USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Hamilton > Town of Hamilton Annual Report 1952 > Part 10
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Curriculum
Curriculum study and revision is a continuing process in our schools. Our staff is constantly evaluating and revising our courses of study in order that the total program may better meet the needs of our pupils.
The high school program of studies is currently under review. We are developing basic course requirements for those who have clearly defined objectives. For example, if a pupil is planning to apply for admission to college upon graduation from high school, a four year high school program must include the basic subjects necessary to meet college admission re- quirements. Advance planning is particularly necessary in our high school because of the fact that at the present moment certain very necessary courses cannot be offered in every year. To illustrate, physics and chemistry are offered in alternate years and therefore the pupil has but one chance to include either or both of these subjects in this program.
Similar planning is necessary for the pupil who wishes to major in business education, home economics, industrial arts, or in a general pro- gram. It is our belief that a basic core of subjects is necessary to each field of specialization. Pupils may and should have an apportunity to enrich
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this core program through a free choice, under adequate guidance, from the total program of the school. We are convinced that the average pupil can- not be left entirely on his own in choosing his subjects ; he lacks the matur- ity of judgment so necessary for wise selection. With proper cooperative counseling in school and at home it should be entirely possible to build a planned program which will more nearly meet the real needs of our boys and girls.
Our specific goals in terms of new or revised courses for the high school curriculum cannot be finally stated at this point in our study. We are thinking, however, of ways in which to amplify and integrate our mathe- matics and science areas, of expanding our business course offerings, en- riching the music and art programs, and adding driver training education including behind-the-wheel instruction. No change in any area will be made until there is assurance that the proposed modification will meet some proven pupil need.
The staff of the elementary school is seeking ways to improve the teach- ing of the tool subjects in the primary grades. Better materials are being introduced as their worth is demonstrated. The integrated social studies program in the intermediate grades is under review to see if we are pro- viding adequate coverage in the areas of history and geography.
New achievement tests have been given to grades five and six and in many subjects areas in the high school. Through this testing program we are getting a clear picture of the accomplishments of our pupils as measured against the achievements of others in our country. The results of our test- ing will become a point of departure for further curriculum study, course revision and improved teaching methods.
Student Activities
The building program made it necessary to curtail some student activ- ities during the past year but others were carried out in the usual way. The value of organized interscholastic athletics for both boys and girls has been amply demonstrated. Our teams have upheld the traditions of our school and have added to the laurels won in the past. A detailed record of team accomplishments will be found in the separate reports of the high school principal and the faculty manager.
It is a pleasure to commend the coaches, players, cheerleaders, and the student body for the high degree of true sportsmanship that is always evi- denced at our games. We are also grateful to the many townspeople who made it possible for our football squad and cheerleaders to enjoy a wonder- ful banquet at the end of the highly successful football season.
Much thought has been given to the amplification of our physical edu- cation-intramural program so that the privilege of group participation in several sports will be available to all boys and girls in our schools.
The six class groups at the high school are organized under their re- spective advisers and are carrying on their traditional class activities. It is hoped that with better facilities now available, an expanded social pro- gram for all groups will become a reality.
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Guidance
Testing for aptitudes, interests, abilities, and achievements is one of the tools of guidance, and as mentioned elsewhere in this report an enlarged testing program is being carried out. With the results of test, observations, and records available to all teachers, continuous guidance is a distinct pos- sibility. Our efforts will be directed toward making all staff members guidance conscious so that their invaluable help may be enlisted for the benefit of all. The class advisers deserve special mention for their efforts in behalf of the groups which they guide. Mrs. Ramer and the superinten- dent, acting as guidance coordinators, hope that greater numbers of students will be better served in meeting their educational, vocational and emotional problems. Our plans propose a close liaison among the pupils. the school, and the home as each agency makes its maximum contribution to the total welfare of the boys and girls in our schools.
Two new and helpful services have been added to the guidance mater- ials available: The Senior Guidance Service for the upper grades, and The Junior Guidance Service for the elementary grades. These materials, writ- ten for the mutual use of the teacher and pupil, are meeting with growing favor by all who take advantage of the opportunity to use them.
