USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Southbridge > Town annual reports of the officers of Southbridge for the year ending 1957-1961 > Part 62
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Enrichment for grade six consisted of various field trips to the local public library, to the telephone company building, and to the Higgins Museum in Worcester. A guest speaker described color slides of a trip to Europe. Science projects were explained at a Parent-Teachers' Meeting.
The fifth grade developed poise by singing French Christ- mas carols over the local radio station and by entertaining at club meetings with choral reading and French conversations. French speakers addressed grades five and six entirely in French. Correspondence with an accelerated class in California through both letters and tape recordings, as well as field trips to Old Sturbridge Village and to the United Lens Company added fur- ther enrichment to the course.
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Presently, three advanced classes are enjoying a challenging year at the Mary E. Wells High School. The pupils of grades five, six, and seven have demonstrated their remarkable ability to adjust to new situations by becoming acclimated to the high- school schedule, to departmentalized classes, and to various other changes with facility.
Constantly seeking to attain maximal gains for our stu- dents, we continue to enrich and accelerate our fifth and sixth grade courses, while we broaden the scope of grade seven with more advanced science projects, greater acceleration in mathe- matics, and the introduction of the written word in French.
Audio-visual materials, such as the tape recorder, record player, films, filmstrips, and 21-Inch-Classroom are being utilized to great advantage, particularly in the teaching of Conversational French, science, and social studies. Each aid proves an added stimulus to the courses as well as a corrective measure in many areas.
As a result of discussions held by the superintendent, the supervising principals, the guidance director, the supervisor of the program, and the teachers of the program, the title of the program was more satisfactorily changed to the Advanced Ele- mentary Program. Another decision was that in the fall of 1961 the fifth grade would be eliminated from the program, which would henceforth consist of grades six, seven, and eight.
With the advancement of the curriculum according to the needs and abilities of the students and according to their ca- pacity to absorb the wealth of the subject matter as our aim, we genuinely hope that each potential will be developed to its fullest.
May I, in conclusion, take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to the School Committee; to Mr. Fox, Super- intendent of Schools; to Dr. Robertson, Principal of the Mary E. Wells High School; to Mr. Desroches, Audio-Visual Aids Di- rector; and to the many people who have shown such splendid interest and cooperation in our endeavors.
REPORT OF SCHOOL HEALTH DEPARTMENT
LOTTIE A. LEBLANC, School Nurse
The ultimate objective of the school health services is to maintain, protect, and promote the optimal health - physical, mental, emotional, and social - of the school-age child.
Six hundred and forty-two examinations were given to pub- lic school children. As a result, fifty-four defects were found and notices were mailed to parents for their immediate attention.
There were four hundred and seventeen visits made to the various public schools. The Massachusetts Vision Test and the Massachusetts Hearing Test were completed in all schools, and
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notices were mailed to parents informing them of the failures. First Aid was rendered to one hundred and seventy pupils. One hundred and thirty-two home visits were made, and two thou- sand six hundred and thirty conferences were held in reference to school health problems.
Two hundred and six pupils received dental care at the Dental Clinic. Two hundred and forty-six children received regular inoculations, and two hundred and forty-seven received booster doses at the Toxoid Clinics. Salk Vaccine was given to two hundred and forty pre-school and school children in the first grades. Registration of pre-school children was conducted by the Board of Health and the School Department. A total of three hundred and twelve children registered for the first grade.
This office cared for our needy children. Clothing was fur- nished to twelve children during the year; dental care was pro- vided for one; lenses were secured for fourteen; hot lunches were provided for four; one was examined at the Massachusetts Ear and Eye Infirmary; and five attended Camp Wonderland in Sharon, Massachusetts. Six children were referred to the State Crippled Children's Clinic, and four were referred to the Wor- cester 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. Fourteen 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.
School children in grades one through twelve were given the opportunity to participate in the tuberculin testing program - the Mantoux Test. A small percentage of the children had a positive reaction, and they were referred for a Chest X-Ray.
The "Santa's Fund," made possible by the generous people of Southbridge, helped many of our needy families who have children attending public schools.
I wish to express sincere appreciation to our interested citi- zens for the help and cooperation that has been extended re- garding a proposed Mental Health Center, and to everyone who contributed in any way to the success of our 1960 Health Program.
