Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Douglas, for the year ending 1941-1950, Part 14

Author:
Publication date: 1941
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1216


USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Douglas > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Douglas, for the year ending 1941-1950 > Part 14


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The teaching of music in the schools, under the direction of Mr. David Gellatly, is being very successfully done. Mr. Howard Barry, teacher of stringed instruments, resigned last September. Mr. Gellatly is now con- ducting these classes, which give our boys and girls an opportunity to have free lessons on all the stringed instruments. Mr. Frank O. Dodge is suc- cessfully conducting the classes on brass, wood-wind and percussion instru- ments. In all, there are forty pupils in Mr. Dodge's classes. The Mowry Fund makes these classes possible.


I will especially call your attention to the Report of the Writing Super- visor, Mr. W. L. Rinehart. In the grades, tests given in 1933 showed that 2.9 percent of the pupils received a grade of "A" in writing, whereas in 1943 76.9 percent received the "A" rating. In the high school in 1933 only 4 percent of the pupils scored "A". In 1943 the rating in the high school was 91.4 percent with an "A" rating. The work in this department is very satisfactory.


A recent open letter from the National Education Association says: "The children of this country are facing a tragic situation. Never before have so many teachers been forced out of the profession because of their inability to meet the rising costs, on their present low salaries. In order


10


to keep well-qualified teachers in the schools, to improve their morale, and to enlist the interest of young people in teaching as a career, it is necessary that teachers' salaries be increased. Every citizen needs to ask himself this question, "What chance will my boy or girl have without capable teachers?"


The average annual salary of teachers in the United States is $600 below the average wage of factory employees. Two hundred thousand teachers have left teaching since Pearl Harbor, and Teachers' Colleges enrollments have dropped 60 percent below 1940-1941. Fifty thousand emergency teaching certificates have been issued this year-an increase of 2,000 percent.


We urge you to give careful attention to three lines of action: (1) Secure more local funds for the schools; Make more State funds available for education; Work for the passage of Federal Aid legislation.


We must strengthen our schools now. After the war we shall need new schools as never before. Just as we cannot win the war without trained soldiers, we cannot win the peace, we cannot maintain full production, without a high level of general and technical education for youth."


And now, in closing, may I thank all the citizens of Douglas, the School Board, teachers and all school employees for the loyal support they have given me during the past year.


Respectfully submitted,


A. B. GARCELON, Superintendent of Schools.


Age-Grade Table


BOYS


Age


5 6 7


8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20


Totals 27


2


·


7 11


2


2


.


3


·


·


2 15


3


1


1


6


1


2


.


17


5


·


6


24 24


7


24


8


12


9


10


·


11


·


12


·


7 24 16 24 14 22 25 20 23 21


9 13


5


1


.


224


Totals


GIRLS


Grade


1


8 11


3


·


.


2


.


.


.


.


.


.


.


.


4


8


2


9


13


1


·


·


·


.


5


16


2


2


8


4


1


1


2


1


.


·


17


8


·


9


.


10


.


11


.


12


·


.


8 22 19 19 22 20 16 26 17 29 21


8


8


3


·


.


238


·


.


22


22


23


4


7


7


2 11


2


2


·


4


1


1


2 2


1


4


1


·


1


1


.


.


.


.


2


3 3


2 2


.


.


·


.


·


.


·


.


·


2


7


1


.


.


·


·


9 9


3


1


·


.


.


9


.


·


3


1


1


14


10


Totals


·


·


.


23


7


.


6


6


4


1


8 14


2


·


.


24


5


19


6


. 11


12


25


2


14


3


23


4


25


2 3


6


1


6


2


7


2


9


4


2


·


16


·


8


5


11


.


.


.


.


.


Grade


1 7 17 3


·


.


.


.


4


14


6 10 10


·


.


22


6 14


22


Attendance for the School Year Ending June, 1943


SCHOOL


TEACHERS


Enrollment


5-7 Years


7-14 Years


14-16 Years


Over 16 years


Membership Average


Average


Attendance


Per Cent


Attendance


Number of


Tardiness


Number of


Dismissals


High


Clarence W. Holmes ..


