USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Southbridge > Town annual reports of the officers of Southbridge for the year ending 1957-1961 > Part 46
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The four grades eight which are housed at Mechanic Street School are doing well in all respects, working at their own level, and within their own social-age group. They are assigned the use of the Charlton Street School gymnasium for physical edu- cation and basketball league after-school games. They attend the mechanical drawing and homemaking classes in the high school building, under the supervision of their homeroom teach- ers.
Our accelerated classes, conducted at Marcy Street School, and comprising pupils culled from all elementary schools, have proved successful beyond our fondest expectations. Achieve- ment tests, given in September to the entering grade six group, revealed a median of one year and five months beyond the grade level; and two years and two months beyond the grade six level for the top one third.
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We seek, consistently, to provide curriculum and cultural. enrichment for these groups in order to bridge the gap between potential and high scholastic achievement. Trained and or- ganized human intelligence is the most vital power in the world today.
It is recommended that, as the two present accelerated grades go on into the upper grades, a supervisor of these ac- celerated groups, well versed in administration and curriculum supervision, be appointed to assure continuity and excellence of scholastic achievement, from grades 5 to 12.
It would be advisable for these accelerated groups, once. they reach grade twelve, to enroll in the special classes con- ducted at Assumption College, Worcester, on Saturday morn- ings, or at other colleges in the area which may offer courses for accelerated students. Seven school systems in the suburban Worcester area are now participating in these Saturday morn- ing special offerings.
All teachers are to be commended for their splendid and efficient work. The teacher is the key figure in any teaching- learning situation. The philosophy of life and education, the aspirations and ideals, poise and stability, as well as the rela- tionship with children, and the kind of relationship permitted among the pupils in the classroom, greatly affects the quality of the learning experience pupils will have. In the final analysis, the excellent teacher is the backbone of any school system. A happy and contented teacher, with a sound education, who truly loves children, is a good educator. Such a teacher not only teaches the three R's, but highly prized character educa- tion, and develops moral and human-relations understanding. I would like to express my gratitude to Mr. Fox for his continuous solicitude for the total welfare of the pupils; my thanks to Mrs. Anita Sfreddo, to Mrs. Camelia Dintini, and to Mr. Flanagan for their cooperation in all administrative en- deavors; and a word of appreciation to our building custodians who maintain clean, well-kept, and comfortable buildings for our good little people.
REPORT OF THE ACCELERATED PROGRAM EDITH A. MANZI, Director
The academically talented child has been challenged! Achievement at his fullest capacity has resulted.
The curriculum has been geared to the relative capability of the group. All facets of each subject have been exploited, with individual research work carried on in every desirable field. Pupils have learned the technique of evaluating information gained through research.
Overwhelming enthusiasm and a perpetual thirst for more knowledge have been satisfied through diverse methods. Mo-
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tivation must be consistent. By enriching and broadening their education, by arousing their natural curiosity, and by fulfill- ing their interest, enjoyment in learning has been achieved.
The first research project was conducted in missiles and rockets. Through outside reading, science clubs, pupil inter- change of knowledge, and current newspapers, the class had become most thoroughly informed. Culmination of the project took place with the exhibition of pupil-made missiles and rock- ets on Parents' Night.
Among various other projects, the Community Resources Survey, an enrichment of social studies and English, proved both fascinating and beneficial to the pupils. Leaders in indus- try, professional men, and businessmen were personally inter- viewed by the children, who were taken on tours. They re- turned with a tremendous wealth of first-hand information ex- plaining how the town functions!
The "piece de resistance" has been the study of Conversa- tional French. Enthusiasm and interest have been maintained through learning by dramatization of home and family, class- room, and everyday activities. As a child first begins to speak English in his immediate surroundings-the home-so French has been taught by using similar methods of procedure. Fluency in speaking, learning to "think" in French, correct pronuncia- tion and accent have been stressed. The rapid learner is de- lighted with the foreign words and expressions and feels a sense of pride and excitement in speaking a second language. Ability in speaking French was demonstrated at the Marcy Street Parent-Teachers' Meeting in April.
