USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Mendon > Town annual reports of the officers of Mendon, Massachusetts 1953-1957 > Part 20
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During National Book Week, the teachers of Mendon School were invited to a reception and special preview of fifty new books. A social hour was enjoyed with a chance to browse through the library. The teachers cooperate with the library by taking deposits of books to their class- rooms for supplementary reading.
Many patrons have expressed their appreciation of the opening of the library on Monday afternoons; and it has proved helpful to students coming to the library for ref- erence work. We have acquired forty-three new readers this year, and interest has steadily increased.
May we thank the trustees and town officials for their interest and cooperation.
Respectfully submitted, VESTELLA M. DANIELS, Librarian.
77
FINANCIAL REPORT TAFT PUBLIC LIBRARY
Appropriation
$1,400.00
Expended:
Barney Coal Company
$ 184 59
Worcester County Electric Co. 38.02
Campbell and Hall Book Co.
188.56
Nathaniel Dame Book Co.
19.50
Goldberger Agency, Inc.
51.90
C. L. Goss
231.00
Mendon Post Office
2.70
Lester Hill
9.50
Edward T. Powers
5.00
Bro. Dart Industries
8.00
Gaylord Brothers
16.20
American Library Association
6.00
Vestella Daniels, expenses
and supplies 8.50
Vestella Daniels, Librarian
520.00
Raymond Dudley, Janitor
100.00
Total Expended
$1,389.47
Unexpended
10.53
$1,400.00
ANNUAL REPORT
Of The
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
And
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
Of The
TOWN OF MENDON MASSACHUSETTS
For The
Year Ending December 31, 1957
SCHOOL DIRECTORY .... 1956-1957
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Harry C. York, Chairman Gordon R. Good, Secretary Philip W. Harding
Term Expires 1959 Term Expires 1960 Term Expires 1958
Regular meetings are held at the High School Building on the second and fourth Thursday of each month at 7:30 P. M.
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS - PERCY L. ROWE, Boston University, B.S.E., Ed.M 79
The Superintendent may be met every Tuesday and Wednesday at the Mendon High School or by appointment.
Office-Center School, Bellingham Center Telephone, Milford 3725
Office Hours-4:00 P. M. to 5:00 P. M. on School days.
SCHOOL PHYSICIAN
Ronald Lukert, M.D. Telephone, Milford 3045
SCHOOL NURSE
Grace Moran, R.N.
Milford District Nursing Association
SCHOOL CUSTODIAN
William Hazard
Mendon, Mass.
TRANSPORTATION AGENTS
Harold C. Barrows
Mendon, Mass.
Harold Barrows, Jr.
Mendon, Mass.
ATTENDANCE OFFICER
William D. Rondeau
Mendon, Mass.
TEACHERS
Name Subject or Grade Preparation
Degree or Years
Years in 80
Town
Henry P. Clough, Principal Mathematics Dartmouth College and
B.S.
Thirtieth
French, Social Science New Hampshire University
Ed.M
Raymond F. Biedrzycki
Mathematics, Science Rhode Island State BS.
Twelfth
Gladys Morrison
Commercial Ed. Gray's Business College
First
Anne K. Davenport
Home Economics University of Social Science Massachusetts
B.S.
Second
Arlene C. Rovedo
English, Latin Worcester State B.S. Second
Teachers College
Catherine Whelen Alyce Youngson
Grade 6 Boston University A.B.
Fourth
Grade 5 Framingham State
B.S.E.
First
Teachers College
E Jane Coleman
Grade 4 Mass. School of Art B.S.E.
Sixth
Margaret C. Duren
Grade 3 Syracuse University
A.B.
Fourth
Grace Hutchinson
Grade 2 Framingham State
Two
Nineteenth
Teachers College
Grade 1 Perry Kindergarten
Two
Second
Normal R. I. College of Ed.
One
Commercial Ed. Regis College
A.B.
