USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Berkley > Town annual report of Berkley 1944 > Part 4
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Respectfully submitted, FRANCIS F. G. ANDREWS, Temporary Town Clerk.
67
ANNUAL REPORT
SUMMARY OF ESSENTIAL FEATURES OF STATE AUDIT
Published by the Town Clerk in accordance with Sec. 40, Chapter. 44, G. L.
Mr. Theodore N. Waddell, Director of Accounts
Department of Corporations and Taxation
State House, Boston
Sir :
In accordance with your instructions, I have made an audit of the books and accounts of the collector of taxes of the town of Berkley for the period from December 12, 1943, to April 15, 1944, preparatory to a recommitment of taxes and assessments to the newly elected collector, and report thereon as follows :
The books and accounts of the collector of taxes were examined and checked. The taxes and assessments outstand- ing at the time of the previous examination and a subsequent commitment were audited and proved. The cash book ad- ditions were verified, the payments to the town treasurer were compared with the treasurer's cash book, the abatements were checked to the assessors' records of abatements granted, the taxes transferred to the tax title account were proved, and the outstanding accounts were listed.
The outstanding accounts were verified by mailing notices to a number of persons whose names appeared on the books as owing money to the town, the replies received thereto in- dicating that the accounts, as listed, are correct.
The total amounts outstanding on each of the several levies of taxes and assessments were given to the board of assessors for use in preparing the recommitment, and detailed lists of the outstanding accounts were prepared for the new collector.
For the cooperation received from the several town officials during the progress of the examination, I wish, on be- half of my assistants and for myself, to express appreciation.
Respectfully submitted, HERMAN B. DINE, Assistant Director of Accounts.
68
ANNUAL REPORT
Outstanding Tax Accounts per State Audit April 15, 1944
Taxes 1938 $50.60
Taxes 1939 $58.29
Taxes 1940
59.62
Taxes 1941 50.04
Taxes and
Taxes and
Assessments 1942 2,088.26 Assessments 1943 6,663.77
Motor Vehicle
Motor Vehicle
Excise Taxes, 1942 2.00
Excise Taxes 1943 14.00
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
School Committee
OF THE
TOWN OF BERKLEY
For the Year Ending December 31, 1944
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Term Expires 1947
Arthur E. Robbins, Chairman,
Berkley, Mass.
Mildred A. Babbitt, Secretary, 1945
Berkley, Mass.
William A. Cox,
Berkley, Mass.
1946
SUPERINTENDENT John J. Rolfe, B. Ed., M. Ed.,
Residence : 117 School Street, North Dighton
Office: Dighton High School, Segreganset
Telephone : Dighton 3361 (Office) Taunton 2435 (Home)
Office Hours : Monday through Friday, 8:30 A. M. - 9:30 A. M. and by appointment.
Secretary Jessie A. Christenson Dighton
School Physician C. M. Souza, M. D. Dighton, Mass.
School Nurse Ella Dillingham, R. N. Berkley, Mass.
Attendance Officer William A. Cox Berkley, Mass.
No School Signals: In case of severe storm a No School Notice is broadcast from Station WEAN at 7:30 A. M. and at fifteen minute in- tervals until 7:45 A. M.
1
3
ANNUAL REPORT
GENERAL INFORMATION
Entrance Age:
First grade registration in September of any year will be limited to those children who are at least six years of age or who will become six years of age on or before the following April first. There will be no exceptions to this ruling. Registration must be during the first three weeks of school in September.
Birth Certificates:
Presentation of a birth certificate is required for entrance to first grade.
Vaccination :
Every child who enters school for the first time m:ist present a certificate of vaccination or a statement from his physician that vaccination is inadvisable.
No School Information:
When weather conditions are such that our buses are unable to run, a no school notice will be broadcast at 7:00 A. M. and at regular intervals from radio station WEAN. Parents are urged to use their own good judgment about sending their children to school on stormy days. The fact that school is in session does not mean that attendance by all pupils is advisable.
