USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Milford > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Milford, Massachusetts 1922 > Part 7
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"Bennie Lancisi was again elected leader of the orches- tra and under his capable direction the good work of previ- ous years has been continued.
"The scholarship in 1922 was not as high as I should like to have had, it, and I think that negligence on the part of the parents is to some extent responsible for it. Parents must realize that there is no time during the five hours that the school is in sesion for preparation of lessons and that less than three hours of daily outside preparation is insuffici- ent.
"The Music classes are very large but Miss Swift has made exceptional progress with them.
"During the past year I have had the privilege of accepting the following gifts :
$47.83 from the class of 1896.
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$106.50 from the class of 1922.
A beautiful picture of the Cathe- dral of Amiens, France, from the Social Service Department of the Quin- shipaug Woman's Club.
A fine picture of Abraham Lincoln from Mrs. Alice Vant George, M. H. S., class of 1883.
"The money given by the class of 1896 has been used in adding a number of volumes in the school library. The gift of the class of 1922 and that of the class of 1921 are being held until later when we intend to secure the additional plates for the fine bronze Honor Roll in our school. The two pictures which were so kindly donated have been placed in Miss Margaret A. Pianca's room.
"There have been no changes in, the course of study during the year except that American History is now taught four periods per week, instead of three. Expression, former- ly a compulsory subject for all students except Freshmen, has been made elective for Seniors and not obligatory for the other classes.
"The David Garrick Club was instituted during the past year through the efforts of Miss Sadie A. O'Connell, instructor of Expression. Miss Geraldine McGaughan, an Emerson graduate and instructor of Freshman English, has assisted Miss O'Connell with the club work and through their united cooperation much good work has been realized. Seniors and Juniors are eligible for membership and at the present time we have seventy students enrolled. The club meets every two weeks and has done much to promote ex- cellence in expression.
"In closing I should like to recommend for your con- sideration the matter of a Lunch Room for the High School. I think it can be made self-supporting and I hope that it will be forthcoming at an early date."
In closing his report Mr. Quirk, cordially thanks the members of the School Committee, the teachers of the High
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School, the members of the class of 1922 and the present students for their cooperation during the year under review.
STACY SCHOOL
A Departmental Program In The George E. Stacy School.
At the opening of the fall term the Stacy School began on a departmental basis, with an eighty-four block program. The day is divided into a short devotional period in the morning, a twenty-minute music period at the beginning of the afternoon session, and seven forty-minute periods for regular major subjects, including a general utility period and a study period, the last two named usually consecutive, and so arranged that the girls' manual work (sewing and cook- ing) in any particular room falls within this double period. The different subjects are taught, for the most part depart- mentally, and reading and expression were made a formal special subject, and put into the hands of a specially trained teacher of that subject. There are physical setting-up exer- cises, to music, after each full period, while the teachers are going from room to room. It is too early yet to pass final judgment on the entire success or failure of this experiment, but the writer feels that the advantages of specialized depart- mental teaching, and a nearer approach to Senior High School practice are great gains; moreover it is an advan- tage to have gone part-way along the path to the full reali- zation of the Junior High School idea. A further decided advantage of the present practice is the fact that teachers are released a certain number of periods a week for special work with pupils below grade. This work has been done this year by Mrs. Bird and Misses Conway and MeNamara, each giving one period a day to the work.
The following data will show the results of this work thus far :-
OPPORTUNITY CLASSES
Mathematics VIII.
Number of pupils in this division at opening. 15
Number of pupils returned to regular grade work, 12
Number of pupils retained in this division, 3
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Mathematics VII.
Number of pupils in this division at opening, 21
Number of pupils returned to regular grade work, 0
Number of pupils retained in this division, 21 English VII and VIII.
Number of pupils in this division at opening, 23 Number of pupils returned to regular grade work, 11 Number of pupils retained in this division, 12
Each of the above divisions was sub-divided into three classes, meeting two or three times a week.
Of course the present status of the school is but a half- step and the revision of the course of study, with manual training for the boys, a modern lanuage in the junior school, and other changes should be taken up as soon as practicable.
The writer takes this opportunity in a special way to compliment Principal Beaudry and the teachers and pupils of this school on the practical demonstration of the Christ- mas spirit that the students gave when they provided and distributed thirty-four substantial Christmas baskets. Furthermore, the Principal, the teaching staff and the stu- dent body are to be congratulated on the fact that the school furniture is still hardly to be distinguished from new equip- ment, after six years.
