USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Southbridge > Town annual reports of the officers of Southbridge for the year ending 1942-1946 > Part 22
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 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44
*Stephen Francis Liro
*Yvette Louise Manseau Raymond James Marino Lucille Eunice Mercure
*Blanches Metivier
-80-
Eugene Roger Moreau
*Elizabeth Phipps Olney
*Mary Ann Ottak
*Helen Dusza
*Shirley Elizabeth Hawthorne Gertrude Livernois
*Marie Katherine Norton
*Raymond Joseph Blanchet Robert Steven Casavant
*Pauline Emma Richard Paul Armand Roy
*Lorraine Mae Guertin
*Marcia Rosalie Walker Ida Marion Weaver
*Lorraine Alice Cournoyer Dora Louise Curboy Bernard Charles Damian
*Jessie Damian
Frances Isabel Darzenkiewicz Isabel Veronica Diorio Louis Arthur Dubreuil Walter Henry Dziura Geraldine Helen Ethier
Robert George Ferron Gerald Norman Gauthier
Irving Gay
George Warren Girard
Charles Helric Gladu, Jr.
*Cecilia Thecla Grochowski
*William Lawrence Haith Howard Clifton Hebert
*Prudence Marguerite Tetreault Vera Joyce Themistocles
*George Chin Hong
*Elizabeth Josephine True
Evelyn Teresa Koprowski
Albert John Langevin
Armand Joseph Langlais
Jennie Celia Zajac
General average of 80% or above for four years.
I shall depart frommy accustomed procedure this year of deal- ing with the work of each department separately. Wartime restric- tions encourage brevity.
However, I would like to mention that each department is main- taining, as far as possible, its normal routine. A resume of this routine can be found in any of the three previous reports. In ad- dition to the normal procedure each department has added its con- tribution to education for war and education for the peace to come. We see this in the emphasis placed on Mechanical Drawing, the Skills, Mathematics, Science, Morse Code, and Guidance. The accelerated program aimed to assure graduation to those boys whose birthday falls before the June graduation date is another step tuned to the times. Then, too, we have maintained the one session day in order to give our boys and girls an opportunity to help relieve the local manpower shortage.
I feel that special attention should be given to the work of the Student Council. This body, under the capable direction of Miss Constance Coderre, has sponsored the sale of War Bonds and Stamps. The students have responded overwhelmingly to appeals for purchases.
The administration has attempted to preserve as many extra- curricular activities as is feasible. The athletic program, though somewhat curtailed, is maintained. Clubs, Junior Red Cross ac- tivities, the traffic squad, and safety committee are in operation.
There are a few correlated facts which should be included in this report.
1. Many boys have earned high school credits by taking courses offered by the Armed Forces Institute at Madison, Wisconsin. Others have received credit for specialized training programs of secondary school level while they were in the armed forces. It has been a great source of satisfaction to the administration to be able to award diplomas earned by former Southbridge boys in these ways.
2. Sixty-three courses have been offered through University Extension and a total of over five hundred people took advantage of these courses during the past year. Here, too, adults from South- bridge and surrounding communities have earned enough credits to receive the Mary E. Wells High School diploma. Others have earned
-81-
*Albert Joseph Montigny James Thomas Moynagh Arthur William Olson, Jr. Edward Alexander Piasta
*Joseph Jacob Pienta Norma Plimpton Richard Proulx
*Vincent James Puracchio Patricia Verne Rowett Phyllis Mae Schesler
*Isabel Wanda Dorothy Skowron
*Polly Mary Stecz *Alyce Pauline Suminski
*Sophie Theresa Barbara Swiacki Helen Louise Swiatek
*Hazel Irene Twiss Domenic Fredrick Verna
college credits and credits toward admission to colleges, univer- sities, and nursing schools. These courses have given opportunities to individuals not only to increase their proficiency but to develop necessary skills and knowledge to better their positions. In many cases people have changed their positions from regular workmen to foremen and to positions of greater responsibility and remuneration.
I express my appreciation to Mr. Channing H. Greene, Superin- tendent of Schools, to each and every member of the School Commit- tee, and to the taxpayers of the Town of Southbridge for this op- portunity to present my report on the Mary E. Wells High School. I also offer my thanks for their kind support regarding the educa- tional policies of the high school.
