USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Merrimac > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Merrimac 1935 > Part 6
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The generous gift of Mr. C. Lester Sweeney, in the spring, of another Monroe Calculating Machine, will be a help to the work of the high school.
8
SCHOOL REPORT
MUSIC AND ART
Parents and citizens who have been interested have had abun- dant opportunity during the year to hear and see for themselves something of the work of the schools in music and art. There has been music on many public occasions such as graduations, Memorial Day exercises, and the operetta, and examples of art work and draw- ing have always been exhibited freely by Miss Kelly. More interest- ing still it would be for parents to visit/ and witness what is being done in instruction in these as well as in other fields.
"The Belle of Barcelona" in Grange Hall on April 5 will recall to many citizens "Sunbonnet Sue" of 1932, "The Gypsy Rover" of 1933, and "The Pirate's Daughter" of 1934,-a series which speaks for itself of the music work of the pupils under the direction of Mrs. Currier. In like manner, the samples of the work in drawing and art which have been shown freely for the past nine years by: Miss Kelly at school exhibits and elsewhere throughout the town leave no doubt as to the type of activity in this field.
At the end of 1935, Miss Kelly reports to the superintendent:
Drawing and construction in the grades have continued along the same general lines.
Grades 5, 6 and 7, after a lapse of several years, again partici- pated in the annual poster contest of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the 8th grade at the same time made bas- ketball posters, competing for a prize offered by Mr. Small.
Many pupils of the Junior High School have shown initiative and ingenuity in handicraft in making a creditable collection of book ends, door stops, leather purses and comb cases, and other articles from odds and ends of wood and leather.
The High School students have made rings, bracelets, pendants, leather articles, plaster casts and soap carving. The mechanical classes have continued as usual.
Our aim has been to give the students suggestions and as- sistance in the profitable use of their leisure time as well as to ac- complish the most useful and practical results at the least possible expense.
TRANSPORTATION
In 1935 the Merrimac school committee drew up with the Massa- chusetts Northeastern Street Railway Company a three-year re- newal of its present contract. Altogether about 25% of the school pupils of Merrimac are transported regularly. This is less than half the percentage in other towns of the district.
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SCHOOL REPORT
FINANCIAL
The Merrimac school committee is happy to announce that it will not have to ask for any more appropriation in 1936 than in 1935. In view of the fact that the claims made from the superintendent's office for reimbursements from the state in 1936 promise to be $1200 better than in 1935, this should help financially, for these checks are sent to the town treasurer for reducing the tax levy. Merrimac now stands 101st among the 108 small towns in the state which support high schools in its cost per pupil from all sources for edu- cation, that is, it costs more per pupil in 100 of these towns and less in seven. This is from the state report of November 30, 1935 covering the average cost in all schools of the town. In addition to this, state reimbursements to Merrimac are taking an increasing load of this cost.
HEALTH
THE SCHOOL REPORT OF MRS. JEAN BADASHAW, PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE, 1935
Number of school visits, 413.
Number home visits, 231.
Number children visited, 424.
Number pupils examined at school by Dr. Davis, 381, nurse as- sisting.
Number pupils examined by nurse, 489.
Number defects, nutrition, 84.
Number defects, posture, 166.
Number defects, teeth, 133; corrections, 58.
Slight heart defects, 3.
Glands, nose and throat defects, 21; corrections, 7. Vision, 12; corrections, 2.
The follow-up of the Chadwick clinic was continued by Essex Co. T. B. Association located at Middleton. The Von Pirquet test was given to 106 pupils, 27 had positive reaction and were X-rayed, 4 were examined and were classed as observation cases for the fol- low-up in the coming year.
In March the immunizing for the prevention of diphtheria was again started. Three treatments were given at three week intervals to 49 children.
In November 29 children were immunized, ten being pre-school children. These treatments were given by Dr. Davis (School Phy- sician) and only to children whose parents have given their con- sent in writing.
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SCHOOL REPORT
On June 26 the pre-school clinic was held at Centre School,. 24 children attended and were examined by Dr. Davis.
During March, April and May the lower grades were inter- rupted as a number of pupils had German measles.
In September again the schools were interrupted by skin dis- eases.
REPORT OF JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
Dr. John C. Page, Supt. of Schools,
Dear Sir:
Among the year's activities at the Junior High I should like to- make mention of the following:
Under the auspices of the History Department the Senior Class. made its annual trip to Boston where the usual places of historical. interest were visited.
The total enrolment of Senior Class of 1935 was 35.
A Science Club has been organized for pupils of Grade 8. This: club has shown special interest in photographic work.
For the first time in the history of the school, organized and' outfitted teams in basketball and baseball took part in inter-school. games.
