USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Lincoln > Town Report on Lincoln 1956-1959 > Part 8
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Our ever faithful librarian, Mrs. Farrar, was incapacitated for several weeks during the year, but even during her illness had the welfare of the library on her mind and gave aid to her assistant, Mrs. Murphy, with directions and suggestions, so that the latter was able to keep things going very smoothly. We thank them both, and welcome Mrs. Farrar's recovery and return.
Many friends of the library have by deed, gift and suggestions shown their interest during the year. For such the trustees are very grateful and hope their interest will continue.
The librarian's report follows this and it is suggested that the statistics given be studied and compared with those of previous years.
Respectfully submitted:
Alice G. Meriam Charles K. Fitts
John W. Carman George G. Tarbell
Roland C. Mackenzie, Chairman
104
LIBRARY
LINCOLN LIBRARY
Open Monday, Wednesday and Saturday from three to nine p.m. Closed on legal holidays
Statistics, 1956
Number of volumes, January 1, 1956
15,654
Number of volumes added by gift
148
Number of volumes purchased
477
Number of volumes withdrawn
420
Number of volumes, December 31, 1956
15,859
Number of borrowers, December 31, 1956
1,182
Number of days open
150
Amount of fines collected
$467.00
Circulation
Fiction
7,460
Non-Fiction
3.778
Juvenile
10,691
Periodicals
1,344
Total
23,273
105
EDUCATION AND RECREATION
List of Donors to the Library in 1956
Mr. David L. Ammen
Mrs. Stanley Heck
Mrs. Lawrence B. Anderson
Miss Jodie Henderson
Mrs. Virginia G. Armstrong
Mr. A. Henry Higginson
Mr. Charles H. Blake
Mrs. Pearson Hunt
Mrs. Charles A. Bliss
Mr. Charles P. Kindleberger
Mrs. Secor D. Browne
Mrs. William T. King
Mrs. Thomas J. Carney
Mrs. Lawson
Concord Book Shop
Mr. David W. Mann
Mrs. Robert L. DeNormandie
Miss Dorothy Millar
Mrs. Alfred W. Douglass
Miss Hazel H. Newton
Filene Foundation
Mrs. Sumner Smith
Miss Olive B. Floyd
Mrs. Arthur E. Thiessen
Mrs. Norman W. Fradd
Mrs. Eveleth R. Todd
Miss Jane Gammons
Miss Doris Grason
Miss Jay Healey
Mrs. Quincy W. Wales
Mrs. G. H. Weston
106
EXTENSION SERVICE
THE MIDDLESEX COUNTY EXTENSION SERVICE
In Middlesex County the Extension Service supplies citizens with information on agriculture, home-making, and 4-H Club work from the County Extension Service office. Residents can obtain up to date practical information applied directly to local conditions and relating to almost any phase of rural living.
The Extension Service is a co-operative institution. Middlesex County provides its major financial support. The Federal government supplies services and additional funds through the Massachusetts Ex- tension Service whose headquarters are at the University of Massa- chusetts.
Program and Services
The County Extension Service is the headquarters for a wide variety of educational programs and services. Farmers attend Extension meet- ings on subjects in production and marketing; home-makers learn how to save time and money to make their homes pleasant and attractive; boys and girls all over the county are members of 4-H Clubs. County Ex- tension workers strive to supply knowledge that citizens can use in their daily living. Through the application of this knowledge farmers can maintain their economy, their children will grow up to be responsi- ble citizens and their homes and communities will be pleasant places in which to live.
Extension Teaching Includes
Producing Massachusetts crops and livestock; market information and techniques; health; safety and fire prevention; convenient, attrac- tive homes and farm buildings; home and community recreation; child development and family life; nutrition and food preservation; farm and family finance; clothing; conservation of soil and water; under- standing of public problems; information to consumers.
Helps People Help Themselves
Extension supplies helpful information to farmers and homemakers. It promotes educational programs which local people recommend and sponsor. It provides opportunity for training and for study. Its' staff advises individuals and groups in the application of technical facts to specific situations.