24


7 | 17 | 20.03 |


18.28 | 91.23 |


127


1


23


23 | 21.31


18.87 |88.58|


208


1


21


Sophomores


Gerard J. Tardif


45


43.03 | 39.42 | 91.60


1


353


1


30


24


27.34


25.35 |


92.72


95


11


12


26


12


35.28


32.68


92.64


177


20


Grade 7


Ralph Dudley, Elinor Dunleavy


38


32


6


35.33


32.57


92.16


126


1


2


Grade 7-8


Constance M. Callahan


17


14


3


16.67


15.75


92.64


15


1


6


Grammar


6


Edith D. Marsh


35


35


33.49


| 31.09


92.83


52


13


34


33


1


33.12


30.50


92.09


21


9


30


30


27.98 |


25.57


91.62


49


3


3


Maria C. Buxton


32


32


31.70 |


28.97


91.38


3


3


2


Alice Blanchfield


36 |10 |26


33.31


29.38


88.82


22


Mollie H. Kelly


31


31


| 29.22 | 25.27 |


86.31 |


1


.€


5-6


Mary E. O'Sullivan


21


21


20.24 | 18.28


90.33 |


57


1


6


D.C.“


1-2-3


Edith Dixson, Etta Johnson


19


8 |11


16.75 | 14.93 | 88.71


1


7


-


1


D.C.“


4-5-6


|Alice Samborski, Edith Dixson


19 |


1 18


1


19.27 | 17.08 | 88.34


3


--


8


·


.


·


.


4


.


·


.


.


Daisy E. Sweet . .


20 |


8 |12


18.44 | 18.29 | 89.77 |


14


4


1-2


5


Mary A. Joy


Elinor Dunleavy, Mary O'Sullivan


..


Juniors .


Tabea C. Sweinberger


Freshmen


Linnea Anderson


Grade 8


Myra Jillson .


38


Seniors


Lloyd Batchelder, Norman Duprey


6


1


1


List of Teachers, January, 1944


NAME


SCHOOL


HOME ADDRESS


GRADUATE OF


WHEN APPOINTED IN TOWN


C. W. Holmes


High


East Douglas


Brown University


1918


Mabel Holmes


High


Colby College


1944


Norman Duprey


High


Becker & B. U.


1942


Tabea Sweinberger


High


Mt. Holyoke College


1932


Lena Quinn


High


East Douglas


Worcester Normal


1943


Myra Jillson


Grammar


8


East Douglas


Worcester Normal


1924


Elinor Dunleavy


Grammar


7


East Douglas


Boston University


1932


Constance M. Callahan


Grammar


7-8


East Douglas


Worcester Normal


1938


Edith Marsh


Grammar


6


Dudley


Worcester Normal


1942


Mary E. O'Sullivan


Grammar


5-6


Lowell


Lowell Teachers' College


1941


Mary A. Joy


Grammar


5


East Douglas


Worcester Normal


1928


Alice Samborski


Grammar


4


East Douglas


Worcester S.T.C.


1939


Maria C. Buxton


Grammar


3


East Douglas


Worcester Normal


1916


Alice Blanchfield


Grammar


2


Easthampton


Bridgewater S.T.C.


1939


Mollie Kelly


Grammar


1


East Douglas


Douglas High


1908


Daisy E. Sweet


Grammar 1-2


East Douglas


Symonds T. School


1916


Etta Johnson


Douglas Center 1-2-3


East Douglas


Douglas High


1942 as Sub.


Edith Dixson


Douglas Center 4-5-6


East Douglas


Worcester Normal


1942


David Gellatly


Music Supervisor


Whitinsville


Boston Conservatory


1932


Frank O. Dodge


Band Instructor


1931


W. L. Rinehart


Writing Supervisor


East Douglas Weston


University of Pittsburgh


1933


13


East Douglas N. Grafton Holyoke


14


DOUGLAS MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL REPORT


Mr. A. B. Garcelon, Superintendent of Schools:


I herewith submit my 26th annual report as principal of Douglas Memorial High School.


