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 6
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Mr. Whitney was appointed temporary chairman of this Work Plan group, and just as soon as this group hears the report of this survey the public will be informed of proceedings. The Work Plan Committee will no doubt be in operation long before this report is published.
On February 6th a meeting was held with Mr. Bessette, Com- missioner of Waterways, Department of Public Works Building, Boston, relative to applying for financial assistance. At this time, information was given that the selectmen of the town would receive proper application forms, with a public hearing scheduled for March 12th.
At this time, we of the Committee would like to thank every- one for their interest and the fine cooperation they have given us. We extend a hearty welcome for all to attend any or all the open meetings that will be held.
Respectfully submitted,
NORMAN W. ESTABROOKS HERBERT HOLMES J. LEIGHTON HAYWARD CLINTON HOWARD MARJORIE MacDONALD
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
AND
Superintendent of Schools
OF THE TOWN OF
WEST BRIDGEWATER
DGEWATER
BI
EST
MASS.
.1656
- IN
CORPORATED FEB 16 1822
FOR THE YEAR 1955
DORR'S PRINT SHOP BRIDGEWATER, MASSACHUSETTS
86
MEMBERS AND ORGANIZATION OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Erland W. Thayer, Chairman, 16 Union St. Brockton 8-1402 W Term expires 1958
John C. Eldridge, 13 Hillside Avenue Term expires 1956
Brockton 8-3014 M
Charles Ensher, 700 West Center Street Term expires 1956
Brockton 4227 J
Thomas Kemp, East Street Term expires 1958
Brockton 7461
George Noonan, 31 Crescent Street Term expires 1957
Brockton 1971 R
Harry Richardson, 320 Walnut Street Brockton 919 M2
Term Expires 1957
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETINGS
Second Monday evening of each month at 7:45 o'clock at the new school.
SUPERINTENDENT Bert L. Merrill
Office: High School Brockton 5094
Residence: 277 Spring Street, West Bridgewater Brockton 4428
Conference by appointment
CLERK
Annette B. Chadwick, 28 Union Street Brockton 8-2926 M
Office hours: High School
Monday through Thursday 8:30 - 5:00 Friday 8:30 - 4:00
SCHOOL PHYSICIAN
Dr. Joseph Calitri, M.D. Brockton 678 17 Central Square
SCHOOL NURSE
Lillian M. Hewitt, R.N. Taunton 4-8864
North Main Street, Raynham Center
87
ATTENDANCE OFFICER
Douglas Eaton
Brockton 3410
Purchase Street, West Bridgewater
WEST BRIDGEWATER SCHOOL DEPARTMENT SCHOOL CALENDAR 1956 - 1957
Schools open, Wednesday September 5, 1956
Thanksgiving recess: Schools close Wednesday noon Schools reopen Monday
November 21, 1956
November 26, 1956
Christmas Vacation:
December 21, 1956
Schools close Friday noon Schools reopen Wednesday
January 2, 1957
Winter Vacation:
Schools close Friday
February 15, 1957
Schools reopen Monday
February 25, 1957
Spring Vacation:
Schools close Friday Schools reopen Monday
April 22, 1957
Schools close Friday
June 21, 1957
Holidays:
Brockton Fair, Grades 1 through 6
Not known
Columbus Day, Friday
October 12, 1956
Plymouth County Teachers' Convention, Friday
October 19, 1956
Armistice Day, Monday
November 12, 1956
Memorial Day, Thursday
May 30, 1957
No school Friday
May 31, 1957
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 ex- tremely bad weather when it is deemed wise to have no school, such notice will be broadcast over WBET, Brockton, between 7 and 8 A.M. and between 11 and 12 noon. Fire alarm signals will be as follows:
April 12, 1957
88
1 long - 2 short blasts of the fire alarm at 7 A.M. no school grades 7-12 inclusive all day. 1 long - 2 short blasts of the fire alarm at 7:15 A.M. no school for grades 1-6 inclusive all day. 1 long - 2 short blasts of the fire alarm at 11 A.M. no school for grades 1-6 inclusive in the afternoon.
