Town annual reports of Acton, Massachusetts 1951-1955, Part 56

Author: Acton (Mass.)
Publication date: 1951
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1262


USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Acton > Town annual reports of Acton, Massachusetts 1951-1955 > Part 56


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Plant Operation and Maintenance


With the third year of the two-session program in opera- tion, Mr. Leveroni and Mr. Garthe have again performed remarkably well. They have worked many hours, including Saturdays, Sundays and holidays to keep the building in A-1 shape. Blanchard Hall has been used as a home room this year, and this has meant additional work for these two custo- dians. Major improvements made in the high school this year are covered in the report of the School Board.


During the past year three classrooms have been equipped with new furniture - Grade 3 in the American Legion Hall, and Grades 5 and 6 in South Acton have had installed the latest and best type of school furniture. Also, during the year, portions of the roofs of the Acton Center and South Acton elementary schools have been re-shingled.


Auxiliary Agencies


With approximately 900 children riding the buses daily and the two-session day still in operation, it has been a tremendous problem to transport all the children to the many sections of town. Very few complaints have been made since September regarding transportation, and this is a credit to Mr. Ormal Laffin and his group of bus drivers.


Cafeteria


The cafeteria, as in the past, has been operating without any appropriation from the town and is entirely self-support-


15


ing, including all salaries. Mrs. Anne Rimbach, along with her co-workers, Mrs. Lawrence Tucker, Mrs. Cleon Phelps, and Mrs. Otto Pasanen, have continued to present fine meals at a cost of twenty-five cents per meal. The menus have been printed in the local newspapers a week in advance and sent home from the primary school by the children so that the parents may know the day to day meal.


The cafeteria has been recognized as one of the best in the state. During the year it was commended by the federal auditors for its excellent bookkeeping, and Mr. Daniel R. Har- rington, Assistant Director of School Lunch Programs in the State of Massachusetts, praised it highly on his recent visit. Mr. Harrington has sent the superintendent a letter praising the cleanliness, type of meal, and the cooperation he received on his visit to the cafeteria.


The cafeteria staff attended the School Lunch Institute held at Fitchburg Teachers' College in July.


Reading Improvement


The remedial reading program, under Mrs. Doris Santamour and Mrs. Edith Hatch, has continued this year. They are now working in close cooperation with Miss Ruth Proctor, Director of Guidance, who has completed giving reading tests to all children in grades 3 through 8, and any high school pupil who was having reading difficulties. Miss Proctor covers this in detail in her report, Grade XI was tested in all fields, includ- ing reading, by Boston University. It seems only practical that remedial reading teachers could be better informed and work more closely with reading problems through the Director of Guidance.


Miss Mary Lothrop


The Acton faculty and children were saddened by the death of Miss Mary Lothrop this past fall. She was always kind and considerate to all of the members of the Acton school family. Miss Lothrop bequeathed to the school department a grand piano, to which a plaque has been added with the inscription "In Memory of Miss Mary Lothrop."


16


At this time I should like to thank the many tradesmen in town who have been very cooperative in making repairs so that schools would be in order to hold classes.


The success of the school year is due to the excellent cooperation of the entire school family - principals, super- visors, teachers, custodians, the school physician, school nurse, and the school secretary. It has been a pleasure to work with the Acton School Committee, as they have given unselfishly of their time to find some solutions to our school problems. I would also like to thank the Board of Selectmen, the Planning Board and the Building Committee for their whole-hearted cooperation on school affairs.


Looking back over the twelve months, I think a great deal has been accomplished. This has been possible mainly through the cooperation of the different committees in town. Our big- gest problem now, namely, getting off the two-session day, will be solved in the not too distant future. This will be accom- plished with the completion of the regional school.


Respectfully submitted,


WILLIAM L. O'CONNELL, Superintendent of Schools.


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MEMBERS OF THE ACTON FACULTY


Name


Professional Training


Grade


PRIMARY SCHOOL


MARGARET BARRETT


Lowell Teachers College


Principal I


ANGELA BEMIS


Boston Normal School


JEAN DUFFY


Lowell Teachers College


BS


I


CELINA MacLEAN


Perry Normal School


I


PHYLLIS MORSE


Fitchburg Teachers College


BS


I


MAURINE BERRY


Oklahoma City University


B Mus.


II


HELEN deCOSTE JUNE MAHONEY


Bridgewater Teachers College


BS


II


ALICE O'HEARN


Lowell Teachers College


BS, M.Ed.


