USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Randolph > Randolph town reports 1938-1943 > Part 57
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Expenditures :
Administration
$1,247.96
Civilian Defense Center
669.86
Auxiliary Police
162.35
Medical
322.95
Warden Service
49.60
Auxiliary Firemen
25.37
Canteen
21.43
Total
$2,499.52
133
ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT
DETAILED EXPENDITURES
Administration :
Medical :
Clerical Hire
$1,047.25
Supplies
$48.41
Stationery
34.77
Laundry 2.90
Postage
76.01
Surgical Appliances 117.58
Supplies
13.60
Gas 5.31
Moving
3.09
Repairs to Building
Repair Typewriter
15.00
to conform to
Subscription-Civilian
State Laws 148.75
Defense Magazine 18.24
Rental Films
14.00
Janitor Service
11.00
Decorations 150th
Anniversary
15.00
Extinguishers
$25.37
Police Dept .:
Janitor Services
$111.00
Rental Films
25.25
Hats
9.00
Badges
17.10
Telephone
357.40
Repairs
34.66
$162.35
Supplies
42.64
Laundry
7.14
Canteen :
Insurance
5.00
Paint
$2.25
Tools
.29
Food
19.18
$669.86
21.43
Fuel
$15.96
Light
206.77
$322.95
Fire Dept .:
$1,247.96
Civilian Defense Center:
Air Raid Warden Service:
The members of Civilian Defense participated in all State Blackouts and Training Tests. A remarkably large percentage of members turned out for all "Alerts." During the "Dim Out" period the Wardens gave generously of their time assisting the "Blackout" Officer in keeping the Town dimmed out. The Town passed with high marks two surprise visits of officers of the First Area Command with reference to "dim out."
134
TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
Canteen :
The Canteen served hot meals during several "alerts." Headquarters:
The Civilian Defense Headquarters and Medical Center in the Turner Library Building have proved their worth. Not only does Headquarters serve Civilian Defense but it has been used weekly by Red Cross First Aid Classes, Red Cross Home Nursing Classes, Women's Defense Corps, and Non-Commissioned Officers' School State Guard. All these organizations are using these quarters at present without contributing to the expenses, which are all charged to the Civilian Defense Appropriation.
Auxiliary Police :
The work of the Auxiliary Police deserves special attention. There are about fifty members in this depart- ment. They hold weekly drills in Riot Squad Work, Military Drill, and Rifle Practice. They have had instruction in Red Cross First Aid, Gas, and Protective Work. They also do- nated their time augmenting the Regular Police Force on 4th of July, Hallowe'en and on other occasions during the year when necessary.
Auxiliary Firemen :
There are about twenty members in this department. They have been drilled in Fire Protection and Red Cross First Aid. All members have responded to actual fires.
We have received from the Federal Government one Howe Centrifugal Trailer Pump, capable of pumping 500 gallons per minute at 200 lbs. pressure. We expect additional equipment shortly.
Special Activities:
The Social Service Committee under Rev. Harry But- man sponsored and operated a Child Care Center for a short period of time. Because of small enrollment it was
135
ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT
not considered feasible to continue this project. The Com- mittee then suggested that two organized playground proj- ects be sponsored. These, operated under the School Committee, proved of great value during the summer months. They should be continued another year.
I regret to announce the resignation of Chief Air Raid Warden Raymond L. Mason who devoted hours of time to the formation and operation of Civilian Defense. He deserves public recognition for his splendid work. Mr. James V. Don- ovan, former Deputy Air Raid Warden, is now Chief Air Raid Warden.
Department Heads:
DEPARTMENT
CHAIRMAN
Air Raid Wardens Service Chief A. R. W. James V. Donovan Auxiliary Policemen Chief Patrick T. McDonnell
Auxiliary Firemen
Chief Harold Bailey
Blackout Officer Chief Patrick T. McDonnell
Communications Mr. Henry J. Kiley
Evacuation Officer
Mr. Walter Good
Medical Department
Dr. Charles E. Wells
Service and Supplies
Board of Selectmen
Fuel
Mr. Michael J. Diauto
Decontamination
Dr. Herman N. Smith
Public Relation Division
Mr. Murray Lewis
Social Service
Rev. Harry R. Butman
Bomb Reconnaissance
Mr. John Fredrickson
The training and formation period is over. Randolph Civilian Defense stands ready to cope intelligently with the problems of Civilian Defense.
