USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Leicester > Town annual reports of officers of the town of Leicester, Massachusetts 1961 > Part 18
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Best All Around Boy Award David Carl Steelman
Leicester Teachers Association Scholarships
Noreen Fitzgibbons William Charles Kennedy, Jr. Susan Louise Griffith David Arthur Smith
Leicester Mothers' Club Scholarship Fredel Jordan
Arthur D. LaMotte Memorial Award
David Carl Steelman
Beacon Pharmacy Inc. Scholarship Award Mary Ann Smedley
NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY AWARDS
David Carl Steelman
Karin Ida Neuvonen
Carolyn May Creswell Mary Lou Williams
ELEMENTARY
On June 13, 1962, a class of one hundred and five stu- dents was graduated in appropriate exercises in the Memorial School Auditorium.
Class of 1962
Dennis Michael Anderson James Bernard Argentati Merico Edward Argentati Andrew Michael Aroian Mary Rita Barriere George Albert Barthelmes, Jr.
Elaine Louise Beauregard Richard Page Bembridge
Frank Paul Gryncewicz Mary Jane Hadley Frederick Gerald Hebert Jacqueline Ann Henderson Joann Clark Herholz Michael James Hobby Paul Jay Hopkins Ann Louise Hyytiainen Christine Joudrey
190
ANNUAL REPORT
Roger Paul Blanchard Nancy May Bliss Jenella Edwina Borden William Herbert Braley Sharon Louise Bridgford Susan Mae Brodeur Deborah Jane Burtt Edward William Burtt Robert Francis Canning Sheila Irene Carey Geraldine Ann Chicoine Victoria Chicoine Kathleen Julia Connery Dennis Michael Cooney Frances Louise Cote Gay Dallys Cranston. Thomas Peter Creswell Linda Marlene Marie Cutler William Louis Dandro John Albert Daoust Susan Jean de la Gorgendiere Barbara Louise DeStratis Lois Elliot Dorr Michael Edward Doyle Nancy Jean Drohan Dorothy Ann Dudley Nancy Therese Dufresne Dennis Ralph Erickson Ann Mary Ermanski Michael Edward Flynn Frederick Arthur Foley Richard Andrew Foley Paul Wilson Fortune Richard Paul Gagen Richard Allan Gale Daniel Lynn Gardner David Watson Gercken George Arthur Gleick Katherine Mary Goodwin James Robert Gordon Ronald Lester Granville Helen Ann Green Janet Frances Grieco Joan Ann Grout
Ann Elizabeth Kane Robert Anthony Kerr Betty Ann Kozlowski James Francis LaMonda Neil Edward Latour Leo Alfred Letourneau Bruce Gordon Macdonald Albert Stanley Martin, Jr. Dorothy Ann Mason Gail Ellen Mccluskey Gail Edith McCue Bernard Joseph McNamara Geraldine Ann McQuoid Richard William Mercer Pamela Ann Minckler Susan Linda Mullens Linda Munson Jean Shirley Niedzialkoski Susan Claire O'Donnell Bruce Stephen Phipps Ronald Kenneth Pierce Virginia Estelle Pierce Michael Walter Quinn Mary Elizabeth Reed Ralph Albert Remi Georgene Riedl Kenneth Armand Robert David Roland Robidoux Deborah Ann Robidoux Judith Mary Robidoux Gail Marie Rowden Jacqueline Ann St. Germain Gwynn Clair Schneider Christine Helen Sespaniak Samuel Theodore Sespaniak Jo Anne Sheehan Gail Elizabeth Smith George Borthwick Steeves Donna Lee Tinnerholm Shirley Mae Tobin Ronald John Ward David Whitney
Carl Einar Wicklund John Ernest Williams
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ANNUAL REPORT
AWARDS
Best All Around Boy Award Merico Edward Argentati
Best All Around Girl Award Helen Ann Green
D.A.R. Essay Contest-First Prize Linda Munson
Second Prize Kenneth Armand Robert
CLASS OFFICERS
President Frederick Gerald Hebert
