USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Merrimac > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Merrimac 1951 > Part 6
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It should be understood clearly that there are al- ways as many pupils below the median as there are above it. This is true in local classes and it is true also among the thousands who furnish the backlog of standardization. A class median is the point that one-half of the class has excelled or equalled. Neither grade seven nor grade eight fell below in its class median in any of the ten subjects tested in 1951 in either class. This year the Metropolitan achievement tests were used throughout the grades, in place of the Stanford tests which have been used in their various forms for several years preceding.
GENERAL SCHOOL NOTES
On February 1 Mr. Edwin E. Leidich resigned from the Merrimac school committee.
On Good Government Day (now the second Friday in March, under Chapter 650 of the Acts of 1951) Earl Brooks was the elected representative from Merrimac High School.
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SCHOOL REPORT
On April 3, Career Day, the seniors of the high schools of Manchester, Georgetown, Hamilton, Merrimac, West Newbury and Groveland combined at the Essex County Agricultural School at Hathorne under the auspices of the Essex County Y. M. C. A.
The senior class play "Mother is a Freshman" on April 6 at Grange Hall, directed by Miss Gullage, the senior class trip to New York and Washington with Miss Phelan and Mrs. Donaghue during the April vacation week, and "The Mikado" at Grange Hall on May 3 and 4, directed by Mrs. Currier with scenery by Mr. Herman, art supervisor, are all contained in the report of the high school principal.
On June 7 the Prospect Street School pupils, accom- panied by their teachers and Mrs. Cecil Morrill and Mrs. Charles Prescott, took their class day in Boston. They visited the Logan Airport, saw Bunker Hill monument and Old Ironsides, visited the Museum of Science, the Boston Garden, then many went to the Braves-Pirates baseball game and some to the Agassiz Museum. En route home the group visited the Middlesex Zoo in Stoneham.
The six classics given by the 1951 eighth grade grad- uating class brings the total number of literary books in the Prospect Street school library to 160, thanks to the subscriptions to the Junior Literary Guild which Mrs. Wolfe has requisitioned annually for the last eight years.
On September 20 the Parent Teachers Association received the school committee and teachers at the Fire Station Hall.
On November 30 Eugene Getchell of the eighth grade won the spelling bee between teams from Merrimac, West Newbury, and Salisbury at the new school in Salisbury. Lester Smith won honorable mention.
In December Inspector William F. Higgins from the
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Registry of Motor Vehicles showed films to Merrimac school pupils, and gave talks on safety on the highways.
On the evening of December 20 Open House for par- ents was held at the Prospect Street School.
TRANSPORTATION
On the first of October, 248 of the 504 Merrimac pub- lic school pupils (49.2%) were transported regularly by the Massachusetts Northeastern Transportation Com- pany. The percentage that was transported increased because no school building in town was used to serve a portion of the town; the pupil segregation was by grades rather than by home residence. 156 pupils rode an aver- age of at least one and one-half miles each way each school day. The 248 transported included 36 of the 110 High School pupils, 41 of the 78 Prospect Street pupils, 74 of the 101 Port pupils, 21 of the 27 Lancaster Ct. pupils and 76 of the 188 Centre School pupils. From Birch- meadow there were 73, from Bear Hill, Lake Attitash and Trailer Park there were 104, and from the Port 71.
VOCATIONAL
In the fall fifteen Merrimac pupils and citizens were registered for vocational training. Five were at the George W. Arnold Trade School in Haverhill, including two in general vocational, one in machine shop, one in electrical, and one in upholstery. Three were in the even- ing classes at the Trade School, including one in machine shop, one in electrical, and one in auto repair. Five were registered for evening classes at Haverhill High School, including three in rug making and two in dress making. One was in the day household arts department. One was
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registered at the Essex County Agricultural School. Be- sides these fifteen, one registered on January 2, 1951, for lasting at the Lynn Industrial Independent Shoemak- ing School, one registered in February at the Haverhill Evening Trade School for machine shop, and another in March for sheet metal work.
