USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Hamilton > Town of Hamilton Annual Report 1961 > Part 9
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How Was Our Money Spent 9
Public Law 874 Revolving Fund 9
National Defense Education Act 10
Pupil Enrollments-October 1951-1961
10
How Many Personnel Work in Our Schools ? 10
PUPIL STATISTICS
Membership by Age and Grade, October 1, 1961 11
School Census as of October 1, 1961 11
SELECTED REPORTS TO THE SUPERINDENT OF SCHOOLS
Hamilton High School Principal 12-13
Manasseh Cutler School Principal 14-15
Winthrop School Principal 16-17
Guidance Director 18
MISCELLANEOUS
School Staff Directory 19-21
Commencement Exercises 22-24
Regulations :
Age of Admittance 25
Vaccination 25
No-School Signal 25
School Calendar 25
Report of the Hamilton-Wenham Regional School Dist. Committee 26-27
Financial Statement of the Hamilton-Wenham Regional School District Committee 28-29
3
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Members
Terms Expire
Donald L. Miller, Chairman, 351 Bay Road, South Hamilton 1962 Morley L. Piper, Vice Chairman, 428 Essex Street, Hamilton 1964 Mrs. Louise Bick, 114 Linden Street, South Hamilton 1963 Frederick J. Caldwell, Sr., 118 Linden Street, South Hamilton . . 1962
James E. Hall, Rock Maple Road, Hamilton 1963
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE
WINTHROP SCHOOL Mail Address : Bay Road, South Hamilton, Massachusetts Telephone : Howard 8-2422
Hammond A. Young Superintendent of Schools
Marion E. Seaver Secretary
Hazel Anderson Clerk
Madeline Ricker Census Irene Dankowski Truant Officer
4
REPORT OF THE HAMILTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE
To the Voters of Hamilton:
The past year has been one of major change for the Hamilton Schools, with the introduction of a new superintendent and two new principals into the system. We are very fortunate in being able to obtain administrators of a high caliber to direct our staff. It is only with the continued support which the Town has thus far demonstrated that we will be able to build on what we feel is a strong foundation, a system which will satisfy the demands of the townspeople at all grade levels.
It is true that our system continues to incur increasing charges against the Town revenues, though not as great as would be experienced without regionalization with the town of Wenham. Increases are inevit- able with 160 pupils entering our system at the kindergarten level. The term "growing pains" could not be more aptly applied. In order to mini- mize increasing costs and still provide the highest quality and most efficient educational program possible, it is our hope to effect a complete school union with the town of Wenham at the earliest possible date.
The school committee wishes to express its appreciation to the staff and the Town for the strong support which it has received during the past year.
Respectfully submitted, DONALD L. MILLER, Chairman MORLEY L. PIPER, Vice Chairman LOUISE M. BICK FREDERICK J. CALDWELL, SR. JAMES E. HALL
Hamilton School Committee
5
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the Members of the School Committee:
This is my first annual report of the schools of Hamilton. I am increasingly enthusiastic about the present program and future possi- bilities. It is my responsibility to recommend curriculum, staff, books, material, and equipment which will enable each pupil to acquire knowl- edge and the ability to use his knowledge wisely. It is my hope that I may encourage every pupil and employee to find great personal satisfac- tion from "a job well done."
Tests and accomplishments of pupils prove that they deserve the highest quality program that can be provided. Teachers have shown a determination that the current high standard shall be maintained, that the program shall move forward by the use of books, materials, and methods which have proven useful and successful and that new ideas will be effectively tried.
The budget is a financial plan of the school program for the year. Excellent assistance was given by the several principals and staff mem- bers by recommending in detail, the items needed. There is a direct relationship between the dollars spent per child and the quality of the educational program that exists in a community. It appears that Hamil- ton parents have been and are insistent that the schools maintain and move forward in high quality education.
The following reports of special areas are taken from material submitted by the teachers.
Special Reading
During the past school year the Remedial Reading Department has based its procedures on the fact that the true remedial reading pupil is the pupil who has a reading problem or block, which, through special help, may be remedied. A pupil is referred for remedial reading only after a thorough analysis of all factors is made, including a diagnostic reading test, a teacher-principal conference, a discussion with the remedial reading teacher, and, if necessary, with the parent. 187 children have received remedial help during the year 1960-1961,
Health
Dr. Albert Larchez completed a total of 393 physical examinations on the school children. A total of 24 were completed by family physi- cians. Parents of children having physical defects were notified.
