USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Westford > Town of Westford annual report 1956-1962 > Part 10
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WINNERS OF PRIZES
(Given by the Trustees of Westford Academy)
For excellence in Mathematics and Science Evelyn Michelson
For excellence in Secretarial Science Roberta Paul
For excellence in Social Studies Evelyn Michelson
For excellence in English Evelyn Michelson
THE MOST WORTHY REPRESENTATIVES OF WESTFORD ACADEMY
Class of 1956-Alice Chandonait
Class of 1957-Anne Reeves
Class of 1958 James Gianoulis
Class of 1959-Carlene Abrahamson
OTHER AWARDS
Bausch and Lomb Science Award Evelyn Michelson
D.A.R. Good Citizenship Award Eleanor Dennechuk
D.A.R. American History Award Sandra Weaver
Reader's Digest Award Evelyn Michelson
Balfour Award Jennie Richards
161
REPORT OF SCHOOL PHYSICIAN
Mr. Peter F. Perry
Superintendent of Schools
Westford, Massachusetts
Dear Mr. Perry:
The following report is for the period January 1, 1956 through De- cember 31, 1956.
Students of the following grades were examined as prescribed in the General Laws, Chapter 71:
First year students
Fourth year students
Seventh year students
Eleventh year students New students in the other grades
Students in competitive athletics Students referred by teachers
Student health as a whole has been good and without any marked serious illnesses or accidents.
The Health Clinic in the Westford Academy was frequently used to give poliomyelitis immunizations to students. The program under the supervision of the Board of Health.
I wish to extend my sincere thanks to the school committee, school faculty, student body and parents for their cooperation.
Miss Healy has been very helpful and performed many tasks in making the school health program operate efficiently.
Respectfully submitted,
MAURICE HUCKINS, JR., M.D. School Physician
162
REPORT OF SCHOOL NURSE
Mr. Peter F. Perry Superintendent of Schools Westford, Massachusetts
Dear Mr. Perry:
Following is the report of the school nurse from January 1 to De- cember 31, 1956:
Nurse-Teacher Conferences 544
Nurse-Pupil Conferences 431
Children recommended for exclusion because of contagious disease, skin infection or pediculosis 5
Tested vision of all children in grades 1 through 12 with Massachusetts Vision Equipment. Number of children referred to physician 74
Tested hearing of all children in grades 1 through 12 with a pure tone audiometer. Number of children referred to physician 46
Assisted school physician with physical examinations in grades 1, 4, 7 and 11 and also students participating in sports.
Mrs. Janet Lorman, Dental Hygienist on the staff of the Nashoba Associated Boards of Health, gave fluorine treatments to the children in grades 2, 5 and 8. Notices were sent to parents of children needing dental care.
A number of Polio Clinics were conducted in the schools during the year. Most of the school children have received two inoculations of this vaccine.
I would like to express my appreciation to you, your teaching staff, and the school physician for the cooperation and assistance I have re- ceived at all times.
Respectfully submitted,
DOROTHY A. HEALY, R.N.
163
REPORT OF PENMANSHIP SUPERVISOR
Mr. Peter F. Perry Superintendent of Schools Westford, Massachusetts
Dear Mr. Perry:
Once again I am pleased to report on the operation of the hand- writing program for the past year.
Your teachers have continued to give us the splendid cooperation which has become traditional in your schools and for the many cour- tesies extended to me and my personnel I am most grateful.
Our records show at the conclusion of June 1956 that 96% of the papers scored were Excellent or Good. It is reasonable to conclude, therefore, that 96% of the papers were eminently satisfactory. Only 4% of the papers were rated Fair or Unsatisfactory.
During the past school year we graded and diagnosed approximately 27,000 samples of handwriting for your pupils. A formal test was ad- ministered at four teaching-week intervals and a report was furnished each teacher in writing giving a careful diagnosis of the handwriting of each pupil in the room. We supplied the following instructional and mo- tivational materials to your pupils and teachers: teacher outlines and folders, pupil folders, motivation graphs, individual certificates to pu- pils who qualified, diagnostic charts, handedness tests, envelopes, seals, etc.
Our primary objective is to teach your students to read and write both cursive handwriting and hand lettering in order that they may have these two tools as efficient aids in school, business, and social cor- respondence. At each grade level we attempt to achieve the standard norm in speed and never lose sight of the fact that the concomitants of neatness, accuracy, and attention to detail in doing work are desir- able characteristics that need to be developed along with technical skill.
