USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Milford > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Milford, Massachusetts 1927 > Part 8
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Gifts
Class of 1927-$82.48. (Added to the Honor Roll Fund.)
Massachusetts Institute of Technology-A beautiful picture of that institution.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute-Pictures of several of their buildings.
High School.
Thirty-three complimentary tickets to the Hockey game in Boston Arena December 3, 1927. The Springfield team played Boston Tigers. The boys are very grateful to Mr. George V. Brown, Manager of the Tigers, for his generosity.
Manager Joe B. Hurl of the Milford Opera House gave thirty-three complimentary tickets to the members of the football squad for the performance on December 9, 1927. The program included the showing of the pictures that were taken at the Clinton High vs. Milford High football game. The members of the squad are also very thankful for his gen- erosity.
Recommendations
1. A longer school day so that we can have longer school periods.
2. More rigid requirements for admission to the High · school.
3. A new type of desk and chair for the Typewriting room.
The thanks of the Principal of the High school are ex- tended to the members of the School Committee for their
2,5
assistance during the past year, to the parents of the stu- dents who are enrolled in the High school for their co- operation and to the teachers for their assistance in the various activities of the school.
GEORGE E. STACY SCHOOL
From the report of the Stacy school :
"The procedure for the school year just closed was practically the same as in former years since the inception of pupil changing.
New Literature Material
"We await with anticipation the Bolenius Literature Books. We feel with their adoption our literature periods will yield the richest possible results."
Gifts to School
a. Five pictures. Subjects :
1. "Lincoln"-painting ;
2. "Rustic Scene"-painting ;
3. Enlarged photograph of European subjects ;
4. American Poets ;
5. European Poets; gift of Mr. George G. Cook, in memory of his wife.
b. Picture. Subject :
"Old Ironsides"; gift of Mrs. William A. Murray. Prizes
Recipients of Woman's Relief Corps Medals: Lavelle Macuen, James Kenney, Emerson Robinson, Julia Pulnik, Leona Paietta, Leo Morcone, Richard McGinnis, Lillian King, Martha Molinari, Samuel Blackler, Charles An- drews, Emma Moschilli.
Recipients of American Legion Medals : Lavelle Ma- cuen, Emerson Robinson.
BOYS' CONTINUATION SCHOOL
The Boys' Continuation school opened September 7, 1927, with an enrollment of 36 boys. Here, again, is a striking reflection of present crowded conditions. The school work, academic and shop, is done in one room and that the shop. The general improvement hour naturally suffers by this arrangement and there has been an in- crease in truancy. Academic work consisting of English,
26
Arithmetic, Hygiene and Civics; shop work including Home Mechanics, Carpentry and School Repairs have been offered to the boys.
In their shop work they have built tables, stands of different types, boxes for tools and supplies, and repaired articles that they brought from home, as well as some school furniture.
The boys are taught how to sharpen, use and care for the tools that are furnished them. They are also taught. to avoid waste in cutting lumber, as well as the econom- ical use of supplies.
Each boy's home and place of work is visited at least. once and sometimes more during the school year, and a careful check is kept on his work.
For the coming year the pupils and those connected with the Boys' Continuation school would greatly appre- ciate an improvement of their material school conditions, especially in their academic work. The need of a suitable school room is imperative.
GIRLS' CONTINUATION SCHOOL
The Girls' Continuation school opened September 7, 1927, with an enrollment of forty-three pupils. During the year there has been a gradual increase until at present there are fifty-five members. The attendance at this school has not been as good as in former years.
The year is divided into quarters of ten weeks each, with two hours of academic work each week and two of cooking or sewing alternating every ten weeks.
To learn to choose and read good books, to know the few great principles of life, and to have knowledge of the workings of a home is the aim of the work this year. Working toward that end, instruction is given in litera- ture, simple compositions, letter writing and principles of arithmetic, in academic work. Vocational work stresses cookery and sewing as related to a home. A well balanced meal, a clean home, a harmonious, appropriate ensemble in dress are the things brought to mind in the non-
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academic classes. "To go out into life one must be given a start." This, in short, is the aim of the Girls' Con- tinuation school of Milford.
