USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Randolph > Randolph town reports 1920-1925 > Part 24
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Now this presentation of the problem will show that the matter is not so simple as it may seem. Of course we will try to agree on some plan for our coming gradu- ation, and then carry out the plan as best we may. It is worthy of note that the matter of hiring a speaker has not met with much favor here on the occasions when we have tried it. This plan has, however, much in its favor.
Now consider the problem of giving out tickets for graduation. Stetson Hall has 678 seats. We have to cross out over 200 to seat the school pupils and those who have complimentary tickets. There are left some four hundred tickets, many of them, the majority in fact, far in the rear, or at the sides of the hall. Suppose ten tic- kets are allotted to each one in the senior class. That would nearly exhaust the supply. It would be easily pos- sible at our graduations to get together an audience of 1000 persons if the hall were large enough. Would it not be well to have some outside person, who is entirely neutral, have charge of the distribution of tickets ?
The class of 1916 have presented to the school a photo, costing about $50.00, as a memorial to two of their members who have passed away, Ruth A. E. Peter- son and John Thomas O'Brien. The photo is beautifully framed in circassion walnut. The statue "The End of the Trail" from which the photo is taken was chiselled by Marshall, and now stands in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco. This gift is hung in the lower corridor, op- posite the main entrance.
The class of 1922 gave to the school at their class gift at graduation a large oak settle nearly 70 inches in
100
TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
length. The construction of the settle is first quality, and there is a large seat cushion, with two small cushions each 24 inches by 24 inches. This settle is valued at $125. Gifts which are useful, like this settle, are doubly welcome. It would seem that the gift of 1922 will afford the pupils of Stetson High School a great deal of comfort, as well as be an artistic addition to our furnishings.
Why not fit up our assembly-room as a school-room and thus give us the additional space we so much need ? Our assembly-room would seat about fifty pupils and with a black-board along the eastern wall would be the finest school-room in Randolph. With this at our disposal we could take pupils from the laboratory and give them a suitable home-room. All the overcrowding of our rooms would be done away with, unless our enrollment should rise to over two hundred. Why not do this? We cannot use the assembly-room at present as a place where the school may be brought together because of its small size.
We have tried to comply with the new school law with regard to physical exercise. There ought to be, as is the case in many other schools of the state, a special in- structor who would conduct regular classes in physical drills and games. During the pleasant weather of the Fall, the boys and girls went through calesthenic exer- cises out of doors. We were visited by Miss French, who has charge of the state department of physical drill for girls, also by Mr. Fish of the Brockton Y. M. C. A. and Miss Craig of the Brockton Y. W. C. A. Several of our older boys and girls learned how to lead the various drills ; on the whole we found the work pleasant and profitable. It is remarkable how much a small school with no teacher especially ready in physical training can accomplish in so short a time. In November the girls to the number of forty gave a calesthenic exhibition in Stetson Hall. The drill was carried out with great precision, and
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EIGHTY-SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT
was a revelation to many of the audience. There were games, wand drills, folk-dances, marches and several dan- ces of an esthetic nature.
Few of us have much confidence in school ranks. They are at best a necessary evil. The boys and girls do not study for the purpose of having ranks assigned to them; at the same time there must be some bookkeeping -some account of the progress of pupils as expressed by ranks. I knew a boy who made a failure as indicated by his ranks, for an entire year, yet passed his college entrance examinations at the close of the year. What was the explanation? In that case it appeared to be that the boy kept about three days behind his class all the year so that he was never able to recite to advantage in his daily work. Now any boy who can pass successfully a college entrance examination, cught to have at least a rank of B in his preparatory school. We give tests, so called, four times each year. It is often impos- sible to reach a point in a given subject where the pupils are ready for an examination, or test. In such cases the test is perfunctory and ought to be so regarded by the teacher. When the same paper in one of our leading cities can be ranked by experts in the subject all the way from 25 per cent to 90 per cent it is evident that ranks are open to criticism.
More time must be given to school work by teachers and pupils. Six hours of actual session is advised by the Massachusetts Board of Education. This will mean that we must consider the two-session plan, unless a very adequate lunch can be supplied, which is doubtful. We play too much at going to school. Nearly all school cffi- cials declare this. We do not make it the serious business of the five school days each week. A school principal may rely on home-study, or he may wish to have nearly
102
TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
all of the work done in school hours. The latter plan implies fully six hours each day, or more.
