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 38
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8. All Town elms were scouted during the summer for the tell-tale signs of Dutch Elm Disease. Once a tree has contacted the disease, the only alternative is to remove it before the follow- ing Spring. This, compiled with a sound spraying and feeding pro- gram has kept the elm loss down to a minimum. No definite cure is known at present but science and research are making every effort along these lines. We are going to lose elms each year but some will survive and a cure will come through.
9. Along with the excellent control methods of the Plymouth County Mosquito Control Project, the Town itself applied its own program for this pest's control. Three aerial applications of 9% DDT in oil covering 3,000 acres were applied by helicopter. Also the mist blower was used at night in residential areas. During the summer months, our portable fogger or the hydraulic unit is made available to residents for outdoor functions such as cookouts, lawn parties, etc. for mosquito control. All that is required is that I am notified at least two days before the function-there is also no charge for this service.
10. The six Town-owned cemeteries were fertilized and raked in the Spring and during the growing season, were kept regularly mowed and trimmed. The neat appearance of these cemeteries are truly an asset to our locale.
11. As with the Cemeteries, eleven Town greens are main- tained by this department. They also received fertilizer and lime and were mowed and trimmed whenever needed during the grow- ing season.
12. Each holiday season the department decorates the monu- ment at Central Square and this year for the first time, made a
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small effort, with the funds available, to decorate Elm Square. A new feeder box and automatic timer were required this year at Central Square to replace the 12 year old unit. For this reason, more funds were not available for a more elaborate display at Elm Square.
13. The department is continually stressing safety in all its operations. Our first and foremost duty as a department is the maintaining of all existing shade trees and the elimination or con- trol of injurious insects or diseases. The increased demand and need of our citizens for service and information has been felt this year more than ever before. Every resident is a prospective client for service of some kind.
It is only through the loyalty of my workmen and their pride in their work; the splendid support of the townspeople in my efforts and the fine co-operation of our many department heads who are all leaders in their respective fields, that we have progressed.
Respectfully submitted,
THOMAS B. MacQUINN Tree Warden
TOWN FOREST COMMITTEE
We hereby submit our report for the year 1963.
Seasonal maintenance work was accomplished, such as brush cutting, and thinning of undesirable trees. This work is being done by the Tree Department during inclement weather. Part of the Town Forest where oaks and red maples predominate was again sprayed with brush killer to keep down any new sucker growth and weeds.
During the Spring, 300 white spruce and Douglas fir seedlings were set out and a large majority have taken hold.
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The committee extends an invitation to all scout units or school classes the use of the Town Forest for an outdoor classroom for natural resource study.
Respectfully submitted,
THOMAS B. MacQUINN ANTONE SOUZA RICHARD E. NORRIS Town Forest Committee
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
AND
Superintendent of Schools
OF THE TOWN OF
WEST BRIDGEWATER
EWATER
WEST
.1656
MASS.
INC
ORPORATED
FEB 16. 1822
FOR THE YEAR 1963
84
MEMBERS AND ORGANIZATION OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE 1963 - 1964
Scovel Carlson, Chairman, 294 East Street 587-0312
Term expires 1965
Thomas Kemp, 130 East Street Term expires 1964
583-7462
Erland Thayer, 16 Union Street
583-1402
Term expires 1964
Leon Beaulieu, 90 East Street 587-2038
Term expires 1966
S. Erick Benson, 22 Union Street 586-2554
Term expires 1965
DeSales Heath, 406 North Elm Street
586-0328
Term expires 1966
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETINGS
Second Monday evening of each month at 7:45 P.M. in the High School.
SUPERINTENDENT Donald A. Fisher
Office: High School 586-5094
Residence: 28 Purchase Street, West Bridgewater 587-7155
Conference by appointment
SECRETARY
Mrs. Myron Mather, 88 Bedford St., West Bridgewater 587-1310 Office hours: Monday through Friday 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M.
