USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Merrimac > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Merrimac 1933 > Part 4
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During the past year $78,300.00 was borrowed in anticipation of taxes of which $25,000.00 was outstanding on January 1, 1934. Inter- est rates continued high and $2,457.25 was required for discounts. $186.79 was paid for interest on taxes paid in advance.
Maturing debt for 1934, exclusive of tax anticipation loans, con- sists of $2,000.00 on the Lake Attitash Water Extension, and $3,600.00 borrowed from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts under the Federal Emergency Relief Act of 1933.
The number of checks issued was 6,571.
Respectfully submitted,
ROY C. JOURNEAY, Town Treasurer.
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MERRIMAC TOWN REPORT
COLLECTOR'S REPORT
A. Raymond Waterhouse, Collector, in account with the Town of
Merrimac.
Final Account-1931 Tax List
Dr.
To uncollected taxes (last report) $5,340.50
To interest received on over-due taxes 559.63
$5,900.13
Cr.
By cash paid to Town Treasurer
$5,085.51
By abatements authorized
814.62
$5,900.13
1931 Motor Vehicle Excise
Dr.
To uncollected taxes (last report)
$507.40
To interest received on overdue taxes
11.02
$518.42
Cr.
By cash paid to Town Treasurer
$143.83
By abatements authorized
374.59
$518.42
1932 Tax List
Dr.
To uncollected taxes (last report)
$30,603.61
To late collections (last report)
3,987.07
To interest received on overdue taxes
719.80
$35,310.48
Cr.
By cash paid to Town Treasurer
$18,492.68
By abatements
2,439.40
By taxes uncollected
14,378.40
$35,310.48
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MERRIMAC TOWN REPORT 1932 Motor Vehicle Excise Dr.
To uncollected taxes (last report)
$739.20
To interest received on overdue taxes 16.32
$755.52
Cr.
By cash paid to Town Treasurer
$368.33
By abatements
45.74
By taxes uncollected
341.45
$755.52
A. RAYMOND WATERHOUSE,
Collector of Taxes for the years 1931 and 1932.
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MERRIMAC TOWN REPORT
REPORT OF COLLECTOR OF TAXES Fred C. Twombly, Collector in account with the Town of Merri- inac.
1933 Motor Vehicle Excise
Dr.
To 1933 Motor Vehicle Excise List
$3,356.03
To interest received 7.50
$3,363.53
Cr.
By cash paid to Town Treasurer
$2,626.72
By abatements
98.85
By taxes uncollected
637.96
$3,363.53
Dr.
To 1933 tax list
$85,107.50
To interest received
84.47
$85,191.97
Cr.
By cash paid Town Treasurer
$47,574.66
By abatements
2,208.15
By uncollected taxes
35,409.16
$85,191.97
FRED C. TWOMBLY,
Collector of Taxes
ANNUAL REPORT
of the
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
of the
TOWN OF MERRIMAC for the
YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1933
85
MERRIMAC TOWN REPORT
To the Citizens of the Town of Merrimac:
In accordance with custom and with the Acts of the General Court, 1859, Chapter 57, we herewith submit to you the 64th Annual School Report.
WILLARD T. KELLY, Chairman ANNIE W. HOYT, Secretary HOWARD L. DeLONG School Committee.
MERRIMAC SCHOOL CALENDAR
(Continued from Calendar in 1932 Town Report.) March 1934, to March 1935
February 26, 1934-All schools open for third term.
April 13, 1934-All schools close for spring vacation.
April
23, 1934-All schools open for spring term.
May
30, 1934-All schools close, Memorial Day.
June 15. 1934-Elementary schools close.
During week of
June 18. 1934-Junior and Senior High School graduations.
September 4. 1934-Parents' Day, registration of all entering pupils.
September 5, 1934-All schools open for fall term.
October 12, 1934-All schools close, Columbus Day.
November 12, 1934-All schools close, Armistice Day observed.
Nov. 29 & 30, 1934-All schools close, Thanksgiving recess.