CONTINUATION SCHOOL
The following, from the Division of Vocational Education, State Department of Education, covering the earlier months of the Continuation School, is suggested to the reader's attention :-----
Girls' Division-Teacher-Training
(A) The work of this new school has made an excellent beginning. The support of the com- munity has been secured and the continuation school well established.
(B) The teacher of girls has made an earnest effort to make her work effective to the best of her ability and training. She is to be commended for her excellent spirit and earnest effort.
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Teacher and teaching organization recom- mended for approval.
Girls' Division-Supervision
Cooking, Sewing, Academic work :
(A) This new school opened for the first time this year and those responsible for its administra- tion have shown cooperation and an understanding of the problems of the continuation school.
(B) If the present enrollment continues the full-time services of the teacher will be required. Courses recommended for approval.
Boys' Division-Supervision
Academic, woodworking (General Improve- ment)
All courses recommended for approval.
Boys' Division-Teacher-Training
Academic, Woodworking, (General Improve- ment.)
1. part-time, academic and shop.
A. An excellent shop equipment is provided. All courses recommended for approval.
Boys' and Girls' Division, Administration All records acceptable.
In his report of the work done in the boys' continuation school up to the year ending December 31, 1922, Mr. Chilson describes the shop equipment in detail and says :-
"The work of the students is now divided into two de- partments namely, academic and shop. The academic work consists of English, Arithmetic, Hygiene, Civies, and class work connected with the trade the boy chooses. At present the chosen trades are drafting, plumbing, electrical work, carpentry and auto-mechanics, in which some practical work at these trades is given, and drafting is generally taught in connection with these trades.
"Much stress is laid on the academic work, and individual
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instruction is given. Two hours is devoted to academic work and the shop work is given the other two hours, consisting of exercise work given to the boy until he is familiar with the tools and machines. Then he is advanced on repair work or such other work as he is capable of doing.
"The boys have built the room, installed all the benches, set up the machines, constructed the cupboards for the sup- plies, and have done other work in connection with the con- struction of the room, necessary to get it into working order. Much wooden material used in the school has been salvaged from packing cases that contain the supplies coming to the school. It is our intention to salvage all of this material as it comes in.
"The work at present seems to be very interesting and profitable. The material was purchased for the Milford con- finuation school and with ordinary usage will last a lifetime. Should the town ever decide to build a new school or an ad- dition to the present Stacy school and intend to put Manual Training into the grades this equipment will fill the require- ments and give to the grades one of the best equipped Manual Training rooms outside of the big cities."
Some time ago a member of the Staff of the vocational division of the State Board of Education pronounced our boys' continuation school shop the best equipped of any such schools in the state, outside the cities.
In her first annual report as teacher of the girls' contin- uation school, Mrs. Dunn says, after indicating the time divi- sion of the work :--
"Twenty per cent of the girls have chosen as their elec- tive, sewing, while the remaining eighty per cent have chosen cooking.
"In the sewing class simple undergarments, fancy articles for Christmas, and millinery have been taught. Although the last mentioned class was small the girls in it did very creditable work and an opportunity will be given for study and work in spring millinery.
"In the cooking classes the girls are keenly interested.
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The work is planned on a practical basis, demonstrating the proper methods of preparing and serving a meal suitable for any home. Some of the lessons have been devoted to special subjects such as quick breads, cakes, pastry, and candies.
"During the next few months the hygiene work will be taken up in the form of home nursing and first aid. In this class as in the others the aim is to help the girls and their families in the present as well as in the future.
"The follow-up work is beneficial not only to the pupils but to the teacher also, in that it shows her their needs and gives ler an opportunity to adjust the work in the various classes to meet the situation as she finds it. The employers and parents have shown interest in the work and have co- operated with the school in every way."
The director of the continuation schools takes this op- portunity to thank the factory employers for their uniform courtesy and cooperation in promoting attendance as well as the consideration shown our teachers in connection with the follow-up visits. Most of the non-attendance has been on the part of holders of home permits, some of whom have not cooperated.