NIGHT SCHOOL
Mr. Berry's story of the 1927 term of the Evening school follows :-
Evening school opened Monday, October 3rd, and closed Wednesday, December 21st, covering a period of twelve weeks. There were three two-hour periods each week, making a total of 70 instruction hours (one night session omitted on Columbus Day). The classes were well at- tended, having had a membership of 47. The number of voluntary attendants is far in excess of those compelled. to attend. There were four pupils who paid tuition dur- ing the year. The ages varied from 16 to 53, the average age being 23.3 years. There were 16 females and 31 males. The average membership was 36.06; the average attend- ance was 30.3; the percent of attendance was 83.8.
There were 11 nationalities represented : Americans, 2; Armenians, 3; Germans, 2; Greek, 1; Italians, 30; Irish, 1; Polish, 1; Portuguese, 4; Russian, 1; Swedish, 1; Turkish, 1.
They were employed as follows: Milford Shoe Co., 9; Archer Rubber Co., 3; Cavigioli's Market, 2; Draper Corp., 12; Long's (Framingham), 1; Telephone Co., 1; Howard's Greenhouse, 1; Milford Iron Foundry, 1; Lap- worth's, 3; farm work, 1; Carr Rubber Co. (Framing- ham), 1; Herman Shoe Co., 1; business, 2.
SPECIAL CLASSES
In September, 1926, there were started two special classes in accordance with the State requirements. These classes numbered : Junior class, 15; Over-age class, 15. These classes were, perforce, placed in the hands of nor- mally trained but inexperienced teachers, without special training for their work. The young ladies having this work in charge deserve much credit for their fine co-
28
operative spirit, special teaching ability and capacity to control.
In the Over-age class, two pupils, and in the Junior class, one, made such progress that they were returned to the regular grades. These results were obtained in spite of
(1) The natural difficulties inherent in the nature of the classes; (2) About as extreme maladjustment as pos- sible of (a) Material facilities to these children's needs,- of school rooms, too large seating units and basement facilities utterly unsuited to their ages and physical needs. (b) Human surroundings; these children (particu- larly the junior class, aged about 71/2 to about 101/2 years) were placed in a building with High school students. A certain amount of mutual annoyance was inevitable and the somewhat more than normally mischievous procliv- ities of the members of the classes under discussion, added a considerable burden to the general discipline of the building.
PHYSICAL TRAINING
Mr. Riopel comments on his work and the needs of his department substantially as follows:
" 'Health is the vital principle of bliss, and exercise of health.'
"It is difficult to measure the value of health to a com- munity. An increase of taxes to provide clean streets, pure water and public playgrounds is really a saving. I am sure that no money spent by the town of Milford in recent years will bring a larger return in health and con- sequent happiness of the youth than that which has been expended in the newly graded athletic field. This field furnishes adequate accommodations for practice and for the match games of the older boys of the schools and for this the town is to be congratulated.
"But this ought to be merely the beginning of a larger endeavor. No provision has been made for the games of the smaller boys of the schools. More playground should be provided for boys in the lower schools and a Grammar school baseball league started. These lots may be pur- chased or leased by the town or may be loaned by their
29
owners. The Grammar school baseball game uses a smaller ball and a smaller diamond and much good would result from such a league, not only in improving the health of the smaller lads but also in developing players for the High school teams.
' "As for the girls, they have received little or no con- sideration so far as furnishing them opportunities for organized play in the open air and health-giving sunshine. Field hockey and tennis are games which are especially valuable for the development of the young girl.
"I hope that the needs of the girls will be given imme- diate consideration and that they may be given an equal chance with their brothers for out-of-door play.
"The need of a gymnasium for indoor play and exercise when the weather does not permit of out-of-door work is increasingly evident.
"There is no chance for basketball for either the boys or the girls and there is no place for the setting up exer- cises which are particularly valuable for the pupils of high school age.
" 'Give them a chance-if you stunt them now, tomorrow you'll have to pay
A larger bill for a darker ill, so give them a place to play.'
"I have visited the Grammar school regularly and am pleased to report that interest has been maintained in the exercises which have been given the children to perform. The teachers for the most part co-operate splendidly and much lasting good is being done the growing children in better posture and physical development.
"The teams of the High school have done well and are a credit to the school and the town. Prospects are bright for excellent teams for the coming season.
"Some of the graduates of the High school have found places on college teams and have received special notice. This last season one of these boys distinguished himself in baseball and another in football. Both are students in
30
a college whose teams have a national reputation for excellence and high attainment in athletics.
"As the interest in athletics increases Milford will have further and greater pride in the boys of the High school who are sent to higher institutions of learning and who gain recognition there for their athletic prowess and physical ability."
