USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Southbridge > Town annual reports of the officers of Southbridge for the year ending 1947-1951 > Part 43
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TEACHER INFORMATION
A comprehensive bulletin, "The Audio-Visual Aids Pro- gram," prepared by the director, was issued to each teacher in the school system. This bulletin answers the following ques- tions for the teachers: "What is meant by Audio-Visual Aids?"; "Why use Audio-Visual Aids?"; "What are the Audio-Visual Aids?"; "Where is the Audio-Visual Aids Department Lo- cated?"; "What is the Personnel of the Audio-Visual Aids De- partment?"; "What are the responsibilities of the Building Co- ordinator?"; "What are the services rendered by the Audio- Visual Aids Department?"; "How does the Department deter- mine the desirable Aids to be purchased or rented?"; "How long are distributed materials allowed out?"; "How does the teach- er order materials?"; "What are some of the future plans?"; and "What are the chances of future plans ever being realized?"
Film schedules were distributed to each school and posted on bulletin boards so that teachers might know well in advance the films coming to their building.
A catalog of "Lantern Slides with Title Lists" was distrib- uted to each teacher. This catalog, listing slides now in the De- partment, is especially useful for the elementary teacher. The units are arranged by subject matter areas and the title of each slide in each unit is listed in order to help the teacher become better acquainted with the entire unit before ordering.
Several bulletins describing the basic patterns for using audio-visual aids were further distributed to teachers.
For the convenience of teachers in filing the foregoing and ensuing information, the Department provided each teacher with a specially prepared folder called "Audio-Visual Informa- tion."
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Since the budget was inadequate to permit the purchase of other teaching tools such as filmstrips and transcriptions, the film became the audio-visual tool receiving perhaps the most emphasis in audio-visual instruction during 1950. A total of one hundred and five education films were shown during the year. These films were used in the following four separate pro- grams: Elementary, High School, Health, and Guidance. The Elementary and High School programs were planned by teach- ers and teacher committees working with the director while the Health and Guidance programs were planned by directors of the respective departments working with the audio-visual aids director.
COMMUNITY SERVICE
During the year, the services of the Department were ex- tended to many organizations of the community. Equipment and operators were loaned to the following: St. Mary's, Sacred Heart and Notre Dame schools; League of the Sacred Heart; Girl Scouts; Red Cross; Chamber of Commerce; Charlton Street, Eastford Road, West Street and Marcy Street P. T. A.'s; Fire Department; Ames Worsted Co .; Exchange Club; Semi- Circle Athletic Club, and the American Legion and Lions Club. Whenever the demands did not interfere with regular school schedules, the director was glad to cooperate with these organ- izations in fulfilling their demands.
RECOMMENDATIONS
In order to increase the effectiveness of audio-visual in- struction in the Southbridge Public Schools, the director rec- ommends:
1. That a set of portable dark shades be purchased for each school in the system.
2. That a course in audio-visual instruction, with promo- tional credits, be offered to teachers.
3. That a three-speed play-back machine be purchased immediately.
4. That the per pupil minimum expenditure for audio- visual instruction in Southbridge Public Schools be at least one dollar.
In conclusion, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all administrators and teachers who have cooperated so faithfully with the director in establishing the beginnings of a sound program of audio-visual instruction in Southbridge. Recognition is especially due Mrs. Wanerka and her classes in
57
machine practice for the excellent typing and mimeographing of the numerous forms, bulletins, and catalogs prepared by the Department. It is indeed a pleasure to work with men and women who are so deeply interested in the progressive tools of modern education.
Respectfully submitted, EDWARD J. DESROCHES, Director, Audio-Visual Instruction.
REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF MUSIC
To the Superintendent of Schools:
In accordance with your request, I am submitting my third annual report on music in the Southbridge Public Schools.
