USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Milford > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Milford, Massachusetts 1924 > Part 7
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ber of the banquet committee, extended in behalf of Manager George V. Brown of the Boston Arena, an invitation to the boys to be present at the Harvard vs. Boston Club hockey game on December 19. This in- vitation was willingly accepted. The football team is very grateful to the Chamber of Commerce and the people of Milford for the reception-dinner tendered to them.
In closing my report I wish to state that it is the aim of Milford High School to train her graduates not only for schools of higher learning, but also to train them in the duties and responsibilities of good citizen- ship. To fully achieve this purpose the hearty co-oper- ation of the parents is most essential. May I take this oportunity to thank the members of the School Com- mittee, the members of the teaching staff, and you, for every helpful suggestion during the past year.
Respectfully yours, THOMAS J. QUIRK Principal
GEORGE E. STACY SCHOOL
As announced in connection with the High School, the increase in the number of students in the High and Stacy Schools, particularly the High School, made nec- essary the exclusive use of the Stacy School, for 7th and 8th grade pupils. The Stacy School enrollment as of January 1, 1925, was 525. The work in this school is being carried on substantially as last year. In his re- port, Principal Beaudry expresses the hope that with testing for homogeneous grouping next September, material for real scientific measuring will be available.
Among collateral activities, a play, "Boots," was presented by the pupils, under the direction of Miss Rose Gagliardi ; a second play, "Twins," and a pageant, "Our Emblem," were written and presented under the direction of the Principal.
A baseball team was organized that had a suc-
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cessful season, and a feature of the physical training and activities of the school was the Field Day, held June 19, 1924.
Princpal Beaudry recommends the organization of a complete Junior High School system, to be realized by January 1, 1926, either on the 3-2 plan or with a 2-4 organization. In his opinion, the latter is the more desirable and the former the more feasible, under present conditions.
CONTINUATION SCHOCL
Owing to quiet business conditions, the enrollment of the Continuation School was much smaller than one year ago (see summary of statistics), but the interest has continued at a high pitch, and progress has been made in this work.
Girls' School
The girls' school opened Septer:ber 3, 1924, with an enrollment of 42. This year the work was arranged on a 10 week basis, with ten weeks of cooking and ten weeks of sewing, alternating, for the second half of the session, with the general improvement work and Eng- lish, Civics, Arithmetic and Hygiene, the first half of the year as formerly. An 8 week unit of Millinery was giv- en the higher grade girls who had completed the Sew- ing course of last year satisfactorily.
A Home Nursing course, with equipment for dem- onstration, under the supervision of a trained worker, would be of value to these girls.
Visits to the factories aid the teacher in becoming better acquainted with the girls.
Commendation is due to the factories and homes for the spirit of cooperation extended to the teacher and for the interest they manifested in securing prompt and regular attendance.
Boys' School
The work of the Boys' Continuation School is along the same lines as last year.
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Not so much effort is spent on trade specialties, the aim in the academic room and the shop being to give the pupil a more general and broad realization of every-day trade problems, more especially those that come up in and around the home.
Much good has been accomplished through these schools and the cooperation of the manufacturers and others who employ these boys has helped to give the boys more responsible ideas of life.
The records, as kept, are very helpful.
I would recommend that a permanent room be given to Continuation School work, large enough for use for class room purposes as well as a place for sup- plies and records.
EVENING SCHOOL
The sessions of the Evening School opened Septem- ber 29, 1924, continued 12 weeks and closed December 17, 1924, three evenings per week as in former years, under the leadership of William J. Moore, Esq., who reports as follows :
"The classes were the same as for the past several years, consisting of 'Americanization' subjects, Civics, English and American History, and subjects to and in- cluding the sixth grade.
"The total registration was larger than for several years, and of this registration less than fifty percent. were compulsory pupils, all minors enrolled not being compulsory pupils. I cite this fact as showing that the illiterate adult, the one beyond the compulsory educa- tional law, the voluntary pupil. is beginning to take advantage of the opportunity being offered through evening school; I trust more will do so another year.
