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 1955-1959 > Part 32
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As time goes on, it is becoming more difficult to qualify for college admission because there are so many more students who seek higher education and the fact that colleges and universities have not been able to keep pace with this increase. In view of this factor, we are attempting to maintain our high standards so that those who desire higher education will be qualified .
Our students in the colleges and universities have done well in competition with students from other high schools and this would certainly indicate that our school program is good and that anyone desirous of furthering his or her education can gain admission to any college by taking advantage of our training.
We feel that a periodic self-evaluation is necessary to keep abreast with the latest in educational techniques and materials. During the past year, the faculty started to evaluate our entire school program. This evaluation will not be completed until 1958.
Next year, an evaluating committee from the New England Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools will visit our high school for a three day period to conduct their own evaluation. These studies should reveal our strengths and weaknesses. We will naturally attempt to do something about these findings especially in the areas which need improvement.
The library is an essential part of our school. I find that with each passing year, the students make greater use of our facilities. The number of books loaned continues to climb steadily. To Mr. William Henry Moss, our librarian, and to his staff of workers, I am indeed grateful for their great contribution toward our common goal.
I am also pleased with our Guidance Department. Mr. Roger G. Viens, our Director of Guidance, has done a very fine job and I am sure that the students appreciate his work in their behalf.
We have operated an intramural program in athletics on a rather limited degree. I feel that such a program should be broad- ened so that those who are not on our regular teams will have an opportunity to participate in athletic contests.
Our athletic teams have been unusually successful during the past school year. During that time our football team was unde-
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feated in competition for the May-Shore League title. Our basket- ball team won the Mayflower League Championship, the South Shore Tournament Championship in Class B, and were runners-up in the finals of the Eastern Massachusetts Basketball Champion- ship in Class D.
I congratulate Mr. Urbino J. Barreira, head coach, and Mr. John T. Tivnan, assistant coach, on their splendid work in develop- ing such fine representatives of our school. We are certainly proud of their achievements and, most important, the excellent manner in which the squads conducted themselves throughout the year.
The school band and majorettes under the direction of Mr. Walter B. Lewis continues to be a fine unit. The band certainly adds a great deal of color to our school activities. More important, however, is the fact that the musical talent of our youth is being developed further and they receive greater enjoyment and appreci- ation from their music.
I am pleased with the training the pupils received in art. Mr. William A. Rathbun, the art supervisor, has done a very fine job in all phases of his work. Mr. Rathbun has been called upon many times to make posters and to help with other decorative work. He has always been very willing to donate hours of his time to these projects.
This year the work on the library mural was completed. This piece of work was two years in the making and it is a testimonial to his ability in art and also to his ability to develop talent in youth. I am grateful to all the students who worked on the project and also to Mr. Moss who originated the idea of the mural.
Our driver training program is operating at capacity. Mr. Floyd G. Folsom, our instructor, has a class of forty-three students and cannot take any more since each student must have a minimum of twenty hours of class work and six hours of "behind-the-wheel" instruction. You can readily see that there is not time enough to enlarge this program under the present system.
Our students have profited greatly by this training as is evi-
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denced by the very low accident record of all our school-trained drivers. Mr. Folsom certainly has done a fine job in this regard.
The school lunch program continues to grow in pupil partici- pation. We are above the average pupil participation throughout the state and we operate one of the very few programs that is self- supporting. I feel that this is remarkable especially in view of the constant increase in food and labor costs while still maintaining the price established in September 1952.
To the lunch workers, I am indeed grateful for their fine cooperation throughout the year. I wish to congratulate Mrs. Emma Marzelli for the fine job she is doing as the Manager of the School Lunch Program and also to Mrs. Emily Teixeira who is in charge of the Spring Street School cafeteria.
Our school enrollment continues to climb rapidly. We have forty-one seniors who will graduate this year and there are 116 pupils in grade six who will replace them. In the interest of econ- omy next year we will try to operate with the same number of teachers and classrooms. This will necessitate larger classes and perhaps the use of the cafeteria as a study hall.
