USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Southbridge > Town annual reports of the officers of Southbridge for the year ending 1942-1946 > Part 40
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Omer Metivier
1938
Marcy Street School
Joseph Moore
1941
Eastford Road School
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College Attended U. of Vt. (a)
Everett H. Holmes, A. B. 1945
REPORT OF THE PRINCIPAL MARY E. WELLS HIGH SCHOOL
To the Superintendent of Schools:
In accordance with your request, my tenth annual report as Principal of the Mary E. Wells High School is hereby submitted.
The enrollment for the year 1946-1947 is divided as follows: Seniors, 115; Juniors, 124; Sophomores, 141; Freshmen, 140; Veterans and specials, 27- a total of 547 pupils.
PROGRAM OF STUDIES
Diplomas are granted upon completion of three different courses; namely, Academic, Commercial, and General.
Ninety-five pupils were graduated on June 20, 1946 and their names and courses completed by them are included in this report for the information of interested citizens.
CLASS OF 1946-Academic
* Barbara May Armes
¥Richard Gordon Bennett
*John Louis Ciprari
Margaret Marie Dendurand
* Georgette Louise Gatineau
*Carl Melvin Olson
*Patricia Ann Hyland
*Islay Isabelle Palmer Doris Paul
Charles Edward Peloquin
*Jean Elizabeth Small
*Nancy Jane Wilkinson
COMMERCIAL
Dorothy Rita Allard
*Wanda Sharon Boksa
Rachel Amanda Bousquet
Roger Louis Champagne Catherine Ann Costa
* Ann Claire Denault
*Margaret Ethel Douty
*Rachel Germaine Jalbert
*Theresa Mary Kwiatkowski
¥Rita Theresa Leduc
¥Felice Yvonne Letourneau
*Lucille Helene Lusignan
* Bessie Michael
*Mary Rydensky Stefanie Slota
*Lorraine Mirriam Staves
* Theresa Madelyn Swirbliss Rachel Theresa Trudeau
* Helen Agnes Welk
GENERAL
Caroline Rebecca Alger Samuel Athanas
Martha Selma Bagley
Mary· Ann Marino
*George Bandelli Julian Leroy Benvenuti, Jr.
James Edward Mogavero Constance Pauline Proulx
* Doris Melvina Bibeau Claire Eleanor Boehm
Dimitri Rapo Dorcas Mae Renaud
Benoit Earl Boissoneault Betty Theresa Boudreau Albert Paul Brousseau Laura Theresa Ciesla Olga Regina Cleri
*James Oliver Roberts Robert John Shaw Laurence J. Simonds, Jr. Barbara Marie Steigler
Paul Anthony St. Martin
*Tina Susan Curcuruto Mary Frances Curran
Jean Elizabeth Swan Chester Stanley Szydlik
¥ Anne Victoria Damian
Victoria Nadia Themistocles Peter Theodoss
Veronica Mary DiFederico Rudolph Alphonse DiGregorio Gerald Joseph Gregoire
*George Herman Thibeault Kenneth Fred Whiteoak Michael Ziu
Rita Langevin Richard
Mary Kontaxi
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*Robert Luddy Harman Roger John Hebert George Edward Keyes
*Carl Edward Matson
*Bernard Paul McMahon
*Thomas Francis O'Brien
* Joy Oker
*Margaret Elizabeth Jones
*Mary Kathryn Jones
*Claire Roslyn LaForce
* Louise Marie LeClair
¥Pauline Frances Madore
*Phyllis Theresa Maloney
William Allen King Gertrude Bridget Kornasky
** Edward Joseph LaBelle
Donald Anderson Duffus
* Bessie Kraly Pearl Rose LaPlante
*Clement Benvenuti
** Ernest Howarth
Vincent Caplette
* Charles Kollios
Irene Lucier
*General average of 80% earned for four years.
** Diploma earned through in-service training or correspondence courses.
The courses given at the Mary E. Wells High School are the same as have been given in the past few years. Stress is laid upon the preparation for good citizenship and the subjects are taught not only with the view of knowledge for its own sake in mind but with emphasis on how knowledge so gleaned can be turned in practical living results.
Furthermore, the Mary E. Wells High School has been geared to meet the needs of returning veterans. Twenty-eight veterans have come to the school for further preparation for college or for some higher institution of learning. It is to the credit of the excellent faculty of the High School that these veterans are receiving the type of instruction that post high schoolers need and desire.
The leading innovation in the machinery of the Mary E. Wells High School is the advent of the Voucher System. Following is an account of its inauguration and the way in which it has worked out.
