USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Randolph > Randolph town reports 1938-1943 > Part 13
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I am pleased, therefore, to list below such organiza- tions or social agencies as have come to my attention. If I have omitted any, I wish to be informed of it. Some of these organizations were formed for other objectives than direct education, but within their own busy circles they have always had the time and interest to do some- thing for our schools.
The greatest qualities come from our American Homes and Churches. The sum total of their labors and sacrifices has never been told nor ever will be told. Per- haps it is well that it is so for their dignity of silence and unrewarded praise contribute the more to their greatness.
Lieut. Thomas W. Desmond Post, American Legion, Commander, Walter Love.
American Legion Auxiliary, President, Mrs. Inez Albritton.
Veterans of Foreign Wars, Commander, Roe Augusta.
Parent-Teachers Association,
President, Augustus K. Forrest.
262
TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
Stetson High School Scholarship Association, President, Mrs. Alice G. Kelley.
Child Study Club, President, Mrs. Mildred Welch.
Randolph Teachers' Association, President, Daniel W. Leavitt.
Randolph Visiting Nurse Association, President, Benjamin P. Crowell.
Alumni Association, President, Martin Young.
Chamber of Commerce, President, Maurice Servis.
Randolph-Holbrook Rotary Club, President, Gordon Baird.
Randolph Grange, Worthy Master, Charles Dyer.
Randolph Juvenile Grange, Matron, Marilyn Beers.
North Randolph Improvement Association, President, Herman Smith.
Tower Hill Improvement Association, President, Frank B. Adams.
Red Cross, President, Roland Marden,
Christmas Seals, President, Mrs. Edna Cole.
Boy Scouts,
Troop I, Scout Master, Gordon Thayer.
Troop III, Scout Master, Thomas O'Riley.
Girl Scouts,
Captains, Lephie Thompson and Elizabeth Merikin.
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ONE HUNDRED AND THIRD ANNUAL REPORT
4-H Clubs,
Miss Lyons, knitting; Miss Mary McLaughlin, knit- ting and crocheting ; Miss Mahady, sewing ; Miss Phil- brook, woodwork; Miss Gladys Cox, sewing; Mrs. Marion Wade, dressmaking and Mr. Francis Cox, woodworking.
W. P. A. Club,
President, Leslie Hansel.
IN MEMORIAM ROSE G. HAND Music Supervisor, Randolph Public Schools
This year we lost by retirement, Mrs. Florence E. Caples, a member of our teaching staff in the Devine school. Mrs. Caples was a teacher of refined qualities, patient and sympathetic and was always found on the side of the child who had difficulties with his lessons.
This year also we lost by death our Music Supervisor, Rose G. Hand, who served this town as music instructor for many years. A beautiful bronze plaque was placed in the high school by the Randolph Teachers' Club in memory of her long, faithful service to the schools of this town.
In conclusion, I wish to express my thanks for the wholehearted support and cooperation given by the School Committee, School Doctor, Nurse and teaching staff. They with our pupils and their parents make for good and suc- cessful schools.
Respectfully submitted,
A. O. CHRISTIANSEN, . Superintendent of Schools.
264
TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
REPORT OF PRINCIPAL OF STETSON HIGH SCHOOL
Mr. A. O. Christiansen-
I wish to submit to you my seventh annual report as principal of Stetson High School.
First, consideration should be given to the school population so as to give some insight into the difficulties presented from a strictly physical point of view. The high school enrollment, therefore, is as follows:
Grade 9
Grade 10
Grade II 107
Grade 12
P. G.
Total
168
150
105
3
533
This total is of October 1, 1938. To show quickly what is happening to the high school population I would like to compare this year's enrollment with that of other years.