Vice-President William Herbert Braley
Secretary Barbara Louise DeStratis
Treasurer Helen Ann Green
Class Marshal Daniel Philip Smith '63
Class Colors : Gold and White
Class Motto : Gratitude Enriches Life
1
192
ANNUAL REPORT
1660
1640
1620
1600
1580
1560
1540
1520
1500
1480
1460
1440
1420
1400
1380
1360
1340
1320
1300
1280
1260
1240
1220
1200
1180
1160
1140
1120
1100
1080
1060
1040
1020
1000
980
960
940
920
900
880
860
840
820
800
780
760
740
720
700
680
1942
1943
1944
1945
1946
1947
1948
1949
1950
1951
1952
1953
1954
1955
1956
1957
1958
1959
1960
1961
1962
193
ANNUAL REPORT
AGE-GRADE CHART
October 2, 1962
Age
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
Totals
Grade
1
36 135
8
179
2
21 116
14
2
153
3
28
98
23
3
152
4
15 106
19
5
2
1
148
5
24
96
19
9
8
156
6
31
73
18
9
7
1
139
20
73
21
12
3
129
8
36
68
21
11
5
141
Sp. Cl.
2
1
5
2
2
2
14
36 156 152 127 155 151 118 143 109
40
17
5
2
1211
9
4
36
58
27
6
3
134
10
36
82
15
5
138
11
2
41
46
13
4
106
12
23
29
10
62
4 36
96 150
90
50
14
440
36 156 152 127 155 151 1118 147 145 136 167
95
50
16
1651
Grand Totals
DISTRIBUTION BY SCHOOL
October 2, 1962
Grade
Memorial
Center
Cherry Valley
Rochdale
High School
Totals
1
26
92
32
29
179
2
25
78
31
19
153
3
29
68
29
26
152
4
25
70
29
24
148
5
124
32
156
6
115
24
139
7
108
21
129
8
116
25
141
Sp. Cl.
10
4
14
578
312
198
98
25
1211
9
134
134
10
137
137
11
107
107
12
62
62
Totals :
578
312
198
98
465
1651
194
ANNUAL REPORT
SUMMARY OF SCHOOL CENSUS
October 1
Birth-5 yrs.
5-7 yrs.
7-16 yrs.
Total
Yearly Increase
1958
961
386
1474
2821
40
1959
952
414
1553
2919
98
1960
961
396
1678
3035
116
1961
954
410
1684
3048
13
1962
925
458
1755
3138
90
Annually, at this time of year, thoughts are directed toward the placement of classes next September. Where there is a constant enrollment, this offers no problem; where the community is growing and larger enrollments are found in the lower grades than in the upper grades, it becomes in- creasingly more difficult to properly place the students and the grades and still maintain the desired academic standards that are so important today.
The following is an outline of the grade placement in the elementary area in the various buildings with a com- parison of the placement for the coming year :
1962-1963
Memorial School :
Grades I-II-III-IV-V-V-V-V-VI-VI-VI-VI-VII-VII-VII- VII-VIII-VIII-VIII-VIII, Special Class Equals 21 classes
High School: Grade VIII
Equal
1 class
Center School :
Grades I-I-I-II-II-II-III-III-III-IV-IV, Special Class Equals 12 classes
Cherry Valley School :
Grades I-II-III-IV-V-VI-VII
Equals 7 classes
Rochdale School :
Grades I-II-III-IV
Equals 4 classes
Total :
45 classes
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ANNUAL REPORT
1963-1964
Memorial School : Grades I-II-III-IV-IV (C) -V (M) -V (R)-V (C)-V (C)-VI-
VI-VI-VI-VII-VII-VII-VII-VIII- VIII-VIII-VIII-VIII (CV), Specials Class Equals 23 classes
Center School : Grades I-I-I-II-II-II-III-III-III-IV-IV, Special Class Equals 12 classes
Cherry Valley School :
Grades I-II-III-IV-V-VI-VII
Equals 7 classes
Rochdale School : Grades I-II-III-IV
Equals
4 classes
Rooms available
43
Shortage
3
Total :
46 classes
The Memorial School can accommodate one class above its normal capacity by using the rooms that are vacated when classes report for shop and homemaking. This class uses the stage in the auditorium for its home room.