At the recommendation of the High School Principal the School Com- mittee approved the inauguration of the Marv E. Wells High School Activity Fund. This deals with all funds handled by all school and class activities and is designed to make it possible to check the accuracy of all cash received and paid out during the year. Money received is deposited in this central fund in a local bank and is subject to withdrawal by the organizations on demand. This pay- ment of cash is delegated to one person who is held accountable for every cent disbursed.
At the suggestion of the cashier of the Southbridge National Bank and after gleaning ideas from many schools who have a similar plan, the voucher system was inaugurated.
In short, for each payment of cash-no currency payment is made-a special printed form, a voucher, a memorandum which supports, authorizes, and furnishes proof of payment is filled out and signed by each advisor of the organization before any expenditure can be made. A check is then drawn. signed by the person handling the fund and the principal. The cancelled check and its accompanying voucher is therefore a receipt that a certain bill has been paid.
It may be interesting to mention here that twice during 1946 we were called upon to prove payment of two items. on a Federal Tax. This is when our voucher system spared the school much probing, arguing, and a second payment of the item in question.
Besides this, as a balanced ledger is kept, it is possible to give at a moment's notice the balance credited to each organization, anytime-each month a mini- ature bank statement is given-and with the help of a Cash Book, minute details needed in making class reports can be obtained. Already the Student Activity Fund has a considerable number of accounts to take care of, and the benefits and help derived from the use of this system is more than commensurate with the time needed in operating it.
There are several recommendations that I would like to make at this time:
1 That a new six year high school be erected. Such a procedure would eliminate the overhead of two central plants, in that one principal, one set of janitors, and one faculty would take care of the education of the young people from the seventh grade through the twelfth grade. Such a system would help the adolescent child to make the transition from the lower grades into the upper easier and would allow department heads to correlate their work schedule in a more satisfactory manner. Many of our leading educators of today are pointing
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Christie Legori
Robert Rodolph L'Homme Laura Hedwiga Lupa
out the fact that the Junior High School system is responsible for too much of a break in the continuous school growth of the child, and are recommending strongly the six year high school plan.
2 That a library be started, and a teacher-librarian be appointed.
3 That lockers be installed to take care of pupils' personal belongings, coats, rubbers, etc.
4 That rooms be provided for sick pupils and larger nurse's quarters be installed.
5 That the old and worn out equipment in the Commercial Department be replaced as soon as possible when such equipment becomes available.
6 That the Household Arts Department be renovated and modern equip- ment installed as soon as purchase of same is feasible.
7 That new seating equipment of the Assembly Hall be provided.
I wish to express my appreciation to the townspeople for their continued efforts in behalf of the High School and I extend my thanks to the School Department for their support.
Respectfully submitted, JAMES M. ROBERTSON Principal
REPORT OF DIRECTOR OF GUIDANCE AND PLACEMENT To the Superintendent of Schools:
In accordance with your request I hereby submit my annual report. In contrast to my last report, which covered the period September - January 1945-6, this report will include all activities for the past twelve months.
The purpose of a guidance office being to assist pupils in their various problems, a large proportion of my time is spent in individual conferences. As they vary from a five minute job hunting visit to a two hour counseling conference, a statistical report on the number would be misleading. On the average 15-18 pupils visit the office every day.
COUNSELING
Guidance problems range from the comparatively simple ones of desiring to change one's school program or seeking a job, to the more complex conferences designed to assist a student to plan his educational future, choose an occupation, or those arranged to help students failing in school work, or helping students in any of their many problems. Each of the six hundred pupils who have been in or graduated from Wells High School since last September has had at least one contact with the office, some many more. The largest number of con- ferences held with, or on, a student is 28 accounting for approximately 20 hours. I should estimate that over one-half of my time is spent in this way. TESTING
Testing pupils to help collect the evidence on which these counseling in- terviews are based takes up another considerable fraction of my time. Tests are given to pupils in all four years of the high school and to both public and parochial school eighth graders. Students are tested in many different lines, some of the types of tests given are, Intelligence, Aptitude, Interest, and Personality. Over 300 children were tested during the 1945-6 school year, and over 150 have been tested since September. Time involved varies form 20 minutes to 180 minutes to administer the test, and much longer to score. PLACEMENT
A third function of the office is placement. Since January 1946, 73 part or full-time jobs have been located and filled through the placement work of this office: in about two-thirds of these positions the students placed is still there. Placement work is concentrated mainly at two periods during the year, at Christmas and in the spring, although it goes on steadily throughout the year. Some 250 students are registered in the placement office as either seeking or holding jobs. At the present moment there are approximately 50 actively seeking work, and over 100 working on a part-time basis. This does not count
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the girls working spasmodically as household assistants or taking care of children About one out of every five pupils coming into the office comes in connection with the placement program.
