USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Randolph > Randolph town reports 1944-1949 > Part 17
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ONE HUNDRED AND TENTH ANNUAL REPORT
year after year to some and not to others. It is difficult for a principal to maintain a healthy morale among his teachers when he realizes that he is not ever consulted about the merits of any case under advisement. This sort of thing does more to hurt morale than it does to help it and makes for a discontented and disgruntled teacher. The feeling that "pull" is in any way more important than professional merit creates a teaching group which becomes tainted with cynicism. A healthy school system has a teaching force with a high and spirited morale, therefore, all aspects which go into the formation and continuation of high morale must be observed at all times by all parties concerned. The ideal situation, of course, is a well thought-out salary schedule, strictly adhered to, and made public each year in the annual town report. This schedule would thereby eliiminate all but professional reasons for granting increases or promotions.
One of the important teaching methods is that of repe- tition and applies equally to primary or adult education. We have on various occasions referred to the success we have had in sending our graduates to college. Stetson High, when we came here in 1932 was not on the approved list of the College Entrance Board; nor was it approved by the State Department of Education as a Class A school. Two years later, in 1934, we were successful in making Stetson a Grade A school, so listed by the State Department, and we were placed on the approved list of the College Entrance Board, where we have been ever since. This gives us the same privileges of sending our pupils to college without examination as any high school, large or small, private school or public. To indicate whether Stetson graduates can go directly to college after graduation, without examination we wish to list the colleges to which our graduates have gone, directly, and without further training. We could have gone back to earlier years but started arbitrarily with 1937. The record is as follows :
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TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
1937
1942
Boston University
Northeastern University
Boston College
Radcliffe College
Northeastern University
1938
Northeastern University (3)
Holy Cross College Tufts College
1939
Norwich University
Boston College
St. Anselm's College
Northeastern University Boston University
1944
Emmanuel College (2) Boston University
1940
Boston College (2)
St. Anselm's College
Bates College
Gordon Theological School
Providence Bible Institute
Boston College
Tufts Boston University Boston College
Northeastern University (3) Simmons College
We would like to point out that this list does not in- clude pupils who entered Teachers Colleges, Schools of Nursing, Junior Colleges or other institutions of higher learning. Nor is mention made of many boys and girls of high scholastic standing who could have gone to college but did not, for one reason or another. Give us the type of stu- dent who can benefit by college training and Stetson can ready him for college, all things being equal, as well as any other school.
In connection with this scholarship angle it might be interesting to note in passing, that the Turner Chapter of the National Honor Society has been established at Stetson during the past year. Chapters of this society are permitted to be established in schools which can maintain the required high scholastic achievement and membership in this society
151
Springfield College Boston College
Simmons College
Boston University
Harvard University
1943
Emerson College
Northeastern University
Providence Bible Institute
University of New Hampshire
University of Pennsylvania
1945
1941
ONE HUNDRED AND TENTH ANNUAL REPORT
may be conferred on individual students who can maintain a high rating in character, scholarship, leadership and service. Since these are cardinal qualities worthy of encouragement, the National Honor Society of Secondary Schools has com- missioned the Turner Chapter of N. H. S. to carry on this work in Stetson High School under the direction of a teacher committee.
The end of World War II during 1945 has seen the winding up of the last cooperative effort of Stetson pupils in rendering some sort of morale building for the boys in the service. The "Mail for Morale" Club had as its purpose the issuing and mailing of a monthly news letter, "The Home Front," to all boys and girls in the service. Fifteen editions of the letter were issued, starting in 1943 and on an average of 300 copies were mailed each time. Copies were sent to camps in all sections of the United States, to the African, French, Italian, Pacific theaters of war, to England, Alaska, Iceland. Letters of appreciation were received from all sec- tions: China, India, Germany, English hospitals, Iran, Tunisia and France. Letters were also received from boys whose work it was to publish similar papers in their com- panies or bases. Sample papers were received from them as they had been given our paper by home town boys. Thanks are due to Miss Foley for editing the paper and Miss Bren- nan for printing it, and all students who were in any way connected with the Home Front, which went out of existence in May 1945.