MUSIC
'From the report of the Supervisor of Music I quote :
"Music in our public schools is no longer considered a pastime or an amusement to divert from the academic subjects, but is now as much a part of the child's educa- tion as are English, Mathematics, History, etc., and plays a very important part in both cultural and material life. It is being enjoyed by thousands today who never had an opportunity to enjoy it a decade ago.
"We have endeavored, during the past year, to divide our course of study in music along three complementary lines, placing singing first, as it develops skill and knowl- edge; listening or appreciation which develops judgment and taste, and note reading, including the evenly divided beat, the beat and a half note, and sharp and flat chro- matics. Upon this foundation the child's future knowl- edge of music is built and from this experience his power to read music grows step by step.
"Our High school classes numbering over 200 are studying four-part choral work and results are very pleasing.
"In our Junior High, part songs and much technical . work, including the writing and the recitation of scales, octave and arpeggio in the various keys, have been taught, thus aiding the child in his sight singing.
"May I recommend the installation in each building of a Victrola or some musical instrument as an aid toward the appreciation of good music ?"
DRAWING
Miss Whipple, Supervisor of Drawing, comments on
3 [
the work of her department substantially as follows :
High School :
"Attendance in the drawing classes at the High school averages about the same as last year, and the same out- line of study both in the mechanical and free-hand draw- ing is being followed, except that more outside study is being given to picture appreciation.
"Headings for the Oak, Lily and Ivy were drawn by Elizabeth Sherburne.
"The cover for the Commencement program was de- signed by Hazel Ward.
"Two graduates of the 1927 class are attending art schools and a third is in art work."
Stacy School :
."Work in the drawing classes for the year 1926-1927 continues with lessons in nature and color study, design, posters, perspective, object drawing, house planning and simple craft projects. One of the larger and successful projects undertaken by these pupils was the constructing from paper of a model village. Each room throughout the building made their own complete village, consisting of houses, stores, shops, churches, etc., with the proper lay- out of streets. Much originality was shown in this work. The village made by Room 3 was on display for several days in the show window of the Avery & Woodbury Co., giving those interested a chance to see this work."
For the second time Milford students were successful in the Massachusetts Savings Bank Association poster contest, with the following awards: First prizes in the High school and V-VI Grade section, one honorable men- tion (High school) and three posters purchased. The contest was State-wide and 125 posters were submitted by Milford students. A detailed account appears else- where in this report.
From the report of the Assistant Supervisor of Draw- ing I quote :-
"During the past year an effort has been made to
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develop the natural ability and love of art in the child. Free-hand drawing has been used extensively, nature study, and an insight into the commercial branches of art which are becoming very necessary.
"The co-operation of the teachers in spite of their large classes has been of great assistance in carrying out the work."
THRIFT TEACHING
Although the year 1927-1928 did not have quite as large a number of pupils enrolled in the School Savings, yet this year's group is a more dependable group of savers. This year has the largest number of 100% rooms. Twen- ty-one rooms had over 80% lists of depositors on Nov. 15. The bank appreciates the efforts of the teachers in promoting the thrift interests and it is evident that those who emphasize this subject strongly get better results for their rooms. It is hoped that for the remainder of 1928 each pupil enrolled will deposit each week, although the amount may be small. It is the regular WEEKLY habit of saving that the bank wishes followed. May the parents realize the value of the thrift idea and encourage the chil- dren to save regularly.
STATISTICAL 100% Buildings
Spruce St., Sept. 27, 1927,
Miss Frost
Miss Kennedy
Miss Gallagher
Miss Waters
Miss McNamara
!
Purchase Primary, Oct. 4,
Miss Davoren
Chapin St., Oct. 18
Miss Aldrich
Oct. 25
Miss Ames :
Nov. 1
Miss Beckett
Other 100% Rooms
Park, Sept. 27,
Mrs. McManus 1
Park, Oct. 4,
Miss A. McDermott
Park, Oct. 25,
Mrs. Cronin
SAVINGS BANKS POSTER CONTEST, 1927.
ELMIRA YORK Milford High School, 1927 First Prize, $15
AS THE MINUTES RUN TO HOURS
LET THE PENNIES RUN TO DOLLAR
THE PRIZEWINNING POSTER
ROBERT RAE Grade V., Park School First Prize $5
GET THE POINT
SAVE
THE PRIZEWINNING POSTER
Courtesy Mutual Savings Banks Association.
