USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Milford > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Milford, Massachusetts 1940 > Part 10
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To the teachers of the Stacy School and to the various supervisors who work with us, I am grateful for the sin- cere cooperation and tireless effort, which they have ex- hibited this past year under extremely severe conditions.
I am thankful to Mr. Caswell and the members of the School Committee for the many courtesies shown to the Stacy School and to me last year.
DAVID I. DAVOREN, Principal.
GENERAL VOCATIONAL SCHOOL
As director of the General Vocational School Prin. Davoren makes the following report :-
This year the Vocational School entered its seventh year of existence and as in past years a steady progress was made in building the school standards to a higher plane than that of former years.
Our enrollment again this year showed an increase which is gratifying to those of us who are vitally con- nected with the work being done in the school.
Our annual Open House Day was held last year and the large number of people who visited us and viewed the exhibits, demonstrations, etc., were well pleased and generous in their praise of the work done by pupils and teachers.
In September we began remodelling the former Town Barn and at the end of the year the building was just about ready for occupancy and the resumption of school work.
Funds were limited. The majority of the work was done by the pupils and we are proud of their accomplish- ments. It is hoped that the towns-people will visit our Shop at their convenience and inspect the transformation which has been effected.
The faculty and students are especially grateful to the School Committee, Mr. Caswell, and the other in-
230
dividuals who displayed such a splendid spirit of coopera- tion, patience and helpfulness during the repairing of this building. As a result of their combined effort the children of Milford are to have Shop quarters which will compare favorably with those of any General Vocational School in New England.
As director I extend my appreciation to the teachers of the school for the cooperation and zeal displayed in their work last year, and I am grateful to Mr. Caswell and the members of the School Committee for their in- terest in us, our pupils and our school.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
The intramural basketball leagues for boys and girls were conducted through the winter of 1940. Increased efficiency on the part of both girls and boys gave evi- dence that our efforts to instill the fundamentals of the game to as many pupils as possible were proving suc- cessful.
The girls, for the first time in Milford High School history, had a varsity team and played Hopedale, Fram- ingham and Holliston. Their enthusiasm greatly out- matched their skill so we will pass over the scores.
The boys' varsity, in its second year in the Bay State League showed tremendous improvement as experience and practice began to make themselves felt. Milford beat Marlboro, Norwood, Walpole and Clinton, but her chief pride in the season was losing to the State Cham- pion Framingham team by a single point.
In the grade schools physical exercises were continued, good posture being stressed as the most important fac- tor. Again, through the cooperation of Mr. Davoren, the Stacy School teachers and pupils, Mr. Lancisi and the members of the band, a calisthenic drill was put on with the entire student body of the Stacy School participat- ing. This drill, held on Flag Day on the Town Park contained several intricate maneuvers and the perform- ance of the boys and girls brings real credit to the teachers of the Stacy School for their patience and or- ganization.
Milford presented another strong baseball team to the Bay State and Midland Leagues. The boys did so well that once again Milford was invited to play at Fenway
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Park for the Championship of the State. This was Mil- ford's third team in six years to be honored by a Tourney invitation.
In a tight battle, Somerville knocked us off 2-1 in one of the best played games of the tournament. Milford tied again with Norwood for the Flag in the Bay State League and placed second to Clinton in the Midland League.
At the start of the Fall term, Mr. Charles Brucato, a graduate of Holy Cross College, took over the Football coaching with Mr. Cahill as his assistant. This season was unique in that all seven of Milford's games were played away from home, a condition which certainly does little for the success of the team. Handicapped by in- juries and the fact that it was absorbing the intricacies of the Notre Dame system, the season was spent largely in getting ready for the future. Many of the team's losses were heart breakers and the hard, clean play of the boys was deserving of the praise and admiration of all.
FRED E. STEEVES,
Physical Director.
CONTINUATION SCHOOL REPORT
The Continuation School class meets on Thursday after- noon for a four hour session. The first period is devoted to related academic work and is held now in room B-5 in the High School building. The second period the girls move to the cooking room in the Stacy School.
The special courses offered these girls aside from their related work are:
1. Table Setting.
2. Canning of Home Grown Products.
3. Planning, cooking and serving inexpensive and nu- tritious meals.
4. Sewing and Care and Repair of Clothing.
5. Home Hygiene and Care of the Sick.
6. First Aid.
We feel these courses will help our girls gain better positions in the field of domestic service.
