USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Merrimac > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Merrimac 1952 > Part 7
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We have also returned to the rotary arrangement of classes to facilitate a more even and just arrangement of classes.
The school year is a very busy one and as I end this attempt at trying to bring you the highlights of our pro- gram, I find new events already beginning to creep into the picture. In closing, I would like to express my personal. appreciation to Dr. John C. Page, the School Committee,
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SCHOOL REPORT
and my faculty for the fine spirit of co-operation they have shown in extending our high school program.
EDWARD MORROW
1951 - 1952 Honor Roll
Seniors
High Honor George Larkin Noreen Quimby
Honor
Patricia Joralmon David Marshall Margaret Weigel
Juniors
High Honor
John Leonard Bachelder
Gary Bertram
Beverly Blackden
Stephen Hoppe
Elizabeth Weigel
Honor
Natalie Haskell Joan Keller Ruth Lord
Sophomores High Honor Sally Stuart Marilyn Wolfe Dorothy Wechezak
Honor
Florence Bixby Sandra Brennan Nancy Comley Dorothy Reynolds
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TOWN OF MERRIMAC
Freshmen
High Honor Patricia Flynn Virginia Kneeland
Honor Sandra Turner
Curriculum of Merrimac High School
English I-II-III-IV Social Sciences Civics
Mathematics
Business Arithmetic
Elementary Algebra
*European History U. S. History
Problems of Democracy
*Law
Psychology Orientation (College)
Type I
Sciences
General Science
Shorthand I
Biology
Shorthand II
*Chemistry
*Bookkeeping I
*Physics
* Bookkeeping II Office Practice
Languages
Latin I
Latin II
French I
French II
French III
*Offered on alternate years.
REPORT OF PRINCIPAL OF NEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
The aim of the American educational system of to-
Advanced Algebra Plane Geometry
*Solid Geometry
*Trigonometry
Commercial
Type II
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SCHOOL REPORT
day are to equip the student to live a good life emotionally, to the best of his ability intellectually and to develop into a citizen worthy of our democracy. With these aims in mind our new school was opened.
We have tried to give the children the guided respon- sibility of the new building as something beautiful and useful given to them by their community. They have re- sponded by showing pride and care for it.
One of the first problems to be faced was that of traffic. With an enrollment of over four hundred this problem was one which involved buses, bicycles and pedes- trians leaving the grounds simultaneously at dismissal time.
Bus ports were painted at the Locust Street entrance so each child would become familiar with his bus loca- tion quickly and safely. The lower hall is used as the waiting hall for the two late buses on stormy days. Pedes- trian traffic was also sent out of this exit.
A bicycle meeting was held. Any child having a bi- cycle who might possibly ride to school during the year was invited to attend. There were one hundred fifty-one possible riders of which seventy-nine actually rode to school on that day. Previous to that meeting the bicycle racks had been placed on the upper end of the parking area. It was decided to have a space cleared across from the Union Street entrance and from that time on all bi- cyclists would enter and leave from the front entrance of the school building.
The first morning bell rings at 8:40. The last bell at 8:45. Doors are open for the children when the first bell rings. On stormy days or on extremely cold days the doors are opened at 8:30.
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A Safety Patrol has been established which works in conjunction with the Police Department. It is made up of members of the eighth grade. The work of this patrol is to take the children to the crossings and give caution. The responsibility of vehicular traffic is that of the police. When carried on in this manner the life of no child is ever in jeopardy.
A student government has been formed in grades 6, 7 and 8. The members of the student council are: Presi- dent, Fred Heath; Secretary, Sheela Fowler; Treasurer. Robert Fryer; Class representatives, Audrey Leighton, John McCarron, David Cummings, Paul Ross, Patricia Sweeney and Nancy Harrington. The student govern- ment functions only in these grades but it is hoped that it may soon expand to all grades.
A Record Hop was held Thanksgiving Eve under the sponsorship of the Student Council. The attendance was good and all who were there took part in the dances. Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Noone, Miss Charlotte Haskell, Mr. Daniel Gulesian, Mrs. Doris Currier, Mrs. Helen Donaghue and Mr. Millard Nute made up the hosts and hostesses. A silver collection was taken at the door which made the first Student Council venture a financial as well as social success.
On November 10th dedication of two new flags for our auditorium was held. Exercises were given by rep- resentatives of the various grades and were attended by all of the children and faculty, parents and friends. Honor Guests were the ones who gave the flags. Chief Maurice Carey represented the Police Department and presented the Flag of Massachusetts as a gift from that department. Miss Carol Joralmon responded with our thanks. Robert Fryer thanked Mr. and Mrs. Ray Clarke, Sr., who presented an American Flag in memory of their two sons who gave the supreme sacrifice of life itself for
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SCHOOL REPORT
our country, Pfc. Lorin G. Clarke and Chief Petty Officer Harold W. Clarke. David Clarke, son of Harold, who is in grade 1, took part in the program by reciting "The Flag I Love."
