USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Mendon > Town annual reports of the officers of Mendon, Massachusetts 1953-1957 > Part 8
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As your representatives in our public school system, we present our annual report to you,-a duty that is a pleasure to perform.
Three new teachers were added to our staff of school personnel this year due to the resignations of Miss Pat- ricia Goguen, replaced by Mrs. Lillian Pennington of Hopedale; Miss Virginia Mayo, replaced by Mrs. Cath- erine Whelen of Milford; and Mrs. Helen Jaques, re- placed by Miss Margaret Duren of Milford.
A new floor was laid in the fourth grade room. The tennis courts were resurfaced. Six classrooms, the cafe- teria and two lavatories were repainted this year. The chimney has been rebuilt from the roof up and finished with a cement cap. A section of the roof of the school has been reshingled. This was necessary due to damage suffered by the hurricanes Carol and Edna. Some paint- ing had to be done over, due to water damage from these hurricanes.
The student-driver training program, as prescribed by the Registry of Motor Vehicles, has been in operation one year now and has been very successful under the capable supervision of Mr. Henry Clough, our principal. The automobile for this course of training was provided by Mr. Herman Ryan of the Ryan Motor Sales of Mil- ford at a cost of $1.
98
The present school building is filled to capacity. We will soon be required by law to provide special classes for retarded children. This will necessitate additional space and equipment. All indications are that within the next two years it will be necessary to provide two first grade classrooms. Additional space will be imperative for the high school. Your school committee has worked in close co-operation with your regional school planning board, appointed by our town moderator at the annual town meeting last March. We are pleased to report that much progress has been made toward a possible solution of overcoming this crowded condition in our school system.
We wish to extend our sincere thanks and apprecia- tion to Mr. Rowe, Superintendent of Schools; Mr. Clough, Principal; the members of the teaching staff ; the work- ers in the cafeteria and the transportation personnel for their services and co-operation throughout the past year.
We also extend our sincere thanks to the members of the Parent-Teacher Organization and other towns- people for their support and co-operation.
Respectfully submitted,
HARRY C. YORK, Chairman CHESTER F. FITZGERALD GORDON R. GOOD, Secretary
Mendon School Committee.
AGE AND GRADE CHART
October 1, 1954
Total Total Total
GRADE
5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14
15
16
17 18
Boys
Girls
I
B
4
14
1
19
G
6
14
20
39
II
B
4
19
1
24
G
4
10
14
38
III
B
4
13
1
18
G
3
16
19
37
IV
B
1
9
6
1
17
G
1 14
3
1
19
36
V
B
2
10
1
13
G
11
1
12
25
VI
B
3
13
2
1
19
G
6
17
1
24
43
VII
4
13
1
18
19
37
G
4
14
1
VIII
B
2
7
1
1
11
2
4
11
1
18
29
IX
B
2
5
1
3
11
G
5
3
8
19
X
B
1
4
1
1
7
G
3
6
9
16
XI
B
1
3
2
6
G
2
10
2
14
20
XII
B
4
1
5
G
6
6
11
Total
10 36 37
31
27
39 44
36
22
16
19
17 15
1 168
182
350
Boys
4
18
24
14
13
19
19
17
10
8 7 7 7 1
168
Girls
6
18
13
17
14
20
25
19
12
8
12 10
8 0
182
B
G
101
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 twelfth annual report as Superintendent of Schools.
Three resignations from members of the teaching staff were received during the summer, namely, Mrs. Helen Jaques, Miss Patricia Goguen, and Miss Virginia Mayo. Mrs. Margaret Duren, of Milford, a graduate of Syracuse University, was engaged to replace Mrs. Helen Jaques in grade three. Mrs. Catherine Whelen, of Mil- ford, a graduate of Boston University, was appointed to replace Miss Mayo in grade six. Mrs. Lillian Pennington, of Hopedale, a graduate of Rhode Island College of Edu- cation, was selected to fill the position in grade one left vacant by the resignation of Miss Goguen.
Everyday classroom instruction has been maintained on a high level. Many new modern textbooks have been purchased. Ample materials for teaching have been ob- tained and placed in the hands of teachers. Considerable testing has been done with nationally standardized tests. Stress is being placed on English and the related subjects of reading, spelling, and handwriting. Good citizenship, health and safety education are constantly being empha- sized. The art program and the music program have made splendid progress under the direction of our special supervisors, Miss Coleman and Miss Wilson.