Costs for vocational education have to be paid by a special appropriation, listed in the Merrimac town re- port as Vocational Aid.
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL NURSE
My report is herewith submitted dating from Jan- uary 1, 1951 to December 31, 1951. Number of school visits 176 Number of Home visits 56
Number of Pupils examined by Dr. Davis and
School Nurse (annual physical examination) 517
The Diphtheria Clinic was held by Dr. Davis and Nurse on March 8, April 5, and May 3, 1951. 95 child- ren received a Booster shot and 5 children received 3 innoculations of Diphtheria, Tetunus and Whooping Cough.
The Pre-school clinic was held at Centre School by Dr. Davis, the Nurse and Mrs. Manning on May 11, 1951. The clinic was held for all children who would be enter- ing the first grade in September. A physical examination was given to each child so that any physical deficts which are found could be corrected during the summer months. The children were registered for the first grade at the same time. Number of children attending this clinic 41.
The children in the first, fourth and eighth grades and any other pupils the teachers thought necessary were
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given the Vision Test with the Vision Testing Machine. Total number 131.
The audiometer was used for the first time in Mer- rimac public schools to test the ears of the children. Every child was tested through the High School.
The Tuberculin Patch Test for Tuberculosis was held this year at the High School by Dr. Davis and School Nurse. Number of pupils having the Patch Test was 93.
Respectfully submitted,
ANNIE L. GLEED,
School Nurse
REPORT OF SUPERVISOR OF ART
Grade one has received lessons which encourages self-expression in their work. This group has drawn the home, family, familiar surroundings, their pets and their impressions of holidays and seasons of the year.
They have worked in groups at times but physical arrangments do not usually permit it.
More work space, ample time, the experience of us- ing a variety of materials are all necessary to fostering interest and further growth.
Grade two people have drawn the farmer, his farm, his animals, and have learned of their importance to every- one. They have represented visually, the Indian, the Circus and other exciting subjects. Their interpretations are all individual.
Grade three children have created in mural form, the features of a typical community. They have learned the importance of the public servants within a commun-
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ity through acting out their roles and drawing scenes of their various functions.
The third grade rooms have been decorated some to conceal part of the tan and brown paint within.
The fourth grade people have studied color, drawn their ideas of Autumn, and made seasonal and holiday decorations.
Grades five and six have learned about color and the effect of colors in Nature. Hallowe'en masks, Thanks- giving scenes and items, simple house planning and Christ- mas room decorating describe the highlights.
The seventh grade has done block lettering, script lettering, made color charts, and has done exceptionally well with Christmas room and window decorations.
Grade eight students have constructed packages and boxes, designed labels in color as an exercise in ap- preciation of design and eye-appeal. Finger painting is always popular and was done with enthusiasm.
Some exceptional hand-made dishes were created out of pottery clay. They were painted and shellaced with skill.
Seasonal decorating includes many well-executed painted window scenes in the school, under direction of Mrs. Donaghue and Mrs. Wolfe.
Last Spring, the students at the high school cooperated in the stage designing for the "Mikado," their operetta. I wish to thank all who assisted by giving their afternoons and evenings in preparing the scenery.
Many students wish to enroll in the art class at the high school, but their schedule of periods prevents it. However, those students now attending show a serious interest in the work. I wish there could be more.
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We have designed folders, used lettering pens and ink, made posters, competed in painting a picture to dis- play in the principal's office, worked in clay and designed Christmas cards using linoleum blocks.
A basic course in Mechanical drawing has been of- fered recently. Two students are taking it and show good results.
Respectfully submitted,
RICHARD J. HERMAN,
Art Supervisor
REPORT OF THE HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
During the spring vacation the seniors, accompanied by Miss Isabelle Phelan and Mrs. Helen Donaghue, went on a class trip to Washington. This was the first class in several years to go to Washington and it is hoped that all future classes will be able to enjoy such a worthwhile ex- perience in their senior year.
