USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Leicester > Town annual reports of officers of the town of Leicester, Massachusetts 1961 > Part 9
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Curricula in liberal arts, technical college, commercial
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ANNUAL REPORT
secretarial, commercial clerical, general academic, industrial arts, and household arts all lead to corresponding diplomas in our high school program. The division of students into classes of similar abilities and interest offers the opportunity of en- richment and acceleration that otherwise is not possible. This placement offers programs to the pupils to study in areas of his interests where he can enjoy success and this will en- courage him to remain in school until he graduates.
The disadvantages of offering courses to the many abil- ities of the students, however, are found where the desires of some students to subscribe to courses that do not challenge their abilities and where the parents of these students con- sent to the selection of a program that is not demanding on the pupil's effort or ability. The excuse that a more difficult course "demands too much outside work and interferes with his outside activities" does not justify a student wasting his time in school.
A pupil in the fifth grade is expected to do one-half hour of homework each night. This is increased to one hour in grade six, one and one-half hours in grade seven, and two hours in grade eight. At the high school level, a forty minute homework assignment is given daily in every class that re- quires outside preparation. These assignments are in addition to seat work that has not been completed by the student in school.
In the elementary area, pupils are assigned to classes without regard to achievement in the first four grades. Group- ings within the classes enable pupils to advance according to their various abilities. This also enables the slow starter to adjust in the lower grades and then advance according to his academic success.
Starting in the fifth grade students are assigned to classes according to their records of achievement. Assign- ments are not made according to ability alone nor is the program directed toward the gifted child only.
Achievement grouping includes consideration of ability, effort, interest, and study skills. It requires the recommenda- tions of the teacher and the guidance counselor. It is per- manent only as long as long as the success of the pupil in the class is continued. No particular honor should be accorded to
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the student of the accelerated and enriched class; no stigma should be attached to the students of the regular classes.
Starting in grade six, the academic programs are ar- ranged on a departmental basis. Here, a pupil studies each subject with a teacher who is a specialist in the particular area. This program also allows the pupil to gradually adjust to the fully departmentalized program of the high school.
Questions are frequently raised in regard to how much a pupil misses when he is absent from school. Of course, if the absence is for a good reason, classwork that is missed can be made up. A single day's absence may require six days after school, within a period of two weeks, to make up the work that has been missed.
The program of making up work that has been missed through unnecessary absences is left to the discretion of the teacher concerned.
Time missed from school when a pupil is suspended may not be made up. In all cases when work is missed due to absences and not made up within the required time, the pupil receives a zero for every class each day and this is computed in establishing the student's average.
As difficult as it is for me to report on the adequacy of our school plants, it must be said at this time that the class- rooms that are available will be two rooms short of our needs next fall. By rearranging our assignments at the Memorial School and by utilizing available space in the high school, all classes will be on regular schedules at that time.
The following will allow you to compare the existing elementary school facilities with the classroom requirement for the fall of 1962 and 1963:
Memorial School 20 rooms 12
Center School Cherry Valley School
7
Rochdale School
4 . "
Total : 43
-
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Present school year :
Memorial School: Grades I-II-III-IV-V-V-V-VI-VI-VI-VI-VII VII-VII-VII-VIII-VIII-VIII-VIII-Special Class Total : 20 rooms
Center School: Grades I-I-I-II-II-II-III-III-IV-IV-V- Special Class Total : 12 rooms
Cherry Valley School: Grades I-II-III-IV-V-VI-VII
Total
7 rooms
Rochdale School: Grades I-II-III-IV Total : 4 rooms
Elementary Grand Total : 43 rooms
September 1962:
Memorial School: Grades I-II-III-IV-V-V-V-V-VI-VI-VI-VI VII-VII-VII-VII-VIII-VIII-VIII-VIII-
VIII- Special Class
Total:22 rooms
Center School: Grades : I-I-I-II-II-II-III-III-III-IV-IV Special Class Total 12 rooms
Cherry Valley School: Grades I-II-III-IV-V-VI-VII Total : 7 rooms
Rochdale School: Grades: I-II-III-IV Total : 4 rooms
Elementary Grand Total: 45 rooms
September 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 Total : 22 rooms
Center School: Grades I-I-I-II-II-II-III-III-III-IV-IV-IV- Special Class Total : 13 rooms
Cherry Valley School: Grades I-II-III-IV-V-VI-VII Total : 7 rooms
Rochdale School: Grades I-II-III-IV Total : 4 rooms
Elementary Grand Total: 46 rooms
This outline points to the need of some consideration being given to a survey to determine future classroom con-
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ANNUAL REPORT
struction, the academic area needed, the number of facilities, and the location.