SCHOOL MEMBERSHIP - OCTOBER 1, 1955
ELEMENTARY
1
2
3
4
5
6
TOTAL
Sunset Avenue
97
103
New Elementary
108
Center School
99
98
83
588
HIGH
7
8
9
10
11
12
Jr. Senior High
90
76
70
53
67
58
414
Total enrollment, High and Elementary
1002
CENSUS REPORT
Distribution of minors, October 1, 1955:
5 YEARS OF AGE OR OVER AND UNDER 7
7 YEARS OF AGE OR OVER AND UNDER 16
Boys
78
393
Girls
109
392
Total
187
785
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
1. Administration
1955 BUDGET $ 8,400.00
1955 SPENT $ 8,393.44
2. Instruction:
Salaries
158,900.00
158,425.14
Textbooks
3,500.00
3,948.01
Supplies
7,970.00
7,986.87
3. Operation:
Salaries
16,350.00
16,324.61
Fuel
5,000.00
5,041.09
Lights
4,700.00
4,500.15
Gas
150.00
526.22
Supplies
2,500.00
2,217.43
Water
300.00
223.38
89
4. Maintenance
7,415.00
7,322.02
5. Auxiliary Agencies:
Health
2,898.12
2,898.12
Transportation
21,937.37
21,937.37
Tuition
3,376.54
3,376.54
Insurance
127.51
127.51
Miscellaneous
115.29
115.29
6. Capital Outlay
2,588.00
2,576.14
TOTALS
$246,227.83
$245,939.33
REIMBURSEMENTS 1955:
Chapter 70
51,236.59
Supt. Salary
2,488.93
Transportation
14,648.75
Household Arts
1,786.84
Tuition Vocational Schools
935.80
Transportation Vocational Schools
211.00
Transportation and tuition
State Wards for the year 1953-54 2,588.02
Transportation and tuition
State Wards for the year 1954-55 3,385.34
Total Reimbursements
77,281.27
Total Expenditures
245,939.33
Net Operation Cost for 1955
$168,658.06
DIRECTORY OF TEACHERS
'Teacher
School Subject or Grade
High
Principal Practical Arts
High
Iligh
Science, Coach
High
Science, Ass't Coach
High
English
University of Washington
High
Mathematics
High
Industrial Arts
Lco Gleason, B.S.
High General Science, Coach
Boston University
George Golding, B.S.
High
Boys' physical education
Boston University
Phyllis Jordan, Ed.M.
High
Girls' physical education
Boston University Bridgewater Teachers College
Marietta Kent, B.S. Miriam Kochakian, B.A.
High
English
University of Maine
Joao Lage, A.B.
High
Science
Boston University
Leo Montebello, Ed.M.
High
Social Studies
Boston University
Luice Moncey, M.A.
High
English
Emerson College
WVm. Henry Moss, M.A.
High
English
University of Massachusetts, Boston University
Olivia Pearson, A.B. Janice Rylander, A.B.
High
English
Upsala College Boston University
Eric Sahlberg, B.A.
High
Social Studies
Northeastern University
Evelyn Viens, B.S.
High
Household Arts
Framingham Teachers College
Roger Viens, M.A.Ed.
High
Guidance
Clark University, Boston University
Preparation St. Anselm, Harvard Boston State Teachers College George Washington University University of Massachusetts
Peter J. Sperandio, A.B., Ed.M. Thomas Adams, B.S. Ed.
Urbino Barreira, B.S. Phy. Ed. Victor Bissonnette, B.S. Evelyn Broadbent, M.A. Lawrence Cornell, B.S. Floyd Folsom Helen Galt, B.S.