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES M. ROBERTSON
Principal
-82-
REPORT OF GUIDANCE AND PLACEMENT DEPARTMENT
The School Committee Southbridge Public Schools Southbridge, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
Chapter 676, Acts of 1941, which is general laws, Chapter 71, Section 38 A, states in part that the director of Occupational Guidance and Placement shall make an annual report to the School Committee and shall forward a copy of this report to the state supervisor of Guidance and Placement.
In accordance with the above, I am submitting to you my first annual report to cover the period from November 1, 1943 to January 1, 1945.
The program in Guidance and Placement, started last year, was designed to accomplish the following objectives:
(a) Produce data concerning pupil's war and peacetime occu- pational interests and plans.
(b) Assist pupils into vocational choices, in line with their interests, desires and abilities.
(c) Show the extent of school wartime educational effort.
(d) Indicate potential pupils for advanced training in busi- ness, industry, technical work and the various U.S. serv- ices.
(e) Provide data for placement of pupils in part-time, sum- mer and permanent positions.
(f) Stimulate war effort thinking among pupils and parents.
(g) Provide a simple record form which may be useful to pupils in service induction or placement in employment.
(h) Lay a foundation for a complete guidance and placement program.
It is my aim to give every pupil in High School a basic diag- nostic battery of tests. The results obtained, coupled with teacher marks and other records would be an enlightenment not only to pu- pils, but to parents, employers, principal, teachers, etc. Further clinical testing could be done for unusual cases, or by request from principal, parent, etc. This basic testing program would be done in the following fields:
(a) Achievement
(b) Aptitude (including intelligence)
(c) Interest
(d) Personality
Another phase of counseling is that which is given directly by an expert in his own field to one interested in that line of work. I have organized a group of local experts in the business, indus- trial, professional, agricultural and other fields. The Southbridge Technical Society has collaborated in this endeavor.
-83-
In order to make the High School pupils more war conscious, the Pre-Induction Training Chief of the First Service Command re- quested all high schools toshow some of the Army Training Films. This we are doing this year.
Placement
Placement implies the procurement of jobs, permanent, part-time, and summer for present students, drop-outs and graduates through age 23. This is done by contacts with local employers in business and industry. Records and forms used were the following:
(a) Pupil War Inventory Blank
(b) Employment Registration List
(c) Employment Vacancy Card
(d) Card of Introduction
(e) Placement records
By way of summary, since November 1943, I have been re- sponsible for the employment of 222 pupils in part-time work. This represents an average weekly earning capacity of $1,932. If each of these pupils were to work one year, they would earn on an average $348. Working on a part-time basis, this represents an average of $8.70 per pupil per week.
Approximately 60% of the pupils in the High School were employed on a part-time basis or otherwise last year.
Follow-Up
The School Department ought to know what becomes of its
pupils. This knowledge can only be gained by careful follow-up of the school-leavers, whether they be graduates or drop-outs.
I have started my follow-up work on the class of 1944. Each graduate was sent a questionnaire. I hope to follow with a three and five-year follow-up. When all the results are received, I will summarize findings in a report.
This report should prove important to the administration, the pupils, and the Guidance Department. Here are a few of the items that should be brought to light as a result of follow-up studies:
(a) Proper occupational adjustment of graduates.
(b) Measurement of usefulness of the Guidance Pro-
gram.
(c) Keeping abreast of doings of graduates.
(d) Trends in employment fields.
(e) Need for courses of study revision.
(f) In general, furnish information that could be useful to the Guidance Department, the Princi- pal, and the pupils now in school.
I, as director of Guidance and Placement have rendered numerous other services to the community and particularly to the elementary schools and the Trade School. May I refer the School Committee to the letter of December 14, addressed to Mr. Greene concerning work done in conjunction with Miss Nichols and Mr. Morrell.
Respectfully submitted,
PAUL E. DION
Director of Occupational Guidance and Placement
-84=
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
To the School Committee
Southbridge, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
Looking back over my work of the past year, several things are noteworthy. Many of the activities instituted the previous year have been carried through and developed, namely: an enriched and improved Reading Program in all grades; Curriculum development, par- ticularly in the fields of Reading and Social Studies, through com- mittee meetings, individual conferences, and study; Guidance for the pupils in the seventh grades that includes various individual and group tests, conferences with pupils, group conferences, parent conferences, and comprehensive records of the pupils' physical, mental and social development.
New materials and outstandingly fine pupil activities have been exhibited in the teachers' workroom, so that both teachers and children may share them and in turn do similar work in the class- room. About 90% of the teachers in the elementary schools have had work on display. Many classes and several parents have also seen the exhibits.