Our athletic situation took a decided upswing during the past year. We had a good season in basketball and base- ball, but as everyone knows by now, our big season was in football. Stetson had the first undefeated season in the his- tory of the school. As a reward it is our hope to send the squad on an educational trip to New York City when suffi- cient funds are raised and when the hotel accommodation situation has eased up. A public subscription fund has been started and it is hoped to secure a minimum of one thousand
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TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
dollars to take care of all expenses of the trip for the coach, players and managers.
Speaking of sports brings to mind a difficult situation in basketball. We were dropped from the schedules of some schools because the school basketball floor was far too small and in no way approached standard size. It was then neces- sary, if we were to play basketball, to move our games to the Town Hall. But to practice on a small floor, and then play on a large floor was undesirable, so we held some, not all, of our practice sessions in the Town Hall. This made and still does make it difficult for the town officials who are work- ing on the floor below, for the noise is quite bad. We at the high school realize all this and sympathize with the town officials; we wish things could be different. We do not want to go there for practice but we have found no substitute plan as yet and so we do not know just what we can do about it. It might be that some thought could be given to enlarging high school facilitiies and to do it in such a way that it could become a community affair as well.
On December 3 and 4, a diagnostic test was given to the entering class of freshmen by Boston University. The re- sults have just been received. The testing was made in six sections : Mental maturity, Reading Comprehension, Eng- lish Fundamentals, Mathematical Reasoning, Mathematical Fundamentals, and Mechanical Comprehension. The results are so recently arrived that we are able to come to no con- clusion at the present time. This much is apparent, however, we deem it necessary to organize immediately remedial classes in reading, fundamentals of English and Arithmetic. Plans for this work are now under way.
We are glad to report that two projects we have asked for so repeatedly are now completed. All our auxiliary clocks are running properly and the leaking roof seems to be satis- factorily repaired so as to be water tight.
Respectfully submitted,
HUBERT F. GILGAN
153
ONE HUNDRED AND TENTH ANNUAL REPORT REPORT OF THE ART SUPERVISOR
Marguerite Williams, Supervisor
Mr. A. O. Christiansen,
Superintendent of Schools, Randolph:
It is with some satisfaction that I submit this annual report of our art program in the schools of Randolph for the past year.
Art appeals to almost all children. We have tried to encourage and develop this natural instinct in our art pro- gram. Students are taught to use their eyes and their minds, as well as their hands to interpret what they see through the medium of art. We try to encourage active participation of the less gifted as well as the talented student.
In the year just ended the war consciously and un- consciously formed the background of much of our subject matter.
Throughout the schools our art work is keyed to grade levels, being a resume of art found best for each grade. Most successful art programs take into consideration cor- relation with other school subjects, such as language, science, geography and history. This we have done with rewarding pleasure for all. Every class enjoys creating designs and illustrations inspired by our various holidays. These offer a variation of art activity during our school year while developing a mastery of the basic art principles.
In high school, students electing drawing may choose either mechanical or freehand. Students in these courses do more individual rather than class work. In freehand drawing, they are encouraged to express their own ideas and learn to experiment in new techniques and media.
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TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
We have, during the past year, created background scenery for several musical programs in the school including the Junior Class play.
Final results are the best measure of achievement. In May, the annual exhibition of all school work was held in Stetson Hall. This annual exhibition should be of genuine interest to all parents and friends of every student. It represents all subjects including art, from every grade throughout the schools. This was not accomplished with- out a great amount of work on the part of teachers as well as students.
I wish to sincerely thank all those throughout the school system who have so willingly co-operated and worked with me during the past year.
155
ONE HUNDRED AND TENTH ANNUAL REPORT REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF HANDWRITING W. L. Rinehart, Director
Mr. Adolph O. Christiansen, Supt.
Randolph Public Schools
Randolph, Mass.
My dear Mr. Christiansen:
I am pleased to submit the following report on the operation of the Handwriting program in the Randolph schools for the school term of 1944-45.
