USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > Town annual report of Braintree, Massachusetts for the year 1949 > Part 9
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At the side of the far end of the airstrip, a large parking area for planes has been constructed and during the past season thirteen member-owned planes have been tied down in orderly rows to permanent tie-down facilities for safe anchorage.
Four Flying Clubs including from three to eight members to a plane were established to give members who do not own planes an opportunity to fly at a small cost. There are still oppor- tunities for young people of the town who desire to fly to join the Association and join these flying clubs. It has been estimated by club officials that over 2,000 safe takeoffs and landings have been made at the Braintree Airport during the past season, without a single accident to aviators.
During the past two years hundreds of hours of hard labor have been donated by young aviation enthusiasts in clearing land for this unusual airport. Thousands of dollars in labor have been saved by the cooperative efforts of a group of young people who wish to fly. The major part of the work to complete the project consists of hauling gravel to fill the low spots and cover the swampy areas so that the airport may be used in wet seasons.
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The Braintree Airport Commission hopes to have funds available in the year 1950 to complete the necessary addition of gravel on the last 400 feet of runway, widen the field by bulldozing to 150 feet and cut trees for a distance at the further end of the runway to make a safer approach.
The airport during the last year has provided many enjoyable and instructive hours of sport for many young people of Braintree who are interested in aviation. The Braintree Airport Association extends an invitation to citizens of Braintree to join their associa- tion and learn to fly or fly with the Flying Clubs now in operation.
At the Annual Town Meeting of March, 1949, the Braintree Airport Commission offered Federal and State aid to build an airport to cost $181,250 to serve the Town of Braintree as a Municipal Airport. Federal and State aid amounting to $131,250 was offered to the town if $50,000 would be borrowed by the town on ten-year bonds and appropriated for this use. The cost to the town would be $5,000 per year plus interest. Bids had been received by the Airport Commission from one of the largest avia- tion operators in Massachusetts who was willing to lease the airport and build $81,000 worth of buildings on the property which could be taxed by the town. Over a period of ten years the town would complete all bond and interest payments from leases, concessions and taxes on newly erected property on the airfield, and own the airport free and clear. The town voted to continue the small air- strip and not accept the offer from the State and Federal Govern- ment. An appropriation of $1,000 was made to improve and lengthen the present airstrip.
Harbor Master's Report
SEWARD W. TABER, Harbor Master EARL F. CONNORS, Asst. Harbor Master
During the 1949 boating season there were thirty-three (33) mooring permits issued by the Braintree Harbor Master. A new line of moorings was established on the north side of the river between the Quincy Avenue Bridge and the Braintree Electric Light Company and a row of moorings that had previously been in the middle of the channel was moved over to the new line.
The channel was marked with birch trees at the start of the season but they did not prove to be satisfactory as they are too difficult to see at night.
On May 17th your Harbor Master notified the owner of the old Braintree Light Dept. tug that had sunk on the opposite side of the river from the Braintree Light plant that it must be removed at once and, after considerable pressure, this was done.
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On July 18th a call was received by the Harbor Master that the cabin cruiser VIKING was sinking at the Yacht Club float. The owner was called and notified of the condition of his boat. He did not arrive and his boat had to be beached at 2:00 A.M. on July 19th to keep it from sinking in the channel.
On August 29th, during a period of high winds and flood tides, a cruiser broke its moorings and swung into the one behind it. A line was made fast until the tide turned and the wind died down. On the same day a small sail boat dragged its mooring and was pounding the breakwater. at Watson Park. This boat was rescued and remoored.
School Committee
OVIDIO D. CHIESA, Chairman ARCHIE T. MORRISON, Recording Secretary
SOPHIE G. BLUNT HELEN M. HARMON
ROGER ARNOLD GORDON W. BRYANT
The School Committee is pleased to report that the calendar year 1949 has been one of progressive accomplishments.
The single-day session was once more established in the High School after a lapse of seventeen years. This permitted a school day of five and one-half hours, a requirement necessary for qualifi- cation in the A-A standard of rating for High Schools in the Commonwealth.