At Thanksgiving time a program was held to which the High School students and faculty were invited. This was something I wish each citizen of Merrimac could have seen. Approximately five hundred twenty-five children, young ladies and young gentlemen all assembled in the new gym which you have provided for them. I believe it would have given you a thrill of pride and satisfaction to have seen all of your youngsters "gather together to ask the Lord's blessing."
This program was sponsored by the Student Council and nicely led by its president, Fred Heath.
We have been extremely fortunate in having two new subjects added to our curriculum. Remedial reading is now being taught by Mrs. Miriam Felch. This subject gives' to the child who finds reading to be difficult the extra attention and instruction that he needs to progress more rapidly. Audio-visual aids have also been added. This equipment is used by the classroom teachers. We now have a Bogen Record Player, a Viewlex Slide and Filmstrip Machine, a Bell and Howell Movie Projector, a Beseler Opaque Projector and a Bogen Public Address System.
An accumulative record is now being made on each child. To this date the child's record was kept in various places, in the nurse's office, his health record, at the super- intendent's office, his testing record and with his individ- ual teacher, his scholastic record up to date. All this data and more will now be kept on file in an individual folder for each child in the principal's office. It is hoped that this will enable all who are concerned with the wel-
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TOWN OF MERRIMAC
fare of a child to contribute any fact which will help in the work of aiding him to acquire the ability to get along with others, to improve scholastically and to develop into the citizen which you and I hope our girls and boys of Merrimac will become.
I wish to thank the folks who have given me aid and kindly constructive help in setting up this new school. The old saying that two heads are better than one is so true and especially in our American democratic way of living do we appreciate the thoughts of all. My sincere thanks to Dr. Page and the members of the Merrimac School Committee for their encouragement and help to me and their desire for the best for each individual child under their care and supervision.
HELEN R. DONAGHUE
REPORT OF COACHES OF JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL
Due to the wider opportunities offered by our new gymnasium, two enthusiastic groups of thrity-three girls and forty boys reported for practice late in November. From the two groups, sixteen girls and thirteen boys were chosen to represent their school as varsity squads to play the following schedule :
Teams
Date
West Newbury at Merrimac
Dec. 9
Newbury at Merrimac
Jan. 6
Merrimac at Salisbury
Jan. 15
West Newbury at Merrimac
Jan. 20
Newbury at Merrimac Jan. 27
Salisbury at Merrimac
Feb. 5
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SCHOOL REPORT
At the end of this season an intramural tournament will be scheduled within the school so that every girl and boy may have the opportunity to participate actively in some game.
MRS. CORNELIA WOLFE MR. MILLARD NUTE
REPORT OF SUPERVISOR OF ART
Working with such materials as colored paper, cray- ons, water colors and clay, many fine pieces of Art work have been created by the children in the different grades since last year's report.
Last Spring, the sixth grade, for example, obtained some local clay and proceeded to process it, model it, and paint it with tempera, creating some remarkable pieces of pottery. As much of this work as possible was placed in the Town Library. Through the efforts of the teacher concerned, this was possible. Many of the teachers real- ize that Art is flexible enough to be integrated with reg- ular subjects and use it as an aid to add clarity.
In all grades, the Art work is of good quality and to list the various projects covered would take too much space. However, the major aims of the Art program at- tempt to encourage practical applications of Art in the home and community through the proper use of color, form, and design.
Much has been done to develop the Art education in Merrimac schools.
RICHARD J. HERMAN
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TOWN OF MERRIMAC
REPORT OF SCHOOL NURSE
My report is herewith submitted dating from Jan. 1, 1952 to Dec. 31, 1952.
Number of school visits 133
Number of home visits 113
The children in the 1st, 4th, and 8th grades and any other child whom the teachers thought necessary had their eyes tested with the Visual Testing Machine.
Number tested 174
The same grades were tested with the Audiometer for hearing.
Number tested 186
The Tuberculin Patch test was held for all pupils in High School (with parent's consent) by Dr. Davis.
Number tested 95 :
The Diphtheria Clinic was held at Center School by Dr. Davis on March 17, April 14, and May 12.
Number receiving 3 shots of Diphtheria Tetanus and Whooping Cough 14
Number receiving Booster shots 83
The Pre-School Clinic was held at Center School on May 11, by Dr. Davis.
Number of pupils registered 63
Number given physical examination by Dr. Davis 44.
Under the new state law only three grades will have a complete physical examination each year. The grades in Merrimac to have this examination are First, Fifth and
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SCHOOL REPORT
Ninth grades. Any child attending the Pre-School Clinic will not be examined. Parents may have their own doc- tor give this examination at their expense.
The examination includes urinalysis (for sugar) and blood hemoglobin which are new to the examination this year.
Dr. Davis has examined under the new state law this year 47.
The regular physical exam has been given to all pupils in High School and Junior High who may par- ticipate in sports.
ANNIE L. GLEED,
REPORT OF SCHOOL LUNCH MANAGER
The following is a statistical report of the operations of the Lunch Room, at the New Elementary School.
