USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Randolph > Randolph town reports 1938-1943 > Part 22
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While engaged in making the audit, cooperation was received from the officials of the town, for which, on behalf of my assistants and for myself, I wish to express appreciation.
Respectfully submitted,
HBD:O
HERMAN B. DINE, Assistant Director of Accounts.
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ONE HUNDRED AND FOURTH ANNUAL REPORT Report of School Committee
The School Committee submits the following report for the year 1939, together with the reports of the Superintendent of Schools, High School Principal and the various Supervisors, all of which are a part hereof.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
During the year 1939, many necessary repairs were made in the various school buildings throughout the town. The Belcher school was painted two coats which involved considerable expense.
Commercial education in the high school has been broadened by the purchase of a modern bookkeeping machine. This is the beginning of an office appliance department, which, when completed, will offer our com- mercial students a course comparable with those offered at private business colleges. Up to the present time our graduates were obliged to obtain this training elsewhere in order to meet the demands of the business world.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The walks, driveways and school grounds throughout the town are greatly in need of permanent surfaces. This would reduce the number of minor accidents and also make the grounds of our school buildings accessible for playground activities. At the Tower Hill school, the land behind the school should be developed so that the children could have a playground suitable for athletics.
At this time we would call your attention to the fact that the State Inspector of public buildings has for the past four years denied both Prescott buildings a cer- tificate, due to the poor ventilation in the small Prescott
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TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
and the lack of adequate fire protection, such as fireproof stairways and safe exits in both buildings. It is the recommendation of your committee that the necessary requirements be fulfilled, in order that such certificates may be issued. During the year 1935, in answer to a request of the State Department of Public Safety for proper toilets, ventilation and safe exits in these build- ings, the School Committee requested of the town an appropriation to cover this work. This request was refused. It therefore became necessary for the committee to make a start to carry out this requirement by the State Department. Modern sanitary toilets were installed and paid for out of the school department's appropriation for operating expenses.
This year your school committee is sponsoring an article in the town warrant asking for an appropriation to resume the work. It is not our intention to complete the project but to do the most essential part now and to continue the work next year.
It is a serious responsibility and one that the com- mittee feels most keenly, to be compelled to use buildings for the accommodation of school children which are not in conformity with the state laws and which are not certified by state authorities.
ITEMS OF INTEREST
1. Transportation
The State law requires that children living two miles or over shall be transported to and from school. Our ruling up to 1940 was more lenient and permitted chil- dren in the first eight grades who lived one and one-half miles or over to be transported.
In the South section of the town, the very small chil- dren living between one mile and one and one-half miles
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ONE HUNDRED AND FOURTH ANNUAL REPORT
were forced to walk on a very dangerous highly traveled State Road. This we felt endangered their lives and prompted us to make our ruling still more lenient, so that the present ruling is :-
A. Children in the first six grades living over a mile from school are to be provided transportation.
B. Children in grades seven and eight living over one and one-half mile are to be provided trans- portation.
C. High School children living two miles or over are provided transportation.
2. Attendance
The enrollment of our schools has remained approx- imately the same as in 1938. We mention here the new state school law which requires children to remain in school until 16 years of age. This will have a tendency to keep the enrollment in our High School, as high if not a little higher than at present, and add seriously to the present overcrowded classroom conditions.
3. Chapin Hall Rules and Regulations
The use of Chapin Hall is reserved for regular and extra school activities at all times. Chapin Hall may be obtained for outside activities by applying to the prin- cipal of Stetson high school, subject to the following reg- ulations :
1. Between the hours of 2.30 p. m. to 5.00 p. m. on school days the hall may be used for basketball and other such games. No audience or spectators per- mitted. Proper supervision required, but not police protection.
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TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
2.a On Sundays and holidays and days when school is not in session, the hall is available between 2.00 p. m. and 5.00 p. m. and evenings after 7.00 p. m.
b On school days, the hall may be obtained after 7.00 p. m.
3. The Janitor is required to be present at all times. Janitor's fee to be paid by group using the hall at the following rates :
(a) Sunday and holiday afternoons to 6:15 p. m., $4.00.
(b) Evenings to 10.15 p. m., 3.00.
(c) Evenings to 12.00 p. m., $5.00.