Tests of vision and hearing were completed on 927 children. Notices were sent to parents of children failing these tests.
There are 55 handicapped children in our school system. A handi- capped child is one who is afflicted with any one of several diseases.
6
Some of these children are receiving special educational training and others are capable of continuing with regular class room studies.
Dr. John King who for many years was our school dentist and the first to instigate a dental health program in the Town of Hamilton resigned his practice in June. He will be long remembered by those who attended his clinic.
Dr. Louis Polsonetti is our new dentist. The dental program began late in November this year, but it is moving along rapidly.
The Hamliton-Wenham Lions Club is to be complimented on the fine program which they started to aid families needing financial assistance in purchasing eyeglasses for their children, and in sponsoring the speech therapy clinic.
Attendance
School attendance is mandatory for all children between the ages of 7 and 16 years. Children over 16 years of age, attending public school, are required to be in attendance each day that school is in session unless illness prevents.
Hot Lunch Program
A total of 143,610 lunches were served during the year in all three schools. By the end of the program the High School and Cutler School were serving between 330 and 350 lunches per day and the Winthrop School about 270 lunches.
There is a need to replace worn equipment and to purchase more as the enrollment increases.
The French Program - Grades 6, 7, and 8
French is being taught prior to high school in the belief that pupils will more readily succeed in French if given the opportunity to work with it at an early age. As the program is developed, students may study French for six or seven years and thus be more proficient in the French language than has been possible in the typical American high school.
Music
The language of music is universal and is enjoyed by young and old. The public school must teach music so that each pupil may secure greater pleasure from participating in musical activities and from listening to classical and modern selections.
Music is taught in the Hamilton schools so that pupils may learn the fundamentals and gain an appreciation of selected classics. A pro- gram is carried on in instrumental work. Only limited progress can be expected with but four hours per week for the lessons and group work for grades 5 through 12.
Art
Color and form are taught in the primary grades. Manipulative skills are taught by the use of modeling clay and paper cutting. Per-
7
ception of form and color is achieved through simple design. The middle grade pupils continue to learn design through work with costumes, and painting. Charcoal drawing and pen and ink sketches are taught. Free painting in water color and poster paint is encouraged. In grades 7 and 8, further study in design, arrangement, and perspective is carried on.
Your attention is called to the reports from the Principals and Guidance Director which give significant information regarding work that is being carried on in the schools of Hamilton.
A significant step forward in the educational program will be achieved with the opening of the Regional High School. The tremendous importance of these facilities and program may be even clearer to an educator coming from another state than to persons within the confines of the Regional District. I have been disturbed by the crowded build- ings, extremely large classes, and inflexible program. These are neces- sary under present conditions. A strong educational program of high quality cannot be provided without adequate buildings, equipment, books, materials, and excellent teachers.
The high school building will be used for grades 6, 7, and 8 and will be occupied at or near capacity in September 1962. It will be a chal- lenging opportunity to better meet the needs of this age group without having the older pupils in the same building.
The cooperation which has been given to the school program and to me is very much appreciated. In these first months I have found an excellent team effort by the school committee, employees, pupils, and people within the community. My sincere thanks to Dr. John Law- son, my predecessor, for his excellent organization, and to each one who has helped with the schools. A special thank you to the Princi- pals' group which serves as a cabinet in formulating school procedures and recommending practices.
Respectfully submitted,
HAMMOND A. YOUNG Superintendent
8
FINANCE
Appropriation, State and Local Reimbursement for Hamilton Public Schools
Appropriated at Town Meeting :
1961 Budget
1962 Budget
Regular Budget
$486,309.00
$510,623.00
Specials
2,500.00
2,500.00
488,809.00
513,123.00
Returned to the Town from :
Unexpended Budget
5,000.00
(est.) 5,000.00
Commonwealth of Massachusetts :
General School Fund
58,978.00
51,813.00
Special Regional Aid
7,772.00
Vocational
345.00
425.00
Transportation - Regular
11,425.50
10,723.00
Special Class
2,697.43
3,142.00
Public Law 874
10,000.00
10,219.00
National Defense Act
1,500.00
1,212.00
Tuition:
Town of Wenham
10,000.00
10,080.00
Other
240.00
400.00
Miscellaneous
200.00
500.00
$100,385.93
$101,286.00
NET COST TO THE TOWN
$388,423.07
$411,837.00
Actual Returns for 1961, Estimated for 1962
Actual Net Cost for 1961, Estimated for 1962
9
HOW WAS OUR MONEY SPENT?
