USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Southbridge > Town annual reports of the officers of Southbridge for the year ending 1947-1951 > Part 7
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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
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*Robert Louis Lorange Robert Rudolph Lusignan ** Ernest Malagrida ** Leon Louis Manseau *George Kenneth Menard Antoinette Mitchell John Paul Moriarty Emile John Noga *John Calvin Palmer, Jr. Lucille Marie Parent Nickolas Kosta Perikli Clement Emile Planeta Evelyn Barbara Polomski ** Alfred Aime Renaud William George Rowett Pauline Theresa Roy Walter George Salva
Armand Henri Lapierre
of janitors, and one faculty would take care of the education of the young people from the seventh grade through the twelth grade. Such a system would help the adolescent child to make the transition form the lower gardes 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 out the fact that the Junior High School system is respon- sible 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 machinery be installed in the basement of the high school so that an Industrial Arts Program may be set up to take care of a large number of General Course boys who need some specific technical training in addition to the academic work the Mary E. Wells High School provides.
3. That a library be started, and a teacher-librarian be appointed.
4. That lockers be installed to take care of pupils' personal belongings, coats, rubbers, etc.
5. That rooms be provided for sick pupils and larger nurse's quarters be installed.
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 for the Assembly Hall be provided.
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
REPORT OF DIRECTOR OF GUIDANCE AND PLACEMENT
To the Superintendent of Schools:
In accordance with your request. I hereby submit my annual report. Owing to the fact that my temporary appointment began in Septmber in the leave of absence of Mr. Hoyt, I shall necessarily restrict myself to the period since that time.
A large part of my time is spent in assisting students with their educa- tional, vocational, and curricular choices. Early in the year, I had confe- rences with all seniorst who are preparing for schools and colleges, and I have kept continually in touch with them as theirt plans progressed. Begin- ning this week, I shall have scheduled appointments with all other seniors who intend to enter their vocations directly after graduation. Before the end of the year, I shall have had conferences wih every student in the high school. In addition to the scheduled interviews, the services of this office have been provided at all times to every student who felt the need for ad- vice and councel.
The testing program has included test in the five fields of intelligence, aptitude, achievement, interest, and personality. A measure of scholastic aptitude is secured for every student in the high schtool. Since seniors are in particular need for such otbjecive data, an additional intelligence test has been administered to them. Freshmen and juniors received the annual bat- ery of tachievement test. Information regarding mechanical and clerical apti- tude is obtained each spring in the seventh and eight grades and is supple- mented in the high school by special test whenever thte need arises. Interest test are given o seniots and to special groups such as the classes in occupa- tionts. Inventiries of personality are ued wih a greatt deal of discrimination in cases which call for this type of informationt. In all, a total of nearly 500 test have been administered since September, and this data has been of in- valuable help in the work of counseling the students.
Another large segment of my time has been spent in securing jobs and placing approximaetly 60 students in part-time work. At present, 144 stu- dents are so engaged ouside ot their regular school hours. A total of 235
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students have registered at the placement office.
During the past month, I have conducted a follow-up study of three former classes at the Mary E. Wells High School. survey has not only pro- vided valuable information about former students but will be useful in plan- ning needed curricular changes. These will soon be available for general in- spection.
The latest project ot the School Department in which the guidance office has had a particular interest is the new Cooperative Commercial program for senior commercial students. Since this plan will undoubtedly be more fully outlined in another report, I shall not go into greater detail. However, this office will play a large part in the functiotning of that program tby coor- dinating the various agencies involved.
The second semester will also see a new weekly class in occupational ad- justment for juniors and seniors. By the suggestion of the Principal, this pro- teered to address the group on topics that meet the common needs of all the students.
I should like finally to meet special mention of the office of Dean of Girls under Mrs. LeClair which has greatly extended the services of the guidance office. Not only do the girls have a specially trained counselor available to tthem every day, but freshmen girls are now enjoying the benefits of a weekly orientation class.
As is evident, the guidance office comprises numerous duties that are di- rected toward individualizing the work of the school and helping the student to make the best possible adjustment tot educational, vocational, and per- gram is being completed with the help of local speakers who have volun- sonal problems.
