USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Merrimac > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Merrimac 1943 > Part 6
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Dear Sir:
At the end of the school year last June, one of the teachers sug- gested that the schools have a fair and donate the proceeds to some worthy cause.
14
TOWN OF MERRIMAC
So, in September, it was planned that each grade should con- tribute one or more articles-grades 1 and 2, match scratchers, grade 3 blotters and book marks, grade 4 painted jars for vases, and ration books, grade 5 papier mache bowls and decorated plates, grade 6 silhouettes and letter openers, grade 7 wooden pins with decals, grade 8 puzzles, trays, stuffed dolls, and wall hangings. Members of the P. T. A. selected and priced the articles and the sale was held one afternoon in December. Grade 8 pupils made posters and displayed them about town announcing the sale, they also collected and arranged the articles in a vacant store, made sales, handled all money and cleaned up the store afterward. More than $20 were realized. It was decided to use the money for Merri- mac boys and girls in the service and that the teacher who gave the suggestion, with a teacher, and member of the P. T. A. having sons in the service, be a committee to use the money at their dis- cretion.
I am happy to have this opportunity to express my thanks and deep appreciation for the splendid inspiration and co-operation of Mrs. Helen Donaghue and her eighth grade, Mrs. Ruth Irwin and the members of the P. T. A. I also wish to thank the P. T. A. Rummage Sale Committee who donated picture frames which will be used later to good effect in the Center School, with the aid of Grade 8 boys.
There are classes in Mechanical Drawing, Crafts, Fashion Illus- tration and Cartooning at the High School which exhibit their work from time to time at the Public Library.
My thanks are extended to all who have made the year a pleasant one.
Respectfully submitted,
ANNIE A. KELLY, Art Supervisor.
REPORT OF MERRIMACPORT SCHOOL
Dr. John C. Page, Superintendent of Schools:
Dear Dr. Page:
At the Port we have just closed an interesting and pleasant year. The enrollment has varied between seventeen and twenty-one, and the range of ages has been somewhat younger this year than in previous years, consequently we have been giving more attention to the three R's than to the manual work.
We were pleased to have the Parent Teachers' Association hold their April meeting at the Port school, and view some of the work the pupils were doing. Through the courtesy of the Merrimac Sav- ings Bank, we exhibited for one week in May, some of the pupils' art work and wood work.
15
SCHOOL REPORT
When one notes the progress that many of the pupils are making, he must be convinced of the real value of a class of this kind in the town's educational program.
I wish to thank you, Dr. Page, the School Committee, and our two supervisors, Mrs. Doris Currier and Miss Annie Kelly for the interest they have taken in our school problems.
Respectfully yours,
HOWARD G. PATCHETT.
REPORT OF HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
To Doctor J. C. Page, Superintendent of Schools, and Members of the School Committee:
I herewith submit the annual report of the Merrimac High School for the year 1943.
The following table shows, among other facts, the decrease in high school enrollment:
AS OF OCTOBER 1, 1943
Enrollment
Gen
Col. Prep.
Sci. Prep.
Norm.
Com.
Total Girls
Total Boys Students
Seniors
Girls.
0
1
0
0
4
5
4
9
Boys.
1
1
2
0
0
Juniors
Girls.
0
2
0
0
8
10
Boys.
3
1
6
0
0
10
20
Sophomores
Girls.
2
3
0
0
8
13
Boys.
2
3
4
0
1
10
23
Freshmen
Girls.
1
4
0
0
7
12
Boys.
1
4
9
0
1
15
27
10
19
21
0
29
40
39
79
This decrease had been anticipated for some years. A drop in high school population has been expected and has been experienced in almost all high schools. This factor, together with the fact that many boys are enlisting or are being drafted into the armed ser- vices, accounts for much of the drop in enrollment. In addition to these factors, however, there is also the unfortunate, nevertheless strong temptation for many high school students to leave school
16
TOWN OF MERRIMAC
to get a job at the comparatively high salary schedule which exists during these times.
The lowest enrollment has probably been reached. It is to be expected that the enrollment will increase during the next years. The end of the present war conditions should also be accompanied by a substantial enrollment increase.
The course in Pre-flight Aeronautics was completed in June. It will probably be offered during every other year as long as a demand exists. At least two boys who took the course during last year, have specialized in this branch of the armed services, one in the Army Air Corps, the other in the Navy Air Corps.
During this school year we are offering a semester course in Fundamentals of Machines, and a semester course in Basic Radio Code.
