Town annual reports of the officials of the town of Oakham, Massachusetts 1963, Part 3

Author: Oakham (Mass.)
Publication date: 1963
Publisher: [The Town]
Number of Pages: 126


USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Oakham > Town annual reports of the officials of the town of Oakham, Massachusetts 1963 > Part 3


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


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774.70


8,801.17


Aid to Dependent Children


818.20


399.15


Disability Assistance


350.00


400.00


Other


102.70


388.17


Federal Balances


Account


1962


1963


Old Age Assistance


$ 1,876.17 $


443.02


Medical Assist. Aged


900.95


484.72


Aid to Dependent Children


323.71


314.07


Disability Assistance


399.92


399.92


From the above tabulations it is apparent that the prin- cipal reason for the large increase in Public Assistance costs is the rapid enlargement of the Medical Aid for the Aged pro- gram. This also points out the advantage of having fairly sub- stantial balances in the Federal Accounts in order to meet sud- den and unexpected increases in charges, usually medical.


Case Loads


Category


1961


1962


1963


O.A.A.


13


13


13


A.D.C.


1


1


1


D.A.


1


1


1


M.A.A.


1


1


3


G.R.


--


1


REPORT OF THE QUABOAG WELFARE DISTRICT


Various changes which took place during the year once again broaden certain phases of our public assistance pro- grams.


Extension of Aid to Children of Unemployed Parents re- cently approved includes a provision for continuing Aid to Children of Unemployed Parents from June 30, 1962, to June 30,1967.


In addition, the Federal requirement that local agencies provide social services for families also requires that similar services shall be provided for aged and disabled individuals, which, in Massachusetts, includes applicants and recipients of


Administration


43


PUBLIC ASSISTANCE


Old Age Assistance, Medical Assistance for the Aged and Dis- ability Assistance.


The general purpose of providing such services is to help families and individuals to maintain or restore themselves as useful, productive individuals by assisting them to become self-supporting, independent, able to care for themselves and to afford them the opportunity to participate in community life.


A problem might possibly exist if the homemaking does not provide for: budget management to meet essential needs; meeting hygiene needs, such as wholesome and regular meals, personal hygiene, provision, care and cleanliness of clothing; management of household chores so as to provide some regu- larity in the daily living plan and minimum standards of cleanliness and household safety, attention to home decora- tion and maintenance of furnishings and equipment. The severity of the problem will vary according to age, physical condition, out-of-home responsibilities, activities, etc.


A new law effective August 11, 1963, provides for pay- ment of medical care rendered by institutions prior to the date of application in Disability Assistance. This amendment to the General Laws now provides for certain medical vendor payments for services rendered prior to the date of application in all of the federally aided categories except Old Age Assist- ance.


Effective September 1, 1963, payments on Old Age Assist- ance were increased in accordance with an increase in the cost of living as reported by the Division on the Necessaries of Life.


The cost of living index shows an increase of 5.1% from the period May 1960 to July 1963. In order to effect this change, it was necessary to substitute 36% as the budget adjust- ment for the current figure of 30.9%


Effective October 1, 1963, payments on Old Age Assist- ancse were increased from $4.00 to $5.00 a month due to a $1.00 increase for Leisure Time activity. Administration of Public Assistance presents many problems. Often there is a home situation that makes it difficult for the head of the fam- ily to keep his job. A man with initiative and force might, of course, overcome this difficulty but weaker men are often helpless before it. It is because of situations like this that social workers have found it necessary to study not only the economic condition of a family but also the family relationships.


44


DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS


Failure to do this often leads to unfortunate situations which injure not only the person in need but also the relief organization and the community as a whole.


The determination of the real cause of an individual's dependency is the biggest single probem faced by relief agen- cies at the present time.


1963 FINANCIAL REPORT GENERAL ASSISTANCE


Receipts


From Appropriation . (Public


Assistance Control Account) $ 8,500.00


Special Town Meeting 2,000.00 $ 10,500.00


Payments


Paid on Selectmen's Warrants $ 807.80


Transferred to:


Old Age Assistance Account 3,987.52


Med. Assist. for the Aged Acct.