In the initial handwriting tests administered in Septem- ber, 1940, 21% of the pupils made a score of "A" (Excel- lent) ; 22% made a grade of "B" (Good) ; and 56% made grades below "B". In the tests administered in June, 1945, 85.9% of the pupils made grades of "A" (Excellent) ; 10.1% made grades of "B" (Good) ; and 3.9% made grades below "B". Handwriting Certificates were awarded to 85% of your graduates. These scores indicate that excellent pro- gress was made and I wish to compliment the pupils and teachers for their achievement.
During the school term, we graded approximately 10,500 formal and 31,500 informal samples of handwriting. A test was administered at monthly intervals; a detailed report was sent to each teacher monthly giving a diagnosis of the handwriting of each pupil. This report was made the basis for remedial instruction. Our supervisors visited each classroom monthly for the purpose of placing master copies of the assignment on the black-board; also, to give general help.
We furnished the following materials: monthly teacher outlines, pupil folder outlines, monthly diagnostic charts, term testing paper, monthly and yearly envelopes, room motivation certificates, individual handwriting certificates for ninth grade pupils who qualified, seals, etc.
In general, I am pleased with the results obtained and . wish to take this opportunity to thank you and your teachers for the fine cooperation I have received.
156
TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS. REPORT OF THE MUSIC SUPERVISOR Doris M. Johnson
Mr. A. O. Christiansen,
Superintendent of Schools:
Our aim since September 1945 in the public schools has been to try to create a love of good music on the part of the child. The following three essentials which have entered into this have been 1, voice culture; 2, interpreta- tion; 3, music reading.
Many of the students of the Randolph schools will also have the opportunity of appearing in various musical pro- grams such as the Christmas program presented by the Belcher and Tower Hill schools. Members of the Belcher school presented a very enjoyable operetta, in costume, entitled "The Magi's Gift." Over one hundred students participated. Art Supervisor, Miss Williams, designed very effective stage scenery for this operetta. Tower Hill school presented "The Night Before Christmas" on this same pro- gram. These students sang and played on toy band instru- ments.
A new high school Girls' Choir has been organized, which rehearses every Tuesday afternoon from 2:00 to 2:30 P. M. There are about twenty-six members at present who are working on Choral selections with hopes of appear- ing at some future performance.
May I take this opportunity to thank all in the school system for their outstanding friendliness and cooperation.
157
ONE HUNDRED AND TENTH ANNUAL REPORT REPORT OF BAND MASTER
Myron B. Thomas
Mr. A. O. Christiansen,
Superintendent of Schools:
I submit herewith, my fourth annual report as Director of Instrumental Music.
The instrumental department conducts each year a survey in all grades from the fourth through the twelfth. This makes possible the discovery and development of any talent. The student chooses an instrument and obtains im- mediate instruction if he so desires. This year, at the present time, there are thirty-five new instrumental stu- dents from all schools.
The Junior High school band is composed of students from the fourth grade through the eighth. Rehearsals are held each Thursday afternoon. Music appropriate to the ability and tastes of young players is selected by the in- structor and a program is arranged and prepared for the spring concert and such other school activities as may re- quire its participation.
Last year the Junior Band presented numbers at the Senior Band concert, the Art Day and also participated in the Memorial Day exercises.
The Senior High School Band rehearses during the seventh period on Fridays. A small section of the band having a free sixth period devotes that period on Fridays to rehearsing difficult passages that are troublesome to the player.
The Band has mastered many standard concert numbers and are doing creditable work on the numbers to be pre- sented at the Spring Concert.
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TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
Since adult musical tastes depend largely on early training in appreciation I have devoted some time to the analysis and explanation of various types of classical music. This serves also to interest the player and inspire him to a more intelligent performance.
I am pleased to report the splendid performance of the High school band held last Spring which was one of the most difficult engagements in its history. Their ex- cellent playing and marching skill was displayed to good advantage last Memorial Day and was greatly approved and enjoyed by the public.
Preparations for this year's concert and other activ- ities are well under way.
The Twirling Corps is headed by the two selected high school leaders and rehearses weekly in preparation for the Spring concert and parades.
