USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Tewksbury > Town of Tewksbury annual report 1955-1960 > Part 24
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The School Committee expressed its concern over many things in the new Shawsheen Street School and a majority of the Committee has expressed dissatisfaction with the activities at this site to date. The School Committee has objected to the many delays which have deprived the Town of the use of a portion of the building in the fall of 1956 as scheduled and is on record as protesting the use of the secondhand steel and the improper construction of the brick walls which have since been corrected.
During the year it was necessary for the Committee to take out a special insurance covering many things including destruction to school property. It was necessary also to ask the Selectmen to deputize our custodians in order to cut down the expenses due to destruction. It is hoped that the deputizing action will take place in the near future.
Clerical personnel were hired to relieve the principals of much of the routine paper work thereby allowing them to devote more time to the educational phases of our system.
A special "Well Done" was voted to our custodians who have served so faithfully and saved the community so much money by
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their unselfish devotion to duty. Repairs to the Ella Flemings School roof plus a complete paint job for that building were accom- plished. Landscaping of a portion of the North Street School yard was accomplished as well as numerous other repairs in our school system. Some of our male teachers also contributed their efforts during the summer months to accomplish these expensive repairs. Among the most prominent of these repairs was the creation of temporary class facilities in the all-purpose rooms and other spaces in our school buildings and the lower Town Hall. The Committee felt that this was necessary in view of the fact that the children occupying these spaces on a full day basis are 1075 children who lost their fundamentals or had them curtailed due to over-crowded classrooms or double sessions. Despite some unwarranted criticism many of these children have improved in their academic standings. The Committee realizes that this is not an ideal situation, but the Committee also knows that it must make the most of what the community has given it to work with during the year.
In order to increase the efficiency of the system and the teachers in general a study was conducted by the Superintendent and ad- ministrative officers to determine the best means of helping our teachers attain maximum efficiency. This was a further step to the thoughts proposed last year for outside training of teachers. This new step will coordinate activities and create a Teacher's Curricu- lum Guide Book for new teachers as well as veterans of the system. The Curriculum Guide will help to standardize methods and materials throughout the system and will provide a common core of learnings for the children. The Guide Book will assist teachers in their day to day planning as well as in the longer range program at each grade level. Measures of teacher evaluation were discussed and will in all likelihood find their culmination in future acts of the Committee. These policies of evaluation may well be used for teacher promotion or election.
The Committee has continued its policy of making the school buildings available outside school hours wherever possible. This is particularly true of church Sunday schools and local youth and fraternal gatherings. It is with regret that the Committee has had to confine these activities to weekends but the Committee feels that the education of the child comes first and the constant rearranging of equipment is not good for the system.
The disciplinary code at the High School was reviewed. The Committee is indebted to our administrative, teaching and student personnel for their cooperation in this work. The students at the High School were most oustanding in the constructive criticism and the concrete suggestions they offered for improving the situation. The Committee feels that a definite step forward is evidenced in discipline throughout the system.
At the last Town Meeting the School Committee asked for side-
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walks on Shawsheen Street and the general area of the Shawsheen Street School as well as funds for closing the ditch at the North Street School .. The latter is sucessfully completed but the prior is causing concern. At least three accidents involving the children have been reported from this area. It is indicative of what the Committee foresees when the number of students will be increased and concentrated in this area.
The Committee authorized the opening of the third floor of the Foster School for administrative offices. This move released more space for educational activities and at the same time centralized the administrative functions of the system. The Superintendent and all supervisors will have offices on this floor. Work on the project will not be finally complete until late January or early February.
A policy of age entrance has been established for the system. Effective in September, 1957 a child must be six (6) as of October 1 to enter the school system.
Repair bills particularly to the new schools have caused con- cern. The teachers toilet and piping in the new schools had to be replaced because they were improperly installed and froze in the concrete block wall of the air shaft. New fuel lines had to be established at the Shawsheen School. Roof repairs were made at both new schools. A carry beam at the North Street School showed signs of giving way and had to be reinforced. As a result of this emergency the Committee hired an engineer to make a survey of the two new buildings to determine corrective measures necessary. This survey was conducted and the necessary repairs have been made to care for the safety of the occupants.
