USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Tewksbury > Town of Tewksbury annual report 1950-1954 > Part 25
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Athletes Accident Benefit Fund
Many parents feel that because their son or daughter has signed up with the Athletes Benefit Fund the full sum of all claims will be met by this fund. In view of this misunderstanding it is felt necessary to describe briefly the outstanding features of this plan by bringing them to the attention of all concerned. This fund
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is NOT an insurance company, but a mutual benefit plan conducted and operated at cost for the benefit of those registered in it. All supervised athletic activities sponsored by the school are covered. These activities include gym work, interclass, intramural, inter- scholastic, as well as actual directed practice and physical training classes under instruction. Coverage is for the school year and ends when the school closes in June. For those students who partici- pate in all sports, the membership fee is $3.00; for sports EXCEPT football the costs is only $1.00. Because of these low fees, certain limitations have been placed on the schedule of benefits. At the present time, the fund does not pay for treatment of abrasions, bruises, bursitis, cellulitis, contusions, homatomas, hernia, infec- tions, and similar afflictions. Athletes are covered only by a schedule of benefits as published in the Bulletins of General Infor- mation which are issued to all students participating in this fund. Inasmuch as the cost of participation in this fund is low and there are certain limitations established, parents should be informed and be aware that the total amounts of all claims cannot possibly be covered under this fund. Any difference that exists between the maximum benefit and the claim must be borne by the parents as there are no such funds available at the school.
Festival of '52
On May 29, the combined choral and instrumental groups presented the Festival of '52. Soloists were Robert E. Lee, Roger 'Currier, Adrith Garside, Freida Brownstein, June Anderson, Madeline Buchanan, and Mark Roper. The boys' chorus, the mixed group, and dancers comprised the remainder of the program. The Glee Clubs were under the direction of Miss Florence Savas, Supervisor of Music, and the Band Ensemble was directed by Mr. Julius Woessner. June Anderson, Freida Brownstein, and Marilyn Bachman were the accompanists.
Faculty Changes
Changes made this year in the addition of three teachers have greatly increased and improved the prestige of the teaching per- sonnel. Mr. Anibal Oliver, Mr. Hamlin Smith, and Miss Margaret Keith joined the faculty. Mr. Oliver, a graduate of Boston Uni- versity and teacher-coach at Southwest Harbor, Maine, last year, has been appointed to the faculty to relieve some of the over- crowded conditions in the Science and Mathematics classrooms and to assist in the Physical Education program. Miss Keith, a graduate of the Sargent School of Physical Education with five years' teaching experience replaced Mrs. Grace Hobart who has retired from the teaching profession. Mr. Hamlin Smith, with a Master of Arts degree from Harvard University, with teaching experience at the U. S. Naval Training Station at Great Lakes and
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apprentice teaching at Lexington High School, has taken the place of Miss Margaret Delaney who has resigned to accept a teaching position elsewhere. The addition of Mr. Oliver, Miss Keith and Mr. Smith will not only improve our high academic standards, but will most certainly assist in building up our physical education program both interscholastically and intramurally.
Household Arts Program
After many conferences and numerous other contacts, Mr. Rivard has been instrumental in initiating proper action in the acceptance of our household arts program by the State Department of Education. In accepting this program, the Federal and State Governments will reimburse the town a proportionate share of financial grants each year starting with payment in full of the teacher's salary the first year of the project. Subsequent years will produce a reimbursement proportionate to both the expense of the teacher's salary and the maintenance of the Home Economics Room. During the summer's vacation, four gas and two electric stoves replaced the six stoves which have served the cooking classes at the school for many years. Two new sewing machines replaced two very old machines; the walls were painted, the floor received a new coat of varnish, and one of the old sinks was removed. These are just a few of many changes contemplated in making our Home Economics Department one of the best in the state. No little credit for this innovation is due Mr. Rivard, our superintendent of schools.
Achievements
A brief list of the achievements of the school throughout the year will be found below:
1. Receipt of second place certificate by our Senior Year Book "The Scroll." In competition with over 300 schools of our size in the nation, the certificate was awarded by the Columbia Scholastic Press Association of New York during the spring term. The advisor of the Year Book was our English teach, Miss Rita Sullivan.
2. Receipt of a Class A Certificate from the State Department of Education. This is the 16th consecutive year the school has been honored with this coveted award. This is the academic and not the sports rating misconstrued by many people.
