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 1960-1963 > Part 31
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The junior band was an outstanding group this past year performing not only for the concert, but, also, in the two town parades, which will be continued in the future. This group, com- prised of fourth, fifth and sixth graders, yielded its sixth grade members in May to the high school band for graduation exercises. In September the former sixth grade members, having become seventh graders, automatically graduated to the high school band.
The quality of sound and literature performed by the high school band this past year was spectacular in improvement. The literature ranged from Bach to the contemporary composers, and the introduction of tonal and rhythmic dictation tests has devel-
193
oped a sensitivity to sound which the students had never fully realized.
The stage band, which is in essence a dance or swing band, is comprised of members, seventh grade through twelve, of the regular band who study and perform jazz and popular music with its more intricate rhythms and harmonies.
I wish to express my appreciation to the school committee, school administration, and teachers, who, through their generous cooperation have helped to make our program so successful.
Respectfully submitted,
WALTER LEWIS
ELEMENTARY MUSIC
Mr. Donald A. Fisher Superintendent of Schools West Bridgewater, Massachusetts
Dear Mr. Fisher:
This year, the music curriculum in the West Bridgewater elementary schools has been revised by me to form a smooth trans- ition from grade to grade. This revision has brought some changes and has also introduced some music activities not carried on in the past.
The most notable change has been the introduction of square dancing in the third and fourth grades as a part of the general music program. It has proven to be an invaluable aid in the teach- ing of rhythm and poise and has been very well received by both teachers and pupils.
Formal music reading has now been started in grade two rather than grade three. This has been done in order to help pre- pare the pupil for pre-band instruments in the third grade. This reading consists of the identification of music rudiments such as the staff, G clef and bar lines and also reading and singing sylla- bles to simple songs.
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The teaching of fundamental rhythms such as walking, skip- ping and running are introduced in the first grades along with rhythm band. The rhythm band instruments are used in conjunc- tion with records and are very effective.
The music study for grades five and six consists of the study of instruments of the orchestra, the composers and music appre- ciation. Two and three part singing is the most important music study in these grades.
In closing I would like to thank all the elementary teachers for their help in carrying out the music program.
Respectfully submitted,
ALBERT ORLANDO
REMEDIAL READING SUPERVISOR
Mr. Donald A. Fisher Superintendent of Schools West Bridgewater, Massachusetts
Dear Mr. Fisher:
Following is the report of the Reading Supervisor.
In almost every newspaper and magazine published recently, one can find some article pertaining to the poor readers turned out by the public schools of today. Most of the writers place the blame on the so-called "look-say" method of teaching reading. This method means that the child learns his reading vocabulary strictly by sight or configuration (the shape of the word) with no knowledge of phonics or the letters themselves. Now, while this may be true in some sections of the United States, it is cer- tainly not true of most parts of our country. In Massachusetts and assuredly in West Bridgewater, the teaching of reading in- cludes phonics as an integral part and has employed this aid for the last decade.
There has always been a great deal of emphasis placed on
195
individual differences and we know that children do read at dif- ferent levels. In a class of twenty-five children a teacher could conceivably have as many as ten different reading groups. Read- ing experts have for years been searching for a logical, workable method of remedying a situation such as this. Science Research Associates - a publishing house - has prepared "Reading Lab- oratories" for all grades - one through twelve. Last January West Bridgewater inaugurated this program in grades four, five and six. These laboratories consist of one hundred and fifty care- fully graded reading materials designed for reading grade levels two through ten - a wide enough range so that every child in the class can work at his top ability. Each of these selections is accompanied by exercises in comprehension, word study, and vo- cabulary building with corresponding answer keys. This is the closest approach to the teaching machine in our schools today. Each child corrects his own work immediately after completion and then rewrites the correct answers wherever he has made an error. We know that the greatest learning takes place when a child corrects his own mistakes.