Sincerely yours,
W. L. RINEHART, Director
164
REPORT OF MUSIC SUPERVISOR
Mr. Peter F. Perry Superintendent of Schools Westford, Massachusetts
Dear Mr. Perry:
I hereby submit to you the annual music report.
The music program of the Westford Schools is based on the five- fold program as suggested by the National Music Committee on Music Education:
Rhythmic Playing
Singing Listening
Creating
The prime purpose of using such a program is to present such a vari- ety of experience that each child may discover some phase of musical ac- tivity in which he finds enjoyment.
Singing is the most important phase of music in the elementary school.
The listening program offers children an opportunity to participate in one of the very important phases of music education. Here the non- singer finds the joy and satisfaction of being one with his class in lis- tening to good music.
The rhythmic activities aid in the physical, emotional, intellectual, and social growth of children. They aid in developing the imagination and in expressing ideas and emotions.
Some form of creative experiences enter into every music lesson. It is this creative aspect of music which develops the imagination so vital to any art.
Every child should be given the opportunity to explore and experi- ment with the various possibilities of tone production, and be given an opportunity to learn to play an orchestral or band instrument after first playing a pre-orchestral or pre-band instrument. It is hoped that this year instruments can be introduced in the elementary grades through the use of Song Flutes.
In November a very successful musical program was presented by the fifth and sixth grades at Sargent School for the P.T.A., and Christ- mas programs were presented with outstanding success at Frost, Came- ron, and Nabnassett Schools.
165
The Junior High and Senior High Glee Clubs combined at the Christ- mas Assembly at the Academy.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who, in any way, made this program possible and have made my first year at West- ford a very enjoyable one.
Respectfully submitted,
CAROLYN BLAISDELL, Music Supervisor.
REPORT OF ART SUPERVISOR
Mr. Peter F. Perry
Superintendent of Schools Westford, Massachusetts
Dear Mr. Perry:
I hereby submit to you my annual report as art supervisor.
This year's program includes more construction work. It not only proves co-ordination by frequent use of scissors but offers a variety in the art media used by the pupils.
Figure drawing also has its place in the elementary school pro- gram. Early training in proportions and details of the human figure eliminates later frustrations and the eventual omission of people in pictures or paintings. This must be repeated over a series of lessons each year from the first grade on.
Perspective has been introduced as early as the 4th grade in that the pupils were encouraged to show distance in their pictures. In try- ing to give their pictures a feeling of distance, the fundamentals of perspective were employed. Perspective was taught more directly to 6th graders with actual demonstrations. Too much of this direct per- spective however, can be more confusing than useful when presented too early.
On the junior high school level, lettering in block and script form has been introduced. Designs and landscapes using primary, compli- mentary and analogues colors were completed. A contest sponsored by the Massachusetts Safety Council was entered by pupils of the 7th and 8th grades, the results of which will not be known until after March 31, 1957.
Respectfully submitted,
M. FRANCES L. WARD
166
REPORT OF REMEDIAL READING TEACHER
Mr. Peter F. Perry Superintendent of Schools Westford, Massachusetts
Dear Mr. Perry:
I would like to submit the following report with respect to the remedial reading program in the Westford Schools.
At the present time there are approximately one hundred chil- dren in the elementary schools who are receiving small group instruc- tion in remedial reading. Children who were not making normal progress in reading were referred to me by their classroom teachers and teachers who had previously worked with these children. Reading capacity and achievement tests were administered to these children to select those who needed remedial reading. Children showing more than a one year difference between their reading capacity and achievement were se- lected for remedial instruction and were tested individually to deter- mine where their major problems in reading lay.
It should be emphasized that remedial reading is designed mainly for children of average or superior intelligence who are not working up to their level of reading potential.
The children who are now receiving remedial reading instruction will be tested individually in the middle of the year to measure their progress and to provide additional information as to their specific needs. At the end of the year these children will be tested individually and also in groups with a standardized achievement test to provide a more speci- fic measure and comparison as to their general growth in reading.
I wish to express my thanks and appreciation to the administration and to the teachers for their close cooperation without which an ef- fective remedial reading program could not be conducted.
Respectfully submitted,
BEATRICE M. HIGGINS, Remedial Reading Teacher.
