USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Medfield > Town annual reports of Medfield 1950-1954 > Part 37
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Wheelock College
Wheelock College
Wheelock College
Simmons College, Boston College
Harvard University
Supervisors Barbara Lambson, B.S. in Ed.
Dorothy Wallace, B.S. in Ed., Ed. M.
Charlotte Roberts, B. Mus.
Physical Education Art
Vocal Music
Framingham State Teachers College Bridgewater Normal School Boston University, Tufts College Bridgewater State Teachers College Framingham State Teachers College Boston Teachers College
Grade V
Grade IV
Grade IV
University of Vermont
Framingham State Teachers College Fitchburg State Teachers College Portia College Boston University
Grade II
Sallie Talbot
Grade I
Grade I
Margery Jayes Margaret Blute, A.B., M.S.
Helping Teacher
Westfield State Teachers College Mass. School of Art
Boston University Boston University
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REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the School Committee of Medfield
Gentlemen:
I herewith transmit my second annual report as superin- tendent of the Medfield public schools, the same being the second such report compiled since this town withdrew from a superintendency union.
These problems mentioned in my last annual report have been dealt with in whole or in part during the year just closed:
1. Additions have been made to our teaching staff to take care of increasing enrollments.
2. More textbooks and seating units have been bought - in excess of our original estimate of needs.
3. More housing may be said to have been provided through the closing of our kindergarten.
4. A helping teacher has been added to our staff.
5. Our transportation system has been thoroughly studied and some changes have been made.
6. A new water-heating system has been installed in the high school, increasing efficiency and cutting costs of operation and maintenance.
7. Much equipment has been repaired or replaced in our science laboratory.
8. Considerable equipment has been added to our manual training shop.
9. Our commercial department is now in the process of being re-equipped and we should anticipate carrying on this procedure during the next couple of years.
10. Our school program has been revised in several par- ticulars and other changes are contemplated.
In addition to these matters, other significant events have taken place as follows:
1. A preliminary survey of our housing facilities has been made by a special School Building Needs Committee which has reported to the town and has been discharged.
2. Emergency repairs had to be made to the firebox of one boiler in the high school.
3. With the installation of the sidewalk along the athletic field on Adams Street, a drainage problem was created and it became necessary to construct a catch basin on the school field.
4. Because of increasing numbers, it became necessary to open a third first grade and a second seventh grade.
5. To obtain additional space for first grades, the kinder- garten was not re-opened in September.
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These problems confront us:
1. The need for two additional teachers to staff a third second grade and a second eighth grade we must open in September, 1954.
2. Further increases in our salary schedules to hold our present teachers in the face of a constantly increasing demand for their services elsewhere.
3. The construction of more school space or the institu- tion of double sessions-with a consequent sharp drop in pupil progress-to meet our increasing pupil load.
4. The question of the re-opening of the kindergarten if and when additional classrooms are built.
5. Expansion of our transportation system or curtailment of privileges of riding now permitted older pupils.
6. Further repairs to our high school heating plant.
7. Continuation of the program to improve the equip- ment in our commercial department.
8. Adequate maintenance of our newly-acquired science equipment.
9. Expansion of our science program to allow greater op- portunities in this field to our elementary grades.
10. Continuing study of our present allotment of building space to make certain we are using it as efficiently as possible.
CHANGES IN PERSONNEL:
Resigned
Mrs. Marilyn Kelley
Miss Mary Banks
Mrs. Muriel Daley
June, 1953
Mrs. Alice Ferris
June, 1953
Mrs. Eleanor Edwards
June, 1953
Mrs. Jean Clark
July, 1953
Miss Ann McGrath
July, 1953
Mr. John Foley
August, 1953
Miss Joann Springer
August, 1953
Mrs. Anita Kingsbury, secretary
September, 1953
Elected
Mrs. Ruby Berringer
Mrs. Margaret Blute
Mrs. Dorothy Clark
Mrs. Margery Jayes
Mrs. Mary Lahnston
Miss Muriel Landy
Mr. John McGrath
Miss Charlotte Roberts
Mrs. Josephine Roche
Mrs. Antanet Shaw
March, 1953
June, 1953
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Miss Cynthia Swartz Mrs. Sallie Talbot Mrs. Virginia Kerr, secretary
NET COST OF SCHOOLS
1953
Appropriated
$123,955.54
Re-imbursements from the Commonwealth:
General school fund
$27,460.23
School Superintendent's
salary (July, Aug., 1952)
222.88
All school transportation 1,173.00
Tuition-State wards
1,000.00
$29,855.11
Receipts
Building rentals
$ 56.00
Sale of supplies
18.65
Sale of shop materials
120.22
Tuition
332.40
Damage to books, equipment 12.45
Telephone tolls
5.66
$545.38
Recapitulation:
Re-imbursements
$29,855.11
Receipts
545.38
Unexpended balance
666.24
$ 31,066.73
NET COST TO TAXPAYERS
$92,888.81
It must be stressed that the sum of reimbursements and receipts goes to the Town Treasurer and is NOT available to the School Committee unless specifically appropriated for school purposes. The School Committee can expend ONLY the funds provided by direct appropriation.