The Extension Service, however, does not provide materials or services to individuals or groups. Its effort is to help people help themselves, to encourage individuals and groups to take advantage of opportunities. Its' workers are skilled in organization. They give
107
EDUCATION AND RECREATION
encouragement, information, and support to rural leaders so that promising programs may result in worthwhile accomplishments.
Educational Methods Used
In Middlesex County, consisting of 54 towns and cities in which more than one million people reside, it becomes necessary for the Extension Service staff to rely heavily upon methods that will cover this heavily populated county. Mailing lists, news articles, month- ly publications, circular letters, radio and television are some of the methods used. In addition, a host of bulletins on almost any subject related to the problems of the farm and home are available upon request. Opportunity is provided for people to meet in organized groups on many special subjects.
People Determine Own Programs
Local people have a major voice in determining Extension Service programs through committees and leaders. Programs are developed to meet local needs. Volunteer leaders have a prominent role in 4-H Club work and Home Economics. These local leaders organize clubs, and they are responsible for developing our future citizens in an atmosphere of pleasant family living. With a strong well informed leadership, families can face future problems with confidence.
The County Extension is backed by the University of Massachusetts in supplying the facts of research. Extension specialists from the University assist County Extension workers with specialized teaching.
Organization
Middlesex County has a group of nine trustees appointed by the County Commissioners who are directly responsible for the administra- tion of the County Extension Service. The County Extension Service is part of a nation-wide organization on a co-operative relationship between Federal, State and County government. The purpose of Ex- tension Service is to place additional opportunities before people so that they may improve their economic and physical well-being and realize to the fullest the satisfactions, contentments, and pleasures of life.
All residents of Middlesex County are entitled to participate in the programs of the Extension Service. Inquiries for information and assistance should be directed to Middlesex County Extension Ser- vice, 19 Everett Street, Concord, Massachusetts.
Respectfully submitted:
Robert D. Donaldson Town Director
108
RECREATION COMMITTEE
LINCOLN RECREATION COMMITTEE
The Summer Playground celebrated its fifteenth year with a large attendance and a program of outdoor and indoor activities lasting eight weeks.
With Mario Moriello as supervisor, Helen Gradeski as instructor of handicraft, Judith Sherman and Stephen Murphy as junior instruc- tors, a program of basketball, tennis, softball, baseball, croquet, horseshoe pitching, ping-pong and handicraft was offered to boys and girls of elementary school age. An added attraction was tennis instruction by a professional once a week.
The generous use of the Smith School facilities as a part of our program was very helpful and greatly appreciated.
A successful adult tennis tournament was held on weekends during September and October. Plans are under way for a similar event for juniors next year.
The winter program of badminton on Tuesday evenings and basket- ball on Saturday afternoons continues to attract both adults and young people.
The Committee wishes to express its appreciation to Ann Donaldson and Melanie O'Reilly for their excellent supervision of the younger children during the first two weeks of the summer playground; and to Edward Rooney who acted as supervisor for the first ten days of the program.
Respectfully submitted:
Albert Avery
John M. Barnaby
Astrid Donaldson John Garrison Ernest Johnson Roland Robbins
Edward D. Rooney
Sadie Sherman
Ethan Murphy, Chairman
109
EDUCATION AND RECREATION
DeCORDOVA AND DANA MUSEUM AND PARK
Report of the Directors for the year 1956
The DeCordova Museum has again this year provided the Town and Museum visitors with a lively, instructive series of exhibitions, the scope and breadth of which indicate the Museum's varied in- terests. Events which range from family fare ("The Festival of the Oregon Trail") to topics for specialized interests (Walter Gropius' lecture, "Architecture of Japan") demonstrate that frolic and philosophy are both vital parts of the Museum program. We hope that the DeCordova Museum will continue to be a social and cultural force and that community benefits will continue to be reflected in increased Associate support.
We have reported over the years that the need for expansion exists. The problem does not diminish with time and, during the past year, extensive study and research has been undertaken by the Board of Directors. The need is apparent but no conclusions have been reached.