1931
1932
1933
1934
1935
1936
1937
1938
334
393
418
440
425
429
490
533
With the exception of 1935 when there was a drop, there has been a steady growth. Naturally, the large influx of pupils last September taxed our building to capacity. Our auditorium seats 300, so we must have two assemblies when we have them every two weeks ; our lunchroom seats less than one-third of our enrollment, at one time, and due to our limited kitchen facilities, we can have but one lunch period. Every room in the building is used for classrooms and study rooms including the lunch room sewing room and laboratory. Our science laboratory had to be partitioned off by means of a temporary curtain to make places for General Science classes and drawing classes. The Science classes meet on one side of the cur- tain every day of the week, drawing classes meet on Thursdays and Fridays on the other side of the curtain, while Physics and Chemistry experimentations are car- ried on during the first three days of the week. This situation is very undesirable and very unsatisfactory, but
265
ONE HUNDRED AND THIRD ANNUAL REPORT
the best that could be arranged under the circumstances. A shortage of desks was anticipated during the summer so approximately thirty portable chairs were purchased and placed in any room where there was possible space in which to put them. As a result we have one room housing forty-six pupils, several seating thirty-eight and the others ranging in numbers down to twenty-five. This includes both recitation and study pupils. For example, one teacher's program is as follows for five classes: First -28 recitation, 18-study ; second-27 and 18; third-22 and 24; fourth-25 and 19; fifth-28 and 18. The same situation prevails in all other rooms in proportion to the size of the room and presents the teacher with a double problem each period of teaching her classes and supervis- ing the study pupils, and with this system it would seem that all concerned suffer to some extent.
What to do about this situation is a subject which should be given deep thought. There is first the question whether or not the present high school enrollment will continue or drop. A study of the enrollment by grades given in your last report shows these figures :
Grade 1 Grade 2 Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5 Grade 6
167 177
152
179 164
158
Grade 7
Grade 8
161
179
From these figures we venture to say next year will see a substantial increase in the Freshman class. In the suc- ceeding years the enrollment will show no let-up with the exception of one year, after which increases will again be apparent. There is an urgent need of immediate alle- viation of this situation. We wish, then, to present two remedial suggestions for your consideration. First, new and larger quarters, or, second an addition to the present building. In connection with the latter we might sug- gest an addition to the west side of the building, which
266
TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
addition would provide larger facilities both for the audi- torium and lunchroom, and, at the same time, make pos- sible six more classrooms, one on each floor on both sides of the auditorium. We realize that this means a consid- erable outlay of money and for that reason we previously mentioned that much deep thought be given to the subject.
A valuable addition to the curriculum of the school was made during the past year with the introduction of a state aided vocational Household Arts course. The work of this course has worthwhile and practical objectives. The vocational phase of the course takes up fifty per cent of the alloted school time. During this time, attention is given to marketing, preparing, serving, and caring for the home; buying, making, repairing and caring for the clothing; child care and home nursing. Thirty per cent of school time is devoted to related work such as dietetics, textiles, color and design, and on economic valuation of work accomplished. The rest of the time is given to regular academic subjects, particularly those required by law.
There are at present thirty-six girls enrolled in the course; eight Freshmen, twenty-one Sophomores, five Juniors, one Senior, and one P. G. This year's class will continue with an advanced course in homemaking and related arts next year, and another beginning class will be enrolled, making a two-year Vocational Household Arts course. The foods laboratory has been newly and fully equipped with modern conveniences and appliances. The sewing room has been improved by the addition of two new sewing machines. However, to meet fully the require- ments, a corner of the sewing room should be partitioned off as a fitting room, and a disappearing bed should be provided for use in the home nursing and first aid work. With the adoption of these suggestions, we would then
267
ONE HUNDRED AND THIRD ANNUAL REPORT
have a complete layout for a Household Arts course ap- proved by the state department of education.
The instrumental music groups are still functioning, but as each year passes it becomes more and more appar- ent that it will be increasingly difficult to keep these acti- vities alive. We believe the trouble lies in the fact that there is but one group in the lower grades attempting to furnish opportunities for learning to play a musical in- strument, and since there are no more "feeding" organ- izations in the lower grades to prepare young players so that they can take their places at once in the high school band and orchestra, this work must be done with high school pupils. By the time they have mastered their instruments well enough to be of use to the band or or- chestra, they are graduated and the process must be car- ried out all over again. We believe that if a system were adopted teaching pupils in the lower grades to play mus- ical instruments, it would give many young people the satisfaction and pleasure of being able to play some instru- ment and not to depend entirely on "canned music" as is so common in these days.
We cannot stress too much the need of greater co- operation between the home and the school on the matter of punctuality and regularity of attendance. It is not generally appreciated that when a pupil is absent one day he usually misses the work of two because the classwork is lost for the day of actual absence, and as a rule the pupil comes to school the next day unprepared for the second day. It is true that pupils are required to make up all work lost through absence, but this work is usually not as satisfactory as if done in a regular class period. We hope that absence caused by reasons other than sickness will not be approved by parents and that all concerned may work together for the good of the student.
Recently a branch Parent-Teacher Association group, allied with the National Association, was formed in the
268
TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
town. There is no question in our mind that such a move- ment is found to fill a long-felt need because it cannot help but bring a closer association and understanding between parent and teacher. So much good can be accom- plished by the effective functioning of this group that it is our sincere wish that the Randolph Parent-Teacher Association will find its proper place among the worth- while activities of the town.
