Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Douglas, for the year ending 1941-1950, Part 28

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 28


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The high school enrollment at present is 113, of whom 48 are boys. The probable number of graduates next June is 26, seven boys and 19 girls.


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14


ANNUAL SCHOOL REPORT


Enrollment by subjects follows:


English 113


Modern History 17


Chemistry 16


Stenography I 11


Intermediate Algebra 14


Stenography II 12


Freshman Algebra 24


Typewriting 31


Plane Geometry 8


Bookkeeping 18


Latin I 13


Secretarial Practice 17


Latin II 11


Economic Geography 15


French I 19


Problems of Democracy 30


French II 10


Community Civics 27


French III 6


General Science 44


Ancient History 13


Junior Business Training 22


In addition to these courses taught by the regular full-time teachers, special courses are taken under part-time teachers as fol- lows:


Home Nursing by 12 junior and senior girls, once a week, spon- sored by the American Red Cross.


Drawing once a week by about twenty from all classes.


Band Music by seven boys once a week under Mr. Dodge.


Handwriting once a month under Mr. Rinehart or one of his assistants.


Instruction in choral music is expected to begin soon after Christmas.


Five students at present are taking University Extension Courses by correspondence, four in American history and one in Retail Sell- ing.


The practice of obtaining credits toward graduation by corres- pondence courses needs reconsideration. The practice began, by recommendation of the principal, out of sympathy for a student who had no interest or ability in classical fields and could not scrape up enough credits entirely outside those fields to win a diploma. Upon satisfactory completion of such courses the School Committee has paid for them. I recommend that this be discontinued, after due notice to the school. With the recent addition of another teacher to the faculty we can offer more on the regular program. Besides, payment for these courses by the Committee has not achieved one of the main purposes, that is, to stimulate interest in fields outside the range of subjects in the small high school. A student some-


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TOWN OF DOUGLAS


times begins a correspondence course because of special interest in it, but never completes it unless it is to make up for some failure in the regular work. I think such courses satisfactorily completed should still be accepted toward graduation, but the student should pay for the consequences of his own failures.


Looking forward to the future of the high school, an important step toward progress is the increase of teachers' salaries voted re- cently in a joint meeting of the town financial committee and the school committee.


Other important steps must be taken in the near future to meet the needs of a twentieth century high school. Future requirements for approval of Class A high schools are set forth in a recent com- munication from the State Department of Education, entitled "Pro- posed Regulations for Approval of Massachusetts High Schools."


Requirements which we lack, in part or in full, as quoted from that document, are as follows:


"If no vocational work is offered, definite plans for attendance at the nearest vocational school shall be made. There shall be a program for health and physical education, for music and art, as well as definite inclusion of recent developments in guidance, avia- tion, driver education, and consumer education. There shall be a testing porgram, including the use of standardized tests with the re- sults available to the State Department of Education."


Among requirements for new buildings listed in the proposed regulations are a fireproof vault for records, a library room, home economics room, shop, cafeteria, student activity room, gymnasium and auditorium, the last two to be combined in a small school.


These requirements listed for new buildings should be provided as soon as possible in connection with old buildings, for they are . all vital needs in any high school.


I wish to express my appreciation for the excellent co-operation of the teachers and of all concerned with the welfare of the school.


Respectfully submitted,


C. W. HOLMES


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ANNUAL SCHOOL REPORT


REPORT OF TEACHER OF BRASS AND WOOD INSTRUMENTS


East Douglas, Jan. 2, 1947


Mr. A. B. Garcelon


Superintendent of Schools


East Douglas, Massachusetts


Dear Mr. Garcelon:


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


There are three on clarinet, three on saxophones, two on flute, one ón bass, three on drums, and nine on trumpets.


Respectfully submitted,


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


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TOWN OF DOUGLAS


REPORT OF SUPERVISOR OF WRITING


January 6. 1947


Mr. A. B. Garcelon, Supt. Douglas Public Schools Uxbridge, Mass.


My Dear Mr. Garcelon:


I am pleased to submit the following report of the operation of the Handwriting Program in the Douglas Schools for the School year 1945-46.