MARY E. WELLS HIGH SCHOOL
Purchases and Programs
The Choristers, the mixed glee club of the high school, started the year 1949-1950 by purchasing "risers" with proceeds from their November operetta. These are elevations upon which they stand whenever they give a program. Months of rehears- ing could not have improved the singing or the appearance of the club more than these stands.
The first opportunity to use these stands was at a meeting, early in March, of the Y. M. C. A. Women's Auxiliary. Material for ten new robes was also purchased and Mrs. E. Laakso very graciously offered to make them up for the club.
The Choristers, for the second year, gave a well-received Pops Concert in May for the Universalist Church, and they sang again on their stands at the Music Festival in Milford, at Com- mencement, and at a big school assembly early in October.
Music Appreciation
The music appreciation class is enjoying a new Webster- Chicago victrola and the addition to their music library of new records of 33 and 45 r.p.m. The Mary E. Wells High School has been host this fall, and will continue to hold the honor until the end of February, to a class of teachers taking a Harvard Univer- sity Extension Course in Music Appreciation and the teaching of Music Appreciation. This course is being conducted by Miss Helen Leavitt, author and lecturer. The teachers taking this course are from Southbridge elementary schools and from schools of neighboring towns. They are grateful to Mr. McCarn for bringing this course to them.
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Operetta
Since October 1, a double cast, chosen from the Choristers, has been preparing for a performance of the Gilbert and Sulli- van operetta, The Mikado, scheduled to go on the stage of the Strand Theatre January 13 and 16. The purpose is primari- ly to raise money for band uniforms, and the production is prov- ing to be a real community project. Tradesmen, teachers, and friends far and near, are lending their time, their talents, their precious possessions, and their store windows, in a united effort to make the night of January 16, 1951, an artistic and a social as well as a financial success.
Worcester County Music Festival
A real thrill was given to the eight Choristers who, after months of Worcester rehearsals, sang in the Worcester County Chorus of High School Students on the Philadelphia Sym- phony's Young People's annual program in November. The Chorus repeated its part of the program for the Teachers' Con- vention. It is a rare privilege, even for an adult, to watch a great orchestra like the Philadelphia Symphony in rehearsal, and even more so to sing with them.
COLE TRADE HIGH SCHOOL
A new glee club was organized in October at the Cole Trade High School under the direction of Mr. Daniel Hobart of Charlton Street School. The boys are enjoying their meetings thoroughly.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
Last Spring, when the West Street gymnasium was free from its athletic commitments, a program of exchange music was very much enjoyed by West Street and Marcy Street Schools. West Street repeated its Easter program for its Marcy Street guests in the balcony. The latter afterward sang for their hosts and hostesses as many songs as time allowed.
The musical highlights at Charlton Street School were their Dutch Boy Operetta in the Spring and their annual Christmas pageant. The a capella group of Eastford Road School gave programs that were much enjoyed at the Congre- gational Woman's Club, at the Masonic Home in Charlton, and at Christmas, in their own gymnasium.
As usual, and perhaps this year more than usual, the ele- mentary school children supported the Young People's Con- cert held the Saturday morning of the Worcester County Mu- sic Festival week, and every year the Community Concert As- sociation enrolls more elementary and high school members.
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Leisure Time Activities
More students than ever, approximately 110, tried out for Glee Club in the high school in September. It was necessary, because of schedule conflicts, to assign the hour of three o'clock to one of the three glee clubs organized. This time proved un- popular, not only since it was the only glee club meeting out of school time, but also for such reasons as part-time jobs, bus schedules and distance from home. It is hoped that the sched- uling of extra-curricular activities may be simplified in the one-session school day. While afternoon jobs do undoubtedly encourage thrift and enterprise, one wonders if school days should so soon be invaded. "Golden Rule Days" are short enough, and there is real danger if student hobbies, their extra skills and talents, too, are to be sacrificed to the almighty dol- lar. This is a problem which should give educators and parents real concern in an age when science, with her time-saving, labor-saving devices, is increasing man's time more and more for leisure.
