USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Berkley > Town annual report of Berkley 1936 > Part 4
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The school committee meets regularly on the Wednes- day preceding the first Saturday of the month at 7:30 at the Berkley School.
The committee recommends that the town appropriate the sum of $22,444.70 for school expenses for the year 1937. The itemized budget follows:
General Control
$ 741.00
Teachers' Salaries
7,966.20
Transportation
5,400.00
Janitors' Salaries
1,100.00
Miscellaneous Operation
150.00
Fuel
625.00
Repairs
150.00
Health
515.00
Tuition
5,202.50
Books
275.00
Supplies
300.00
Miscellaneous
20.00
$22,444.70
Respectfully submitted,
MILDRED BABBITT, Secretary, School Committee.
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ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the Berkley School Committee :
Mrs. Babbitt and Gentlemen :
It is my privilege to submit to you and through you to the citizens of Berkley my seventh annual report as super- intendent of schools in the town. As in previous years, I have attempted in this report to point out those things which would seem to be of general interest to the citizens of the town.
I-TEACHING STAFF
The vacancy caused by the resignation of Miss Rose Walsh of the Berkley School was filled by the appointment of Leo A. Garrepy of Worchester, a graduate of Fitchburg State Teachers' College. Mr. Garrepy came to us with satis- factory experience and has started in well in his work.
II-W.P.A. PROGRAM IN EDUCATION
A Nursery School organized under the W.P.A. Program in Education and under the supervision of the Massachusetts State Department of Education has been maintained. The housing situation for the class in the basement of the Berkley School has not been ideal but since attendance at the class is entirely voluntary, no child has been in attendance unless the parent was willing to put up with the existing conditions. The classes have been supervised locally in this superin- tendency union by Mrs. Louise C. Welch whose work has been untiring in the effort to surmount government red tape and provide a functioning program. In the class the enrol- ment has numbered about twenty, altho' due to crowded busses it has not been always possible to maintain this attend- ance.
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ANNUAL REPORT
Since the classes are on a state project we are permitted to transfer teachers within the supervisory district. The fol- lowing paragraphs are taken from the report of the super- visor to the superintendent.
Children from two years to five years of age are eligible to enter these classes and by special permission we may take children over five years of age provided the children in the lower age group have been taken care of first. These classes are established primarily for the under-privileged child but we are not restricted to this group alone.
Under the regulations as laid down by the Federal Government we must not conduct these classes as regular school kindergartens. We are a pre-kindergarten unit. We must not at any time take up work with these children which belongs to the first grade teacher. The value of these classes for the most part is to give the child a chance to adjust himself to a daily routine, to establish good health habits, to wait on himself as far in as he is able, to learn to use the large and small muscles of his body, to think for himself, and to adjust himself to playing and working with other children.
Under the regulations of the Federal Government we are expected to operate on a two-session basis with a hot noon meal and afternoon naps for the children. The govern- ment furnishes the money for the food for this noon meal at the rate of ten cents per day per child. It is the job of the head teacher in each unit to see that an attractive and nourishing meal of well-cooked food is served each day on this basis. It is being done exceptionally well. After ob- serving the noon meal in other places I feel certain that the meals served in our nursery schools are as well planned and cooked as any that I have seen elsewhere.
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ANNUAL REPORT
The government also furnishes folding cots for the children in order that they may have an afternoon nap. We have cots enough for every child enrolled. The govern- ment also furnishes teaching material for seat work such as construction paper, newsprint, crayons, paints and easels, scissors and other small items. We may get some toys and tools if we so desire.
These classes operate at no cost to the town for teach- ers' salaries, teaching and play materials, food and cots. The school department of the town does furnish the neces- sary rooms and school furniture, heat, light, and janitors' service and we as teachers under the progam appreciate this very much.
III-ADDITIONAL ROOM
The serious overcrowding of the Berkley School has been a matter of concern for some time to those interested in the welfare of the schools. The story of our efforts to secure assistance in meeting the cost of such a step first from the Public Works Administration and later from the Works Progress Administration is a familiar one to most of the citizens of Berkley. I am, however, going to recount the steps taken in chronological order.
A. Project submitted to the Public Works Administration and finally transferred at their direction to the Works Progress Administration because the total amount came beneath the P.W.A. minimum of $25,000.
