USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Mendon > Town annual reports of the officers of Mendon, Massachusetts 1958-1962 > Part 24
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The Elementary Art Program, under the supervision of Mrs. B. Thomas for Mendon and Mrs. M. Weed for Upton, is providing the children with an excellent experience in crea- tivity and enrichment. This past spring, an Art Festival was held in each town. These festivals were very successful and were attended by many people.
Vocal Music, under the direction of Miss A. Marcy, Vocal Music Supervisor for the elementary schools, has had a very successful year. Miss Marcy visits each classroom at least once a week and with grades 5 and 6 has carried on and en- larged the Elementary School Glee Club. This past year the Glee Club at Christmas time performed for the Parent-Teacher Associations. They also put on a combined performance with the Elementary School Band and an Easter concert at the Nipmuc Regional High School. These performances were very well done and were received with great pleasure by the audi- ences. Last year we had 107 children in the Glee Club; this year we have 125.
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The Elementary School Instrumental Music Program has had an excellent year. The children in the Mendon-Upton Ele- mentary School Band are to be congratulated for their fine presentations over the past year. As of this writing we have 33 fourth, fifth, and sixth grade children who are members of the Elementary School Band and another 90 who are taking instrumental lessons. As in the past when the children taking lessons become proficient they will then become members of the band. Our biggest problem at the moment is the lack of space to practice and available time for an instructor. The problem is bad enough when the children practice in small groups but it will be just about impossible to bring them to- gether as one large group under our present facilities. On behalf of myself and the band I would like to thank all who helped raise the money to buy uniforms for the band.
The Physical Education Program has experienced a few changes throughout the year. At present, the Elementary Physical Education Program is under the supervision of Miss Jane McKenna and Mr. Allan Byrne, Physical Education Su- pervisors at the High School. Also in both towns the lunch- rooms have been equipped with folding tables and benches which take only minutes to fold up so the lunchrooms can be used for physical education. This means that we no longer have to have physical education in the classrooms. This is much better than it has been in the past and has increased the efficiency of this program, but it is still far from satisfactory due to still existing inadequate facilities.
Once again an "Operation Fitness Field Day" was held for all elementary schools but unfortunately was not as success- ful as last year. This was due to inclement weather and lack of indoor facilities which prevented the field day from being completed on the scheduled day. As a result many parents were unable to see the field day events. When the events were completed, every child that participated received an achievement certificate and first place winners received an achievement badge; in all 184 badges were awarded.
Departmental Teaching at the Center School has worked out extremely well. After only one year of experience, we feel that our program has been strengthened. Last year's sixth grade class has found adjustment to the high school much
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easier due to their prior experience of changing rooms and having different teachers throughout the day. This was one of the things we had hoped to accomplish with this program and by all indications it appears that we have.
As in the previous two years the Parent-Teacher confer- ences held throughout the school year were very successful, and again we had approximately 90% attendance at these con- ferences. This year, instead of 3 conference periods for all parents, there will be only 2; one during National Education Week which was already held and the other in May after the achievement testing. The third conference period will be held in March and will be only for those pupils doing unsatisfactory work.
The Mendon-Upton Elementary Schools are still participat- ing in the "21-inch Classroom" Channel 2. This year many new programs have been added, especially in the science area. Following is a list of the grades and their programs:
Grade 1 -Science and Phonics Grade 2 - Science and Music
Grade 3- Science and Literature
Grades 4, 5, and 6 - Science and French
At present the Curriculum Guide Committee, comprised of the following teachers (see below) are working on a compre- hensive Arithmetic-Guide which will insure a continuous and correlated arithmetic program for both towns. This commit- tee meets every other week to compile the material for their grade which is prepared between meetings. It is the hopes of this committee to make any necessary changes in our present curriculum so that we may meet the challenge presented by the development of new methods in the field of mathematics.
