USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Mendon > Town annual reports of the officers of Mendon, Massachusetts 1958-1962 > Part 18
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25
At the time of this writing and before its publication, there will be a Christmas Concert with the combined bands and glee clubs at the Nipmuc Regional High School. This pro- gram will be under the direction of Miss Marcy and Mr. Thatcher and there is no doubt that it will be as successful and enjoyable as the previous programs.
The physical education program is progressing smoothly under the supervision of Miss Joan Bucklin and Mr. Ellerton P. Whitney, Jr., physical education teachers from the Nipmuc Regional High School. As last year, Miss Bucklin and Mr. Whitney come to the elementary schools on Wednesday with Mr. Whitney coming every other four weeks to one town and Miss Bucklin four weeks to the other.
In November of this year, An Operation-Fitness-U.S.A. Field Day was held for all elementary schools under the su- pervision of Miss Bucklin and Mr. Whitney. It was very suc- cessful with many parents and friends in attendance. Every child that participated in the field day events received an achievement certificate and first place winners of the various events received an achievement badge. In all, 163 achieve- ment badges were awarded.
The physical education program has proven itself to be of extreme importance to the physical development of our ele- mentary school children. As mentioned in last year's town re- port, we were at that time in the process of administering the Kraus-Webber physical fitness test to all children. When the tests were completed, we found that 52% of the children failed the test. The same test was given again in June and at that time only 20% of the children failed. As a result of the physical education program, there has been a definite im- provement in the physical fitness of the children.
88
Throughout the year, a great deal of physical education equipment has been purchased for the elementary schools and more is planned. There are still a few problems that have to be solved, the main one being adequate indoor facilities during inclement weather.
In Mendon we were very fortunate to have a Spring Art Festival under the direction of Mrs. Benjamin Thomas, art su- pervisor for the Center Elementary School. This Festival was a tremendous success and was attended by many people. At this Festival, various art projects done by the children were displayed and many were demonstrated for parents.
In Mendon a program is being carried on to better pre- pare the children for high school by eliminating the sudden change that exists when they leave grade six to enter grade seven and by more effectively utilizing the teacher's strong subject area.
To this effect the children in grades five and six are parti- cipating in the departmental teaching program which is sim- ilar to that of a junior high school, except that it is on a smaller scale. Departmental teaching in the elementary school, though new to Mendon, has been used successfully in other towns throughout Massachusetts.
To date the departmental teaching program is progressing very well and appears to be very effective. From time to time the program will be re-evaluated to decide if it is worthwhile educationally, and whether or not it should be continued.
Once again the Parent-Teacher conferences held in ob- servance of National Education Week were successful. Ap- proximately 90% of the parents in both towns attended a con- ference with their child's teacher. Only nineteen parents from Mendon and forty-five from Upton were unable to attend a conference. This is certainly an excellent percentage, and cooperation such as this is very valuable in developing the proper attitude in children toward school.
We would like to thank all of the parents for their wonder- ful cooperation which has made possible the success of these conferences, and we hope that when we have another Parent-
89
Teacher conference period that all the parents will be able to attend. Every parent should feel free to contact the teach- ers or school administrators and arrange for a conference whenever they feel one is necessary.
The Mendon-Upton Elementary Schools are still partici- pating in the "21 inch classroom", Channel 2. This television instruction is taught by experts in their respective subject area and is of great value and enrichment for the pupils. Fol- lowing is the list of grades and their programs: Grade one- Science; Grade two-Science and Music; Grade three-Read- ing; Grade four-French; Grade five-French and Science; and Grade six-French and Science.
In view of the world situation, a civil defense program has been established in the elementary schools. To date, this pro- gram is not perfect, but as time goes by we hope to improve it.
The Memorial School in Upton and the Center School in Mendon have been supplied with a combination electric- portable radio to be used in the event of an emergency whether it be a hurricane, tornado, or a nuclear attack. In addition to this, civil defense drills are conducted periodically in the schools to train the children for evacuation to safer areas.
It is hoped that in the event of a nuclear attack there would be enough warning so the children can be evacuated to their homes. At the present time an evacuation procedure is being planned so all children would be home within thirty minutes.
