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 34
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The boys' and girls' Physical Education programs are designed to cducate pupils in the intellectual and social areas, as well as the physical. The purpose of this program is for the health and well- being of the child, but equally important are the healthy attitudes, ideas and broad knowledges that are carried over into every phase of life. The program, during the past year, has been extended to in- clude fifth and sixth grade pupils. They are organized into Physical Education classes in the gymnasium for a period of one hour a wcek. They also have the opportunity to participate in some of the athletic games.
A seventh grade class of boys gave a demonstration at one of the Parent-Teacher Association Meetings. Boys of all the classes presented a display of tumbling and pyramid building at a student assembly program. A testing program of pick-ups, chin-ups and the fifty yard dash was given seventh, eighth and ninth grade boys.
Activities initiated for the first time included vaulting, spring- board jumping, horizontal bar activities, hurdling, and throwing the discus, shot put, and the javelin.
The program for girls is divided into Fall, Winter and Spring Units. They participate in field hockey, basketball, softball, volley- ball, social, folk and interpretive dancing. Intramural games are played by all interested girls.
Art courses have been extended to the lower grades for the first time. The Elementary Teachers have welcomed the services of the Art Supervisor, Mr. Rathbun.
The Household Arts Department continues to attract many visitors from communities in the Commonwealth. The State De-
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partment of Education has recommended our Homemaking pro- gram, both for its physical aspects and the content of the course offered. The new three-piece living room set with matching end and coffee tables improves the general appearance of the room.
THE NEED FOR ADDITIONAL CLASSROOMS
The big enrollment in September 1953 necessitated an addi- tional first grade. Accommodations for this were provided in the Sunset Avenue School. The fourth grade there was transferred to the new building. It became necessary to reopen the closed front Center School in September to accommodate two sixth grades formerly housed in the new building.
It is apparent that four additional clementary classrooms will be needed for the next school year 1954-1955, due to a substantial increased enrollment. This creates a serious housing problem since no additional classrooms will be available by next September.
TEACHERS' WORKSHOP
The Workshop was held in the new school on September 9, 10, and 11. This was a new venture which proved to be very pop- ular and helpful to the teachers. All cooperated to make it success- ful. The purpose of the Workshop was to help teachers solve prob- lems, improve methods of classroom procedure, and become more familiar with the use of up-to-date methods and materials.
"Health in the Schools" was the theme for the opening day. Principal Peter Sperandio met with the Junior-Senior High School Teachers and discussed "Department Aims." The Elementary Teachers listened to Dr. Calitri, School Physician, talk on, "The Classroom Teachers' Role in the Health Program." Miss Jean Latimer, Teacher Training Coordinator in Health Education, from the State Department of Public Health, spoke on, "A Health Pro- gram for West Bridgewater Schools" at the afternoon general session.
The theme for the second day was, "Reading." Dr. Helen Murphy, Professor of Education in Boston University addressed the general assembly and later discussed reading problems with the Primary Grade Teachers. Miss Roberta Kellogg, Director of Ele- mentary Education, and Educational Consultant in Brockton, was the guest speaker at the High School Teachers' Meeting.
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"Guidance" was the topic for discussion the final day. Mr. Dooley, Director of Guidance in the Bridgewater Schools spoke at the morning general session on, "The Classroom Teachers' Role in the Guidance Program." Mr. Lloyd Tyrer, Executive Vice-Pres- ident of the Bridgewater Savings Bank gave an interesting and in- formative talk on, "School Banking," at the noon luncheon.
THE DENTAL CLINIC
The West Bridgewater Lions Club, as sponsor of the Dental Clinic, is making an outstanding effort to supply dental treatment for the children in the first six grades.
Money for this project is obtained by an auction, which is held each year, the tag day drive, and the annual town appropriation.
All children are given dental examinations, and parents of children needing dental work are notified that such work can be cared for at the clinic if they so desire.
The clinic is under the supervision of Dr. Louis D. Fuller, as- sisted by Mrs. Salter, the district Nurse.
Two hundred forty-nine different children have received eight hundred eighty-nine treatments.
The fluoridation treatment, recommended by both state and national societies, as well as various boards of health, is to date the best prevention against the formation of cavities. It is about fifty to sixty per cent effective.