High
Social Studies
Beaver College
High
Mathematics
University of Massachusetts Gorham Normal School
90
High
Languages
'Teacher Bertha Wheeler Marjorie Hayward, Ed. M. William Rathbun, B.S. Ed. Doris Berkowitz Margaret Boynton, B.S. Ed., Principal Thelma Cook, Principal
School
Subject or Grade
High
Commercial Music
Art
Elem.
Grade 1
Elem.
Grade 2
Elem.
Grade 4
Catherine Dobrien, B.S.
Elem.
Grade 2
Mary Doyle, M.Ed.
Elem.
Grade 6
Bridgewater Teachers College
Gertrude Estabrooks, B.S.
Elem.
Grade 5
Bridgewater Teachers College
Grace Folsom
Elem.
Grade 4
Washington State Normal School
Robert Forest, B.S.
Elem.
Grade 6
Bridgewater Teachers College
Gladys Freeman
Elem.
Grade 1
Bridgewater Teachers College
Geneva Garvey, B.S.
Elem.
Grade 1
Bridgewater Teachers College
Gilbert Gardner, B.A.
Elem.
Grade 4
Tufts College
Alice Howard
Elem.
Remedial
Keene Normal School
Velma Johnston
Elem.
Grade 2
Keene Normal School
Ruth Kimball
Elem.
Grade 6
Bridgewater Teachers College
Ethel Marr
Elem.
Grade 3
North Adams Teachers College
Marcia Moriarty, B.A.
Elem.
Grade 1
Manhattanville College
Mary Nelson, B.S. Ed.
Elem.
Grade 3
Bridgewater Teachers College
Anne O'Keefe
Elem.
Grade 5
Myrtle Ryan
Elem.
Grade 3
Bridgewater Teachers College Eastern States Normal School
Marguerite Shurtleff, Principal
Elem.
Grade 5
Keene Normal School
Marie Sullivan, B.S. Ed.
Elem.
Grade 2
Emma Taylor
Elem.
Grade 3
Preparation
All All
Salem Teachers College New England Conservatory of Music School of Museum of Fine Arts Plymouth Teachers College North Adams State Teachers College Castine Normal School Bridgewater Teachers College
91
Bridgewater Teachers College Bridgewater Teachers College
92
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of West Bridgewater:
School Committee members for the year 1955 remained the same as the previous year with the re-election of Mr. Thomas Kemp and Mr. Erland Thayer. Mr. Erland Thayer was re-elected Chair- man of the committee. Mr. Harry Richardson and Mr. Kemp were re-elected to serve with the Chairman on the West Bridgewater- Raynham Union Committee for the ensuing year.
It was with reluctance that the committee approved the ex- tension of double sessions into grades five and six starting in Sep- tember of 1955. Previously only grades one and two had been on this plan and these also had to be continued. Double sessions must remain until such time as the new elementary school building is ready for occupancy. At the present writing it seems very probable that completion may not take place until the late spring of 1956. If this happens after the beginning of the Spring school term, it is quite certain that occupancy of this building would then take place at the start of the new school year in September.
Bus contacts which expired in June were granted for another school year with permission granted by the State Department of Education. Far greater expenditures for the transportation of school children were noted during the year because of the extended travel of extra bus routes.
A new salary schedule was adopted for the school year 1955-56. The same type single salary schedule was retained with an increase in both minimum and maximum levels plus a larger step break after each third step. Credits must be earned for professional study before advancement after each third step.
With the start of the school year in September, Mrs. Lillian Hewitt was elected for the first time as school nurse on a full time basis. Prior to this her duties included Raynham under the school union directorate. It has been evident for the last two years that her increasing duties, as a result of the larger school enrollment, necessitated this move.
Permission was granted to permit parents to insure their chil- dren through the school department in the "School Accident In-
93
surance Plan" upon payment of a small annual premium. Those participating gain as a result of this type of master policy.