167
REPORT OF THE PRINCIPAL OF WESTFORD ACADEMY
Mr. Peter F. Perry Superintendent of Schools Westford, Massachusetts
Dear Mr. Perry:
Herewith is the report for the year 1956 on the educational pro- gram at Westford Academy.
The school year ending in June 1956 brought to a close the first year of operation of Westford Academy as a six-year high school.
The problems inherent in the six-year high school are the result of the wide variance in age and the impossibility of completely segregating the junior and senior high school pupils. The transition from the sixth grade, which is basically a one room one teacher situation to the seventh grade, when the pupil must adjust to a multiple room and teacher situa- tion, is a difficult adjustment for some pupils at the eleven and twelve year age level.
The advantages of the seventh and eighth graders attending one school have been evident from the very beginning. The larger number of pupils makes it possible to group them into classes on a combination ability and achievement basis, which permits the classwork to be geared to the needs and capabilities of the pupils. We are now in our second year of aptitude grouping at the seventh and eighth grade levels with some modification over the first year.
One of the interesting trends during the year has been the increased registration in the college preparatory course. Normally, one-third of the students entering ninth grade, registers for the college preparatory program. This year the registration increased to the extent that two- thirds of the ninth grade were taking the college preparatory program. The reason for this appears to be the increased awareness of pupils and parents of the necessity of training beyond high school. However, this situation creates an unfortunate paradox, which exists throughout the country, and as yet has not been resolved. More and more students are competing for entrance to colleges which are not increasing their facil- ities a significant amount. The bright spot in this picture is the increase in the facilities for one and two-year training courses in the form of junior colleges, technical training schools, and private vocational schools.
Because of the large age differential between the junior and senior high students, it was necessary to provide separate social activities. The activities for the junior groups have been particularly worthwhile and have been increased somewhat during the present school year. Most of these activities are sponsored by individual class and supervised by the class advisor.
168
The only changes in curriculum for the school year 1956-57 were the addition of second year Latin and the dropping of Consumer Ed- ucation. The latter course was dropped due to insufficient registration.
The program of physical education for all students proved very successful. The girls received instruction and practice in basketball, bad- minton, field hockey, softball, volleyball, and modern dance. The boys took part in basketball, softball, volleyball, tumbling and a variety of games designed for developing speed and agility. In interscholastic com- petition, the boy's basketball team won the Wachusett Interscholastic League division championship. The football team had a successful season with five wins and three losses.
We are truly indebted to the Trustees of Westford Academy for the visual aid equipment they provided for us. Their gift included one six- teen millemeter projector, one tape recorder, two projection screens, two projector tables and black-out shades for two rooms.
The extra-curricular activities program was operated during the 1955-56 school year, on an after-school basis. Although late buses were provided, the response left much to be desired. Starting in September, an activity period meeting two mornings a week was scheduled. The seventh and eighth grades had their choice of one of the following clubs: Glee Club, Aviation Club, Dance Club, Model Airplane Club, Stamp Club and Book Club. In addition to participation in one of the above mentioned clubs, one activity period each week was spent in a group guidance class. The senior high students had their choice of two activities each week: Driver Education, Dramatics Club, Radio Club, Personal Typing, News- paper Club, Language Club, Glee Club and Yearbook. The increased number of teachers with a greater variety of interests has made pos- sible a wider selection of activities for the pupils than has been pos- sible heretofore.
The Westford Academy P.T.A. which was organized in the fall of 1955 held one meeting a month through June of 1956. Although excel- lent programs were provided and worthwhile projects completed, the light attendance at the meetings indicated a certain amount of disinter- est on the part of the parents, particularly at the higher grade levels. Realizing the large number of commitments that most parents have, the number of meetings for the present school year was limited to five with the hope that it would bolster attendance.
I wish to thank you and the school committee for the assistance and cooperation that has been given me throughout the year.
Sincerely yours,
JOHN A. RENNIE, Principal of Westford Academy.