Respectfully submitted, ROBERT B. PHIPPS, DIRECTOR
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
To the Superintendent of Schools:
I herewith submit my annual report for the school year 1946-47.
This year has been spent in steady accumulative achievement toward goals set for improving the teaching-learning situation.
THE TESTING PROGRAM, established over a year ago, has been car- ried on with additional testing of individual children. One hundred and ele- ven individual tests have been administered for various reasons, the principal ones being to determine the grade placement antd the ability of the child.
More time has been devoted to formal OBSERVATION in the class- rooms and a record kept of each observation, the length of time in each being determined by the grade level, the length of the class period, and the special need. One hundred and five such observations are on record. Briefer and informal visits have also been made .New teachers in our system are visited more frequently; conferences with each one follow as a consequence.
THE CONFERENCE TECHNIQUE, especially conferences with indivi- duals, is one of the most fruitful methods of in-service supervision. Confer- ences with our Principals total ninety-two; with teachers, one hundred thirty- seven; with Superintendent, thirty; with others, seventy-three-a total of three hundred thirty-nine conferences, some of which were with groups.
On an average of once a week, a visit is made to each building. At times, when there is an immediate need, a building may be visited two or even three times in a week.
TEACHERS' MEETINGS have been largely meetings of certain grade levels, with emphasis on reading and on the new State Curriculum. Oppor- tunity is thus given for discussion of mutual problems, to share ideas with one another, to ask questions and to receive inspiration. Seventeen teachers' meetings and seven group conferences have been held during the year.
More importance is being on REMEDIAL TEACHING especially in rea- ding and arithmetic in the middle and upper grades. This is another and very important method of providing for individual differences. All super-
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visory effort is the achievement of a beter undersandintg of the child's needs, and the improvement of his learning. This is done mostly through the in- direct method of working with principals, teachers, and children; sometimes it is directly through individual test, demonstration lessons, and entrance into the classroom situation.z
The supervisory is no longer an "outsider" but is a co-worker and friend- ly member of the group, whether it be children, teachers, or administrators. To be one in purpose is the goal, to the end that our children may receive the best in educational opportunity, materials, instruction, and guidance.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,
MARJORIE H. NICHOLS, SUPERVISOR
REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF COLE TRADE 'HIGH SCHOOL
To the Superintendent of Schools:
I herewith submit my annual report for your consideration and ap- proval.
This has been a very active year, and much has been accomplished. The following statistics will reveal students' progress comparable to previous years. Admissions, however, in the General Vocational Department and the pre- sent number of cooperative students are low.
MEMBERSHIP STATISTICS
In school at end of year (Dec. 1947)
50
143
193
Graduated
28
2
30
Certificated
2
2
Entering industry rainted for
3
3
Entering other occupations
6
38
44
Entering armed service
2
2
Uufit for trade subjects
6
6
Returned to Grammar or High School
16
16
Left because of illness
3
3
Left town
1
Transferred to Coop. School Tansferred to Day School
2
2
Total membershi for year 1947
86
241
327
Enrolled during year
31
85
116
GRADUATES COOPERATIVE DIPLOMAS
CABINET COURSE
George Paul Arsenault
Marcel William Quevillon
CARPENTRY COURSE
Edward Alfred Bergeron, Jr.
MACHINIST COURSE
Charles Pierce Culliton
Louis John Carpick
Paul Lucien Dumas
Roland Joseph Gagnon
SHEET METAL COURSE
Raymond Arthur Galipeau ELECTRICAL
Leo Roger Gauthier
Albert Charles Mach
Donald James Reynolds
Albert Davis Vinton
DRAFTING
Leo Stanley Regis Jr.