5,140.67


Quaboag Welfare District Acct. 400.00


Unexpended balance returned to Revenue Account 164.01


$ 10,500.00


OLD AGE ASSISTANCE Receipts


Federal Reimbursements $ 7,725.00


Federal Grants Acct. 1-1-63


1,876.17


State Reimbursements to Estimated Receipts 3,708.52


Other Towns Reimbursements to Estimated Receipts 117.10


Recovery to Special Account 500.00


Old Age Meal Tax to


Estimated Receipts 456.26


Transferred from Public


Assistance Control Account 3,987.52


$ 18,370.57


Payments


Paid on Selectmen's Warrants S 12,757.50 Federal Account 12-31-63 443.02


State Reimbursement to Estimated Receipts 3,708.52


45


PUBLIC ASSISTANCE


Recovery to Special Account 500.00


Old Age Meal Tax to Estimated Receipts


456.26


Payments to Other Cities and Towns


388.17


Reimbursements from Other Cities and Towns 117.10


18,370.57 $


MEDICAL ASSISTANCE FOR THE AGED Receipts


Federal Reimbursements $ 3,244.27


Federal Grants Account 1-1-63


900.95


State Reimbursements to Estimated Receipts 2,104.83


Transferred from Public Assistance


Control Account 5,140.67


$


11,390.72


Payments


Paid on Selectmen's Warrants


$


8,801.17


Federal Account 12-31-63


484.72


State Reimbursements to Estimated Receipts 2,104.83 $ 11,390.72


AID TO FAMILIES WITH DEPENDENT CHILDREN Receipts


Federal Reimbursements $ 389.50


Federal Grants Account 1-1-63


323.72


State Reimbursements to Estimated Receipts 226.27 $ 939.89


Payments


Paid on Selectmen's Warrants $ 399.15


Federal Account 12-31-63


314.07


State Reimbursements to Estimated Receipts 226.67


$ 939.89


DISABILITY ASSISTANCE Receipts


Federal Grants Account 1-1-63 $ 399.92


$ 399.92


Payments


Federal Account 12-31-63 $ 399.92


$ 399.92


46


DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS


NOTE: No cases during 1963 under this program of assist- ance. Year Gross Expenses Reimbursements Net Expenses 1963 $17,268.27 $5,885.52 $23,153.79


QUABOAG WELFARE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION ACCOUNT


Receipts


Balance on hand 1-1-63


$ 8,041.59


Federal S


3,049.82


State


3,705.90


Town


1,285.87 $ 8,041.59


Reimbursements


Federal $ 15,101.77


State


7,530.75


Cancelled check


15.28


Refund


7.86


$ 22.655.66


Advanced by towns


North Brookfield $


2,800.00


Hardwick


1,400.00


East Brookfield


800.00


Oakham


400.00 $


5,400.00 $ 36,097.35


Payments


Salaries


$ 19,449.57


1


Travel


666.79


Postage


382.55


Supplies


295.02


Telephone


552.09


Equipment


6.98


Repair of Equipment


43.19


Rent


600.00


Employee's Benefit


507.08


Assessment


1,208.08


Other


62.00


$ 23,773.35


Balance 12-31-63


Federal


S 2,457.73


State


6,678.13


Town


3,188.04


S 12,323.90 $ 36,097.35


47


PUBLIC ASSISTANCE


We wish to acknowledge with deep appreciation the co- operation extended to us during the past year by town offi- cials, boards of Public Welfare and our Prudential Com- mittee.


QUABOAG WELFARE DISTRICT


Prudential Committee Silvieau Ledoux, Chairman Roger H. Lonergan, Clerk Stanley J. Nurek


Charles J. Woodis


Administrative Staff George H. Deotte, Director Yvonne S. Barr, Social Worker Marjorie S. Flandreau, Sr. Clerk M. Alice Ledoux, Jr. Clerk


Respectfully submitted, ROGER H. LONERGAN WALTER W. NELSON JOHN P. O'DONNELL Board of Public Welfare


Report of the CHARLTON HOME FARM ASSOCIATION


For the Year Ending December 31, 1963


After the sale of the real and personal property of the Charlton Home Farm Association on May 19, 1962, the offi- cers have worked constantly in order to complete the trans- action.


We have now been advised by our attorney that a suit- able bill has been prepared for consideration by the Massa- chusetts Legislature. This bill is needed to satisfy the Title Examiner in connection with giving officers of the association authority to sign deeds for the member towns.