I want to thank all members of Civilian Defense for their generous sacrifice of time and energy. I have found each and every member ready and willing to co-operate at all times.
Respectfully submitted,
C. LLOYD CLAFF, Chairman, Randolph Committee on Public Safety.
136
TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
Report of Rationing Board
Board of Selectmen, Town Hall, Randolph, Mass.
Gentlemen:
I wish to submit herewith for incorporation in the forthcoming Town Report, the report of the activities of the War Price and Rationing Board for this town during the past year.
It is quite difficult to chronicle with any degree of accuracy all the various and sundry activities of the Ration- ing Board. Most of these activities are so generally known, however, that it is unnecessary to enumerate them in any great detail.
The Rationing Board in this town has been particu- larly fortunate in its choice of personnel and also in its choice of employees. We have fifteen members on the board who receive no remuneration for their services; also four full-time employees who are paid for their services by the United States Government.
We have also been particularly fortunate in the co- operation and assistance which we have received from the Superintendent of Schools and all the teachers in the School Department. The Board also desires to express its appreciation for the very valuable assistance which has been rendered by the local Police Department.
We have completed the Second Anniversary of our services as members of the War Price and Rationing Board. and the townspeople, almost without exception, have been co-operative and helpful in carrying out this great work.
137
ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT
It is not anticipated that the demands on the Rationing Board and its personnel will diminish for any considerable time, and it is our hope and expectation that the towns- people will continue to be as generous in the future in appro- priating funds necessary to furnish and maintain the quar- ters which are now occupied by the Board. It is obvious that if we are to serve the people of Randolph adequately during the War Emergency, we must have convenient office quarters to accomplish this end.
The quarters which we now occupy in the McCarthy Building are very satisfactory and in the past we have re- ceived a great deal of commendation from the State Office for the manner in which the local office has been set up.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE N. WELCH, Chairman,
ยท EDGAR B. COLE,
WILLIAM S. COLE,
BENJAMIN CROWELL, EDMUND R. FLAHERTY,
WALTER J. GOOD, WALTER C. KANE, WILLIAM J. LEAHY,
TIMOTHY LYONS, JR.,
ERNEST C. MARTIN, EUGENE L. MCAULIFFE, JAMES D. MacKINNON,
WILLIAM J. MCLAUGHLIN,
ALBERT C. WILDE, MARTIN E. YOUNG.
138
TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
Report of the School Committee
To the Citizens of the Town of Randolph :
Because of the scarcity of competent help and proper materials, it has been impossible to adequately maintain school property since the beginning of the present war. Furniture replacements and all work of a similar character have been cut to the bare necessities.
All details pertaining to health and safety, however, have been carefully supervised and have been kept in proper working order, beyond this, it has been difficult to proceed. Except for the work of the janitors in the various buildings, little has been done. The strictest economy has been main- tained in the purchase of books and supplies, with no at- tempt made to curtail the use of these essentials.
Your committee requested an appropriation for the conversion of oil to coal burning boilers. Because of the disturbance in the coal mining industry and the uncertain outlook for an adequate supply of this fuel for the winter of 1943 and 1944, it was thought best to delay the job of con- version to the latest possible date. This precautionary measure was justified when it became apparent that the supply of fuel oil might be more available for the coming season. Your committee felt safe then in permitting the transfer of this appropriation for the reduction of taxes at the last special town meeting.
The immediate post-war period must of necessity de- mand increased expenditures for furniture renewals and for the proper repairs, painting and modernization of school property.
Serious thought should be given to the beginning of a program of improvements in the High School; such as new heating system, lighting system, gymnasium, lunch room, and many other needed improvements, as recommended by this committee in previous reports.
