USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Acton > Town annual reports of Acton, Massachusetts 1961 > Part 7
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Colleges and Universities - Clark University, Cornell University, Elmira College, Goddard College, Harvard College, Hillside College, Houghton College, Jackson College, Lowell Technological Institute, Massa- chusetts College of Art, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of Massachusetts, Miami University, School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Northeastern University, University of Paris, Pennsylvania State Univer- sity, Russell Sage College, Simmons College, Syracuse University, Univer- sity of Virginia.
Junior Colleges - B. U. College of Basic Studies, Chamberlayne Jr. College, Endicott Jr. College, Lasell Jr. College, Vermont College, West- brook Jr. College.
Business Schools - Burdett College, Chandler School for Women, Katharine Gibbs, Ward Schools.
Nursing Schools - Melrose-Wakefield Hospital, Shepard-Gill School of Practical Nursing.
Private Preparatory Schools - Brewster Academy, Admiral Farragut Academy, Manter Hall School, Millard Academy, Newman Preparatory School.
Technical and Vocational Schools - Cambridge School of Radio-TV Broadcasting, Industrial Technical School, The Modern School of Fashion and Design, Oregon Technical Institute, Wilfred Academy.
Among the entry occupations chosen by 1961 graduates were the following: Assembly Worker, Bank Clerk, Carpenter, Clerk-Typist, Dental Assistant, Heavy Equipment Operator, Laboratory Technician, Salesman, Secretary, Serviceman, Service Station Attendant.
It is sincerely hoped that the questions and answers herein discussed are pertinent and that the functions of the local Guidance Department have been somewhat clarified, especially for people who are new to the com- munities of Acton and Boxborough.
Respectfully submitted,
RUTH R. PROCTOR, Director of Guidance.
87
THE TOWN OF ACTON
MEMBERS OF THE ACTON FACULTY
Superintendent of Schools, William L. O'Connell
JULIA L. MCCARTHY - MARION L. TOWNE SCHOOLS
Name
Professional Training Degree
Grade or Position
Alice Hayes
State College at Fitchburg BS
Principal
Mary Abraham
State College at Lowell
BS
I
Elizabeth Fiorenza
State College at Boston BS
I
Mary Hallaren
State College at Lowell BS
I
Louise Harzigian
State College at Lowell
BS
I
Nancy Hill
Middlebury College
BA
I
Tina Mintz
Jackson College
BS
I
Sarah Poland
State College at Lowell
BS
I
Dorothy Sullivan
Wheelock College
BS
I
Judith Walker
Lesley College
BS
I
Elizabeth Witter
Smith College
AB
I
Martha Hyde
State College at Lowell
BS
I
Helen deCoste
Lesley College
BS
II
Elizabeth Flint
State College at Framingham
BS
II
Judith Laurens
Wheelock College
BS
II
Nancy Lyons
Ohio University
BS
II
Louise Moriarty
Emmanuel College
AB
II
Alice O'Hearn
State College at Lowell
BS, M.Ed.
II
Joyce Powers
Lesley College
BS
II
Margaret Barrett
State College at Lowell
PS
III
Florence Betcher
Gordon College
BR Ed.
Jean Dawes
Middlebury College
AB
III
Ellen Fisher
University of
BA
III
Mildred Kelly
Florence (S. C.)
BS
III
Anne Lockwood
Wellesley College
AB
III
Joan McFarland
Wellesley College
AB
III
Florence Merriam
State College at Fitchburg
III
ACTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Carolyn Douglas
State College at Fitchburg BS
Principal
Sylvia Gorfinkle
Boston University AB
IV
June Hadfield
Rhode Island College BS
IV
Madeleine Kingston
State College at Fitchburg BS
IV
Elizabeth McAleer
Rhode Island College
BS
IV
Janice Morgan
State College at Fitchburg
BS. M.Ed.
