USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Randolph > Randolph town reports 1932-1937 > Part 25
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An investigation of the drainage conditions at the E. Fannie Belcher Park, in reference to the construction going on there, under the ERA, was made. The Board appointed George H. Tangen, civil engineer, to report on his findings. Mr. Tangen's report was to the effect that he had met and walked over the grounds with H. Emery White, the engineer who had made the survey of the Park; that his recommendations coincided with
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NINETY-NINTH ANNUAL REPORT
those of Mr. White: namely, to follow the original drainage course; that the spring holes at the end of the Park could be carried out to the water course near the North side of the Park; and that "since the work has been carried out so far, it is well to continue as is.'
As the ERA has been working throughout the year in the contsruction of a drain at the Park, all matters there have been practically out of your Planning Board's hands.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN J. MADDEN, Chairman, GEORGE H. TANGEN, Vice-Chairman, HELEN M. HANEY, Secretary, EDGAR B. COLE, Treasurer, HORACE FRENCH.
150
TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
Sealer of Weights and Measures
Randolph, Mass., January 14, 1935.
To the Board of Selectmen: Gentlemen:
During the year 1934 I have sealed :
Scales
137
Weights
118
Liquid Measures
255
Gasolene Pumps
82
Kerosene Pumps
15
Yard Sticks
6
Oil Measuring Pumps
91
These were re-sealed and tested :
Gasolene Pumps
22
Scales
24
Inspections made :
Pedlars' Licenses
12
Pedlars' Scales
12
Fees collected and turned over to the Town Treasurer $102.61
Equipment purchased
$40.33
Transporting weights
24.00
Salary of Sealer
150.00
To Revenue
5.67
-
$220.00
Appropriation
$220.00
Respectfully submitted, DANIEL P. LYONS, Sealer of Wgts. and Meas.
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NINETY-NINTH ANNUAL REPORT
List of Jurors
AS APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN Randolph, Mass., July 1, 1934
Ay rs, George O., Foundry Worker
High St.
Bates, Thomas G., Machinist
Emerton Ave.
Bertram, Walter, Plumber
Pond St.
Bertram, Edwin W., Plumber Blakely, Harry H., Painter Brown, Charles S., Poultry Farmer Burns, Samuel, Shoeworker
Hall St.
Burchell, Elmer L., Accountant
Fairmount St. Belcher St.
Campbell, George W., Laborer
South Main St. North St.
Conrad, Arthur E., Clerk
Chestnut St.
Connors, James, Shoeworker
West St.
Crockett, Percy, Contractor
North St.
Cullen, John F., Piano Worker
High St.
Cunningham, Donald P., Shoeworker
Liberty St. Morse St.
Cutting, Robert S., Plumber Dawe, John W., Stock Cutter Delorey, Elmer J., Carpenter Durkee, James G., Salesman Driscoll, Harold, Carpenter
Dorr St. . Centre St. Wales Ave. Vesey Rd. Mill St. Union St.
Fardy, John A., Truckman
Foley, Charles J., Foreman Furbush, Augustus, Carpenter Godfrey, Albert, Clerk
Silver St.
Gibson, Peter M., Real Estate Broker
Hanley, John, Carpenter
Haskell, Joseph, Laborer Harris, Irving, Chauffeur Hickey, Walter L., Printer
Isaac, Harry, Jr., Radio Engineer
Jones, Herbert, Florist Linehan, William J., Chauffeur
North St.
South Main St.
Pond St.
High St. Warren St.
Cattanack, John, Salesman
Cormey, George, Contractor
Pond St. Cross St. North Main St. South Main St. South St. High St. Allen St.
