USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Tewksbury > Town of Tewksbury annual report 1950-1954 > Part 16
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3,000.00
117
Operating Expenses
Janitors - High School 4,476.00
Janitors - Elementary 5,712.00
Fuel - High School 2,200.00
Fuel - Elementary 3,500.00
Miscellaneous - High School
2,900.00
Miscellaneous - Elementary
3,000.00
New Equipment and Improvement
4,500.00
Maintenance of Plant
Repairs - High
3,000.00
Repairs - Elementary
2,000.00
Auxiliary Agencies
School Physician
500.00
Health
3,100.00
Athletics
3,000.00
Library
250.00
Elementary Physical Education
1,000.00
Transportation
High
7,800.00
Elementary
10,200.00
School Lunch
8,460.00
TOTAL
$194,511.00
Estimated Reimbursement to the Town for 1952
Chapter 70
$ 39,925.27
Transportation
10,560.00
Athletics
1,200.00
State Wards
4,052.00
City of Boston Wards
200.00
55,937.27
Net Estimated School Budget for 1952
$138,573.73
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REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the Tewksbury School Committee:
I am pleased to submit my first report for your consideration.
"Education in a democracy seek to effect the actualization of the potentialities of each individual in consonance with, and for the development of, a continuously progressing society."
It is with this thought that I begin my services as your superintendent, extremely cognizant of the deep responsibility placed upon me for the education of the youth of this town.
Resignations and Appointments
We are indeed fortunate to have very little teacher "turn-over" in Tewksbury. There have been but three changes in the teaching staff this year.
RESIGNATIONS
High School
Miss Margaret White Languages Mrs. Helen Driscoll Commercial Department
Shawsheen School
Mrs. Ann Melanson Grade Five
APPOINTMENTS
Miss M. Clare Murray of Lowell, a graduate of Salem State Teachers College, was elected to teach in the Commercial Depart- ment of the High School.
Mrs. Jennie Basile of Lawrence, a graduate of Radcliffe College, was elected to teach foreign languages in the High School.
Miss Marie Torpey of Lawrence, a graduate of Boston Univer- sity, was elected to teach the fifth grade in the Shawsheen School.
Handwriting
The Rinehart Functional Handwriting System is operating effectively. This system stresses functional movement, combining finger and arm movement to permit ease and freedom in penman-
119
ship. Writing is a useful and necessary part in education, and good writing habits achieved in the formal writing period should have a carry-over value into other subjects and life pursuits.
The Rinehart supervisors visit Tewksbury once a month to supervise teachers and pupils. Each month the papers of all pupils are diagnosed and graded on especially prepared charts for the individual pupils.
Formal and informal samples of handwriting are graded, and certificates are awarded for satisfactory performance. The Rinehart service includes all instructional materials, such as monthly teacher outlines, room motivation certificates, envelopes, seals, and indivi- dual certificates awarded to those who qualify in the handwriting tests.
Educational and Employment Certificates
Every person from 14-16 years of age must have an employ- ment certificate or permit, and those between 16-21 years of age must have an educational certificate. These certificates and permits may be obtained from the Offices of the Superintendent of Schools, the High School Principal, and the Secretary of the School Committee. When one makes application for a certificate, he must apply in person and bring birth certificate and report of last grade attended.
Age of Admission to School
All children born previous to April 1, 1947 are eligible to attend school in the coming fall term.
Statistics for the School Year 1950-1951
ENROLLMENT
High School
Total Enrollment 216
Average Membership
204
Average Attendance 188
Percent of Attendance
91
Elementary School
Total Enrollment 778
Average Membership
753
Average Attendance 695
Percent of Attendance 92
120
AGE - GRADE DISTRIBUTION October 1, 1951
Gr./Age
|5 | 6 |7 |8 |9 |10|11|12|13|14|15|16|17|18|
T
1
35|75 | 4
114
11
4 35 |68 | 7
114
=
1
46
68 13|2 |1|
131
IV
33 53|5 |5|1
97
V
23 419 52
80
VI
27|43|13|6|1|
90
VII
20|42|19| 3 | 1
85
VIII
(31|29|16| 6
82
Spe. Class
312241|2|
15
Total
39|111 |118|108|89|75|81 |93 58|22|11 |1 |2
808
IX
|16|43|14| 5
79
X
17|38|13|3|1
72
XI
|16|27| 6
49
XII
2 |19|21 | 5
47
Total
16 60 70 64|30|7
247
Grand Total |39| 111 |118|108|89|75|81 |93|74 82 81 |65 |32 7
1055
SCHOOL - GRADE DISTRIBUTION
- =
III IV V VI VII VIII SC IX X XI XII TOTAL
Shawsheen
54 |51 |61 45|38|46|
295
Foster
60 63 70 52|42|44|
331
Total
114|114 |131 |97 |80|90
626
High
(85|82|15|79|72|49|47|
429
Grand Total
-
1055
Supervisors
The appended report of the supervisors invites your careful attention. The supervisors are specialists in their respective fields. The teachers have much credit due them for the excellent manner in which they carry out the instructions of these special teachers.