Categories
Budget 1961
Expended 1961
Budget 1962
Percent of Total
1. General Expense
$ 15,402.00 $ 14,734.92 $ 15,487.00
3.0
2. Expense of Instruction
353,530.00
348,103.29
361,816.00
70.7
3. Textbooks and Supplies
22,430.00
23,259.45
21,856.00
4.2
4. Operation of Plant 46,982.00
46,980.76
49,904.00
9.8
5. Maintenance of Plant
5,000.00
7,909.92
15,160.00
2.9
6. Auxiliary Agencies
36,824.00
35,508.64
36,653.00
7.1
7. Outlay
6,141.00
5,795.50
9,747.00
1.8
8. Special Appropriation
2,500.00
2,240.20
2,500.00
0.5
$488,809.00 $484,532.68 $513,123.00
100.0
PUBLIC LAW 874 REVOLVING FUND
1961
Balance, January 1, 1961
None
RECEIPTS during 1961 :
$10,487.00
Paid
3,981.75
Balance
$6,505.25
CAFETERIA REVOLVING FUND
Cash Balance, January 1, 1961
$ 2,212.78
Receipts during 1961 :
Sale of Meals
40,124.37
Federal Subsidy
16,394.29
58,731.44
Expenditures during 1961 :
Labor
$11,529.10
Food
39,391.09
Miscellaneous
2,428.74
53,348.93
Cash Balance, December 31, 1961
$5,382.51
Accounts Receivable, December 31, 1961 :
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
$1,945.24
Accounts Payable, December 31, 1961 3,554.53
10
ATHLETIC REVOLVING FUND
Balance, January 1, 1961
$1,700.64 1,492.60
Receipts during 1961 :
Total
Expenditures during 1961
Balance, December 31, 1961
$3,193.24 114.00 $3,079.24
NATIONAL DEFENSE EDUCATION ACT REVOLVING FUND 1961
Balance, January 1, 1961
$ 259.17
Received during 1961
1,079.84
Paid
51.99
Balance, December 31, 1961
$1,287.02
PUPIL ENROLLMENTS OCTOBER 1, 1951-1961
Year
K-6
7-12
Total K-12
Increase
1951
334
189
523
71-16%
1952
386
186
572
49-9%
1953
486
195
679
107-19%
1954
539
224
763
84-12%
1955
609
263
872
109-14%
1956
695
283
978
106-12%
1957
749
305
1054
76-8%
1958
794
365
1159
105-10%
1959
853
416
1269
110-9%
1960
865
480
1345
76-6%
1961
912
558
1470
125-9%
HOW MANY PERSONNEL WORK IN OUR SCHOOLS?
1958
1959
1960
1961
No. of Administrative Personnel
3
4
4
4
No. of Secretaries
1
1
1
1
No. of Clerks (full time)
1
1
1
No. of Clerks (part-time)
2
2
2
No. of Custodians (includes a
part-time maintenance man)
4
5
6
6
No. of Teachers
45.4
50.4
53.3
57
No. of Cafeteria workers
9
9
10
14
No. of Non-degree teachers
13
12
11
10
No. of Bachelor degree teachers
20.4
23.4
27.3
31
No. of Master degree teachers
11
14
15
16
No. of Doctor-degree
1
No. of students
1159
1269
1345
1470
11
MEMBERSHIP BY AGE AND GRADE
AGE
Grade
4
5 6 7 8
9 10 11
12
13
14 15
16
17
18 Total
Kdg. 20 119
2
141
1
25 107
9
141
2
147
3
134
4
121
Special
1
2
1 2 4
1 11
1
1
1
10
5
17 76
24 67
15
4
110
7
22 70
21
13 16
2 6
1
129
8
124
9
18 57
15
3
2
95
10
33 71
14
1 119
11
12 26
9
2
49
12
14
25
3
42
Totals
20 144 138 131 135 122 111 105 120 113 124 107
58
37 5 1470
SCHOOL CENSUS AS OF OCTOBER 1, 1961
Boys
Girls
Number between five and seven years of age
168
151
Number between seven and sixteen years of age
619
561
Totals
787
712
Total Census
1499
Distribution of the above minors, October 1, 1961 :
In the Public Day School
1347
In Vocational School
0
In Private School
148
In State and County Institutions and Special Schools for Defective Delinquents
4
Not enrolled in any day school
0
Total (should equal corresponding totals in the above registra- tion )
1499
28 105 13 15 105 1 12 2 17 91 9
4
108
6
29 73
12
SELECTED REPORTS TO THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
REPORT OF THE HAMILTON HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
To the Superintendent of Schools:
DEAR SIR :
I herewith submit my annual report as principal of the Hamilton High School.