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TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
Lyons, Carleton E., Salesman Lynch, James, Retired Mann, Arthur L., Plumber
Mann, William C., Chauffeur Mann, Isaac, Architect
Maddan, John J., Paper Hanger Mahoney, William, Shoeworker McAuliffe, Robert T., Storekeeper McGerigle, John, Shoeworker Mitchell, Edward M., Plumber McCabe, Hugh V., Engineer McDonald, William A., Retired Murphy, Edward R., Laborer Mohr, Rudolph, Machinist Murphy, Dennis, Real Estate McDonald, Harry C., Farmer Madden, Alonzo, Machinist Porter, William N., Carpenter Nugent, Martin, Laborer Schofield, Robert, Painter Smith, Herman H., Merchant Schultz, Frederick, Clerk Sullivan, Francis, Iceman Sullivan, James E., Shoeworker Soule, Frederick H., Painter Smith, Norman, Fireman O'Brien, Everett T., Shoeworker O'Connell, John J., Shoeworker O'Donnell, Arthur J., Chauffeur O'Riley, Thomas, Plumber Truelson, Charles H., Farmer Wood, George H., Shoeworker Whitecross, Alex, Carpenter Vye, Frank W., Accountant
Wales Ave. North St. Mt. Pleasant Sq. Mill St. Roel St.
Morgan St. West St. Union St. Warren St. North Main St. Gordon St. West St. Pleasant St. Wilmarth Rd. Warren St. North St. Pleasant St. Lillian St.
Lafayette St. High St. Pond St. Hall St. Druid Hill Ave. South Main St. Stacey St. High St. Centre St. Howard St. Marion St. Druid Hill Ave. Chestnut St. Liberty St. North Main St. Wales Ave.
HAROLD W. MACAULEY, WILLIAM S. CONDON, ERROL M. THOMPSON, Selectmen of Randolph.
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NINETY-NINTH ANNUAL REPORT
Report of the School Committee
To the Citizens of the Town of Randolph, Randolph, Massachusetts.
Your School Committee, with a knowledge gained by a careful study of all the details of the school system, is pleased to report on the progress of its work during the year 1934.
Education of the Teaching Staff
Each teacher was asked to fill out a questionnaire giving a record of all his schooling, degrees and experience. A study was made of the questionnaires in collaboration with the superintendent of schools.
Teachers showing schooling and experience below the standard deemed necessary were required to improve their rating by attending Teachers' College Summer Schools and studying the subjects in which they were deficient.
In employing new teachers, your committee was ex- ceedingly careful to add to the teaching staff only those whose qualifications and experience were in keeping with the standards set, which would justify their employment.
Consideration and study have been given to the matter of placing all teachers in our school system in grades for which they are suitably qualified.
School Buildings and Equipment
The interior painting of the High School Building which had been started as a C. W. A. project was com-
154
TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
pleted with the aid of the E. R. A., which granted the committee two extensions in allotment of funds for pay- ment of the labor, necessary for this project.
The interiors of the Prescott Primary and Gram- mar Schools were completely painted under E. R. A. projects.
Thirty-five hundred and eighty dollars of Federal funds was expended for labor in painting the inside of the Stetson High School and the Prescott Grammar and Primary buildings.
The heating system in the high school was com- pletely overhauled and many necessary repairs and changes were made, the expense of which was paid out of the General Expense Account.
The plumbing in the Prescott Primary School was overhauled and necessary repairs made to eradicate unsanitary conditions which might have affected the health of the children.
The State Board of the Department of Public Safety has given the School Committee notice that extensive changes in the sanitary facilities at the Prescott Gram- mar School must be made at once. It is the hope of your Committee to comply with the requirements of the Department of Public Safety as soon as possible.
The roof of the Prescott Primary School must be reshingled as soon as the weather will permit this work to be done.
As mentioned in our report last year, the boiler in the Belcher School was installed in 1907 and with the addition last year, of only two extra rooms, it is totally inadequate to meet the present heating requirements. A special article is to be included in the Town Warrant
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NINETY-NINTH ANNUAL REPORT
for an appropriation to cover the expense of installing a new boiler and oil burner in the building.
Certain portions of the interior of the Devine School will have to be redecorated, due to dampness penetrating the side wall of the building. Before the interior can be touched it is advisable to correct this trouble. Your Com- mittee consulted various contractors for their opinions and believe that the soundest plan for correction was that submitted by Mr. Jacobson of the Waples Company. The expense of this work as estimated by them is quoted herewith :
(Сору)
The Waples Company, Inc .- Proposal
Subject-Charles Gabriel Devine School, Randolph.
Dear Sir:
We will furnish at the above building, all labor,, material, tools, equipment, supervision, workmen's com -. pensation and liability insurance necessary to complete in a thoroughly workmanlike manner, all the work des- cribed below.