SCHOOL PHYSICIAN Dr. Joseph Calitri, 17 Central Square, West Bridgewater 587-0678 SCHOOL NURSE E. Myrtle Howard, 272 River Street, West Bridgewater 583-4302
ATTENDANCE OFFICER Douglas Eaton, 10 Prospect Street, West Bridgewater 586-9191
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DENTAL HYGIENIST Eleanor Soule, 510 Ash Street, Brockton
586-4917
SCHOOL MEMBERSHIP - OCTOBER 1, 1963
ELEMENTARY
1
2 3
4
5
6 TOTAL
Sunset Avenue
45
24
25
94
Spring Street
113
96
95
93
397
High School Wing
31
111
102
244
Special Class
9
9
HIGH
7
8
9
10
11
12
High School
120
107
103
100
98
55
583
Total enrollment elementary and High school
1327
WEST BRIDGEWATER PUBLIC SCHOOLS SCHOOL CALENDAR 1963 - 1964
Schools open Wednesday
September 4, 1963
Thanksgiving recess:
Schools close Wednesday at noon
November 27, 1963
Schools reopen Monday
December 2, 1963
Christmas vacation:
December 20,1963
Schools close Friday Schools reopen Thursday
January 2, 1964
Winter vacation:
Schools close Friday
February 21, 1964 March 2, 1964
Spring vacation : Schools close Friday Schools reopen Monday
April 17, 1964
April 27, 1964
Schools close Friday
June 19, 1964
HOLIDAYS Columbus Day, Saturday
October 12, 1963
Plymouth County Teachers' Convention Friday
October 25, 1963
Veterans' Day, Monday
November 11, 1963
Schools reopen Monday
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Good Friday
March 27, 1964
Memorial Day, Saturday
May 30, 1964
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 and WOKW, Brockton, between 7 and 8 A.M. and between 11 and 12 noon, and over WBZ, Boston, between 7 and 8 A.M.
Fire alarm signals will be as follows:
1 long - 2 short blasts of the fire alarm at 7 A.M., no school grades 7 through 12 inclusive all day.
1 long - 2 short blasts of the fire alarm at 7:15 A.M., no school 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.
CENSUS REPORT
5 YEARS OF AGE OR OVER AND UNDER 7
7 YEARS OF AGE OR OVER AND UNDER 16
Boys
143
571
Girls
148
478
Totals
291
1049
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
1963 BUDGET 14,732.00
1963 SPENT 14,619.94
1. Administration
2. Instruction
Salaries
375,877.00
373,465.26
Supplies
14,775.00
17,424.28
Textbooks
5,200.00
4,688.53
T.V. Education
500.00
309.75
Contingencies
100.00
98.50
Field Trips
800.00
894.65
Library
1,100.00
1,178.10
NDEA Title III
3,000.00
3,044.77
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3. Operation
Salaries
34,220.00
33,747.65
Travel
200.00
208.20
Rubbish Removal
550.00
550.00
Fuel
10,000.00
8,971.40
Electricity
8,750.00
9,349.19
Water
500.00
409.34
Gas
1,050.00
1,058.34
Supplies
4,500.00
5,099.52
4. Maintenance
11,310.00
10,627.18
5. Auxiliary Agencies
Health
7,400.00
7,022.01
O.C.A.M.H.
650.00
620.10
Transportation
20,715.00
20,726.70
Tuition
7,625.00
6,744.99
Insurance
200.00
246.16
Miscellaneous
100.00
43.30
6. Capital Outlay
5,833.00
5,223.20
TOTALS
529,687.00
526,372.06
ESTIMATED REIMBURSEMENTS 1963 :
Chapter 70
49,931.59
Superintendent's Salary
2,488.89
Transportation
11,248.66
Household Arts
3,610.14
Transportation Vocational
414.90
Tuition Vocational
1,226.26
Tuition & Transportation
State Wards
2,657.31
Education of Physically and
Mentally Handicapped 4,803.02
Tuition of Educational Therapy Pupils
1,802.50
Tuition (Out of Town Pupils )
454.96
National Defense Education Act
2,282.42
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Public Law 874
4,118.00
Income Tax
5,800.00
Total
90,838.65
Net Operation Cost for 1963
435,678.97
FEDERAL FUNDS
BALANCE 1-1-63
RECEIVED IN 1963
SPENT IN 1963
BALANCE 12-31-63
Public Law 864
7,094.87
2,282.42
5,692.85
3,684.44
Public Law 874
NONE
4,118.00
2,352.37
1,765.63
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
To Citizens of West Bridgewater:
At the annual town election held on March 16, 1963, Mr. Leon Beaulieu was re-elected to the committee and Mr. DeSales Heath was elected as a new member replacing Mr. Norman Churchill who did not seek re-election.
A special organization meeting was held the following Thurs- day, March 21, 1963 at which time Mr. Scovel Carlson was elected chairman, Mrs. Myron Mather was re-elected secretary to the committee. Mr. Thomas Kemp, and Mr. Leon Beaulieu were elected to serve with the chairman on the Raynham-West Bridge- water Union Superintendency Committee. Mr. S. Erick Benson was elected representative to the Regional Vocational School Committee and Mr. DeSales Heath was elected representative to the School Needs Committee.
