USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Medfield > Town annual reports of Medfield 1960-1966 > Part 15
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It has been my pleasure to meet with the School Needs Committee many times, and I am confident that its report will be a source of enlightenment as to all our school needs for the foreseeable future.
Special Program
The services provided by the Medfield State Hospital Staff, under the direction of Dr. Donald Kenefick, proved to be highly successful. and very acceptable. As a result, the following policy was approved by the School Committee:
In an attempt to provide increased services in educational, emo- tional and psychological areas with respect to our young people for their better well-being, the following plan of procedure is in effect:
Referrals are welcomed from parents, teachers, outside agencies (such as members of the clergy or police officials), or from the students themselves.
Referrals include problems of an emotional, disciplinary or moral nature, or pertain to unsatisfactory achievement.
A definite pattern is to be followed whereby in each referral the School Principal and the Superintendent are to be notified in advance of the conference and advised as to the results. Conferences may in- clude the School Principal, Vice-Principal, Guidance Director, teachers, School Nurse and/or School Psychologist. Depending upon the re- quirements, the conferences may result in one or a combination of the following: Student conference with the Psychologist; Parental conference (which would be initiated in all cases by the School Princi- pal); Testing or other special handling of the student, with Parental consent a requirement.
A schedule is in effect whereby the School Psychologist is avail- able twice a month for conferences with faculty members at both the elementary and secondary school levels.
Maintenance
In addition to the routine cleaning and general upkeep, the fol- lowing was accomplished:
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MEMORIAL SCHOOL-
1. Boilers cleaned and oil burners serviced.
2. One boiler completely relined.
3. Five exterior doors rebuilt and hung.
DALE STREET SCHOOL-
1. Boilers cleaned and oil burners serviced.
2. Acoustic tile and fluorescent lighting installed in Room 103.
3. Roof and flashing over kitchen area completely repaired.
4. One boiler completely relined and re-covered.
5. Stage curtains flame-proofed.
Federal Funds
Medfield again qualified for aid under Public Law 874 which pro- vides assistance for those communities which have pupils whose parents are employed on federally-owned property.
During the year a total of $4,335 was received. From this fund $102. was spent for printing new Courses of Study, $565.60 for new equipment, $51.98 for trophies, $1,036.74 for band uniforms, $85.96 for cheerleader uniforms, $991.85 for matching funds received under Public Law 864, Titles III and V.
NET COST OF SCHOOLS
Appropriated
$378,530.00
Expended
378,425.29
$ 104.71
Reimbursement from the Commonwealth:
General School Fund (Chapter 70)
$40,850.23
Transportation (Chapter 71)
5,987.00
Special Education (Chapters 69 and 71)
1,017.40
$47,854.63
Receipts:
Building Rentals
102.50
Shop Materials
87.08
Lost Books
42.00
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Vending Damaged light Insurance rebate
44.85
1.00
66.01
$343.44
Recapitulation:
$378,530.00
Appropriated 1961
$47,854.63
Reimbursements Receipts
343.44
Unexpended Balance 1961
104.71
48,302.78
Net Cost to Taxpayers
$330,227.22
Acknowledgments
I am deeply indebted to the Principals and Staffs of the Elementary and Junior-Senior High Schools not only for their continued interest and work with our youngsters but also for the planning and diligent. effort in making the moves into the Dale Street School and the new Junior-Senior High School. The results of this cooperation made my part of the job so much easier.
In behalf of all in the Medfield Public Schools, students as well as Staff, I wish to once again publicly thank the following civic groups: the Medfield Parent Teacher Association, Medfield Lions Club, Medfield Teachers Club, American Legion Post 110, Medfield United Fund, Han- nah Adams Club, the Daughters of the American Revolution and the American Legion Auxiliary. These organizations, through their gene- rosity, have contributed to the welfare of our students by granting scholarships and awards.
This year, especial recognition must be given to the following who, by their thoughtfulness, gave gifts to the new school: Medfield Lions Club, eye testing equipment; VFW Post No. 6644, Auditorium flags; American Legion Post No. 110, Library books; Byron W. Reed, water color of Peak House; American Legion Auxiliary, Library Books; Medfield Taxpayers Association (Ex), Rostrum; Mr. and Mrs. Walter Nye, piano; Mrs. J. Frank Broderick, piano. I know that both the School Committee and the School Building Committee are very grateful for these kindnesses.