The high school enrollment at present includes 14 seniors, 20 juniors, 38 sophomores, and 34 freshmen, a total of 106.


Only five senior boys started this school year, and one of these, John Baca, left to enlist in the Navy. Only eight boys started as juniors. Two of these left, one to work in the mills, the other, Paul De Vries, recently for the Navy.


Eight boys now in the high school are of military age or will reach that age before the school year is over. At 17 they may enlist, at 18 they may be drafted. Only two will be over eighteen, and therefore subject to the draft. Neither of these is a senior. Only three seniors will be seventeen, and therefore only three in the school will have any chance, under the present regulations, for enlistment for advanced training.


If a boy cannot enlist, however, as a candidate for advanced training, our armed forces offer every inducement for him to make the most of high school opportunities, and every boy with ability should go through high school, in spite of the lure of high wages offered by industry. Army and Navy officials urge boys to do that, and accordingly we are trying to give them, besides the essentials of general high school training, what appears to be the best preparation for a future military career.


Electricity for all junior and senior boys last year was followed this year by a course in Fundamentals of Machines. The text used is one recom- mended by military experts. The laboratory equipment used is the regu- lar physics apparatus we have always had, with some recent additions. A handicap in this work is that only one period is available where two are very desirable, as in any laboratory course.


Fundamentals of Machines is a half-year course, to be followed by Pre- Induction Mathematics, to be taken by the same group of junior and senior boys the second half of the year. The text will be "Aviation Mathe- matics," published by Houghton Mifflin. It is more general than the name implies, and is the only one yet published for pre-induction mathematics. This course was decided upon by advice of State Supervisor Mack. It will


15


include the training needed most for military purposes in arithmetic, algebra, geometry, logarithms, trigonometry, the use of the slide rule and the micrometer.


The enrollment by subjects this year is as follows:


English


106


Junior Business Training 14


Pre-induction Courses


9


Bookkeeping


19


Algebra I


19


Stenography I


10


Geometry


17


Stenography II


7


Latin I


25


Secretarial Practice


8


Latin II


19


Typewriting I


11


French I


38


Typewriting II


7


French II


12


Problems of Democracy


7


Ancient History


31


Economic Geography


18


Modern History


20


Biology


12


American History


14


General Science


15


A welcome addition to the above is the restoration of Household Arts. This work has to be after school hours, and yet so great is the interest shown by the girls that two classes were organized, one for juniors and seniors, meeting Tuesday afternoon, the other for sophomores, meeting Thursday. There are at present 16 girls in the former group and 14 in the latter.


As may be seen from the above list, 36 pupils in the freshman and sophomore classes are taking the classical or college preparatory course. In the junior and senior classes, those who are keeping up a college pre- paratory grade of work number not over eight. Only three of these are seniors. Fifty pupils are taking the commercial course, compared with the 44 in the college preparatory courses. The remaining dozen or so are taking the general curriculum.


Some of the limitations and needs of the school will now be considered, with the hope for improvement some time in the future. One great need is for more work in household arts for girls, enough to make it count as one or two units, or five to ten credits. Another is for an equivalent amount of work for boys in some kind of industrial arts. This would of course call for another building, or an extension of the present one. This should include a gymnasium, a third great need. This in turn would call for an athletic coach, who might teach the industrial arts and one or two other subjects. This addition to building accommodations would meet another great need, storage space, of which there is hardly any in the present building. Athletic equipment has to be stuffed into a small closet under a stairway. There is no place for a good deal of the janitor's equipment except in the corridors.


16


The addition of another member to the faculty should give some one, whoever is best fitted for it, opportunity to do something effective in vocational guidance, for which the need is more and more keenly felt every day in all schools. Our present commercial teacher, Mr. Duprey, has made a special study of that field and should have more time to devote to it.


On the ethical side of the picture, in spite of all these limitations, school morale at present is high. For many years we have tried to train freshmen and sophomores to a standard of conduct with a view to their taking part in school government by being appointed monitors. By the time they have reached their senior year, nearly all are eligible to that honor. The monitors are an invaluable aid to us in handling corridor traffic, in help- ing keep order by their own example and in the performance of official duties, and in other ways.


