Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Douglas, for the year ending 1941-1950, Part 32

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Publication date: 1941
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1216


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The appropriation for the Schools amounted to the following:


Appropriation at Town Meeting


$63,500.00


Checks refunded


49.25


Reserve Fund


575.00


Total appropriations


$64,124.25


We received the following reimbursements:


Massachusetts School Fund


$4,913.33


Part I of Chapter 70, G.L.


5,570.00


Reimbursements-Other towns


199.50


Chapter 71-7A, G.L.


2,289.15


12,971.98


This reduces the Net Cost of the Schools to


$51,152.27


EXPENDITURES OF THE SCHOOL DEPARTMENT For the Period Ending December 31, 1947


1948


Budget Expenditures Budget


GENERAL EXPENSES:


Clerk of School Committee


Miscellaneous School Committee


Superintendent's Salary


$2,500.00 $3,280.42 $3,400.00


EXPENSES FOR INSTRUCTION :


Teachers, High School


15,000.00


14,834.46


Teachers, Elementary


22,500.00


24,537.70


Substitute Teachers


420.00


412.49


Special Teachers


1,380.00


1,221.26


Text Books, High


600.00


437.12


Text Books, Elementary


600.00


370.86


Supplies, High


700.00


747.66.


Supplies, Elementary


500.00


529.31


Visual Education


200.00


21.52


---


$44,100.00 $43,112.38 $46,500.00


4


ANNUAL SCHOOL REPORT


EXPENSES FOR OPERATION:


Janitor, High


Janitor, Elementary


Janitor, Douglas Center


$5,320.00


$5,279.37


Fuel, High


Fuel, Elementary


Fuel, Douglas Center


1,400.00


1,886.23


Lights and Power, High


Lights and Power, Elementary


325.00


318.99


Telephone, High


Telephone, Elementary


130.00


121.96


Janitor's Supplies, High


Janitor's Supplies, Elementary


300.00


487.49


Water Dept., High


Water Dept., Elementary


25.00


25.00


$7,500.00


$8,119.04 $8,580.00


MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS:


High School


Elementary Schools.


$2,000.00


$2,057.44 $2,000.00


AUXILIARY AGENCIES:


Health, High


Health, Elementary


$1,300.00


$1,326.26


Transportation, High


Transportation, Elementary


4,800.00


4,901.60


Tuition


400.00


676.27


Athletics


200.00


80.19


$6,700.00


$6,984.32


$7,370.00


INSURANCE


100.00


18.00


100.00


NEW EQUIPMENT


600.00


552.03


550.00


$63,500.00 $64,123.63 $68,000.00


CHECKS REFUNDED


49.25


RESERVE FUND


575.00


GRAND TOTAL


$64,124.25 $64,123.63 $68,000.00


School Committee, LOUIS A. CALLAHAN, 1950 ANDREW CENCAK, 1950 MARGARET CARRICK, 1948 WARREN JOHNSON, 1948 E. MIALMA JENCKES, 1949 BAYLIS G. ALDRICH, 1949, Chairman


TOWN OF DOUGLAS


5


SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS HARRY Y. HILYARD


PURCHASING AGENT


ANDREW CENCAK


ATTENDANCE OFFICERS


PAUL RAWSON


JAMES L. HICKEY


EDMUND BRUNO


SCHOOL CALENDAR


1947-48


Days


Holidays


September


20


Schools open Sept. 3.


October


22


November


15


Nov. 7-Teachers' Convention, Nov. 11- Armistice Day, Nov. 26 (noon)-Dec. 1- Thanksgiving Recess.


Dec. 23-Jan. 5-Christmas Recess.


January


20


February


15


Feb. 23-Mar. 1-Vacation.


March


22


Mar. 26-Good Friday.


April


17


April 19-26-Vacation.


May


20


May 31-Memorial Day.


June


16


Schools Close June 22 (noon).


184


Oct. 13-Columbus Day.


December


17


6


ANNUAL SCHOOL REPORT


REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS


To the School Committee and Citizens of Douglas:


It is with pleasure that I submit this, my first annual report as superintendent of schools in Douglas. The months in which I have been associated with your school department have been ones of satis- faction and profit to me. I find much here to commend as well as much which offers challenge to us all in our mutual interest in pro- viding the best possible education to our children here in Douglas.