Re-imbursements for the coming year may increase if the bill now pending before the General Court for additional State Aid to Schools becomes law. The final balance paid on account of the salary of the union superintendent will not appear again The other items should remain approximately the same. Re- ceipts are difficult to forecast, but they should not vary too widely from the amounts noted above. Some may disappear from the list entirely.
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The Trustees of the Public Library have from time to time passed on books of which the library possesses duplicates, as well as turning over to our primary teachers various worn- out children's books to be cut up for various projects. For this consideration we are most grateful.
Mr. Carroll A. Holbrook made extensive gifts to our school library of unusual volumes from his own collections and we thank him very much.
The Medfield Community Chest and the Salvation Army have assisted our students in a number of ways, and their help is deeply appreciated.
The Class of 1953 of our high school equipped our audi- torium with a modern and complete amplifying system as a Class gift to the school. It has been particularly appreciated by underclassmen, who have used it extensively for their school dances.
The continued interest in the welfare of our schools on the part of the Medfield Parent-Teacher Association; Beckwith Post #110, American Legion; the Beckwith Post Auxiliary; the Hannah Adams Club; the Medfield Lions Club and the Daughters of the American Revolution is a source of inspira- tion to all of us connected with our schools.
The longer I work in Medfield schools, the more clearly do I realize how well they have built who have gone before. The liberal and sympathetic attitude of the School Committee makes many burdens lighter; the friendly feelings evinced by the citizens of the town and the willing and constant co-operation of my fellow workers combine to make the task we face the more enjoyable.
Very respectfully
WILLIAM H. McLIN, Superintendent
REPORT OF THE PRINCIPAL OF THE HANNAH ADAMS PFAFF HIGH SCHOOL
It is customary to address this report to the superintend- ent of schools, but since the writer serves in that capacity as well, the usual salutation is omitted.
This report covers the work of the high school during the year ending December 31, 1953. The writer has served as principal since September 3, 1952.
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The graduating class of June 11, 1953 numbered 20. According to the best information we can obtain, 9 are con- tinuing their education as follows: 1 in college, 1 in art school, 2 in nurse's training, 2 at teacher's college, 2 at business school, 1 in technical school. Of the remaining 11, there are 9 reported as gainfully employed, 1 is in the U.S. Armed Forces and 1 has married and become a homemaker.
The following awards were made at graduation:
D.A.R. Good Citizen-Sally Colantonio Bausch & Lomb Science Award-Cynthia Bowden Girls State-Verna Clark (Suzzane Kennedy, alternate) Boys State-Donald Tompkins (John Wilson, alternate) Harvard Prize Book-Donald Tompkins Balfour Plaque and Key-Lois Harmon
A special diploma was awarded to Sgt. Rodman Nowers, Jr., of the U.S. Air Force, the presentation being made to his father on his behalf.
The scholarships were awarded as follows:
American Legion-Cynthia Bowden Hannah Adams-Jeanine Bravo
Parent-Teacher Association-Joan Mick
Medfield Lions Club-Donna Maker
Medfield Teachers Club-Lois Harmon
In lieu of a special Careers Day, we have made and are making every effort to facilitate visits by our Seniors to schools and industries they believe might interest them. They are granted time out of class attendance to do this and all arrangements are made through and approved by the school so that no one will be exploited by the unscrupulous.
Certain friends of the school, with Mr. Thomas Sweeney serving as interlocutor, staged a minstrel show for the bene- fit of the Washington trip of the Senior Class last April.
The Washington trip itself was a very profitable and enjoyable experience. The writer was one of the escorts accom- panying the group and everywhere the party went it was showered with compliments by trainmen, bus drivers, guides and bystanders. The conduct of every boy and girl in the class was exemplary and reflected great credit upon the par- ents concerned and, in fact, upon the entire town itself. It is unlikely that such a trip can be undertaken for too many more years because the increasing enrollment will render the cost prohibitive.
