USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > West Bridgewater > Town annual reports of the selectmen, overseers of the poor, town clerk, and school committee of West Bridgewater for the year ending 1950-1954 > Part 25
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We would like to recommend at this time that the Moderator expand this committee to seven, and that two men be appointed as additional members.
Respectfully submitted,
BEATRICE KLINE RUTH CASWELL CAROLINE PHILIPPART MARJORIE MacDONALD DOROTHY FREEMAN
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
AND
Superintendent of Schools
OF THE TOWN OF
WEST BRIDGEWATER
GEWATER
NEST
MASS
1. 1656
MM
FEB 16. 1022
KCORPORATED
FOR THE YEAR 1952
DORR'S PRINT SHOP BRIDGEWATER, MASSACHUSETTS
132
MEMBERS AND ORGANIZATION OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
James A. Kehoe, 173 West Center Street
Broc. 1459-W Term expires 1953
Thomas F. Kemp, 17 Emerson Avenue Term Expires 1955
Broc. 7461
Harry Richardson, 320 Walnut Street
Broc. 459M-1
Term expires 1954
Erland W. Thayer, 16 Union Street
Broc. 8-1402-W
Term expires 1955
Linwood Thompson, 177 Crescent Street Resigned April 14, 1952
Broc. 4256-R
Warren A. Turner, 20 Scotland Street
Broc. 847M-4
Resigned May 16, 1952
Earle Gifford and Charles Ensher appointed to fill the vacancies caused by above resignations until 1953.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETINGS
Second Monday Evening of each month at 7:45 o'clock at the ncw school.
SUPERINTENDENT
Bert L. Merrill
Office: New School Broc. 5094
Residence: 434 Ash Street, Brockton Broc. 4428
Conference by appointment
CLERK
Mildred A. Hagglund, 61 Howard Street Broc. 9247-W
Office Hours: New School Monday through Thursday, 8:30-5:00 Friday, 8:30-4:00
133
SCHOOL PHYSICIAN
Dr. Joseph Calitri, M.D.
Broc. 678
17 Central Square
SCHOOL NURSE
Lillian M. Hewitt, R. N.
Taunt. 4-3864
North Main Street, Raynham Center
ATTENDANCE OFFICER
Douglas Eaton
Broc. 3410
18 Central Square
SCHOOL CALENDAR FOR 1953-1954
Schools open, Wednesday
September 9, 1953
Columbus Day, Monday
October 12, 1953
Plymouth County Teachers' Convention, Friday
October 23, 1953
Armistice Day, Wednesday
November 11, 1953
Thanksgiving Recess:
Schools close noon, Wednesday Schools reopen, Monday
November 25, 1953
November 30, 1953
Christmas Vacation:
Schools close noon, Wednesday Schools reopen, Monday
January 4, 1954
Winter Vacation:
Schools close, Friday
February 19, 1954
Schools reopen, Monday
March 1, 1954
Spring Vacation: Schools close, Thursday Schools reopen, Monday
April 15, 1954
April 26, 1954
Memorial Day, Monday
May 31, 1954
June 25, 1954
Schools close, Friday
December 23, 1953
134
NO-SCHOOL INFORMATION:
The policy of the School Department is to hold school on stormy days. The decision as to whether or not a child should attend school will be left to the discretion of the parent. In extremely bad weather when it is deemed wise to have no school, such notice will be broadcast over WBET - Brockton and WBZ Boston, between 7 and 8 A.M. and between 11 and 12 noon. Fire alarm signals will be as follows:
1 long - 2 short blasts of the fire alarm at 7 A.M., no school grades 7-12 inclusive. 1 long - 2 short blasts of the fire alarm at 7:15 A.M., no school for grades 1-6 inclusive. 1 long - 2 short blasts of the fire alarm at 11 A.M., no school for grades 1-6 inclusive.
