USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Acton > Town annual reports of Acton, Massachusetts 1946-1950 > Part 25
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Evelyn Ramsdell
Guidance
Boston University
Margaret White
Teaching of English
Boston University
Albert W. Koch
Secondary Education
Tufts College
William O'Connell
Secondary Education
Boston University
Whitman Pearson
Secondary Education
Boston University
Specialization :
Since the passing of the "little red school house" education has embraced so many specialized fields that successful teach- ers not only have to function as "general practitioners" but as specialists in some field to help fill the many extra-curricular niches in a modern school system. Extra-curricular is no longer a proper term because activities such as publications, student council, and athletics have a high educational value, and are well established elements of the modern school curricu- lum. Accordingly, most of the Acton high school teachers have at least one special assignment in addition to regular class duties.
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND AND SPECIAL ASSIGNMENTS
Name
Education
Grade
Special
Dardana Berry
Framingham Normal
VI
Acting Principal
Gertrude Braman
Fitchburg Normal
II
Isabel MacPherson
Boston University
IV
Fitchburg Normal
III
Principal
Fitchburg Normal
I
Fitchburg Normal
IV
George Adamian
Clark University Boston University Fitchburg Normal New England Conservatory of Music Fitchburg Teachers College
11
Principal
Carolyn Douglas Helen R. Best Celina MacLean Marion L. Towne
I H. S. Student Council
13
Jacqueline Jeyes
Salem Teachers College
H. S.
Publications
H. S. Public Speaking
Margaret White Evelyn Ramsdell
Boston University
H. S.
Dramatics
Edith S. Nelson
American International College
H. S. Visual Aids
Marjorie Curry
Boston University-Sargent
H. S. Girls' Sports
Mary L. Emerson
New Hampshire University
H. S. Cafeteria
Elsea Bridgess
Museum of Fine Arts
All
Posters
Henry Hopkinson
Northeastern University
H. S.
Library
William O'Connell
Boston University
H. S.
Baseball Coach
Faculty Manager
Vincent Quagliozzi
Boston University
H. S.
Basketball Coach
Albert W. Koch
Tufts College
H. S. Dramatics
Audio-Visual Aids
John H. Haynes
Boston University
H. S. Publications
V
Wheelock College
III
Perry Kindergarten School
Smith College
Junior Red Cross
Boston University
Guidance
Junior High Coach
Baseball Faculty Manager
Julia L. McCarthy Florence A. Merriam Jessie E. Gemma
VI
Carrie F. Wells
John M. Priske Ralph Stetson Priscilla Smith Practice Teacher Evelyn Knowlton Whitman Pearson
Truro College . New England Conseratory of Music Massachusetts School of Art Framingham Teachers College
Bradford College University of Pennsylvania Boston University Cambridge University University of Brussels University of Paris
All Assemblies
H. S. Visual Aids
H. S. Home Economics
H. S.
All
Cafeteria Superintendent-Principal
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GRADE SCHOOL RE-ORGANIZATION
In the 1926 Town Report, Acton School Superintendent Charles W. Lawrance was critical of the two-and-three-grade combinations, and suggested that the one-grade-to-a-room sys- tem be established as soon as possible. This changeover was accomplished in September, 1948 with the co-operation of the elementary school principals, teachers, custodians, and Mr. Ormal Laffin, and has worked out to the satisfaction of nearly everyone concerned. Specific advantages have been :
Greater teaching efficiency Less duplication of equipment
Intermingling of students from all sections of town
More attention to slow learners
SCHOOL HOUSING
Current schoolhouse construction costs average from $20,- 000.00 to $30,000.00 per room, so Acton is fortunate to have buildings which are adequate from the standpoints of size, heat, and equipment. The artificial lighting is inadequate in the rooms which have not been equipped with fluorescent fix- tures, and this situation should be corrected as soon as possible.
Three very important repair projects were carried out during 1948:
Application of a new roof to the high school building A new ceiling in the industrial arts room
New tile walls and waterproof floors in the boys' shower room.
FIRE DRILLS
Fire drills are held at frequent intervals and all buildings can be emptied with dispatch, the average time being less than two minutes.