4. A police officer assigned by the Chief of Police will be required, same to be paid by group using the hall. Under certain conditions the Committee may require two police officers to be assigned to the hall.
5. A cash bond of $20.00 will be required from any group using the hall for basketball or other such games. Deposit to be placed in the Randolph Trust Company in the name of the School Committee of Randolph and the amount maintained at the orig- inal sum throughout the effective period of the bond. This bond is intended to cover damage or injury to the building, hall or furniture. Damage, if any, is to be determined and certified to by the janitor, police officer and individual entrusted with responsibility for the group. Damage is to be repaired by the school committee and cost deducted from cash deposit. In case two or more groups are using the hall simultaneously, the cost of damage, if any, will be assessed equally between the groups so occupying the hall. All deposits or balance thereof are to be refunded to the groups at the expiration of the period for which the bond is posted.
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ONE HUNDRED AND FOURTH ANNUAL REPORT
6. When the hall is used solely by teams participating in practicing games or games for pure sport where no audience or spectators are permitted, regulations 4 and 5 will not be enforced. Proper supervision will be required at all times.
7. No smoking will be permitted in the hall or build- ing at any time. Ordered by :
THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE Randolph, Mass.
PERMIT TO USE CHAPIN HALL
Chapin Hall to be used by
Between the hours of Date Above Rules Read and Responsibility Agreed to. Signed
CHARITABLE DRIVES
Collections for the different charitable drives have been prohibited from our schools. We recognize their value and the amount of good they do. However, the majority of these drives are carried into the homes and it invariably means a double contribution for the parents. There is also the danger of class room competition in order to arouse enthusiasm for a generous contribution, the less fortunate children and those in large families feel the embarrassment if they are unable to give as freely as the others.
Boxes for the "March of Dimes" fund for Infantile Paralysis are permitted to be placed in the schools, but no class room competition is permitted. The "March of Dimes" fund is used for the care and treatment of chil- dren afflicted with Infantile Paralysis. Occasionally it
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TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
is well to impress on our youth how fortunate they are to enjoy good health. One way to show their appre- ciation is by contributing to a cause which helps renew the health of their less fortunate school mates throughout the country.
4. Employees.
Our teaching force now comprises 62, and includes the principal of the High School, three district principals and two supervisors. In addition we have a superintendent, nurse, physician, seven janitors, an attendance officer, the services of two dentists and an office clerk.
5. Finances.
Randolph schools have been operated as economically as any in the state and have cost the citizens less per child in attendance than the majority of towns. The following table taken from the last published state report of 1938 proves the statement above.
Town
High
Grades
All Grades
Randolph
$73.06
$48.46
$62.08
Holbrook
128.82
64.94
89.33
Avon
107.98
56.14
95.03
Hingham
115.97
84.14
100.91
Abington
105.47
70.84
85.56
Canton
109.41
101.26
119.85
Wareham
130.13
83.83
99.63
Whitman
89.73
67.79
89.80
Stoughton
76.36
64.29
71.96
It is very evident to those who know school con- ditions that with 85% of the cost of Education spent for salaries and only 15% for general expenses, there is very little opportunity for improvements. Out of this 15% must be bought such items as books and supplies, build- ing and janitor's supplies, telephone costs, electricity and gas, medical supplies and many other incidentals.
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ONE HUNDRED AND FOURTH ANNUAL REPORT
BUDGET
We hereby submit the annual budget of the School Department:
COST OF INSTRUCTION
Salaries Expense Total
Salaries of teachers, principals and
supervisors
$87,087.00
Less Dean Fund
1,676.73
$85,410.27
Books and supplies and miscellaneous
$6,185.00 $91,595.27
COST OF OPERATING SCHOOL PLANT
Janitors' salaries
$5,875.00
Janitors' supplies, telephones, and other expense
$1,550.00
Fuel
3,800.00
Light and power
1,500.00
Total
$5,875.00 $6,850.00 $14,529.00
AUXILIARY AGENCIES
School Nurse
$1,350.00
School Physician
700.00
Transportation
3,825.00
Trade School
$1,000.00
Medical Supplies
150.00
Total
$5,875.00
$1,150.00
$7,025.00
COST OF MAINTAINING SCHOOL PLANT
Equipment
$1,210.00
Repairs, replacements and renewals
3,440.50
Insurance
272.83
Total
$4,923.33
GENERAL CONTROL
Superintendent
$1,604.44
Clerks
554.66
Attendance Officer
250.00
School Committee expense
$100.00
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TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
Miscellaneous office expense
50.00
Superintendent's expense
175.00
Total
$2,409.10
$325.00
$2,734.10
Total Salaries
$101,373.37
Total Expense
$19,433.33
Less Coddington Fund $57.42
Less Dog Tax
962.70
1,020.12
Total Appropriation
$101,373.37 $18,413.21 $119,786.58
RECEIPTS FROM STATE AND OTHER SOURCES
General School Fund
$19,915.14
Tuition, State Wards
2,425.82
Tuition, City Wards
2,187.75
Continuation School
889.70
Household Arts Supplies
231.84
Total
$25,650.25
Total cost of Schools from Local Taxation
$94,136.33
CONCLUSION
Each employee of the School Department has shown the finest spirit of cooperation and has done his work faithfully and well, thus rounding out a very successful and beneficial school year.