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A course in driver-education has been inaugurated in the high school. Both classroom instruction and on- the-road training are now being given. This safety edu- cation program brings us in line with what a great ma- jority of secondary schools in the state are doing. The beneficial results will lead to decreased fatalities and acci- dents on our highways. There will also be decreased in- surance rates for those high school students who satis- factorily complete the course. We deeply appreciate the courtesy and co-operation of the H. C. Ryan Motor Sales, Incorporated, of Milford, for donating a new car for this purpose.
Under the direction of the State Department of Edu- cation and the Superintendents of Schools in the towns involved, an elementary conference, or workshop, was held in the new elementary school in Uxbridge on Octo- ber 7, 1954. Elementary teachers from Bellingham, Black- stone, Douglas, Hopedale, Mendon, Millville, Northbridge, Sutton, and Uxbridge took part. The general subject of the conference centered around the language arts pro- gram, including reading, phonics, oral and written ex- pression, spelling, and handwriting. The group meet- ings were preceded in the morning by a general meeting. At the close of the afternoon session all teachers attended another closing general session. Such conferences as this are very helpful to all teachers. All teachers participate in the meetings, where modern educational theory, pro- cedures, and practices are thoroughly discussed.
The annual observance of American Education Week took place in November. The general theme for 1954 was "Good Schools Are Your Responsibility," with spe- cial daily topics. An open house night was held during Education Week with the school faculty present. Many parents took advantage of this opportunity to visit class- rooms and discuss problems with teachers. There were
103
exhibits of the actual daily school work of pupils. Parents are cordially invited to visit their school and classrooms at any time convenient to them. This tends to make for better co-operation between home and school and a better understanding of the individual child.
The most serious problem facing the School Depart- ment is that of increasing school enrollment. In 1946 there were 246 pupils. On October 1, 1954, there were 350, an increase of 104 or 42% for the eight-year period. The following table shows the actual school enrollment from 1946 to 1954, inclusive, and the predicted enroll- ment from 1955 to 1965, inclusive :
ACTUAL AND PREDICTED ENROLLMENT 1946-1965
Grades
1 2 3 4 5 6789 10 11 12 Total
1946
19 21 25 18 29 20 41 16 21 15 11 11 247
1947
25 20 24 25 20 28 28 28 16 16 12 7 249 +2
13 12 249 same 1948 32 21 18 22 22 20 27 27 23 12
1949 1950
32 36 24 21 27 27 23 23 24 18 12 12 279
+30
1951
28 38 36 27 24 24 33 19 19 22 16 11 297 +18 27 31 43 45 29 24 27 32 17 23 16 13 327 +30 39 35 28 42 39 30 21 22 28 14 19 17 334 +7 35 38 35 26 44 39 33 21 21 23 12 18 345 +11 39 38 37 36 25 43 37 29 19 16 20 11 350 +5
1953 1954 1955
35 39 38 37 36 25 43 37 27 17 14 19 367
1956 1957
47 52 35 39 38 37 36 25 40 30 20 13 412
1958
54 47 52 35 39 38 37 36 23 36 25 19 441
1959
48 54 47 52 35 39 38 37 34 21 30 23 458
1960
53 48 54 47 52 35 39 38 35 30 18 28 477
1961 1962
54 51 53 48 54 47 52 35 36 32 26 23 511
1963
55 54 51 53 48 54 47 52 32 32 27 24 529
1964
58 55 54 51 53 48 54 47 48 29 27 25 549
60 58 55 54 51 53 48 54 44 43 24 25 569 1965
51 53 48 54 47 52 35 39 36 31 25 17 488
1952
52 35 39 38 37 36 25 43 34 24 14 13 390
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All figures for each year are as of October 1. Figures beyond 1954 are estimates. It is difficult to make future predictions in school enrollment. The figures may be too high or too low, but they represent an attempt to indicate future expansion. The data has been estimated by using actual birth rates through 1953 and expected birth rates through 1959. If there should be further construction of new homes in town, with additional families moving in, the figures would naturally increase. The school building at the present time is filled to capacity. The ideal size of classes in the elementary grades is 26-28 pupils. The maximum should be considered 30. Only one class is un- der 30 and one has a total of 43.
Special blanket accident insurance for school chil- dren and school personnel was offered to all pupils on a purely voluntary basis in September. The School De- partment is neither opposed to, nor in favor of, such a project. The plan was simply made available to any parents who might desire it. The policy covers any type of accident occurring on a regular school day from the time the pupil has left his home for school, until he re- turns. A great many school systems throughout the state and country now have such accident coverage, but it is entirely voluntary on the part of parents.