139
ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT
The Prescott Junior High School is badly in need of new fireproof stairways, as recommended by this commit- tee many times in the past; also properly located lunch rooms, office accommodations and many other improve- ments. Together with these improvements of the Prescott School buildings should be the proper development of play areas.
The development of an athletic field in the vicinity of the Devine School in North Randolph is a project which must not be too long deferred. The playgrounds at the Belcher School, Tower Hill and McNeil Schools should be properly surfaced to provide recreation areas for the chil- dren attending these schools.
The completion of the Stetson High School Athletic field, with proper areas to be flooded for skating, ice hockey, etc., and a wading pool for summer recreation are worth while projects which must not be lost sight of in the im- mediate after-the-war program of expansion and modern- ization.
The problem of transportation is one which returns again and again to the attention of the school officials. The State law requires that the town furnish free transporta- tion for all pupils living two miles or more from their schools.
It has been the policy of the school department for many years to furnish free transportation for all children in the first six grades living one mile or more from the school. For the children in the next two grades, the junior high grades, free transportation to all pupils living one and one-half miles or more from the school, and free transpor- tation for high school pupils living two miles or more from the school.
Because of the necessity of conserving gas, rubber, etc., it has been necessary to modify this program for the dura- tion. Your committee is compelled to restrict transporta- tion in obedience to an O. D. T. ruling on the matter.
140
1
TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
The new schedule offers free transportation to all chil- dren of the first eight grades living one and one-half miles or more from their schools, and for all high school pupils living two miles or more from the high school.
Wherever it is possible this free transportation must be provided in conveyances operated by the Eastern Massa- chusetts Street Railway, or other public service corpora- tions. Whether transportation is by school or by public service company bus, the school children are required to meet such a bus at the appointed stop. The bus is not per- mitted to make long trips on side streets, except where ab- solutely necessary or where these streets may be on a direct route to the school bus.
It is to be regretted that this new schedule may be less serviceable for some of the younger children. It is our pur- pose, however, to insure equal treatment to all sections of the town and to all of the pupils of the school system.
It has been the policy of this department for many years to employ a school physician, assisted by a school nurse, who shall be answerable to this committee for the health of the school population and for the prevention of the spread of contagious diseases. This policy has been justified by the many years which our schools have enjoyed freedom from epidemics or serious contagion of any kind.
The Committee rules pertaining to health adopted many years ago and still in effect, with the additions recommend- ed from time to time by the State Board of Health, provide among other requirements, that a child absent from school for any cause for periods of three days or more shall be re- turned to the class room only when certified by the school physician.
It is not the fault of the class room teacher or principal of the building that your child, therefore, is compelled to procure a certificate from the school physician upon his return, after an absence of three days or more. The teacher
141
ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT
is carrying out orders and it would be considered a serious breach of discipline on her part if she failed to require such certificate.
Much pressure from thoughtless persons have been brought to bear upon the school committee in the past years to modify or change this rule. The committee, however, has always returned to the original proposition as being the method best calculated to maintain and preserve the health of the children in the class room and to prevent contagion.
The hours of the school physician are such that he can be reached at any reasonable time. It is part of the duties of the school physican to issue such certificates and no charge is made to the parent for the service.
It is the policy of this committee to appoint a substi- tute physician who shall be in charge during the absence of the regular physician, but only in the absence of the school physician and only when notified by this department, so to act.
These simple health rules are intended to protect the health and safety of the school children. It is the sincere hope of this committee that each one will do his part that the whole group may be best served.
This department is compelled to maintain space in the class room, provide and maintain books, supplies, equip- ments and teaching services for each child of school age living in the town. On the basis of the accommodations, so provided, the cost of operating the school plant is deter- mined and the bill is handed to the tax-payers of the town for payment.
It is, therefore, with much concern, that the school de- partment faces the problem of absenteeism. The wayward and delinquent pupils can be handled through the truant officer and the machinery of the law set up to cope with these difficulties.