In the initial handwriting tests administered in November, 1933, 2.9% of your elementary school pupils received a grade of "A" (Ex- cellent); 24.5% received a grade of "B" (Good); and 72.4% were graded less than "B". In June tests administered in 1946, 78.7% of your pupils were graded "A" (Excellent); 11.3% were graded "B" (Good); and only 9.9% were graded less than "B". In the November tests administered in 1933 to your High School pupisl, 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 1946, 93% of your High School pupils received a score of "A" (Excellent) ; 4% were graded "B" (Good); and 3% received a score of less than "B". Handwriting Certificates were awarded to 91% of your gradu- ates. This was quite remarkable. (Elementary school graduates)


During the last school year, we graded approximately 3,300 for- mal and 10,000 informal samples of handwriting for the elementary school children, and 1,200 formal and 2,400 informal handwriting samples for the High School pupils. Handwriting Certificates were awarded to 82% of your High School Graduates.


We furnished the following instruction materials :- Monthly teachers outlines, pupil folder outlines, room motivation certificates, handedness tests ,individual handwriting certificates for eighth grade pupils who qualify, handwriting certificates for High School pupils who qualify, monthly and term envelopes ,seals, etc.


My supervisors join with me in expressing our appreciation of the splendid co-operation we have received from you and your teach- ers at all times.


We are very pleased with the results obtained in your schools.


Sincerely yours,


W. L. RINEHART


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ANNUAL SCHOOL REPORT


REPORT OF SCHOOL NURSE


January 28, 1947


Mr. Albert B. Garcelon Superintendent of Schools Douglas, Massachusetts


My dear Mr. Garcelon:


I herewith submit my eighth report as school nurse in the Town of Douglas.


One of the chief aims of the school nurse is to have every child in school 100% physically fit.


In order for this goal to be reached, the physical defects found must be corrected. To accomplish this, the parents must realize how important it is to have a child physically fit, so that he may get the most out of what is offered to him in the class room.


The physical examinations were done by Dr. R. H. Spooner and the usual forms notifying parents of the defects were mailed to either parent or guardian. Over 150 notices were sent out.


The nurse must never let down on accentuating the importance of correcting defects. Most parents are very cooperative.


Poor posture is found in the majority of our students. It is my belief that very little can be accomplished until physical education becomes a part of the curriculum.


The new Massachusetts Vision Test was given to all pupils in school. This test is time consuming but the results are worth the time spent.


The number failing to pass the second retest in the elementary grades was 26. In the junior and senior high school, 24 failed to pass the test. In some cases, the pupils are wearing glasses and have as good a correction as can be had. This test has proven very valu- able, particularly in the first and second grades, as the eye defects are detected at the beginning of school life.


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TOWN OF DOUGLAS


Parents are advised to take their children to an eye specialist, but the nurse finds that it is necessary to make appointments and to transport some cases. Twenty cases were taken to Worcester to an eye specialist.


A dental hygienist examined all the children's teeth in the ele- mentary grades and those in the junior and senior high school who had not seen a dentist for the past six months.


She observed that many more children were having dental work done and that on the whole the teeth were in much better condi- tion, including the temporary teeth, that we have been stressing for so long. The result of the dental examination was sent to the parents.


Four children are attending speech clinic in Worcester and are improving. This clinic is sponsored by the Massachusetts Depart- ment of Public Health. The parents have to work at home with children having speech defects.


Much of the nurse's time is spent making home visits, inter- preting physical and dental defects, checking on absentees and gen- eral health education. The nurse acts as an interpreter between home and school.


The school milk program was very popular and much benefit to the children was derived from it, but for the present it has been discontinued. It is my sincere hope that it may be continued again in the very near future.


The full report on communicable disease and immunization may be found in the Board of Health Nurse's Report to which I refer you.


Classroom inspections and health talks are done by the nurse. We have very little pediculosis (head lice) in our schools, but when- ever cases are found they are excluded from school until the con- dition is cleared up.


Health posters have been obtained and placed in all the ele- mentary grades.


Last year we did not have a class in Home Nursing, for a suit- able place to teach it could not be found.


Through the generosity of Mr. Winfield Schuster, very pleasant


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ANNUAL SCHOOL REPORT


and adequate rooms have been made available at the Central office for the Home Nursing Classes. I am very grateful to him and I am sure the Home Nursing students are also.