Let me, then, speak first of what we have here upon which to congratulate ourselves. The school system of Douglas shows evidence upon the part of those who have been in guiding positions of a dispo- sition to provide the best in the way of education which the town could afford. For example, you would travel far afield to find a physical plant so well kept in all its aspects as that here provided. Again, the text books, which in essence constitute a course of study, are of the best, generally speaking. The school personnel, without exception, are conscientious and anxious to make full contribution to the welfare of the children.


And yet, study of school reports for the past twenty years indi- cate that Douglas is not now providing for educational interests and needs as well as it did a decade or more ago. Specifically I call your attention to the elimination from our curriculum of home economics. manual arts, mechanical drawing, physcial education, and certain background courses. Continued comparison reveals that this condi- tion is further complicated by the fact that our educational bill has increased and our school population decreased. What is the reason for this condition, in the face of obvious public desire for an enriched program? The answer, of course, lies in the social history of these same years; in increased enrollment in the high school, necessitating additional classroom space; in the depression, which forced curtail- ment of expenditure; in increased fixed costs, and an obvious ar- rival of our major source of revenue-real estate-at the saturation point.


It is my belief that the time has now arrived to put these condi- tions behind us as much as possible and plan for a more extensive


7


TOWN OF DOUGLAS


program. Every indication is that increased state aid to education will be an accomplished fact within a comparatively short time. We should begin to plan now, that we may spend more thriftily and wisely when the time comes. Whatever direction education in Douglas takes will be influenced by two factors; the needs of the children and the public desire for education.


Our Needs, Future and Present


Taking this long range view, then, let us consider what should be our objective over a period of time. First, let us remember that we must keep in mind the material with which we are working. Doug- las represents in many ways the average American school system- for the majority of American school systems are small. The United States Office of Education shows in its statistics that of 18,157 high schools, only 15% enroll more than 300 pupils; 26% enroll from 50 to 100; 11% from 100 to 150, etc. We have here, then, a microcosm of American school youth. As in larger schools, so here in Douglas, we find ourselves working with children of varying aptitudes, personalities, interests, backgrounds. It is our job to accommodate our schools to all of these different conditions. Our curriculum must be broad enough, our vision wide enough, to answer the needs of each child. That responsibility to every child cannot be denied nor side-stepped; our children cannot live these years over again in some other time or place, for a second chance.


I hope that at some time the citizens of Douglas will see their way clear to provide an improved physical plant. The assembly, with its opportunity for creative activity, is indispensable in a modern school program. Physical education is badly hampered without ade- quate building space. It is my understanding that there is in the town the nucleus of a fund for a war memorial in the form of gym- nasium, to be erected for the use of the townspeople as a whole. Should the citizens see fit to consolidate these plans with projected school enlargement, benefit would accrue both to the school population and to the town.


Obviously what we are to do in time to come must be an out- growth of what we do today. Where, then, shall we start? What are our immediate needs? They may be considered as dividing themselves into three heads:


First, a better-unified school program, with emphasis on both horizontal and vertical integration, in order that all may travel in the same direction and at the same time.


....


..===


8


ANNUAL SCHOOL REPORT


Second, an enriched curriculum on both the elementary and secondary levels. Our limited physical facilities present difficulties, but ingenuity and determination can work wonders.


Third, improvement of learning and instruction by means of in- creased scientific supervision and greater consideration of indivi- dual differences.


Steps Toward an End


These past months have ben utilized, after preliminary survey of the situation, in a series of projects whose purpose was to lay the ground work for furtherance of future plans. The first was the gathering together of all operations pertaining to the school system under a centralized direction, and the setting up of a system of busi- ness administration. The second was the establishment of a more scientific basis for evaluating pupil progress, and so introducing a great element of continuity throughout the system. The third was the introduction of a minimal testing program, which will provide objective data for pupil readiness, aptitude, classification and achieve- ment. In this connection an aptitude testing program was admini- stered to all pupils, grades one through twelve, to provide information as to the abilities of the pupils to achieve success in school work. Fourth. a map survey was conducted, as a step toward improving our social studies program . Fifth, specific standards have been adopted for the employment of teachers. Sixth, a new curriculum guide was adopted as the basis of our educational program in the primary grades. and seventh, time allotments and home work schedules were worked out as a means of unifying the school program.