In one of our previous reports it was stated that about seventy per cent of the students were in the com- mercial course and this figure remains approximately the same, and because so many of our pupils are engaged in this work it is necessary to give a little thought to this course. Colleges set up the requirements for college entrance and so much attention is concentrated on this group that little consideration is given to the group whose education ceases with the high school. It is with this group we believe that we can do much to make more effective the work of our school. Times change and with the times the customary point of view regarding com- mercial education. It used to be a matter of merely train- ing pupils in the skills of bookkeeping, stenography, and typewriting. While many of our commercial students are enrolled in these courses, we believe that some consid- eration should be given to anything that would contribute to the total back ground and experiences of these pupils. There are still positions for stenographers, secretaries, and bookkeepers, but there are also opportunities for filing clerks, office machine workers, stock record clerks, copyists, as well as numerous others, and a stenographer who can do filing or operate office machines will be of greater worth to a prospective employer. We believe that there is a need of such a type of trainings and that the sooner we realize that the commercial course is not, and should not be the dumping ground of the school, the sooner we are going to appreciate the fact that much
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ONE HUNDRED AND THIRD ANNUAL REPORT
more can be done with and for this group than is being done at present.
One of the most potent teaching devices is the moving picture. Tests made have proved that when films have been used as a teaching tool, they have imparted, roughly speaking, about twenty-five per cent more facts into the minds of young people than the usual methods and what is more, these facts usually stuck. Visual education is not new because for years schools have been using maps, charts, pictures, and even the stereoptican. The moving picture brings the setup into a more vitalizing spot be- cause it approaches nearer to reality. We believe that we are losing a valuable teaching aid because we have no place to use the moving picture machine the school owns. We can and have used the machine in the classrooms but we could reach only a comparatively few pupils by this method. We wish to suggest that the skylight in the assembly hall be rigged up with a curtain or some other suitable means of darkening the hall, and we feel that the small expense entailed would be more than offset by the results obtained.
We wish at this time to express the appreciation of the faculty of Stetson High School to you and the mem- bers of the school board for the helpful and understanding attitude which has characterized our past contacts and we hope that this pleasant relationship will continue in the future to the benefit of the purpose for which we are all working-the pupils in our school.
Very truly yours,
HUBERT F. GILGAN.
270
TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF MUSIC
Mr. A. O. Christiansen
The following is my report as Supervisor of Music in the public schools of Randolph, from the first grade through the Senior High School.
Music is one of the greatest factors in life, and the foundation of all music is appreciation. Comparatively few children are gifted with an extraordinary voice, but all children can be taught to love and appreciate music, and 90% can sing. Therefore, from the primary grades through the High School we are endeavoring to instill into the heart of every child, a love of music and a desire to participate in the singing classes.
Generally speaking, the music in our schools is pro- gressing very favorably. Lack of suitable material in our primary grades has made the reading of music rather difficult. But with the introduction of a series of small seven note charts, which are used as flash cards, the reading has improved. The daily ear training drills in the lower grades will eventually make the work in the upper grades much easier.
Written examinations in theory, in grades 4 to 7 have been instrumental in gaining the attention of every child. Many pupils who are unable to sing well and have received a low mark on an otherwise good card, now have an opportunity of receiving a high mark, by being attentive in class and passing the theory examination.
In December the Belcher School presented a very fine concert. This little concert was enthusiastically received and well supported financially. With the pro-
271
ONE HUNDRED AND THIRD ANNUAL REPORT
ceeds we were able to purchase a piano, which was greatly needed, particularly in the Junior High. We also purchased some records for the Grades 1, 2 and 3. These will be of great value in these grades.
The little orchestra in the Prescott School deserves special mention. The class is small but the interest is genuine. Many of the members of the High School orchestra received their first lesson at the Prescott School. The success of the orchestra there is due to the efforts of the principal, Mr. Dillon. I would like very much to have records and instruments for a toy orchestra in this building, to stimulate an interest so that in later years more children would be anxious to learn to play the real orchestra instruments.
The interest in chorus singing in the High School is very gratifying. Through the splendid cooperation of Mr. Gilgan we have two classes, one for singing and one for theory. A Girls' Glee Club was formed in Jan- uary and we hope for a large attendance in a short time.