CURRICULUM GUIDE COMMITTEE
Ball School, Upton, Mass. Miss Sandra Vecchione
Memorial School, Upton, Mass.
Mrs. Helen Donham Mrs. Doris Loukes
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Miss Mary Ellen Garrity Mr. John Grady
Center School, Mendon, Mass.
Mrs. Gladys Burke
Mrs. Ruth Burrill
Miss Patrice Taylor
Mrs. Eleanora Pacella
Miss Alyce Youngson
Mr. John W. Rogers, Chairman
Once again I am happy to report that the fine lunch pro- grams in the elementary schools are doing very well. Over the past two years pupil participation has increased to 86%. This is certainly a credit to the excellent job being done by our cafeteria managers and their co-workers.
This year, in observance of School Lunch Week, the par- ents of the first grade children were invited to the schools to have lunch with the children. This gave the parents an oppor- tunity to observe what goes on in an elementary school lunch program and to see what their child is eating for lunch. This proved to be very successful as 79 parents visited the school for lunch. We hope to follow this practice from year to year.
I feel that as Supervisor of Elementary Schools I would be remiss in my responsibility to the 760 children in the Mendon- Upton Elementary Schools and their parents if I failed to men- tion that the many programs initiated over the past two years are in a real danger of either being curtailed or discontinued due to the lack of proper facilities to efficiently maintain them. In this respect I would like to point out that if you were to leave an automobile standing still over a period of time it would rot at the seams, to move it forward to prevent this would cost money - so it is with education.
In conclusion, I would like to thank the School Commit- tees, all school personnel, the Parent-Teachers Association and the Townspeople for their cooperation and assistance.
Respectfully submitted, JOHN W. ROGERS, Supervisor of Elementary Schools.
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ANNUAL REPORT OF THE MENDON-UPTON REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT COMMITTEE
YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1962
ORGANIZATION SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Richard D. Stockwell, Chairman
Term Expires 1964
L. Everett Murch, Treasurer
Term Expires 1964
Frederick M. Magee
Term Expires 1965
Edward L. Prentiss
Term Expires 1965
Stanton Baker
Term Expires 1963
E. John Magliocca
Term Expires 1963
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
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To the Citizens of Mendon and Upton:
Local school committees have serious responsibilities as representatives of the State Department of Education and to the people of our townships. Our task is one of careful organ- ization and the administration of our tax dollar. Because of increased costs of education, our work becomes more difficult each year. It is our earnest hope as a committee that increased state support be forthcoming to lighten the burden carried by local taxation so that we may maintain our present educa- tional standards.
Although our budget for 1963 shows a 131/2% increase (gross figure), we feel after three years of operation that all areas have been eliminated which were necessary to estimate such as fuel, lights, telephone, etc. This present budget is justifiable in order to shape the curriculum to the needs of our students and properly carry out our program.
We urge all citizens to read the reports of the Superinten- dent of Schools and the Principal. They contain specific in- formation concerning our school system.
We as a committee express our appreciation to all school personnel, town officials, and citizens who willingly met the challenge and demands imposed on them by expanding respon- sibilities.
Mendon-Upton Regional District School Committee. RICHARD D. STOCKWELL, Chairman
Nipmuc Regional High School REPORT OF THE PRINCIPAL
The Nipmuc Regional High School has applied for mem- bership in the New England Association of Colleges and Sec- ondary Schools, which organization accredits its member schools as providing a satisfactory secondary education for the young people of the communities involved, including the necessary facilities, staff, and program of studies.
107
In order to be considered for membership, the Nipmuc Regional High School will need to be evaluated by the New England Association, which will be done on April 29 and 30, and May 1, 1963, by a visiting committee of trained school personnel.
Prior to the spring evaluation, our school is going through a process of self-evaluation at the present time. All members of the school staff are participating in this project, using the prescribed 1960 Evaluative Criteria as prepared by the Na- tional Study of Secondary School Evaluation.