This year a class in Home Nursing for senior high school girls is being held every Wednesday afternoon for one hour. This is now a part of the school curriculum, the girls receiving credit for the course. This class is taught from the American Red Cross Text Book.


This is the only class that receives any health education in the high school.


Plans are being formulated for a chest clinic to be held in March, 1947. This is to include Chest X-Rays of the entire teach- ing personnel as well as janitors, clerks, etc., plus students from the senior high school.


The Crippled Children's Clinic is still available to us and is be- ing used with excellent corrections being obtained.


I am most grateful to the Department of Education, Dr. Bouvier, Dr. Spooner, Mr. Schuster, Miss Sweinberger, and to the parents and teachers for without their interest and cooperation my program would not function as it does.


Respectfully submitted,


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


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TOWN OF DOUGLAS


REPORT OF SUPERVISOR OF ART


A report on the activities of the art program in the schools of Douglas.


Art as a school subject too often is thought important only to those pupils who are endowed with artistic talent. The objectives of art education deal with the values of art training to all individuals regardless of their ability to draw and paint. For a few boys and girls who are talented in art, we do wish to develop their technical skill, but it is not for these few that we believe art has a place in the school curriculum. It would be most sad and unwise to train every child as an artist.


What can the art lesson do for the average boy and girl who, more often than not, has no artistic talent? Educators believe that every child should be helped to live happily and to deal effectively with his environment both present and future. The right kind of art education can help to accomplish these objectives.


Through his study of art, the child comes into contact with a great wealth of knowledge, understanding, and experiences. It helps him better to understand the cultural heritage of his race, to recog- nize and appreciate beauty in the world about him and to eliminate ugliness from his surroundings. Such attainments as these help any individual live more fully and richly, and to enjoy genuine and lasting satisfactions.


Art Interests in the Kindergarten and Primary Grades


1. Little children have a natural desire to express them- selves through drawing and construction. If allowed to satisfy this desire in their own way, they generally choose story-tell- ing subjects.


2. Ltitle children are equipped with a comparatively short interest span. As the children grow older, they are more able to remain interested in the same project for a longer period of time.


3. Little children want quick returns and are satisfied with crude results of their own creation.


Art Interests in the Upper Grades of the Elementary School


= Beginning approximately in the fourth grade, children's inter- ests and capacities for art and constructive work show marked


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ANNUAL SCHOOL REPORT


changes. There is considerable interest in making and decorating articles which have a practical appeal. to children.


Art Interests in the Junior High School


A decided increase in capacity for appreciation of art quality is evident at this level. Pupils enjoy aesthetic discussions of which quality is the topic. They like to discover how the composition of a picture is organized in terms of line, dark and light masses, and color harmony. A very marked interest is displayed in the design of objects which make up the immediate environment, clothing, furniture, house furnishing, and automobiles. Girls naturally show more interest in the designs of clothing and house furnishings, and boys in the design of furniture, automobiles, and industrial products.


Art Interests in High School


1. An increase in appreciational interests and great in- crease in the desire to draw and design.


2. There is continued interest in craft work.


3. Some interest in art history is evident.


4. Vocational interest-They wish to begin their training as future artists and designers.


In our school the basic curriculum includes an introduction to the principles of art and design, color theory, figure drawing, sim- ple perspective work, water color experiences, blackboard drawing, and the use of tempera.


Under the supervision of Mrs. Beverly Crocker, the art program was started again in the Douglas school system. The enthusiasm for art is very high in all of the grades. I do hope that a more complete art program will be available to the children next year.


An art exhibit will be presented later in the year where examples of all types of work attempted during the year will be shown.


I want to give my sincere thanks to the School Committee, the Superintendent of Schools, and the teachers for the excellent co- operation they have given me.


Respectfully submitted,


ARIADNE MOSHAS,


Art Supervisor


December 31, 1946


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TOWN OF DOUGLAS


ATTENDANCE OFFICER'S REPORT


REPORT OF EMPLOYMENT CERTIFICATES


Issued January 1, 1946 to December 31, 1946


Number of Persons Issued Certificates


Number of Certificates Issued


Educational Literate


104


Educational Literate 126


Educational Illiterate


00


Educational Illiterate 00


Special Home Permits


00


Special Home Permits 00


104 126


I have been appointed by the Superintendent of Schools to issue certificates and these may be obtained by those entitled to them by making application to me.