Since our new high school has opened, a great deal of interest has been directed to the shop and homemaking areas. These areas and their activities serve a great need in our stu- dent body and must not be confused with the purposes served by trade schools.
Industrial Education is comprised of two general areas- vocational education and industrial arts. They are both con- cerned with materials, processes, concepts and problems of industry. They differ from each other in purpose, and, to some degree, in method and they deal with two distinct groups of pupils or with the same pupils at two different stages of learning.
Vocational Education is a phase of specific vocational training designed to train prospective industrial workers and tradesmen for proficiency in industrial or trade vocations. Its interest is centered about those youths who have definitely chosen an industrial or trade occupation as their means of earning a livelihood and its basic aim is vocational training.
Industrial Art is a phase of general education designed to develop certain habits, attitudes, and abilities desirable for all citizens of an industrial civilization regardless of their vocations. It should provide the pupils with experiences that will aid them in understanding factors that concern the in- dustry that surrounds them, in exploring their aptitudes for industrial occupations, in developing interests in modern in- dustry, in finding a desirable means of expressing their nat- ural urge for constructive activities, and in developing good habits of attacking problems.
The former (Vocational Education) is the area that con- cerns our trade schools; the latter (Industrial Arts) is that area of education that concerns our comprehensive high schools.
In application the exploratory phase of industrial edu- cation has a good foundation in our elementary program. Sev- eral students have become interested in a vocational educa- tion and have applied and have been accepted as trade school students. Others, who have applied, have not been accepted
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and must continue their education at Leicester High School. For these pupils we must offer some program of education. For them we now offer programs of Industrial Arts for both boys and girls.
The maintenance program of the public schools was cur- tailed during the year as it was necessary to devote our at- tention to the high school. A great deal of attention was re- quired in this building as is typical when any new building is first opened. It is expected that the maintenance program will resume its normal activity soon. It it planned to restore a classroom or an equivalent area every seven years.
To the members of the school committee; the officers and members of our parent-teacher associations, Mothers' Club and Drum Corps Associates; to the students, teachers, clerks, custodians, bus drivers, cafeteria workers, nurse and physici- ans of our schools; to the town officials, town departments, and citizens of Leicester; and to all who contributed to the support of our schools, their activities and their programs, I offer my deep and sincere appreciation and gratitude.
Respectfully submitted,
EDMUND F. TIERNEY, Superintendent of Schools.
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ANNUAL REPORT
Report of Leicester High School
"Ave atque vale"-"Hail and farewell." It was thus that the Romans expressed themselves two thousand years ago, and it was with the same mixed emotions we used the expression in 1961. Hail to the new and modern Leicester High School, and farewell to the building which had been alma-mater to hundreds of Leicester students for the past two decades. It was a year of transition, a year of long dreams coming true, and through it all, a year of achievement.
The class of 1961 was the last to receive diplomas in the old building.
Basketball was the first athletic endeavor in the year of 1961 and proved to be the greatest season in the history of the school in any sport. The team, coached by Mr. Rowden, won 20 straight games without defeat and added their third straight championship in the Western Worcester County League during this skein. At the end of the regular league season, they added three more wins to their record in annex- ing the Clark University Tournament crown ( also for the third straight year) and finally climaxed a truly sensational year by being selected to take part in the Western Massachu- setts Tournament at Springfield College. Here the fates mo- mentarily deserted them and they dropped a heart breaking 52-50 decision to a strong Pittsfield High quintet.
