USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Southbridge > Town annual reports of the officers of Southbridge for the year ending 1947-1951 > Part 52
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2. That a library be started and a teacher-librarian be ap- pointed.
3. That lockers be installed to take care of pupils' personal belongings, coats, rubbers, etc.
4. That new seating equipment for the Assembly Hall be provided.
5. That a course in Driver Education be set up under the supervision of the State Department of Education and the Massachusetts Department of Safety and that be- hind-the-wheel training experience be given.
6. That a men's teachers' room be set up and proper fur- niture provided for the room.
I wish to express my appreciation to the townspeople for their continued efforts in behalf of the Mary E. Wells High School, and I extend my thanks to the School Department for their support.
Respectfully submitted, JAMES M. ROBERTSON, Principal Mary E. Wells High School.
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REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF UNIVERSITY EXTENSION AND EVENING VOCATIONAL COURSES
To the Superintendent of Schools:
Classes in evening vocational subjects were offered again this year and proved to be very well attended. The following vocational classes were started in September:
Elementary Sewing Two classes
Bishop Method of Clothing Construction
One class
Advanced Dressmaking
One class
Tailoring
One class
Cooking
One class
University Extension classes were offered in the commer- cial and academic fields. The class in Elementary Typewriting proved to have a large demand and was well attended.
These classes were conducted under the supervision of the State Department of Education and were instructed by accredit- ed teachers.
Other classes in the vocational, commercial, and academic fields will be offered when the demand for them is sufficient to form such classes.
Respectfully submitted, JAMES M. ROBERTSON, Director,
University Extension and Evening Vocational Courses.
REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF GUIDANCE AND PLACEMENT
To the Superintendent of Schools:
In accordance with your request, the annual report of the activities of the Guidance Department is hereby respectfully submitted.
TESTING PROGRAM
1. Intelligence Tests
Tests of scholastic aptitude and mental maturity were administered to all pupils in grades 1, 4, 7, 9, and 12.
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These tests, designed to indicate learning ability on the part of the pupil, were scored and results were entered in individual cumulative records.
2. Achievement Tests
The Metropolitan Achievement Tests were adminis- tered to pupils in grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8. Results on these tests revealed that, in most instances, scores achieved by Southbridge children run exceptionally high when related to tables of national norms.
Cooperative Tests of Achievement were used in the Mary E. Wells High School to measure individual prog- ress in such subject areas as English, Latin, French, his- tory, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, physics and chem- istry.
3. Aptitude Tests
Tests of mechanical aptitude and mechanical com- prehension were administered to all 8th grade pupils, pupils of the Cole Trade High School and those enrolled in the General Vocational Division of the Cole Trade High School.
4. Interest and Preference Records
Such records or inventories were made available to those students in the Mary E. Wells High and Cole Trade High Schools desiring to explore personal and vocational interests.
PERMANENT RECORDS
All test scores were entered on permanent cumulative rec- ords. These records follow the individual pupil throughout his school life. Such records also contain notes on interviews, par- ticipation in student activities, and other historical information.
The cumulative record is the core for the entire record sys- tem. No school can successfully approach the task of develop- ing effective guidance procedures for pupils in the absence of an adequate cumulative record form.
The counseling activity extends from the elementary schools through the high schools and on into adult life. Because of the close relationship between teacher and pupil in the ele- mentary grades, most of the counseling on that level is accom- plished in the classroom. However, the school principals and the guidance staff often participate in the activity in coopera- tion with the classroom teacher.
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The Dean of Girls and the Director of Guidance provide counseling for the students of the Mary E. Wells High School. A special Guidance Center is established in the school to accom- modate this activity.
Boys in the Cole Trade High School and in the General Division of the school are counseled by a qualified counselor.
EMPLOYMENT
One of the special functions of the Guidance program is "to establish personal contacts and friendly relations with employ- ers, prospective employers and community personnel, and to make an earnest effort in attempting to fill their needs as well as those of the students in job placement." Actual placement figures and pertinent discussion are included in two follow-up studies made during the past year. The results of these studies have been submitted to the Office of the Superintendent of Schools but will be discussed briefly in this report under the heading "Research."
