USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Tewksbury > Town of Tewksbury annual report 1963-1967 > Part 12
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The School Committee approved a new curriculum in Science in the Junior High School, recommended by the administration and faculty, and authorized the purchase of modern textbooks for this new approach to the teaching of Science. The textbooks for this new Science curriculum have a copyright of 1963 and incorporate the thinking of educators and scientists in the teaching of Science in our modern world.
The Committee continued the second year of their three-year salary plan to put all teachers on the proper salary step consistent with their training and experience. The Committee feels that this salary plan is a just one in that it rewards those teachers who have loyally served the school children of Tewksbury for many years, despite not receiving salary credit for their years of teaching experience when they were first employed in the Tewksbury Public Schools.
The Committee had the sad task of accepting with deep and sincere regrets the resignation, as of December 31, 1963, of Dr. Everett G. Thistle, who resigned his position as Superintendent of Schools in which he had served the best interest of students and citizens of Tewksbury loyally and with distinction for many years, to accept a position as Director of Elemen- tary and Secondary Education for the Department of Education of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
The School Committee appointed Joseph E. Bastable as Superintendent of Schools, effective January 1, 1964. Mr. Bastable has served the Town of Tewksbury as Guidance Director for many years and more recently as Assistant Superintendent of Schools.
Because the incoming Superintendent wished to emphasize curriculum improvement and coordination, the Committee accepted his recommenda- tion for a Curriculum Coordinator and appointed Miss Dorothy Woodhams to this position.
In summary, the Committee this past year has taken action to introduce modern methods of instruction in Mathematics and in Science. They have strengthened and enlarged the Industrial Arts Program in the High School
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by the addition of personnel and equipment and the introduction of a new program known as the Work-Study Program. The cafeteria in the Center School has been added which serves the needs of many students.
The Committee views with pride the growth of the school system over the past year and would urge the parents of school children to visit the schools, to see our expanded facilities in Industrial Arts in the High and Junior High, to pay particular attention to the Electronics Laboratory in the High School and to observe the Language Laboratory at the Junior High School and in the Senior High School. The Committee feels that these facilities which have been added to the Tewksbury School System best exemplify modern methods of instructing students and also illustrate the desire of the Committee to have instructional programs for all students.
In conclusion, I would like to thank the entire school system for their cooperation and loyalty to me during my service as Board Chairman. To my fellow board members, I extend thanks for their cooperation and hard work during the past year. I am aware of the many long nights which they worked in order to serve the school children of the Town of Tewksbury. For this I am most grateful and will long remember their dedicated service and effort.
LEO D. CHIBAS, Chairman
Tewksbury School Committee
The School Committee has set the following sums as the amounts required for the support of the Tewksbury Public Schools for the calendar year 1964.
Salaries
$ 1,334,976.00
Expenses
277,560.00
Outlay
190.00
Out of State Travel
1,000.00
Total
$ 1,613,726.00
Also included in the basic request for Schools is the following amount for Non-Public School transportation $ 15,265.00
Gross Total
$ 1,628,991.00
The sums above have been based on the following estimated requirements:
A. Salaries and Wages
Administration $ 26,206.00
Instruction
1,146,322.00
Attendance
400.00
Health
16,534.00
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Operation
121,314.00
Maintenance
14,900.00
Food Services
No request
Student Body Activities
9,000.00
Community Services
300.00
Total
$ 1,334,976.00
B. Expenses
Administration
$
2,980.00
Textbooks
22,500.00
Library and Audio-Visual
4,750.00
Instructional Supplies
32,325.00
Related Instruction
12,000.00
Health
750.00
Public Transportation
88,755.00
Heat
40,000.00
Utilities
33,000.00
Custodial Supplies
11,000.00
Contracted Services
12,000.00
Replacement of Equipment
500.00
Related Maintenance
1,000.00
Student Body Activities
16,000.00
Private Transportation
15,265.00
Total
$ 292,825.00
C. Outlay
Sites
No request
Buildings
190.00
Equipment
No request
Total
$ 190.00
D. Out of State
$ 1,000.00
$ 1,000.00
Total for Public Schools
$ 1,628,991.00
The above explanation of the 1964 Appropriation Request for the operation of the Tewksbury Public Schools gives some indication of the extent and complexity of its operation. It is the financial framework within which we discharge our tremendous responsibility of providing a suitable and appropriate education for all our young people.