Respectfully submitted, ELEANOR S. VAN ETTEN, Director of Music.
REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC
To the Superintendent of Schools:
Instrumental music instruction in the public schools of Southbridge has reached a new high with the placing of the director on a full-time basis beginning with this school year. This has enabled the director to handle a larger number of pupils and to give more technical instruction to the music stu- dents by forming smaller groups and helping individuals over- come problems encountered in their band work.
New and larger permanent quarters have been acquired in the high school building giving the department a more sub- stantial foundation.
Suitable cloth has been graciously donated by the Ames Worsted Company, and projects are under way to raise money for the tailoring of the material into band uniforms which are very much needed.
A total of eighty-five students are at present enrolled in the instrumental music program from Grades five through high school, including Cole Trade High School students.
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This past year saw the formation of a forty-piece junior band which made its first parade appearance in the annual Memorial Day parade. During the month of May this unit ap- peared in a concert before the entire student body of each grammar school and a high school assembly.
In September a "Football Stadium Band," combining the advanced players from the junior band with the senior band, numbering forty-eight players, was presented to the fans at the "home" football games.
The month of October saw a new beginners' group formed with students enrolling from the fifth grade through the freshman year. With a year's fundamental training they will be absorbed into one of the advanced units according to their ages and abilities.
Respectfully submitted, PAUL J. SWEET, Director, Band and Orchestra.
REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF ADULT EDUCATION
To the Superintendent of Schools:
During the past year many changes have taken place that have somewhat altered the set-up in the Adult Civic Educa- tion Division of the Massachusetts Department of Education.
Heretofore, those of us engaged in Education thought and acted mainly with our students in mind. A fuller life and a greater appreciation of the best of every country and nation was our goal. Today, we continue to do this but we go even further in taking care of the well-being of the student.
These are the reasons for the change and the things that have brought it about: Our students in the English classes are mostly between the ages of fifteen and forty. Their lives have been in every way affected by the last war. They have not had a permanent home. National pride is not so strong in them. Their education has been meager; the ways of their parents have not been instilled into them. All this occurred because parents were forced into make-shift shelters and living from day to day. A normal life being impossible, they could not greatly influence their sons and daughters.
These same, being our students, are most anxious and eager to adopt our way of life and our language because, for the first time, they have a permanent home and can really begin to live. Thus, they expect to learn a new way of life, and how to adjust
61
to a Community. They wish to follow our manners, standards, and customs. They look to the schools for this help. They feel that they will be given what is necessary in the schools.
Naturally, this also places a grave responsibility on the Community. For these new arrivals are like children in their eagerness and like them, learn from what they see. Later, as they mature in understanding our manenrs, these future citi- zens will be more able to form their own opinions and achieve a greater understanding of America. A few who thought that some day they might return to their Native Country have lost incentive to do so, and are relieved that the decision is made to become a citizen of their adopted country.
Local factories have been of great help in cooperating with the Adult Education division of the School Department. When- ever we sought work for some New-Arrival we would be told "teach them enough English to comprehend directions and to make themselves understood, and we'll employ them." In every case this was done. Needless to say, it made the School De- partment proud to prove and explain such a Community to these students who had lived through an entirely different kind of experience.
Thus the function and scope of the School has changed and become enlarged. Those who wish to obtain their citizenship papers are naturally much interested in the course in United States History and Government. Whatever the need, the Eve- ning School tries to meet it.
The Adult Education Division of the School Department functions the year round in giving help and endeavors to fulfill the needs of the Community to its greatest capacity. This we shall continue to do to the extent of our powers.
Respectfully submitted, CONSTANCE M. L'ECUYER, Director, Adult Education.
REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF SUMMER PLAYGROUNDS
To the Superintendent of Schools:
In accordance with your request, I herewith submit my an- nual report covering the activities of the playgrounds for the year 1950. The season ran from July 10 through August 18, a period of six weeks.