The high school choral group is rehearsed on Tuesdays. Their repertoire consists of standard choral material ar- ranged for high school mixed vocal groups.
The chorus sang two numbers at the graduation exer- cises last season.
This year tryouts were held for a high school chorus- choir. This includes any student with extreme vocal talent. While this project is still in the first stage of development, it is hoped that sufficient interest and cooperation will be shown to continue since a vastly different type of musical presentation is possible with a selected group of this nature. Tentatively, the choir is rehearsing after school on Tues- days at 2:30 P. M.
As in the past, I am greatly indebted to Mr. Christian- sen and the School Department for their fine cooperation. I wish to express my thanks at this time.
159
ONE HUNDRED AND TENTH ANNUAL REPORT REPORT OF THE VOCATIONAL GUIDANCE Joseph W. Daly, Director
Mr. A. O. Christiansen, Superintendent of Schools, Randolph.
Our guidance program this year is following the pattern of trying to aid all students who leave school and both those who are and are not going to higher institutions of learning. Our efforts in this direction were greatly aided by the differ- ent batteries of tests given by Boston University, and the Iowa tests of Educational Development.
The Boston University Tests of Achievement helped us discover the mental maturity, reading comprehension, English fundamentals, and mathematical fundamentals possessed by the students. The vocational battery shows us the mechanical aptitudes, clerical aptitudes, and interests of the students. The Iowa tests covered understanding of basic social concepts, general vocabulary, ability to interpret read- ing materials, etc.
Every member of the Freshman and Senior Class will be interviewed during the year and as many Sophomores and Juniors as possible. Complete guidance records of all students following the State Department of Education out- line are on file. Numerous pamphlets and bulletins are avail- able covering nearly every known occupation.
We also are administering many Stanford Binet Intelli- gence Tests now that we have both the certificate and the equipment.
I wish to take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks for the support and cooperation which I have re- ceived during the past year.
160
TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS. REPORT OF SCHOOL PHYSICIAN
George V. Higgins, M.D.
The year 1945 brought our world war to a close. Ater four years of disruptive living it will take a year or two for normal conditions to be resumed. Our school system suffered along with our home life. Older boys and girls in high school were anxious to get into defense industry to make large amounts of money. This was not good as their health was bound to be affected, and now after the war those same boys and girls can not get back to attending and finishing high school even though for only one year.
The health of our pupils in 1945 was an average one with usual contagious diseases and in winter months acute respiratory infections. At this point I am injecting a note about sulfa drugs and penicillin. Too much of both is being used on children when type of infection is not known, so that now the government of the United States has had to take over and regulate the use of penicillin for the time being.
There are several families in Randolph who seem to disregard all school and health laws. Contagious diseases are not reported by them and the family as a whole is un- clean in regard to body and clothes. They may go to ex- treme lengths in keeping a child out of school and in my opinion the school authorities are too lenient in these cases. Children stretch the truth when applying for a permit to return to school and certain parents back them up in such falsehoods.
After going over the physical records of thousands of young men in Selective Service, I find that the health of Randolph boys was just as good as that of Milton boys. Milton is a very wealthy town and can afford to spend more money than we can on physical examinations and care of those found with defects.
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ONE HUNDRED AND TENTH ANNUAL REPORT
Several children were x-rayed at Norfolk County Hos- pital for possible tuberculosis but very few positive cases were found. A few minor injuries were sustained during the year and these were taken care of. In case of bad stormy weather I would advise parents to keep their chil- dren home from school. Schooling can be had anytime but health if broken can not always be repaired. Another cus- tom which is not well to follow is boys going without hats and girls going bareheaded and without stockings during snowy or rainy weather. Small children seem to take pleas- ure in walking in the deepest water in the streets well over rubbers and shoes with resulting colds and pneumonia. I am hoping that in the not too distant future we can have improved school houses with better air conditioning. To my mind this should receive first consideration over any new proposals of war memorials.
It seems strange to me that a certain number of parents cannot grasp the meaning of certificates for children to return to school after being absent three days. The hours for issuing these certificates are from 10:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on week days and from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Sundays. Some children will not procure a certificate on Saturday or Sunday but wait until Monday thus losing one more day of school. A careful checkup would soon expose the chronic offenders and if an example was made of them, school attendance might be improved.