An annual registration and visiting day was held in May, so that all entering first grade children could regis- ter for the September opening of school. The registra- tion was very successful, much more so than in past years. A very high percentage of the entering class was registered. We deeply appreciate the splendid co-opera- tion given by the parents of these children. Another such registration day will be held next May for first graders entering school in September, 1955. We sincerely hope that every first grade child can be registered then. It helps a great deal to know the size of entering first grade
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class several months previous to the opening day of school. It also saves considerable time on the first day of school.
The annual census and distribution of all minors in town between the ages of 5 and 16 was taken in Octo- ber, 1954. Figures shown in this table will not neces- sarily agree with the figures in the Age-Grade-Enroll- ment chart. The results of the annual registration of minors is as follows :
5 years or over and under 7
7 years or over and under 16
Boys
37
143
Girls
33
153
Totals
70
296
Distribution of Minors :
In Public School Membership
48
277
In Vocational School Membership
1
In Private School Membership
17
Not Enrolled in any School
22
1
Totals
70
296
In addition to regular routine repairs, such as heat- ing, plumbing, and electrical work, the following has been done: new roof on gable end of old building, refinishing of desks, new screens for cafeteria windows, new floor in one classroom, repairing and retopping chimney, re-
106
pairing and repaving tennis court, installation of a base- ment sump pump, and much interior painting, including first floor and basement classrooms, and the cafeteria.
Recommendations for future improvement might in- clude more modern artificial lighting of classrooms, some roof repairs to new section of building, caulking and tightening of windows on street side of building, paint- ing the outside of the building, fence repairs, and further repairs to grounds. The purchase of additional land ad- joining the school property was certainly a wise invest- ment. This land will be of inestimable value should build- ing expansion ever be considered.
In conclusion, I wish to express to you my sincere thanks for your efforts in making the school year a very successful one. The assistance of the principal, teachers, supervisors, school physician, school nurse, townspeople, parents, and pupils is also deeply appreciated.
Respectfully submitted, PERCY L. ROWE,
Superintendent of Schools.
107
REPORT OF HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
To Mr. Percy L. Rowe
Superintendent of Schools :
I herewith submit the annual report of Mendon High and Center School for the year ending December 31, 1954.
Enrollment in the building is at its highest point. Fortunately, grade enrollments are quite uniform in size, and classrooms are large enough to accommodate all grades without the necessity for subdivision. The senior high school has dropped ten pupils as compared with last year's figure. However, the junior high enrollment has increased fifteen, thus giving a net increase of five pupils in the junior-senior section of the building. It may be of interest to note that there is a class of eleven seniors to graduate in June, and an entering class in Grade Seven next September of approximately forty pupils. All available space in the building will be fully utilized. On December 23, 1954 enrollment figures by grades were as follows: Grade I 39; Grade II 38; Grade III 36; Grade IV 36; Grade V 25; Grade VI 44; Grade VII 39; Grade VIII 29, Grade IX 18; Grade X 15; Grade XI 20; Grade XII 11.
Eighteen students received diplomas at graduation exercises held Tuesday, June 22, 1954 at the Mendon Unitarian Church. To date this is the largest class to graduate from Mendon High School. Members of the Class of 1954: Jane L. Avery, Martha F. Carlson, E. M.
108
Dianne Channing, Lorraine C. Deiana, Betty-Ann Des- marais, Joanne Goodnow, Shirley A. Hazard, Wilhelmena M. Hensel, Anne P. Leone, Lorraine J. Lundvall, Marvin S. Mathewson, Howard F. Phipps, Lois B. Rocks, Helen A. Smith, Maureen A. Smith, Sandra G. Southwick, Pal- mer W. Swanson, Irene A. Wills.
Betty-Ann Desmarais attained highest scholastic honors and E. M. Dianne Channing second highest for four senior high school years. The Mendon High School Alumni Medal presented by the Alumni Association was awarded to E. M. Dianne Channing. Lorraine C. Deiana was the winner of the Good Citizenship Medal and Certi- ficate presented by the Daughters of the American Revo- lution. Palmer W. Swanson was the winner of the Ameri- can Legion Medal presented by the Roger L. Wood Post of the American Legion. E. M. Dianne Channing repre- sented Mendon High School on Student Government Day at the State House. Charles F. Avery was chosen dele- gate to Boys' State and June R. Sutcliffe the delegate to Girls' State. These students represented Mendon High School at the annual conventions conducted by the Ameri- can Legion and Legion Auxiliary.
The twenty-sixth annual prize speaking contest was held Friday, April 2, 1954 at the Mendon Town Hall. Nine students presented selections in the competition. First prize was awarded to Cornelius Bracco, second prize to Helen A. Hamilton, and third prize to June R. Sutcliffe.
