USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Milford > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Milford, Massachusetts 1928 > Part 6
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CLUB ACTIVITIES
"During the past year a Latin Club was organized under the direction of Miss Loretta E. Murray. The pur- pose of the club was to create interest and enthusiasm among the students of the Classics and to also take up the study of classical literature. A Commercial Club was also organized. Miss Lillian L. Egan had charge of this club-the purpose of which was to increase the interest in the commercial branches and to afford further knowl- edge of the operation of various office appliances. The two clubs functioned well.
SHORT STORY CONTEST
"Once again a Milford High school Senior was award- ed one of the ten prizes in the Boston Traveler Short Story Contest, open to the students of the High schools of New England. In the 1928 contest the ninth prize, $5,
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was won by Miss Winnifred Crowley of the class of 1928 with her story "The Irony of Fate". Other seriors receiv- ing special recognition for their stories were Gertrude Moran, Elna Whitney, George Siipola, Elizabeth Sails Helen Luby, Marguerite Taylor, Helen May, Ethel Mann and Doris Gorman. I wish to compliment Miss Marion A. Ryan, teacher of Senior English and the above students for their excellent work.
OAK, LILY AND IVY
"The Oak, Lily and Ivy was published at Commence- mont time and its contents were up to the' usual high standard. Miss Ryan of the English Department had charge of the literary work and Miss Egan supervised the financial arrangements. The receipts were given to the Athletic Association.
DRAMATICS
"The David Garrick Dramatic Club conducted its ac- tivites during the past year under the capable direction of Miss Sadie A. O'Connell. On May 25, the four plays, "On the Park Bench," "The Seige," "The Boor" and "The Difficult Border" were presented in the Assembly Hall. Miss O'Connell is to be praised for her skilful direction of the plays and likewise the students for the excellent rendering of their parts.
SOCIAL
"The annual Junior Prom was held in February and. was a success. The Football Dance and the Senior Prom were also ably conducted. The receipts of the two proms were placed in the class treasuries and the proceeds of the Football Dance were devoted to the purchase of athletic equipment.
GIFTS DURING THE YEAR
"The W. R. C. through its patriotic instructor, Mrs. Florence Knight, gave us a beautiful American Flag on April 18. The Flag was given in memory of Lucius E. Heath, at one time a town official and a Past Commander of Post 22, G. A. R. Representatives of all of the patriotic
21
organizations, some of the members of the School Com- mittee, and Supt. Caswell assisted in the exercises at the presentation. The beautiful flag now occupies a promi- nent place on the stage and the faculty and students ap- preciate the gift and are thankful to Mrs. Knight for her efforts in making it possible.
"Class of 1928-$46.42 (to be added to the Honor Roll Fund).
"Miss Eunice Lawrence-Fourteen volumes to our High School Library.
"Manager J. B. Hurl of the Milford Opera House had the entire football squad as his guests at a Football Night in November. The program included the showing of several pictures of Milford High Football teams and some football pictures of college teams in action. The mem- bers of the squad are very thankful to Mr. Hurl for his . kindness.
RECOMMENDATIONS
1. "The great loss of time suffered by the members of the Freshman Class is beginning to show its effects when these students reach the Senior year and it seems most desirable to have a longer school day, if we are to contin- ue to properly train our High school pupils for admis- sion to college. It has also become very noticeable that very little home study is being done by the students and a longer school day would enable the students to do most of their outside study during a properly supervised study period."
Of course, the one satisfactory solution is the provision of a new High school building, placing the entire day at the disposal of the High school for a session of sufficient length and the opportunity for supervised study in the school, return assignments in the afternoon for scholar- ship, discipline, etc.
2. "I would strongly urge the parents to have their children avoid unnecessary absences. If this were done the scholarship would in most cases be improved."
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GEORGE E. STACY SCHOOL
On March 22, 1928, the principalship of the George E. Stacy school became vacant. The undersigned takes this opportunity cordially to thank the teaching staff of the Stacy school for the very intelligent and loyal way they co-operated in carrying the school through the remainder of the school year. At the beginning of the current school year, Mr. John L. Davoren, Milford High school, 1920, Emerson College, 1926, was elected Principal of the George E. Stacy school. Mr. Davoren brought to his work a considerable amount of advanced professional training in Education and entered upon his new duties with enthusiasm.