Two open meetings were held by the Committee, at which time representatives for State-Aided Vocational Schools and for the Industrial Arts plan, appeared and explained to the Committee and the citizens present, the advantages and disadvantages of the two programs.
The Superintendent of Schools at an assembly explained to the student body in the High School the benefits, of the two plans and asked them to mark their preference on prepared blanks after careful study by themselves and their parents. When the results were tabulated the preference was decidedly in favor of the Indus- trial Arts program.
This plan is now in effect in the High School and is working very satisfactorily.
It is our intention to further increase the subjects to be taught and to improve those now in effect. Classes have been inaugurated on an elective basis in Sheet Metal, Woodworking, Electricity, Automotive, Printing and Machine operation.
Formal dedication of the new High School Addition and Gymnasium Building took place the evening of October 28, 1949.
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CLASS OF 1887 BRAINTREE HIGH SCHOOL - 26 GRADUATED 1949 -62nd Anniversary Dinner - 9 living
To those who have not as yet visited the new building, it is suggested that you do so at your earliest convenience. We have a High School and Gymnasium of which we may be justly proud.
The added shop facilities have enabled us to provide more courses in our Evening School. However, because of limited finances we are unable to provide for more than 339 enrollees, though we have a registration of 543.
We are particularly proud of the work accomplished in Adult Education. The townspeople are invited to visit the High School any evening that the classes are in session and observe for them- selves the work being done by a most interested group. Our director, Mr. William E. Trainor, is performing an excellent piece of work. We hope that this work will be permitted to expand in the future.
In compliance with the recommendation of the Massachusetts Association of School Committees, future graduations of Seniors will be held during during the second week in June.
Because of our increasing enrollment, it has become necessary to abandon' all existing school boundaries.
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Abraham Lincoln School
Built 1910, addition 1930. Requires partial remodeling for use as a seventh and eighth grade school after February 1951.
This will mean the shifting of our school population from one district to another when found necessary and then only if facilities are available.
With this in mind, we have asked that the sum of $10,000.00 be included in our budget for the purpose of providing additional transportation services and the opening of two rooms in the Administration Building or in some other location when the urgency arises.
As a means of providing better education to our boys and girls, two years ago we inaugurated the consolidation of the 7th and 8th grades in the South District. Classes are being held in the Noah Torrey School. This experiment has proved to be suc- cessful and worthwhile.
We now have this plan in effect in the North District with classes in the High School and in the East District with classes in the Abraham Lincoln School.
It is the hope of the Committee that the Town Meeting mem- bers will vote their approval of the Article inserted in the Warrant
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Monatiquot School Built 1892. Ten classes now; district will require one additional classroom each year.
by the School Survey Committee for the purpose of altering the Lincoln School to better fit in with our consolidation program.
Land for playground or possible future additions to the Lincoln School having been purchased by vote of a previous Town Meeting. For this the School Committee is grateful.
To help us in seeking locations for possible future school sites an Advisory Committee was appointed, composed of nine members, one from each precinct and three from the School Committee.
Their recommendation follows this report.
We are indeed indebted to them and it is our desire that they continue in this capacity, and that they will eventually become a Lay Advisory Committee to the School Board, similar to those now existing in at least twenty-two states.
This recognition by boards of education of the need for a two way channel for face-to-face discussion of the problems of education between the school and the community is exceedingly significant. It means that we are "growing up" in public education.
With the many problems constantly arising in transportation, a sub-committee of the School Committee known as the Transpor-
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Penniman School
Built 1900; additions 1927, 1931. Twelve classes now; district - will require eight more rooms in next five years.
tation Committee has been created. This Committee has been of untold help to the School Board and should be made a permanent part of our organization.
One of the unfortunate phases of our program this year was that because of lack of funds, we had to forego sending our boys and girls to the Eastern Massachusetts Music Festival held at New Bedford.
We hope that this condition will be corrected in the future.
A new type of report cards, devised by teachers and parents. is being tried out in the Watson, Hollis, Lincoln and Highlands Schools.