Because of the serious condition of our high school roof, it became necessary to write to the Board of Selectmen requesting a special Town Meeting to provide necessary funds to replace one section of the roof. This request for $12,500 was voted upon and approved at a Special Town Meeting held at the high school auditorium on July 16, 1963. We were fortunate in obtaining a contract for this work in the amount of $11,423. We are happy
89
to report that the new roof was successfully installed and up to the present time has given us no problem. A great deal of credit for the installation of the new roof must go to Mr. Anthony Souza who served as clerk of the works and did an outstanding job in our behalf. We have included in our budget this year an addi- tional sum of money to replace another section of the roof that is in poor condition.
As a result of the Supreme Court's ruling regarding Bible reading and prayer in the public schools, the School Committee adopted a new policy for the opening exercises of school. Grades 1 through 6 open each day with a patriotic song, salute to the flag, and a brief period of silent meditation. Grades 7 through 12 have a similar program, omitting the song.
The School Committee is ever mindful of the increasing costs of education and the fact that the large portion of the town's tax dollar goes towards meeting the school budget. It is the desire of the School Committee to furnish the best possible education to our children within reason. We have attempted to carry out this program in 1963, just as we have in the past. To accomplish this we have tried to maintain a reasonable salary schedule so that we would remain somewhere near the median of salary schedules of neighboring towns our size.
It cannot be overlooked that our school enrollment is ever increasing and classroom space is becoming critical. By utilizing all available space in our school buildings we hope to be able to add two more elementary classrooms for next year. This will take care of our immediate needs but steps must be taken to provide additional school facilities.
In keeping with changing methods of teaching we introduced modern mathematics into our elementary grades last September. This program has been well received by both students and faculty.
Our athletic program was expanded last spring to include track and in the fall we had our first cross country team. It is the desire of the School Committee to offer a broader athletic pro- gram to our students so that there will be greater individual participation.
During the past year a program of adult education was
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introduced into our school system. The tremendous interest in this program is evidenced by the fact that during this past year 98 of our townspeople took advantage of the evening courses offered, which included cake decorating and party refreshments, rug braiding, upholstering, beginners sewing and typing. We hope to continue this program next year and will undoubtedly expand the curriculum.
This Committee appreciates the interest shown by all the townspeople and the town officials in our school system. We would also like to thank all the personnel for their continued efforts and cooperation in making a better school system for our young people.
Respectfully submitted,
SCOVEL M. CARLSON, Chairman THOMAS F. KEMP ERLAND THAYER LEON F. BEAULIEU
S. ERICK BENSON DeSALES HEATH
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the West Bridgewater School Committee:
Gentlemen:
I submit my second annual report as your Superintendent with great pleasure.
First I thank the Committee for its confidence, guidance and support. On behalf of the student body and myself I express appreciation to the faculty, other staff members, members of parents-teacher organizations, and townspeople for the high quality of education presently available in our schools.
To the pupils at all grade levels; we members of the faculty and staff members are grateful for the interest, attention and cooperation that greets our efforts. Without this it would be im- possible to fulfill our tasks.
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CLASSROOM NEEDS
The demands placed upon our schools by a constantly grow- ing population necessitate assigning the first and largest portion of my report to the question of adequate classroom space. Our pupil enrollments for the past four years have been as follows:
Year 1
2
3
4
5 6 7 8 9 10 74 88
11 12
10/1/60
130 112 95 110 93 80 109 102 109
76 55
10/1/61
129 129 115
94 111 106 93 104 114
70 61
10/1/62
121 127 122 115
93 111 111 93 109 101 72 49
10/1/63
158 120 120 124 111 102 120 107 103 100
98 55
Year
Special Class
Total
10/1/60
14
1159
10/1/61
13
1227
10/1/62
15
1239
10/1/63
9
1327
The census of pre-school children taken in October 1963 indicates the September 1964 Grade 1 may not be as large as the record 158 in the current first grade. However, projections pre- pared by the Town School Needs Committee and the Massachu- setts School Building Assistance Commission indicate an incoming group of about 140 children.
With the above as a guide it will be necessary to utilize all present elementary classrooms and to take over another high school room, probably Room 25 on the second floor, and very pos- sibly to convert the stage at the Spring Street School into a class- room. These are the last available unused spaces in our three school buildings.