Two extra classes have been scheduled in the building in the past by using the rooms vacated by classes while the students attend physical education programs. This proved to be unsatisfactory, however, when classes are not sched- uled for special activities and two programs have to be con- ducted in the cafeteria during the same period.
It is physically impossible to schedule three classes be- yond the capacity of the building.
There are only two alternate choices that can solve our housing problem next year. One is to increase the sizes of the classes to reduce the number of rooms that will be re- quired. The second is to again schedule a program of dou- ble sessions. Neither is satisfactory or educationally desira- ble. Neither program gives the students the activities he should have nor the teacher the facilities and school time that are necessary to conduct a normal educational schedule,
196
ANNUAL REPORT
Again, as was done in the report last year, I recom- mend that a committee should be established to study the classroom needs of the public schools so provisions can be made before the children are again subject to a long pro- gram of double sessions.
When schools are being discussed, questions are fre- quently asked that can be classified in general areas. It is hoped that the following information will serve to enlighten those who are interested and to refute those who repeat rumors and upsupported statements about our schools.
Leicester High School is fully accredited by the New England Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools and by the Massachusetts Department of Education. The former organization surveys the member schools once in every ten years by sending an evaluating team of educators into a school which reviews the courses of studies, curricu- lum, facilities, staff, extra-curricular programs, administra- tion, supervision, policies, etc.
The report of ths evaluating team is then studied and the certificate of the school is renewed, cancelled or condi- tionally granted depending on the circumstances. The high school faculty at this time is completing a self-evaluation of the school with the expectations that we will be visited next year by the official committee.
The teacher turn-over rate is high in Leicester. No comparative figures are available from surrounding com- munities so the statements will be restricted to our experi- ences in Leicester. During the last five years, forty-two teachers have resigned their positions in the Leicester Pub- lic Schools. Some of these were relatively new teachers; others were teachers with a great deal of experience and it is most difficult to replace these losses.
As a direct result, we have only forty-four out of eighty-six who are on tenure. In fact, twenty of our teach- ers are serving in their first appointment, fifteen are serv- ing in their second, and seven are serving in their third appointment. As we all know there is no substitute for experi- ence, this condition has been of great concern to us.
Our present staff of eighty-six teachers includes six
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ANNUAL REPORT
teachers who have no degree, fifty-three who have bachelor degrees, and twenty-seven who have master degrees,
A candidate files an application with the superintend- ent of schools who reviews the qualifications of the person in terms of the existing vacancies. The best qualified candi- dates are then invited to a meeting of the school committee. After the interviews are completed by the school committee, the superintendent of schools makes his recommendations to the committee, and the school committee nominates and votes the election of the teacher. The following are the Teacher Appointment Requirements as revised on April 14, 1961:
The requirements necessary for a candidate to be con- sidered as an applicant for a teacher appointment to the Leicester Public Schools are as follows:
1. He must have received a bachelor degree from a recog- nized college.
2. He must have completed at least 16 semester hours of study in the field of education with his major concentra- tion in the area of the vacancy.
3. He must have a teachers' certificate from the Massachu- setts Department of Education. (This shall not apply to persons employed or formerly employed by Massachu- setts school committees on the effective date of July 26, 1951.)