It is hoped that in the near future such a program may be set up in the clinic.
REPAIRS AND IMPROVEMENTS
Minor repairs were necessary in the new West Bridgewater High and Center Elementary Building. A hot water booster heater was installed in the kitchen providing an increased adequate amount of hot water. Due to increased enrollment, twenty-two additional steel lockers were purchased. Venetian blinds were in- stalled in the Office Practice Room.
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The interior of the front Center School was completely re- painted. Bad roof leaks were repaired.
The area between the High School and rear Center School was graded. Seeding has been deferred until Spring.
I wish to express my sincere appreciation and thanks for your cooperation and assistance. It has been a privilege and a pleasure to work with you as a Committee.
Respectfully submitted,
BERT L. MERRILL Superintendent of Schools
HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
Mr. Bert L. Merrill Superintendent of Schools West Bridgewater, Mass.
Dear Mr. Merrill:
I submit herewith my third annual report as principal of the West Bridgewater High School.
Forty-three per cent of the graduates of the Class of 1953 have entered institutions of higher learning. This number is un- usually large and speaks well for our school system.
Each year we try to adapt our school offerings to meet the needs of our youth. Last year, we offered, for the first time, a course in Consumer Science. This course of study proved to be very pop- ular since it stresses the business experiences which we must under- go in our daily lives.
For the next school year, I shall recommend a course in Re- view Mathematics for all seniors who have not had more than one
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year of this subject. This course will include all phases of general and applied mathematics. The study of arithmetic is not required after grade eight and many of our graduates in the non-college courses do not have an adequate knowledge of the fundamentals of mathematics. They seem to forget the basic skills which they ac- quired during their elementary school training.
I believe that our program of studies with the offerings in the college, business, general, vocational, and shop curriculums as recommended, will grant all of our pupils the experiences necessary to adapt themselves to make the most of the opportunities before them in institutions of higher learning, in the labor market, in the home, or in the services of our country.
The orchestra and choir have continued to develop very satis- factorily. For the first time our school band played at home foot- ball games and it certainly added a great deal. In the near future, we expect to be able to have a uniformed, marching band unit at all the games.
The library is being used daily since we have acquired many reference books, fiction, and periodicals for the students. All the books have been cross-indexed by authors, titles, and subject mat- ter. A book-loaning service has been established and is working out very well.
Even though our first year of the school library services has been encouraging, we should have many more books than we do at present. The empty shelves are a constant reminder of that need. I realize that in time the shelves will be filled and I do want to thank all those who have done so much for the library.
The school attendance continues to be very satisfactory. We do have isolated cases of poor attendance but the school record on the whole is very good.
Our school athletic program will enter upon a new era with the inauguration of a junior high school athletic program. The products of this system will feed our junior varsity and varsity squads with athletes who should at least know the fundamentals of the various sports. However, our emphasis will continue to be on character building and lessons in sportsmanship.
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Our lunch program has been very successful. During the cal- endar year of 1953 we served 78,053 hot lunches and in addition 22,038 bottles of milk were sold. The only a la carte item we offer for sale is ice cream.
Financially the program has been operating very successfully without aid from the town. During the year we purchased with the profits from the program an eighteen cubic foot deep freezer, one hundred folding chairs, thirteen lunch room tables, and many pans, double boilers and dishes. More important than this aspect of the program is the fact that we served 4904 hot lunches to pupils who either could not afford to pay for their lunches or worked in the kitchen. We also served 1211 free bottles of milk.
During my school career I have worked with lunchroom work- ers in three different states and in several different schools and I must say that the group which we have in our kitchen is far supe- rior to any other. The attitude which they have toward their work is wonderful. They work very harmoniously together and accomp- lish a great deal very efficiently. The State Department of Educa- tion has recommended our school lunch program to many as an example of a very efficient unit. Many school administrators and lunch workers have visited and watched the various operations.
I am grateful to the entire group for their wonderful services and splendid cooperation.
The high school enrollment increased by forty-six last year. Next year we expect an increase of fifty-five pupils and a further addition of fifty-two during the following year. These increases can only result in the need for more classrooms and teachers. Our audi- torium will not accommodate the enrollment of grades seven through twelve in September at any one time.
