USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Merrimac > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Merrimac 1937 > Part 7
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On May 21 the pre-school clinic was held at Dr. Davis' office, 14 children were examined.
JEAN BADASHAW.
REPORT OF JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
Dr. John C. Page, Supt. of Schools West Newbury, Mass.
Dear Sir:
The enrollment in the Junior High School at the beginning of the present school year was 45 in Grade Eight and 46 in Grade Seven, making a total enrollment of 91 pupils.
This year, thus far, very encouraging school work has been done and definite progress has been made in strengthening all departments. The one-session plan is working very well. Parents, teachers and students are benefited by the arrangement.
On June 22nd, 18 girls and 23 boys received diplomas at the Town Hall where an excellent program was rendered by members of the graduating class.
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 Juniors made their annual trip to Salisbury Beach where a pleasant afternoon was spent.
We had planned a Winter Sports Carnival during February of 1937, but the mildness of the weather prevented our carrying this out. We hope that it will be possible to carry out this part of our program sometime this winter.
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SCHOOL REPORT
Other interesting features of our extra curricula activities are the Dramatic Club under the direction of Mss Vera Dealy, and the Sci- ence and Stamp Clubs which are supervised by the Principal.
Respectfully yours, HOWARD G. PATCHETT.
MERRIMAC JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Graduates of 8th Grade, Class of 1937
*Priscilla Evelyn Choquette, Judith Elaine Connor, Donna Louise Darbe, Charlotte Mae MacDougall, Ruth Evelyn Foisey, Mary Agnes Fortin, *Dorothy Elizabeth Flynn, Gertrude Pearl Godin, Eva June Heath, Winifred Catherine Hutchins, *Dorothy Mildred Hall, S. Pearl Hargraves, Evelyn Josephine Hughes, Adelaide Beatrice Merritt, *Virginia Hamer Peaslee, *Phyllis Carol Wilkie, *Frances Angela Weeks, Myrtle Pearl Young, *Raymond E. Ander- son, James E. Bovard, George Ernest Brown, Russell C. Bowser, Jr., Clifford T. Chase, Ansel B. Clark, Wentworth Allen Clark, Paul Joseph Dion, Eugene Alfred Dion, Clifford R. Howe, Herbert Jasper Hargraves, Albert Smith Lay, Kenneth A. Macdonald, *John S. A. McMahon, Granville Earle Murphy, *Reed Manning, *Clinton Al- bert Piper, Allen Seymour, Donald W. Sweeney, John Albert Smith, Clark Shiels Stewart, James Richard Thomas, Kenneth Thompson.
Scholastic Honors.
REPORT OF HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
Doctor J. C. Page, Superintendent of Schools, and members of the School Board:
I herewith submit the annual report of the Merrimac High School for the year 1936-37.
18
SCHOOL REPORT
Following is a table showing the number of boys and of girls pursuing each course of study:
Col.
Sc.
Enrollment Gen.
Total Total Stud- Prep. Prep. Norm. Comm. Girls Boys ents
Senior
Girls
6
0
0
1
5
12
Boys
5
0
2
0
0
7 19
Juniors
Girls
4
2
0
0
8
14
Boys
2
0
1
0
1
4 18
Sophomores
Girls
3
2
0
1
10
16
Boys
12
1
4
0
5
22
38
Freshmen
Girls
2
0
0
5
12
19
Boys
9
1
10
1
4
25
44
43
6
17
8
45
61
58
119
During the past year, the home room period has been expanded to include subjects and work not covered in the regular subject class- es. A vocational guidance program was instituted under the super- vision of the home room teacher. Several weeks were spent on dis- cussion of various vocations. Many wall charts and excellent refer- ence material were available to the students. During this preliminary study, each student chose the vocation whch most appealed to him. Each student then made an exhaustive study of his chosen vocation for the purpose of deciding more definitely whether it was the best one for him. Topics such as the requirements of the vocation, the salary which might be expected, the training necessary, where train- ing might be obtained, the possibilities of advancement, and many others were considered. As a result, the majority of high school students have a definite vocation in mind, and know what must be done to train for it.
19
SCHOOL REPORT
I believe that definite vocational guidance should be given earlier than the high school in the child's school career. When the student reaches high school, he should know for what he wishes to train him- self. Specialized instruction can begin at high school. The various courses are designed to help students choose the one best adapted to a particular field of training. Too often students in high school have no idea what they will do after graduation, and as a result change from one course to another. The study of vocations made during the past year shuld go far in remedying this situation. This study will be continued with each freshman class so that all high school students will have had some vocational guidance.
