Town of Wilmington Annual Report 1960-1961, Part 6

Author: Wilmington (Mass.)
Publication date: 1960
Publisher: Town of Wilmington
Number of Pages: 290


USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wilmington > Town of Wilmington Annual Report 1960-1961 > Part 6


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124 West Street


124 West Street


22 Oakdale Road


119 Grove Avenue


Westdale Avenue 310 Lowell Street


300 Chestnut Street


5 Sheridan Road


34 Brentwood Avenue


34 Andover Street


833 Woburn Street


95 Shawsheen Avenue


380 Main Street


Taft Road


2 Cottage Street


277 Middlesex Avenue Bates Avenue


10 Wildwood Street


31 Lawrence Street


40 Oakdale Road


711 Woburn Street


109 West Street


Larson Road


Larson Road


72 Main Street


Salem Street


3 Meadow Lane


38 Grove Avenue


Occupation


Test Mechanic Project Technician


Clerk, Timekeeper


Prod. Planning & Control Supr.


Supervisor


Sheet Metal Assembly


Legal Secretary


Data Processing Analyst


Project Engineer


Housewife Brick Layer


Sheet Metal Worker


Housewife


Instrument Maker


Checker


Accountant - Office Manager


Housewife


Housewife


Building Custodian


Supervisor


Housewife


Retired


Lab. Technician


Insurance Change Checker


Housewife


Unemployed


Retired


Lineman


Senior Electronics Technician


Cashier


Housewife


Supervisor


Housewife


Assistant Civil Engineer


Salesman


I. B. M. Supervisor


Payroll Clerk


Post Office Clerk


Payroll Clerk


Housewife


Housewife


Welder


Supervisor of Maintenance


Clerk


Inspector-Construction


Practical Nurse


Salesman


Accts. Rec. Bookkeeper


Bakery Receiver


General Helper


Shoe Packer


General worker


Campaign Organizer Newspaper Correspondent


Wilmington Memorlal Library Wilmington, Muss.


67


Name


Syvertson, Roy C. Jr. Tattersall, Elizabeth Trickett, David W. Tuttle, Frank H. Visconti, Anna M.


* Wagstaff, Anna Wagstaff, Bernard F. Walsh, Michael J. Webber, George J. Whalen, James J. Wicks, Lydia G. Witherspoon, William E. (*indicates married woman)


Residence


211 Wildwood Street


19 Grove Avenue


11 Suncrest Avenue


Carson Avenue 22 Nassau Avenue 34 Hobson Avenue Pleasant Road


5 Dorothy Avenue 160 Shawsheen Avenue


Birchwood Road 27 Parker Street


17 Swain Road


Occupation


Sheet Metal Mechanic At home Electrician Senior Design Checker Claim Clerk Housewife Salesmanger Electrician Equip. Planning Engineer Supervisor Transister Tester Retired


Finance Committee - left to right, John G. Hayward, Ralph H. Biggar, Carl Gubellini, William P. Curtin, Robert Michelson, Cornelius Joyce, and William A. Stickney.


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wilmington Memorial Library


POLICE DEPARTMENT


Police Chief Lynch


-


Sergeant Imbimbo


Sergeant Shepard


Sergeant Sidelinker


Officer Ballou


Officer Brennan


Officer Cuoco


Officer Dolan


Officer Markey


Officer Mercier


Officer Peterson


-


Officer Ellsworth


Officer Fuller


Officer Kelley


Officer Langone


Officer Ritchie


1


FIRE DEPARTMENT


Fire Chief Boudreau


Lieut. Cail


Lieut. Cushing


Lieut. Woods


/


Private Anderson


Private Blaisdell


Private Burke


Private Burns .


Private Ellis


Private Kleynen


Private Lauziere


Private Marshall


Private Nee


Private Plumer


1


Private Wandell


Private Webster


wilmington Memorial Library


Wilmington Memorial Library


school Committee


School Committee - left to right, George Robertie, Robert Hastings, Ernest Crispo, Henry Sullivan, John Hartnett, Edward F. Page, and School Supt. Harold S. Shea.


In accordance with Chapter 72, Section 4, of the General Laws Relating to Education of the State of Massachusetts, we hereby submit the annual report of the Wilmington School Committee for the year 1960.


The membership of the Committee was as follows:


Term Expires


Henry Sullivan, Chairman


1961


Ernest M. Crispo, Vice Chairman 1963


George G. Robertie, Secretary 1961


John F. Hartnett 1963


Robert F. Hastings


1962


Edward F. Page


1962


Arthur V. Lynch (resigned 1/21/60)


Of major significance this past year was the resignation of John J. Collins, Superintendent of Schools, to accept a similar position in Goshen, New York. School Committee members and townspeople alike agree that during his tenure of office, six years to be exact, the Wilmington Public Schools grew in stature and in excellence.