IV
Jennie Richards
State College at Lowell
BS
IV
Sally Shineman
Middlebury College
AB
IV
Marilyn Blom
Colby College
AB
V
Dorothy Bonner
Middlebury College AB
V
Elizabeth Carr
Smith College AB
V
Rosemary Cook
Trinity College
AB
V
II
Dolores Dye
University of Buffalo
M.Ed.
III
Boston University
Pennsylvania
Teachers' College
88
226th ANNUAL REPORT OF
Nancy Joslin
Mount Holyoke College AB
Boston University M.Ed. V
College of New Rochelle AB
V
Mount Holyoke College BA
Louise Ewing
Mary Mccarthy Robert Menzies
Teachers' College, Aukland
Certificate
Aukland University, N. Z. M.Ed. VI
James Palavras
*Barbara Parker
Boston University
BS, M.Ed. VI
SPECIAL FIELDS
*Maurine Berry
Oklahoma City University BS
Boston University M.Ed.
Vocal Music
Morton Brenner
Boston University
BS, MS
Guidance
George Doren
Yale University
BM, MM
Instrumental Music
Jeanne Haskell
Anna Maria College
BA
Vocal Music
Constantine Limberakis
Boston University
BM
Director of
Salvatore Lipomi
State College at Lowell BS
Opportunity
Tufts College
M.Ed.
Class
Katherine Matsen
Smith College
BA
Librarian
Dorothy Olson
Simmons College
BS
Nurse
Janet Polomis
Rosemont College
BA
Speech
Boston University
MA
Therapy
Ruth Proctor
Radcliffe College
AB
Director of
Hannah Skahan
Marymount College
AB
French
Nathalie Vanderpool
Abilene Christian College BS
Physical
Alice Viano
University of
New Hampshire
BA
Art
ACTON-BOXBOROUGH REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
District Superintendent, William L. O'Connell
Name
Professional Training
Degree
Grade or Position
Raymond Grey
Tufts College
AB, MS
Principal
Arthur Hayes
University of Mississippi
BA
MA
Vice-Principal
Ruth Proctor
Radcliffe College
AB
Director of
Stuart Adler
Cornell University
AB
M.Ed.
English
Priscilla Allen
Middlebury College
AB
English
Charles Battit
Boston University
BA
Science
Jeanne Berard
University of Connecticut
BS
Home
Economics
Mary Zabierek Katherine Bateman
Suffolk University
MA
VI
State College at Boston BS
VI
State College at Boston
BS
VI
Boston University BA VI
Stanford University
Boston University
M.Ed.
Guidance
Boston University
M.Ed.
Guidance
Boston University
Education
Music
THE TOWN OF ACTON
89
Joseph Blanchette Frank Blomberg
Suffolk University Springfield College University of
AB
French Social Studies
Alice Bogomolny
Massachusetts Barnard College
M.Ed. AB
Science and
Mathematics
Margaret Boornazian Frances Boyle
Burdett College State College at Framingham
BS
Home
Economics
Daniel Boylen
Boston University
BS, M.Ed. Physical
Education
Morton Brenner
Boston University
BS, MS
Guidance
Mary Campbell
Immaculata College AB
Social Studies
Maureen Cogan
Smith College
AB
Social Studies
Joan Capitell
Boston University
BS, M.Ed. Guidance
James Dadoly
American International College
BA
Science
Harvard University
M.Ed.
English
Helen Detsch George Doren
Yale University
BM, MM
Instrumental
Alan Foresman
State College at Fitchburg BS, M.Ed.
Joanne Garduno
Radcliffe College AB
State College at Fitchburg
Reading
Francis Holahan Peggy Holley
David Lipscomb College BA
M.Ed.
Mary Hubbard
Boston University BS
BA
English and
University of Michigan MA
Spanish
Mary Keefe
Emmanuel College AB
Mathematics
Mason King
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
BS
Harvard University
AMT
Science
Constantine Limberakis
Boston University BM
Music
*Ernest Mandeville
University of Massachusetts BS Industrial
State College at Fitchburg M.Ed.