3. Acceptance of our household arts program by the State Department of Education.
4. Remodeling and reequipping of the Cafeteria Kitchen.
5. The Girls' Basketball Team - Winner of the Lowell
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Suburban and Littleton Tournament Championships. The towns- people honored this championship team with a banquet at the town hall on May 10th.
6. The Boys' Football Team - Winner of Disabled Veterans' Memorial Trophy by winning this year's Tewksbury-Wilmington football game.
7. Renovating and reequipping of the Home Economics Room.
8. Addition of Science, Manual Training, Health, and Home Economics at the eighth grade level.
9. The installation of an intercommunication system, the purchase of additional bleachers for the gymnasium and the arrangement of five scheduled paid assemblies. The purchases were made possible by proceeds realized from the sales of maga- zine subscriptions by the students during the past five years.
10. Addition of three trophies to our ever growing display.
11. 35.5% of the 1952 graduating class accepted at either a college or university.
Conclusion
Any success which the writer may have achieved during the year in the administration of the school is due to the understanding of the School Committee, the Superintendent, and to the loyalty of the personnel in the carrying out of their respective assignments.
Respectfully submitted, LAWRENCE R. McGOWAN Principal
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REPORT OF HOUSEHOLD ARTS INSTRUCTOR
To the Superintendent of Schools of the Town of Tewksbury:
As Household Arts Instructor of the Town of Tewksbury, I am pleased to submit my first annual report.
The home economics course has for its purpose the prepara- tion of the student for the role of an efficient homemaker. In- cluded in this two-year course are the following: food selection, preparation, and preservation; nutrition and menu-planning; child care; good grooming; personal and family relationships; interior decoration; clothing construction, selection and care; fabric study and home management.
In addition to school work, each student is required to complete home projects during the school year, as of September 1952, which is a requirement of all students under the vocational program.
To complete our study of foods, during the two-year course, units of six students plan, prepare and serve one breakfast, one luncheon and one dinner to which faculty members are invited.
At the end of our child care unit in Homemaking I, the students plan and prepare a party for six children between the ages of two and five years of age. This provides a chance for all pupils to observe and plan entertainment and food for small children.
The students also have an opportunity to participate in a fashion review of the garments they have made during the clothing course.
The second year home economics students planned the dinner to be served to the members of the School Committees from Tewksbury and Middleton during the April vacation. Shirley O'Connell, Dorothy Carmichael, and Patricia Brabant, members of the home economics class, helped prepare and serve this dinner in the home economics room under the supervision of Mrs. Eugene Winter.
Students who have completed the two-year course may take advanced home economics which consists of projects related to homemaking that will challenge the pupil's ability.
To aid our classwork, films correlated to work being studied are shown; interesting and helpful exhibits are received from Sears, Roebuck and Company; a demonstration kit of sterling silver and tablesetting is sent to us by the Towle Silver Company in Newburyport and speakers help complete our program. During
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1952 we were fortunate to have a speaker from H. P. Hood and Sons on milk and Mr. Harold Vinecour who talked and demon- strated meat and meat cuts.
Home economics classes for the eighth grade girls are divided into two units: the selection and preparation of foods; and the selection and construction of clothing. There are forty girls in the eighth grade, so twenty students meet every other week for two 45-minute periods.
During the year 1952, we were very fortunate to receive many new pieces of equipment. Among these were: one electric mixer, one combination steam iron, one regular electric iron, one set of dishes, glassware, two electric ranges, four gas ranges, three sewing machines (two electric and one treadle, two ironing boards and other miscellaneous kitchen utensils, pans and cooking dishes needed by the department.
During the summer of 1952 the home economics room was repainted, the floor revarnished, and an impractical sink with two set tubs was removed leaving us with two sinks for class use.
Upon our return in September, 1952, we received notice from the State Department of Education that we were now a Vocational Household Arts Department. You will find an explanation of the function of this department in the reports of Mr. Rivard and Mr. McGowan.
The largest class in 1951-52 consisted of twenty-five pupils and the largest class in the fall of '52 was nineteen. The classes are large in comparison with the more favorable number of sixteen pupils in one homemaking class. However, with the help of our new equipment, we were able to complete our classwork satisfac- torily and with more aid from the State as of this year, we hope to provide a more attractive and efficient home economics room for incoming students. With the aid of Miss Wilson, State Super- visor of Household Arts Education in high schools, and the co- operation of the School Committee, Superintendent and Head- master, and the Town of Tewksbury, we plan to remodel our laboratory into more efficient areas of work for the students.
