USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > Town annual report of Braintree, Massachusetts for the year 1947 > Part 7
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We are pleased to report that all of the construction voted by the Town in 1946 and 1947 has been completed, and as many of the house connections made as the 1947 appropriation for that item would permit. This means that some more of the localities in dire need of connection into the system have now been taken care of, but unfor- tunately the proportion of work done since the war is piti-
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fully small when compared to the total of all the areas where conditions are detrimental to the public health.
With no consideration given to areas that will be served only when the new pumping station is built in East Braintree, or the long pipe line run to the Highlands, and no allowance made for taking care of new building develop- ments, it is estimated that $450,000 is needed to defray the expense of laying sewers only in locations where peti- tions and complaints of owners, investigated by the Board of Health and ourselves, show the existence of deplorable conditions. We must proceed more rapidly.
During 1946 and 1947 about 62% of the cost of con- struction was included in the tax levy. The original as- sessment vote adopted in 1933 intended to include 40%. This comes about because the form of the original vote permits no adjustment for changing costs. It is expected that enabling legislation will be passed in time to permit the Town to take proper action at the 1948 Annual Meet- ing.
Construction :
Work on the uncompleted portion of the 1946 pro- posed constrution was resumed again the first of March and completed by the latter part of October. The original contract was under Edward M. Matz, Inc., but on account of unsatisfactory progress this contract was suspended July 12 and the balance of the work re-advertised and let to John Williams Co., Inc.
The work authorized by the 1947 Town Meeting was advertised and proposals were received from ten con- tractors. The job was let to the Wes Construction Com- pany and work was started about the first of June. All of the proposed work was completed by the first of No- vember.
A total of 3.6 miles of new sewers were added to the sewerage system. The following tabulation shows the extent and distribution of the years' work, 8-inch vitrified clay sewer pipe was used throughout :
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Sewer Length Feet
Street
From
To
Arborway Drive
Argyle Road
Easterly
381
Ardmore Street
Argyle Road
Arthur Street
457
Arthur Street
Beechwood Road
Ardmore Street
360
Ash Street
Monatiquot Avenue
Southerly 259
Autumn Street
Right of Way
Arborway Drive
250
Azel Road
Franklin Street
Marshfield Road
595
Beechwood Road
Vinedale Road
Quincy Avenue
1,791
Bickford Road
Newton Street
Summit
397
Brow Avenue
Academy Street
Tremont Street
1,245
Claremont Street
Liberty Street
End
540
Cleveland Avenue
Merritt Avenue
Putnam Avenue
191
Devon Road
Right of Way
Dinkwater Avenue
347
Easement
Beechwood Road
Autumn Street
283
Easement (Lower)
Edgehill Road
Beechwood Road
152
Easement (Upper)
Edgehill Road
Beechwood Road 261
Easement
Main Sewer
Merritt Avenue
208
Easement
Morrison Road
Devon Road 130
Edgehill Road
3-74
Quincy Avenue
644
Elmwood Avenue
Franklin Street
Hobart Avenue
758
Lakeview Avenue
Franklin Street
Tremont Street 677
Liberty Street
Atherton Street
Claremont Street
258
Merritt Avenue
Jersey Avenue
Cleveland Avenue
624
Morrison Road
Adams Street
Drinkwater Avenue
347
Newton Avenue
Shaw Street
View Street
586
Newton Street
Newton Avenue
Bickford Road
249
Parkside Avenue
Abbott Street
Walnut Street
1,490
Putnam Avenue
Cleveland Avenue
End
253
Shaw Street
Allen Street
Wellington Street
1,764
Sheppard Avenue
Allen Street
Shaw Street
1,453
Storrs Avenue
Garland Street
Washington Street 595
Walnut Street
Parkside Avenue
Hollis Avenue
1,300
Total 1947 Construction
(Feet)
19,124
Previous Construction
(Miles)
24.0
Total Constructed to Date
(Miles)
27.6
The streets in which sewers were constructed this vear included considerable solid ledge rock. The total cost of doing the work amounted to $157,343 or an aver- age of $8.23 per linear foot. This shows an increase in average cost of about 6% over the previous year.
