USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Merrimac > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Merrimac 1953 > Part 5
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115
TOWN OF MERRIMAC
Article 7. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money to be placed at the disposal of the Playground Commission to be used at their discre- tion on the playground during the current year.
Article 8. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Town Treasurer with the approval of the Selectmen to sell at public auction, after first giving notice of the time and place of sale by posting such notice of sale in some convenient and public place in the Town fourteen days at least before the sale, property heretofore taken or which may be taken by the Town under Tax Title procedure, provided that the Town Treasurer with the approval of the Selectmen or their authorized agent may at the time of such public auction reject any bid which they may deem inadequate, or may after such auction has been held sell such property provided that in their estimation an ade- quate offer may be made.
Article 9. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money to be used under the super- vision of the Selectmen for any necessary repairs or other expense to Tax Possessions.
Article 10. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money to be expended on highway work on thickly settled streets or take any action relative thereto.
Article 11. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Six Hundred Fifty Dollars ($650. 00) for the Board of Registrars Expense under Chapter 427 and Chapter 440 of Acts and Resolves of the General Court for the year 1938, said appropriation being made for the year 1954.
Article 12. To see if the Town will vote to raise and
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ANNUAL REPORT
appropriate the sum of Sixty Dollars ($60.00) from the sale of Cemetery lots such sum or part thereof to be ex- pended under the direction of the Cemetery Trustees for "care, improvement and embellishment" of said cemetery, according to Section 15 and Section 25 of Chapter 114 of the General Laws.
Article 13. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money sufficient to meet such legal expenses as may occur due to suits or other action against the Town or take any action relative thereto.
Article 14. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from unappropriated available funds in the Treasury a sum of money for Chapter 90 High- way Construction or Maintenance or take any action there- to.
Article 15. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money sufficient to make necessary repairs in or on or around the Town Hall or take any action relative thereto.
Article 16. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Assessors to use a sum of money from free cash in the Treasury toward the reduction of the 1954 Tax Rate.
Article 17. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from unappropriated available funds in the Treasury, a sum of money for Chapter 81 and Highway Construction or Maintenance or take any action relative thereto.
Article 18. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250 .- 00) to pay the salary of the Veterans Service Officer.
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TOWN OF MERRIMAC
Article 19. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250 .- 00) for expenses of the Veterans Service Officer.
Article 20. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Four Thousand Five Hundred Forty-eight Dollars and forty-nine cents ($4,548.49) said sum to be paid the Essex County Retirement Board for various funds of the Essex County Retirement System.
Article 21. To see of the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money for the maintenance and oper- ation of the Water Department, and to pay any water loans that may be due in the year 1954, and to determine whether the money shall be provided for by appropriation, water surplus or water revenue; or take any action rela- tive thereto.
Article 22. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Twenty-Six Hundred Forty Dollars ($2,640.00), said amount to be paid the Welfare Agent as salary for the year 1954.
Article 23. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Two Thousand One Hundred Dol- lars ($2,100.00), said amount to be spent for control of Dutch Elm Disease.
Article 24. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Three Hundred Dollars ($300.00), for rental of quarters for the use of the American Legion Post.
Article 25. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Seventeen Thousand Dollars ($17,- 000.00) to pay notes due for School Construction in the year 1954.
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ANNUAL REPORT
Article 26. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) for salary of Dog Officer.
Article 27. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Eighteen Hundred Dollars ($1,- 800.00) to be spent under the direction of Civil Defense Director and supervision of the Selectmen for Civil De- fense or take any action relative thereto.
Article 28. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Six Hundred Seventy-five Dollars ($675.00), said amount to be spent for salaries to Instruc- tors for Supervised Play at the Merrimac Playground, under the jurisdiction of the Merrimac Playground Com- mission.