Textbooks
Many of our textbooks will have to be replaced. Textbook committees will be selected to evaluate our present texts relative to needs for replacement and expansion of instructional materials.
The history texts in grade 7 and 8 have already been replaced.
Testing Program
Present day school systems vary in many ways for justifiable reasons, but recognized systems have fundamentally basic pro- cedures. One of these is a testing program. We are now working
121
on such a system whereby each student, as he progresses from Grade I to Grade XII, will experience twelve tests of achievements, five tests of intelligence, and ten tests of his reading ability. In addition to providing valuable information for guidance of indivi- dual students, we shall be able to judge results of each year's effort, and compare indications of advancement or regression.
Another basic need is for a twelve year cumulative record system. This is closely allied with the testing and guidance pro- gram. A survey for such a system is now under way with recom- mendations forth-coming in the very near future.
Scheduling of Grades for 1952-1953
The new elementary school located on North Street will con- tain fourteen classrooms and the two "Shawsheen" schools, twelve classrooms.
The rapidly expanding enrollment in the lower grades is still a problem and necessitates a 7-5 type of grade organization for the coming fall term. If this enrollment continues to increase, we will again be faced with a housing problem within a few years.
At this time an analysis of our system would indicate that a 6-6 type of school system organization would be the most feasible for the Town of Tewksbury.
The anticipated distribution of classes for the fall term is as follows:
Foster School District
Grade
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
No. of Pupils
68
60
63
70
52
42
44
Classes
2
2
2
2
2
1
1
Shawsheen School District
Grade
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
No. of Pupils
60
54
51
61
45
38
46
Classes
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
Within a few years the first seven grades in each school dis- trict will be double grades, with the possibility of three first grades in the Foster School district.
Under next year's program the eighth grade will become a part of the High School, directly under the administration of Mr. McGowan. The present rooms, now used by Grade Seven, are needed to lessen the crowded conditions in the High School.
With the eighth grade becoming a part of the High School, the eighth grade graduation would no longer fit into the program.
122
A minimum of seven additional teachers will be needed to take care of next year's grade and pupil distribution in the entire school system.
Conclusion
I have enjoyed my work of the past six months. The coopera tion of the principals and teachers have been outstanding. There will be many details to be reported upon after I have finished my survey of the school system. Audio-visual aids, the marking system, a remedial reading program, and guidance are subjects now being studied.
In closing, I wish to express my appreciation to you and the teachers for your efforts to improve the educational opportunities of the children intrusted to your care.
Respectfully submitted,
THOMAS L. RIVARD
Superintendent of Schools
123
REPORT OF THE PRINCIPAL TEWKSBURY HIGH SCHOOL January, 1952
To the Superintendent of Schools:
I have the honor to present my fifth annual report as Principal of Tewksbury High School.
Enrollment
The school enrollment of October 1, was 427, including 254 in grades 9 through 12 and 173 in grades 7 and 8. This enrollment figure is representative of the largest number in the history of the school. It exceeds the preceding year's enrollment by 18 and in view of present enrollments, a similar increase is anticipated for the forthcoming school year.
Graduation 1951
The eighth grade graduation was held in the high school audi- torium on June 14th. Mrs. Loella Dewing, school committee mem- ber, presented the 80 diplomas with the assistance of Miss Margaret Delaney. Student participants in this program were Carol Sher- wood, Evelyn Kent, Judith Hewitt, Eleanor Barrelle, Athena Zorba, Patricia Lawlor, Richard Carter and Robert Barron. Brief remarks were made by Mr. Stephen Bean, the retiring Superinten- dent of Schools, and Miss Margaret Delaney.
Members of this graduating class were as follows:
BOYS: Thomas Aspell, Robert Barron, Emile Bernier, Ronald Boisvert, Clifford Bolton, Charles Briggs, Warren Carlson, Leslie Clark, Norman Cleghorn, Robert Collins, William Cuskey, Waldo Cummings, John Denehy, Gerald Devine, James Doherty, Carl Ebinger, James Farley, James Farrell, Kenneth Fisher, William Gath, James Goodpaster, Raymond Gray, David Greene, Gerry Haines, David Hinckley, Gerald Jackson, John Kelley, Robert Love, William Mackay, Louis Marion, Paul McCoy, Eric Martinson, George Munnis, Ray Sutherland, Frederick Welch, Franklin White.