Conclusion
It has been my privilege to work closely with many people in the past few months. The loyalty and wholehearted cooperation of the townspeople, the Parent-Teacher Association, the staff and students of the public schools, has been sincerely appreciated. Mrs. Edmondson, School Secretary, has been a never-ending source of invaluable assistance as she cheerfully meets the many demands made upon her time and efforts. The members of the School Committee have been most able and understanding in their approach to the problems of our schools. Hamilton is indeed fortunate to benefit from the services of these public spirited people. The untiring work of all has been responsible for the progress that has been made in our schools during the past year.
We face the future with confidence, firm in our belief that our mutual contributions will make the Hamilton Public Schools a potent force in the education of the young people of our town.
Respectfully submitted,
DOUGLAS A. CHANDLER, Superintendent.
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REPORT OF THE HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
To the Superintendent of Schools:
DEAR SIR :
I am pleased to submit my second annual report as Principal of Hamil- ton High School.
Due to construction and alterations after March, 1952. our High School labored to carry on classes under great confusion but the splendid new gym- nasium plus three spacious modern classrooms located above the old gym- nasium have proved ample reward for whatever hardships were experienced. The new addition houses home rooms for the three junior high classes, giv- ing ample light and working space for increased membership as well as considerable isolation from the senior high. As recommended in last year's report, grade ? pupils now have one instructor in their academic subjects. Special areas of instruction, such as physical education, art, music, and industrial arts, are carried out by other teachers thus giving the seventh graders an introduction to the departmentalized work of the high school. In grade 8. English and arithmetic are taught by the home room teacher thus carrying out the idea of gradual induction and possible prevention of adolescent disruption. Music appreciation is given to grades 7 and 8 on alternate Fridays this year ; art is divided into junior and senior high groups thus permitting greater variation in instruction according to age interest and talent development. First year typewriting enrollment has increased noticeably. Temporary arrangements have had to be made to enable all these pupils to obtain sufficient instruction, indicating the necessity for planning for two divisions in this subject next September.
Until the dedication of the new elementary school and also of our high school addition, five elementary divisions were housed in our building. This was emergency planning and naturally quite cramping for our high school program. The kindergarten still must continue to be with us and the youngsters are a constant source of interest for our older pupils who find them so well disciplined and earnestly cooperative.
Late in April of 1952. the annual operetta, "The Mikado" by Gilbert and Sullivan was staged by the combined boys' and girls' glee club at the Community House before a capacity audience and was most enthusiastically received. This was quite a pretentious operetta for a high school but due to the able coaching of our efficient musical instructor, Miss Ruth Austen- undaunted by the lack of an auditorium for rehearsals-the production was staged successfully. Much credit is due the shop and art classes who labored many hours to complete appropriate stage scenery and settings.
During January 1952, our Glee Club for the sixth season was invited to broadcast on the "March of Dimes" program over WLAW. This creates a yearly challenge to our music department enabling these students having special talent to develop group pride and satisfaction in a project acceptable to critical producers.
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These musical accomplishments indicate the need of expanding our present musical curriculum to take advantage of the cultural trends in the modern world. Young people today need to feel at home with music, to be trained to appreciate, understand, and sense its emotional stimulus and the enrichment resulting from the cultivated ability to listen intelligently or even better to perform individually. If, another year, we can adopt the 90 minute a week minimum recommended by the National Association of Secondary School Principals, it will be a step toward this goal.
Our social science department was very active during last spring, parti- cipating in the State Oratorical History Contest on March 6 and in Good Government Day on March 28. The American Legion annually sponsors a district and state contest as an "Americanism Activity." A series of subjects are suggested to pupils which pertain to the Constitution of the United States that "will give emphasis to the attendant duties and obliga- tions of a citizen." Shirley Semons won the local contest and took part in the district contest where she won second place.