To replace Mr. Collins, your School Committee reviewed sixty applications, interviewed sixteen candidates, and finally elected Harold S. Shea, Director of Secondary Education, Fairfield, Connecticut.


Other activities of educational significance which your committee was engaged in during the year were as follows:


9 teachers were elected to tenure


27 teachers were appointed to fill staff vacancies, 13 elementary and 14 secondary. Of the 27 appointments, 9 were for new positions because of growth and 18 were replacements due to resignations and leaves of absence.


3 staff members were granted leaves of absence.


The opening of the Boutwell Street School, a twelve room elementary school, in October of 1960, although causing half sessions for six weeks for some 350 pupils, has kept the town abreast of its long


73


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range school building program. This was followed up by the appropriation of $1, 050, 000. 00 by the voters at a special town meeting in November for the construction of an Intermediate School on Salem Street in North Wilmington to be ready for occupancy in September of 1962. The latter school will not only take care of the continued need for elementary classrooms in the next few years but also meet the first crush of an expanding grade 7-8 population now housed in the high school. The school is to be designed and constructed for the eventual use as a grade 7-8 school only. To bring about these accomplishments, your Committee has worked in close cooperation with members of the Permanent Building Committee who, as you know, are responsible for the construction of all town buildings.


Membership in the New England School Development Council continues to provide the school ad- ministration and staff with the latest research in curriculum planning, school financing, teachers salaries, student activities, and policy making; and its services are invaluable in helping the staff and the Committee to determine which direction the schools should move in planning long range educational goals for the town.


Participation in the evaluation of the Wilmington High School by a Visiting Committee assigned by the New England Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools, and subsequent discussions with the high school principal and department heads at regular School Committee meetings, provided the committee with first-hand knowledge on the status of our high school. A summary of the findings of the Visiting Committee is reported elsewhere in this report.


Schools were in session 180 days beginning September 9, 1959 and ending June 22, 1960.


The Committee held 25 regular meetings and 5 special meetings during the year.


The School Committee wishes to thank the various committees, town departments, and the many individual citizens who have been so cooperative and helpful to the school department during the past year.


CLASSROOM NEEDS


REQUIRED


AVAILABLE


PROVIDE


1-6


7-8


9-12


Total


1-6


7-12


Total


1-6


7-8


9-12


1960


67


18


27


112


71


46


117


12


1961


72


19


30


121


71


46


117


1962


78


19


31


128


71


66


137


20


1963


84


20


34


138


71


66


137


1964


87


22


34


143


79


66


145


8


1965


93


23


34


150


87


66


153


8


1966


(99)


24


37


( 160)


102


56


168


15


1967


(105)


26


37


(168)


102


66


168


1968


(111)


29


39


(179)


102


86


188


20


1969


30


42


1970


31


48


1971


32


53


1972


55


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Wilmington Memorial Library


supt. of school


SUPT. OF SCHOOLS Harold S. Shea


Teachers and school administrators must carry out the every day job of education; must determine the best ways of teaching; must determine how existing plant facilities can be utilized; must bring to the students their trained knowledge and experience. In this, my first annual report, I shall attempt to sum- marize for you how this job was carried out this past year in Wilmington, and how it might be carried out in the years ahead. Included also in this report is the usual data pertaining to school enrollments, class- room needs, and condition of school facilities.


AT THE ELEMENTARY LEVEL


School Organization:


Due to the increase in the number of classrooms, and the consequent need for a more equitable distribution of supervisory responsibilities, the elementary districts were redefined as follows, effective September 1, 1960:


Glen Road District: (Comprising the Glen Road, Rogers and Buzzell Schools) Mr. Barrett as Supervising Principal.


Swain District:


(Comprising the Swain, Center and Boutwell Schools) Mr. DeLuca as Supervising Principal.


Wildwood District: (Comprising the Wildwood, Whitefield and Walker Schools) Mr. Amborse as Supervising Principal.


Curriculum:


During the year, there was very much activity with reference to curriculum, text additions, and changes. The adoption of a new Arithmetic series was completed, covering grades one through six. The Language Committee, which undertook many studies in 1959, completed its detailed report covering grades three through six. As a result, a new text was adopted and first used in September. The entire elemen- tary system will be utilizing the text in 1961. A new Social Studies series was initiated into the sixth grades. The new text brings about an improved fusion of Geography and History, with greater emphasis on Geography. This new series makes it possible to effect a better correlation with the High School program.