We wish to express thanks to the hard-working volunteers whose efforts lend distinction to special Museum events, appreciation to those whose annual contributions make the ever-expanding program possible, and finally to the staff, thanks for the record of 1956 -- it speaks for itself.
Respectfully submitted:
John Quincy Adams, President Charles H. Blake, Vice-President Arthur Thiessen, Treasurer Elizabeth J. Snelling, Clerk Polly F. Brown Stanley Heck William N. Swift
110
DeCORDOVA AND DANA MUSEUM AND PARK
DeCORDOVA AND DANA MUSEUM AND PARK
Report of the Executive Director for the year 1956
The Museum enjoyed another year of extremely successful operation. The detailed accounts below provide a review and summary of exhibi- tions, events and class activity. I wish to thank the staff and the volunteers who contributed immeasurably to the success we have enjoyed, and as always, gratitude to the Board of Directors for their constant devotion to the ideals of the DeCordova Museum.
EXHIBITIONS
Work by contemporary artists from every section of the U. S. and from such far-flung parts of the world as Holland, Japan, Canada, France and Ireland lent a decidedly cosmopolitan flavor to the Museum's exhibition program in 1956. The media shown fell largely into the major categories of painting, prints, photography, ceramics and sculpture. Consistent with Museum policy, the exhibitions were devoted entirely to contemporary art but encompassed a variety of styles ranging from the traditionally pictorial to "non-objective". Although some of the participating artists had already achieved national or international prominence, many of these exhibits intro- duced promising younger talents to the public for the first time.
January 22 - J. W. S. COX, watercolors
January 22 - ROS & HARRIS BARRON, mosaics, ceramics
January 22 - NICHOLAS DE STAEL, paintings
March 11 - ARTISTS AT LIBERTY, paintings by New England artists
March 4 - LOIS TARLOW, paintings, drawings
March 4 ZIPORA SCHREIBER, MARY SHORE, GEORGE MERCER, paintings
April 3 - LAURENCE SISSON, watercolors
April 15
- POTTERY FROM VALLAURIS
April 18
PAINTINGS FROM THE WILLARD GALLERY
April 22 BOSTON PRINTMAKERS SHOW
May 13 INOKUMA, paintings
May 13
- JULES AARONS, photographs
May 20
- HELEN BAKER, watercolors
May 27 - DeCORDOVA CRAFTSMEN 3RD ANNUAL EXHIBIT
June 17
DUTCH ARTS AND CRAFTS
June 17
- CANADIAN WATERCOLORS
June 17
- VERNER REED, PATRICIA BLAINE, photographs
September 9
- THE POSTER AND MODERN PAINTING
November 11 RICHARD WAGNER, paintings
October 21 - ANNE WALKER, prints
111
EDUCATION AND RECREATION
November 18 - WILLIAM WYMAN, pottery
December 5 10TH ANNUAL PRINT EXHIBIT OF THE BROOKLYN MUSEUM
December 5
JOHN AIKEN, watercolors
December 9
- CARNEGIE INSTITUTE PRESENTS, paintings by 14 Pittsburgh artists
CLASSES
At the close of 1956, 338 adults were enrolled in 24 different classes and 230 children were enrolled in 15 classes. In addition to the usual curriculum, there were new classes in enamelling and mosaics which drew an immediate and enthusiastic response. Modern Dance for Adults, instituted on a trial basis last winter, appears now to have won a permanent place among the most popular of adult classes.
EVENTS
The day-long "Festival of the Oregon Trail" and the elegant "Arts & Letters Ball" were perhaps the most spectacular in a succession of special events which supplemented Museum exhibitions and classes in 1956. Presenting eleven feature films, the Museum's film series continued to find favor with a steadily growing audience. Among several memorable music programs, three open rehearsals for orchestra and chorus, conducted by Anton Winkler, were of unusual interest. In 1956, again, the Children's Concert by the Concord orchestra drew a capacity audience of attentive youngsters and parents. On December 9, the Boston Lyric Theatre brought "Amahl and the Night Visitors" to Lincoln in a distinguished performance sponsored by the Museum at the Smith School. And, appropriately closing the 1956 season, the Belmont Chorus' beautiful Christmas Concert became a Christmas party, complete with Concert, carols and wassail.