EVENING SCHOOL
The sessions of the evening schools opened Monday, October 2, 1922, continued twelve weeks and closed Wednes- day evening. December 20, 1922. Prin. William J Moore, Esq., of the evening school notes that special attention was given to the study of Elementary Civics for "Americans in the Making"' and comments as follows :-
"The difficulty, I have noticed with evening school classes, and in Americanization work, is getting the illiterates to enroll in the courses offered; once enrolled, they will re- main, eager to learn and take advantage of the opportunity that has been offered them; and so I would suggest to the local members of the American Legion, that in keeping with the wonderful work or campaign inaugurated by the Nation- al Council of the Legion, to the end that illiteracy might be lessened in the United States, that the local post cooperate
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with the school authorities in securing the enrollment of every illiterate in Miliord in our Evening School ; the difficul- ty is not in teaching the illitera. e but is the enrollment of illi- terates in the different courses offered."
STATISTICS OF THE EVENING SCHOOL
Total registration, 91; average attendance, 55.9; aver- age membership, 43.7 ; per cent cf attendance, 78; males, 69; females, 22; literate, 26 ; illiterate, 65 ; adults, 34 ; minors, 57.
PLACES OF EMPLOYMENT
Draper Corporation, 27 ; Framingham Foundries, Co., 11; J. M. Herman Shoe Co., 7; Milford Shoe Co., 6 : Milford Iron Foundry, 5; Huckins & Tem le, Inc., 4; Tart Woolen Mill, 3; Wm. Lapworth & Sons, 2; Areher Rubber Co., 2; A. A. Wil- liams Shoe Co., 2.
NATIONALITIES
Italian, 66; Jewish, 4; Greek, 2; American, 4; Portu- guese, 10; Armenian, 3; Austrian, 1; Swedish, 1.
MUSIC
After noting in her report that the same general lines of work have been followed the past year as heretofore and teachers and pupils are cooperating admirably, Miss Swift says :- "Our High School class is very large, but splendid results have been attained by the large chorus often accom- panied by the High School Orchestra. I have hopes that in the near future more boys will elect music as one of their studies.
"Special attention is being paid to technical work in the grades. Especially noticeable is the improvement in tone work and expression, something for which we are always striving.
"May I suggest, as in previous reports, that more time be allotted to the music course, especially in the Grammar grades where technical and vocal music must be taught ; that at least twenty minutes daily be devoted to Music in the High School and that this daily practice work be under the guid- ance of a member of the High School faculty."
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DRAWING
As mentioned elswhere in this report, the drawing is in charge of Miss Dorcas Whiple, who reports as follows, on the work thus far :-
"Frechand drawing at the High School is proceeding along lines intended to develop thought and facility of ex- pression with an appreciation for color and design.
"The mechanical classes which are unusually large this year are being trained in accuracy and good workmanship. Working drawings, tracings and blueprinting as required in drafting departments will be included in the course
"In spite of the fact that the short time allotted for visits to the grade schools is somewhat of a handicap, the work accomplished shows good results. This is due to the untiring efforts of the teachers. The supervisor therefore wishes to express her sincere thanks and appreciation for their assistance and cooperation."
The superintendent would distinctly fail in his duty, if he did not call your attention to the fact that owing to the unprecedented demands on the drawing supervisor's time in the high school, she is obliged to cut down the time devoted to the work of supervision in the grades.
There is now work enough in this, department for an assistant supervisor or teacher of drawing.
COOPERATING AGENCIES Mothercraft
"Mothercraft is a study for school girls designed to give them definite help in learning how to keep themselves and other children well and happy.
. "It is taught from a little book entitled "Children Well and Happy", and embraces chapters on "Personal Hygiene", "Home Sanitation" etc. It has no relation whatever to Sex Hygiene-that is left for the home.
" 'The National and International province of mother- craft was stressed in my report of a year ago.' So says May Bliss Dickinson, R. N., Chairman of Mothercraft.
"This study is being made a regular school study in
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many Massachusetts schools (already in 45 towns). Milford was fortunate in having a district conference on Mothercraft during the first year, at which an illustrated lecture was given with beautifully colored slides and addressed by the chairman, Miss Dickinson and several of her state com- mittees. Invitations were sent to the school committees of Milford, Hopedale and Mendon, and the superintendents of these schools spoke their hearty appreciation of this study. A large class was graduated last year at the time of the con- ference meeting.
"Classes will begin February first and it is hoped that many High school pupils as well as those from the Junior Iligh will avail themselves of this opportunity to study Mothercraft."
