USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Randolph > Randolph town reports 1938-1943 > Part 39
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RALPH H. HUTCHINSON, Chairman JOHN E. KELLEY, FRANK H. LINFIELD, GEORGE H. CHASE, WILLIAM G. BILLINGHAM, Sec'y
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ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT Randolph, Mass.
REGULATIONS GOVERNING AIR RAID SHELTERS AND EVACUATION OF SCHOOL CHILDREN
To Parents :
In order to be of the greatest service to our school children in the event of an air raid, the School Committee after a study of school building construction and facilities, voted on January 21, 1942, that the matter of shelter or evacuation of school children shall be governed by the type of construction of the particular school in question, its fire resisting qualities, accommodations and size of enroll- ment.
Under this heading the following schools can fully shelter their pupils : Stetson High School, Tower Hill and the McNeill Schools. School buildings having a limited space for shelter include the Devine, Prescott Junior High and the Belcher, while the Prescott Primary and the Pauline Street Schools have no facilities for shelter and will, there- fore be completely evacuated. To carry out this procedure for the Prescott Junior High, Devine and Belcher Schools, children living a short distance from these schools will be sent home under supervision to assure adequate space for shelter of pupils who are obliged to remain. There can be no bus or automobile transportation during periods of raids.
They who are required to remain in shelter will be under the supervision of teachers and principals who have been trained in first aid and defense emergencies. These shelters are protected by brick walls, cement ceilings and floors, two or more exits, windows taped and protected and with a suf- ficient amount of heat, light and ventilation for the maxi- mum assembly. Each shelter, moreover, is provided with first aid equipment, blankets, food, water, etc., and a pro- posed program of songs, story-telling and quiet games.
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Under this program your child will be
a. Sent home
b. Retained in school shelter
Irrespective of the above rules, if you should desire to have your child at home during an air raid, when he is required to remain in school, you will be obliged to report to the principal of the school who will release the child to you.
Please sign this notice and have it returned to the prin- cipal so that he may know that you read it.
Signed
January 22, 1942
(Signed) A. O. Christiansen Superintendent of Schools
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT Randolph, Mass.
AIR RAID DEFENSE INSTRUCTIONS FOR SCHOOLS To Principals and Teachers :
The following instructions of the School Committee are based on general and accepted practices governing air raid defense procedures as found in the bulletin of the Mass. Commission on Public Safety together with the advice and cooperation of the local warden. Some changes in these procedures may be necessary from time to time as circum- stances and experience may warrant.
Many, if not all of these observances have already been introduced. Your drills and procedures have reached a stage of efficiency most encouraging to all interested in public safety.
DUTIES OF PRINCIPALS
Fundamentally, principals are responsible for the safety of their pupils within their respective school build- ings, up to and including the time pupils have been prop- erly dismissed or turned over to the local police or a recog-
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nized agency cooperating in the service of public safety. Because of his legal responsibility, he cannot be superseded by any other person or persons for fear of minimizing or confusing that responsibility. He shall cooperate with the local air raid warden, police and fire departments for the common good. He shall receive air raid signals from the office of the Superintendent of Schools to which office he will telephone or relay his report at the close of a raid or "all clear".
The principal shall organize within his school such air raid defense procedures as are adapted to his particular building and location and shall maintain discipline during drills and while in shelter and until children have been properly dismissed. He shall make provision for physically handicapped children, inspect building for stray pupils, receive and check attendance reports of teachers together with their class registers and record books for storage and safekeeping.
DUTIES OF TEACHERS
Teachers shall remain with their pupils at all times and until such time as their pupils are properly dismissed. They will be responsible for a careful account of attendance during drills, filing, shelter periods and dismissals. They will take along their class registers and record books and submit them to the principal for storage. At the completion of their duties and responsibilities they shall report to and be dismissed by the principal before they leave for home. At the time of this writing most of our teachers have taken or are now taking first aid courses and defense work.
DUTIES OF JANITORS
Full-time janitors shall report to their principals for duty on receipt of first signal. Part-time janitors, if tem- porarily out of the building, shall report immediately to their schools and principals. Upon the second signal or impend- ing danger, the janitor shall bank his fires, be prepared to
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shut off gas, oil, electricity and water at proper places and remain on duty in case of fires or other hazards until dis- missed by the principal.
ORGANIZATION OF CLASS FOR FILING
Upon signals given by the principal, pupils and teachers will put on their coats and hats, fully dressed, and file as directed by drills, to shelter or for supervised dismissals to homes. Permission of parents must be had in writing in order to station a pupil for junior safety service or traffic duty. Each teacher will lead her line to posts already assigned. She will be responsible for the conduct and gen- eral morale of her pupils. Teachers will check their at- tendance and report any missing children to the principal.