GIRLS: Josephine Basile, Eleanor Barrelle, Janice Bowden, Barbara Brazee, Nancy Collins, Ruth Cormier, Eveline Ebert, Ethlyn Gleason, Judith Hewitt, Ethel Hill, Roberta Hughes, Marion Jasilewicz, Betty Jones, Mary Jane Judd, Barbara Karner, Eliza- beth Kelley, Evelyn Kent, Grace King, Patricia Lawlor, Janet LeBouef, Claire Lemelin, Elizabeth Lewandowski, Ola Martel, Dorothy Morris, Elizabeth Munnis, Barbara O'Connell, Rebecca Olofsson, Gail Page, Betty Perrier, Florence Richards, June Roberts, Marion Ryan, Katherine Sands, Marjorie Shaw, Mary Ann Shea,
124
Carol Sherwood, Nancy Stevenson, Barbara Travis, Constance Vistola, Athena Zorba.
The following day, June 15, 36 students, who had fulfilled the high school graduation requirements, received their diplomas from Mr. Ralph S. Battles, Chairman of the School Committee. The two students having the highest marks in the class had parts in the program. They were Martha Cooney, the class valedictorian, and Gerald Roper, the class salutatorian. Awards were made as fol- lows: The Larrabee Scholarship Medals to Martha Cooney and Gerald Roper; the Melvin Rogers Athletic Medals to Robert Booth (football) and Owen Lawlor (baseball); Balfour Award for Loyalty, Scholarship, and Achievement to Thomas Finn, Jr .; Edith Haines Scholarship to Louise Flucker; Special Award of a pearl necklace and certificate for perfect attendance throughout her school carrer (12 years), given by the faculty of THS to Barbara Farrell; the P.T.A. Medals for the outstanding girl and boy basketball players were given to Jean Gleason, and Owen Lawlor; Citizenship Medal to John Cuneo; and P.T.A. Scholarship of $100.00 to Thomas Finn. The D.A.R. Good Citizenship Medal to Betty Lou Gross, and the Washington-Franklin Medal for the Oustanding U. S. History Student to Martha Cooney.
Seventeen members of this graduating class are pursuing their education in higher schools of learning; seven have entered the armed service; and eight are gainfully employed. It is interesting to note that 47.2 percent of this class has been accepted by colleges or universities, which is much higher than the average national percentage of thirty.
The names of the gradutes and the post secondary schools they are now attending are listed below:
Names
Schools
Mary Bancroft
Lowell Commercial College
Charles Broe
Tufts College
Martha Cooney University of Massachusetts
Anthony Coveillo Franklin Institute
John Cuneo University of Massachusetts
Thomas Finn
Colby College
Louise Flucker Lowell General Hospital
Jean Gleason Lowell Teachers' College
Phyllis Golen Lowell Commercial College
Betty Gross Lowell Teachers' College Owen Lawlor Boston University
Theresa Nickols Tewksbury State Infirmary
Bernice Peavey Lowell General Hospital
Jean Ramalho Lowell Teachers' College Boston University
Gerald Roper
Gladys Scott Burdett Business College
Barbara Sughrue
International Business Machines
125
Guidance
Our guidance program remains in charge of the principal and the senior class advisors. Individual conferences were planned and speakers in many fields of endeavor engaged to speak to all seniors and juniors throughout the course of the year. These speakers appearing at different times allow the student ample time to acquaint themselves with opportunities in various fields. Films depicting possibilities in dfferent vocatons were also shown at different times during the year.
The Boston University Vocational Testing Battery was offered this year to all 8th and 11th grade students. One hundred and twelve students took these various tests.
Athletics
Following in the footsteps of our 1950 championship football team, the girls annexed the 1950-1951 Lowell Suburban basketball championship. This, incidentally, is the first time in the school's history that our girls' team won this honor. The previous year, the girls had tied for the league lead with Howe High School of Billerica. In addition to annexing the title, three members of the team were placed on the mythical Suburban All-Star Team. By virtue of the calibre of the season's play, the school received its second successive invitation to participate in the Littleton High School Basketball tournament, which is the only small school girls' tournament in the state. After reaching the final round of the tournament, the team, following a hard fought battle, succumbed to defeat by a fast, clever, experienced Townsend High School team. As a result of the season's play, the team added another first to its list of accomplishments by adding one permanent and two temporary trophies to our ever growing collection of trophies and awards.