A problem which confronts our teachers is the mat- ter of raising money for athletics. We find that each baseball game costs us about ten dollars-that is, divide the total expenses for the season by the number of games and the quotient will be nearly ten. How shall we get. this money? We pass around a subscription paper among the townspeople for part of the sum. we have a moving picture benefit, we take up a subscription in school, and we draw on our penny-collection fund. Af- ter doing all this and adding the amount taken at games we were about thirty dollars in arrears last June. We drew on the 1922 Senior Class fund for twenty dollars and paid the other fifteen dollars late in the fall; that was the first time any bills have been unpaid at the close of school in June. Among the sources of revenue must be included our lunch-fund which has given us about one hundred fifty dollars this year for football and other en- terprises. The girls who handle the lunch this year de- serve unusual credit. At the graduation ball last June the principal of the school appealed to the guests for money to buy sweaters for the boys of 1922 who had been in the baseball team. The amount was in his hands with- in five minutes. For this generous response he wishes to thank the givers.
103
EIGHTY-SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT
Class of Nineteen Hundred Twenty-Two Blue and White
Class Motto "Onward" Class Flower Carnation
CLASS OFFICERS
President Howard C. Harris
Vice President Margaret L. Donovan
Secretary Louise C. Campbell
Treasurer Walter F. Gavin
Lillian A. Aldrich, Amy A. Campbell, Louise C. Campbell, Elizabeth T. Condon, Richard F. Condon, James R. Conlon, Lillian M. Creutz, Angeline N. Crovo, Alice E. M. Cullen, Ruth E. Cutting, Mary A. Dean, Mar- garet L. Donovan, Frank A. Forrest, Walter F. Gavin, Dorothy Harris, Howard C. Harris, Martha M. Hylen, Melville T. Isaac, Elizabeth D. King, Arthur D. McCar- thy, Francis B. McFadden, Florence M. Noyes, Timothy E .O'Leary, Florence H. Pepper, Helen B. Randall, John J. Raggett, Bertha L. Washington.
* Died April 23, 1922.
March : School. Florence H. Pepper, Marshal; Tim- othy E. O'Leary at piano.
Invocation : Rev. Eugene S. Philbrook.
Saluate to Flag: School. Leader, Angeline M. Cro- vo. Chorus : "Greeting to Spring," Strauss, School. Class History : Elizabeth D. King.
Recitation : "The Legend of the Organ Builder," Ballin. Louise C. Campbell.
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TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
Class Tree : Richard F. Condon.
Boys' Chorus : "A Song of the Sea" Nevin.
Presentation of Class Gift: Mary A. Dean.
Vocal Solo, "A Bond of Roses," Clark. Helen B. Randall.
Girls' Chorus, "Ole Uncle Moon," Scott. Alaska-Motion Picture. Frank A. Forrest.
Dance, "Rose Waltz". Ruth E. Cutting.
Scene, "The Two-Two". Lillian M. Creutz, John J. Raggett.
Class Will, Dorothy Harris.
Class Poem, Martha M. Hylen. Chorus, "The Forest Dance", Targett. School. Presentation of Diplomas, Supt. A. O. Christiansen America.
Once a year our Senior Class presents a play in Stet- son Hall. The object is to raise money to be used in con- nection with graduation. We have found that the plays which "go best" are of the farce-comedy kind. We can- not make a success of Shakespeare, or any of the old standard English plays. It is a task to get this play ready for presentation. The stage of Stetson Hall is not well equipped for the purpose. In the past few years our audience has grown to fill the seating capacity of the hall. This is, of course, encouraging in many ways and gives us a revenue for the expenses of graduation. You may ask what those expenses are-First the class gift. We need about $100 for that. The orchestra and hall at our graduation ball cost $60.00. Printing costs some $20.00. This is not a complete list; $200 is not too large a sum to place at the disposal of the class, and only by
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EIGHTY-SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT
means of a play can we raise this sum.
Boys and girls are always open to criticism on the score of conduct. They will always be in need of re- straint-oversight. After we have said this, however, we ought to add that nearly all the pranks and excesses of young people would better be ignored by their elders, at least so far as feeling alarm at the situation. The youth- ful pirates who sack and slay out in the woods all the morning will go home to dinner, rather soiled by their cruise about the pond to find a good place to bury their treasure, but yet, better for the free play of their imag- ination and their young muscles. Do not credit all the stories you may hear about the youth of your town. Such stories have been told all through the ages. Teachers try to exercise a kindly restraint, they try to take the place of the parent to a degree, and yet they sometimes fail to curb all the peccadillos of their pupils. If this be true do not despair of the future. Especially do not bring your school and town into unpleasant notority by spreading the story broadcast in the public press.
