USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Milford > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Milford, Massachusetts 1930 > Part 8
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TYPEWRITING CONTEST
Two Senior stenography students and one Junior type- writing pupil represented the Milford High school at the Massachusetts Fourth Annual Shorthand and Type- writing Contest at Worcester on May 24th. John J. O'Don- nel, '30, winner of the Swift Oratorical Medal, was one of the speakers in the final contest for selecting the Wor- cester County representative to the National Oratorical Contest which was held in Washington.
STUDENT INTEREST IN THE UNEMPLOYED
The members of the Senior class and in fact all of the students in the school contributed fruit and vegetables in
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great quantities at Thanksgiving time to the Salvation Army for distribution among those who were unemployed. The class of 1931, under the leadership of Miss Louise Cenedella, held a very successful food sale in December, and gave the proceeds, about $60.00, to the same organ- ization for baskets at Christmas time.
HONOR ROLL AND DEDICATION
A beautiful bronze Honor Roll which lists the names of Milford High's sons and daughters who served in the World War with the seal of the school on it and the in- scription "They Sought Not Glory But Their Country's Good" has been erected on the main corridor of the school. It is certainly very attractive and is the gift of the classes of 1921 through 1930 inclusive. On the same evening the class of 1931 presented to the school a beautiful bronze tablet with the inscription :
THE MILFORD HIGH SCHOOL RECORDS WITH GRATITUDE AND LOVE HER SONS WHO SERVED IN THE CIVIL WAR 1865
1861
1898
SPANISH WAR 1902
MAY FUTURE GENERATIONS BE INSPIRED TO PATRIOTIC SERVICE BY THEIR EXAMPLES
Erected by the Class of 1931
During the past football season, Mr. Joe B. Hurl, Mana- ger of the State Theater, permitted the State Theater Drum Corps to furnish music between the halves at our big football games. The music which they furnished and their appearance is a credit to the State Theater and to the town, and I surely appreciate Mr. Hurl's generosity. I want to compliment his assistant, Mr. Ben Lancisi also, and his drill master, Mr. Charles Goucher.
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ART EXHIBIT
An exhibition of the splendid work in Art done by the High school students was held in Room 6 during the Ses- qui-Centennial Exercises.
RECENT GRADUATES
Many of the graduates last June have entered college and are doing well. At the present time we have students enrolled in most of the New England colleges.
Anthony Ferrucci, President of last year's class was awarded the Worcester County Scholarship to the Massa- chusetts Institute of Technology and John J. O'Donnell of the same class was awarded the Worcester County Scholarship to Harvard University.
CHARACTER TRAINING
Character talks on Manners, Obedience, Industry, Loyalty and Honesty are given on Mondays in each Home Room by the different Home Room Teachers.
FOOTBALL TROPHY
At a football dinner at the Elks Home last February, tendered to the 1929 Football Team, the champions of the Midland League, Mr. H. W. Smiley presented to the cap- tain of the team a beautiful silver football very nearly the size of one used in the game. The inscription on the foot- ball read :
MILFORD HIGH SCHOOL MIDLAND LEAGUE CHAMPIONS 1929
The football is mounted on an ebony base and is surely a splendid trophy. Coach Albert D. Riopel, Captain Ianni- telli and the members of the 1929 Football Squad deeply appreciate Mr. Smiley's generosity.
INCREASING NEED OF EDUCATION
The present business depression makes evident to all of us the need of education. Statistics prove that the boy or girl without a High school education is at a loss when seeking employment, not to mention admission to insti-
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tutions of higher learning. Unlike the past, even the com- mercial colleges require graduation from High school. It is, therefore, your duty, if possible to have your sons and daughters complete the High school course.
HOME AND SCHOOL CO-OPERATION
There is need to-day of a greater co-operation between the home and the school. As I mentioned in last year's report, parents permit a great deal of unnecessary absence which, in my estimation, should not be tolerated. Such action on the part of the parents is not productive of high scholarship and in many instances brings about failures. There is, likewise, a tendency on the part of some parents to be indifferent about the amount of home study done by the students. Suffice it to say that there is very little time during school hours for the preparation of the following day's lessons. Consequently, at least 21% hours home study should be put into the preparation of next day's work if a passing grade is to be obtained.
GEORGE E. STACY SCHOOL
Statement of Principal John L. Davoren. CONTINUED OVERCROWDING
The large enrollment of the Stacy School was main- tained during the past year with a consequent continu- ance of the overcrowding referred to in previous reports.