Article 29. On petition of George W. Smith, Jr. and others to see if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of Nineteen Thousand Dollars ($19,000.00), to extend the water system from a point at the junction of East Main Street and Emery Street along Emery Street a distance of three thousand five hundred and thirty-five feet (3,535) to the junction of Emery Street and Middle Road and along Middle Road a distance of Two hundred sixty-five (265) feet to connect with the existing water sys- tem, or take any action relative thereto, including whether or not the money will be raised by borrowing, taxation or otherwise.
Article 30. On petition of Beatrice Henry and others to see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Three Thousand Dollars ($3,000.00) to continue the present water system from existing position on Ridge- field Road to end, with Fire Hydrant, a distance of ap- proximately Six Hundred Feet (600 ft.) or take any action relative thereto.
119
TOWN OF MERRIMAC
Article 31. On petition of Bruno Arcisz and others to see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Four Thousand Dollars ($4,000.00) to continue the present water system from the end of Westminister Road into Belmore Road to end with Fire Hydrant, a distance of approximately 750 feet, or take any action relative there- io.
Article 32. On petition of Maurice Carey and others to see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money to be spent under the direction of the Chief of Police and supervision of the Board of Selectmen for the purchase of and equipping a Cruiser that also can be used as an Emergency Ambulance or take any action relative thereto.
Article 33. On petition of Kenneth G. Fowle and others to see if the Town will vote to raise and appropri- ate the sum of Seven Thousand ($7,000.00) Dollars to continue the present water system from a point on Winter Street opposite the residence of James Hull along Winter Street to the junction of Church Street and Highland Road and thence along Highland Road to a point near the resi- dence of Richard V. Beebe, a distance of approximately 1,400 feet, or take any action relative thereto, including whether money shall be provided by borrowing, taxation or otherwise.
Article 34. On petition of Clifford R. Howe and others to see if the Town will vote to instruct the Board of Selectmen to petition the General Court relative to sus- pending Chapter 40 Section 4 of the Acts of 1951 or take any action relative thereto.
Article 35. On petition of Helen G. Thomas and others to see if the Town will accept Merrimac Avenue, Lake Attitash from its present ending to Hillside Avenue.
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ANNUAL REPORT
Article 36. On petition of Franklin M. Faxon and others to see if the Town will vote to accept from Ada A. E. Worcester a gift by deed of the land in said Merrimac, bounded and described as follows: Beginning on Winter Street at land of Faxon, thence running Southerly by said Winter Street twenty (20) feet to Town Forest Road, so- called; thence running Westerly by said Town Forest Road two hundred (200) feet, more or less, to land of said Ada A. E. Worcester; thence running Northerly by land of said Ada A. E. Worcester twenty (20) feet to land of Castine; thence running Easterly by land of said Castine and land of Faxon two hundred (200) feet, more or less, to said Winter Street and the point of beginning.
Article 37. On petition of Franklin M. Faxon and others to see if the Town will vote to accept as a public way that portion of Town Forest Road which extends from Winter Street Westerly for a distance of approximately two hundred (200) feet, of its present width, and the strip of land immediately adjoining such portion of Town Forest Road on the North, of twenty (20) feet in width, as shown on a plan on file in the Town Clerk's office.
Article 38. On petition of Evelyn M. Greeley and others to see if the Town will vote to raise and appropri- ate a sum of money for the purchase and installation of Traffic Lights at School Crossings located at Woodland and Locust Streets on West Main Street.
Article 39. On petition of John P. Gabriel and oth- ers to see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the necessary amount of money to extend Street Lights from the junction of Birch Meadow Road and Hadley Road to the property of Joseph Jeffery.
Article 40. On petition of Virginia H. Webster and others to see if the Town will vote to increase the School
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TOWN OF MERRIMAC
Board from three to five members and make the School Board an unpaid board, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 41. On petition of Irving M. Manning and others to see if the Town will vote to appropriate the sum of Two Thousand Two Hundred and Fifty Dollars ($2,250. 00) to enlarge the present water main from a point begin- ing at the hydrant at the corner of Walnut Street and Lo- cust Grove Avenue extending along Locust Grove Avenue a distance of Four Hundred and Fifty Feet (450) or take any action thereto.