In the fall an inexperienced football team developed skill rapidly and won five, lost two, and tied one out of eight games, making a fine showing in every contest. The team ended its season in runner-up position to Billerica High School, this year's Suburban Champion.
Great credit is due the coach, Mr. Hazel, the cheerleaders, the students, and the adult supporters who followed the team so loyally. But, most of all, credit is due the boys and girls who won for themselves and their school the praise of all who saw them play.
Activities
Our Glee Club and Band Ensemble combined to present a Pops Concert on May 25. Featured individual numbers were ren- dered by Robert Carey, Freida Brownstein, Nancy Maclaren, George Osborne, Alice Farrell, and June Anderson. A special
126
attraction of the concert was a fashion show by members of the Home Economics Department. Models displayed various articles of wearing apparel they had made in class. The Glee Club was directed by Miss Florence Savas, the Band Ensemble by Mr. Julius Woessner, and the Fashion Show by Miss Rosella Schatz. Audi- torium decorations were by members of the Art Department, under the supervision of Mrs. Robert Thresher.
Miscellaneous
Two new collections have been added to the school, one to the science laboratory and the other to our library. A surplus of valuable minerals was presented to the school during the spring by the Harvard College School of Mineralogy. This display of different types of minerals, inclosed in a glass case and placed in the laboratory, will be of great value to the students in connection with future studies in the field of science. A history book collection is the gift of Mrs. C. Brooks Stevens of this town. This collection has been added to our increasing library reference material to aid and assist in assignments in the field of social sciences and other interrelated subjects.
Faculty Changes
Just prior to the opening of school in September, two new teachers joined the faculty, replacing teachers who had resigned during the summer vacation. Mrs. Jennie Basile of Lawrence, our foreign language teacher, replaced Miss Margaret White of Lowell, who had resigned to accept a position in the Spanish Department of Lowell High School. Mrs. Basile has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Radcliffe College and a Master of Arts degree from Middle- bury College. She has taught previously at both Lawrence and Needham High Schools. Miss M. Clare Murray of Lowell succeeded Mrs. Helen Driscoll as teacher of Typing, Junior Business Training, Girls' Physical Education, and Accounting. She holds a degree from Salem State Teachers' College.
School Lunch Program
Our lunch program, capably supervised by Mrs. Eugene Winter, continues to furnish nourishing meals to a large percentage of the student body. Approximately 330 students are taking part in this program.
Plenty of proteins for growth and repair of the body, plenty of calories, important minerals like iron and calcium, and the essential vitamins, are included in the average meal. Lunches are served hot or cold according to the season and the circumstances. Regard- less of the temperature, well balanced meals are available to all students at all times at a reasonable cost.
127
Conclusion
When only a few of the children who completed elementary education went on to high school, a relatively narrow course of study met their needs fairly well. Now that high schools must offer a worthwhile program for all the children of all the people, a much broader curriculum is demanded. This in turn requires more teachers with special training and more shops, laboratories and equipment.
In our school we are trying to do our share in the essential and difficult, but challenging work that falls to teachers. For the support and encouragement we have had, we are very grateful.
Respectfully submitted,
LAWRENCE R. McGOWAN
Principal
REPORT OF THE MUSIC SUPERVISOR
To the Superintendent of Schools of
The Town of Tewksbury:
As Supervisor of Music in Tewksbury, I herewith submit my second report since my appointment.
My primary concern is to teach the children to love music for its beauty and aesthetic qualities and to learn to enjoy it through listening, performing, and creating.
Time and tone mechanics are stressed up through the grades.
In the first and second grades we work for beautiful tone quality and help each child to find his "singing voice." We do much creating in the line of dramatization and performance with indivi- duals and groups. Rhythm work is also included in their music program.
The same work is done in the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth, as is done in the first and second. Creative writing of original melodies is added as another phase of their training in music.