GROUP WORK
In addition to the conferences with individuals described above, some problems, common to several students, are handled by working with groups. As an illustration of this I might mention trips taken to Massachusetts State College, Becker Junior College, and Brancroft School to help students plan their further education. Talks have been given by me or arranged for outside speakers to assist in vocational planning on the part of the students. Movies have been shown, and visits arranged to various industries and other business establishments in town.
SPECIAL COURSES
Recognizing the fact that, while Southbridge ably prepares its high school graduates for college and for work in office positions, its general and household arts graduates are not prepared for any particular vocation. We have had a course in Salesmanship for some years in the high school; this course, with the capable assistance of the teacher and Mr. Robertson, has been developed into a coopera- tive course to afford the students practical experience in store work. Local store owners and managers have been very generous with their time and counsel in the work of organizing the course. Visiting speakers or films help to bring the practical side of selling into the school.
SUB- FRESHMEN
The responsibility of the guidance office not being limited to the high school, considerable time was spent with the eighth grade pupils of both the public and parochial schools last spring. In an effort to help these pupils make the most important educational decision they have as yet faced, visits were arranged for all public school eighth graders plus those in the Sturbridge school to the Mary E. Wells High School. All boys visited the Cole Trade School as well. At the high school they were welcomed by Mr. Robertson and the Student Council after which they visited some ten classes, leaving with a much clearer picture of what high school meant.
Essentially the position of Guidance Director and/or Counselor offers the youth of Southbridge access to an educational worker possessed of a fund of educational and occupational information whose primary job is to help the in- dividual adjust himself to the system, or in certain cases adjust the system to him. To every parent the success or failure of the schools depend upon what the schools have done for his child. Every child has, at certain times in his school life, need for specialized assistance beyond the capacity of a teacher or the principal, this assistance is furnished by the Guidance office.
Respectfully submitted,
JOSEPH B. HOYT, Director
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS To the Superintendent of Schools:
No spectacular or drastic changes have ben made in our school organization, subject matter, or methods, but steady and gradual progress has been made in raising our standards of achievement. To this end, much individual counseling and guidance has been done by means of individual conferences.
A study of the SOCIAL STUDIES CURRICULUM was made and an outline prepared by a committee of teachers in this field from each building under the chairmanship of the supervisor. A tentative Curriculum Outline has been mimeographed and is now being used. Text books in these subjects (Geography and History) are still in the process of being studied and several sets are being used on a trial basis until a selection is made of the books best suited to our needs.
TEACHERS' NOTE BOOKS have been distributed to each teacher, com- posed of such items as professional outlines in the following subjects: art, health, social studies, arithmetic, and aviation: aims in primary education, seatwork
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suggestions, data on schedules of classes, professional ethics, report cards, and inspirational materials. An individual conference was held with each teacher concerning the contents and use of the notebooks which are considered school property.
BOOKS-Continued effort has been made to provide opportunity for study and adoption of more reference books and text books to meet classroom needs for both pupils and teachers use. This is being done gradually because of the expense involved. New text books are always studied by teachers, principals, and supervisor before selection is made by vote of the majority. The general basis of selection is, "The book meets the needs of the pupils better than any other."
All of the effort, study, testing, and counseling in this office is toward the general aim of "better instruction for our pupils, and equalized opportunity for all children."
The following activities are itemized under several general headings, the better to indicate to the reader the exact duties of this office. However, much of the individual contacts with teacher and pupil as well as the administrators can- not be measured in a material sense.
Respectfully submitted, MARJORIE H. NICHOLS,
Supervisor of Elementary Education
ITEMIZED ACTIVITIES FOR YEAR 1946 Supervisor of Elementary Education
Visits to Buildings
Marcy Street
77
West Street
57
Eastford Road
66
River Street
46
Others
4
Totals
329
Conferences
INDIVIDUAL
157
Principals
36
l'eachers
21
Nurse
10
Parents
16
Publishing Co. Representatives
34
With Others
433
Group
Totals
Meetings
7
Principals
27
Teachers
11
Committees
45
Totals
Other Professional Contacts
536
Classroom Visits
10
Out of Town Contacts
7
Lectures
Totals
553
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153
Superintendent
Guidance Director
6
31
464
Charlton Street
79
Testing
INDIVIDUAL Pre-School M. A. Achievement
CLASSROOM M. A. Achievement
43
37
.