The Curriculum Guide Committee, comprised of teachers from each town, have completed the Reading Guide that was started last year. The members of the committee were as fol- lows: Mrs. Grace Hutchinson, Miss Margaret Duren, and Mrs. Catherine Whelen from the Center School in Mendon; Mrs. Pearl Kimball, Mrs. Mary Greany, and Mr. Charles McCabe from the Memorial School in Upton; Mrs. Teresa Trask from the Ball School in Upton; and Mr. John Rogers, elementary supervisor, chairman.
The lunch program for the elementary schools is doing very well. Last year 76% of the children participated in the
90
hot lunch program; this year 80% are participating. In 1961, approximately 100,000 hot lunches and 125,000 bottles of milk were served to the children. The program is operating in the black financially and all expenses are paid for from the lunch proceeds, without any cost to the towns. Our cafeteria man- agers and employees deserve a great deal of credit for this out- standing accomplishment.
In conclusion, I would like to thank the School Committee, all school personnel, the Parent-Teachers' Associations and the towns-people for their cooperation and assistance.
Respectfully submitted, JOHN W. ROGERS, Supervisor of Elementary Schools.
91 NURSING REPORT
I hereby submit the School Nursing Report for the year ending December. 1961.
Physical health examinations by school physician, Dr. Aussenhiemer, have been given to all students in Grades 7 and 11 at the Nipmuc Regional School, plus all students par- ticipating in competitive activities. In the Mendon Center School, Grades 1 and 4 have had physical examinations by Dr. Lukert. In Upton, Grades 1 and 4 have had physical exam- inations by Dr. McKernan. All examinations were assisted by the school nurse. Notices were sent out to the parents of children who have been found to have physical defects, and home visits were made where necessary.
Audiometer testing, vision testing, measuring and weighing of all students were completed. Defect slips were sent home to parents. The response for correcting defects was most gratifying.
Antigen clinics were held in Mendon Center School dur- ing May and June. Any child three months of age or older is always welcome. All school children in Grades 1, 6, and 11 are advised to have a booster shot at one of the clinics, but they must have parental consent. These injections protect your children from whooping cough, diphtheria and tetanus.
In June, a vaccination clinic was conducted with Dr. Lu- kert in charge, assisted by District and school nurse. This also is a yearly clinic and any child living in Mendon is welcome to attend.
Pupils taken ill at school when the nurse is in attendance are transported to their homes, and home visits requested by a teacher are also made. As a full time school nurse, I am on call at all times to care for any sickness or injury in the schools of both towns.
The cooperation and consideration on the part of the School Committees, Superintendent, Principal, Elementary Su- pervisor, Physicians, Teachers and Parents has been deeply appreciated.
Respectfully submitted, JANET E. STOCKWELL, R.N.
92
REPORT OF MUSIC SUPERVISOR
Mr. Kenneth L. Sharp
Superintendent of Schools
Dear Sir:
I herewith submit my annual report for the year 1961.
The ultimate aim of the great art of music, as taught in our public schools, is to inspire love of good music on the part of the child for his enjoyment and satisfaction. Music is some- thing to be enjoyed. Singing is the basic activity in any well- rounded program of music education. Music, childhood, and youth go together. It is no wonder that the young are full of song, for songs are made of materials that are as common as daily food and drink, sound and movement, play and work, thoughts and words, moods and melodies.
The general outline for the school music program is as follows:
Three essentials are found throughout the school music program, namely: voice culture, music interpretation, and mu- sic reading.
The foundation of music is begun in the lower grades. Time and Tune is taught in the first grade by rote songs. From the second grade through the fourth grade, music reading is greatly developed in a manner that is understandable to a child with a given age and correlative with his other studies. Part-singing is introduced late in the fourth grade and ad- vanced throughout the following grades. Weekly assignments are left with each grade teacher. A great deal of chorus sing- ing is emphasized in the fifth and sixth grades and large group singing is stressed. We have developed a fine glee club with the boys and girls from the fifth and sixth grades. At Christ- mas time we combined the glee clubs from Upton and Mendon for a Christmas concert given at the High School. I think the
93
youngsters should be congratulated for the fine work they did and for making it an enjoyable evening for everyone. I would like to thank the parents who received the children so warmly and thereby encouraged them in their new music experience.