I am pleased to report that our school faculty is the best that it has been in years. I feel that the pupils are getting better in- struction, particularly at the junior high school level.
The custodians have done a splendid job in maintaining the school buildings. The examples of cleanliness and neatness which have been demonstrated by the custodians have inspired the pupils to cooperate in the maintenance of our school.
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In closing, I want to thank the members of the Boosters' Club for their wonderful cooperation throughout the year. They have donated their services at all athletic functions and operated the re- freshment booth at football games. The entire proceeds of all the functions sponsored by the Boosters' Club have been used to help promote athletics in the town. To all of them, I am indecd grateful.
Respectfully submitted, PETER J. SPERANDIO Principal, West Bridgewater High School
Commencement Exercises
HOWARD HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 1953 High School Auditorium West Bridgewater, Massachusetts June tenth at eight o'clock
CLASS OFFICERS
President Herbert Noyes Vice-President Ralph Howe
Secretary Marilyn Nickerson
Treasurer Joanne Staples
Motto: "Vision is Vital to Progress" Colors: Blue and White
PROGRAM
Processional-Pomp and Circumstance Elgar
Orchestra (audience please remain seated)
Invocation
Reverend Francis S. Shea
Music-Little Lamb, Who Made Thee Roff
Senior Girls
Address-Maintaining Your Self Confidence Dr. James Gordon Gilkey Clergyman, Author, Traveller, Lecturer
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Presentation of Class Gift and Gavel Herbert Noyes President, Class of 1953
Acceptance for the School
Marilyn Howe President, Class of 1954
Presentation of Awards
Music-One Little Candle After Graduation Day Senior Girls
Walton Lippman
Presentation of Diplomas
Mr. Erland W. Thayer Chairman, School Committee
Class Song Leah Soell and Mary Sanborn Class of 1953
Benediction
Reverend Francis S. Shea
Recessional-Memories
June Carlson
AWARDS
Science-The Bausch and Lomb Optical Company Mr. Roger Viens
Good Citizenship-Daughters of the American Revolution Mrs. John Shukis
Scholarship-Loyalty and Achievement-The Balfour Company Mr. Bert L. Merrill, Superintendent of Schools
The Class of 1952 Scholarship Mr. Peter J. Sperandio, Principal of the High School
The Parent-Teachers Association Scholarship
Mrs. John H. MacDonald, President of the Association
The William J. Howard and Anna Clifford Howard Scholarship Mr. Erland W. Thayer, Chairman, School Committee
The Edith F. Howard Scholarship
Mr. Bert L. Merrill, Superintendent of Schools
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St. Ann's Parish Scholarship
Reverend Francis S. Shea, Pastor, St. Ann's Church
West Bridgewater Teachers' Association Scholarship Mr. Roger Viens, President of the Association
GRADUATES
Mary Louise Bournc
Edna Mclaughlin
Lawrence P. Boyd
Kenneth Newman
Robert . A. Chadwick
*Marilyn Nickerson Elizabeth Noonan
Anne Cyr
Robert Dembers
Herbert Noyes
Barbara Grippen
Barbara Picrce
Elizabeth Gurney
Ernest Pratt
Donna Hartshorn
Mary Sanborn
Barbara Ilill
Harry Sawyer
Lawrence Holyoke
Leah Socll
Ralph Howe
Constance Souza
Henry Hurley
Robert Stankus
*Marilyn Jordan
*Joanne Staples
John MacDonald
Shirley Stuart
*Sally Mather
Charlotte Wheaton
*Honor Graduates
Sally Mather has had perfect attendance all through High School
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GUIDANCE DIRECTOR
Mr. Bert L. Merrill Superintendent of Schools West Bridgewater, Mass.
Dear Mr. Merrill:
Since my first report to you as Guidance Director, there has been steady progress toward the establishment of a comprehensive program. I am confining this report to the main highlights.