The classroom need in the elementary grades (I-VI) will continue to be acute as we can expect a growth of 107 between September 1964 and September 1967. At the same time Grades VII-XII enrollments will increase. Continuing our present maxi- mum usage of junior-senior high school rooms, we will not be able to provide any further space for the children in the high school building.
To adequately prepare for the increased number of children I strongly recommend that the Town appoint, during the Annual Town Meeting in March 1964, an Elementary School Building
92
Planning Committee. This Committee should be prepared to start work immediately and report back to the Town at a Special Town Meeting as soon as possible. A review of the carefully prepared projections submitted by the School Needs Committee and printed elsewhere in this Town Report supports this recom- mendation. Failure to provide the necessary additional space can only result in double sessions and a much less satisfactory educa- tional opportunity.
REGIONAL VOCATIONAL SCHOOL
The report of the West Bridgewater Regional Vocational School Planning Committee, including a recommendation that the Town vote to join Brockton and other nearby communities in providing a Regional Vocational School, is worthy of everyone's careful consideration.
Keeping in mind the limited offerings available in this vicinity for boys and girls who will profit from this desirable and needed training I wholeheartedly recommend that the Town vote to be a member of the proposed Region. While it is true that joining with the other communities will call for additional expenditures to build and maintain the new facility it must be remembered that the Town is required by State Law to provide this type of education for its residents as a member of a Region or on a tuition basis. Membership in the Regional District not only helps to establish the School but it will expand the opportunities for in- terested West Bridgewater students.
TEACHER RETIREMENTS
Mrs. Thomas F. O'Keefe after 17 years of service in the West Bridgewater Public Schools and a total of 27 years of teaching experience and Mrs. Howard J. Shurtleff, who contributed 16 years to our schools of a lifetime spent in teaching retired at the close of school in June. The citizens of the Town have gained considerably from the dedication of these two fine teachers.
While we hope that they will enjoy their newly found free time in the pursuit of various outside activities we have been fortunate to be able to call upon them this year as substitutes for absent faculty members.
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SCHOOL BUDGET
The request for funds for school operation during the year 1964 reflects a small increase, approximately 9 percent. The major portion of this rise is due to: a. Allowance in the budget for the needed re-roofing of more sections of the high school; b. Improved teacher and other staff salaries; c. Hiring additional teachers; d. Increased costs of books, materials, pupil furniture, and supplies for the growing enrollment.
The total appropriation for school expenses has been reduced by the application of available Federal Funds in the amount of $2,600.
ATHLETIC EXPENSES
The amount the School Committee has recommended $6,965., in a special article for Physical Training, Athletics, Sports and Equipment, in the Annual Town Meeting Warrant is an increase of $2,565. over the sum appropriated in 1963. This was found justifiable for the following reasons: Larger numbers of boys and girls participating in all sports; the addition of track and cross- country teams; the need for replacement of certain uniforms; in- creased transportation costs; increased expense for game officials; reduced receipts from home games. In order to meet essential obli- gations for 1963 it was necessary to draw some money from Federal funds to supplement the amount appropriated.
TEACHER TURNOVER
The securing and retention of high caliber teachers is depend- ent, in great part, upon the salary offerings made to the faculty members. With this in mind the Committee is to be complimented upon the action which will result in raising the starting salary to $4,700., the maximum to $7,200., and the differential for the Master Degree to $300.
A bill awaiting action by the current session of the Legisla- ture seeks to raise the present state minimum from $4,500 to $5,000. effective September 1, 1965. Such a change will encourage the holding of good teachers in the Commonwealth. Higher salary offerings in nearby states have drawn large numbers of good teachers from Massachusetts in recent years.
An additional incentive to attract teachers and other munici-
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pal employees would be to make provision for a part of the ex- penses of hospitalization insurance to be paid for by the Town under Chapter 32B (General Laws of Mass.) This assistance is now given employees in many nearby communities.
This year the following teachers were appointed:
Mrs. William Boelke
Miss Elizabeth Davis
Household Arts English Industrial Arts
Gerard E. Hurley
Mrs. Edward A. Marcus
Mathematics
Mrs. Mortimer Pinansky
Household Arts Mathematics
William S. Wassel
Science
Neuman L. Wood
English
Stanley Reed Science
Mrs. Dorothy Cheney Grade 5
Miss Fontaine Metta Grade 5
Miss Laurel Nelson Grade 5
Miss Mary Michelmore Grade 2
Mrs. Gladys E. Tallman
Grade 1
The following resigned in 1963 :
Mrs. Herbert W. DeVeber
Household Arts English
Mrs. Paul Doherty
William J. Fiske, Jr.