I wish to express to the School Committee, to the Superinten- dent and to the Headmaster, my deep appreciation for their interest and effort in helping to develop and promote the Household Arts Department.
Rospectfully submitted, ROSELLA SCHATZ
Household Arts Instructor
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REPORT OF THE ART SUPERVISOR
To the Superintendent of Schools of the Town of Tewksbury:
The Art Program is being carried on substantially the same as during the past two years.
The inclusion of Grade 7 with the lower grades is a great advantage, particularly in the case of the North Street School, where the separation into two classes makes for greater ease in handling.
Because of this new grouping, each of the two 8th grade classes has an Art Class each week, a far better arrangement than last year.
The High School classes have continued along the same pro- gram as last year. The room facilities are not of the best for instruction, but basic training in color, lettering, design, figure drawing is given. However, much time is given to more creative work in order to develop what basic talent and art education the pupils already have. Media include pencil, crayon, pastel, pen and ink, water colors and cut-paper work.
The Art Program now fills four full days each week. This new schedule allows for one art class of 30 minutes (minimum) in every room once a week, with the exception of one fourth grade, two fifth grades, one sixth grade, and two seventh grades at the North Street School, which are visited alternating weeks.
I would like to express my thanks to all the teachers con- cerned for their fine cooperation.
Respectfully submitted, ROBERTA THRESHER Art Supervisor
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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 third report since my appointment.
"The happy man is the man who sings, for songs are to him as crowns are to kings." The thought expressed in the above quotation is one which I always try to instill in the hearts and minds of all my children in school, big and little. I have found that in nearly all instances where there was a difficult child to be dealt with music played an important part in ironing out many problems. With the proper attitude and approach on my part no situation got out of hand. I have noticed a great change in the attitude of the children towards music since the first year of my teaching in Tewksbury. The response and reaction of the class as I enter for a music lesson proves that we have come a long way in three years. They enjoy every minute of their music lessons and are most enthusiastic be it in listening or performing (solo or group). I feel confident, also, that there is an apparent growth and development in their voices. Their ears are becoming sensitive to true pitch, clear tones, sweet singing. Their music-reading is progressing as it should and there is a very definite rhythmic response, especially among the little ones. "Sing, sing, music was given to brighten the gay, and kindle the living," said Thomas Moore.
A complete set of new music books has been placed in each of the new elementary schools. THE AMERICAN SINGER is now in use in grades one through seven at the North Street School. The Shawsheen School is using THE AMERICAN SINGER in grades one, two, and three and NEW MUSIC HORIZONS in grades four to seven. Both series are proving very satisfactory to everyone.
The Music Appreciation is sadly neglected for the want of a good three-speed record player and an excellent library of records. I cannot accomplish things I would like to do because of the lack of facilities and space. A music room where I can work with children undisturbed, would solve the problem. The music room should also be a place where they can feel free to come in and listen to records and read music books that are provided for them. The Octavo Library in the high school needs to be built up as soon as possible. The classes there are very large (between sixty and eighty-five pupils) and the music available to them has been there for several years and will only accomodate one-quarter of the classes.
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In May of 1952 the high school presented a concert in the auditorium which was well received. A group of high school pupils attended a matinee performance of "Carmen" at the Boston Opera House with me and thoroughly enjoyed their experience. Both the Eighth Grade Graduation and the High School Graduation included choral numbers by each chorus respectively. Christmas 1952 found the fifth, sixth, and seventh grades of both elementary schools performing a Christmas Program for the P.T.A. Also a Christmas Assembly was held at the high school with the chorus singing three appropriate carols.
It is not my purpose to prepare all children for a musical career. But it is for me to lead them to enjoy it and love it whether they participate or listen. "Music for everyone and everyone for music."
Sincere thanks to all who help make these activities possible and successful for the children through their kind cooperation and assistance.
Respectfully submitted, FLORENCE SAVAS Music Supervisor
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RINEHART FUNCTIONAL HANDWRITING SYSTEM
To the Superintendent of Schools of the Town of Tewksbury:
I am pleased to submit the following report on the operation of the handwriting program in the Tewksbury schools for the school year of 1951-1952.
In the initial handwriting tests administered to your elemen- tary school pupils in September 1951, 3.3% of the pupils received a grade of "A" (Excellent); 25.9% received a grade of "B" (Good); and 70.8% scored less than "B." In the tests administered in June 1952, 87% of the pupils received a grade of "A"; 10.8% scored "B"; and 2.2% scored less than "B." In the tests administered to the high school students in June 1952, 81% scored "Satisfactory." Handwriting certificates were awarded to 89% of your eighth grade pupils and to 93% of your high school students.