SCHOOL MEMBERSHIP - OCTOBER 1, 1952
Elementary
1
2
3
4
5
6
Total
Center
72
59
131
Sunset Avenue
38
35
31
29
133
New School
47
68
80
72
267
Remedial
12
12
Total
110
94
78
97
80
72
12
543
7
8
9
10
11
12
High School
68
81
74
55
27
32
337
Total High and elementary
880
CENSUS REPORT
Distribution of minors, October 1, 1952:
5 years of age or over and under 7
7 years of age or over and under 16
Boys
113
344
Girls
108
328
Total
221
672
135
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
1. Administration:
2. Instruction:
Salaries
98,002.00
99,915.13
Textbooks
2,000.00
2,084.68
Supplies
5,500.00
6,640.78
3. Operation:
Salaries
10,815.00
9,759.68
Fuel
7,500.00
1,958.04
Lights, water, janitors supplies
8,300.00
10,793.87
4. Maintenance:
5. Auxiliary Agencies:
Library
100.00
103.88
Health
2,190.00
2,241.73
Transportation
18,000.00
17,781.62
Tuition
2,500.00
2,398.85
Insurance
150.00
148.60
Miscellaneous
250.00
67.75
6. Vocational Education: Refunds
3,200.00
3,437.48
77.75
Totals
$169,984.75
$169,953.57
REIMBURSEMENTS 1952:
Chapter 70
32,549.09
Household Arts-Vocational
1,391.05
Superintendent's Salary and Travel
2,520.32
Transportation
16,193.67
Tuition
657.87
State Wards
1,786.17
Wards of City of Boston
2,497.66
Total Reimbursements
$ 57,595.83
Total Expenditures
169,953.57
Net Operation Cost for 1952
$112,357.74
1952 Budget $ 7,300.00
1952 Spent $ 8,012.03
4,100.00
4,609.45
DIRECTORY OF TEACHERS
Teacher Peter J. Sperandio, A.B., Ed.M Thomas Armstrong, B.S. Justin Cobb, B.S., Ed.M.
School
Subject or Grade
High
Principal
High
Mathematics
High
General Science
Elliott Hawkes, B.S.
High
Industrial Arts
Marietta Kent, B.S.
High
Mathematics
Albert Kiernan, B.S.
High
Social Subjects
Frances McKernan, A.B.
High
Social Subjects
William Henry Moss, B.S., M.A. Veronica Nelson, B.S.
High
English; Ass't Principal
High
Girls Physical Education
Walter Pauli, B.S.
High
Boys Physical Education
Olivia Pearson, A.B.
High
English
Upsala College; Harvard
William Rathbun, B.S. ed.
High
Art
School of Museum of Fine Arts; Tufts
Janice Rylander, A.B.
High
Languages
Boston University
Sarah Shukis, B.S., M.C.S.
High
Commercial
Stuart Tower, A.B.
High
Social Subjects
Emerson; Boston Univ .; Colorado State
Evelyn Viens, B.S.
High
Home Economics
Roger Viens, A.B., M.A. in ed.
High
Sciences
James Wright, B.S. cd.
High
Commercial
Boston University
Robert Firing, B.S. ed.
Elem.
Principal, Grade 6
George Monk, B.S.
Elem.
Grade 6
Mary Doyle, B.S. ed.
Elem.
Grade 5
Bridgewater Teachers
Anne O'Keefe
Elem.
Grade 5
Bridgewater Teachers
Marguerite Shurtleff
Elem.
Grade 5
Keene
Preparation St. Anslem; Harvard Florida Southern College; B'water Teachers Springfield College; University of Mass .; Penn State Gorham State Teachers; Boston University Bridgewater Teachers
Bridgewater Teachers; Boston University Boston University University of Mass .; Boston University Sargcant College
University of Indiana; Boston University
136
Boston University
Framingham Teachers Clark University; Boston University
Bridgewater Teachers Salem Teachers
'l'eacher Thelma Cook Emma Taylor Ethel Marr Mary Nelson, B.S.
School
Subject or Grade
Preparation Castinc
Elcm.
Grade 4
Elcm.
Grade 4
Elem.
Grade 3
Elem.
Grade 3
Bridgewater Teachers North Adams Bridgewater Teachers
C. Lenore Blumberg
Elcm.