As co-worker and adviser, I have worked in close cooperation with the principals. Various problems have been analyzed and im- provements made, including:
1. Equilization of educational opportunities for all
children.
2. Standardization of educational policies.
3. Ranking standards.
4. Promotions.
5. Homework.
6. Study skills.
7. Physical education.
8. Evaluation of teacher credits.
9. School budgets.
10. Textbooks.
Individual teachers in the system have been given materials of instructions, counsel, and suggestions, and an earnest, sincere en- deavor has been made to give encouragement and inspiration to all.
SUMMARY OF SUPERVISORY ACTIVITIES January 1, 1944 -- December 31, 1944
I. Visits to Buildings 290
II. Visits in Classrooms. 253
III. Meetings ***
Principals' Meetings.
16
Teachers' Meetings.
Teachers' Meetings in Various Buildings 10
Committee Meetings.
8
Total Meetings. 48
IV. Conferences
With Principals
65
With Teachers
80
With Administrators 76
With Group. 10
With Publishing House Representatives 14
With Parents. .
16
With Others Concerned with Education. 13
Total Conferences
274
-85-
V. Testing Activities
Preschool Tests Classroom Tests
56
18
Individual Tests to Determine Grade, Placement, Achievement and Ability. 103 Total Testing Activities 177
VI. Out-of-Town Contacts 8
VII. Talks before Local Organizations 4
VIII. Home Visits. 6
Respectfully submitted,
MARJORIE H. NICHOLS
Supervisor of Elementary Schools
-
-86-
COLE TRADE SCHOOL
January 8, 1945
Mr. Channing Greene, Supt. Southbridge Public Schools
Dear Mr. Greene:
This is to present my report of the Trade and Industrial train- ing activities as conducted in the Robert H. Cole Trade School for the year of 1944.
The continued demand for young men in the armed forces, and the demand of war industries for boys sixteen years of age has been influential in decreasing the demand on our training facilities ap- proximately fifty per cent. The use of our facilities for' train- ing workers for war production industries has also been reduced to a negligible amount due to the lack of trainees. There has, how- ever, been an increased demand for training high school students in the field of electricity and its application to communications. These students expect to be inducted into the armed services.
The demand for evening trade extension courses increased some- what over that of a year ago, and the demand for veteran training is just beginning.
The prospects for increased vocational training is being studied by the advisory committee who will make their recommendations early in 1945. I wish therefore to withhold my recommendations until the completion of their study.
The student statistical report follows:
Coop.
Day
Total
In school at end of year.
40
98
138
Graduated
8
8
Entering industry trained for
2
8
10
Entering other occupations.
11
28
39
Entering armed service.
14
4
18
Unfit for trade subjects.
3
3
Returned to Grammar or High School
7
7
Left because of illness
2
2
Left town .
1
22
3
Transferred to Coop. School
39
39
Transferred to Day School
4
4
Deceased.
1
1
Total membership for year 1944.
80
192
272
Enrolled during year.
40
68
108
War Training
Pre-employment.
Lens Grinding 10
Supplementary
Drafting.
38
Machine
10
-87-
Certified .
Pre-Induction
Electricity
18
Welding
7
Machine ยท
6
Cabinet & Patternmaking
2
33
Evening Trade Extension
Machine
13
Welding
7
Cabinet & Patternmaking
11
Mathematics
17
Foreman Training.
12
60
GRADUATES
Machinists
*Frank Paul Bernadone
*William Thomas Freeland
*Angelo Peter Ciprari Teopisto Edward Luponi
Theodore Anthony Lesniewski
Draftsmen
*Edward Stanley Horonzewic Stephen Walter Szumilas
Factory Maintenance
*Raymond Weston True
In the armed services.
Four members of the Faculty and 230 students and graduates are on the honor roll of this school. The Faculty members are: Emery Lavallee, Myron Sibley, Harold Andrews, Roland Wallace.
In Memoriam
Frederick Roberts
Edwin Lach
Fidelio Chamberland
Donato Dinovelli
Edward Ciukay
War Bonds & Stamps
The Minuteman Flag has been kept flying at the Trade School, and General Vocational School buildings throughout the year. The total bond and stamp sales beginning January 1, 1943 amounts to $14,063.55. -.
I thank you and the members of the School Board for your sympathetic consideration of my requests and problems of the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
CLARK H. MORRELL
-88-
SOUTHBRIDGE CONTINUATION SCHOOL
To the Superintendent of Schools:
Eleven girls were enrolled in the Girls' Continuation School for the year ending June 21, 1944.