"With the exception of but two or three cases, lit- tle difficulty was experienced in attendance, which mantained the best average for some time, in spite of the lack of employment of some compulsory pupils."
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Statistics of the Evening School
Total enrollment, 99; Males, 78; Females, 21; av- erage attendance, 45.2; average membership, 54.8; percent. of attendance, 82.6 ; illiterate, 61; literate, 38; minors, 50; adults, 49.
Places of Employment
Draper Corporation, 31; Milford Iron Foundry, 8; Archer Rubber Co., 4; Milford Shoe Co., 4; Williams Shoe Co., 4; Herman Shoe Co., 3; Hopedale Mfg. Co., 4; Smith Mills, 2; Bellingham Woolen Co., 2; Archer Straus Co., 2; Taft Woolen Co., 2.
Nationalities
Italian, 65; Portuguese, 5; French, 3; Armenian, 3; Dutch, 3; Jewish, 3.
MUSIC
The observation made in this report one year ago in discussing the work in Music is increasingly true. The work in Music has made real progress under the leadership of Miss Swift, and that under conditions of short periods and an ever lengthening program. Miss Swift submits the following comments upon the work of the year :
"Considering the over crowded conditions of our schools, a keen interest and great patience has been shown in the study of music by the teachers and pupils during the past year.
"In the High School, the pupils are studying Choral work and much time has been spent on phras- ing, attack, release, enunciation and pronunciation and very satisfactory results have been attained.
"In our Grammar and Primary Grades, we have taken special care to have the child read intelligently the song he sings and sing it with musical feeling.
"In all the Grades the scales, octave, and arpeggio are written and recited in the various keys, thus aiding the child in his sight-singing.
"On Christmas Eve many of our pupils participat-
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ed in the Community Christmas celebration held on the Jeweler's Institute Grounds. Two and three-part songs were sung and these little carcllers brought to the ob- servance of Christmas a beautiful touch of the senti- ment and spiritual significance which prevails at this particular season.
"If it becomes necessary to establish additional rooms to accommodate the increasing number of pupils in our schools, as now seems probable, it may be physi- cally impossible to spend sufficient time with each class, so as to insure proper instruction in music. In that event, an assistant teacher may become necessary.
"I strongly recommend the installation in each building of a Victrola as an aid toward the apprecia- tion of good music."
DRAWING
On account of the greater pressure upon the Draw- ing Supervisor, brought about by the increase in en- rollment generally, but more especially by the in- creased amount of elective work in this subject in the High School, it has been found necessary to have an assistant to Miss Whipple and Miss Vetrana Mazzarelli was appointed to that position at the beginning of the fall term. Miss Whipple reports as follows:
"A great many of the drawing periods in the grades and High School during the latter part of the school year were spent on poster projects. Our aim was to work for and achieve simplicity.
"The State Art Director sent out an appeal for posters on 'Accident Prevention.' All grades as well as the High School were well represented. The best three from each grade and the best five from the High School were selected and sent to the state. In the final selection by state judges, the third prize in the 1st grade group was won by David Jones of the Claflin School.
"The Quinshipaug Woman's Club again offered a
GIRLS' CONTINUATION SCHOOL-DRESSMAKING, 1924.
GIRLS' CONTINUATION SCHOCL-MILLINERY, 1924. 1
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banner and money prizes for the best poster on 'Clean- Up.'
"The banner went this year to Room 14, Stacy School.
"1st prize won by Irving Mellette, Stacy School.
"2nd prize won by Jennie Gregorio, Stacy School.
"3rd prize won by Mario Lucciarini, Stacy School.
"Cther posters were made for Fire Prevention Week.
"Two students from the High School, Class of 1924, have entered higher schools in Art training.
."Since September, supervised lessons have been given every other week instead of every month as previ- ously and this, it is hoped, will prove more beneficial both to the students and to the teachers."