A natural complement to the monitor system is the High School Coun- cil. This comprises the two highest officers of each class, two additional members elected by each class, and one elected at large from the whole student body.


The Council endeavors to keep up school morale, to maintain high standards of conduct in school and out, and to work in other ways for the general interest of the school. In the war effort it takes over each "drive" from assembly talks to the final collection of the money and "puts it across."


To the Council is due, in great part, our success in War Savings. Since school opened last September, together with our friends in the seventh and eighth grade down stairs, we have bought over twenty-nine hundred dollars worth of stamps and bonds. We received from the Federal Gov- ernment, as acknowledgment of our efforts, the "Minute Man Flag", which bears the symbols of two jeeps "purchased" by our war savings and also three bars to denote that for three months the enrollment of pupils buying stamps or bonds reached ninety per cent or over. All stamps and bonds counted for the records are bought and paid for in the school.


I close with a word of acknowledgment for the work of the Secretarial Class, a feature of our re-organized commercial department. This group of senior girls does very well, as part of their regular class work, a great deal of typing and other secretarial work for the school. This provides excellent practical training for the girls, relieves the teachers of a good deal of the ever increasing burden of clerical work, and therefore makes for better teaching and a better school.


Respectfully submitted, C. W. HOLMES, Principal.


17


REPORT OF SUPERVISOR OF MUSIC


East Douglas, Mass., December 31, 1943.


Mr. A. B. Garcelon, Superintendent of Schools, East Douglas, Mass. Dear Sir:


I herewith submit my annual report for the year ending December 31, 1943.


In the first and second grades, note songs have been taught, and rhythmic drills such as clapping, marching and skipping to music have been used extensively. Note reading has been started and the elements of musical theory introduced.


In the higher grades this work in more difficult form has been carried on. Part singing has been started in the fifth grade.


In all of the grades attention has been given to good tone production and good posture while singing.


The use of patriotic songs has been stressed. Singing is always good for mankind, but, during this period of strife and trouble, we need it more than ever before.


Due to the fact that there were no boys in the senior class, a girls' chorus was used at the graduation program. These girls did splendid work and their rendition of "Springtime" (Strauss), was especially good.


The interest in instrumental music continues to grow. It is gratifying to hear from some of our graduates who are connected with bands and or- chestras in the armed forces.


In closing, I wish to thank you, Mr. Garcelon, the School Committee, the principals and teachers for the help given to me in my work.


Respectfully submitted, DAVID N. GELLATLY, Supervisor of Music.


18


REPORT OF TEACHER OF BRASS AND WIND INSTRUMENTS


East Douglas, Mass., January 10, 1944.


Mr. A. B. Garcelon, Superintendent of Schools, East Douglas, Mass. Dear Mr. Garcelon:


I herewith submit my thirteenth annual report of the pupils studying musical and percussion instruments in the public schools of Douglas.


There are eight on trumpets, four on clarinet, two on trombone, one on melophone, one on brass, one on drum, twenty-eight on fifes.


I wish to thank you, Mr. Garcelon, the school committee, the principals and teachers for the interest they have shown.


Respectfully submitted, FRANK O. DODGE, Teacher of Wind and Percussion Instruments.


19


REPORT OF SUPERVISOR OF WRITING


Mr. A. B. Garcelon, Superintendent,


Doublas Public Schools,


Douglas, Mass.


My Dear Mr. Garcelon:


I am pieased to submit the following report of the operation of the Handwriting program in the Douglas Schools for the school year of 1942-43.


In the initial handwriting tests administered in November, 1933, 2.9% of your elementary school pupils received a grade of "A" (Excellent); 24.5% received a grade of "B" (Good); and 72.4% were graded less than "B". In the June tests administered in 1943, 76.9% of your pupils were graded "A" (Excellent); 16.8% were graded "B" (Good); and only 6.2% were graded less than "B". In the November tests administered in 1933 to your High School pupils, only 4% of the students scored "A" (Excellent); 45% received "B" (Good); and 51% were graded less than "B". In the June tests administered in 1943, 91.4% of your High School pupils received a score of "A" (Excellent); 8.6% were graded "B" (Good); and no pupils received a score of less than "B".