The School Committee voted to allow use of the men's sec- tion of the teachers' room for Civilian Defense Headquarters in- cluding installation of radio equipment with antenna attachment to the building. The High School building is the only town build- ing with a permanent auxiliary electric power supply which Civil- ian Defense requires. This would be available for use during any emergency.
Over a period of many months the committee has issued regu- lar reports to the architect and general contractor of the new high school regarding leaks and other deficiencies which have occurred in the school building, with no definite action or measures resulting on anyone's part to correct such conditions. Early this year there- fore, after consultation with Town Counsel, it was decided that further action should be through legal channels for the town's best interest. Suits were entered against the general contractor and the bonding company in April and the matter is now in litigation. At the present time Town Counsel is unable to inform the committee as to any possible time when such action will be completed.
The committee is appreciative of the cooperation received from the Superintendent, Principals and teachers and commend the operational and maintenance personnel for their accomplish- ments during the year.
Respectfully submitted,
THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE ERLAND W. THAYER THOMAS F. KEMP HARRY RICHARDSON CHARLES ENSHER JOHN C. ELDRIDGE GEORGE E. NOONAN
94
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the West Bridgewater School Committee:
I am pleased to submit my sixth annual report as Superinten- dent of Schools.
TEACHERS
There have been several changes in the teaching personnel of the junior-senior high school but comparatively few in the elemen- tary grades. Teachers are the most vital part of an educational program. Every effort is made to select only those who are well qualified.
Our teachers dedicate themselves to their work and inspire and stimulate our pupils with interest and enthusiasm.
The newly adopted salary schedule, which is to become effec- tive next September, with liberal allowance for sick-leave benefits together with this new salary schedule, should enable us to retain most of our teachers.
The following new teachers were employed in the junior-senior high school:
TEACHER PREPARATION YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
Thomas Adams, B.S.
Urbino Barreira, B.S.
Victor Bissonnette, B.S.
University of Massachusetts None
Evelyn Broadbent, M.A.
University of Washington None
Lawrence Cornell, B.S.
University of Massachusetts None
George Golding, B.S.
Boston University 9
Joao Lage, A.B.
Boston University 1
Leo Montebello, Ed.M.
Boston University 14
Eric Sahlberg, B.A.
Northeastern University None
Roger Viens, M.A. Ed.
Carl University 10
The following new teachers were employed in the elementary schools:
TEACHER
Doris Berkowitz
Mary Doyle, M. Ed.
Bridgewater Teachers College 6
Grace Folsom
Washington State Normal, Maine 2
Marcia Moriarty, B.A.
PREPARATION YEARS OF EXPERIENCE Plymouth Teachers College, N.H. 21
Manhattanville College, N.Y. None
Boston Teachers' College None
George Washington University 2
95
The following teachers resigned:
High School: Justin Cobb
Roland Cormier
Harold Dunn Elliot Hawkes Richard Irwin
Albert Kiernan James Kissell Barbara Litman Walter Pauli
Elementary: Jennie Diegoli Elizabeth Nelson
Edith Smith
INSTRUCTION
The main purpose of our schools is to give our pupils every opportunity to develop individual abilities so they may become capable citizens of the Town, the State, and the Nation. Through learning pupils grow and acquire skills, attitudes and ideals which they will need throughout their lives.
The curriculum guides for primary and intermediate teachers, compiled by the State Department of Education, continue to be used in the elementary grades.
Curriculum changes occur most frequently in the social studies, science and languages. Five teachers were appointed to make a survey of social studies books and to recommend basic and supple- mentary texts after carefully evaluating them. History and geogra- phy have been taught as separate subjects, but consideration is being given to the advisability of combining them into one single social studies course. A preliminary report of progress was submitted last June and the final report will be submitted before the end of the present school year.
New basic language texts were purchased for Grade five and new basal texts will be purchased for the fourth grades in Septem- ber. It is essential that the programs and classwork in all schools be coordinated at each grade level.