To supplement these "Power Builders" (fifteen for each half year grade level) there are one hundred and fifty "Rate Builders" to help increase the pupil's reading speed. To develop a longer attention span there are ten "Listening Skill Builders." There is a record book for each child in which he writes his answers, makes his corrections and records his scores. This will show both child and teacher his day-by-day progress.
Some of the direct results of the use of this program have been:
1. A marked increase in the ability of the children using these laboratories to follow directions.
2. A noticeable increase in the enjoyment of reading. The articles in the Laboratory are short, current and up-dated to interest students. Many a slow reader faced with a ten or more page assignment, discouraged before he started, when given a "Power Builder" can finish in the time allotted and has a satisfied sense of accomplishment.
3. More careful readers. When a child knows he must re- write correct answers, he will be more meticulous about the ques-
196
tions and pay more attention to the problem at hand.
4. A definite carry-over of these skills to other subjects such as social studies, mathematics, etc.
Also in the sixth grades this year we have introduced Nila Banton Smith's "Be A Better Reader" workbooks. This is a def- inite program aimed at teaching the correct way to study. It is designed to develop special skills needed for effective reading in literature, mathematics, social studies, and science; and to prove the basic common skills needed in reading all types of materials. It includes special vocabularies for special subjects. It covers the use of various reference materials. It stresses phonics, word struc- ture, rapid reading, locating materials and information and the use of boldface and italicized headings.
Starting in September I administered a mental maturity test to each second and fifth grader; and a diagnostic reading test to each second and third grader. These have been corrected, scored and charted for use of each teacher. I have a card file with infor- mation for each child showing the areas in which he needs special help. These are available to any teacher at all times. I have also, when requested, given individual Stanford Binet Intelligence Tests to individual students.
Since we have added six new teachers to our staff for four new classrooms and two replacements, I have spent a great deal of time acquainting them with the policies and procedures relating to the language arts program of our school system. This has involved many demonstration lessons in the use of the reading laboratories.
The rest of this year will be spent in setting up the reading laboratories in the third grades, individual remedial instruction and consulting with the classroom teachers on matters pertaining to reading plans.
I thank the Parent-Teachers Association for their coopera- tion and help in providing additional library books and the teach- ers who have been so cooperative in helping to make ours an up- to-date, well integrated reading system.
Respectfully submitted,
MARY E. NELSON
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SCHOOL NURSE
Mr. Donald A. Fisher
Superintendent of Schools
West Bridgewater, Massachusetts
Dear Mr. Fisher:
It is a pleasure for me to submit herewith my fifth annual report as School Nurse of the West Bridgewater Schools.
Children cared for by Nurse 646
Children given first aid
284
Children referred to a Doctor
10
Home visits 30
Other visits and consultations
350
Physical appraisals by school physician :
Grades I, IV, VII and X
416
Students in sports
172
Audiometer tests given
1251
Retests
183
Failures
10
Massachusetts Vision Tests given Retests 131
1257
Failures 36
Immunization clinics for Diphtheria, Whooping Cough and Tetanus were held at the Spring Street Elementary School on March 15th, April 12th and May 10th. Total inoculations 123.
Sabin oral polio vaccine, Type I and Type III was adminis- tered to 233 school children in May and June.
In the spring I attended the South-Eastern School Nurse meet- ings at Hanover High, Rockland High and Middleboro Junior High on the School Child Adolescence and Obesity respectively. During the fall I attended six in-service education meetings at Judge Stone Clinic on "Strike Back at Emotional Problems."
The School Department and its Superintendent deserve a vote of thanks from all of the townspeople for their genuine interest in the health of the school children.
Respectfully submitted, E. MYRTLE HOWARD, R.N.
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DENTAL HYGIENIST
Mr. Donald A. Fisher Superintendent of Schools West Bridgewater, Massachusetts
Dear Mr. Fisher:
I hereby submit the annual report of the West Bridgewater School Dental Clinic.
As in previous years, dental examinations were given to all pupils in grades one through five. Dental notices were sent home to 579 parents, notifying them of the results of the examination. Dental defects were found in 341 pupils. It was gratifying to note that this is a slight reduction over last year. The number of defects per child is also on the decrease.