Since bright children are omnivorous readers, a constant flow of a wide variety of books from the public library has been utilized. With every change of subject, a new set of books has been obtained.
Character development is of utmost importance! Pupils have been trained in the qualities of independence, initiative, sharing, and democratic attitude and behavior. Competition is always keen; at the same time each child must learn to respect the intelligence and feelings of his fellow classmates.
Teaching the accelerated class has been enhanced and stim- ulated greatly by the utilization of audio-visual materials such as films, filmstrips, records, and the tape recorder.
Since we all strive to get along with all kinds of people, these pupils have been made to participate actively in school sports, musical programs, art projects, and other extracurricular activities. These activities assisted the children in becoming well-rounded personalities, better-adjusted individuals-lead- ers!
This program is well into its second year; pupils are con- tinuing their advancement; and we hope the accomplishments are continuously progressive.
In conclusion, I take this opportunity to extend my sincere
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appreciation and thanks to Mr. Fox, Superintendent of Schools, to the School Committee, to the Supervising Principal, to the Teaching Principal, to the parents, and to all the townspeople for their whole-hearted cooperation.
REPORT OF THE RETARDED CLASSES
CLARA M. REED AND STANLEY NAUMNIK, Instructors
This year, as in the past several years, we have two classes for retarded children in the Town of Southbridge. Both of these classes are taught in the high school building. One group is made up of students from ages 7 to 12 and the other group from ages 12 to 16.
Both individual and class instruction are given these pu- pils daily in all basic educational fundamentals. The older girls are also taught sewing and handcrafts, while the older boys are given instruction in practical arts and woodworking.
Basically, this set-up has worked out well, but much more classroom space and equipment could be utilized.
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REPORT OF SCHOOL HEALTH DEPARTMENT LOTTIE A. LEBLANC, School Nurse
Eight hundred and forty-nine physical examinations were given to public school children. As a result, fifty-nine defects were found and notices were mailed to parents for their imme- diate attention. The reasons for these defects were: teeth, throat, ears, and feet.
There were four hundred and twenty-seven visits made to the various public schools. On these visits many activities are performed, such as physical examinations, vision tests, hearing tests, first aid, conferences with students, and accurate record- ings on Health Records. The Massachusetts Vision Test, re- quired under the State Law, was completed in all schools. Two thousand one hundred and thirty-six pupils were screened and one hundred and twenty-seven notices were mailed to parents informing them of their failures in passing the vision test. The Massachusetts Hearing machine was used in testing two thou- sand one hundred twenty-five pupils. Eighty-two who failed to make a perfect score were retested individually, and eighty- two notices were mailed to parents informing them of their child's failing the hearing test. First Aid was rendered to one hundred and ninety-two pupils. One hundred and ninety-six home visits were made and two thousand eight hundred and forty-three conferences were held in reference to school health problems.
One hundred and thirty-nine pupils received dental care at the Dental Clinic. Two hundred and thirty-three children re- ceived regular inoculations, and three hundred and thirty-five
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received booster doses at the Toxoid Clinics given at the Town Hall. Parents are now aware of the value of this treatment for the prevention of diphtheria, and each year we find that more children have been immunized before they enter school. Reg- istration of pre-school children was conducted by the Board of Health and the School Department. A total of three hun- dred and twelve children registered for the first grade, plus eleven more who registered at a later date.
This office cared for our needy children. Clothing was furnished to eleven children during the year; lenses were secured for eight; hot lunches were provided for seven; two were seen by an ear specialist; and medication was provided for one child. Three children were referred to the State Crippled Chil- dren's Clinic, and two children were referred to the Worcester Hearing League for Lip Reading Classes.