169
SCHOOL CALENDAR 1956 - 1957
Teachers' Meeting
September 4
Fall Term
September 5-December 21
73 days
Winter Term
January 2-February 15
33 days
Spring Term
February 25-April 12
35 days
Summer Term
April 22-June 21
44 days
Total: 185 days
Days Omitted:
Columbus Day
October 12
Teachers' Convention
October 26
Armistice Day
November 12
Thanksgiving Recess
November 22-23
Memorial Day
May 30
Remarks:
1. Elementary Schools to close June 14.
2. High school to close June 21.
3. These dates may be changed due to stormy weather.
It is the policy of the School Department to keep schools in session on all days during which it is safe for buses to be operated. The widely varying conditions in the several parts of Westford make it difficult to reach decisions equally fair to all. ON DAYS WHEN THE WEATHER CONDITION IS QUESTIONABLE, PARENTS ARE URGED TO EX- ERCISE THEIR OWN JUDGMENT AS TO THE WISDOM OF SEND- ING THEIR CHILDREN TO SCHOOL.
170
Annual Report
OF THE
J. V. Fletcher Library
OF THE
TOWN OF WESTFORD
RARY.
O
1895
For the Year Ending December 31 1956
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE J. V. FLETCHER LIBRARY
January 1, 1957
The trustees of the J. V. Fletcher Library herewith submit their annual report for 1956, including the report of the librarian.
Once again we have to report the loss of a valued trustee. Mr. Lyn- wood T. Stodden, after nearly two years of very efficient service, re- signed on September the eighth since he was moving from town to carry on the responsibilities of his new position as supervising principal of the consolidated school of Southwick, Mass. Our last meeting was concluded by the serving of ice cream and cookies.
In October Mr. John F. Sanders of Boston Road was appointed to serve out the remainder of Mr. Stodden's term of office.
In May, Miss Howard and Miss Day attended the spring meeting of the Merrimack Valley Library Association at the Haverhill Public Li- brary. They especially enjoyed the book reviews by Miss Gilman and the talk on children's books in Latin America by Miss Katherine V. Ly- ford of the Boston Athenaeum staff and a director of the Pan-American Society of New England.
For sometime the question of changing the lighting system in the library building has been under discussion. On March 29th bids were called for resulting in Norman E. Day being given the task of installing fluorescent lights in some of the downstairs rooms. There is the hope that more of these lights may be installed this year. The ceiling in the stackroom has been repaired now that the new lights are in place and we have said goodby to the old lighting in that room.
Music appreciation records are still being purchased. We hope more of them will be borrowed, also that we may be able to purchase a player for the library room.
A bulletin board has been installed in the vestibule where articles of interest may be posted.
Have you ever noticed that the library draws part of its money from the dog licenses ? This is a quote from the Concord Journal written by Ruth W. Wheeler and entitled "Dog Buy Tales". "Many people do not realize the connection between our dogs and our library. It has long been the custom to earmark the dog tax to the Library to be spent on new books. There are over 1,000 licensed dogs in Concord, one to every ten people. About half the notes on the police blotter deal with dogs; lost, injured or doing injury. When a dog unknown, does damage, the se- lectmen assess the damage and pay for it out of the dog tax. This re- duces the amount which the library can spend for best sellers.
When you have a quiet evening at home with a good book from the Library, perhaps the well behaved dog on the hearth at your feet paid for the thriller." The J. V. Fletcher Library may not ear-mark this money for books especially but it certainly does help in financing our work.
172
To carry on repairs and the necessary work of the library the trus- tees ask for the following appropriation, viz:
1. The sum of forty-six hundred ($4,600.00) dollars.
2. The receipts from the dog licenses in 1956. WILLIAM R. TAYLOR, Chairman JOHN F. SANDERS ALICE M. HOWARD, Secretary
FIANCIAL REPORT OF THE LIBRARY FOR 1956
Salaries and wages:
Librarian
$ 1,400.00
Custodian
650.00
Assistants
826.50
$ 2,876.50
Books and periodicals:
Books
760.48
Periodicals
210.70
971.18
Fuel
679.52
Electricity
142.61
Building:
Water
25.25
Janitor's supplies
3.54
Fluorescent lighting
1,268.00
Ceiling repaired
100.00
Roof
88.59
Care of grounds
25.80
Miscellaneous repairs
66.10
Other expenses:
Telephone
84.95
Transportation of books
40.00
Stationery, postage, box rent
9.71
Music records
68.06
Miscellaneous supplies
140.86
343.58
$ 6,590.67
Income:
Town appropriation
$ 4,700.00
Receipts from dog licenses
1,023.51
Interest from funds
867.16
$ 6,590.67
Receipts from fines
$ 132.60
1,577.28
173
REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN
January 1, 1957
To the Trustees of the J. V. Fletcher Library:
The librarian herewith submits her thirty-ninth annual report of the work of the library. It is ninety-eight years since a public library was started in Wesford and fifty years in this building were completed last June. Many of the same things must always be done reading reviews, ordering books, cataloging them (which includes pasting in slips, ac- cessioning, deciding on numbers and marking with library stamps), charging to borrowers, checking off on return, replacing on shelves, mending those that need it, sending notices for overdue books, choosing and preparing books to send to the schools, mounting pictures, and ar- ranging displays.