DONALD R. PERKINS, Pres. ROBERT A. DONOVAN,


Secretary and Treasurer


48


DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS


HEALTH and SANITATION


1.1


1.0


1.2


'61


'62


'63


REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH


Appropriation


$ 50.00


Expended 22.20


Three clinics for the administration of oral polio vac- cine were conducted during the year. The clinic for types 1, 2 and 3 vaccine for adults and any children who had missed previous clinics were carried out by the Oakham Grange in cooperation with the Board of Health. Type 2 vaccine was made available to all adults in the town. Sixty eight adults and 11 children were treated at these clinics. Also, all school children were given Type 2 vaccine by the school nurse with the aid of the Board of Health. The Board wishes to thank the Grange and all others who helped carry out these pro- grams.


Other duties of the Board included arranging for tests of water from private properties and for the Lake Dean bathing area, investigation of complaints and other miscellaneous work.


Eight cases of mumps, six cases of chicken pox and five incidents of dog bites were reported to the Board during the year. It would be of considerable assistance to the Board if the townspeople would report all cases of contagious diseases as soon as they are diagnosed.


A schedule of bulldozing the town dump was started early in the year and continued through to the end of the year. Also work was started on a new access ramp which would make it possible to move the dump farther away from both South and Sanders Roads.


The rodent control program was continued during the year through the generous efforts of Donald Agar and with the use of materials furnished by the Worcester County Ex- tension Service.


Respectfully submitted, WALTER W. NELSON JOHN P. O'DONNELL ROGER H. LONERGAN


49


STREETS AND HIGHWAYS


STREETS and HIGHWAYS


50.7


45.2


60.4


11


'61


'62


'63


REPORT OF THE HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT


Account


Total Expended


Anticipated Reimbursement 5,122.59* $ 12,099.71


Net Cost To Town 0.00


Chap. 782


$ 5,122.59 $


Chap. 81 Maint.


13,199.69


1,099.98


Chap. 90 Maint.


6,000.00


4,000.00


2,000.00


Chap. 90 Const.


12,039.44


9,000.00


3,039.44


Snow and Sand


13,205.59


None


13,205.59


Highway Department


644.34


None


644.34


Total $ 50,211.65 $


30,222.30 $ 19.989.35


* Received before work was started.


Shunk Reversible Automatic Sander and Chevrolet 6100 Truck, both purchased in 1963. .......


51


STREETS AND HIGHWAYS


Purchase and Maintenance Received from


On Hand


Balance 1-1-63 Machinery Rentals Expended 12-31-64


$ 2,363.80 $ 3,872.70 $ 5,771.82 $ 464.76


Snow Removal and Sanding costs were unusually high during 1963 because of heavy snows and continued cold wea- ther throughout the winter and late into the spring. The total cost for this account was $13,205.59 as compared to $8.629.80 in 1962 and $10,039.92 in 1961. Chapter 90 Construction ex- penditures showed a slight decrease while Chapter 90 and Chapter 81 Maintenance costs were about the same.


Work was continued on New Braintree Road under Chapter 90 Construction and was resumed on Barre Road using Chapter 782, and Chapter 81 Maintenance money. All Chapter 782 money is furnished by the State and over 90% of Chapter 81 funds come from the state.


SUMMARY OF WORK DONE


Location


Description of Work


Chapter 81 Maintenance


Ware Corner Road Replace stone culvert at Swindle Road


Sanders Road


Gravel and prepare 500 feet for surface treatment Clean out culvert and channel


Robinson Road


Gravel where needed


Scott Road


Rebuild 800 feet


Edson Road


Rebuild 1000 feet


Coldbrook Road


Rebuild catch basin and replace drainage pipe


Surface treatment


Ware Corner Road


1100 feet


Robinson Road


800 feet


Lupa Road


3700 feet


Rutherford Road


200 feet


Lincoln Road


4100 feet


Maple Street Barre Road


2000 feet


250 feet


Happy Hollow Road


800 feet


Hunt Road


1400 feet


Scott Road


5000 feet


Ware Corner Road


Rebuild 100 feet at culvert


52


DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS


Chapter 90 Maintenance


Surface treatment 2300 ft. crushed stone, tar and asphalt, honed.


Old Turnpike Road


Old Turnpike Road


2400 feet sand and asphalt


North Brookfield Road


2000 feet sand and asphalt-honed.


North Brookfield Road


1600 feet sand and asphalt


Spencer Road 3800 feet sand and asphalt.