In addition to the regular Junior High School extra curricula. activities, Mr. Small, who has charge of the school's athletics, has. operated a very popular Merrimac Boys' Club. This club was made: possible through the assistance of the Parent-Teachers' Association. About 40 boys, ranging in ages from 12-18 years make up the organ- ization.
Respectfully yours,
HOWARD G. PATCHETT.
MERRIMAC JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL, GRADUATES OF CLASS OF 1935
Gladys Alberta Bowser, Bertha Mae Bunker, *Nellie Mae Durgin, Marjorie Ruth Gilmore, Staffy Gortot, *Frances Marjorie Hall, Isa- belle Elsie Heath, Marjorie Illsley How, Gertrude Agnes Hume, Mary Elizabeth Hutchins, Catherine Martha McMaster, Natalie Gertrude Merritt, Dorothy Marie Murphy, *Elaine Noone, *Gladys Alma Palmer, Anna Elizabeth Sargent, Elsa Charlotte Sande, Bernice M. Trefethen,
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SCHOOL REPORT
Florence Edith Worcester, Bernard Andrew Arsenault, Adrien Mar- cel Bouffard, Wallace Spofford Carter, Jr., *Richard Evans Cate, *Harrison Stuart DeLong, Clyde E. Frost, Thomas F. Lally, Forrest M. Lavalley, Frank Edson Merritt, Bernard Arthur Morgan, Leighton L. Reynolds, George William Smith, Leon C. Soule, *Stanley Elwin Whiting, Philip J. Brown, James Arthur Ollis, William How, Glendon Hargraves. * Scholastic honors.
REPORT OF HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
Doctor J. C. Page, Superintendent of Schools, and Members of the School Board:
I submit herewith the annual report of the Merrimac High School for the year 1935.
The distribution of students by classes and courses on October 1, 1935 follows:
Enrollment
Col. Sc. Gen. Prep. Prep. Norm. Comm. Girls Boys ents
Total Total Stud-
Post Grads.
Girls
2
2
Boys
1
1 3
Seniors
Girls
4
1
1
3
9
Boys
2
1
1
4 13
Juniors
Girls
3
2
1 12
18
Boys
7
5
1
13 31
Sophomores
Girls
3
3
4
8
18
Boys
4
3
1
8 26
Freshmen
Girls
3
4
1
10
18
Boys
8
1
5
2
6
22
40
37
11
15
8
42
65
48
113
It is interesting to notice that on October 1, 1933, 35% of the total enrollment were boys; on October 1, 1934, 36% were boys; and on October 1, 1935, 42% were boys; showing an appreciable increase: in the number of boys attending high school.
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SCHOOL REPORT
Mr. Isaiah Chase has been transferred from head of the Lan- guage Department, which position he held during 1934-35, to head of the English Department, and very ably carries on the work. of that department. Miss Barbara Morrell has returned as head of the Language Department, after a year's leave of absence during 1934- 35.
In order to provide as much systematic extra help as possible to those having difficulty with their high school work, so-called Op- portunity Classes have been inaugurated. These classes meet after the regular session each day. Different subject classes meet on dif- ferent days of the week, thereby eliminating the possibility of con- flict. Attendance at these classes has been compulsory. Considerable credit reflects upon the teachers who voluntarily undertook to teach these extra classes in the hope that the students concerned would avail themselves of this added opportunity to improve their work. Although similar classes are common in high schools, a year's experiment will better inform us of the desirability to continue them here. Following is the schedule of Opportunity Classes:
Monday-Mathematics and Physics. Tuesday-Commercial Subjects. Wednesday-English and General Science.
Thursday-French and Latin.
Friday-Social Studies and Introductory Business.
There were sixteen students graduated in the Class of 1935. The class parts were awarded as follows: Valedictory, Paul E. Mor- gan; Salutatory, Howard L. DeLong, Jr .; Class History, Margaret A. Dow; Class Will, Lucille Schiavoni; Class Prophecy, Arlene F. Hirst; Class Gifts, Hortense G. Sande; Class Poem, Ruth E. Metcalf.
The Balfour award was won by Howard L. DeLong, Jr., and the Washington and Franklin medal was awarded to Paul E. Morgan.
The Class of 1935 was the first class to hold Class Day exercises. All class parts other than the Valedictory and Salutatory which were delivered at the graduation exercises, were given at these Class Day exercises. Various members of the class entertained their guests in a varied program. Five class members gave a short play appropriate to the occasion. The School Chorus under the able direction of Mrs. Doris Currier, rendered several selections during the exercises, as well as at graduation. The idea of a distinct Class Day program met with hearty approval.
A class trip to Provincetown, and a vesper service provided a well rounded graduation week program.