Two girls were between fourteen and fifteen years of age; nine had not reached their sixteenth birthday.
Of the nine who became sixteen before the reopening of school this fall, five are considered graduates of the Continuation School because they attended more than six consecutive school months. One under sixteen left because of the very serious illness of her mother. She will return as soon as possible.
Due to the wide range of preparation for academic work, the girls do most of their work on individual assignments in English, arithmetic, civics and hygiene. The work in English aims at im- provement in oral and written expression, and at the correction of faulty language. Letter writing still continues to be the source of most of our written work. In arithmetic, we have worked at im- proving skills in the use of fundamentals as we worked ou problems of percentage, simple accounts, budgeting of time and money, etc. Through civics, we have tried to awaken interest in our American way of life with all its advantages and blessings.
Classes in foods and clothing were under the direction of Mrs. Barbara Kyrios who taught the girls the first half of each Wed- nesday afternoon. They made simple garments and prepared simple foods, learning valuable lessons of thrift ard the need for careful planning in these days of increased cost of living and scarcity of supplies in many fields. I feel that this is the most valuable part of the day's work for these girls who are at home to help mothers in family home life.
Yours respectfully,
LAURA B. DESMARAIS
Director of Girls' Division
-89-
REPORT OF SCHOOL NURSE
The Health Program showed little variation during the year. There were no serious outbreaks of contagious disease.
Many defects were corrected. There are many more that need attention. It is difficult to convince some parents, (even where no financial difficulties exist) that infected teeth, diseased tonsils, poor vision, etc., are a detriment to general good health.
As far as we know, all welfare cases have been taken care of. Retarded Pupils
Twenty-four pupils of the above group were referred to us for physical defects by the Westboro State Clinic. Parents of these children were contacted and notified of the Clinic findings, and consultation of the family physician advised. All but one of the above has had corrections made.
Vision Test
Through the cooperation of the Massachusetts State Department of Public Health, all of the students in the High School were given the Massachusetts Vision Test in March with excellent results.
It is recognized that present methods for school vision test- ing which employ only a test for visual acuity fails to detect cer- tain children needing an eye specialist's attention. This is true, particularly in cases where the handicap is due to functional dis- turbances.
The test series is composed of three parts:
Part one is planned to sort out cases where there is a low visual acuity.
Part two is intended to detect those who may pass the visual acuity tests but who nevertheless have an error which is latent and may require attention.
Part three is designed to indicate the cases in which there is difficulty in using both eyes together.
The tests are given for screening purposes only. Diagnosis awaits examination by the physician.
Four hundred and seventy-one pupils were given the test. One hundred and twenty-eight failed to pass. Parents of the latter were notified. Comments to parents or pupils beyond the fact of the failure were scrupulously avoided.
While we know that many corrections have been made due to the test, it is impossible to tell the exact number, as many pupils left school at that time or shortly after.
To my mind the Massachusetts Visual Test is very much worth- while, and I would recommend the provision of one for our School Department.
Preschool Clinic
The Summer Round-up for children who were of age to enter school in September was held in June and was fairly well attended. One hundred and forty-three children were registered.
-90-
Sterling Health Camp
Through a part of money collected in our town by the sale of Health Seals, six girls were privileged to attend the Sterling Health Camp for a period of eight weeks. At this camp, they were under the care of professional nurses and teachers; were given proper food and rest as well as recreation. All returned much improved in many ways, and loud in their praise of Sterling Health Camp and its personnel.
Milk
Milk lunches continue to be a very important part of our school health program, an average of 313 half-pints being consumed daily.
I wish to take this opportunity to thank each and every person who contributed in any way to the success of our 1944 Health Pro- gram .
Respectfully submitted,
WINIFRED V. KING, R. N.
School Nurse
-91-
REPORT OF THE ATTENDANCE OFFICER
To the Superintendent of Schools:
Lack of parental supervision still continues to be the main cause for the majority of today's juvenile problems. None can deny the fact that adult delinquency is fundamentally the root of the juvenile problems of today. This is due to the fact that many homes are not functioning now as they did during normal conditions. The war and the conditions accompanying it have greatly aggravated the problem.
The majority of juvenile problems today represent either chil- dren who have been neglected or pampered. Some children end' up in juvenile court because someone has failed to provide for them some of the necessities of life. Often they reach the court due to the failure of parents to provide an adequate and happy home life. Par- ents become interested. in their children only when they have ap- peared before the juvenile courts. Preventive measures, better understanding of children, more frequent contacts between parents and teachers would be very helpful in reducing the many cases of truancy, discipline, hate of school, and many other factors that are essentially the source of juvenile delinquency.