"The Stacy school began the school year with a total registration of 552 pupils during the first month; 307 in in the seventh grade and 245 in the eighth grade. Consid- ering the crowded conditions teacher-changing was re- instituted and seems to have justified itself in a saving of the time usually lost between classes.
"I am glad to report an increased interest in the Mothercraft course established in the school by the Quin- shipaug Woman's Club. The large number of girls apply- ing for the course made necessary the formation of a second class with prospects of a third if time will permit. This valuable course is entirely supported by the Wom- an's Club and is taught by a club member, Mrs. William F. Sherbourne.
"Boys have been offered a course in Oral English for the first time. Classes occur while the girls are at House- hold Arts classes and the course comprises the elements of public speaking, Oral English, and Debating, with special attention given to topics of the day and Current Events. It is intended to supplement the work of the English department as well as to stimulate the boys to a desire for outside reading. The response is encouraging and many of the boys show an exceptional improvement in speech habits.
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"Through the courtesy of Miss Ethelwyn Blake, libra- rian, the school has been permitted to enjoy the facilities of the town library in extending the scope of our course in Reading and Literature. A list of over 700 approved books has been compiled, and through the co-operation of Miss Blake, books are delivered at the school so as to be available for our regular weekly period of silent reading."
GIFTS DURING THE YEAR
In addition to the list of gifts, prizes, honors, medals and awards enumerated in the report of the High school, there have been gifts to the grade schools as follows :-
Spruce Street school :- A beautiful vase from the Quin- shipaug Woman's Club, and 7 books from Miss Florence Cenedella to Grade IV, Spruce Street school.
Park school :- 13 Volumes of Roy Blakeley by Percy Keese Fitzhugh, 5 Volumes of Tom Slade by Percy Keese Fitzhugh, 2 Volumes of Pee-Wee Harris by Percy Keese Fitzhugh, presented by Alfred B. Cenedella, Jr. to the 6th Grade, Park school.
GIRLS' CONTINUATION SCHOOL
As noted elsewhere, the girls' Continuation school has been in charge of Miss Ellen R. Quirk, a graduate of the Household Arts department of the Framingham Normal school. Miss Quirk says, among other things :-
"The girls' Continuation school opened September 10, 1928, with 32 pupils. This number has increased during the year to 69 pupils at the present time.
"Each class day consists of four hours, two of academic work and two of non-academic or vocational work. In- struction is given in Hygiene, Citizenship and English,- oral composition and letter writing-Arithmetic and History in academic classes. The vocational work deals with cooking and sewing, as related to the home. These courses alternate each ten weeks. The girls are much interested in this part of the work. The preparation of health-giving foods, the serving of simple, well-balanced meals, courtesy at the table and problems in marketing
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are stressed in the foods classes. The making and care of personal clothing and home furnishings are the topics dealt with in the clothing classes.
"We extend our thanks to the members of the School "Committee for the greatly appreciated improvements which make our work safer, more enjoyable and more efficient."
Miss Quirk has interested her girls in Club activities and among other activities, a most enjoyable Hallowe'en party was given in the High school assembly hall October 31, 1928.
BOYS' CONTINUATION SCHOOL
From the report of Mr. A. W. Chilson, teacher :-
"The boys' Continuation school opened with an enroll- ment of 35 pupils. This number was soon increased by new arrivals as in previous years.
"The work is divided into two classes, non-academic or shop work and academic or class-room instruction in Hygiene, Civics, English and Arithmetic. Numerous cases of Continuation school graduates have been brought to the attention of the teacher and in all cases, the results of the training received in the school have been manifest.
"With this school in quarters fitted for it and with more varied equipment, it could secure more and greater results.
NIGHT SCHOOL
Sessions of the Evening schools were under the direc- tion of Submaster Frank C. Berry of the High school as one year ago. Mr. Berry's report follows :-
"The Night school opened October 1st and continued through the usual 12 week period, closing December 19th. There are two hours of instruction each night, or 70 hours of instruction in the course. The work consists of the instruction in elementary subjects. Other classes would be organized if sufficient numbers could be inter- ested in their formation.
"The teachers, Misses Gilroy, Mawn and Ranahan,
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were interested in their work and did much to create an incentive for work in the students. The attendance was slightly lower than in previous years due probably to working conditions. There were no students paying tui- tion.
"The average membership was 26.76. The average at- tendance was 20.68. The percent of attendance was 77.2. Ages varied from 16 to 42, the average age being 23.2.