We are attempting to improve upon the old-fashioned, mis- leading and often frustrating card in use for so many years.
If found successful, the plan will be put into effect in all schools.
Because of the many requests for "Drives for various causes," in the schools, it has become necessary for the board to limit the number of Drives from now on, to four. Each of these four Drives must have the approval of the School Committee.
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Braintree Highlands School Built 1930. Ten classes now; will require additional classroom each year.
With the consolidation of the 7th and 8th grades has come the possibility that the 8th grade graduations may be eliminated. If this is to be so, now would be the time for this change to be made.
This year brought about the beginning of a Remedial Read- ing program advocated in our 1948 Report.
We have also revised our Budget Forms to conform with those of other departments in the Town. This should help all concerned.
Programs in cooperation with the Registry of Motor Vehicles, the Conservation Committee of the Philergians and Career Day instituted by our Guidance Department with the help of the Rotary, Lions and Kiwanis Clubs were very successful. We thank each and everyone who helped to make these projects possible.
For consideration by the citizens, we list the comparative sta- tistics of the State of Massachusetts for the School year 1948-1949 (thirty (30) cities and towns in population range from 15,000 to 30,000) which shows that:
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Braintree Ranks
First in Average Membership (3,786)-our membership this year is 4,058, next year we estimate it will be approximately 4,300.
17th in Average Staff Salary ($2,966).
14th in Tax Rate ($42.40).
7th in percentage of School Tax of total tax (43% ).
12th in Pupil-Teacher Ratio (24.9). 6th in Total Support of Day Schools ($623,771.00). 23rd in Per Pupil Cost ($172.80).
In closing we thank the Superintendent of Schools, the School personnel, the Parent-Teachers' Associations, the Town Officials and the citizens for their cooperation and loyalty during the past year.
Advisory Comm Hee on School Sites
REPORT TO THE BRAINTREE SCHOOL COMMITTEE- JANUARY 9. 1950
JOHN T. TREFRY, JR., Chairman
LESTER W. LINDBLOW MRS. ROBERT KEIGAN
WALTER H. PACKARD ARCHIE MORRISON
BYRON FINK, JR. ROGER ARNOLD
DR. G. LAWRENCE RARICK MRS. SOPHIE BLUNT
In the belief that the Advisory Committee on School Sites has been established for the prime purpose of surveying possible and feasible sites for proposed school units as outlined in W. K. Wilson's long-range plan of school plant development, we submit a partial report herewith covering only the Monatiquot School District.
The Advisory Committee does not believe it has the power, as presently authorized, to make any movement whatsoever toward acquisition of any site recommended, and has therefore taken no steps to determine availability of land or purchase price. Both of these factors, of course, will influence the course of action, but unless further authority is specifically granted, the Advisory Com- mittee considers, with the information in this report, that the matter is now in the hands of the School Committee.
Our Committee first organized using the political precincts as a means of subdividing the work of our committee members. It has become apparent, however, that school districts do not fol- low political districts closely, and we have therefore concentrated our attention in the short period of our existence on the Monatiquot School District since it is evident from Wilson's report that attention
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should be focused first in this area. With this report in mind, supplemented with advice from Mr. Proctor, we have been attempt- ing to find sites for three possible school locations in the Monat- iquot District.
Three of the Committee, Mr. Morrison, Mr. Packard and Mr. Trefry, together with Mr. Crimp, the architect, and Mr. Proc- tor, have thoroughly surveyed the Monatiquot District bearing in mind the most important philosophy of Wilson's recommendation for long-range planning-new residential construction, walking distance and type of pupil the school building will house.
As indicated before, we have not approached the problem from the standpoint of cost or availability except to have the archi- tect project a building on one area that appeared on the surface to be attendant with more than usual high construction cost. Be- cause of Mr. Crimp's kind service in this respect we can recom- mend this area as a very suitable site but with an admonition that the cost will be high.