Remedial reading classes continue with Mrs. Alice Howard as teacher. Pupils in the first six grades who appear to need special instruction are given "Reading Achievement and Reading Capac- ity" tests. The results of these determine which pupils will benefit
96
most from individual instruction. The aim of the class is to help children who have ability, but fail to make normal progress in reading. A large variety of materials are available to these pupils.
Reading certificates have been presented to twenty-seven fourth grade pupils by Miss Jean Murdock, town librarian. Each child is required to read and report on five selected books to receive a small certificate. A large certificate with the seal of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is awarded each pupil who reads twenty books. This stimulates children's interest to select and read good literature.
Several field trips were enjoyed during the year. These were sponsored by the various Parent-Teachers Associations. One in- teresting trip was to Plymouth where the children saw Plymouth Rock, the Museum and replicas of dwellings of the early settlers.
Another, was to the Science Museum in Boston.
One of the most enjoyable and instructive trips was to the Children's Museum in Jamaica Plain. All first and second grade pupils went on the trip. While the second grade pupils enjoyed an illustrated lecture on astronomy the first graders saw a movie on wild animals.
PUPIL ENROLLMENT
The school enrollment was 1002 pupils as of October 1, 1955. Grades one and two are on double sessions at the Sunset Avenue School. Grades five and six are on double sessions in the rear Center School. When the new fourteen room elementary school is completed and ready for occupancy it will accommodate pupils from grades one to six inclusive.
The front and rear Center Schools will be closed for a year. The Sunset Avenue School will house the pupils of the first four grades who reside in that area. By September 1957 it will definitely become necessary to reopen the rear Center School. By the fall of 1962 it is probable that both front and rear Center Schools will be in use. If we are to continue using these two buildings major repairs and improvements will be needed.
PARENT-TEACHERS ASSOCIATIONS
The high school, Center and Sunset Avenue Parent-Teachers Associations have been active and have performed excellent services
97
to the schools. The work of each has been coordinated with the rest through a newly organized Parent-Teachers Association Coun- cil, composed of the executive committees of the three associations.
MAJOR REPAIRS AND IMPROVEMENTS
Junior-Senior High School:
1. All library tables were sanded and refinished.
2. Boys' and girls' locker rooms were completely repainted.
3. Cafeteria was repainted.
4. Cement floor in the auditorium was repainted.
5. Cabinet doors in all classrooms were refinished.
6. A loft for the storage of musical instruments was built in the music room closet.
7. Bookcases and shelves were built in the music room for the storage of supplies and books.
8. The chalk boards in two classrooms were replaced with tack board.
9. The outside flag pole was repainted.
10. The words "West Bridgewater High School" in stainless steel letters were attached to the exterior of the building.
Front and rear Center Schools:
The work consisted of re-shingling the roof on the front Center School and replacing slate shingles on the rear Center School. The chimneys were re-pointed and flashings were repaired on both schools. The exterior of both buildings were painted.
Sunset Avenue School:
A section of the roof was re-shingled. Tar and gravel was ap- plied to the flat roof section. The chimneys were re-pointed. All flashings were repaired. The exterior trim was painted. Two new posts were installed on the front porch.
I wish to express my appreciation and thanks to the school committee, the faculty and school personnel for their support and cooperation.
ยท
Respectfully submitted,
BERT L. MERRILL Superintendent of Schools
98
HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
Mr. Bert L. Merrill Superintendent of Schools West Bridgewater, Mass.
Dear Mr. Merrill:
I submit herewith my fifth annual report as principal of the West Bridgewater High School.
During the past school year, the school program operated in a manner which was satisfactory. Our older teachers are still ob- taining the desired results and the new teachers are very coopera- tive and enthusiastic.
Perhaps the highlight of the school year was the trip to the United Nations which was undertaken by the eighth grade. These pupils, through various projects, realized enough money so that the entire class of seventy-two pupils and seven chaperones were able to make the trip.