December 19, 1934-Elementary schools close for Christmas vacation.
December 21, 1934-High and Junior High Schools close for Christmas vacation.
January 2, 1935-All schools open for winter term.
February 15, 1935-All schools close for Washington's birthday vacation.
February 25, 1935-All schools open for third term.
NO SCHOOL SIGNAL
7:30 a.m. 11-11-long pause-1. No school in grades only.
7:30 a.m. 11-11-11. No school in high schools and grades.
11:40 a.m. Same signals. One session.
12:30 p.m. Same signals. No school in afternoon.
SCHOOL OFFICERS
John C. Page, Ed. D., Superintendent
Address: West Newbury
Tel. W. N. 52
Margaret R. Sawyer, Secretary
Address : West Newbury
Tel. W. N. 52
Alexander M. Sullivan, Supervisor of Attendance
Address: Locust Street
Tel. 238
F. E. Sweetsir, M. D., School Physician
Address: 19 Main Street
Tel. 49
jean Badashaw, School Nurse
Address : 29 Mill Street
Tel. 52-11
S6
DIRECTORY OF THE SCHOOL STAFF-SEPTEMBER 1933
Position
Training
Total years experience
Years in Merrimac
HIGH SCHOOL
Prin., math., science ..
Chauncey D. MacKay
B. S. E., B. U. School of Education, 1924
10
5
French and Latin .... English
Charles O. Wettergreen
B. S., Univ. of N. H., 1932
0
History
Roberta C. Annon
B. S., Univ. of N. H., 1931
2
Commercial
Jeanne Dozois
B. S. in Ed., Salem Normal, 1930
3
3
JUNIOR HIGH
Prin., social science ..
Howard G. Patchett
B. A., Union College, 1914 M. A., Clark University, 1926
11
2
English and math. .. Lydia Risi
A. B., Tufts, 1929
3
21/2
CENTRE SCHOOL
Prin., Grade 6
Wilma B. Kingsbury
Castine Normal, 1896
1 summer Hyannis Normal
1 summer North Adams Normal
1 summer Fitchburg Normal
1 summer University of Maine Framingham Normal, 1928 Lowell Normal, 1926
19
9
Grade 5
Louise E. Hardy
5
0
Grade 4
Theresa Kondrat
2 summers B. U. School of Education
61/2
3
Grade 3
Sarah B. Titcomb
Salem Normal, 1905
191/2
12
Grade 2
Helen O. Manning
Bridgewater Normal, 1918
8
61/2
Grade 1
Helen J. Kennedy
Lesley Normal, 1927
41/2
3
0 ON 2
MERRIMAC TOWN REPORT
Barbara Morrell
A. B., Bates, 1915
11
7
1
DIRECTORY OF THE SCHOOL STAFF-(Concluded)
Position
Training
Total years experience
Years in Merrirnac
MERRIMACPORT SCHOOL Grades 1-3
M. Ethel Davis
Salem Normal, 1914
18
14
Drawing Supervisor
..
Annie A. Kelly
Mass. School of Art, 1906 1 summer N. E. School of Design
2 summers private instruction
251/2
7
Music Supervisor
Doris C. Currier
Institute of Music Pedagogy
111/2
2
MERRIMAC TOWN REPORT
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MERRIMAC TOWN REPORT
CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL
The outstanding school event during 1933 was the vote of the town on Thursday evening, October 5, to apply for $100,000 under the National Industrial Recovery Act for the purpose of building a new consolidated school. The com- mittee in charge, comprising jointly the school committee, the selectmen, and the finance committee, is making its own report; this will be found elsewhere. Suf- fice it here for the school department to speak in deep gratitude of the leadership and arduous work of Mr. Mortimer E. Sullivan, of the effective team work of members of the building committee, of the loyal suport of the school project. by citizens, and of the direction and guidance given freely by Mr. Burr F. Jones, State Supervisor of Elementary Education. The end of 1933 finds the building plan well in hand, the completed application filed in accordance with Section 209 of the National Industrial Recovery Act, and unanimous approval of the project by both the State Emergency Finance Board and the State Advisory Board, and the signature of the governor. There still remains the action of the federal gov- ernment in respect to the application. The plans for the new building were drawn by Mr. J. G. Morissette of Lawrence.
BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS
Pending developments regarding the projected consolidated school, there has been every attempt, since the action of the town was taken, to refrain from spending money on present buildings and grounds. No repairs or improvements were made unless the need seemed to be immediate or urgent. Measured even by these standards, the upkeep cost has been a factor with buildings of the age of the present ones.
HIGH SCHOOL
There was one change on the high school teaching staff during 1933. In the fall Mr. Charles O. Wettergreen of Malden took over the classes in English and clementary science which had been taught during the two preceding years by Miss Ruth E. MacDuffee (now Mrs. Harry E. Veeder). In addition, Mr. Wetter- green became athletic coach of the boys.
Mr. Wettergreen is a graduate of the Malden High School and of the Uni- versity of New Hampshire. On the campus he was very well known, since he was president of his class for the last two years and was a player on several varsity teams. Mr. Wettergreen has taught at the Dover (N. H.) High School and has liad considerable experience in directing playground activities and in coaching ath- letics. He majored in college in English and Education.
A fall high school enrolment of 123, brought about chiefly by an unusually large entering class, entailed some problems under a staff of five in size of instruc- tion units. In such classes as 47 in elementary science, 49 in freshman English, and 45 in beginning French, it is difficult to give the needed amount of attention to individual pupil members. Then, too, under rules adopted by the state depart-
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MERRIMAC TOWN REPORT
rent in 1933 such classes, unless they can be divided, threaten the classification rating of the high school. At present the Merrimac High School is in Class A.
A factor in increasing the high school enrolment has been the fast-growing number of post-graduates. In June Phyllis Colby, Charlotte Franklin, and Arlene Smith received on graduation evening special certificates for post-graduate work completed. These certificates were a new feature. The fall of 1933 finds nine post-graduates registered at the high school: Mary Bacon, Irving Blake, Margaret Franklin, Arthur Hoyt, Jennie Joudrey, Elsie Pease, Rowena Purdy, Ellwood Thornton, and Ruth Sheldon.
From Newton a tuition pupil has entered the high school.
On graduation evening the class of twenty-four made an impressive sight. It consisted of sixteen girls and eight boys. Honors, including Balfour Award and Washington-Franklin Medal, will be found listed elsewhere. Norman M. Kelly is continuing his education at the Bentley School of Accounting and Finance, and Irving A. Blake plans soon to enter the Franklin School of Medical Technology in Philadelphia.
Concerning commercial work at the high school, Miss Jeanne M. Dozois writes :
"In the spring Evelyn Gilmore, Florence Hutchins, Jeanette Odiorne, Elsie Pease and Alice Thorne attained an official speed of 100 words a minute in Gregg. Mary Bacon, Louisa Franklin, and Beatrice McCarron 80 words. Ruth Sheldon 60 words.
"Evelyn Gilmore attained an official record of 68 words a minute for ten minutes in typewriting and Elsie Pease 63 for which they received a Competent Typist gold pin. Mary Bacon, Florence Hutchins, Jeanette Odiorne received the 50 words a minute certificate. Beatrice McCarron, Ruth Sheldon and Ellwood Thornton received the 40 words a minute certificate.
"Elsie Pease was awarded the gold O. G. A. pin for submitting the best paper in the Annual O. G. A. Contest sponsored by the Gregg Writer. The school received Honorable Mention.
"In May, 1933, the Stenography II students participated in a 'Busi- ness Problem' Contest sponsored by the Gregg Writer, a magazine used in the Commercial classes. Elsie Pease was the only student from a Massachusetts high school to receive one of the 10 prizes awarded in the contest which was a set of Shorthand books-'American Readings.'"
