USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Hamilton > Town of Hamilton Annual Report 1954 > Part 11
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The Iowa Tests of Educational Development were administered for the second successive year to grades 9 through 12. One of the great values of these tests is in their accumulative effect for the pupil and the school as the results become available for several years. For instance, the tenth grader who took them last year as well as this can plot his educational growth, observe his areas of greatest improvement, check for evidences of less than normal growth. Of course as he takes the tests in the two years ahead he can get a complete four-year picture of his development which should become increasingly valuable to him for guidance and planning purposes.
The high school staff uses accumulative class averages from the tests to observe areas of strength and weakness in basic areas of the curriculum. As trends are observed, curriculum changes can be suggested and tried with the sure knowledge that subsequent test scores will show whether the change achieved the desired objective.
The test results also permit us to measure the work of our schools against those of other school systems in New England and in the nation. We are pleased that for the past two years our results would indicate that we are above average.
In my opinion the challenge for the future in the area of the curricu- lum is two-fold : first, are we sure that the real needs of our growth are being met, and second, is each pupil being guided to choose those subjects which will best meet his present and future educational-vocational needs ? With all our efforts devoted to achieving these two objectives we can be assured that our curriculum will serve its intended function in our schools.
School Lunch Program
Our cafeterias are a vital part of our total school program. They are self-supporting and non-profit making. All earnings are used to increase the quality and quantity of the food served. We have added personnel to the cafeteria staff and as participation increases additional services will be required. I strongly urge each parent to consider the advantages in this program which makes available complete and balanced meals for the modest sum of twenty-five cents including milk.
The cafeteria program also offers daily opportunity for each child to develop desirable attitudes toward food, to grow in his understanding of the value of a varied diet, and to become a part of a social experience which trains for good habits.
Costs of Our Public Schools
Last year in my report I presented a cost analysis of the way in which the net school dollar for 1953 was spent. It is interesting to note that although our budget increased in total, the breakdown per dollar remains the same and is as follows :
7 cents - General Control-Superintendent and Administration
69 cents
Experienced teachers, principals and supervisors Textbooks and supplies Art, music and audio-visual aids Remedial Teaching Guidance and testing
13 cents
Custodians Light, heat, water Cleaning and repair materials Maintenance (repairs, replacements)
8 cents
Transportation of school children School Physician and nurse Libraries and graduation
3 cents New equipment, athletics, vocational education and Adult education
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It is difficult to present per pupil costs in a meaningful manner be- cause there are many bases upon which the necessary calculations can be made. Using the data which are submitted in our annual report to the Massachusetts Department of Education, the per pupil cost of our puplic schools is $216.64 for the school year 1953-1954. This compares favorably with a per pupil cost of $243.08 for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
In connection with the Public School Budget it is interesting to note the following facts :
1954 Appropriation for Support of the Public Schools $112,048.14
1954 Actual expenditures from appropriation $168,230.57
1954 Cash Receipts from all school sources 34,594.54
1954 NET COST TO TOWN $133,636.03
Thus it may be seen that our net costs are considerably less than our re- quested appropriation. Our cash receipts come from several sources which are shown on page 18 of this report.
Every effort is being made to provide our children with the best edu- cational, vocational and social training possible in our public schools at a cost that reflects the necessity for a realistic balance between and among the total municipal services authorized by our town.
Miscellaneous
During the year our public schools were admitted to membership in The New England School Development Council. This organization is dedicated to the improvement of public school education in New England through a planned program of research and study on common problems. Members of each school staff are invited to participate in any research area which is of concern to the individual. We have had representation from our schools on committees working in the areas of kindergartens. school evaluation, teacher shortage and future teacher quality. With this promis- ing beginning we look forward to many mutually rewarding experiences as members of this fine organization.
On December 3, 1954 Hamilton High School was admitted member- ship in The New England Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. Since only schools which meet stated requirements concerning curriculum, staff and plant are elected to membership, it is a distinct honor and tribute to our school to become affiliated with this organization.