Transportation :
The law requires that transportation be provided for pupils residing more than two miles from the school attended or more than one mile from the nearest bus stop. Many pupils living at lesser distances along established routes are trans- ported if the seating capacity of the bus will permit. From time to time it is necessary to refuse transportation to some of these living under the required distance when our buses are filled to capacity with children living at a greater distance.
4
ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE BERKLEY COMMITTEE, BERKLEY
To the Citizens of Berkley
In submitting its annual report, the committee would call attention to the report of the superintendent of schools. It is worthy of careful consideration by all the townspeople.
Miss Catherine Kula of Taunton, a graduate of State Teachers College at Bridgewater, was elected in April to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Miss Mary Hathway. She assumed her duties in grades three and four in September, at the reopening of school.
The resignation of Miss Mary Magina, as teacher of grades one, two, three and four at the Myricks School, was received in June.
After careful consideration by the committee, over a period of time, it was decided to close the Myricks School on September 7. A decrease in enrollment and in the interest of efficiency and economy, prompted this action. A saving of $3310 to the town is realized on the budget.
Pupils are transported, with no extra cost to the town, from the Myricks section to the consolidated school at Berkley common.
The committee feels that it is fortunate in retaining such a fine corps of teachers, especially at this time when a scarcity of teachers prevails.
In requesting the sum of $24,806.40 to cover school costs during the ensuring year, the committee would call attention to the approximate reimbursement by the state of $13,843.92, leaving a net cost to the town of $10,962.48.
Clarence C. Trenouth was awarded the three-year school bus contract from June 1944-1947, at a contract price of $6500 per year. War conditions prompted this increase of $800 over the preceding contract. At the present time three buses are necessary for the efficient transportation of all our elementary and high school pupils.
The committee senses the need for a central heating system at the Berkley School to eliminate the use of the five furnaces which are being operated at the present time. Advised
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ANNUAL REPORT
by specialists in this field to defer this work for the duration of the war because of inferior materials and high prices, the committee has prolonged its action on the matter.
The use of the auditorium is prohibited during winter months because of inadequate heat. Each classroom requires one furnace to facilitate proper heating. Aside from this cost of heating the building, the present system entails a surplus amount of work on the part of the janitor.
The original plan for the addition to the Berkley School which was presented and accepted at the annual town meeting in March, 1937 called for a $26,000 appropriation for the pro- ject. The former action of the voters was rescinded at a special meeting held April 12 of the same year. The P.W.A. was to foster the expense of all material for the central heating plan, under the original plan. On April 29 a revised plan calling for the erection of a two-room addition, with the finishing of one room only, was accepted by the townspeople and $10,000 was appropriated for this purpose. $1,000 was granted for repairs on the old building. This appropriation was not sufficient to warrant the expense of the originally planned heating system.
The final payment on the school building was realized over a year ago and, with this in mind, the committee plans to present, at some future date, to the voters of the town for their consideration, the estimated cost of the central heating plan.
The committee meets regularly on the Wednesday pre- ceding the first Wednesday of every month and it welcomes at any time, a friendly discussion with interested individuals in regard to problems affecting the schools.
Respectfully submitted, MRS. MILDRED A. BABBITT, Secretary, School Committee.
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ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the School Committee and Citizens of the Town of Berk- ley :
I herewith submit my second annual report as Superin- tendent of Schools for the Town of Berkley.
CLOSING OF MYRICKS SCHOOL:
-
On September 6, 1944 the Berkley School Committee voted to close the Myricks School because of a decrease in the school population and in the interests of efficiency and economy. The enrollment in the Berkley Schools decreased from 214 in 1938 to 165 as of October 1, 1944. This enrollment gives us an average room population of 33 in the Berkley Grammar School, the number recommended for each room in the recent survey made by the Strayer Committee for the City of Boston. Inasmuch as there was room in the Berkley Gram- mar School to absorb the Myricks children, it seemed wise to save for the Town the funds necessary for the maintenance of this two room building.