Scope of work: Eliminate leaks by cutting out all defective and unsound mortor joints with pneumatic ham- mers, pack all openings found, and repoint with well- graded cement-lime mortar, colored to match the present+ work as closely as possible, from and including top of parapet down to a horizontal line level with the top of the first story windows across the entire east and north elevations, including a twenty foot section from the south- east corners on the south wall.
156
TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
We guarantee the areas treated to be watertight- for the sum of thirteen hundred and twenty ($1320.00) dollars.
Respectfully submitted,
THE WAPLES COMPANY, INC. By Arthur Jacobson, Manager.
The lack of space for additional pupils last Septem- ber necessitated reopening the Pauline Street School. We are now caring for approximately 88 pupils in the school. This re-opening naturally required a considerable expen- diture due to equipping it with desks and supplies, as well as the addition of two teachers and a janitor.
The Pauline Street and Devine School lots should be graded. An E. R. A. project has already been considered for the Pauline Street School. The grading of the Devine School lot will be considered in the coming year.
School Supplies
A careful study was made of the system of order- ing, distributing and accounting for school supplies. Changes were made in the system so that one member of the School Committee would be responsible for approv- ing all orders for supplies. The system is still far from being satisfactory owing to the lack of a Central supply room and distributing facilities. Further study will be made to improve the system and cooperation of other departments will be solicited.
School Rating of the Town of Randolph
Your Committee believes that the Town of Ran- dolph, because of the excellence of its teaching staff, and the splendid results obtained, should have a Class A rat- ing with the State Board of Education. Upon applying
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NINETY-NINTH ANNUAL REPORT
to the State Board as to what was lacking in our school curriculum which prevented this rating, the State Board sent Mr. Burtt, head of the department of secondary education, to study our school system.
The report received from him is quoted herewith:
(Copy)
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Education State House, Boston, Mass. September 27, 1934
School Committee,
Randolph, Mass ..
At the request of yourself and other members of the Randolph School Committee, I made yesterday a lengthy visit at the Randolph High School.
I spent a few minutes in the room of nearly every teacher so as to get a picture of the general situation. I will not, therefore, make detailed comments with regard to any particular instructor.
The general condition of the building impressed me as being good and the attitude and conduct of the pupils were commendable. In several rooms, the posture of the pupils can be improved, particularly when they rise to recite. In a few rooms I noted poor preparation on the part of the pupils but realize that this situation is more likely to be found on Mondays, than on other days of the week.
I was glad to learn that several of the teachers are pursuing graduate work in education. I found minor faults in several of the classes on the part of the teachers
158
TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
such as repeating answers which the pupils have already given; such as asking leading questions which can lead only to the right answers; and such as too much talking on the part of the teacher and not enough on the part of the pupils. In one or two cases the teachers were calling on the same few pupils and there was lack of attention on the part of the others. In one room there was a tendency for several pupils to answer in chorus and in another room too much time was spent in my opinion in reading orally from the textbook. In general, the discipline was good and there was good attention on the part of the students. I am pleased to find that you have enough teachers so that there are very few large classes. It is unfortunate, however, that study pupils have to be seated in the rear of the rooms where classes are being held. I noted that only two teachers have a free period during the school day. One teacher has seven classes a day and most of the others have six classes and also a study room to supervise. This makes a rather heavy teaching load, but perhaps cannot be avoided at the pres- ent time.
I am sorry that the program of studies does not provide for classes in foods for the girls and in manual training from the boys. In view of the small number of pupils going to college it seems to me that more courses of the manual type should be provided.
I was glad to note that most of the textbooks which I examined were of recent date.
I am glad, also, to learn that a teacher has recently been appointed to take care of the physical education for the boys.
I found the building and its equipment reasonably adequate with the following exceptions :
For good work in general science, the teacher's desk should be fitted with gas and running water.
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NINETY-NINTH ANNUAL REPORT
For adequate work in physics more electrical apparatus should be provided.
A well-equipped school library should have a few periodicals.
For efficient carrying on of classroom work, the clock system should be in proper running order.
Where separate chairs are in use as in the book- keeping room, distracting squeaks can be avoided by fitting these chairs, at slight expense, with silence domes.