Our football team turned in an outstanding performance in 1953, winning seven out of eight games and piling up a total of 120 points to 44 for our opponents. Several of the
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players were signaled out for honors by various sports writ- ers, but since the teamwork of the entire squad was its greatest characteristic, individual mention is omitted here. It seems proper, however, to pass along a word of praise to Coach Charles Mains and Assistant Coach John McGrath, Jr.
The Senior Play, "The Smart Idiot" was presented Novem- ber 21 under the direction of Mrs. Maude Washburn and was well and enthusiastically received. All connected with the enterprise deserve much praise.
Our Driver Education program under the able direction of Mr. Alan Shaw is steadily winning increased recognition. We are indebted to the Fred C. Browne Company of Walpole for making available dual-control car for use in this work. We continue the former arrangement of sharing the use of this vehicle with Millis.
The unfailingly cheerful co-operation of staff members and student body has resulted in a sense of accomplishment that must be gratifying to all.
Very respectfully,
WILLIAM H. McLIN, Principal
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Photo by John O'Leary
JOHN MCGRATH Ass't. Coach
CHARLES MAINS Head Coach
COACHES, MEDFIELD HIGH SCHOOL-1953
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Photo by John O'Leary
STARTING LINEUP 1953 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL TEAM
Kenneth Carpenter re, David Darling rt, Joe McCarthy lg, Bill Reynolds c, Gary Fraser lg, Charles Bennett It, Norman Ross le, Randy Deforest (co-capt.) rh, Chucky Munroe qb, John Belmont f, Frank C'lewes 1h.
GRADUATION EXERCISES of the CLASS OF 1953 MEDFIELD HIGH SCHOOL HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM Thursday, June 11, 1953 Eight O'Clock
* *
PROGRAM
Processional Class of 1953
"Pomp and Circumstance" Medfield Community Orchestra Mr. Stewart Smith, Conductor
Elgar
Marshals:
John Wilson '54 Kenneth Carpenter '55
Mary Flagg '54 Sandra Harmon '55
Invocation
Rev. Hugh Smith
Address of Welcome
Richard Edward Fenton, President, Class of 1953
Glee Club-"Onward, Ye Peoples" Sibelius
Mrs. Eleanor Edwards, Director
Essay-"High School-Vital Necessity" Donna Elayne Maker
Essay-"Hidden Opportunities" Joan Erleen Mick
Glee Club-"I Wonder As I Wander" Appalachian Caral
Essay-"Let's Face It!" Ruth Hennie Piccott
Essay-"Afraid of What?" Cynthia Ann Bowden
Glee Club- "May the Good Lord Bless and Keep You" Willson
Presentation of Class Gift
Clifford Webster Bosselman, Jr., Vice President, Class of 1953
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Acknowledgment
Suzanne Kennedy, President, Class of 1954
Presentation of Awards
William H. McLin, Principal
Presentation of Harvard Prize Book Mr. John W. Hinkley, Harvard '39
Presentation of Scholarships
Mrs. Theodore F. Lindberg, President, Hannah Adams Club
Mr. Stanley C. Fisher, Chairman, Scholarship Committee, Beckwith Post, No. 110, Medfield American Legion
Mr. Leon H. Ballou, Jr., Past President, Medfield Parent-Teacher Association
Mr. Frank Bolger, Chairman, Scholarship Committee, Medfield Lions Club
Mr. Alan E. Hastings, President, Medfield Teachers Club
Awarding of Diplomas
Mr. James T. Frame, Medfield School Committee
Class Song
Words-Lois Ann Harmon '53 Music-Gloria Grace Tucker '53
To Medfield High we say good-bye The Class of '53
We've always been to-gether
And good friends we'll always be;
Of those we leave behind us Fond memories remain,
Good luck to you, our friends so true
From the Class of '53.
Recessional March of the Graduates "Washington Post" Sousa
CLASS OF NINETEEN HUNDRED FIFTY-THREE
MOTTO: "If God be for us, who can be against us?"
COLORS: Blue and White
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CLASS ROLL
Judith Olive Ballou Clifford Webster Bosselman, Jr. Cynthia Ann Bowden Jeanine Ann Thereasa Bravo Dorothy Clark Sarah Ann Colantonio Mary Catherine Curry Robert William Dunn Richard Edward Fenton Shirley Ann Gronberg
Lois Ann Harmon Lena Frances Lamb Donna Elayne Maker Ruth Ann Mckinnon Janet Lillian Mezzanotte Joan Erleen Mick Roberta Carole Miller Ruth Hennie Piccott Gloria Grace Tucker Norris Joseph Weston
IN MEMORIAM Anthony Barcelo 1935-1949
REPORT OF THE PRINCIPAL OF THE HANNAH ADAMS PFAFF ELEMENTARY AND MEMORIAL SCHOOLS
To the Superintendent of Schools:
I submit the following report as Supervising Principal of the Medfield Elementary Schools for the year 1953.