Upon appointment of Miss Mazzarelli, as Assist- ant Teacher of Drawing, the work in the High and Stacy Schools was assigned to Miss Whipple and Miss Mazzarelli was given the work in the lower grades. Miss Mazzarelli has worked in Color, Flower drawing, Designing and Lettering and Holiday projects. Out- lines for return and specimen projects were furnished teachers in each room.
In this work, the aim has been, as it must ever be in any educational project, two-fold-accurate impres- sion and adequate expression-training of the eye to perceive beauty and suitability to form color and pro- portion, and the hand to reproduce them in various media suitable to the different grades.
EXTENSION SERVICE 4-H CLUB WORK
The Worcester County Extension Service Junior Workers have been very busy the past year. Mrs. Cora M. Granger, Leader, and Miss Myrtle C. Jeffrey, Junior Leader, submit the following resume :
"The Canning Club of six members conserved over 500 jars of fruits and vegetables, meeting at the Stacy School every two weeks for instruction and practice,
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but doing the major part of the work at home. The members gave a fine exhibition at the Trade Show, which received much favorable comment.
"In the winter Home Economics work 15 girls have enrolled for the sewing course. As there were many requests for cooking instruction it was deemed advis- able to have a cooking club also, 25 girls have enrolled for this course. The two clubs meet on alternate Sat- urday afternoons.
"Club work pledges the head to clear thinking, the heart to greater loyalty, the hands to larger service, and the health to better living for home, community and country. These are the 4 H's from which the clubs derive their name.
"We are grateful to the School Department for their interest and co-operation, also for the use of the Stacy School sewing and cooking rooms for meeting places."
GIFTS DURING THE YEAR
The most notable gift during the year was a beau- tiful silk flag with staff and standard, presented to the George E. Stacy School by the State W. R. C., in mem- ory of the late Mrs. Anna Bell. This flag was one of 28 presented to various persons and organizations with thrilling ceremonies, in Shawmut Congregational Church, on the evening of April 10, 1924. This beauti- ful gift was assigned to Milford largely through the efforts of Mrs. Florence Knight, Patriotic Instructor of the local chapter of the W. R. C. Master Robert Knight, a student of the Stacy School, reflected distinct credit on his school and town in the content of his speech of acceptance and the manner of its delivery.
The W. R. C. donated silk flags to Grades I and II at the Chapin Street School.
The North Purchase Chapel Association donated the chairs and tables in the building to the Purchase Grammar School Association, the Purchase Street
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schools to have the privilege of using this equipment as necessary.
The Quinshipaug Woman's Club presented the Braggville School with a very beautiful picture, "The Old Shepherd," by Zugal.
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Jennie F. Devine.
On the twenty-eighth of August, 1924, passed to her reward, Jennie F. Devine, after 40 years of service to the children of Milford. Thorough, efficient, kindly; builded the power of her living into the growing lives of many.
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CHANGES IN TEACHERS
High School-Left the Service
Miss Margaret C. Kellett, teacher of Latin since 1921. Resigned at the end of the summer term to be- come Mrs. Leo J. Burns.
Miss Kathryn M. Morrill, teacher in the Commer- cial Department, resigned in the Fall term, to become Mrs. Harry J. Healy.
High School-Entered the Service
Miss Helen S. Miller, B.S., M.I.T., '23, of Brook- line, Mass., to teach Science and Mathematics.
Miss Lillian L. Egan, M.H.S., '19, Bay Path, '24, to teach in the Commercial Department, in place of Miss Morrill (Mrs. Healy).
Miss Catherine M. Dillon, M.H.S., '19, B.U., '24, to teach Latin and English.
Grades-Left the Service
The School Department and her many friends in town were saddened at the beginning of the fall term, at the news of the sudden death of Miss Jennie L. De- vine, an esteemed teacher 40 years in the schools of Milford.
