USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Merrimac > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Merrimac 1934 > Part 5
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"The music in the elementary schools is progressing in the usual manner with two-part singing in the 5th and 6th grades. The 4th grade has new inspiration with their new set of the 'Music Hour.' We wish very much that the music ap- preciation course of the New Education series might be introduced.
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MERRIMAC TOWN REPORT
"At the Junior High we are finding it very satisfactory to combine the 7th and 8th grades and make a Junior High School Chorus in their regular weekly work.
"The boys and girls of the High School presented an operetta, 'The Pirate's Daughter' in April, 1934, with success. We are sorry that for the year 1934-35 we are unable to have a High School Orchestra. We lack the correct combina- tion of instruments, but we are in hope that by another year those boys and girls now studying by the Harloway method will be far enough advanced to join the others.
"I wish that some arrangement could be made whereby the boys and girls of the High School might have organized Glee Clubs. There seems to be no time available for this with the present arrangement of periods."
At present there are four Horloway pupils under the direction of Mr. P. Gor- don Green of Beverly. The class meets Fridays at Centre School from 11:45 to 12:30. The instruments are the clarinet, the trumpet and drums. There are no violins.
GENERAL
On Tuesday afternoon, May 29, combined Memorial Day exercises were again held in Sargent Hall. Details of this and other events will be here omitted in def- ence to the request of the selectmen that reports be shortened in the interest of economy.
On Fire Prevention Day, October 11, Mr. Charles E. Bridges and Mr. George R. Buzzell responded to the invitation to visit all school buildings and witness fire drills, inspect, and make recommendations.
On Wednesday evening, September 19, the Merrimac Grange, P. of H., No. 171, gave its annual reception to the school department.
FINANCIAL
The state report of November 30, 1934, which groups Merrimac among 122 Massachusetts towns of similar size, reports that its expenditure per pupil from local taxation for schools was among the 13 lowest in the group, although its general tax rate was the highest of the group.
HEALTH
Herewith follows the school report of Mrs. Jean Badashaw, Public Health Nurse :
Number of school visits 537
Number of home visits 213
Number of pupils enrolled in four schools 461
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MERRIMAC TOWN REPORT
Number of pupils examined by Doctor, nurse assisting, May 318, November 210, December 97. (In November and December Dr. Davis assisted Dr. Sweetsir in this work.)
Number pupils given full inspection by nurse 461
Number having defects, nutrition 8, Posture 77, teeth 75, throats 79, glands 88, heart 6, vision 8.
Milk was given to the pupils of the Centre and Merrimacport schools through the Red Cross fund during January and February.
During March, April and May, 1934, the schools were interrupted by con- tagious diseases, there being 63 cases of Mumps, 132 of Measles, 1 of Scarlet Fever, due to these interruptions we did not have the clinic for immunizing against Diph- theria, plans are now being made for these clinics.
On June 29 the pre-school clinic was held at Centre School, Dr. Sweetsir giving a physical examination to 15 children.
In 1932 an application was signed by the School Committee and Board of Health to sponsor the Chadwick Clinic, in 1933 the work began by X-ray and physical examinations. On October 20, 1934, Miss Knight of this work in Boston visited to help make arrangements for the follow-up, on October 15 Mr. Steele X-rayed 8 pupils setting up the X-ray machine in the High School.
On November 27 Dr. Reddy gave a physical examination to 7 pupils, also Miss Emma L. Wetherbee, nutritionist, visited on that date and talked to parents and pupils of the clinic, stressing he need of more rest as well as a well balanced diet.
At this time I wish to thank Dr. Page, parents, teachers and all who have thoughtfully cooperated,
Yours Very Truly,
JEAN BADASHAW
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MERRIMAC TOWN REPORT
Doctor J. C. Page, Superintendent of Schools, and Members of the School Board Gentlemen :
Herewith I submit the annual report of the Merrimac High School for the year 1934.
The distribution of students by classes and courses on October 1, 1934, follows:
Total No.
Col
Sc.
Total
Total
Stud-
Enrollment
Gen.
Prep.
Prep.
Norm. Comm.
Girls
Boys
ents
Post Grads.
Freshmen
Girls
5
5
Boys
1
1 6
Seniors
Girls
4
8
12
Boys
3
1
4 16
Junior
Girls
8
2
3
13
Boys
3
2
2
7 20
Sophomores
Girls
2
3
1
20
26
Boys
4
6
10
36
Freshmen
Girls
4
2
5
5
16
Boys
8
1
6
4
19
35
42
8
14
6
43
72
41
113
We welcome to the High School faculty Miss Evelyn Oliver, who succeeds Miss Jeanne Dozois as head of the Commercial Department; Mr. Wilfred Purdy, who succeeds Mr. Charles Wettergreen as head of the English Department, and Mr. Isaiah Chase, who has been substituting during an extended leave of absence of Miss Barbara Morrill. I have been especially pleased with the way in which each of these teachers has been successfully carrying on their work. It has been particularly noteable that the standards of the past have been maintained with very little break in the continuity of the work. Miss Oliver coaches girls' basket- ball, and has already interested the girls in soccer during the Fall. Mr. Purdy coaches football and basketball. Miss Roberta Annon continues as able head of the History Department.