Second
Grade 5 Framingham State Teachers College
Two
Fifth
81
Lucille A. Rabidoux
Irene P. Smith (Resigned) Margaret Hubert (Resigned)
SUPERVISORS
Name
William L. Rinehart
Subject Preparation Handwriting University of Pittsburg A.M.
Degree or Years
Years in Town
Tenth
Christine Wilson
Music N. E. Conservatory
Three
Tenth
Marjorie W. Sheehan (Resigned)
of Music Art Cleveland Institute of Art Four First
82
83
SCHOOL CALENDAR FOR PERIOD
JANUARY, 1958 to JUNE, 1959
HIGH SCHOOL
OPEN
January 2, 1958 March 3, 1958 April 28, 1958
CLOSE February 21, 1958 April 18, 1958 June 20, 1958
SUMMER VACATION
September 3, 1958
January 5, 1959 March 2, 1959 April 27, 1959
December 23, 1958
February 20, 1959 April 17, 1959 June 19, 1959
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
Same as High School except:
Close June 13, 1958 Close June 12, 1959
SCHOOL NOT IN SESSION
Good Friday Observance, April 4, 1958 Memorial Day Observance, May 30, 1958 Columbus Day Observance, October 13, 1958 Teachers' Convention Day, November 7, 1958 Veterans' Day Observance, November 11, 1958 Thanksgiving Recess, November 27-28, 1958
84
AGE OF ADMISSION TO SCHOOL
Any child who becomes six years of age on or before January first of the year following the term when he wishes to enter school may be admitted into the first grade, but in every case the admission of a child under six shall be dependent upon the fitness of the child to profit by the work of the school, such fitness to be determined by the superintendent. Pupils under seven years of age who have not previously attended school shall not be permitted to enter later than thirty days after the opening of school in September of any school year.
SCHOOL REGULATIONS
Any complaint or representation which any person desires to make shall be presented or referred in writing to the superintendent of schools, who, in his discretion may bring it before the school committee. In cases of discipline or other school matters relating to their chil- dren, parents shall first discuss the matter with the teach- er concerned. If for some reason they are not satisfied they will further discuss the matter with the following persons, if necessary, and in the following order: first, the principal of the building and then the superintendent of schools. If, finally, the superintendent has been un- able to satisfy the parents, he shall report the case to the school committee for consideration and action.
THE NO SCHOOL SIGNAL
It is the policy of the school officials to practically abandon the use of the "no school" signal on account of weather conditions. This is in line with what many other cities and towns are doing. The reason for so doing is that much confusion has resulted from the use of the "no school" signal, and the realization that the loss of even one school day is a very serious one.
85
However, there may be days when it is advisable to close schools on account of severe weather conditions or any other emergency.
Arrangements have been made with Radio Stations WBZ, WWON, WNRI, and WMOO to broadcast the fact whenever it is necessary to close the schools. The "no school" signals are usually given before, during, or im- mediately after the news program. The siren will also blow three blasts twice at 7:30 A. M.
If schools do not close on any particularly bad day (rain, snow, or cold) parents are requested, and urged, to use their own judgment in sending their children to school.
86
SCHOOL FINANCIAL REPORT
RECEIPTS
General Appropriation
$77,837.03
Dog Tax, 1957 573.97
Total Receipts
$78,411.00
Total Expenditures
$77,966.66
Unexpended Balance
444.34
REIMBURSEMENTS
State Aid
$15,708.46
All School Transportation
11,279.98
Superintendent: Salary-Transp.