UNEMPLOYMENT TWENTY-HOUR CLASSES NEEDED in school and a number who have held employment cer-
Inability to secure employment has kept many pupils tificates have been returned to their classes. The latter group constitute a problem, due to the fact that usually they do not properly qualify for any of the regular classes. After a pupil has lost several months from his studies and returns to school until he can again secure work, it is difficult for him to continue with his class or to maintain his interest in subjects that are not directly adapted to his particular problem. If the number of pupils of this type continues at its present level I should recommend the formation of a special class where they can receive
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the individual instruction that is impossible in the regu- lar courses.
CO-OPERATION WITH THE TOWN LIBRARY
The policy of using the facilities of the town library for general reading purposes and of building up the school library to serve the demand for reference books has been continued.
In the book report contest sponsored by the principal and Miss Ethelwyn Blake, first prize of five dollars was awarded to Miss Jean Sunderland. Joseph Cenedella was the winner of the second prize of three dollars, and John. E. Swift, Jr., was awarded third prize, of two dollars. See "Co-operating Activities -- Town Library."
DEBATING CLUBS
The club work in debating was enlarged by the addi- tion of a seventh grade club. This arrangement gives the pupils two years of public speaking and debating before entering high school which should serve as an excellent preparation for similar activity during the high school course.
For the first time the Stacy school engaged in an inter- scholastic debate. Two debates were arranged with the Coolidge Junior High school of Natick on the subject of Philippine independence and the Stacy debaters were victorious in both contests. William O'Donnell, Dorothy Lawson, Robert Rae, and Roy Knox sustained the nega- tive at Natick, and Robert Philbin, Robert McGinnis, Ken- neth Howard, and Carroll Mosher upheld the affirmative in Milford.
MOTHERCRAFT
The Mothercraft class under the direction of Mrs. Wil- liam F. Sherbourne held a public graduation ceremony in high school assembly hall which was well attended, and which attested the value of this practical course. See "Co- operating Activities-Mothercraft."
HOUSEHOLD ARTS
The Household Arts courses in cooking and sewing have
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been capably taught by practice teachers from Framing- ham Normal School, but I trust that it will be possible to have a resident teacher for these subjects at some fu- ture date. A large percentage of our girls leave school with home permits at the minimum legal age and I feel that longer courses in Household Arts would be extremely valuable to them. Under the present arrangement it is possible to present these courses only on Thursday and Friday.
AMERICAN LEGION MEDALS
American Legion medals were awarded to Miss Jane Wolfe and Robert McGinnis for outstanding scholarship and school citizenship. D. A. R. medals for the same qualities were awarded to Emily Butcher, Francis Bodio, Viola DeFonzo, Joseph Cenedella, Jane Wolfe, Raymond Di Nardo, Robert McGinnis, Josephine Morcone, Minnie Serrano, John Morelli, Joseph Wyzan, and Margaret Watson.
PAGEANT
More than three-fourths of the student body of the Stacy school took part in the pageant, "America, Yester- day and To-day," which was presented during the Sesqui- centennial celebration as the contribution of Milford's schools. See "The Public Schools in the Sesqui'."
SECOND "SUB FRESHMAN DAY"
The second "Sub-Freshman Day" was held at the high school in June. The program was designed to aid pro- spective high school students in selecting the course best fitted to their needs and to inform parents concerning high school requirements and regulations. An opportun- ity was provided for Stacy pupils to visit high school classes and the enthusiasm shown by parents and pupils alike would seem to justify the recommendation that this day be made an annual event.
GIFTS DURING THE YEAR
Claflin :- A number of phonograph records, from Mrs. Mary Clark.
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Oliver Street :- A portable orthophonie Victrola by children of the school.
Purchase Street :- A Victrola and 100 records from the late Margaret Davoren.
West Street :- An Edison phonograph from Mr. Elmer Nelson.
Hoboken :- A Columbia Grafonola from Mr. Elmer Nelson.
Bear Hill :- A Victrola from Mr. Elmer Nelson.
Braggville :- A Victrola from Mr. Elmer Nelson.
NIGHT SCHOOL
(Statement of Principal Frank C. Berry)
Night school opened Monday, October 6, and closed a session of eleven weeks on Wednesday, December 17. The attendance this year was more regular than during the last three years. We had nine different nationalities repre- sented, as follows :- Italian 17; Armenian 8; American 3; French 1; Greek 1; Jewish 1; Lithuanian 1; Polish 1; Portuguese 1. The average age was 24.2 years, ranging from 15 to 45. The average attendance was 28.8. The per cent of attendance was 92.08. The average membership was 31.4.
The teachers : Misses Anne Gillan, Irene San Clemente and Eva Realini were interested in their work and much was accomplished through their efforts.