During the school year we graded approximately 8500 formal and 20,000 informal handwriting samples for your pupils. A formal test was administered monthly and a report was furnished each teacher giving a careful diagnosis of the handwriting of each pupil in her room.
We furnished the following instructional materials: monthly teachers' outlines, pupil folder outlines, room motivation certifi- cates, handedness tests, individual handwriting certificates to pupils who qualified, monthly and term envelopes, graphs, seals, etc.
My supervisors join with me in expressing our appreciation for the splendid cooperation we have received from you and your teachers at all times. We are very pleased with the results ob- tained in your schools.
Respectfully submitted, WILLIAM L. RINEHART Director
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REPORT OF SCHOOL NURSE
To the Superintendent of Schools of the Town of Tewksbury:
The Dental Clinic sponsored by the Tewksbury Board of Health had another successful year under the capable guidance of Dr. Joseph Carroll. The complete dental equipment in each new school has added tremendously to the efficiency of the program.
A total sum of $132 was returned to the Town Treasurer from funds received from each child.
A total of 280 children were seen in the year 1952, plus the survey of all elementary school children.
Groups of children were taken to Forsyth Dental Hygienist School for cleaning of teeth. Each child paid for own transporta- tion and cleaning.
Physical examinations were completed on all children in the 1-3-5 grades by Dr. Herbert Larrabee.
The Massachusetts audiometer equipment was used throughout the system on all children except 1-2 grades.
The Massachusetts vision testing machine was used on all children in the school system.
Measles were quite prevalent during the first few months of the year causing the loss of school days for younger children.
Physicals in the High School were completed in the fall of 1952 by Dr. Morris Kelman. All athletic teams were examined plus the sophomore class. A total of 174 pupils were examined. A number of heart murmurs were discovered with the result of limited physical activity of the children.
A number of children were taken to the North Reading Sanitorium for routine x-ray and rheumatic fever checkups.
Respectfully submitted, JEAN MANN, R. N. School Nurse
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REPORT ON DENTAL CLINIC
To the Superintendent of Schools of the Town of Tewksbury:
In February I was appointed as Board of Health Dentist suc- ceeding Dr. Paul Fitzgerald and herewith submit my report of the progress of the School Dental Clinic for the year 1952.
The clinic continued its activity in the health room of the senior high school. The time allotted to the clinic was Wednesday and Friday mornings from 9 A. M. to 12 M. and the services offered were limited to grammar school children. The hours of the clinic were divided equally between the Foster and Shawsheen Schools.
Certainly all the grammar school children who desired treat- ment were not able to receive it so in accordance with the previous policy of the clinic by direction of the Massachusetts State Depart- ment of Health children from the primary grades were given preference. The services rendered consisted of rebuilding and restoring decayed teeth, extraction of abscessed teeth and general instruction in the proper care of the teeth. Teeth were cleaned as annually the children have been taken to the Forsyth Dental Clinic, Boston, for such service.
At the close of the school year in June the clinic suspended operation for the summer season.
In October the clinic resumed operation but its location was changed. As dental chairs and dental engines with associated necessary equipment were installed in the health rooms in each of the new schools, the North Street School and the Shawsheen School, the physical property of the clinic was thus expanded and improved.
The entire grammar school enrollment was given a survey examination with the resultant report sent to the parents of each child. This was done in the hope of initiating greater effort on the part of the parents for the proper care of the teeth of their children. As it was necessary to have more survey examination report cards printed, the style and instruction were revised for greater clarity.
After completion of the survey, the aforementioned services and treatment of the clinic were continued.
Respectfully submitted,
JOSEPH J. CARROLL, D.M.D.
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ROSTER OF SCHOOL EMPLOYEES As of December 1, 1952
Principal Teachers
Lawrence McGowan, Ed. M.
John W. Lough
Max Leiter, Ed. M.
Kathryn Chandler
High-Commercial Tewksbury
Jennie Basile (Mrs.) A. M.
High-Languages
Lawrence
M. Clare Murray, B.S. Ed.
High-Commercial
Lowell
Rosella Schatz, B.S. Ed.
Household Arts
Tewksbury
Rita Sullivan, A.B.
High-English
Tewksbury Wilmington
Etta Lapniewski (Mrs.) A.B.
High-Mathematics
Lowell
Mary Stevens (Mrs.) A.B.