ORGANIZATION OF SHELTERS
Shelters have been established in some schools because of their location and constructional equipment. Windows are to be taped and covered; two or more exits are kept free and unobstructed and sufficient heat, light and ventila- tion provided for the maximum assembly. Each shelter, moreover, is to be equipped with a first aid outfit, two stretchers, blankets, lanterns, food, water, sand, etc. All teachers in supervision will have completed their courses in air raid procedure and first aid emergency. Each class or group of children will be assigned a definite place or location within the shelter. For entertainment here, where active movements must be restricted, teachers may well introduce a program of songs, story-telling, short dramatic sketches, craft-stunts by boy and girl scouts and instru- mental music. Such wholesome activities will do much to build up the morale of pupils and dispel the psychosis of fear. Proper dismissal of pupils after the "all clear" has been sounded is likewise important. Again, teachers are to report to and be dismissed by the principal.
A. O. CHRISTIANSEN, Superintendent of Schools.
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Report of the Superintendent of Schools
To the School Committee, Randolph.
Mr. Chairman and Members.
I submit herewith my annual report of the schools for your examination and approval.
Our schools are doing well under the stress of war. The innumerable problems and objectives of that war are of deep concern to us. They are a part of our school work. There are interruptions, to be sure, for drills, emergency work, etc., but the regular educational program is faithfully carried on. The morale is high. Teachers and pupils alike seem to realize that this is one of those periods in history when liberty, democracy and the American way of life is at stake. They cherish these principles. They are willing and loyal to defend them now; to do their part and to carry on in the very institutions, the public schools, the greatest gift of free men in a democracy. It is equally important to the citizens who pay for these institutions that they know their schools, become acquainted with them, their problems and needs. It is, in truth, the largest business concern in town. Its program of activities is educational. Its investment is sound for it invests in the lives and welfare of our chil- dren. Sound, too, because of the trust and confidence of free men who know that education is the first line of defense in this or any democracy. It is our common hope, therefore, that these schools shall represent the best in education, useful and practical, loyal and patriotic to the end that our children shall be better prepared to live in and develop their potential powers and abilities consistent with and for the best interest of our democratic society.
The national defense emergency has had its effect on our school enrolment and teaching personnel. Our total
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enrolment fell from 1771 to 1748, October 1, 1941 as will be noted in the enrolment tables at the end of this report. A more serious situation, however, is that of teachers who leave the profession. Toward the end of the calendar year in December, eight teachers have resigned with four more to take effect within the next few weeks. This greatly handicaps our work particularly when resignations occur during the school year. These teachers moreover were ex- perienced and were doing excellent work so that this loss is deeply felt. Under the list of appointments I wish to acknowledge the new teachers in whom we have the con- fidence that they will achieve success.
This year with your approval the Rinehart Functional Handwriting system was introduced into the schools from grade one to nine inclusive. The outstanding significance of this system is the personal instruction and evaluation of each child's work and achievement each month and at the end of the year. Mr. Rinehart's report is included herein and is worthy of careful reading.
I am grateful to the clergymen of the various churches in Randolph for their cooperation and interest in submit- ting to the schools the religious education rank of each child under their care and instruction. It is a wholesome sign in any community to have the united forces of education com- bine to mold the life and character of its children.
Under the heading of Air Raid Defense Instruction for Schools you will note the general scheme and organization set-up for each school. What these rules and regulations do not tell is the excellent and efficient way in which each prin- cipal has organized his school. Each school has its par- ticular problem but each problem has been met. We do not know just what will happen in the event of an air raid but we do know that we have endeavored to conform to the best plans and recommendations available. Our preparation and equipment was made possible by your prompt approval and guidance.
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May I call to your attention again that during the inspection of the school buildings this year there were two outstanding improvements greatly needed. First, in order, is the proposed fire-proof stair and stair hall in the Prescott School. The other, to install glass partitions and level the floor in the back gallery of the high school gymnasium for the Commercial Department to be used as a room for office appliance instruction. These two major improvements would do much to facilitate our work and make for greater safety and convenience.
Each year our schools are enriched by the interest and effort of loyal friends of education outside the classrooms. Included in that list are the Stetson High School Scholarship Fund Committee, the Junior Ladies' Library Association, American Legion and the National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution.
One hesitates in these days to refer to anything which would place an extra burden on the school budget yet at the same time our present national defense activities may well be served by offering evening school instruction to non- English speaking people in this community. There are several hundred such individuals in Randolph who would be greatly benefited by such classes. Instruction would be given in English, Current Events, state and national form of governments and the preparation for citizenship. This would be democracy at work in Randolph and a segment of that great line of first defense, education.