Coldbrook Road


3000 feet sand and asphalt.


Coldbrook Road


2000 feet sand and asphalt-honed.


Chapter 90 Construction


New Braintree Road Completed excavation, embank- ment drainage and first course of gravel base from end of 1962 con- struction at Zelnia's to point 250 feet beyond Lincoln Road.


Barre Road


Chapter 782 Completed 1200 feet of roadway from end of 1961 construction westerly.


Equipment


December 31, 1963 1-John Deere Industrial Tractor


1-1963 Chevrolet 6100 Truck


1-1962 Shunk Sander


1-Anderson Loader


1-Anderson Mower


4-Snow Plows


1-Power Grindstone


1-Brush Cutter


1-Power Saw


Respectfully submitted,


HAROLD GRAY Highway Superintendent


53


SCHOOLS AND LIBRARY


SCHOOLS and LIBRARY


72.1


80.8


87.8


'61


'62


'63


Reports of the SCHOOL COMMITTEE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS PRINCIPAL - ART SUPERVISOR MUSIC SUPERVISOR AND VOCAL TEACHER CONVERSATIONAL FRENCH INSTRUCTOR SCHOOL NURSE - SCHOOL LUNCH MANAGER **


LIBRARY TRUSTEES - LIBRARIAN


54


DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS


REPORT OF THE OAKHAM SCHOOL COMMITTEE SCHOOL COMMITTEE


Frederick G. Stone, Chairman


Term expires 1965


Norman L. Drolet Term expires 1966


Mr.s Mary H. Parsons, Secretary


Term expires 1964


ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF


Dr. Charles L. Bowlby Superintendent of Schools


William F. Carey Assistant Superintendent - Elementary


Spencer R. Potter Assistant Superintendent - Secondary


SECRETARIES - Union No. 24


Mrs. Lois P. Drawbridge


Mrs. Gertrude H. Mezger


Mrs. Jean A. Hallstrom Mrs. Alice H. Sproule


FINANCIAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR 1963


Appropriated for School Expenses Transfer of Funds 600.00


$ 78,352.09


Appropriated for Vocational Expenses


894.44


$ 79,846.53


Expended


$ 79,809.77


BALANCE


$ 36.76


Reimbursements - 1963


Chapter 70 - General School Fund


$ 5,964.67


Chapter 71 - School Transportation


17,348.57


Chapter 71 - Superintendent's Salary


102.21


Chapter 74 - Vocational Tuition


593.75


Chapter 74 - Vocational Transportation


287.70


Chapter 76 - State Wards


927.57


TOTAL


$ 25,224.47


INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF


Grades


Mrs. Esther G. Hawkes, Principal


VII - VIII


Mrs. Marjorie C. Hamilton


V - VI


Mrs. Dorothy S. Wheeler


III - IV


Mrs. Gertude Farnum


I - II


SUPERVISORS and SPECIALS


Mrs. Ruth B. Wentworth


Art


Richard H. Bowden


Music - Instrumental


55


SCHOOLS AND LIBRARY


Mrs. D. Elizabeth O'Hara


Mrs. Micheline Vray


Channing H. Washburn, M.D.


Mrs. Barbara A. Griffin


William A. Sampson


Mrs. Daisy Widing


Leonard A. Hardy


John O'Donnell


Donald Agar


Music - Vocal French Physician Nurse Custodian School Lunch Manager Bus Contractor Bus Contractor Attendance Officer


SCHOOL CALENDAR - 1964


January 2 through February 14


Winter Term


February 24 through April 17


Spring Term


Arpril 27 through June 19


Summer Term


September 9 through December 22


Fall Term


HOLIDAYS


October 12


Columbus Day


November 6


Teachers' Convention


November 11 Veterans Day


November 26, 27


Thanksgiving Recess


ENROLLMENT


Grade I


13


II


10


III


12


IV


11


V


13


VI


13


VII


12


VIII


14


Total Elementary


98


IX


10


X


22


XI


11


XII


10


Total H. S. 53


ENROLLMENT - HIGH SCHOOLS


North Brookfield - 28


Spencer - 1 Wachuset Regional - 24 Grade IX


Ellen Dermody Darlene Lupa


William Brennan David Lonergan


56


DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS


Thomas Snay Warren Wilson


Patricia Young


Grade X


Craig Anderson


James Bealand


Ronald Cassault


John Ghiatis


George Hodge, Jr.