To reassure parents of school children during an epi- demic in our town it has always been the opinion of members of our State Board of Health and especially of the Depart- ment of Communicable Diseases that keeping schools open during regular sessions is the wisest plan.
I wish to thank the superintendent of schools, mem- bers of the school committee, the school nurse, truant officer, and teachers for their loyal support.
GEORGE V. HIGGINS, M.D.
162
TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS. REPORT OF THE SCHOOL NURSE Helen F. Conlon, R. N., School Nurse
Mr. A. O. Christiansen,
Superintendent of Schools :
I submit herewith my annual report for the year 1945 :
Schools visited 557
Classrooms visited 1306
Grades inspected 195
Grades weighed and measured
138
Children recommended for exclusion with symptoms of communicable diseases or with evidence of pediculosis 247
Referred to School Physician 58
Referred to School Dentists
164
Office nursing calls including First Aid treatments for minor injuries, and individual inspections 752
Meetings attended
8
Clinics attended
12
In October the annual census of Physically Handi- capped children was taken. This census includes the names of children with vision, hearing and speech defects, all crippled children and those with heart disease, rheumatic fever and other chronic diseases that definitely limit their normal activities. Nine new names were added to the list this year. Two of these children are unable to attend school and are receiving instructions in their homes from a visit- ing teacher.
Due to an exposure to tuberculosis, arrangements were made with the Norfolk County Chest Clinic to X-ray a group of children and teachers. The mobile unit from the Norfolk County Hospital came to our High School on November 8, and X-rayed 39 children and 27 teachers. A negative report was returned on all X-rays.
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ONE HUNDRED AND TENTH ANNUAL REPORT
During the year 29 children were taken to the Norfolk County Hospital for X-rays and skin tests.
Appointments were made for two children to attend the speech clinic conducted by the Child Guidance Clinic in the Brockton High School each week.
The Taunton Traveling Clinic came to Randolph June 18. Three children were given mental hygiene tests by Dr. Olga Steinecke, Psychiatrist. Recommendations were made according to each child's needs.
The Diphtheria Prevention Clinic under the direction of the Board of Health was held on May 1-15-29 at the office of Dr. Higgins, School Physician. 25 Pre-school and 50 School children were immunized against Diphtheria by Dr. Higgins.
In closing my report, I would like to thank all throughout the school system for their fine cooperation and support.
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TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
SCHOOL STATISTICS
State Report, June, 1945
Population, Randolph, 1940 Census
Valuation
7,606 $7,561,018
School enrolment
1,717
Average membership
1,627
Average daily attendance
1,429
Average number of days in session, all schools 168
Cost per pupil, grades 1 to 8, average membership
$74.98
Cost per pupil, high school, average membership
139.23
Non-resident pupils, one-half year or more in attendance 84
Number of teachers and principals 60
Number of supervisors (full time 2, part time 2)
4
Number of school doctors and assistants
2
Number of school nurses
1
ENTERING AGE TO GRADE ONE
Entering age to grade one, five years and five months on or before Sept. 1, 1946. Vaccination and birth certificates required.
HEALTH CERTIFICATE
Children absent from school three or more days must obtain a health certificate from the School Physician before they may return to school. Office hours, 10:30 A. M. to 7:30 P. M. on week days and from 10:30 A. M. to 1:30 P. M. on Sundays.
RECEIPTS FROM STATE AND OTHER SOURCES
General School Fund, Part 1
$19,218.27
Tuition, State Wards 3,587.77
Tuition, City Wards
3,675.39
Coddington Fund, interest 38.19
Dog Tax 1,480.63
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ONE HUNDRED AND TENTH ANNUAL REPORT
Household Arts Vocational Education Cash paid Town Treasurer
1,480.44
2,081.06
35.28
Total
$31,597.03
ENROLMENT BY SCHOOLS, OCT. 1, 1945
1945
1944
1943
1942
1941
1940
1939
1938
Stetson High Sc.
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