Principal, Grade 2
Concord Training School
Ellen Leavitt Gladys Freeman Mildred Metcalf
Elem.
Grade 2
Castinc
Elem.
Grade 1
Bridgewater Teachers
Elcm.
Grade 1
Lesly
Elizabeth Nelson
Elcm.
Principal, Grade 2
Bridgewater Teachers
Geneva Garvey, B.S.
Elem.
Grade 1
Framingham Teachers; B'water Teachers
Marie Sullivan
Elcm.
Grade 3
Katherine Dobrien, B.S.
Elcm.
Grade 4
Bridgewater Teachers
Edith Smith
Elem.
Remedial
Bridgewater Teachers
Marjorie Hayward, B.M.
All
Music Supervisor
N. E. Cons. of Music; Boston University; Bridgewater Teachers
James Kissell, B.S. ed. All
Guidance Director
Boston College
137
138
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of West Bridgewater:
During the past year there occurred a change in the personnel of the School Committee, due to the resignation of Linwood Thompson and Warren Turner. At a joint meeting of the mem- bers of the School Committee and the Selectmen, in May, Charles Ensher and Earle Gifford were appointed to fill vacancies on the Committee for the balance of the fiscal year.
The long awaited opening of the new school at the start of the Fall term provided for the first time, all of the space and equipment required by a modern Junior-Senior High School. Our students arc now able to receive adequate preparation in the sciences - chemistry, physics and biology. Likewise vocational education is now on a par with other school systems, with modern home science courses and manual training available to interested students.
A complete physical educational program, with full time in- structors for boys and girls, is now provided in the spacious gymna- sium, which also supplies ample seating capacity for the basketball contests.
A very comprehensive guidance program has been instituted, with a full time guidance director, which is proving of much real benefit to not only those students planning on continuing their studies in schools of higher learning, but also to those students who expect to start their life's work immediately upon graduation from Iligh School.
The cafeteria has proven a boon to pupils and parents alike, providing a well-balanced and varied menu at a low cost. This unit is on a self-supporting basis.
139
These many desirable advantages now enjoyed by the student body have meant an increase in the cost of operating the school system. In addition, increased pupil enrollment, requiring addi- tional classroom space, and a larger staff of instructors, has also meant an increase in the school budget.
During the current school year two rooms in the High School wing were occupied by elementary grades, but at the beginning of the next school year these will be taken by High School classes, which makes it necessary for us to reopen the front building of the Center School to accommodate these elementary classes.
As our elementary school buildings yearly become older, main- tenance costs increase. Necessary repair work on the rear Center School, including interior painting, was done during the last school year, and further repair work is contemplated to both of the Center School buildings during the present school year. In addition some grading and surfacing is considered for the grounds surrounding the rear Center School building particularly. Repair work on the Sun- set Avenue School also will be continued as necessary.
Much study was devoted to a just arrangement for the use of the facilities of the new school by the various organizations in the town. A rating system used as a basis for determining charges for the use of the gymnasium, auditorium, etc., has been established and seems to be working out adequately.
In this connection we would like to point out that all funds re- ceived from the rental of these facilities, under a ruling by Town Counsel, are paid directly into the Town Treasury, and do not apply against the school budget. This means that additional janito- rial charges, heat, light, etc., for other than school functions must be incorporated in the school budget without any direct compensation.
There have been the customary number of changes in the staff of instructors, and again we have been fortunate in securing suit- able replacements - a rather difficult task in view of the shortage existing in available teachers in all branches of the profession.
140
Operating a school system today is "Big Business." It requires able administrators. We feel we are fortunate in having the services of such administrators in our system.
Respectfully submitted,
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
JAMES A. KEHOE THOMAS F. KEMP HARRY RICHARDSON ERLAND THAYER EARLE GIFFORD CHARLES ENSHER
141
ANNUAL REPORT SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the West Bridgewater School Committee:
I herewith submit my annual report as Superintendent of Schools for the year 1952.