Once again all pupils were offered the opportunity to have their teeth cleaned in the clinic. Prophylaxis or dental cleaning removes stains and deposits from the teeth, thereby improving the appearance and making it easier to detect cavities. There is no evidence that dental cleaning is harmful to the teeth. There were 429 pupils, approximately 74%, who took advantage of this oppor- tunity. There is no charge for cleaning the teeth.
Sodium fluoride treatments were offered to pupils in grades two and five. This treatment is the application of a sodium fluo- ride solution to the teeth in a series of four simple, painless treat- ments. Approved by the U. S. Public Health Service and the American Dental Association, it reduces dental decay 40%. 165 pupils were included in this program. I would like to see more pupils taking advantage of this opportunity. There is no charge for these treatments.
Through the efforts of the West Bridgewater Lions Club, a dentist is in the clinic one morning a week to care for routine and emergency dental defects. Appointments are made for the children with the Dental Hygienist. Last year 74 pupils were treated in the clinic, with 45 children having all dental work completed.
Pupils visiting the clinic are given individual instruction on
199
proper toothbrushing and mouth hygiene. A filmstrip was also shown in several grades.
I wish to thank all of the school personnel for their fine cooperation and help.
Respectfully submitted,
ELEANOR L. SOULE, D.H.
THE UNION COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of West Bridgewater:
Several meetings of the Union Committee were held due to the change-over in Superintendents. At the first meeting on March 22, 1962 Mr. Kemp read a letter of resignation from Mr. Bert L. Merrill, Superintendent of Schools. It was voted at that time to accept Mr. Merrill's resignation with regret.
The annual meeting was held on April 12, 1962 at the Pleasant Street School in Raynham with Mr. Thomas Kemp, Mr. Erland Thayer, Mr. Scovel Carlson of West Bridgewater and Mrs. Stanley Markowski and Mr. Fremont Prescott of Raynham present. Mr. Kemp was elected chairman and Mr. Prescott was elected secre- tary. Mr. Merrill made a report on the colleges and universities to which applications or inquiries had been sent to seek appli- cants for a superintendent. Mr. Merrill gave a summary of each applicant's file for those received as of April 12, 1962. A letter from Deputy Commissioner of Education William F. Young, urging Raynham and West Bridgewater to remain in the Union for another three years was discussed. It was voted on the recom- mendation of the Commissioner and the Committee on Superin- tendency Unions and Regional School Districts to take no action on union dissolution. Mrs. Myron Mather was re-elected as sec- retary to the Union for the ensuing year.
Several meetings were held from April 12, 1962 through May 22, 1962 to screen applicants for the position of Union Super-
200
intendent. On May 22, 1962 after 47 applications had been re- viewed and six applicants interviewed it was voted unanimously to elect Mr. Donald A. Fisher Union Superintendent.
Respectfully submitted, Raynham-West Bridgewater Superintendency Union #45
MR. THOMAS KEMP, Chairman
MR. FREMONT PRESCOTT, Secretary
MR. SCOVEL CARLSON
MRS. STANLEY MARKOWSKI
MR. ERLAND THAYER
MR. EDWARD F. CAMERON
DIRECTORY OF TEACHERS
Teacher
School
Grade or Subject
Preparation
Peter J. Sperandio, A.B. Ed.M.
Higlı
Principal
Harold Bent, B.S.
High
Math, Science
Michael Brown, B.S.
High
English
Robert Chapman, Ed.M.
High
Chemistry
Mrs. Herbert DeVeber, B.S.
High
Household Arts
Nasson Regis College
Mrs. H. Paul Doherty, B.A.
High
English
William Fisk, Jr., B.S.
High
Math
Northeastern University
Miss Anne Fitzgerald, A.B.
Highı
Math
Stonehill College
Armand Gendreau, A.B.
High
Social Studies
Stonchill College
Miss Carolyn Gravelin, B.S.
i ligh
Girls Physical Ed.