B. Project submitted and held in Fall River office.
C. Project finally sent thro' to Washington and presidential approval received and money allocated.
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ANNUAL REPORT
D. Project held in Fall River District Office because of lack of available money in Fall River district quota.
E. Visit by town Board of Selectmen to Fall River in company with School Committee and superintendent without result.
F. Visit to Commissioner of Education by Board of Selectmen and School Committee to enlist his support.
G. Final conference in Fall River without result.
The fact still remains that adequate facilities are sorely needed. The town should, if in any way possible, find the means to provide additional room. If in connection with the program facilities could be so arranged to make a double class room convertible into an auditorium for school and town purposes, the value would be greatly enhanced not only to the school but to the townspeople.
In a separate article in the town warrant the voters are asked to consider the proposition of providing additional school rooms. May I suggest that the proposition be studied by the citizens carefully both in the light of the needs of the boys and girls and of the financial capabilities of the town.
HIGH SCHOOL PUPILS
Berkley pupils are taking a very active part in the life of the Dighton High School. Enrolment at the Dighton High School has increased from 264 in 1935-36 to 312 this vear. To the staff of the school have been added an addi- tional commercial instructor, a specially trained instructor for girls' physical education, and a music instructor, the latter on part-time. The superintendent believes that the
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ANNUAL REPORT
level of instruction has been high and that the pupils have been well taken care of in subject instruction as well as in the matter of extra-curricular activities, health examination and guidance service. Parents are cordially invited at any time to consult the principal, Mr. George R. Austin or any member of his staff.
THE 1937 BUDGET
The financial problem in Berkley is always a serious one. The state aid received by the town is no mean factor in the support of its schools. In 1936 this amounted to $13,059.77. The following table shows the actual cost of schools to the town.
Year
Expenditures Reimbursements
1934
22,900.77
13,081.02
Net Cost 9,819.75
1935
23,539.28
12,871.87
10,667.41
1936
22,177.79
13,059.77
9,118.02
1937 (estimate)
22,444.70
15,025.00
7,419.70
In the matter of cost of high school education the fol- lowing figures are available.
Tuition
Reimbursements Net Cost
Year 1935-36
4,715.70
2,522.78
2,192.92
Year 1936-37
4,965.00
3,640.00
1,325.00
If old set-up 1936-37
7,500.00
4,005.00
3,495.00
(pupils in Taunton)
With the above figures in mind it is hoped that the budget presented will be adopted by the town meeting since with this amount we shall be able to carry on a satisfactory school program.
CONCLUSION
Although it is one of the towns listed by the state as least able to support a school system the town has reason
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ANNUAL REPORT
to be proud of the work being done both at Berkley and Myricks.
The meetings of the Committee have been regular and harmonious and in concluding this report I would express my sincere appreciation to the committee for its continued confidence and sincere interest in the schools.
Respectfully submitted,
NORMAN D. BAILEY, Superintendent of Schools.
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ANNUAL REPORT
EXPENDITURES 1936
General Control
648.19
Teachers' Salaries
7,913.13
Books and Supplies
746.45
Janitors' Salaries
968.00
Fuel
624.63
Miscellaneous Operation
136.83
Repairs
241.85
Health
656.03
Transportation
5,449.52
Tuition
4,793.06
Total Expenditures
22,177.79
Balance on Hand
402.21
1936 Appropriation
$22,580.00
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ANNUAL REPORT
Berkley Pupils Attending Dighton Junior-Senior High School Dec. 31, 1936
Post-Graduates-2
Jack, Mildred
Flemming, Lee
Seniors-2
Ide, W. Monroe
Howland, R. Alden
Juniors-10
DeCosta, Lorraine
Phillips, Malcolm
Gutholm, Carl
Souza, Armand
Kula, Stephanie
Westgate, Mary
Makepeace, Wilmon
Wilson, Mary
Moskal, Anna
Woolley, Muriel
Sophomores-11
Anderson, Rachel
Hall, Polly
Babbitt, Priscilla
Hyde, George
Dulak, Celia
Jones, Eleanor
Ferris, Irene
Lord, Ethel
Goodwin, Raymond
Sylvia, Kathleen
Washburn, Florence
Freshmen -- 25
Baker, Bettie Joyce
Jennings, Helen
Combs, Russell
Makepeace, Edwin
Cressey, Bernice
Moskal, Stanley
Dumoulin, Lorraine
Pierce, Cynthia
Gouveia, Anthony Harrison, David
Stedman, George
Haskins, Frederick
Trond, Stella
Hyde, Richard
Wilson, Ruth
Hyde, John
Wood, Doris
Jack, William
Poole, Stanley
13
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ANNUAL REPORT
Household Arts
Ames, Mildred Adams, Margaret
Christian, Jeannette
Fernandes, Cora Mary Martin, Rose Trond, Rose
Berkley Pupils Attending Taunton High School December 31, 1936
Seniors 9
Avery, Ruth
Needham, Gertrude
Babbitt, John
Rose, James
Costa, Helen
Swift, Laurence
Martin, Alfred
Tooker, Roland
Martin, Alice
Juniors-1 George Stetson
New Bedford Vocational School Cochrane, Ralph Melesky, Roman
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ANNUAL REPORT
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE SCHOOL NURSE AND SCHOOL PHYSICIAN
Mr. Norman D. Bailey,
Superintendent of Schools,
Berkley, Massachusetts.