Linda Lavalle


Randi Lilleheil


Mary Ellen Mann


Lindsay Maxwell


Jean Narrow


Rosemary Russ


Bruce Warner


Robin Young


Grade XI


Linda Cole


Wayne Chestna


Diane Dean


Sandra Erickson


Linda Duplisea


Linda Muir


Linda Foley


Valentine Russ


Duncan Stewart


Bethany Rutherford Arthur Tucker


Grade XII


James Lupa


Melissa Maxwell


William Mucha


Robert Benoit


Barbara LaCount


Judith Narrow


Louise Smichinski


Judith Spinney


Bonnie Taylor


SCHOOL CENSUS* - October 1, 1963


Pre-School Elem. High


Less than 1 vear


1


1


8


2


10


3


11


4


11 8


5


6


13


7


12


8


13


9


13


Charles March Myra Muir Charlene Thurlow


Mary Lou Crawford Robert Crawford Robin Hodgkinson Mary Ann Lonergan Christine Parkman Jay Sampson Greg Spinney Bradley Stone Susan Stone


Elaine Wilson


57


SCHOOLS AND LIBRARY


10


12


11


15


12


16


13


9


2


14


1


9


15


20


* Birth to 16 years of age


GRADUATES - JUNE 1963


OAKHAM CENTER SCHOOL


William Francis Brennan


Myra Gwendolyn Muir


Ellen Mary Dermody


Thomas Peter Snay


David Robert Lonergan


Charlene Lorraine Thurlow


Darlene Ann Lupa


Warren Proctor Wilson


Charles Goodale March


Patricia Ellen Young


NORTH BROOKFIELD HIGH SCHOOL


Stephen Casault Janice Narrow


Linda Warner


WACHUSETT REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL


George Butler


David Charron


Janet Downer


Donna Longvall


Walter Thurlow


Edwin Zysk


REPORT OF THE QUABBIN REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT COMMITTEE


(Hardwick, Hubbardston, Oakham, Barre)


At the beginning of the year representatives of the four towns comprising the district met and selected a chairman, Dr. Charles Hinckley of Hardwick. Since that time the com- mittee has met at least twice a month and often more. In April the district officially became the Quabbin Regional School District, which was the most popular choice through- out the four towns. All school children and adults in the dis- trict had the opportunity to submit drawings of a seal, and the choice was that of Mrs. Jean Dorsey of Barre.


The committee hired a secretary-treasurer, legal coun- sel, interviewed four applicants for Clerk of the Works, and selected as fiscal agent the State Street Bank and Trust Com- pany of Boston.


The following sub-committees were set up:


COMMITTEE TO SCREEN ARCHITECTS: This


58


DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS


committee screened the applications of more than twenty architectural firms, and brought many of them before the committee for interviews. The members visited several schools built by the applicants. The final choice was the firm of Korslund, LeNormand and Quann, Norwood, Mass.


SITE COMMITTEE: The Site committee spent many hours visiting several spots in the area. Extensive tests were made on all the sites under consideration, and the final choice was that of the George Smith Farm on South Street in Barre. This site was selected because of suitable terrain, accessability, adequate drainage facilities, and attractiveness.


CURRICULUM COMMITTEE: This sub-committee met several times and presented a program which they felt would serve the needs of all educable youngsters within the financial abilities of the four towns.


All four towns have been represented on all the sub- committees. As Oakham has only one representative, it has required a great deal of time.


On September 5 the committee voted to incur debt of $112,900 to cover the cost of acquiring a site and preparing architectural and engineering plans for a Junior-Senior High School. Within thirty days Oakham, Barre and Hubbardston voters approved the debt; Hardwick did not. On October 7 the committee again voted to incur debt. Hardwick voters again turned down the debt.


It is expected that the voters of Hardwick will have an opportunity within the next few months to vote again on this issue.


All the committee members have devoted great effort and many hours toward making the Quabbin Regional Junior-Senior High School a reality. They have worked har- moniously to obtain the same goal, the best possible education for all the children in the area.


Submitted, MARY PARSONS, Oakham Representative Quabbin Regional School District


59


SCHOOLS AND LIBRARY


REPORT OF ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF - Oakham School


Public education is not likely to be better than the pub- lic understanding of the schools. To improve this understand- ing the School Administration submits the following report.