CONTINUATION SCHOOLS
BOYS' SCHOOL (Statement of Mr. 'A. W. Chilson, Teacher)
Boys' school opened September 3, 1930, with 31 boys, later increased to 44. Plans and recent suggestions of the Continuation and Vocation sections of the State De- partment opened followed with industrial and class in- struction in real and part time jobs. Home and outside requested jobs within the scope of the school are allowed, with job analyses.
These jobs are, when possible, put on a production basis. They require instruction in carpentry, plumbing, machinists' work and auto mechanics.
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A careful check-up of each boy is kept in and out of employment.
GIRLS' SCHOOL
(Statement of Miss Ellen R. Quirk, Teacher)
The unemployment situation has affected the enroll- ment of the Girls' Continuation school to the extent that the enrollment at this time is only seventy-three, fourteen less than at the same time last year.
The program has been consistent with those of former years, each day consisting of two hours each of vocational and academic work. Because most of the girls are em- ployed in homes or have home permits, most of the work in school has been particularly related to the home, i. e. :- child care and training, first aid, planning and ar- ranging medicine cabinets, compiling letter books con- taining correctly written types of letters, planning and serving of attractive and nourishing meals, table setting and manners, entertaining, care of the home, personal cleanliness, and this year the girls spent the six weeks previous to Christmas making attractive and inexpensive gifts, which proved, to some, means of earning money.
The girls in most every case are much interested in the work accomplished in school, and it is the purpose of the school to work with them and for them, and always to be a source of help to them.
SPECIAL CLASSES
During the year under review (beginning with the fall term of the current school year, to be exact), a modest start was made in introducing some manual work in these classes.
Brief statements of the teachers follow :
PLAINS DISTRICT-MISS MACLACHLAN
The Plains Special Class has an enrollment of eleven pupils, one girl, ten boys, this being the smallest number since these classes were organized a few years ago. Due to this advantage, a greater amount of time has been given to individual work.
These classes have better equipment than ever before,
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which helps the teacher to discover the particular ability of each pupil. Some who are deficient in reading, writing and arithmetic excel in drawing and handwork.
The children have made animals, toys and small house- hold articles. These were cut from wood, painted and shellac-finished. Since the class is composed of practically all boys, great interest was shown in this line of work.
CLAFLIN SCHOOL-MISS MORAN
Fourteen children were enrolled in the Special Class at the Claflin School this year, eight girls and six boys, ranging from 10 to 16 years of age. This number repre- sents as many classes, each one requiring individual help. These children cannot be given the same amount nor the same kind of work as children of normal intelligence, therefore much educational busy work is given to meet their needs and interest. Many show considerable ability in drawing and handiwork, such as the making of wooden toys, sewing, bead-work, weaving, etc.
Two children have been promoted to regular grades and are doing good work.
HIGH SCHOOL PORTABLE-MISS SENNOTT
My experience with the special classes indicates that handwork is very essential, especially for busy work, as individual teaching is necessary with these pupils.
Drawing also plays a very important part; as pupils who do not accomplish much in other studies are inter- ested in this work.
In visiting similar classes, I observed that although material for handwork is probably more elaborate, the work done in our local schools compares very favorably with that of other towns and cities.
PHYSICAL TRAINING
(Statement of the Director, Mr. Albert D. Riopel)
It continues to be the policy of the department to en- courage and interest the students in a physical education program. Our attention is centered upon the organization of a wholly adequate physical exercise plan which may
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serve the entire student group according to the physical capabilities of the different grades. The aim is not to make health an end in itself, but merely a means to an end, namely, the realization of the highest physical, men- tal, and spiritual possibilities of the individual. The de- partment carries out its program of regulated exercises and physical recreation in two ways: (1) A program of graded calisthenics and drills for the elementary classes : (2) A high school competitive program in which the High school boys are eligible to compete for the various teams. It is to be regretted, however, that because of the after- noon class sessions necessitated by the large cnrollment in our High school, the services of the promising fresh- men are lost to the varsity team. Despite the fact that students eligible for varsity competition are confined to the three upper classes, the High school has made a credi- table record in baseball and football. During the year we were tied for the league baseball championship and for the second successive year Milford High won the deserved leaguechampionshipin football. These successes occasioned an unprecedented wholesome outburst of school spirit, pride and loyalty amongst the general student body and the town itself. The football schedule for 1931, which brings us in contact with more remote schools, will be of social educational value to the players and will be a splendid means of making Milford High School more ex- tensively known throughout the State.