Communities everywhere are rapidly building large modern, well-equipped, consolidated schools, to replace small wooden struc- tures. They recognize the need of providing an education in keep- ing with the demands of the time in which we live.
West Bridgewater is one of these progressive communities. The new school which was occupied for the first time last Septem- ber is a credit and an asset to the town. It contains modern class- rooms, a music room, an art room, modern science laboratories, a home economic unit, library, a well-equipped general shop, duplex gymnasium, and a modern cafeteria and kitchen. At the rear of the building is an adequate parking area. The building has already be- come a focal point for civic as well as educational activities.
REORGANIZATION OF THE SCHOOL SYSTEM
This is the first time since the fire in 1949 that the town has had a high school building. Grades 7 to 12 inclusive occupy the two story wing in the new building, and the elementary wing ac- commodates 3rd and 4th grade pupils who reside in the immediate vicinity, all 5th and 6th grade pupils, as well as the remedial grades.
The Matfield, Jerusalem, Cochesett, and the front Center School were closed in June. All children residing in these sections of the town are now transported either to the new school or the Sunset Avenue School.
ENROLLMENT
School enrollment has steadily increased, particularly in the elementary grades, and this will be reflected in a larger Jr .- Sr. High School enrollment next September. After the opening of school the
142
enrollment increased beyond expectation. To alleviate crowding in the 3rd and 5th grades two additional teachers were employed. Two classrooms in the Jr .- Sr. High School wing are already being used for elementary grades. Since it is evident that these rooms will be needed to accommodate the increased enrollment in the Jr .- Sr. High School next September, it will be necessary to reopen the two room front Center School. By September 1954, at least one additional classroom must be provided.
FACULTY CHANGES
The following ncw teachers were employed:
Teacher
School
Grade or Subject
Thomas Armstrong
High
Mathematics
Justin Cobb
High
General Science
Marietta Kent
High
Mathematics
Frances McKernan
High
Social Subjects
Veronica Nelson
High
Physical Education (Girls)
Olivia Pearson
High
English Art
Stuart Tower
High
Social Subjects
James Wright
High
Commercial
James Kissell
High
Guidance Director
Robert Firing
(New) Elcmentary
Principal - Grade 6
George Monk
(New) Elementary
Grade 6
Ethel Marr
(New) Elementary
Gradc 3
Edith Smith
(New) Elementary
Remedial Class
Mary Doylc
(New) Elementary
Grade 5
Maric Sullivan
Sunset Avenue
Grade 3
Katherine Dobrien
Sunset Avenue
Grade 4
The following teachers were transferred:
Teacher
From To
Walter Pauli
Teacher of Science
Physical Education (Boys) New School - Grade 5
Anne O'Keefe
Sunset Avenue - Grade 5
New School - Grade 5
Thelma Cook
Center (rear) Grade 4 New School - Grade 4
Emma Taylor
Center (rear) Grade 4
New School - Grade 4
Mary Nelson
Jerusalem - Grade 2
New School - Grade 3
C. Lenore Blumberg
Cochesett - Prin. - Grade 3
Center (rcar) Prin. - Grade 2
Ellen Leavitt
Matfield - Grade 2
Center (rear) Grade 2
Mildred Metclaf
Center (front) Grade 1
Center (rear) Grade 1
Marie Sullivan
Cochesett - Gradc 3
Sunset Avenue - Grade 3
Marguerite Shurtleff
Center (rcar) Grade 5
William Rathbun High
143
The following resigned in June:
Teacher
School
Grade or Subject
Geraldine Alfieri
High
Mathematics
Theresa Miller
High
Social Subjects
Katherine Johnson
High
Commercial
Arthur Tenney
High
Mathematics
Dwight Newell
High
English
William Virchow
High
Social Subjects Grade 4
Alice Roberts
Sunset Avenue
Richard Belcher
On Military Leave
Principal - Grade 6
Richard Johnson
Center (rear)
Grade 6
Evelyn Murphy
Center (front)
Grade 2
Mary Horrigan
Center (front)
Rcmedial Class
CURRICULUM
Social environment and daily problems create a great responsi- bility for the public school of today. Youth seeks and demands an- swers to the complex American way of life. To meet these demands, the curriculum has been enriched and adapted to standards of achievement within the reach of all. Scientific methods are now available for determining the abilities and aptitude of children.
