USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Mendon > Town annual reports of the officers of Mendon, Massachusetts 1958-1962 > Part 8
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During the past year many major repairs and improve- ments have been accomplished and a report of these will be found in the School Committee's report to the citizens.
The conversion of this building to an all elementary building will be realized at a relatively small cost.
School Program
It is fortunate that this will be our final year on the two-platoon system. The inconveniences, hardships, lim-
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itations and curtailment of services to our pupils are quite evident and in the light of transpiring events need not be elaborated upon at this point. Yet, with the limitations imposed upon us because of the overcrowdedness, the quality of education remains at a high level and indeed our classrooms are veritable laboratories of learning.
A curriculum study has been initiated and with great- er emphasis in 1960, our anticipated goal of constantly evaluating should bear good fruit.
This year for registration of First graders, a new orientation booklet was prepared for the convenience of our new school citizens and their parents. This booklet is entitled "Come Learn With Us" and is calculated to gen- erate a closer understanding among the home, the pupil and the school.
Our system is participating in several of the educa- tional television programs emanating from WGBH-TV, Channel 2 in Boston. Some of the offerings are:
French, Grades 3 and 4 Literature, Grade 3 Science, Grades 5 and 6 Music, Grade 2
Standardized tests are administered by the teachers and are interpreted, serving as a tool in determining the abilities and achievements of our pupils by means of out- side criteria. These tests indeed serve as an aid to better understanding of the pupil. These, coupled with the im- plementation of professional techniques lend themselves to better academic service to our pupils.
In spite of the inability to acquire a car for the driver training program we are offering to those pupils who desire and qualify, the classroom instruction phase of the pro-
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gram. This classroom instruction is being capably ac- complished by our Principal, Mr. Henry P. Clough.
A formal athletic program for girls was instituted this year and was well organized and supervised by Miss Mary Whitney of our High School staff. The program includes volley ball, soft ball and tennis.
The Staff
There were no changes in the staff at the elementary level. With the return of Mrs. Gould we were able to bring our class size to numbers that are more conducive to im- proved teaching-learning situations.
At the secondary level, however, the resignation of Mr. Howard Llewellyn was received and accepted. Miss Lucille Gilbert, a graduate of Salem State Teachers Col- lege was engaged to head our Commercial Department. The resignation of Mr. Wayne Miller of the English De- partment was accepted and Mrs. Mildred DeSalvia, a graduate of Tufts University with four years of experience was employed. However, Mrs. DeSalvia could not com- plete the year and Mr. Henry Feddern was employed in her stead. The resignation of Mrs. Christine Cervizzi was filled by the employment of Mr. Louis Beauchemin, a graduate of Catholic University of America, with two years experience. Mr. Beauchemin is a teacher of Latin, French and Geography.
During the course of the year our staff has partici- pated in various conferences and conventions.
On October 19, a regional elementary conference was held at the new elementary school in Uxbridge. The theme of this conference was "Current Trends of Promise in Elementary School Practices."
On October 7th, a regional secondary conference was held at Grafton High School in the Town of Grafton and the topic discussed was "General Overview of the Second- ary School Curriculum."
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On November 6th, our entire staff attended the Wor- cester County Teachers Convention at the Worcester Auditorium. The topic in this instance was "General Im- provement in Junior-Senior High School Grades."
On November 17th, Miss Frances Barrett, Reading Consultant of the Scott Foresman Reading System con- ducted a clinic at Pinecrest School in Bellingham which was attended by our elementary staff.
In this manner and in taking professional improve- ment courses, our teachers strive to improve their poten- tial capacities, thereby rendering a greater service to our pupils.
Census
The annual census and distribution of minors was taken in October, 1959. This includes all residents of the town on October 1, 1959 between the ages of 5 and 16 whether attending school or not. Residents 16 and over are not counted. The figures shown here will not neces- sarily agree with the figures in the age-grade-enrollment chart. The result of the October 1, 1959 tabulation is as follows:
5 years or over 7 years or over
and under 7
and under 16
Boys
45
162
Girls
39
163
84
325
Distribution of minors:
In public school membership
57
298
In private school membership
1
26
Not enrolled in any school
26
1
84
325
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Enrollment
The advanced percentage technique has been em- ployed in the calculation of the projection of enrollment which follows:
MENDON SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
Actual and Predicted Enrollment 1949 - 1969
GRADES
Grand
1949 1950 1951 1952 1953
1 2 3 4 5 6 Tot. 7 8 9 10 11 12 Tot. Tot.