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I wish to commend the secretaries, custodians, health personnel and cafeteria ladies for their interest, cooperation and loyalty. They play extremely important parts in the operation of our schools, and I am very proud of their accomplishments.
The Town Officers, the Police Department, Fire Department and the Highway Department were most helpful in making recommenda- tions and giving assistance-particularly during the move to the new school.
I personally wish to thank the members of the School Building Committee for the planning and the delivering of the new Junior- Senior High School. The many productive hours spent by these dedi- cated men are evidenced in a building which is a credit to the Town.
To you, the School Committee, many, many thanks for your inter- est in Medfield's young people and the way they are developed men- tally, physically, socially and morally. The policies and support pro- cedures which you have instituted and maintained will go far in keeping the Medfield Public Schools in a high, educationally-sound position. This, I believe, is what the people of Medfield want for their children.
Respectfully submitted,
THOMAS A. BLAKE,
Superintendent of Schools
REPORT OF THE JUNIOR-SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
To the Superintendent of Schools:
I hereby submit my seventh annual report as principal of the Junior-Senior High School for the year ending December 31, 1961.
At Commencement exercises on June 14, 1961, diplomas were awarded to 51 seniors. At the present time three of these graduates are in the Armed Forces, one is married, thirteen are gainfully em- ployed and twenty-nine are attending schools of higher education. Of these last-mentioned twenty-nine graduates, twenty-three are attend- ing four-year universities and colleges, two are in nursing schools and four are in academies.
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The following awards were made at Commencement: Roger Adams, Harvard Prize Book; Ruth Ann Hardy, D.A.R. Good Citizens Award; Richard Warburton, Bausch and Lomb Science Award; Judith Stubblebine, Faculty Award of Merit; George Oja, Balfour Honor Key; Carol Holt, Alton H. Hartford Prize and the Gregg Achievement Award.
Scholarships were awarded to the following students: Edna Col- cord, American Legion; Judith Flanagan, Hannah Adams Club; Paula Hurd, Parent-Teachers Association; Richard Oja, Medfield Lions Club; Joanne Wright, Medfield Teachers Club.
The highlight of this school year was, of course, moving into the new Amos Clark Kingsbury High School. This school was the answer to many of our problems. In April of 1960 a Visiting Committee of the New England Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools evaluated Medfield High School. Most of the Visiting Committee's recommenda- tions have been complied with by opening the new school .. Because of the additional space we were able to add the following subjects to the program of studies: Business Math, Personal and Business Law, Economics, Personal Typing, Retail Sales, Spanish and Latin III.
An accelerated section of our ninth grade is taking Plane Geome- try and Biology this year. This program will permit the taking of advanced science and math courses in the senior year of high school. Many of our ninth graders are taking French I, which will enable them to have studied four years of French by the time they graduate. A number of colleges are now suggesting that incoming students have four years of one language. The class of ninth graders taking Plane Geometry is being taught the "new math", better known as the Yale Math Program. This is a new method of presenting mathematics to students and this group has been selected to introduce the Yale Math to Medfield High School. This is the first step in re-evaluating our Mathematics program and keeping up with current trends. Four of the teachers are now attending an In-service mathematics program where they are learning the Yale method under the direction of an expert. This will allow us to expand the program.
The departmentalization of the teachers of English went into effect in September 1961. Under the very capable leadership of Mrs. Elaine Pederzini, the English Department has made great strides in coordinating all phases of our English course of study. Plans have been discussed and formulated for the departmentalization of other academic areas in the near future. As the enrollment figures grow, organizing departments will be essential, if we are to continue offering the type of education of which we can be proud.
Another facility in the new school which has proved most valuable is the school library. This has helped our over-all educational devel-
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opment immeasurably. At the time of this report we have over 800 volumes on hand with many more forth-coming. Student and teacher use of the library has passed all expectations and each month shows a steady increase in the number of students using it and the number of books being used. The American Heritage Series given by Mrs. Amos C. Kingsbury again this year has been placed in the school library.
Each year this report gives me the opportunity to express my gratitude not only to the School Committee, Superintendent and teachers, but to the many parents and organizations who have given their continued cooperation and many hours of their time to help make our school a success.