REPORT OF ART DEPARTMENT
CLAIRE BIRTZ, Director
This year, due to the increase in the number of classes being taught by the one art supervisor, the integrated art program starts at the sixth-grade level. Art in all lower grades is being
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taught by homeroom teachers. These teachers are working very hard to keep the program going, but they should have the help of a qualified art teacher.
Our high-school students are becoming more cognizant of art and the important role it plays in our daily lives. More and more high-school students are enrolling in our art courses. Many of them have shown, as those of you who visited our art room on Parents' Night saw, a great deal of ability. Some of these stu- dents will become the creators and producers of art. Some stu- dents will continue with art as a hobby. Other students will become the consumers of art. It is essential that creative art plays a major role in art education, but art educators must also try to develop consumer taste - a working knowledge of art in people of all ages.
We have been seriously handicapped by lack of space, stor- age room for materials, shelves on which work in progress can be stored, lack of display areas, etc. However, the thought that we will soon be moving to more spacious and modern quarters helps us to overlook our very cramped space.
We hope that, with the better facilities that will be ours in the new high school, the art room will become the focal point of both high-school students and townspeople.
A modern art center, open all day, so that students can use free time to good advantage; an arts and crafts center, used and enjoyed by both high-school students and townspeople, where fine loan exhibitions can be displayed, and original pieces shown; a place where different groups of hobbyists from the area can display their work: a center enjoyed by all is our aim for the new Southbridge High School.
REPORT OF THE AUDIO-VISUAL AIDS DEPARTMENT
EDWARD DESROCHES, Director
The rapid growth of the Audio-Visual Aids Department during the past few years is direct testimony of its importance to our teaching staff. Teachers have come to regard it as their center of valuable instructional materials and services for the continuous improvement of their teaching. The services of the Department now made available to our teachers and used ex- tensively during 1960 are the following:
1. Audio-Visual materials and equipment
a. Films (both rentals and from our library)
b. Filmstrips
c. Lantern Slides
d. Records and transcriptions
e. Tape recordings
Plus-
f. Sound motion picture projector
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g. Sound filmstrip projector
h. Filmstrip projector
i. Lantern slide projector
j. Overhead projector
k. Television
2. Materials and equipment delivered upon request
3. Catalogs and bulletins on materials available and on new methods and techniques of using materials
4. Instructions in the operation and use of equipment
5. Bulletins informing teachers of institutes, meetings, demonstrations, and workshops in the use of audio- visual materials
6. Textbooks, publications, and guides in the field
7. Correlation guides designed to suggest materials for specific topics in the school's curriculum plan
8. Teacher guides for most of the teaching aids used in the system
9. Student projectionists to set up and operate equip- ment for teachers
10. Opportunities for the teacher to preview and audition materials
11. Individual conferences with the director when desired
12. Demonstrations of audio-visual materials and tech- niques
Services of the Audio-Visual Aids Department are not necessarily limited to teachers. They are frequently made avail- able to various community organizations. In 1960, the follow- ing organizations were provided with equipment, materials and projectionists: Rotary Club, Exchange Club, Knights of Colum- bus, Junior Chamber of Commerce, Mothers Club, Girl Scouts, Association 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 VI - XII
SIDNEY C. GATES, Supervisor
The Vocal Music Department at Mary E. Wells High School has two singing organizations this year-the Girls' Glee Club and the Mixed Chorus. The objective of these groups is to bring an active musical experience to all students enrolled. Both classical and popular music are performed.
The Mixed Chorus has sung at the National Honor Society induction for Mary E. Wells High School and for Cole Trade High School. Both groups performed for the annual Parents' Night at the high school and presented a Christmas Concert in
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December. Plans are now being made for an operetta to be held in March as well as for the annual Spring Concert.
A course in Music Appreciation was also added to the cur- riculum. This course is an elective and carries five credits. It is also an acceptable elective by all colleges in fulfilling their entrance requirements. The purpose of this course is to acquaint the student with different eras of music from 600 A. D. to the present time. Attention is given to the organization of the modern symphony orchestra and the sounds and uses of each instrument. After the first quarter much time is spent in listen- ing to and analyzing composers' works. The last quarter is spent on American music, including the various types of jazz.
