USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Southbridge > Town annual reports of the officers of Southbridge for the year ending 1952-1956 > Part 33
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8. That a survey be made to determine the proper methods of lighting all rooms in the school.
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 support.
WELCOME
WELCOME FRESHMEN
COLE TRADE HIGH SCHOOL RAYMOND L. W. BENOIT, Director
"An electronic tape runs a boring machine," reports a Min- neapolis concern. Ford Motor Company said, "With automa- tion a major training program will have to be set up." The President of General Motors said, "Automation will mean an upgrading of labor." Will automation affect the labor supply at Southbridge? This is problematical but we do know this. The Worcester Trade School accepted some work which will be used on an atom reactor, and before they were able to per- form this work, it was necessary for the Shop and Related Teachers to receive special training. All of these facts mean
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THE JACO3 EDWARDS
MEMORIAL LIDEA
that something must be done about giving our boys a very thorough background in the sciences. In order to provide this training, we will require laboratory facilities.
It appears, at the time of writing this report, that this will be the second consecutive year when we will be unable to ab- sorb those boys who are on the waiting list. This same condi- tion exists in the Evening School.
The addition made to the Metalsmith Department this year has solved a problem which enables us to give the Metal- smith students the proper training.
The hour for Glee Club rehearsal was changed this year to accommodate the program of the Supervisor of Music. We hope that by next year the Supervisor's program will permit the Glee Club to meet the last period.
We are continuing the practice of providing clean towels and soap for the Gym classes.
ADDITION TO METAL SHOP
CLASS OF 1955 CABINET
James J. Helliwell Donald P. L'Ecuyer
George E. Parent Robert Wadsworth
DRAFTING Richard A. Curboy
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MACHINE
Ronald L. Allard John C. Berry Harold A. Chapman
Gregory E. Costa Raymond J. DeRouin
Richard C. Foster
Donald G. Hufault
Leslie B. Martel
Robert L. Maynard
George L. Saulnier
Donald R. Sheeran
Alfred T. Stanger
METALSMITH
Roland L. Beaupre Lucien J. Jolin
CLASS OFFICERS
President
Donald L'Ecuyer
Vice President
Alfred Stanger
Secretary
James Helliwell
Treasurer
Richard Foster
AWARDS
American Legion Post No. 31 Award (Good Citizenship)
Director's "C"
Robert Wadsworth
English
James Helliwell
History
James Helliwell
Mathematics
Richard Curboy
Science
Harold Chapman
Readers Digest Award
James Helliwell
EVENING SCHOOL DIVISION
Cabinet-Mr. Frank P. Skinyon 31
Drafting-Mr. John L. Benson
31
Machine-Mr. William B. Paul
32
Soldering-Welding-Mr. George H. Braman
25
Furniture Refinishing-
Mrs. Margaret B. Baybutt 13
Mr. Stanley A. Naumnik
12
Mr. Antonio Orsini
25
Total 169
In conclusion, I thank the Townspeople, the School Com- mittee, the Advisory Board, the Superintendent of Schools, the Faculty, the Office Staffs, and our Custodian for their valuable aid in helping to make Vocational Education a success in the Town of Southbridge.
HEALTH REPORT MRS. LOTTIE A. LEBLANC, R.N., School Nurse Some of the more essential work being done in this depart- ment can be better understood from the following statistics:
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Richard Foster
SAFETY FIRST Charlton Street School
1
CHRISTMAS ANGELS Eastford Road School
AN ADVENTURE IN ART Mechanic Street School
MARKY ST.
SCHOOL BUILDERS Marcy Street School
CONCENTRATION Pleasant Street School
RECREATION AT NOON West Street School
Cole Trade High School COMBINATION CLASS AND STUDY HALL
FURNITURE REFINISHING - Cole Trade High School
21
Physical examinations
581
Visits to schools
305
Vision tests
1508
Hearing tests
2183
Home visits
160
Conferences on health problems
861
Dental Care
290
Innoculations
1229
Pre-School Clinic Registration
315
Donations for milk by Lions' Club
$800.00
Census of the blind completed
Census of the physically handicapped completed
Special class for the mentally retarded given much attention.
Six home teachers were provided for children unable to go to school. Clear Type Books were obtained from the Massa- chusetts Division of the Blind for three pupils.