The annual Senior Play was presented at the Town Hall on the evening of December 10, 1954. A cast of thirteen presented the three act mystery comedy, Ghost Wanted, in a most pleasing manner, under the direction of Mrs. Doris O'Neill of the high school faculty. On March 5, 1954 a musical variety program was presented
109
at the Town Hall under the direction of Miss Christine Wilson, Supervisor of Music.
On the evening of Tuesday, November 9, 1954 open house was held at the Center School in connection with the observance of American Education Week. In keeping with the practice of recent years, the open house included a display of pupils' work in all rooms, and conferences be- tween parents and teachers. The attendance was excel- lent and the program of parent and teacher conference proved to be very much worthwhile.
A program of driver education has been in operation during the past year. Classroom work has been carried on in accordance with the recommendations of the Motor Vehicle Registry, and driver training on the highway has been given. The School has been very fortunate in hav- ing a driver training car to use during the year. Mr. Herman C. Ryan, proprietor of H. C. Ryan Motor Sales of Milford, has been most generous and public spirited in his donation of a new Ford automobile for use in driver training instruction. Mr. Ryan officially presented the car at a school assembly. Representatives of the Motor Vehicle Department and town officials attended the presentation. Thirty students have obtained their driver licenses during the year.
The school lunchroom continues to operate in a most effective and satisfactory manner under the able direction of Mrs. Louise Dautrich and her assistant, Mrs. Thressa Wright. Meals and service have been excellent and the volume of pupil lunches has increased. The School and those concerned with its operation are deeply apprecia- tive of the generous donation of time and labor on the part of numerous mothers and friends of school children. This additional assistance is a most significant contribu- tion to the success of the program.
110
Parents are cordially invited to visit school at any time and to confer with teachers and principal.
In conclusion, I wish to thank Mr. Percy L. Rowe, Superintendent of Schools, the School Committee, the Mendon Parent-Teacher Association, and the townspeople of Mendon for their cooperation and assistance.
Respectfully submitted,
HENRY P. CLOUGH,
Principal.
111
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL PHYSICIAN
December 20, 1954
Mr. Percy L. Rowe
Superintendent of Schools
Mendon, Massachusetts
Dear Mr. Rowe :
The following is the report of the Mendon School Work for 1954. Toxoid clinic opened March 30 and closed May 25.
14 children received the three protective doses of triple antigen.
4 children received the three protective doses of double antigen.
31 children received the booster dose.
The annual physical examinations of pupils showed the following defects :-
Number examined 111
Heart murmurs 1
Tonsils and inflamed throats
2
Ear conditions 3
Referred for dental evaluations 37
Acne 2
Athlete's foot
2
Fallen arches 2
Eczema 2
112
Speech defect 2
Plantar's wart 1
Poor posture 2
Small umbilical hernia 1
Hemangioma
1
Respectfully submitted,
RONALD A. LUKERT, M.D.
MENDON SCHOOL NURSING REPORT
1955
Mr. Percy L. Rowe
Superintendent of Schools
May we submit to you the Annual School Nursing Report for the year ending December, 1954.
Mendon School was visited Tuesday of each week when school was in session. Registration was held at the Mendon School on May 21, with the nurse assisting.
The State Department has now recommended that vision and hearing tests be done every year; also, that pupils of Grades 1, 4, 7, and 10 have a physical exami- nation each year by the school physician.
The State Department again loaned us the Mass- achusetts Vision Testing Machine.
113
Dr. Lukert, school physician, has completed the physical examinations. Vision testing has also been com- pleted and notices regarding defects were sent home to parents and guardians.
Antigen clinics were held in Mendon School on March 30, April 27, and May 25. Dr. Ronald Lukert, assisted by the nurses, conducted the clinics. Many hours of preparatory work were taken to make this event a success.
In the early part of the year we had an epidemic of mumps. Colds, sore throats, and grippe were also preva- lent at intervals throughout the year.
The School Committee granted Mr. Rowe's request for a Patch Test survey for Mendon School pupils. This survey was made with no expense to the town, and was made possible through the purchase of Christmas Health Seals. On October 25, Mrs. Stockwell of the Southern Worcester County Health Association, and the school nurse Patch Tested 284 pupils. On October 27, the school nurse removed all patches, and the results were read on October 29 by Dr. Ronald Lukert, assisted by Mrs. Stock- well and the school nurse. The children showing reactions were taken to Boylston Sanatorium on November 23. Transportation to Boylston was arranged by Mr. Clough at a PTA meeting in Mendon. The response was most spontaneous for volunteer drivers. All X-ray reports were most gratifying.