Article 42. On petition of John K. Sargent and oth- ers to see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Sixteen Thousand Dollars ($16,000.00) to ex- tend the water system from the junction of Locust Street and River Road and along the River Road and Merrimac Street to the Residence of John Q. Batchelder or take any action relative thereto.
Article 43. On petition of Cavis W. Darbe and oth- ers to see if the Town will vote to accept Sunset Terrace, so called, beginning at Emery Street and proceeding East- erly for Approximately Four Hundred Feet (400) or take any action relative thereto.
Article 44. On petition of Herman F. Davis and oth- ers to see if the Town will vote to reconsider Article Four of the Special Town Meeting of July 27, 1953, relating to the Planning Board or take any action relative thereto.
Article 45. To see if the Town will vote to appro- priate a certain sum of money of the excess and deficiency fund for the purchase of bonds. The proceeds of the sale of bonds to be appropriated for a new regional school build- ing.
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ANNUAL REPORT
Article 46. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Nine Hundred Twenty Dollars ($920.00) for the purchase of a Flexible Rod, Surface Drain Cleaning Kit, to be purchased under the supervision of the Board of Selectmen.
Article 47. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a certain sum of money to be used under the di- rection of the Board of Selectmen to replace three doors on the Highway Department Tool Shed with Over-head Doors.
And you are hereby required to serve this warrant by posting attested copies thereof in seven places in said Town of Merrimac at least seven days before said time of meeting.
Hereof fail not and make due return of this warrant with your doings thereon to the Town Clerk at the time and place of meeting aforesaid.
Given under our hands at Merrimac this 18th day of January 1954.
J. ARTHUR OLLIS RALPH L. BUZZELL KENNETH E. HASKELL Selectmen
A true copy : Attest :
MAURICE CARY,
Constable
By virtue of the above warrant to me directed I here- by warn the legal voters of the Town of Merrimac to meet at the time and place and for the purpose therein expressed. MAURICE CARY, Constable
Merrimac, Mass., January 18, 1954
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TOWN OF MERRIMAC
In Memoriam
WILLIAM H. FRANKLIN
1888 - 1953
Resident of Merrimac, Mass. over 50 years Merrimac Water and Light Commissioner 1925 - 1928 and since March 1952 Member of Merrimac Finance Committee 1934 - 1949
JAMES T. COLGAN
1875 - 1953
Resident of Merrimac over 40 years Member of Merrimac Town Forest Committee 25 years since the Town Forest was first established in 1928 Member of Merrimac Town Finance Committee
FS
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF MERRIMAC
For The Year Ending December 31, 1953
HERR
OF
TOWN
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MASS
INCO
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1876
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3
TOWN OF MERRIMAC
SCHOOL REPORT
In accordance with custom and with the Acts of the General Court, 1859, Chapter 57, we herewith submit to you the 83rd annual printed school report.
RUSSELL B. KELLY, Chairman
VIRGINIA H. WEBSTER, Secretary HOWARD L. DELONG
School Committee
SCHOOL OFFICERS
John C. Page, Ed. D., Superintendent of Schools Address : West Newbury Telephone W. N. 52
Margaret R. Sawyer, Secretary Address: West Newbury
Mary F. Jarvis, Assistant, Superintendent's Office Address: West Newbury
Alexander M. Sullivan, Supervisor of Attendance Address : Locust Street
Howard L. DeLong, Working Certificates Address: 7 Pine Street
A. Francis Davis, M. D., School Physician Address : 16 Main Street
Annie L. Gleed, R. N., School Nurse Address: West Main Street
J. A. Hawes, D.M.D., School Dental Examiner Address : 113 Main Street, Amesbury
Clara Anderson, R. N., School Dental Nurse Address: 15 Nichols Street
DIRECTORY OF SCHOOL STAFF, OCTOBER, 1953
HIGH SCHOOL
Total Yrs.