Dear Sir :
We hereby submit the annual report of the School Physician and the School Nurse of Berkley.
An epidemic of German Measles, which occurred in Berkley during March and April was the cause of at least 1/3 of the school population being ill.
The dental clinic held last June was not as well attended as was hoped for. If permission is received for a similar clinic during the coming year we hope more pupils will take advantage of the service offered.
The Chadwick Clinic, held this fall, was well attended. It is at this clinic that the Von Pirquet, or skin testing for suspected tuberculosis is done. Chest X-raying of 18 pupils showed that 6 pupils should be re-X-rayed next year. No active tuberculosis was discovered in any pupil. Two pupils who attended the Health Camp in Attleboro during the sum- mer were chosen from the follow up group. The money realized from the sale of Tuberculosis seals at Christmas time, helps to defray the expense of the children's four weeks stay at camp.
A very successful Well Child Conference, sponsored by the Parent-Teachers Association of Berkley and Myricks and the local Board of Health, was held in September. All children of the Town ranging in age from 6 months to 6 years, were invited to attend. Dr. Sallie Saunders, who was in charge of the conference, gave a physical examination
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ANNUAL REPORT
and advice to the parents on dental care. Expert nutritional talks, taking into account each child's individual problems, were given by Miss Dorothy Frank. The service offered through this conference was greatly appreciated by all who attended.
The annual physical examinations were given by Dr. Briggs in October. As usual, the greatest number of defects were enlarged tonsils and adenoids. So many physical diseases are caused by these, we hope more parents will try to have these defects corrected.
The need of an annual clinic for Immunization against diphtheria is being expressed by many parents. We hope to receive permission to conduct such a clinic within the near future. This immunization is of great value in pro- tecting the health of young and old, in the town.
We wish to thank the organizations of the town who have helped us in our work and the teachers for their co- operation.
Respectfully submitted, CHARLES A. BRIGGS, M. D. School Physician.
RUTH A. DEANE, R. N. School Nurse.
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ANNUAL REPORT
TABLE SHOWING MEMBERSHIP BY GRADES January 1, 1937
Room
1 2 3
4
5
6
7
8
Total
Berkley V
17
17
34
Berkley IV
18
20
38
Berkley III
20
15
35
Berkley II
23
17
40
Berkley I
21
13
34
Myricks II
9
8 8
3
28
Myricks I
6
3
7
10
26
27
39
24
30
42
28
25
20
235
Grand total in local schools
235
1
Taunton High School
10
New Bedford Vocational School
2
Bristol County Agricultural School
1
Dighton High School
48
Total pupils in local and outside schools
296
1
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ANNUAL REPORT
SCHOOL DIRECTORY
Berkley School
A. Louise Unsworth, Principal, Grades 7-8 Taunton, Mass. Benjamin D. Thomas " 5-6 Berkley, Mass.
*Leo Garrepy " 4-5 Berkley, Mass.
Muriel Barnes
2-3 New Bedford
Mildred E. Walker
Winifred Goodell, Assistant
1-2 Assonet, Mass. Dighton, Mass.
Myricks School
Millicent B. Hackett
Mildred Ashley
Grades 4-8 Taunton, Mass.
1-3 Berkley, Mass.
Music Supervisor
Lois J. Snow
Taunton, Mass.
Superintendent of Schools
Norman D. Bailey
No. Dighton, Mass.
Secretary
Jessie A. Perry Dighton, Mass.
"New teachers employed in 1936 ** Resigned effective Feb. 19, 1937
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