Miss Mary F. Devine
Miss Mary F. Devine, a teacher of the eighth grade in the Stacy School, resigned at the beginning of the Fall term, after 49 years of honorable and efficient ser- vice to the children of Milford. Miss Devine was ap- pointed in 1875 and taught all the grades from the third to the eighth inclusive, in the North Grammar School and afterwards for many years in the Plains district, where for a long period, she presided most acceptably as Principal of the Grammar School, teaching the eighth grade. The retirement of Miss Devine is an event of far greater significance than many that have received more attention. Miss Devine's personality and work were marked by strength and dignity with her pupils,
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serene confidence and high courage in the facing of difficulties and kindly courtesy toward all who came into her school from the outside. Miss Devine retires with the respect and good will of the entire community. It is a pleasure for the writer, after working with Miss Devine for more than a decade, to add his tribute to her large effectiveness as a teacher and leader of the young and to her high personal qualities and depend- ability as a worker.
Mrs. K. E. Edwards, the story of whose 50th an- niversary celebration was told in these chronicles, one year ago, retired at the close of the school year, 1923- 1924, after 51 years of service. Mrs. Edwards leaves the work with the hearty good wishes of her pupils and the sincere good will of the entire community.
Mrs. Amanda MacGregor Celley, a teacher in the Stacy School, resigned at the end of the school year, 1923-1924.
Miss Ellen M. O'Donoghue, a teacher of Grade VI at the Plains Grammar School, resigned at the end of the summer term, 1924, to accept a position as teacher in the public schools of Lowell. Miss O'Donoghue won approval in her work and the liking of her associates and made many friend in the community.
Grades-Entered the Service
Miss Rita M. Daigle, Milford, Mass., M.H.S., '21, Framingham Normal School, '24, assigned to the Stacy School.
Miss Miriam G. Kirby, Milford, Mass., M.H.S., '22, Westfield Normal School, '24, assigned to the Stacy School.
Miss Esther Fahy, Waltham, Mass., Lowell Nor- mal School, '24, assigned to the Stacy School.
Miss Eileen Loftus, Marlborough, Mass., Framing- ham Normal School, '24, assigned to Grade V, Stacy Portable No. 1.
Miss S. Ann Mulligan, Whitinsville, Mass., Wor-
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cester Normal School, '24, assigned to Grade IV, Stacy Portable No. 2.
Miss Frances Kearnan, Whitinsville, Mass., Wor- cester Normal School, '24, assigned to Grade III, Oli- ver St. School.
Miss Mae K. Miller, Milford, Mass., Westfield Normal School, '24, assigned to Grade V-VI, Plains Grammar. (Primary building).
Miss Mary Parks, Milford, Mass., Westfield Nor- mal School, '24, assigned to the Bear Hill School.
Miss Gertrude Downey, Marlborough, Mass., Framingham Normal School, '23, assigned to the Foun- tain St. School.
Miss Evelyn Beckett, Milford, Mass., M.H.S., '21, Hyannis Normal School, '24, assigned as special teach- er.
Assistant Supervisor of Drawing
At the beginning of the Fall term, 1924, Miss Vet- rana Mazzarelli, Milford, Mass., graduate of the New School of Design, Boston, was appointed Assistant Su- pervisor of Drawing.
Director of Physical Training
Mr. Albert D. Riopel, Worcester, Mass., graduate of Worcester High School of Commerce, 1920, A.B., Holy Cross, 1924, was appointed Director of Physical Training, to take effect January 1, 1925.
Transfers
Miss Mary I. Casey, Bear Hill, to Grade II-III, Claflin School.
Miss Madeline H. Burke, from Stacy Portable No. 1, to Stacy School, Grade VII.
Miss Anna Calabrese, from Grades V-VI, Plains Primary School, to Grade VI, Plains Grammar School.
Miss Ida Martin, from Fountain St. School to Grade II, Chapin St. School.
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Leave of Absence
Miss K. M. Morrill (afterward resigned), Com- mercial Department, High School.
Miss Grace E. Walker, Grade II, Plains Primary School.
Substitutes
Miss Esther Fahy, vice. Miss Mary F. Devine. (Af- terward elected teacher).