Physical Education (Boys):
"Modern physical education is a means of shaping minds, emo- tions, and behavior of boys, of giving them permanent tools of knowledge, skills, and interests for worthwhile leisure-time activi- ties, of teaching them how to live, work, and play successfully in a democratic society." The above quotation serves as a basis for under- standing the reasons for offering a physical education course for boys.
The objectives of physical education are:
1. Physical Objective - The health and health practices of the pupils, development of physical skills and activities and the proper growth and development.
2. Social Objective - The pupil's relationship with others in sports, games and other class activities.
144
3. Emotional Objective - The emotional control under the strain of play shown by his sportsmanship.
4. Recreational Objective - Individual sports and games that have carry-over into after school activities.
5. Intellectual Objective - Knowledge of healthful school living, game rules, fundamental skills, and sports strategy.
6. Citizenship - All the above objectives contribute toward the citizenship of the pupils. The importance of loyalty, cooperation and teamwork put into actual practice in phys- ical activities is a very vital factor in citizenship develop- ment.
Some activities covered are listed below:
Junior High
Senior High
Soccer skills
Touch Football
Touch football
Basketball skills
Basketball skills
Tumbling
Tumbling
Pyramid Building
Pyramid Building
Hand Balancing
Rope Climb
Rope Climb
Wrestling skills
Badminton
High Jump
High Jump
Broad Jump
Broad Jump
Basketball O. H. throw
Hop step and jump
Volley Ball
Volley Ball
Games of low organization
Games of high organization
A boys Intramural Basketball League is conducted one after- noon a week.
Physical Education (Girls):
The program serves a multiple purpose. It develops physical skills for leisure-time, for performer and spectator enjoyment, and for safety education. Equally important to these tangible results is the development through play of social and moral standards of conduct.
145
With these objectives in mind, the work is mainly instruc- tional. The actual program is set up in three main units, Fall, Winter, and Spring. There is one major team sport for each of these seasons. They are: Field Hockey, Basketball, Softball. Other team sports and activities such as Soccer and Speed Ball are taught. During the winter, volley ball, stunts, and tumbling are important activities. Between the basketball and softball seasons activities such as dancing, marching, and individual sports are emphasized. In the Spring, track and field events are interspersed with softball. The individual sports are important, in that they carry over into adult life more than do the team sports. It is hoped that we may have not only intramural tournaments in the team sports but, after the girls have been sufficiently instructed, intramural in the indi- vidual sports.
In all these activities, much time is spent with the beginning skills since they are almost all new to the students. Progression is dependent largely on physical age. Girls in grades 7 through 9 are required to take the physical education course. It is elective for upper classmen.
The program will expand as the facilities, interest, and abilities grow.
Home Economics:
One of the foremost aims in teaching Home Economics is to help the student appreciate the fact that a good home does not happen by accident. Good homemaking requires judgment in deal- ing with the problems of family life, the personal characteristics of a fine, wholesome personality as well as ability in traditional skills of housekeeping and the ever-increasing knowledge of modern household methods and equipment.
Work in the following areas is being done by all the girls at their own grade level:
146
Foods and Nutrition:
A study of the kinds of food we eat and what each one does for us; how to combine these foods in attractive, economical, and nutritious menus; how to prepare and serve meals to tempt and please the family and guest.
Clothing:
Planned to help the pupils improve their wardrobes through experiences in grooming, clothing selection, shopping for clothes, care of clothing, and clothing construction. During the year each girl plans and makes or renovates three or more garments for herself.
Related work:
Units are covered in the fields of:
Housekeeping
Laundering Personality
Etiquette Economic Aspects of Family Child Care Interior Design
The accomplishment in these fields is greatly facilitated by our new modern laboratory. The comparative value in having both gas and electrically equipped kitchens is great. The laundry area offers many teaching opportunities. Laundering the cafeteria linens daily enables cach girl in the department to operate the equipment by herself at least twice.