Position
Training
Experience
Yrs. in Merrimac
Prin., Soc. Studies
Edward S. Morrow
B.S., Univ. of N. H.
6
6
English
Isabelle M. Phelan
B.S.E., 1941, Tufts
10.6
10.6
French & Latin
Mary Louise Kenney
A.B., 1953, Regis College
0
0
Science
Frederick G. Bardsley
A.B., 1952, Suffolk Univ.
M.A. in Ed., 1953, Suffolk Univ.
0
0
Mathematics
Rodney F. Mansfield
B.S., 1952, Univ. of N. H.
1
1
Commercial Studies
Margaret MM. O'Riordan
B.S.E., 1953, Salem Teachers College
0
0
-
4
SCHOOL
REPORT
NEW MERRIMAC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Principal
Helen R. Donaghue Miriam M. Felch
Bridgewater Normal, 1929 B.S., 1936, Kutztown, Pa., State Teachers College
15.5
8.8
V. Prin., Remedial Reading
7
7
Grade 8
Cornelia E. Wolfe
A.B., 1931, Boston Univ.
13
8
Grade 8
Frederick J. Noone
B.S., 1951, Boston College
2
1
Grade 7
Millard P. Nute
B.A., 1951, Univ. of N. H.
1
1
Grade 7
Ruth N. Parker
A.B., 1942, Coker College, S.C.
0
0
Grade 6
Margaret W. Hume
Newburyport Training, 1909
15
5
Grade 6
Alice M. Pooler
B.S. Ed., 1953 Salem Teachers College
0
0
Grade 5
Ruth W. Higginbotham
A.B., 1929, Univ. of N. H.
19
1
Grade 4 and 5
Jean W. Rau
B.A., 1953, Ohio State Univ.
0
0
Grade 4
Michalina Bajek
B.S., 1949, Regis College
0
0
Grade 3
Mae Ethel Davis
Salem Normal
25.5
20.5
Grade 3
Cathleen Helen Cronin
A.B., 1951, Our Lady of the Elms
2
0
Grade 2
Caroline M. Verrette Leila E. Squires
Salem Teachers College, 1923
6
0
Grade 1
Helen K. Manning
Bridgewater Normal, 1918
28.7
26.7
Grade 1
Ethel B. Whiting
A.B., 1913, Bates
8
8
Grade 1
Dorothy K. Edgerly
Salem Normal, 1926
7.5
0
Drawing Teacher
Ada Pasquini
B.S., 1953, Springfield College
Pratt Institute, 1950
0
0
Music Teacher
Doris M. Currier
Institute of Music Pedagogy
31.5
22
5
TOWN
OF MERRIMAC
Salem Normal, 1917
13
5
Grade 2
6
SCHOOL REPORT
SCHOOL CALENDAR
(Continued from 1952 Town Report)
Winter term : January 4 to February 19, 1954 7 weeks
Third term: March 1 to April 23, 1954 8 weeks
Spring term: May 3 to June 18, 1954 (Elem) 7 weeks Grade 8 graduation, - June 22, 1954 High School graduation, - June 24, 1954
Fall term:
September 7, 1954 - Registration Day
September 8 to December 17, 1954,
Elementary School
September 8 to December 22, 1954,
High School
Winter term:
January 3, 1955 to February 18, 1955
7 weeks
Schools also close on Good Friday, Patriots' Day, Memorial Day (observed), Essex County Teachers' Con- vention, Columbus Day, Armistice Day, and Thanksgiving recess.
NO SCHOOL SIGNAL
NO SCHOOL announcements will be made over Sta- tion WBZ after 7:00 o'clock in the morning.