Part-time employment surveys revealed that a majority of pupils of employable age are engaged in some form of part-time employment. However, a part-time placement system is main- tained to provide service to the community and to students in- dicating a desire to work.
INFORMATIONAL SERVICES
It has been mentioned that a guidance center is established in the Mary E. Wells High School. A section of this area is set up to provide informational material for students. The sub- stance of this informational material might be described as fol- lows:
1. Occupational information offering job descriptions in terms of job requirements, opportunities, income, ad- vantages, etc.
2. Information on occupational trends.
3. College or school information providing students with an opportunity to investigate many of the colleges and univ- ersities in the country.
4. Information on special and technical schools.
5. Information on Government service, both civil and military.
6. Current information literature.
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RESEARCH
A "Follow-up study of Withdrawals and Graduates of the Cole Trade High School" was completed this year. Mr. William Julien, Guidance Counselor at the Trade High School, submit- ted this study at Boston University. It was accepted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Edu- cation.
This study including withdrawals and graduates of the Cole Trade High School over a five-year period was presented to the Superintendent of Schools and is now on file in the Guidance Office.
"The results of the study indicate that the Cole Trade High School has been successful in its selection and guidance of stu- dents who had need for specific direction. It is very significant that 80 percent of the students report satisfaction in their em- ployment when it is considered that 71 per cent of the graduates are working in the trades which their training was imple- mented."
"Since 30 per cent of the graduates responding to the in- quiry have continued their education, there is evidence that the school has been instrumental in awakening a desire for self- improvement. The comments offered and the number of sug- gestions for course additions show that these people are in- terested in the school and are awake to the possibilities of ex- pansion of and improvement of the school."
Mr. Lindzay A. Varnam, a member of the faculty of the Mary E. Wells High School, made a follow-up study of the graduates and non-graduates of Mary E. Wells High School, Class of 1950. This study was undertaken by Mr. Varnam with the cooperation of the staff of the Guidance Department and submitted as a graduate thesis at Boston University. It was ac- cepted in partial fulfillment for the degree of Master of Educa- tion.
The study had three main divisions: "(1) an inquiry into the activities of the pupils after graduation or after leaving school; (2) pupil evaluation of their participation in the varied school experiences and activities and (3) suggestions which the former pupils may wish to make for the improvement of the school."
This study showed that "more than half of those replying are now working full time in business or industry. Twenty-one per cent are attending a college or university, and sixteen per cent are attending some other educational institution. Twenty- three of the forty-four who are working are employed in the American Optical Company. Eleven others are working for eleven other companies in Southbridge. No company except the American Optical Company employs more than one of the groups. Complete details on this follow-up of the Class of 1950 are included in a study now on file in the Guidance Office.
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The faculty of the Cole Trade High School, Director Ray- mond Benoit, and members of the Guidance staff entered into a cooperative study with the State Department of Education. This study was undertaken to determine the extent to which reading ability is related to intelligence, and to explore the pos- sibilities that reading material, presented in many textbooks, might be geared beyond the level of reading attained by the typical student.
A statistical report of results on achievement tests was com- piled in the Office of the Director of Guidance and forwarded to the Superintendent of Schools. As has been noted previously in this report, Southbridge children tend to achieve well be- yond comparable national norms.
It is a pleasure to acknowledge the cooperation of prin- cipals, teachers, parents, and students over the past year. Sin- cere appreciation is felt and thanks expressed to all who have been helpful in assisting the Guidance program in its function. Respectfully submitted, SVEN O. ROSENGREN, Director, Guidance and Placement.
REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF COLE TRADE HIGH SCHOOL
To the Superintendent of Schools:
In accordance with your request, I am submitting my sec- ond annual report for your approval.
In 1911, the townspeople of Southbridge recognized the need of training young men in industrial pursuits. In 1920, this training became State-Aided under Chapter 74 of the General Laws. This training was definite in character. These vocational classes were not, are not fostered under State and Federal Aid for the purpose of giving instruction to backward, deficient, in- corrigible or otherwise sub-normal individuals; but such classes are established and maintained for the clearly avowed purpose of giving thorough vocational instruction to healthy, normal in- dividuals, to the end that they may be prepared for profitable and efficient employment.