4. He must have successfully passed the Common Test of the National Teachers Examination with a minimum score of 50 as follows :
a.) Grades 1-3-Early Childhood Education
b.) Grades 1-8-(Straight Classes) Education in the Elementary School
c.) Grades 7-8-(Departmental) In the subject area of the vacancy
d.) High School-In the subject area of the vacancy
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ANNUAL REPORT
Optional examination scores will be required in the fol- lowing areas :
1. Education in the Elementary School
2. Early Childhood Education
3. Biology and General Science
4. English Language and Literature
5. Industrial Arts Education
6. Mathematics
7. Chemistry, Physics and General Science
8. Social Studies
9. Physical Education
10. Business Education
11. Music Education
12. Home Economics Education
13. Art Education
No promotions or change of area assignments will be approved for teachers now in service unless the candidate successfully passes the common test and/or appropriate optional tests.
Some teachers in the Leicester Public Schools do not meet the full appointment requirements. When these candi- dates were appointed, fully qualified candidates were not available.
Twenty-three of our teachers fail to satisfy the require- ments of the Leicester School Committee or the Massachu- setts Teacher Certification Law. All of these teachers, how- ever, are completing programs to comply with all appoint- ment and certification requirements.
The average length of service in the Leicester Public Schools of all teachers, supervisors, and principals is five years and two months.
Of the 1962 Leicester High School graduating class of seventy-six students, thirty-two or 42.1 percent, were ac- cepted at schools of higher learning. Further follow-up studies reveal the following pertinent statistics :
Status
Four-year college
Number 11
Percentage 14.5
Junior college
13
17.1
199
ANNUAL REPORT
Vocational Training
8
10.5
Employed
37
48.7
Armed Forces
5
6.6
Other
2
2.6
76
100.00
Guidance services in the Leicester Public Schools at elementary and secondary levels have been actively offered by Mr. William J. Gannon, Jr. and Mr. E. Jay Tierney, certified guidance counselors. At both levels, counseling services have been supplemented, where the needs of the particular student or family transcends the scope of pro- grams normally offered by public schools, by the assistance of Dr. Howard Slepian, psychological consultant, and the Child Guidance Clinic.
The program is made available to all students in the system, emphasizing those age groups whose need for guid- ance is increased as the social and academic complexities are increased. With the continued cooperation of the parent, the student, and the school, each child has the opportunity of developing his potential in a course of study which is geared to his individual needs and will assist him in pursu- ing a post-high school career.
The Harrison-Stroud Reading Readiness Test was ad- ministered to all first graders to ascertain their familiarity with and facility in dealing with the basic reading skills. It is used to assist the classroom teacher in grouping the chil- dren into initial "reading groups." The Iowa Tests of Basic Skills were administered from grades three through eight; and the Iowa Tests of Educational Development were given to all high school students. The Kuder Preference Tests assists the pupils and the counselor to establish areas of vocational interest. The General Aptitude Test Battery, in- cluding sections for typing and dictation, provides valuable information for prospective employers of these students who plan to terminate their formal education after complet- ing high school.
The California Tests of Mental Maturity, group intelli- gence tests, were administered to grades 1, 3, 6, 8, and 11 and to students transferring into the system. Individual Intelligence Scales, Wechsler and Binet, are given when the
200
ANNUAL REPORT
situation requires more meaningful results than can be ob- tained from a group intelligence test. The Wechsler or Binet scale was administered to special class students.
The National Educational Development Tests are ad- ministered in the spring to those ninth and tenth graders who are interested in comparing their abilities in the five areas tested with other freshmen and sophomores who are tested nationally. The results give the parents, teachers, and administrators an opportunity to judge the student's per- formance and potential in terms of community and national standards.
The National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test is administered to eleventh graders who have prepared for future educational opportunities by selecting proper courses of study. This test is a means of measuring readiness for college in both aptitude and attainment. Its purpose is to discover those bright youngsters who have applied their abilities, and to encourage them to obtain a college educa- tion by offering financial awards to those who are qualified.
The Preliminary College Board Examination helps the students to determine their chance for college admission by measuring their verbal and mathematical abilities. This test is similar to the Scholastic Aptitude Test which is used by many colleges as one way of comparing the academic promise of applicants. This similarity is the key to the use- fulness of this test, because it gives the counselor an ad- vanced indication of how our students would stand nation- ally and locally among other college bound students, and how they compare with present freshmen at colleges to which these students will be applying.