1,493.33
State Wards:
Tuition, Transportation 1,090.46
Vocational Education
830.82
Tuition
554.58
Military Service Refund
57.07
Total Reimbursements
$31,014.70
TAXATION COST OF SCHOOLS
Total Expenditures
$77,966.66
Reimbursements
31,014.70
Net Cost by Taxation $46,951.96
87
EXPENDITURES
School Committee Expense
$ 127.00
Superintendent's Salary
3,114 52
Superintendent's Secretary's Salary
1,032 00
Superintendent's Expense
265.41
Supervisors' Salaries
1,740.02
Teachers' Salaries
41,044.18
Textbooks
1,957.25
School Supplies
1,563.46
Wages of Janitor
3,600 00
Fuel
1,909.18
Janitor Supplies
981.94
Telephone
155.90
Electricity
603.26
Advertising
15.75
Replacements
623.65
Trash Removal
19.50
Repairs
3,338 92
Commissioner of Public Safety
10.00
Library
104 11
Health
905.47
Transportation
13,379.70
New Equipment
1,287.05
School Lunch Program
188.39
Total Expenditures
$77,966.66
88
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
To the citizens of Mendon the School Committee makes this report:
Resignations from Miss Irene Smith, Commercial teacher, Mrs. Margaret Hubert, 5th grade teacher, and Mrs. Marjorie Sheehan, Art Supervisor were accepted. Mrs. Gladys Morrison was engaged as Commercial teach- er. Miss Alyce Youngson was engaged as 5th grade teach- er. Mrs. Esther Yost was engaged to assist the first grade teacher. Grade 1 this year has a membership of 45. Mrs. Helen Thomas was engaged as art supervisor.
Mr. Minichiello was appointed acting superintendent and Mr Clough assistant acting superintendent during the illness of Mr. Rowe, superintendent. Mr. Rowe re- turned to his duties at the beginning of the school year in September.
The resignation of Mr. Chester FitzGerald was ac- cepted as his business required him to move out of town and Mr. Philip Harding was appointed to serve the bal- ance of his term which expires next March.
Adjustments were made in the teachers' salaries to conform to the new state law on minimum salaries.
89
The boiler had to have a new section installed as one section had cracked open. This boiler is comparatively new and seems to have had a defective section which just recently failed.
The second floor corridor has been newly tiled and has given a more cheerful atmosphere to that part of the building.
Plans are now nearly complete to start double sessions next September in the elementary grades to relieve the over-crowded condition in the school system.
We wish to express our sincere thanks to Mr. Rowe, Mr. Clough, Mr. Minichiello, the teachers, custodian, cafe- teria workers, transportation people, Parent-Teacher As- sociation, and citizens of Mendon for their fine coopera- tion in maintaining as fine a school system as we can under the trying circumstances that exist.
Respectfully submitted, HARRY C. YORK, Chairman PHILIP W. HARDING, GORDON R. GOOD, Secretary Mendon School Committee
AGE AND GRADE CHART
OCTOBER 1, 1957 TOTALS
AGE
Boys Girls Tot.
GRADE
5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
13 14
15 16 17 18 19
I
B
6 17
23
22
45
II
B
19
19
G
18
18
37
III
B
4
21
25
90
IV
B
19
2
21
4
16
20
41
V
B
1
12
1
14
3
10
2
15
29
VI
B
5
10
2
17
G
4
13
1
18
35
VII
B
9
10
19
1
11
3
1
16
35
VIII
B
4
6
2
1
13
G
1
9
10
23
G
2
6
1
9
34
G
G
6 15
1
G
G
IX
B
4
10
1
1
16
6
13
1
20
36
2
13
2
17
4
11
2
17
34
XI
B
1
5
3
1
10
5
10
15
25
XII
B
2
3
2
7
1
4
5
12
Boys
6 17 23 21 20 19 10
16
20
14
16
10
6
1
2
185
91
Girls
6
15 21
10
20
14
16
13
18
18
17
13
4
201
Totals
12 32 44 31 40 33
26 29
38 32 33 23
10
1
2
386
G
X
B
G
G
G
92
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the School Committee of Mendon:
Gentlemen:
It is with pleasure that I submit for your considera- tion my annual report as Superintendent of Schools.
Only three changes have occurred in the teaching staff during the year just past. Miss Irene Smith resigned in order to accept a position in Rhode Island and Mrs. Margaret Hubert in order to accept a position in Medway. Mrs. Marjorie Sheehan, our art supervisor, also resigned as her family moved to Connecticut. Mrs. Gladys Morri- son was engaged to replace Miss Smith in our Commercial Department and Miss Alyce Youngson took over Mrs. Hu- bert's fifth grade. During the Fall months it was impos- sible to locate an Art Supervisor but recently Mrs. Helen Thomas of Franklin, was appointed to fill this very im- portant position and began her duties on January 3, 1958.