I wish to take this opportunity to thank the School Committee, Mr. Christiansen, principals and teachers for their support and cooperation with me in my work.
Respectfully submitted,
MARY J. LEAHY, Supervisor of Music.
272
TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
REPORT OF THE DRAWING SUPERVISOR
I herewith submit my report of a year's work as drawing supervisor of Randolph.
The aim in drawing during this past year has been first of all to teach the child the pleasure of self-expres- sion, to develop the power of observation, the sense of proportion and bring about a coordination of the muscles, and hand and arm control, and to teach the child to understand and recognize the beauty in the world about him. I have tried to accomplish these results by carefully planned lessons covering Design, Representation, Construction and Color Theory.
The child should learn to express himself and use his own imagination and creative powers, but before he can do this he must learn the rules and the methods. Self-directed work is excellent but it must follow the basic lessons. A child cannot create something from nothing anymore than he can read without being taught how. I have tried to plan a year's course for each grade that will teach the fundamentals and develop the imag- ination at the same time.
Each grade has a carefully planned syllabus based on the age and mentality of the pupil. The course changes each year as the child advances from the first grade to the high school. Holiday projects are done to give practise in handwork.
Freehand Drawing is an elective subject in the High School. Here too, there are stages of advancement for each grade. Poster work, commercial design and ad- vanced design, and illustration are the major subjects.
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ONE HUNDRED AND THIRD ANNUAL REPORT
Mechanical Drawing is also an elective subject. The course starts with a study of the use of the instruments and applied Geometry, and then goes into Orthographic Projection and working drawings.
In closing I wish to thank all the teachers and prin- cipals who have so willingly cooperated with me and assisted me in the past year.
Sincerely,
GERTRUDE DODD.
274
TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL NURSE
Mr. A. O. Christiansen
Following is the report of my work for the calendar year 1938.
Number of schools visited 437
Number of inspections 8,326
Number of visits made to and in behalf of children 357
Number of children X-Rayed at
Norfolk County Hospital 10
Number of children given Toxin- Antitoxin 190
Number of children examined by
the Taunton Traveling Clinic 9
All grade children were weighed and measured three times. Those on the follow-up list were weighed each month.
The Norfolk County School Clinic was held in Jan- uary in grades seven, nine and eleven.
Number of children given skin test 211
Number of children X-Rayed 92
Number of children recommended for Summer Camp 10
Five children were able to go to the Norfolk County Health Camp through the financial aid of the Christmas Seal Sale Fund and our local Board of Health. All the children returned with added weight and greatly ben- efited by their summer at camp.
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ONE HUNDRED AND THIRD ANNUAL REPORT
Our school dentists, Dr. Maguire and Dr. Smith, inspected the teeth of all children in grades one through eight.
Number of children inspected 1,235 Number of children receiving Dental certificates at time of inspection 146 Number of children needing dental treatment 1,089
Much credit should be given to Dr. Smith and Dr. Maguire for the many hours they have devoted to the school clinic.
Many children have been examined and fitted with glasses through the generosity of the Red Cross and the co-operation of Mr. James J. Kelliher.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Chamber of Commerce for milk which they supplied to our under-privileged children during the past two and one- half years.
In closing my report I should like to thank Mr. Christiansen, the School Board, Dr. Higgins and the teachers for their splendid co-operation during the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
HELEN L. CONLON, R. N., School Nurse.
276
TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
REPORT OF SCHOOL PHYSICIAN
Due to my long absence on account of illness my report for 1938 must be brief. During my enforced idleness the work of school physician was carried on under the very excellent guidance of Dr. Charles E. Wells.
As in former years no outbreak of a contagious nature occurred. We had the usual number of Measles, Whooping Cough and Scarlet Fever cases.
Minor accidents in playgrounds were far less than in previous years. This is due, no doubt, to the better supervision of the various playground teachers.
GEORGE V. HIGGINS, M. D., School Phycisian.
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ONE HUNDRED AND THIRD ANNUAL REPORT
SCHOOL STATISTICS
Massachusetts Department of Education, Nov. 1938
Population, Randolph (U. S. Census 1930)
6,553
Valuation
$6,008,375
School enrolment
1,819
Average membership
1,808
Average daily attendance
1,698
Average number of days in session
171
Cost per pupil, Grades 1 to 8, Ave. membership
$48.46
Cost per pupil, High school, average membership $73.06
Number of non-resident pupils
103
Number of teachers and principals
59
Number of supervisors 2
ENTERING AGE TO GRADE ONE
Entering age to grade one, 5 years and five months on or before Sept. 1, 1939. Vaccination and birth certifi- cates required.