TRANSPORTATION
The school busses operated by Laffin's Garage provide Acton youngsters with safe transportation, characterized by the care- ful attention the drivers give to lessening the hazards offered by modern traffic conditions. To reduce the necessity of having
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students walk on our heavily traveled highways, many are carried who live inside the two-mile limit fixed by the State, and special attention is given to primary grade youngsters. The re-organization of the elementary schools to eliminate the combination grades, required the setting up of a complicated triangular shuttle system, to re-distribute the students after they assemble at their village schools.
VISUAL AIDS
The Armed Services very successful experience with visual aids, corroborated what has long been known to successful educators about the great teaching value of films, pictures, exhibits and field trips. In general, visual educational aids when properly used are about 50 per cent more effective than other teaching devices, and the results are even more satisfac- tory when dealing with slow-learning groups.
The addition of a film strip projector and B-S Scope for pro- jecting pictures in a room which is not fitted with opaque cur- tains, has improved the local visual aid equipment situation, but there is a great need for a film strip library.
The high school's sound moving picture projector is in con- stant use by the science, social studies, home economics, in- dustrial arts, and other departments, with the educational films being rented from Boston University, or supplied free of charge by industrial concerns. As far as possible in a limited time, the films are pre-viewed by the teachers concerned, and their teaching effect is checked by objective tests.
A corps of "licensed projectionists" has been established to assist high and grade teachers with the operation of the sound movie projector and other equipment. To earn a license, stu- dents must be able to set up and operate the equipment as well as do some "trouble-shooting."
Educational field trips to Concord, Boston, Salem, the Mu- seum of Fine Arts, and other places of historic or cultural value have been conducted by Mr. Koch, Miss Bridgess, Mrs. Berry, and other members of the faculty. These have been paid for by the students involved and have been integrated with the regular classroom lesson plans.
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Under the direction of Mrs. Ramsdell and Miss Towne, English class groups have been taken to Boston at the student's expense and outside of school hours to see the movie versions of "Macbeth" and "Hamlet." Needless to say these experi- ences stimulated the ensuing class study of Shakespeare's great plays.
Miss MacPherson and Mrs. Berry visited the Sears Museums at Harvard, Massachusetts, one Saturday. In December, a fourth grade group with Miss MacPherson visited the Chil- dren's Museum in Jamaica Plain, where they saw a movie on Colonial Life as well as the many interesting exhibits.
Four View-Masters and many fine reels have been pur- chased from school activity funds to augment the West School's Visual-Aid program.
RADIO IN EDUCATION
A survey of the radio listening habits of modern youngsters corroborated your Superintendent's conviction that we are dealing with a "sound-conscious" generation. Two of the most important facts revealed by the survey were that the average home has from two to three radios and that the average child listens to the radio about four hours a day. Since radio is such an important influence in the lives of children, and since they are accustomed to learning so much by ear, it is reason- able to make the maximum use of the many fine radio programs sponsored by the State Department of Education.
Acton schools do not have adequate radio listening facilities, but sets lent by teachers or students have made it possible for us to use the daily "Listen and Learn" programs broadcast by WBZ with success in elementary and high school classes. The teachers concerned have credited the educational radio programs for timeliness and realism, for improving motivation, for developing better listening habits, stimulating integration, and for increasing parent's interest in school work.
A radio was purchased by the Center School from school activity funds and has been used extensively in conjunction with the "Listen and Learn" programs.
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A powerful automatic phonograph was purchased from stu- dent contributions and other non-budget sources and has been used successfully for providing music for physical education, general recreation, dances, and music appreciation.
AUDUBON SOCIETY NATURAL SCIENCE INSTRUCTION
Co-operation with the Audubon Society and assumpton of half the cost, has provided Acton's fifth grade stduents with special natural science instruction adapted to the local situa- tion. Miss Sherburne and Mrs. Whitman, Audubon instructors, have emphasized the study of insects and birds, and the chil- dren are being taught to recognize and identify many species found in this vicinity. This course has proved to be an inter- esting and valuable adjunct to the Acton educational program.
GUIDANCE Mrs. Evelyn Ramsdell, Director
A start toward the development of an adequate Guidance program has been made by Mrs. Ramsdell, and the benefits of the counseling, and testing involved should be more apparent when student's course of study cards are made out for the 1949-50 school year. Arrangements will be made for adequate conferences involving teachers, students, and parents so that individual objectives and difficulties can be taken into con- sideration.