II


WEST SCHOOL


CAROLYN DOUGLAS


Fitchburg Teachers College


BS


Principal


VI


JOANNE DAGDIGIAN


Regis College


AB


III


ELIZABETH TUFTS


Massachusetts School of Art


Gorham Teachers College


BS


IV


GAIL SPIEGELMAN


Mount Holyoke


University of Buffalo


Boston University


BA


V


18


Lesley College


II


SOUTH SCHOOL


FLORENCE MERRIAM


Fitchburg Teachers College


Principal III


ROBERTA PUFFER


Machias Normal School


University of Maine


BS


III


MADELEINE KINGSTON


Fitchburg Teachers College


BS


IV


KATHERINE MATSEN


Smith College


AB


V


JESSIE GEMMA


Fitchburg Teachers College


VI


CENTER SCHOOL


DARDANA BERRY


Framingham Teachers College


Principal V


ELIZABETH KEETON MARY CRORY


University of Texas


BA


III


Regis College


AB


Emerson College


MA


IV


DOROTHY MCNAMARA


Lowell Teachers College


BS


VI


JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL


Subject


RAYMOND GREY JOAN CAPITELL


Tufts College Boston University


AB, MS


BS, M. Ed.


Principal Orientation Guidance English


HELEN DETSCH


Boston University


BS


ARTHUR HAYES


University of Mississippi


BA


Stanford University


MA


Social Studies


.


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MASON KING WILLIAM LUBOLD


EVELYN VALPEY


M. I. T. Harvard University Boston University Wheaton College


BS AM


Science


BA, MA


Mathematics


AB


English


SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL


RAYMOND GREY


Tufts College


AB, MS


Principal Social Studies


MARY CAMPBELL


Immaculata College, Pa.


AB


English


WILLIAM CLEARY


Union College


BS


Social Studies


CHRISTINE DEMETRIOU JOHN DILLON


Washington and Lee


BA


Fitchburg Teachers College


M. Ed.


Science


FLORENCE MCDUFFIE MAURICE NOLAN


Merrimack College


BS


Science


Salem Teachers College


BS


Commercial


Boston University


M. Ed.


RUTH PROCTOR


Radcliffe College


AB


Boston University


M. Ed.


English


MORA RAWLINGS


Brooklyn College


BA


New York University


MA


Social Studies


DOROTHY RAY


Boston University


AB


Languages


ROBERT SULLIVAN


Boston College


BS


Mathematics


MARION TOWNE


Smith College


A-B


English


JUNIOR AND SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL


MARY EMERSON


University of New Hampshire


BS


Home Economics


Salem Teachers College


BS


Commercial


20


EDITH HATCH RALPH STETSON


Fitchburg Normal School Mass. School of Art Northeastern University


Remedial Reading


Industrial Arts


ALL SCHOOLS


WILLIAM O'CONNELL


Boston University


BS, M. Ed.


Superintendent of Schools Opportunity Class


SALVATORE LIPOMI


Lowell Teachers College


BS


Tufts College


M. Ed.


JOHN PRISKE


Truro College


AB


New England Conservatory


MS


Music


RUTH PROCTOR


Radcliffe College


AB


Boston University


M. Ed.


Guidance


Lowell Teachers College


BS


Elem. Rem. Reading


Massachusetts School of Art


BS


Art


University of Maine


BS


Physical Education


University of Massachusetts


BS


Physical Education


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DORIS SANTAMOUR CAROL SPAULDING ISADORE STEARNS JOHN WINTON


AGE AND GRADE DISTRIBUTION TABLE (Oct. 1, 1955)


PRE-SCHOOL


Entering Class of 1961 1960 1959 1958 1957 1956


5 6 7 8


9


10


11


12


13


14


15


16


17


18 Total


Pre- School 106


132


136


125


112


112


I


16


73


2


91


II


20


97


3


120


III


20


79


8


1


108


IV


28


63


7


3


101


V


17


41


9


1


75


VI


14


63


10


87


Opportunity Class


2


2


5


4


2


15


ELEMENTARY


597


VII


1 10


74


7


2


94


VIII


27


50


2


79


JUNIOR HIGH


173


IX


15 32


9


1


57


X


15


42


9


1


67


XI


7


31


8


1


47


XII


1


9


25


3


38


HIGH SCHOOL


209


16


93 119 110


88


71


87 114


77


55


61


50


34


4 979


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REPORT OF THE HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL


In September of 1955 school started with a total of two hundred twelve students in grades nine through twelve and one hundred seventy-two in grades seven and eight. This large enrolment posed a serious problem with respect to home- room space. The only solution for placement of the ninety-five seventh graders was to use the auditorium. Although not good, this plan has proved workable because of the cooperation of the pupils with their four teachers.


