USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Merrimac > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Merrimac 1922 > Part 3
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Willard T. Kelly, Secretary and Purchasing Agent.
At the opening of the fall term in September, 1922, there were but two changes from the teachers who were employed during the preceding school year in the entire teaching staff-one at the High School and the other in the Fourth Grade. We were exceptionally fortunate to have been able to retain the services of so large a per- centage of the teachers, and as a direct result the com- mittee is of the opinion that there has been a decided improvement in the condition of the schools. While there is yet much to be desired in this respect, a continuation of the policy inaugurated should assist materially in ac- complishing the ideal sought to be attained.
The question of transportation has demanded much consideration on the part of the committee, and despite its best efforts, the costs of transportation has increased approximately fifty per cent. in the past two years. We are confronted with a situation not unusual to commun- ities of this size and municipal boundaries, where there are a number of children of school age residing several miles from the nearest schoolhouse and suitable means of transportation must be furnished. Our present con- veyances are inadequate in size, and added to this con- dition is the fact that some of the children mentioned attend the High School, where the session now begins
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SCHOOL REPORT
at 8 A. M. while others attend the elementary schools where the classes commence three-quarters of an hour later.
The committee renews its previous request that all citizens who have ashes or refuse adapted to the pur- pose, arrange to have them transported to the field ad- joining the High School building to the end of expe- diting the time when an athletic field shall be provided for the High School students.
Attention is called to the fact that the appropria- tion requested for the current year is $300.00 less than that received in 1922, and that in view of the increased credits anticipated, the estimated net cost to the citi- zens will be approximately $1,200.00 less than last year.
F. LESLIE VICCARO. FRED E. SWEETSIR, M. D. WILLARD T. KELLY.
SCHOOL CALENDAR 1923
Winter Term-January 2-March 23rd; 12 weeks. Spring Term-April 2-June 22nd; 12 weeks.
Fall Term-September 5-December 21st; 16 weeks.
1924
Winter Term-January 7th-March 28th; 12 weeks. Spring Term-April 7th-June 20th; 11 weeks.
Fall Term-September 3rd-December 19th; 16 weeks.
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SCHOOL REPORT
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
Town appropriation,
$24,000.00
CREDIT RECEIPTS FOR 1922
State School Fund Part I,
$2,320.00
State School Fund, Part II,
2,666.85
State, account of schol supt.,
483.34
County dog tax,
117.41
Supplies sold,
1.25
Sale of grass,
11.00
Rebate, Colman,
15.17
Rebate, Oxley's,
38.93
By balance unexpended,
323.62
Total,
5,977.57
Balance net cost for 1922,
$18,022.43
ESTIMATED RECEIPTS FOR 1923
State School Fund, Part I, $2,430.00
State School Fund, Part II, 3,241.02
State, account of school supt.,
483.33
State, tuition of State wards, 600.00
County dog tax and miscellaneous, 145.65
$6,900.00
Estimated expenses for 1923,
23,700.00
Less estimated credits for 1923, 6,900.00
Estimate of net cost for 1923, $16,800.00
SUMMARY OF EXPENSES
General Control
School Committee, salaries, $187.50
School Committee, expenses, 9.08
Supt. of Schools, salary, 598.92
Supt. of Schools, expenses 11-2 years, 150.00
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SCHOOL REPORT
Attendance Officer, census, work cards, 42.50
$988.00
Instruction
Special teachers, $466.50
High school teachers, 4,980.00
Grade school teachers,
8,167.51
High school, books and supplies, 570.79
Grade schools, books and supplies, . 862.77
15,047.57
Care of School Building's
High school janitor, salary,
$332.50
Grade schools janitor, salary,
522.50
High school, fuel,
578.32
Grade schools, fuel,
1,031.54
High school, janitor's supplies,
218.82
Grade schools, janitor's supplies,
165.52
2,849.20
Repairs
High school,
$207.56
Grade schools,
708.66
916.22
Health,
443.99
Transportation,
2,175.00
Tuition,
300.00
Miscellaneous,
41.90
Improvement of high school grounds,
200.00
New equipment,
714.50
Total expenses,
$23,676.38
Total receipts,
5,653.95
Net cost,
$18,022.43
ESTIMATE FOR SCHOOL DEPARTMENT FOR 1923
General Control
School committee, salaries,
$175.00
School committee, expenses,
25.00
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SCHOOL REPORT
Superintendent, salary,
625.00
Superintendent, expenses,
125.00
Enforcement of law and supplies,
50.00
$1,000.00
Salaries
High school,
$5,500.00
Grade and specials,
9,350.00
14,850.00
Books and supplies,
1,200.00
Care of Buildings
Janitors' salaries,
$900.00
Fuel,
1,600.00
Janitors' supplies and cleaning,
300.00
2,800.00
Repairs,
$800.00
Transportation,
2,300.00
Health,
400.00
Sundries,
50.00
New equipment,
300.00
23,700.00
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SCHOOL REPORT
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT
To the School Committee of Merrimac:
Gentlemen : Permit me to report briefly concerning the schools during the past year.