In the freshman and sophomore home rooms, a varied selection of subjects has been chosen for discussion. Such subjects as table etiquette, first aid, good manners, care of property, respect to elders, highway safety, and many others have been taken up each morning and the proper and right conduct has been shown the students.
The high school remains a class A high school, as designated by the Department of Education of Massachusetts, and is an approved school accredited by the New England College Entrance Board.
Perhaps one of the most outstanding changes in the high school during the past year is the adoption of the one-session instead of the longer two-session day. Starting March 22, and until the end of June, the one-session plan was on trial. Evidence of the success of the one-session plan is shown by the fact that it has been retained and apparently will be permanent. It is worthy of note here that the one-session plan gained much impetus through the efforts of the student council.
In baseball the high school won a cup representing the cham- pionship of the Merrimac Valley League composed of the high schools of Georgetown, Groveland, Merrimac, Topsfield, and West Newbury. The usual interclass games were played in basketball, and the varsity teams of both boys and girls won the majority of their games.
In an essay contest on the title "National Defense" sponsored by the local chapter of the American Legion, Shirley Whiting won first
.20
SCHOOL REPORT
place, Catherine Clark, second, and Constance Judkins, third. The county contest was won by Constance Judkins, and Shirley Whiting received honorable mention.
The Merrimac Parent-Teachers Association generously donated $25.00 for athletic equipment for which the high school isĀ· grateful. A gift to the Athletic Association is especially appreciated, for financing athletics is one of the most difficult of high school prob- lems.
The many and varied high school athletic games, dances, and entertainments, which mean so much to students of high school age, were conducted as in the past. Among these were the Junior Prom- enade, the graduation activities, the Operetta "Tulip Time", the Freshman Dance, the Sophomore Thanksgiving Dance, the Senior play "A Ready Made Family". On December 3, 4, and 5, twenty-two high school boys attended the Hi-Y conference at Malden, Massa- chusetts. The Hi-Y Club has instituted a game night, conducted their annual Carnival in the Town Hall, and arranged for speakers for high school assemblies and club meetings. A Stamp Club, sponsored by Mr. Chase, has interested a number of students as an instructive and fascinating project. A play, "Sauce for the Goose", was presented for the entertainment of the Parent-Teachers Association, and an- other play, "Solitaire," was given at a meeting of the Merrimac Grange. Lack of space prohibits enumerating the many special as- semblies, entertainments, and other extra-curricular activities car ried on by the high school.
There were twenty-three students in the graduating class of 1937. The ordinary festivities of graduation were saddened by the death, shortly before graduation, of one of the senior boys. Fatally injured in an automobile accident, Frederick Harrison Bailey, in name, graduated with the other members of his class. An outstanding athlete, and a manly boy; words fail in expressing our loss.
The class parts were awarded as follows: Valedictory, Marjorie Isabel Emery: Salutatory, Muriel Louise Wallace; Class History, Shirley Hamlin Lord; Class Will, Anna Marie Foster; Class Proph-
21
SCHOOL REPORT
ecy, Raymond Laurence McConnell; Class Gifts, Thelma Elizabeth Hughes; Class Poem, Dorothy Ellena Urquhart.
This report would be incomplete without mention of the large, metal lockers supplied for the storing of books, paper, and equip- ment. Such supplies may now be kept under lock, and free from mutilation by mice. The two steam radiators in the lower corridor, and the steam radiators installed in both the Language Room and in the Laboratory insure a more even temperature throughout the build- ing. The rewiring of the bell system such as has been done, makes not only a neater and a safer system, but also a more sure and a more efficient one. The acquisition of an upright piano to replace the old-fashioned grand piano, leaves considerably more space much needed in the front of the Main Room. The replacing of toilet facili- ties in both the boys' and the girls' basement rooms, which was so sadly needed, has been accomplished. A wash bowl and soap dis- penser in the boys' room fulfills a need of long standing.
I wish to make particular mention of the splendid cooperation and help given by both Dr. Page and by the School Board. With the present economical school budget, all possible, with the limited funds available, has been done. The excellent spirit of interest and support which has existed, means much in the realization of continued progress.