An attempt has been made to give scientific information on personality development and on family living; to point the direc- tion toward happier personal living; and to give basic understanding that will lead toward satisfying marriage and effective parenthood.
In the Household Arts coursc, the girls receive an overall view of homemaking in its various aspects to help them build attitudes
147
and ideals which will inspire their homemaking activities both pres- ent and future.
Industrial Arts: Aims and Objectives
1. To introduce each student of Howard High to as many phases of industrial education as possible.
2. To give them a working knowledge of hand tools and power tools.
3. To develop work skills and good work habits.
4. To familiarize them with trade names and terms and shop vocabulary.
GRADE SEVEN AND EIGHT
Boys in grades seven and eight have two periods of shop each week. These boys are primarily untrained when they first come to shop. Shop Theory, the names of all the fundamental hand tools, their parts, care and proper use is taught. Also under Shop Theory, the common wood fasteners, (nails, glue, dowels, joints) and the wood finishing materials, (shellac, stain, paint, oil, varnish) must be covered to prepare them for the more advanced work of high school shop.
In project work these boys are restricted to specific class proj- ects. These are of necessity small, to cut costs, and of a simple nature to allow some degree of success with the work. To date, this year, these classes have made a wood carving, a necktie rack, a pin tray. Grade eight is now working on small footstools; and Grade seven is working on bird houses.
GRADE NINE
The ninth grade as well as all the senior high group have worked on many school projects such as: stage scenery, benches, goal posts, partitions, shelves, and the shop tool room.
These ninth grade boys are now working on individual projects. These projects must be approved by the instructor and are varied
148
according to the individual abilities of the boys. A partial list of typical ninth grade projects now under construction are: footstools, tables, gun racks, bookcases, bread boards, sandwich boards, lamps, antique wall mirrors, wall shelves, sewing companions, etc. These projects are large and more difficult than the projects turned out by the grade groups.
GRADE TEN
This group is comparatively small and for that reason has made some excellent progress with good quality of workmanship. Coffee tables, baseball bats, turned work on the lathe, book cases, etc. These boys also have had opportunities to do many small outside projects of a mechanical nature, such as minor repairs about the school and of things brought in: lettering and sign painting, repair of electric cords and door locks.
GRADE ELEVEN AND TWELVE
These boys have done numberless jobs for the school and have been willing and glad for the opportunity to work for the school on practical and useful projects. Some of the work they have done is as follows:
1. Drilled the wall and hung the new electric score board.
2. Made a lightweight scorer's table for basketball.
3. Built eight athletic benches for skating rink.
4. Built of concrete blocks a tool room and storage room for janitors.
5. Built net poles for the girls' and boys' gym classes.
6. Sct goal posts and laid out football field. Set stakes for re- straining ropes, and put up snow fence around entire field, maintained the field and lined it each week throughout the season. Painted and stored the materials for next year.
7. Made shelves for the athletic storage room to store the different sports' equipment.
8. Made a set of steps for the cafeteria kitchen.
149
9. Made ninety-six maple leg extensions for typing room.
10. Tack Boards.
11. Lumber rack for shop.
12. Mowed and laid-out pasture for girls' field hockey. Set goal posts, lined field and maintained it during season.
13. Made set of stage flats, including doors and windows, for senior class play.
The projects that these boys make are completely individual, cabinets for home, radiator cover units, furniture styles which they copy from magazines or that they design themselves. They some- times bring in cars for minor repairs, using the machines and the welding torch. The individual boy is allowed all the freedom with- . in reason in selecting the type of work or project that he elects.
Driver Education:
The course has been popular with the students since its estab- lishment in October. Forty-one boys and girls enrolled, but due to the age requirement, this was cut to thirty-six.
For ten weeks this group met one hour a day after school for class-room instruction in highway rules, highway safety, principal parts of the motor, car, etc. The driving car has been busy nearly every good day from the time school is dismissed until dark; and as there are still some twenty-five to be put through the "behind the wheel" part of the course, it probably will be busy well into June.
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