PRACTICAL ARTS Mrs. Mary Emerson and Mr. Ralph Stetson, Directors
Recognizing the need for one-period Practical Arts courses which are available to all students, a start has been made in the development of a "Home Management" and a "Home Me- chanics" course. These require enough textbook work and home study to carry full academic credit, but at the same time give students enough of the practical side of domestic problems to prove a definite asset to future home-makers. The Manage- ment course includes some cooking, sewing, budgeting, safety, health, consumer education, and operation of home mechanical devices, while the Mechanics course covers elementary carpen- try, electricity, and metal work, as well as window glazing and painting.
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COMMUNITY SERVICE
Under the direction of Miss Marion Towne, the Junior Red Cross and Student Council have successfully carried through the following projects :
Collection of more than a ton of canned and fresh fruits and vegetables for annual Emerson Hospital "Harvest Day."
Collection of Christmas greens for Bedford Vet- erans' Hospital.
Junior Red Cross membership drive.
Collection of thirty bags of clothing for National Children's Clothing Crusade "Bundle Day."
Provided one hundred favors and nut cups for Bedford Veterans' Hospital on Valentine's Day and St. Patrick's Day.
Eighty-five per cent of the West School pupils contributed money or gifts, or both, to help the Junior Red Cross Drive for the benefit of needy children in other countries, and $22.00 was collected during the March of Dimes Drive.
Center School students enrolled 100 per cent in Junior Red Cross and filled many boxes for overseas relief as well as con- tributing $10.00 to the March of Dimes.
The South School pupils contributed 100 per cent to the Junior Red Cross and prepared many Christmas boxes.
SURPLUS GOVERNMENT PROPERTY
Approximately $1,000.00 worth of surplus armed services equipment was acquired through the Massachusetts Educa- tional Agency from the warehouses at Fort Devens. Included in the property were clamps, tubing, notebooks, file folders, welding rods, carbon paper, and an arc-welding set, and the only cost to the Town was a nominal charge for transportation.
STUDY HABITS AND ORIENTATION COURSE
To aid elementary students in making a satisfactory adjust- ment to high school conditions such as home study require- ments, changing classes, participation in extra-curricular ac-
20
tivities, and development of basic research methods, a new course has been established for all seventh grade students, under the direction of Miss White and Mr. Haynes. Specific objectives include: Efficient study habits, Notetaking, Out- lining, Parliamentary practices, Neatness, Relations with Others, and Scientific methods of problem solving. It is hoped that this course will increase the number of students who con- tinue on to high school graduation and will materially improve their marks, as well as familiarize them with the methods necessary to achieve success outside of school in today's highly competitive world.
ART DEPARTMENT Elsea M. Bridgess, Supervisor
Lessons in Art have been given in Grades I through VIII as a requirement, and as an elective for high school students. In the past year, our art students have competed for prizes in the following contests:
Animal Rescue League Posters
Acton Center Women's Club Exhibition (Original Drawings and Paintings) Garden Club Posters
West Acton Woman's Club Minstrel Show Posters
Over thirty Christmas menu covers were made for the Junior Red Cross to be sent to American troops in Europe.
Primary objectives of the art courses are the development of good taste, the worthy use of leisure time, and the proper expression of artistic talent.
MUSIC DEPARTMENT John M. Priske, Director
An increasing interest in the development of cultural leisure time activities emphasizes the importance of music in the school curriculum, and Acton students have the benefit of in- struction in singing, music appreciation, and instrumental work.
Early in 1949 a program of pre-band instrument instruction is to be inaugurated in the elementary schools, and Director
21
Priske is constantly working to provide more complete inte- gration of the vocal and instrumental programs at all levels.
In January, the Boys' Glee Club gave a very successful Winter Concert, and the boy singers contributed to the success of many school events during the remainder of the school year, including the Commencement Exercises in June. The Annual Spring Music Festival was presented in April, and all of the elementary school children participated in this event which was so well received that a repeat performance was given.
A Musicale was presented in December by the Girls' Glee Club, and the program included three professional guest artists : Jeannette Leyssens Pearson, premiere danseuse, formerly of the Royal Opera of Belgium; Helen Dow, pianist; and Director John M. Priske, baritone.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION Girls' Director: Marjorie Curry
Boys' Directors: William O'Connell, Vincent Quagliozzi
The schools have a good physical education and health pro- gram for girls under the direction of a physical training spe- cialist, Miss Curry, but the program for boys, inspite of the efforts and time volunteered by Mr. O'Connell, Mr. Quagliozzi, and Miss Curry after regular school hours, has failed to reach a majority of the boys in the system. Consequently, the boys not only feel slighted in a field which is so important to them, but they have a surplus of physical energy which may give rise to discipline problems, they find themselves behind the players of other schools in the development of basic physical skills, and they lack self-confidence.
