USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wilmington > Town of Wilmington Annual Report 1952 > Part 6
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will enable us to better the program for high school students of the future, and your cooperation in this matter will be gratefully received.
A new report card was proposed by the Commitee on the mark- ing system. This report card was adopted and issued at the start of the current year. It goes out at the close of every two months during the school year, as in the past. However, it has replaced the deficiency slip of the past and may be issued at the odd months indicating a pupil's failure in one or more subjects. All marks are cumulative, that is, the mark portrays the pupil's progress at the date of record, not each two months period as formerly. English, as well as a minimum of other subjects, must be passed each year in order for a pupil to earn promotion. The system of any three major subjects being passed for promotion no longer holds. Good marks and scholastic success are achieved by well established habits of study. Parents are cautioned to see that their children carry home books and study them daily. The school provides some time for study, but the time is not sufficient to complete satisfactorily the assignments issued. The teachers, guidance department and I wel- come you, the parents, to consult us any afternoon regarding your children's progress and future plans.
The library, at the present writing, has just under two thousand and one hundred (2, 100) books of all description, including four sets of Encyclopedias. Approximately two hundred and fifty (250) pupils are assigned to the library daily. This being inadequate, we are revising the schedule to enable every student to have some time in the library in the future.
Our Driver Education program was extended this year to include members of the Junior Class. We hope to extend this program so that it will reach all students sixteen years of age and older. The scheduling of this course has been disadvantageous to some, as it is offered in only two classroom periods throughout the year. If the student has some subject in both those periods, he loses the oppor- tunity of having this course. However, a schedule has been devised that will enable us to take care of more students in the second half of this year.
This year we included a half-hour period per day for activities. This period is devoted mainly to all extra-curricular activities, except athletics. The principal points of the program at the present being class meetings, music and student council. We expect to form a dramatic club by next September. Speaking of the Student Council, it is a body of eighteen students, who have done much to promote
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student interest within and outside the school. Major points of the past year were the student town meeting sponsored in conjunction with Good Government Day, and the publication of the "Blue Beacon", a guide book for the students of Wilmington High School. The Student Council is under the guidance of Miss Elene Farello and is a sound means for the student to learn democratic living by actual participa - tion. The assistance of the Student Council in fostering worthwhile activities for the student body has been highly valuable in school morale.
Looking to the future, we plan to standardize the English texts in order to establish more uniformity in the English classes. The various department heads will organize to bring the courses of study within their departments up to date.
In conclusion, I want to thank you, Mr. C. Good, and the School Committee for your continuous support and cooperation; to the faculty for their loyalty and assistance; to the parents, the student body and all who have helped make this past year so satisfying. When one has the faith of his superiors, the loyalty of his fellow-workers and the trust of his charges, his work and effort can only be pleasant and gratifying.
DIRECTOR OF GUIDANCE
It is a privilege to present my second annual report as Director of Guidance in the Wilmington public schools. The past year has been one of progress in the various activities of the Guidance Dept.
TESTING:
The basic Boston University Testing Program is still being carrted on. We have set up a more comprehensive testing program to include both freshmen and upper classmen. At the present time the following tests are administered to freshmen:
Kuder Preference Record Terman McNemar Test of Mental Ability Otis Test of Mental Ability California Achievement Test Battery
Upper classmen are retested in the same areas and are also rated on personality traits, attitudes and appearance. The testing program is designed to provide more accurate information about each pupil to himself, his parents, and his teachers.
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COUNSELING:
Personal counseling is an important phase in any guidance pro - gram. It is through the counseling session that we gain the greatest value from and find the greatest use for the tests and records which have been accumulated on each student. The high school Guidance Department attempts to interview every incoming freshman and every member of the junior class. In addition, numerous interviews are held with students who have some particular problem which they wish to discuss. The counseling program is hardly adequate at present because of the lack of time which may be devoted to this function.
OCCUPATIONAL INFORMATION:
As eighty-five percent (85%) of our graduates go directly from high school into gainful employment, a very important phase of the local guidance program is that of furnishing the students with accu- rate and up-to-date information on various occupations. To accom- plish this we use several devices.
Our second annual Career Day will be held April 15, 1953, and will closely follow the pattern of our first annual Career Day when forty-five (45) people from business and educational institutions led small group discussions on a wide variety of occupational fields. In the meantime a continuing program of informative speakers, movies and field trips is being carried on. Individual members of the high school faculty are actively engaged in acquainting the students with various fields of gainful employment, and it is their active, intelli- gent interest and participation in this program that has brought it to its present state of effectiveness.