The experiences gained by the group will long be remembered. The conducted tour through the buildings by guides from various countries of the world was very interesting. The beauty of the rooms together with the knowledge that the future of the world was dependent upon the decisions which were being made there, left the pupils with mixed feelings of amazement, joy and un- certainty.
The pupils listened to the representatives of the various coun- trics in their own languages. By means of earphones and a control unit, the pupils could also hear the talks translated into English, French, Russian, Chinese and Spanish at the same time in which they were given.
The pupils also visited Radio City, the Empire State Building, Times Square, Grand Central Station, an automat, and enjoyed walking on such famous streets as 42nd Street and Fifth Avenue.
The work on the Climber is progressing very satisfactorily under the able guidance of Miss Luice Moncey who is working with the editorial staff and Mr. Leo Montebello who works with
99
the business staff. We expect another fine yearbook to be ready in May, 1956.
The school paper, the Westwind, is being published four times a year under the very capable direction of Miss Miriam Kochakian. The pupils look forward to each issue with eagerness and enjoy every page.
The assembly programs have improved considerably. Miss Janice Rylander, together with the aid of others, has given new life to our programs. She has been instrumental in scheduling various performances by large numbers of pupils which have been very interesting, educational, and entertaining.
The Senior Class presented a musical comedy which is the first of this type of entertainment. It was very well received. Miss Olivia Pearson directed the play and, as usual, did a splendid job.
The Junior Class presented a series of different acts under the name of "Westcapades" instead of the usual plays. These proved to be very interesting, entertaining and very well done. The numer- ous acts involved a large number of different pupils and many teachers gave of their time and energy to make this show the suc- cess which it proved to be. A repeat performance was necessary and the auditorium was filled on both occasions.
In June, the graduating class, at its reception, undertook a school production which was among the finest that has ever been witnessed. There is no doubt that our receptions have always been superb. We know that these performances would not be possible without the very capable direction of Mrs. Evelyn Viens.
The school program has been modified only lightly since it compares very well with programs in the best schools. The course in Consumer Problems in the Business Curriculum now includes Elements of Business law which will be taught during the second semester. Physical Education is now required of all our pupils and it has undoubtedly brought many benefits to the pupils. A course in Speech has been given to all seniors. The training given in pub- lic speaking, techniques, and self-expression will be of inestimable value throughout life.
The school enrollment continues to mount. This year, for the first time, we have four divisions in grade seven. This number will
100
not only continue for grade seven but also for grade eight. Our graduating classes have always been less than forty-one whereas the present Senior class numbers fifty-eight, and the Junior class sixty- six. The number will continue to climb and, in a few years, we will reach the one hunderd mark.
Our attendance records on the whole are good. We do have a few cases of inexcusable absences but parents are generally very cooperative.
The attitude of our pupils is generally good. The faculty has witnessed and experienced many wonderful acts of leadership, cooperation and service.
The school library has provided our pupils with a source of many wonderful books. The number of books which are used or loaned increases every year. When we stop to consider the number of books which have been taken from the school library and read, by our pupils, we can readily see great value of the library. Further- more, it provides a wonderful source of research material. I wish to commend Mr. William Henry Moss for the exceptionally fine job he is doing with the library. Very few schools have the good fortune to have a man of his calibre on its staff. To him, I am in- deed grateful.
The driver training program continues to be very successful and very well attended. Mr. Floyd Folsom is doing a fine job as Driver Training Instructor and as an instructor of shop and its related subject.
The athletic program has continued to be a wonderful factor in the development of our boys and girls. We believe that our athletic teams will become more successful insofar as the records are concerned. The football squad of last fall enjoyed the best season in my experience in West Bridgewater.
The basketball squad also has given every indication of having a very successful year.
These fine records will help to build school morale and result in fuller and richer lives for the participants.
101
The school lunch program continues to serve a large percent- age of pupils who are attending school on single sessions. Since grades 1, 2, 5 and 6 are on double sessions, we are not serving as many lunches as in the past.
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