Activities were conducted at the following schools: Charl- ton Street, Eastford Road, River Street, and West Street. Spe-
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cial events were held at Dresser Street Recreational Field and at the Town Pool.
PERSONNEL
General Director: Lewis A. Kyrios.
Charlton Street Playground
Supervisor: Miss Marie Serleto.
Assistant Supervisors: Miss Helen Boucher, Mr. George Perikli. Junior Assistants: Miss Betty Duhamel, Mr. John Allabashi.
West Street Playground
Supervisor: Mrs. Kathryn Beauregard. Assistant Supervisor: Mr. Philias Caron, Jr. Junior Assistants: Miss Mary Moriarty, Mr. Thomas Michaels.
Eastford Road Playground
Supervisor: Miss Persis Howe.
Assistant Supervisor: Mr. Roger Hebert. Junior Assistants: Miss Caroline Allard, Mr. Harold Peterson
River Street Playground
Supervisor: Miss Liberty Themistocles. Assistant Supervisor: Mr. Fred Noga.
Junior Assistants: Miss Betty Lou Hart, Mr. Wilfred Materas.
ENROLLMENT AND ATTENDANCE
Total Enrollment 1,305
Average Daily Attendance 585
Average Percentage of Attendance 40
Largest Daily Attendance 748
MEETINGS
Every Monday morning at 8 A. M. there was a staff meet- ing to discuss the weekly program, special events, and to dis- cuss problems. An instructor's guide was published by the Di- rector to serve as a guide to the staff.
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.
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The inspection of apparatus and grounds, the marking of courts, the posting and making of announcements were always done at the beginning 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.
RAINY DAY PROGRAM
Movies. Indoor games and Activities. Arts and Crafts.
INTER-PLAYGROUND ACTIVITIES
All activities were organized on an age-level program. The Junior program consisted of boys and girls between the ages of 12 and 16 years. The midget group consisted of boys and girls under 12 years of age. The playground champion was deter- mined by a point system and the largest number of points earned by each playground during the season served to decide the winner of the "Southbridge Playground Champion's" ban- ner. A summary of the inter-playground activities is listed.
Events
River
West Eastford Charlton
Midget Girls Dodgeball
5
0
1
3
Softball, Boys
5
1
0
3
Junior Boys Softball
1
5
3
0
Volleyball, Girls
3
1
0
5
Croquet, Girls
3
0
1
5
Ping Pong, Boys
0
3
1
5
Horseshoes, Boys
1
5
3
0
Special Events
Track
0
3
1
5
Swimming Meet
0
5
1
3
Amateur Show
8
0
0
1
-
Total
26
23
11
30
Charlton Street Playground won the Playground banner again this year. River Street and West Street Playgrounds proved to be able contenders.
Other Special Events
Under the supervision of Mr. Earle Whitney a nature hike was conducted for each playground. Over 200 youngsters par- ticipated in this project and it proved to be popular and educational.
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Other special activities included the Amateur Show which was held at the West Street Gym, the track meet, which was held at Dresser Street Field, and the Water Day, which was held at the Town Swimming Pool.
As in former years, the exhibit of the Arts and Crafts Program was held in the Boston Store on Hamilton Street, with the usual interest and success. Over 2,500 finished items were displayed. New items featured were Italian jewelry, different types of woodwork, bread and meat boards, and jewelry made from plaster of Paris.
SAFETY PROGRAM
It is very gratifying to report that the Safety Program was a success. There were no major accidents in our Playgrounds this year.
I wish to extend my appreciation to all those who worked so enthusiastically and loyally to make the playgrounds a success.
Respectfully submitted, LEWIS A. KYRIOS, Director, Summer Playgrounds.
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REPORT OF THE BUILDING MAINTENANCE OFFICER
To the Superintendent of Schools:
The standardization of all major items used for maintenance of school buildings and grounds has been completed. This en- ables the School Department to purchase in larger quantities and simplifies distribution to various schools.