MUSIC DEPARTMENT
(Statement of Miss Helena F. Swift, Supervisor)
Since singing is the universal medium of musical ex- pression , and assembly and group singing contribute vitally to the artistic and spiritual nature as well as to the growth of individuality and character, we have laid particular emphasis upon the song as the path to music understanding and appreciation. Our choice has been on the song which we considered as having a strong emo- tional appeal to the child.
In the primary grades it has been our object to teach
2
MILFORD HIGH SCHOOL-MEMORIAL TABLETS.
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the fundamentals of music and to stress the value of light sweet tone. These rudimentary studies have made easier the singing of part-songs and the writing of notes in- cluding the scale, octave and arpeggio on which we have focused our attention in the intermediate grades.
Additional and greater work has been spent upon the part time song in the Junior High. A study of the lives of famous music composers has been introduced in these grades, from which the child becomes familiar with the incidents leading to the writing of the songs which he sings. Source books to aid in this study have been placed in our local and school libraries.
The work in the High school, where we have the largest class on record, has consisted of the study of classical works. As has been our custom previously to acquaint the students with the life of some famous composer, we have this year chosen Johann Sebastian Bach, as his life and personality deserves mention before any group of students.
It is our desire in the future to introduce a study of music appreciation throughout the entire system.
ART DEPARTMENT
(Statement of Miss Dorcas Whipple, Supervisor)
Although work by the students of the art department progresses along the usual lines, and while lessons are based on the same general, fundamental outline, we do attempt some new project or venture each year, and pre- sent the repeated projects in a slightly different way. Free-brush designing was the new venture tried out the past year, and the enthusiasm and creative ability shown were most encouraging.
With reference to anorial work, we have submitted tal- student s'work in many contests.
Samuel Goldstein, Grade 7, Stacy : chool, submitted five pieces of soap sculpture to the Procter & Gamble Com- pany's National Soap Sculpture Competition, and these
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pieces are now traveling on a circuit tour to museums and art schools throughout the country.
In the poster contest sponsored by the Massachusetts Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, 42 prizes were won by Milford puipls. Seven first prizes, 11 sec- onds, and 24 honorable mentions. These were divided 23, Park school 8, South Grammar 7, Plains Grammar 3. among the following schools : High school 1, Stacy school
The High school's art contribution to the Sesqui-Cen- tennial was an exhibition of pupils' work, displayed in Room 6 of the High school building.
The exhibition consisted of the various steps in model- ling; the original models, the plaster casts, and a large number of finished pieces. Models of stages and stage settings. An entire corner was devoted to architectural drawings with a paper model of a church and its sur- roundings, this group the work of one student, James Kenney. Illuminated stained glass windows, Chinese cos- tumes, silhouettes, colored paper, cut-out pictures, paper maché masks, and mechanical drawing paper models formed another group. Free brush designs placed within geometric forms and made directly and entirely with strokes of the paint brush showed both axial balance and central balance as well as good taste in color. Pen and ink drawings, nature and bird studies, with bookplates de- signed and blueprinted, completed our showing.
The drawings exhibited were not just the work of tal- ented students, for almost every pupil in the art classes had at least one piece of work on display.
The Stacy school for its part in the celebration de- signed and donated to the Milford Public Library about 500 bookmarks which were distributed with books given out during that week. (See the report of the Stacy s chool.)
The Commencement Cover for 1930 was designed by Helen Pola stri, while that of the Oak, Lily and Ivy was
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executed by Edward Porter. Winnifred Granger drew the title page of this school report.
(Miss Margaret V. Condon, Assistant Drawing Supervisor)
The drawing in the lower grades has followed the same fundamental lines as in the previous year, always keeping in view the work that will be most beneficial in life. There has been a marked improvement in neatness and real taste for color, especially in the first grade.
The most outstanding projects for the year were the attractive designs cut from colored paper and mounted under glass to be used for pads for hot dishes, also pen- wipers cut from felt, handkerchief cases, and other use- ful articles, Particular attention was paid to poster work, and in this line we were fortunate in winning many prizes from the Massachusetts Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. (See Miss Whipple's report.)
It has been a real pleasure to view the work in drawing and handicraft in the atypical classes. The teachers of these children have been most conscientious in their efforts as the results have certainly proved.
CO-OPERATING AGENCIES SCHOOL SAVINGS
At the close of the fall term, December, 1930, the sixth year of School Savings, there were enrolled in the Public Schools 2284 pupils, out of which 2120 or 92.8% were Thrift Savers. The largest number depositing on any one bank day was 1849 on September 30th. The average num- ber of weekly depositors has been 1680. The largest num- ber of rooms on the Honor Roll, above 80% of the pupils depositing, was 47 out of 68 rooms.