Respectfully submitted, :
CHARLES F. MAINS,
Principal
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GRADUATION EXERCISES of MEDFIELD HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 1961 HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM Eight O'Clock Wednesday, June 14, 1961
Program
Processional
"Pomp and Circumstance"
Class of 1961 Elgar
Marshals
Edward Dugan
Channing Mendelsohn
Rev. Emmanuel Hedgebeth
Invocation
Address of Welcome
Philip Nandc _. ossi, President, Class of 1961
Choral Group
"May The Good Lord Bless and Keep You" Meredith Wilson
Essays: Individual Approaches to a Theme George Richard Oja Paula Anne Hurd Judith Gates Wright Richard Julius Warburton
Presentation of Class Gift
George Richard Oja, Vice-President, Class of 1961
Acknowledgment
Channing Taft Mendelsohn, President, Class of 1962
Presentation of Awards and the Medfield Teachers' Club Scholarship Charles F. Mains, Principal
Presentation of American Legion Medals Mr. Philip J. Burr, Beckwith Post No. 110
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Presentation of Scholarships
Mrs. Charles F. Mains, Chairman, Scholarship Committee, Hannah Adams Club George W. Hinckley, Jr., Commander, Beckwith Post No. 110 Walter L. Avery, President, Medfield Parent-Teacher Association Stuart Gordon, Chairman, Scholarship Committee, Medfield Lions Club
Presentation of the Alton H. Hartford Prize of the Parent-Teacher Association
William D. Walsh
Vice-President, Medfield Parent-Teacher Association
Choral Group "You'll Never Walk Alone"
Rodgers and Hammerstein
Awarding of Diplomas
Mr. James T. Frame, Chairman, Medfield School Committee Mr. Thomas A. Blake, Superintendent of Schools
Recessional
"Washington Post"
Sousa
CLASS OF NINETEEN HUNDRED SIXTY-ONE
Motto: "What we are to be, we are now becoming"
Colors: Blue and White
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CLASS ROLL
Lee Bamforth Ballou Marilyn Rose Berg Dianne Best
William Lamont Capocci
William James Catenacci
Robert Edward Chick Catherine Anne Colantonio Edna Joyce Colcord*
Elsie Bernice Colcord Beatrice Enid Cook Joan Carol Cunningham
Robert Rand Davidson
Stanley Thomas DeCoster
Edward Joseph Dornig
Carole Lydia Duest Edwin Charles Flaherty, Jr.
Judith Marie Flanagan*
Kenneth Richard Goodsell
Ilona Joyce Gronroos Ruth Ann Mclaughlin Hardy* Esther Rose Harris Joseph Sherman Harvey Richard Stuart Hedgebeth Carol Esther Holt Paula Anne Hurd*
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Howard Allan Kelley John Charles Kennedy George Francis Knehr Josetta Patricia Knopf David Lawrence LeBlanc Ronald Eric Lindblad Judith Blanche MacPhetres Joseph Laurence Marcionette George Richard Oja* Bruce Arthur Peardon
Robert Duncan Priest
Norma Jeanne Quinn Philip Nando Rossi Marilynn Schlechter Mary Christine Catherine Seeley Bruce Alfred Christopher Simpson Judith Elizabeth Stubblebine Ronald Brian Swanson Robert Michael Tammero
Thomas Gordon Tapley Gordon Kirk Tompkins Roger Charlesworth Toney Richard Julius Warburton* Edward John Joseph Wiberg Joanne Tvedt Wright* Judith Gates Wright*
*Members of the Medfield Chapter of the National Honor Society
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REPORT OF MEMORIAL AND DALE STREET ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
To the Superintendent of Schools:
Herewith I submit my seventh annual report as Elementary School Principal for the year ending December 31, 1961.
By this past September, our elementary school population had become so large that it was necessary to house grades five and six in the former high school, now known as the Dale Street School. All business, including the handling of telephone calls, is taken care of at the Memorial School; a direct telephone service connects the two buildings. I am in both buildings daily.
All seven classrooms of the Dale Street School and several in the Memorial School had to be set up entirely anew in September. It was the same in effect as a moving day. On the Wednesday following Labor Day the doors were opened for the teachers' workshop. For the rest of the week much was accomplished in the way of arranging the class- rooms and preparing the individual lesson assignments, group meetings and the like.