The Cole Trade High School continues to serve the youth of Southbridge and the near vicinity. This service is based on the needs of the community and the needs, aptitudes and inter- ests of the young men. Employment for the graduates is 100%; 90% being in the trades trained for.
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The newly organized rotation plan has proven successful. This success is marked by a smaller turn-over in the General Department. Each boy who enters the Trade School from the sixth or seventh grade is required to spend eight weeks in each trade taught in the school. At the end of the year, the boy se- lects the trade he feels he would like to pursue.
The faculty has completed our part of a major survey con- ducted by the Lincoln and Therese Filene Foundation. This group is attempting to show the acute need of training people in the industrial field. This report shows approximately eleven thousand (11,000) trade employment possibilities in the State of Massachusetts. Vocational schools are graduating approximate- ly 600 trades people. Our school is graduating approximately thirty young men every year.
GRADUATES Trade High Diplomas
Cabinetmakers
Robert John Briere Albert Leopold Cournoyer
Richard Sylvio Menard Francis John Mikuszewski
Arthur Thomas Morrell, Jr.
Draftsmen
Paul Raymond Fortin Ernest Emily LeBoeuf
*Francois Edward Gaumond *Herman Roy Provost
Richard William Schmitt
Electricians
Wayne Kenyon Armstrong Roger Richard Roy
Albert Charles Pulawski Armand Donald Sirard
*William Lawrence Muir
Machinists
Charles Edwin Cook *Carl Paul Jankowski
*John Joseph Dzura Paul Robert Parent
Raymond Leo Richard
Painters and Decorators
Donald Roger Goudreau James Louis Richard Normand Oliva Richard
* World War II Veterans
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CLASS OFFICERS
Herman Provost
President
Donald Sirard
Vice-President
Albert Pulawski
Treasurer
Raymond Richard
Secretary
AWARD WINNERS
American Legion Post No. 31 Award
(Good Citizenship) Herman Provost
Alumni Award-Scholastic Achievement Donald Sirard
Alumni Award-Athletic Achievement Raymond Richard
I thank the townspeople, the School Committee, the Super- intendent of Schools, the Faculty, the girls in the office and our custodian for their valuable aid in making vocational education a success in Southbridge. I also give special thanks to the Ad- visory Committee for giving up so much of their valuable time for the betterment of Vocational education.
Respectfully submitted,
RAYMOND L. W. BENOIT, Director, Cole Trade High School.
Evening School Program
No. Enrolled
Woodworking
Frank P. Skinyon 17
Drafting
George H. Braman 25
Machine
Nels H. Johnson 23
Furniture Refinishing
Irving Harding
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Radio Repair Warren Rand
20
Soldering & Welding Philip Colognesi
17
Related Auto Mechanics Anthony Capozzo
8
Related Plumbing
Antonio Blanchet 7
Related Carpentry .William A. Julien 15
Respectfully submitted,
RAYMOND L. W. BENOIT, Director,
Evening School.
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REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION
To the Superintendent of Schools:
I herewith submit the following report of my work which covers the period from January 1 to December 31, 1951.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM
This year, our program has been organized so as to include all the students in our elementary schools plus the entire stu- dent body of our Trade School. This program involves over 1400 students. Calisthenics, games and relays, and recreational sports are emphasized in our Physical Education program for grades 7th, 8th and the Trade School. This program is flexible in order to provide a wide range of activities for the many in- terests and needs of the students. Each student, in these levels, averages one hour of physical education per week.