Our occupational information library of approximately eight hundred (800) books and pamphlets is being constantly revised and brought up to date in order that it will continue to be a valuable source of occupational information for the student body.
EDUCATIONAL INFORMATION:
It has been a matter of deep concern to the Guidance Department and faculty of the high school that in recent years so few students have applied for scholarships. This past year we have attempted, through school assemblies, poster displays, P. T. A. meetings and the columns of the Crusader to arouse a greater interest in scholar - ships. In addition, each student was given a four -page mimeographed pamphlet which contains a list of forty-five (45) freshman scholarship: to New England Colleges, notice of several local scholarships and information as to where additional information on scholarships might be obtained. That we have had some success in arousing interest in scholarships is shown by the fact that scholarship applications have
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increased greatly over previous years. As a source of informa - tion for the student interested in college, a file of several hundred college catalogues is maintained in the guidance office. Supplemen- tary materials on college requirements, etc., are available in each classroom.
PLACEMENT SERVICE:
During the past year the Wilmington High School Placement Service maintained its active role in the Guidance Program. Over one hundred and thirty-five (135) part-time placements were made, and through the efforts of the placement service, a large majority of the graduating class found employment.
MISCELLANEOUS ACTIVITIES:
A Move-up Day was held for the first time this year. Members of the entering freshman class came over from the Junior High School to spend a day going through their future high school programs. They were given brief classes in each subject, were presented with a copy of the student handbook (The Blue Beacon) and were welcomed by the Student Council; all of which made the transition from Junior to Senior high school less difficult.
A group conference and discussion was held at the Junior High School in the Spring at which time Mr. McMahon and Mr. Whittredge explained to the incoming freshmen the various high school courses and requirements. Each eighth-grader was also given a program card upon which to record his choice of high school subjects. This choice was reviewed by the child's parent, his homeroom teacher and the high school Guidance Department. In some cases further conferences and additional information given to the students and their parents resulted in a wiser choice of courses on the part of the student. This choice-of-subject program was also introduced into the high school.
A new guidance service was subscribed to by the Superintendent of Schools. This provides a monthly poster for bulletin board display and booklets for students, parents, and teachers to read, all of which are concerned with some topic of importance to students. Some of the more recent topics have been, "The Draft", "How to Get Along with Others", "Knowing Yourself", and other topics of similar nature.
A follow-up study is being conducted by Mr. Anthony DeLuca, from which the Guidance Department expects to gain many valuable suggestions as to how the services of the Guidance Department may be made of more value to the individual student.
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After considering many different cumulative record cards in use throughout the United States, a new cumulative record card for the Wilmington schools was chosen and is in the process of being install- ed throughout the system. It is believed that this new card will give a clearer and more valid picture of each individual student and will enable the Guidance Department to function at a more effective level. Every member of the faculty will also benefit from the information contained on these cards.
We are happy to welcome back Mr. Ralph T. Ambrose who was assigned to the Guidance Department forty-five minutes per day. His thorough knowledge of student psychology and guidance practices, understanding and sympathetic personality combines to make him an unusually effective student counselor. At the present time the guid- ance functions are carried on by two teachers, one assigned for 90 minutes per day and one assigned for 45 minutes per day. If ad- ditional time is alloted to guidance functions it is planned to extend the testing services to the elementary grades during next year. We also hope to increase the occupational and additional information available to the elementary student. The Guidance Department is daily becoming a more essential part of every educational activity. As our school curriculum is enlarged, the need for careful selection becomes more important. As the adult society becomes more com- plex, the need for information about that society becomes more acute As teachers attempt to individualize instruction, they need more and more information about pupils. As we encourage students to become more self-directive, the need for information about themselves be- comes more evident.
SUPERVISOR OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND SAFETY
It is with extreme pleasure that I am submitting this annual re- port on Physical Education in the Wilmington Schools. In previous reports I have outlined the needs, objectives, and long range plans for a well-organized program that would contribute to the optimum development of our children physically, socially and mentally. I, therefore, will condense this subject for obvious reasons.
Physical Education
Our primary grade children are receiving a planned program that fits well into the regular school curriculum and is now equal to any suggested or accepted programs in schools of similar size and financial backing. Out-of-school recreation facilities are the only drawback as of this date. This means that our school play
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areas could stand some improvement such as better surfaces and increased facilities.
The Intermediate grades through the use of the Common and the Junior High School gym, when available, are getting a well- rounded program both indoor and outdoor. To make this level complete we may look forward to an increased time allotment in the schedule.
Our Junior High activities are still crowded, and although we offer the student a broad program, we are also looking forward to working with smaller classes so that more individual attention may be available for students who need it.