In conclusion, I wish to thank the teachers for their fine co- operation; the custodians for their willingness to perform the duties of their positions; Mrs. Gladys Keith, who, as always, has been very loyal, trustworthy, and diligent about her work; and the Boost- ers Club which has continued to be the finest organization of that type. As you know, the members of the Club have handled all ticket sales at basketball and football games. They also operated the refreshment booth at the football games and have conducted other affairs. All proceeds thus derived are given to the athletes by various means such as the annual banquet, athletic awards, and equipment.
I wish to thank you, Mr. Merrill, for the fine cooperation and help which you have given to me throughout the year.
Respectfully submitted,
PETER J. SPERANDIO, High School Principal
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SPRING STREET SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
Mr. Bert L. Merrill Superintendent of Schools West Bridgewater, Massachusetts
Dear Mr. Merrill:
The following is my second annual report as Principal of the Spring Street School:
During the year 1957 pupils and teachers became thoroughly familiar with the new building and fully utilized its many unique features. Movable furniture has allowed increased flexibility in grouping for Reading, Social Studies projects, Science and Audio- visual aids. Tackboards and display panels afforded opportunities for large illustrative materials. The large windows have again made a fine display case for the pupils' artistic efforts.
Evaluation of Achievement tests administered in December of 1956 led to the conclusion that the teaching of Arithmetic might be improved.
In March, all teachers of the elementary grades cooperated in working on a list of Arithmetic Minimum Essentials. These essen- tials were completed and approved by the Superintendent of Schools and the School Committee in June. They are used to standardize teaching procedures and promotion requirements.
At the present time, Minimum Essentials in Reading are being completed and a similar list for Science is in the initial stage. It is planned that all elementary subjects will eventually be covered by such a list.
A Registration Day for incoming first-graders was held May 15. Talks by the Superintendent of Schools, the Principal, the School Nurse and first grade teachers acquainted the parents with the procedures and policies of the school. New booklets for enter- ing pupils were compiled and distributed at this meeting.
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In September, a Remedial Class, under the direction of Miss Mary Nelson, was instituted.
Enrollment for the school year beginning in September was 420, an increase over last year of 45. A corresponding increase in the number of hot lunches served has necessitated the addition of another cafeteria table.
Private conferences between parent and teacher by appoint- ment have been continued. One evening in each marking period is set aside for these conferences and teachers are available after school each day to discuss immediate problems.
I have visited all classes on a weekly schedule, observing such items as grouping, projects, audio-visual aids, learning and teaching procedures. Many individual and group meetings with the teachers have been held. Some were to solve specific problems; others were to improve instruction generally through a betterment of methods and equipment. A large number of helpful suggestions have been passed from one teacher to another. Such an exchange of ideas and plans between teachers has greatly benefitted the system.
During 1957 additions were made to the room libraries of the fourth grade classes. These books are used as reference material and to foster the reading habit in books other than texts.
Two art workshops were held, under the direction of the Art Supervisor, Mr. William Rathbun. In the workshops, classroom teachers were familiarized with new and varied art media and were shown how art may be integrated into the whole program.
Mr. Walter Lewis, Music Supervisor, has held classes in Grades three and four, beginning instrumental music by using the Tonette, in addition to supervising vocal music in Grade one through six.
I wish to thank all who have assisted me in the performance of my duties and for helping make 1957 a very satisfying year.
Respectfully submitted,
RICHARD A. BELCHER
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Commencement Exercises
WEST BRIDGEWATER HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 1957 High School Gymnasium West Bridgewater, Massachusetts June 13, at Eight o'clock
CLASS OFFICERS
President
Forrest A. Broman
Vice President
James F. Wolfsberg
Secretary Joanne Howe
Treasurer
Edward Sinkevich
Colors: Green and White
Motto: "God our guide, success our goal"
AWARDS
The Faculty Award in Athletics
Lawrence William Wardwell, Jr.