It would be impractical in this report to mention all of the ex- tra curricular activities. Some of these were the operetta, "The Belle
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SCHOOL REPORT
of Barcelona" on April 5, 1935; the Junior Promenade, and the an -- nual Memorial Day exercises of the combined schools of Merrimac .. The High School provided entertainment for a Parent-Teachers' meeting on November 21 in a play, "In the Principal's Office" which. was given by request at two occasions outside the school. The Fresh- man dance, the Senior play "A Ready Made Family" on December. 6 are perhaps some of the outstanding events.
Representatives of the Hi-Y, composed of High School boys, at- tended the various conferences. At a meeting at Topsfield, May 11, 1935, Lester Sweeney was elected president of the conference for 1936, and Howard DeLong, Jr. was awarded a suitable prize as the highest award for the best essay written by the boys of Essex Coun- ty about a previous conference at Springfield, Mass., which ten Mer- rimac boys attended.
Noteworthy among the various visitors who have spoken at the: high school, was one from the Department of Public Health of Massachusetts, Mrs. Albertine McKellar. Mrs. McKellar came in res- ponse to a request for a speaker for the high school girls to talk to them concerning conduct, health, etc. Mrs. McKellar spoke to the girls five different times over a period of several weeks, and once to the mothers of the girls, who were invited to a meeting for this purpose. The girls responded enthusiastically to Mrs. McKellar's. talks which undoubtedly were of inestimable value to all of them .- In spite of many attempts to locate a speaker on similar subjects for boys, these have been unsuccessful to the writing of this report. Apparently no society or organization knows of such a speaker, so· far as can be learned.
The Women's Relief Corps represented by Mrs. Eva Hoyt, pre- sented a silk American flag to the high school. The flag formerly used in the high school was old and soiled. The Women's Relief Corps are to be commended for their generous and patriotic gift.
Mr. Lester Sweeney, Sr. gave a Munroe adding machine to the high school. This is the second machine Mr. Sweeney has so gener- ously provided. The Commercial Department finds them of great value both in the study of the machine and in its use. The Parent- Teachers Association has given a subscription to the National Geo- graphic magazine. Gifts of these kinds, valuable and practical, are to be highly commended. The high school is extremely grateful, and appreciates the spirit which prompts gifts of this kind.
The high school athletic program has been carried on as usual. The Athletic Association has had a financial struggle to purchase the bare necessities for the sports. The purchasing of the nets used for basketball was materially aided by donations of many citizens. Of the total cost of one hundred dollars, $48.29 was collected in this
-
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SCHOOL REPORT
way. The remainder was paid by the Athletic Association. This meant a curtailment of transportation for games outside of town and foregoing much of the equipment badly needed. As has been pointed out more in detail in previous reports, financing athletics in a school of the size of Merrimac High School, is a difficult prob- lem. It has been impossible to do it fully and properly.
I thank Dr. Page and the School Committee for their cooper- ation during the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
C. D. MacKAY, Principal.
MERRIMAC HIGH SCHOOL-CLASS OF 1935
Commercial Course-Inez Pearl Blackden, Natalie Elaine Car- roll, Howard Lotton DeLong, Jr., Margaret Anna Dow, Phyllis Young Harvey, Arlene Frances Hirst, Norma Elizabeth Mader, Ruth Evelyn Metcalf, Hortense Gudrun Sande, Lucille Arlene Schiavoni.
General Course-Daniel E. Hargraves, Jr., Elsie Madeleine Healey, Elinor Janis Macdonald, William Peter McCarron, Gladys McGregor.
Scientific Preparatory Course-Paul Edgar Morgan.
Special awards-Balfour award (for scholarship, loyalty, achievement), Howard L. DeLong.
Washington and Franklin medal (for excellence in the study of American History) Paul E. Morgan.
HIGH SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP HONORS, 1934-35
Lenora Child, 91.6; Beth Whiting, 91.5; Marjorie Emery, 90.75; Mary Whiting, 88.75; Paul Morgan, 88.4; Howard DeLong, Jr., 88.0; Virginia Harrison, 87.8; Barbara Murray, 87.25; Muriel Wallace, 86.5; Elsie Raymond, 85.0; Donald DeLong, 84.8; Helmi Mustonen, 84.5.
GIRLS WHO RECEIVED LETTERS IN BASKETBALL, 1935
Virginia Streeter, Captain, Margaret Dow, Arlene Hirst, Natalie Carroll, Helen Brady, Inez Blackden, Anna Foster, Elinor Mac- donald, Manager.
BOYS WHO RECEIVED LETTERS IN BASKETBALL, 1935
Fred Bailey, Captain; William Casazza, Captain, Howard De- Long, Lester Sweeney, Paul Morgan, Clayton Urquhart, Allan Mur- ray, Francis Bailey, Manager.