"It has been clear for some time that certain special courses given in the schools of the nation can be of great value for future work in special branches of the armed services. Competence in such special- ties will be a considerable factor in determining the qualifications of a man for advancement. No greater immediate contribution, therefore, can be made by the schools of the nation toward winning the war than to give our youth the basic knowledge and technical skills needed for modern combat. By doing this job well, the school will free the resources of the armed services for specialized military training."-Henry L. Stimson, Secretary of War.
Each of the courses, Fundamentals of Machines, and Basic Radio Code, follow the outline as recommended by the War Department. Listed among the Army occupations for which the elements of the former course are essential are: tank, engine mechanic, driver, or commander; driver of scout car, reconnaisance car, ambulance, wrecker, or motorcycle; portable power operator or repairman, power turret maintenance man; bridge foreman; truck master; demolition specialist; mine planter; search-light operator; artillery mechanic; aerial engineer, or noncommissioned officer in motor transportation. The latter course is designed to teach the student to receive messages by International Morse Code at a speed of ten or more words per minute. All branches of the armed forces are in immediate need of skilled radio operators. The work of schools operated by the armed forces can be speeded up greatly if these schools can draw on large numbers of enlisted personnel who are al- ready equipped with a basic working knowledge of International Morse Code. The course is based on a series of phonograph records which are carefully graded to present instruction in easy, gradual steps.
Since the writing of the last annual report of the high school, the following high school boys joined the armed services: Gordon Spinney, Paul Denault, and Kenneth Williams.
17
SCHOOL REPORT
Norman Bishop, Gerald Hargraves, Carmen Pesce, Jr., John Starbird, and Wilbur Wallace, members of the class of 1943, joined the armed services and were called before graduation in June. These last five boys were awarded diplomas in accordance with a school committee ruling explained in the superintendent's annual report for the year ending December 31, 1942. As they were on active ser- vice during the graduation, parents of the boys received their di- plomas during the exercises. At the time of graduation, Richard Harrison, James Hartwell, and Chauncey MacKay, Jr. were on inactive service and were called within a few days thereafter to active service. Since then John Mader and Benjamin Patten have also been called into active service. Edward Glennie, a member of the class of 1944, joined the Navy and will be awarded a diploma in June, in accordance with the school committee ruling mentioned above.
Several boys now in the armed services who attended the high school but did not graduate, are planning to earn their high school diplomas through the United States Armed Forces Institute, Madi- son, Wisconsin. By arrangement with this Institute and with the high school principal, boys may continue their education by se- lections from correspondence courses which, if passed satisfactorily enable them to earn credit toward the diploma.
The following members of the class of 1943 are continuing their education or professional training at the institutions indicated:
Shirley E. Bailey-School of Nursing, Lowell General Hospital Norma E. Crosby-Laselle Junior College
Jean D. Manning-Massachusetts State College
The Senior Class play, "Abigail Goes Haywire," coached by Miss Dorothy Kyros, and given on December 10, was particularly well rendered considering the difficulty of casting every member of the class.
Students of the high school assisted in collections in the various scrap metal, waste paper, and tin can drives.
From September 15, to December 7, the students of the high school bought over $500.00 in War Bonds and stamps. Since this amount was bought during a campaign sponsored by the Treasury Department, and was greater than the amount sold during a similar period last year, the high school was awarded a citation from the Treasury Department. War Bonds and stamps are sold each Wed- nesday and Thursday.
The Boys' Basketball team won the Tournament conducted by the Haverhill Y.M.C.A. The usual league games in soccer, basket- ball and baseball were discontinued because of the difficulty in transportation.
Mrs. Ramona Hewson has continued the course in Home Nursing
18
TOWN OF MERRIMAC
and those high school girls who so desire are receiving training in this important and practical field.
When we see our high school boys leaving us to join the armed forces, and our young people of high school age assisting the war effort, we older people cannot but feel proud that we may have had a hand in helping to form the characters of those who yesterday seemed but children, but to whom today we entrust the preservation of our heritage, our Freedom.
I have enjoyed working with Doctor J. C. Page and with the Merrimac School Committee.
Respectfully submitted,
CHAUNCEY D. MacKAY,
Principal.
MERRIMAC HIGH SCHOOL Class 1943
Name
Course
Shirley Ethel Bailey
. Normal.
Norman Charles Bishop
Scientific Preparatory
Eleanor Louise Brown Commercial
Harriet Elizabeth Child . . Commercial
Norma Edith Crosby . Commercial
Elmer Thomas Grant, Jr. General
Gerald McLain Hargraves Scientific Preparatory
Richard Morse Harrison. Scientific Preparatory
James Munroe Hartwell. Scientific Preparatory
Chauncey Depew MacKay, Jr. . College Preparatory
John Frank Mader. Scientific Preparatory
Jean Dorothy Manning
Normal
Benjamin Louis Patten .