By reference to the Town of Braintree's maps, one of which accompanies this report, you will see six areas shaded in blue, as follows, with our recommendations included:
SITE No. 1-The area off West Street known as the Bryant and Farrington Land, acreage ample but with a severe rise in contour in two or three places-land heavily wooded, large boulders, and probably ledge. Site is very centrally located to service the heart of the present Monatiquot District. There would be no houses involved in the purchase of the Farrington land, but possibly one house of the Bryant land.
Recommendation: Though the Farrington portion is undoubt- edly the best site from location standards, this is the area Mr. Crimp feels is not desirable, because of the cost angle of construction. Not only would we encounter higher basic foundation cost but to provide the necessary sewerage and water and road service would necessitate much higher cost- we feel also, that this land is less apt to be sold for housing in the near future for the same high cost of construction reason- ing. Therefore, at this time we do not recommend purchase.
SITE No. 2-The area at Five Corners-bounded by Granite Street, and Town and Franklin Streets-level, open ground, apparently farm land at one time. Ample acreage, we believe, not low or rocky. There are perhaps no physical reasons why this site is not one of the best.
Recommendation: At the present time, however, the school population does not center in this area, making it less im- portant for immediate purchase, but none the less important for acquisition, if the school expansion will require it. With- out time for further study and more consultation with School
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authorities, we are not yet prepared to say that this site belongs in the Monatiquot District. It is on the borderline between Monatiquot and Torrey and may very properly fall within the latter territorial distinction as we investigate the Torrey area. It is a good site and should be analyzed very thoroughly as soon as possible for its utility value to the Town.
SITE No. 3-Area off Tremont Street, between Hobart Avenue and Central Ave. Now belongs to Thayer Academy. Level ground, wooded but not heavily. Shallow depth with frontage at perhaps 800-1,000 feet on Tremont Street. Would just about make up minimum standards of six acres presently required by the State.
Recommendations: The Committee does not feel that the Town would be too successful in acquiring this land. Refer- ence about it having been made to responsible parties of the Academy leads us to believe that while no immediate plans are in process for its use, the Trustees would probably not relinquish it easily. The area would have to be carefully measured to determine its exact acreage before anything further is done.
SITE No. 4-Area off Walnut Street and Hollis Avenue, extension known as Simms land. Severe contours, wooded but not too heavily, boulders and possibly ledge. It would be neces- sary as in Site #1 to provide at high cost the water, sewerage and road. The area would not have good level play areas and we do not believe it would meet the State requirement of 10 acres.
Recommendations: Not to be considered because of Site #6, which we feel is more desirable and will cost much less. SITE No. 5-Area off Granite Street at Five Corners-forming part of Braintree Dam (now dry). Sufficient in size but requires a large amount of fill-site would be in a hollow and would also front on a hazardous traffic route.
Recommendation: Not to be considered.
SITE No. 6-Area bounded by North Street, Lakeside Drive and Sunnyside Avenue, off Walnut Ave., extension between Braintree Dam and Granite Ave.,-known as "Sandpits"- sufficient acreage for State, level ground, water table probably not too far below ground surface-lacks landscaping and is exposed to the hazards of the Dam.
Recommendation: This area as indicated by Planning Board analysis of New Home Construction, has the largest amount of new homes since 1945. It is somewhat evident also that more construction will take place here in the very near future. There will be a large increase in school population, particularly in K-3 or K-4 in the next few years that will
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present a very serious problem to the already overcrowded Hollis and Monatiquot Schools. For this reason and because this site falls into the desired plan of a new community K-6 and one possible 7-8 school, we feel that the purchase of sufficient area in this section should be undertaken at the coming Town meeting. New home construction will take place to use up the land, making its purchase much more costly each year the Town waits to buy this area. If the land is bought by the Town and never used, it probably can always be sold for house construction with nothing more than loss of taxes in interim period. Your Advisory Committee feels that this land should be obtained now and recommend the inser- tion of a general article in the Town Warrant before January closing date, asking the Town to vote a "certain sum of money for a parcel of land to be designated at Town meeting." The period between the closing of the warrant and the Town meeting will give time for a better architectural survey of the land and negotiation for its purchase.