The pupils and teachers have worked together very well. Great advantages have come from a more per- manent teaching force, especially as relates to atten- dance and discipline. There have been only two changes in teachers, one in the High School, and one in the grades. This is about 15% change as compared with 50% to 90% changes which were common a few years ago.
ATTENDANCE
Total number of different pupils in each room added' gives a total membership of 419. The average number- belonging or the average membership was 374. The per- cent. of attendance was 93.3. Two years ago the aver- age membership was 329 and the per cent. of attendance 89.4.
Forty-six pupils were not absent for the whole school year ending in June, 1922. This is about 12% of the average membership. This is a remarkable gain in this. respect from low and unsatisfactory records in the three preceding years.
The same situation exists at the High School build- ing as regards teaching force and an eighth grade which is more or less distinct in organization as has been re- ported upon in former years. The course of study here must be cut to fit our teaching force ; but how to do this without sacrificing our standing with the New England College Entrance Board and our rating for Normal School admission with the State Board of Education is a prob- lem.
The Parent-Teachers' Association were kind enough to present considerable playground supplies to the
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SCHOOL REPORT
schools. This was much enjoyed by the pupils. Phy- sical exercises and games are required to be taught in all schools by recently enacted laws. Part of our teachers are giving adequate attention to this side of their work.
During the summer vacation Miss Durkee attended the summer. session of Simmons College in the depart- ment for commercial teachers. This fall and winter, the other teachers in the High School building are attend- ing a Harvard Extension Course which meets every Mon- day afternoon in Haverhill. This shows that our High School teachers are ambitious and progressive.
The co-operation of teachers, pupils and citizens as well as your support and counsel during the year have been very helpful.
Respectfully submitted, HERMAN N. KNOX,
Superintendent of Schools.
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SCHOOL REPORT
REPORT OF PRINCIPAL OF THE HIGH SCHOOL
Merrimac, Mass., January, 1923.
To Mr. H. N. Knox, Superintendent, and the mem- bers of the School Board.
Dear Sirs :- The following is a brief report of the Merrimac High School :
The membership of the school in September, 1922,
was :
8th Grade
34
Freshmen 39
. making a total of
Sophomores 20 86 in the High School
Juniors 15 34 in the 8th Grade
Seniors
12 120 in the building.
Of the six graduates of the 1922 class, three are con- tinuing their education in other institutions. The attend- ance for the fall term is 95.6%. There is an increase over the previous year of six in the High School and of three in the Eighth Grade. From the present outlook, there will be a larger increase in the High School for the following year.
At this point, I would suggest that another teacher in the High School building would add greatly to the efficiency of the system. The 8th Grade teacher is giv- ing time to the High School which she could use to ad- vantage in the 8th Grade. Both the 8th Grade teacher and the commercial teacher have a crowded schedule hav- ing no free periods, which is neither pedagogically nor psychologically correct for either teacher or pupils. Sev- eral transfers of subject matter, any of which would be more satisfactory than at present, could be made with another teacher.
The following activities have been carried on dur- ing the past year : Orchestra, publishing of a school paper, prize speaking contest, and a playlet presented at the
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SCHOOL REPORT
school as a part of the Christmas program. Plans for other similar activities are being made.
Two new typewriters have been added to the Com- mercial Department, which makes that branch of it practically 100% efficient.
The High School is in Class A, approved by the State Board of Education : and our certificate is accepted by the colleges of the New England Entrance Certificate Board.
In closing, I wish to thank the superintendent and the members of the School Board for all courtesies shown and for the co-operation and assistance in carry- ing on the school work.
Respectfully submitted, AUBREY W. TABOR,
Principal of the High School.
1
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SCHOOL REPORT
REPORT OF SUPERVISOR OF DRAWING
To the Superintendent and School Committee of Merrimac, Mass.
Gentlemen : I take pleasure in submitting my second annual report as Supervisor of Drawing in the public schools of Merrimac.
The work is being carried on in much the same way as last year, with some changes in the outlines of the upper grades.
Two periods a week are spent in the High School, and one in Grade 8. The Freshman girls take freehand drawing and the boys, mechanical.
The aim, in general, of the course in drawing, is to teach observation, appreciation of refinement and beauty, and skill in the use of the hands.