As a basic part of our evaluation, it has been necessary for us to prepare in writing a statement of the philosophy and objectives of the Nipmuc Regional High School. In order that the citizens of Mendon and Upton may be fully aware of it, this formal statement is included below as a part of this an- nual report:
PHILOSOPHY AND OBJECTIVES
Nipmuc Regional High School, serving the towns of Men- don and Upton, began operation in September, 1960. On Feb- ruary 25, 1961, the school was dedicated to "an understanding and appreciation of our responsibilities and benefits as free Americans."
The school, therefore, accepts the responsibility of pro- viding an education which meets the needs of all its students to the extent of their individual capacities, together with the implied obligation of meeting the social responsibility in- herent in its purpose.
This education includes the development of civic respon- sibility for living in a democratic society together with an appreciation of our country's place in international affairs; the acquisition of fundamental academic and cultural skills, knowledge, and interests; the care and development of physical health; and the provision of basic preparatory training neces- sary for earning a livelihood.
The responsibilities and contributions made by the home, church, and community life to this broad area of training are recognized as fundamental factors of primary importance.
108
The school, so far as possible, should establish within its structure and operation conditions which lead to the realiz- ation of the following general objectives:
1. The development of a well-trained staff.
2. Opportunities for students to realize and to develop their mental, physical, and social potentialities.
3. An atmosphere of well-ordered school activity through which the objectives of the school may be successfully attained.
4. A system of educational, vocational, and personal guidance which will contribute most to the student's welfare.
5. Good scholastic attainment through proper guidance, serious application, purpose, and effort.
6. Mutual confidence, sincere respect, and friendly co- operation among the administration, staff, and student body.
7. Respect for the rights and privileges of others under a discipline which is sympathetic, reasonable, and firm.
To achieve the general goals as stated, the school attempts to realize the following specific objectives:
1. To inventory and to keep complete records of achieve- ments, abilities, interests, and attitudes of all students.
2. To meet the individual needs of both college prepar- atory and non-college students through adequate ac- ademic offerings and a significant program of extra- curricular activities.
3. To promote physical health through universally re- quired physical education, services of school nurse and school doctor, required biology courses, cafeteria ser- vices, and a well-equipped physical plant.
4. To teach respect for properly constituted authority and to develop civic responsibility and competence through required civic education, driver training, stu-
109
dent council activity, and the organized routine opera- tion of the school.
5. To train students through business education courses to become intelligent consumers and to qualify for business employment.
6. To provide the beginning basic exploratory experi- ences in industrial arts and home economics.
7. To encourage students through guidance and school career clubs such as Future Teachers of America, Future Nurses of America, and Future Business Lead- ers of America to undertake further education.
8. To encourage creative activity and to develop latent talents through school publications, dramatics, art and music courses, and extra-curricular opportunities.
9. To cooperate with the Parent-Teacher Association in its effort to bring about a close relationship among the school, home, and community.
10. To assist worthy scholarship applicants through fac- ulty-sponsored activities.
11. To keep abreast of changes in high school curricula and to incorporate into the school courses the desirable changes as they become generally accepted.
12. To maintain an open mind and a practical approach to all problems relative to school operation and policy.
After the visiting evaluation committee has finished its work in the spring, a report containing commendations and recommendations will be issued to the school. At the end of two years a progress report to the New England Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools will be required to indicate what action has been taken on the original recommendations made by the evaluation committee.
The self-evaluation process now in progress is of inestim- able value to our staff in that we have to study minutely and compare everything in our school to nationally suggested standards. We find that many things we have and do are above standard; but by the same token we realize that we have room for improvement in many areas, some of which can be taken
110
care of without too much difficulty and some of which will take a long-range plan and additional expenditure of money. The ultimate quality of our school will depend upon the desire of the citizens of our school district as to what kind of a school we should have; that is, whether we should continue with what we have or whether we shall be willing to expend more money to constantly improve the quality of education offered to the children of high school age in towns of Mendon and Upton.