In carrying out this responsibility, we could mention the following facts. We need to transport, to feed, to house, and to teach the many
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thousands of our students. To accomplish this goal our 23 school busses run over 1,125 miles daily. Our school cafeteria feeds approximately 3,000 students daily. Our 9 school buildings house over 4200 students. Our school teachers teach a myriad complex of subjects to prepare our students for an increasingly complex world.
This gives one a picture of the physical apparatus necessary in carrying out our responsibility for the education of all of our young people. But we feel that it is more meaningful to report on some of the ways we provide educational opportunities for children of differing abilities, varied interests, and levels of accomplishment.
In our elementary schools, beginning in the 4th Grade, we use grouping in order to facilitate instruction. We have also provided Guidance services and the services of Remedial Reading teachers to help those individuals experiencing difficulty in keeping up with the rest of their classmates. We have provided supplementary textbooks in Reading to assist the individual child to maintain the same progress as his classmates.
In the Junior High School we continue the grouping of students but on a different basis than that of the elementary schools. In the Junior High we have grouped students by subject area according to established criteria. Although this type of grouping involves serious problems in scheduling, it does allow for the movement of students from one group to another. Thus a student may be in one group in Mathematics and with another group of students in Social Studies. The grouping and programming of students has generally proven satisfactory to faculty, pupils and parents.
The course offerings at Tewksbury Junior High School are on a par or exceed that of most Junior High Schools in the area. With the expanded facilities in this building an extension of our curriculum with broader programs has followed. Physical Education, Home Economics, Manual Training, Art, Language and Science curricula have undergone changes due to the availability of specialized equipment. An increasing number of students can now be accommodated in these various areas. These programs do, of course, provide opportunities for many more students than were formerly possible.
The introduction of the so-called Modern Mathematics also provides new learning opportunities for students in the Junior High School.
In the High School the individual needs of the students are provided for by a flexible program in which students may select subjects consistent with their ability and vocational or career objectives.
The grouping and scheduling of pupils in the High School is carried out as in the Junior High School to accommodate the individual educational needs of students.
During the past year the program in Industrial Arts has been strength- ened by the addition of personnel and by the introduction of wider
153
curricular offerings. Presently the boys in the Industrial Arts Program have learning opportunities in masonry work, house frame construction, sheet metal, welding, surveying, electronics (in a fully equipped laboratory), metal work, and automotives. The Work-Study Program mentioned pre- viously is the latest in our attempt to provide educational opportunities for all students.
We anticipate adding IBM data processing equipment in the near future to our commercial program. After a survey of the business establishments throughout the Merrimack Valley area and consulting with fellow educators, the desirability of adding data processing equipment became quite evident. There apparently is a great demand for students trained on this data processing equipment, both girls and boys. The possibility of using Federal funds for the rental of this equipment has been suggested by the School Committee.
In providing a flexible program of studies for all students and pro- viding the educational specialists in Guidance, Remedial Reading, Speech and Hearing, and Physical Education it is noteworthy that we are achieving success in providing educational opportunities for all students as may be seen from a section of the report of the High School Principal.
"Cognizant of the problems facing high school drop-outs in our highly competitive society, the school employs a variety of methods in an effort to discourage students from leaving school. However, contrary to our counseling and advice 25 students or 2.55 percent of our student body dropped out during the past year."
"On the national scale, approximately 40 percent of high school students drop out before graduation. Our low incidence is attributable to one or more of the following media: a flexible curriculum; better preparation of professional staff members; parental cooperation; testing, guidance, and counseling services; the 'new look' in our Industrial Arts program; and a greater variety of curricula and extra-curricular activities."
Preventing young people from terminating their education involves much more than urging them to continue, we must continue to provide diversified educational experiences in which they can achieve success in school and in the world of work.
And in the report of the Guidance Director it is interesting to quote from part of his report concerning what happened to our 1963 graduates.
"The recent follow-up study of the Class of '63 revealed that former students are involved in varied school program and occupations. Forty- three percent are enrolled in some type of formal school programs. Of this group, sixteen percent attend four year colleges. The remainder are in business schools, nursing programs and other one and two year technical schools. Seventeen percent are involved in some type of clerical work. Nineteen percent are employed in other types of positions. Nine percent have entered the armed services. The remaining eight percent are still
154
undecided as to what they are going to do or are in the process of obtaining employment."