In summary, guidance concerns itself with the prob- lems arising from or manifested in maladjustment to school programs and activities. The testing program is found use- ful in evaluating a pupil's progress in terms of his projected learning capacities as made manifest by previous testing and classroom performances. Guidance also concerns itself with assisting the individual student in making the neces- sary adjustments within the school situation which will cul- minate in a well-adjusted and productive school environ- ment.
201
ANNUAL REPORT
Routine work in the school health department was car- ried out as follows :
Physical examinations : 574
Number of children referred for further
diagnosis 14
Number of children completed referral
4
Vision Tests
1,587
Number of children failed test
75
Number of children seen by eye specialist
46
Hearing Tests
1,580
Number of children failed
25
Number of children seen by ear specialist
5
Mantoux Tests (T.B.)
439
Positive
20
Not read because of absence
20
X-rays
20
Influenza innoculations to school personnel
98
Tetanus innoculations to football players
18
Number of Physically Handicapped uhildren
42
Number of children in special speech class
7
Number of children transported home because of illness
150
Number of home visits
86
Number of children weighed and measured
1,572
First aid and children seen as referrals
856
Abrasions
303
Headaches
94
Colds
108
Sore throats
38
Vertigo
4
Chipped teeth
3
Fractures
2
Sprains
45
Earaches
42
Toothaches
58
Stomach aches
87
Head Injuries (bumps)
36
Impetigo
3
Eye Injury
1
Lacerations
3
Number of children taken to hospital for treatment resulting from accidents at school 8
Chicken Pox
21
202
ANNUAL REPORT
The 1962 basketball team, coached by Mr. Rowden, again won the Western Worcester League Championship for the fourth consecutive season. The team extended their undefeated streak to 52 straight wins in league competition. The overall season record was 17 wins and 3 defeats. Addi- tional honors were added when the team was chosen as one of the eight teams from Worcester and Worcester County to participate in the first annual District Three Tournament.
Highlights of the season : handing Grafton High School its only defeat of the season at the opening at the New Leicester High School Gymnasium, and a come from behind win over David Prouty at Spencer, for the third consecutive year.
The junior-varsity squad, handled by Mr. Argento, en- joyed a highly successful season. Many future stars learned the basic skills and fundamentals of team play which will be invaluable to future varsity teams.
The girls basketball and softball teams, ably coached by Miss Barbara Morrison, enjoyed one of the finest seasons achieved in recent years.
Mr. Lucier's baseball team, comprised mostly of under- classmen had a successful season. The bulk of the squad will report for practice this spring and another winning season is anticipated.
The track team, coached by Mr. Comer, turned out for practice in record numbers. They eagerly participated in various track and field events, although not in any league, they heaped additional honors on the school.
The 1962 football team, with coaches Mr. Edward Gallagher and Mr. Joseph Carlomagno, concluded the sea- son by defeating the first place team in the league.
Hampered by inexperience throughout the season, the squad, which numbered over forty, gained the valuable ex- perience needed for the 1963 season. The bulk of the boys, being freshmen and sophomores, have learned fundamentals and team play through daily practice sessions and are eager- ly looking forward to the coming year.
-
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ANNUAL REPORT
The cheerleaders, under the direction of Miss Barbara Morrison, were an asset to the athletic program. They acted as an inspiration to the athletic teams during the various contests.
It should be noted that the cheerleaders not only in- spired the teams but conducted an assembly, attended by the entire school to instill pride and school spirit in the student body with the finesse and sharpness of their cheering lead- ership.