The serious problem of overcrowded classrooms is still unsolved. At present this is the stumbling block hinder- ing our educational development and progress. Since 1948 there has been a steady increase in school enrollment. On October 1, 1948 there were 249 pupils in total attend- ance. Nine years later, October 1, 1957, the school is housing 386 pupils in grades 1-12. This is 20 more than there were one year ago and the largest number ever to
.
93
attend school in Mendon. In this nine year period the percentage of increase is 55. In other words there are 155 percent more pupils now than there were nine years ago.
The following table shows the actual and predicted en- rollment over a twenty-year period, 1948-1967. Figures through 1957 are actual known figures - those from 1958 through 1967 are estimated.
MENDON SCHOOL DEPARTMENT Actual and Predicted Enrollment 1948-1967 Grades
1
2
3
4
5
6
Total
7
8
9
10
11
12
Grand Total Total
1948
32
21
18
22
22
20
(135)
27
27
23
12
13
12
(114)
249
1949
32
36
24
21
27
27
(167)
23
23
24
18
12
12
(112)
279
+30
94
1950
28
38
36
27
24
24 (177)
33
19
19
22
16
11
(120)
297
+18
1951
27
31
43
45
29
24
(199)
27
32
17
23
16
13
(128)
327
+30
1952
39
35
28
42
39
30
(213)
21
22
28
14
19
17
(121)
334
+7
1953
35
38
35
26
44
39
(217)
33
21
21
23
12
18
(128)
345
+11
1954
39
38
37
36
25
43 (218)
37
29
19
16
20
11
(132)
350
+5
1955
32
40
35
35
37
27
(206)
44
39
31
18
14
18
(164)
370
+20
1956
37
33
42
28
34
34
(208)
30
36
36
28
15
13
(158)
366
-4
1957
45
37
34
41
29
35
(221)
35
23
36
34
25
12
(165)
386
+20
1958
50
48
38
34
41
29
(240)
37
31
21
32
29
23
(173)
413
+27
1959
45
53
48
38
34
41 (259)
30
33
29
19
27
27
(165)
424
+11
1960
51
48
54
48
38
34
(273)
43
27
30
26
16
25
(167)
440
+16
1961
44
54
49
55
48
38
(288)
36
38
25
27
22
15
(163)
451
+11
1962
37
47
55
49
56
48
(292)
40
32
35
22
23
20
(172)
464
+13
1963
44
39
48
56
49
57
(293)
50
36
29
31
19
21
(186)
479
+15
1964
47
47
39
48
57
49
(287)
60
45
33
26
26
17
(207)
494
+15
95
1965
50
50
47
39
48
58
(292)
51
53
41
29
22
24
(220)
512
+18
1966
52
53
51
47
39
48
(290)
61
45
49
36
25
20
(236)
526
+14
1967
56
55
54
52
47
39
(303)
50
54
41
44
31
23
(243)
546
+20
All figures as of October 1st
96
There are only eleven available classrooms for these 386 children as follows:
Elementary - (221 pupils) 6 classrooms
Junior-Senior High (165 pupils) 2 classrooms
Junior-Senior High 1 Home Economics Room
Junior-Senior High 1 Science Laboratory
Junior-Senior High 1 Commercial Room
Elementary classes, grades 1-6, should not exceed 25 to 30 pupils for the greatest efficiency in instruction. Thirty should be considered the maximum. All of our elementary grades are well over this number.