March 11 __ WALTER GROPIUS LECTURE, "Architecture of Japan" ORCHESTRA_CHORUS OPEN REHEARSAL
March 4
March 23 NEW ENGLAND CONSERVATORY ALUMNI CHORUS, concert
March 15,16,17 - THE GLASS MENAGERIE, DeCordova Theater Workshop POTTERY FROM VALLAURIS, lecture by Clair Batigne
April 15
May 4 - LEXINGTON MUSIC CLUB, concert
May 11
- ARTS AND LETTERS COSTUME BALL
May 25 MORNING CHORALE, concert
May 26 - CRAFTS AROUND THE WORLD, lecture by Dana P. Vaughan
June 2
- FESTIVAL OF THE OREGON TRAIL
June 10
. ORCHESTRA_CHORUS OPEN REHEARSAL
October 7
- ORCHESTRA_CHORUS OPEN REHEARSAL
November 16
- RICHARD WAGNER, lecture
112
DeCORDOVA AND DANA MUSEUM AND PARK
November 18
CHILDREN'S CONCERT, CONCORD ORCHESTRA
December 8
- AMAHL AND THE NIGHT VISITORS, Boston Lyric Theatre
December 16
BELMONT CHORUS CHRISTMAS CONCERT
ASSOCIATES
As the Museum grows, it becomes increasingly dependent on the support of its Associate members. In 1956 the number of Associates increased by 116 to stand at 735 on December 31.
To coordinate the many volunteer services rendered by Associates, an Associate Council was formed in 1956. The Council includes the Chairmen of all major volunteer projects and representatives from Concord, Lexington, Lincoln, Sudbury, Wayland and Weston. An ASSOCIATE NEWSLETTER was instituted in December to be issued monthly and to provide Associates with a current report of Museum activities and a monthly calendar of events.
Respectfully submitted:
Frederick P. Walkey
Executive Director
113
EDUCATION AND RECREATION
DeCORDOVA AND DANA MUSEUM AND PARK
OPERATING STATEMENT, 1956
OPERATING INCOME
From DeCordova Trusts
$51,753.64
Dues of Associates
5,919.20
Contributions of Visitors
350.33
School Tuition
Adults $13,481.97
Children 6,993.35
20,475.32
Sale of School Supplies & Books
3,471. 42
Admissions (concerts, dance, festival)
8,857.76
Miscellaneous
(sale of firewood, services)
1,357.93
Total Operating Income
$92,185.60
OPERATING EXPENSE
Salaries, Administrative
28,904.77
School Expense
Adult Classes: Salaries, $11,228.24 Supplies 1,746.40
12,974.64
Child Classes: Salaries 6,266.51
Supplies 744.60
7,011.11
Supplies, Maintenance
4,523.84
Fuel, Utilities
4,525.55
Insurance, Taxes
2,817.86
Repayment of Loan
4,666.40
Exhibitions
2,177.79
Events (concerts, dance, festival)
6,405.47
Subscriptions
187.40
Publications, mailing
4,818.25
Equipment
1,932.93
Cottage
1,128.83
Grounds Maintenance
533.97
Books, supplies purchased for resale
3,485.70
Purchase of works of art
485.00
Miscellaneous
(includes Fund Raising Survey)
3,567.10
Total Operating Expense
$90,146.61
Operating Reserve $ 2,038.99
114
SCHOLARSHIP FUND
LINCOLN SCHOLARSHIP TRUST FUND
The March, 1956, Town Meeting voted to accept the Instrument of Trust and the Lincoln School Association gift of $1,000 for the establishment of a Lincoln Permanent Scholarship Fund. The Com- missioners of Trust Funds will manage the funds, a committee of three members, one each to be appointed annually by the Town Modera- tor, the Chairman of the School Committee, and the Regional High School Committee, will administer the awards.