By revising the high school schedule of classes for the next school year, it may be possible to free Mr. Quagliozzi, a quali- fied physical education director, from some of his academic duties, so that he and Miss Curry can establish a comprehen- sive program which will reach all students.
To avoid the "run in, run around, and run out" characteris- tics of the average gymnasium program this part of the school work would have these basic objectives:
Maintenance of health and inculcation of good health habits
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Promotion of Normal growth
Attention to emotional development, with emphasis on obey- ing the rules, sportsmanship, group loyalty, acquisition of skills, and instruction in games which have carry-over value for adult life.
At least two hours of physical education per week for each high school student, and one hour for each elementary school student.
1948 Physical Education Program :
As an indication of the type of program which should be developed for boys as well as girls a portion of Miss Curry's 1948 Lesson Plan is reproduced below :
Elementary Level:
FALL:
WINTER :
Rhythmic Activity
Class Room Games
Small Group Play
Large Group Play Team Games
Junior and Senior High Level:
Seventh Grade:
FALL: Marching Tactics Volleyball Fistball
WINTER : Various Games Tumbling Lead-up Games Basketball
Eighth Grade:
FALL: Locomotor Relays Lead-up Games
WINTER : Games Indoor Type American Folk Dancing
Ninth Grade:
FALL: Lead-up Games Relays Speedball
WINTER :
Indoor Games
European Folk Dancing
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Tenth Grade:
FALL: Skills involved in Hockey Lead-up Games of Hockey
WINTER : Basketball Badminton Social Dancing
Eleventh Grade:
FALL: Hockey
WINTER : Carry Over Games European Folk Dancing Basketball
Twelfth Grade:
FALL: Hockey
WINTER : Body Mechanics Basketball Modern Creative Dance
Varsity girls' basketball and hockey teams were selected from Freshman through Senior Class. Practice was held on an average of two afternoons a week.
ATHLETICS
Faculty Manager: William O'Connell Coaches: Marjorie Curry, Vincent Quagliozzi
Athletics, including interscholastic competition, are an in- tegral part of American education and as such should be sup- ported by regular school funds or by special town appropria- tion, not by magazine drives, "'Booster Day" contributions, or box office receipts, all of which are uncertain sources of reve- nue. Many towns, such as Tewksbury and Chelmsford, have special subsidies for athletics, while others consider athletic costs as a regular school expense. The money-raising activities so ably promoted by Faculty Manager O'Connell represent a little-used and generally unsatisfactory method of supporting a regular school activity and should be abandoned in favor of a better system.
The continued participation of Acton in the Wachusett League is open to question by the Superintendent, the Faculty
24
Manager, the Coaches, and the members of the Student Coun- cil for the following reasons:
Little "natural" rivalry between Acton and most of the teams of the league. Maynard, Stow, and Sudbury games would promote more interest.
Disadvantage of Acton as to relative size of student body, available facilities, and geographical location.
Large number of games and health and safety hazards in- volved by winter travel.
Cost of officiating ($10.00 per official) and overhead.
Accordingly, it is proposed that Acton resign from the League at the end of the present schedule. A new program would be developed emphasizing the following:
Intra-mural games
Inter-scholastic games with nearby schools
Afternoon games when possible
Elimination of mid-week evening games and travel
Introduction of sports having maximum carry-over value to adult living.
1948 Athletic Program:
BOYS:
Intra-mural basketball
GIRLS: Field Hockey Varsity Basketball
Intra-mural baseball
Junior high school basketball
Varsity basketball
Varsity baseball
The boys' athletic program is a desirable supplement to a regular physical education program but not a substitute for one.
WEST SCHOOL Carrie F. Wells, Principal
The inauguration of the one-grade system in September made it necessary to provide another classroom at the West School, and an attractive room was developed from the old "lunch-room" by Custodian Ernest Banks.
State certificate reading is carried on in Grades III and V.