A cesspool refuse disposal station, located near the corner of Union Street and Cleveland Avenue, was com- pleted and ready for use late in December. A. C. Trojano Company, Inc. was the contractor. The purpose of the station is to remove sand and gravel from cesspool pump- ing before discharge into the sewer. The total cost of the
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work to date amounts to $7,346. There still remains some minor grading and road work to be done in the Spring.
On all of the construction work undertaken during the year the surveys were made by the Sewer Department and plans, specifications, record plans and profiles were prepared in the Sewer Department Office.
Many urgent requests for the extension of the sew- erage system to serve their properties were received from residents in various sections of the Town. Petitions for sewers, signed by nearly everyone in the locality, were received during the year from the following streets : Arnold Street, Crawford Road, Crawford Street, Fair- field Street, Fountain Street, Hawthorn Road, Hobart Avenue, Holmes Street, Pearl Street, River Street, Wash- ington Street and Wellington Street. In order to build sewers only in streets from which signed petitions have been received during the past two years would require an expenditure of about $450,000.
Assessments :
483 sewer assessments, amounting to $60,522.33 were levied for the construction work completed this year. The total assessment levy is now $374,515.70.
House Connections :
There were 174 sewer connections, totaling 8,534 feet made to the system during the year at a total cost of $23,521.58. The total number of connections is now 1,377. This year's new construction made the sewer available to 392 more houses and applications for connection were re- ceived from 150 of them.
There were 62 applications for sewer connection on file at the end of the year. Due to Winter conditions, it will not be practical to attempt any work on these appli- cations until next Spring. However, the balance avail- able in the House Connection appropriation at the end of the year was only sufficient to take care of about 6 more connections than were actually completed.
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Maintenance :
All of the main and lateral sewers were inspected and cleaned out during the early Winter months. Some roots were found in sewers in 20 of the streets but there were no stoppages.
About the first of June the sewer main in Shaw Street collapsed for about 75 feet north of the railroad crossing. This was caused by blasting for a water main in an adja- cent trench. It was necessary to pump the sewage around the collapsed section while repairs were being made as this line takes all of the discharge from the pumping sta- tion on Brookside Road. The repairs cost $907.62 and this has been billed to Pacella Bros., the contractors respon- sible for the damage, and the bill has been turned over to the Town Counsel to enforce collection.
Stoppages occurred in 6 sewer connections during the year due to root growths. All were promptly taken care of and put back into service again. All sewer connections, where trouble has been experienced in the past, were in- spected and cleaned out where necessary.
A new impeller was installed in one of the pumps at the Brookside Road pumping station.
The temporary arrangement for the disposal of cess- pool pumpings through the sewers was discontinued after the end of December when the new disposal station on Union Street was ready for use.
Financial Statement :
A complete financial analysis of all expenditures dur- ing the past year is on file in the Sewer Department Office and has been summarized in the Town Accountant's report.
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Report of Highway Department
JOHN Q. WENTWORTH, Superintendent
The general maintenance of all our public streets was cared for throughout the year.
The following streets were accepted and constructed :
Newton Avenue
Sycamore Road
Williams Street
Common Street widening
Sterling Park North Bowditch Street
Harbor Villa Avenue
Cavanaugh Road
Lincoln Street
Merritt Avenue
Williams Street Before Construction
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The roadways and grading were completed at the Union Village Housing Project.
Drainage added to the system :
North Bowditch Street 300' 10" pipe, 3 catch basins, 1 manhole.
Lincoln Street 550' 10" pipe, 6 catch basins, 3 manholes. Harbor Villa Ave. 460' 10" pipe, 4 catch basins, 2 manholes Merritt Ave. 450' 10" pipe, 6 catch basins, 3 manholes. Magnolia Street 1200' 24" pipe, 6 manholes.
French Estate, 150' 24" pipe, open trench 400'.
Williams Street After Construction
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Plowing West Street After December Storm
A section of Liberty Street was constructed under so called Chapter 90 construction with the State sharing in the cost of construction. This project was not undertaken until late in the season so consequently will not be com- pleted until next year.