142
TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
Pupils absent for short periods of time are a more dif- ficult problem. A fifteen per cent. absence in the school attendance is definitely a fifteen per cent. waste in the money appropriated for school operating purposes. Viewed solely from the angle of school finance the problem of ab- senteeism is serious.
How much more important and serious is the problem when considered from the standpoint of pupil and teacher morale, the careless and wayward habits formed and the days and weeks of time lost to the pupil which cannot be re- placed. The parents should read thoughtfully the comments on this subject by the school officials and agencies, whose reports are printed immediately following the report of the school committee.
The problem cannot be solved by the efforts of the school officials and teachers alone. They must have the sin- cere co-operation of the parents. It is true that in many homes, both parents are engaged in important war work. This, however, does not relieve them of their more serious responsibilities for "what is a man profited if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul?"
The school department has been called upon to grant leaves of absence for the duration to some of our more seri- ous minded young teachers who have entered the armed services. Their loss to the department is regretted. Other teachers have left the school system for reasons not so laudable and have taken positions elsewhere, necessitating the employment of many new teachers and duration sub- stitutes.
The committee wishes sincerely to thank the teaching staff, principals and superintendent who have given so un- sparingly of their time to the various rationing projects and other extra work which has been forced upon them by the necessity of the times. The preparation of the school pag- eant parade for the town's one hundred fiftieth anniversary and dedication of the service memorial demanded a great
143
ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT
amount of time and hard work. The success of the project exceeded by far the greatest hopes of the committee in charge of the anniversary celebration and reflected great credit on the teachers and pupils taking part in the work. We wish to thank them for their effort in behalf of so worthy a civic activity.
At a special town meeting in June the sum of $600.00 was transferred to the school department account to be used for children's summer playground activities. The project was hurriedly organized and started to operate somewhat late in the season. Two playgrounds were activated, one at the Devine School and the other at the Stetson High School Athletic field. A young woman supervisor was ap- pointed to each field with a man who divided his time be- tween the two playgrounds.
A great many children took advantage of the oppor- tunities offered, with the interest of the children fluctuat- ing from time to time. Considering the slight handicap at the beginning, the venture was a success, especially at the Devine School area where a greater enthusiasm seemed to dominate the work.
It would be folly to assume that the worth of these play- ground activities to the town could be properly evaluated in one season. Your committee therefore has included in the school budget for the year 1944 a sum of money to con- tinue this work. We believe there is a serious need for such continuance, at least for the duration of the present war emergency.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN EDMUND KELLEY, Chairman RALPH H. HUTCHINSON, FRANK H. LINFIELD, WILLIAM G. BILLINGHAM, PHILIP L. BOYLE.
Randolph School Committee.
144
TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
Report of the Superintendent of Schools
Mr. Chairman and Members of the School Committee, Ran- dolph :
I submit for your approval my report of the schools for 1943 including the reports of the high school principal, supervisors, school physician and nurse.
Under the stress of war, the story of our schools the past year is undoubtedly like the story of any other segment of our community life during the same period, namely, the stewardship of unquestioned loyalty to our government, its ideals and objectives ; the purchase of bonds and stamps and the joy of working as free men in this gigantic undertaking to win the war and peace and at the same time, teach school.
When that story is written, its theme will be in terms of highest tribute to teachers, men and women, who, of their own volition and patriotic duties, took their places in the classrooms to carry on in the greatest public institution con- ceived by man, the public schools.
During the last twelve or thirteen months there have been no less than thirty-five resignations in the district in- cluding seven teachers on leave of absence. This constitutes -about 36 per cent. turn-over of teacher personnel. Accord- ing to each town, the resignations were as follows :
Town
No. of Class- room Teachers
No. of Resignations
No. on Leave of Absence
Randolph
57
15
3
Holbrook
23
6
2
Avon
17
7
2
Totals
97
28
7
It goes without saying that this high percent of teach- er-change had its negative effect on our schools. We have
145
ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT
done well, however, in filling these vacancies with the best teachers obtainable within our budget set-up. The early de- cision on the part of the Committee to employ married women teachers for the duration of the war made it pos- sible for us to select and employ the best of these teachers living in town or elsewhere. Their employment was wise. It eliminated the possibility or the necessity of closing some classrooms or ther absorption into other rooms or grades resulting in maladjustment.