At a pupil-election early in March, Maurice Sabean was designated "Senator" to represent our school at the State House in Boston on Good Government Day when other young candidates from many Massachusetts High Schools meet for a day to learn how our legislative body functions.
In June as is the annual custom, two boys were appointed by faculty choice to attend Boys' State at Amherst-Theodore Johnson and Clarence Trepanier-on invitation of the local A. P. Gardiner Post of the American Legion. Sponsored by the Women's Auxiliary of the American Legion, Shirley Semons was sent to Girls' State for a week at Bridgewater State Teachers' College. The students appreciate most keenly these annual favors and the faculty also wishes to express its appreciation to the Legion and Auxiliary.
Another award is presented by the Daughters of the American Revolu- tion to the girl in the senior class who is judged by the faculty as the out- standing student who typifies dependability, school loyalty, academic ex- cellence and leadership. Natalie Stone was selected as the girl possessing all these qualifications.
At the opening of school in September we had two changes in faculty members, Mrs. Eleanor McKey replaced E. Luther Johnson in the foreign language department and Miss Helen Maskiewicz filled the vacancy left by Mrs. Jeannette Houle in the physical education of girls. Mrs. McKey re- ceived her A. B. and M. A. degrees at Boston University, has had seventeen years of experience, coming to Hamilton from Waterville, Maine so she is eminently qualified to reorganize and improve our foreign language depart- ment. Miss Maskiewicz spent ten weeks of student-teaching last year in our high school commercial section and graduated from Salem Teachers' College with a B. S. E. degree.
Our athletic program was most successfully operated during the sev- eral sport seasons. For the second consecutive year, the six-man football team was undefeated, thus retaining the Cape Ann League trophy. Boys' and girls' basketball results were also most gratifying as well as spring baseball. They will be reported more in detail by the faculty manager of athletics, Marshall Gero.
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At the close of each marking period, honor roll cards are issued to those students who have attained a certification grade of 85% or more in all subjects. We feel that this award for intellectual attainment furnishes an urge for development of permanent work-habits which will be of much future benefit in college or other chosen vocations. A survey of last year's graduating class shows ten alumni attending college this year, four in the United States' Service, three in office work and others variously employed. Considerable guidance work was done on their behalf, especially by the senior adviser, Miss Priscilla Mckay, who labored constantly for many months to guide them to enter proper channels indicated by their apti- tudes. Some of the numerous guidance assemblies may have been of some assistance also.
Lastly I would like to compliment the Yearbook staff who annually turn out the "Hamiltonian" which has several times been judged worthy of second place in the Columbia Scholastic Press Association. Great credit is due Miss Libby Volk for the infinite attention to detail required for the supervision of editing such a high class Yearbook and making it a fin- ancial successive through extensive advertising.
In closing, I wish to thank the faculty for their wholehearted co- operation, the students for their earnest desire to make Hamilton High a school second to none, and to the parents for their continued interest in the welfare of the entire school community.
Respectfully submitted,
HAZEL E. RAMER, Principal.
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REPORT OF THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
To the Superintendent of Schools:
DEAR SIR :
I herewith submit my yearly report of the Jonathan Lamson School.
School opened in September with the large registration, kindergarten through grade six, of three hundred ninety-six people ; fifty-nine more than the registration of September 1951. Since then seventeen of those pupils have been transferred to other schools and twenty-one have been admitted making our total enrollment at present four hundred pupils.
Our teaching staff was increased by the appointment of four new teachers in September. Miss Carol Westerlund was appointed to teach one of the kindergarten classes; Mrs. Esther Goddard was assigned to a fifth grade ; Mr. Robert Mattsson was appointed to a sixth grade; and Miss Alice Barry was assigned to teach a fourth grade.
Due to our increased enrollment three classes were divided. Rooms were made available at the High School for the two fifth and sixth grades and Miss Westerlund's kindergarten class; while Miss Erskine still held her kindergarten class at the Town Hall.
Because of the large enrollment in the two first grades it was decided to divide them into three classes. Mrs. Nena Hayes was appointed in No- vember as the teacher of this new class.
