USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Southbridge > Town annual reports of the officers of Southbridge for the year ending 1952-1956 > Part 55
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Recommendations
There are several recommendations that I would like to make at this time:
1. That modern lavatory facilities for eighth and ninth grade boys be installed on the basement floor under Room 115.
2. That a complete renovation of the Science Laboratory be made. New equipment is needed to keep abreast with the rapid progress of science.
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3. That a library be started and a teacher-librarian be appointed.
4. That more lockers be installed until enough are fur- nished to take care of all pupils' personal belongings, coats, rubbers, etc.
5. That the industrial arts program be expanded in order that those pupils who are not interested in a trade edu- cation may have the benefit from allied courses.
6. That a Biology Laboratory be installed so that pupils may conduct experiments to increase their interest in the subject.
7. That a survey be made to determine the proper meth- ods of lighting all rooms in the school.
8. That more recent business equipment be installed in the Commercial Department.
9. That money be appropriated for assembly programs.
10. That after ten years' consecutive service, teachers and administrators be given a sabbatical leave at full pay for professional study or travel.
11. That a yearly allotment of not less than $1500 be ap- propriated for the band-an unusually worthy group which has been forced to be self-supporting.
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.
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 Three classes
Advanced Dressmaking
One class
Tailoring One class
Cooking One class
University Extension classes were offered in the commer- cial and academic fields:
Elementary Typewriting One class
Advanced Typewriting 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.
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COLE TRADE HIGH SCHOOL RAYMOND L. W. BENOIT, Director
We are faced again with the problem of space at the Cole Trade High School. This past September marks the third con- secutive school year when we were unable to accept all of the boys who desired Vocational Training. This condition is created by minimum requirements set up by the State Department of Vocational Education in order to maintain safe and efficient training. To illustrate, we are training thirteen boys in a nine-boy shop, as set up by the State minimums. In spite of this we still have boys waiting to get into this shop. This con- dition exists in all trades.
I believe that we have arrived at that point where we must be a little more discerning in the selection of our future trainees. This can be accomplished by giving the candidates a battery of tests and, on the basis of these tests, we would use a more direct method of counseling. At present we have not kept anyone from trade training on the basis of test scores.
Class of 1956
Cabinetmakers
DiBonaventura, Guerino John Sanderski, Stanley Anthony, Jr. Holden, John Alan Scanlon, Michael Richard
Peckham, Bradford Lyon Smith, Robert William
Wells, John Allan
Draftsmen
Anctil, Daniel Raye
Gentili, Arthur Quinto, Jr.
Lach, John Henry
Electricians
Caraccio, Camille Rosario
Dalrymple, Colin Oliver
Iacobucci, John Joseph, Jr. Lavallee, Andre Alfred
Olsta, Donald Henry
Machinists
Cloutier, Albert Ernest
Salce, Luigi Carmine
Delage, Norman Edward
Lawson, Robert Graham
Suprenant, Oliver Frank Taylor, Kenneth Norman Trombley, George Francis
Lippe, Alfred John
Metalsmiths
Leduc, Paul Roger
Leduc, William Leo
Class Officers
President
Vice-President
John J. Iacobucci, Jr. John H. Lach
Secretary
Robert G. Lawson
Treasurer
Alfred J. Lippe Mr. Lucian J. Manchuk
Class Advisor
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Awards
American Legion Post No. 31 Award (Good Citizenship)
Director's Gold "C"
English
John Iacobucci Alfred Lippe Luigi Salce
History Arthur Gentili John Iacobucci Mathematics Luigi Salce John Lach
Science
Reader's Digest Award
Evening School Division
Woodworking:
Mr. Frank P. Skinyon 12
Mr. David F. Knight
16
Drafting:
Mr. John L. Benson 27
Machine:
Mr. William B. Paul
15
Mr. Edwin J. Waskiewicz 13
Soldering-Welding:
Mr. George H. Braman 27
Furniture Refinishing:
Mrs. Margaret B. Baybutt 29
Mr. Antonio Orsini 25
Apprentice:
Mr. John L. Benson
7
Mr. Frank P. Skinyon
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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.