B.U. Sargent's College
Patrick Guercio, Ed.M.
Elem.
Special Class
Bridgewater State
Mrs. John Kent, B.S.
Iligh
Math
Bridgewater State
Mrs. Donald Lawson, A.B.
High
Guidance Counsellor
Upsala College
David Leveille, Ed.M.
High
Science
Boston University
Thomas Long, A.B.
High
Social Studies
Stonehill College
Charles Loverin, B.S.
High
Social Studies
Bridgewater State
Joseph MacFarlane, B.S.
High
Industrial Arts
Boston State
Miss Joy A. McDowell, B.S.
High
History
Boston University
Robert Orr, B.A.
High
English
Boston University
Thomas Peters, B.S.
High
Social Studies
Curry College
Walter Renaud, B.S.
High
English
Bridgewater State
Mrs. Maurice Rosenthal, B.S.
High
English
Bridgewater State
Miss Janice Rylander, A.B.
High
Foreign Languages
Boston University
Kaiser Shahdan
l ligh
Industrial Arts
Bradford Durfee College
Mrs. John Shukis, MCS
High
Commercial
Boston University
St. Ansehn, Harvard Bridgewater State Bridgewater State University of Vermont
201
26
Teacher
School
Grade or Subject
Preparation
University of Massachusetts Gorham State
Bruce P. Thomas, B.S.
High
Boys Physical Ed.
Harry Tozier, B.S.
High
Science
Boston University
Mrs. Clifford H. Wheeler
High
Commercial
Salem Teachers College
Miss Kathleen Wright, A.B.
High
English
Stonehill College
Frank Dunn, Jr., Ed.M.
High
Guidance Director
Bridgewater State
William Rathbun, B.S.
High
Art
Tufts College
Walter Lewis, Music B.
High
Music
N. E. Conservatory of Music
Oliver Millet, Jr., Ed.M.
Elem.
Supervisor
Bridgewater State
Miss Sarah Benson
Elem.
Grade 1
Bates College
Mrs. Edwin Boynton, B.S.
Elem.
Grade 3
North Adams College
Mrs. A. Ben Cook
Elem.
Grade 4
Castine Normal
Miss Sally Decker, B.A.
Elem.
Grade 6
Boston University
Mrs. Edwin Ditchett
Elem.
Grade 4 .
Bridgewater State
Mrs. Gladys Freeman
Elem.
Grade 1
Bridgewater State
Mrs. Thomas Garvey, B.S.
Elem.
Grade 1
Bridgewater State
Mrs. John Howard
Elem.
Grade 1
Keene Normal
Mrs. Lauren Humphrey
Elem.
Grade 5
Monmouth College
Mrs. Edwin B. Johnston
Elem.
--- Grade 2
Keene Normal
Mrs. Katherine Keoughı, B.S.
Elem.
Grade 4
Worcester State
Miss Judith Looney, B.S.
Elem.
Grade 6
Bridgewater State
- Roy G. Lundin, Jr., B.S.
Elem.
Grade 6
Eastern Nazarene
Mrs. Marion MacDonald, B.S.
Elem.
`Grade 1
Massachusetts School of Art
Mrs. Ralph G. Marr
Elem.
Grade 3
North Adams Teachers
Miss Mary Nelson, B.S.
Elem.
Remedial Reading
Bridgewater State
Mrs. Thomas O'Keefe
Elem.
Grade 5
Bridgewater State
Mrs. Katherine Pope
Elem.
Grade 4
Salem Teachers
202
Mrs. Lawrence M. Soule, Jr., B.S.
High
Household Arts
Teacher
School Grade or Subject
Preparation
Mrs. John Prescott, B.S. Mrs. David M. Rohdin
Elem.
Grade 6 -
Boston University
Elem.
Grade 3
Lesley Normal
Mrs. William Ryan
Elem.
Grade 2
Castine Normal
Mrs. Howard Shurtleff
Elem.
Grade 5 +
Worcester Teachers
Miss Rebecca Siple
Elem.