The following Monday morning, September 11th, the classrooms were ready. The walkers, bicycle riders and bus riders arrived suc- cessively from seven-fifty to eight-thirty A.M. In addition, many children, especially our entering first-graders were escorted by their parents. At the very beginning of the new school day, everyone had settled down to work in a quiet and business-like manner.
The autumn was saddened by the illness and untimely death of Mrs. Joan Rehm, a young first-grade teacher who had come to the Medfield schools this September. A teacher of ability and experience, she conducted her classes effectively and won the affection of her small students.
The old-fashioned but ever-new program of reading, writing and arithmetic is essential in the school along with English, history, geo- graphy and science. With respect to instructions in writing, we are receiving very good results using the Rinehart System. We do teach and drill on the basic subjects, stressing the importance of a firm foundation on which to work.
Because of the large enrollment in our schools, our supervisors in art, music and physical education cannot visit the classrooms as often as they would like. But the individual teachers are carrying on in these subjects as a part of the weekly teaching program.
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As a supplement to instruction in the classroom, the various classes last spring took field trips. Directed toward the same ends are the special programs that enliven the routine now and then throughout the year.
It is vital that our boys and girls listen to directions, work with accurate performance, and complete the work to be done in the allotted class time. Children must not get the idea that work can be finished at home and that therefore class time is not as important as it would otherwise be. Good working habits must begin in Grade one and con- tinue through the grades.
Homework for grades four through six is an academic necessity. It is the child's responsibility to do the homework and bring it to school the next morning. Homework for the first three grades is assigned only upon occasion; in a few instances the teacher gives an assignment specifically to some individuals who may profit by it.
Parents should encourage the children to read by surrounding them with good reading material. This can be done by supplying them with books for a personal library or by leading them to draw books from the public library. Reading at home is for enjoyment and should not take the form of a "lesson", for then it would become laborious and less interesting, and the desire to read would be lost.
These school and home habits of work must be well grounded in preparation for the years of higher learning.
If in the middle of a marking period a child is failing a subject, the parents will be notified by the office. If they wish, a conference with the teacher will be arranged.
Parents are free to call the school and ask for a conference at any time they desire to do so.
At this time I should like to take the opportunity to say "thank you" on behalf of the faculty and myself, to all who have helped to make the past year a rewarding one.
Respectfully submitted,
MAUDE S. WASHBURN,
Principal
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ยท
GUIDANCE REPORT
To the Superintendent of Schools:
I hereby submit my report for the school year 1961-1962.
As was the case last year, the continuance of the National Defense Education Act has enabled us to further expand the services and facili- ties of the Guidance Department. This includes equipment, testing, reference materials, and vital guidance information of an occupational. nature.
We shall continue our testing program and also expand this area as much as possible. Testing will cover achievement, ability and inter- est. Used in proper focus, tests can enable us to better place students into proper courses and levels, commensurate with his abilities.
As has been true in the past, every effort will be made to see each student at least once during the school year. When the need arises, a student may visit the Guidance Office at any time. Parents are like- wise invited to visit the Guidance Office. When parents, faculty and guidance personnel work together on a particular problem, much can be accomplished in the educational, social and emotional interests of a student. The number of parents who have already visited this office has been most gratifying.
This school year has already seen a close working relationship established with personnel of the Medfield State Hospital. This is a fortunate situation enabling our school system to have guidance that provides greater depth in its counseling services, a situation not always found in every community.
Plans are in the formative stage for the school to enter into a cooperative venture with Northeastern University, whereby we will have a series of vocational career days with selected speakers who will present the latest developments in eighteen different vocational areas, professional and non-professional. In addition, a collection of voca- tional career tapes will be made a permanent resource of this office, with teachers and guidance personnel using this means to still further broaden the horizons of our students.
A follow-up study will be made of our graduates at regular inter- vals in order that we may ascertain what additional services and assist- ance may be provided them. Such a procedure as this can be of ines- timable help in evaluating and improving our guidance program, and very often returns information of value for curriculum modification.
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The role of guidance should be the systematic attempt to help students solve their problems and make adjustments to various situa- tions which they meet.