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SCHOOL REPORT
BOYS WHO RECEIVED LETTERS IN BASEBALL, 1935
Frederick Bailey, Captain, Allan Murray, Paul Morgan, Ralph Sargent, William Casazza, James How, Jacob Quinney, Clifford Con- nor, Clayton Urquhart, Francis Bailey, Manager.
ATTENDANCE HONOR ROLL
Not absent for eight years, September, 1927 to June, 1935- Margaret Dow.
Not absent for one year, September, 1934 to June, 1935, as fol- lows:
High School-Rita Hume, Hugh Remick, Barbara Murray, Mary Whiting.
Junior High School-Bernard Burbeck, Leo Busch, Gladys Palmer.
Centre School-Grade 6, Raymond Anderson, Jennie Bushong, Ansel Clark, Donald Clark, Wentworth Clark, Adelaide Merritt. Grade 5, Elmer Bailey, Hollis Jefferson. Grade 4, Sybil Raymond. Grade 3, Earle Davis, Frederick Noone. Grade 2, Olive Greeley. Grade 1, none.
Merrimacport School-James Clark.
1935 FINANCIAL SUMMARY
Regular school appropriation
$28,000.00
Appropriated for school committee salaries
157.00
Refunded dog tax
92.20
Total available for schools
$28,249.20
Total expenditures
28,245.92
Balance
$
3.28
Reimbursements
Supt. Schools $ 483.34
General School Fund, Pt. I (Income) 2,306.25
General School Fund, Pt. II 2,344.26
Tuition and transp. State wards
525.52
Tuition to local high school 85.00
All other
7.70
Total
$5,752.07
Total expenditures
$28,245.92
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SCHOOL REPORT
Total reimbursements 5,752.07
Total expended from local taxation, inc. dog tax
$22,493.85 .
SUMMARY OF EXPENSES, 1935
General Control
Committee salaries $ 157.00
Committee expenses 21.55
Supt. Schools salary
850.00
Secretary's salary
250.00
Supt's. travel expenses and office supplies
150.00
Law enforcement
150.14
$ 1,578.69
Cost of Instruction
Teachers' salaries
17,110.00
Substitutes
175.00
Supervisors' salaries
800.00
Text books
411.17
Supplies
653.21
19,149.38;
Cost of Operation
Janitors' salaries
1,202.74
Fuel
1,347.49
Janitors' supplies, cleaning, etc.
261.08
2,811.31.
Repairs
2,248.25
Health
317.76.
Transportation
2,041.25,
Equipment
46.20
Miscellaneous
53.08:
Total
$28,245.92
1936 FINANCIAL ESTIMATES
General Control
Committee salaries $ 175.00
ªCommittee expenses
25.00
Supt. Schools salary
850.00
Secretary's salary
250.00
Supt's. travel expenses and office supplies.
150.00
Law enforcement
85.00
-$ 1,535.00
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SCHOOL REPORT
Cost of Instruction
Teachers' salaries
$17,550.00
Substitutes
200.00
Supervisors' salaries
800.00
Text books
600.00
Supplies
900.00
20,050.00
Cost of Operation
Janitors' salaries
$ 1,200.00
Fuel
1,560.00
Janitors' supplies, cleaning, etc.
280.00
3,040.00
Repairs
925.00
Health
325.00
Transportation
2,075.00
Equipment
200.00
Miscellaneous
25.00
Total
$28,175.00
Estimates 1936 Reimbursements
Supt. Schools
$ 483.33
General School Fund, Part I (Income) 5,540.00
General School Fund, Part II. 3,502.00
Tuition and transp. State wards 378.00
Tuition to local High School
85.00
Total
$9,948.73
Estimated regular school appropriation $28,000.00
Appropriation for committee salaries 175.00
Total estimated for schools in 1936 $28,175.00
Total estimated reimbursements 9,948.73
Total estimated expense from local taxation. $18,226.27
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Appropriations Made 1935
29
Commodity Distribution
52
Jury List
51
Town Officers
3
Town Warrant
26
Reports of-
Assessors
40
Board of Public Welfare
18
Cemetery Trustees
46
Dog Officer
57
Finance Committee
31
Fire Engineers
48
Inspector of Wires
38
Inspector of Milk, Animals and Slaughter
58
Municipal Light Board
58
Playground Commissioners
45
Police Department
35
Public Health Nurse
54
Public Library
47
School Committee
109
Sealer of Weights and Measures
53
Selectmen
7
Summary of State Audit
22
Tax Collector
42
Town Accountant
63
Town Clerk
38
Town Forest
49
Town Treasurer
40
Trustees of Kimball Park
56
Water Commissioners
61
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