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The placement of these girls in various positions in the home is ever increasing, so that now the demand is greater than the supply.
Home visits are made by the teacher and this contact proves beneficial to parents and teacher alike.
BEATRICE J. FLEMING.
MUSIC IN THE SCHOOLS VOCAL MUSIC
The report of Miss Helena F. Swift, Supervisor, fol- lows :
Of all the forms of music, singing is the most natural, spontaneous and exhilarating.
A rapid development of music in all its branches has been made in the past ten years in our public schools and the youth of our nation are more and more learning music of a higher type.
In our Primary grades, the spirit of play and the imaginative world of little children are delightfully and vividly expressed through music. We try to arouse and satisfy their desire for rhythmic expression; all our songs are in simple, swinging rhythms suitable to the age of the child. Note reading and singing of simple exer- cises are taught and developed as the child advances, and by means of beautiful songs and exercises the child grad- ually learns to love the best in music and his character is correspondingly influenced.
In the intermediate grades and Junior High classes, two and three part songs are made particularly attrac- tive by the intrdouction of the melodic theme in the lower voices and by voice accompaniments. Voice quality is strongly emphasized, as are attack, release and rhythm. A general review of chromatics developed from the fourth grade on is made in these years.
Starting in the fifth grade and continuing through the eighth grade, transposition, scale writing and other tech- nical forms are studied.
A departure from previous years has been made in the Senior High School, in that the entire senior class of one hundred and sixty-nine (169) are receiving the benefit of special instruction given on Thursday morning of each
233
week. In addition to the teaching of voice, much inten- sive work is done in the Theory and Harmony class and excellent results have been attained thus far.
In order to increase their appreciation of the best in music, plans are now being formulated for the students to attend a performance of one of the operas, to be given later in the year in Boston.
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC
Ben C. Lancisi, Jr., Instructor and Director of the Mil- ford High School Band.
The following is the report for instrumental music:
This year the instrumental department of the Milford Public Schools has the largest enrollment since its insti- tution.
Our High School Band has had an unusually active season, its program consisting of participation in the National American Legion Convention Parade in Boston, Memorial Day exercises in Milford, Hopedale and Men- don, Lion's Club Safety Show, Milford-Marlboro and Mil- ford-Natick football classics and National Guard Day.
On the morning of November 11th, the band led the Veterans of Foreign Wars' parade in Milford. In the afternoon they took part in the Framingham American Legion parade and then played at the annual Milford- Framingham football game. After this game the Fra- mingham News accorded them the honor of being "the best High School Band ever to play in Framingham."
For the third consecutive year, the band was the guest of Tom Yawkey of Fenway Park, where they witnessed a major league baseball game and in the evening at- tended a concert at Symphony Hall.
On Christmas eve as is its custom the band rendered carols from seven o'clock until midnight. Transportation for this was contributed by the Johnson Bus Lines.
Preparations are now under way for a music festival to be held in Marlboro and for their ninth annual con- cert to be held in the High School Auditorium. All the students of the Instrumental Department totalling one hundred and fifty will play in this.
234
REPORT OF THE ART DEPARTMENT
By Dorcas Whipple, Supervisor, High and Junior High Schools :
In submitting my report for the past year I feel that a study of the work accomplished would reveal a steady advancement in each grade. This is most apparent in September, as one grade replaces the next. Better work- manship, a clearer knowledge of fundamentals, and a quicker understanding of instructions given prove it clearly.
The art lessons are not built around the student en- dowed with artistic talent, but are planned with the idea of giving knowledge and art experiences to the greatest number. The talented student is not forgotten, however, and his interest and future development is given expres- sion by providing him with harder tasks to prepare him for advanced work.
Many of the art lessons correlate with the arithmetic lesson, the history lesson, the science or the music in bringing each subject closer to the student by arousing his interest in the one to carry over to the other. Art activities are developed so they will be useful later in adult life. Patriotism, so essential to the well being of our country at the present time, is carried home to the pupil by graphic stories of the growth of our flag, and the various symbols of our beloved country. Art is of im- mense value in training students for good citizenship, teaching the habits of work through creative effort. Our national holidays are emphasized by being included in the program. Posters, lettering, illustration, design, color, figure drawing, etc., are only a few of the many types of work planned to bring out that natural instinct for self expression with which every child is endowed.
The parents especially, but anyone particularly inter- ested in the art life of the average child, will be gladly welcomed to any of the various classes.