The Committee extends its heartfelt thanks to the School Com- mittee and the Town of Billerica for allowing our basketball teams to use the Billerica gymnasium for practice and games during the overcrowding of our system.
Although the Committee was not able to procure the services of a full time remedial reading teacher, the program has been con- ducted on a part time basis by special teachers who devote time only to this program. Good results have been obtained but the need is great. Even if a full time person were available it is the opinion of the Superintendent that these people would be necessary also.
Adequate fire protection in the form of standpipes and town water in the Foster and Old Shawsheen Schools has been completed. The garden hose which for so many years afforded fire protection is something of a memory now.
As a result of much effort and surveying of the Town, Federal reimbursement was received on account of those children whose parents are employed on Federal installations. The award of $72,080 under Public Law 815 has been earmarked to assist in the construc-
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tion of the addition to the Shawsheen School. The $6,632.45 re- ceived under P.L. 874 is to be used as a revolving fund expended by the School Committee to assist the community for current expenses where they are inconvenienced by the increase of Federal personnel in the area.
The School Committee by formal vote has set the sum of $707,614.72 as the amount required for the support of the Tewksbury Public Schools for the year 1957. This sum is based on the following estimated requirements:
Expenses of Instruction
Salaries:
Supervisors
$ 36,846.62
Principal, High
5,666.66
Principals, Elementary
20,366.64
Teachers, High
75,422.36
Teachers, Elementary
305,713.24
Substitutes, High
2,000.00
Substitutes, Elementary
6,500.00
Home Tutoring
3,000.00
Textbooks, High
3,500.00
Textbooks, Elementary
10,000.00
Stationery, Supplies, High
5,500.00
Stationery, Supplies, Elementary
15,000.00
Operating Expenses
Salaries:
Custodians, High
8,930.32
Custodians, Elementary
27,919.28
Fuel, High
4,000.00
Fuel, Elementary
15,000.00
Miscellaneous, High
7,200.00
Miscellaneous, Elementary
15,200.00
Capital Outlay
New Equipment
8,500.00
Permanent Improvement
3,500.00
Maintenance of Plant
Repairs, High
1,500.00
Repairs, Elementary
4,500.00
Auxiliary Agencies
School Physicians
1,000.00
School Nurses
6,400.00
Health, Other Expenses
1,300.00
Athletics and Band
5,000.00
Library
600.00
Elementary Physical Education
2,500.00
:
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Transportation
High
29,323.84
Elementary
43,985.76
School Lunch
5,000.00
General Control
School Committee Expense
500.00
Superintendent's Salary
8,500.00
Superintendent's Expense
500.00
Clerical Services
15,540.00
Office Expenses
500.00
Attendance Officer
600.00
Census Enumerator
600.00
$707,614.72
Out of State Travel
$ 500.00
ESTIMATED REIMBURSEMENT 1957 January - December 1957
Vocational Household Arts $ 1,200.00
Ungraded Classes
9,407.50
Transportation
38,506.00
Schools
137,710.27
State Wards
5,500.00
Deaf
240.00
Blind
320.00
$192,883.77
School Budget Request 1957
$707,614.72
Anticipated Reimbursements 1957 192,883.77
.Net School Budget 1957
$514,730.95
The net school budget divided by the enrollment January 2 yields a per pupil cost of $187.85. Use of the expected September enrollment yields $170.16 or a probable average per pupil cost for 1957 of $179.01.
JOHN P. MURPHY
Chairman
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REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
The tremendous growth in population of recent years continues to be a controlling factor in our schools. The rapid influx of pupils in the 1952-1955 period literally swamped the available facilities. Over-crowded classrooms, half-day sessions, and temporary class- rooms have resulted. None of these conditions are conducive to a favorable teaching-learning situation.