Let us all work together in the great task of moulding our children to become respectable citizens instead of a menace to our society.
The following report gives an account of the work done during the past year:
Persons 5 years of age or over and under 7. . 428
Persons 7 years of age or over and under 14. 1,732
Persons 14 years of age or over and under 16. 559
Number of pupils investigated for absences due to illness, truancy, lack of clothing, contagious diseases and other reasons. . 638
Cases investigated for home permits 43
Cases of persistent tardiness
37
Cases of children working unlawfully. 54
Follow-up and friendly visits 79
Number of children assisted with shoes and clothing 3
Number of children for whom employment was obtained
11
Number of children adjusted in their school work. 14
Number of employment certificates 16-21 literate. 595
Number of employment certificates 16-21 illiterate. 21
Employment between 14-16.
149
Home Permits. 7
Newsboys' badges and street trade
6
Respectfully submitted,
RAOUL O. LATAILLE
Attendance Officer
-92-
REPORT OF THE VISUAL AIDS DEPARTMENT
To the Superintendent of Schools:
This section of the report covers from September 1, 1944 to December 31, 1944, the period of my connection with it. Materials used in the local schools are as follows:
Mary E. Wells High School
Metronoscope Rolls.
10
Film Strips
22
Exhibits.
3
Motion Pictures
6
Total
41
Eastford Road School
Film Strips
11
Pictures (Sets)
4
Total
15
Charlton Street School
Film Strips
6
Pictures (Sets)
2
Total 8
Marcy Street School
Metronoscope Rolls.
5
Film Strips
31
Slides (Sets)
4
Total
40
Cole Trade School
Motion Pictures
5
Total Schools
Metronoscope Rolls
15
Film Strips
70
Exhibits.
3
Slides (Sets)
4
Pictures (Sets)
6
Motion Pictures
11
Total
109
In addition, equipment and facilities of the department have been used by seven groups or organizations outside the school de- partment.
Respectrully submitted,
LINDZAY VARNAM
Visual Aids Director
-93-
SOUTHBRIDGE SUMMER PLAYGROUNDS
To the Superintendent of Schools:
In accordance with your request, a complete report on the Sum- mer Playgrounds is hereby submitted.
The Southbridge Summer Playgrounds extended for a period of six weeks from July 10 to August 18; five days a week for a total of thirty days, and the length of the day was as follows: 9 A. M. to 11:30 A.M 1 P. M. to 3:30 P. M
Accessible to all sections of the town, the playgrounds were situated at West Street School, at Charlton Street School, at East- ford Road School, and at River Street School.
Total playground enrollment: 1071
Average daily attendance: 397
Average daily percentage of attendance: 37%
Largest daily attendance: 648
Personnel:
General
Director: Raoul 0. Lataille
Secretary : Channing H. Greene, Superintendent of Schools
West Street Playground
Supervisor: Miss Celestine Carey
Junior Assistants: Miss Phyllis Freeman Miss Georgette Gatineau
Alfred Noga Robert Shaw
Charlton Street Playground
Supervisor: Miss Eva Salviuolo
Adult Assistant: Mrs. Mary MacLam (half-time)
Junior assistants: Miss Joan Zitka
George Dumas Roger Hebert
Eastford Road Playground
Supervisor: Miss Pauline Roy
Adult assistant: Mrs. Mary MacLam (half-time)
Junior assistants: Miss Nancy Wilkinson Lawrence Simonds
River Street Playground
Supervisor: Mrs. Clara Reed
Junior assistants: Miss Lucille Fournier
Miss Joy Oker Henry Remian
Meetings
Every Monday morning at 8 A.M., there was a staff meeting to discuss problems, to make plans for the remainder of the season, to outline various activities, and to secure materials needed for the proper completion of the arts and crafts.
A final picnic and staff meeting was held at Roseland Park where a summary of the season's activities were presented, plans for
-94-
the future playground seasons were outlined, and suggestions for the proper betterment of playgrounds were given.
Daily Program
Each daily program was planned according to the group present and games were adapted to different age groups.
The taking of attendance was always the first step of each morning and afternoon session.
The inspection of apparatus and grounds, the marking of courts, the posting and making of announcements were always done at the be- ginning of the morning session.
Various activity games, group games, quiet games, story telling, and arts and crafts formed the largest part of the day's program.
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.