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REPORT OF THE ART SUPERVISOR FOR THE FIRST SIX GRADES
By Margaret V. Condon, Assistant Supervisor.
The importance of art education for a child consists mainly in its contribution toward the development of his creative ability, visualization and manipulation. Our first task is to free the child from self-consciousness and encourage him to appreciate his own capabilities. We strive to make the art lessons happy ones, times that every child may anticipate with pleasure.
The art course in the primary and elementary grades consists of lessons dealing with illustrating free brush designs, color harmony, nature study, lettering, and cut paper projects. Every class room has an art exhibit of children's work and the greatest critics are the boys and girls themselves.
At Christmas the children designed and made Christ- mas cards, simple gifts and decorations for their trees and class rooms.
The pupils in the Special Classes derive great pleasure from drawing and handwork. Given the opportunity I know some of the boys and girls from these classes would accomplish very satisfactory results in vocational and manual training schools.
PENMANSHIP
The report of Miss Frances H. Kearnan, Supervisor of Penmanship, follows:
Since the beginning of school in September the first grade pupils have been taught to write in manuscript.
There are several advantages and reasons for teaching young children to write in manuscript. I shall list a few reasons as follows :
1. Manuscript writing is simple in form, for the strokes are based on straight lines and circles.
2. Learning to write in manuscript speeds up the situation in learning to read, since one form of alphabet is learned for both reading and writing.
3. The simplicity of the strokes tends to lessen the strain on immature muscles when writing.
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At the present time all of the first grade pupils are able to write their names as well as many simple words and short sentences.
The pre-primary classes are being taught the correct formation of capital letters. Many of these children are able to recognize and print their initials. They use the primary crayons for most of their work.
In grades two through six, as well as in the Special Classes, the Palmer Method of Writing is being taught. Each child has been provided with a Palmer Manual suited to his grade.
To get penmanship to carry over to other lessons is one of the outstanding problems confronting many teachers today.
It is surprising to see what excellent work is accom- pished in classes when the pupils know that the teacher will not accept poor papers in daily written work.
In the upper classes we have been working for legi- bility and ease in writing. Many of the children have kept their writing lessons in envelopes since September, and take pride in the improvement that they have made.
I have continued the practice of marking each paper at least once a month with a seal or stamp appropriate to the season. This simple incentive has helped the children to have neater written work because they know that I never "reward" a blotted or untidy paper.
I have enjoyed my work this year and appreciate the co-operation of the teachers.
CHRISTMAS SEAL SALE-1940 Christmas Seal Friends
You will be glad to know how your purchase of Christ- mas Health Seals last year benefited the children of Milford. Here are some direct benefits :
1. Two Milford boys, particularly needing health service, spent July and August at Sterling Health Camp, where they had an abundance of right food, supervised play, careful medical and nursing attention, with lessons in swimming and various hand-crafts.
2. Milford received a School Chest Clinic from the Worcester County Sanatorium under the direction of Mrs. Edith M. Taft, Field Nurse for the Southern
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Worcester County Health Association-Christmas Seal money paying a portion of the cost.
3. Also, through Mrs. Helen Y. Upham, a health edu- cation advisory and lecture service was provided for Milford.
For these services to the people of this community, we solicit your continued generous support.
The sale of Christmas Health Seals in the schools this year was most successful, a total of $103.20 being real- ized.
To the citizens of Milford for the splendid co-operation and interest shown all through the 1940 campaign, your local Committee is sincerely grateful.
MILFORD SEAL COMMITTEE,
Mrs. Ernest A. Whitney, Chairman
Miss Rita M. Daigle
Mrs. Anna Zocchi
Miss Maude Frost
Mrs. Eleanor V. Moore
Mrs. Mary H. Sherbourne
Assisted by Mary E. Naughton Renice LaCasse
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MILFORD TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION
President Paul F. Raftery
Vice President. Isabelle MacLachlan
Secretary Madeleine W. Kynoch
Treasurer. Eva L. Burns
Executive Committee Chairman Lucina Roche
Social Committee Chairman Martha Molinari
Library Committee Chairman. Marion A. Ryan
The Milford Teachers' Association meets once a month to discuss topics of professional interest, to sponsor social activities among the teachers, and to endorse and aid in matters of civic welfare whenever possible.