Education is not a static thing. The staff of the High School have been involved for the past two years in preparing for the evaluation carried out by the New England Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools sched- uled for March 1964. The High School was last evaluated in 1955. A re- quirement for continuing membership in the Association is a periodic exam- ination at least once in every ten years.
The single most important aspect of accreditation by the New England Association to individual students is the acceptance of our graduates by the colleges.
The High School Principal reports on this activity in his annual report as follows:
"The program for the evaluation of member schools in the New England Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools has been developing for several years. Reports of this development have been made from year to year."
"Since all schools must be evaluated within a ten year period, this school is scheduled for its evaluation next March. The heads of departments have spent many hours revising their respective courses of study. The evaluative criteria for all departments is slowly nearing completion. Certain members of the staff have served on visiting committees at other schools and four members of the staff are scheduled to serve in the evaluating of other schools during the next three months. The experience gained and the experience about to be gained by these teachers will be of great value to their respective departments, the high school in general, and in the school system as a whole."
In the elementary schools we have been carrying on a study in Reading. New reading textbooks and techniques are being evaluated in the classroom by the teacher, and the success of students using these new materials is being carefully analyzed.
Principals are planning regular visits to school systems that have achieved success in one or more areas of the elementary school curriculum. Careful evaluation of the results these schools have obtained will be deter- mined by our staff before recommending adoption by our school system.
In this time of almost explosive changes in curriculum development, our school system will benefit greatly from the addition to our staff of a Curriculum Coordinator. Miss Dorothy Woodhams has been elected to this position and brings to the position a great deal of successful experience. Miss Woodhams will be available to all departments for the development of new curricula and for the evaluation of curriculum study and tryouts in our school system.
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In conclusion, this quotation from the late President, John F. Kennedy, seems most appropriate in this summary of our educational efforts.
"The future promise of any nation can be directly measured by the present prospects of its youth. This Nation - facing increasingly complex economic, social, and international challenges - is increasingly dependent on the opportunities, capabilities, and vitality of those who are soon to bear its chief responsibilities. Such attributes as energy, a readiness to question, imagination, and creativity are all attributes of youth that are also essential to our total national character. To the extent that the Nation is called upon to promote and protect the interests of our younger citizens, it is an investment certain to bring a high return, not only in basic human values but in social and economic terms."
All of us who work in the Tewksbury Public Schools will continue to strive to provide educational opportunities so that each student can develop his talents to the maximum possible extent.
Listed below are explanations of the major categories of the accounting arrangements. The statements, while brief, indicate the type of service or activity charged against each classification. Below each explanation are comparison figures for 1964 and 1963. These are gross figures, and do not reflect reimbursements.
Administration
ADMINISTRATION consists of those activities which have as their purpose the general regulation, direction, and control of the affairs of the school district that are system-wide and not confined to one school, subject, or narrow phase of activity.
Request 1964
$29,186.00
Expended 1963
Difference
$37,625.35
-$8,439.35
Instruction
INSTRUCTION consists of those activities dealing directly with or aiding in the teaching of students or improving the quality of teaching. These are the activities of the teacher, principal, consultant or supervisor of instruction, and guidance and psychological personnel.
Request 1964
$1,217,897.00
Expended 1963
$1,026,543.47
Difference +$191,353.53
Attendance Services
ATTENDANCE SERVICES consist of those activities which have as their primary purpose the promotion and improvement of children's attendance at school, through enforcement of compulsory attendance laws and other means.
Request 1964
$400.00
Expended 1963 $400.00
Difference
... ..........
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Health Services
HEALTH SERVICES are activities in the field of physical and mental health which are not direct instruction, consisting of medical, dental, psychological, and nurse service.
Request 1964
$17,284.00
Expended 1963 $16,393.62
Difference +$890.38
Pupil Transportation Services
PUPIL TRANSPORTATION SERVICES consist of those activities which have as their purpose the conveyance of pupils to and from school activities, either between home and school or on trips for curricular or co-curricular activities.