The discontinuance of this school makes it possible for the school committee to effect a $3,310 decrease in the budget for 1945. As Berkley receives large reimbursements from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for the education of its children, the net saving is $2,210-$1,000 being the amount reimbursable on account of teachers' salaries.
As pointed out in last year's town report, the lighting at the Myricks School was extremely poor, while lighting at the Berkley Grammar School is excellent. We need not go into detail regarding the advantages of other modern facilities such as improved ventilation, modern sanitary provisions. running water and better heating. The educational advantages of one and two grade classrooms over four grade classrooms are so universally accepted as to be undebatable. We find that many of the pupils who formerly walked to school are now picked up at the door by the bus that transports them to Berkley.
Undoubtedly there were some. advantages in keeping this school open and there are probably individual cases where a certain amount of inconvenience is experienced by its clos-
7
ANNUAL REPORT
ing, but the arguments for closing the Myricks School so far outweighed its continuance that it would have been unsound educational policy not to have done so.
The only way to have been positive of the school enroll- ment was to wait until the first day of school. After ascertain- ing for certain that the Berkley Grammar School could absorb the Myricks group, there was no reason for postponement of action, in fact, such delay would have made necessary a shift- ing of grades and teachers after work had gotten underway. In the interests of efficiency any change is preferably made at the very beginning of the year.
I wish to point out to the townspeople that the closing of a school is one of the most difficult tasks that a school committee has to face because there will usually be a great deal of opposition. Many committees do not have the courage to face the criticism that such action usually brings and will fail to do what they know to be their duty. The townspeople of Berkley should feel proud that they have a School Com- mittee that has the courage to carry out its convictions. May we continue to have a committee that will refuse to sell the schools for a vote.
TEACHER SITUATION :
Teachers are becoming more and more reluctant to teach in small towns especially when the financial opportunities are more attractive elsewhere. Teachers in general are not as well off financially as they were in the years of the depression even though salary increases have been granted everywhere. Our teachers' colleges countrywide have an enrollment that is only 40% of normal. This falls far short of our minimum require- ments. We may expect an elementary teacher shortage for the next ten years, with communities bidding against each other for their services. Berkley is fortunate to have a teaching staff that lives within commuting distance. We must make every effort to retain them.
ENROLLMENT :
Our present enrollment of 165 is likely to remain fairly constant for some time to come. During the past year a de- termined effort has been made to provide a type of instruction that will meet the needs of our very slow and our very bright
8
ANNUAL REPORT
pupils. Some of our pupils should be in special classes, but we have endeavored to give them as much instruction as possible commensurate with their ability. These needs can be fully met only through the establishment of special classes but such a program will be impossible for the duration of the war because of the dearth of teachers who are trained for special class work. This type of instruction cannot be adequately provided by those trained for regular class teach- ing.
We are constantly trying to remedy our retardation prob- lem but many pupils who enter from other towns aggravate the situation. At the present time we have twenty three pupils who have retarded two or more times. These pupils present a social and disciplinary problem that can be remedied only when they have graduated from our elementary schools.
GENERAL :
In last year's town report I recommended that a teacher of art be employed for Berkley. Here, as in Freetown, the services of such a person were not available.
We are very well supplied with textbooks and workbooks but in order to be able to continue to provide the best we found it necessary to ask for a slight increase in the textbook budget. Our supplies are adequate but to meet rising costs this budget item was also increased.
For an explanation of our building needs I refer you to last year's town report.
In general our school program is meeting the basic educational requirements of the pupils, but a broader program would be in order when transportation and manpower facil- ities return to normal. The necessity for most of our pupils to leave school immediately upon closing, makes such extra curriculs work impossible.
In December the Committee approved the purchase of a Tri-purpose Picture Projector, a wall screen, and a library of films for our visual education program. These films will be of great value particularly in the English and Social Studies fields, and will provide the nucleus for our ever expanding visual education needs.