Classes at the high school level should not exceed 20- 25. Many of our classes far exceed this. Some classes are in the thirties, and one is over 50. In addition a great many classes have study room pupils in them as well as a regular class. For example, we have a seventh grade arithmetic class of 35 pupils, and in the same room there are 19 study pupils-a total of 54 pupils in a room which should not aggregate more than 25. In a Latin class of 17 pupils (one of our smallest) there are 20 study pupils, mak- ing a total of 37. Regardless of size of classes there is no place to put study pupils except in the same room with regular scheduled subjects. This is a most undesirable situation and one that should not be tolerated any longer than absolutely necessary. There is just no place to put these study students now. Even the cafeteria has to be used at times for regular classes. There should be at least 8 classrooms available for these 165 junior-senior pupils instead of only the 5 we now have. Our entire secondary education program is obliged to use 2 regular classrooms and 3 specialized classrooms, namely, science laboratory,
97
commercial room, and home economics room. Nowhere in our seven period daily schedule of classes is there a free period for any teacher, not even for the principal. No provisions are made, or can be made, for such subjects as shop work, vocational education, physical education, li- brary, band, orchestra, guidance, and other subjects usu- ally given in an adequate secondary education program. There is no gymnasium and no auditorium except use of a basement room used mainly for cafeteria purposes. There is not even time enough (nor classroom space enough) for a class in driver-education instruction in the existing schedule of studies. The town population and the school population is increasing annually, and has been for several years. The school plant is simply not large enough to take care of the Town's children. The capacity of the building is completely inadequate. Only an ex- cellent school faculty can carry on under the present over- crowded and cramped conditions. All of this presents a very unsatisfactory situation which should be resolved in the immediate future.
The solution of the enrollment problem is simple. There is only one way to accomplish it and that is by ex- pansion of school facilities and space. The carrying out of the solution will be costly. There are five ways of creat- ing more space, as follows:
1. Add to existing building.
2. Build a new high school.
3. Double sessions.
4. Build a new elementary school.
5. Form a region with another nearby town, or towns, and build a junior-senior high school.
98
Mendon is one of the more fortunate towns in the Commonwealth. The State School Building Assistance Commission will reimburse the town 50 percent of the cost (not interest) of building its own school and 65 per- cent of the cost (not interest) of participating in the con- struction of a regional school with another town or towns.
The State will not contribute anything towards the cost of an addition to the present school plant. So number one can be eliminated. Neither will the State consider sharing any part of the cost of the town's building its own high school. The reason being that such a school would be too small for an adequate secondary education pro- gram, except at a prohibitory cost. This eliminates num- ber two. The third solution, dual sessions, or the two- platoon system, as it is sometimes called, should not even be considered. Our children merit a full time education with every advantage and opportunity-not a part time education. However, with the overcrowded conditions now existing, double sessions will undoubtedly be resorted to next September in grades one through six. There will probably be two first grades, two second grades, one third, one fourth, one fifth and one sixth. The 4 rooms on the first floor would be used for these dual session classes. One classroom on the second floor and one basement class- room would be used by grades 7-12. This second floor classroom had to be taken away from the upper grades several years ago. This solution must be considered only as a temporary one-an interim arrangement until prop- er facilities can be obtained.
If Mendon should decide to construct an elementary school it would leave the present building for secondary school purposes. This would leave the enrollment of the present high school far too small for an effective program, except at a very high cost. The amount of land available
99
for an elementary school is also questionable. Nationally accepted minimum standards for an elementary school are 5 acres, plus 1 acre for every 100 children. This means that a building planned to house 300 children must have a site of at least 8 acres, and this figure is a minimum. It would seem to me that the construction of an elementary school would be retrogressive action-not a step forward toward modern progressive education.
This leaves, in my opinion, the forming of a region with some nearby town, or towns, as the best and most practical solution of the overcrowded problem now con- fronting us. This would leave the present school plant for use as an elementary building. With very little alteration this building should serve very well for quite a number of years. Oddly enough Mendon has voted once (decisively) for a regional school and once (less decisively) against. The citizens of the town should be given another opportunity to vote on this important and vital issue. The advantages of a large high school are obvious. There are some 225 high schools and 13 regional high schools in operation in the State. These 13 regional high schools consist of at least two towns each and several 3, 4, and even 5 towns. So there must be from 30 at least, up to 40 or 45 towns now sending their secondary pupils to a regional high school. Nearly all are small towns such as ours.