Good Citizenship - Daughters of the American Revolution Joanne Howe
Reader's Digest - Highest Ranking Student Priscilla Young
Balfour Award - Scholarship, Loyalty and Achievement Earle Caswell
Class of 1956 Scholarship Forrest Broman
Parent-Teachers' Association David E. Marr, Betty Grippen
Science - Bausch and Lomb David E. Marr
St. Ann's Parish Scholarship Judith Andrew's
West Bridgewater Teachers' Association Scholarships Paula Grundberg, Elaine Bisemore
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West Bridgewater Grange Barbara Drake
William J. Howard and Anna Clifford Howard Scholarship Priscilla Young
West Bridgewater Mothers' Club Joyce Kohl
West Bridgewater Police Association Paul Ohman
Class of 1953 Joanne Howe
PROGRAM
Processional - "Grand March" "Aida"
Orchestra
Invocation - Reverend James Harding
Music - "I'll Walk With God"
Choir
Address - "East and West Face to Face"
Dr. Tehyi Hsieh
Forrest A. Broman
Presentation of Class Gift and Gavel
President Class of 1957
Acceptance for the School Jane Foye
President Class of 1958
Presentation of Awards
Peter J. Sperandio
High School Principal
Presentation of Diplomas Thomas F. Kemp
Chairman School Committee
Alma Mater Senior Class
Benediction - Reverend Joseph M. Carney
Recessional - "Pomp and Circumstance"
Orchestra
Elgar
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GRADUATES
Judith Ames
Judith Andrews
Robert Benson
Elaine Bisemore
Dorothy Lyons Bruce MacFadden
Mary Bordeaux
Joseph Braga
Elsie MacLean
Forrest Broman
David Marr
Patricia Brown
Adeline McGrath
Patricia Burke
Eleanor Canzano
Robert Nordgren
Paul Ohman
Jeanette Pagani
Richard Child
Joan Perkins
Gloria Pratt
Kathryn Richard
Merilyn Richardson
Barbara Drake
Edna Eaton
Anna Ross
Brenda Giovannini
Betty Grippen
Edward Sinkevich
Paula Grundberg
William Soell
Carol Soderholm
Lawrence Wardwell
Gloria Harron
Priscilla Warme
Anthony Harding Ralph Harris
James Wolfsberg
Herbert Woodward
Priscilla Young
GUIDANCE DIRECTOR
Mr. Bert L. Merrill Superintendent of Schools West Bridgewater, Massachusetts
Dear Mr. Merrill:
This is my third annual report of the activities of the High School Guidance Office. In general, the Guidance office was oper-
Susan Holmgren
Joanne Howe Joyce Kohl
Elaine Morse
John Carlson Earle Caswell
Kathryn Coffey
Cornelia Craddock
Marie Dillenschneider
Barbara Riddell
Joan Salvador
Barbara Gummow Roberta Gummow
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ated in the manner as it had the previous two years, being con- cerned with providing the five basic guidance services for grades seven through twelve. These five services are: the study of the individual, the educational and occupational information service, counseling, placement, and follow-up.
. Although I mentioned above that the operation of the Guid- ance Office was similar to that of the previous two years, there have been some minor changes. The first change has been the inclusion of grade nine with grades eight, eleven and twelve, into the area of concentrated counseling. Until the time of this writing, the Coun- selor's Record Book shows that 1425 pupil appointments were kept during the year 1957, an average of 7.9 counseling appointments per day.
During the past year, the Business course students and the boys in the Practical Arts course in grade nine took a Clerical Apti- tude Test and a Mechanical Aptitude Test, respectively. It was felt that these tests would be valuable in determining whether the pupil has sufficient aptitude to warrant continuation in the Business or Practical Arts course. This was a second change.
The Placement record of the Class of 1957 was rather gratify- ing. Class statistics reveal that 48.08 percent are continuing their education, 40.4 percent are gainfully employed, 9.6 percent are in the Armed Forces, and 1.92 percent are housewives. Among the schools in which members of the Class of 1957 enrolled are: Bridge- water Teachers' College, Brown University, University of Massa- chusetts, Framingham Teachers' College, Stonehill College, Colby College, American International College, Green Mountain College, Lemuel Shattuck Hospital School of Practical Nursing, Interna- tional Business Machines Training Center, Air Age School, Chan- dler's School for Women, Deaconess Hospital School of Nursing, Becker Junior College, Brockton Hospital School of Nursing, Down's Model and Air Career School, and Brockton Academy of Beauty Culture.