With approximately five hundred and sixty-six students enrolled in grades seven through twelve, the immediate problem this fall was the proper utilization of the existing physical facilities. In order to avoid a two-session day, with the resulting loss in educational time to the youngsters of both the junior and senior high schools, it was necessary to use our cafeteria for study halls and our library for several of our rare, small classes. The Town of Wenham helped immeasurably by loan- ing us two classrooms in the Bessie Buker School for use by two of our seventh grade sections. With these adjustments in plant operation we were able to offer the students the same curricular and subjects as in former years.
The junior high program, which is transitory in nature, is set up to guide the child from the self-contained classroom of the elementary school where one teacher presents the majority of the subject matter to the more specialized realm of the senior high school and the subsequent adjustment to many different teachers.
Every effort was made in grouping the students so that youngsters with the same ability, interests, and goals would receive the education which would meet their needs now and in the future. Flexibility was maintained within these groups to the degree that the children could be shifted from one group to another if the need arose.
The subject areas remained basically the same as in former years with studies in English, mathematics, science, and social studies forming the backbone of the curriculum. To maintain a balance in the program at this level, classes in the specialty areas of music, art, physical educa- tion, home economics, shop, French, and reading were presented on a more limited time allotment. Homework requiring study in areas other than that of the textbook was encouraged in order to develop the stu- dents' ability to conduct research as well as a means of supplementing their classroom activity. The accent in homework is always the quality of the work rather than the quantity.
13
Innovations this year in the junior high include the offering of French, mainly conversational in nature, to all students and the intro- duction of several new activities which are extra-curricular in nature such as, boys' cooking, girls' shop, two newspapers, a science club and chorus.
At the senior high level the curricula remained the same with each youngster being able to choose between a college arts, college scientific, a business or a civic program. Every effort was made to include courses designed, not only to prepare the students for their tasks in the future, but also, to enrich the youngsters' background to the point where many of last year's graduates received advance placement in the colleges of their choice in such subjects as mathematics and chemistry
Because of the large numbers enrolled in grades nine and ten it was possible to offer courses in English, science, and mathematics graded to the various ability levels.
Extra class activities in the senior high revolved around such old reliables as the varsity club, the future teachers club, the yearbook staff, the glee club, the audio-visual group, the mathematics team, and the debating club. A new addition to this list was the international rela- tions club which was formed under Mr. Moyer's direction for students interested in exploring the political scene more closely both at home and abroad.
The interscholastic program offered competition on the varsity level for boys in the sports of football, cross country, basketball, baseball, ten- nis, and golf. The girls participated in field hockey, basketball and tennis and softball.
At this time I would like to express my appreciation to you for your guidance and to thank the faculty, students and parents for their co- operation which is primarily responsible for any success we may achieve during this school year.
Respectfully submitted,
RICHARD SNOW,
Principal
14
REPORT OF THE MANASSEH CUTLER SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
To the Superintendent of Schools:
DEAR SIR :
It is with pleasure that I submit my first annual report as Principal of the Manasseh Cutler School.
The burden on the regular staff at the Manasseh Cutler School was heavy this September because they had the added duty of orienting one Principal, five teachers, one first grade substitute and one Superintend- ent! They welcomed all of us enthusiastically and have absorbed us easily into the total faculty.
The beginning year is one in which a new administrator attempts through observations, meetings and conferences to study philosophies, general procedures and classroom operations. Once these characteristics have been determined, they form the base from which to move ahead. This Principal is following this pattern and is happy to report that several new and exciting things are taking place at the school.
KINDERGARTEN :
Kindergartens are today fast becoming an integral part of the total academic experience of the public school child. In order for this to hap- pen, an adjustment in philosophy, methods and materials frequently has to take place. Such is the case at the Manasseh Cutler School. The School Committee, Superintendent, Principal and teachers are in accord with the philosophy that individual differences in children will be recog- nized and provided for in the kindergarten as well as at all other levels.