Specific Recommendations


Several problems present themselves as needing careful attention in the immediate future. The recent physical examination conducted throughout the schools disclosed great need of a dental clinic. The same examination also disclosed a woeful lack of good posture-re- introduction of the physical education program, of course, would tend to help that.


The students have also been the losers in the lack of art super- vision this year. Surely in a mill town such as ours. where many of our students will find their interest drawn toward textiles, study of design and allied subjects would have as great a value as would the sadly needed courses in shop work.


The introduction of more background courses is to be recom- mended, notably more science on the junior high level.


*


9


TOWN OF DOUGLAS


The playground at the East Douglas Elementary School needs much improvement to be of its greatest benefit. The same school should have modern improved lighting, as should also the school at Douglas Town.


For a detailed account of the excellent work of the special de- partments: handwriting, music, public health, I refer you to the respective reports.


In closing, let me express my appreciation of the cooperative and friendly attitude which I have found here in Douglas, and extend my thanks to the school committee, the school personnel, the citizens of Douglas, who have by their helpfulness made my first months as your school superintendent so gratifying.


Respectfully submitted,


HARRY Y. HILYARD, Superintendent of Schools.


Age-Grade Table BOYS OCTOBER 1, 1947


Age


5


6


7


8


24


18 15 26


16


20


15


17


7


1


0 0


1 231


GIRLS OCTOBER 1, 1947


Age


5 6


7 8 9 10


11


12 13


14


15


16


17 18 19 20 21


Total


1


7 11


18


2


. .


8


15


1


3


. .


8


8


16


4


. .


10


9


4


11


12


3


4


7


5


16


8


. .


9


. .


10


. .


.


3


10


6


19


11


3


6


1


10


12


5


6


2


1


14


Total


19 23 15 18 23 20 16 22 21


16


17


7 2


1 0


0


227


1


5 17


2


2


6


10


6


1


.


3


14


9


4


. .


. .


.


4


2


12


5


1


.


. .


5


7


10


5


1


23


6


3


7


6


3


1


20


7


2


12


4


5


1


24


8


7


5


3


1


16


9


. .


.


1


3


8


4


2


18


10


. .


11


3


7


3


13


12


4


2


1


1


8


Total


5


23


26


17


6


8


3


17


5


. .


6


. .


7


. .


6


11


1


1


19


6


17


2


25


4


6


3


2


15


·


. .


16


17


18


19 20


21


Total


Grade


24


23


27


20


·


.


.


ANNUAL SCHOOL REPORT


.


.


.


23


*


26


. .


10


24


.