7
TOWN OF MERRIMAC
1953 FINANCIAL SUMMARY
Regular school appropriation
$ 99,757.00
Refunded dog tax
454.52
Total available for schools
$100,211.52
Total expenditures
97,576.73
Balance
$ 2,634.79
Reimbursements :
Supt. Schools
$ 933.33
General School Fund
24,041.54
All school transportation
1,080.97
Tuition local schools
390.00
Tuition, transp. wards
2,414.79
All other
4.45
$ 28,865.08
Total expenditures Total reimbursements
$ 97,576.73 28,865.08
Net cost to town
$ 68,711.65
Summary of Expenditures
General Control
Committee expenses $ 15.12 1,600.00
Supt. Schools' salary
.
8
SCHOOL REPORT
Secretary's salary
625.00
Extra office help
232.00
Travel expense & office costs
288.81
Law enforcement
334.72
-$
3,095.65
Cost of Instruction
Full-time teachers & subs
61,709.36
Part-time teachers
2,845.76
Text books
2,355.99
School supplies
2,616.41
Audio-visual aids
244.26
69,771.78
School lunch salaries
3,232.72
Cost of Operation
Janitors' salaries
5,160.00
Fuel
2,432.69
Janitor's supplies
901.88
8,494.57
Maintenance
3,774.97
Athletics
431.08
Libraries
695.03
Health
1,193.49
Transportation
4,820.72
Telephone, miscellaneous
290.92
Outlay : buildings and grounds
993.25
new equipment
782.55
1,775.80
$ 97,576.73
9
TOWN OF MERRIMAC
1954 FINANCIAL ESTIMATES
General Control
Committee expenses
$ 25.00
Supt. Schools' salary
1,700.00
Secretary's salary
675.00
Extra office help
250.00
Travel exp & office costs
300.00
Law enforcement
325.00
-$
3,275.00
Cost of Instruction
Full-time teachers & subs
73,734.00
Part-time teachers
2,770.00
Text books
2,500.00
School supplies
2,500.00
81,504.00
School lunch salaries
2,600.00
Cost of Operation
-
Janitors' salaries
5,400.00
Fuel
2,600.00
Janitors' supplies
800.00
8,800.00
Maintenance
1,000.00
Athletics
500.00
Libraries
400.00
Health
1,325.00
10
SCHOOL REPORT
Transportation
7,743.00
New equipment Telephone, miscellaneous
500.00
300.00
$107,947.00
Estimated reimbursements :
Supt. Schools
$ 933.33
General School Fund
31,764.94
All school transportation
4,175.00
$ 36,873.27
Total estimated expenditures
$107,947.00
Total estimated reimbursements
36,873.27
Estimated net cost to town
$ 71,073.73
VOCATIONAL EDUCATION STATEMENT
Vocational education appropriation
$ 2,000.00
Vocational education expenditures
1,871.41
Balance
$ 128.59
Vocational education expenditures
$ 1,871.41
Vocational education reimbursement
810.52
Net cost to town
$ 1,060.89
11
TOWN OF MERRIMAC
SCHOOL FUND (Athletics)-Chap. 658, Acts of 1950
Balance January 1, 1953
$ 45.88
Total Receipts (from games, etc.)