Scientific Preparatory
Carmen Joseph Pesce, Jr.
General
Verna Jane Piper. General
Sybil Ruth Raymond
General
John Edward Starbird .
Scientific Preparatory
Eleanor Madelyn Urquhart Commercial
Wilbur Eugene Wallace Scientific Preparatory
Shirley Anne York.
Commercial
Class 1943 Special Awards at Graduation
Washington and Franklin Medal. Eleanor L. Brown
D.A.R. Good Citizenship Award. Eleanor L. Brown
Balfour Award. .Jean D. Manning
Readers Digest Award Chauncey D. MacKay, Jr.
Post Graduate Certificate. Natalie E. Whiting
19
SCHOOL REPORT
MERRIMAC HIGH SCHOOL Honor Roll for 1942-43
HIGH HONOR (Names alphabetically arranged)
Constance Gleed '44
Richard Harrison '43
Muriel Lockwood '46 Chauncey MacKay, Jr. '43
Jean Manning '43 Geraldine Powers '44 Lee Powers '46
HONOR (Names alphabetically arranged)
Eleanor Brown '43
John Mader '43
Marjory Clark '45
Donald Saulnier '46
Barbara Hall '45
Shirley York '43
Beulah Hutchins '45
Anna Yurkovich '45
Boys Awarded Letters in Basketball
Norman Bishop, Captain
James Hartwell
Thurstin Collins, Manager
Chauncey MacKay, Jr.
Elmer Grant Gerald Hargraves
Fred Noone
Carmen Pesce, Jr.
Girls Awarded Letters in Basketball
Shirley Bailey, Co-Mgr.
Geraldine Bishop
Harriet Child, Co-Mgr.
Norma Crosby
Florence Denault Constance Gleed Jean Manning Geraldine Powers
Eleanor Urquhart, Captain
Those Awarded Cheer Leaders Letters
Dorothy Schiavoni Barbara Watson
Those to whom Journal Pins were awarded in recognition of faithful service on the Journal Staff during 1942-43.
Shirley Bailey
Eleanor Brown
Harriett Child
Marjorie Clark
Barbara Hall
Phyllis Jerome Jean Manning Lee Powers Dorothy Schiavoni Gwynn Sweeney
Barbara Watson
The following students were awarded, for the highest average in each subject, and for the greatest improvement, a certificate suitable for framing.
20
TOWN OF MERRIMAC
Subject
Highest Average for Year
Greatest Improvement
Thomas McKenna Stanley Williams Alva Clark
James Hartwell
Algebra 1
Type 1
Beulah Hutchins
-
Type 2
Natalie Whiting
Type 3
Norma Crosby
Stenography 1
Constance Gleed
Stenography 2
Shirley York Anna Yurkovitch
Bookkeeping
Phyllis Scherbon
Office Training
Shirley York Barbara Hall
John Allen
Latin 2
Maribelle Hartwell Eleanor Brown Constance Gleed
Carmen Pesce, Jr.
American History
Constance Gleed
Geraldine Powers
Modern History
Robert Saulnier
Albert Comley
Sociology Biology
Lee Powers
Thomas McKenna
Plane Geometry
Marjory Clark
Solid Geometry
Geraldine Powers
Trigonometry
Geraldine Powers
Chemistry
C. D. MacKay, Jr.
Aeronautics
Richard Harrison
MERRIMAC HIGH SCHOOL 1942-43
Perfect Attendance
Ranie Bisson Jean Manning (9)
Frederick Noone (9) Phyllis Scherbon
(9) Not absent for 9 years, September 1934 to June 1943
GRADUATES OF EIGHTH GRADE, 1943
Eva Anne Bacon, Rita Margaret Deminie, *Claire Flora Denault, *Judith Mary Flynn, *Carlene Goodwin, *Claire Josephine Gosselin, Jean Elizabeth Grant, *Barbara Ann Greeley, Josephine Ruth Hargraves, Claire Leona Lambert, *Evelyn Jane Nicol, Carolyn
English 1 English 2
Lee Powers
Barbara Hall
English 3
Geraldine Powers
English 4
Barbara Watson C. D. MacKay, Jr. Richard Harrison Muriel Lockwood
Florence Denault
Florence Denault Norma Crosby
General Business
Betty Ann Piper
French 1
Civics and Economics Law
Barbara Hall Donald Saulnier
Gwynn Sweeney Richard Harrison
21
SCHOOL REPORT
Joanne Whipple, Marjorie Helen Whipple, Marilyn Dawn Young, *Violet Yurkovich, George R. Buzzell, Robert S. Connor, Robert F. Donahue, John Donahue, Jr., Robert L. Dupois, James A. Flynn, Edward J. Hart, Donald Augustus MacKay, Robert H. Meliotes, *Onni E. Mustonen, Robert E. Whitcomb.