Lincoln high school seniors, or graduates, desiring further education or specialized training are eligible. Awards will be made on the basis of good citizenship, scholarship, and financial need.
The creation of a permanent fund provides the opportunity for public spirited donors to aid deserving students to achieve their educational goals.
The administrative committee is very grateful to those who have already contributed generously, and is happy to receive gifts or bequests from interested individuals or organizations.
It is hoped that, although the beginning is modest, the fund will soon grow, by the generosity of Lincoln, to become an established aid to promising students.
Respectfully submitted:
Douglass B. Roberts, Ex Officio Member Alice E. Garrison Malcolm D. Donaldson Barbara G. Davis, Chairman
115
School Committee
Report
to the
Cown of Lincoln
FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR 1955-1956
EDUCATION AND RECREATION
SCHOOL CALENDAR 1957-1958
September 2
Monday
Labor Day
3-6
Tuesday-Friday
Staff Organization and Workshop
9 Monday
School Opens
November
11-15
Monday-Friday
Education Week
11
Monday
Veterans Day Recess
ยท
28-29
Thursday-Friday
Thanksgiving Recess
December
20
Friday
Christmas Vacation, Closing
January
2
Thursday
School Resumes
February
14
Friday
Winter Vacation, Closing
24
Monday
School Resumes
March
21
Friday
Teachers' Visiting Day
April
11
Friday
Spring Vacation, Closing
May
30
Friday
Memorial Day Recess
June
13
Friday
Summer Vacation, Closing
13
Friday
Commencement
16-20
Monday-Friday
Staff Workshop
21
Monday
School Resumes
Additional Calendar Data
It is planned to continue the policy of no school on Wednesdays for the first grade until the Christmas Vacation with the exception of November 13 and November 27.
Kindergarten morning and afternoon sessions will reverse on January 27, 1958.
Staff Meeting Half Days will be the second Wednesday of each month except September, December and June.
116
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
ORGANIZATION
Term Expires
John W. Carman, Chairman .
1959
(Mrs.) Elizabeth Donaldson
1957
Ernest P. Neumann
1958
Meetings: Regular: First Tuesday of each month: 7:30 P. M. at the Superintendent's Office. Cl. 9-8172
Called: Third Tuesday of each month usually and other meetings as stated; time and place designated.
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
Douglass B. Roberts, Lincoln Road, Cl. 9-8760 Office at Smith School, Cl. . 9-8172
SECRETARY TO SUPERINTENDENT
Solvay G. Valentine
BUILDING PRINCIPALS Robert B. Patch Smith School, Cl. 9-8333
Louis J. Sapienza Center School, C1. 9-8462
CLERKS (Mrs.) Clara E. Powers, Smith School (Mrs.) Elizabeth J. Kane, Center School
CUSTODIANS Harold Cuttell, Smith School Frederick Murphy, Smith School Robert J. Hartel, Center School
OFFICE HOURS
School Days . . 8:30 A. M. to 4 P. M. School Vacation . . 9 A. M. to 4 P. M.
117
EDUCATION AND RECREATION
No_School Signals
Local signals will be given on our fire alarm system:
7:15 A. M.
3 -- 3 -- 3 repeated at 7:30 A. M.
3 -- 3 -- 3
Radio station announcements will be read between the period of 6:30 and 7:30 A. M. On stormy mornings, if convenient, tune in on two or more stations since it is not always possible to get messages through to several stations in the brief time allotted us. Please refrain, too, from tying up local phone lines to school officials and bus operators during the morning hour, 6:30 - 7:30. We try to contact all of the following when it is necessary to announce "No School":
WBZ WEEI
1030K
WHDH
850K
590K
WNAC
680K
Announcements regarding "No School" are made by the Lincoln Superintendent for the Lincoln Elementary Schools (Grades K-8) only.
Announcements for the Regional High School and Lincoln pupils in Concord and Weston High Schools are made by the Regional Super- intendent and will be designated "Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School".