The actions of the Town in restricting new construction will have a very definite effect on the pupil population. Evidence of this is found in the fact that for the first time in recent years the October First enrollment has fallen below the figure predicted. The estimate made in this report a year ago, before any steps to curtail building had been taken, called for a probable enrollment of 2824. The actual enrollment October 1, 1956 was 2746. The actual enrollment in- creased by 466 pupils over the previous October 1. This is a 20.4 percent increase. The average increase for the previous four years was 22 percent. The enrollment of 1956 is nearly double that of 1953.
We must recognize, however, that stopping new construction has not stopped the flow of children. The pre-school census is not com- plete, but the preliminary estimates indicate that there are nearly as many children below school age as there are enrolled in school. As the children now in school move along, there will be continuing growth at succeeding grade levels. Consider the fact that the class to enter the high school is nearly three times as large as the gradu- ating class and that the present first grade is just about the same size as the entire four-year high school.
The increase in pupil population is reflected in the expenditures required for schools. Books, supplies, teachers, fuel all have in- creased in quantity and cost. The need for additional school housing is most evident. Future needs will be discussed in the report of the Building Committee. Until more school housing is available we must overload the facilities which we now have.
In order that as many children as possible might have a regular school day, temporary classrooms are being used in the schools and in the lower Town Hall. Of necessity these temporary classrooms are not ideal and must be eliminated as soon as possible. The use of these rooms has meant suspending the hot lunch program and cur- tailing the physical education program.
The Shawsheen Street School and the six-room addition to the Shawsheen School will add 26 regular classrooms to those now available. This will make it possible for more of our children to attend on a full-day session in a standard classroom. The use of this additional space will mean creating new school districts. This will
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probably mean that many children will be attending a different school from the one at present. Redistricting is a big undertaking and will pose many problems. Two governing factors will be to have children attend a school near home and to reduce the amount of bus transportation. The Town will be called upon to provide sidewalks and other safeguards for those who will walk to school.
The staff is continuing its work in many areas toward up-grading the methods and materials used in instruction. The entire group is engaged in developing a program of studies at each grade level. This program is growing out of an analysis and evaluation of current practices together with a consideration of the best practices of other communities and recommendations in educational literature. The guiding principle is to provide by all available means the best edu- cation possible for the children of Tewksbury.
As a phase of the activities of curriculum revision, the faculty participated in the tri-town educational conference held in Billerica on December 11. "The Evaluation of the Curriculum and the Im- provement of Teaching" was the central thought of the conference, which featured large group meetings and small discussion groups on mutual problems.
There were many new names on our roster at the opening of school in September, some as replacements and others as additional personnel. Most of those who resigned did so to accept positions elsewhere.
Resigned: Daniel Kelly, Joseph Camara, Stanley Suchodolski, Ruth O'Connor, Jeannette Brattin, Virginia Gauthier, Donald Currier, Frederick Peterson, Martha Downey, Richard Gesner, Suzanne Moynahan, Marjorie Messina, Mary Connors, Alice Lurvey, Marion Hickey, Constance Croushorn, Kathleen Mangan, Mary Coughlin, Mary Locicero, Catherine O'Brien, Irene Harrington, Norma McCabe, Max Leiter.
At the close of the calendar year the central administrative offices were moved from North Street School to the third floor of Foster School in Pickering Hall. This move should prove helpful in providing additional space for the expanded activities necessitated by the growth of the schools. Space has also been provided in this area for the staff specialists who have previously been without office facilities.
It would be impossible to express our thanks in detail to the many individuals and groups who helped the schools to continue to move forward. Patience, understanding, and cooperation have come from many sources. It is our firm hope that we all may continue to work together as a team in furthering the education of our children.
DR. EVERETT G. THISTLE Superintendent of Schools
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REPORT OF HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
I am happy to present to you at this time a report on matters relating to Tewksbury High School during the year 1956.