32 36 24 21 27 27 (167) 23 23 24 18 12 12 (112) 279 +30 28 38 36 27 24 24 (177) 33 19 19 22 16 11 (120) 297 +18 27 31 43 45 29 24 (199) 27 32 17 23 16 13 (128) 327 +30 39 35 28 42 39 30 (213) 21 22 28 14 19 17 (121) 334
+7 35 38 35 26 44 39 (217) 33 21 21 23 12 18 (128) 345 +11 39 38 37 36 25 43 (218) 37 29 19 16 20 11 (132) 350 +5 32 40 35 35 37 27 (206) 44 39 31 18 14 18 (164) 370 37 33 42 28 34 34 (208) 30 36 36 28 15 13 (158) 366 +20 -4 +20 45 37 34 41 29 35 (221) 35 23 36 34 25 12 (165) 386
42 43 39 32 38 29 (223) 35 35 20 34 30 20 (174) 397 +11 53 35 39 36 30 33 (226) 35 28 30 23 28 27 (171) 397 same
1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968
53 57 36 39 36 30 (251) 35 32 26 27 20 25 (165) 416 +19 45 57 58 36 39 36 (271) 32 32 30 24 23 18 (159) 430 +11 39 48 58 58 36 39 (278) 38 29 30 27 21 21 (166) 444 +14 47 42 49 58 59 36 (291) 41 34 27 27 23 19 (171) 462 +18
57 50 43 49 59 60 (318) 38 37 32 25 23 21 (176) 494 +32 57 61 51 43 50 60 (322) 63 34 34 29 22 21 (203) 525 +31 57 61 62 51 43 51 (325) 63 57 32 31 25 20 (228) 553 +28 57 61 62 62 52 43 (337) 54 57 53 29 27 23 (243) 580 +27 57 61 62 62 63 53 (358) 45 49 53 48 25 24 (244) 602 +22 1969
57 61 62 62 63 64 (369) 56 41 46 48 41 23 (255) 624 +22
Bold figures actual Light figures predicted All figures as of October 1st
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Budget Comment
It should be noted here that maintenance and op- erational costs of our schools must of necessity run com- mensurate with the economy in which we are situated. This necessarily follows since schools are such an integral part of our society. Schools will be as good as the citizens want them to be. The citizens of Mendon have responded well and have indicated their great desire for good schools through their cooperation and financial faith in our de- partment.
Conclusion
Finally, I wish to express my sincere gratitude to the citizens of Mendon in general and the Parent-Teachers Association in particular for their enthusiasm and co- operation. For the cooperation and assistance of Mr. Henry Clough, the entire teaching staff, the school physi- cian, school nurse, supervisors, custodial staff and parents, I am very grateful. To all and indeed, You, the School Committee, I am very grateful for having had the oppor- tunity to serve the pupils of Mendon.
Respectfully submitted, ANTHONY C. MINICHIELLO Superintendent of Schools
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REPORT OF HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
To Mr. Anthony C Minichiello
Superintendent of Schools
I herewith submit the annual report of Mendon High and Center School for the year ending December 31, 1959.
Double sessions in the elementary grades continue in operation this year. At the end of January, the morning and afternoon sections were interchanged to provide an equal sharing of the day's early and later hours between the two groups.
Enrollment figures for the entire school are as fol- lows: Grade I-55; Grade II-38; Grade III -41; Grade IV - 36; Grade V-30; Grade VI -33; Grade VII-35; Grade VIII-28; Grade IX -30; Grade X-23; Grade XI-27; Grade XII - 27.
The Mendon High School graduation exercises of the Class of 1959 occurred June 17, 1959. The following class members received diplomas: David Lee Atkinson, Norman Lester Cox, Nancy Mae DeLorge, Harvey Leo Dugas, Eleanor Goodnow, Harland Griffin, Donald Huston Kimball, David Bennett Lowell, Kenneth Wayne Lund- vall, Margaret Palmer, Jane Karen Pharnes, Norma Eliza- beth Rogers, Jean Sandra Roy, Nancy Sara Scott, Eldon Andrew Swanson, Cynthia Louise Tuttle, Marjorie Ellen Vear, Leonard James Wiersma, Thelma Louise Wiersma, Linda Carole York. Twelve members of the class are cur -.
100
rently enrolled in higher educational or special training institutions.
First and second honors in scholarship were attained respectively by Cynthia Louise Tuttle and Marjorie Ellen Vear. Kenneth Wayne Lundvall was awarded the Ameri- can Legion Medal, and Thelma Louise Wiersma received the Mendon High School Alumni Association Medal. Eleanor Goodnow was the recipient of the Good Citizen- ship Medal and Certificate presented by the Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. David Lee Atkin- son was the representative of the Mendon High School on Student Government Day at the State House. Louis R. Paradiso and Carol A. Perron, members of the Class of 1960, were selected as delegates to the annual conven- tions of Boys' and Girls' State conducted by the Ameri- can Legion and Legion Auxiliary, and were sponsored by the Roger L. Wood Post and by the Post Auxiliary.