The Thomas Watson School grounds were improved by the Highway Department for the School Department.
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Report of Municipal Light Board
NORTON P. POTTER, Chairman FRANK P. LORD, Secretary SHELLEY A. NEAL, Third Member
This year has shown a large increase in the total kilo- watt hours generated and purchased over 1946. In fact, the greatest in the history of the Plant.
There have been many increases in the fuel oil price. At the present time the cost per bbl. is $3.511/2. This is reflected in the increase in production costs. It is the hope of the Department that this has reached the maxi- mum.
PRODUCTION COSTS 1947 $302,978.37 $209,721.33 Increase $93,257.04
1946 KW. HRS. GENERATED AND PURCHASED 1947
Kw. Hrs. Generated 34,850,000
Increase 9,464.00
Kk. Hrs. Purchased
1,898,958
1946 25,386,000 2,639,250
Decrease 740.292
Total
36,748,958
28,025,250
Increase 8,723,708
FUEL AND ENERGY COSTS
1947
1946
Fuel Oil
$223,385.98 28,075.65
$127,249.83 33,648.60
Increase $96,136.15 Decrease 5,572.95
Total
$251,461.63
$160,898.43
Increase $90,563.20
KW. HRS. SALES 1947 1946
Total Sales
$31,949,785
$23,745,085
Increase 8,204,700
Due to the drought which has limited the hydro capacity of the New England Power Company, we have been able to assist them through this critical period by furnishing Weymouth Light and Power Company with our surplus capacity to the amount of 4,997,000 kwhrs.
The new 75,000 1b. per hr. Babcock & Wilcox integral boiler was put in operation in November after consider- able delay in receiving critical materials. It is now func- tioning most satisfactorily.
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Purchased Power
Braintree Electric Light Plant
The installation of the new underground transmission lines to South Braintree is near completion. The duct and manhole covers have been installed and the remainder of the cable installation is to be finished by June of this year.
There has been a steady increase in the number of new services. As of December 31, 1947 there were 6388, an increase of 200 over 1946.
Following is presented the essential details showing the physical and operating conditions as prepared in ac- cordance with the annual report to the Department of Public Utilities.
112
BRAINTREE ELECTRIC LIGHT DEPT.
ERNEST T. FULTON, Manager REPORT OF YEAR, 1947 ANALYSIS OF SALES
Kwhrs.
Domestic and Commercial
11,347,500
Revenue $291,454.31 228,742.98
Industrial
14,036,652
Municipal
902,883
11,339.39
Street Lights
665,750
9,453.65
Weymouth Light & Power Co.
4,997,000
68,163.64
TOTAL 31,949,785
$609,153.97*
OPERATING EXPENSES
PRODUCTION
Superintendence and Labor
$35,686.35
Boiler Fuel
223,385.98
Water for Steam
668.61
Lubricants 72.52
Station Supplies and Expenses
380.26
Maintenance of Station Structures
1,386.82
Maintenance of Boiler Equipment
4,276.89
Maintenance of Turbo-Generator Units 4,860.68
Maintenance of Electric Equipment 567.98
Maintenance of Accessory Electric Equipment 3,461.47
Maintenance of Miscl. Power Plant Equipment 155.16
Electric Energy Purchased 28,075.65
$302,978.37*
TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION Operation of Transmission and Distribution of Lines $13,866.25
Transmission and Distribution Supplies
2,183.00
Inspecting and Testing Meters
1,102.70
Removing and Resetting Meters
1,062.99
Removing and Resetting Transformers
424.39
Maintenance of Transformer Station & Sub- Station Equipment 77.15
Maintenance of Transmission & Distribution of Lines 22,144.63
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Maintenance of Meters
Maintenance of Transformers
1,182.72 1,423.65
$43,467.48
UTILIZATION