I wish to express my grateful appreciation to our Superin- tendent, Mr. Sharp, the School Committee, Supervisor of Ele- mentary Education, Mr. Rogers, and to the teachers for their support and cooperation at all times.
Respectfully submitted, ARLYNE M. MARCY, Supervisor of Music.
REPORT OF THE ART INSTRUCTOR
Mr. Kenneth L. Sharp
Superintendent of Schools
Mendon, Massachusetts
Dear Sir:
Those who do not fully understand art as it is taught today feel that students are given various media and allowed to proceed without an aim. This is not true. Because a child is allowed to create in his own way does not mean that he is permitted to create only horses or trucks or whatever his spe- cial interest might be. Each lesson is planned, discussed, and a project started. Working with a variety of media such as plaster, clay, metals, many types of paper and cardboard, etc., enables youngsters to express themselves quite differently. Often I find one group which does well with one lesson, yet another group will excel in an entirely different medium. Thus art does not lose its challenge. The "old" art programs taught drawing only, with limited media-crayons, pencils, rulers, drawing paper, and water colors. Those with artistic
94
talent did well while others were frustrated. Today, art is for all, not for the gifted few.
In conjunction with this year's art program, two innova- tions were made Pupils in Grades 3-6 made posters for the National Library Week contest during their regular art pro- gram. Three winners were chosen from each grade and awarded prizes by the Mendon Parent-Teachers' Association. Also, they were taken on a sightseeing trip to Boston, visiting the Harvard University Museum, Logan Airport, Bunker Hill Monument, the Mapparium, and the U.S.S. Constitution.
In early June, a two-day exhibition was held in the Town Hall. Work done throughout the year, as well as all Library Week posters, was on display. The entire exhibit was set up by the pupils. During the exhibition a total of 107 youngsters played an active part. Representatives from each grade dem- onstrated a variety of art projects. I was especially proud of the interest and the manner in which each pupil conducted himself. Gratifying also was the revelation to parents of the many phases being taught.
Art is for enjoyment. If pupils find it is fun, with a realiza- tion that they do not have to excel to make it so, creating in their own way can be satisfying. In today's troubled world, if we can create in youngsters the desire to use leisure time in this way, it is a lesson well taught and their adult lives will be enriched.
I am sincerely interested in the Mendon art program and feel duly rewarded by the splendid response from the stu- dents and the most cooperative attitude of the teachers, the janitor, and the administrative staff.
Respectfully submitted, HELEN G. THOMAS, Art Instructor.
95
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE MENDON-UPTON REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT COMMITTEE
YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1961
ORGANIZATION SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Frederick M. Magee, Chairman
Term Expires 1962
L. Everett Murch, Treasurer
Term Expires 1964
Richard D. Stockwell
Term Expires 1964
Edward L. Prentiss
Term Expires 1962
Howard B. Sether
Term Expires 1962
Gordon R. Good
Term Expires 1962
SUPERINTENDENT Kenneth L. Sharp
SUPERINTENDENT'S OFFICE
Mrs. Isabelle B. Grant
Mrs. Dorothy J. Bradley
SCHOOL PHYSICIAN Christian W. Aussenheimer, M.D.
SCHOOL NURSE Mrs. Janet Stockwell, R.N.
ATTENDANCE OFFICER Henry Clough
96
To the Citizens of Mendon and Upton:
Today, as in the past decade, and continually as time pro- gresses, educational systems are being pressured to produce higher standards and a greater quantity of knowledge to the individual students. We are trying to meet these requirements and will, to the best of our ability. The greatest restraint placed upon achievement is the over burdening of taxes.
We now have the facilities to formulate and demonstrate much of the knowledge to be imparted at the secondary level. The greatest expense is in the instruction necessary to impart knowledge and to stimulate the students to the required degree of desire for knowledge. We feel that for the most part we have a strong and able staff, however, we will continue to strengthen and make improvements as the need arises within the limits of our budget.
In addition to the above, we as a school committee feel that knowledge is not the complete answer to today's problems. Therefore, to round out the educational facilities we have gym- nasium, varsity sports, music and other activities for the stu- dents as well as to promote the initiative of the individuals. In addition we have also provided an efficient guidance pro- gram to which the students may avail themselves.