Superintendent's Report RALPH W. PROCTOR, Supt. of Schools
Membership
This year all previous records have been broken. for both the total membership of the pupils and the number of teachers employed in the Town. On October 1, 1949, the total member- ship was 4,058 pupils, an increase of 265 over the previous year. Similar increases at about the same rate are expected for the next eight years.
Budget
Naturally, each year's increase in number of pupils requires additional teachers, classrooms, equipment, books and supplies- all of which are reflected in an increasing budget at the rate of about $200 for each additional child. The Table of Comparative Statistics (at the end of this report) will show, however, that the. budget is quite reasonable on a comparative membership basis, and that Braintree, in view of its resources, is doing as well as can normally be expected in providing for the school operating ex- penses. The increase of $50,000 in State Aid for 1949 and hereafter should be helpful.
Morale
Teachers and staff continue to grow in service, and to become more proficient in rendering service. Our teachers' institutes,
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extension courses, course of study committees are the means through which the spirit of whole-hearted support and cooperation of the staff is translated into constantly increasing efficiency and system in operation. Teachers are doing a conscientious job in bringing improved procedure into actual practice in their academic work.
P.T.A.
A very fine relationship exists between the school faculties and the Parent-Teacher Associations. In the P.T.A.'s attendance is good, business meetings and programs well-planned. The assist- ance in providing for material improvements in the various schools has been remarkable; and the counsel and encouragement rendered by P.T.A. officers is a very real support.
Braintree High School
The completion of the gymnasium and the enlargement of the main Braintree High School building for the opening of the school year in September carried with it the anticipated uplift in pupils' attitude. The knowledge that they are part of one of the finest and most up-to-date school systems in the area, has acted to the advantage of the school system, as a whole, and a definite improvement in spirit and morale.
The transition from a short school day for each of the two session groups, to one long day for all, was met with no outward objections. Apparently both teachers and pupils felt the same call for increased energy to take care of the greater demands, and excellent adjustments have been made by all.
More than forty of our last year's graduating class were ad- mitted to institutions of higher learning. There is no evidence that any pupil who was properly prepared and able to finance a college education could not gain admission.
Standardized and traditional high school curricula were abandoned several years ago; now each pupil's course is individually planned in accordance with his needs and abilities. Revision of the offerings has progressed to the point where each student can be given a sequence of subjects designed to prepare him as an individual for life in the world of 1950.
It is worthy of note that along with these changes the success of pupils in their subjects, as indicated by school marks has markedly increased.
Buildings
As soon as the interior of the Penniman School has been redecorated our buildings will all present a good appearance. However, the grounds, especially the front lawns; need attention. Many schools have no hard surface area near the building, with the result that mud and dust not only bother outside but are
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carried into the building causing excessive wear on floors and much discomfort to teachers and pupils. Much credit should be given our custodians and maintenance men for the fine care of our buildings.
Safety
A recent editorial in a Quincy paper commended Braintree for its very efficient School Safety Patrol. The article went so far as. to indicate that the Safety Program was among the best. The Safety Program is motivated by an enthusiasm in the school among the teachers and pupils, by the cooperation received from our Police Department, and by the recognition given to the patrols by the Chamber of Commerce, P.T.A.'s and citizens.
Handicapped
During the year, twenty-seven physically handicapped children at all grade levels from the first through the eleventh have been supplied home instruction. These pupils are proud of their accomplishments and really appreciate the opportunity of learning at home under the guidance of a very capable teacher.
Music
Braintree has an excellent standing in public school music. The program consists of singing, listening, rhythmic activities, creative activities and instrumental work. The aim is to develop in the average child a satisfaction and enjoyment in this participa- tion so that he will want to continue vocal music and singing. There is a great need for victrola records and record players to implement this program.
Art
The art work has always been good. Several annual exhibi- tions are held. Formulation of work on the basis of artistic appeal as well as factual worth is stressed in all subjects. The elective art program in the seventh and eighth grades is developing real talent.
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