We are endeavoring to make the work interesting by connecting it, as much as possible with every day things.
In the upper grades, the work of several months is being grouped around one subject. For example : Grade 5 is making a booklet illustrating the "Story of Lum- ber," Grade 6 is taking the subject of "Industries," and Grade 7, the subject of "Travel."
In each of the lower grades at least one problem dur- ing the year is worked out in a similar manner by illus- trating a story or series of events.
In closing I wish to express my appreciation for the :splendid help of the teachers in carrying out the work.
Respectfully submitted,
GRACE A. ROBBINS.
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SCHOOL REPORT
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF MUSIC
To the Superintendent of Schools:
I submit with pleasure the following brief report on the study of music in schools of Merrimac.
From twenty to thirty new rote-songs were taught in each of the first three grades. Beginning with the second grade, the work of each advancing year is a con- tinuation and extension of the previous year's work.
Much credit is due grades four, five and six, because, at this period, so many new rhythmic and tonal prob- lems are introduced, it means intensified work on the part of teachers and pupils. The upper grades are showing progress in three part work despite the handi- cap of boys' changing voices.
The High School chorus responds with especially good spirit and the Eighth Grade joins them in assembly once a month.
Grades five and six also have assembly every month. In correlation with the regular work, I hope to give more time to music appreciation by use of the Victrola as this is the only medium by which many children hear and learn to enjoy the best music.
I wish to express my sincere gratitude to the teach- ers for their faithful service and to the superintendent and committee for their co-operation.
Respectfully submitted,
ALICE M. GENTHNER.
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SCHOOL REPORT
ATTENDANCE DATA, SCHOOL YEAR 1921-1922
Schools
Total
Membership
Average
Membership
Per cent. of
Attendance
Teachers
High
81
72.2
94.2 A. W. Tabor
Grade VIII
34
31.6
91.8 Pearl C. Van Houten
Grade VII
31
27.5
92.4 Elizabeth Collins
Grade VI
42
41.2
94.3 Ella O. Willis
Grade V
51
47.7
93.4 Sarah B. Titcomb
Grade IV
35
34.1
95.1 Ruth M. Furlong
Grade III
37
32.9
93.5 Ethel Davis
Grade II
32
25.9
94.7 Clara Twombly
Grade I
51
41.0
90.3 Kathryn Collins
Port
25
19.8
91.7 Annie Sargent
1
Total
419
373.9
93.3
4
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P
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SCHOOL REPORT
HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES 1922
Helen Leona Clark
Marion Althea Dickey Mae Lillian Lord
Velma Gladys Palmer Ruth Chase Tuckwell Lena Janet Ollis
GRAMMAR SCHOOL GRADUATES 1922
Lucy Alcott Bell
Pauline Agnes Brown Arabella Ianthe Cammett Grace Hall Helen Frances Head
Hazel Irene Jenness
Edythe Elizabeth Manuel
Marjorie Elise Senee Clara Bell Thompson Thelma Trefethen Louise Ellen Tucker Esther Catherine Woodburn Dorothy Douglas Wright
Priscilla Elizabeth Donovan
Dorris Enderilla MacGarrey Beatrice England
Oliver Gerard Clement
Ralph Waldo Kelley
Walker Cowell
George Henry Knight Nicol
Robert Lester Gillen
Merrill Smith
Merrill Quimby Goldsmith Burton Goodrich
William Henry Spinney
Dustin Hall
Robert Dickey Wilfred Purdy
Howard Arthur Hutchinson
ATTENDANCE HONOR ROLL, 1922
NOT ABSENT, SEPTEMBER, 1921 to JUNE, 1922
Helen Clark, Grace Earl, Marion Heath, Merrill Fol- ansbee, Elsie Kierstead, Evelyn Kierstead, Frederick Manning, Francis Sande, Lucy Stanton, Margaret Sulli- van, Lona Tankuns, Marguerite Thornton, Norman G. Paine, William D. Roberts, Edith G. Woods, Pauline Brown, Louise Tucker, Dorothy Wright, George Nicol, Enola Stanton; Adelbert Buzzelle, William Franklin, Al- bert Messier, Edmund. Staples, Edith Kierstead, Jean MacDougall, Isabel Wright, Dorothea Cammett, Perry Clevesy, Theron Condon, Ruth Heath, Louise Hutchinson,
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SCHOOL REPORT
Andrew Mader, Sherman Mccutcheon, Evelyn Pettigrew, Helen Franklin, Paul Schultz, Albert Smith, Gerard Tal- ham, Linna Carroll, Charlotte Franklin, Helen Urquhart, Francis Sloban, Everett Carroll, Jennie Jaudrey, Joseph Latham.
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