AB
Mathematics
Robert Morris
Boston University
BA. MA
French
Elizabeth Morriss
Pembroke College AB
Harvard University
M.Ed.
English
Dorothy Olson
Simmons College
BS
Nurse
Glenn Pasanen
Harvard University AB
Social Studies
University of California MA
and English
Jacqueline Phaneuf
State College at Lowell
BS
University of New Hampshire MA
French
William Petkewich
State College at Salem
BS
Boston University
M.Ed. Guidance
Francis Pratt
Eastern Nazarene College BS
Harvard University
AMT
Social Studies
Edith Hatch
Improvement
State College at Fitchburg BS
Industrial Arts
Social Studies
Boston University
Art
Linda Jordan
Albion College
University of Pennsylvania
MS, Ed.
Director of
Arts
Nathaniel Mann, III
Hamilton College
BS
Music
Social Studies Librarian
Boston University
BS
Business
90
226th ANNUAL REPORT OF
Isadore Stearns
University of Maine BS
Ralph Stetson
Northeastern University
Physical Education Industrial Arts Science
James Sullivan Antoinette Tesoniero
Merrimack College BA
Middlebury College BA
English
Marklyn Trainor
Rhode Island State College BS
Mathematics
Caroline Vattes
Massachusetts College of Art BS
Columbia University
MA
Art
Henry Wall
State College at Salem
BS
Business
Paul Walsh
Boston University
BS
Science and
Mathematics
Nancy Werneth
Pembroke College
AB
Latin
Janet Whitney
Simmons College BS
English
Raymond Wooster
Eastern Nazarene College BS
Mathematics
*On leave of absence
Boston University
M.Ed.
91
THE TOWN OF ACTON
REPORT OF THE HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
The annual report of the Town of Acton for the year 1959 pre- sented in detail the Report of the Visiting Committee of the New England Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. In this report the committee of educators made many valuable recommendations, and it is our intention to review what has been accomplished as far as implementing their advice.
Program of Studies (Section D)
The Visiting Committee Recommends :
1. That a more explicit program of studies be provided which can be made available to the staff, parents and pupils. A program of studies is now printed annually and is available to all.
2. That special consideration be given to a study of the needs of the academically talented students and provide for such a program in the program of studies.
An "Honors Program" for the academically talented is now in operation. This special program to meet the needs of these students starts in grade seven and is completed in grade twelve.
3. That a study be made of the offerings in the general course with a view to providing a program which would be practical and meaningful. At the present time this is our most pressing problem and we hope to arrive at a solution by June 1962 and, therefore, changes in the program would be effective in September 1962.
Art (Section D-3)
1. Improvement of source material of reference files and library. This has been taken care of with the cooperation of the school librarian.
2. Addition of storage area.
This has been accomplished by the addition of a new art room.
3. The introduction of oil painting.
Our students are now using oils by the time they are juniors and seniors.
More emphasis on art appreciation, weaving and ceramics. We hope to have in operation by next September the possibility of a student electing five periods per week of art. Therefore, more time could be spent on art appreciation, ceramics and weaving.
Business Education (Section D-4)
The Visiting Committee Recommends:
1. The initiation of a plan for an office assignment course which will place business pupils in offices in the school. Students from our Secretarial Practice course are assigned by the teacher to the general office on a scheduled basis. These students meet visitors, answer the telephone. operate the telephone switchboard, type and use the school communica- tion system. The students are graded on this practical phase of this course.
92
226th ANNUAL REPORT OF
English (Section D-5)
The Visiting Committee Recommends :
1. That the department head be given released school time for the purpose of supervising and coordinating.
This has been accomplished as of September 1961.
2. That more instructional material be provided for specialized areas of instruction.
We have provided many more reading books for each grade level and we are constantly adding to our library. We have also added a com- pulsory summer reading program and, in addition, we have had the school library open twice per week during the summer vacation.
3. That provisions be made for more dictionaries in English classrooms. Each year we are adding excellent dictionaries to all classrooms.