*Honor Pupils
INDUSTRIAL ARTS GRADUATES, 1943
Robert Joseph Stewart, Robert Arthur Mears, Charles Ernest Sande.
ATTENDANCE HONOR ROLL
High School: See principal's report.
Prospect Street School: ** Claire Denault, ** Judith Flynn, ** Bar- bara Greeley, ** Evelyn Nicol, ** Yarmilla Yurkovich.
Centre School:
Grade 6-Jean Boyer, Kenneth Floyd.
Grade 5 -*** Arthur Bisson, Pasquale Cotone.
Grade 4 -*** Charles Bisson.
Grade 3 -*** Richard Noone.
Grade 2 -** Ruth Craig.
Grade 1-none.
Merrimacport School: none.
** Not absent for 3 years, September 1940 to June 1943
** Not absent for 2 years, September 1941 to June 1943.
1943 FINANCIAL SUMMARY
Regular school Appropriation
$29,100.00
Refunded dog tax
185.37
Transferred.
225.00
Total available for schools.
$29,510.37
Total expenditures
29,492.64
Balance .
$17.73
Reimbursements :
Supt. Schools.
$483.34
General School Fund, Part I. .
3,998.40
General School Fund, Part II .
3,887.71
Tuition & Transp. State Wards
607.61
Tuition & Transp. local H. S.
96.00
Sale of typewriters
140.34
Telephone tolls.
14.04
Sale of books.
7.60
Replacement school property
.60
.
$9,235.64
22
TOWN OF MERRIMAC
Total expenditures in 1943. .
Total reimbursements in 1943.
$29,492.64 9,235.64
Total from taxation in 1943.
$20,257.00 -
Summary of Expenses, 1943
General Control
School committee expenses .
$20.16
Supt. Schools' salary
900.00
Secretary's salary.
300.00
Office costs and travel expenses
224.99
Law enforcement. .
123.25
$1,568.40
Cost of Instruction :
Regular teachers and substitutes
$18,385.65
Drawing and music teachers
846.64
Text books
484.00
Supplies
930.82
.
$20,647.11
Cost of Operation:
Janitors' salaries
$1,581.90
Fuel .
1,772.15
Janitors' supplies, cleaning, etc.
187.28
Athletics .
145.90
Maintenance.
957.76
Libraries
41.77
Health
373.52
Transportation.
2,038.96
Equipment.
128.09
Miscellaneous (including H. S. telephone)
49.80
Total
$29,492.64
1944 FINANCIAL ESTIMATES
General Control:
School committee expenses .
$25.00
Supt. Schools' salary . .
900.00
Secretary's salary ..
300.00
Office cost and travel expenses
225.00
Law enforcement.
125.00
$1,575.00
$3,541.33
23
SCHOOL REPORT
Cost of Instruction :
Regular teachers and substitutes
$22,400.00
Service pension fee.
253.80
Drawing and music teachers
930.00
Text books.
600.00
Supplies
1,000.00
$25,183.80
Cost of Operation :
Janitors' salaries
$1,700.00
Fuel .
1,750.00
Janitors' supplies, cleaning, etc. .
200.00
$3,650.00
H. S. Athletics
150.00
Maintenance.
825.00
Libraries
100.00
Health
425.00
Transportation.
1,950.00
Equipment.
100.00
Miscellaneous (including H. S. telephone)
41.20
Total.
$34,000.00
Estimated Reimbursements :
Supt. Schools.
$483.33
General School Fund, Part I.
4,230.00
General School Fund, Part II
3,096.65
$7,809.98
Total estimated expenditures for 1944 .. .
$34,000.00
Total estimated reimbursements for 1944
7,809.98
Total estimated from taxation in 1944
$26,190.02
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Appropriations Made 1943
13
Fire Alarm .
17
In Memoriam.
8
Jury List. .
7
Town Officers.
3
Town Warrant.
76
Reports of-
Assessors
21
Board of Public Welfare
11
Bureau of Old Age Assistance.
11
Cemetery Commissioners.
Dog Officer
Finance Committee
Fire Engineers
Inspector of Wires.
Inspector of Milk, Animals and Slaughtering
19 24 29
Playground Commissioners
Police Department .
Public Health Nurse
15 18 32
Public Library
Tax Collector
School Committee
Sealer of Weights and Measures
Selectmen .
Town Accountant.
Town Clerk.
22 26 23
Town Forest Committee
Town Treasurer.
28
Trustees of Kimball Park.
27
Water Commissioners
Vote for Town Officers 87
81 91 16 10 33
Municipal Light Board.
20 31 79 18 30
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