The annual prize speaking contest was held April 3, 1959 at the Mendon Town Hall. Winners of first, second, and third prizes were Carol A. Perron, Sandra Ellen York, and Sheila M. Perkins, respectively.
The Class of 1960 presented a three act play entitled, "It's a Date", on the evenings of December 4 and 5 at the Mendon Town Hall. A musical program under the direc- tion of Miss Christine Wilson, Supervisor of Music, was presented February 19, 1959.
American Education Week was again observed with an open house evening for visitation and consultation with teachers on November 10 from seven to nine P.M. A high attendance record for the evening indicates a continued interest, value, and significance in the open house program.
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The program for individual savings by pupils oper- ates throughout all grades. Saving stamps may be pur- chased each week by pupils of grades one to four inclu- sive. Pupils of the remaining grades and in high school may make weekly deposits in the Milford Federal Savings Bank.
The school cafeteria provides excellent meals for the high school section. Milk is served to pupils of the ele- mentary sections each day under the program operated by the School Lunch Administration of the State Depart- ment of Education.
In conclusion, I wish to thank you, the members of the School Committee, the Parent-Teacher Association, and the townspeople for their cooperation and assistance.
Respectfully submitted, HENRY P. CLOUGH, Principal
102
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL PHYSICIAN
January 15th, 1960
School Committee
Mendon School Department
Mendon, Massachusetts
Dear Sir:
The following is my report of Mendon School work for the year 1959.
The following clinics were held:
Antigen Clinics were held on March 10th, 1959; April 7th, 1959 and May 5th, 1959.
25 pre-school children were given protective injections. 60 school children were given booster injections. Vaccination Clinic was held on May 19th, 1959.
23 children were vaccinated.
June 24th, 1959 and July 22nd, 1959 Polio Clinics were conducted in the late afternoon for the convenience of the working people.
Physical examinations for school children in Grades 1, 4, 7 and 10 showed the following defects:
Referred for dental evaluation 35
Heart Murmurs 1
Wax in ears 4
Enlarged and chronically infected Tonsils 8
Sincerely,
RONALD A. LUKERT, M.D.
103
MENDON SCHOOL NURSING REPORT
To Anthony C. Minichiello Superintendent of Schools
Mendon, Massachusetts
May I submit to you the Annual School Nursing report for the year ending December, 1959.
Mendon was visited Tuesday of each week from Janu- ary through June of 1959. Starting in September a new plan was devised due to the platoon system. Two half days, namely Tuesday morning and Wednesday afternoon, were spent in the school. This plan enabled the nurse to accomplish more school duties.
Physical examinations of pupils in Grades 1, 4, 7, and 10 were done by Dr. Lukert assisted by the school nurse.
All children were weighed, measured, and inspected during the school year and weight slips given out.
Antigen Clinics were held in the Mendon School on March 10th, April 7th, and May 5th. These clinics are always conducted in the spring and 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 must have parental consent. Twen- ty-five pre-school children were given protective injections, and sixty school children were also taken care of. These
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injections protect your children from whooping cough, diphtheria, and tetanus.
A Vaccination Clinic was held on May 19th with Dr. Lukert in charge assisted by the nurse. Twenty-three children were vaccinated at this time. A week later the vaccinations were read by the nurse and certificates given to the parents. This also is a yearly clinic and any child living in Mendon is welcome to attend.
On June 24th and July 22nd, Polio Clinics were con- ducted at Mendon School with Dr. Ronald Lukert assisted by the District Nurses and volunteer workers. These clinics were held in the late afternoon for the convenience of working people.
Registration was held at the school in May. Mr. Clough was assisted by the school nurse and High School students in obtaining the information necessary for the school health record cards which follows each school child through their school years.
The general health of the school children during the school year was good. Many minor injuries were taken care of, and pupils taken ill at school when the nurse was in attendance were transported to their homes many times. Home calls were also made if requested by Mr. Clough or any of the teachers.
Audiometer and vision testing of all pupils present was completed by the nurse. Three hundred and sixty- eight pupils were vision tested and three hundred and seventy were tested with the audiometer machine. Chil- dren with defects were given notices to take home to parents or guardians. The response for correcting defects was most gratifying.