It was fitting that the basketball court in the old build- ing should have seen its last high school team round out its 20 years of service in such a magnificent fashion. The cur- rent team, the 1961-1962 edition, is operating in its beautiful new and spacious gymnasium, and, while not quite as potent as its predecessor, has a fine seven and one record and has yet to taste defeat in its own league. At the present writing Leicester has won 42 straight games of league play over a three year span.
The junior-varsity squad, ably handled by Mr. Argento, restricted its membership to freshmen and sophomores, and also enjoyed a highly successful season. Many future stars learned the basic skills and fundamentals of team play and should be invaluable to future varsity teams.
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Girls basketball and softball teams were coached by Miss Mary Scannell and the teams played representative schedules with area teams. The new building, affording, as it does, splendid facilities for regular physical education classes should be a real help in the coming years in girls sports. Already the girls basketball team, with Miss Barbara Morrison coach- ing, is able to enjoy regular practice sessions on both the var- sity and junior varsity level, while the younger girls learn basic fundamentals of this and many other athletic activities in their regular gym classes. This is just one more area where the facilities of the new building are enabling our stu- dents to enjoy a well rounded program.
Mr. Tivnan handled the reins of the 1961 baseball team and while the winner's crown eluded them in the Western Worcester County League they did come in a very commend- able second and enjoyed a most satisfactory season. Mr. Comer had an enthusiastic group out for track and the team proved especially proficient in the running events. They too had a very successful season.
Despite the loss of the nucleus of the 1960 iron-man eleven, the 1961 football team, under coaches Paige Rowden and Vite Pigaga, employed many new faces in their line-up and managed to come through with a very creditable showing.
Inexperience was the main draw back of this team, but the squad, which numbered over forty, gained vaulable ex- perience and should be ready to scale the gridiron heights again in a season or two. Many freshmen and sophomores were suited up for games on Saturday and for daily practice. Although many of these saw little game action, they learned invaluable lessons of fundamentals and team play and should help materially in the success of teams of the near future.
The cheerleaders, as usual, worked indefatigably to back the teams at all games and climaxed their season by appearing in the David Prouty Tournament in Spencer. Much credit is due these girls for the inspiration they afford our teams and the school spirit they engender in the student body.
As usual the spring season was high lighted socially by the annual Junior Prom and Senior Dinner Dance. Both events were, as usual, highly successful affairs. Spring also saw the seniors make their annual trip to New York and
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ANNUAL REPORT
Washington. The class was accompanied by Principal and Mrs. Edward L. Skelley and Miss Mary O'Neil as chaperones. The journey to the nation's capitol was thoroughly enjoyed by all.
The school paper, The Arrow, is written and edited as an extra curricular project and is mimeographed in the Office Practice Class. Items of interest to the student body are featured. As public relation projects, of this self support- ing activity, the paper is sent free to former students in the armed forces or those who have moved from town.
The purpose of the Debating Club is to help students to formulate ideas, to develop logical thinking, and to practice good oral expression. The media for this work are round table discussions and formal debates. The discussions have as their topics matters concerning teenage problems, while the debates are concerned with social problems of a wider scope.
The Driver Education Program assisted fifty-two persons in obtaining their licenses, and fifty-three eligible students received insurance reduction certificates which allowed them to receive a fifty percent reduction on their compulsory in- surance surcharge. According to state requirements a stu- dent becomes eligible for a reduction certificate after he has successfully completed thirty classroom hours and twelve hours of practical training. A total of sixty students received behind-the-wheel training.
The Industrial Arts Department assisted in the classroom phase of the training by conducting demonstrations of the essential mechanical features of the automobile. The addi- tional facilities at the high school gave all the students who were sophomores, juniors, and seniors an opportunity to take the course and it offered garage space for the driver training car.
Mr. E. Jay Tierney, certified instructor, conducted the course.
The school yearbook, the Maroon, had as its co-editors, Richard Kennedy and Kathleen Kane. A total of $1694.97 was raised through the sale of candy and book covers, the annual drive for advertising among local merchants, and
:
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subscription receipts from underclassmen.