Respectfully submitted,
C. D. MacKAY, Principal.
MERRIMAC HIGH SCHOOL, CLASS 1937
Graduated June 24, 1937
Name
Course
Robert Harrison Adams Scientific Preparatory
Francis Alcide Bailey
General
Frederick Harrison Bailey General
Rose Margaret Bessey
Commercial
22
SCHOOL REPORT
Melnott Agustene Connor, Jr. General
S. Emma Eaton
General
Marjorie Isabel Emery General
Anna Marie Foster
Commercial
Helen Carrie Foster
Commercial
John T. Franklin
Scientific Preparatory
Thelma Elizabeth Hughes
Commercial
Rita Frances Hume
Commercial
Myron Vernon Kelly
Scientific Preparatory
F. Gilbert Lafaver
Commercial
Shirley Hamlin Lord Commercial
Raymond Laurence McConnell General
Frank Allan Murray Scientific Preparatory
Leona Frances Noone
Commercial
Jennie Lillian Sande Commercial
Evelyn Lane Travers General
Clayton Reynold Urquhart
General
Dorothy Ellena Urquhart General
Muriel Louise Wallace
General
Special Awards
Balfour Award (for scholarship, loyalty and achievement) Muriel Louise Wallace.
Washington and Franklin Medal (for excellence in the study of United States History) Marjorie Isabel Emery.
MERRIMAC HIGH SCHOOL
Honor Roll for 1936-37
1. Constance Judkins 96.00
2. Shirley Whiting 95.75
3. Catherine Clark 95.50
4. Armond Vallieres 93.25
5. Marjorie Emery 92.50
23
SCHOOL REPORT
6. Helen Wilson 92.00
7. Beth Whiting 90.83
S. Mary Whiting 90.60
9. ( Muriel Wallace) 89.75
(Stanley Whiting)
10. Shirley Lord 89.50
11. Janet Crymble 89.25
12. Anna Foster 88.50
13. Thelma Hughes 88.25
14. Ruth Donahue 88.00
15. Arnold Connor 86.75
16 (Shirley Nelson)
86.00
(Dorothy Urquhart)
17. Emma Eaton 85.80
18.
Helmi Mustonen
85.00
Members of the Baseball Team to Whom Letters Were Awarded
Frederick Bailey, Captain
Gilbert Lafaver
Francis Bailey, Player-Manager
Howard Lafaver
Robert Adams
Bernard Morgan
Wallace .Carter
George Stevens
James Hume
Stanley Whiting
Clayton Urquhart Baseball Scorer's Letter-Forest Lavalley
Members of the Girls' Basketball Team to Whom Letters Were Awarded
Dorothy Urquhart, Captain
Emma Eaton Anne Foster Lillian Sande
Alcha Huntress Natalie Merritt Marjorie Emery Helen Foster
24
SCHOOL REPORT
Members of the Boys' Basketball Team to Whom Letters Were Awarded
Fred Bailey, Captain Clayton Urquhart Jacob Quinney
John Joudrey Allan Murray James Hume
Francis Bailey, Player-Manager
JOURNAL STAFF
To Whom Journal Pins Were Awarded
Editor-in-Chief
Thelma Hughes
Ass. Editor
Muriel Wallace
Com'l Editor
Shirley Lord
Feature Editor
Raymond McConnell
Asst. Feature Editor
Shirley Whiting
News Editor
Marjorie Emery
Art Editor
Berdina Schiavoni
Sports Editor
Francis Bailey
Sports Editor
Anna Foster
Business Editor
Lillian Sande
Exchange Editor Mary Whiting
Class News
Emma Eaton '37
F. Hall '39
Beth Whiting '38
Catherine Clark '40
Typists
Emma Eaton
Helen Foster
Marion Harvey
Evelyn Travers
Rita Hume Rose Bessey Melnott Connor Leona Noone
25
SCHOOL REPORT
MERRIMAC HIGH SCHOOL, 1936-37
Perfect Attendance -- Hugh Remick, Harrison DeLong, Leo Busch, Ruth Donahue, Henry Lay, Virginia Pond, Clifford Wallace, Maurice Ward.
Absent for not more than 5 days, Commendable Attendance- John Franklin, Thelma Hughes, Myron Kelly, Gilbert Lafaver, Shir- ley Lord, Raymond McConnell, Lillian Sande, Gertrude Bacon, Karl Busch, Richard Hadd, Alcha Huntress, Evelyn Jenks, Helmi Mus- tonen, Berdina Schiavoni, Thelma Clark, Forrest Lavalley, Dorothy Murphy, Olive Sullivan, Bernice Trefethern, Eleine Brown, Eleanore Chase, Catherine Clark, Ray Clark, Donald Harvey, Arthur Lock- wood, Rachael Munroe, Shirley Nelson, Norman Sande, Barbara Sullivan, Helen Tammik, Pearl Thompson, Armond Vallieres.
ATTENDANCE HONOR ROLL, 1937
Not absent for Three years, September, 1934 to June, 1937- Frederick Noone, Hugh Remick.
Not absent for Two years, September, 1935 to June, 1937- Richard Chase, Phyllis Clark, Henry Fortin, Jean Manning, Elsie O'Keefe, Julia Raymond, Harold Wallace, Wilbur Wallace.
