, Superintendent of Schools
34
ANNUAL REPORT
DIGHTON-REHOBOTH REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT Expenditures 1963
CAPITAL COSTS
Bond Retirement
$110,000.00
State Aid
$68,335.83
Appropriation
41,664.17
Total Expenditures
$110,000.00
Interest on Bond Expenditures
76,055.00
OPERATING COSTS:
General Control
8,239.84
Expenses of Instruction
275,690.52
Operation of Plant
50,144.69
Plant Maintenance
4,132.52
Auxiliary Agencies
17,060.19
Outlay
713.40
Transportation
40,421.91
Special Charges
170.82
Vocational
(a) From Appropriation
14,576.49
(b) From U. S. Grant
18,430.76
$429,581.14
Receipts
. State Reimburement Transportation Tuition
40,981.48
25,970.75
U. S. Grant
11,332.04
Vocational Education 1961 and 1962
15,169.65
Other Receipts
509.55
93,963.47
Transferred from E and D to
reduce budget
10,713.12
Total
$104,676.59
Net Cost of Operating
$324,904.55
INDEX
Ambulance Report
48
Assessors' Report
36
Accountant's Report
65
Departmental Statement Balance Sheet
89
Board of Health Report
54
Cemetery Fund Report
30
Civil Defense Director's Report
50
Dogs Licensed
27
Dog Officer's Report
50
Elected Town Officers
3
Finance Committee's Report
11
Fire Department
46
Harbor Master's Report
62
Historian's Report
60
Inspector of Animals Report
64
Inspector of Slaughtering Report
58
Jurors Drawn
34
Jury List
33
Library Report
53
Licenses Issued
35
Planning Board Report
59
Playground Commissioners Report
57
Police Department
49
Sanitation Inspector's Report
63
School Committee Report
93
Director of Music Education
16
Enrollment
23
Faculty
25
Financial Statement
5
Junior High School Graduation Program
20
Principal Dighton Junior High School
10
Principal Elementary School
13
Regional School Committee Report
30
School Calendar
4
School Needs Study Committee Report
28
School Nurse Report
19
Superintendent
7
Selectmen's Appointments for 1962-1963
5
Selectmen's Report
8
Sealer of Weights and Measures
59
Tax Collector's Report
40
Town Clerk's Report
12
Births
21
Deaths
28
Marriages
24
Treasurer's Report
58
Town Nurse's Report
55
Veterans' Agent Report
61
Welfare Board Report
51
84
In Memoriam
JOHN F. KENNEDY
May 29, 1917 - November 22, 1963
"-and the glow from that fire can truly light the world." "And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country will do for you-ask what you can do for your country." "My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man."
"With a good conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth to lead the land we love, asking His blessing and His help, but knowing that here on earth God's work must truly be our own."
President John F. Kennedy's Inaugural Address-Jan. 20, 1961
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