For the first time in its history, the High School, due to the over-crowded conditions in the system, was placed on double ses- sions in September. By utilizing all available space, the building, originally constructed to accomodate 350, is now housing approxi- mately 1000 pupils. As of October 1, the afternoon session, which is comprised of pupils in grades 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 12, housed 525 pupils. By the end of the year, the figure had changed to 529. With 180 eighth graders being promoted and 63 seniors graduating next June, a figure approximating 540 is anticipated for grades 9 through 12 next September.
Graduation 1956
On June 8, 1956, 65 students received diplomas from Mr. John Murphy, Jr., Chairman of the School Committee. Miss Claudia Blanchette, the Class Valedictorian, and Miss Roberta Flucker, the Class Salutatorian, rendered the honor parts during the exercises. Miss Blanchette, Miss Madeline Buchanan, and the Girls' Glee Club furnished the musical part of the program. Awards were made as follows: The P.T.A. Basketball, Charlene Hazel and William Day; the P.T.A. Citizenship Medal, Charlene Hazel; the D.A.R. Good Citizenship Certificate, Frances Alyward; The Larrabee Scholarship Medals, Claudia Blanchette and Richard Carter; The Melvin Rogers Athletic, (Football) Robert Dixon and (Baseball) William Day; the Balfour Award for Loyalty, Scholarship, and Achievement, Richard Carter.
For many years some of our graduates have received financial aid from the colleges they attended, but until recently there were no scholarships except the Edith Haines Scholarship for Nurses Training for the exclusive use of Tewksbury High School seniors. It is worth noting, therefore, that last June the Principal was able to announce seven Scholarships worth a total value of $850.00.
The Scholarships and the recipients were: The Tewksbury P.T.A. $200 to Charlene Hazel; the three P.T.A. Teacher Training @ $100 to Betty Sheldon, Adrith Garside, and Patricia Celino; The Tewksbury Towne Players $100 to Madeline Buchanan; The Tewks- bury Teachers $150 to Claudia Blanchette; and the Class of '56 $100 to Betty Sheldon. Presentations were made by Mrs. C. Van- Gemert, Mrs. Richard C. Olson, Mrs. Henry Christenson, and Richard Carter, Presidents of their respective organizations. It is hoped that these and additional scholarships will be available for years to come. The high costs of college education makes financial
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aid necessary for most students today. Many capable students would have terminated their education at the end of their 12th grade had this assistance not been available.
Acknowledgements
Special acknowledgement is due the Tewksbury P.T.A. for its untiring efforts in helping graduates to further their education. A total of four different scholarships were presented to four different girls at our graduation exercises in June. The organization has sponsored various projects throughout the year to make these scholarships possible and has shown in other ways its interest in our school. Meetings which were formerly held at the High and the North Street Schools are now being held in the Town Hall.
The Tewksbury Towne Players have also given much of their time and energy to help one of our students to continue his or her education in some field of art. The Lions Club presented the school with an audiometer. The Booster's Club continues its fine backing of our athletic teams. The Lowell Sun and the Tewksbury Advertiser have been most helpful in covering the school's publicity. The Chiefs of the Police and Fire Departments and their members continue their fine cooperation.
The school is very grateful for the cooperation it has received from these and all other organizations, as well as individuals who wish to remain anonymous.
Achievements
Among some of the outstanding achievements of the school during the year are:
1. Retention of our accreditation with the New England Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools and the State Department of Education.
2. Approval of authority by the Board of Collegiate Authority of the Veterans Administration to offer training to veterans under Section 253 (a) (1), Title II of Public Law 550, 82nd Congress.
3. Winner of the Lowell Suburban Girls' Basketball and Boys' Football Championships.
4. 29 members, or 44.6% of June's graduating class, are continuing their education at some post-secondary institution.