A closely supervised program has been organized for grades 1-6 inclusive. This program has been designed to provide the students opportunities to learn basic skills to develop good health and safety habits, encourage leadership, good sports- manship, and to express themselves physically as well as men- tally. This particular program has been divided into the follow- ing three levels: a program for Grades I and II; a program for Grades III and IV; and a program for Grades V and VI. The director plans and submits weekly programs to the classroom teachers, and they in turn conduct the program during the re- cess and physical education period. Approximately thirty min- utes a day is given to this project. For grades one and two, niemetics, singing games and group games are planned. Grades three and four offer rhythmic activities, athletic games, re- lays and group games. Team games, athletic games and re- lays are emphasized in grades five and six. These activities are developed in a progressive manner. This program has replaced the uncontrolled and unsupervised recess program. A definite time schedule has been introduced to allow maximum use of areas, facilities and equipment, and to insure safe participation for all students. Since this program has been in operation, acci- dents in our play areas have been eliminated.
AFTER-SCHOOL ATHLETIC PROGRAM
This program has become very popular, for more students are participating this year. The competition between schools has been more keen and balanced. Although West Street and Marcy Street Schools have improved greatly, Eastford Road School won the boys' and girls' basketball banner, while Charl- ton Street School repeated in football, baseball, and girls' soft- ball.
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All the students participating in these activities are proper- ly supervised by their coaches. All teams are also properly clothed. Practices and games are held in the elementary gyms and on the playgrounds of our schools.
In conclusion, I wish to thank the School Committee, princi- pals, and classroom teachers in our elementary schools for their generous collaboration and cooperation in establishing these programs.
Respectfully submitted, LEWIS A. KYRIOS, Director. Physical Education.
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL NURSE
To the Superintendent of Schools:
I hereby submit the School Nurse's report from September 5, 1951 when I took over as substitute school nurse to the end of this calendar year.
At the Mary E. Wells High School, physical examinations were given to 281 girls. Forty-five notices for physical defects were sent to parents. Seventy-two boys participating in sports were given physical examinations. Seven notices for physical defects were sent to parents.
At the Charlton Street School, twenty-nine girls in grades 7 and 8 were given physical examinations. Nineteen notices for physical defects were sent to parents.
At the Eastford Road School, 167 pupils of grades 1, 3, 5 and 7 were examined. Twenty-six notices for physical defects were sent to parents.
At the Marcy Street School, 93 pupils were given physical examinations. Seven notices for physical defects were sent to parents. Pupils of grades 3 and 4 were also given dental screen- ing by the dentist. Two hundred five pupils were given the Massachusetts Vision Test. Seventeen notices were sent to parents notifying them of failure in vision test. Twenty-eight borderline cases were found which should be periodically checked.
At the Pleasant Street School, twenty-four pupils were examined. One notice for physical defects was sent to a parent. Pupils of grades 3 and 4 were given dental screening by the den- tist.
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At the West Street School, twenty-six girls in grade 7 were given physical examinations. Thirteen notices for physical de- fects were sent to parents.
The main physical defects in order of the number of cases were as follows: teeth, the throat, feet, poor posture, and heart condition.
During October and November, fourteen dental clinics were held at the Town Hall, at which forty-four children from the various grammar schools were examined.
Clear Type Books were obtained from the Massachusetts Division of the Blind in Boston for two of our pupils in the pub- lic grammar schools.
The Lions Club furnished free milk for 86 needy children in our schools.
Fourteen home visits were made, one with Miss Dwiny, State Nutritionist. Two follow-up visits were made in one par- ticular case.
Respectfully submitted, SYLVIA J. LAAKSO, Substitute School Nurse.
REPORT OF THE ATTENDANCE OFFICER
To the Superintendent of Schools:
In accordance with your instructions, I herewith submit my third annual report for your consideration.
The work of the attendance officer is, by its nature, some- times trying and difficult. Poor school attendance or truancy is, for the most part, associated with unhealthy home conditions. When faced with this type of problem at the outset, it is difficult to perform satisfactorily the obligations of the position. The true work of the attendance officer is to counsel and help the students and parents to appreciate the significance of school at- tendance laws. The principle is not one of repression, but rather one of helpful guidance.
In more specific detail, the following deals with the exact duties of the attendance officer:
1. Investigate cases referred to him by the school prin- cipals.
2. Submit a written report to the Superintendent giving the results of each visit, and make a telephone report to the school principal.
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3. Make any follow-up investigation which is necessary.