The school enrolment, as you will note, is smaller. This was to be expected with the lowering of the draft age and the change in the employment of minors to offset the labor shortage. This with the enticing wages offered the students cut deeply into school enrolment and attendance.
In accordance with the general practices observed to assist in the war effort and our own endeavor to help worth- while cases in after-school employment, a new problem of absenteeism crept in. This became and still is a serious school problem. We cannot lose sight of the fact that school attendance is of the first importance. In the light of train- ing for citizenship it is distinctly a part of the war program, so interpreted by both State and Federal sources. Its value and significance must be instilled. Academic failures are invariably due to poor attendance, work lost, poorly made up or not at all. It is sincerely hoped that parents will make a special effort at this time to remedy this evil in the true interest of the pupils for whom we all serve.
It is fitting to report here in connection with the at- tendance laws that we owe a great deal to our attendance officer, Mr. Stephen J. Hart, who, with his matured insight and understanding of boys and girls, has done much to keep this problem of absenteeism in check. He is a real friend to all pupils. His technique is simple ; he has the interest, sym- pathy and well being of every child in or out of school.
For purposes of record it is of interest to note some- thing of the war activities which our schools have observed.
146
TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
One might well ask, "With all this extra work, when do you teach school?" In reply to this it is fair to say that our schools are naturally keyed to the war program. In this we have much to do. Loyalty, service, citizenship and the American way of life must have their places and emphases in the public school program. These qualities and ideals are interwoven in every subject. It is the school returning its gratitude to the community and country which have made such schools possible, yet much of the war work has been done outside of school hours. Principals, teachers and pupils and even parents, take the credit.
Total Sale of War Bonds and Stamps
Stetson High School
$6,420.85
Prescott School
10,564.80
Devine School
20,784.00
Belcher School
5,951.70
Tower Hill School
990.00
McNeill School
610.95
Pauline St. School
1,528.08
Total
$46,850.38
In addition to the above, pupils have salvaged tons of metals, paper and fats for war use. It is fitting to mention here the excellent and commendable war work accomplished by the local units of Boy and Girl Scouts. In a recent single drive supervised by that outstanding Scout worker, Mrs. Elizabeth Merriken, four tons of paper, 2800 lbs. of tin cans and 800 lbs. of fats were collected in one week. This is one illustration of the youth activities sponsored by various or- ganizations in our community and why we take our places with them in this character building program.
If we have expressed pride in the purchase of war sav- ing stamps we believe we must share it with our local post- office officials who have taken on this extra office load with patience and the finest kind of co-operation for teachers and pupils alike.
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ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT
It is not too early to give some thought to post-war problems. They are already here. They constitute a part of our immediate study and concern. Four outstanding subjects are briefly stated below :
1. The re-enrolment of many young people who have been lured from school by the prospects of large wages. This enrolment may well include a portion of service men and adult education whether it be in day or evening classes.
2. Our American way of life will be greatly en- riched by a further and deeper understanding of toler- ance and fair play. Racial and religious prejudices cannot thrive in a democracy nor can a democracy thrive with them. The ideals sought can more hope- fully be established by a complete co-operation of every kind of organization in a community to the end that when democracy can thus function in every human ac- tivity, there happiness, trust and real fellowship will be found.
3. Rational adjustment of salaries and wages to meet general price increases.
4. Program of needed repairs, alteration or addi- tions to present school buildings. The excellent begin- ning started on the high school athletic field and school play grounds should be completed. This should include the summer vacation playground activities sponsored by you last year and which gave signs that such an op- portunity for directed play and hand work were appre- ciated.
Due to the increasing labor shortage which effects re- pair jobs and the purchase of building materials we have endeavored to carry on despite annoying conditions in some of the schools. Books and supplies are obtainable but like- wise show the earmarks of war conditions. We have added a new spelling book for all pupils in Grades 3 to 8 inclusive.
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