During the last school year, we graded approximately 2800 formal and 8400 informal sample of handwriting for the elementary school children, and 1160 formal and 3480 informal handwriting samples for the High School pupils.


We furnished the following supplies during the year :- monthly outlines for the teachers, pupil folder outlines, room motivation certificates, monthly and term envelopes, term testing paper, individual handwriting certificates for eighth grade and high school pupils who qualified, diagnostic charts, seals, etc.


In conclusion, I should like to express my appreciation to you, your teachers, and your pupils for the fine cooperation we have received at all times.


Sincerely yours, W. L. RINEHART.


20


REPORT OF SCHOOL NURSE


-


Mr. Albert B. Garcelon,


Superintendent of Schools, Mr. Dear Mr. Garcelon:


I am pleased to submit my annual report to you as school nurse.


The school nursing program functioned this year as it did in the previous year, with the same aims and ideals.


The whole program is built around having every child in school 100% physically and mentally fit, so that he may take his place in the world as a healthy citizen.


A well-known health authority maintains in order to have a healthy mind and body, it is necessary to have security, congenial companionship and self expression.


If we are to come anywhere within reach of health, those who represent public health must not relax their efforts for a moment, but must try to instill into everyone with whom he comes in contact the importance of it, in the broad sense of the word.


In January, a dental hygienist, recommended by Forsythe Dental School, was secured and cleaned the children's teeth at a very modest fee.


Two hundred children, out of an enrollment of 470, took advantage of this. The work was done in Dr. Blanchard's office, he giving the use of his office gratis.


Health talks were given in the schools by the nurse and by Miss Sophie Gordon, a nutritionist from the State Department of Public Health.


Movies pertaining to tuberculosis, nursing as a profession, and others relating to health, were shown to junior and senior high school students.


Mrs. Mary Carr Baker, a health educator from the State Department of Public Health, talked to the senior high school students on general appear- ance, manners, proper dress, personal hygiene, etc.


The dental clinic under Dr. Blanchard's direction was conducted in the same manner, with Dr. Lynch doing the work. This clinic is self-supporting.


Number of individuals handled by dentist 37


Number of cleanings by hygienist 200


Number of permanent fillings 109


Number of extractions 4


Amount of money collected $213.00


21


A large percentage of the pupils are going to the family dentist regu- larly.


I believe the school dental clinic and education of parents and pupils through literature and direct contact of the nurse with the parents, coupled with more money available, has been responsible for this.


The family dentist is always recommended first. The dental clinic is carried on for those who are unable to get to their own dentist.


Fifteen children were taken to Worcester to the eye clinic. This is not done through an out patient department, but through an eye specialist in his private office. If glasses are prescribed, the prescription is filled by an optometrist who gives a 20% discount. With one exception, all of these cases paid for their own examination and glasses.


Twenty children had tonsillectomy operations done privately. The Milford clinic is not operating for the duration.


The school milk program in the grammar school building is going on as usual. An average of 65 half pints of milk per day was consumed for a period of 15 weeks, all pupils paying for their own milk.


The school lunch is still under the direction of the school nurse. From January to June the surplus commodities allocated by the Federal Govern- ment were used in all the buildings. The commodities included grapefruit juice, stewed tomatoes, applesauce, cocoa, baked beans, walnuts, prunes, canned pears, peaches and peanut butter.


In June the surplus commodities were terminated by the Federal Gov- ernment. Since then the Douglas Teachers' Club have purchased cocoa, sugar and canned soups, etc., so that the children taking their lunches may have something hot.


I am most grateful to the teachers, the junior high school girls, the Douglas Grange, Mrs. Alice Cave and Mrs. Rose Rinfrette for assisting in the preparation and serving of this food.