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West St., Oct. 25,
Miss Higgiston
South Grammar, Nov. 1,
Fountain St., Nov. 15,
Miss K. McDermott Miss McCarthy
South Grammar, Dec. 13,
Miss Leland
Sixteen rooms having 100% Thrift Certificates: All pupils enrolled as savers.
Close of Fall Term 1925
1926
1927
School Savings enrollment.
2040
1972
1919
Largest number of pupils enrolled in schools participating
2474
2467
2432
Largest attendance on any bank day
2382
2392
2333
Total of
Pupils
Pupils
Enrolled as
Enrolled
School Savers
Bear Hill
22
20
Braggville
14
2
Chapin Street
91
91
Claflin
228
184
Fountain Street
63
59
Hoboken
32
32
Oliver Street
224
178
Park
162
147
Plains Prima·
294
206
Plains Grammar
251
161
Purchase Primary
28
28
Purchase Grammar
34
28
South Grammar
167
153
Spruce Street
182
182
Stacy
506
335
West Street
56
55
H. S. Portable.
84
58
SAVINGS BANKS POSTER CONTEST, 1927
For the second time, Milford pupils made a very cre 1- itable showing in the department of Drawing in a Sta ?- wide contest, with the following awards:
Prizes: High School section-Elmira York, first prize
1
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of $15.00, 50% of the money value, 331/3% of the number of prizes.
Fifth and Sixth Grade section-Robert Rae, Grade 5, Park school, first prize of $5.00, 50% of the money value of the awards, 331/3% of the number of prizes.
Honorable mention-Of the sixteen honorable men- tions, Marguerite Taylor of the High school received one; also the Savings Banks Association bought the posters submitted by Helen Crandall and Marguerite Taylor of the High school and Norman Black of the Stacy school. The Savings Banks Association announce a continuance of the poster contest for 1928. The arrangements, num- ber and value of the prizes are about the same as in previous years, i. e .:
High school posters-First prize, fifteen dollars; sec- ond prize, ten dollars; third prize, five dollars. Junior High school posters-First prize, ten dollars; second prize, five dollars; third prize, three dollars. Grades V and VI posters-First prize, five dollars; second prize, three dollars; third prize, two dollars.
Twenty special prizes, regardless of classes, one dollar each, are also offered.
Subjects : Any thrift subject or any bank subject. (The name of the bank carrying the savings of the school may or may not appear.)
Size: High school, 20 x 26 inches. No variations in sizes. Junior High school, 14 x 22 inches. No variations in sizes. Grades V and VI, 12 x 8 inches approximately (large size drawing paper).
Material: Note-Large, simple designs are best. De- tailed sketches do not usually make effective posters. High school-Paint, any kind used in art department of the school. Either drawing paper or heavy card accept- able. Junior High school-Water colors, tempera, or crayon. Either drawing paper or heavy card acceptable. Grades V and VI-Crayon or paper cut-out designs. (Magazine pictures will not be accepted.) Black and
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white or colors.
Public Exhibit of Posters :- Arrangements have been made to exhibit these posters in the Boston Public Li -. brary during the week commencing March 26, 1928.
HUMANE POSTER CONTEST
' The Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals announces a Humane poster contest for 1928, and awards of 440 beautiful medals, also honor- able mentions, including one year's subscription to Our Dumb Animals. In view of the importance of this sug- gested combination of training in art and humanity, it is hoped that much interest will be taken in this contest.
OTHER CO-OPERATING AGENCIES MOTHERCRAFT
From Mrs. William F. Sherburne, instructor in Mother- craft, comes the following interesting comment on this season's work :-
The purpose of Mothercraft is to give school girls definite help in learning how to keep themselves and other children well and happy. The problem is a double one- how can we best safeguard the health of our school girls ? And what can we do through them to save the children of . pre-school age-beginning with the young infant in the home? To the first question, the answer is that we can teach the girls the sacredness of life by interesting them in personal hygiene, and in the care of the home. The object of such instruction is to give each girl a "sound mind and a sound body" and to fit her for a woman's work in the world. The solution to the second part of the problem is to be found in the careful training of the school girl in hygiene as applied to babies. Because the Mothercraft classes teach the girls during their forma- tive years, they offer a splendid opportunity to establish those habits that make for health and happiness and use- fulness. Now, as never before, we are coming to realize that the strength of a nation depends primarily on the spiritual and physical health of its citizens, and also on
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the training of its children to assume in later years their duties as fathers and mothers. The Mothercraft instruc- tion as outlined in the new little text book, "Children Well and Happy," as presented through the State Federation of Women's Clubs, is now a required study in Home Economics departments of almost every Junior High school of every town or city in this country and many foreign countries also. Large classes are held during the school year and at the close of the period of instruction, a public graduation is held and diplomas awarded by the President of the local Woman's Club for the State Federation.