In conclusion, I wish to take this opportunity to thank everyone who contributed in any way to the success of the 1955 Health Program.
BAND REPORT MR. PAUL J. SWEET, Director
In reporting on the activities of the instrumental music department for the past year, one phase of the program seems to stand out prominently in regard to the continuing technical advancement of the students.
In the elementary grades, the instructor is able to take
NEW BAND INSTRUMENTS
22
small groups weekly. In this way, each new problem can be explained in a leisurely manner and a normal progress is noted. Unfortunately, this does not apply when these same students reach their freshman year. No plans, as yet, have been in- stituted whereby high school students can have this continu- ing small group instruction and thus continue their musical growth which, in turn, would be reflected in the more advanced grade of music they could perform. It would seem, therefore, that future schedule planning should consider this factor se- riously.
When a new high school is built in Southbridge, plans should include a music suite which would include a properly planned rehearsal room for the band, several small rooms to be used for individual and small ensemble practice, storage space for uniforms, and instruments, and a director's office. This suite should be handy to the auditorium stage and also close to the athletic field or a large parking space, said space to be used for outside drilling. The gymnasium should be made available to the band for drilling in case of inclement weather, or for night drill practice.
The next phase of the instrumental program should deal with the problem of equipping the band with the types of in- struments that are required to change it from a military march- ing band for outside work to a symphonic concert band so that it could properly perform concert music.
To this end, a beginning was made this year by the pur- chase of a set of tympani, a bass clarinet, and an oboe.
There is further need for a set of chimes, concert drums, an additional bass clarinet, an oboe, alto clarinet, two Sousa- phones, three French horns, and fifteen new uniforms.
To bring the band up to a proper concert level, an invest- ment of $5,000 would be required.
A survey has been conducted of the schools of Massachu- setts, the results of which show most of them do have the above symphonic instruments, and it is interesting to note that some of these towns, so equipped, are smaller than Southbridge.
In closing, may I point out the net worth of the band stands at a little more than $5,000 as of this date.
REPORT ON CHORAL MUSIC ELLWOOD S. JENNESS, Director
The year 1955 saw a continuing growth in the vocal music department of the Southbridge Public Schools. This growth is most easily discernible in the eighth grade and high school groups where the number of students electing chorus has in- creased from about 150 to nearly 250.
A very successful exchange concert, in cooperation with the high school band, was held with Athol High School in March. The operetta "H. M. S. Pinafore" was presented in
23
May. The High School Choir, with Donald Croke of the grad- uating class as baritone soloist, sang the cantata "Ballad for Americans" at the graduation, while the Girls' Glee Club fur- nished the music for the Baccalaureate Exercises. The Eighth Grade Glee Club, fresh from achieving an outstanding rating at the Central Massachusetts Festival, sang at the elementary school graduation.
In this present school year, the bands and choruses co-
HARMONY - Mechanic Street School
SECTION - MIXED GLEE CLUB
24
operated to present their first public Christmas program which was very well attended and, artistically, most successful.
Perhaps special mention is merited by the Boys' Glee Club since groups of this type are rather rare at the high school level. The more than fifty Wellsmen were roundly hailed by Worcester County music educators at the Teachers' Conven- tion in November. Numerous other appearances by this group include concerts at Tantasqua High School and at Parents' night at Mary E. Wells.
It is admitted that much room for improvement exists at the elementary school level. Specific needs in this program mentioned in last year's report are still in evidence and the conviction is again advanced that an addition to the teaching staff is necessary in order that the desired ends be achieved.
GUIDANCE AND PLACEMENT. SVEN O. ROSENGREN, Director
Testing Program
The testing program in the Southbridge Public Schools consists of a planned and continuing activity, including the administration and scoring of tests of scholastic aptitude or intelligence, vocational aptitude, interest and achievement. During the past year, group intelligence tests were administered to grades 1, 4, 7, 9, and 11. Also, in accordance with state law, an intelligence survey was conducted throughout the school system. Where the need was indicated, the Stanford Binet Test was individually administered as described in the law.
Vocational aptitude batteries were administered at grade 8 and grade 11 levels. The battery administered to the grade 8 group included mechanical, clerical, and scholastic aptitude tests, reading achievement tests, arithmetic achievement tests, and tests in language arts. Individual profiles were drawn using the data derived from these tests. Eleventh grade pupils re- sponded to the Boston University Aptitude Test Battery an- nually administered at that level in the Mary E. Wells and Cole Trade High Schools. Again, individual psychometric profiles were constructed using test battery data.