In March of 1962, the L.H.S. Cheerleaders won seventh place in the David Prouty Cheerleaders Tournament. Dur- ing May, cheerleading tryouts were held in the gym. For the first time, former cheerleaders acted as judges and a squad of eleven cheerleaders was chosen, which consisted of co-captains Carole Huntoon and Florence Valukas; and Sandra Leno, Norma Jacobson, Roberta Lyon, Marilyn Ber- thiaume, Christine Bercume, Diane Munson, Georgene Riedl, Linda Munson and Sandra Erickson. Before the first home football game, the cheerleaders held a bonfire rally and dance to help defray the expenses of new uniforms.
The class of 1963 presented its senior play on Friday, November 16, at the Leicester Town Hall under the direc- tion of Mrs. Irma K. Bosse. A melodrama with the tradi- tional hero, heroine, and villain, was enjoyed and partici- pated in not only by the cast, but also by the audience who hissed and clapped at the proper moments.
The play was titled "Little Nell, the Orphan Girl," and the funds collected from the production will aid the seniors in their future expenses, including the class trip. The cast included Ann Toomey, Paul Kennedy, Janice Scott, Corne- lia Salminen, Harold Carr, Jane Chad, James Bohlin, Susan Lennerton, Barbara Picard, Wayne Allen, Carol Tuiskula, Diane Klocek William Kelly, plus a bevy of nine. "Flap- pers."
The purpose of the Debating Club is to help students to formulate ideas, to develop logical thinking, and to prac- tice good oral expression. The media of this work are round table discussions, panel discussions, and formal debates. Discussion groups work mainly with problems of their own age group. Debates are concerned with contemporary social
204
ANNUAL REPORT
and political problems demanding intensive reading and research. The Debating Club is coached by Mrs. Virginia Emerson.
The annual round of social events took place as usual. In addition to the more formal Junior Prom and Senior Dinner Dance, there were periodic record hops, a Valentine Dance in the new cafeteria and for the first time a combina- tion bonfire rally and dance to usher in the football season.
The senior class took its annual trip to Washington with Mr. and Mrs. Skelley and Mr. and Mrs. William Shilale as chaperones. A good time was combined with a valuable educational experience touring the nation's capital.
The 1962 Maroon, school yearbook, was awarded a Highest Achievement in Scholastic Editing and Publishing rating by the Boston University Scholastic Press Associa- tion at its annual seminar held in October. The total cost of 260, 88 page copies of the yearbook was $1,727.25. Money was raised through subscriptions, advertising, and the sale of candy and book covers. The school photographer was Loring Studio, and Taylor Company of Dallas, Texas, was the publisher. Co-editors were Carolyn Creswell and David Steelman, Mr. James A. Tivnan was faculty advisor.
Sixty-five students received their license and/or insur- ance reduction certificate from the Driver Education pro- gram. To be eligible for a certificate a student must satis- factorily complete thirty classroom hours and twelve hours of practical training, six hours behind the wheel and six hours observing. A total of seventy-one students received behind the wheel training.
The National Honor Society entered its ninth year at Leicester High School and its members were recruited from those students whose semester grades were 85 or above for at least three consecutive semesters. In addition to excel- Ience in scholarship, members possessed qualities in leader- ship, cooperation, and citizenship. Carolyn Creswell, Karin Neuvonen, David Steelman, and Mary Lou Williams were awarded pins at graduation for achieving membership in the society. The following Juniors were members: Cornelia Salminen, Judith Shepard, and Ann Toomey; while these Sophomores qualified for admission into the society : Sandra
205
ANNUAL REPORT
Binnall, Joan Gervais, Norma Jacobson, Robert Pisarski, David Potter, Steven Sroka, and Susan Thompson.
I am grateful to the members of the school committee, the students, teachers, clerks, custodians, maintenance men, bus drivers, cafeteria workers, nurse, and physicians of our schools; the Leicester Teachers Association; the officers and members of the Parent-Teacher Associations the Moth- ers Club, the Drum Corps Associates; to the town officials, town departments, and citizens of Leicester; and to all who have assisted our schools, programs and activities, I offer my since gratitude and appreciation.
Respectfully submitted,
EDMUND F. TIERNEY,
Superintendent of Schools.
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