Our athletic activities during 1951 were outstanding. The boys' basketball team, coached by Mr. Edward Mor- row, finished second in the league. In the tournament held in Georgetown they reached the finals and then lost a heartbreaker to Hampstead by three points. Each boy on the squad received a silver basketball and the team received the runner-up trophy. Two of the outstanding seniors on the team were Captain Earle Brooks and Wil- liam Franklin. The girls' basketball team, coached by Miss Isabelle Phelan, had an outstanding record indeed. This team finished the season winning eight games, losing one game and tying one game with Groveland, thus shar- ing the honors with Groveland as co-champions. In the
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tournament semi-finals our team defeated Georgetown in a thrilling, hard-fought game with a score of 29 to 28. this qualified them for the finals and for the second year in succession the girls won the tournament championship, this time defeating Groveland with a score of 32 to 20.
In baseball our boys' team finished the season in second place in the league.
There is no organized league in softball. We did however, have games with West Newbury and Topsfield, and our girls won them all.
The Federal Milk Luncheon Program was given last year and is being continued.
Our enrollment on October 1 consisted of 49 boys and 61 girls, making a total of 110 pupils. The enroll- ment by classes was as follows: freshman class, 33; soph- omore class, 31; junior class, 23; and senior class, 23.
The honor roll for the school year 1950-51 was as. follows :
Freshmen High Honor
Judith H. Hamm Sally M. Stuart Dorothy Wechezak Marilyn R. Wolfe
Honor
Marion Dickey Elsie M. Hoyt Dorothy M. Reynolds
Sophomores High Honor
John L. Bachelder Beverly E. Blackden Stephen G. Hoppe Joan M. Keller Elizabeth I. Weigel
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Honor
Gary E. Bertram Natalie Haskell Ruth E. Lord
Juniors
High Honor
George D. Larkin Noreen I. Quimby
Honor
Barbara A. Dudley
Richard W. Emery
Ann J. Ferguson Patricia H. Joralman
Thomas P. Lund
George E. Nicol Margaret A. Weigel
Seniors
High Honor
Charlotte E. Powers
Richard W. Taylor
Phyllis A. Wechezak Shirley A. Kneeland
Honor
Earle G. Brooks
The dramatic production of the school year was given in April, 1951, at the Grange Hall, under the direction of Miss Joan Gullage of the high school faculty. The Senior Class gave two performances of the current Broadway production, "Mother Is a Freshman," playing to highly receptive and appreciative audiences. The annual Senior play was acted, staged and managed by the Senior Class of 1951, but due to the limited number of seniors, mem- bers of the Junior Class were invited to participate in the cast and stage crew.
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SCHOOL REPORT
Members of the cast included :
Shirley Kneeland
Robert Lord
Sally Lund
Robert Owens
Virginia Murray
William Franklin
Patricia Lambert
Richard Taylor
Juanita Hardy
Edward Noone
Noreen Quimby
Richard Emery
Patricia Joralman
Last May the operetta, "The Mikado," was presented by the school Chorus and Glee Club under the very able direction of our Music Supervisor, Mrs. Doris M. Currier. It was an outstanding success.
The cast was as follws:
The Mikado of Japan
Richard Emery
Nanki-Poo
Francis Boetti
Ko-Ko
Earle Brooks
Pooh-Bah
Harold Ford, Jr.
Pish-Tush
David Scott
Yum-Yum
Elizabeth Weigel
Pitti-Sing
Margaret Weigel
Peep-Bo
Barbara Dudley Marilyn Wolfe
Katisha
Pianists Natalie Haskell Sally Stuart Edith True Marshall
In September, 1951, an additional teacher, Mr. Rich- ard Norton, was employed in our school. By having six teachers it has been possible to revamp the entire high school curriculum and to bring about many desirable changes. The teaching load of each teacher has been re- duced to meet recommendations of the State Department of Education. An extra-curricular activity period has been included in our daily schedule and class periods have
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been lengthened to 45 minutes each.