Our teachers are unanimous in recommending new desks throughout the building; many of the desks now in use here have been over fifty years in service; there is a general falling to pieces and collapse of desks which can be met only through purchase of new furniture to re- place this broken-down outfit. The life of a school desk with adjustible top and chair is not very much over ten or twelve years. After this period of use the desk be- gins to give trouble. Most of our school furniture is made of wood which is turned out by machine-no hand work. Most of it is constructed of wood which has been treated to an artificial drying process which renders it brittle. Manufacturers are trying to find a substitute for wood in desk construction. The teachers of the
106
TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
school have had a plan to ask parents to meet them some evening and look at the desk equipment of the school with a view to asking the trustees to remedy the situation. It may be that this reference to the need will bring relief.
Four girls of the class of 1922 went to Bridgewater Normal School on the certification plan. That is, they were not required to take the entrance examinations. All these girls are "making good" as reported in a recent let- ter from Mr. Boyden, principal of the Bridgewater Nor- mal School. Two girls were given certificates to Boston University. One of these girls found it advisable to de- fer her entrance, but not because of any lack of prepara- tion. The other girl is now in Boston University Law School, having used her certificate from this school to en- able her to enter.
Spelling books to the number of 100 could be used to advantage in the school. At least 500 typically hard common words ought to be dictated for spelling during the year. A suitable book would help solve the problem 100 books would not allow a book to each pupil but the number would make it possible for us to give more atten- tion to this lost art of spelling.
FREDERIC E. CHAPIN.
107
EIGHTY-SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF MUSIC SUPERVISOR
Randolph, Mass., January, 1923.
Mr. A. O. Christiansen,
Superintendent of Schools.
Dear Sir :-
Work in music is progressing in a very satisfactory manner.
With the opening of the School Year came an in- crease of work for the Supervisor, as three new ungraded classes have been added to our schedule.
I found the selecting of a music reader that would meet the requirements of each grade, and yet be valuable to them as a whole, rather a difficult problem to solve; however, after a careful survey of pupils and material I am pleased to state that the books selected present sub- ject matter for the classes both individually and collec- tively; the classes referred to are the fourth, fifth and sixth grades taught by Miss Lindsey in the Tower Hill School and the first, second and third grades taught by Mrs. Caples in the Pond Street School. The new school just opened and taught by Mrs. McGerrigle has yet to be supplied with a Music Reader.
It was a very great pleasure for me to state in my last report that I had taken steps toward the creating of a School Orchestra; I had hopes that in the near future the Randolph Schools could take their place with some of the larger surrounding towns in the development of or- chestral music.
Parents and children responded very enthusiastically and Mr. Lewis who had charge of the classes worked faithfully and well; each child paying the extravagant sum of twenty-five cents per lesson.
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TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
A concert was given by the pupils of the Belcher School, the proceeds of which were to be used for the de- velopment of the Orchestra.
This concert reflected much credit on the teachers of the Belcher School who worked very unselfishly toward the desired end.
The sum of $112.00 was realized as a result of this entertainment, and as the opening of the fall term did not present any stimulent to revive the work of the past year, the sum mentioned remains on deposit awaiting further developments.
I suggest, however, that this money be kept as an orchestra fund, hoping that at some future time, not far distant, the project will meet with more hearty co-opera- tion.
Music appeals to all normal children, and the major- ity of children are normal; they have a right therefore to instruction in music and should be offered an opportunity to learn to play musical instruments.
If the schools are to educate (and it it agreed that that is their prime function) they should educate for an avocation as well as a vocation.
Why are American Symphony Orchestras filled with foreign players ? Because the American boy has not had an equal opportunity of acquiring a musical education.
Music is as real in its service to humanity as the multiplication table. Which of the two subjects men- tioned spurred our soldiers on when they needed heart on the battle-field ?
In the High School, one period a week consisting of forty minutes is devoted to singing, which is altogether too short a space of time to permit of any continued prog- ress. This ,together with lack of space for the entire class in music makes the situation rather complex.
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EIGHTY-SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT
To modify the difficulty somewhat, I have been obliged to eliminate many pupils from the singing class. This arrangement may be unsatisfactory to some of the pupils, but I could see no other alternative.
It seems to me that in order to meet the require- ments of the boy or girl about to enter College or Normal School, a course in Music Theory should receive a place in the School Program.
Respectfully submitted,
ROSE G. HAND, Supervisor of Music.
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF DRAWING
To the Superintendent of Schools :
The course of study in drawing for both the primary and grammar grades includes the subjects of representa- tion, lettering, design and project work. Mechanical and freehand drawing are given special attention in the High School.
The subject of representation introduced in the grades last September was new to the pupils but the re- sults, have been very good and the interest shown by the pupils and teachers has been most gratifying.
