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 7
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The program continues not only to be self-sustaining but, with the profits realized, it is able to purchase most of the new equip- ment for the kitchen in the new elementary school.
In conclusion, I wish to thank all those who have assisted me in the performance of my duties. The teachers, the lunchworkers, and the custodians have been very cooperative. I should like to commend Mr. Roger Viens, our Director of Guidance, for the very fine job that he is doing and for the wonderful cooperation which he has given to me at all times. I should like also to mention the fact that without the Boosters' Club our work would not only be increased immeasurably but we would have to do without many of the fine projects which they sponsor. To All, I am indeed grateful and humbly beg their continued support.
Respectfully submitted,
PETER J. SPERANDIO
Principal
Commencement Excercises
WEST BRIDGEWATER HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 1955 High School Auditorium West Bridgewater, Massachusetts June 16, at eight o'clock
CLASS OFFICERS
President Robert Young
Vice President
Fredrick DiFrancesco
Secretary Grace Gummow Treasurer Ruth Gurney
Motto: "Keep God as Our Guide." Colors: Maroon and White
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PROGRAM
Processional - "Pomp and Circumstance" - Orchestra Elgar
Invocation - Reverend Paul E. Lauffer
Music - "I'll Walk With God" - Senior Class
Address - "The Touchstone of Success" - Dr. John Nicol Mark Presentation of Class Gift and Gavel Robert Young, President, Class of 1955
Acceptance for the School - Peter Reed, President, Class of 1956
Presentation of Awards
Mr. Peter J. Sperandio, Principal, High School
Presentation of Diplomas
Mr. Erland W. Thayer, Chairman, School Committee
Class Song Class of 1955
by Grace Gummow, Linda Johnson, Lucia Millet, Dorothy MacLean
Benediction - Reverend Robert V. Meffen
Recessional - Orchestra -Memories
AWARDS
Science - The Bausch and Lomb Optical Company Herbert Kline
Good Citizenship - Daughters of the American Revolution Dolores Ann Klewer
The Balfour Award - Scholarship, Loyalty and Achievement Robert J. Young
The Reader's Digest Award - High Ranking Student Herbert and David Kline
Faculty Award in Athletics Robert J. Young
The Parent-Teachers' Association Scholarship Dorothy Stankus
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The Class of 1954 Scholarship David Kline
St. Ann's Parish Scholarship Robert J. Young
The William J. Howard and Anna Clifford Howard Scholarship Herbert Kline
West Bridgewater Teachers' Association Scholarship Alice M. Roberts
West Bridgewater Police Association Scholarship Stuart Keith
West Bridgewater Grange Scholarship Norman Tibbetts
West Bridgewater Mothers' Club Margery McDonald
GRADUATES
Ann Cynthia Ahlborg David Bruce Babcock
Joanne V. Bassett
Jon Peter Beaulieu
William John Boyd
Gwendolyn Anne Noyes
Joan C. Penpraese
Joseph Ronald Poirier, Jr.
Joan Eileen Reid
John Edward Reid
John David Richardson
Ruth W. Gurney
Linda Alice Johnson
Stuart M. Keith
Dolores Ann Klewer David Kline
Herbert Kline
Robert Stuart Lothrop Dorothy Ann MacLean
Clydette Joan Manchester Pauline Anne Marble Margery Anne McDonald Lucia Millet
Rose Mary Cyr Irene Julia DeMolles Anne Bradford Foye Fredrick DiFrancesco
Gloria Maria Guarino Grace Althea Gummow
Alice Mary Roberts Nancy Lou Smith Dorothy Ann Stankus
Norman E. Tibbetts Philip Curtis Tuck Gail Frances Veronesi
Carol Roberta Williams
Robert Joseph Young
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GUIDANCE DIRECTOR
Mr. Bert L. Merrill Superintendent of Schools West Bridgewater, Mass.
Dear Mr. Merrill:
This is my first annual report of the activities of the Guidance Office. Since there has been a change in personnel in this office, it may be advisable to review what the position of this office is with respect to the State Department of Education and with respect to the pupils whom it serves.