Summing up all the grades, I am sure the parents are aware of the increase in attention to our program by the students as shown during our Field Day. Representation from several other schools and one of our larger colleges at the annual May Day exercises spoke well for our students and our program. They left with the intent of establishing a similar program in their own in- dividual schools.
As originally promised, we fielded our first Girls' Field Hockey team this year after a lapse of many years in a similar sport. In addition we have received an offer from a nearby golf course for the free use of their grounds; and, through the advice and assistance of the Wilmington Rotary Club, we may be able to realize golf for high school students as soon as time permits. This is a sport with tremendous carry-over value for girls and boys regardless of size.
I am sure the students are well pleased with the addition of Miss Thespian Triantifilou as girls' coach in varsity sports. She is a graduate of Salem Teachers College and fills the vacancy caused by Miss Mulcahey's resignation.
Safety Education
We are carrying on as usual with instruction in safer School Living, Safety Education, and School Patrol Lines. Outstanding contributions to the program would include the interest shown by the P. T. A. and their willingness to endorse a Safety Program that will include awards and rewards; thereby, stimulating inter- est in the School Patrol and motivating our children to do a better job. Plans are also being made to organize a Bicycle Club in the fifth and sixth grades.
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One of our greatest hazards has been eliminated in front of the High School by acquiring the services of a policeman at that cross- ing during noon time. We have close to six hundred pedestrians using this crosswalk to and from the cafeteria.
In order to improve our bus transportation system, we have been in contact with the Town Manager and have submitted a letter that would include suggested snow-removalareas along the bus route insuring safer travel. In addition it is our hope that through the Town Manager we shall be able to improve the playing surfaces and areas in all the school yards, possibly on a yearly improvement plan.
For the High School students, Mr. DeLuca offers a fine program in Driver Education, with behind the wheel instruction thatis second to none as shown by the success enjoyed by our license applicants. It is also hoped that the student body will organize its own Safety Council this coming year, thus completing the continuous instruction and participation from the first to the twelfth grade.
In conclusion I want to thank you, Mr. C. Good, for your sugges- tions and advice in realizing this program; also, the School Commit- tee, P. T. A., and Mother Clubs who have been so helpful in fur- thering the value of our work.
SCHOOL NURSE
For the school health department the year just ended has been a year of unusual growth in the number of pupils and in program ex- pansion.
School Registration:
The rapid growth in numbers became apparent with a higher than usual pre-school registration last Spring. However, the full impact was not felt until a few days before school opened in September.
In previous years, the day before the opening of schoolhas been devoted to registering approximately twenty new comers or stragglers who had neglected to register in the Spring. Last summer the school nurse, assisted by Mrs. Wiberg, Principal of the Walker School, spent two full and strenuous days registering one hundred and fifty (150) new pupils for all grades. For days after school opened, they continued to come, and they are still coming. To date about three hundred and sixty-five (365) new pupils have been registered by the nurse before entering our schools.
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Since children frequently come to us with physical, mental or emotional problems, registration of all new pupils by the nurse seems wise and expedient. It offers an opportunity to obtain from the parent, information which leads to a better understanding of the child and an awareness of his needs.
Physical Examinations:
In accordance with the new law pertaining to the physical exam- ination of school children, pupils in our schools will be, "examined by their family physician or the school physician, within six months before entrance to school, or during the first year after entrance, and at intervals of either three or four years thereafter", instead of annually as in the past. With this arrangement there should be fewer pupils to examine yearly, thus allowing more time per pupil. Actually, the school population here is growing so rapidly that a ยท reduction in numbers is hardly discernable. In spite of limited time, the lack of space, privacy and quiet in all but the high school, every effort has been and is being made to make the examination given by the school physician, adequate. Much credit is due the school physician, Dr. MacDougall for the success of this phase of the school health program.
A new feature added this past year is an invitation to parents to have their children examined by their family physician. Upon request, a form is sent home on which the family physician records the findings of his examination. This information is then transferred to the child's health record.
Another new feature of the program is the physical examination of every athlete before participation in each sport, instead of an annual examination prior to the football season, as in the past.
Hearing and Vision Test:
A new addition to our audiometer now makes it possible to test children in the first three grades in groups of ten. Previously, group testing with the audiometer was possible only in grades four through twelve. The present program provides a hearing test for all pupils in Grade I and every second year thereafter. The value of this test can hardly be estimated, for we find that in many cases the hearing loss discovered is due to a remedial condition which, if detected and treated soon enough, prevents progressive or per - manent hearing loss.
Lip reading has been made available for those who need it, through the courtesy of the Melrose School Department where such instruction is provided. Two of our pupils are taking full advantage
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of this opportunity.