During the first week of February, the California Achieve- ment Test Battery was administered in all of the elementary school classrooms by the classroom teachers. Subsequent to this testing, a summary of survey data indicated that the aver- age deviation from the national norm for all grades was +.7 of one school year.
Counselling
As in the past, the nature of counselling was dependent upon the individual variation in types of problems considered. All eighth grade pupils completed interest questionnaires which were used to supplement aptitude profiles previously described.
25
Parents were sent invitations to visit the guidance office and to discuss selection of high school programs. Many parents accepted these invitations and participated in a cooperative counselling process.
Data derived from cumulative records, interest and pref- erence inventories, psychometric batteries, and counselling rec- ords were used as aids in counselling high school students.
The graduating class of 1955 numbered eighty-two pupils, 42.7% of whom continued on to further education in four-year colleges, junior colleges, business schools and nursing schools.
Employment
As in recent years, part-time employment of pupils out- side of school continued high. About seventy-five per cent of the seniors now at the Mary E. Wells High School were em- ployed in some kind of part-time work. Their average income was $16.80 per week. Forty-eight per cent of the Junior class was also employed in part-time work. However, the numbers of pupils employed in the Sophomore and Freshman classes were substantially smaller because of labor laws and age re- quirements.
Recommendations
1. It is recommended that a Dean of Girls be appointed in the Mary E. Wells High School to assist in the counselling program.
2. Diagnostic reading tests indicate that, as a group, the
NURSING
KEY TO THE FUTURE
26
students in our public schools score well above the national average. However, there are a significant number of students in our schools who have reading problems. Therefore, it is recommended that a read- ing improvement program be initiated in our school system to help in meeting the needs of those who are slow readers.
The cooperation and assistance of all school personnel in the administering of the guidance program is acknowledged and appreciated. I wish at this time to express my sincere thanks for the many helpful contributions of time and effort that have been made in behalf of guidance services.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION DR. LEWIS A. KYRIOS, Director
Our present Physical Education Program has been or- ganized to include all the elementary school students, the spe- cial classes, and the entire student body of Cole Trade High School. Grades six and seven, both boys and girls, participate in regular gym classes, while all the students in grades 1 to 5 inclusive, participate in programs prepared by the Director, and supervised by classroom teachers during the recess period.
Calisthenics, games, relays, and recreational sports are emphasized in the regular gym classes. 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 averages one hour of physical education per week.
The program offered to the first five grades in the ele- mentary schools has been designed to provide the students with opportunities to learn basic skills; to develop good health and safety habits; to encourage leadership, good sportsman- ship, and to express themselves physically as well as mentally. This particular program has been divided into the following three levels: a program for Grades I and II, a program for Grades III and IV, and a program for Grade V. Thirty min- utes a day are given to the program. Mimetics, singing games and group games are planned for the students in Grades I and II. Grades III and IV offer rhythmic activities, group games, relays and athletic games. Team games and athletic games are emphasized in Grade V.
AFTER SCHOOL ATHLETIC PROGRAM
The after-school athletic program has been organized to give the elementary students an opportunity to participate in competitive sports with proper supervision. Touch football, basketball, and baseball are offered to the boys. The girls may participate in basketball and softball. Coaches have been ap- pointed to insure proper supervision. Schedules are carefully prepared to protect the health and safety of the students. Proper equipment and facilities have been secured.
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This program has been very popular with the students and the competition has been keen and better balanced in the past year. Accent has been placed on participation on the var- sity as well as on the intra-mural levels.
REPORT OF ADULT CIVIC EDUCATION MISS CONSTANCE M. L'ECUYER, Director
At this time, I should like to make clear some of the provisions of the latest laws in regard to Immigration and Nat- uralization of Aliens. With reference to Veterans, any alien who has been, for ninety days, in the service of this country, or who is a Veteran of American Wars from any country is eligible for citizenship.
A woman who has lived here and has been married to a citizen for three years may file for citizenship.
Persons of all races are able to become citizens and are admitted on the preference list on the basis of the relationship to an American citizen. Naturally, parents, then husbands, wives, or children are given first consideration.