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The following defects were found among the chil- dren examined by Dr. Lukert:
Referred for dental evaluation 35
Heart murmurs 1
Wax in ears 4
Enlarged and chronically infected tonsils 8
The following is a summary of the work done by the nurse in her visits to school:
Inspection of pupils
496
Pupils inspected for disease
103
Pupils recommended for exclusion 9
Pupils and nurse conferences
109
Pupils treated for minor injuries
59
Nurse and teacher conferences
244
Home visits 18
In closing may I express our thanks to you Mr. Mini- chiello, and to Mr. Henry Clough, Principal, for your co- operation and assistance; to Dr. Ronald Lukert, School Physician; and also to the entire school personnel, includ- ing cafeteria workers and custodian, for their courtesy and co-operation; to the School Committee and Town Officials for their support; and to the parents for their co-operation and confidence.
Respectfully submitted, GRACE MORAN, R.N. School Nurse EILEEN BROWN, R.N. School Nurse
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REPORT OF MUSIC SUPERVISOR
To the Superintendent of Schools
My Dear Mr. Minichiello:
With the growth and improvement of the standards of music education in our public schools, the term super- vision has come to mean many different things. The dif- ference in the actual duties of supervisors is directly rela- ted to the size and development of their particular school systems. In a system such as ours, the supervisor is all of the currently used terms combined-music teacher, spe- cialist, consultant, et cetera-whose over-all planning is necessary to establish and maintain a good music program. However, the Music Supervisor would not meet with any noticeable success if she did not have the cooperation of the school Principal and the Superintendent. I am fortu- nate in that both have a love for music and am willing to give it the place it deserves in the curriculum. It is un- fortunate that I cannot devote more time to the "Grades" but having only the one day and with the increase in classes, this is impossible. Without an exception, our Teachers wish to please me in their efforts to bring music to every child. Some, however, are not musically gifted and have to work hard at it. But in every case, a splendid "esprit de corps" prevails between them and me.
With the change of classes in double session coming up, our second graders can be "21 inch classroom" viewers for the music program on Thursday mornings. Televised music education is something difficult to evaluate. I am certain that in rural districts, where music supervision is
107
inadequate, the TV classroom will definitely enhance the music program, but where there is a supervised music program, we must take care that the TV experience does not become the whole music lesson. I would be among the first to admit that the value of visual aids for the classroom teacher is priceless in education today, just as long as we do not forfeit the essentials. It is fine to cor- relate and integrate music with other subjects, but it still remains a separate subject and should be taught as such- with its own intrinsic value and with us being unafraid of the word "Drill." There are many things in music that are impossible without drill, whether or not it is disguised under a different name. At one of the sessions of the "Master-Teacher Seminar in Music Education" which I attended last summer at the New England Conservatory of Music, it was brought out that without practice even the most musically talented will not achieve to any great extent. Practice techniques are needed to perfect skills. It is drill that makes the difference between "That may not sound too well, but they are happy" and "That sounds great." The youngsters will be happy in knowing that they sound well. I am sure that all our Teachers realize this, and that in the event that more programs than those on second grade level are telecast, our Teachers will accept them as pleasant interludes and aids, not as the basis for Music Education.
Everyone seems to be acclimated to double sessions, as all the classes are going along smoothly. Therefore, in summation, I want to thank you, Mr. Minichiello, Mr. Clough, all the Teachers, the School Committee and all the school Personnel for your cooperation and sincere in- terest.
Respectfully submitted, (MISS) CHRISTINE WILSON Supervisor of Music Education
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REPORT OF THE ART INSTRUCTOR
The value of a school art program lies not only in teaching a few who will make art a career, but also in teaching all to use and appreciate art in every-day life. The aim of the art curriculum is to assist in developing a creative mind in the student. As a child's drawing can- not be compared to that of an adult, his efforts cannot always fulfill adult concepts. All children are creative in varying degrees.
The development of their creative powers can best be accomplished by providing experiences with a variety of media, such as crayons, poster paints, water colors, finger paints, paper, clay, scrap materials, etc. The product is of lesser value than the experience.
Almost as much emphasis today is placed on crafts as upon the arts. "Drawing" as it was known a few years back, has changed considerably. "Creativity" is the key word to present day art. Instead of the old method of tracing set patterns, coloring pictures, etc., a child today creates his own pattern as he sees and feels it.
In grades one through eight emphasis is placed upon color, design, sketching, construction, lettering and the crafts. High School students are encouraged to select and complete individual projects. This year they include oil painting, gold stencilling, block printing, copperfoil, leath- er work and textile painting.
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Grades four through high school enter the annual poster contest sponsored by the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Although only five posters may be submitted from each grade, it gives every student an opportunity to learn how to construct attractive posters. The skills learned in this project will be useful in the years to come.