We look forward to an opportunity in the years ahead for our high school staff to carry out a comprehensive self-evaluation of Hamilton High School under Association auspices and direction. Our part of the evalua- tion program is followed by an evaluation of our school by a visiting com- mittee of experts who make a report to our staff on its findings. The ob- jective of all this is of course, to discover ways and means by which our educational program can be improved.
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We are deeply appreciative of the generosity of the Community Garden Club of Hamilton-Wenham. On December 12 and 13, 1954 the Club put on its First Annual Christmas Exhibit and Flower Show. The net pro- ceeds from this outstanding event have been set aside to be used on the planned planting of the Manasseh Cutler School.
Conclusion
Our Public schools are grateful for the continued loyal support of the people of our town. The School Building Committee, which effectively finished its work on our new school and high school addition, The School Building Needs Committee, which is taking the necessary steps toward providing more desperately needed school housing, The Parent-Teacher Association, which furnishes an effective liason between the home and the school, the staff and student body, working together for mutual benefit, -all are making outstanding contributions to our public schools.
I extend a special word of thanks and appreciation to the members of our school committee. It has been a pleasure to work with you and to observe your devotion to our children as you put into practice those policies which spell out a constantly improving educational opportunity for all.
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 fourth annual report as Principal of Ham- ilton High School.
The school year opened in September, 1954 with the largest enrollment in the history of the high school, 225 pupils, but with less operating room than has been available since the addition was dedicated in November of 1953. Due to crowded condition in the Manasseh Cutler School two sixth grades and four kindergartens had to be housed at the high school thus curtailing the use of classrooms in spite of increasing subject-divisions. Next September we shall require a minimum of six rooms for the Junior High so that there must be an evacuation by at least two of the elementary groups now in occupation. Grade 8 has a present enrollment of 56 so that next year it will require divisions in English and Civics, -possibly in General Science. Ancient History will be offered as an elective in the College Prepatory course thus fulfilling a long-recognized need for back- ground information as a prerequisite to the study of a foreign language. Physical Education Classes, shop. and home economics will have to be divided also in grades 7 and 8. All of these factors result from increased enrollment and many signs point to continued expansion in other subject- areas.
Next fall, physics will be offered as a senior science-subject and chem- istry placed in the junior year. This reversal is believed wise since so many of our graduates are signing up for technical colleges that it is better to have a shorter span of carry-over in physics. Seniors planning for chemical-engineering may also postpone chemistry if advisible until the senior year. Psychology and salesmanship will be substituted in 1955-56 for consumer economics. I would also recommend that general course pupils as well as college preparatory be required to complete two years of high school mathematics and that as soon as possible. more and varied electives be offered to fit the needs of these general pupils.
Two new teachers joined our faculty in September. Miss Libby Volk resigned in June and was replaced by Mrs. Mary Bergman of Beverly who has taught commercial subjects for fourteen years at Burdett College in Lynn besides five years at Ipswich High School. Mrs. Bergman earned a B.S. in Education at Salem Teachers' College. Hamilton is fortunate to obtain the services of a teacher of this calibre with such a range of experience in business teaching. It was necessary to employ an extra junior high instructor this year for English and social subjects-Mr. John Valois of Dorchester. who majored in biology at William and Mary's Col- lege in Virginia but transferred to Boston University from which he was graduated with a Master of Education degree. He has worked on biologi- cal research for the Rockefeller Institute and at the Marine Biological Laboratory at Wood's Hole. Mr. Valois did practice-teaching at Brook- line High School before coming to Hamilton.