9 10 11 12 13 14 15


Attendance for the School Year Ending June, 1947


SCHOOL


TEACHERS


5-7 Years


7-14 Years


14-16 Years


Over 16 Years


Average


Membership


Average


Attendance


Per Cent


Attendance


Number of


Tardiness


Number of


Dismissals


High


Clarence W. Holmes


Ralph Dudley


Seniors


Beatrice Morris


Juniors


Tabea Sweinberger


51


6


13


48.83


47.21


96.68


150


60


Sophomores


Cyril Norton


68


8


50


10


63.69


61.01


95.79


188


65


Freshmen


Mabel Holmes


30


24


6


27.82


27.10


97.21


1


4


Grade 8


¿ Elsa Hayes


Grade 7


Elinor Dunleavy


28


27


1


27.13


25.95


95.65


23


19


Grade 7-8


Roberta Wagner


29


20


9


28.34


26.66


94.07


32


23


Grammar 6


Edith Marsh


30


30


29.41


28.01


95.24


30


4


Grammar 5


Mary Joy


38


38


37.89


36.49


96.31


16


3


Grammar


4


Maria Buxton


30


30


29.28


27.44


93.70


2


Grammar


3


Mae Dermody


30


17


13


29.28


27.58


94.19


9


5


Grammar


2


Mollie Kelly


26


24


2


24.89


23.46


90.29


9


Grammar 1


Alice Samborski


20


10


9


18.51


17.51


94.58


3


2


Grammar 1-2


Daisy Sweet


24


11


12


22.32


20.23


90.88


2


5


Doug. Cen. 1-2-3


Edith Dixson


24


22


2


23.88


22.42


93.94


6


2


Doug. Cen. 4-5-6


Theresa Kachan


37


37


36.59


34.9


95.61


52


S John T. Maloney


TOWN OF DOUGLAS


11


12


List of Teachers, January, 1948


NAME


SCHOOL


HOME ADDRESS


GRADUATE OF


When Appointed In Town


C. W. Holmes Ralph Dudley


High


East Douglas Douglas


Worc. Polytechnic Inst.


Boston University


Harvard-M.I.T.


1940


Beatrice Morris


High


North Grafton


Salem Teachers' College


1945


Tabea Sweinberger


High


Holyoke


Mabel Holmes


High


East Douglas


Colby College


1944


Paul E. Simpson


High


Worcester


Salem Teachers' College


1946


Elsa P. Hayes


Grammar


8


Uxbridge


Boston University


1932


Elinor Dunleavy


Grammar


7


East Douglas


E. Naz. Col. & Bos. Univ.


1944


Roberta Wagner


Grammar


7-8


Douglas


Worcester Normal


1942


Edith Marsh


Grammar


6


Dudley


Mary Joy


Grammar


5


East Douglas


Worcester Normal


1928


Theresa Kachan


Grammar


4


Northboro


Maria C. Buxton


Grammar


3


Douglas


Worcester Normal


1916


Mae Dermody


Grammar


2


East Douglas


Worcester Normal


1944


Mollie Kelly


Grammar


1


East Douglas


Douglas High School


1908


Edith Dixson


Douglas Cen. 4-5-6


Douglas


Daisy Sweet


Douglas Cen. 1-2-3


Douglas


Helen Ryan


Music Supervisor


Uxbridge


New Eng. Conservatory


1946


Frank O. Dodge


Band Instructor


East Douglas


1933


W. L. Rinehart Alice Samborski


Writing Supervisor


Weston


University of Pittsburg Tufts College


1939


Grammar


1-2


East Douglas


Brown University


1918


High


Mt. Holyoke College


1932


Clark University


1947


ANNUAL SCHOOL REPORT


Worcester Normal


1942


Symonds K. T. S.


1916


1931


Bridgewater S. T. C.


1944


13


TOWN OF DOUGLAS


DOUGLAS MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL REPORT


January 5, 1948


To the Superintendent and School Committee:


I herewith submit my thirtieth annual report of Douglas Memorial High School, grades nine to twelve.


In June, 1947 there were 28 graduates, one less than in the Class of 1946.


The highest honor in the class of 1947 went to Beverly E. Fournier, valedictorian. The second highest was Judith Cave, salutatorian. Miss Cave's scholastic average for her four years was 91.7, only one tenth of one per cent below that of Miss Fournier.


Miss Cave also won the annual award of the Washington and Franklin certificate, given by the Sons of the American Revolution to the highest Senior in American History.


A medal and a certificate from the Daughters of the American Revolution went to Sophie J. Nedoroscik, who was chosen by her classmates, according to the annual custom, as having the highest qualities of good citizenship.


Alice M. Baca won the Becker Junior College award for highest excellence in the Commercial Department.


Graduates of 1947 continuing their education are the following:


Beverly Fournier at Massachusetts State College; Judith Cave at Bay Path Secretarial School in Springfield; Marian Chupka, Vivian Jette and Virginia Johnson at Salter Secretarial School in Worcester; Marilyn Elwell and Elaine La Plante, training for nurses at Hahne- mann Hospital, Worcester; and Carol MacDonald and Michael Kac- marcik, Trade Schools in Worcester.


Two boys, Joseph Gavlak and Joseph Kacmarcik, enlisted in the Army.


The highest total membership in the school this year was 123. The present membership (December 23, 1947) is 117, of whom 48 are boys and 69 girls.