4. Administer the Cole Fund.
5. Measure the distances between the homes of students and the schools to ascertain if a particular person quali- fies for a bus pass.
6. Bring into court confirmed truants.
7. Bring into court negligent or irresponsible parents.
Respectfully submitted, PAUL A. DUHART, Attendance Officer.
REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF VISUAL AIDS
To the Superintendent of Schools:
At your request, I am submitting my annual report of the activities of the Audio-Visual Aids Department for 1951.
CHANGE OF LOCATION
In September, the Audio-Visual Aids Department was moved from the Marcy Street School basement to a new location in the High School building. This was a very logical and desir- able change. In its new location, in the building with the great- est concentration of teachers, the department is strategically situated to insure fuller utilization of its facilities and services. Secondly, the physical characteristics of the new location are much more adequate for workshop purposes. Lastly, since the director is also a part-time teacher in the same building, the dual role of teacher-director is greatly facilitated.
DARKENING FACILITIES
In order to permit putting audio-visual aids in the classroom where they belong, rather than in the auditorium, an entirely new learning environment, a set of portable dark shades was purchased for each of the following schools: Mary E. Wells, Marcy Street, West Street, and Charlton Street. The educa- tional significance of this step can be realized from an educator's recent statement that "one of the bottlenecks holding back the advance of audio-visual methods in education is the lack of darkening facilities for showing projected aids in classrooms." Many of our teachers have already reported a noticeable in- crease in the effectiveness of projected aids as used under our present program.
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TEACHER TRAINING
A workshop in the operation of a 16mm sound projector was conducted for a one-week period in each elementary school. Al- most all elementary school teachers subscribed to this program. Many, in fact, expressed a great deal of satisfaction in becom- ing proficient in the use of one of the most progressive tools of education.
A program of individual instruction is now in operation at the High School. Encouraged by their principal and given the opportunity by the director, many high school teachers have also sought instruction in the operation and use of the various audio-visual aids to education.
STUDENT PROJECTIONISTS
The Projectionist Squad remains a major factor in the smooth operation of the program. The student projectonist re- lieves the teacher of many projection details which might discourage the use of such powerful teaching tools. Consequent- ly, the director is constantly training projectionists in order to insure a smooth functioning program.
AUDIO-VISUAL USES
Since budgetary appropriations were inadequate to permit the purchase of a sufficient number of other teaching aids, the educational film became the audio-visual aid receiving perhaps the most emphasis in audio-instruction during 1951. A total of 160 films were used in the following separate programs: Elementary, High School, Trade School, General Vocational, and Guidance. Each film used was carefully selected by teach- er committees or individual teachers in conference with the director.
The lantern slide was also extensively used in 1951. These slide units are especially adapted to the elementary curriculum and are therefore exclusively used by elementary schools. A total of 3,000 slides were requested for use by the four elemen- tary schools during the year.
Although the purchase of filmstrips has been retarded, many teachers, nevertheless, have used preview sets which the director made available for evaluation purposes. In addition to the preview prints which have to be returned to the pub- lishers, the Audio-Visual Aids Department has provided high school teachers of science and social studies with two excellent types of filmstrips by subscribing to the "Popular-Science Film- strip-of-the-Month Club" and the New York Times' "Report on the News" filmstrips.
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A real advance in audio instruction was made possible through the purchase of a voice recorder. Its effectiveness has already been demonstrated in speech training, debating, and foreign language classes. The recorder's usefulness is really limited only to the extent of the teacher's ingenuity.
RECOMMENDATIONS
In order to increase the effectiveness of audio-visual in- struction in the Southbridge Public Schools, the director recommends:
1. That the per pupil minimum expenditure for audio-visual instruction in Southbridge Public Schools be no less than one dollar per pupil.
2. That a course in audio-visual instruction, with promotional credits, be offered to teachers.
3. That a filmstrip projector be purchased immediately and placed in the high school.
4. That at least one wall screen and one portable classroom screen be purchased immediately.
In conclusion, I would like to thank all administrators and teachers who have cooperated so faithfully to establish sound audio-visual instruction in the Southbridge Public Schools.
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