Foreign Languages (Section D-6)
The Visiting Committee Recommends :
1. That Latin be offered for at least three years.
We now offer four years of Latin.
2. That the department have more readers available in French and Spanish. This has been taken care of as a result of National Defense Education Funds in addition to Regional High School Funds.
3 . That more stress be put on conversational work in French and Spanish. All our teachers are fluent in these languages and our approach is now auraloral. We also are placing in use a new thirty-booth language labora- tory this year, and we also have French in grade seven.
4. That a Foreign Language Section be established in the library for adequate reference work.
There is a section in the library established for this purpose.
Health and Safety (Section D-7)
The Visiting Committee Recommends :
1. That steps be taken to improve the mechanics of fire drill procedure. The visiting committee felt that the students were not moving out fast enough and that they were standing too close to the building outside. This has been explained to the teachers and students. We feel that this recommendation has been taken care of.
Industrial Arts (Section D-9)
The Visiting Committee Recommends :
1. That a study be made of condition of floor of metals area. Committee was concerned over the fact that the hardwood floor would be ruined in this area, therefore, we installed heavy guage sheet metal in specific areas to take care of this situation.
2. That increased storage facilities should be provided.
Metal racks, wood storage area and additional closets have been allocated to the department.
93
THE TOWN OF ACTON
Mathematics (Section D-11)
The Visiting Committee Recommends :
1. That a head of the mathematics department be appointed. A head of the department was appointed, effective September 1961.
2. That a study be made of the adequacy of instructional materials.
This has been rectified by purchase of new texts, addition of new reference works, and we are at the present time working on a National Defense Education Project in mathematics WITH the funds which we hope department.
3 . That the administration study the assignment of courses to teachers so that mathematics teachers would be teaching only in the mathematics area. This is a fact for our teachers are working in their major field of con- centration.
Music (Section D-12)
The Visiting Committee Recommends :
1. That an immediate study be made of the need for an increase in the staff of the music department to assist the director of music in instrumental instruction in both the high school and elementary grades. The director of music now has two assistants and one teacher on a sabbatical.
2. That the services of the director of music be scheduled to the high school level, except for direct supervision of the elementary school music programs.
This has been an accomplished fact since September 1961.
Physical Education for Boys and Girls (Section D-13)
The Visiting Committee Recommends :
1. That more emphasis be placed on skills and abilities having practical carry-over into adult physical recreational activities. Our physical educational program is now geared to include these carry-over activities such as volleyball, archery, tennis and badminton.
2. That consideration be given to the assignment of the instructors to the Acton-Boxborough Regional High School on a full-time basis. The instructors are now on a full-time basis.
3. That foot baths and additional locker or basket facilities be provided. The recommendation was accepted and has now been implemented by the purchase of foot baths and additional baskets.
Science (Section D-15)
The Visiting Committee Recommends :
1. That a greater number of pupils be encouraged to participate in the Science Fair.
The Science teachers and the administration are constantly working on this problem, and we hope to achieve success this year.
94
226th ANNUAL REPORT OF
2. That provision be made for continued purchase of special equipment and supplies.
This has been achieved by the following:
a) Increase in budget
b) National Defense Education Acts Funds
We are of the opinion that we now lack little in supplies and equipment.
3. The appointment of a department head. A department head was appointed for September 1961.
4. That all science classes be scheduled in or near science rooms. All classes are now scheduled in or near science rooms.
Social Studies (Section D-16)
The Visiting Committee Recommends :
1. An expansion of the audio-visual aids, maps, and charts. Maps, charts, globes have been added to this department.
2. The investigation into the feasibility of establishing for outstanding students in the senior year, a seminar in the field of American history. A seminar in international relations has been established for outstanding seniors.
Pupil Activity Program (Section E)
The Visiting Committee Recommends :
1. Consideration of the possibility of increasing the scope of the Student Council to include enforcement of school policies and regulations.