Previous to this school year, which started in September 1934, examinations in all subjects have been given at the end of each two months, before the report cards covering that period were sent to the parents. During the school year 1934-
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MERRIMAC TOWN REPORT
35, examinations are to be given at the end of four and at the end of eight months. This leaves a period of two months at the end of the school year, sometime dur- ing which the achievement tests are usually given. This plan of giving the exam- inations two times a year instead of four, is on trial. The giving of examinations necessitates an immense amount of clerical work and correction by the teachers. If the less number of examinations proves satisfactory, it will probably be adopted. The primary purpose of the examinations is to test the student's knowledge of a subject. It remains to be seen whether the two examination plan can be adapted for use with our report card system of five marking periods a year.
Nineteen students graduated in the class of 1934. The class parts were award- ed as follows: Valedictory-Norma Goodwin, Salutatory-Helen Sanuk, Class His- tory-Virginia Harrison, Class Will-Marie Busch, Class Prophecy-Willard Kelly, Class Gifts-Irene Hargraves, Class Poem-Beatrice Hazeltine. The Balfour Award was won by Norma Goodwin, and the Washington and Franklin Medal was awarded to Virginia Harrison. Mr. Arthur B. Lord, Supervisor of Educa- tional Research and Statistics, Department of Education of Massachusetts, gave the Commencement address. Mr. Graham R. Whidden, President of the Old Middlesex Chapter, Sons of the American Revoution, presented the Washington and Franklin Medal. A number of well rendered selections by the school chorus directed by Mrs. Dorris Currier helped to make the program an excellent one. For the first time the chorus stood upon an especially constructed platform. Not only did the chorus make a much better appearance than in the past but also the arrange- mert permitted a closer blending of the voices. The graduating class wore the gray caps and gowns.
The high school is the grateful recipient of a five tube Philco Radio pre- sented early in September by the Parent-Teacher Association. The radio has al- ready been used in some classes during an appropriate broadcast of subjects rela- tive to the work of the class. A program of Educational Broadcasts from the National Broadcasting Company has been used in choosing these broadcasts. This program states the times of broadcasts of suitabe programs for school use, over a period of each month, and gives a large variety of subjects.
It was necessary to cancel all but the first two games of football during the 1934 football season. Injuries sustained by several players in the first two games made it impossible to play the remaining games of the schedule. Although the players were better equipped than in past years, there was and is a great need for more and better equipment in all the sports of which we maintain teams.
It is practically impossible to properly finance athletics in a high school the size of Merrimac High School, as it has been attempted in the past. Football brings in but a few dollars, Basketball does not pay its maintenance, and the revenue from Baseball does not begin to pay for its expenses. All the teams are sadly ini need of new suits, and new equipment. Most of the equipment now in use by the football squad has been given to the school by other schools which had bought newer equipment to replace it and rather than throw the old away, had passed it along, to us. It is true we have maintained these teams in the past, but not properly. I do not know that lack of equipment was the main cause for the injuries received by the football players. I do know, however, the new and better
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MERRIMAC TOWN REPORT
equipment would greatly lessen the danger of injury. Our Baseball team is not on even terms with a well equipped team from another school. We can not afford, for axample, to supply enough bats for our players to use.
A large part of the money used to defray the expenses of athletics comes from dues of the Athletic Association. All the students in the High School are mem- bers and pay $.50 per year dues. It would not be good judgment to attempt to conduct an entertainment to raise money, for the High School has already an annual schedule of events which occupies the attention of the students as much as is wise
I believe that the health program, the athletic program of the high school ought to be financed in the same way as is other departments. We hire a coach but buy him no equipment with which to work. Why is it not just as reasonable to purchase a basketball or baseballs for the athletic department, as to purchase supplies for the History or Mathematics Department?
At the time of writing of these reports, it is a problem how the new net can be paid for which the High School is now using in Sargent Hall. Mr. William Casazza and Mr. Roscoe Child have collected some funds from generous towns- people, each of whom contributed a quarter, a half dollar, or a dollar toward this expense. Francis Bailey, a high school student, collected $120.0 in this way. This net will undoubtedly be paid for, partly by subscription and probably partly from nieager funds which ought to be used for other purposes.