Now that we have this regularly scheduled activity period it is no longer necessary to shorten or to omit re- gular class periods to accommodate important school act- ivites such as visual education, Glee Club and Chorus work, class meeting, assemblies, etc. It is calculated that the time thus saved for regular instruction in class work amounts to the equivalent of adding four weeks to our school year.
The longer class periods have also added greatly to the total time devoted to class instruction. It is calculated that this additional time for instruction is the equivalent of adding another four weeks to our school year.
The total gain in time for class instruction brought about by having longer class periods and no omissions of these periods will enable each teacher to cover more thor- oughly the required class work in each subject which is taught.
At this time I should like to express my sincere ap- preciation to Dr. Page and to the members of the high school faculty for the kind cooperation and helpfulness which they have given to me since coming to Merrimac High School.
Respectfully submitted, . ASHLYN M. HUYCK.
Principal
GRADUATES, 1951
HIGH SCHOOL: Charles Walter Bisson, Earle George Brooks, Jr., William Henry Franklin III, Nancy Louise Gilmore, Juanita Verlyn Hardy, Shirley Ann Kneeland, Patricia Ann Lambert. Robert Marshall Lord. Sally Lou
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SCHOOL REPORT
Lund, Virginia Annabelle Murray, Edwin Barry Noone, Charlotte Ellen Powers, Richard Wright Taylor, Phyllis Ann Wechezak.
GRADE 8: Richard Roland Arseneau, John Alvie Ayer, * Martha Ann Barber, Beverly Ann Blaisdell, *Nancy Diane Boetti, Ethel Virginia Chase, *Marie Hazel Colomy, Fern Leona Corson, Bernice Evelyn Craig, *Raymond Henry Crossman, Walter Herman Currier, *Peter McLean Donaghue, *Grace Patricia Flynn, *Marie Alice Fowle, *Lynne Kendrick Hayward, *Barbara Jean Howe, Robert Willard Keller, Harry Smith Kimball, *Virginia Root Kneeland, Gertrude May McCarron, "Joyce McLeod, Patsy Alvena Prescott, Gordon Allison Rines, *Alfred Jo- seph Sampson, Charles Walter Scott, David Norman Sharkey, *Frances Ann Smith, Dean Murray Staples, Alice Jean Stewart, *Carol Elaine St. Jean, Ralph Stanley Therrien, *Marilyn Diane Trenholm, *Sandra Jean Turn- er, George Arthur Waterhouse, John Alexander York.
* With honors.
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ATTENDANCE HONOR ROLL
HIGH SCHOOL ** Charles Bisson. Beverly Blackden, ** * * Richard Emery, Nancy Gilmore, Richard Noone, Elizabeth Weigel.
PROSPECT STREET SCHOOL Grades 7 & 8: None.
CENTRE SCHOOL:
Grade 6: *** Clifton Bixby. Nancy Colomy, ** Joyce Frye. Grade 5: Gary Vincent.
Grade 4: *** Bertha Haskell.
Grade 3: None.
Grade 2: None. Grade 1: None.
MERRIMACPORT SCHOOL:
Grades 4 & 5: None.
Grade 3: Wandra Edith Armstrong.
Grade 2: None.
CRAFT CLASS: Aldora Bisson.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Appropriations Made 1951
13
Fire Alarm
7
In Memoriam
118
Jury List
9
Town Officers
3
Town Warrant
109
Reports of-
Assessors
40
Board of Public Welfare
26
Cemetery Commissioners
32
Dog Officer
28
Finance Committee
21
Fire Engineers
28
Inspector of Wires
42
Inspector of Milk, Animals and Slaughtering
27
Municipal Light Board
37
Playground Commissioners
42
Police Department
23
Public Health Nurse
30
Public Library
30
School Committee
121
Sealer of Weights and Measures
25
Selectmen
10
State Auditor
97
Tax Collector
17
Town Accountant
43
Town Clerk
11
Town Forest Committee
19
Town Treasurer
20
Trustees of Kimball Park
33
Water Commissioners 34
Vote for Town Officers
106
1
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