There is one thing a Naturalized Citizen must ever keep in mind. These last laws make it easy to take away the citizen- ship of Naturalized Citizens and to deport them. For example, deportation may be effected for theft over five dollars.
Denaturalization threatens every Naturalized Citizen for failing to disclose any fact which he might have considered im- material at the time he was naturalized. As for traveling, if he remains abroad for five years, he automatically loses his citizenship.
Last, but most important, every Alien faces deportation if he fails to register each January, thus reporting his address.
The most important objective of the Adult Civic Educa- tion Division of the Southbridge School Department is to reach adult non-citizens and foreign born residents, and to develop an interest in their preparation for Citizenship by helping them in every way possible to attain this goal. In this matter, the School Department has wholeheartedly cooperated with the Massachusetts Department of Education.
At this time, as Director, I wish to thank other Town De- partments for their cooperation and help in giving needed in- formation, and the Police Department for taking finger prints which must accompany each application filed.
We are pleased to note that, recently, naturalized citizens who not long ago attended Citizenship and English classes themselves, have encouraged close relatives to cross the Ocean. These new arrivals are now in English classes. This is a tribute to a Town that makes newcomers feel welcome and provides means to help them.
Private lessons and special help are given whenever there is need.
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COSE T
Clothes
Dress - Blogs
Shirt
Sut
Freusers
DISGES
a Milk
Lup w COFFEE
CHOC DIATE
AN ATTENTIVE CLASS
PLAYGROUND REPORT DR. LEWIS A. KYRIOS, Director
The playground season was scheduled to run from July 11th through August 19th, a period of six weeks. However, be- cause of the polio threat epidemic, activities for the last week were cancelled. The activities were conducted at the follow- ing areas: Charlton Street, Eastford Road, West Street, and Pleasant Street.
PERSONNEL Director - Lewis A. Kyrios
Supervisor of Arts and Crafts-Mrs. Kathryn Beauregard Charlton Street Playground Supervisors
Assistants
Mr. Eugene Remian Miss Madelene Proulx Miss Judith Brockway Miss Jeanne Xanthakos
Eastford Road Playground
Supervisor
Mr. Vincent Puracchio
Assistants Miss Mary Butler, Miss Joan Darley
West Street Playground
Supervisor Assistants
Mr. Paul Duhart Miss Antoinette Del Greco Miss Margaret Polakowski
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Pleasant Street Playground Supervisor
Mrs. Dorothy Simpson
Assistants Miss Ann Knowles, Miss Marilyn O'Shaughnessy, Mr. John Di Frederico
ENROLLMENT AND ATTENDANCE
Total Enrollment 1100
Average Daily Attendance
435
Average Percentage of Attendance
42%
Largest Daily Attendance
640
MEETINGS
There were six meetings of the Supervisors held during the season, the purpose of which was to plan the activities of the week and to consider any difficulties that may have arisen dur- ing the previous week. These meetings were a source of help to all.
ACTIVITIES
The Playground program was divided in the following manner:
First Week Organization Week
Second Week Sports Program
Third Week Intra-Playground Competition
Fourth Week Amateur Shows
Fifth Week Sports Playoffs
Sixth Week Arts and Crafts Exhibit
ARTS AND CRAFTS
Under the capable supervision of Mrs. Kathryn Beaure- gard, the Arts and Crafts program was outstanding. Over 3500 pieces were made and many new articles were introduced. The polio threat forced the cancellation of the exhibit of the Arts and Crafts Program.
I wish to extend my appreciation to all those who worked so enthusiastically and loyally to make the playground a suc- cess.
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF UNIVERSITY EXTENSION AND EVENING VOCATIONAL COURSES DR. JAMES M. ROBERTSON, Director
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
Advanced Dressmaking
Two classes
Tailoring
One class
Cooking One class
University Extension classes were offered in the commer- cial and academic fields.
30
Elementary Typewriting One class
Elementary Surveying One class
These classes were conducted under the supervision of the State Department of Education and were instructed by ac- credited teachers.
Other classes in the vocational, commercial, and academic fields will be offered when the demand for them is sufficient to form such classes.
CAFETERIA REPORT MRS. EDITH M. FREEMAN, Supervisor
The Cafeteria feeds an average of from 400 to 425 lunch- eons each day, which represents an increase of from 100 to 125 over last year.
A new gas range and store room have been added, and a partition has been removed. This latter improvement provides better ventilation. However, there is still need of a mixer.