RECEIPTS FROM STATE AND OTHER SOURCES
General School Fund, Part 1
$19,915.25
Tuition, State Wards
2,716.14
Tuition, City Wards
2,961.96
Tuition, Non-resident (Frederick Chase)
33.59
Reimbursement, Trade Schools
1,013.05
Coddington Fund, interest
56.20
Cash paid Town Treasurer, Tel. tolls, etc.
24.55
Dog Tax
1,084.90
Deen Fund
633.28
Total received
$28,438.92
School Expenditure
$115,837.16
Total Receipts
28,438.92
Net cost
$87,398.24
278
TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
ENROLMENT BY SCHOOLS
1938 1937 1936 1935 1934 1933 1932
Stetson H. S.
533
490
429
425
440
418
393
Stetson J. H. S.
*
*
*
*
*
70
99
Prescott School
442
482
500
518
504
496
496
Devine School
395
378
372
364
378
410
400
Belcher School
254
262
281
264
258
266
209
Pauline St. School
76
96
92
91
84
Tower Hill School
70
66
67
71
71
69
68
McNeill School
60
64
56
65
67
66
55
Totals
1830 1838 1797 1798 1802 1795 1720
* Pupils removed to Prescott and Devine Schools.
ENROLMENT BY GRADES
Grade
1938
1937
1936
1935
1934
1933
1932
High School
P. G.
3
4
3
7
5
5
6
High School
12
105
97
79
89
78
73
61
High School
11
107
105
104
77
100
91
78
High School
10
150
127
108
127
101
121
103
High School
9
168
157
135
125
156
128
145
Junior High Sch.
8
160
179
164
156
146
161
132
Junior High Sch.
7
156
161
197
177
158
153
164
Grammar School
6
162
158
159
207
172
172
156
Grammar School
5
172
164
157
149
201
177
168
Grammar School
4
153
179
164
164
161
199
176
Grammar School
3
169
152
168
167
171
152
173
Grammar School
2
160
177
168
155
156
168
169
Grammar School
1
158
167
182
187
184
183
179
Special Class
7
11
9
11
13
12
10
Totals
1830
1838
1797
1798
1802
1795
1720
279
ONE HUNDRED AND THIRD ANNUAL REPORT
HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES June 24, 1938
Arthur Minot Baker Robert Ferbuson Bennett
Frank Stanley Benway
Edward Joseph Berry Cecelia Anne Bourdo
Hudson Leon Bowley Dorothy Agnes Brennan
Barbara Esther L. Brooks
Wenona Isabelle Bryar Robert Louis Byron Florence Ann Camelio Marie Dolorosa Carmody
Virginia Granger Cartwright Ralph Frank Cartwright John Thomas Cavanaugh Marjorie Louise Chase James Channing Clark Walter Allen Cole Joseph Patrick Connolly Vincent James Connors Jeanne Marie Cormey
George Francis Cullen
Marjorie Veronica Cunningham
Maurice Robert Davis Thelma Lorraine DeForest
Charlotte Downs Robert Louis Duven
Thelma Hathaway Eldridge
George Frederick Erwin
Norma Louise French
Walter Arthur Getchell, Jr.
Robert Edward Getchell Hazel Mary Goody Frances Florence Gray
Lewis Dunton Grout Anelia Anne Gurnis Charles Francis Haley Rita Marie Halloran
Joseph Billings Harris Marjorie Gertrude Hawkins Dorothy Elizabeth Hersey Theodore Augustaf Holmes Addie Blanche Hoxie John Joseph Hurley Elizabeth Frances Keith
Alice Barbara Kelleher James Francis Kennedy Mildred Frances Kilcoyne George Henry Kiley Mary Alice Mahoney Friend Edgar Main
Raymond Martucci
Margaret MacLean McIsaac Carlton Edward McNeil Jack E. Mohr June Francis Mullins Mary Cecelia Murphy Harold Weeks Myers
Helena Laura Nickerson Constance Elvera Niles Dorothy Eunice Nolan Lillian Reta Norman Mildred Amelia Norman Mary Cecelia Olsen Ernest John Osborne Doris Marie Payne Ruth Elizabeth Pearce Gladys Marion Pelissier Florence Marie Penny Elizabeth Ann Peters Marjorie Anita Peters Grace Agnes Porter William Michael Reilly Ann Elizabeth Robbins Francis Joseph Salamone Beatrice Mae Sargent
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