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE SCHOOL NURSE LOTTIE A. LeBLANC, School Nurse
Some of the more essential work being done by the School Health Department can be better understood from the follow- ing statistics:
Physical Examinations
782
Visits to Schools
354
Vision Tests 1,985
Hearing Tests
1,956
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Home Visits
198
Conferences on Health Problems 1,397
Dental Care 361
Inoculations 6,227
Pre-School Clinic Registration 293
Donation for Milk by Lions Club $800
Census of physically handicapped completed.
Census of the blind completed.
Five home teachers provided for children unable to go to school.
Clear Type books obtained from the Massachusetts Division of the Blind for two pupils.
Routine chest X-ray of School Personnel made.
In conclusion, I wish to take this opportunity to thank everyone who contributed in any way to the success of the 1956 Health Program.
PLAYGROUND REPORT DR. LEWIS A. KYRIOS, Director
The playground season began on July 19, 1956 and ended August 17, 1956, a period of six weeks. The activities were con- ducted at the following areas: Charlton Street, Eastford Road, West Street, Pleasant Street, and the Town Hall.
Personnel
Director
Dr. Lewis A. Kyrios
Supervisor of Arts & Crafts Mrs. Kathryn Beauregard
Charlton Street Playground
Supervisors Mrs. Helen Duquette, Mr. Eugene Remian
Assistants Miss Nancy Hughes, Miss Susan Girard
Eastford Road Playground
Supervisor
Mr. Vincent Puracchio
Assistants Miss Mary Butler, Miss Judith Caron
West Street Playground
Supervisor
Mr. Anthony Sapienza
Assistants Miss Antoinette DelGreco, Miss Kathryn Hart
Pleasant Street Playground
Supervisor Miss Madelene Proulx Assistants Miss Genevieve Hetu, Miss Jacqueline Eno, Mr. Lee Partlow
Enrollment and Attendance
Total Enrollment 1,140
Average Daily Attendance 480
Average Percentage of Attendance 44%
Largest Daily Attendance 62%
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Activities
Intro-playground competition in softball, volleyball, and dodgeball, was offered. Basketball, zellball, horseshoes, and ping-pong were presented as intro-playground activities. Sing- ing games, quiet games, swings, slides, jungle-gym, and sandbox activities were listed for the "little people."
Arts and Crafts
The Arts and Crafts Exhibit under the capable supervision of Mrs. Kathryn Beauregard was outstanding. The Exhibit was held in the Town Hall on August 16 from 2:00 to 4:00 p. m. and from 7:00 to 9:00 p. m. Over 4,000 items were displayed. Par- ents and friends of the children were invited and over 500 people attended.
Safety Program
The Safety Program was very successful, and the results were excellent. There were no major accidents.
I wish to extend my appreciation to all those who helped to make the Playground season a success.
GUIDANCE AND PLACEMENT SVEN O. ROSENGREN, Director
Testing Program
Tests administered to pupils in the Southbridge Public Schools during the past year were selected to conform to a regular pattern of testing previously approved and established for the system. Briefly, this pattern provides for testing in- terest, scholastic aptitude, vocational aptitude, and achieve- ment.
The California Tests of Mental Maturity were administered in the fall to all pupils in grades 1, 4, 7, 9, and 11. In the spring all pupils in grades 1 through 8 responded to the California Achievement Test Battery. In addition to this group testing, tests were administered individually to pupils transferring to us from other school systems.
A battery of tests, measuring interest, intelligence, me- chanical and clerical aptitude, and reading, was administered to all eighth grade students prior to their selection of high- school programs. The test results were used in counseling pu- pils and in conference with parents.
In cooperation with the director of the Cole Trade High School, another selected battery of tests was administered to ninth grade pupils of that school. This battery included a group of three mechanical aptitude tests, two intelligence tests, and one diagnostic reading test. It was intended to provide predictive data and to isolate reading problems now existing in the tested group.
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Representatives from Boston University administered a psychometric battery of tests to the Junior classes of Mary E. Wells and Cole Trade High Schools in February 1956. Analyses and individual psychometric profiles were subsequently re- ceived from the University for use in counseling.
Counseling
A counseling service is provided for students in the South- bridge Public Schools. Some of this counseling was achieved through group situations. In some instances the counseling process included parents and pupils but, in the large, counsel- ing was of an individual nature.
The graduating class of 1956 numbered seventy-five stu- dents, 42 per cent of whom continued on to further education in four-year colleges, junior colleges, business schools, and nursing schools.