Our high school has an enrollment of only 107 pupils at present. Including grades 7 and 8 it only adds up to 165. Out of about 238 high schools in Massachusetts there are only about 6 with a smaller number of students. Our high school is so small in size that junior and senior Eng- lish must be combined. This should not be so. Instead, a high school should be large enough to have 3 or 4 classes in junior English and the same in senior English. If this were so our college preparatory students could be in one
100
group and receive a more intensive course which they should have, and which it is impossible to offer now. The same is true in mathematics, science, languages and other subjects. Much is being made today of science and this may be quite all right for the very existence of our coun- try depends upon it-but other subjects are important also. For example, what good is science and mathematics and research if it can't be expressed in clear, concise, simple and understandable English? Our slower stu- dents also need subjects that will benefit them, especially in the vocational field. All of these advantages simply cannot be offered in a high school enrolling 100 to 200 pupils except at an exorbitant cost. A million dollar high school could be erected for 50 pupils or 25, or even one, but cost alone is only one factor. There must be pupils enough to make the plan feasible. Regardless of cost, it would be impossible to have a glee club with only one pupil. No homogeneous grouping can be done in a school of such small size. This small secondary school should not be perpetuated. Our high school students should have just as good an opportunity as the high school pupils of Plainville (or any other small town) who now attend a beautiful new regional high school in Wrentham, consisting of the towns of Norfolk, Wrentham and Plain- ville. Our pupils should be able to compete in college, work, or life with those of every city and town in the State.
All this comment is not to be considered as a reflec- tion on our faculty in any way. As a matter of fact, quite the opposite is true. Our principal, teachers, and school personnel deserve to be complimented for the fine work being done under such adverse conditions. The voters of the town should have one more opportunity to decide what is right, fitting and proper for their secondary education program of the future.
101
Each year the latter half of May, a registration and visiting day is held for all children who plan to enter grade one the following September. Last year only 37 children were registered, yet 45 entered grade one on the Wednesday after Labor Day. This is only about an 80 per- cent registration and is not very satisfactory. Books, sup- plies, and materials of various kinds must be ordered in the summer for these children. It is also necessary to know how many children to expect in order to properly prepare for them. All parents having children who will enter school next September are urged to register them during the registration days in May. Children must become 6 years of age on or before January 1, 1959 in order to enter grade one in September, 1958.
The annual census and distribution of all minors be- tween the ages of 5 and 16 was taken in October, 1957. All figures are as of October 1, 1957. The figures shown in this table will not necessarily agree with the figures in the Age-Grade Enrollment Chart. The results of the October 1, 1957 census is as follows:
5 years or over and under 7
7 years or over and under 16
Boys
39
176
Girls
34
158
-
73
334
Distribution of minors:
In public school membership
45
304
In private school membership
28
Not enrolled in any school
28
2
73
334
102
A one day conference, or workshop, was held in Whitinsville High School in October for all principals and teachers in the elementary schools in this vicinity. All elementary personnel in the towns of Hopedale, Belling- ham, Upton, Uxbridge and Northbridge took part. The theme this year was of special significance because it was in the field of science and the improvement of science edu- cation at the elementary school level. Both general and small group meetings were held. Several of our teachers and Mr. Clough took an active part in planning and carry- ing out the program. This is the third or fourth year in which such conferences have been held and they are very beneficial to all of our teachers. These programs are planned well in advance each year through the co- operation of the Worcester State Teachers College and the Superintendents of Schools in the participating towns.
Through the interests of many people, televised edu- cation is now in the formulative stage in Massachusetts. Many meetings have been held to discuss the possibilities of in-school television. As a result tentative organiza- tional plans and program development have begun. Any school within the coverage area of WGBH-TV and of any other television stations broadcasting such programs can receive the programs by merely tuning to the correct channel. At present, the greatest potential of in-school television in Eastern Massachusetts is on the elementary level. It is anticipated that these daily one-half hour pro- grams will be inaugurated in the spring of 1958. Un- doubtedly considerable instruction will be in the field of science.
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