The publisher was the Taylor Yearbook Company of Dallas, Texas, and Loring Studio was the class photographer.
Recently receiving recognition was the 1960 Maroon which received a Class II grading from the Boston University School of Journalism. This entitled it to a Superior Achieve- ment Award.
The Senior Class of Leicester High School presented a three-act comedy this year on December 8. It was presented at the Leicester Town Hall and proceeds are used for expenses of the class trip to Washington in the spring. Miss Mary O'Neill directed the play.
The cast of the play entitled, "Miss Alma Mater", con- sisted of : Ronald Baker, William Kennedy, Donald Sampson, David Smith, Robert Smith, Susan Griffith, Suzanne Shepard, Christine Wojiechowski, Heather McDonald, Sally Russell, Mary Ann Smedley, Fredel Jordan, Carol Pierce.
The Leicester High School Chapter of the National Honor Society entered its eight year of existence. The purpose of this organization is to foster excellence in scholarship, citizen- ship, and leadership. Membership is attained by students who maintain honor grades in all subjects for three consecutive semesters and have exhibited qualities of leadership, cooper- ation, and citizenship. Seven seniors were awarded society pins at graduation in honor of their achievement. The follow- ing students comprise the present membership of the group: Seniors : Carolyn Creswell, David Steelman; Juniors: Jane Chad, Cornelia Salminen, Judith Shepard, Ann Toomey, Leonora Van Hook.
Respectfully submitted,
EDWARD L. SKELLEY, Principal.
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ANNUAL REPORT
Report of the Guidance Department
Mr. Thomas F. King, Jr., Guidance Director, and Mr. E. Jay Tierney, Guidance Counselor, have been actively en- gaged in guidance in the elementary and secondary levels re- spectively. Both have been assisted by Dr. Howard Slepien and the Child Guidance Clinic where the needs of particular stu- dents or families go beyond the scope of programs normally offered in public schools.
The graduating class of 1961 at Leicester High School had a total of twenty-seven students who were accepted to schools of higher learning and further training. This group amounted to 40.3% of the graduates. It is interesting to note that twenty-four liberal arts and technical college diplomas were awarded in June and twenty-three went on to higher education ; seventeen to four year colleges and six to junior col- leges. Five members of the class entered the armed forces, four entered schools of vocational training, and thirty-one are gainfully employed.
Status
Frequency
Percentage 25.4
Four year college
17
Junior college
6
8.9
Vocational Training
4
6.0
Employed
31
46.3
Armed Forces
5
7.4
At home
4
6.0
67
100.0
The guidance program encompasses activities for all students in grades one through twelve to assist the pupils to adjust to the demands of the total school program. The need for guidance becomes greater as the various academic and social complexities that affront today's students also increase. The object of the program is therefore, to assist the students in recognizing their potential, to offer them an opportunity of selecting a vocational area, and to continue to counsel the students in attaining their desired goal. This end is reached with the co-operation of the parents, teachers, and ad- ministrators whose decisions assure the students that they.
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ANNUAL REPORT
may enjoy the benefits of a total growth that is in keeping with their natural abilities, aptitudes and interest.
Diagnostic reading tests were given to the children of the first and second grades; 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 interests. The General Aptitude Test Battery, including sections for typing and dictation, provides valuable information for pros- pective employers of these students who plan to terminate their formal education after completing high school.
.Group intelligence tests are given annually to the stu- dents of grades 1, 3, 6, 8, and 11 and also an individual basis to students who transfer in to our system or as special studies may require.
The National Educational Development Test are admin- istered in the spring to those ninth and tenth graders who are interested in comparing their abilities in the five areas tested with other freshman and sophomores tested nationally. The results give the parents, teachers, and administrators an op- portunity to judge the student's performance and potential in terms of community and national standards.
The National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test is ad- ministered 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 education by offering financial awards to those who are qualified.