In looking to the future of the Nipmuc Regional High School, it would be well if consideration could be given to the following suggested improvements:
1. The establishment of a formal remedial and develop- mental reading program to be under the direction of a person especially trained for this purpose.
2. The elimination of the teaching duties of the school librarian.
3. The full-time use of our supervisors in art, music, and physical education.
4. The addition of more teachers to the staff to permit a broadening of our program by the addition of more courses to the curriculum and by further ability group- ing than is now possible.
In closing this report, I wish to thank all persons and organizations who have helped in any way in the operation of the Nipmuc Regional High School.
Respectfully submitted, WILHO FRIGARD, Principal
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CLASS OF 1962
Sharon Eilene Alberto
Barbara Wood Baker Benjamin Franklin Barnes
Edward Russell Boover Alice Marie Caton
Peter William Chase Priscilla Taft Congdon John William Creed
Russell Gordon Daniels Judith Ethel Duhamel Elinor Claire Emino Phyllis Dianne Ferraro Donald Wayne Fowler Mildred-Ann Gaskill
*Deirdre Elizabeth Giatas James Arthur Gilchrist Edward Leo Gorman Kathleen Ann Graves Edward Simms Henderson
*Sharon Gail Hoar Valerie Joy Holmes Thomas Edgar Irons Susan Johnson
Patricia Ann LaBastie *Judith Ann Labine
Eugene Alfred Leclaire *Donna Marie Lemieux Warren Arthur Magee Edmund Joseph Maroney
*Susan Mettey Lorena May Murch
*Ellen Jane Nelson George Francis Paige Sheila Wagner Pharnes John Peter Pineau Cynthia Rae Robinson *Sheila Mae Rogers *David John Smith William Joseph Smith, Jr.
*Linda Jean Soderberg Richard Summers Stockwell Deborah Elinor Taft Louise Marion Tobey Paul Francis Usher Richard Leonard Victor Joyce Charlene Watson Gloria Mae White Marsha Nan Whitney Kenneth Arthur Wood Mary Louise Yanski
* National Honor Society
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Nipmuc Regional High School GRADUATION PROGRAM
*Processional School Band
*Invocation Rev. John R. Shannon Holy Angels Church, Upton
*National Anthem All Present
Address of Welcome Susan Mettey Class President
Selection: "Climb Ev'ry Mountain"
Class of 1962
(Rogers-Hammerstein)
Essay: "Climb Every Mountain" Deirdre Giatas
Essay: "In Ourselves Our Future Lies" Sheila Rogers
Selection: "Milk and Honey" (Herman)
Class of 1962
Essay: "Milk and Honey" Linda Soderberg
Essay: "Over the Rainbow" Paul Usher
Selection: "Over the Rainbow" ... Class of 1962
(Harburg-Allen)
Presentation of Class Gift
Susan Mettey
Class President
Presentation of Awards
Wilho Frigard
Principal
Remarks Kenneth L. Sharp Superintendent of Schools
Presentation of Diplomas Richard D. Stockwell Chairman, School Committee
113
Selection: "This Is My Country" (Raye-Jacobs)
Class of 1962
*Benediction Rev. Alfred T. Irby First Baptist Church, Mendon
*Recessional
School Band
Director of Band and Chorus Donald Thatcher
Accompanist
Deirdre Giatas
Marshal
Frederick Olson Junior Class President
* Audience Standing
Class Officers
President Susan Mettey
Vice-President Paul Francis Usher
Secretary Deirdre Elizabeth Giatas
Treasurer Linda Jean Soderberg
Class Advisor Anne Davenport
Class Motto
"In ourselves our future lies"
Class Color Blue
Class Flower Orchid
114
AWARDS PRESENTED AT 1962 GRADUATION EXERCISES
1. D.A.R. Good Citizenship Certificate to Deirdre Giatas.
2. Mendon Alumni Association Medal to the student who has made a significant contribution to his class and school to Richard Stockwell.