Employment
Thirty-seven per cent of the students in the class of 1956 became employed in full-time jobs after graduation from high school. A part-time placement service is also provided by the Guidance Department.
Recommendations
1. It is recommended that a Dean of Girls be appointed in the Mary E. Wells High School to assist in the counsel- ing program.
2. An analysis of test data indicates that there is a need for a remedial reading program in our schools.
The Director of Guidance and Placement wishes to thank all members of the Southbridge School Department for their cooperation in the administration of the guidance activity.
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC REPORT PAUL J. SWEET, Director
In submitting my annual report, several things stand out prominently as definite accomplishments during the past year.
First, the high school band has successfully made the tran- sition from a marching band for the football games and public parades to a concert band, which presented several excellent programs both in town and out of town. It received a rating of excellent at the music festival held last May in Auburn.
Second, a junior band was maintained. This band went to the festival in Auburn. It took part in several local parades, including the Memorial Day parade for which it received much acclaim.
One of the musical highlights of the year was the annual Christmas assembly at which the high school band was en- thusiastically received by the student body.
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Late in the year a new group of elementary students were enrolled in the instrumental music program and will, after the first of the year, be formed into a band and will take part in several spring concerts.
The instrumental music department is handling a total of about one hundred twenty-five students from grades five through twelve.
This past fall saw the greatest demand for enrollment in the instrumental music course with about forty-five pupils ac- cepted. Almost forty-five more pupils could not be accommo- dated because of the present crowded schedule of the instruc- tor. It is the hope of the director that an additional instrumen- tal music instructor be added to the staff so that all children who wish to have an experience in active music may be ac- commodated.
In conclusion may I take this opportunity to thank all the custodians, teachers, principals, and office secretaries who, by their many kind acts, have helped make my work a little easier.
CAFETERIA REPORT MRS. EDITH FREEMAN, Supervisor
There has been an increase in the use of the cafeteria this year. Servings have averaged between 450 and 475 every school day.
Reprocessed equipment, a deep freeze and a mixing ma- chine, have been added. A slicing machine, donated by Mr. Harry McMahon, is appreciated greatly and eliminates the cost of slicing meat.
The need for added refrigeration is great. It is necessary to store Government frozen foods in Putnam, Connecticut, since the Bradley Company went out of business. A new refrigera- tion locker at the High School would alleviate this condition.
A ventilating fan is also needed in the kitchen.
The Elementary Milk Program in the Elementary schools remains on the same high level. The Southbridge Lions Club continues to pay for milk for those who cannot afford it.
The Southbridge Evening Women's Club and the Marcy Street P. T. A. pay for the lunches of the needy children in Mrs. Reed's room. This is a highly commendable project because good nutrition aids these children in doing better work.
ART DEPARTMENT CLAIRE BIRTZ, Supervisor
Due to the large increase in the number of classrooms in elementary and junior high schools, and the larger enrollment in high-school art classes, it has become impossible for one art supervisor to teach art in the senior high and junior high
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schools. It is also impossible to visit each elementary class- room every two weeks as originally planned. Because of this situation, lessons have been curtailed to one thirty-minute period a month for each elementary classroom. Classroom teachers have co-operated, and they are doing very fine work, but specialized training is needed for those who teach art.
Our schools are well supplied with art materials. First to fourth grade pupils use easel paints and brushes. Clay, cray- ons, and special papers for projects are provided. Each fifth grade student has a box of water colors, plus easel paints, let- tering pens, inks, and materials for special projects. Sixth and seventh grade students have water color boxes, tempera paints, lettering pens, colored inks, chalks, and crayons. Metallic pa- pers, poster board, and colored papers are also available. Eighth grade students are provided with water colors, tempera paints, lettering pens and ink, crayons, linoleum blocks for Christmas cards, poster board, and paper in many colors.
New art books for teacher and pupil reference are being added each year to the libraries at each elementary school. These schools are well provided with all art supplies but, at present, there is not enough art supervision.
The high-school art classes present another problem. Due to shortage of space, all of our year's supplies must be kept in the art room. Classes have increased in size, but the art room is not any larger. To our sorrow, we cannot carry on some of the large projects we have in mind. This year, advanced classes in high school have done some very creditable oil paintings, and, with the addition of a small kiln, we have had very fine results in enameling on copper. I would like also to include ceramics, but that would require more space and storage shelves which we can not provide.