In the 6th, 7th, and 8th grades the fundamentals of music are being presented through singing, listening, and audio-visual aids. Brief histories of the composers are given, and the instru- ments of the orchestra and band are studied.
There is a Boys' Glee Club at Cole Trade High School this year also. They are preparing music to be presented at their school functions.
REPORT OF INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC DEPARTMENT
PAUL J. SWEET, Director
The high-school band had an Exchange Concert with the Montpelier, Vermont high-school band early in the past school year. While it was a rather long trip, its social and educational value made it most worth while. The choruses of both schools also took part. Our parents' committee did a splendid job of housing and feeding the visiting group, and they deserve our heartiest thanks.
During the balance of the year, the high-school band took part in several parades, concerts, and in all football games, add- ing much to its prestige.
The junior band was active during the year, taking part in several parades and playing for the eighth-grade graduation.
REPORT OF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL MUSIC DEPARTMENT
ROSALIE RUBENSTEIN, Supervisor
The responsibility of the Elementary School Music Super- visor in the Southbridge Schools is teaching in three elementary schools, grades one to five inclusive and in two schools of sixth, seventh, and eighth grades.
Programs are designed to accomplish the following: to enable all children to participate in singing; to develop a taste for good music; to teach technicalities of music so that the
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children will gradually develop the ability to sing an unfamiliar song from the music.
Many different techniques are used to achieve the pur- poses of the school music program.
In the lower grades rote songs are used to continue the music training given to pre-schoolers obtained at home or in kindergarten, and to introduce to the world of music those who have no such training. Special work with monotones by individ- ual effort is stressed especially in the lower grades.
Unison singing, rounds, and part singing are three divisions employed in the upper grades. Then, technical terms are intro- duced, gradually increasing the musical vocabulary of the stu- dents.
This training is designed to foster a love for music, a knowl- edge of the physical symbols of music, and the ability to read music at sight.
REPORT OF CAFETERIA
EDITH M. FREEMAN, Supervisor
The staff of the Mary E. Wells High School cafeteria served between 475 and 550 daily meals during the year, with a record of 600 meals for Thanksgiving and 700 meals for Christmas.
There was an increase in the number of meals served to the pupils from Marcy Street School. One hundred daily meals were served to these children.
The elementary school milk program continues on the same high level.
The Southbridge Evening Women's Club has provided money for free lunches for the pupils who cannot afford to pay for meals. The Supervisor wishes to thank this organization for its generosity in providing additional nutrition, which is so essential to children.
REPORT OF PLAYGROUND DEPARTMENT
DR. LEWIS A. KYRIOS, Director
The playground season began on July 11 and ended August 19, a period of six weeks. The activities were conducted at the following areas: Charlton Street, Eastford Road, West Street, Pleasant Street, and the Town Hall.
Personnel
Dr. Lewis A. Kyrios Director Mrs. Kathryn Beauregard Supervisor of Arts and Crafts
Pleasant Street
Supervisor Assistants
Miss Madelene Proulx Miss Diana Costa Miss Joan Malboeuf
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Eastford Road
Supervisor Assistants
Mr. Raymond Renaud Miss Jacqueline Lapointe Miss Mary Spielman
West Street
Supervisor
Assistants
Mr. Richard Farland Miss Elisabeth Coderre Miss Kathryn Hart
Charlton Street
Supervisor
Assistants
Mr. John Kowalski Miss Ada Tieri Miss Johanna Rossi
Miss Lorna Lusignan
Enrollment and Attendance
Total Enrollment 1,125
Average Daily Attendance
460
Average Percentage Of Attendance 40%
Largest Daily Attendance
59%
Activities
Interplayground competition in softball, volleyball, and dodgeball was offered.
Ping-pong, zellball, and horseshoes were presented as intra- playground activities.
Singing games, quiet games, as well as slides, jungle-gym, and sandbox activities were listed for the little people.
Arts and Crafts
The Arts and Crafts exhibit was held on each playground on August 17, from 2:00 o'clock to 3:30 o'clock. Over four thousand items were displayed. Parents and friends of the chil- dren were invited, and over five hundred people attended this exhibit. This display was under the excellent supervision of Mrs. Kathryn Beauregard, the Arts and Crafts Supervisor.