The Cafeteria, the Teachers' Dining Room, and the kit- chen have been redecorated.
The Elementary Milk Program continues on the same high level as last year.
The Southbridge Rotary Club, Lions Club, and South- bridge Evening Woman's Club, together with the West St. P.T.A. provide milk for those who cannot afford it.
I wish to thank these organizations for their generosity in providing this additional nutrition which is so essential to chil- dren.
AUDIO-VISUAL AIDS REPORT MR. EDWARD DESROCHES, Director
USES
The extended use of audio-visual materials is constantly being suggested and encouraged by the scientific evidence com- ing out of today's research in the field of education. The re- search shows very conclusively that children learn more in less time and remember longer when audio-visual materials are used to teach team.
Teachers of the Southbridge School System are very much cognizant of these findings as evidenced by their enthusiastic participation in the Audio-Visual Aids Program during 1955. Their use of the educational film, filmstrip, lantern slide, and tape recording, was frequent and effective throughout the year.
NEW EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALS
In accordance with the long range policy of the Depart- ment, new equipment and materials were added to the Depart- ment. A new DeVry sound motion picture projector was pur- chased for the High School; while approximately fifty film-
31
A LESSON IN PICTURES
MATERIAL FOR INSTRUCTORS
AUDIO-VISUAL AIDS
ยท AFO REIP ICACHEAS
32
strips were added to the present filmstrip library which serves the needs of the entire school system. Our library now contains over three hundred filmstrips which are closely correlated with the major areas of the curriculum.
AUDIO-VISUAL AIDS RESOURCE RACKS
In order to facilitate the dissemination of audio-visual in- formation, specially designed racks were built and placed in each elementary school. All information (books, bulletins, newsletters, catalogs, etc.) pertaining to audio-visual education is placed in these racks, thereby facilitating the teacher's task of locating desired audio-visual information. This procedure should result in better and more extensive use of audio-visual materials in the future.
STUDENT PROJECTIONISTS
This year, as in the past, students were trained and added to the Projectionist Squad in order to relieve teachers of mech- anical details and give them more time for teaching when using projected aids. Teachers have voiced repeatedly their appre- ciation of this service.
RESEARCH
Research, initiated last year on the problem of "Building The Type of Audio-Visual Aids Program Which Should Be in Operation In the Southbridge Public Schools," was continued through the year and will be completed early in 1956. Many new ideas, methods, and procedures have already been incor- porated in the administration of the present program as a direct result of the investigation.
COMMUNITY SERVICE
The Department considered it a privilege to assist various community organizations during 1955. Equipment and oper- ators were provided for the following organizations during the year: Southbridge Women's Club, Rotary Club, Hamilton Rod & Gun Club, Girl Scouts, and the Jacob Edwards Public Libra- ry.
Since the success of any program is largely dependent upon its participants, I wish to take this opportunity to ex- press my sincere appreciation to all administrators and teachers for their interest and assistance in the Audio-Visual Aids Pro- gram.
ART REPORT
All of our children have the potential ability to enrich their lives through the value of the arts. Teachers, who value
33
the creative ability of children, seek ways to nurture its growth. The integrated art program now in operation in the public schools of Southbridge is a flexible one, planned to help the child through the physical and human resources of our schools and his community.
In the primary grades, a child experiences, to the fullest extent, the satisfaction of expressing himself through the use of different mediums.
In the intermediate grades, work in design, drawings rela- ted to his experiences, and crafts give opportunities for creative expression to all.
In the upper grades, more difficult work is attempted, in- cluding instruction in block printing, stenciling, and the art of lettering with brush and pen; in addition, training is given in advanced color harmony, design, and participation in poster contests. On this level, many problems are related to his home and to the community.
Students in Mary E. Wells High School are offered an
SETTING UP ART DISPLAY - Pleasant Street School
34
EASTFORD ROAD MURAL
elective art course, which is of great value to students who wish to further their studies in art, or who are interested in drawing or painting as a leisure time hobby. Students are given thorough training in color theory, design, sketching, painting in water color, and oils for advanced students; also, layout, black and white drawings for the school paper, paper sculpture mo- biles, stenciling, designing and printing for school programs, painting scenery for school plays, and making and planning decorations for school dances. The course provides stimulating and practical problems for the average, or the very gifted stu- dent.
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