14


ANNUAL SCHOOL REPORT


The enrollment by subjects follows:


English


117


Stenography I


14


American History


38


Stenography II


5


Ancient History


29


Typewriting


30


Physics


11


Secretarial Practice


16


Solid Geometry


2


Bookkeeping


20


Plane Geometry


16


Junior Business Training


22


Algebra I


20


General Science


38


French I


27


Community Civics


19


French II


12


Economic Geography


23


French III


5


Latin I


17


Latin II


8


In addition to the above listed courses taught by the regular full- time teachers, special courses are taken under part-time teachers as follows:


Home Nursing once a week by twelve junior and senior girls; Choral music once a week by nearly all boys and girls; band music by eight boys once a week and handwriting once a month.


This year only two have registered so far for University Extension courses by correspondence.


Careful study of the above curriculum and comparison with standards set by the State Department of Education shows the need of some revision and much extension. Last May the State Department issued a statement of the "Needs of Secondary Education in Massa- chusetts." The following quotations from that statement indicate some of the most obvious needs for extension of our program.


"The promotion of all-round physical fitness for all youth must be the objective of the physical education program. Well-trained, experienced and sympathetic personnel working in school plants with adequately equipped GYMNASIUMS and recreational areas are first requirements of this program.


"All pupils should have systematic functional learning experiences in GENERAL SCIENCE through grades 7, 8 and 9.


"All pupils should have at least one year of systematic functional learning experiences in the BIOLOGICAL aspects of science (recom- mended for Grade 10).


15


TOWN OF DOUGLAS


"All puplis should have at least one year of systematic functional instruction in the physical-chemical aspects of science. "HOME AND FAMILY LIVING:


Every boy and girl, at some time, should have the opportunity to take organized courses in the care of clothing, personal grooming, etiquette, and food preparation and serving.


Every boy and girl should have the opportunity to take organized courses in industrial arts, household mechanics, home management, consumer information, and family relationships.


Every pupil should take a course in general business."


Respectively submitted,


C. W. HOLMES, Principal


-- ---


·


16


ANNUAL SCHOOL REPORT


REPORT OF TEACHER OF BRASS AND WOODWIND INSTRUMENTS


East Douglas, Mass., January 2, 1948


Mr. Harry Y. Hilyard Superintendent of Schools


East Douglas, Massachusetts


Dear Mr. Hilyard:


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


There are three on clarinet, four on saxophones, nine on trum- pets, one on baritone, one on bass and thirty-six on tonettes.


I wish to thank you, the principals, teachers and the supervisor of music for the interest they have shown.


Respectfully submitted,


FRANK O. DODGE, Teacher of wind and percussion instruments.


17


TOWN OF DOUGLAS


REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF MUSIC


Uxbridge, Mass. January 5, 1948


Mr. Harry Hilyard Superintendent of Schools East Douglas, Mass.


My dear Mr. Hilyard:


Please accept my first annual report as Supervisor of Music in the Douglas Public Schools.


Music taught in the first three grades consists mainly of rote songs; in addition to this; rhythm bands have been organized in the first and second grades. while tonette bands are progressing very well in the third and fourth grades. Note reading from books is also a part of the curriculum starting with grade two.


Grade four is doing one-part music, while grades five and six sing two-part songs.


A Boy Soprano Choir consisting of forty-seven voices has seemed to give pleasure to those participating; this unit was organized shortly before Christmas.


In the Junior and Senior High Schools both Boys' and Girls' Glee Clubs have been formed; this is voluntary, and the response is very gratifying.


Instrumental lessons are given to all those interested. This work is carried on by Mr. Dodge who is always willing to cooperate with me.


We look forward to a concert to be given next spring by the pupils of the Grammar and Douglas Center Schools.


Congratulations to the young people who made our Christmas Musicale a success. Much time and effort was given by pupils and their teachers.


May I thank the teaching staff for their cooperation and you, Mr. Hilyard, for your untiring interest in the music program which I am trying to accomplish.


Yours very truly,


HELEN M. RYAN, Supervisor of Music.


18


ANNUAL SCHOOL REPORT


REPORT OF SCHOOL NURSE


Mr. Harry Y. Hilyard


Superintendent of Schools


Douglas, Massachusetts


My dear Mr. Hilyard:


I am pleased to submit the following report to you as school nurse. It has been a pleasure working with and for you.