The school committee feels that advancement and improvement will be made as fast as finances will permit. Under no circumstances can we allow our public schools to lag or fail in their great work of educating all children, regardless of race, color or creed.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN E. KELLEY, Chairman, EDMUND J. BRADY, MRS. GEORGE W. BREWSTER, GEORGE H. CHASE, WALTER J. FLANAGAN,
School Committee.
169
ONE HUNDRED AND FOURTH ANNUAL REPORT
Report of the Superintendent of Schools
To the School Committee, Randolph,
Mr. Chairman and Members;
I submit herewith my report for your examination and approval.
All who have, in any way, followed educational trends in this country the past few years know that our public schools are going through a critical period of ex- istence. Fundamentally, it is a problem of economics or the relation of education to economics and social wel- fare. To be sure, schools can hardly be blamed for the wide-spread economic problems everywhere but they are keenly interested and deeply concerned in human wel- fare. They have expressed in the past the ideals and hopes of the common people who founded them and they will continue to serve them in their educational and patriotic objectives now and in the future.
It is true, however, education is changing. New con- ditions are compelling the American people to re-examine and re-evaluate the educational structure, its organiza- tion, administration, objectives and contents of curricula. Such a trend is progressive, natural and hopeful. It must necessarily be slow to avoid costly errors and pseudo ideals. It is likewise true that this transitional period is complex. It is extremely difficult for school administra- tors to conform or begin to conform to the newer appeals and service while there is a constant reminder that the schools cost too much. There is now, as there always have been, individuals and groups of citizens who believe
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TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
that the American people have been spending too much on education. In the light of needs today, a greater scope of vocational training, the needs of democracy and the education for that democracy, the cost may be even greater but should be borne by national wealth for a common good, very much as the vast sums of money now necessarily being spent on relief and old-age pen- sions. What happens to our schools will be largely de- termined by the courage and vision of our citizens today.
The school enrolment by age, grade and schools is tabulated at the end of this report. There is little indi- cation that we shall experience any noticeable drop for some years to come. Due to the extention of school age from fourteen years to sixteen there will be an extra demand on the high school for accommodations. The study, therefore, which the Committee of Citizens has made this year relative to an addition to the high school will come at an appropriate time. It is sincerely hoped that the citizens will act favorably on this study and give to the school the measure of relief it requires.
In order to give a better meaning and usefulness to report cards sent home to parents, I have with the aid of teachers, set up a more comprehensive card which will give, we believe, a better interpretation of the pupil's true progress and achievements in school. Like the parents, we are concerned not only with the child's prog- ress in school subjects but what desirable habits and attitudes for good citizenship he is developing as well.
Character training and citizenship, in so far as the school can give it, have greater values than being mere "smart" in academic scores. The school emphasizes such qualities as industry, honesty, courtesy, dependability, thrift, self-reliance and cooperation. These together with the pupil's regular religious training and attendance in
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ONE HUNDRED AND FOURTH ANNUAL REPORT
the church of their faith should stimulate and develop them to become better men and women.
The card is designed in the hope that recognition and credit may be given for achievements in these qual- ities heretofore unrecorded. This is true also of religious training, entered into voluntarily by the pupils, outside of school hours, but in cooperation with the church and the pupils' spiritual adviser.