Educational Program
The educational program has benefited this year by the following changes:
1. An additional teacher to our English Department.
2. New SRA Reading accelerators and rateometers in the guidance classes.
3. Homogeneous groupings in our English and Social Studies classes.
4. Assignment of a full time secretary.
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Other changes which should be planned for 1957 include the following:
1. Additional teachers, one with a background of mathematics and one with an English and Social Studies background.
2. An Assistant Principal who would be a part time teacher.
3. A Dean of Girls on a full time basis.
4. A dual control car so that our pre-driving classes may have the actual "Behind-the-Wheel" instruction.
5. An Assistant Guidance Director.
Athletics
In the field of athletics, this has been another year of Champion- ships. Our girls' basketball squad continues to retain its supremacy among the suburban schools. After winning the Lowell Suburban Championship, the team reached the semi-finals of the girls' basket- ball tournament before it was eliminated bv Templeton High School, the winner of the Ashby Tournament. The boys' basketball and baseball squads, although not of championship calibre, finished third in their respective leagues. During the past fall, the boys' football team, which won seven of the eight games played, finished at the top of the Lowell Suburban League and fourth in the State Class "D" ratings. Coaches Hazel and Butler are to be commended for their roles in directing these boys and girls in the various athletic achievements of the year. Incidentally, the present basket- ball squads are worthy of much praise for the manner in which they have progressed in the absence of a home court. The display of hard work, courage ,devotion, and fine spirit within these two groups is most commendable.
Additional Teachers Needed
As has been indicated earlier in this report, there was a tremendous increase in school enrollment in September. From a total of 355 in October, 1955, there was a growth of 413 in grades 9 through 12 on the same date in 1956. The anticipated enrollment for these four grades is approximately 540 in September of 1957. This is the equivalent of four additional classes, which means that every permanent and every temporary classroom in the building will be utilized every period of the day by students in the four upper grades starting next fall. To adequately handle this number, additional teachers will be required to augment the present staff .. Research has proven that smaller classes have resulted in: (1) an improvement in educational achievement, (2) an improvement in instruction, (3) an improvement in attendance, and (4) better behavior on the part of pupils and higher morale among the teachers.
Conclusion
When only a few of the children who completed elementary education went on to high school, a relatively narrow course of
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study met their needs fairly well. Now that high school must offer a worthwhile program for all 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.
The great struggle in the world is to possess the minds of men. We are attacked by specious argument and clever propaganda that makes error resemble truth. This is not the time to send out of school students who have been inadequately prepared to think and to act.
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 grateful.
LAWRENCE R. McGOWAN Principal of High School
REPORT OF PRINCIPAL OF NORTH STREET SCHOOL
One of the most desirable characteristics of a school, its faculty, and staff is flexibility. Flexibility in the language of the educator connotes the ability to adjust to a change or to a new situation. Changes and new situations of immense proportions have been a prominent feature of the past year.
Until June 1956, this school served pupils of grades one through six. Approximately 850 pupils were housed in 13 classrooms on a half-session organization. Two groups and two teachers were assigned to each classroom with each group and one teacher attending either a morning or an afternoon session.
In June 1956, pupils upon promotion were assigned to specific sections for the following year. During the summer, teachers were assigned to specific classrooms, grades, and sections. A change in these assignments; a transfer of pupils and teachers to other schools in the system; a complete revision of schedules, duties, textbooks and desk requirements were made as a result of the decision to provide for as many pupils as possible the advantages of a regular full day session by making use of all available space which could be converted to classroom use.
During the course of the year, this school has been served by two different principals, three different school clerks, two different art supervisors, and two different instrumental music supervisors.
The remedial reading program carried on in this school has two major objectives. 1. To form, schedule, and present remedial reading classes for those pupils for whom remedial classes are both necessary and practical. 2. To promote and encourage and assist in developing in the regular classroom an improved program of reading instruction which is geared to the child's learning rate,
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his interests, his need for correct habits and thereby reduce the number of pupils requiring the attention of special remedial instruction.
The additional science texts provided this year have helped broaden our science program and the inexpensive but excellent microscopes will prove indispensable in this program.
A team of pupils of grades 4-5-6 participated in a competitive quiz-down against a team from a neighboring community and won both honor and a valuable atlas for the North Street School.
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