Miss Lillian L. Egan, vice. Miss K. M. Morrill, Commercial Department, High School. (Elected a teacher upon the resignation of Miss Morrill).
Miss Florentia Sennott, vice. Miss Grace E. Walk- er.
CHANGES IN TEXT BOOKS
The following text books have been introduced during the past year :
Hessler's Junior Science and Jenner-Grant First Year Latin Book, Benjamin H. Sanborn & Co., Boston, Mass .; Baker's Bookkeeping and Accounting, and the Rapid Calculation Book, Southwestern Publishing Co., Cincinnati, Ohio; New Palmer Business Writing, A. N. Palmer Writing Co., Boston; Forbes' Modern Verse, Henry Holt, New York, N. Y.
UNIVERSITY EXTENSION
January 6, 1925, began a course of six lectures on "Methods of Teaching English in Elementary Schools," by Miss Maude D. Gerritson of the Framingham Nor- mal School. Over 50 teachers are in attendance and there is a high degree of interest in the course.
EDUCATION WEEK
Education Week was observed in the Milford sehocls in a manner less formal and spectacular than is the general custom, but in a way that, the writer believes, accomplished more for the schools. Princi- pals and teachers were directed to a special effort in teaching" and testing along certain lines, notably, his-
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tory, number and spelling. Records of the tests in num- ber and spelling in grades were kept. The averages in number were about on a plane with current experi- ence elsewhere. The tests in spelling were high.
FIRE PREVENTION WEEK
As a year ago, the school department cooperated as fully as possible with the fire department, especially in calling to the attention of students in the public schools certain matters of public safety and public con- cern, such as the fearful cost of America's fires, and at- tainable measures of safety to property and lives.
MILFORD TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION Program for 1924
Jan. 9, 1924-Miss Helen Leavitt of Boston gave a delightful talk, illustrated by piano selections on "The Democracy of Music."
Feb. 23, 1924-Members of Milford Teachers' As- sociation staged "Rebecca's Triumph," a three-act drama.
April 10, 1924-Annual business meeting.
April 16, 1924-Address by Dr. George H. Derry. May 8, 1924-Mr. Clayton H. Lent addressed the teachers on "Proposed Changes in the Pension Laws." June 4, 1924-"Musicale," under the auspices of the Milford Teachers' Association, in K. of C. Hall.
Nov. 5, 1924-"Get-Together .Social," held in the Milford High School Hall, by the Milford Teachers' As- sociation.
EILEEN A. ECKLAND.
Secretary for Milford Teachers' Association STATISTICS OF THE WORK OF THE SCHOOL NURSE DURING 1924
No. children examined with Physicians 2642
No. children weighed and measured 2640
Home visits 1746
Communicable diseases 206
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No. children having eye defects
95
No. children having ear defects
9
No. children having orthopedic defects 18
No. children having epilepsy
2
No. children having defects corrected or treated :
Orthopedic
8
Epilepsy
2
Tuberculosis
2
Tonsils removed
52
Eyes
62
Ears
5
No. children accompanied to clinics :
Eyes examined
4
Ears treated
3
Psychological
5
Other treatments
20
Clinics held in the Stacy School
2
ATTENDANCE
The report of the Attendance Officer follows:
Calls from the Superintendent
249
Calls from the Principal of the High School
97
Calls from the Principal of the Stacy School
88
Calls from Teachers of Grade Schools
103
249 288
Causes :
Truancy
76
Sickness
111
Careless parents
22
Taken from street and home
21
Lack of clothing
11
Left school to work
21
Pupils left town
7
Excusable cases
16
Court cases for truancy made by parents
3
1
288
Visits to schools
61
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EMPLOYMENT CERTIFICATES
To Jan. 1, '24 In 1924
1379
93
Total 1472
Employment Certificates C2
32
10
42
110
27
137
Home Permits
41
49
90
Educational Certificates,
Literate
3013
182
3195
Educational Certificates,
Illiterate
352
33
385
Total
4927
394
5321
REPAIRS Carpenter Work
High School :- Stair treads at this school were re- laid in maple, and floor boards in approaches were re- paired,-$270.00.