Oakham continues to face the problem of expanded en- rollments and crowded classrooms. We are presently housing thirty-one 5th and 6th grade pupils in the temporary base- ment classroom. It seems apparent that the effort to region- alize Grade 7 - 12 with the town of Barre, Hardwick, etc .; will not be achieved in the immediate future. It is possible that this goal will never be achieved, and will necessitate finding another solution. Our Junior High School Program will con- tinue to suffer until such time as adequate Junior High School facilities are provided.


We are in our first year of teaching "the new modern math." Prior to using this approach, there was considerable study on the part of all concerned. The teachers participated in an inservice instruction program in the teaching of modern math. Parents were also given the opportunity to participate in a similar course. While it is early to evaluate the program, all indications are that it will prove successful. Plans are now in progress to introduce a limited physical education pro- gram. The French program which was started last year also indicates success.


Constant attention is being given to the maintenance and repair program of your school. New bulletin boards were re- cently installed in the first and second grade room. New counter tile was installed in the kitchen, and a new outdoor incinerator has been provided.


The School Committee, and members of the staff are to be commended for their consistent devotion to the children of Oakham.


Continued progress dictates a constant effort of which we are proud to be a part.


Administrative Staff


REPORT OF THE ART SUPERVISOR


To the Superintendent of Schools:


I have worked out a specific lesson curriculum for each of the combined classes in Oakham and have followed it quite closely. The classroom teacher has a copy of my planned les-


60


DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS


sons and helps with distribution of material and display of finished art. This cooperation is needed and greatly appre- ciated.


Child Art is not adult art; the purpose of the art program being to arouse interest, enthusiasm, and honest expression of Art Elements through use of a wide variety of art media; and to guide each pupil through to a satisfactory experience.


To list briefly, there are lessons planned on basic designs taken from nature, textural designs, form and line variations, surface enrichment. We have done paper cutting, pasting, and sculpture. Our representation lessons are based around familiar places and people. Every once in a while we do some- thing abstract or in free form.


A variety of art material has been used, such as crayon, chalk, tempera paint, watercolor, textile paint, modeling and tooling material. Proper care and use of material is much in evidence.


The only directed lessons are in lettering and simple per- spective. Oakham will enter the A.H.E.A. Poster Contest as it has done in the past, with continued recognition hoped for. It gets very exciting!


I hope we will have more experiences with applied de- signs and crafts as we learn to work together and understand one another better.


I look forward to the four classes I have in Oakham each Monday. Every teacher could use a little more space and I am no exception. It would facilitate things for me if there could be a central supply closet for art material and for storing art for a yearly display.


Respectfully submitted,


MRS. RUTH B. WENTWORTH, Art Supervisor


REPORT OF THE FRENCH SUPERVISOR


In the second year of existence of the French program in the Oakham Center School, our efforts and attention are being focused on constant improvement of our teaching meth- ods and a better coordination of our program.


In the fall I attended a series of nine seminars at the Algonquin Regional High School in Northboro organized by the Massachusetts Board of Education for the benefit of teach-


61


SCHOOLS AND LIBRARY


ers in modern languages. At these meetings we viewed seve- ral films on the nature of language and the "oral approach" to the teaching of a second language.


All pupils in grades 4 through 8 are participating in the French program. At the 4, 5 and 6 grade level the approach is conversational and does not involve a great deal of writ- ing. The Junior High School pupils are involved in written lessons and translation.


A continued effort is being made to coordinate the French program in the elementary level in all schools of Union No. 24. The objective is to make sure that all students entering high school have completed a similar French curri- culum.


Respectfully submitted, MICHELINE VRAY


REPORT OF MUSIC SUPERVISORS


The elementary vocal music program consists primarily of the teaching of rudiments of music while building a fine repertoire of songs. The five basic experiences, singing, lis- tening, playing, moving and creating are incorporated in the lessons. Harmony is stressed beginning at the fifth grade level. I find it necessary to spend a great deal of time teach- ing tonal concepts as many of the children have difficulty finding their "singing voice."


Certain units of study in the junior high program are music theory, sound, and history and background information of ancient and modern instruments.


All students in grades seven and eight participate weekly in the Glee Club. The group performed at the Christmas program and are now planning to sing at the Memorial Day services and graduation.




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