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The Educational TV programs have been used effectively to supplement the basic curriculum. The instruction for the elementary grades covers the following areas:


Grade 6: Physical Science (all classes) Second-year Conversational French for those having had the first year in 1959-1960


Grade 5: Natural Science (all classes)


First-year Conversational French by those teachers who conducted experimental classes during 1959-1960


First-year Conversational French (all classes)


Grade 4: Grade 3: Literature (all classes)


Grade 2: Music (optional)


In addition to these, a program in Primary Science will be added for the first and second grades beginning in January, 1961. The Conversational French program is still in the experimental stage and, in an attempt to make the program more effective, a representative from the Modern Language Project will conduct a workshop for all teachers using the program. This workshop, commencing in December, will continue on a monthly basis for the latter part of the school year.


With the opening of schools in September of this past year, the Remedial Reading program was extended to include children at fourth grade level. Recommendation for this revision had been favorably considered during the previous school year. However, because such a change, if carried out at that time, would have resulted in class numbers exceeding effective working groups, it was necessary to continue with the original program which was set up for grades five and six only.


Reporting to Parents:


In an effort to give the parents a better understanding of the pupil's scholastic development, the report card for grades four, five and six was revised. The new report card provides an explanation of the mark received, by affording the teacher an opportunity to show the strengths and weaknesses of the student in the most important areas of each subject.


To give a more complete picture of the overall program at the end of the third and sixth grades, the standardized achievement test, formerly given during the fall to pupils in these grades, was scheduled to be given during the spring. The upward trend in the achievement of our pupils was again indicated with the median scores in all areas being well above grade level.


In-service Training:


Beginning in January, an in-service course for elementary teachers will be conducted by Miss Marion Gorham of Concord on new methodology of teaching elementary arithmetic. This course is expected to supplement the change in arithmetic teaching which was introduced a few years ago with the adoption of a new text.


Student Health:


Vision and hearing testing is an integral part of the school health program. These screening pro- cedures, including a school examination, are a means for reaching specific goals. These goals are: securing a better understanding of the pupil, helping him to attain greater physical effectiveness, and in- creasing his understanding of ways of living healthfully.


76


Vision Tests:


Enrollment Number Tested


3,081


3,074


Final Failures


171


Hearing Tests:


Enrollment


3,081


Number Tested


3,061


Final Failures


145


These figures are for September, 1959, through June, 1960.


Mantoux Tests, February 1960:


(Conducted for the purpose of detection and control of


tuberculosis).


Grades Tested


1, 4 and 7


Number Tested


841


Number Positive


6


Dental Health Program:


The school dental health program aims to help children and youth appreciate the importance of a clean mouth, free from disease and abnormalities. It motivates them to assume responsibility for per- sonal care. The school's role in achieving these objectives involves instruction and counseling.


Fluorine Program 1959-1960:


(Cleanings, examinations, and fluorine treatments)


Grade 2


212


Grade 5


222


Grade 8


139


Total


573 pupils treated


2, 292 fluorine treatments


Restorative Program 1959-1960:


(Cleanings and examinations)


Grade 1


180


Grade 1 (Restorative Visits)


476


School Physical Examinations:


Grades Examined


1, 4, 9, and 12


Number Examined


758


Summer Opportunities:


It is the consensus of opinion among the regular classroom teachers that students who attended the Summer School definitely have profited by the experience. It is also their opinion that the Summer Reading Course has been a very worthwhile project. The majority of the students responded to the indivi - dual attention, and the test results show their gains. The results which do not show are the feelings within the students themselves and the sense of satisfaction and security which the teachers have been able to give them. One hundred forty-four were enrolled this past summer for a period of six weeks.


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Wilmington Memorial Library


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AT THE HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL


This year the annual report will deal with evaluation of Wilmington High School conducted in May by a Visiting Committee assigned by the New England Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. The findings are lengthy, and it is the intent of the writer to condense them without being obscure.


An evaluation covers seven major areas:


The Program of Studies; Subject Fields; Pupil Activity Program; Library Services; Guidance Services; School Plant; and School Staff and Administration. The ratings are as follows:


1 - 2 Poor, Fair 2 - 3 Fair, Good 3 - 4 Good, Very Good 5 Excellent


The Program of Studies was rated 3. 3:


The Committee commended the curriculum revisions; the four year sequence in foreign languages the offering of French, Home Economics, and Industrial Arts in Grades 7 and 8. They recommended that more pupils be permitted to pursue Art, Music, Home Economics, and Industrial Arts; establish remedial work in all departments and set up minimum standards for sequential subjects.


