1971-Annual Town Report - Laserfiche WebLink

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105 Our K-6 school enrollment has grown this year from 205 pupils in May to 237 pupils in December. At this time, there appears to be no indication that our school population will not continue to grow. The present school has eight classrooms designed to house two hundred pupils. It has been necessary for the past few years to use the facilities of the town public library to house our kindergarten. The school committee and the superintendent of schools are very concerned and are studying the situation carefully. FEDERAL PROGRAMS: During the summer, a very successful Title I Program, under the supervision of Mr. Barry Johnson, assistant princi- pal and teacher of grade six, was initiated. The program was entirely funded by the federal government; the grant amounting to $7,310.00. The program was entitled, "Spirit", (special program of intensive remedial instruction and train- ing) for the disadvantaged in reading and arithmetic. Classes were held five days each week for a period of six weeks. Fifty boys and girls of grades 1-8 registered, forty-five completed the course. Under another federal program, Elementary, Secondary, Education Act, Title II, we were granted $312.57 for additional filmstrips and library books for grade K-6. SPECIALIZATION.IN EDUCATION: Today is a period of specialization. Specialists are needed in education as in industry and the fields of science. One of the specialists on our teaching staff is our re- medial teacher, Mrs. Marilyn Strauss. A highly competent teacher trained to administer tests of mental maturity and achievement, she has the ability to identify pupils who need help,and to diagnose and establish a program with the in- struments available to remedy the basic skill lacking in each child's development who may be sent to her for help. Each year some children encounter learning difficulties that result in retardation in one or more subject areas and may benefit from. remedial teaching. In many cases a slight retardation of a year or so below grade level as measured by standardized achievement test is normal. A retardation of any considerable' degree is:of concern and an accurate diag- nosis is made and provisions planned for: remedying them.