The Census of the Blind and the Census of the Physically Handicapped Children were completed and forwarded to the Board of Education. The report of the Hearing Conservation Program and the report of the Vision Conservation Program were forwarded to the Department of Public Health. Seven home teachers were provided for physically handicapped chil- dren unable to attend school. Clear Type books were ordered from the Massachusetts Division of the Blind for two children. Three appointments were made for three children to be tested at the Wrentham State School, and one appointment was made for a student to be tested at the Belchertown State School.
Pre-school children and students in grade one were given the opportunity to participate in the Salk Vaccine Polio Clinics at the Town Hall. A total of five hundred and twelve children were inoculated.
Teamwork made it possible for us to accomplish such a tremendous amount of work. In conclusion, I wish to take this opportunity to thank everyone who contributed in any way to the success of our 1959 Health Program.
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REPORT OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT DR. LEWIS A. KYRIOS, Director
Our Physical Education Program has been organized into three distinct phases: regular physical education classes, con- trolled recess program, and our after-school athletic program.
In our regular physical education classes, all the Cole Trade High students, eighth-grade boys and girls at the Mechanic Street School, and students in the upper elementary grades at Charlton Street and West Street Schools participate one hour each week in regular classes. Tumbling, stunts, calis- thenics, relays, and games are emphasized. This program is flexible in order to provide a wide range of activities for the many interests and needs of the students.
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In addition to the above activities, physical fitness and proficiency tests are given to the high school and eighth-grade students. The tests are designed to motivate and to increase athletic sports participation for the development of physical fitness. They are considered well within the "Safety Zone" and capacity of the average healthy boy and girl.
Our controlled recess program has been organized to meet the needs of all students in Grades I to V in our elementary classes. The program has been organized by the Director and administered by the classroom teacher. The program includes the following activities: group games, relays, story plays, and athletic games. In two of our elementary schools one gym class a week has been authorized for each grade.
The after-school athletic program has been organized to give the elementary and 8th grade 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 handball and softball. Coaches have been appointed to insure proper supervision. Schedules are carefully prepared to protect the health needs, and safety of the students. Proper equipment and facilities are available.
REPORT OF ART DEPARTMENT CLAIRE BIRTZ, Director
Because of the increasing number of classes in all elemen- tary schools in Southbridge, the integrated art program now starts at the fourth-grade level, with some supervision in the first three grades.
Elementary art and the high school art classes are still being taught by one teacher so that the time allotted to both the elementary schools and to the high school is necessarily very limited.
Art offers one of the earliest means of personal expression and satisfaction for a child, and our classroom teachers, being cognizant of this fact, are working very hard to keep the art program on a high level.
Our high school students are benefiting from the integrated art program. It is now possible for high school students to go on to much more advanced work. Students with superior ability are doing serious art work. Examples of their excellent paint- ings will be on display in May when we celebrate Massachu- setts Art Week, as proclaimed by Governor Furcolo.
Until we transfer to the new senior high school, we shall continue to be very seriously handicapped. We need a walk- in storage room for materials, shelves on which work in progress could be stored, better lighting display cabinets, two sinks to speed cleaning-up, a painting area, and a craft center. There should be well-lighted display cases in the corridors or in the
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auditorium of our school to display examples of students' fine work, and loan exhibitions of paintings and other related arts and crafts-some of them native to our section of New Eng- land. This would help broaden the practical understanding and appreciation of art of the whole student body. Many students, when exposed to such fine exhibitions, become much more aware of fine workmanship.
Only a few of our art students will become art teachers or enter the professional art field, but all will utilize art knowl- edge every day of their lives. In addition, many students will join the growing ranks of adult art hobbyists, once they have had the stimulating experience of working with fine tools in modern surroundings.
A modern art center should be open all day, so that stu- dents can use free time to good advantage. A combination of studio and craft center in our new school can become the focal point of both high school students and townspeople. More and more adults in Southbridge are beginning to show interest in art, and many of these people would be greatly interested in viewing the many fine exhibitions which can be brought to our school. A modern art center would not only enrich the lives of our student body but could also become the cultural center of our town.