Thrift Certificates were issued to forty rooms. There are seven buildings with every pupil a School Saver and at the Park and Fountain Street all rooms but one have earned a certificate. The 100 per cent buildings are : Pur- chase Street, South Grammar, Chapin Street, Claflin, West Street, Spruce Street, and Hoboken.
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The rooms receiving Thrift Certificates are : 1930
Sept. 16 Hoboken-Miss Rooney Spruce Street-Miss McNamara, Miss Kennedy, and Miss Frost Park-Mrs. McManus and Miss McDermott Oliver Street-Miss Curran and Miss Youngson
Sept. 23 Spruce Street-Miss Gallagher South Grammar-Miss McDermott
Purchase Street-Miss King and Miss .Davoren
Chapin Street-Miss Ames
Plains Primary -- Miss Carron
Stacy-Miss McDermott and Miss Barlow Oliver-Miss Hogan
Sept 30 Spruce-Miss Cochran West-Miss Swift Claflin-Miss Cahill
Fountain-Miss McCarthy
Oliver Street-Miss Kenney Park -Mrs. Cronin
Oct. 7 West Street-Miss Gilmore Claflin-Miss Tully, Miss Greeley, and Miss Moran
Chapin-Miss Aldrich
Plains Primary-Miss Meighan Stacy-Miss Wallace .....
Oct. 14 South Grammar-Miss Leland and Miss Scully
Oct. 21 West Street-Miss Cooney Spruce Street-Miss Kurlan
Oct. 28 Chapin-Miss Beckett
Nov. 12 South Grammar-Miss Finnegan
Nov. 18 Claflin-Miss Edwards and Miss Parks Park-Miss Scully
Dec. 30 Park-Miss Brown
In the National Bulletin of School Savings work throughout the United States for the school year 1929- 1930 the Milford Schools attained a record of 99%, an
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increase of 4% over last year. This is an excellent record and the Milford Savings Bank hopes that the pupils will strive to keep this high rating.
THE TOWN LIBRARY
It is a pleasant duty to recognize the splendid work of the Public Library with and for the School children, dur- ing the year under review.
The librarian, Miss Ethelwyn Blake, reports : -
The course in State Certificate Reading closed in June, with these results : -
110 children won Honor Certificates, 20 books, 5 non- fiction.
14 children won one small certificate, 5 books.
10 children won two small certificates, 10 books.
5 children won three small certificates, 15 books.
The childen who earned Honor Certificates are :
Fifth Grade, Park Portable-Rose DeSalvia, Francis Ruscitti, Irene Joslin, Miriam Smith, Anna Alcarese, Wil- liam Werber, Ralph Scudieri, Jessie Cass, Barbara Power, Isabelle O'Brien, Eleanor Dunton, Vittoria Brita, Tony Samiagio.
Fifth Grade, Park School-Dorothy Varney, Ethel Bag- ley, Helen Cahill, Eileen Barrett, Henry Wyzan, Robert Holbrook, Jean DeMatteis, Josephine Niro, Frank Berry, Anthony Celozzi, Elmer Siegel, Betty DeWitt, Helen De- Palma, Louise Lavin, Carlotta Cenedella, Betty Rogers, Edna Sweet, Stephen Ohanian, Elena Rossetti, Harold Anderson, Paul Phillips.
Sixth Grade, Park School-Samuel Sauchelli, Lillian Luby, William Calarese, Caesar Bacchiocchi, Peter Para- diso, Herbert Spaulding, Anita Consoletti, Theresa De- Cesare, Bertha Rice, John Constantino, Anita Grillo, Christine DeCesare, Nicholas Trotta, Nicholas Pilla, Ar- lene Senter, Gemma Tosti, Louise Fales, Robert Besser, Margaret Trotta, Louise Morey, Josephine Crivello, Nor- man DuVerger, Rheta McCracken, Congetta Scudieri, Ru- dolph Fino.
Fifth Grade, South School-James Bucchino, Ettore
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Maietta, Carlo Fantini, Arthur Kaizer, Lillian Kosciak, Esther Blizard, Esther Cugini, Mario Consigli, Marco Caffarelli, Amelia Iadarola, Edward Nargi, John Melniek, Rose Dipietro, Leonard Ianzito, Barbara Dugan, Congetta Cugini, Anita Roberti, Bianca Leone, Eileen Sullivan, Woodrow Wilson, Gemma Farese, Mollie Crescenzi, Mary Hannigan, Winifred Boyer, Olga Speroni, Stanley Glea- son, Clara Darcangelo, Melba Ruggerio, Charlotte Smith, Concetta Paradiso, Lena Andreola.
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