Grade 1
Ohio University
Mrs. Marie Sullivan, B.S.
Elem.
Grade 2
Boston University
Mrs. Earl Taylor
Elem.
Grade 3
Keene Normal
Mrs. Alfred Thorpe, B.S.
Elem.
Grade 2
Bridgewater State
Mrs. Leo Prince
Elem.
Art
Boston Museum School of Fine Arts
Albert J. Orlando, Music B.
Elem.
Music
Boston Conservatory of Music
203
جره
中中
.
14
205
INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
The orderly development and progress of growth of the Town of West Bridgewater is the prime concern of your Industrial De- velopment Commission. In this concern we are called upon tact- fully to examine the detrimental aspects of some prospects and politely to infer that our town is not interested in growing along certain industrial tangents, and on the other hand we must convey the best wishes of our townspeople and display our assets when more desirable clients wish to examine our community.
Early in 1962, the Commission negotiated with a client who was interested in establishing a 20 - acre automobile junk - yard. Their intentions were good and the site could have been adapted to their needs, but in all honesty, when we were asked how the town would feel we informed them that a public hearing would give the best indication of town sentiment. We felt certain that this would be a well attended public hearing. The client never applied for this hearing.
Shortly after the first of January the Industrial Commission, in conjunction with the Board of Selectmen, was called upon to defend our position at a public hearing before the Committee on Natural Resources regarding a proposed taking of an enormous area of the Hockomock Swamp and more important, much of the adjacent high land which falls in our industrial zone. An amend- ment drawn by your Commission presented the conditions upon which the town would favor the proposed legislation. The senti- ment of a well-attended hearing in our West Bridgewater High School auditorium and another in Bridgewater sealed the doom of the pending bill.
Several members of the Commission attended an overflow hear- ing in Franklin, Mass., on the proposed Route 495 extension to Mansfield. The West Bridgewater Commission pioneered this project in our area and we have kept close scrutiny of all events concerning Route 495.
We have been encouraged by the location of a promising source of water in the Industrial Zone west of Route 24. This
206
could be an extremely important factor in our future develop- ment along this busy artery.
We pursued a good lead from a neighboring community of a prosperous machine shop who were interested in locating on land of Joseph Spadea. A sudden turn of events occurred when the owner of the business suffered a heart attack and the plans of the company had to be revised.
In late spring the eventful opening of the new Hockomock Market gave bright new interest in the Elm Square area and the experience was enjoyed with great town spirit throughout the whole community.
During the summer we were involved briefly with several prospects but location and land availability were eventual stumb- ling blocks.
The Center Shopping Plaza, a complex of 8 new modern attractive stores took shape on the old Belmore property and the face of West Bridgewater again took on a new prosperous appear- ance. In the fall another successful milestone was passed with the grand opening of this new facility. The Commission feels that our community is being served in the finest establishments to be found in a town of our population with the opening of the two new shopping centers at Elm Square and the Center.
Late summer brought us a client in search of a location to establish a trucking terminal. The company was interested in a parcel of town-owned land on Turnpike Street. A deposit was placed with the Board of Selectmen for possible sale of the land. The deciding factors were availability of water and zoning. Our Water Board negotiated with the Easton Water Board who supply us with water in that area. They would not make the water avail- able even though West Bridgewater proposed to extend the piping. This was a big disappointment to your Commission as this com- pany would have been a great asset financially and commercially to our town.
As this report is being written we are preparing material for a new prospect of considerable proportions which reminds us that as long as we continue to handle prospects, there is hope, and we
207
are assured that our town is definitely in the highly competitive race for locating new and expanding businesses.
Respectfully submitted,
Advisory Committee
William W. Phillips
Ronald F. Brodrick
George V. Hollertz, Jr., Secretary
Edward D. Cross
Frank S. Miller
Charles K. Higgins
Francis LeBaron, Jr.