1. A stock room is maintained, stocking all materials used in the system, thereby simplifying ordering and in- ventory.
2. The returning of worn-out equipment for new, includ- ing the base of burned-out electric light bulbs, has worked out to our satisfaction.
3. All oil and coal contracts were let out by contract at considerable savings.
4. The three new oil burners installed recently have proven very satisfactory, and have required very little maintenance.
5. River Street School building redecorating has been completed and a stone retaining wall has been built in the rear of the building. A new six-foot fence will be installed, weather permitting.
6. A much needed clean-up and paint campaign has been started in the High School building.
7. Plans are being completed for the modernizing of the boys' toilets and men's rooms. These contracts will be let out after State Health and Building Engineers have approved plans.
8. Considerable changes have and are being made to class rooms, Vocational shops, and offices in the High School building. These were much needed changes and will be an asset to better teaching and supervision.
9. Space does not permit me to elaborate on all the phases of maintenance, but considerable time and money must be spent yearly on these buildings as they have been sadly neglected for the past ten years.
The present School Committee, Finance Committee and School Superintendent are all in accord in relation to the need for immediate expenditures on the repairs of our buildings. A small amount spent each year will avoid major repairs in the near future.
Respectfully submitted, EMERY A. LAVALLEE, Maintenance Officer.
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INDEX
Accountant's Report
73
Balance Sheet
114
Expenditures
78
Receipts
73
Schedule of Appropriations
121
Ambulance Department Report
29
Assessors' Report
20
Board of Health Report
31
Board of Public Welfare Report
18
Board of Road Commissioners' Report
49
Civilian Defense Department
54 24
Fire Department Report
Forest Fire Department Report
28
Gypsy Moth Report
24
Inspector of Animals Report
54 42
Inspector of Wires Report
List of Jurors
7
Old Age Assistance
17
Planning Board Report
51
Police Department Report
43
Recreation Committee Report
55
School Committee Report
137
Sealer of Weights and Measures
53
Selectmen's Report
11
Tax Collector's Report
45
Town Clerk's Report
13
Town Engineer's Report
48
Town Officers for 1949
3
Treasurer's Report
15
Tree Warden's Report
23
Trustees of the Jacob Edwards Memorial Library 61
Veterans' Service Center Report 30
ANNUAL REPORTS
OF THE
TOWN OFFICERS
AND
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
GE
INCORPORATEO
S
S FEB. 15. 1816 S
THE EYE
VYEALTH
E O
THE
TOWN OF SOUTHBRIDGE
YEAR ENDING
December 31, 1951
SOUTHBRIDGE TYPESETTING COMPANY SOUTHBRIDGE, MASS. 1951
TOWN OFFICERS FOR 1951 ELECTED OFFICERS Treasurer
Norbert C. Benoit
1952
Town Clerk
Clare Boyer
Selectmen
J. Gerard Nolet 1952
Rosario Arpin
1952
Emil J. Martin
1952
Public Welfare
Marie Lariviere 1952
Ovide Desrosiers 1953
Hermas Lippe
1954
Herbert Michon Agent
Old Age Assistance
Ovide Desrosiers, Chairman Hermas Lippe Herbert Michon, Agent
Marie Lariviere