The Preliminary College Board Examinations help 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 usefulness of this test, because it gives the counselor an advanced indication of how our students would stand nationally and locally among other college bound students, and how they compare with
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present freshman at colleges to which these students will be applying.
On the elementary level, guidance is concerned with prob- lems that are associated with the adjustment to school pro- grams, activities and behavior; the testing programs to evalu- ate a pupil's progress in terms of his learning capacities ; and the adjustments of emotional disturbances that occur at vari- ous levels in our schools.
Respectfully submitted,
THOMAS F. KING, JR., Guidance Director.
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ANNUAL REPORT
Report of the School Nurse
The following is the annual report of the School Health Program for the year 1961. Routine health work in the public schools was carried out as follows:
Weighed and measured 1,480
First aid and children seen as referrals
940
Visions Tests (72 failed, 44 corrected) 1,480
Hearing Tests (43 failed, 20 corrected)
1,472
April registration-grade one
128
Physical examinations
539
Physically handicapped children
36
Home visits
148
Children transported home because of illness
110
Children attending Speech Therapy Class
8
Mantoux Testing-sponsored by Southern Worcester County Health Association
(35 positive reactions) 1,314
Influenza innoculations to school personnel
84
Tetanus innoculations to athletic teams
28
Respectfully submitted,
MRS. MATILDA S. JUBINVILLE, R.N.
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ANNUAL REPORT
Report of the Drum Corps
As of December 31, 1961, the Leicester Schools' All Girl Drum Corps had a membership of seventy girls. The corps did not attend as many competitions in 1961 as it usually does and did not win any championships. We hope to do bet- ter in 1962.
The big event of the year for the corps was a week's trip to Atlantic City, New Jersey in June where it took part in a parade for Lions International Convention and Junior Drum Corps Competition. The Leicester corps placed fourth and its color guard placed second, missing first place by one point. The Leicester Lions Club sponsored the drum corps for the event.
After twelve years of work with the drum corps, Mr. Russell Stone had to resign from the corps because of busi- ness pressure. We all hated to see him leave. Mr. Stone was the bugle and drill instructor. Mr. Robert G. Auger of 267 Clarendon St., Fitchburg, Mass. will replace Mr. Stone and perform the same duties.
The annual banquet was held in October at the Hillcrest Country Club. Mr. Edward LeVeen, Jr., who first sponsored the formation of a girls corps in the school system was the guest speaker. Mr. Russell Stone was master-of-ceremonies. Invited guests were members of the Leicester School Com- mittee and Mr. Albert Berthiaume, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen. Trophies were awarded to the corps members who had perfect attendance at all corps commitments and to two graduates, namely Beverly Desautels and Nancy Johnson, who completed nine years of service to the corps.
I wish at this time, to extend thanks to everybody who helped in any way to make this corps a success. The School Committee, the Superintendent of Schools, Mr. Paul Leahy, for his generous donation of color-guard equipment, the Lei- cester Lions Club and the Leicester Drum Corps Association. Also the corps supervisors, Miss Paula McGrail, Mrs. Royal Morrison, Sr., Mrs. Lester Fyffe, and Mrs. George Grant. Also to my wife Agnes for her able assistance to me in my work.
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ANNUAL REPORT
The drum corps trophies that the corps has won in com- petition in the past years are now on display in all the schools in the Town of Leicester.
Respectfully submitted,
HARRY J. NEWELL, SR., General Manager.
DRUM CORPS
Balance January 1, 1961
$ 27.55
Receipts:
Sprague, Conn.
34.80
Lions International
100.00
Rutland, Mass.
100.00
East Brookfield, Mass.
100.00
Worcester Lions Club
100.00
Ware, Mass.
150.00
584.80
$ 612.35
Expenditures:
Transportation
325.49
Banquet-Hillcrest
286.86
612.35
SCHOOL BAND
Balance January 1, 1961
64.60
Balance December 31, 1961
64.60
1
SCHOOL CAFETERIAS
Cash on hand January 1, 1961
$ 2,221.93
Income:
Childrens' Sales
U.S.D.A. Claims
$40,411.45 15,567.37
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ANNUAL REPORT
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