The main emphasis was devoted to individual counseling and research last year. It was observed that guidance activities at the secondary level have been in terms of corrective measures. This is true of most schools. Very little guidance has been attempted in terms of preventive measures. Our elementary program has been institutcd with this philosophy in mind. It is felt that an carly identification of individual growth patterns of each child will make it easier for the faculty to guide them before serious problems de- velop in the classroom. It may well mean the difference between a happy and an unhappy child. An unhappy child cannot learn well, and tends to grow into a poor high school pupil and later into a poorly adjusted individual. If the school deals in terms of prevention in the elementary grades, there is good reason to believe that a pupil's secondary years will have been well spent. I have made avail- able a special report to the elementary teachers concerning the ob- jectives and findings of this program, which has been given all elementary teachers.
A new, permanent office record card was constructed and sub- sequently approved by the School Committee for secondary grades, on which can be recorded pupils' ranks, achievements, and other supplementary data. Human memory is too weak to recall all the facts. Recording the essential ones over a period of years, permits us to see how a pupil has progressed towards his life's goal.
The minimal, standardized testing program for the entire grades was put into effect. Alternate forms of the same test were selected so that a pupil's growth could be determined by compari- son. There is to be a systematic administration of these tests each
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year at critical points in order to collect data for individual counsel- ing and class weaknesses.
A research project concerning the accomplishments of gradu- ating classes from 1948 to 1952 was completed this fall. Copics of this report are being typed for the town and school libraries.
A manual of instructions has been prepared for the faculty as a guide in rating pupils on personal traits and work habits. The reason for this project lies in response to numerous requests from employers, college admission officers, trade schools and the Armed Forces for a more detailed report concerning a pupil's personal qualities. It was learned that the causes for failure in a job or in further schooling was due to poor personal-social adjustment, lack of application, and inadequate work habits rather than a lack of mental ability.
Our purpose in rating pupils is to identify and eliminate these undesirable personal qualities. If the school is to achieve success in the continuous re-adjustment of its members, there must be an- nual observations of pupil behavior by the staff in order to take such action intelligently.
An experimental group of selected 8th and 9th graders were given assignments in writing vocational autobiographies as part of their English courses. They were required to check three sources and interview a person in their selected field of work. This tech- nique teaches the pupils the value of acquiring up-to-date informa- tion about their tentative occupational objectives. An evaluation is to be made to determine whether this assignment should be ex- tended to all pupils.
I attend the South Shore Guidance Directors Association and the American Personnel and Guidance Association, once every two months during the school year. These groups provide oppor- tunities to exchange idcas and to participate in a professional pro- gram for the development of better guidance services.
In closing, I wish to thank you and Mr. Sperandio for valuable assistance in reaching these desired objectives.
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES J. KISSELL Guidance Director
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REMEDIAL TEACHER
Mr. Bert L. Merrill Superintendent of Schools West Bridgewater, Mass.
Dear Mr. Merrill:
I hereby submit my annual report as remedial teacher in the West Bridgewater Schools.
This year we felt that a plan of remedial instruction known as the remedial reading laboratory or clinic would coordinate the work of the remedial teacher with that of the regular classroom teacher. Children from regular classrooms are assembled in special classes for thirty to sixty minutes of reading instruction daily. Since the remcdial groups are organized on the basis of reading levels, children from several different grades may be in the same group; for example, a reading group on the second grade level may con- tain pupils from grades three, four, and five, who have read- ing difficulties.
Our remedial reading laboratory is equipped with library ma- terials, phonic games to aid in word recognition and word analysis, and many devices necessary for correcting the various types of faulty habits which the children display.
As the pupil approaches the normal level of his classroom, the remedial instructor helps him make the adjustments to the regular assignments. Since the home rooms are organized around small group instruction on various levels, the remedial instruction sup- plements the work of a suitable group.
Remedial work calls for motivation techniques and the ability to make careful adjustment to the pupils' learning rates, thus as- suring progress without confusion.
Respectfully submitted,
EDITH SMITH Remedial Teacher
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SCHOOL NURSE
Mr. Bert L. Merrill Superintendent of Schools West Bridgewater, Mass.
Dear Mr. Merrill:
I hereby submit my annual report. My first obligation is to those injured while attending school. Immediate temporary treat- ment is administered in case of accident or sudden illness, and the serious cases are reported to the Insurance Company. In the event of suspicious illness, taking the temperature is important to detect infection. When it becomes necessary to dismiss a child from school the home is contacted and the parent either calls for the child or he is afforded transportation at the parents' expense. The Health De- partment is a service for all. My schedule is frequently interrupted by emergencies.