Mathematics
Joseph A. McFarlane Industrial Arts
David E. Leveille Science
Mrs. Lawrence M. Soule, Jr. Household Arts
Miss Kathleen T. Wright English
Miss Sally J. Decker Grade 6
Miss Sarah J. Benson
Grade 2
Other personnel appointed since January 1, 1963 : Mrs. Donald MacMullen Guidance Clerk
CITIZENS SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION
Although this organization is not a part of our school system I feel the tremendous good that can be accomplished by a group of citizens who have organized to help our high school graduates with their educational expenses is worthy of our interest and support.
Mrs. Eleanor vonBretzel
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With the increasing number of West Bridgewater High School graduates continuing their education and the rising tuition costs, the assistance to be given by our Local Chapter of C.S.F. will be very helpful. The financial aid will be distributed to worthy boy and girls entering colleges, universities and other edu- cational institutions on the basis of need. High marks will not be the sole deciding factor.
PARENTS-TEACHER CONFERENCES
Following the successful scheduled conferences initiated in the 1962-1963 school year at the elementary level we organized similar meetings in Grades VII-XII. Through the help of Mr. Peter J. Sperandio, Principal, Mr. Oliver N. Millett, Elementary Supervisor and their faculty members interviews were held with the parents of approximately 92 percent of our total pupil enroll- ment. We plan to continue with two such sessions each year, one in the fall and a second in the spring.
MAINTENANCE OF PLANT
Due to the providing of necessary funds by the Town and the capable guidance of our Supervisor of Maintenance, Mr. Arvid Hagglund, we are continuing to keep our school buildings and grounds in good shape. The regular custodians spend much of the summer vacation period doing painting and repair work which would be more costly if done by private contractors.
This summer more sections of the high school roof will be replaced thus continuing the Committee's plan to do a portion each year until the entire old section has been renewed.
ACADEMIC PROGRAM
This last and most important consideration of my remarks will be used to direct the citizens' attention to the reports of the High School Principal, the Elementary Supervisor, and the other Supervisors and Aides who carry out major responsibilities in our system.
I hope that all will note especially: the work that is being done by teacher committees on curriculum reviews and revisions at both elementary and secondary levels; the expansion of the modern mathematics and science courses; the careful growth in
96
the use of television; the replacement of outdated texts; the offer- ing without interruption of French from Grade IV through the high school; the growth and increased usage of the high school library; the establishment of a central elementary library; the change-over to a more up to date reading series in the elementary grades.
Space limitations preclude reference to all the different divisions that contribute so much to our school program. I take this opportunity to extend my appreciation to the principals, supervisors, teachers, health specialists, clerical, dining rooms, and custodial staffs for the fine assistance received and the high degree of interest shown in the welfare of the pupils.
Respectfully submitted, DONALD A. FISHER, Superintendent of Schools
HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
Mr. Donald A. Fisher Superintendent of Schools West Bridgewater, Massachusetts
Dear Mr. Fisher:
I hereby submit my thirteenth annual report as principal of the West Bridgewater High School.
Recent achievements in advanced learning have indicated that our students continue to perform very well when in competi- tion with graduates of other secondary schools. Some of our students have been placed in honor programs at the college and university level and are very successful.
The results of the College Entrance Examinations and the National Merit Examinations also indicate that our students can perform successfully in institutions of higher learning. During the current year, Michael Manugian qualified as a semi-finalist in the Merit Examination and will now compete for the position of a
97
finalist. Douglas Leighton, Steven Jerrard, and Arthur Barros scored so well that each received a letter of commendation from the National Merit Corporation.
These students rank above the top two percent of all the seniors throughout the country. Furthermore, there were other students who scored very high and we are happy for all of them and pleased that we are able to assist them with their achieve- ments.
The Modern Mathematics Program which was instituted three years ago has met with good success and will be continued.
The French Program which originates in grade four has been continued for the college-bound students through grades seven and eight. Since we do not begin our high school French classes until grade ten, there will be a gap of one year during which the French program will not function. We hope to be able to provide a course in grade nine so that our program will be continuous from grade four through twelve. However, the problem to be overcome is availability of teaching personnel.
I believe that the success which the students enjoy in the col- lege course is due to the stability of the teaching force in that area. These teachers have been with us for quite some time and they have demonstrated good teaching techniques and have gained the respect and admiration of the students. It is this type of dedication which we hope to realize from all of our teachers. It generally comes with experience and hard work.
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