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The English department has been making special effort this year to encourage outside-reading by sending monthly orders for Teen Age Club editions which have been educationally screened, have a variety of appeal, and are modern in style and readability. Through the cooperation of the town librarian, books for reference and for outside-reading have also been made available. Our classroom teachers are conscious of a need for reme- dial reading in the high school. This seems to be a nation-wide weakness according to educational journals. which may be partly due to the fact that formal instruction in reading ceases with grade 6 and perhaps because pupils just do not read enough to practice this skill in these days of radio. movies, and television. Colleges also are continually calling attention to this prob- lem so our job n the high schools is to produce a heightened interest in reading by providing literature diversified sufficiently to satisfy various reading levels.
Extra curricula offerings have been confined this past year to Driver Education, Glee Club, Dramatics, Varsity Club, Yearbook, and Art in grades 7 and 8. Pupils who are 15 years 6 months old in September are eligible for Driver Training which consists of twenty classroom lessons, eight lessons behind the wheel and sixteen observational. The local Chevrolet agency agreed to provide a student-driver car. Miss Millicent Boswell is a qualified faculty instructor, having taken the Registry-approved course of intensive instruction in safe-driving. A young person who has been trained through such a course in school is rewarded by having his parents pay a reduced insurance rate.
Late in the spring of 1954 the Dramatic Club staged a two-night pro- duction of the play, "Family Circle", which deals with the girlhood of Cornelia Otis Skinner and her early stage ambitions. There is considerable dramatic talent still available for our spring production of a mystery type entitled, "Midnight". Our foreign language teacher, Mrs. Eleanor McKey, is eminently fitted to coach these amateur theatricals because of her past experience with debating teams and stage productions.
The Glee Club was also busy last year with their annual operetta under the able direction of Miss Ruth Austen. "Iolanthe" by Gilbert and Sulli- van was well received by an appreciative audience of adults and pupils. The new, neutral-toned, cyclorama which had been installed on the stage before these productions took place, helped to improve the acoustics which the previous year had proved so noticeable inadequate.
The Student Council, organized in 1953, continues to function as a valuable advisory body. Class presidents become members automatically, then each class is entitled to elect one representative who must meet the elegibility requirements of the Student Council constitution. Many school duties may be assumed by this Council but their chief purpose of organiza- tion is to "furnish proper school leadership; promote better teacher-pupil relations," and provide sufficient and satisfying social activities. During the fall months the Council arranged the social calendar for the year ; planned and controlled the voting for Student Government Day representatives ; and now is working weekly on a school handbook, a project which aims to ac- quaint the student body with countless details regarding our high school rules, policies, and management.
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The Varsity Club has launched a new monthly publication this year entitled, "The Covered Wagon" which aims to keep the students alerted to school news and activities. Only pupils who have earned letters in sports of past seasons are eligible to join the Varsity Club.
The Yearbook staff spends many months editing the annual copy of "The Hamiltonian". The editor, assistants, and business managers are chosen early in autumn from the members of the senior class by the senior adviser and the business teacher. Then the class photographer is selected, class pictures taken, followed by class groups, athletic teams and various clubs. The business managers' staff, on spare time, finance the project by selling advertising space in the Yearbook. Local citizens also are invited to contribute a nominal sum for the sponsor's page. Other staff members have meanwhile been working on design, illustration and compilation. Each senior class enjoys this task which is a valuable experience since it develops initiative, accuracy, salesmanship, and administrative ability.
Our high school has been accepted for membership this year in two educational organizations : (1) New England Association of Secondary Schools and Colleges, (2) The New England School Development Council. Both of these associations are working for improvement of school curricu- lums in high school areas. A plan for a self-evaluation survey of schools that are members of either organization is underway already and will be a "must" within the next ten years.
Vocational Aptitude tests were administered to the senior class in No- vember according to custom by the State Employment Service, a division of the United States Department of Labor and followed up in December by personal conference with the examiner which were of considerable vocational value in helping these young people make wise decisions regarding their post-graduate plans. The Iowa Tests of Educational Development that were given in grades 9 to 12 last October were repeated so that parents could compare and evaluate their child's progress in basic school subjects. This matter will be discussed at further length in the Superintendent's report.