The two basic documents pertinent to the approval and class- ification of directors and programs of Vocational Guidance are Chapter 676 of the Acts of 1941, and the Massachusetts Youth Study, Senate 620 (1941). These documents provide that a Super- visor of Guidance and Placement be appointed in the State Depart- ment of Education and that a Director be employed by town school committees to carry out a guidance program in the respective towns. Mr. Warren E. Benson, Supervisor of Guidance and Place- ment for Massachusetts, visited in October of 1955 and approved the program being carried out by this office.
The Guidance Program at the West Bridgewater High School offers to its pupils the following five services. (1) a study of the in- dividual, (2) an informational service, (3) a counseling service, (4) a placement service, and (5) a follow-up service.
The first service, a study of the individual, is the most essential one in the proper operation of the Guidance Program. It includes the maintenance of a cumulative record of the family history, health record, test record, and a record of vocational interests and plans.
To obtain the test record mentioned above, this office is ad- ministering tests of mental ability, achievement tests, and interest inventories in various grades of the high school. Also this office has recommended and will direct the administration of mental ability and achievement tests in certain elementary grades. In ad- dition to this, the Boston University Cooperative Guidance and
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Testing Service will administer and score a Vocational Battery of tests for all pupils in the 11th grade. This testing is scheduled for the month of February. Also, the Massachusetts Department of Employment gives tests of mechanical aptitude, finger dexterity, and clerical aptitude to the 12th graders who will be in the labor market after graduation.
The second service, the informational service, consists of gath- ering, filing, and dissemination of occupational and vocational in- formation to all pupils. A student clerk writes for some of this material each day. Pertinent material is posted on bulletin boards in the corridor and in the Student Activity room. Some literature is given to pupils who can profit best by it; some is filed for future use; and some materials are best used in the school library.
A third important service is the counseling service. With more than four hundred pupils in the high school, it is not possible to interview each pupil. As a result, this office is concentrating on the grades that need this most, grades 8, 11 and 12. However, others are scheduled for counseling as needed, and all requests for counseling are accepted.
The fourth service conducted by this office is the placement service. This includes job placements as well as educational place- ments. In the former case, contacts have been made through the State Employment Office in Brockton and with the Brockton department stores. Unfortunately, since most of the deparment stores employ all their part-time help through the Brockton High School Guidance Office, it was not possible for this office to find part-time employment during the Christmas season for many. As far as educational placements are concerned, this office arranges for interviews, notifies pupils of Open House activities, and helps in filling out application forms for advanced schools.
The fifth service conducted by this office is the Follow-up, which is to be carried on for five years after the pupils graduates. There are many persons, who, during this time, need further coun- seling, referrals and help that this office can give. As has already happened, graduates may call to make an appointment and use the services of this office. What has happened to the graduates of the Class of 1955, which numbered thirty-six? Eighteen are in the labor market, two girls have married, and sixteen have continued their education. The last group is distributed as follows:
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Bridgewater Teachers College 4
Huntington School for Boys 1 Simmons College 1 Air-Age School 2 Wentworth Institute 1
Northeastern University
Mass. Institute of Technology 2
Industrial Technical School 1
2 Dean Junior College 1
University of Notre Dame 1
The carrying out of this program only from September to December of 1955 called for no less than 238 appointments or con- ferences with pupils which were recorded in the Counselor's Rec- ord Book. Apart from this, numerous telephone conversations were held with parents and others. Also, some parents have called to ask for an appointment to discuss the vocational plans of their chil- dren; and. at times, this office asked the parent to come for the same reason.
Thus, the Guidance program is serving a felt need of the pupils of the West Bridgewater High School, and, from the view- point of the State Department of Education, provides an educa- tional service essential in modern education.
In closing, may I say that the work of this office has been made very effective through the complete support of yourself, Mr. Merrill, and that of Mr. Sperandio, the Principal of the high school.
Respectfully submitted,
ROGER G. VIENS Director of Guidance
SCHOOL NURSE
Mr. Bert L. Merrill Superintendent of Schools West Bridgewater, Mass.
Dear Mr. Merrill:
Doctor Joseph F. Calitri, school physician, examined over five hundred pupils including one hundred twenty-five who partici- pated in athletic games.
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The following notices were sent to parents informing them of physical defects which should receive attention:
35 for throat irritation
18 for carious teeth
6 for heart murmurs
2 for inflamed ears
3 for defective vision
Puncture wounds, splinters, eye injuries and sprains occur often and are treated. First-aid is administered by teachers and subsequently referred to the school nurse for further examination.