The freehand drawing classes in this as in many high schools have manifested the usual interest in color study, design and poster work. Our objectives are not com- mercially alone but the appreciation of color harmony, proportion, and the beautiful.
I thank you and the teachers for the helpful co- operation you have given.
Respectfully submitted,
ANNA G. SHEEHAN, Drawing Supervisor.
110
TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
STETSON SCHOOL FUND
To the Citizens of Randolph :
The investment of the Stetson High School Fund is as follows :
During the past year it was found necessary for the Trustees to re-decorate Stetson Hall and also to install a new lighting system. This was done at an expense of fifteen hundred and three dollars, which was taken from the general fund in part.
The interior work was done under the direction of Mr. John Boyle of Randolph and at the present time we have a hall second to none in regard to beauty.
During the year the People's National Bank has liqudated by the First National and the sum of eleven hundred twenty-five dollars was returned to the Fund.
9 American Tel and Tel. Bonds $9,000.00
2 Boston and Maine Bonds 2,000.00
2 Liberty Bonds 2,000.00
Deposit in Randolph Savings
2,389,81
Deposit in Randolph Trust
2,443.75
8 Shares Webster & Atlas Bank 800.00
10 Shares Boylston Bank 1,000.00
2 Shares Lawrence Gas Co. 200.00
$19,833.56
Also a $1,000.00 deposit in Randolph Savings Bank the investment for the Turner Fund.
Respectfully submitted
GEORGE V. HIGGINS.
The undersigned Selectmen have examined the above investment of Stetson Fund and Turner Medal Fund and find same correct.
ROBERT T. MCAULIFFE JAMES E. FOLEY
111
EIGHTY-SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT
Stetson High School Fund
Paid Frank Diauto
$ 589.05
Monument Mills
41.25
Randolph & Holbrook Light Co. 259.58
Bernard Moore
473.75
Brockton Gas Co.
28.16
James Milligan
27.60
R. E. O'Brien
99.02
Frizzell Ladder Co.
15.00
F. A. Leighton
6.00
J. T. Moor
2.89
Norfolk Heating
42.50
A. C. Hall
15.10
American Express
1.42
John Lunt
55.39
John Boyle
1,215.00
Harold Bailey
48.00
Patrick Ryan
12.60
Alfred Foote
2.00
Kenny Bros. and Wolkins
60.00
Pettingill Andrews
170.47
Andrew Dutton
76.17
Gifford Supply Co.
21.00
John B. McNeil Refund
400.00
$3,661.95
The Trustees in account with the Rec'd Balance
78.97
American Tel. and Tel., Interest
360.00
Webster and Atlas, Interest
80.00
People's National, Interest
20.00
Boylston National, Interest
70.00
Lawrence Gas, Interest
14.00
Liborty Bonds, Interest 85.00
Boston & Maine, Interest
80.00
112
TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
Randolph Trust Co., Interest
8.71
Randolph Savings Bank, Withdrawn
500.00
Randolph Trust Co., Withdrawn 800.00
Pettingill Andrews, Refund
5.60
G. A. R., Rent 10.00
Hall Rent 1,554,75
$3,667.03
Balance 5.08
January 25, 1923.
The undersigned have this day examined the ac- counts of the Secretary of Stetson School Fund and found same correct with proper voucher for all orders drawn.
ROBERT T. MCAULIFFE,
RICHARD FORREST,
JAMES E. FOLEY,
Selectmen of Randolph.
REPORT OF SCHOOL PHYSICIAN
-
The past year has been an uneventful one in regard to any special disease breaking out among our school children.
During the year the weight, measurement and age of every child in our Schools was carefully taken and re- corded by our School Nurse. Only a small per cent were under normal and these children have, under the efficient
113
EIGHTY-SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT
direction of our nurse, been started on the way to im- proved health.
The overcrowded condition in some rooms has been eliminated but some plan must be worked out for re- lieving our High School of the congested condition now existing.
We have had a small number of contagious cases as usual in the schools but no serious outbreak has occurred.
GEORGE V. HIGGINS, M. D.
114
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
Town Treasurer
1922
TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
TREASURER'S REPORT
To the Citizens of Randolph :
Perhaps the most striking feature of the Treasurer's report for the year 1922, is the payment of $25,000.00 Town of Randolph Water Bonds, leaving only $13,000.00 more to be paid. This amount is already in the Sinking Fund. There has been no appropriation for the last two years for the Sinking Fund, and no more will be neces- sary.