Pupils should listen for the announcement which concerns them as there will be times when the High School will operate even though the Elementary Schools are closed.
During extremely stormy or cold weather, parents are urged to exercise their own judgment in sending the younger children.
118
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
During the past year the School Committee's time has been largely devoted to routine matters.
There has been a marked increase in the use of school buildings for community purposes. For meetings, dramatics, and recreational use of the gym for badminton, basketball, etc. by adults and teen- agers, and an adult woodworking class, the school buildings were used on a total of 206 days out of the year for other than school activi- ties. It is indeed gratifying that these facilities are used more than simply for school purposes.
During the year the School Committee, after consultation with the Selectmen, advised Hanscom Air Base that Lincoln would be unable to provide a school building for the children of families on the proposed on-base housing development. Recently Hanscom Air Base has requested that Lincoln assume operation of the school in a building to be erected by the U. S. Government. This question is being considered with particular emphasis on the reimbursement provisions of the law and the legal aspects of the operating agreements. There is an article in the Warrant under which the Town may act on this question.
The Committee has also been working closely with the Building Committee on our own developing school needs. Based on the rate of growth of the town it appears that the school will, on the average, grow by two classes per year with a third class possible about every three years.
Lincoln as a community provides better than average financial support for its schools both from the point of plant facilities and for operation. Operational cost figures indicate that for each new classroom which goes into operation something over $7,000 is added to the budget. This sum covers teachers' salaries, adminis- tration, fuel, utilities, supplies, transportation, etc., but nothing toward retirement of construction bonds. This rough rule of thumb will serve to show the costs involved as more and more class- rooms become occupied in the proposed new building.
The summer employment of about 1/3 of the staff on a planning and development project was very successful and it is planned to continue this on a somewhat expanded basis.
119
EDUCATION AND RECREATION
The Committee wishes to express its appreciation to the staff, the L. S. A., and those citizens who spent so many hours bringing accurately up to date the census of school age children.
Respectfully submitted:
John W. Carman, Chairman Elizabeth Donaldson Ernest P. Neumann
Lincoln School Committee
120
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
A steadily growing population is resulting in an expanding school system. Both the growth of the town and the effects of the larger birth rates in the 1950's are creating school needs that are being met by immediate action and plans for future action. The eighth grade graduating class in 1956 was the last of a group of classes averaging less than forty pupils each, the present classes in grades 1 to 8 average about 70 each. A census of pre-school children in April indicates that the present Kindergarten is the first of a group of classes that will average over 100 each.
On the initiative of the School Committee a Building Needs Com- mittee was authorized at the annual Town Meeting in March. In co-operation with the School Committee and the school administration this committee has intensively studied the needs of the school for the next eight to ten years. In December, on recommendation of the Committee, the purchase of a new school site adjacent to the ball field was authorized and plans for the first section of a proposed new primary school, which will eventually consist of approximately twenty classrooms, multipurpose room, and auxiliary spaces, are now being drawn.
In June, when it became apparent that the September enrollment would require additional space, it was decided to reopen South School to house four kindergarten classes and to employ an additional teacher at the fourth grade level as well as at kindergarten. These additions plus the services of a teacher in Music and one in Physical Education, who were employed jointly by Lincoln and Sudbury on a 40%-60% basis, completed the staff expansion during 1956. Other personnel changes during the year resulted from resignations and retirements. Mrs. Marion Howard retired from public school teaching, three others moved from this area with their husbands, and two accepted other employment.
The impact of Federal activity has been increasingly felt during 1956. Close contact with the Board of Selectmen, Air Force personnel, and the U. S. Office of Health, Education and Welfare has been main- tained in a continuous appraisal of the developing effect of the Hanscom Field "on-base" housing on the Town and the school. In July it was found to be impossible to comply with a request of the Air Force to build a school, and presently there is before the School Committee a request to operate the school as a part of the Lincoln system. An intensive investigation of the responsibilities, desirabilities, and risks involved in the requested action is now underway. It is expected that a recommendation in this regard will be made not later than the annual meeting.
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