Assembly programs held throughout the year were the Spring Festival given by the intermediate grades under the direction of Mrs. Eleanor Edwards, Music Supervisor; a Safety Program given to illustrate safety on the highways, playground, and the use of bicycles. This program was accompanied by a Safety Circus and certificates were given to the children who had learned the safety rules. The Fourth and Fifth Grades presented plays for Washington's Birthday; the Sixth Grade presented a Talent Show.
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The music program continues to progress. "Thirty Minutes With Santa" was presented to the entire elementary school by the Sixth Grade, supervised by their teachers. Several children are gaining in experience by playing in the school orchestra.
Some very outstanding projects were developed in the classroom, namely: Murals of South America, Winter, Cotton, Thanksgiving, The Town of Medfield, and the Nativity.
School opened September 9th with 147 children in the North Street School and 198 in the Memorial School. To date we have an increase of thirteen pupils.
Field trips were taken throughout the year by several classes. Some of the points of interest visited were the Museum of Science, Children's Museum, Bunker Hill Monu- ment, and the U.S.S. Constitution. The annual school picnics were held at Norumbega Park.
Our campaign drives this year included Heart Fund, Sal- vation Army and Community Fund.
Open House was held in the Memorial School in September with a large group of parents and friends attending.
In closing, I wish to thank you, the School Committee, members of the school personnel, and the townspeople for their whole-hearted cooperation.
Respectfully submitted,
DOROTHY J. BROWN, Principal
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL HEALTH PROGRAM
To the Superintendent of Schools:
The School Health Department's duties consist of regular physical examinations, daily visits to the school, control of communicable diseases and consultation with the faculty on psychological problems. In addition to these, we have ren- dered first aid, arranged for chest X-rays for the Senior Class and members of the faculty and supervised school lunches.
Physical examinations are required by the state on one- third of the pupils annually; we examine all new pupils and a total of at least half of the pupils each year. The state now permits the child's own physician to fill out the physical examin- ation form. From the school's viewpoint, it is better to have the report filled out by the doctor who knows the pupil best. As in the past, we encourage suggestions from and consultation with the parents on the pupils' problems.
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Vision and hearing were tested for the first time in all grades. Retesting was done on those whose hearing was defi- cient on the first test.
All pupils in the elementary grades were examined by the school dentist and the dental work on many pupils has been completed. We have had weekly clinics from the beginning of the school year. Because of the greater response from the examinations, it will be necessary to continue this program.
The health of the children appears as usual to be above normal, and communicable diseases have occurred at no more than the expected rate.
We wish to thank the School authorities who have been most helpful in carrying out several features of the School Health Program.
Respectfully submitted,
A. RITCHEY STAGG, M.D. School Physician
MADELEINE HARDING, R.N. School Nurse ELLIOTT KIRSCHBAUM, D.M.D. School Dentist
REPORT OF GIRLS' PHYSICAL EDUCATION DIRECTOR
To the Superintendent of Schools:
The physical education program offered in the Medfield schools provides a wide variety of activities which insures the full and complete development of the child.
The program in the elementary schools consists of the following activities:
1. directed play
2. small group play
3. large group play
4. team games
5. rhythmic activities
6. stunts and tumbling
7. apparatus activities
Activities for the Junior High girls include highly organ- ized sports, formal activities, stunts and tumbling, games, relays, ryhthms, apparatus activities, square dancing and folk dancing.
The High School intramurals consist of basketball and badminton.
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Interscholastic competition is offered in field hockey, basketball and softball. This competition develops attitudes of good sportsmanship and fair play.
Respectfully submitted,
BARBARA LAMBSON, Girls' Physical Education Director
REPORT OF BOYS' PHYSICAL EDUCATION DIRECTOR
To the Superintendent of Schools:
In the year 1953 individual as well as team play was emphasized. With classes becoming larger it makes it difficult to stress individualism.
Such sports as tag football, softball, basketball, bad- minton, volleyball and "punch" ball are carried on in a com- petitive manner. Other relay events are also a main part of the program to develop coordination in the individual.
In the coming year the physical education program will - include strength tests and motor ability tests, which will be carried on from year to year.