Our athletic program continues to be satisfactorily staffed and much has been accomplished in a year. The football team won the trophy of the Cape Ann League for the third season so it is retained permanently in our trophy-case. The Basketball season is well under way and moderately suc- cessful since several colorful players were lost from last year's squad, thus slowing down the victories. However, both boys and girls who participate in the major sports are learning initiative, responsibility, cooperation, and good sportsmanship.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the faculty members for their earnest efforts toward making our high school one of high educational standard, excelled by none.
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 Manasseh Cutler School.
School opened in September with an increase of sixty-six pupils over the enrollment figure of 1953. Five hundred forty pupils were registered in kindergarten through grade six. Since then nineteen pupils have been transferred to other schools and thirty-four have been admitted making our total enrollment at present five hundred and fifty-five pupils.
A few changes were made in our teaching staff. Miss Katherine Mitchell resigned to accept a teaching position in Germany. This first grade vacancy was filled by Mrs. Glendora Ward. Miss Evelyn Rankin, wishing to be nearer Boston, accepted a position in the Arlington Schools. Mrs. Louise Leach of Hamilton who had done substitute work in the Hamilton system was appointed as permanent teacher in grade three. Be- cause of the increased number of pupils in grades two and three additional classes were formed. Mrs. Janet Klem was appointed to teach the new second grade, while Mrs. Glory Hussey of Beverly was chosen to teach the additional third grade.
This need for extra second and third grade rooms necessitated the sending of the two sixth grades to rooms provided for them in the High School.
The two kindergarten classes are again being held in the High School and are still operating on the two platoon system.
Each new year brings the problem of additional rooms to care for our increased enrollment. At present it would seem that another second and another fourth grade will be needed for September, 1955.
This year the Dental Clinic is caring only for children of the first three grades because of the great increase in registration. There is a definite need for more time allotment for this clinic in order that all chil- dren of the first six grades may have the opportunity to share its benefits.
Our hot lunch program is still operating very successfully. We are serving an average of two hundred fifty lunches every day. Good hot well balanced meals do much to promote the health of any growing boy or girl. It is our aim to have every child take part in this program.
The safety of our boys and girls is of great concern to all of us. The Safety Patrol, composed of boys and girls from the fifth grades, is doing its utmost to care for the younger children on their way to and from school. Chief Frederick gave a talk, early in the fall, to the entire school. He pointed out the many traffic dangers and the ways by which they may be avoided.
The blanket accident insurance plan was again offered to all boys and girls. Several have derived benefits from this insurance.
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Square dancing has become very popular in our fourth, fifth, and sixth grades as a physical education project. Several socials for this age group have been held after school hours. Many parents have expressed their ap- proval of these get togethers and the hope that they will continue during the school year.
Five more portable electric record players have been purchased with school funds for use in our music classes. We now have nine record play- ers which allows use of one for every two rooms.
On May 17, 1954 we were honored to have the annual banquet meeting of the North Shore Branch of the Association of Childhood Education held at our school. Teachers and principals from all over the North Shore were present and were greatly impressed by our new school.
Open House for all parents and friends was held on May 18. 1954. Many took advantage of this opportunity to visit our prettily decorated school and viewed the work of the boys and girls exhibited at this time. Tea was served in the cafeteria by the teachers.
During Education Week in November parents and friends were again invited to visit our classrooms and see the pupils working on their regular school program. Refreshments were served in the cafeteria by members of the Parent Teachers' Association.
In conclusion, I would like to express to you, the School Committee, parents and teachers, my appreciation of their loyalty and support.
Respectfully submitted, MARIAN C. JOSEPH Principal.
15
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL PHYSICIAN
To the Superintendent of Schools :
DEAR SIR :
It is my pleasure again to report on the activities of the school physi- cian in the preceding year. As I have remarked in previous reports, his duties should not be restricted to the periodic statutory and athletic exam- inations with recording and reporting of defects; the statistics on this phase of the work can be found elsewhere. The incidence and correction rate are good.