MRS. MARY H. SHERBORNE, Chairman.
PLAYGROUNDS
Through help of the Community Service Milford's two playgrounds were enabled to run eight weeks instead of five the past season and sessions were held both morning and afternoon.
The average attendance at the Park was 988 children per week, and at the Plains 747 children per week, who were kept from the dangers of the street from 9 o'clock to 4.30 five days in the week, for eight weeks.
Miss Martha Beach, Director for Community Service, had supervision of both playgrounds. Mr. Fred Steeves and Miss Celia Martin had charge at the Park and Misses Alice Carroll and Anna Calabrese were instructors at the Plains.
The salaries of all of the Supervisors being paid for the past year by the Community Service enabled the Playground Committee of the Woman's Club to use the funds received from "Tag Day" last year, and other receipts, for the pur- chase of needed apparatus and other expenses, including Janitors' services, lumber, freight, express, see-saws, sand, carpentry. Giant Strides, Kindergarten swings, and other necesary supplies used in all well equipped playgrounds.
A see-saw given by Mrs. A. E. Cross, and two flags pre-
P
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sented by the Woman's Relief Corps were greatly appreci- ated and saluted every morning.
The ages of the children were from five to fifteen and babies were brought by elder sisters.
The season closed Sept. 1, when an exhibition was held on Town Park to which parents and friends were invited.
The Girls relay race and volley ball game were won by Park Playfround and folk-dancing and dramatic games were finely given by the Plains girls.
There was a track meet and baseball game and a fine display of industrial work including knit sweaters, embroid- ery, raffia, and reed work. Ice cream was enjoyed by the children.
A small balance is left in the treasury, which with the grant of $200, usually given by the Town will be insufficient to continue the work another year unless a larger appropria- tion for this needful work is granted.
Mrs. R. B. Greene, Secretary,
Quinshipaug Woman's Club Playground Committee.
TREASURER'S REPORT The following is the report of the Treasurer. Receipts
Cash on hand Jan. 1, 1922
$346.53
Appropriation. Town of Milford,
200.00
Woman's Club
25.00
A Friend
10.00
$581.53
Expenditures
Janitors
$30.00
Labor and Supplies
36.42
Apparatus and Equipment
417.26
Balance on hand
97.85
$581.53
MISS JOSEPHINE THAYER, Treasurer. Quinshipaug Woman's Club Playground Committee. January 1. 1923.
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GIFTS DURING THE YEAR George E. Stacy School Twelve pictures, approximate value $123.00, were pre- sented to the school, through the efforts of the pupils.
Assigned To Room
Subject
By
Sir Galahad,
Watts,
1
Washington Crossing the Delaware,
Lentze, 4
The Horse Fair,
Bonheur, 4
Норе.
Burne-Jones, 5
The Last Supper,, (Bronze Tablet)
Hofmann,
7
Arch of Constantine,
S
The Tomb of Kings,
9
Bridge of St. Angelo,
9
The Sphinx, and Pyramids,
10
Horse Fair,
Bonheur,
11
The Forum,
12
Laocoon, 13.
South School A silk flag, by the Woman's Relief Corps.
Chapin Street School
Twelve supplementary reading books to grade 1 by the Quinshipaug Woman's Club.
West Street School
Twelve supplementary reading books, by the Quinshi- paug Woman's Club.
Spruce Street School
Six supplementary reading books by the Quinshipaug Woman's Club.
CHANGES IN TEACHERS
Miss Genevieve M. Toohey, for a number of years Super- visor of Drawing, left the service at the beginning of the fall term, 1922, to become Mrs. J. W. O'Grady. She had brought the drawing in our schools to a high state of perfec- tion and had won the warm regard personally and the deep-
est respect professionally of hundreds of students, by her talents as an artist and her effectiveness as a teacher.
Mrs. O'Grady (Miss Toohey) was succeeded by Miss Dorcas Whipple, M. H. S., 1915, Mass. Normal Art School, 1919, who brought to her work much native ability, splendid training and a fine professional spirit. The work is progres- sing well under Miss Whipple's direction.
Miss Ellen M. Waters, teacher of grade III in the Spruce Street school, was elected principal of that school, effective Sept. 5, 1922. Miss Waters brings to her new position a long and valuable experience and a high professional spirit, and is making her influence felt for good in many ways.