Some of the more important extra curricular activities were, the usual athletic teams in football, baseball and both boys' and girls' basketball with their usual practice, interclass games and competition with other schools, the Jamaco Journal, the school bi-weekly paper, the Student Council, a Hi-Y Club for boys, and special holiday programs. The Operetta, "The Pirate's Daughter" in February, Stunt Night, May 11, at which the Juniors won the prize by their "Magic and Drama," the Junior Promenade, May 24, and the Memorial Day Exercises in Sargent Hall of all the school children in town and the usual Graduation activities of Bacca- laureate Service, Class Trip, Graduation Exercises and Reception finished the school activities for the year 1933 and 34. In the fall of 1934, a one act play and se- lections by a male quartette furnished entertainment for the Parent-Teacher Asso- ciation in October, then came the Freshmen Dance the first of November, the Sen- ior Play, "Good Morning Glory" on December 14.
The student council has purchased an extension to the Balfour Award Plaque, on the six plates of which are inscribed the names of the winners of the Balfour Award for six consecutive years. Six keys were also bought by the student council for presentation to the student to whom the honor is awarded.
An electric clock controlling the bell system of the high school would be a distinct improvement of the system of ringing the bells from a push button by hand as is now the practice. These bells are rung thirty-one times daily. Not only does the one who rings the bell need to glance at the clock constantly in order to ring the bells at the proper time, but such a system is very inaccurate.
I thank Doctor Page and the School Committee for their kind cooperation.
Respectfully submitted,
C. D. Mackay, Principal.
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MERRIMAC TOWN REPORT
GRADUATES OF MERRIMAC JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL, 1934
Gertrude Florence Bacon, James Matthew Barry, Robert Greeley Burbeck, Karl Edward Busch, Bertha Elizabeth Clark, Mythel Harriet Collins, Alcha Cath- erine Huntress, Florence Mae Hurlburt, Helena Beatrice MacDougall, Barbara Ann Murray, Helmi Miriam Mustonen*, George Francis Peaslee, Jacob E. Quinney, Jr., Herbert White Remick, Hugh M. Remick, Roland Charles Roberge, Jack Morris Sargent, Berdina Mary Schiavoni, Paul H. Seymour, Joseph Patrick Stev- ens, Sylvia Esther Tammik, Dorothy Marion Vincent*, Beth Elaine Whiting*, Mary Frances Whiting*, Elinor Marie Wormhood *.
At mid-year : Eleanor Arlere Preble, Ralph Batchelder Sargent, John Daniel Hardy Thornton. * Scholastic Honors.
GRADUATES OF MERRIMAC HIGH SCHOOL, 1934
College Preparatory Course: Irene Elizabeth Hargraves.
Scientific Preparatory Course : Willard Thorn Kelly, Jr.
Normal Course : Virginia Burnett Harrison.
Commercial Course: Wiliam O. Calnan, Janice Evelyn Howe, Margaret Eliz- abeth Hoyt, Helen Pauline Sanuk, Ethel Gould Tarbox, Beatrice Bernice Urquhart.
General Course: George Woodbury Bacon, Marie Otillia Busch, Lois A. Clark, Fugene William Deminie, Leon L. Dow, Jr., Norma Pauline Goodwin, Beatrice Evelyn Hazeltine, Helen Marjorie How, Paul Allen Metcalf, C. Ernest Preble, Harold James Smith.
MERRIMAC HIGH SCHOOL HIGH SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP HONORS, 1933-34
High Honor
Norma Goodwin 93, Leonora Child 92.75, Paul Morgan 92.5, Helen Sanuk 92.4, Howard DeLong 92.
Honor
Marjorie Emery 89.5, Margaret Dow 89, Virgiria Harrison 89, Shirley Lord 89, Marie Busch 88, Gladys Robinson 87.63, Arlene Hirst 87.4, Hortense Sande 87.2, Elizabeth Waterhouse 87, Lester Sweeney 86.75, Elizabeth Goodwin 86.25, Fugene Deminie 85.8, Willard Kelly 85.6, Muriel Walace 85.25, Lucille Schiavoni 85.2, Donald DeLong 85.13.
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MERRIMAC TOWN REPORT
GIRLS WHO EARNED LETTERS IN BASKETBALL, 1934
Janice Howe, Captain; Margaret Dow, Virginia Streeter, Irene Hargraves, Arlene Hirst, Natalie Carroll, Helen How, Helen Brady, Barbara Dinsmore, El- eanor Mac Donald, Manager.
BOYS WHO EARNED LETTERS IN BASKETBALL, 1934
Harold Smith, Captain; Leon Dow, George Bacon, Eugene Deminie, Ernest Preble, Paul Metcalf, John Slobon, Francis Bailey, Manager.
BOYS WHO EARNED LETTERS IN BASEBALL, 1934
Leon Dow, Captain; Eugene Deminie, George Bacon, Harold Smith, William Casazza, Arthur Hoyt, Frederick Bailey, Paul Metcalf, Leon Smith, James How, Paul Morgan, Francis Bailey, Manager.