FACTORY MAINTENANCE
Christy Skarani
William Gorham Wheaton
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Henry Richard Osowski Francis Joseph Prince Eugene Theodore Ziemba
Theodore Leo Ziemba
25
25
VOCATIONAL HIGH DIPLOMA
ELECTRICAL
Bernard John Horniak TRADE HIGH DIPLOMA
PAINTING-DECORATING Joseph Cleo Leduc
PRINTING
Eugene Louis Mathieu
MACHINIST
John Alfred Mikolajczak
OPTHALMIC PRESCRIPTION GRINDING
Emo John Cieri EVENING SCHOOL PROGRAMS
An increased demand for adult training in evening school over the last several years was noticeable. The subjects taken were:
COURSES
William A. Julien
16
Cabinetmaking I
Frank P. Skinyon
25
Cabinetmaking II
William C. Nickerson
19
Drafting
George H. Braman
20
Electrical
Francis Couture
20
Machine I
Leo J. Grenier
26
Machine II
William Paul
15
Applied Mathematics
Lawrence Swenson
19
Plumbing
Antonio Blanchet
13
Welding-Sheet Metal
Mario Pellegrini
18
Furniture Refinishing
Harold Andrews
14
205
VETERANS TRAINING ACTIVITIES UNDER G. I. BILL 346 and 16
TRADE TRAINING:
Seventy-five veterans are now enrolled in the three regular courses com- prising twelve different trades. Fifteen graduated last June. ON THE JOB TRAINING:
"On the job training" for veterans is supervised by Mr. Emery Lavallee. One hundred five business establishments conduct 140 vocational training ob- jectives in this southern Worcester County areat. Thirty-eight establishments completed training objectives An average of three new establishments are approved weekly. t
PERSONNEL CHANGES
Mr. Mario Pellegrini succeeded Mr. Myron Sibley as instructor of Sheet Metal.
Mr. George Kerivan was appointed instructor of Physics and Physical Education.
NEW TRAINING FACILITIES
PHYSICS
A physics laboratory was established to provide scientific understanding for students in the Vocational Technical Course and Drafting Course. It is also an accredited subject for entrance into schools of higher learning. PHYSICAL EDUCATION
The Physical Education program was started September 6, 1947. It is activated by intra-mural sports with all students taking part. The aim is to develop sound and well-balanced bodies capable of coordinating muscular exertions, stressing importance of personal hygiene, and creating good sports- manship in organized competition.
SPORTS COACH
The instructor of this subject, Mr. Kerivan, is baseball and basketball. NEW EQUIPMENT
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Earl Edward Remie
Howard Anson Thompson
INSTRUCTOR NO. ENROLLED
Building Estimating
We have rocured through the War Assets Administration, $12,000 worth of equipment. This was received gratis, but at the cost of transportation. The outstanding items are: Heald Internal Grinder, Southwalk Hydraulic Press, Hammond Cutler Grinder, Leland-Gifford Rail Drill, Profile Grinder, Buffalo Sensitive Drill, 2 Comparators, 2 Portable Electric Generators, and 20 Transformers.
GUIDANCE ROOM:
A small room has been prepared by the Carpentry, Electrical, Paint and Sheet Metal Department for a Guidance Room.
SPECIAL CONFERENCES
Several meetings were held by the Cole Trade High Advisory Commit- tee to discuss school policies, practices, and current problems.
The Cole Trade High Faculty met with the Alumni to discuss in what ways they can help the students of the school.
To the many people yho have given of their time and shared their judge- ment in the promotion of vocational training programs conducted by this institution, I convey my sincere appreciation and thanks.
Respectfully submitted,
CLARK H. MORRELL, DIRECTOR
REPORT OF SCHOOL NURSE
To the Superintendent of Schools:
The purpose of our school health program is threefold. PROTECTION, GUIDANCE, AND EDUCATION in matters pertaining to the health of our pupils. It aims to prevent conditions that interfere with the pupil's health and reard his teducation, and seeks to obtain correction of such conditions already existent.
Therefore, for child of school age, the maintenance of good health and the attainment of physical fitness are objectives which must be sought coo- peratively by the child's hame, the community at large, and those agencies with whom the child spends any considerable portion of his time. During the school year, a child devotes nearly half his waking hours to the business of attending school. What our schools do to promote the good health of children during the hours they are in school should be important information for all homes, especially in these times.
Matters of health and physical fitness remain much in the news today. Too frequently, it has been and still is bad news-the high proportion of re- jections by the armed forces not so long ago; great numbers of our American youth with correctible physical defects uncorrected; youths who cannot swim, when hey have to swim. At home, we have reason to be apprehensive of keep- ing high the resistance of children to diseases for preventive measures. Parents should always remember that good health is the prime factor in education.