I was pleased to note the re-decorating that had been done and the work of extending the use of the school playground. If some of the objectionable features herein mentioned can be taken care of this year, I see no reason why it will not be possible to classify the Ran- dolph High School as a Class A school in the Spring.
Very truly yours,
(Sgd.) JEROME BURTT, Supervisor of Secondary Education.
Your Committee has complied with the recommenda- tions of the State Board, taking the necessary measures to correct the conditions reported.
With the action taken your committee believes the coveted Class A rating will be given to the town in the Spring.
It is the opinion of your committee that the school system of Randolph needs the services of a superinten- dent who may devote all of his time and energies to directing and guiding our local schools. It would be neces-
160
TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
sary in order to affect this change to obtain the consent of a majority of the school committees of the three towns comprising the present union. It is the opinion of your committee that the money spent for this purpose would be repaid to the town many times. This proposal is by no means new. It has been advocated in the past and your committee sincerely hopes that the near future will see its adoption.
Your Committee has been fortunate in continuing the E. R. A. project on the high school field. Much work has been accomplished here in the way of drainage and the clearing of the field bordering on Highland Ave. The covered stone drain two feet wide and about three feet deep, extending from the southerly lot line to the lot line on the northerly side of the field, a distance of about five hundred and fifty feet, has been completed and covered with earth. This drain has been supplemented by a system of lateral blind stone drain to properly carry off the surface water in this section of the field.
All stone boulders, rocks, shrubs and trees have been removed in that section of the field between the old swamp area and Highland avenue. Large boulders have been blasted and sunk into the ground, the clay material displaced thereby being used for surfacing. Your com- mittee hopes that, with the advent of more favorable weather, the work of grubbing, leveling and grading this portion of the field may continue so that when the neces- sity arrives a satisfactory baseball diamond can be laid out in this area to supplement the present athletic field.
At the northerly side of the High School an E. R. A. project is in operation looking to the surfacing of two tennis courts, and a basket ball court and a junior play field for the younger children of the neighborhood. This project contemplates connecting the present State drain with a covered stone drain two feet wide extending along
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NINETY-NINTH ANNUAL REPORT
the northerly lot line to connect with the covered stone drain previously mentioned, a distance of about four hundred and fifty feet. Surfacing and seeding of the land at the north of the High School building, adjoin- ing South Main street, and the building of walks, curbs, etc. is part of this project.
Your Committee is confident that much valuable and necessary work could be accomplished, not only at the High School field, but on playgrounds at all school centers if funds were available for materials and equip- ment which could be used in connection with E. R. A. projects. A much needed cinder track could be con- structed on the present athletic field, permanent con- crete bleachers constructed, and the low land at the southerly lot line in the rear of the present bleachers filled and graded.
Respectfully submitted,
ELMER L. FRENCH, Chairman, THOMAS E. DALY, MARY A. DEAN, JOHN E. KELLEY, F. E. CHAPIN,
Randolph School Committee.
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TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
Report of the Superintendent of Schools
To the School Committee of Randolph,
Mr. Chairman and Members:
I submit herewith for your approval my annual report of the public schools of Randolph.
The intensive study now going on in the field of social sciences will unquestionably reveal new truths, new values and objectives, which society, as a whole, must face squarely and courageously in its effort to solve ills, legislate wisely, and make it possible for man to work and enjoy life. What specific improvements or social benefits will derive from such a study will be difficult to predict at this stage. There is every indication, how- ever, that all organizations and institutions will undergo a form of self-analysis or examination as to their real objectives, services to the individual, and to the com- munity as a whole. First in this classification will be the re-evaluation and organization of the public school programs throughout the country, a change, in truth, which is already under way and is being felt in school systems generally.
Our immediate problem will be to assist that group of pupils now in our schools but which was formerly absorbed in the trades. The age limit and the unemploy- ability of such pupils turned them back to the regular academic class rooms where many of them prove to have no interest in book-learning, as such, and are therefore
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NINETY-NINTH ANNUAL REPORT
receiving little or no benefits from the ordinary instruc- tions. This can also be said of other children in our schools who have special if not keen interests in the practical arts but who are denied the opportunity to develop their ability and potential skill because of the lack of equipment, materials and teachers.