The report closes with an expression of hearty thanks by the instructor to the Principal of the Stacy school for his interest and co-operation. Thirty-five girls are grad- uating this season.
THE FOUR-H CLUB
While the Four-H Club is much smaller in membership this season than in previous years, they have had a very prosperous season under the leadership of Mrs. Cora M. Granger. The club has met twice a month in the Stacy school. They have canned a great variety of fruits and vegetables, winning several prizes at the New England Fair at Worcester, as well as a number of prizes at the Bolton Fair.
GIFTS DURING THE YEAR
Eesides prizes and awards listed elsewhere, there have been during the year under review, gifts as follows :- --
Picture, "Summer Rain," to the Fountain Street school hy the Quinshipaug Woman's Club;
Silk flags to Misses Toher's and Cochran's rooms in the Plains Annex school, with appropriate patriotic exercises, hy the Woman's Relief Corps;
Five framed pictures given by Mr. George G. Cook in memory of his wife, assigned to the George E. Stacy school. (This gift is more fully described in the report of the George E. Stacy school.)
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MILFORD TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION Calendar, 1927-1928
October-Business Meeting.
November-Associated with Quinshipaug Woman's Club in presenting concert by Holy Trio and Madame Claire Maentz.
Social.
December-Lecture, "What Are We Teaching?" Edward R. Clarke, Supt. of Schools, Winthrop.
January-Business Meeting.
February-Lecture with motion pictures. "The Tale of the Ancient Whalemen." Chester S. Howland, New Bedford.
March-Fanny Washington. Joint auspices of Quinshi- paug Woman's Club and Milford Teachers' Associa- tion.
April-Social.
Lecture-Subject to be announced.
May-Business Meeting.
Officers
Mary E. Mullane President
Dorothy Cahill. Vice-President
Alice C. Birmingham . Secretary
Gertrude Wallace. Treasurer
Rita M. Daigle, Chairman of Executive Committee
Ruth Edwards .. Chairman of Social Committee
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL NURSE
Assisted the School Physicians with examinations. Number of follow-up home visits. 734
Number of children weighed once during year . . .
2,450
Number of children 10% or more underweight ... 266
Number of children weighed three or more times during the year. 266
Number of children of the 10% underweight
group having special examinations. 28
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Number of children of the 10% underweight group examined by Dr. Millett of the State Department of Health.
Number of children attending the South Worces- ter Health Camp for 2 weeks each For 3 weeks each. 8
16
6
Number of children taken to an oculist. 22
Number of children fitted to glasses. 20
Number of children having whooping cough. 15
Number of children having mumps. 52
Number of children having chicken-pox 42
Number of children having diphtheria. 1
Number of children having scarlet fever 3
M. E. NAUGHTON
ATTENDANCE
A summary of the Attendance Officer's report follows : Total number of calls, Jan. 1, 1927, to Dec. 31, 1927 645 Calls from the Superintendent, including work-
ing children and pupils of the Continuation school 111
Calls, Principal of the High school. 130
Calls, Principal of the Stacy school. 211
Calls, teachers of the Grade schools 86
Calls, Principal of Night school. 28
Calls, Senior and Junior special classes 79
534
-- 645
Causes :
Truancy 113
Illness 173
Carelessness of parents. 31
Taken from street and home 4
Lack of clothing.
10
Left school to work.
60
Left town
14
Excusable 100
Pupils over 16 years old . 25
39
Court cases 4
- 534
Cases of prosecution were as follows :
Non-attendance at Evening school. 1
Non-attendance at Continuation school 1
Non-attendance at Grade schools. 2
4
Disposition : One case was of commitment to the County Training school; three cases were of suspended sentence and probation.
Visits to the schools, 65.
REGULAR REPAIRS CARPENTRY
West Street school :-
Both school rooms re-floored; new slate composition blackboards installed across the front of each room be- tween the entrance doors, with suitable mouldings and chalk rails-Thomas F. Maher, $354.00.
Building shingled in connection with the sanitation project-Kellett & Clement.
Oliver Street school :-
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