344.65
$ 390.53
Total expenditures
345.83
Balance December 31, 1953
$ 44.70
SCHOOL LUNCH-Chap. 417, Acts of 1950
Balance January 1, 1953
$ 2,498.72
U. S. D. A. claims 4,089.49
Lunch sales
10,607.61
Total receipts
$ 17,195.82
Expenditures
Wages
$ 2,023.28
Food
9,927.45
Other
587.70
12,538.43
Balance December 31, 1953
$ 4,657.39
12
SCHOOL REPORT
PLATOON SYSTEM IN THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
The outstanding event in the Merrimac public schools in 1953 was the platooning of the lower grades, beginning in September. There are twelve classrooms in the new school. In September, 1953, sixteen classrooms were need- ed. These numbers refer to regular grade classrooms. Rem- edial reading, for example, has had to be in the small room which was planned as a teachers' room; this is not a class- room. In September, 1954, eighteen classrooms will be need- ed, if we are to avoid crowded conditions and two grades in one classroom at the same time. Even with eighteen teach- ers, the very smallest class, by present outlook, will be twenty-three pupils. If Merrimac's old school buildings were to be used for finding extra classrooms, the only one that contains six is the Centre building. To make Centre School ready with modern classrooms would be a consid- erable expense. The estimate of the special committee ap pointed by the town on January 19, 1953, was at least twen- ty-five thousand dollars. Even then it would have no ade- quate playground and no indoor facilities, and would not be near the school lunch. Any outside building would have to be equipped with school furniture because, under plat- ooning, a single table-desk and chair does double duty, -once for the forenoon child, once for the afternoon child. If, to avoid platooning, the high school pupils were tuition- ed out for the use of the building, we would be no better off because there are only three or possibly four rooms at the high school that are large enough to contain the table- desks and chairs of a grade's regular section. A small room, with armchairs, can serve a high school group that has e- lected a given subject such as a language or some branch of mathematics; it might serve, in an elementary school, for a remedial reading group. To serve as an elementary
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TOWN OF MERRIMAC
classroom is another matter. Again, if high school pupils were tuitioned out to secure the building, the cost for the first full year, under present tuition rates and present com- paratively low enrollment, would be an extra eight to nine thousand dollars plus reimbursable transportation costs. The high school pupils would have no security because outside high schools may close their doors to outside pupils, especially to newcomers, as soon as the tidal wave of their own large elementary enrollments reach the high school. A situation might arise which would be too critical to com- mend such a plan, especially when the building does not lend itself to the need for six elementary classrooms.
The 1954 budget, as it is made up, calls for eighteen elementary classroom teachers in September. It calls for all elementary classes to be located in the new school. Begin- ning in September, 1954, it calls for no classroom with two grades in it at the same time, and for no platooning in grade one and two. The first two grades, with three sec- tions each, would go the whole school year (from Sep- tember, 1954 to June, 1955) for some such hours as 9:00 a. m. to 2:30 p. m. For the rest of the elementary school, grades three to eight, there would be total platooning, with the morning session some such hours as 7:30 to 12:15 and the afternoon session some such hours as 12:30 to 5:00.
In September, 1953, the school department started platooning in the lower grades in order that school might start at eight o'clock for all pupils (including high) that went in the morning. Four hours at school in the beginning grades is the rule in many school systems which have no platooning. The middle and upper grades must have more. In September, 1954, the need for platooning begins to reach up into the grades in which the shortened hours of eight o'clock opening for morning session and four-fifteen o'clock for the closing afternoon session would be bad. For those who are in a platooned section for the school year begin-
14
SCHOOL REPORT
ning September, 1953, the morning hours are from eight o'clock to twelve; the afternoon hours from twelve-fifteen to four-fifteen. During this school year (ending June, 1954) the platooning has extended only to the first three grades and to the single-grade section of the fourth grade. The sec- tion that contained parts of both fourth and fifth grades has had and has needed the full school day, so it was not placed on platoon. If the school day beginning in Sep- tember, 1954, starts at 7:30 a. m., at 9:00 a. m., and at 12: 30 p. m. for the different sections, the three opening times each school day will mean added transportation cost, but such added cost is entirely reimbursable by the state.
During the school year beginning in September, 1953, a mid-year exchange is planned for those classes that are on platoon, that is, those sections which met in the morning from September through January will meet in the after- noon with their same teachers from February through June, and vice versa. Thus each section has five school months each way, and each section has a nearly even division of winter days in morning and afternoon. In the grades that are on platoons, all the pupils who ride regularly on a school bus are placed, as far as practicable, in the same sec- tion. This is for aiding the transportation schedule.
In the present school year the second grade has two sections, but in September, 1954, the second grade will probably require three sections, as the same class did this year in the first grade. In fact, the six sections of the first two grades, neither platooned, promise to take six class- rooms, or one half of all the classrooms in the new building. The fourth and fifth grades, each of which have had a teacher and a half this year, will require two teachers each, beginning next September; they will be on platoons.
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