The Student Council, due to its excellent officers and adviser, Mr. Arthur Hayes, has made tremendous progress for this school.
They are now in complete charge of class elections, school assembly pro- grams and, as a unit. make recommendations to the high school administration.
2. Study of content. frequence of issuance. and format of papers of other Regional School papers for the purpose of raising the standards of "The Colonial Crier." This has been done and we now publish an excellent school newspaper. This is due to initiative of the staff and their adviser, Miss Nancy Werneth.
Library Service (Section F)
The Visiting Committee Recommends :
1. That the audio-visual aids be under the supervision of a person other than the librarian.
The Regional High School Librarian is no longer in charge of audio- visual aids.
2. That the library is not to be used as a study hall.
The library is no longer used for classes or for a study hall.
95
THE TOWN OF ACTON
Guidance Services (Section G)
The Visiting Committee Recommends:
1. That consideration be given to provide more clerical assistance for the guidance department.
The guidance department now has a part-time secretary.
2. That consideration be given to the inclusion of a male counselor in the guidance program.
The guidance department has one full-time male counselor and one part-time male counselor.
School Plant (Section H)
The Visiting Committee Recommends :
1. That provision be made for controlling glare on west wall of gymnasium. The windows facing west in the gymnasium have been painted and the glare has been reduced.
2. That provision be made for ventilation of faculty dining room. Windows which open and screens have been provided for this area.
3. That graphboards be installed in mathematics classrooms.
Graphboards have been purchased and installed.
1. That two cots be available in the clinic. An additional cot has been provided.
5. That a study be made relative to the need of a "late" bus. A study was initiated and, as a result, we have a "late" bus.
6. That a hand rail be provided on the stairs leading to parking areas. A hand rail has been installed on these stairs.
School Staff and Administration (Section I)
The Visiting Committee Recommends :
1. The establishment of the position of full-time vice-principal. This has been partially fulfilled. Mr. Hayes teaches two classes and spends the remainder of his time as vice-principal.
2. That department heads be appointed in various areas of the curriculum. We now have three department heads and other departments will be taken care of in the immediate future.
3. That the School Committee proceed to complete drawing up and codifying its policies. The School Committee has drawn up and codified its policies.
{. That consideration be given to the need for more stability of teachers with emphasis on future appointments. of teachers with greater maturity and experience. This was an excellent recommendation and we have been able to appoint teachers with greater maturity and experience with our salary schedule.
5. That consideration be given to the need for more clerical assistance in the areas of guidance, administration and in general service to the staff. Since our evaluation in 1959 additional clerical help has been added to the school.
96
226th ANNUAL REPORT OF
In our opinion we have taken care of 80 per cent of the Visiting Committee's recommendations, and we have until 1965 to handle the remainder.
I should like to express my gratitude to the School Committee, Mr. O'Connell, the faculty, office staff, custodians and to the students for their cooperation.
Respectfully submitted, RAYMOND J. GREY, Principal.
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL PHYSICIAN
December 31, 1961
MR. WILLIAM O'CONNELL
Superintendent of Schools Acton, Massachusetts
Dear Mr. O'Connell:
The annual physical examinations were completed in November Special examinations for those participating in competitive athletics were conducted at the beginning of the school year. Parents were notified of all medical, dental, and orthopedic problems as encountered.
In conjunction with the Board of Health, Schick Tests were given to the children in the lower grades. Also in December children whose parents granted permission, were given Tuberculin Tests.
I wish to thank you, the townspeople, teachers, school and town nurses for their cooperation and assistance.
Respectfully submitted,
PAUL P. GATES, M.D.
97
THE TOWN OF ACTON
REPORT OF SCHOOL NURSE
from
September to December 1961, inclusive
Physical examinations by Doctor Paul P. Gates, school physician, began on September 11 and included Junior and Senior High competitive sports candidates, all students in grades 4, 7 and 10 and students who have not had a physical examination within the past three years. A total of 885 physical examinations, an increase of 40 physicals over 1960, was completed on November 21. Referrals were sent to parents on medical, orthopedic and dental defects.