The total cost per pupil in the Merrimac High School for the year ending in June, 1931, was $117.03; in June, 1932, it was $101.51; in June, 1933, it was $89.13; without substracting donations. The figures for the present year cannot be determined until after the coming June, but present indications are strong that they will be in the same downward direction. The state's average in June, 1933, tin towns of Merrimac's class) was $112.46.
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MERRIMAC TOWN REPORT
During 1933 there were a few interruptions, such as the influenza epidemic of the third week of January, the absence of Miss MacDuffee at the first of the year (substitution by Mr. Ralph C. Taylor) and the absence of the principal at the middle of June (short substitution by superintendent), but for the most part the year was one of progress in the regular routine, with abundant. opportunity for student participation in any of several group activities. Further details concerning the year will be found in the report of the principal, Mr. C. D. Mackay.
JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
June 2 was the annual contact date when Mr. C. D. Mackay met prospective graduates from the eighth grade and discussed high school work.
On the evening of June 19, diplomas were given to 41 pupils. This was an unusually large graduating class; the names are listed elsewhere. Class Day exer- cises had been held the Friday afternoon preceding. The speaker on graduation night was the Reverend Bruce T. Riley of West Newbury. Marjorie Emery was the valedictorian and Gladys Robinson the salutatorian. Five others graduated with honors: Helen Carter, Shirley Lord, Raymond McConnell, George Ordiorne, and Muriel Wallace. As usual, the attendance was large.
Throughout 1933 Principal H. G. Patchett made many parental contacts and worked arduously with the pupils to build a sense of group-cooperation and a pride in personal achievement. A Winston's Encyclopedia, purchased by funds raised by the pupils, was presented to the school. Special interests or abilities of pupils were fostered by the maintenance, through the help of Miss Risi, of club work adapted to pre-high school age. Boys in the science club, for instance, in- stalled an electric fire gong, similar to the one at the High School.
No comparison of per-pupil cost is here given. The state department, since the year ending in June, 1931, has ceased to list as junior high schools any schools in Massachusetts which do not maintain Grades 7, 8, and 9. A town has either the 6-3-3 plan, i. e., six years of grammar school, three years of junior high, and three years of senior high, or else it has the 8-4 plan, that is, eight years to gram- mar graduation and four years of high school. It is not possible, therefore, to compare Merrimac costs in the present year with those of similar schools in the state; present figures are based upon flat per-pupil rates for all pupils below the high school. In the year ending in June, 1931, however, the per pupil junior high cost in Merrimac was $69.33 against a state average in similar towns of $77.91, so it is safe to say that it is now considerably below.
At the opening of school in September, 1933, the enrolment was 75,-39 for the seventh grade and 36 for the eighth.
At the end of 1933, Principal Howard G. Patchett writes :
"The year 1933 marks another milestone in the progress of the Junior High School. An excellent spirit of co-operation has prevailed in the school during the year.
"In May the Senior Class under the direction of the history department made
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MERRIMAC TOWN REPORT
its annual trip to Boston. The pupils always look forward to the trip with a great deal of interest. The places visited were Peabody Museum, Museum of Fine Arts, the aquarium, the Navy Yard, Bunker Hill, the Airport, Franklin Park, and the State House.
"In June 41 pupils were graduated from the school. This was the largest graduating class in the history of the school.
"The various clubs have been an interesting feature of the year's work. During the year a science club, a dramatic club, a French club and a bird club were organized.
"The history work of the school was strengthened by the addition of a number of volumes to the reference shelves.
"Several excellent books were also added to the school library."
CENTRE SCHOOL
There was one change on the teaching staff at the Centre School during 1933. Mrs. Louise E. Hardy of Merrimac assumed the work of the fifth grade in the place of Mrs. Sarah E. Briggs who had been with the school for three years.
Mrs. Hardy is a graduate of Merrimac High School and of the Framingham Normal School. During the five years since her normal school graduation she has taught in the public schools of New Hampshire,-for three years at the Farm Lane School, Seabrook, and recently at the South Seabrook School.