E. L. WILLIAMS


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ANNUAL SCHOOL REPORT


STATISTICAL STATEMENT


Assessed Valuation, taken from State Report $2,547,524


Population, Census of 1945 2,667


Number of Persons in Town between 5 and 16 years of age, October 1, 1946-Boys 225, Girls 232 457


Number of Persons between 5 and 6 years of age, Boys 35, Girls 28 63


Number of Persons between 7 and 13 years of age, Boys 137, Girls 134 271


Number of Persons between 14 and 15 years of age, Boys 34, Girls 41 75


Total Enrollment in all Public Schools During School Year Ending June, 1946 459


Average Membership for School Year


458


Average Attendance for School Year


432


Percent of Attendance 94.5


Number of School Buildings in Use 3


Number of Teachers Required by the Public Schools 18


Number of Special Teachers 3


Number of Teachers Graduated from College 8


Number of Teachers Graduated from Normal School 7


Number of Weeks High School was in Session 40


Number of Weeks Grammar School was in Session 38


Number of Pupils Graduated from High School, 1946 26


Number of Pupils Graduated from Grammar School, 1946 44


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TOWN OF DOUGLAS


WARRANT FOR TOWN MEETING


MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1947, 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 tenth day of Febru ary, 1947, 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 Treasurer, a Town Clerk, a Collector of Taxes, two Constables, an Agent of the Moses Wallis Devise, a Tree Warden, each for a term of one year; one Trustee of the Simon Fairfield Public Library for a term of two years one Se- lectman, 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 Com- missioner, one Recreation Commissioner, each for a term of three years, and to vote on the following questions:


"Shall the provisions of section four B of chapter one hundred and thirty-six of the General Laws relative to the licensed operation on the Lord's Day of Bowling Alleys be in force in this town?"


"Shall the provisions of sections twenty-one to twenty- five, inclusive, of chapter one hundred and thirty-six of the General Laws ,as amended, relative to the permitting of certain sports and games on the Lord's Day be in force in this town?"


All the above to be voted for on one ballot.


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114


ANNUAL REPORT


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 81 Highway Maintenance, or take any action in relation thereto.


Article 5. To consider the report and recommendations of the Finance Committee and to see what sums of money the Town will raise and appropriate to defray the necessary and usual expenses of the several departments of the Town including appropriations for Blanket Insurance (so-called), Insurance on Fire · Department equipment and personnel, Veterans' Benefits, for the observance of Memorial Day, for the care of cemteries. for the upkeep of the Town Clock (so-called), and a sum of money to the Town of Northbridge for the use of the Town Lockup, for the fiscal year of 1947.


Article 6. To hear and act upon the reports of the several Town Officers and any outstanding commititees and to choose any Com- mittee or Committees the Town may think proper.


Article 7. To see what disposition the Town will make of the Dog Fund.


Article 8. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Town Treasurer with the approval of the Selectmen, to borrow money from time to time in anticipation of the revenue for the financial year beginning January 1, 1947, to issue a note or notes therefor, payable within one year, and to renew any note or notes as may be given for a period of less than one year in accordance with Section 17, Chapter 44 of the General Laws (Ter. Ed.).


Article 9. To see if the Town will vote to have a Reserve Fund.


Article 10. To see if the Town will vote to transfer a sum of money from the Overlay Reserve Fund to the Reserve Fund, or take any action in relation thereto.


Article 11. To see if the Town will vote to transfer a sum of money from the Machinery Rentals Fund to the Machinery Main- tenance Account, or take any other action in relation thereto.


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TOWN OF DOUGLAS


Article 12. To see if the Town will vote to transfer a sum of money from the Workmen's. Compensation Insurance Fund to the General Highway Insurance Account, or take any other action in relation thereto.


Article 13. To see if the Town will authorize the Assessors to use any Free Cash in the hands of the Town Treasurer to reduce the Tax Levy in 1947.


Article 14. To see if the Town will instruct the Board of Se- lectmen to dispose of any of the Real Estate held by the Town by Foreclosure of Tax Titles and authorize and empower its Treasurer to give a deed of the same in the name and behalf of the Town, or take any other action pertaining thereto.