1
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On American Education Day, November 19, sixty-five par- ents and friends took advantage of the invitation to visit West School classes.
Seeds and pictures were sold to purchase magazines and balls.
One-third of the students purchase milk daily.
CENTER SCHOOL Dardana F. Berry, Acting Principal
There is great need for an extension of the playground fence, which would prevent youngsters from straying carelessly on to Route 27. In spite of excellent supervision by the teachers and Mr. Harvey, playground activities and misdirected balls create a hazardous condition, which might be eliminated by proper fencing.
One-half of the pupils purchase milk daily.
State certificates for reading are granted under the direc- tion of Miss Lothrop, Town Librarian.
Playground equipment has been purchased by contributions of last year's combination Grade V and VI, and the sale of seeds.
About forty parents visited the school on American Educa- tion Day in spite of the weather.
SOUTH SCHOOL Julia L. McCarthy, Principal
In order to accommodate four single grades, Custodian Ken- neth Harvey developed another classroom from the "lunch- room" as was done at the West School. Old furniture and usable parts were utilized to furnish a new classroom at no cost to the town. All three custodians gave freely of their own vacation time to help get the "re-organized" facilities in condition for the opening of school.
The abundance of poison ivy in the area adjacent to the school playground is a menace when youngsters pursue mis- directed balls over the fence and the noxious weed continually defies efforts to keep it from spreading into the school play-
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ground. A special attempt to eliminate this hazard will be made during the spring of 1949.
Playground equipment was purchased from school activity funds raised by the sale of seeds and pictures.
State reading certificates are available by arrangement with the town library.
Over 50 per cent of the students purchased milk during lunch period.
CONCLUSION
Your Superintendent feels that Acton people should not over-emphasize the desirability of new school buildings as is being done in so many communities. Acton children benefit by many fine educational features of their school system which are by no means common to all American or Massachusetts youngsters. Our excellent teaching staff has the use of the latest educational equipment, many fine reference works, a good high school library, and up to date textbooks. Most edu- cators agree that effective education requires first, good teach- ers; second, adequate equipment; and third, satisfactory housing. Since the last two elements are relatively stable, it is the first and most important which should cause the most concern. If the school system can attract and hold good teach- ers, there will be no question as to the quality of local educa- tion for effective education is a question of personnel, not buildings.
Respectfully submitted,
WHITMAN PEARSON, Superintendent of Schools.
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REPORT OF SCHOOL PHYSICIAN
Mr. Whitman Pearson
Superintendent of Schools
Acton, Massachusetts
Dear Sir:
I herewith submit my annual report as school physician.
The usual physical examinations were completed in No- vember.
Early in the fall special examinations were conducted for those students participating in competitive athletics.
In conjunction with the Board of Health, Schick Tests and inoculations for diphtheria were given in May to the lower grades and pre-school groups in the three precincts. I wish to thank the superintendent, the townspeople, the teachers, and the school nurse for their co-operation.
Respectfully submitted,
PAUL P. GATES, M. D.
REPORT OF SCHOOL NURSE
Mr. Whitman Pearson Superintendent of Schools Acton, Massachusetts Dear Sir:
Report for the school year ending December, 1948.
Through the winter months there were a few cases of the usual communicable diseases. In March and April the number of measles cases ran rather high in the three grade schools. This fall, however, the schools have been very free of sickness.
A pre-school clinic was held in April in each of the grade schools, allowing the parents to register children entering
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school in September for the first time. The children were exam- ined by the School Physician and he made recommendations for corrections of defects found. A Diphtheria Clinic was held in May. Many pre-school children were given the Schick Test and immunized against diphtheria. Booster shots were given where indicated to children previously done. With diph- theria still quite prevalent throughout the state, the Diphtheria Clinic is always well attended and wisely so.
The annual school physical examinations were completed early in November by Dr. Paul Gates. Notices were sent to parents of conditions needing attention and follow-up visits made to homes in an endeavor to have defects corrected.
May I thank the teachers and the superintendent for their ever-ready help and support.
Respectfully submitted, LILLIAN F. TAYLOR, R. N.
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GRADUATION, JUNE 11, 1948
AWARDS
Acton Center Woman's Club Scholarship of $50.00 Joan Lois Christofferson
Acton High School Scholarship of $100.00 Lois Mae Colwell
National Honor Society Pins
The top 15 per cent of the graduating class
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