South School :- Two new steel ceilings were built, -$368.00.
Spruce St. School :- Two new steel ceilings were built in the upstairs school rooms-$497.00.
Park School :- Lock sets were repaired and fence rebuilt,-$70.00.
Oliver St. School :- Minor repairs and alterations in boys' basement,-$10.00.
Plains Primary School :- One metal ceiling was built in this school; gutter and three conductor pipes replaced on the north side,-$296.00.
Plains Annex :- A metal ceiling was built in the lower room,-$190.00.
Purchase Grammar School :- South side reshin- gled,-$160.00.
Fountain St. School :- Front door lock sets; out- buildings and screens repaired,-$22.00.
West St. School :- New window to coal bin; out- buildings repaired,-$21.00.
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Bear Hill School :-- Minor inside and outside re- pairs, to building and outbuilding,-$36.00.
Braggville School :- New front blackboards re- paired,-$24.00.
Waters & Hynes, Contractors, for all of the above.
Painting
Stacy School :- Walls and ceilings of school rooms, office, Principal's and Teachers' rooms, end stair walls and basement toilet stalls redecorated,-$637.25. El- dredge & Son.
South School :- New steel ceiling painted ; old ceil- ings cleaned and retinted ; all interior walls and wood- work repainted,-$388.72. E. F. Porter.
Oliver St. School :- Building painted, one coat out- side ; minor repairs inside,-$229.50. E. F. Porter.
Purchase Grammar School :- Interior woodwork and ceiling repainted,-$68.10. E. F. Porter.
Purchase Primary School :- Interior woodwork painted ; walls and ceilings tinted; outside trim painted one coat,-$66.00.
Fountain St. School :- Interior,-ceilings painted, new chimney painted ; blackboards done over; outside, -painted one coat,-$56.00. E. F. Porter.
Park School :- Interior,-room walls painted one coat; hall ceilings cleaned and tinted; one-half black- boards done over ; exterior,-building painted one coat; fence around lot painted one coat and on back side, next to Cheney lot,-$436.28. E. F. Porter.
Braggville School :- Interior,-walls painted ; ceil- ings whitened; blackboards done over; exterior, - painted one coat,-$85.50. E. F. Porter.
High School :- Ceiling retinted in Room 10; toilets refinished ; stone and brick work in basement whitened, -$70.00. E. F. Porter.
Plains Primary School :- Miss Calabrese's room redecorated; central basement redecorated; new ceil-
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ing in Miss Keaney's room redecorated,-$69.20. E. F. Porter.
Plains Annex :- Walls and window ledges painted and other woodwork revarnished in lower room; walls . of hallways repainted; new steel ceiling painted in lower room,-$95.15. E. F. Porter.
Plains Grammar School :- Interior repainted and desks refinished,-$296.31. E. F. Porter.
Spruce Spruce St. School :- Two new metal ceil- ings painted ; walls painted and ceilings tinted in hall- ways; basement woodwork cleaned and painted and stone and brick walls whitened; new division fence painted,-$299.00. T. E. Morse Co.
West St. School :- Interior redecorated and black- boards done over; repairs in fence painted,-$169.03. T. E. Morse Co.
Bear Hill School :- Inside,-blackboards done over; outside,-painted one coat,-$57.80. T. E. Morse Co.
Mason Work
Purchase Primary School :- Chimney topped out, --- $5.00.
Fountain St. School :- Cement steps at boys' and girls' outbuildings, -- $5.00.
Park School :- Sidewalks and walls patched and pointed,-$18.00.
Braggville School :- Inside walls patched and ce- mont steps made for outbuildings,-$15.00.
High School :- Ceiling in Room 10 patched and cement floors in basement repaired,-$10.00.
Plains Primary School :- Walls repaired in Miss Hogan's room,-$10.00.
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