Meetings
There were six meetings of the supervisors held during the season and the purpose of these meetings was to plan the activ-
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ities of the week and to consider any problems that may have developed during the previous week. These meetings were a source of help to all.
Safety Program
The Safety Program was very successful as the results were excellent. There were no major accidents.
REPORT OF GUIDANCE AND PLACEMENT DEPARTMENT
DR. LEWIS A. KYRIOS, Director
Guidance and pupil personnel services directed and co- ordinated by staff members with specialized preparation are an integral part of the educational program and are especially de- signed to assist in focusing the entire educational process on the individual. These services are organized to give continuous assistance to each student in knowing himself as an individual and as a member of society; in making the most of his strengths and in correcting or compensating for limitations; in relating this information realistically to his needs and potentialities; in helping him with the social-moral-spiritual problems common to youth; and in discovering and developing creative interests and appreciations.
Our guidance services provide an inventory of the individ- ual, counseling, educational and job placement, and follow-up.
Inventory Service: This phase of guidance is the collection of information that will identify each individual pupil as a unique individual. It is based on objective information, behavior patterns, and identifying information.
Testing is an important factor in the inventory service. Our testing program consists of the following:
1. Achievement tests
2. Intelligence tests
3. Mechanical and clerical aptitude tests
4. Interest tests
5. Cooperative tests
These tests are administered to pupils on different levels and in various areas of our school system.
Counseling: The Guidance Department provides individ- ual counseling to assist students to discover and pursue those courses of study which offer them the greatest opportunities. Solution of personal problems is likewise an objective of this service. Specialists are also consulted in this counseling process.
Educational and Job Placement: It is the policy of the Director of Guidance, with the educational device of counsel-
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ing, to stimulate and motivate the college students in the first quarter of their senior year to seek advanced admission to their selected colleges. In this particular area, our present college seniors have been very successful. The results up to date in- dicate that sixteen of our seniors have been accepted. It has been gratifying to learn that two of our seniors have received Scholastic Scholarships. The following colleges have accepted our seniors in their early admission plan: Hamilton College, Purdue University, Emannuel College, Northeastern University, Worcester State Teachers College, University of Massachusetts, Worcester Junior College, and Becker's Junior College.
Information about colleges and future occupations is read- ily available in the Guidance Office. Applications to college, local or college scholarship information, college board examin- ations, and bulletins of information are all in the realm of the guidance services.
Part-time employment of pupils is fostered by the place- ment organization of the Guidance Department. Twenty part- time jobs in local industries and businesses were filled by our students from September to December 1960.
Follow-up: In conducting a follow-up study of the 1960 graduates, the following information is submitted:
Number of Students
Entering 140
Courses Freshman Year
84 College
56 Commercial
Graduated 112
Courses Senior Year
64 College 57.15%
41 Commercial 36.62%
7 General 6.23%
Senior Results
37 in four-year colleges
14 in two-year colleges
10 in nurse's training
3 in technical training
64 Total 57.15%
Number in Services: 13 11.61%
10 in Air Force
2 in Army
1 in Navy
Number in Labor Field: 32 28.57%
25 in commercial field
6 in unskilled field
1 nurse's aid
One student is married (.89%). One student is deceased (.89%). One student is taking a post-graduate course (.89%).
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REPORT OF ADULT CIVIC EDUCATION
CONSTANCE M. L'ECUYER, Director
The classes in English, American History, and Civics con- ducted in Southbridge for the foreign born have been gradually changing. Formerly, these classes were attended by people who had lived in town for a number of years and no longer con- sidered themselves foreign, but they were obliged to register as aliens each January. For these people, the speaking and under- standing of the language was comparatively easy.
Today, we have people who have never spoken or heard the language and are in a younger age bracket. Progress is necessarily slower for this group, and correct pronunciation is very important. These younger people are anxious to obtain Citizenship Papers because they desire to have roots in this country. These people have had unhappiness in their former countries, and they hasten to apply for Citizenship as soon as the waiting period has elapsed.
Some of these younger people, in their anxiety, apply for Citizenship before they are adequately prepared, and they find their Examiners strict when they lack the necessary knowledge.
All the people who have attended evening school classes and who have completed the required work have been admitted to Citizenship. Those who have been unable to complete their course because of evening work come back the following year to learn as much as possible.