At the meeting held in February, Miss Margaret M. Fitzgerald spoke on the National Youth Program. The reports of Mr. James Higgiston and Mr. Philip O'Donnell, delegates to the Massachusetts Teachers' Federation meeting, were read at the June meeting.
In September the Association organized for the school year, 1940-1941. This and many of the following meet- ings were made more enjoyable by the serving of re- freshments by girls instructed by Miss Beatrice J. Flem- ing.
The first social affair of the year was a well attended card party held in the John C. Lynch Auditorium in the High School on November 12, 1940.
Mr. Hugh Nixon, Executive Secretary of the Massa- chusetts Teachers' Federation was the guest speaker at the December meeting. Mr. Nixon spoke of the three- fold service-information, legislation, and consultation -given to teachers by the Federation.
During the year contributions of five dollars each were given to the Boy Scouts, Red Cross, and Company I Mess Fund. The Teachers' Association purchased a Health Bond in the campaign against tuberculosis. The follow- ing books were presented to the Milford Public Library by the Association: Eleven Verse Plays by Anderson, Sheridan of Drury Lane by Glasgow, A Man Named Grant by Todd, and Tragedy in France by Maurois.
MADELEINE W. KYNOCH, Secretary, Milford Teachers' Association.
REPORT OF SUPERVISOR OF ATTENDANCE-JANUARY 2, 1940-DECEMBER 31, 1940
Calls on Account of
Reasons for Absence
1940
High
Stacy
Vocational
Elementary
Continuation
Special
Sacred Heart
Total
Truancy
Carelessness of
Truants on the
Left School to
Left Town
Lack of Clothing
Illness
Excusable
Total
Jan.
32
17
18
8
3
6
4
88
00
18
4
3
1
5
30
19
88
Feb.
23
12
13
7
2
4
3
64
5
00
2
1
2
8
22
16
64
March
30
15
17
10
3
3
2
80
7
19
3
2
1
10
26
12
80
April
25
11
14
6
3
5
4
68
6
10
2
1
2
8
25
14
68
May
29
19
22
9
2
2
1
84
7
14
2
2
2
6
32
19
84
June
22
13
11
7
3
2
2
60
9
10
5
3
3
4
18
00
60
Sept.
25
10
15
4
3
3
4
64
5
00
4
21
3
2
12
6
64
Oct.
36
18
19
11
4
2
2
92
8
16
6
3
4
10
28
17
92
Nov.
22
14
16
Or
3
4
4
68
6
-7
3
1
1
15
22
co
68
Dec.
24
11
12
6
2
2
3
60
4
12
5
2
2
12
15
8
60
268
140
157
73
28
33
29 728
65
122
36
39
21
80
230
135
728
ARTHUR E. VESPERI, Supervisor of Attendance.
239
Parents
Street
Work
240
4-H CLUB
Milford 4-H Club had a very successful year for 1940, with an enrollment of 125 and a waiting list of many more. We had seven leaders in sewing projects, two in cooking and two in knitting
Classes meet weekly at the leader's home and a monthly get-together is held on the fourth Friday night in V. F. W. Home. At these monthly meetings some form of educational program is presented-lectures, moving pictures, folk dancing and 4-H Club songs.
A Mothers' night was held in April and over 100 mothers attended. A delightful program of songs and folk dancing and a collation was enjoyed. At our annual exhibit in May, the work was displayed in a Main Street store window. Many compliments were received on the excellent work. Buses took the girls to the Sectional Dress Contest at Uxbridge and six dresses were chosen to be exhibited at the County Dress Contest in Worces- ter. Over 60 children attended both rallies.
At the 4-H Club banquet held in December, Miss Dor- cas Magurn received a 10 year service pin. Milford is very proud of her record. The need of additional leaders is very urgent as we find so many girls willing and so eager to learn to serve and cook, but due to lack of leaders we are forced to put them on the waiting list. 4-H Club pledge :
I pledge My Head to Clearer Thinking My Heart to greater loyalty My Hands to larger service My Health to better living for My Club, My Community, My Country.
MRS. FRED J. LUBY,
Town Director,
1
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Repairs NEW STEAM HEATING PLANT AT PLAINS PRIMARY SCHOOL
The steam heating plant at the Plains Primary School was improved by the installation of a large H. B. Smith- Mills boiler and the placing of univents in four rooms in the western half of the building with the necessary di- rect radiation, feed pipes and returns, a new coal bin was built and a channel for a mechanical stoker, not in- stalled. A local project-the cost was $7,352.00-Cook and Phillips, Associated, Architects,-Niro & Niro Com- pany, Contractors.