Seventeen major accidents were referred to various family physicians or to the hospitals for x-rays and further treatment.
Every effort is made to care for those who become ill while in school. Transportation of sick children to their homes, to the doctor's office, or to the hospital, when necessary, is the responsi- bility of the home. Over three hundred pupils were dismissed be- cause of illness.
Six children were treated during the year for defective posture. Two diabetics received private care. Five were recorded as being physically unable to attend school. Eight had x-rays taken at the Plymouth County Sanatorium. Two were absent from school for extended periods due to rheumatic fever. One case of polio was reported.
All pupils in grades one through six were weighed and meas- ured. Eyes were examined in the first six grades and twenty were found with defective vision. Most of these have since received corrective treatment.
Sixteen pupils were immunized against diphtheria and sixty- five received booster inoculations.
The health of primary grade pupils is carefully watched by teachers and frequent reports are made of any notable changes.
During the polio epidemic in Massachusetts every absentee was checked. Temperatures were taken and children excluded when advisable. Recommendations made by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health were faithfully followed. Immuniza- tion against polio is a future probability. Since your local Board
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of Health could not be assured that the required number of inocu- lations would be administered we were advised to cancel the Salk program for 1955.
"New Trends in School Health in Action" was the theme dis- cussed at the annual State Health Conference held at the Bridge- water Teachers College, which the school nurse attended.
I assumed full-time nursing duties with the beginning of school in September 1955.
With the help of teachers and others a fine health program in West Bridgewater is anticipated.
Respectfully submitted,
LILLIAN N. HEWITT, R.N. School Nurse
MUSIC SUPERVISOR
Mr. Bert L. Merrill Superintendent of Schools West Bridgewater, Mass.
Dear Mr. Merrill:
During the past year, there has been an increase in the number of activities in which the school band, choir, orchestra, and grade school orchestra have participated. The personnel, or instrumen- tation, in cach group has also increased.
In any discussion of the instrumental work, the program in the elementary grades must be considered. Many more children are now purchasing instruments for their own use, and are taking private lessons. In three or four years, this should make a decided difference, in that more students will have sound basic training in their background, and the group as a whole will benefit. At the present time there are forty-two students in grades four, five, and six, who are taking private lessons on band or orchestral instru- ments (excluding piano).
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Two new classes were added to the schedule last September and three new ones will be included next September.
The newest film issued by the Bell Telephone Company, "Music in Motion," was available this last fall and was shown to grades seven and eight.
At a concert last spring, an attempt was made to publicly convey the appreciation felt by the school department and myself to the various donors of money and musical instruments. Special recognition was given to Mr. Earle C. Gifford whose expenditures of time and effort in behalf of the music department can never be repaid.
Respectfully submitted,
MARJORIE E. HAYWARD Supervisor of Music
ART SUPERVISOR
Mr. Bert L. Merrill Superintendent of Schools West Bridgewater, Mass.
Dear Mr. Merrill:
Our purpose in the Art Department is to give each child an opportunity for experiencing the creative process through the use of a variety of media and in terms of his own needs and special abilities. To accomplish this depends upon the quality of the in- struction, the materials available, and the environment provided.
The increased number of classes and double sessions have tem- porarily prevented us from giving to all the students as much in- struction as we would like but we are confident that the new school will remedy this condition. The Art Department has been helped greatly by the efforts of Miss Luice Moncey of the High School English Department, who has added to her already heavy schedule by teaching art in the sixth grades. Miss Moncey has shown ability in the work for which she has had preparation in connection with
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other studies and through her work as an arts and crafts instructor.
Work in the junior-senior high school has been encouraging. We have been able to give a greater amount of individual atten- tion at this level and there seems to be an increased interest on the part of the students.
In 1955 two of our students were awarded senior prizes from the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, one received a gold key in the statewide Scholastic Awards Contest, and two were given prizes by the Town for their entries, one of which was used on the Town Report cover.
Aside from direct art instruction, the Art Department has been involved, either directly or indirectly in almost every activity of the school, posters, stage sets, dances, special projects in other learning areas, to mention only a few.