In looking ahead to see how the Guidance Office can be made to serve more pupils better in spite of the continually increasing en- rollment, this office recommends considering the possibility of addi- tional services of a parttime counselor for about three periods a day.
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In conclusion, I should like to acknowledge the excellent co- operation that this office has received from the entire school staff, from the Superintendent and the Principal, and their secretaries, and from the entire teaching staff. I am also grateful for the assist- ance received from four student clerks from the Clerical Office Practice class. These students are: Misses Shirley Perry, Judith Rudine, Sheila Styles and Margaret Sweeney.
Respectfully submitted,
ROGER G. VIENS, Director of Guidance
SCHOOL NURSE
Mr. Bert L. Merrill Superintendent of Schools West Bridgewater, Massachusetts
Dear Mr. Merrill:
I herewith submit my final annual report:
The school years as shown by statistics are the healthiest period of an individual's life. When a child enters school he should be a well child. A wise parent will keep him home when he is ill. Acci- dents, both minor and major, happen in and around a school in spite of all precautions taken to insure a child's safety. Your nurse is frequently referred to for the purpose of determining a reason why a pupil must be dismissed for his own good and for the pro- tection of others. The nurse care for pupils in case of accident at school and tries to locate the parent or takes the child to a doctor when more than first aid is necessary. During an epidemic her ser- vices are invaluable, demanding immediate action. The nurse assists the school doctor when children are physically examined. Reports are sent to the parent indicating physical defects found and suggesting
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ways of correcting same. Appointments are made at various clinics on the request of any physician. A follow-up of children unable to attend school is made.
Routine physical examinations to 550 pupils in grades 1, 4, 7 and 10 were given by Dr. Joseph Calitri. An additional 100 were examined, who participated in athletics. (4 of this number were rejected).
Results of examinations showed the following results:
1. 10 were found to have congenital defective heart trouble.
2. 30 needed tonsils removed.
3. 3 were receiving treatment for diabetes.
4. Several were noticeably undernourished.
5. 8 visual corrections were made.
6. 15 had tonsils and adenoids removed.
Three major accidents required orthopedic treatment. Numer- ous minor accidents, skin rashes and conjunctivitis were reported to the school physician. Nine children showed poor posture and orthopedic defects and are receiving medical care at the clinic for crippled children. One child with a severe case of diabetes attended a special summer camp for three weeks.
Numerous teacher-pupil conferences were held. Parents were contacted in many instances by telephone or by home visits. At the annual Antigen Clinic the following pupils received treatment:
23 received three inoculations each
10 preschool children were immunized
68 booster inoculations were given
I want to thank the teachers, parents, and all those who helped make my career so successful.
Respectfully submitted,
LILLIAN M. HEWITT, R.N., School Nurse
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ART SUPERVISOR
Mr. Bert L. Merrill Superintendent of Schools West Bridgewater, Massachusetts
Dear Mr. Merrill:
"When the child creates he undergoes important experiences which form his life and determine his thinking and acting. The very concentration of one experience makes him relive his experi- ence vividly. While he gives form to his experience, he learns to organize his thinking to give his imaginings visible expression. It is this process of creating which is of vital importance to his growth."
As in the past, our main effort has been to provide a program which will best serve to provide an opportunity for wide experience in art techniques and for the development of creative expression in each individual student. Toward this end we have instituted an "in service" training program for the elementary teachers which, it is hoped, will further our understanding of art processes and enable us to make better use of art throughout the entire curriculum. This will be a continuing program interspersed with periodic sessions which will bring the teachers together for discussion, instruction from the supervisor and experimentation in new or untried ma- terials. Our first such gathering was well received and many teach- ers felt that they had received valuable help.
On the junior high school level all instruction in art is given by the supervisor and since the junior high school is departmental- ized it is difficult to achieve any real integration of art with other subjects except where teachers of other subjects request assistance or materials. This sort of mutual reliance of one department upon another is becoming more widespread and should be encouraged.