High-English
Lowell
Anibal Oliver, B.S.
High-Grade 8
Tewksbury
Margaret Keith, B.S.
High-Grade 8
Reading
Hamlin Smith, A.M.
High-Grade 8
Cambridge
Supervising Principal
Everett Thistle, A.M.
North St.
Tewksbury
Helen Hollis (Mrs.) B.S. Ed.
North St .- Grade 6
Lowell
Marion McGrath (Mrs.)
North St .- Grade 5
Lowell
Miriam Smith (Mrs. ) B.S. Ed. Helene Stewart (Mrs.)
North St .- Grade 4
Lowell
Martha Quinn, B.S. Ed.
North St .- Grade 4 North St .- Grade 3
Tewksbury
Phyllis Daw (Mrs.) B.S. Èd.
North St .- Grade 3
Lowell
Lorraine Nastek (Mrs.) B.S. Ed. North St .- Grade 2
Lowell
Anna Shelvey, B.S. Ed.
North St .- Grade 2
Lowell
Ruth Anderson (Mrs.)
North St .- Grade 1
Tewksbury
Barbara Christenson (Mrs.) B.S. Ed.
North St .- Grade 1
Lowell
Charles Taylor
North St .- Grade 7
Waltham
Kenneth Young, Ed. M.
North St .- Grade 7 Tewksbury
Mae Kane (Mrs.)
Shawsheen-Grade 1 Lowell
Dorothy Higgins (Mrs.) B.S. Ed.
Shawsheen-Grade 1
W. Concord
Kathleen Mangan, B.S. Ed.
Shawsheen-Grade 2 Lowell
Joan McGlinchey, B.S. Ed.
Shawsheen-Grade 2 Lowell
Teresa Hey (Mrs.)
Shawsheen-Grade 3
Lawrence
Mary Shelvey, B.S. Ed.
Shawsheen-Grade 3 Shawsheen-Grade 4
Lowell
Gilberte Roy
Lowell
Hazel Neal (Mrs.) B.S. Ed.
Lowell
Marie Torpey, B.S. Ed.
Lawrence
Elizabeth Flynn
Shawsheen-Grade 4 Shawsheen-Grade 5 Shawsheen-Grade 6 Chelmsford Shawsheen-Grade 7 Woburn
George Pappas, B.S. Ed.
Nicklos Andronikos, B.S.
Physical Education Peabody
Katherine O'Rourke (Mrs.)
High School Lowell
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High Science Tewksbury High-Man. Train. No. Andover High-Science N. Wilmington
Elsie B. Woolaver (Mrs.) A.B.
High-Social Sc.
North St .- Grade 5 Lowell
Lowell
Winifred Colbath (Mrs.)
Special Class Supervisors
Florence Savas, B.S. Ed. Roberta Thresher (Mrs.) B.S. Ed. Julius Woessner William L. Rinehart, Dir. Charles Hazel
Music
Art
Lowell Medford
Orchestra and Band
Lowell
Handwriting
Waltham
Physical Education and Coach
Tewksbury
Health
Herbert M. Larrabee, M. D. Morris Kelman, M. D.
Physician
Tewksbury
Physician
Tewksbury
Jean C. Mann (Mrs.) R. N.
Nurse
Tewksbury
Janitors
Andrew Kohanski
High Shcool
Tewksbury
Harry Currier
North St.
Tewksbury
Earl Sands
Shawsheen
So. Tewksbury
John Smith
Utility
Tewksbury
Bus Drivers Omer Blanchard
No. Tewksbury
Fred Garlick Anthony Furtado
Tewksbury
Tewksbury
Attendance Earl Sands
So. Tewksbury
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WARRANT FOR ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
Middlesex, ss:
To either of the Constables of the Town of Tewksbury, in said County:
Greeting:
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are hereby directed to notify and warn the inhabitants of the Town of Tewksbury, qualified to vote in town affairs, to meet and assemble at Town Hall in said Tewksbury on Wednesday, February 18, 1953 at 7:30 o'clock P. M., to act on the following articles, except Article I, and you are also hereby further required and directed to notify and warn the said inhabitants of the Town of Tewksbury, who are qualified to vote on elections and town affairs therein, to assemble subsequently and meet in town meeting at the polling places in said Town of Tewksbury, on Wednesday, February 25, 1953 at 10 o'clock A. M., then and there to act on the following Article I.
The polls for the election of Town Officers and Town affairs to be opened at ten o'clock A. M. and to be closed at 8:00 P. M.
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