In the Subject Fields the following ratings were established:


Art 4. 1; Business Education 4. 1; English 4. 2; Foreign Language 4. 1; Home Economics 3. 3; Industrial Arts 3. 9; Mathematics 3. 6; Music 3. 3; Physical Education 3. 7; Science 3. 4; Social Studies 4


The Committee commended the Business Education Department for their energy and drive in the classrooms, the number of boys following a business course, the high percentage of job placement. They recommended minimum standards for business courses and follow-up study of graduates and business re- quirements. The Committee commended the English Department for the excellent writing and reading pro. grams and the thorough training in basic skills of English. They recommended recruiting experienced teachers for college preparatory divisions; establish development reading; consider establishing an accele. rated course in English with a view to an Advanced Placement Class. This course would enable students to complete a course of college freshman caliber and to receive credit for this course. The Committee commended the Foreign Language Department in its teaching methods, the exclusive use of the language by teacher and pupil, and the broad coverage of the foreign language program. They recommended use of Prognostic Tests and expansion. of the number of periods in seventh and eighth grade French.


The Committee commended the Home Economics Department for its excellent laboratories and equipment, and the quality and quantity of textbooks. They recommended double periods for food classes and establishing homogeneous grouping. The Committee commended the Industrial Arts Department for the variety and scope of shop experiences offered in the program, a well kept shop area, and the excellent condition of its equipment. They recommended a review of the course of study, on each grade level, con- tinuity of one course after Grade 10 for specialization.


The Committee commended the Mathematics Department for the direction and assistance given the new teachers, the realistic outlook of the faculty in the planning of future courses, the effectiveness of the Math Club. They recommended a program for the mathematically talented student, the establishmer of minimum standards, and a review of the text books. The Committee commended the Science Departme for its extensive extra-curricular offerings, the efficient use of equipment, and the introduction of Biology II. They recommended purchase of additional equipment, establishment of minimum standards, addition of Advanced Science courses for interested students, and increased time in Grades 7 and 8 classe


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Wilmington Memorial Library


The Committee commended the Social Studies Department for the excellence of classroom equip- ment, the extensive and knowledgeable use of social studies aides, and the excellent work done in Grades 7 and 8. They recommended Modern European History be incorporated in Grade 12, more attention be paid to the Asian phase of World History, and all students be required to take one year of Problems of Democracy.


In all phases of the Subject Fields, the Committee recommended that more time be given Depart- ment Heads for supervision, especially in view of the large number of new teachers.


The Pupil Activity Program was rated 3. 4:


The Committee commended the staff participation in available activities, the general organization of activities, the spirit of loyalty of student participants, and the excellent band. They recommended re- evaluation of the school newspaper, placing Glee Club and Orchestra as voluntary activities, increased speech and dramatic activities, and an increased number of sports with carry-over value.


Library Services were rated 3. 4:


The Committee commended the collection of books, the reference section, and the provision for basic space essential for a good library program. They recommended additional shelving space in the storeroom for periodical collection, and that additional funds be provided for periodicals, supplies, re- binding, and a pamphlet collection.


Guidance Services were rated 3. 5:


The Committee commended the extensive information services provided for the pupils, and the efforts made by the staff to make guidance services meaningful and attractive to the students. They re- commended at least three full time counsellors for the present enrollment and with an increased staff, provision be made for:


a. More individual attention to all pupils, especially Grades 7, 8, and 9.


b. Expanded follow-up studies of graduates and school leavers.


c. Increased placement activities by the Guidance Department.


d. More detailed summaries of counseling sessions.


The School Plant was rated 4. 5:


The Committee commended the central location; the landscaping; grounds and outdoor athletic areas; and the custodial care of the building. They recommended that the cafeteria, kitchen, auditorium, guidance and other special facilities be studied to discover ways of increasing their utility, attractiveness and effectiveness.


The School Staff and Administration was rated 4. 1:


The Committee commended the communication, organization, and functioning between the school committee, superintendent, principal, and faculty. They recommended providing more administrative assistance to the principal and providing additional clerical help for the principal's office and guidance department.


Wilmington High School is rated a good school, bordering on very good. The strengths and weak- nesses have been pointed out in a fair and impartial manner. A report of progress will be required in 1962 and another in 1965. The next evaluation will be in 1970. Meanwhile it behooves us to continue the progress that has been made and move the rating up to "Excellent. "


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CONDITION OF FACILITIES


The condition of the school plant can be best summarized in the resume below taken from the Report of School and Recreational Facilities Studies and Capital Budget prepared for the Wilmington Planning Board by Economic Development Associates, Inc. of Boston.


"The facilities of the Wilmington School System in the fall of 1959 can be grouped under three qualitative headings for disposition of existing structures (to which should be added under the permanent category: Boutwell, 12 classrooms, total 100).