AUDIO-VISUAL AIDS DEPARTMENT EDWARD DESROCHES, Director
It is a foregone conclusion among educational researchers that audio-visual instructional materials are just as much a part of the instructional program as are textbooks, workbooks, etc. Children learn more in less time and remember longer when audio-visual instructional materials are used to teach them. In fact, the total educational program is made more meaningful by the use of these materials.
The marked increase in teacher requests for audio-visual materials in 1956 would seem to indicate that teachers in Southbridge are becoming increasingly more cognizant of the tremendous educational potentialities of these materials in the instructional program. Teachers used more films, filmstrips, lantern slides and tape recordings in 1956 than in any pre- vious year.
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New Equipment and Materials
The services of the Department were extended during the year by the purchase of several pieces of much-needed equip- ment. A new 16mm sound projector and two 4-speed record players were added to the Department. The latter purchases, accompanied by the purchase of carefully selected educational records, will, in actuality, mean an entirely new service to teachers.
In addition to the above purchases, forty filmstrips were added to our fast-growing filmstrip library. Our library now carries over four hundred titles which are all closely correlated with various subject-matter areas of the curriculum.
Student Projectionists
Students, selected and trained by the director, continue to relieve teachers of projection details whenever projected aids are used. This service has done much to encourage teachers to make greater use of audio-visual materials in their teaching.
Research
Research, initiated in 1954, on the problem, "Building the Type of Audio-Visual Aids Program which should be in Opera- tion in the Southbridge Public Schools," was completed in July 1956. Every phase of the audio-visual program was thor- oughly investigated in this work and extensive recommenda- tions made for the improvement of our present program.
Consideration is given to such areas as personnel, teacher training, equipment need in individual schools, classroom de- sign, audio-visual center lay-out, etc. The completeness of this research should help greatly in the future development of audio-visual instruction in Southbridge.
Community Services
Equipment and operators were provided for many com- munity organizations in 1956. The following organizations were recipients of such services: Mother's Club, Girl Scouts, Asso- ciation for the Mentally Retarded, Rotary Club, U. S. Postal Department, and the Jacob Edwards Public Library.
The successful administration of the audio-visual program would remain an impossibility without the cooperation of all school personnel. I wish, therefore, to express my sincere ap- preciation to all principals, supervisors, and teachers for their interest and assistance in the audio-visual program.
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PHYSICAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT REPORT
DR. LEWIS A. KYRIOS, Director
The general function of our Physical Education program is to assist in providing a medium for the normal growth and natural development of each pupil.
In order to fulfill the above desire, our Physical Education program has been divided into three distinct phases: regular gym classes, the controlled recess program, and the after-school athletic program.
Regular gym classes are offered in the following learning levels: grade six boys and girls, grade seven boys and girls, all grades of Cole Trade High School, special classes-boys and girls. Each student of the above levels are insured one period of regular gym during the week. This phase of physical educa- tion involves twenty-eight gym periods and ten levels of learning.
The following units are stressed in our regular gym classes: Formalized Activities, Military Drill and Calisthenics, Stunts and Self-Testing Activities, Tumbling, Pyramids, Basic Skills, Group Games, and Recreational Sports.
The controlled recess program has been organized for all students in grades one through five. The activities offered are based on the abilities of the students of each grade. A definite schedule has been introduced to allow minimum use of areas, facilities and equipment, and to insure safe participation for all students. This particular phase of physical education is planned and organized by the Director, and each classroom teacher ad- ministrated the program. Two new teaching manuals, listing and explaining the various activities, have been developed by the Director for the convenience of the classroom teacher.
The after-school athletic program has been organized to give the elementary school student an opportunity to partici- pate in competitive sports with proper supervision. Boys may participate in touch softball, basketball, and baseball. The girls are offered basketball and softball. Regular schedules have been developed. All the students participating in these activities are properly supervised by their coaches. All teams are properly clothed. Practices and games are held in the ele- mentary gyms and on the playgrounds of our schools.
In conclusion I wish to thank the principals and classroom teachers in our elementary schools for their generous collabora- tion and cooperation in establishing these programs.
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BY
APR 1958
estes
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