REPORT OF THE AUDIO-VISUAL DEPARTMENT EDWARD DESROCHES, Director
The sole purpose of the Audio-Visual Department, and the only reason for its existence, is to provide equipment, materials, and ideas that will help teachers teach more effectively. Re- search and experience continue to remind us that children learn more, learn faster, and remember longer when audio-visual in- structional materials are used to teach them. Southbridge teachers are becoming more and more cognizant of these find- ings as evidenced by their increased use of audio-visual ma- terials during 1959.
Audio-Visual Uses
Once again, the educational film received the greatest em- phasis in the instructional program during 1959. More than three hundred films were used in the following programs: Elementary, High School, Trade School, and Guidance.
In addition to the educational film, teachers made fre- quent and effective use of the filmstrip, lantern slide, record, and tape recording throughout the year.
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New Services
The Audio-Visual Department broadened its services to teachers in three ways during 1959.
A film library of forty-nine carefully selected Coronet edu- cational films was purchased and made available to the teach- ers of the school system. Then a catalog, containing descrip- tions of the forty-nine films and a Ultilization Chart, was dis- tributed to every teacher. To complete this exceptional service, Teachers' Guides which include a general statement on the film's purpose, excellent background material, suggested class activities, and related reading references were also made avail- able to every film user.
Facilities and materials for the use of educational tele- vision were made available to teachers early in October as our second added service.
In late September, the Southbridge Public School System became a participating member of the 21-Inch Classroom which is presented over WGBH-TV, Channel 2, Boston, by the East- ern Massachusetts Council for School Television. The 21-Inch Classroom was conceived and organized to supplement and to enrich the school curriculum by bringing to the classroom re- sources that would otherwise be unavailable.
In order to make it possible for teachers to take advantage of the excellent programs offered, a television set was placed in every school but one. Teachers' Guides covering the various programs were also distributed to the participating teachers.
The 21-Inch Classroom offered the following programs dur- ing 1959: Science, Literature, Music, Exploring Nature, Focus: United States Foreign Policy, Lines and Shapes, President's Conference, and Parlons Francais.
It is still too early for us to evaluate with a great deal of accuracy the total effectiveness of this entirely new approach to learning. However, on the basis of the reports and comments we have received from teachers who have already made effective use of this teaching medium, it appears that educational tele- vision holds a very favorable position as a valuable new adjunct to classroom learning.
Our third added service to teachers included a unique film library which we received from the Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company for our permanent use at no cost to us.
Each of the twenty-seven films in this library is made up of selected portions from past Screen News Digest releases which have been edited and classified by subjects to form a per- manent film library.
The Screen News Digest is a monthly news film with timely feature stories and historical reviews and is distributed regu- larly through the secondary schools of Central Western Massa- chusetts as a public service by the Massachusetts Mutual Life
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Insurance Company. Southbridge teachers have been using this film in their classrooms for the last four years.
The three added services described above represent, per- haps, the greatest development of audio-visual facilities in any one year since the inception of the Audio-Visual Program in Southbridge.
New Equipment and Materials
Two main equipment purchases were made in 1959-a 33/4" x 4" projector for Wells High School and a 70" x 70" Ra- diant "Educator" screen for Eastford Road School.
In addition to the above purchases, tapes, filmstrips, and records were also added to the Department during the year.
Community Services
The services of the Audio-Visual Department were extend- ed to many community organizations during 1959. Equipment, materials, and operators were provided for the following organ- izations: Rotary Club, Exchange Club, Knights of Columbus, Junior Chamber of Commerce, Mothers Club, Girl Scouts, As- sociation for the Mentally Retarded, Junior Red Cross, Office of Civil Defense, Pilsudski Polish-American Club, and the Sitz- markers Ski Club.