It is a genuine pleasure to report that whatever achieve- ment we may rightfully boast of in this our public service, can be traced to your help and inspiration, and to the un- stinted effort and service of the teaching staff, pupils and to the influence of the home.
Respectfully submitted, A. O. CHRISTIANSEN, Superintendent of Schools.
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TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
STETSON HIGH SCHOOL HUBERT F. GILGAN, Principal
The influence of this period of national emergency has been reflected in the enrollment in this school just as it has in most schools in areas where no defense industries are being carried on. Most schools are reporting a drop in size and Stetson is not an exception. We have, as of October 1, an enrollment of 480, the lowest since 1936. The trend has been noticeable from the first of the year, when twenty- five pupils left between January and June. The reasons for leaving were varied, but the majority left to go to work or because parents had obtained employment and were moving near to their places of employment.
We lost four excellent teachers at the close of the last school year: Mr. Leach, our band master and choral di- rector, resigned to accept a position in Wellesley; Miss Curtis, our Biology teacher, accepted a similar position at Lasall Junior College; Miss Boothby accepted a position in the Household Arts Department at North Quincy ; and Miss Lowney resigned to be married. Their places have been filled by Mr. Myron B. Thomas, bandmaster and choral di- rector for boys, and Miss Bernice Burdick, choral director for girls, Miss Ruth Jefferson, Miss Rosamond Henry, and Miss Anna Sullivan.
It is suggested that some consideration be given to the salary schedule so that good teachers may be kept in the Randolph schools and not go elsewhere because of salary question which we cannot reach because of budget limita- tions. It is our opinion that Randolph children are as deserving of the best as any other children and it is false economy to let these good teachers get away, if they can be kept in Randolph.
Stetson graduated a class of 117 pupils in 1941. The usual percentage of the graduates are continuing their edu- cation. Our graduates of last year represent the school in
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the following institutions of higher learning-Kents Hill Junior College, Bridgewater Teachers College, Tufts, Boston University, Northeastern, Massachusetts State College, Chandler, Fisher, Burdett, Brockton Business College, Went- worth Institute. Others have enrolled in vocational schools, others have entered nursing schools, some have returned as post graduates, while others have enlisted in the armed service of our country.
Our school is doing its part in national defense work because every teacher is taking a course either in Red Cross, First Aid, or in the Air Raid Warden groups. We find some teachers have volunteered their services with Red Cross or Defense work outside of school hours. Our pupils are being prepared, as we have two groups of girls studying home nursing and two groups of about 30 girls taking first aid. One group of boys is studying first aid and another group of about sixty pupils are enrolled as an auxiliary fire department. This last group is under the supervision and instruction of fire Chief Bailey and Deputy Chief Tierney. The purpose of this course is to assist and carry on for our regular department in case of an emergency and to train the boys in the correct procedure of fire fighting under varying conditions.
We are pleased to report the addition of a dictaphone to our office appliance group. This will now enable us to put into the curriculum a full course in office machines. We expect now we can split our commercial course into the general business course and the secretarial course we men- tioned in a previous report.
The public speaking club organized last year with Mr. Hart in charge is being continued. The highlight of this year is to be a visit of the Boston University Debating Team to the school for a discussion. Mr. Daly's Vocational Guid- ance work is continuing apace. During 1941, Mr. Daly interviewed 110 members of the ninth grade, and during their interviews information was secured on their desired
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vocations and other necessary information. Advice was given to pupils in regard to their choice of career, and in- formation bearing directly on each career is disseminated by reading material, lectures, and talks by specialists in the various fields of endeavor. A camera club is the latest addition to our extra curricular activities. This club is under the leadership of Miss Jefferson and has studied the history and chemistry of photography, the principle of the camera, the development of films, and contact printing. This club will have an important place in the life of the school.
The religious education program which Randolph was one of the few schools to pioneer, is being carried on again this year, and is being watched by many communities for results obtained. The State Department of Education is interested in it, and has sent Mr. Mack to this school for in- formation concerning it. We believe Randolph has helped to start a movement which will spread very rapidly, so that soon many schools will incorporate religious training as part of their regular curriculum. After all, the educational system adopted in this country of ours is supposed to teach the American way of life in all its phases and our schools can lead the way toward this end by recognizing an impor- tant part of the individual's life, if not by a school sponsored Sunday School, then by a mutual aid program with Sunday Schools as they are now set up.