9
ANNUAL REPORT
CONCLUSION :
I wish to express to the townspeople of Berkley my appre- ciation for their keen interest in their schools and for their willingness to provide a substantial budget for their support. Progress and efficiency in the Berkley schools will continue to improve just as long as we have an intelligent, courageous, cooperative forward looking school committee that is vitally interested in the welfare of the children of Berkley. The present committee, without exception, meets these qualifica- tions.
I am grateful to each and every committee member for the splendid support and cooperation given to me at all times in my efforts to do my best for the children of Berkley. I am also appreciative for the cooperation that I have received from the teachers, janitors. and town officials, in all my asso- ciations with them. Let us all resolve to continue to work together in order that the pupils may receive the best educa- tion possible for us to offer them.
Respectfully submitted, JOHN J. ROLFE, Superintendent of Schools.
10
ANNUAL REPORT
ANNUAL REPORT OF SHOOL NURSE AND PHYSICIAN
Dear Sir :
The annual report of the school physician and the school nurse is hereby submitted.
The school pupils have been free from epidemic con- tagious disease during the year. There were a few isolated cases of measles, mumps, and chicken-pox. In the spring, there was one case of meningitis. As a precaution, the school was closed and the room fumigated. We were very thankful that there was only one case of meningitis. Colds and sore throats were prevalent throughout the winter.
The diphtheria immunization clinic was held in May, with twenty-one children completing the treatment.
The pre-school clinic was held in May, with eight children in attendance.
The dental clinic was held in the spring, with thirty-nine pupils attending. Dr. Edmund Tobin, who has been the school dentist for some number of years, has had to discontinue this work, because of the increased practice at his office. The school committee is making every effort to secure a dentist to replace Dr. Tobin. This is a difficult task, because so many dentists are with the armed forces. If a dentist cannot be located, I would like to urge parents to take their children to a local dentist. "Don't neglect your childrens' teeth." The future health of your child depends a great deal on the con- dition of his or her teeth.
A total of one hundred and sixty-four pupils were given physical examinations by Dr. Souza. Thirty-two pupils were found to have defective tonsils. The parents have been notified.
The parents and teachers have been very helpful during the year. Dr. Souza and I appreciate their cooperation ; and take this opportunity to thank them.
Respectfully submitted, ELLA F. DILLINGHAM, R. N. CHARLES M. SOUZA, M. D.
11
ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE MUSIC SUPERVISOR
.
Superintendent John Rolfe, Berkley, Mass.
Dear Mr. Rolfe:
I herewith submit my annual report on the work in music in the public schools of Berkley.
The course followed was practically the same as that of the previous year. Grades one and two learned several note songs each month, sang the major scale down and up, becanre familiar in vocalizing the simple chord skips, and practised application of syllables, through the ear, to basic songs. Be- ginning with January, books were placed in the hands of the second grade for eye work in note reading. It is my aim always to encourage quality of tone and to avoid any strain in singing. A regular testing of the "listeners" is done peri- odically.
In grades three and four the period for music was divided into problem drills in tone, time and theory, followed by the singing of songs, new and old.
Technical work was continued in grades five and six, more complicated rhythms were taught, closer tonal differ- ences recognized, and two and three part harmony sung. In singing three part harmony, the third part was often made up of volunteers or those pupils who were particularly in- terested.
The seventh and eighth grades continued the study of three part music, and if there were any whose voices had changed to bass, a fourth part was added. All classes d'd a fair amount of written work at the board or at their seats, thus making it possible for a more accurate and quicker check-up on the knowledge and understanding of each child.
Classes in pianoforte instruction were organized both in Myricks and Berkley Common schools and much interest was shown and progress made. Two pupils from Myricks played at the graduation exercises. At the opening of schools in the fall a request from some of the pupils for a continuation of these classes had to be denied because of the crowded class
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ANNUAL REPORT
rooms due to the combining of the two schools. The assembly room could be used if it could be made warm enough.
The time formerly spent at the Myricks school is now being used for valuable instruction in music appreciation. Charts of the different instruments of the symphony orchestra are shown and a study of the symphonic choirs begun. With the phonograph the pupils can hear the quality of tone of the various instruments as well as enjoy recordings of some of the world's best music. Every stimulus that sets up a reaction in the human organism has its influence in shaping his.individual character. What study required in our educational system sets up a series of reactions comparable to those of music ?