The new pupil population necessitated also an increase in our teaching staff to assure us of keeping class size at an effi- cient level. The following teachers were added: Miss McDuffie, science; Mrs. Detsch and Mrs. Campbell, English; Mrs. Rawlings and Mr. Hayes, social studies; and Miss Capitell, guidance.


With the additional staff members, a slightly more flexible schedule was possible even with the two-session day. Through study and discussions during the summer, it was decided to add a sixth period to each session. School now begins earlier in the morning and the senior high day ends at 12:17 P. M. We also added an extra period at 1:06 P. M. for those students who need extra help, and many students are taking advantage of this period. The new schedule also allows time for teachers' meetings and for conferences with parents. Such conferences are welcomed and may be arranged by contacting the guidance department.


The junior high school day starts at 12:17 P. M. and ends at 4:44. Students who need extra help may arrange for it between 10:50 and 11:30 A. M. Junior high teachers are available for conferences from 10:00 to 11:30 daily.


In order to enrich the academic curriculum as much as pos- sible within the limits imposed by present facilities, we added a course in occupations for the eighth grade, made biology a requirement for all sophomores, and started a new course called "Useful Mathematics" for freshmen not planning to further their education at colleges or business schools. In the commercial course, we initiated the new Simplified Gregg


23


Shorthand in order to satisfy current requirements of business and business schools. Additional sections of personal typing have been provided for students who plan to go to college.


Miss Towne, Head of the English Department, prepared a course of study as a guide for teachers of all students in grades seven through twelve. A syllabus for the social studies was also prepared and is now in use. It is our intention to clarify the course content of the other departments as part of a general evaluation program and as an aid to new teachers entering our school system.


Another effort has been made in the direction of standardiza- tion and higher student achievement, namely the initiation of a unit examination system. Toward the end of each seven- week period, review sessions are held in all classes and these are followed by comprehensive examinations. It is hoped that by these methods, together with the customary final examina- tions in June, students will become more serious in their day- to-day study and will learn to have and to attain long-range objectives.


Extra-curricular activities have been severely curtailed by the continuation of the two-session system. However, mem- bers of the senior class produced another fine play and they are still engaged in raising funds for their Washington trip during the spring vacation. Driver Education is offered after school hours and many students are taking advantage of this program. The student council has been revitalized under the direction of Mrs. Dorothy Ray. The senior high athletic teams are active. League competition in junior high athletics has been eliminated because we felt that in previous years the students were losing valuable class time in order to meet the schedules of other schools. As a replacement we have organ- ized a morning intra-mural program under the direction of Miss Isadore Stearns and Mr. Mason King, and we find that many boys and girls are participating enthusiastically.


At the seventieth annual meeting of the New England Asso- ciation of Colleges and Secondary Schools, Acton High School was elected to membership. This association is the regional accrediting agency which has set standards for public secondary schools. In order to be accepted, Acton High School


24


had to show what was being accomplished in the following educational areas: school philosophy, programs of study, graduation requirements, guidance and records, number of teachers, qualifications of teachers, teaching load, health, buildings and equipment. It was very gratifying to hear that we had been admitted, for it shows that despite the two-platoon system, the standards of a good secondary school have been upheld.


I should like to express my deepest appreciation to the School Committee and to Mr. O'Connell for their faith and cooperation and to the faculty and students for their support.


Respectfully submitted,


RAYMOND J. GREY, Principal.


REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF GUIDANCE


During the six-month interval between August, 1954 and March, 1955 while the Director of Guidance was substituting as High School Principal, certain guidance activities were necessarily limited. Most important of these were the periodic interviews with the non-problem student for the purpose of educational and vocational planning. Matters of social and emotional adjustment came naturally to the office of the Prin- cipal and could sometimes be approached from a guidance viewpoint, but time left the average student few opportunities to seek help in formulating his plans.


After the first of March the attention of one person could be focused once again on students as individuals, and until the close of school in June the following activities were pre- dominant: (1) interviews concerning plans of study for the 1955-1956 school year (2) testing of pupils in grades four and six and interpretation of the results to the teachers con- cerned, and (3) study with the sixth grade teachers of the incoming seventh graders preliminary to grouping the students homogeneously. Pleasant and beneficial contacts were made


25


with students, teachers in the village schools, and parents - particularly those of eighth graders, who were faced for the first time with the difficult task of choosing high school sub- jects to suit their interests, abilities, and aims.