Article 15. To see if the Town will vote to take over as a town highway that portion of the State Highway now located on Davis Street from Station 7-77.72 to Station 36-00 (2822.28 ft.) in length), or take any other action pertaining thereto.


Article 16. To see if the Town will vote to accept a deed from the Hayward-Schuster Woolen Mills, Inc., of a parcel of land in Douglas situated at the junction of Martin Road and Depot Street in the village of East Douglas, in said Douglas; parcel to be henceforth known as "MEMORIAL SQUARE" or take any other ac- tion relating thereto.


Article 17. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money for raincoats, helmets, and boots for the Fire De- partment, or take any other action pertaining thereto.


Article 18. To see if the Town will vote to transfer a sum of money from the Water Department Surplus Fund to pay any and all outstanding bills of the Water Department, or take any other action pertaining thereto.


Article 19. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money to pay unpaid bills in the following departments: Health Department, Fire Department, Forest Fire Department, Po- lice Department, Police Department-Purchase of Cruiser, Indus- trial Schools New Town Hall Maintenance; or take any other ac- tion in relation thereto.


Article 20. To transact any other business that may legally come before said meeting.


THE POLLS MAY CLOSE AT FOUR O'CLOCK P. M.


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ANNUAL REPORT


You are directed to serve this warrant by posting attested copies thereof at the Post Office at East Douglas and at the In- surance Office, formerly the Post Office at Douglas, seven days at least before the time of holding said meeting.


Hereof fail not and make due return of this warrant with your doings thereon, to the Town Clerk, at the time and place of said meeting.


Given under our hands this thirty-first day of January in the year one thousand nine hundred and forty-seven.


LESTER J. DERMODY, WILLIAM J. WALLIS, ROBERT J. FROST, Selectmen of Douglas.


Douglas, Mass. January 31, 1947


A true Copy. ATTEST:


CHESTER C. FULONE, Constable of Douglas.


Comparison of Departmental Expenditures 1935-1946 (Inclusive)


General


Government


Protection of


Persons and


Property


Health and


Sanitation


Highways


Charities and


Soldiers' Benefits


Schools and


Libraries


Recreation and


Unclassified


Enterprise and


Cemeteries


State and


County Tax


1935


$6,024.20


$9,445.94


$2,750.15


$35,202.18 $13,561.97 $38,706.88


$1,625.57


$6,133.91


$6,599.27


1936


7,630.41


6,249.46


1,085.22


35,962.08


17,873.54


39,645.95


2,829.89


4,635.10


9,124.97


1937


6,791.05


7,657.12


1,194.12


30,538.22


28,495.60


39,532.57


3,643.52


3,869.85


10,103.16


1938


6,565.15


7,473.57


1,022.18


36,027.25


41.061.43


39,110.86


5,167.25


3,809.77


12,358.30


1939


7,018.12


7,806.69


748.11


31,193.23


27,752.52


41,473.41


2,497.61


4,501.61


12,485.77


1940


8,659.08


8,433.26


761.54


32,420.94


26,456.58


41,003.21


4,664.72


4,300.96


11,622.57


1941


8,899.37


8,956.32


1,981.55


35,133.42


23,748.62


43,034.20


3,703.57


14,361.58


13,323.05


1942


8,465.48


11,013.66


1,910.09


27,674.00


24,584.04


44,607.85


2,529.25


6,721.83


12,199.23


1943


11,762.79


9,012.35


3,072.72


32,743.96


24,029.30


47,298.26


4,443.89


7,199.92


8,289.11


1944


9,689.35


10,860.05


3,247.55


30,511.60


24,914.40


46,024.11


3,597.81


4,571.88


11,810.76


1945


8,779.85


9,519.05


3,519.65


32,200.80


25,312.44


53,189.47


2,845.18


6,386.75


10,535.32


1946


14,768.04


10,742.17


2,808.78


49,099.96


28,382.02


58,756.78


2,603.36


6,052.39


8,253.17


!


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INDEX


List of Jurors


3


Officers of the Town of Douglas


5


Finance Committee Report


8


Balance Sheet


11


Tax Rates in the Town of Douglas


14


Table of Accounts


14A


Auditor's Report




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