The Hot Lunch Program has been favorably received by the pupils, teachers, and parents.
From the first day lunches were served, September 8, 1952, through December 18, 1952, we have served an average of 269 Type A Lunches per day and an average of 31 Type C Lunches.
The cost per Type A Meal, to the pupil, is twenty- five cents each and the State reimburses the Town nine
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TOWN OF MERRIMAC
cents per meal. However, in order for the State to re- imburse the Town nine cents per meal, each meal must meet the required menu pattern of :- one of the follow- ing protien rich foods: 2 oz. Meat, Poultry or Fish, 1/2 Cup Dried Peas or Beans, Peanut Butter or one Egg.
In addition :
3/4 Cup Vegetable or Fruit, 1 Slice Enriched Bread, 2 Tsps. Butter or Oleo, 1/2Pt. Whole Unflavored Milk. Although not required, we have included a dessert with each meal.
On the Type C. Lunch, which consists of 1/2 Pt. of Milk, purchased by the pupils that carry their lunch, the cost is four cents per day and the State reimburses the Town two cents each.
Out of Revenue additional equipment for the Lunch Room has been purchased, which was needed to facilitate the serving of meals, one item being a Steam Table.
We were very fortunate to have Mr. H. M. Water- house loan us an Electric Milk Cooler that holds over 300 bottles of Milk.
Also, Dr. J. Hawes very generously gave the Lunch Room a 1,000 Pound Deep Freeze Unit, that will come in very handy for storing frozen food received from the State.
I wish at this time to thank all of the citizens who have worked so hard to make this program a success.
ISABEL L. TAYLOR, B.S.
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SCHOOL REPORT
GRADUATES, 1952
.
Merrimac High School: John Edward Beauvais, Ernest Francis Boetti, Gerald Elwin Buzzell, David Chap- man Chase, Barbara Ann Dudley, Donald Edward Dudley, Jr., Richard Warren Emery, Ann Jane Ferguson, Harold Ramsdell Ford, Jr., Richard Bruce Grant, George Grover Heald, Patricia Helen Joralmon, George Duncan Larkin, Thomas Putney Lund, David Howard Bradford Marshall, Ann Helen Murphy, George Edward Nicol, Richard Greeley Noone, John Jeremiah O'Brien, Jr., Noreen Isabel Quimby, Margaret Anne Rines, Patricia Joan Til- ton, Margaret Ann Weigel.
Grade 8: Frances Joan Atwood, Betsy Jane Barber, Robert Avon Beauvais, Ernest Haskell Brooks, R. Richard Fowler, Eugene Maxwell Getchell, III, Sally Ann Gillen, Fred A. Gurley, Charlie Oscar Haynes, Constance Anne Hoyt, Thomas Henry Hurley, Norman A. Jacques, Helen Frances Keller, Richard Dix Knight, Jeannette Larkin, Dorothy Irene Morrill, Marie Jane Murphy, Carol Joan Nicol, Leonard Paul O'Brien, Albert Russell Openshaw, Rodney Galbraith Phipps, Charles Milton Prescott, Bar- bara May Sargent, Carol Jean Sharkey, Frank B. Sharkey, Marjorie Lee Smith, Gregoire Omer St.Hilaire, Bruce Herbert Stimpson, Jane Lea Sweetsir, Carolyn Maxine Tobin, Lorna Lee Turgeon, Edrie Mae Verombeck.
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TOWN OF MERRIMAC
ATTENDANCE HONOR ROLL
HIGH SCHOOL Ruth Elizabeth Lord, ****** Richard Warren Emery.
PROSPECT STREET SCHOOL:
Grade 8: Charles Oscar Haynes, Fred Albert Hurley.
Grade 7: * Clifton Bixby, Wayne Merritt.
MERRIMACPORT SCHOOL:
Grade 6: John Buzzelle.
Grade 5: John Thompson.
CENTRE SCHOOL:
Grade 4: Brenda Sanborn, Dianne Staples, Arlene Wechezak.
Grade 3: None.
Grade 2: None. Grade 1: None.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Appropriations Made 1952
12
Fire Alarm
8
In Memoriam
122
Jury List
10
Town Officers
3
Town Warrant
112
Reports of-
Assessors
22
Board of Public Welfare
26
Cemetery Commissioners
25
Dog Officer
23
Finance Committee
16
Fire Engineers
21
Inspector of Wires
46
Inspector of Milk, Animals and Slaughtering 27
Merrimac School Building Committee
28
Municipal Light Board
40
Playground Commissioners
25
Police Department
20 *
Public Health Nurse
19
Public Library
43
School Committee
45
Selectmen
99
State Auditor
33
Tax Collector
47
Town Accountant
31
Town Clerk
Town Forest Committee 18
Town Treasurer 36
Trustees of Kimball Park
44
Water Commissioners
36
Vote for Town Officers
108
.....
124
Sealer of Weights and Measures
11
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