The number of students in grades nine through twelve is not discouraging, however, it would be better if more time could be arranged for them so that a more complete instruction could be given. The opportunities for successful careers in art has never been properly stressed and the public mind should be disabused of the "starving artist" stereotype.
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Some of the most rewarding and lucrative work in our country and in New England is in the field of art. Our students, although they have talent, can scarcely compete with children from schools where art is a full credit subject given full time. It is good to report that in spite of this we have at least three students attending pro- fessional art schools.
In past reports I have outlined our aims and objectives, our. philosophy, and how we try to have it square with our practices. I would like to report continuing progress and also that we have a well-balanced program which continues to be fruitful.
The practice has been to build up slowly, thereby avoiding un- necessary expense. At the present we are able to offer a great variety of media and this is good. We are weak, however, in the craft area and it would be good to remedy this. We can provide the equip- ment for enameling at low cost and this would serve to improve the department a great deal.
I wish to thank you and my colleagues for the consideration and cooperation which have made this year a rewarding one for me.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM RATHBUN, Art Supervisor
MUSIC SUPERVISOR
Mr. Bert L. Merrill Superintendent of Schools West Bridgewater, Massachusetts
Dear Mr. Merrill:
Elementary Music Program
At the May concert we presented the three developmental stages of the then grade school instrumental program, flutophones, the beginners' band, and the Grade School Orchestra. The fluto- phone and beginners' band groups were initially begun in Septem- ber of 1956 and continued throughout the past year.
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In September 1957 we continued the use of a pre-band instru- ment in the third grades. However, we switched from flutophones to tonettes which can be fingered much more effectively and rapidly. The reason for this pre-band instrumental program is twofold: first, it develops digital dexterity at an early age in preparation and antici- pation for the fourth grade, where we begin teaching regular band instruments, and secondly, the child will learn and retain music theory by the use of an instrument much more accurately and will- ingly than by singing alone!
Last year's pre-band program has proven the merit of its use This year the enrollment of fourth grade boys and girls in the be- ginners' band program is double that of the preceding year! The truth of this matter can be shown in the fact that I must divide our beginners' band into three groups rather than the one group I taught last year. Our enrollment in beginners band is thirty-one at the present time. These are children who have never played band instruments previously!
This September we have inaugurated a grade school band to replace the grade school orchestra. This has been done for several reasons: one, the pupils who were formerly in the grade school orchestra showed difficulty in playing band music when they first joined the high school band. Band music makes use of the flat keys rather than the sharp keys which are peculiar to orchestral music. Orchestral music is not good basic schooling for band music, two, in an orchestra the string section is the dominating force or group. Therefore, the brass, woodwind, and percussion groups do not play as often as the strings during an orchestral selection, three, the string section should be the largest group in the orchestra, but in our system is the smallest. It would be more appropriate, therefore, to gear the music to fit the instrumentation of the group rather than try to connect the instruments to the wrong music. However, the few string players which we do have in the elementary system are given the opportunity to play with the band as we do not wish to neglect any child with musical ability!
Boys and girls coming from grade school into the high school band should be prepared for band music before they have arrived.
If a grade school band of adequate size and ability can be built
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and maintained then the musical ability and size of the high school band can become stabilized and guaranteed.
Junior High Music Program
After testing the seventh grade students several times this year, I find that the theoretical or mechanical knowledge is lacking. Therefore, the seventh grade program is directly concerned with the essential theory of music which is prerequisite to good musical per- formance and appreciation. This knowledge should be well under- stood and applicable by each child before he enters the seventh grade.
Music appreciation is the main course of study for eighth grade. It is the first time that this type of course has been given to one of the junior high groups. The results of influence of this type of course upon the eighth grades will not be known until next year. This type of course should be given at the seventh grade level, but since the seventh grade is behind in theory we are not able to start them until they are educated on the grade school fundamentals. Next year in September, we should be able to initiate Music Ap- preciation in the seventh grade and start to mould the eighth grade group into more of a performance group. Together the seventh and eighth should have glee clubs and do some type of musical program such as an operetta by themselves for a performance.
High School Music Program
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