It is too bad that more parents do not visit the schools so that they may become more familiar with what is going on at school, and what is expected by the school from their children. Too many times the question is put to, "Why does not my son have home work to do?" The truth of the matter is that such pupils do have home work to do but, for one reason or other, do not take it home. The number of cases where parents permit their children to be absent from school for alleged illness without investigation is increasing at an alarming rate. Children who are ill are not expected to attend school, of course, but parents should be aware of
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the fact that sometimes vague aches or pains are used to shirk school responsibility. Tardiness at school, especially if repeated again and again, means subnormal work and yet sometimes parents do not try to find out why their chil- dren are tardy. These are only a few of the things where a closer contact between the teacher and the parent cannot help but bring about better results.
This year we did not field a football team, and this was due partly because our field was not ready and partly be- cause our material was so limited that it would have been detrimental to the physical well being of our boys to line them up against boys who were so much larger and more numerous than they. Our new athletic field will be ready for use in the spring, and it will be second to none in the district. The thanks of the pupils and all those who will use this field, goes to the taxpayers of the town, and to the sponsor, Mr. Theodore Luddington, for making such a field possible. We plan to make such use of the field as will give all boys and girls a chance to take part in some outdoor athletic contest, to offer an opportunity for participation for pupils other than those highly skilled individuals who would normally represent the school in interscholastic competition.
We cannot let this opportunity slip by without a brief comment on the Household Arts Department. The advan- tages offered to the girls of Stetson in this department are too numerous to list. Chief among them is the fact that a girl can select the Household Arts course the first two years, thereby receiving the benefit of this training. At the end of the second year she can immediately enter the com- mercial course for her last two years, thereby receiving the training of this type of work. Thus at the end of her four years, the girl has fulfilled all the obligations of both the Household Arts course, and the Commercial course. We believe this to be a marvelous opportunity, and many girls will take advantage of it when they understand this point.
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REPORT OF THE MUSIC SUPERVISOR
BERNICE D. BURDICK, Supervisor
I hereby submit my report of the work as Music Super- visor of the Randolph Schools from February 1941 to date.
The progress in music has been as a whole satisfactory, especially when considered from the point of view of a slight break in the music program due to a change of supervisors and the period of getting acquainted. This period of tran- sition, however, has been pleasant, for the cooperation of the former supervisor, Mrs. Mary Wren, together with that of teachers and pupils, have been most helpful and genuine.
The aim in the music program is to have the child enjoy good music and to instill a desire to learn more. It is important, therefore, to keep the instruction within the pos- sibility of accomplishment. A child learns to do by doing, or, learns music by singing or playing an instrument. The procedure of teaching must keep the interest of the child at all ages, from kindergarten through adolescence. The only technical work that is given is the amount required to teach the student to read music and sing from the written page.
Music is foremost a cultural subject. It requires as much reasoning on the part of the child as for any other subject. The child must be able to recognize time value of notes, their accurate pitch, and be quick and alert, for much of the music is sight reading. This gives to the child much confidence and poise for he is trained to sing alone and in groups throughout the grades.
Last spring two music festivals were presented. One included the grades of the Prescott, Belcher, McNeill and
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Tower Hill Schools, with approximately two hundred students participating. The other festival was held in North Randolph with approximately one hundred and fifty students taking part from the Devine and Pauline Street Schools.
This fall there was organized a Girls Glee Club con- sisting of one hundred girls from the Stetson High School. They meet for one fifty-five minute period per week. The aim here is to sing with good interpretation and apprecia- tion the more difficult songs than those of the Junior High School. In this field there is a great deal of work yet to be done.
Previous to the Christmas Holiday a Girls Choir of Stetson High School presented a Christmas Cantata entitled "Bethlehem". Much credit is due these girls for their rehearsals and interest in music. The work was well done.
I wish at this time to thank Mr. Christiansen, principals and teachers who have so willingly cooperated with me.
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REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC
MYRON B. THOMAS, Director
I herewith submit my first report as Director of Instru- mental Music in the Schools of Randolph.
The Stetson High School Band commenced its regular weekly rehearsals on Friday, September 5, 1941. At that time the band consisted of 21 pieces and a Twirling Corps of 20. At the present time it has increased to a membership of 30 students, but no addition has been made to the Twirl- ing Corps, due to the fact that a 30-piece band is over- balanced by any more than 20 twirlers.
The Band has appeared publicly on several occasions, among them: Demonstration Night at the high school; the local State Guard Demonstration and Parade, and the Dedi- cation Parade of the American Legion at Braintree in November. .
Several new selections have been added to the Band's repertoire and the aptitude of the players in learning new music has improved greatly since the opening of school in September.
The High School Boys' Glee Club of 20 selected voices rehearses each Monday. Music appropriate to the Male Chorus of high school age is used.
On September 26, 1941, a Demonstration program was held at the High school, preceded by a marching exhibition by the Stetson High School Band through the town, to arouse the interest of the students and their parents and to acquaint them with the various band instruments. A repre- sentative of a Boston music concern was present with sev-
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