"There were 14 compulsory and 22 voluntary stu- dents."
ATYPICAL CLASSES
As is observed earlier in this report, the material set- ting, hours of work and conditions generally, for the two special classes are about as bad as they could be. The classes should number no more than 12 to 15 each, housed in proper school rooms of their own, with a two-part daily session, in charge of trained teachers.
Compare the situation in which our classes find them- selves :-
Nearly or quite twenty in a class, sharing class-rooms with High school students, coming to school from 1.15 to 5.15 P.M., working the last hour or hour-and-a-half by artificial light and going home long distances after dark. Our teachers (not specially trained for this work) deserve credit for doing as well as they are doing in this work in such a situation !
SENIOR SPECIAL CLASS
Miss Isabelle MacLachlan, teacher, says regarding her class :-
"On September 10, 1928, the special classes opened for their term. The senior special or over age group opened with twenty pupils in attendance, nine girls and eleven boys.
"The class in the afternoon platoon, attending school from one o'clock to five o'clock. The ages of the pupils range from 12 to 16. At the present time, the class con- sists of eleven boys and six girls.
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"One boy left school October 29 in order to work and re-entered December 3.
One boy left school October 25 for Reform school.
One boy left school October 26 to work.
Two girls returned to the Fourth grade.
One girl left school for home employment.
"The subjects taught are Arithmetic, Reading, Spelling, Geography, Penmanship and Hygiene. These subjcts are not taken up in the same way they would be in a regular grade because of the great need for individual help. Drawing and hand-work are also taken up.
"I find that the girls are much more ambitious than the boys. With the exception of two girls, I find that prog- ress on the whole is very slow. Two girls will, I think, be able to enter the Fifth grade at the end of the year as they are working well and showing much progress. The children in this class are grouped as follows :-
Grade
Number in Grade 2 10
V IV
III
4
II 1
I 1
"I find that the best readers are poor in Arithmetic and vice versa.
"More progress would be made under a trained and experienced teacher."
JUNIOR SPECIAL CLASS
Commenting on the work of her class, Miss Esther Gagliardi, teacher, observes :-
"Twenty-one pupils were enrolled in the Junior Spe- cial class in September, ranging from 8 to 14 years of age. Due to the varied abilities of this class and the great need for individual and small-group work, the outstanding subjects have been Arithmetic, Reading, Spelling, Pen- manship and Drawing.
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"At this date, the Junior Special class is graded as follows :-
Grade
Number in Grade
III
3
II
8
I (Advanced) 3
I (Beginners) 4
PHYSICAL TRAINING
The work of the department of physical training of the Milford public schools is divided into two parts, one having to do with the training of the athletic teams of the High school and the other with the physical culture work of the grades.
Says Director Riopel :-
"In athletics, the High school boys have made a credit- able showing in the two major sports of the school. Last spring Milford High school won the Midland League championship after an exciting series of contests, and an extra post-season contest was necessary to decide the winner of the series."
The deciding game was played at Hopkinton and large- ly with second-string men. Milford won the decision after two men were out in the second half of the ninth inning in one of the most exciting games in the writer's memory.
Continuing, Mr. Riopel says :-
"The football team also made an excellent showing. Most of the players were inexperienced and were very young in years and light in weight. In spite of these handicaps, they played the game with courage and dash and held their own against teams of much older and larger boys. They deserve the highest commendation although they did not win all their games.
"It should be the aim of every High school and college to have every boy and girl engaged in some branch of athletics. Very few High schools of the country have as yet attained this goal, although all well-ordered sys- tems are working in that direction. I wish that basket-
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ball and track games might be available for the boys of Milford High school.
"The new tennis courts built by the town have given those High school girls who are athletically inclined an opportunity for wholesome exercise. I wish it were more nearly possible for the girls to have an opportunity to play field hockey for this game is a means for physical development. It is played in the open air and sunshine and furnishes the only opportunity for team play that is available for girls.
"I have endeavored to stress the moral values of com- petitive athletics in my dealings with the boys under my charge. Some of these are self-control, courage, sacrifice of self-interests to the interests of the team and loyalty to the school and the town, honor and true democracy.
"Without these virtues, the athlete has little to gain from interscholastic competition.
"The work in physical training in the grammar schools has been carried on much the same as in former years. Persistent effort has been made to improve the posture of the pupils, particularly those of the lower grades. Without good porture, good health is impossible and without good health, much of life's happiness is lost."