Assessors
Joseph Lafleche 1952
Charles Normandin 1953
Raymond Benoit 1954
Board of Health
Henry Demers 1952 Robert W. DeJordy D.S.C. 1954
Dr. Raymond Haling, Ch. 1953 Ernest Tetreault Agent
Marguerite Houle
Nurse
Highway Commissioners
George Lafleche
1952
Arthur H. Bachand
1954
Albert J. Arsenault 1953
World War Memorial Trustees
J. Gerard Nolet
1952
Ovila Donais 1952
Blaise Trudeau
1952
Adelard Donais 1953
William Berry
1954
Roch Lafleche 1954
School Committee
Gabriel Crevier
1952
Mrs. John Steen
1952
Linnea Beck
1953
Eugene Leblanc
1953
Lorenzo Beaupre
1954
Paul A. Roy 1954
Cemetery Committee
Jesse Blackburn
1952
Lectance Landry
1954
George Dumas
1953
CONSTABLES
Blaise Trudeau
1953
Bernard Richard 1954
Raoul Meunier
1952
3
Tax Collector
Mederic Duhamel
1954
Planning Board
Francis N .. Bishop
1954 Bernard Raimondo 1952
Albert Bishop
1953
Raymond Yates 1956
Edmund Ryan
1955
Sewer Committee
J. George Page
1952 Alfred Goudreau 1953
Raymond Bachand 1954
Park Commissioners
Thomas Monaco
1952 Edgar McCann 1953
Earl Wonderlee
1954
Moderator
Willard R. Stark
1952
Tree Warden
1952
Chester J. Maska
Commissioners of Trust Funds
Ernest Lavallee
1952
Charles Hart 1954
James Fallon 1953
Southbridge Housing Authority
Omer L. Perron
1954
Arthur Cabana
1955
Francois C. Sansoucy 1953 Felix Carmel 1956
Louis J. Ciprari, appointed by the State
1956
APPOINTED TOWN OFFICERS - 1951
Assistant Clerk, Selectmen
Julian C. Gabree
1952
Town Accountant
Leon Caron
1953
Town Counsel
Robert S. Niedermeyer
1952
Town Engineer
Henry A. Racicot
1952
Veterans' Service Department
1952
Paul Benoit, Director
Veterans' Benefits Agent
Paul Benoit
1952
Care of Town Clock
Earl O'Clair
1952
4
Recreation Committee
Frank Skinyon
1952
Francis Ashe 1953
Willard Stark
1952
Joseph Duffy
1953
Earl Wonderlee
1954
Norman Staves 1952
John E. Merrill
1953
Lorenzo Beaupre 1953
T. Monaco
1952
Lewis Kyrios
1952
Richard Gaucher
1952
Henry Racicot
1952
Louis Brunelle
1953
Raymond Dartt
1952
Edgar McCann
1952
Superintendent of Schools Robert H. McCarn Pound Keeper
Frederick H. Dowling 1952
Keeper of Lock-Up
Ovide Desrosiers
1952
Roland Bachand
1952
Custodian of Town Hall
Oliver Proulx
1952
Alcide Fournier
Animal Inspector
1952
Plumbing Inspector
1952
Joseph Chagnon
Milk Inspector
1952
Building Inspector
A. Raymond Dartt
1952
Wire Inspector
Clarence Bachand
1952
Sealer of Weights and Measures
G. R. Lariviere
1952
Library Trustees for the Town
Dr. Nerio Pioppi
1952
Edward P. Sheehan
1954
Oswald Laliberte
1953
Library Trustees for the Fund
Ellsworth Mitchell
W. Wesley Crawford
Registrars of Voters
Harmel Houde
1952
Timothy Moriarty
1953
Seaver M. Rice
1954
Clare Boyer
Jacob Edwards
John Martin
Fire Department
Oswald Meunier, Chief
Daniel Daniels, Dep. Chief
5
Joseph Chagnon
Superintendent of Fire Alarms Norman Larochelle Fire Warden
Oswald Meunier
1952
Deputy Fire Wardens
Daniel Daniels
Albert Servant
Joseph Mandeville
Rosario Bellerose
Emile Caouette
Romeo Lippe
Archie Langevin Charles Normandin
Harry Michaels
Fence Viewers
Euclid Gatineau
1952
Alphonse Renna 1952
Arthur Caplette
1952
Albert Vecchia 1952
Finance Committee
Rockford O. Lavoie 1952
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