ATTENDANCE HONOR ROLL
Not Absent for 7 years, September 1927 to June 1934 Margaret Dow
Not Absent for 3 years, September 1931 to June 1934 Sylva Clark Ethel Tarbox
Not Absent for 2 Years, September 1932 to June 1934 Louis Familia
Not Absent for 1 Year, September 1933 to June 1934
High School-Paul Metcalf, Ruth Metcalf, Frances Plona, Hor- tense Sande.
Junior High School-Gertrude Bacon, Ray Clark, Arthur Lock- wood, Berdina Schiavoni.
Centre School, Grade 6-Shirley Nelson. Grade 5-Evelyn Lang, Granville Murphy.
Grade 4-none. Grade 3-none. Grade 2-Shirley Breed. Grade 1-none.
Merrimacport School-none.
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MERRIMAC TOWN REPORT
MEMBERSHIP DATA
School and Grade
Average membership for school year ending June 1934
Membership October 1, 1934
HIGH SCHOOL :
Post Graduates
7
6
Grade 12
19
16
Grade 11
19
20
Grade 10
21
36
Grade 0
48
35
Total High School
114
113
JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL :
Grade 8
35
42
Grade 7
41
37
Total Junior High School
76
79
CENTRE SCHOOL:
Grade 6
34
41
Grade 5
43
53
Grade 4
48
41
Grade 3
38
36
Grade 2
34
33
Grade 1
39
33
Total Centre School
236
237
MERRIMACPORT SCHOOL:
26
17
Total for Town
452
446
1934 FINANCIAL SUMMARY
Regular School appropriation
$27,735.00
Retunded dog tax
149.09
Total amount available for schools
$27,884.09
Total expenditures
27,856.00
Balance
$28.09
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MERRIMAC TOWN REPORT
Reimbursements :
Supt. Schools
$483.33
General School Fund, Part I (income tax) 4,612.50
General School Fund, Part II
2,256.25
Tuition and Transportation State Wards
625.56
Tuitioni to local high school
190.00
All other
23.00
Total reimbursements
$8,190.64
Total expenditures
$27,856.00
Total reimbursements
8,190.64
Total expended from local taxation, inc. refunded dog tax
$19,665.36
SUMMARY 1934 EXPENSES
General Control
School Committee expenses
$31.10
Supt. Schools salary
850.00
Secretary's salary
250.00
Supt's travel expenses and office supplies
150.00
Law enforcement
77.75
$1,358.85
Cost of Instruction
Teachers' salaries
17,210.00
Substitutes
83.00
Supervisors' salaries
800.00
Text books
603.88
Suppies
1,048.34
$19,745.22
Cost of Operation
Janitors' salaries
1,215.00
Fuel
1,320.29
Janitors' supplies, cleaning, etc.
329.91
$2,865.20
Repairs
987.13
Health
316.00
Transportation
1,961.00
Equipment
575.39
Miscellaneous
47.21
Total
$27,856.00
MERRIMAC TOWN REPORT
1935 FINANCIAL ESTIMATES
General Control
School Committee expenses
$25.00
Supt. Schools salary
850.00
Secretary's salary
250.00
Supt's travel expenses and office sup.
150.00
Law enforcement
85.00
$1,360.00
Cost of Instruction
Teachers' salaries
17,210.00
Substitutes
200.00
Supervisors' salaries
800.00
Text books
600.00
Supplies
900.00
$19,710.00
Cost of Operation
Janitors' salaries
1,200.00
Fuel
1,560.00
Janitors' supplies, cleaning, etc.
280.00
$3,040.00
Repairs
$1,600.00
Health
325.00
Transportation
2,100.00
Equipment
200.00
Miscellaneous
25.00
Total
$28,360.00
Estimated 1935 reimbursements:
Supt. Schools
$483.33
General School Fund, Part I (income tax) 4,212.50
General School Fund, Part II
2,344.26
Tuition and Transportation State Wards
515.06
Tuition to local high school
95.00
All other
19.50
Total estimated reimbursements $7,669.65
Total estimated expenses from local taxation, 1935 $20,690.35
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Appropriations Recommended for 1935
9
Board of Health Regulations 31 Jury List 32
Town Officers
3
Reports of-
Assessors
18
Cemetery Trustees 23
C. W. A. and E. R. A., 1934 28
Finance Committee
9
Fire Engineers 26
Inspector of Wires
24
Municipal Light Board
15
Playground Commissioners
75
Police Department
12
Public Health Nurse
25
Public Library
22
School Committee
76
Sealer of Weights and Measures 27
Selectmen
6
Tax Collector
29
Town Accountant 33
Town Clerk
11
Town Forest
20
Town Treasurer
30
Water Commissioners 17
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