MUSIC DEPARTMENT
The work in Music has been under the competent direc- tion of Miss Helena F. Swift. About her work for the year under review, Miss Swift observes :-
"There is nothing more important for the advancement of musical appreciation than the practical teaching of music and singing in the public schools.
"A child is impressed through his environment and the kind of education imparted; he is an imitator and practical results are obtainable at the beginning only through emulation. If he does not hear a good quality of sound, he cannot imitate it. Thus, in our course of study, we have endeavored to give proper instruction of tone in all its purity.
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"Our High school classes, numbering over two hundred, have studied many of the standard classics arranged by the best composers. During the fall term, an illustrative lecture marking the one hundredth anniversary of Franz Schubert's death, was given."
This was a most worthy and enjoyable memorial occa- sion. Miss Swift gave the music classes an excellent paper on Schubert's life and work and representative songs were preesnted from Victrola records or played on the pianoforte. Notice of this affair with complete program appears in the report of the High school.
Continuing, Miss Swift says :-
"In our Junior High school, much technical work in- cluding the writing and recitation of scales, octave and arpeggio in the various keys have been taught. The reading and singing of many part songs of excellent quality were enjoyed.
"Songs in two and three parts were taught in the fifth and sixth grade where much technical work has been accomplished.
"In the primary grades, we have endeavored to develop in the child a love for music, a pleasure in song as a means of expression through individual and concerted singing and also, to develop through intelligent listening, an appreciation of that which he hears. Satisfactory re- sults have been attained in the various classes.
"I still strongly recommend the installation in each building of a Victrola as an aid toward the appreciation of good music."
ART DEPARTMENT
Miss Dorcas Whipple, head of the department, com- ments on her work for the year as follows :-
"Art, when combined with life's environment, becomes a growing human benefit. Utility may be attached to art without subtracting from the beauty of art. There- fore, our art projects both in the Junior High and High school are developed along the lines which combine util-
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ity with art principles. Problems of color harmonies- applied to dress and to home furnishings, are used. Originality is developed by designs, illustration, posters, garden and house planning. And workmanship is im- proved by problems in construction, measuring, lettering, etc.
"The Christmas craft project of tyed and dyed work was enthusiastically worked out by the pupils in the Stacy school.
"Milford won success for the third consecutive time in the Massachusetts Savings Banks Association poster contest. Theresa Consoletti, Grade 8, Room 13, Stacy school, won second prize in the Junior High school group, an Marie Kapatoes, Freshman in the High school won a special prize with her poster. More than 100 posters were submitted by Milford students.
"It should be borne in mind that this was a state wide contest and 1112 posters were submitted.
"Some very fine work is being accomplished by High school Freshmen students in their afternoon classes both in the mechanical and freehand divisions.
"Mechanical drawing students in the upper classes are being trained in draughtsmanship. Even here, utility and practicability are used in the problems studied; working drawings of furniture and machine parts, detail and assembly drawings, sections, developments, plans and blueprinting.
"The course in the freehand division covers, nature study, designing, lettering, stenciling, modeling, object drawing and house planning, with work in these med- iums ; pencil, pen and ink, charcoal, pastels, water color and poster colors.
"Some original and rather interesting designs for stained glass windows have been worked out by the stu- dents, the subjects being those of the different school departments, the designs being applicable for use in a high school assembly hall.
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"Competition for a Milford High school seal to be used on the school stationery, brought forth several good de- signs. Edward Porter's design, class of 1930, was finally selected and is now in use. Another design by Margaret Taylor, '28, was selected for a school stamp. This design was later incorporated into the Commencement program cover which Miss Taylor also designed.
"Headings for the Oak, Lily and Ivy were drawn by Donald Ray, 1928, a student of the art class.
"Three graduates of the class of 1928 are attending art schools.
"The principal and teachers of George E. Stacy school are thanked for their helpful co-operation during the past year."
Miss Condon, assistant supervisor, says :-
"The Drawing lessons for the school year 1927-1928 in the first six grades have followed along the general lines of the previous year. Believing that freehand draw- ing is the most necessary and most important part of our work, we have given almost all our time to it.
"The lessons include color study, designing, perspective drawing, posture work and figure construction.
"In spite of so many outside attractions for the chil- dren, an attempt has been made to interest them in the beauty of their every-day environment."