Permanent


Temporary


Emergency Use Only


School


Class rooms


School


Class rooms


School


Class rooms


Buzzell


6


Walker


4


Center


4


Swain


10


Rogers


4


West


1


Wildwood


14


Whitefield


4


High School


46


Glen Road


12


Boutwell


12


TOTALS


100


A


"To remain as permanent, the Buzzell and Swain Schools should have a comprehensive moderni- zation of buildings and sites.


"The Walker and Rogers Schools require immediate reconstruction of playground facilities and continued good maintenance.


"The Center, West, and Whitefield Schools should be discontinued as soon as feasible with no major improvement expenditures to be made to the structures except for safety reasons.


"It is understood that all buildings will be continued in use at the present time due to population and enrollment pressures. As the construction of new buildings takes place, in accordance with the schoo plan, the older, obsolete structures can be abandoned and the pupils transferred without disrupting the educational program. "


Sincere appreciation is expressed to all who in any way helped in the success of the school progra during the past year. Without this cooperation much would go undone.


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Wilmington Memorial Library cow TunBuluHIM


MEMBERSHIP BY AGE AND GRADE - OCTOBER 1, 1960


AGE - GRADE DISTRIBUTION


Ages:


5


6


7


8


9


10


11


12


13


14


15


16


17


18


19


Grades


Totals


1


76


309


36


2


423


2


39


239


47


7


332


3


53


214


42


10


319


4


52


200


48


13


313


49


171


39


9


2


270


6


49


193


48


11


301


7


47


160


47


15


2


271


8


50


178


47


10


1


286


9


55


146


37


11


2


251


10


39


101


25


9


1


175


11


37


93


25


3


1


159


12


36


107


12


2


157


Ungraded


1


1


8


7


10


10


6


1


P.G.


2


76


348


328


315


299


279


300


274


303


257


193


167


143


17


4 3303


7


8


9


10


11


12


TOTAL 9-12


UN. TOTAL 1-12 GR.


1959


207


352 318 314 270 295 266


1815 275 247


522 207 182 165 142


696


48


3081


1960


230


423 332 319 313 270 301


1958 271 286


557 251 175 159 157


742


44


3301


1961


302


444 396 338 325 303 274


2080 307 273


580 292 221 154 150


817


52 3529


1962


325


450 419 378 344 315 310


2216 278 309


587 279 259 197 145


880


50 3743


1963


341


471 422 415 385 341 346


2380 312 280


592 315 246 229 187


977


70


4019


1964


337


445 446 425 422 375 383


2496 342 314


656 286 271 219 216


992


75


4219


1965


377


470 421 452 431 412 379


2565 388 344


732 320 259 241 207


1027


80


4404


1966


375


443 416 458 421 419


375 390


765 351 284 229 228


1092


1967


450 423 450 426


423 377


800 397 309 251 217


1174


1968


457 413 456


432 426


858 384 352 273 236


1245


1969


447 421


462 435


897 433 339 310 258


1340


1970


452


426 465


891 442 373 300 293


1408


1971


448 429


877 472 380 331 283


1466


1972


451


436 412 335 313


1496


SCHOOL


6 Yrs.


TOTAL


YEAR


EARLIER


1 2 3


4 5 6 1-6


ACTUAL & PROJECTED ENROLLMENTS


BIRTHS


TOTAL 7-8


1


1


5


81


school maintenance department


Boutwell School:


All identification signs manufactured, sealed and installed Mail box painted and installed First aid cabinets built; soap and towel holders installed


Boiler room and one janitor's closet floor treated with two coats of sealer One new table for kitchen built and refinished Three silver racks built


Assembled twelve reading tables


Buzzell School:


Repaired and painted ceiling in hallway Repaired window frame in Mrs. Donahue's room Installed electric outlets in five rooms


Installed automatic shut-off faucets in boys' and girls' toilets


Chain assembly and fusible,fuse installed in boiler room


Center School:


Repaired and touched up ceiling in front hall Built pin-up board and book shelves for Room 3 Patched and painted ceiling and walls in rear hall Touched up paint where necessary Built bicycle rack Installed faucet under sink in boys' toilet Painted chalk boards green, second floor Replaced conductor pipe Painted toilet floors gray Built two new street signs


Glen Road School:


Built and installed bookcase for reading room Installed door-check arms on outside door Built and installed fence, front door Front door rubber bumpers installed Locks installed on toilet doors next to boiler room Repaired and gilded two metal bases for flags Book storage, chair storage, and one custodian's locker room floor treated and painted One key board made and stained with two coats of varnish




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