Under the direction of Mrs. Janet Polomis, the speech therapy program began in September with an enrollment of 102 students of the Primary, Elementary and Junior High Schools.
Vision and hearing testing began on October 9th and has been completed except for new students and absentees, enrollment being 2,142 students as of December 1, 1961.
VISION:
2,148 students tested
321 students retested
Primary School 26
Elementary School 126
Regional School 169
HEARING:
2,110 students tested
140 students retested
Primary School 96
Elementary School 29
Regional School 15
In most cases parents were notified of the hearing test failure by tele- phone as well as mail. Parents were notified of vision test failures by mail.
Mantaux testing for Tuberculosis, which was done on November 8, 15 and 29, included 652 students in grades 1, 4, 7 and 11; 6 student cafeteria workers and 9 school personnel.
To help carry out the Tuberculosis program it has been arranged for the State X-ray unit to come to Acton on March 27th and 29th. At this time, all school personnel shall be X-rayed.
Daily nursing visits to each of the three schools covered sickness, communicable disease check and accidents. During this four month period, 26 of the student accidents were covered by school insurance:
98
226th ANNUAL REPORT OF
Regional High School 24 2
Elementary
The Future Nurses Club, with a membership of seventeen girls of the Senior High School, has continued and its members have assisted with assembling students for vision and hearing testing.
The program of prophylaxis and treatment could not have been carried out successfully without the whole hearted cooperation, which was received from Mr. O'Connell, the Principals and all other school personnel, Doctor Gates, Mrs. Hale, R.N., Mrs. McNiff, Mrs. Larsen and the parents and students. Their interest and assistance in the school health program is most sincerely appreciated.
Respectfully submitted,
DOROTHY J. OLSON, R.N., School Nurse.
AGE AND GRADE DISTRIBUTION TABLE (October 1, 1961)
PRE-SCHOOL Entering Class of
1967 1966 1965 1964 1963 1962
5 6 7 8
9 10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
23
Total
Pre-
School 214
222
260
262 267
249
Grade
282
II
20 181
21 1 26 2
229
III
24 177
27
228
IV
27 142
26
1
196
V
21 138
28
3
190
VI
23 111
18
152
Opportunity Class
1
2
2
1
1
7
Elementary
1.284
VII
26 112 31
3
1
173
VIII
34 111
15
3
163
IX
35 106
25
6
2
174
X
45 90
6
4
1.45
XI
24
54
5
3
86
XII
18
66
7
1 92
Regional High School
833
36 244 226 232 192 187 168 167 177 171 144
85 77
10
1 2.117
I
36 224
THE TOWN OF ACTON
99
100
226th ANNUAL REPORT OF
GRADUATION EXERCISES June 9, 1961
Salutatorian Arthur Richard Sindoris
Valedictorian
Bruce Bland Bottomley
Scholarship Awards:
Blanchard Memorial Scholarships
Arlene Caless Allan Prowten Priscilla Robinson
Katharine Gibbs Pennsylvania University University of Massachusetts
Acton High School Scholarship Fund Bruce Bottomley Arthur Sindoris
Massachusetts Institute of Technology Massachusetts Institute of Technology
West Acton Woman's Club Scholarship Mary McNiff Westbrook Junior College
Acton Center Woman's Club Scholarship Caroline Brown
Russell Sage College
Acton Parent-Teacher's Association Scholarship John Mulvey
Clark University
Maynard Rotary Club Scholarship Joan Tuttle
Ward School
Acton Firemen's Association Scholarship Muriel Brown Charles Oliver
Lowell Technical Institute Harvard University
Acton Lions Club Scholarship William Bartlett Julia Tinker
Syracuse University Simmons College
Acton Teachers' Association Scholarship Judith Hartwell Elmira College
John A. Donelan Scholarship Donna Cunningham Chamberlayne Junior College
Acton Garden Club Scholarship Peter Woolston Cornell University
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