SCHOOL SAVINGS
The following statement by Mrs. Brooks of the Milford Savings Bank is interesting and significant :-
"School Savings for the fourth year has opened with its best efforts. Oct. 31, over 91% of pupils enrolled in the public schools are participating as School Savers. The weekly number of deposits has been high, but the Savings Bank still emphasizes the regular weekly deposit from each pupil. All but three buildings of more than one room have been on the Honor Roll,-above 80% depositing.
"Next year the Milford schools are to be included in
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the annual report of School Savings work in the schools of the United States. May the girls and boys strive to represent their town of Milford with a high record. In the Savings Banker for Jan. 1929,-a monthly magazine published by the Mutual Savings Banks of Massachusetts, Milford, with a rating of 91.4% was 17th on the list of schools in Massachusetts with high percent of enroll- ment. Grafton and Millbury, our near neighbors, were 91%.
"Up to Jan. 1929, 2234 pupils were participating as School Savers out of an enrollment of 2389 on Dec. 18. The largest number depositing on any one bank day was 1944 on Oct. 16. The largest number of rooms on Honor Roll, above 80%, was 43 out of 68 rooms, on Oct. 16, At the close of the fall term the average weekly deposit was 1765; the average number of rooms on the Honor Roll 35. May this good record be maintained the entire year.
"Thrift Certificates, every pupil enrolled as Savers, have been issued to 33 rooms, (only 16 rooms last year). There are eight out of sixteen buildings with every pupil a Saver. Those buildings are: Spruce St., Purchase Primary, Purchase Grammar, Bear Hill, Chapin St., Fountain St., Park and South Grammar.
Rooms receiving a Thrift Certificate are:
1928
Sept. 18 Spruce St .- Miss Fros:, Miss Kennedy, Miss
Waters, Miss Gallagher, Miss McNamara
Sept. 18
Purchase Primary-Mics Davoren
Sept. 25
South Grammar-Miss McDermott
Sept. 25
Chapin St .- Miss Aldrich
Sept. 25
Claflin-Miss Yongson
Sept. 25 Fountain St .- Miss Julian
Oct. 2
Park-Miss Mulligan, Mrs. Cronin, Miss Scul- ly, Miss Brown
Oct. 2 Chapin St .- Miss Ames
Oct. 2 Stacy No. 4-Miss Mullane
Oct. 9 Park-Mrs. McManus
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Oct.
9
Chapin St .- Miss Beckett
Oct. 9 Claflin-Miss Tully
Oct. 9 Bear Hill-Miss DiGiannantonio
Oct. 16 West St .- Miss Higgiston
Oct. 16 Stacy No. 5-Miss M. McDermott
Oct. 23 Oliver St .- Miss Hogan
Oct. 23 Purchase Grammar-Miss M. Davoren
Oct. 23 Park-Miss McDermott
Oct. 23 Stacy No. 14-Miss Mazzarelli
Oct. 23 Claflin-Miss Parks, Miss Greesley
1
Oct. 30 South Grammar-Miss Scully
Nov. 6 South Grammar-Miss Leland
Nov. 6 West St .- Miss Gilmore
Nov. 27 South Grammar-Miss Finnigan
Nov. 27
Fountain St .- Miss McCarthy
1929
Jan. 8 Hoboken-Miss Rooney
Jan. 8 Plains Primary-Miss Keaney
Jan. 15 Oliver St .- Miss Kenney
At the close of Fall term.
Enrollment in Enrolled as
Schools
School Savers
Bear Hill
23
23
Braggville
18
4
Chapin St.
100
100
Claflin
229
225
Fountain St.
52
52
Hoboken
17
16
Oliver St.
201
183%
Park
258
258
Plains Primary
271
219
Plains Grammar
220
165
Purchase Primary
20
20
Purchase Grammar
32
32
South Grammar
170
170
Spruce St.
163
163.
Stacy
525
497
West St.
90
88
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CO-OPERATING AGENCIES MOTHERCRAFT
I agree with the instructor in Mothercraft that both in its direct educational values and its character building values, it is one of the finest things given in the public schools.
Mrs. Sherburne has this to say about her work :-
"Two classes with 31 girls in each are now in progress in the Stacy school, on Monday afternoon of each week, and a class was graduated and received their diplomas last spring. This year the number of pupils wishing to take this instruction was so great that the Principal decided to choose only those who were well advanced in their studies for the Mothercraft class, thus making it an incentive to further endeavor on the part of the pupil.
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