Request 1964
$88,755.00
Expended 1963 $85,238.03
Difference +$3,516.97
Operation of Plant
OPERATION OF PLANT consists of the housekeeping activities concerned with keeping the physical plant open and ready for use. It includes cleaning, disinfecting, heating, lighting, communications, power, moving furniture, handling stores, caring for grounds, and other such housekeeping activities as are repeated somewhat regularly on a daily, weekly, monthly, or seasonal basis.
Request 1964
$205,314.00
Expended 1963
Difference
+47,525.47
$157,788.53
Maintenance of Plant
MAINTENANCE OF PLANT consists of those activities that are concerned with keeping the grounds, buildings, and equipment at their original condi- tion of completeness or efficiency, either through repairs or replacements of property.
Request 1964
$28,400.00
Expended 1963
$33,847.32
-$5,447.32
Difference
Food Services
FOOD SERVICES are those activities which have as their purpose the preparation and serving of regular and incidental meals, lunches, or snacks in connection with school activities.
Request 1964
No request
Expended 1963
$4,700.00
-$4,700.00
Difference
Student-Body Activities
STUDENT-BODY ACTIVITIES are direct and personal services for public school pupils, such as interscholastic athletics, band and orchestra, when not part of the regular instructional program.
Request 1964
$25,000.00
Expended 1963
$17,794.16
Difference
+$7,057.84
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Community Services
COMMUNITY SERVICES are those services provided by the school district for the community as a whole, or some segment of the community, such as transportation of non-public school pupils.
Request 1964 $15,565.00
Expended 1963 $14,259.45
Difference +1,305.55
Capital Outlay
CAPITAL OUTLAY EXPENDITURES are those which result in the acquisi- tion of fixed assets or additions to fixed assets. They are expenditures for land of existing buildings, improvements of grounds, construction of build- ings, additions to buildings, remodeling of buildings, or intial or additional equipment.
Request 1964
$190.00
Expended 1963 Difference
$9,820.65
-$9,630.65
Out of State Travel
OUT OF STATE TRAVEL expenditures reflect the costs of attending con- ferences and educational meetings by faculty and School Committee.
Request 1964
$1,000.00
Expended 1963
$706.93
Difference
+$293.07
1964 Increases
The $231,871.77 represents an increase in the 1964 request for schools of about 16% over the amounts appropriated in 1963. The increase can be explained by the following: added personnel for the new Junior High School building opened in September 1963, costs of maintaining and operating this new building and the salary revision to place teachers on step com- mensurate with their training and experience. This salary plan was adopted by the School Committee last year and this will be the second year of its operation.
STADIUM REQUEST
The School Committee supervises the maintenance and operation of the Tewksbury Stadium. The funds needed for 1964 as listed below, provide for continued maintenance and unkeep.
A. Labor
$ 850.00
B. Expenses-
Equipment and Maintenance $ 300.00
Heat
525.00
Light and Water
380.00
C. Outlay
Total
$ 1,205.00 No request $ 2,055.00
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PUBLIC AND VOCATIONAL SCHOOLS
Another area of School Committee responsibility covers Tuition and Transportation to Public and Vocational Schools outside of Tewksbury for pupils who cannot be served adequately in Tewksbury. Some of these pupils are receiving specialized vocational training at schools such as Lowell Trade High School or Essex Agricultural School. Another group of pupils is handicapped and receives education and training to help overcome the various handicaps.
Transportation $ 4,100.00 Tuition 10,485.00
Total
$ 14,585.00
ADULT EDUCATION PROGRAM
Most of the classes are in the field of Evening Practical Arts under the supervision of the Massachusetts Department of Education. A limited begin- ning has been made in classes in general education. The program is growing each year. This response is reflected in the Adult Education Request which covers a full calendar year and makes provisions for the added courses requested by interested adults. Included in this account are funds for paying tuition for some Tewksbury residents who are receiving training in other towns.
A. Salaries
$ 5,070.00
B. Expenses-
Materials
$ 20.00 380.00
Tuition
$ 400.00
C. Outlay-
New Equipment
$ 25.00
25.00
Total
$ 5,495.00
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MONIES RETURNED TO TOWN
The laws of municipal finance in Massachusetts differ from those in most other states. A major difference is in the area of reimbursements for activities carried on in the schools. The Town receives each year amounts of money for school aid based on the number of children from seven to sixteen years in age resident in the Town. In addition there are reimburse- ments for State Wards, Transportation, and several other programs. The formulas for determining the amounts of reimbursement are usually based on a proportion of the amounts actually spent.