In order to put this "top-flight" program into action, several changes have been effected.
1. A third kindergarten group has been formed from the extra large September enrollment.
2. New materials and tools of instruction have been purchased.
3. A workshop for kindergarten teachers will be conducted by the Principal for the purpose of planning curriculum methods and materials for this superior program.
FIRST GRADE :
Our first grade teachers had for some time been concerned with the almost impossible task of reporting pupil progress through the means of a formal and structured report card. Therefore, parent-teacher conferences and informal anecdotal reports are being used this year for reporting pupil progress.
15
A new first grade arithmetic program approved by the School Com- mittee was ready for inauguration in September and proceeded as scheduled. This program provides for the use of three different ap- proaches to numbers in the first grade. Children are grouped by achievement as determined by informal testing. These several groups are assigned to different teachers for their instruction. One group studies "number" by the "Cuisenaire" method, one uses the "Stern" approach and three groups are working with the regular basic material. Each program is being evaluated continuously.
SCIENCE :
There is a need for total staff study for building a superior science program at the Manasseh Cutler School. This should include a study of curriculum, content, materials and methods. Hopefully, this study can be attempted during the current budget year.
LIBRARY :
A school library is one of the urgent needs at the Manasseh Cutler School. The school library is basic to a balanced "reading and litera- ture" program and the reference section of the school library is the core around which the content subject curricula is implemented. The School Committee and Superintendent have made provision for meeting this need and a considerable beginning will be made during the current budget year.
This year is an especially stimulating experience due to the com- bined encouragement of the School Committee, the leadership of the Superintendent, the teamwork of the teachers and the positive attitude toward quality education on the part of the citizens of Hamilton. With these ingredients the Manasseh Cutler School will move forward atuned to the needs of the times.
Respectfully submitted,
DR. GERALDINE H. QUINT,
Principal
16
REPORT OF THE WINTHROP SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
To the Superintendent of Schools:
DEAR SIR :
I am pleased to submit to you my third annual report.
The Winthrop School opened in September of 1961 with an enroll- ment of 340 students with a fairly even distribution of pupils at each grade level, four, five and six. This was a small increase over our closing enrollment in June.
We have, this past year, attempted to make our parents feel wel- come to be in touch with us by personal visit, telephone or letter. Our parent-teacher conference program, now in its third year, continues to pay dividends for the child, our first concern. During the last school year almost three hundred formal parent-teacher conferences were held by teachers in the Winthrop School, with some teachers seeing every parent at least once.
Many varied activities have been held to which parents and inter- ested citizens were invited. A Science Fair, Social Studies Fair, Open House, American Education Week, grade meetings and bulletins to the home, are a few of the ways we have tried to keep the community appraised of our program.
Beginning this past September, our elementary French program was moved up to begin at Grade 6, with each student receiving two half-hour periods weekly.
One of our programs over the last year was to classroom-train a senior from the State Teachers' College at Salem. This activity helps us to meet one of our professional obligations, that of preparing future teachers. The added teacher also gives some of our pupils the op- portunity to receive some extra individual help in weak areas.
Our audio-visual program has been stepped up in quantity and quality during the last year. We are now making much fuller use of our opaque projector, movie projector, tape recorder, film strip machine. Our film strip library and record library continue to grow. Through a better and fuller use of this material we are able to improve the in- structional program.
Last winter there was conducted a ten-week basketball program for boys of Grades Five and Six.
There has been a continuance in our efforts to provide the best instructional program for our children. Close attention by the classroom teacher to a child's ability, strengths, weaknesses and problems, allows a teacher to vary the program and the instructional techniques for one child or a small group of children.
17
I feel that the teachers, supervisors, special service people, cafeteria staff, custodians and secretarial staff are to be complimented on the harmonious, cooperative and effective manner in which they work within the framework of our program. Only with this kind of a staff can a school operate effectively and efficiently and provide the type of educa- tion which is desirable.
I would express my appreciation to you, the School Board, Town officials and others inside and outside our community who have helped make our past school year a successful one. My thanks also go to the many parents who have helped in so many ways to make our program a profitable on-going program. With such fine support from individuals and groups, many outstanding educational opportunities can be further developed for and with one of our best natural assets, our children.
Respectfully submitted, EDMUND E. DODGE,
Principal
18
REPORT OF GUIDANCE DIRECTOR
-
To the Superintendent of Schools:
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