As the noon hour at the Frost school is now much shorter than it used to be it is less convenient for the children to come to the library and fewer have done so. Some parents realize the value and importance of reading in the lives of their children and have made the effort to bring them to the library. We urge more to do so; also perhaps they would find something of interest to themselves.
In September the librarian was asked by Mrs. Crowley to give talks to several English classes at Westford Academy on the use of the Read- er's Guide and other reference tools. As The Lilliputians, a reading club in charge of Mrs. Hook, is interested in getting a catalog of the books now in the school library, the librarian was asked to assist to show how the cards should be written and how to number them. In October Mrs. Oliver brought her second grade to the library so they might become acquainted with the children's room and learn how to take out books. Miss Giacoppe brought her seventh grade science class to the library on May 29. On February 8 the Brownie troop from Nabnasset in charge of Mrs. Paul L. McDonald and her assistant Mrs. Milton Dadoly made a visit to the library. Mrs. Walter Beede assisted with transportation.
A new activity was the exhibit of books at the Grange Fair on Sep- tember 15. The librarian had on display many books on sewing, handi- crafts, cooking, gardening, and related subjects, a few of which were borrowed at the time. A list of children's books "Growing Up With Books" was distributed to parents. At the Grange meeting on December 6 the librarian was asked to bring books on Christmas decorations, cus- toms, stories, etc.
174
The exhibits in the Frost museum case have shown material on Ben- jamin Franklin, collection of Florida shells given by Mrs. McCallum, Girl Scout exhibit of nature and other material for Scout Week, old fashioned clothes loaned by Miss Winnek, scrapbook of old fashioned cards made by Lomie Blodgett, Thanksgiving exhibit and the Christmas exhibit.
Leslie Drew finished her community service for Girl Scout credit in April. Her services were much appreciated.
Of interest to the townspeople are the scrapbooks now being com- piled by Miss Bunce from the clippings taken from the Westford Wards- man beginning July 28, 1906. They may be consulted by any who wish at the Library.
The Librarian continues to take books to Mrs. Hudgings' nursing homes, visiting the one in the center once a week and the one in Granite- ville every two weeks.
The new fluorescent lights have added much to the pleasure of the users of the Library in the stackroom, children's room and over the charging desk.
During the summer a touch of beauty was provided by flowers from the gardens of J. Herbert Fletcher, Mrs. W. Otis Day, Mrs. N. W. Mil- lett, Mrs. Frank Shea, Misses Mary and Grace Burbeck and Mrs. Thomas McGrath.
The library was again decorated for Christmas with the usual lights in the windows, a tree provided by Mr. McAvinew, evergreen branches from Miss Winnek, and decorations for the mantel pieces by Mrs. Day. The Christmas carollers, Scrooge, Bob Crachit, Tiny Tim and Mrs. Crachit from the collection of the librarian were displayed on the coun- ter.
As many people have difficulty remembering the time the library is open, a rubber stamp was made this year giving the hours and this has been stamped in all the new books and is gradually being added to the old ones, so that anyone who has a book out will know when the library is open.
At the time of the rededication of the Old North Bridge in Con- cord the selectmen of that town presented to the Westford selectmen a block from the piling of the original bridge. This has been presented to the library.
175
On her way home from her college reunion in June the librarian had the privilege of visiting several libraries - South Hadley, Amherst, Greenfield, Orange, Athol and Lunenberg-with interest and profit. She has also visited Reading and Wakefield.
There have been some changes in the list of magazines. The Amer- ican magazine put out its last number in September and the year was finished by Collier's. Now this magazine has expired and also Woman's Home Companion announces its last issue in January, 1957. No substi- tutes have been announced. All except current numbers may be borrowed for one week. The list for the coming year follows:
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