All children were inspected, weighed and measured at intervals during the year. Dr. Ronald Lukert, school physician, assisted by the school nurse, has completed the physical examinations of all pupils present in Grades 1, 4, 7, and 10. The following defects were found amongst the children examined by Dr. Lukert:
114
Heart murmurs 1
Tonsils and inflamed throats 2
Ear conditions 3
Referred for dental evaluations 37
Acne 2
Athlete's foot
2
Fallen arches 2
Eczema 2
Speech defect 2
Plantar's wart 1
Poor posture 2
Small umbilical hernia 1
Hemangioma 1
The following is a summary of the work done by the nurse in her visits to the school :
1-Inspection of pupils 604
2-Pupils inspected for disease 143
3-Pupils recommended for exclusion 15
4-Pupil and nurse conferences 120
5-Nurse and teacher conferences 190
6-Pupils treated for minor injuries 62
7-Home visits 41
In closing, may we express our thanks to Dr. Lukert for his co-operation throughout the year. May we also thank Mr. Rowe, superintendent, Mr. Clough, the teach- ers and parents for their courtesy and co-operation, and the school committee and town officials for their support.
Respectfully submitted,
GRACE MORAN, R.N.,
Supervisor of Nurses.
115
REPORT OF MUSIC SUPERVISOR
To the Superintendent of Schools :
My dear Mr. Rowe:
Music, as one of the vital forces of education, should contribute much to the total school program of learning. I believe that the highest values in music education lie in aesthetic, inspiring musical experiences, whether they be for fun, for entertainment, as a pastime or as an accomplishment. Vocal music, of course, is my specialty and quoting from the National Association of Teachers of Singing, I would like to list the reasons for studying Voice-
"Singing fortifies health, widens culture, refines the intelligence, enriches the imagination, makes for happi- ness and endows life with an added zest."
Good singing in choral classes is due to many con- tributing factors. I suppose these practices become bor- ing to the pupil who has heard me stress them over and over from almost his first day at school through his last high school year. Yet everyday it seems necessary to correct bad vocal habits and emphasize the use of good ones. Most of the vocal "ills" stem from a few general weak vocal practices in tone; intonation; interpretation and diction.
Singing is really sustained speech and therefore de- pends upon one major vocal practice - breath support and breath control. Without it there cannot be good quality or freedom of tone production. Breath control
116
for singing must be practiced conscientiously until it becomes an unconscious habit, for breath makes the tone.
Although such things as room temperature, place- ment of a piano or the physical condition of the singers affect a group's pitch, the most common reasons for faulty intonation are : poor breath support (I like to give as an example of "going flat" because of lack of breath, the lowering in pitch as a bicycle tire loses its air) ; failure to sing in a post nasal direction; impurity of vowel sounds; and failure to listen.
Interpretation is the specific responsibility of the director. Most groups learn through imitation and sug- gestion, so the director must provide the model and then demand the copy. Usually, a performance will be as artistic as is the imagination and artistry of the director.
Finally, the greatest helps for developing good dic- tion are two simple rules-vowels can be sung but con- sonants must be pronounced ; and, be aware of anticipat- ing consonants.
Within the past twenty years, we have seen, as in every other subject, a great change in the musical con- tent of the usual school curriculum. There has been a re- evaluation of the place of so-called Popular Music in the music education program. By popular music, we do not mean the current style of juke box, radio, and television "singing," in which the "artist" has a trick voice or uses a "gimmick" such as wailing or any other weird dissonances. Popular music actually means music that has become known and liked for its good melody, and fine, solid harmonies, such as music by Jerome Kern, Rogers and Hammerstein, Cole Porter and many others of our fine American composers.
117
In closing, may I thank the Mendon School Person- nel, everyone connected with the school program, and especially you, Mr. Rowe, for your understanding and co-operation.
Respectfully submitted, CHRISTINE M. WILSON, Supervisor of Music.
118
REPORT OF ART SUPERVISOR
To Mr. Percy L. Rowe Superintendent of Schools Dear Mr. Rowe:
It is the aim of art education to enrich the lives of all children through the understanding that art education is a vital part of every area of living, whether it be rural countryside or the industrial metropolis. The pupils in the Mendon school have ample opportunity to express themselves in art whether in illustrating some personal experience, the impression of a story or creating a design for a special occasion.
Second, third, and fourth grades designed wall hang- ings on cloth and all classes have participated in making large decorative pictures for their own classrooms. Some classes have experimented with mobiles.
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