Relative to the detailed information about the Regional School District, please refer to the reports of the Superinten- dent of Schools, Principal, Personnel List, Cafeteria Manager, Balance Sheet by the Public Accountant, Operational Budget and Treasurer's Report.
We wish to take this opportunity to thank and commend all the faculty, maintenance personnel and school administra- tors for the past successful year of operation, also all citizens in their efforts to raise monies for additional library facilities together with those offering constructive criticism. Our con- tinued thanks go to the citizens of Mendon and Upton who have made this Region a reality and for the efforts extended to ob- tain the results to date.
With your patience and assistance we will strive to give the most in all phases of this project and still bear in mind the
97
financial limitations to which each citizen will be subjected and keep this to a minimum commensurate with the educational needs of all our future citizens.
Mendon-Upton Regional District School Committee. FREDERICK M. MAGEE, Chairman
Nipmuc Regional High School REPORT OF THE PRINCIPAL
One of the most significant events of the past year was the graduation of the first class from the Nipmuc Regional High School. We at the school are very proud of the 55 members of the Class of 1961, whose achievements and ex- ample have set a high standard for future classes to follow.
Seventeen graduates, or 31% of the class, are attending four-year colleges, with seven of these students being recipi- ents of scholarship aid from these colleges. In addition, 18% are attending two-year trade and technical institutions, 16% are at other two-year colleges, 6% have entered nursing pro- grams and 6% are attending schools with short-term courses (hairdressing, etc.). In all, 77% of the first graduating class are furthering their formal education. Another 16% have en- tered the labor market and 7% have enlisted in the armed services.
The following awards were made at the graduation exer- cises in June:
1. Nipmuc Regional Teachers' Association Scholarships Barbara Bartlett $200
Janice Carpenter $200
Sandra Pharnes $200
Diedre Channing $300
Sheila Walker $300
2. Upton Grange Scholarship
Janice Sawyer $100
98
3. Future Business Leaders of America Club Scholarship Joan Davenport $100
4. Upton Women's Club Scholarship Paul Prentiss $ 75
5. Mendon Parent-Teacher Association Scholarships Ruth Piper $ 50
Sandra Pharnes $ 50
6. Future Nurses of America Club Scholarship Jean Auty $ 50
7. D. A. R. Good Citizen Award Bette Anderson
8. Boston Globe Certificate of Merit Award Carlton Brown
9. Roger L. Wood Post American Legion Medal Linda Sweeney
10. Mendon High School Alumni Medal for outstanding serv- ice to class and school Richard Ferrucci
Grateful thanks are extended to all organizations who con- tributed awards at our first graduation exercises and to the Class of 1961 for its generous gift of a speaker's stand for our auditorium and approximately $200 worth of books for our library.
During the summer, our teaching staff lost the services of Mary Whitney, Louis Beauchemin and Henry Feddern. To replace these teachers, and also to increase the efficiency of our educational offerings, William Kimball, Helen Moore, Sandra Keeshan, John Hurley, Eugene Morin, and Robert Jolie were added to our staff.
In order to coordinate the program within a department and with the rest of the school more effectively and thus to make our curriculum more articulate, the position of Depart- ment Coordinator was created in a few subject matter areas. Mr. Clough, Mrs. Lucier, and Mr. Whitney have been appointed coordinators in Mathematics and Science, English, and Physical Education respectively. As time goes on and conditions war- rant it, coordinators will be appointed in other subject matter areas.
99
In an effort to cooperate with teacher-training colleges, we also are pleased to provide opportunities for apprentice teach- ing to prospective teachers. During the first college semester we have had Martin Clark from Worcester State College work- ing with the junior high school social studies teachers. Be- ginning in January, Frances Emmerick from Salem State Col- lege will be associated with our Business Education Depart- ment and Ernest Richards from Springfield College will be doing apprentice teaching and assisting in our Physical Educa- tion Department.
The services of the Guidance Department have been ex- panded by the addition of Harold Murphy as a part-time coun- selor. Also, in order to bring about the greatest coordination and articulation between the Guidance Department and all other aspects of student activities in our school, a Guidance Advisory Council has been established. This council is com- posed of the guidance personnel, school administrators, depart- ment coordinators, school nurse, school librarian and the ele- mentary supervisor of the Mendon and Upton schools.