One closing item that I think important. Throughout our land today there is a demand that educators uncover and identify the able student. To this idea we subscribe, and efforts will be made in this direction. However, one concept held by guidance personnel here is the adherence to the concept of individual worth, regardless of ability, background or adjustment. Therefore, we shall make ourselves res- ponsible for stimulating maximum development of the student of average or below average ability.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN B. DAVIDSON,
Director
REPORT OF THE MEDFIELD SCHOOL HEALTH PROGRAM FOR 1961
To the Superintendent of Schools:
In planning the school health program we have tried to improve and maintain the health of all children within the school system.
Duties of the School Health Personnel:
1. Physical examinations of the new pupils and pupils not having had a physical examination within three years. Also, frequent examinations of children with continuing problems.
2. Consultations with the faculty on psychological problems and emotional problems which keep the child from having good social adjustments.
3. Helping with the handicapped children and children who need special handling due to varying degrees of retardation.
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4. Control of communicable diseases, rendering First Aid; estab- lishing good personal hygiene among the pupils and making home visits when necessary.
5. Tuberculin Tests of selected grades were made by the school physician.
6. Arrangements were made with the State Department of Dental Health whereby a State Dental Hygienist presented an illus- trated program on dental care and needs to all children through the Junior High grades.
In the spring a Pre-School Clinic was held for the purpose of registering pupils entering public school for the first time in Sep- tember.
Purpose of early registration:
1. To examine the children entering school for the first time and to discuss health problems with parents.
2. To give the parent and child an opportunity to become ac- quainted with the school personnel and surroundings.
3. To help the School Department ascertain and plan for the number of children entering school in September.
Most of the pupils were found to be healthy, with only a few needing medical follow up. The major needs were dental.
Vision and Hearing Tests are given at some time during the year to all pupils. Notices are sent to parents if a child fails to pass either of these tests. The tests are merely a screening process. If any child shows symptoms of eye difficulty or hearing loss, parents should not wait for the next school examination, but have medical attention when the problem is discovered.
The Norfolk Tuberculosis School Clinic performed skin testing for tuberculosis in certain grades. This was made possible by the Norfolk County Hospital in cooperation with the School Department, the Board of Health and the Norfolk County Tuberculosis and Health Associa- tion. The purpose of this testing program is to find any children who have been infected with tuberculosis and to give advice, when neces- sary, how best to combat the infection. If a positive reaction is found, necessary arrangements are made for pupils and all other members of the family to be examined and x-rayed. Transportation and arrangements to be x-rayed were made for all food handlers, and school personnel who had not been x-rayed within three years. They were examined at the Norfolk County Hospital.
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Arrangements were made this year for the Mobile Tuberculosis Unit to come to the Medfield School. All the school personnel who had not been x-rayed within three years were x-rayed at this time.
A Dental Clinic is conducted at the Memorial School by Dr. Elliot Kirschbaum and the School Nurse under the supervision of the Board of Health. All elementary grade pupils are examined and notices sent home when defects are found.
Because of the continuing growth of the school population and the necessity for more and more detailed record keeping, it may not be possible to complete all of the above-mentioned tests before the end of the fiscal year.
On the whole, the children are healthy, happy and well-adjusted. Every effort is being made to maintain and improve the health of the school children.
We thank everyone who helped carry out the above program.
Respectfully submitted,
A. RITCHEY STAGG, M.D. MADELEINE I. HARDING, R.N. CLAIRE SMITH, R.N.
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TOWN CLERK'S REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1961
VITAL STATISTICS
IMPORTANT NOTICE
Chapter 46 of the General Laws of Massachusetts requires that every physician shall within fifteen days after the birth at which he has officiated, report the same to the Town Clerk of the Town in which the birth took place.
Parents within forty days after the birth of a child and every householder, within forty days after a birth in his house shall cause notice thereof to be given to the Town Clerk of the Town in which the birth took place.
Failure to give such notice is punishable with a fine.
Blanks for the return may be obtained upon application to the Town Clerk.
Parents and others are requested to carefully examine the follow- ing lists and if there are any errors or omissions, report such at once to the Town Clerk. This is important so that we may have as accurate and complete a record of Vital Statistics as possible.
BIRTHS RECORDED IN MEDFIELD DURING THE YEAR 1961
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