I would like to thank you and Mr. Sperandio, as well as all the other principals and teachers for their help and cooperation in making the past year a successful and worthwhile one.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM RATHBUN
Art Supervisor
Report of the West Bridgewater-Raynham School Union No. 50
The annual meeting of the West Bridgewater-Raynham Super- intendency Union #50 was held at the West Bridgewater High School on April 20, 1955, with the Superintendent of Schools, Mr. Bert Merrill acting as temporary chairman.
All members were present. These included Mr. Ralph Moye, Mrs. Laura Bearse and Mr. George Bellamy, Jr. of Raynham and Mr. Erland Thayer, Mr. Thomas Kemp and Mr. Harry Richardson of West Bridgewater.
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Mr. Thayer was re-elected chairman and Mr. Bellamy was re- elected secretary of the joint committee.
Mrs. Lillian Hewitt was re-elected school nurse until Septem- ber 1, 1955. At that time she assumed full time duties as school nurse in the Town of West Bridgewater. This had previously been agreed to as a definite possibility during 1954 by all members.
Mrs. Annette Chadwick was re-elected as Union secretary. Mr. Merrill continues as Superintendent of the Union from his three year election in 1953.
Mr. Merrill presented his fifth annual report. Note was made of the greatly increased pupil enrollments in both towns, the double sessions operating by necessity in West Bridgewater and after Sep- tember in Raynham. The remedial class formed three years ago in West Bridgewater was stressed as an asset to those pupils needing individual instruction and the organization of a like class in Rayn- ham was urged as soon as proper facilities became available. The State Law required the formation of a special class in every town where five or more pupils are found to be be mentally retarded.
Respectfully submitted,
WEST BRIDGEWATER-RAYNHAM SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENCY UNION #50
ERLAND W. THAYER, Chairman THOMAS F. KEMP HARRY RICHARDSON GEORGE F. BELLAMY, JR. RALPH MOYE LAURA BEARSE
112 BOARD OF SELECTMEN
The Board of Selectmen respectfully submits the Town Report for the year 1955 and sincerely recommends its careful study for a better understanding of your town government and its problems.
The town is still growing. During 1955, private building per- mits with a declared value of $455,000. were issued, compared to a $448,000. value for 1954.
Reflecting the growing demands of the town, the annual meet- ing is being asked to consider providing for additional services and facilities including the following:
A full-time Chief of the fire department.
A part-time sanitarian.
An adult education program.
A sidewalk on Spring and Howard Streets.
A forest fire truck.
An aerial spray mosquito control program.
A drainage program.
Additional water mains.
Considering the fact that school costs including the financing of the new elementary school building will be up approximately $50,000, and other ordinary town expenses including replacements will be up another $20,000, the town must stop and carefully con- sider the extent to which each of the above proposals is absolutely urgent and necessary.
Other problems facing the town which are not yet up for con- sideration include rubbish and garbage disposal, further extension of our water system, improved town office facilities, a new library, also the possible replacement of the ten classrooms in our old wooden school buildings.
Our new elementary school building will soon be completed which will solve our most pressing school problem by eliminating double sessions. However, the school building problem will not be
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solved for long because it will soon be necessary to again consider the construction of additional elementary school buildings.
The zoning regulations which came up for consideration at a special town meeting were not accepted, but eventually their adop- tion will be voted as more and more townspeople come to realize how necessary they are to the orderly growth of the town.
Except for a small balance, the town has been reimbursed by the state for the damage caused by the 1954 hurricanes. The town was indeed fortunate that it suffered no serious damage from the heavy August rains and it was not necessary to request relief from the state for this purpose.
Our Chief of Police reports that there is no evidence of a juvenile delinquency problem in the town for which a large meas- ure of credit is due the churches and organizations in town who are actively engaged in promoting youth programs which guide and direct our youth into worthwhile activities.
The construction of Spring Street between Howard and North Elm Streets was completed during the year under the Chapter 90 new road construction program by which the town contributes 25% of the cost. A request for Chapter 90 funds for the construc- tion of a section of Manley Street has been approved by the state for 1956 and the town is being asked to appropriate $4,500 for its share of the cost.
Attention is directed to the reports prepared by the various committees who are appointed to study special problems and pre- pare recommendations. The members of these committees work without compensation and we want to compliment the town that so many qualified citizens are willing to serve on these committees.