As a part of the follow-up program relative to our gradu- ates, a reunion of the Class of 1961 was held during the Christ- mas vacation. In addition to the fellowship attendant to such an occasion, the graduates also contributed to the future wel- fare of the Nipmuc Regional High School by informing us of the things we need to do to keep our curriculum attuned to the needs of graduates of our school.
For the first time in the short history of our school, a pro- gram of Adult Education was conducted during the first four months of the present school year. There were 112 men and women from Mendon, Upton and several surrounding towns who participated in a fifteen-week program in which the fol- lowing courses were offered on a one-evening-per-week basis: beginning bookkeeping, business machines, ceramics, furniture refinishing, painting and drawing, rug-braiding, beginning sewing, beginning typewriting, and woodworking. The en- thusiasm and achievement of the persons participating in the adult program contributed to a very successful venture and would seem to indicate an expanded program in the future.
During the fall of the present school year, field hockey for girls and cross-country for boys were added to our interschol-
100
astic athletic program. Plans are also being made to add track and field to our athletic program in the spring.
The Music Department had a very active year in 1961. The first formal activity of the year was a very successful spring concert, incorporating all of the musical organizations. On Memorial Day the school band marched and played in the Mendon Memorial Day exercises and in June the senior chorus and the band collaborated in our graduation activities.
During the present school year, the following pupils were chosen to represent our school at the Central Massachusetts District Music Festival held in Gardner on November 3: Shar- on Hoar, David Smith, Arthur Bartlett, Bradford Brown, Stan- ley Craib, and Edwin Pirie as members of the band, and Deir- dre Giatas, Louise Tobey, Janet Vear, Phyllis Ferraro, Russell Daniels, Gary Sether, David Kearsley, and Gerard Matthews as members of the chorus. Also, Deirdre Giatas, Louise To- bey, Janet Vear, Phyllis Ferraro, Sharon Hoar, and David Smith were recommended for the All-State Festival which will be held in Pittsfield in the spring. During the month of Decem- ber our high school chorus and school band performed at the King Philip Regional High School as part of an exchange as- sembly program and both the junior and senior high school choruses presented the annual Christmas concert.
Art continues to be a significant part of our curriculum. Although this phase of our offering is elective to pupils, 195 of our total enrollment of 485 are participating. Considerable talent is evident among our art pupils and the products of their achievement are most gratifying.
Presented for the first time during this school year was the Drama Festival, an interclass play competition in which each of the high school classes presented a one-act play. The entire program was under the sponsorship of the Senior Class as a part of their fund-raising project. The Student Council pur- chased and presented to the school a permanent plaque on which the winners of the Drama Festival may be indicated annually.
We are very grateful to those parents who have been help- ing out as volunteer assistants in our school library. This has enabled us to make more complete use of our library, inasmuch
101
as our librarian is involved in teaching a few classes each day. Additional volunteers would be welcome.
In looking ahead to the future and the improvement of the offerings of the Nipmuc Regional High School, I wish to sug- gest the following as goals toward which we should aim:
1. The addition of one teacher in the junior high school area to teach seventh-grade English, which now, be- cause of limitations of staff, is being taught by several teachers as an extra subject.
2. The use of our art, physical education, and music in- structors on a full-week basis at our school. The object to be gained here would a greater flexibility of the school schedule.
3. The expansion of the mechanical drawing program by offering advanced courses. Up to this time, only the beginning course has been offered, due to limitations of time and teaching personnel.
4. The installation of a remedial and developmental read- ing program for the obvious reason of improving the reading habits and skills of the large number of pupils who have difficulties in this area.
In closing, I wish to express sincere thanks to all persons and organizations who have contributed in any way to the operation of the Nipmuc Regional High School.
Respectfully submitted, WILHO FRIGARD, Principal
102
CLASS OF 1961
*Bette Jane Anderson *Jean Elizabeth Auty Ellery Edward Baker Barbara Jean Bartlett John Henry Beder Russell Allen Boucher Carlton Brown Janice Maxine Carpenter *Diedre Annette Channing Paulette Cote
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.