December eighteenth and nineteenth were moving days at the Lamson School. Classes were suspended on those days in order that teachers might get their classrooms in order and prepare for the opening of our new school on December 22nd.
This beautiful new building contains fourteen classrooms ; all of which are being used. In order to make room for the third first grade one of the kindergarten rooms was given over for that purpose. This necessitated the continuance of Miss Westerlund's class in the High School building.
Next September we will be confronted with an added problem. Will we have to have three second grades as well as three firsts? If so, where will we place this additional class ?
We have started a new testing program this year. The "Iowa Every- Pupil Tests of Basic Skills" have been administered to every pupil in Grades Five and Six. These tests were machine corrected by the Science Research Association and the results sent back to us. Each pupil has made his own profile chart from these results which plainly points out to him his strengths and weaknesses in the basic skills.
Audo Visual Aids are playing a very important part in modern educa- tion. In order that we may enrich our program we have purchased, from our school fund. a De Vry-lite Sound-Silent Motion Picture Projector and a Viewlex Combination Slide and Strip Film Projector. We are also con-
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sidering the purchasing of a Library of Filmstrips. We plan to add to this collection each year.
Scott, Foresman and Company, publishers of our reading system have a reading consultant whose services are ours for the asking. We invited her to spend two days with us. Consultations were held with the teachers of the first three grades. Her visit ended with a general meeting of all the teachers at which time Miss Jack spoke on Lesson Planning in Reading.
Dental Hygiene is an important factor in the early years of a child's life. We are fortunate to again have the benefits of the Dental Clinic. Tuesday and Wednesday mornings are now given to this work. The days were changed in order that our school nurse might transport the children to and from the Clinic. We are looking forward to the time when this Clinic will be held within the school.
Since the opening of the new school and the bringing together of all the grades our hot lunch program has been greatly increased. We are now serving about two hundred lunches daily.
In conclusion, I would like to express to you, the school committee, par- ents and teachers my appreciation of their loyalty and support.
Respectfully submitted,
MARIAN C. JOSEPH, Principal.
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REPORT OF THE SCHOOL PHYSICIAN
To the Superintendent of Schools:
DEAR SIR :
The customary duties of the school physician have been conducted in as conscientious a manner as time would permit during the year 1952. Almost all of the school children in the Hamilton schools received a physical ex- amination for the 1951-1952 season by May of 1952. Those participating in inter-scholastic sports received special examinations. The general health of the school children is exceptionally good.
New regulations calculated to improve the quality of school physical examinations were enacted by the state legislature during the summer of 1952. They provided that school children should be examined periodically rather than annually; and that they should be examined by preferably the family physician or, lacking that, the school physician. Under this new regulation each child is subjected to certain screening techniques (such as measurement of height and weight, observation of frequent or prolonged absences, behavior problems, etc.), whereas the school physician has more time to spend with the few children who require additional observation, study, and more thorough examination, more time has been spent in the present school term in classroom observation. in conferences between the school nurse and the teachers and the physician, and in conferences with parents of children.
The school physician's task has been greatly lightened by the conscienti- ous assistance both clinical and clerical of the school nurse, Miss Florence Stobbart. The principals and teachers have also been most cooperative in the establishment of a sound school health program.
Respectfully submitted,
DANIEL M. ROGERS, M. D., School Physician.
17 REPORT OF THE SCHOOL NURSE
To the Superintendent of Schools :
DEAR SIR :
I herewith submit my twenty-third annual report as School Nurse of the Town of Hamilton.
Total enrollment 583
Due to the increased enrollment of students attending our schools it has been recommended by the State Department of Public Health that we do spaced physical examinations.
This year Dr. Daniel Rogers, our School Physician, planned follow-up examinations on all children having defects of last year, the students in competitive sports, all new students entering our schools, the kindergarten, first grade, fourth grade, eighth grade and twelfth grade.