19
99
24
14
38
Totals
137
REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR COLE TRADE HIGH SCHOOL
To the Superintendent of Schools:
I herewith submit my annual report.
The objectives and facilities of this school have been challenged to their limits during the calendar year of 1946. Although the curricula of its courses are extremely flexible the adjustment of the many veterans seeking its services, they having a multitudinous variety of experiences and education, is indeed an accomplishment. This experience, not yet ended, is another demonstration of how this school has arisen to the occasion of supplying an economic, social and individual need when a crisis happens. The sudden return of veterans to civilian life has been a critical period for all vocational educational institutions. STATISTICAL REPORT ON VETERANS ENROLLED IN REGULAR COURSES
Course
Enrolled Coop.
Enrolled Day
Electrical
3
14
Painting-Decorating
1
2
Patternmaking
1
1
Printing
5
Carpentry
2
Factory Maintenance
1
Cabinetmaking
1
10
Drafting
2
24
Machine
19
7
Sheet Metal
5
35
63
CERTIFICATES AWARDED
Edward Dudek and Raymond Gatineau have received their journeyman's electrician license to ply their trade.
Irving Harding has been placed with Forest Service Corporation as a furniture refinisher. He received his training in the Painting and Decorating Department.
VETERANS TRAINING UNDER G. I. BILL 346
The Veteran's "On the Job Training" program under the G. I. Bill 346 has developed rapidly during the last year. 298 veterans have been established under 196 vocational training programs with 104 different service, agricultural and manufacturing firms located in Southern Worcester County. The many problems arising from coordinating these programs with the veterans bureau have been handled to the satisfaction of the several parties concerned.
DEMAND FOR VOCATIONAL AND TRADE HIGH COURSES
The demand for training has exceeded the facilities of most departments.
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The fact that the majority of the veterans enrolled in these courses are graduates of academic high schools and received full credit for academic work done, is a relief to the academic department of this school. In general the present member- ship exceeds the normal instructor load. The establishment of a "waiting list" for admission may be expected early next Fall.
MEMBERSHIP STATISTICS
Coop.
Day
Total
In school at end of year
55
156
211
Graduated
22
22
Entering
5
4
9
Entering other occupations
9
31
40
Entering armed service .
8
4
12
Unfit for trade subjects
7
7
Returned to Grammar or High School
1
6
7
Left because of illness
1
1
2
Left town
1
1
Transferred to Coop. School
16
16
Transferred to Day School
5
5
Total membership for year 1946
106
229
335
Enrolled during year
56
139
195
EVENING SCHOOL PROGRAMS
Courses Instructor
Number Enrolled
Building Estimating - William Julien
16
Cabinetmaking I - Frank Skinyon
23
Cabinetmaking II - William Nickerson
20
Drafting - George Braman, Lawrence Swenson
28
Electrical - Francis Couture
18
Machine - Walter Glondek, Leo Grenier
18
Applied Mathematics - John Benson
26
Metallurgy - Carl Samans
13
Plumbing - Antonio Blanchet
22
Welding-Sheet Metal - Myron Sibley
15
Three new programs were offered in the technical field but only one was in sufficent demand to establish the course. Those offered were (1) precision Measurements, (2) Industrial Physics Applied, (3) Metallurgy. The latter course survived.
DEMAND FOR VOCATIONAL TECHNICAL COURSE
Eighteen students enrolled in this course. Three have dropped it. There is reason to believe it is serving the needs of a selective group of secondary school graduates who can profit by this training. As reported last year, this is a program to train technicians with a basic education and experience in machine design. Shop experience is had in Machine, Sheet Metal, Welding and Patternmaking, General and Applied Mathematics in Algebra, Plane and Solid Geometry and Trigonometry. General and Applied Physics are geared to the subject of Machine Drafting. They can also be accredited for college entrance requirements.
GRADUATES CABINET MAKERS Francis Valentine Kolodziejczak ELECTRICIANS
Daniel Paul Fiorelli Norman Morris Augusto
Roland Theodore Marchessault FACTORY MAINTENANCE
Frederick Anthony Czyzewski Bernard Stephen Zajac
John Rutcho
Certificated
3
3
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199
DRAFTSMEN
Joseph Jacob Pienta
Raymond Chapman Carrier Jr.