Joseph A. Perry
Leon F. Beaulieu
REPORT OF COMMITTEE REGARDING RECREATIONAL PROGRAM
To the Board of Selectmen of West Bridgewater:
As a result of a vote at the Special Town Meeting of Octo- ber 4, 1962, the Moderator appointed the undersigned to look into the advisability of establishing a supervised recreational program for the children of the Town.
After several meetings, it was agreed that a Recreational Com- mission should be established.
This Commission to be appointed by the Selectmen of the Town and shall consist of five (5) persons and are to serve with- out pay.
The Recreational Commission shall have the power to appoint or designate such personnel who is trained and properly qualified for the work and such other personnel as the Commission deems proper.
The Committee agreed that this is a new venture of the Town and that the first year should be a pilot program and that the
Industrial Development Commission
Merton H. Ouderkirk, Chairman
208
Commission and Selectmen, after one year, should report to the Town regarding the advisability of continuing the program.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES L. HILL, Chairman MRS. PHYLIS GREEN, Secretary MRS. LOUISE PIERCE MRS. LILLIAN CHEYUNSKI ALFRED CHAVES
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
TOWN ACCOUNTANT OF WEST BRIDGEWATER Massachusetts
For the Year Ending December 31, 1962
To the Board of Selectmen:
I submit herewith my Annual Report in accordance with Sec- tion 61, Chapter 41, General Laws, for the year ending December 31, 1962, giving a statement of the receipts and disbursements of the Town, and showing the amount of each specific appropriation with statements showing the Town debt and Trust funds.
ARTHUR E. CHAVES Town Accountant
TOWN OF WEST BRIDGEWATER Balance Sheet, December 31, 1962 General Fund
ASSETS
LIABILITIES and RESERVES
Cash:
Unexpended Appropriations:
General
$25,915.59
General
Schedule A
$56,603.44
School Construction
26,279.27
$52,194.86
Water Schedule A 20,536.19
$77,139.63
U. S. Treasury Bills
119,212.78
Federal Grants ..... Schedule B
34,717.20
Taxes Receivable-1962:
Special Accounts ... Schedule C
1,504.54
Poll
14.00
Other Accounts ... Schedule D
1,692.63
Real
21,636.66
Reserve Fund-Overlay Surplus
2,778.59
Personal
3,803.30
25,453.96
Reserve for Abatements-1962
746.43
Revenue Reserved Until Collected:
Motor Vehicle Excise
8,269.76
Motor Vehicle Excise-1962
8,269.76
Tax 'Titles & Possessions
15,674.26
Tax Titles
11,223.52
Departmental Receivables
5,999.76
Tax Posessions
4,450.74
15,674.26
Water Receivables
7,061.69
Ilighway-Chapter 90
15,000.00
52,005.47
Departmental Receivables:
Health
255.71
Unclaimed Checks
337.32
Old Age Assistance
1,774.97
Excess Proceeds on Sale of Tax Possessions
1,190.93
Aid to Dependent Children
1,702.22
3320.21
Medical Aid to Aged
757.09
Veterans' Services
539.04
State Parks & Reservations 239.57
Farm Excise
256.43
5,999.76
County Tax Assessment 1,485.11
1,724.68
210
Disability Assistance
714.30
Old Age Assistance-Advance Overestimates:
Water Receivables: Rates Liens
6,045.51 1,016.18
7,061.69
Surplus Revenue: General Water
68,394.98 3,373.09
71,768.07
Highway-Chapter 90: Construction
15,000.00
Underestimates:
Abatement of 1961 Taxes
15.10
County Mosquito Control
43.53
58.63
Total
$248,925.70
Total
$248,925.70
DEBT FUND
Net Funded or Fixed Debt
$1,373,000.00
School Loans
$1,253,000.00
Water Loans
80,000.00
Library Loans
40,000.00
Total
$1,373,000.00
Total
$1,373,000.00
TRUST AND INVESTMENT FUNDS
Cash and Securities
$102,855.35
Stabilization Fund
$44,999.54
Library Funds
37,748.00
Cemetery Perpetual Care Funds
14,873.31
Wm. J. & A. C. Howard Scholarship Fund
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