REPORT OF THE CHORAL MUSIC DEPARTMENT Grades VII - XII JUDITH A. BROCKWAY, Supervisor
The main performance activity of this department, during the spring, was the choral section of the various graduations. Much time and energy were put into preparing for these occa- sions. The Cole Trade High School Glee Club sang for its graduation on June 10; the Wells High School seniors sang for their ceremony on June 14; and the eighth grade chorus sang for its graduation on June 17.
In early April, one member of the Wells chorus participated in the All-State Chorus in Hyannis. This is a choral group of approximately two hundred students selected from all the pub- lic high schools in Massachusetts. This is a great honor for any pupil, and I am certain that ours will never forget this wonder- ful experience.
The 1959-1960 school year finds us with changes in sched- uling and events. The Wells High School Chorus now meets within the school day program (two periods in which pupils with study may join the chorus). We also have a classroom ex- pressly for our own use. This group has sung for the Honor Society Induction; has presented a Christmas program for the Wednesday Club of the Elm Street Congregational Church;
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and has presented the Christmas Assembly, in conjunction with the band, at the high school.
The Cole Trade High School Chorus, which met for the first term in the Cole Trade building, has been transferred so that this class now takes place in the music room at the high school. These boys enjoy singing and are capable of doing an excellent job with their choral music.
In November, five chorus members (three from Wells High and two representing Cole Trade High) took part in the All- District Chorus in Shrewsbury. On December 8 four of these students auditioned for the All-State Chorus which, this year, will be in Worcester. The results of these auditions will not be known for several months, but we are all filled with hope and anticipation that some of our students may be selected.
Theory review, music history, and a great deal of singing are the basic activities in the eighth grade General Music pro- gram. Each eighth grade has one forty-minute lesson per week.
All seventh grades have reviewed the music theory present- ed through the first six years of their schooling and have gone on to learn new theory and history, which will be of help to them as they progress toward singing three- and four-part harmony in mixed choral groups. Work on rounds has been done by these groups to show that singing is fun and much more interesting when done in parts rather than in unison.
As we look toward the second half of this school year, we see many musical events before us in which our students will be taking an active part. In order to do a truly good job in any of these programs, we must have added participation, co-opera- tion, and interest on all sides. With a little more encourage- ment from the parents, we might have a greater number of pupils taking part in the groups available to them. Glee Club at the high school level is for anyone who likes people, enjoys taking part in the activities of a group, or finds himself hum- ming or whistling as he walks or works.
Music is all around us; we can't live without it, for it is the expression both of our times and of generations past. The young people of today should take part in music during the school day for with it they will be rounding out their lives with art and beauty.
REPORT OF INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC DEPARTMENT PAUL J. SWEET, Director
Several things stand out prominently as definite accom- plishments of the band during the past year.
First, the high school band has continued to improve both as a marching and as a concert band, having performed for sev- eral local and out-of-town parades, and for the foobtall games. Second, at both the Tantasqua and the Wachusetts foot-
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ball games it presented, for the half-time show, a novelty in New England high school circles by offering a precision type marching drill set to music. This type of presentation requires split-second timing and is not usually performed by New England high school bands. For the Thanksgiving Day football game with Bartlett High School, it presented a pegeant-type show depicting the landing of the Pilgrims on Plymouth Rock. Both shows were well received by a capacity audience.
Third, the forty-two piece band took part in the C. Y. C. parade, October 18, 1959, in Worcester, Massachusetts, and also in the local Jimmy Fund and Hallowe'en parades.
One of the musical high lights of the year was the annual Christmas assembly program, December 23, at which time the high school band and Glee Club combined forces in presenting a concert which was well received by the student body.
We were honored, this year, by having two of our out- standing band members selected to play with the Worcester County All-Star high school band at a concert held November 6, at the new Shrewsbury High School. They were band secre- tary, Mary Jane Bousquet, and band president, Walter Be- langer.
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