Operation of Street Lamps
$3,794.72
Replacement of Street Lamps
1,015.18
Supplies and Maintenance
490.67
$5,300.57*
GENERAL EXPENSE
Maintenance of Consumers Installations
$4,344.53
Commercial Salaries
18,620.06
Salaries of Manager & Municipal Light Board
7,300.00
Office Salaries
6,051.23
General Office Expense
4,534.69
Insurance
5,535.43
Accidents and Damages
24.09
Maintenance of General Structures
549.25
Miscl. General Expense
117.22
$47,076.50
DEPRECIATION
$56,824.13*
GRAND TOTAL OF
OPERATING EXPENSES
$455,647.05
BOOK VALUE OF ALL PROPERTY
$1,482,930.49*
PROFIT AND LOSS STATEMENT
January 1, 1947, Balance
$1,672,430.09
Transferred from Income
104,818.33
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 1947
$1,777,248.42*
INCOME STATEMENT
OPERATING REVENUE
$609,153.97
OPERATING EXPENSES
455,647.05
Manufacturing Surplus
$153,506.92
Miscl. Additions
1,311.41
$154,818.33
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Paid to Town of Braintree $50,000.00 TRANSFERRED TO PROFIT AND LOSS $104,818.33*
BALANCE SHEET
ASSETS
Plant Investment
$1,482,930.49 200.00
Petty Cash
Special Cash for Construction
81,843.88
Special Fund for Enlargement of Plant
5,500.00
Special Deposits
7,419.91
Accounts Receivable
72,578.84
Materials and Supplies
21,756.36
Depreciation Fund
287,983.05
Prepaid Insurance
9,124.54
TOTAL ASSETS
$1,969.337.07
LIABILITIES
Accounts Payable
.00
Consumers Deposits
7,419.91
Loans Repayments
$46,168.74
Appropriations for Con-
struction Repay.
133,000.00
179,168.74
Unadjusted Credits
5,500.00
Profit and Loss
1,77,248.42
TOTAL LIABILITIES
$1,969,337.07*
ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE
BRAINTREE
$4,652.01
EAST BRAINTREE
3,708.23
SOUTH BRAINTREE
12,837.97
CONTRACTS & SPECIAL RATES
49,752.93
MUNICIPAL 1,627.70
$7,578.84*
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DEPRECIATION ACCOUNT
JANUARY 1, 1947, Balance Net Transfer from Income
$391,348.68 56,824.13 482.46
Interest
Expenditures
$448,655.27 $160,672.22
DEPRECIATION BALANCE, DECEM- BER 31, 1947 $287,983.05*
CASH RECEIVED AS PER CASHBOOK
$579,926.83 $579,926.83
PAID TO TOWN TREASURER
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE BALANCE
$ .00
OPERATING CASH BALANCE,
DECEMBER 31, 1947 $72,912.26
CONSTRUCTION ACCOUNT
BALANCE, JANUARY 1, 1947
$133,104.69
PAID TO TOWN OF BRAINTREE 50,000.00
EXPENDED FOR CONSTRUCTION 74,173.07
BALANCE $8,931.62
TRANSFERRED FROM OPERATING CASH BALANCE $72,912.26
CONSTRUCTION BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 1947 $81,843.88*
MUNICIPAL LIGHT BOARD
Debit
BALANCE, JANUARY 1, 1947
.00
ERNEST T. FULTON, Manager
$579,926.83
$579,926.83*
Credit
PAID BY ORDER OF COMMISSIONERS $507,014.57
CASH BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 1947 72,912.26
$579,926.83*
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Great Pond Pumping Station
Report of Braintree Water Department
Commissioners
THOMAS E. SEARS, Chairman
WILLARD P. SHEPPARD JOSEPH LANDERS
GEORGE N. WATSON, Superintendent
The Water Department must be prepared at all times to furnish to all of its customers an adequate supply of pure palatable water at proper pressure so that the water will always be available for the user. In addition we are expected to furnish in all sections of the Town a sufficient supply of water for fire protection.
To meet such requirements entail the operation and maintenance of an adequate water supply, pumping equip- ment, purification plant, storage facilities and distribution
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system. The size of these facilities is based more upon the maximum demand for services than on the volume of water actually used daily.