During the summer Miss Sarah Titcomb, third grade, took a University Ex- tension course at Newburyport under Professor Charles R. Rounds on "Methods of Teaching English in Elementary Schools."
On the opening day in September, 1933, Centre School had an enrolment of 248, distributed as follows: Grade 1-43, II-37, III-39, IV-52, V-42, VI-35. Late entrants swelled these figures.
The special problem was the fourth grade which, by October, had an enrolment of 55. This was the same large class which had caused a temporary exchange of the 2.11d and 3rd grade rooms during the preceding year; it was still further swollen by entrants from the Port School and one from Rocks Village. In order to relieve the congestion slightly, a fourth grade was established at the Port. Five of the pupils who had entered from there were transferred back in the middle of October. This new fourth grade was given, of course, to Mrs. M. Ethel Davis, who was already teaching three grades. It seemed like going backwards to establish an old- fashioned single-room primary school of four grades, but no other solution was within the budget, or otherwise feasible. A better solution would have been a special full-time teacher at Centre School for pupils in the 4th grade (and else- where) who were somewhat retarded in their work, but of course there is no extra classroom in the building for such a teacher anyhow.
The total cost per pupil in the Merrimac elementary schools (including grades 7 and 8) for the year ending in June, 1932, was $59.81; in June, 1933, it was
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MERRIMAC TOWN REPORT
$46.06, without subtracting donations. The state's average in June, 1933, (in towns in Merrimac's class) was $63.56.
1933 has been an excellent year at the Centre School, in spite of its problems. There has been abundant evidence of satisfactory progress in learning as shown by standardized tests and daily work. The school morale has continued to be excellent, and there has been adequate opportunity for many types of group ac- tivities except out-of-door play. Special interests and abilities have had an outlet in the sixth grade through hobby books; a number of children have corresponded with children in Great Britain; on Memorial Day a group went to Whittier's birth- place. In all grades the special festivals have given a focus to periodic classroom projects.
At Christmas season Mr. Zenas Lovell again gave a tree to each class at Centre School, and an orange to each pupil.
MERRIMACPORT SCHOOL
The Port School opened in September with an enrolment of 23, viz, Grade 1-8, II-6, III-9. In the middle of October the enrolment was increased to 28 by the addition of a fourth grade of 5 pupils, transferred from the Centre School, as explained heretofore. The fourth-grade pupils transferred were John Deminie, Phyllis Hall, James Mader, Verna Piper, and Malverdia Zinck.
The installation of electric lights at the beginning of 1933 was a help to pupils and teachers.
Throughout 1933 the parents of Port children have shown excellent spirit in working with the school. At the end of the year a large representation attended the Christmas exercises.
OTHER PUPILS
The Rocks Village School of Haverhill is maintaining only the first three grades, so one of the three Merrimac tuition pupils from the Rocks Village section came to the fourth grade Centre in the fall. On the vocational side, Donald (.onrad MacDougall graduated in June from the printing department of the Haver- hill Trade School, and one Merrimac citizen attended for a while the Lynn Inde- pendent Industrial Shoemaking School.
PROFESSIONAL CONTACTS
The Merrimac teachers during the year have continued participation with the state and county organizations, have held regular meetings of their own and with other teachers of the district for discussion of educational problems, and have had the results of their work measured by standardized tests. Mr. Patchett has been elected president of the Wenemesane Club, comprising the teachers of the district, and the superintendent has been elected secretary of the Essex County Teachers Association. Friendly professional contacts among teachers have been fostered by social meetings: on October 3 at a dinner party at Just Like Home, for Merrimac ;
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MERRIMAC TOWN REPORT
on December 12 a social at G. A. R. Hall in Merrimac, for all teachers of the district.
DRAWING
Herewith follows the eighth year-end report of Miss Annie A. Kelly, Super- visor of Drawing :
Merrimac, Mass. Jan. 6, 1934
Dr. John C. Page Supt. of Schools,
Merrimac, Mass. Dear Sir :
The study of Art in the schools is changing with the times as Art can offer so many opportunities for pleasant and profitable use of leisure time. As handicraft fills this need in many ways it is given a larger share of the time especially in the High School where a few very useful tools have recently been purchased.