The applications for reimbursements are made to the Department of Education. After being approved the applications are forwarded to the Treasurer of the Commonwealth for payment. The payments are then sent to the Town Treasurer and are by law deposited in the E & D Account. These funds are not spent by the School Committee but are available to the Town for spending for any purpose. The effect of this procedure is to have all of the funds needed for schools raised by taxation even though the Town will receive over three hundred thousand dollars in aid and reimbursement on account of schools. A breakdown of the 1964 Requests and estimated reimbursement is shown below.
ESTIMATED REIMBURSEMENTS APPLICABLE TO 1964 APPROPRIATION REQUESTS Public Day Schools Appropriation
1964 Appropriation Request
$ 1,628,991.00
Earnings:
Day Household Arts $ 2,500.00
Special Education Programs
17,500.00
Tuition & Transportation - State Wards 6,200.00
Transportation - Chapter 71
45,000.00
School Aid - Chapter 70
235,665.00
$ 306,865.00
Net Cost of Day Schools from Local Taxation
$ 1,322,126.00
Adult Education
1964 Appropriation Request $ 5,495.00
Earnings
2,170.00
Net Cost from Local Taxation
$ 3,325.00
Public and Vocational Schools
1964 Appropriation Request $ 14,585.00
Earnings: Tuition and Transportation 7,693.00
Net Cost from Local Taxation $ 6,892.00
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OUR THANKS
It is impossible to express adequately our thanks to the many individuals and organizations who have made contribu- tions toward the progress of the Tewksbury Public Schools during the past year. The Tewksbury School Committee and Superintendent wish to take this opportunity of expressing their sincere thanks and appreciation to all who have cooperated in helping to carry on our program of education in the Tewksbury Public Schools successfully.
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PUBLIC SCHOOLS - October 1, 1963
GRADE - AGE DISTRIBUTION
Gr./Age
5 | 6 | 7 |
8 | 9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
Totals
1
78
395
47
4
524
2
62
313
54
11
440
3
65
237
72
18
2
394
4
71
252
51
6
380
5
68
256
61
10
395
6
74
243
31
5
353
7
69
179
46
5
1
300
8
1
118
168
26
7
320
9
76
181
38
16
1
312
10
86
161
49
18
1
315
11
-
-
1
80
143
22
5
251
12
1
81
114
12
2
210
P. G.
1
1
Ungraded
2
6
2
6
6
1
4
10
4
41
Total
78
457
425
368 | 409
401
388
344
296
303
298
293
155
18
3
4236
1
1
AGE OF ADMISSION TO SCHOOL
All children born as of January 1, 1959 are eligible to attend school in the coming fall term. No entrance tests for children under the age requirement will be given.
162
TEWKSBURY SCHOOL - GRADE DISTRIBUTION
October 1, 1963
School/Grade
1 | 2
3 | 4 |5 |6 |7 |8| 9|
10|
11 | 12 |ung.
Totals
Flemings
-
41
41
Foster
142 | 103
30
275
Heath Brook |175 | 149 | 117 |121
95
657
North St.
203 |157
36
37
31
464
Shawsheen
146
|134
99 |119 |112
610
Center
127
353
480
Jr. High
302 |320 |312
934
Total 1-9
524 |440 |394 380 |395
| 353 |302 |320 |312
41
3461
Mem. High
-
315 |250 |210
775
Grand Totals Public
1524 440
1394
380
395 353
302
320
312
315
250
210
41
4236
St. Williams
- 49
40
40
37
40
40
34
32
312
TOTALS
573 |480 |434 417 |435 |393
|336 |352 |312 |315 |250 |210
41 | 4548
-
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in person and bring birth certificate and report of last grade attended.
one makes application for a certificate (or "working card") he must apply
Every person from 14-16 years of age must have an employment certi- ficate or permit and those between 16-18 years of age must have an educa- tional certificate before starting work. These certificates and permits may be obtained from the offices of the Superintendent of Schools, the High School Principal and Mrs. Loella Dewing of the School Committee. When
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