The vision testing program has also been expanded. It now provides a visual examination for each pupil in the first year after entering school, and every second year thereafter, instead of every third or fourth year as in the past. The testing is done by the school nurse using the Massachusetts Vision Test which screens for near sightedness, far sightedness and muscle imbalance. Pupils in any other grade may be referred for testing if suspected of visual diffi- culty.
Tuberculosis Prevention and Education:
With the cooperation of the local tuberculosis committee, Patch testing has been done in Grade I for the past three years. Last Oct. Grade III was included for a re-test. The purpose of this program is three-fold. First, case finding; second, to indicate the incidence of tuberculosis in Wilmington; and last by no means least, health education.
It is difficult to evaluate the educational success of such a pro- gram, but positive reactors to the Patch test have introduced us to families where careful follow-up was indicated, and is being done.
Dental Health:
The good work continues at the dental clinic. The original pro- gram, of topical applications of fluorine to the teeth at the ages when permanent teeth erupt, and restorative dentistry in Grades I and II for as many children as time will allow, is still being followed. With clinic time limited to three mornings a week, a preventive program such as this, is our only hope of improving the oral health of the school population.
A dental survey conducted by the State Department of Dental Health, assisted by the school nurse, revealed among other things that ninety percent of the pupils. from six to fourteen years of age have tooth decay in permanent teeth.
Although our present program cannot be truly evaluated for another two years, nevertheless, Wilmington was commended by the State Department of Dental Health for conducting a most effect- ive dental program in lieu of fluoridation of the water supply. We sincerely hope that no undue delay will deprive the children of this community of the benefits of this harmless, scientific discovery which is whole heartedly endorsed by every national health organiza- tion in the country, and which will reduce tooth decay up to sixty - five percent. The cost? About a dime per person per year !
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Seldom can so much be done for so many, for so little.
Immunization:
The school nurse has again cooperated with the Board of Health Nurse in planning and conducting six immunization clinics. Triple antigen, which protects against diptheria, whooping cough and te - tanus is given to children from three months to four years of age. For older children, double antigen, which protects only against diptheria and tetanus is used.
Some Statistics:
Number of visits to schools 687
Number of visits to homes 381
Number of conferences 319
Number of trips to the N. R. S. S. rheumatic fever cl. 43
Number of trips to other hospitals 5
Number of office visits 186
These visits, conferences, etc. represent a large and import- ant part of the school nurse's work. Through conferences with tea- chers, principals, the superintendent of schools, State and City visitors, and others all sorts of problems are referred and discuss- ed. Through home visits the understanding and cooperation necess - ary to the solution of these problems are gained.
Attendance at clinics is very time consuming. For this reason, and because real aid consists of making self help possible, trips to clinics and hospitals are made by the nurse only when there is no alternative.
The office visits are for the most part made by students seeking guidance in matters pertaining to health, or by pupils sent by a teach - er because of some problem. In this way, many a major difficulty is prevented. Then too, these visits offer a splendid opportunity for personal health teaching.
As the Town grows it becomes increasingly important to estab- lish policies by which details can be handled, and to center down on those issues and procedures which make the school health program vital and effective. To this end we are committed.
May I express my sincere appreciation to you, Mr. C. Good, for your loyal support and genuine interest in all phases of school health; to the principals and teachers for their kindness and co- operation; and to all who have helped to make the past year, a year of progress.
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DIRECTOR OF READING
In the past we have found it necessary to think of our reading program in terms of correction, rather than prevention. Inasmuch as we have had little or no uniformity in our curriculum, we were bound to have failure.
This year, thanks to your recommendation and approval of the school committee, we have been able to adopt a basic reading sys- tem. This will enable us to work for prevention of reading failure and gradually decrease the number of corrective cases.
The reading system that you have chosen for our use is The Curriculum Foundation Series, published by Scott, Foresman Co. The series is so arranged that youngsters with pre-school read- ing needs are taken care of. From there on up through the grades, the texts are graded so that youngsters with varying reading levels within a classroom can be taken care of at any grade level. By means of uniformity in our reading program throughout the school system, we now will be able to check individual progress more efficiently and seek to keep each youngster going at his individual level of capacity.
It is our aim to see that a multiple-level instructional program is carried on within each grade. This is the picture to be found in the majority of classrooms.
Since reading is one of the chief means used to help the child achieve his maximum growth, the teacher must recognize the varying needs of the children and must pace each pattern of growth by supplying instructional materials in accordance with the needs and interests of each child. The reading program must be set up to help every child feel secure in his school life and develop gradually and successfully into a competent, self-confident person. The teachers are doing an excellent job of accepting this philosophy.
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