A W.P.A. project for decorating the Stacy School in- side and out, new ceilings and electric lights (the build- ing was already wired when built). The project also pro- vides for cement walks and drives and grading in the common grounds of the High and Stacy schools. The building has been trimmed outside and the rooms on the second floor have been decorated and the insulation panel ceilings installed. The workmen are just beginning on the first floor. The work of repainting the building has begun. The walls guarding the east steps are leaning, they have been propped up, the walk between these walls and the fence have been fenced off and the wall will be taken down and rebuilt when the weather permits. The remaining walks, leading up to the old section will doubtless be laid the coming Spring and the grading of the grounds follow next summer. Appropriated for Mil- ford's share of this project $5,000.00.
PROGRESS ON THIS PROJECT
A drainage project in the High and Stacy School yards was completed the past summer, fitting in with the plans for grading the grounds. The work of redecorating the building inside has been completed, the desks refinished and the insulation ceilings put up in the school rooms on the second floor, and the front halls on the first floor re- tinted. Work on the first floor school rooms has just be- gun. The outside trim has been done. The lights are still to be installed. The work thus far completed is well
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done, the choice of colors is good, and the rooms are very attractive. The cement walks and drives are completed, except the walks leading to the old section of the High School from School Street. Repointing the walls of the Stacy School has begun. The remainder of this work and more permanent repairs to the roof,-or a new roof, - will come later.
ORDINARY REPAIRS
CARPENTER WORK
All the windows at the Park School were put in thor- ough repair. New ones installed or the sash rebuilt or repaired as needed, all glass reset, and reputtied as re- quired, and all repainted. A. P. Clarridge, $175.00.
General repairs of windows, doors and locks, rebuild- ing coal bin, outside repairs to annex in rear-Chapin Street School. General repairs of doors, locks, windows, etc., at the Oliver Street School. General repairs of doors, locks, windows, fire escape door, etc., of the Claflin School. E. J. Dillon, $235.93.
Repairs on doors, skylight, hardware and materials, High School. E. J. Dillon, $52.50.
Sanding and refinishing desks and floors at the Park School. John C. Ripley, $72.37.
PAINTING
Finishing floors, repairing and painting windows and other work at the West Street School. E. F. Porter, $42.32.
PLUMBING
Furnishing and installing new toilet bowls in the Stacy School. Fred L. Roberti, $102.88.
Replacements and repairs at the Claflin School. John J. Kelley, $65.00.
ELECTRICAL WORK
Installing new electrical appliances in the High School. Samuel Kurlan, $57.00.
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MISCELLANEOUS
Rebuilding Gymnasium mats. Home Specialties Com- pany, $100.00. Paid for by the High School Athletic As- sociation.
In addition to the above there were many smaller ordi- nary or emergency repairs.
RECOMMENDATIONS
1. A new roof for the Stacy School.
2. The immediate repair of the water table of the Plains Primary School.
3. The installation of fire-screen doors in the South School.
In conclusion, I thank the Committee and all my asso- ciates of the year under review for their patience and. consideration.
ALMORIN O. CASWELL,
Superintendent of Schools.
Milford, Massachusetts,
February 6, 1941.
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REPORT OF THE ELEMENTARY SUPERVISOR
During the past year a number of changes and inno- vations have been made in the elementary grades, which should eventually remedy the conditions mentioned in my previous report.
We have installed the Reading Foundation Series as the basic readers for the elementary grades. Every first grade is equipped with the "Alice and Jerry" books and it is planned to equip a grade each year with the succeed- ing books of the series. In this way, the expense to the town will be slight and the children who entered the first grade in September will benefit from the use of a single system throughout the six grades.
The Reading Foundation Series was chosen only after your supervisor and the first and second grade teachers had studied six different systems of reading. Visits were made to towns where these various systems were in use and the results were checked with teachers using them. It was the consensus of opinion that the series adopted had been used elsewhere with success and I believe that it will meet our needs.
Manuscript writing is now taught in the first grade and cursive writing is postponed until the second grade. Experiments have demonstrated that manuscript writing gives children a clearer concept of words than does script writing, and primary grade children who used manu- script writing made greater improvement in reading than those who used script. This is undoubtedly due to its resemblance to print which is used in reading and spelling material.
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