The Kiwanis Club made it possible for a juvenile diabetic to go to Prendergast Preventorium, a camp, for two weeks. This case is studied by diabetic specialists and the amount of insulin and type of diet prescribed.


No Red Cross home nursing classes were conducted in high school this year, as most of the junior and senior high school girls had completed the course.


Checking the absentees in the home is very advantageous, for I believe it prevents the spread of communicable disease, as well as affords direct con- tact in the home.


22


I refer you to the Board of Health nurse's report for the entire com- municable and tuberculosis program, as well as the summer round up report.


I am most grateful to the American Red Cross, Douglas Teachers' Club, Douglas Grange, Salvation Army and Kiwanis Club for their financial assistance.


May I express my appreciation to the Department of Education, Dr. Spooner, Dr. Blanchard, Dr. Lynch, and to the parents and teachers for their untiring effort in the promotion of health.


Respectfully submitted, (Mrs.) MABEL A. BROWN, R.N., School Nurse.


23


ATTENDANCE OFFICER'S REPORT


REPORT OF EMPLOYMENT AND EDUCATIONAL CERTIFICATES Issued January 1, 1943 to December 31, 1943


NUMBER OF PERSONS ISSUED CERTIFICATES


NUMBER OF CERTIFICATES ISSUED


Educational Literate


114


Educational 141


Educational Illiterate


00


Educational Illiterate


00


Special Home Permits


00


Special Home Permits 00


114 141


Mr. E. L. Williams has been appointed by the Superintendent of Schools to issue certificates and these may be obtained by those entitled to them by making application to Mr. Williams.


E. L. WILLIAMS.


24


STATISTICAL STATEMENT


Assessed Valuation, taken from State Report $2,353,409


Population, Census of 1940 2,617


Number of Persons in Town between 5 and 16 years of age,


October 1, 1943 - Boys: 224; Girls: 234 458


Number of Persons between 5 and 6 years of age - Boys: 45; Girls: 44 89


Number of Persons between 7 and 13 years of age-Boys: 148; Girls: 141 289


Number of Persons between 14 and 15 years of age-Boys: 31; Girls: 49 80


Total Enrollment in all Public Schools During School Year Ending June, 1943


492


Average Membership for School Year


462


Average Attendance for School Year


423


Percent of Attendance


90.7


Number of School Buildings in Use


3


Number of Teachers Required by the Public Schools


18


Number of Special Teachers


2


Number of Teachers Graduated from College


5


Number of Teachers Graduated from Normal School


10


Number of Weeks High School was in Session 39


Number of Weeks Grammar School was in Session


38


Number of Pupils Graduated from High School, 1943


22


Number of Pupils Graduated from Grammar School, 1943


36


25


WARRANT FOR TOWN MEETING


MONDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1944, 8:00 A.M.


COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS DOUGLAS


Worcester, ss. To any Constable of the Town of Douglas in Said County,


GREETING:


In the name of said Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are hereby directed to notify the inhabitants of the Town of Douglas who are qualified to vote in Elections and Town Affairs to meet in the Town Hall in said Douglas, on Monday the fourteenth day of February, 1944, A.D. at eight o'clock in the forenoon, then and there to act on the following articles, to wit:


Article 1. To elect a Moderator, a Town Clerk, a Town Treasurer, a Collector of Taxes, two Constables, an Agent of the Moses Wallis Devise, a Tree Warden, each for a term of one year; one Selectman, one Assessor, one member of the Board of Public Welfare, one Water Commissioner, two members of the School Committee, one Trustee of the Simon Fairfield Public Library, one Cemetery Commissioner, one Recreation Commis- sioner, each for a term of three years, all of the above Town Officers to be voted for on one ballot.


Article 2. To choose all other Town Officers for a term of one year.


Article 3. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, or transfer from unappropriated available funds in the treasury, a sum of money for Chapter 90 Highway Maintenance, or take any action in relation thereto.


Article 4. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, or transfer from unappropriated available funds in the treasury, a sum of money for Chapter 90 Highway Construction, or take any action in rela- tion thereto.




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