Since my last report, the school health programs has not undergone any spectacular or drastic changes. The ever-improving health standards in our schools continue to be maintained through the diligent cooperation and in- terest of all members of the School Personnel.
A brief summary of the nurse's work follows:
PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS
Nine hundred twenty-seven pupils were examined. Two hundred fifty- nine defects were found and notices were mailed to parents. The nautre of the defects found and reported for immediate attention or referred to physi- cian or dentist, if not already under medical or dental supervision, were as follows:
Teeth
123
Throat
59
Feet
18
Nutrition
15
Skin
10
Scalps
12
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Heart Posture Eyes Ears
9 5 4 4
Three hundered twenty pupils' health cards were marked as Observation Cases-not referred for medical supervision at present .. Of these, 100 were for oral hygiene, nutrition, skin, and scalps. One hundred sixteen were for defec- tive feet, and 72 were for poor posture. These pupils were made aware of their defects on examination and advised accordingly.
One obpective to keep in mind, and for which to work, as suggested in last year's report, was the need of a trained physical education director who could devote one day a week in each school. Certainly the figures on defective feet and poor posture speak for themselves. Corrective posture measures and individual remedial work in the elementary grades would certainly prove very valuable in later life.
Beginning with the examinaiont, efforts are made ot see that all child- ren in need of medical or dental attention have professional attention. In the case of needy children, defects were taken care of by some of our local agencies and clubs.
The nursemade 198 visits to schools. She assisted at 60 physical examina- tions sessions. She had 209 individual conferences with children. She had 17 conferences with parents in school in addition to the 58 home visits she made in reference to school health problems during the year. Vision of 358 pupils was tested. Hearing of 197 pupils was tested. First aid was rendered to 109 pupils. Two hundred fifty-four pupils received dental care at the Town Hall. Three high school boys were referred for x-ray at the chest clinic at the Town Hall.
CONFERENCES
11
Superintendent
Superintendent and School Physician
3
Principals
52
Teachers
37
School Physicians
10
Guidance Director
8
Athletic Coaches
5
Truant Officer
9
Board of Health Nurse
40
Social Worker
15
Board of Public Welfare
7
Clergymen
9
Commissioner of Health-Boston
3
Commissioner of Health-Worcester
2
State Orthopedic Supervisor
7
Other Agencies and Clubs
17
CLINICS
The nurse assisted the Board of Health Nurse with the following clinics during the year:
1 mobile "Diphtheria Booster Shot" clinic
4 regular Diphtheria Toxoid clinics for pre-school and school child- ren
2 Pre-school registration clinics
2 Pre-school physical and dental examination clinics
10 Chest consultation clinics
The sale of Tuberculosis Christmas seals again made it possible for South- bridge to send 5 girls to the Sterling Health Camp for a period of 8 weeks during the summer. Needless to say, all 5 girls profited greatly by this privil- ege.
Members of the Lions' Club again came forward with their most gene- rous donation of $1,000 to provide daily milk for our needy children. A
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22
Supervisor of Elementary Schools
mere "thank you seems very inadequate for such a noble gesture.
Clothes were furnished 18 needy families during the year through the nurse's office. I would like to thank anyone who donated clothes and made it possible for us to distribute them where most needed.
During the year, further education of the nurse consisted of attendance at meetings and lectures. At present, the nurse is attending a series of 10 group discussions in Worcester in reference to current problems existing in theschool health programs in surrounding towns and plans for future work in organizing School Health Councils.
In conclusion, I wish to state that the school cannot carry on a success- ful health program by itself. It requires the planning, cooerative support, and action of the entire community-home, school, and community must be co- ordinated. The school, however, has a definite responsibility in guiding pupils in the development of desirable health practices. This responsibility is shared by school authorities, health authorities, doctors, teachers, nurses, parents, and children all working in harmony with our School Medical Department as a part of the school health guidance program.
Respectfully submitted, EDNA C. PINSONNEAULT School Nurse
REPORT OF ATTENDANCE OFFICER
To the Superintendent of Schools:
The conditions under which many of the children who come to our schools live these days are entirely different from those of the pre-war period. We still find, however, as we did during the war years, that in many cases both the mother and father go to work early and stay at their jobs late while some older child helps the younger one, or a kind neighbor obligingly looks after the children next door. The school is about the only place the child can call hom.