Improvements and additions to the water system started in 1946 and completed this year at a cost of $261,000-include the construction of a Booster Station and Elevated Storage Tank in the Highlands section; re- placing the old steam pump with a 2.5 M.G.D. centrifugal pump with auxiliary gasoline engne; installing a double action altitude valve at the West Street standpipe and re- inforcing the distribution system by laying 20,000 feet of 12 inch pipe, 5,000 feet of 10 inch pipe, 5,000 feet of 8 inch pipe and 2,600 feet of 6 inch pipe.
Rates are established so that all who enjoy the con- venience of the water supply will share in the expense of its operation. The more water that is used, the greater is ones share in the operating expense.
COMPARATIVE FINANCIAL STATEMENT
We collected from
1946
1947
Cash on hand Jan. 1
$4,135.26
$97,754.66
Sale of Bonds
242,000.00
Collections during year
120,867.27
151,868.75
367,002.53
249,623.41
We spent for :
Adm .- Maint. & Operation
$101,735.35
110,474.41
Major Improvements
162,373.77
98,785.10
Amortization & Interest
5,138.75
25,496.40
$269,247.87
234,755.91
CASH BALANCE Dec. 31
$97,754.66
$14,867.50
ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE Dec. 31
Water Rates
$14,580.46
$20,579.77
Material & Labor
1,495.48
1,580.31
Liens committed to Assessors
330.12
$16,075.94
$22,490.20
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Report of Engineering Department
JOHN J. DRINKWATER, Town Engineer
No. of Employees 1946 4 $9,730.75 4 Budget Expenditures $9,730.27 10,050.33
1947
10,051.00
Lines and grades have been furnished to the High- way Department for the following: Road Construction -- Common Street (portion of), Cavanagh Road, Lincoln Street, Merritt Avenue, North Bowditch Street, Prospect Street (portion of), Sterling Park, Sycamore Road and Williams Street. Drains-Harrison Avenue from swamp to existing drain, Lincoln Street, Merritt Avenue, Mag- nolia Street to Front Street, North Bowditch Street, Pleasant View Avenue, Torrey Road from end to swamp, Vinedale Road, French Estate from Washington Street to the railroad, and Williams Street.
Gutter grades were furnished to the Highway Depart- ment for Conrad Street from Roberts Street to the Quincy Line and Fairfield Street from Holmes Street 300' south.
Miscellaneous projects consist of the following : Plans for Drain Easements off Vinedale Road, off Harrison Avenue, off Pleasant View Avenue and off Torrey Road. Survey and layout plans : Liberty Street Widening front Lincoln Street 700' south, Hoyle Avenue from Hayward Street 335' north, Thayer Road Ext. from end of present layout to Allen Street. Lines and grades were given property owners on accepted streets upon request.
All deeds and subdivisions have been checked and plotted accordingly on Assessors Plans, together with two hundred and five new buildings and additions.
Eight pole locations have been staked for the Electric Light Department.
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Report of The School Committee
ELMER G. DERBY, Chairman ARCHIE T. MORRISON, Recording Secretary HELEN M. HARMON SOPHIE G. BLUNT OVIDIO D. CHIESA
RALPH W. PROCTOR, Superintendent
The year 1947 has been one of progressive accom- plishments in the long range program for the Braintree School System.
It is the purpose of the School Committee to promote the organization of the School System on the most pract- ical and economical basis of modern educational practice.
A residential town such as Braintree is often judged, by newcomers and prospective home owners, almost ex- clusively on its school facilities. Over nine hundred homes have been built in Braintree in the past eight years, and many more are to be expected in the next few years.
As you can see from the accompanying report of the Superintendent of Schools, a great deal has been accom- plished in achieving a high standard of teaching, an im- provement in courses offered, and a considerable improve- ment in the upkeep of our present school plant.
The long-sought-for addition to the High School will become a reality during 1948 as a result of a unanimous vote of the Special Town Meeting of December 29, 1947.
The adoption of an adult evening program has met with instantaneous response.
The lighting system in all elementary schools will be completely renovated this year, finishing a program in- itiated two years ago.