I wish to thank you and the teachers in the system for the help and cooperation given me at all times and for the very friendly attitude of the boys and girls when I am with them.
Very truly yours, LOIS J. SNOW, Supervisor of Music.
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ANNUAL REPORT
GRADUATION PROGRAM
BERKLEY AND MYRICKS SCHOOLS
June 6, 1944
8 P. M.
PROCESSIONAL
"Under the Double Eagle" Accompanists-Marilyn Maker Mrs. Lois J. Snow
INVOCATION-Rev. Joseph Eller
Pastor, Myricks Methodist Church
RESPONSE
"To Him From Whom Our Blessings Flow" Chorus
TRUMPET SOLO
"The Lord's Prayer" Josephine Furtado
ADDRESS OF WELCOME-Emily Dulak
CHORUS Myricks School
(a) "The Swiss Maiden" (b) "Evening Wind"
RECITATION
.
"Our Heroes" Robert Rose
TRUMPET SOLO "Carnival of Venice" Josephine Furtado
RECITATIONS
"Everywhere in America" "Our Country" "Prophecy"
Catherine Sellars Alice Young Rita Garrity
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ANNUAL REPORT
CHORUS Berkley and Myricks (a-) "Adelita"
(b) "Down Quintana Way" Guitar-Dorothy Frizado
RECITATIONS
"Be the best of Whatever You Are" Joseph Cambra "If" Alfred Townley
CHORUS
Berkley School "The Little Brown Church in the Vale" "O Tennessee !"
CLASS GIFTS Nelson D. Pittsley
CHORUS
Myricks and Berkley
"Those Pals of Ours"
REMARKS
Mr. John J. Rolfe-Superintendent of Schools
PRESENTATION OF DIPLOMAS
Mr. John J. Rolfe-Superintendent of Schools
CLOSING ADDRESS "Our World Tomorrow" Edith Baldwin
STAR SPANGLED BANNER Audience
BENEDICTION-Rev. Joseph Eller Pastor, Myricks Methodist Church
RECESSIONAL
Mrs. Lois J. Snow Music Supervisor
41
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ANNUAL REPORT
GRADUATES
Edith Ellen Baldwin Joseph Cambra Beatrice E. Dimsey Emily Louise Dulak Josephine Sylvia Furtado Rita Louise Garrity Joseph Allen Howard
Shirley Mae MacQueen Lester Brown Makepeace, Jr. Joseph H. Marshall, Jr.
Lorraine Nunes Nelson D. Pittsley, Jr. Robert O. Rose Catherine Greenfield Sellars Julia A. Souto Arlene Louise Sylvester Alfred T. Townley, 3rd Frederick B. White
Alice Gertrude Young
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ANNUAL REPORT
BERKLEY PUPILS ATTENDING DIGHTON HIGH SCHOOL
Octoober 1, 1944
Freshmen
Edith Baldwin
Joseph Cambra
Beatrice Dimsey
Emily L. Dulak
Josephine S. Furtado
Rita L. Garrity *Shirley MacQueen
+Lester B. Makepeace, Jr.