Summer projects included completion of the class schedule, grouping of seventh and eighth graders according to school achievement and results of tests, assignment to classes of students in grades nine through twelve according to their plans of study, completion of records and transcripts for the Class of 1955, a few interviews with students and parents, and the formulation of plans for the current school year. Among these plans were the coordination of seventh grade orientation classes and the addition of an eighth grade course - occupa- tions - to serve a guidance function. In orientation it is hoped that discussion of common problems - social, educational, physical and mental health - may aid in the adjustment to new environments. The occupations course serves to draw the attention of eighth graders to their own abilities, interests, and objectives and to acquaint them with the broad areas of the world of work. Orientation and occupations have the addi- tional purpose of stimulating students who are in need of individual help to seek it through interviews with their coun- selor. The appointment of Miss Joan Capitell as teacher-coun- selor for grades seven and eight made possible this enriched junior high program.


School opened in September with a population in grades seven through twelve increased by approximately eighty-five students and five teachers. Guidance personnel and High School Principal now share a 12 x 18 office, and a private and uninterrupted interview between any two persons is almost an impossibility. However activities have continued and when space is exhausted in the high school building, a request for a corner in the primary school is granted graciously.


At this date most of the seniors who wish to continue their formal education after graduation have filed one or more applications and transcripts of their records have been for- warded to the colleges. The achievement testing throughout the schools was completed in October this year, the theory being that the results would be more helpful to students, par- ents, and teachers than they have been in the past when tests


26


were not given until late in the year. A reading test has been given to every student in grades three through eight and to any one in grades nine through twelve who has been shown previously to be in need of remedial work. The remedial read- ing classes, taught by Mrs. Santamour and Mrs. Hatch, have been organized on the basis of the test results and students will be re-tested before they are allowed to dispense with the special help.


The scope of guidance can be ever-widening, since guidance seeks to serve the individual by supplementing the group services of the school program. Curriculum study and possible revisions and additions for the new regional high school have been major concerns of the Director of Guidance and the High School Principal this fall, and they will continue to be until new schedule plans are complete. Correspondence and visits with personnel of other schools and with state supervisors have been rewarding in connection with this work.


Opportunities for growth and diversity in Acton's guidance department are many, and the future is challenging. It is hoped that more time may be devoted soon to development of the elementary program and to research in the areas of testing, placement, and follow-up.


The interest of the Superintendent of Schools and the School Committee, as shown by the appointment this year of an addi- tional guidance counselor, is most gratifying, as is the coopera- tion of fellow staff members.


Respectfully submitted,


RUTH R. PROCTOR, Director of Guidance.


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REPORT OF SCHOOL PHYSICIAN


Mr. William O'Connell Superintendent of Schools Acton, Massachusetts


Dear Mr. O'Connell :


The annual physical examinations were completed in Octo- ber. Special examinations for all those participating in organ- ized athletics were conducted at the beginning of the school year. Parents were notified of all medical, orthopedic and dental abnormalities.


In conjunction with the Board of Health the usual Schick Test and inoculations of Diphtheria and Tetanus Toxoid were given to children of the lower grades. Also in June, children of the first and second grades, whose parents granted permission, were given their first inoculation of the Salk Poliomyelitis vaccine. Because of prevalent respiratory infec- tions this necessitated two sessions, in both of which the entire personnel of the Board of Health was utilized. No reac- tions or complications following the use of the vaccine were noted.


I wish to thank you, the townspeople, teachers and school nurse for your cooperation.


Respectfully submitted, PAUL P. GATES, M. D., School Physician.


REPORT OF THE SCHOOL NURSE


Mr. William O'Connell


Superintendent of Schools Acton, Massachusetts


Dear Sir:


Report for the school year ending December 31, 1955 is as follows :


Physical examinations have been completed for the first, third, and fifth grades of the grammar schools. The athletes


28


of the senior high school, plus grades nine and twelve, were also examined by the school physician. It was noted that poor posture and insufficient care of the teeth are still the main physical defects.


We were able to make arrangements with the Forsyth Dental Clinic to observe a cross-section of our pupils in the fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth grades. Of the one hundred and twenty-nine children who made the trips to Boston to have their teeth cleaned, there were fifty-four children that needed further attention. We were able to arrange for only eleven children to have cavities filled or teeth extracted, due to the amount of time necessary to travel back and forth to Bos- ton. This time element, plus the cost of transportation, plus the cost of a substitute nurse (and the last trip necessitated a substitute teacher) made us feel that the money was not being spent on the care of the children's teeth but on just trying to get them taken care of.


The problem was presented to our resident dentist, Dr. Albright, and with his fine cooperation and suggestions, the school children will have a Dental Clinic in January, 1956. A small fee will be charged to offset the expense incurred by the Board of Health, which is responsible for maintaining the clinic.