The school curriculum is based on and built largely on text books. Our books are selected from recognized lists of proven worth. They are up-to-date in subject matter and well graded. They provide the fundamental instruments of learning for the great majority of children. Unfortunately, however, we have also the non-book- minded children who fall by the wayside. These con- stitute a real problem and a challenge to school systems everywhere. Not all of these children can be classified as potential delinquents but failure to recognize them and to allow them drift in the classroom will not only develop real delinquents now but add just so many more to the social problem outside the school for which society pays well. Not all cases can be cured in school but much can be done by and through specific training. Greater provisions, therefore, should be provided to help these children become better adjusted according to their indi- vidual needs and abilities, without caste, stigma or injury to their personal pride and self-respect.
The employment of Mr. Raymond Leach as band master for Stetson high school students interested in instrumental music has already produced results. Mr. Leach comes to us highly recommended and has entered upon his task with marked enthusiasm. In the short period of time he has been with us he has made a care-
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TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
ful survey of band talent in Randolph with the result two bands are now under instruction, one of twenty-five pieces in the high school and the other a junior band of thirty young musicians meeting in the Prescott school.
The commendable spirit of work, loyalty and co- operation of teachers and pupils has been an outstanding feature of great merit during the past year. It is applied citizenship in school work. It accounts for the solution of many little problems appearing daily before parents, teachers and pupils. It is fitting that a statement should be made here of the many extra-curricula activities which teachers have conducted in the interest of pupils in order to "bring out" the best in them, motivate the work and develop the urge and instincts to play a part in this world and "make things."
The Hallowe'en activities conducted by principals and teachers in their respective schools-grades five to twelve inclusive -- are worthy of special mention. This does not mean that the teachers have assumed or usurped all responsibilities for these children on that particular night but it does mean that they are willing to share them with the parents on whom the greatest responsibility must necessarily be placed. We believe that as long as our pupils are willing to confine their fun to wholesome in-door-sports, the observance should be continued. To date it speaks volumes of credit to our Randolph student body.
Prescott School:
4-H Clubs. Grades 7 and 8. Miss Lyons, instructor. "Prescott News," School paper. Miss Mahady, in- structor.
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ONE HUNDRED AND FOURTH ANNUAL REPORT
Baseball Team. Won Tri-Town baseball cup. Mr. Foley, coach.
School Band, thirty pupils. Mr. Leach, instructor. Glee Club for Girls. Miss Sullivan, instructor.
Devine School:
4-H Clubs, Grades 7 and 8. Girls, Miss Riley, in- structor.
4-H Clubs, Grades 7 and 8. Boys, Mr. Heney, in- structor.
School Paper, Miss Good, instructor.
Civics Club. Miss Good, instructor.
4-H Clubs, Grades 4, 5 and 6. Miss Sullivan; Mr. Mulvey.
Dramatics Club. Miss Lucey, instructor.
Glee Club. Miss McGerrigle, instructor.
Handcraft Club. Miss E. Doyle, instructor.
Book Club. Miss R. Doyle, instructor.
Belcher School:
Current Events Club. Grade 7. Mr. Curran, in- structor.
Handicraft Clubs. Grades 4, 5 and 6. Mrs. Chat- field, Miss Parshley, Miss Francis, instructors.
Press Club. Miss Gaynor.
Rhythm Orchestra. Grades 1, 2 and 3. Miss Wil- bur and Miss O'Sullivan, teachers.
Tower Hill School:
Dramatics Club. Grades 1 and 2. Mrs. Cormey, teacher.
McNeill School:
Sewing Club. Grades 3 and 4. Mrs. Grant, teacher. Handicraft Club. Miss Ginnetty, teacher.
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TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
Pauline Street School:
Handicraft Club. Miss Tucker and Miss Fischer, teachers.
Dramatics Club. Miss Tucker, teacher.
The improvements already made in the basement of the Prescott school are accomplishments in the right direction towards helping our non-academic pupils. Here the boys and girls can find a newer meaning to education by correlating the hand work with that of their books. This work-laboratory, the first of its kind in Randolph, bids well to be a busy place. At present, the pupils in the Special Class are enrolled but will be developed to include others who need this type of training. We appre- ciate the interest of Mr. Dillon and his teachers in this project and to a former teacher, Miss Philbrook, who spoke the language of three-dimensions so easily under- stood by these children who want to work with their hands.