Even in cases where the child supposedly is guided by both father and mother, it is pertinent at times for the attendance officer to make a home visit to get better-acquainted with the parents and with the home conditions. Very often a home visit is urgent to check on the school behavior and the frequent absences of an "unsupervised" child. These home visits frequently result in school misapprehensions being set right and confidence in school being restored. Some parents are grateful for corrections of misapprehensions or for information regarding reports they have not understood clearly.
But what of other parents? Herein lies one of the major problems of the home visit. The parents whose children have the greatest need for help are usually those who are the most frustrated and helpless. The great majority of parents have little or no concept of the values of applied phsychology and mental hygiene practices. Many parents, moreover, lack the background re- quired to take and follow recommendations made during a home visit; others are simply unwilling to accept them. Further, parents who have normal childen may fail to support the program of a home visit because they feel it to be entirely unnecessary in their case.
These are some of the problems with which the attendance officer is confronted during his home visits. There are many more. There is, for example, the parent of low and moderate income who has permitted his adolescent boy or girl to work long hours after school to pay for the clothes and small luxuries that seem so necessary to High School youngsters. Thus the child is often deprived not only of the essential recreation but also of the full use of his or her educational opportunities.
There is, again, the non-English speaking parent who finds it difficult to deal with his child's school problems and has trouble in securing the proper help. I only wish that these parents would come to the school for a friendly "chat" with the principal or the teacher. A pupil interpreter can be obtained to help the parent. Why should a child's welfare suffer because a parent does
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not speak English when there is a way to help the child.
I believe a great many of these problems could very easily be straightened out if more parents were more sympathetic toward, and more understanding of the attendance officer's suggestions and recommendations; IF MORE PARENTS WOULD NOT BE INSULTED BY HOME VISITS FROM THE ATTENDANCE SUPERVISOR. A visit by the parent to the school would also help a great deal to establish more harmonious relationships between the home and the school.
The following report gives an account of the work done during the past year:
Persons 5 years of age or over and under 7
562
Persons 7 years of age or over and under 14 1,595
Persons 14 years of age or over and under 16
471
Number of pupils investigated for absences due to illness,
truancy, lack of clothing, contagious diseases, and other reasons
492
Cases investigated for home permits
38
Cases of persistent tardiness
49
Cases of children working unlawfully
42
Follow-up and friendly visits
63
Number of children assisted with shoes and clothing
7
Number of children adjusted to their school work
53
Number of employment certificates 16-21 literate 513
Number of employment certificates 16-21 illiterate
20
Number of employment certificates 14-16 limited
59
Home Permits
12
Newsboy's badges and Street Trades
5
Respectfully submitted
RAOUL O. LATAILLE
Attendance Officer
REPORT OF THE VISUAL AIDS DEPARTMENT
To the Superintendent of Schools:
This is a report of activity in the Visual Aids Department from January 1 to December 31, 1947.
In this period, the facilities of this department have been used by teachers in the various town schools and also by local civic institutions and organizations with the approbation of the school authority.
As a result of the defective mechanical condition of our sound projectors, extensive use of this type of visual aid was limited. Steps have been taken to replace this worn equipment by modern, up-to-date projectors.
The reservoir of free films available to schools is of great magnitude. These films furnished by the leaders in all phases of our economic life have tremendous teaching value.
With this new equipment, we do expect much wider use of sound films in the ensuing year.
Materials were distributed to the local schools as follows:
MARY E. WELLS HIGH SCHOOL
Motion Pictures
8
Exhibits
6
Film Strips
41
Slides (Sets)
12
RIVER STREET SCHOOL
Film Strips
62
Metronoscope Rolls
5
WEST STREET SCHOOL
44
Slides (Sets)
8
Pictures (Sets)
Film Strips
8
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Exhibits MARCY STREET SCHOOL Film Strips Pictures (Sets) Exhibits
5
33 9
CHARLTON STREET SCHOOL
Film Strips
75
Slides (Sets)
14
Pictures (Sets)
12
Exhibits (Sets)
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