Results of physical examinations to date :
Defects
Enlarged tonsils
16 Functional heart murmur 14
Glands
13 Mastoidectomy (left side) 1
Posture
14
Appendectomy
1
Thyroid
1 Allergy 4
Hernia
1 Fractures
10
Skin
1 Teeth 20
Feet
4 Speech
3
Number of corrections reported as a result of medical or surgical at- tention :
Fractures 10 Tonsillectomy and Adenoidec-
Speech
3
tomy 9
1
Allergy 4
Number of first aid dressings at schools 84
Eye and Ear Examinations to date.
Defective eyes 17
Corrections of eyes 11
Defective hearing 10 Corrections of ears 4
Follow-up in Tuberculosis
Patch test given
Result negative.
1
Feet
2 Skin
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Dental Program
The dental clinic conducted by Dr. John King is growing each year. We will be very pleased when the dental room can be equipped in our new elementary school so that it will be unnecessary to transport children to Dr. King's office. A complete report of the work done at the clinic can be found under Dr. King's annual report.
Contagious and Communicable Diseases Reported
Measles
92
Impetigo 2
Mumps
15
Ivy, etc. 14
Chicken pox
1
Scarlet fever 1
In closing I wish to thank the school physician, superintendent, prin- cipals, teachers, students, parents, custodians and all others who have con- tributed to our health programs.
Respectfully submitted,
FLORENCE L. STOBBART, R. N. School Nurse.
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REPORT OF THE CAFETERIA MANAGER
To the Superintendent of Schools:
DEAR SIR :
The school cafeterias have been, for the past nine years, operating under the Federal School Lunch Program. By participating in this plan the schools receive surplus commodities through monthly distribution. These foods, such as dried beans, powdered and frozen eggs, peanut butter, honey, canned vegetables, turkeys and hams, are used to supplement the regular menus.
The Federal School Lunch Program gives financial assistance to school cafeterias by returning 9¢ for each complete type "A" lunch served and 2¢ for each 1/2 pint bottle of milk sold to pupils not buying type "A" lunch. In return for this subsidy the government sets up minimum re- quirements for a well-balanced and nutritional lunch. Each meal must include the minimum requirements of protein-rich food.
By offering varied and attractive menus the school cafeterias are serv- ing increased numbers of pupils a complete hot meal at a total cost of 25¢ per day.
All food for both schools is now being prepared at the new elementary school. The improved serving area at the high school is a means for more efficient distribution of the hot lunches. Over 200 lunches are being served daily at the elementary school and about 100 daily at the high school.
Both school cafeterias, with the aid of the government subsidy, are completely self-suporting. It is our hope that with increased participa- tion we may constantly improve the quality and quantity of meals served to the children in our schools.
Respectfully submitted,
MILLICENT J. BOSWELL, Cafeteria Manager.
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REPORT OF THE FACULTY MANAGER OF ATHLETICS
To the Superintendent of Schools:
DEAR SIR :
Our athletic program got off to a rather slow start in September due to the fact that the football team had no field on which to practice or play. The park commissioners of Wenham very kindly gave permission for the use of Pingree Field.
With the cooperation of our own park superintendent we mowed the field, erected the goal posts and laid out the football field, which was used for all our home games and practice sessions.
The football team had a very successful season, winning all of its games and also the State Six-man Football Championship for the second successive year.
We are now in the basketball season and to date have had a normal season.
The athletic revolving fund shows that the expenditures are being held within the available income from gate receipts and the special appropriation. Two items, one for $400 for transportation, another for $50 for team physi- cian are in the regular school budget and have been expended except for $10.00. For the coming year $440 will be added to the special athletic re- quest so that all athletic funds will be in the revolving fund.
We, who are responsible for a good athletic program at Hamilton High School feel that each team should be properly uniformed and equipped. Although our equipment is presently in fairly good condition many addi- tional items will be needed for next season. With increasing costs and de- clining gate receipts it becomes difficult to make both ends meet in the athletic budget. As an example basic expenses of a football game are $36.50 and for a basketball game $22.50, when these games are played at home. and our gate receipts do not meet these costs. It is quite possible that it will be necessary to ask for an increased appropriation in 1954 in order to operate a successful athletic program.
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