Thanks to the experienced help of the school nurse, Miss Florence Stobbart, the physician was enabled to devote some of his limited time to the pursuit of some of the other responsibilities of his office : popular health education for the school children, conferences with the faculty, inspection of the school plant from the standpoint of health and accident hazards, consideration of individual problems of social maladjustment or mental health, and the control of communicable disease in the schools.
To give the high school children the fullest benefit from the chest x-ray survey program sponsored last spring by the Hamilton-Wenham Boards of Health, a brief talk and movie on tuberculosis were presented at a special assembly prior to the x-ray clinic.
Conferences and informal conversations were held on various occasions with teachers and principals regarding general problems of school health and specific individuals who needed special consideration. In this manner an effort was made to recognize and correct social and psychological mal- adjustment before these problems totally disrupted the children's academic life.
In this era of antibiotic drugs the control of communicable disease is far simpler than before: nonetheless, vigilance is necessary to detect mild cases and early stages. Last fall a number of cases of whooping cough ap- peared in the local school population concomitant with a mild epidemic on the North Shore. In children who have had the customary innoculations, the disease is often indistinguishable from the common cold and hence is not quarantined, increasing the risk of contagion to newborn infants or uninoculated children. A concerted effort was made in Hamilton and Wenham to check the spread of the disease by more stringent application of existing regulations pertaining to illness. and the exclusion of all who had coughs. This illustrates again the disservice to the community by the parent who allows the child to go to school with "just a cough", which may be measles, whooping cough, or something else.
During the current school year the present incumbent has been mater- ially assisted by Dr. Robert G. Love of Hamilton, who performed most of the physical examinations in The Manasseh Cutler School: without his collaboration it would have been impossible to fulfill the requirements of this office for the increased student body in the time available.
Respectfully submitted.
DANIEL M. ROGERS. M. D. School Physician.
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REPORT OF THE SCHOOL NURSE
To the Superintendent of Schools: DEAR SIR :
I herewith submit my twenty-fifth annual report as nurse for the Hamilton Public Schools.
Dr. Daniel M. Rogers, assisted by Dr. Robert E. Love, conducted medical examinations throughout the year. Certain physical defects were detected and they are reported below. In many instances medical and surgical corrections were made, a report of which follows the list of defects.
Defects
Moderately Enlarged Tonsils and Enlarged Tonsils
25
Phimosis
3
Glands
11
Cryptorchis 3
Posture
18
Pilonidal Sinus 1
Ears
14 Vesicocele
1
Pes Planus
38
Thyroid
1
Cardiac
25
Speech
4
Teeth
185
Allergic conditions 18
Number of first aid dressings made 587
Medical and surgical corrections reported to date :
Tonsillectomy-Adenoidectomy .. 17
Dog Bites 3
Glands
11
Appendectomy 3
Ears
11
Concussion 3
Feet
2
Speech
4
Cardiac
25 Allergic conditions 18
Orthodontia
6 Herniorrhaphy 1
Phimosis
2 Nephrotomy
1
Fractures
5
During the year the following contagious and communicable diseases were reported.
Whooping cough 18
Pneumonia
3
Measles 18
Miscellaneous
Chicken pox 63
Ivy Poisoning
6
Scarlatina
1
Dogwood poisoning 6
Poliomelitis (non paralytic)
2
Sumac poisoning 5
Impetigo
3
Oak poisoning
Conjunctivitis
5
Orthodontia 6
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The health officials of the public schools urge the parents to exercise every precaution in connection with actual or potential illness of their children. In many instances a simple cold might be the warning sign for the onslaught of a contagious disease. Parents should feel free to con- sult with the school doctor or school nurse in regard to attendance of a child who seems to have symptoms that need attention.
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