The reading of syllables is carried on through the seventh and eighth grades and along with their regular music, they have some music appreciation. An Armistice Day Assembly was held by them, at which time they sang songs of our Armed Forces today and yesterday. A group of seventh and eighth graders sang "The
128
Battle Hymn of the Republic" at the Memorial Day Observance at the Town Hall. At their graduation, they sang "The Syncopated Clock," "May the Good Lord Bless and Keep You" (solo by Patricia Lawlor), and "Silver Threads Among the Gold" (solo by Athena Zorba). Judith Hewitt rendered "Smilin' Through." They per- formed the "Story of the First Christmas" with chorus and narrator (Paul Atkinson and Joseph Rexford) at the December meeting of the P.T.A. This group took a trip to the Radio Station WLLH in Lowell, where they recorded this "Story" which was air-waved over the radio the day before Christmas and Christmas night. They repeated this performance again at the Christmas High School Assembly for the student body and faculty. It was well received by all who heard it. These youngsters did a superb piece of work
Rehearsals and preparations are now under way for the oper- etta "H. M. S. Pinafore" by Gilbert and Sullivan, to be given by them some time in the Spring.
Along with "The Story of the First Christmas" at the Christmas Assembly, June Anderson, High School pupil, sang "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day." The Assembly closed with the singing of carols by all.
The High School Mixed Chorus sang "Hymn of Love" and the Girls Chorus sang "Bless This House" at the High School Gradua- tion. A selected group of high school pupils from Dracut, Lowell, Chelmsford, and Tewksbury, were featured at a concert at Liberty Hall in Lowell, with the Lowell Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Mr. Julius Woessner. This concert was held in May 1951. Each school was asked to have one feature number as well as the chorus. June Anderson was selected to sing "Velvet Shoes" by Randall Thompson. Rehearsals for this were held after school and all who participated enjoyed every minute of it. It was a most thrilling experience to hear this excellent performance, which was done in a most professional manner.
The Double Octet also sang at the P.T.A. Installation Meeting in May. Last year's Pops Concert was so successful that we shall repeat it again with songs everyone knows and loves.
I appreciate the kind cooperation and assistance of all my principals and their teachers who help make these activities possible and successful for the children.
Respectfully submitted,
FLORENCE SAVAS
Music Supervisor
129
REPORT OF THE ART SUPERVISOR
To the Superintendent of Schools
of the Town of Tewksbury:
Throughout the school system it is the aim of the Art Super- visor to encourage the children to draw naturally, and to feel able to express their ideas graphically for practical purposes, as well as for the purpose of creative art.
The first, and in the lower grades, the most difficult step is for the children to lose their self-consciousness and be freed from any embarrassment from ridicule or comparison of their drawings. Then, and only then, can each child's originality be brought out and be developed into self reliance. They must learn to work with each other rather than to lean on each other.
Grades 1 - 6
Each class uses as many different materials as is possible. These include crayon, paint, chalk, cut-paper and paste, and plasticene. At, least one class project is completed in each grade, such as a mural, map, poster display, etc., which is correlated with a class subject or interest. Although originality is stressed, each class has its share of directed and semi-directed lessons, as ability to follow instructions is, of course, vital. This includes formal design and measuring from grade four to grade eight.
Grades 7 and 8
In these grades the pupils should be ready for more detailed art, if their interest and self-reliance have been developed in earlier grades.
This year, in the eighth grade particularly, the classes have made many pictures and wall decorations for their rooms. These activities have been very successful in increasing the enthusiasm for art in the classroom.
The quality of work in both grades has improved, and the classes are completing their work in a more orderly manner. How- ever, they should have more time for art and space for exhibiting their work. They have used crayon, chalk and cut-paper and paste. It is planned to add painting to their program.
130
High School
The High School Art Class is unable to function efficiently due to the noise of the machines in the Manual Training Department, which occupies the major part of the room. Although this is un- avoidable, it makes giving instructions to the Art Class very difficult.
As the class is elective, the students are given more advanced work. They study color theory, perspective, lettering, poster work, as well as drawing and painting.
The students work well and are interested, but do not benfit as they would in a more suitable room.
I wish to express my sincere appreciation for the splendid co- operation I have received from the principals and teachers of the Tewksbury schools.
Respectfully submitted,
ROBERTA THRESHER
Art Supervisor
131
REPORT OF SCHOOL NURSE
-
To the Superintendent of Schools
of the Town of Tewksbury:
A vaccination clinic was held in the spring of 1951, with Dr. Joseph Risoli, Board of Health Doctor, administering the vaccine.
Total vaccinated - 58
A diphtheria clinic was held at the same time as the vaccina- tion clinic.
Number of children receiving 3 doses of Diphtheria - Tetanus antigen 8
Number of children receiving boosters of Diphtheria - Tetanus antigen 17
These clinics were held in April, May, and June. They were unusually small clinics because of the large clinic we had in 1950 at the time of the diphtheria cases.
The Massachusetts Vision Testing Machine was used through- out the school system in 1951. A total of 65 children needed referral to an eye specialist.
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