We are still faced with major problems in school housing, as increased birth rates indicate a 50% increase
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in grade school registration within the next few years and our school transportation problem is still far from satisfactory.
To be sure that our long range program is well set up, we have called upon Dr. William K. Wilson of the New York State Department of Education to assist us in setting up our building program to take care of the post- war school enrollment adequately, and, at a later date, to allow us to retain only modern buildings and eliminate any antiquated structures over a period of time.
We have every confidence in our present Superin- tendent, his administrators and teachers, who are doing an excellent job under present conditions. Continued im- provements in working tools bring promise of even bet- ter educational value in the Braintree School System.
In closing we wish to call the attention of the Town to the many years of faithful service on the School Board of Mr. G. Ralph Young, who resigned after five years of service, and Mr. Howard B. Blewett, who retired after fifteen years of service, and Mr. Herbert O. Boardman who retired after a year of his current term.
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
General
I herewith submit my second report, the first to in- clude a full calendar year-1947. Much progress may be reported; more than originally anticipated. I have had in mind a five-year plan for improvement of our schools : with certain objectives and progress points to be reached each year. It is a pleasure to report that the superb co- operation evidenced by all members of the staff has car- ried our progress in one year through the point scheduled for the end of the second year.
There is not only a definite trend, but a sincere de- sire on the part of the teachers to professionally improve
121
their teaching methods. Much interest of this nature has been stimulated by the active participation of the teachers in the course of study discussion groups. Teachers have in general reflected that spirit of cooperation and open- mindedness so necessary to growth and progress in any field.
There has been a need for teacher guidance in devel- oping a systematic procedure for teaching Penmanship. By the adoption of the Rhinehart method this need has been adequately met. One has only to visit the classrooms and observe the improvement in the pupil's writing to substantiate this fact.
B. H. S.
In Braintree High Shool the reorganized Program of Studies has worked out well. Except for a few minor changes suggested by the experiences of this year, the work offered next year will be the same as this present year.
Since the opening of school in September a Student Council has been formed. Preliminary foundation was made last year and the council is now operating with con- siderable success. Pupils, in general, seem to be genuine- ly interested.
In the agitation for the new building, the limelight has been turned on the unfavorable conditions under which the high school has been working for the past fif- teen years. Over-critical individuals with no interest in the high school have been quick to take advantage of the situation. It should be remembered that, in spite of the double-session handicap, Braintree High School has, for thirty years, had a good rating among such colleges as Boston University, Harvard, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, etc., as a school which had a reputation for high standards.
122
Spell It Out for Braintree High School
Grammar Schools
During the later part of June this year, the School Committee formally decided to combine the 7th and 8th grades of the Highlands and Noah Torrey Schools begin- ning with the opening of school in September. Some econ- omy was possible in this combination which formed a sufficiently large group of pupils in grades 7 and 8 to per- mit the introduction of departmental work. The experi- ment has worked out well, and seems to set a pattern of economy and efficiency that may well be adopted in the other districts.
In Course of Study work, we have now completed the reorganization of the Reading and Arithmetic programs; during 1947-8 emphasis is being placed on Social Studies (history and geography), and Language, and Handwrit- ing. During 1948-9 Science, Health and Safety, will be revised. The unusual attention of the faculty to the re- organization of these subjects has been noted above.
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Through the administration of tests we have tried to an- alyse and diagnose our children's difficulties in order that a more satisfactory program could be provided.
Supplies
In order to actually effect the reorganization of the work in the classrooms new textbooks, supplementary and library books, maps, visual-aids and much other material is needed. A teacher is, or should be, an artist. She works with human material. She must know the material with which she works, and, also the best manner in which to work with each piece which comes under her care. We must not ask our teachers to continue to work with jack- knives and expect society to receive the best possible type of citizens. It would appear to be a very shortsighted policy to provide plenty of quality of tools for our cab- inet-maker to work in wood and to refuse, or fail, to fur- nish our teachers with the best teaching tools available to assist boys and girls in the difficult task of educating themselves.
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