Dr. Calitri, School Physician, annually examines Grades, 1, 4, 7, and 10; a total of 346 children were examined the past year. Very fcw physical defects were found. Six had congenital heart mur- murs, a few needed immediate dental care, several had minor skin infections, and others were waiting for appointments to have ton- sils removed. Five had tonsils removed at reduced cost through the efforts of your school nurse.
Students participating in athletic games were examined and all passed standard physical requirements for football, baseball and basketball, and each one is insured. All were weighed and measured.
Inoculations were given by the School Physician, Dr. Calitri, to prevent diphtheria and Tetanus.
Thirty-five cases of mcasles were reported.
225 eye examinations have been done by your nurse. There were a few partial failures, cight failed completely to meet the re- quired tests and were referred to a Specialist of their choice. Fol- low-up visits were made to secure remedial care. Parents were all advised to have their children's cycs tested by a specialist at least
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once during growth. Loss of sleep impairing the vision due to tele- vision and daylight saving, are frequently important factors of stu- dent failure. A gift of $125.00 toward Massachusetts Vision Test- ing Equipment will make the performance of this duty much easier, although the operator must be skilled in handling the equipment.
Testing the hearing of children was done with the Audiometer loaned by the State Department. Individual tests were given to grades 1, 2, 3, and 4, and none of the children were found to have defective hearing.
In January the Plymouth County Hospital x-rayed 352 stu- dents and all school employees. All were found to be negative, but one.
Eleven children of school age are unable to attend school, due to either cerebral palsy or congenital defects. Four receive part-time instruction at home or in Brockton, at a school conducted by the Massachusetts Department of Education. Parents of these children place them in care of the family physician, Children's Medical Center, or the Crippled Children's Clinic. Ten others were referred to Orthopedic Clinic for posture and are being treated. Two rc- ferred to speech clinic, and two committed to institutional care.
Dr. Englee examined forty-six children at our Pediatric Clinic. Thirty-eight entered school, three had heart illness, and fifteen had not been vaccinated. A few needed immunization for diphtheria. Three were referred to hospital clinics for correction of posture. Proper nutrition was discussed with each.
Since school started we have found that a number of children who were not ready for school have been detected since school started. Mr. Kissell, Guidance Director, is planning a Reading Readiness program in the Pre-School Clinic next spring in coop- eration with this office. The purpose of the survey is to identify slow learners and permit mothers to give children extra attention during the summer months to prepare them for entrance to school. Children will be given an opportunity to learn that they are ex- pected to leave home for a new experience and adventure. The Pre- School Clinic helps the child to become accustomed to his new en-
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vironment. This prepares the child to become gradually independ- ent for the first day of school. Parents are urged to take advantage of this service. Certain films are to be shown to parents for better understanding of children.
I am grateful to all for the co-operation I received.
Respectfully submitted,
LILLIAN M. HEWITT, R.N. School Nurse
MUSIC SUPERVISOR
Mr. Bert L. Merrill Superintendent of Schools West Bridgewater, Mass.
Dear Mr. Merrill:
During the past year, the choir, band, orchestra, and instru- mental soloists have participated in various school assemblies. In the month of May, the glee clubs, composed of seventh and eighth grade pupils, gave a performance of Gilbert and Sullivan's operetta "H.M.S. Pinafore." In June, the orchestra performed at the gradu- ation exercises, and the choir sang at the baccalaureate service. At Christmas, this last December, members of the choir gave a per- formance of the pageant "Why the Chimes Rang" to the student body of the high school, and to the elementary grades.
In the audio-visual field, two films were shown during May and June. One was "Concert Album," and the other "The Telephone Ilour." In September and November, two more films were shown, "Symphony of the Arts" and "First Chair."
Perhaps the greatest change has been in the instrumental work. Through the instigation of the Lion's Club, a Band Fund was started, and it was further supported by many organizations in
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West Bridgewater. Townspcople have been most gencrous with money and instruments, and the School Committee actively backed the program. As a direct result, a small band was able to play for the home games during the football season.
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