+Joseph Marshall
Lorraine Nunes Nelson D. Pittsley ¿Raymond Reagan Robert A. Rose Catherine Sellars *Julia A. Souto +Frederick B. White Alice A. Young
Sophomores
Helen J. Adams ¡James Bindon Patricia Blanchette
Phyllis M. Brown Laura Fernandes
¡Ernest G. Gutholm Douglas E. Ide
Althea L. Maker Doris L. Raymond +C. Alexander Reed Lillian J. Rose Elizabeth A. Sellars Robert W. Shepard
Juniors
Mary M. Bacon +George Braese, Jr. +Wilfred E. Briggs Edward E. Dulak ¡Daniel Faria +Lawrence Gagnon Lorraine Gagnon ¿George E. Jones Barbara R. Valli
¡Robert A. Makepeace Daniel Nunes Jack O'Leary Esther A. Reed Rose A. Slivinski Eilene L. Souza *Jean Townley Edmund E. Trzcinski Doris M. Williams
Seniors
Virginia D. Anthony Lois M. Babbitt Russell S. Bennett Doris M. Cummings
Arthur F. Dillingham
Agnes P. Milko Mary J. Ratcliffe Esther B. Sandlin Lucille E. Valli
General Vocational Shop *Domestic Science
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ANNUAL REPORT
ENROLLMENT - October 1, 1944
Grade
Age
5 6789
10
11 12
13
14 15
16 Totals
1
10 10 2 2
24
2
24
3
3 17 2 1 1 4 12 4 2 1
23
4
1 7
5
13
5
7 13 2
1
2
1
26
6
5
5
1
1
15
7
1 14
3
4
1
23
8
4
10
2
1
17
10 13 23 17 19 21 9 24 19
8 2 00
165
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ANNUAL REPORT
FINANCIAL STATEMENT-1944 Receipts
Appropriation
$25,227.09
Expenditures
General Expense
$ 781.92
Teachers' Salaries
8,129.96
Text Book and Supplies
760.83
Health
528.74
Janitors' Salaries
1,275.10
Fuel and Light
736.96
Transportation
6,020.00
Tuition
5,083.10
Repairs
399.57
Miscellaneous
374.27
Furniture and Furnishings
86.25
Balance on hand
$ 24,176.70 $ 1,050.39
$ 25,227.09
Net Cost to Town
Expenditures
$ 24,176.70
Receipts, 1944
Reimbursement-Teachers' Salaries
Part I $ 2,140.00
Reimbursement-Teachers' Salaries
Part II 3,008.43
Reimbursement-Vocational tuition
and transportation 1,147.80
Reimbursement-Superintendent's
salary and travel 197.59
State Wards : Tuition and Transportation 743.15
High School : Tuition
2,909.62
Transportation 2,206.00
Total receipts, 1944 $ 12,352.59
NET COST TO TOWN $ 11,824.11
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ANNUAL REPORT
SCHOOL CALENDAR FOR 1945
School opens January 8, 1945 Closes February 16, 1945
School opens February 26, 1945 Closes April 13, 1945 Closes June 8, 1945
School opens April 23, 1945 School opens September 5, 1945
Closes December 21, 1945
School will close on the following days:
March 30 Good Friday
May 30 Memorial Day
October 12 Columbus Day
October 26 Teachers' Convention
November 11 Armistice Day
November 22 and 23 Thanksgiving week-end
PERSONNEL CHANGES-1944
Name School Date of Resignation
Joseph Furtado Janitor, Myricks School
September, 1944
Millicent B. Hackett Myricks Grammar School
September, 1944
Mary Magina Myricks Grammar School June, 1944
Catherine Kula Berkley Grammar School
Date of Appointment September, 1944
20
BERKLEY SCHOOL FACULTY
School
Teacher
Address
Education
Appointed
Berkley Grammar School
A. Louise Unsworth, Principal 15 Forest St., Taunton
Bridgewater
1939
Anne D. Allen, B. S. in Ed.
Bridgewater
1939
Genevieve Harrington
4666 N. Main St., Fall River 298 Whipple St., Fall River Park St., Taunton
Hyannis
1939
Catherine Kula, B. S. in Ed.
Bridgewater
1944
Edna Smith, B. S. in Ed.
38 Ingell St., Taunton
Bridgewater
1942
Millicent B. Hackett
185 Dean St., Taunton
Bridgewater
1927
Mary Magina, B. S. in Ed.
Leonard's Ct., Taunton
Bridgewater
1913
MUSIC SUPERVISOR
Lois J. Snow 27 Couch St., Taunton
JANITORS
Joseph Furtado RFD No. 1 Taunton, Myricks Grammar
Chester White
RFD No. 1 Taunton, Berkley Grammar
ANNUAL REPORT
Myricks
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