A one hundred per cent physically fit child is still the goal which the nurse is trying to obtain.


Throughout the year pupils are referred to their own family physician and dentist for correction of defects.


Last year the new Massachusetts vision test was given. Fifty students failed to pass the test; of this number forty have either had their faulty vision corrected or are receiving attention, leaving ten students, or twenty per cent, who are not receiving any attention.


This year the "Maico" audiometer was used to test the hearing of all pupils. This is a new and very efficient way of testing hearing. The result of the hearing test is as follows:


Number tested 460


Number having slight degree of hearing loss 49


Number having large degree of hearing loss 26


The physical examinations in the schools were done by Dr. Spooner, and for the first time parents were invited to be present. Only a very few parents attended, but it is anticipated that next year many more will make an effort to be present when their own children are being examined, as it has proven most beneficial to parent, child, and those in charge of the health program.


The results of the physical examination showed the following defects:


Throat


61


Heart


16


Nose


3


Nutrition


17


Glands 8


Feet and spine


21


Skin 21


Posture 179


19


TOWN OF DOUGLAS


Teeth Torticollis


112 1


It is readily seen from the foregoing tabulation that posture and tooth defects are major problems in our schools.


Written notices have been mailed to parents notifying them of the defects found in their own children. Most parents are to be com- mended for their efforts in trying to correct defects, but there are still too many who ignore the notices.


Five children have attended the speech clinic in Worcester, which is under the direction of the state department of public health. Gratifying results have been obtained.


The crippled children clinic is most helpful in correcting many major defects. There are twenty listed crippled children in this com- munity. All but one are receiving attention, either privately or through the state department of crippled children clinic.


Last March through the Southern Worcester County Health As- sociation and the state department of public health students, num- bering 112, had a chest X-ray. Out of this number two were question- able and are returning for further check-up. Twenty-seven per cent of the school personnel were X-rayed. This included teachers, jani- tors, and bus drivers. All were found to be free from tuberculosis.


Home nursing is taught by the school nurse, and is a part of the school curriculum. This class is taught once a week for one hour at the central office of the Hayward-Schuster mills. Eleven senior high school girls received Red Cross Home Nursing certificates in June. Health education as well as practical nursing is taught in this class.


Again I would like to thank Mr. Winfield Schuster for his gener- osity in providing a classroom.


The nurse spends much of her time in making home visits, inter- preting defects, and arranging means of correction; checking absen- tees and in general follow-up.


Classroom inspections and some health talks are given. The state department of public health does not recommend that too many health talks be given by the nurse.


The full report on communicable disease and immunization, as well as the pre-school examination, may be found in the Board of Health nurse's report, to which I refer you.


-----


20


ANNUAL SCHOOL REPORT


For professional improvement the nurse is attending monthly school nurses' conferences in Worcester, sponsored by the state de- partment of public health ..


It is my desire this year to have time allotted for teacher-nurse conferences, and in the Junior and Senior high school to have time allotted for pupil-nurse conferences as well as some time for health education for the junior and senior high school students.


I am most grateful to Mr. Hilyard, the school committee, Dr. Spooner, Mr. Schuster, Miss Sweinberger, and to the parents and teachers for their cooperation.


Respectfully submitted,


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


21


TOWN OF DOUGLAS


REPORT OF SUPERVISOR OF WRITING


December 23, 1947


Mr. Harry Y. Hilyard Superintendent of Schools Douglas, Massachusetts


My dear Mr. Hilyard:


I am pleased to submit the following report of the operation of the Handwriting program in the Douglas Schools for the school year of 1946-47.


In the initial handwriting tests administered in November, 1933, 2.9% of your elementary school pupils received a grade of "A" (Excel- lent) ; 24.5% received a grade of "B" (Good) ; and 72.4% were graded less than "B". In the June tests administered in 1947, 86.2% of your pupils were graded "A" (Excellent) ; 8.9% were graded "B" (Good); and only 5.9% were graded less than "B". In the November tests ad- ministered 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 1947, 80% of your High School pupils received a score of "A" (Excellent); 12% were graded "B" (Good); and 8% received a score of less than "B". Handwriting Certificates were awarded to 83% of your elementary school graduates and to 93% of your High School graduates.




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