Eye and ear examinations have been completed in all grades. Sometimes the deficiency slips are unavoidably sent after corrections have been made, and we would appreciate it if the parents would state just what has been done and return the slips for our records.


Pre-school Clinics were held at the Julia L. McCarthy Primary School in May. An afternoon was arranged for each precinct and the registration of ninety-five children was taken care of by the school personnel, and the physical examinations of the children by Dr. Gates, the school physician.


Diphtheria Clinic was held in May with 170 children in the first, third and fifth grades being Schick tested. Twelve children needed complete immunization and ten received booster inoculations.


During the last two weeks of May, we inoculated 167 children with the Salk Poliomyelitis Vaccine, without any


29


known reactions. It may be well to note that the cases of polio that occurred in Acton were not in the families of the children that were inoculated and that the families had very little if any contact with each other. We will certainly let the parents know when we can carry out any further program of inocula- tion against this disease.


Daily contact has been kept with the schools, but it is impossible to be on hand at all times. It is increasingly neces- sary to use a second nurse to give better health supervision, not only to the school children, but also to the adults in the town, as you will notice by reading my other report.


I wish to thank Mrs. Hazel Vose, R. N., and all the school personnel for their kind assistance in aiding me at any time.


Respectfully submitted,


EILEEN F. HALE, R. N.


GRADUATION EXERCISES June 17, 1955


Essayists


Beverly Lyons Louise Fitzgerald Janet Roth


Valedictorian


Scholarship Awards :


Acton High School Scholarship Fund Beverly Lyons Bentley School of Accounting Brandeis University Janet Roth


West Acton Woman's Club Anne Kazokas State Teachers College at Framingham Acton Center Woman's Club Paul Greenough Nasson College


Parent-Teachers Association Louise Fitzgerald Boston University Rotary Club of Maynard Anne Kazokas State Teachers College at Framingham Acton Teachers' Association Paul Greenough Nasson College


30


Special Gift from Miss Julia L. McCarthy Anne Kazokas State Teachers College at Framingham Other Awards:


Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizenship Certificate Anne Kazokas


Renssalaer Polytechnic Institute Alumni Medal for


Excellence in Mathematics and Science Janet Roth


Bausch and Lomb Science Medal Janet Roth


American Legion Medals for Scholarship, Loyalty and Achievement Sylvia Flint Paul Greenough


Harvard Club of Concord Book Prize Malcolm Langille


National Honor Society Members


Seniors: Louise Fitzgerald, Sylvia Flint, Anne Kazokas, Janet Roth, Anna Schmitz


Juniors: Judith Hatch, Irene Kazokas


CLASS OF 1955


Elizabeth Celina Barrett


Richard Vincent Manion


Robert A. Davis


Thomas L. McCarthy


James H. Erikson


Ronald N. Morris


Susan Little Fitz


Lucy Newport


Louise Helen Fitzgerald Sylvia June Flint


Virginia Lee Newton


Alice Marion Pederson


Raymond F. Poirier


Paul William Greenough Brooks R. Herrick


Phyllis Rose Robinson


Lorraine Maren Hope


Janet Ann Roth


Myrna Jean Ingham


Anna Lois Schmitz


Margaret Theresa Sexton


James T. Shea


William H. Soar, Jr.


William Ralph Jones Anne Marie Kazokas Richard T. Kelley John A. C. Kimball John Richard Lindfors Beverly Geraldine Lyons


Mary Martha Tuttle


Sandra Angeline Whitney


31


ACTON-BOXBOROUGH REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT COMMITTEE 1955 REPORT


ORGANIZATION


REGIONAL SCHOOL COMMITTEE


George E. Neagle, Chairman Acton


Joseph H. Hartshorn Boxborough


Thomas E. Wetherbee Acton


Mrs. Priscilla Felt, Secretary-Treasurer


MEETINGS OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE


Regular meetings are held every Tuesday at the Julia L. McCarthy Primary School at 7:30 P. M.


Superintendent of Schools William L. O'Connell


Principal Raymond J. Grey


Director of Guidance Miss Ruth R. Proctor


The Acton-Boxborough Regional School Committee respect- fully submits the following report for the year 1955.


The history of the committee dates from the appointment of the Acton High School Building Committee in November of 1954. That committee was organized as follows: Norman McIntosh, Chairman; Mrs. Elizabeth Boardman, Secretary ; Dana Hinckley, Porter Jenks, Aubrey Kretschmar, George Neagle and Thomas Wetherbee.


During the months of November and December architects were interviewed and conferences were held with the School Building Assistance Commission. From these meetings, Perley F. Gilbert Associates, Inc. of Lowell were selected as architects and the plans for a six-year, 625 student high school developed.




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