The cooperation of the administrators, teachers, and students in carrying out this art program is most encourag- ing and is deeply appreciated.
Respectfully submitted, HELEN G. THOMAS Supervisor of Art
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MENDON HIGH SCHOOL PRIZE SPEAKING CONTEST
FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 1959
Sisters-in-Law Black
Elvera T. Creasia
White Hands of Telham Davenport
Carol A. Perron
Back at Four George
Linda Goodnow
A Marriage Proposal
Tchekoff
Claudette Lambert
Night Bell Martin
Judith Francey
A Forgotten Witness
Kimball
Gale Kinnecome
Selections by Rhythm Band Pupils of Grade Two
The Cat Came Back
Black
Sandra Ellen York
Guilty or Not Guilty Linda Tougas
Anon
The Yellow Wallpaper Gilman
Sheila Perkins
The Young South
Kimes
Judith Alberto
Joey's Friend Black
Jeanne Gaskill
Chorus Selections
(a) The Harvest
Folk Song
(b) Follow Me Godle
Pupils of Grade Six
Decision of Judges
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MENDON HIGH SCHOOOL GRADUATION
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17th, 1959
Processional-Pomp and Circumstance
Elgar
Mrs. Raymond F. Biedrzycki
Invocation Rev. Don A. Yost
Salutatory and Essay-What Is Civil Defense? Marjorie E. Vear
Essay-More Than a Nurse
Jane Karen Pharnes
Essay-With What We Have
Norman L. Cox
Song-A Tribute to Romberg
arr. Maclean
High School Chorus
Essay-The United Nations
Thelma L. Wiersma
Essay-To God and Our Country
Norma E. Rogers
Essay and Valedictory-What Education Means to Me Cynthia L. Tuttle
Song-The Lord's Prayer
Malotte
High School Chorus
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Awards and Presentations
The American Legion Medal Mr. Edward J. Lamothe Commander, Roger L. Wood Post, A. L.
The Parent-Teacher Association Scholarship Mr. E. Theodore Giatas President, Mendon Parent-Teacher Association
Alumni Medal, Good Citizen Certificate, Diplomas Mr. Gordon R. Good Chairman, Mendon School Committee
Star Spangled Banner
Benediction
Rev. Don Yost
Recessional-March Romaine Gounod
Mrs. Raymond F. Biedrzycki
CLASS OF 1959
David Lee Atkinson Jane Karen Pharnes
Norman L. Cox
Norma Elizabeth Rogers
Nancy Mae DeLorge
Jean Sandra Roy
Harvey L. Dugas
Nancy S. Scott
Eleanor Goodnow
Eldon Swanson
Harland Griffin
Cynthia Louise Tuttle
Donald Huston Kimball Marjorie E. Vear
David Bennett Lowell Leonard J. Wiersma
Kenneth Wayne Lundvall Thelma L. Wiersma
Margaret Frances Palmer Linda Carole York
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TOWN WARRANT
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
Worcester, ss.
TO THE CONSTABLE
of the TOWN of MENDON in the
COUNTY of WORCESTER, Greeting:
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts you are directed to notify the inhabitants of the Town of Mendon qualified to vote in elections and in town affairs to meet at the TOWN HALL in said Mendon on MON- DAY the 7th day of MARCH A.D. 1960 punctually at 9:00 o'clock A.M., to act on the following articles, viz:
Article 1.
Article 2. and all following Articles on this Warrant will be acted upon Friday, the 11th day of March at 7:00 P.M.
Article 1. To bring in their ballots for the following Town Officers:
One Moderator for one year;
One Town Clerk for one year;
One Selectman for three years; One Assessor for three years; One Constable for one year;
One Tree Warden for one year;
One Trustee for Taft Public Library for two years;
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One Member of the School Committee for three years;
One Highway Surveyor for one year;
One Water Commissioner for three years;
all on one ballot, designating the office intended for each person.
Article 2. To hear the reports of the several Town Officers and Committees and act thereon.
Article 3. To choose all necessary Town Officers for the ensuing year.
Article 4. To appropriate such sums of money as may be necessary to defray town expenses for the finan- cial year beginning January 1, 1960.
(See Schedule A)
Article 5. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Town Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, to borrow a sum of money not to exceed forty thousand dollars ($40,000) in anticipation of the revenue of the fi- nancial year beginning January 1, 1960 and to issue a note or notes therefor, payable within one year and to renew any note or notes as may be given for the period of less than one year, in accordance with Section 17, Chapter 44 of the General Laws.
Recommended.
Article 6. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, or transfer from unappropriated available funds in the treasury, a sum of money for Chapter 81 Highways, or take any action in relation thereto.
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