MACHINISTS
Leo Caouette
Alfred Louis Cote John Alfred Cavanaugh Robert John Gajewski
John Calvin Palmer Jr.
Richard Oswald Cavanaugh Raymond Stanley Jeramenik
Robert Walter Osowski Walter Henry Dziura Francis Victor Dziembowski Bronislaus Joseph Milas Carl Fred Rulli
SHEET METAL Edward Joseph Cloutier PERSONNEL CHANGES
Mr. Nels H. Johnson was appointed the Department Head of the Machine Shops.
Mr. Lawrence Swenson rejoined the faculty to teach Applied Mathematics and Science.
Mr. Antonio Blanchet was engaged to teach subjects related to Plumbing in the Evening Trade Extension program.
Dr. Carl Samans was engaged to teach Metallurgy in the Evening Trade Extension program.
Miss Maureen Baybutt was engaged to succeed Mrs. Georgette LeBoeuf as clerk.
Miss Helen Matys was engaged as a part-time clerk in the Veterans pro- gram.
Mr. John Craite was engaged as Building Custodian to succeed Mr. Charles Quevillon.
RECOGNITION FOR FAITHFUL SERVICE
The retirement of Mr. Charles Quevillon ended a service as Building Custodian which is highly commended and appreciated. Recognition of this event was made by all the personnel of this school at the annual outing last June. It becomes a permanent record to wish him a long life of happiness and service to others.
NEW FACILITIES
A new heat treatment department was established adjacent to the machine shop. The equipment includes a Rockwell Hardness Tester, Carburizing Fur- nace, Automatic Electric Furnace, Gas Furnace, Hot Air Tempering Furnace and accessories. The Electrical Department of the school installed the electric supply equipment and controls.
MACHINE SHOP REORGANIZED
A master job of relocating the machine tools in the Machine Shop was ac- complished by the students of this department aided by students of the Electrical, Cabinet, Sheet-Metal, Painting and Decorating Departments.
BUILDING REPAIRS
The Science room was refinishing by the Painting and Decorating De- partment.
The roof was repaired and the outside wood finish was painted by local contractors.
Respectfully submitted, CLARK H. MORRELL, Director
REPORT OF SCHOOL PHYSICIAN
To the Superintendent of Schools:
At the outset of this report we are happy to state that the general physical health of the children in our Public Schools is indeed at a gratifyingly high level.
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PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS
This fact is borne out through our general physical examinations of all the pupils of the first, third, fifth, seventh, ninth and twelfth grades completed this year. In the latter three grades our examination was restricted to the boys only, since the girls of such grades are examined by Dr. Adah B. Eccleston. In compliance with instructions from the Division of Child Welfare of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, annual examinations are now done only in the alternate odd grades. Thus each child undergoes general physical inspection every two years, unless some particular defect in his condition should make annual or more frequent examination advisable. This has meant a lesser number of children to be examined annually together with a better opportunity for a more detailed inspection of each child. DAILY OFFICE HOUR
A further check on the general health in our schools is afforded us through a daily one hour office period, which is observed each school day from 8 A. M. to 9 A. M. At this time each child, who has been absent from school on account of illness for three days, or more, calls at the School Physician's office for physical inspection and issuance of a health certificate before being readmitted to school. The purpose of this inspection is to protect the children already in school from possible exposure to infection from those children whose illness has caused them to be absent. As a further precaution in this direction, the above inspection is even required of those children, claiming absence from school by reason of illness for a single day immediately preceding or following week-ends or other vacation periods.
At this point we wish to extend our hearty commendations to the teachers of all our schools for their rigid and faithful adherence to the above regulation. We would also most cheerfully commend the teachers for their alertness in de- tecting disturbances in the condition of the pupils under their supervision, par- ticularly suspicious skin infections, and in submitting these children to the immediate attention of the School Physician. Through this alertness our teach- ers deserve credit for preventing serious outbreaks of troublesome infections in our schools.
X-RAY EXAMINATION
It is a source of profound satisfaction to us to report at this time to the citizens of Southbridge that the entire student body as well as the teaching and administrative personnel of Mary E. Wells High School and Cole Trade School were afforded the benefit of an individual chest X-ray examination last June, when the Mobile Unit of the Massachusetts Tuberculosis Association favored our municipality with a visit. Through we have no composite report on the results of this survey, it is a source of comfort to know that any member of our school personnel, who submitted to this examination and was found to disclose any suspicion of possible infection, has had the condition called to his attention and has been instructed to confer with his or her personal physician. ACCIDENTS
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