We sincerely believe that the town departments are operated efficiently and economically. Budgets are carefully and thought- fully prepared in the best interests of the town and departmental objectives are accomplished, thanks especially to the cooperation of all town employees.
The retirement of Mr. Orvis F. Kinney after fifty-two years of public service is noted with regret. Mr. Kinney served our Town in many capacities, as auditor, selectman, assessor, water commis- sioner and treasurer. His faithful performance of these varied duties
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and his unceasing interest in the welfare of the community are known to all.
We are grateful for the support and cooperation received from all departments, officials, committees and townspeople during 1955.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM W. NOYES WARREN H. ANDERSON H. ROY HARTSHORN Board of Selectmen
VETERANS SERVICE DEPARTMENT
To the Board of Selectmen:
This department during the year had a total of twenty-four cases aiding twenty-nine adults and sixteen children. There were sixteen cases in January and eight new cases were assisted through- out the year. Five cases were closed by death of the recipient and one transferred to another place of residence. At the close of 1955 there were thirteen cases being cared for by the department.
Although the only hospital cases were out patient the nursing home cases were of considerable expense.
Unless something unexpected occurs during the next year it is expected the cost of this type of aid will be lower and less funds will be requested by the department for 1956.
WILLIAM W. NOYES
Veterans Agent
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
Our five miles of town streets were seal-coated; the following streets or portions thereof being treated: Brooks Place, Bryant Street, East Center Street, Cyr Street, Commonwealth Avenue,
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Crescent Street, East Street, Friend Street, Howard Street, High Street, Keenan Street, Norman Avenue, Oliver Street, Prospect Street, Purchase Street, Samuel Avenue, Sunset Avenue, South Street, Vital Avenue and Wall Street.
Approximately 7300 linear feet of Town streets were renewed, with mixed-in-place black top surface. The following streets or por- tions thereof were so treated: Beacon Street, Lincoln Street, Sin- nott Street and South Street.
The following drainage work was done:
Ash Street - 1 culvert
Bryant Street - 2 culverts
East Center Street - 1 culvert Copeland Sreet - 2 catch basins and 60 feet of pipe laid East Street - 1 catch basin and 40 feet of pipe laid Pinecrest Road - 3 catch basins and 50 feet of pipe laid Plain Street - 700 feet of pipe laid
Progressive Avenue - 250 feet of pipe laid
Pinecrest Road was rebuilt and seal-coated.
Chapter 90 Maintenance included the re-surfacing of East Center Street from East Street to the East Bridgewater line with mixed-in-place black top.
Under Chapter 90 New Construction, the balance of Spring Street between Howard Street and North Elm Street was com- pleted, including necessary drainage. Under this program, the Town is re-imbursed for three-fourths of the cost of the work by the State and County.
For 1956, the State has approved Chapter 90 funds for the construction of a section of Manley Street, north from West Street, in the amount of $13,500 and the town is being asked to furnish $4,500 of the total estimated total cost of $18,000.
The tractor-loader with cutter-bar and the towed sweeper which were voted at the last annual town meeting are proving to be
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extremely valuable pieces of equipment, which enable the depart- ment to do more work with no increase in manpower. In a special article, the Highway Department is requesting that the voters ap- prove the purchase of a new and larger truck to replace a smaller truck which is proving expensive to operate.
Respectfully submitted,
RICHARD BERGLUND Highway Superintendent
ZONING COMMITTEE
To the Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
The Zoning Committee held a duly advertised "Public Hear- ing" in the Town Hall, Wednesday evening, February 15, 1956, on a proposed Lot Size Regulation By-Law.
Although the attending group was not over-large, it was quite apparent that they were greatly interested in this proposed By-Law. By the end of the hearing it was quite evident that the great ma- jority of those present were very much in favor of this proposed Lot Size Regulation By-Law, as it was presented.
The Zoning Committee therefore unanimously request that this proposed Lot Size Regulation By-Law, with the required ad- ditional paragraph on "Right of Appeal," be included in the Town Warrant for action at the Annual Town Meeting, March 12, 1956.
We have referred the above matter to the Town Counsel this day, and he has ruled that upon receipt of this letter it would be both legal and proper to place same in the Town Warrant.
Your truly, CHARLES S. MILLET
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