3. Ella Whitney Risteen Awards of $25.00 to the boy and girl who have made the greatest progress in terms of total growth and development during the high school course to Susan Johnson and Thomas Irons.
4. The American Legion School Award given by the Roger L. Wood Post of Mendon to the student who best exempli- fies the qualities of honor, courage, scholarship, leadership, and service to Deirdre Giatas.
5. Future Business Leaders of America scholarships of $50.00 each to Elinor Emino and James Gilchrist.
6. Future Nurses of America scholarships of $50.00 each to Sharon Alberto and Sharon Hoar.
7. Upton Grange scholarships of $50.00 each to Linda Soder- berg and Donald Fowler.
8. The Milford Federal Savings and Loan Association 75th Anniversary Award of $100.00 to Elinor Emino.
9. Upton Woman's Club scholarship of $75.00 to David Smith.
10. Nipmuc Regional Teachers Association scholarships to the following graduates with amounts indicated:
Donna Lemieux $300.00
Ellen Nelson
$200.00
Linda Soderberg $150.00
Sheila Rogers
$150.00
Sharon Hoar $150.00
Deirdre Giatas $150.00
Phyllis Ferraro
$150.00
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NIPMUC REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL PERSONNEL LIST 1962 - 1963
Wilho Frigard-Principal
Henry Clough-Assistant Principal, Mathematics, Coordinator Math-Science
Joseph Arrangio-History (Junior High)
Stephen Bodnar-Chemistry, Physics, Earth Science
Allan Byrne-Boys' Physical Education, Coordinator of Physi- cal Education and Athletics
James Courville-Civics, General Mathematics
Miss Margaret Cullen-English
Thomas Cullen-Guidance Director
William Cumming-Mathematics, Mechanical Drawing
Mrs. Anne Davenport-Home Economics
Miss Joan DeNardo-English (Junior High)
Miss Lucille Gilbert-Shorthand, Typewriting
Robert Hallihan-Science
Mrs. Eleanor Hutchinson-French, Latin
Robert Jolie-Industrial Arts
William Kimball-Mathematics (Junior High)
Mrs. Eileen Lucier-English, Department Coordinator
James McGee-Science (Junior High)
Miss Jane McKenna-Girls' Physical Education
Miss Helen Moore-Social Studies
Eugene Morin-English Harold Murphy-Mathematics, Science (Jr. High), Guidance Miss Margaret Navickas-Biology, Mathematics Richard Robinson-Industrial Arts
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Robert Sheehan-Geography, History (Junior High)
Mrs. Mary Swetnam-Bookkeeping, Office Practice, Business Law
Donald Thatcher-Chorus, Band, General Music
Mrs. Muriel Tinkham-Spanish, French
Mrs. Ruth Voss-Librarian, English
Mrs. Marjorie Weed-Art
Substitutes January-June 1963-
Stephen Rosenfeld-Science (Mr. Bodnar) Miss Evelyn Dauphinais-Science (Mr. McGee) Mrs. Dorothy Comolli-Administrative Clerk
Lunchroom
Mrs. Margaret DesBarres, Mgr. Mrs. June Brown Mrs. Sonja Pearson Mrs. Marion Prentiss Mrs. Esther Stanley
Custodians Everett Goodnow, Head Raymond Dudley Alfred Guyette
REPORT OF THE CAFETERIA MANAGER
To the Mendon-Upton Regional School Committee and Mr. Kenneth L. Sharp, Superintendent:
Gentlemen:
Participation in our School Lunch Program continues at over 80% of the average daily attendance.
117
Quoting from a letter we received from Mr. John Stalker, Director of the School Lunch Program in Massachusetts, "You are carrying out the first principle as developed by the educa- tional association to instruct the youth of the nation in the proper method of maintaining and improving their health through eating the correct quantity and types of food."