Another feature is the large amount of money bor- rowed on anticipation of revenue. This was caused by the high rate of interest last March, April and May. Money was borrowed then on short time. When the in- terest rates were less later on in the year, money was borrowed for a longer period, saving a large amount on this one item. For the coming year we will not need such a large appropriation for interest and discount, as money is at the present time much cheaper and not liable to be near so high as it was a year ago.
Another item worth while is the fact that there will be no oppropriation in 1923 for overdraft. This should be very gratifying to the tax-payers.
It has been a great pleasure to me to have the good- will of all departments during the past year, all working together to the best of our ability for the good of the Town.
Respectfully submitted,
' JOHN B. McNEILL,
Treasurer.
117
EIGHTY-SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT
Water Department
Receipts
Balance on hand Dec. 31, 1921 ...
$1,377.59
Received from Water Commis-
sioners
16,925.80
Received from Interest on De-
posit
50.68
$18,354.07
Disbursements
Paid order of Water Commis- sioners $17,104.72
Paid Coupons Town of Randolph Bonds 800.00
Balance on hand December
30,
1922
449.35
18,354.07
Randolph, Mass.,
January 20, 1923.
We the undersigned Auditors of the Town of Ran- dolph have this day examined the accounts of John B. McNeill, Treasurer of the Water Commissioners, and find same correct and the balance as above states.
M. F. CUNNINGHAM, JOHN H. RUDDERHAM, JAMES V. DONOVAN,
Auditors.
118
TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
John B. McNeill, Treasurer, in account with the Ran- dolph Water Loan Sinking Fund.
Balance on hand Dec. 31, 1921
$67.53
Received from :
2 Boston & Maine Bonds 1,740.00
Town of Randolph, Note No. 32 8,000.00
Town of Randolph, Note No. 35 10,000.00
3 Town of Randolph Water Bonds 3,000.00
Boston & Maine Bond Coupons
304.36
N. Y., N. H. & H. R. R. Bond Coupons
160.00
Town of Randolph Bond Coupons
320.00
Randolph Trust Company
11,569.36
Randolph Savings Bank
400.00
Peoples Savings Bank
21.00
Quincy Savings Bank 21.22
South Weymouth Savings Bank
21.10
Interest, Peoples Savings Bank
4.97
Interest, Quincy Savings Bank
5.11
Interest, Randolph Trust Company
84.03
Interest, South Weymouth Savings Bank. . 5.41
Interest, Randolph Savings Bank
32.08
$35,756.17
Cr.
Paid, Redemption Randolph Water
Bonds $25,000.00
Deposit, Randolph Trust Company 10,687.20
Deposit, Randolph Savings Bank. 32.08
Balance, National Shawmut Bank 36.89
$35,756.17
119
EIGHTY-SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT
Financial Statement of the Randolph Water Department December 31, 1922.
Assets
Amount in Sinking Fund $15,581.92
Cash in hands of Treasurer 449.35
Due from Town of Holbrook
457.82
Due from Water Rates:
Fixture Rates $451.79
Meter Rates 449.10
Labor and Fixtures ...
471.19
1,372.08
$17,861.17
Liabilities
November 5, 1923, Note $3,000.00
July 1, 1926, Note 10,000.00
13,000.00
Assets over liabilities
4,861.17
State of Randolph Water Loan Sinking Fund,
Dec. 31, 1922.
Five Town of Randolph Water Bonds $5,000.00
Six Boston & Maine R. R. Co.
Bonds 6,000.00
Four N. Y., N. H. & H. R.R. Bonds 4,000.00
Deposit in Randolph Trust Com- pany
465.30
120
TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
Deposit in Randolph Savings Bank 80.23 Balance, National Shawmut 36.39
$15,581.92
Randolph, Mass., Jan. 13, 1923.
We the undersigned Auditors of the Town of Ran- dolph have this day examined the Sinking Fund and found same to agree as per statement above made. M. F. CUNNINGHAM, JOHN H. RUDDERHAM, JAMES V. DONOVAN, Auditors.
John B. McNeill, Treasurer in Account with the Town of Randolph
Dr.
Balance on hand Dec. 31, 1921 $10,085.07
Received from
Town Notes in anticipation of revenue. . 120,000.00
Town Notes of New School 5,000.00
Taxes of 1917
$ 2.52
Taxes of 1920
5,668.02
Taxes of 1921
23,696.15
Taxes of 1922
74,675.05
104,038.74
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Income Tax 1919
$ 16.50
Income Tax 1920
115.50
Income Tax 1921
693.00
Income Tax 1922
5,711.81
Income Tax (General School
Purposes)
9,952.45
121
EIGHTY-SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT
Corporation Tax Public Service
1,659.08
Corporation Tax, Domestic . 812.91
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