During the year, help is given in filing papers for adults. Derivative Papers are prepared for children of Americans who were born abroad, and Alien Reports are filled out.
The Civic Education Division of the Southbridge School Department is doing its share to help those desiring such help.
Conclusion
It is important, before bringing this brief report to a close, that acknowledgement be made to members of the School Com- mittee for outstanding service during the past year. They have given unselfishly of their time and energy in solving the many difficult problems that have been presented to them for decision.
Our educational and service staffs have demonstrated high morale, a continuous pride in their work, and a desire to strive continually to improve the Southbridge Public Schools as an instrument to educate the children of our community.
The various town departments have given excellent co- operation throughout the year.
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To all of these public-spirited and interested citizens who have contributed their services, ideas, and support, I wish to express appreciation and gratitude.
Respectfully submitted, ROBERT L. FOX Superintendent of Schools
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EMERGENCY PHONES
Police
PO 4-3310
Fire
PO 4-2547
Town Ambulance
PO 4-2547
Water Supply
PO 4-8692
Gas and Electric
PO 4-3261
Highway
PO 4-7271
Hospital
PO 4-2511
Civil Defense
PO 4-2501
JACOB EDWARDY Southbridge,
Mass.
Annual Reports
OF THE
TOWN OFFICERS
AND
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
FE
CORPORATEO
B.
S
THE EYE
ALTH
O
THE
TOWN OF SOUTHBRIDGE
YEAR ENDING
December 31, 1961
SOUTHBRIDGE TYPESETTING COMPANY SOUTHBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS 1961
Annual Reports
OF THE
TOWN OFFICERS
AND
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
FEB. 15 S
S
INCORPORATEO
S.
1816
THE EYE
VEALTH
OF
TH
TOWN OF SOUTHBRIDGE
YEAR ENDING
December 31, 1961
SOUTHBRIDGE TYPESETTING COMPANY SOUTHBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS 1961
JACOB EDWARDS LIBRARY Southbridge Mass.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Town Officers for 1961
3
Jury List
9
Selectmen's Report
17
Tabulation and Litigation
18
Town Clerk's Report
19
Warrant, Annual Town Meeting
23
Annual Elections, March 3, 1961
38
Adjourned Town Meeting, March 13, 1961
41
Warrant, Special Town Meeting
77
Special Town Meeting, March 28, 1961
78
Warrant, Special Town Meeting
83
Special Town Meeting, May 23, 1961
85
Warrant, Special Town Meeting
89
Special Town Meeting, June 26, 1961
91
Warrant, Special Town Meeting
92
Special Town Meeting, October 17, 1961
93
Warrant, Special Town Meeting
96
Special Town Meeting, December 18, 1961
100
Balance Sheet, December 31, 1960
111
Town Accountant's Report
177
Assessors' Report
117
Tax Collector's Report
120
Town Treasurer's Report
124
Cemetery Committee Report
126
Inspector of Wires
127
Department of Civil Defense
127
Sealer of Weights and Measures
131
Town Engineer's Report
132
Dutch Elm Disease Department
135
Tree Warden's Report
136
Gypsy Moth Department
137
Highway Superintendent's Report
138
Police Department Report
146
Director of Veteran's Services
148
Board of Health Report
149
Trustees of Edwards Memorial Library
156
Dog Officer's Report
162
Fire Department Report
163
Ambulance Department Report
168
Forest Fire Department Report
170
Board of Review Report
170
Recreation Committee
171
Planning Board Report
175
Sewer Department Report
175
Balance Sheet, December 31, 1961
220
TOWN OFFICERS FOR 1961
ELECTED TOWN OFFICERS
Selectmen
Armand O. Bellerive, Chairman
1961-1962
Raymond J. Lataille, Clerk
1961-1962
Armand O. DeGrenier
1961-1962
Treasurer
Norbert C. Benoit 1961-1964
Town Clerk
Clare P. Boyer
Board of Public Welfare
Raymond L. Boucher
1961-1964
John M. Beaudry, Chairman
1959-1962
Hermas Lippe, Clerk
1961-1963
Assessors
Charles Normandin, Chairman
1959-1962
Rosario Arpin, Clerk
1961-1964
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