Our school activities are always enriched and given new values when our efforts are augmented by interest and good will of parents and civic organizations in town. We are particularly grateful for this help and attention in the form of scholarships given by the Stetson High School Scholarship Committee, Parent-Teachers Asso- ciation and to the American Legion Post and Auxiliary for awards and recognition for good work in citizenship.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The construction of additional rooms, toilets, new heating and ventilation system and gymnasium-assembly hall to the high school to accommodate 1000 pupils. This construction could be done over a period of several years in order to allow the use of the building for regular school work.
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ONE HUNDRED AND FOURTH ANNUAL REPORT
A beginning should be made to re-surface school grounds.
Repairs and alterations to the Prescott school to meet the requirements of the Department of Public Safety.
Installation of an oil burner in the Devine school.
The reports of the various department heads are given below. I wish to call to your attention the com- prehensive report of the principal of the high school, Mr. Gilgan. He sets forth in his own words the conditions under which he and his teachers labor. This is not a new situation but one of long standing and one in which it is extremely difficult for him to conduct a school he so earnestly desires.
Whatever success our schools can humbly boast of this year can be attributed to an understanding and sym- pathetic School Committee who asks of each teacher and pupil cooperative work, loyalty and applied citizenship.
Respectfully submitted,
A. O. CHRISTIANSEN, Supt. of Schools.
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TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
STETSON HIGH SCHOOL Hubert F. Gilgan, Principal
The attendance at this school, recorded as of October 1, 1939, was 523. This was less than the number of pupils anticipated and was due to a number of different circum- stances over which local school authorities have no con- trol and cannot forecast. However, the drop in enroll- ment was so slight that it has made no difference, what- soever, in the conditions discussed in my last report. We still put homeroom pupils in the laboratory, the lunch- room and the sewing room; these places are totally unfit for their use as homerooms. After all, the idea of using a homeroom as a place to check attendance or to hang up a coat is out-moded. The modern homeroom has many uses to which it may be put, such as educational or voca- tional guidance. It is a place where a teacher can get acquainted with a pupil, can make many effective adjust- ments to many problems in and out of school. In short, given the opportunity, a teacher can better know and understand pupils of a particular homeroom and thus a wise and friendly counselor. Obviously, this is all impos- sible without the proper room or place to be used for this purpose.
The laboratory and sewing rooms also have to be used for lunchrooms. The pupils should be complimented for their patience in this matter, because our lunchroom facilities are inadequate even with the use of the other two rooms. Many pupils still have to stand to eat their lunches and probably there are some who go without a hot lunch because there is no place to sit and each such a lunch.
Our science laboratory is still a three way room. It is used every period, every day for general science on one side of a temporary curtain, and on Thursday and Friday, every period, it is used for drawing on the other
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ONE HUNDRED AND FOURTH ANNUAL REPORT
side of the curtain. This room, which should be used exclusively for physics and chemistry experimental work can only be used for this work when the room is not being used for general science and drawing. This is a bad situation and should be remedied as soon as possible.
The auditorium is again used in double shifts. This is because the hall is licensed for 350 and we have over 500 in the school. There are times when two assemblies are possible and can be arranged, on other occasions when a single assembly only is practical or desirable it cannot be considered, obviously.
All of our classrooms are crowded; extra movable seats have been put into some rooms during the past year to make room wherever possible and wherever needed. With both study and recitation pupils in the same room, both types of pupils are at a decided disadvan- tage while the teacher has the double care of both study and recitation pupils.
The corridors of the old part of the building are not sufficient for the numbers we have in the school. When pupils converge at the narrow doors at either end of these corridors, a jam occurs which could have serious results.
We here in the high school see no relief in sight for our overcrowded conditions unless we are provided with more ample and modern quarters.
During the past year, students in the Stetson High School were given achievement tests, by name, the "Co- operative Achievement Tests". These tests were given in Elementary and Intermediate Algebra, Plane and Solid Geometry, Physics, Chemistry, American History, Eng- lish, Elementary and Advanced French, and Elementary and Advanced Latin. Approximately six hundred eighty tests were taken by approximately three hundred stu- dents. These tests were carefully checked, corrected and scored by standard means supplied by the testing service.
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