As the greater part of the total load of public school education in the United States is carried on by the smaller school systems, it becomes a stern reality, if not a necessity, that such systems prepare to equalize their educational opportunities and give to all children that education which they can best absorb and profit by most. We have provided departments and classes in Latin, French, Commercial Science, etc., to special-problem classes, but have provided no instruction for that large group of boys and girls who have been endowed with potential skill and workmanship but who today are mis- fits in our school systems generally, because we cannot shake off the traditional notion of the classical school where Latin and Greek constituted an education and the sign of a learned man.
School systems everywhere, therefore, must rec- ognize the obligation of providing suitable instruction for the present and ever-increasing number of young people who are required to remain in school. Unless we can do something to motivate the work for these and other pupils, provide suitable instruction and leadership in the proper use of leisure, as well as in industry, such pupils may become a problem in school if not a social menace outside the schools.
Extra Curricula Activities
In the endeavor to be of the greatest help to pupils and to interest them in worthwhile use of leisure, teachers in Randolph have very loyally given of their time to
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TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
organize and instruct groups of children in arts and crafts or the making of useful articles for themselves and home. All classes are conducted after school hours. More than 50% of our teachers, from the high school to grade one, have provided some form of activity in knitting, sewing, crocheting, manual training, and games and dancing in the lower grades.
To meet another social problem today, the teachers volunteered their services in the hope of providing a safe and sane Hallowe'en celebration for school children. To offset the growing tendency on the part of children to carry on their "ghost pranks" on the streets with all their attending dangers, teachers above the fourth grade opened their classrooms and acted as hostesses to the "enumerable witches and ghosts" that visited the school rooms that evening. The success of the plan went beyond our highest expectations. Although intended for children "who had no other place to go," over seven hundred children attended and twenty-six teachers reported. Refreshments were abundantly provided by both parents and teachers. Activities began at 7 P. M. and closed at 9 o'clock. At 9.10 a cruise of the town was made and aside from a small group of children on their way home, the streets were deserted by the children. One false alarm was sounded, but reported by Chief McDonnell to have been pulled by a group of strangers "floating" through the town.
In recognition of this practical service on the part of teachers, the cooperation of parents and pupils and our Police and Fire Departments, I extend a sincere thanks and appreciation.
The reconditioning and opening of the Pauline Street school greatly facilitated the seating accommodations in our schools. The removal of the two eighth grades from
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NINETY-NINTH ANNUAL REPORT
the Stetson building to the Prescott and Devine schools has greatly assisted the classroom organization in the high school.
Our effort in placing Stetson high school in Grade A is nearing its goal. Mr. Jerome Burtt, Director of Sec- ondary School Education, State House, has made several visits to the high school. His findings and recommenda- tions are encouraging. The School Committee and high school faculty are bending every effort to conform to his recommendations to the end that our school may attain the rank and keep it secured by professional improve- ments and educational results. In this connection I rec- ognize the splendid piece of work volunteered by the teachers in the English department under the supervision of Miss Fay and Mr. Gilgan to revise and bring up-to-date the required reading in English.
We have reason to believe that our teachers are dil- igently at work and will give an account of their endeav- ors. Our aim is service. Few school systems can boast of a better or a more loyal teaching staff than that which serves in Randolph. Every problem and task presented to them has been successfully executed. I am pleased to record this here, and if space permitted, I could enum- erate many instances where teachers have quietly assisted distressed and needy children under their care.
Although our teaching program, from grades one to eight, endeavors to reach the needs of every child, it is always advisable for teachers to check the results of their instruction and note deficiencies or difficulties which the pupils may encounter in their various subjects. To this end, diagnostic tests with remedial follow-up work will be used. The Standard Graduation Examinations for grade eight have been used for a number of years and have showed gratifying results.
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TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
No-school Signals
Suspension of school activities due to weather con- ditions is influenced by two factors: health and safety of school children and the cost to the town and schools because of the interruption. Closing of schools on severe- weather days is unquestioned. There will be days when schools are in session because weather conditions are not severe enough to cause a complete shut-down of all acti- vities. On such days, parents, as in former years, deter- mine whether their children shall attend. This method, for years, has worked out satisfactorily for both home and school and in its operation has proved flexible enough to allow those who wish to attend and yet at the same time place no undue burden on those who find cause to remain at home.
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