The High School drawing classes are as large as can be accommodated, in fact the mechanical class must be limited to less than ten for lack of room. If the new school materializes a class room for drawing and its materials would be deeply ap- preciated by the art classes.
Exhibits of school work have been shown during the year and a group of Christmas gifts made by pupils of all grades will soon be on display.
Several store keepers have been very kind in lending their windows for exhibits also the librarians in granting space at the public library, and Mr. Andrews of the First National Store has very generously contributed paper and cartons for use in the art classes. To all of whom we wish to express pour appreciation and thanks.
Yours very truly, Annie A. Kelly
MUSIC
On Tuesday evening, February 14, an operetta, "The Gypsy Rover" was pre- sented at the Grange Hall with noteworthy success under the direction of Mrs. Doris C. Currier.
Throughout the schools, music continues to be in a thriving condition. In the elementary schools there has been graded instructional work, and music apprecia- tion, as far as limited equipment has allowed. Victrolas and records of the Music Education Series would be acceptable gifts. In the Junior High the pupils are learning to hold their parts and in the High School the chorus work with the new books is excellent.
Throughout 1933 the Merrimac High School has had its own orchestra. This orchestra played at graduation and has appeared at many public performances. In the fall it consisted of five trumpets, Howard DeLong, Arthur Hoyt, Eleanor Preble,
2
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MERRIMAC TOWN REPORT
Ernest Preble, and Lester Sweeney; trombone, Irving Blake; drums, Paul Morgan; violin, Willard Kelly; and piano, Donald DeLong.
A feature during the year has been the instructional orchestra by the Harlo- way method under the direction of Mr. Chester A. Mason. The courtesy of the school building has been extended to all pupils with instruments whose parents cared to have them join the group and learn to play the instrument by the group method at the stated small fee of the instructor. Members of the groups have ranged from the fourth grade to post-graduates at the high school. In the fall of 1933 the instructional groups contain five trumpets, five violins, one banjo, two trombones, and two drums.
MEMORIAL DAY
Again in 1933 all the schools of Merrimac united in celebration of Memorial Day. The program was held in Sargent Hall on the afternoon of Monday, May 29. The guests of honor were Mr. John T. Lovett of the G. A. R .; Mrs. Eva Hoyt of the Women's Auxiliary of the G. A. R .; Mr. Edward B. Germane, Commander Stanley T. Wood Post No. 134 of American Legion; Mrs. George Badashaw, Presi- cient of the Women's Auxiliary of the American Legion; Mrs. Hazel Kirkpatrick, President of the Women's Relief Corps; Scoutmaster William J. MacDougall of the Merrimac troup of Boy Scouts. The program consisted of a pageant, "Heart's- Ease and Rue," by pupils of the Centre School, recitations by the pupils of the Junior High and High, songs and flag pledge by pupils, and marches by the High School Orchestra. There was a stirring patriotic address by Mr. Lovett, who always brings with him the spirit of the occasion, and there was a message from the Commander of the American Legion. Invocation and benedicition were led by the Reverend Otis B. Read.
FIRE PREVENTION DAY
On October 11, Fire Prevention Day, the Merrimac Fire Department was in- vited to visit all schools. Mr. Charles E. Bridges responded. In demonstration fire drills the Centre School was cleared in 55 seconds, the Junior High in 25 seconds, and the High School in 26 seconds. At the Junior High it was recommended that two electric buttons in glass containers be installed. This was done by Mr. Patchett and the pupils.
PATRONS
The Merrimac Grange, P. of H., No. 171, gave its annual reception to the school department on Wednesday evening, September 20. Throughout the year the Merrimac P .T. A. has maintained an active and helpful organization.
HEALTH
During 1933 there were three interruptions of school work through epidemics: colds and influenza in January; whooping cough in the latter part of May and early in June, in the lower grades; mumps in December, again in the lower grades
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