Grades four through twelve are now under the direction of the boys physical education instructor.
Respectfully submitted, CHARLES F. MAINS, Boys' Physical Education Director
REPORT OF THE ART SUPERVISOR
The Medfield school children are very creative and original, and need little urging to produce unusual art work. In a case ike this, the function of an art teacher or supervisor is to keep the technique at a high level, after having built up the ability to depict persons, animals, houses, vehicles and all objects of daily living.
Present-day art teaching deals with what we know and experience or feel, rather than static, stereotyped work often seen in the past.
Some older methods have much to commend them, in that all work is taken seriously and accomplished to the best of one's ability.
The modern tendency to express oneself directly in art work, such as sketching in crayon, or water color, rather than coloring a pencil drawing made first, necessitates careful
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thought and handling of materials. Erasing is not possible, especially in the work of younger children. This leads to a feeling of self-confidence.
A combination of the best of old and new methods of instruction should produce the finest attitude possible in students. A middle ground, the aim of which would be crea- tiveness, should produce the proper balance of imagination and reality.
Respectfully submitted, DOROTHY WALLACE, Supervisor of Art
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF VOCAL MUSIC
To the Superintendent of Schools:
Some of the general aims of music education are (1) to help the child's growth socially, (2) to create group participa- tion, (3) to provide individual satisfaction and (4) to obtain appreciation and love of good music leading to the cultural development on the part of the child. These aims are accom- plished by a complete program consisting of rote singing, note singing, ryhthmic and creative activities, and appreciation through listening.
Music is constantly being integrated with various other subjects such as history, social studies, and geography.
By the completion of a child's sixth year in school he should have experience in two-part and three-part singing. He should be able to master various problems of rhythmic nature, simple notation and creation of songs. The student should also have an acquaintance with, and an appreciation of, various forms of music and composers.
In the junior high school these skills and knowledges are further developed.
In the past four months my efforts in the school system of Medfield have been devoted towards developing these afore- mentioned aims.
In December the children of the North Street School pre- sented a Christmas operetta entitled "Thirty Minutes with Santa Claus." The High School presented a nativity scene called "Christmas by Candlelight."
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLOTTE ROBERTS, Supervisor of Vocal Music
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REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC
To the Superintendent of Schools:
The School Instrumental Department, now in its third year, is continuing its program to interest students in the playing of band and orchestral instruments. As in the past, free instruction is given on brasses, woodwinds and strings in the form of class lessons for beginners on the instruments. Advanced players of string instruments receive training in the form of a special string class which meets every other week. On alternate weeks they take part in a rehearsal of the School Orchestra.
Members of the School Band, in addition to their regular band rehearsal, participate in the rehearsals of the orchestra which meets on alternate weeks with the band. In this way they gain experience in the reading of both band and orchestral literature.
Students of string instruments, which require a longer period of study than brass or woodwinds, receive two years of free class instruction, the lesson time in the second year being divided between actual instruction on the instrument and work on selections which are to be performed by the School Orchestra.
In all instrumental classes, beginning and advanced, part of the lesson time is devoted to note reading and music theory as it applies to performance on a musical instrument.
Respectfully submitted, PHILIP HOFFMAN, Supervisor of Instrumental Music
REPORT OF THE HOME ECONOMICS DEPARTMENT
To the Superintendent of Schools:
The school cafeteria has continued to be operated on the government subsidy program. The number of student lunches sold has taken an increase of 31/2% over last year's figures. The sale of milk has almost doubled over last year's figures.
Again we have three full-time workers and two part-time workers. (Three in the high school and two in the Memorial School.) The lunch menus are still being published monthly.
During the past year the Junior High School students have completed units on Interior Decorating, Nutrition, Good Grooming, Foods and Clothing. Projects have been made in each unit. The four upper classes have completed projects in Clothing, Knitting, Embroidery, and Textile Painting. The
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Textile Painting has been quite popular with the students because it gives the opportunity for creative ability to be shown.
Advanced Clothing has been taught in the Junior and Senior classes. This consists of the making of suits, coats and the more difficult articles of clothing. Stress has been put on the needs of the individual student.
Respectfully submitted,
LOUISE RICHARDSON, Director of Home Economics
REPORT OF THE MANUAL TRAINING INSTRUCTOR
To the Superintendent of Schools:
Shop classes are available to all boys from grades six through twelve. In the sixth through the eighth grade, shop- work is a regular part of the boys schedule. In the high school it is available as major course in Manual Training, consisting of two periods a day, or as an elective subject to boys in other courses.
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