Miss Catherine F. Tully, teacher of grade III at the Claflin School was chosen principal of that school in the spring of 1922 to succeed Miss Kate MeNamara, the retiring prin- cipal. Miss Tully came to her new position with a long and honorable record of intelligent, efficient service as a teacher, and is working out the problems of her new position with skill and success.
LEFT THE SERVICE, HIGH SCHOOL
Miss Ruby F. Sutherland, for two-and-one-half years an assistant in the High school, with the subjects of History, English and Expression during a large part of that time, resigned during the summer vacation, 1922.
ENTERED THE SERVICE, HIGH SCHOOL
Miss Sadie A. O'Connell, of Milford, a former teacher of English and Expression in the High School returned to her former position at the beginning of the school year.
Miss Margaret G. Quirk of Whitman, Mass., A. B., Bos- ton University, 1921, with one year of experience, to teach Science, at the beginning of the fall term, 1922.
Miss Edith M. Nutt of Natick, A. B., Wellesley, 1922, to teach Mathematics, at the beginning of the present school year.
Miss Loretta E. Murray, Milford High School, 1915, A. B., Boston University, 1919, with three years of experience,
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to teach English, Latin and History, at the beginning of the school year 1922-1923.
LEFT THE SERVICE, GRADES
An event worthy of more than passing notice was the retirement, in the early spring of 1922, of Miss Kate McNa- mara, for a number of years principal of the Claflin school, after a devoted service of forty-two years in the schools of Milford. Miss MeNamara was a most skillful and resource- ful teacher, and a motherly, warm hearted friend of the little children.
Mrs. Ethiel M. Creighton, teacher of grade VI. Plains Grammar school, resigned at the close of the school year 1921- 1922, after twelve years of efficient, devoted service.
After several years of faithful service, Miss Margaret H. Foley, grade II, Claflin school, resigned at the close of the fall term, to become Mrs. Edward Moroney of Upton Mass.
Mrs. H. T. Cronin, grade V, Park school, was granted a leave of absence at the close of the fall term, 1922.
ENTERED THE SERVICE, GRADES
Miss Helen M. McMahon of Lowell, Mass., Lowell Nor- mal school, 1921, with one year of experience, assigned to grade II, Claflin school, September, 1922.
Miss Viola F. Leland, a former member of the teaching staff, re-entered the service as teacher of grade IV-V, South school, September, 1922.
Miss Dorothy V. Cahill, Milford High School, 1920, Framingham Normal school, 1922, assigned to Bear Hill school, September, 1922.
TRANSFERS
Miss Ellen M. O'Donoghue, Bear Hill school to grade VI, Plains Grammar school.
Miss Dorothy V. Cahill, Bear Hill to Grade II at the Claflin school, effective January 8, 1923.
CONTINUATION SCHOOL
Mrs. John L. Mcintyre, who ably piloted the girls' con- tinuation classes through the experimental year, resigned at
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the close of the school year 1921-1922. Mrs. McIntyre was succeeded by Mrs. Myrtle R. Dunn, of Richmond Me. Mrs. Dunn is a graduate of the special continuation school course at Framingham. She has succeeded in interesting her classes in both the manual and general improvement courses to a rare degree, and the attendance of the girls during the fall was unusually good. The attendance of the Wednesday and Thursday afternoons was 100% for the first quarter-year!
AMERICAN EDUCATION WEEK
The cooperation of the clergy, the American Legion and Other patriotic orders, and of the public generally, was in- vited in an attempt fully to realize the purposes of American Education Week, December 3-9, 1922.
The special observances comprised an exercise in the High school assembly hall, Tuesday, Dec. 5, 1922, at which there were addresses by Maj. Wm. G. Pond, representatives c. the other patriotic orders, the chairman of the school committee, the superintendent of schools, the principal of the High school; room exercises in the George E. Stacy school all through the week, at which the children were addressed by Judge John C. Lynch, Mrs. E. C. Bridgham, the superin- tendent of schools, Prin. W. A. Beaudry of the Stacy school, and others; and exercises in the sixth grade buildings, at which there were addresses by some or all of the speakers already referred to. The writer feels that Milford's first American Education Week was a very real success.
UNIVERSITY EXTENSION
For some weeks there has been a most interesting and very well attended class in musical appreciation. The class is under the direction of the Department of University Exten- sion, Department of Education, and meets in the High School, Monday afternoon.
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