Not absent for One year, September, 1936 to June, 1937-
High School-Leo Busch, Harrison DeLong, Ruth Donahue, Henry Lay, Virginia Pond, Clifford Wallace, Maurice Ward.
Junior High School-Elmer Bailey, Ruth Clark, Alice Crosby, Ruth Franklin, Herbert Hargraves, Maybell Merritt.
Centre School-Grade 6: Lucille Bouffard, Ruby Clark, James Hartwell, John Starbird, Albert Zinck. Grade 5: Loretta Clark. Grade 4: Thurston Collins, Robert Dwyer, Yvonne Metcalf. Grade 3: Dorothy Franklin. Grade 2: Jean Grant, Evelyn Nicol, Florence Soper. Grade 1: Arnold Hudson, Joan O'Brien.
SCHOOL REPORT . 26
1936 FINANCIAL SUMMARY
Regular school appropriation $ 28,725.00
Appropriated for school committee salaries 175.00
Refunded dog tax 185.43
Total available for schools $ 29,085.43
Total expenditures
29,079.89
Balance
$ 5.54
Reimbursements:
Supt. Schools $ 483.33
General School Fund, Part I (Income) 5,515.80
General School Fund, Part II
3,539.29
Tuition and Transportation State Wards
410.82
Tuition and Transportation local schools
232.90
All other
9.31
Total
$ 10,191.45
Total expenditures $ 29,079.89
Total reimbursements
10,191.45
Total expended from local taxation in 1937
$ 18,888.44
Summary of Expenses.
General Control
School committee salaries $. 1.75.00
School committee expenses 25.48
Supt. Schools' salary
850.00
Secretary's salary
2 50.00
Office supplies and travel expenses
203.49
Law enforcement 84.80
-$ 1,588.77
27
SCHOOL REPORT
Cost of Instruction
Teachers' salaries
17,174.61
Substitutes 69.00
Supervisors' salaries
800.00
Text books
512.03
Supplies
1,242.35
19,797.99
Cost of Operation
Janitors' salaries
1,495.18
Fuel
1,317.91
Janitors' supplies, cleaning, etc.
191.47
3,004.56 -
Repairs, including new heating system and toilets
at H. S.
1,963.03
Health
307.44
Transportation
2,037.50
Equipment
327.35
Miscellaneous
53.25
Total
$ 29,079.89
1938 FINANCIAL ESTIMATES
General Control
School committee salaries $ 175.00
School committee expenses
25.00
Supt. Schools' salary
850.00
Secretary's salary
250.00
Office supplies and travel expenses
175.00
Law enforcement 85.00
$ 1,560.00
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SCHOOL REPORT
Cost of Instruction
Teachers' salaries $ 17,210.00
Substitutes 150.00
Supervisors' salaries
800.00
Text books
600.00
Supplies
900.00
$ 19,660.00
Cost of Operation
Janitors' salaries $ 1,550.00
Fuel
1,500.00
Janitors' supplies, cleaning, etc.
200.00
Repairs
1,150.00
Health
325.00
Transportation
2,075.00
Equipment
200.00
Miscellaneous
30.00
Total
$ 28,250.00
Estimated 1938 reimbursements
Supt. Schools $ 483.33
General School Fund, Part I (Income) 5,585.09
General School Fund, Part II
3,447.78
Tuition and Transportation State Wards . 109.55
Tuition to local schools
95.00
Total $ 9,320.75
Estimated total for schools in 1938 $ 28,250.00
Estimated reimbursements for 1938 9,320.75
Estimated total from local taxation in 1938
$18,929.25
$
3,250.00
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Appropriations Made 1937 26
Commodity Distribution 48
Fire Alarm 44
Jury List 47
Receipts-General Revenue
64
Town Officers
3
Town Warrant
108
Reports of-
Assessors
34
Board of Public Welfare
12
Bureau of Old Age Assistance
17
Cemetery Trustees
41
-
Dog Officer
55
Finance Committee
114
Fire Engineers
44
Inspector of Wires
31
Inspector of Milk, Animals and Slaughter
58
Municipal Light Board
58
Playground Commissioners
40
Police Department
28
Public Health Nurse
52
Public Library
42
School Committee
121
Sealer of Weights and Measures
50
Selectmen
7
Tax Collector
36
Town Accountant
63
Town Clerk
32
Town Forest
45
Town Hall Janitor
56
Town Treasurer
33
Trustees of Kimball Park
54
Water Commissioners
61
W. P. A. Co-ordinator
21
In Memoriam
25
Vote for Town Officers 1938
117
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