This commendation is made possible through the coopera- tion of everyone in our school, and particularly through that of the cafeteria personnel.
Cafeteria Statistics - 1962:
Number of days operated 181
Average daily attendance 465
Average daily student lunches served 383
Average daily adult lunches served
28
Total student lunches served 69,346
Total adult lunches served
5,100
Total student extra bottles milk served
19,601
Total adult extra bottles milk served 5,502
We again extend our sincere thanks to all students, par- ents, school personnel, the local radio station and local news- paper for their continued interest and cooperation.
Respectfully submitted, MARGARET M. DesBARRES, Cafeteria Manager.
NIPMUC REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL LUNCH FINANCIAL STATEMENT
Cash Balance, January 1, 1962 $ 722.98
Receipts:
Cafeteria Sales
$ 19,039.18
National Sch. Lunch Program
Claim checks
6,123.31
25,162.49
$ 25,885.47
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Expenditures:
Pay Rolls
$ 8,671.49
Food and Milk
14,761.35
Supplies and other
794.39
Express
478.41
Equipment
328.90
25,034.54
Cash Balance, December 31, 1962
$ 850.93
NIPMUC REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL EXPENDITURES
Budget
Expendi- tures
General Control:
Superintendent's Salary
$ 3,500.00
$ 3,433.34
Superintendent's Travel
200.00
200.00
Superintendent's Expense
50.00
88.35
Clerical Help-Supt.
1,912.00
1,904.00
Office Supplies
200.00
192.36
School Committee Expense
300.00
298.01
Treasurer's Salary
100.00
100.00
Clerical Help-Acct. & Treas.
1,250.00
997.90
Attendance
100.00
100.00
$ 7,612.00
$ 7,313.96
Expense of Instruction:
Teachers' Salaries
$134,680.00
$132,812.46
Coaching and Extra
Curricula
3,000.00
2,825.00
Additional Teachers
1,500.00
1,734.00
Substitute Teachers
1,200.00
810.00
Salary Contingency
500.00
None
Teachers' Travel
200.00
151.50
Home Instruction
300.00
97.50
Principal's Salary
7,900.00
7,895.77
Principal's Expense
100 00
45.25
Office Supplies-Principal
300.00
298.89
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Clerical-Principal
3,183.00
3,052.19
Clerical-Guidance
817.00
807.22
Books
1,200.00
1,202.05
Tuition
400.00
350.89
Supplies-General
1,000.00
1,068.06
Supplies-Departmental
7,224.00
7,392.71
$163,504.00
$160,543.49
Operation of School Plant:
Custodians' Salaries
$ 12,845.00
$ 12,814.03
Fuel
8,000.00
7,388.71
Electricity
6,000.00
5,186.61
Gas
250.00
129.54
Telephone
1,000.00
977.12
Janitorial Supplies
2,000.00
1,916.46
Gasoline and Oil
100.00
31.24
Trucking and Rubbish Removal
100.00
137.73
Police Duty
100.00
None
Snow Removal
500.00
307.19
$ 30,895.00
$ 28,888.63
Maintenance:
Repairs to Building
$ 500.00
$ 772.28
Repairs to Equipment
400.00
402.84
Grounds
400.00
253.24
Contingency
400.00
None
$ 1,700.00
$ 1,428.36
Transportation:
Transportation-Regular
$ 28,597.00
$ 29,577.72
Extra
1,400.00
990.83
Late Bus
3,500.00
4,767.94
Athletic Trips
1,200.00
1,271.50
$ 34,697.00
$ 36,607.99
Auxiliary Agencies:
Workman's Compensation
$ 431.12
$ 405.86
Fire Insurance
1,210.48
846.13
All Other Insurance
484.11
447.86
120
Worcester Co. Retirement
500.00
667.37
Nurse-Salary
1,334.00
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