USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > Town annual report of Braintree, Massachusetts for the year 1950 > Part 9
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Institutes
The professional improvement program continues on the basis of a three-day September Institute, and a two-hour staff meeting on the second Wednesday afternoon each month, these meetings are invaluable for discussion with staff of school projects and plans.
After a general meeting the teachers meet by grades or course of study committees to exchange ideas and discuss the improvement of organization and procedures. The improve- ment of the system is largely the result of the enthusiastic response of the teaching staff to these challenges. The seventh and eighth grade teachers have continued to meet with the elementary teachers during the first hour session. At the second, hour the grammar teachers have met as one group where we discussed such topics as: improving the curriculum, core cur- riculum, mental hygiene, spelling.
During the year 40-50 teachers have carried a two-hour weekly Boston University Extension Course given in Brain- tree. The first semester course was on "The Teaching of Science in the Elementary School", and the course for the second semester is "Child Growth and Development". Many other teachers carry on professional study during the year and in the summer at various schools of education.
Health Department
The School Department is very proud of its health and recreation program. According to national authorities a good
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PART OF EVENING SCHOOL EXHIBIT
recreation program is of vital importance in helping to de- velop good healthy boys and girls. One test to prove whether a program in a town is successful is to check the delinquency cases reported by the courts. The records show that Braintree had only two cases reported in the previous year, while ad- joining towns of comparable size had over thirty. We are justifiably proud of this record.
In all our schools we are offering the opportunity for the development of fundamental skills in physical education and games. Under trained supervision both during, as well as after, school hours, with the added opportunity for those who are interested to take part in inter-mural, inter-school, and inter-scholastic competition. This program is continuously ex- panding particularly in the area of girl participation.
Our varsity teams have compiled an amazing average in winning 85% of their contests in the past year. We believe that this reflects the general interest, training, and mass par- ticipation shown by the school and town in developing a whole- some program for our boys and girls.
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Due to the lack of funds it was necessary to reduce the program in certain areas this past year. We know well that in such a time of unsettled conditions a strong recreation pro- gram is more necessary than ever. We hope to be able to carry on with our work in this important field.
Our continuous drive is to create an awareness of the im- portance of good health in the individual in order that they may be physically and emotionally well-balanced. The health staff, teachers and parents are working together to this end. Increased emphasis on a total physical examination and a fol- low-up on corrections are showing fine results as the number of students with deficiencies are being reduced at a rapid rate.
We all must work together to develop and promote a daily interest in good healthy living habits.
Music
In reading we hear of the "Readiness" program. Today in music we have a similar plan. The first grade songs are taught by rote; the second by rote with books to look at with recognition of high and low notes, fast or slow songs, long or short notes. Technicalities as such are not meaningful in this grade so are left to a later time. Grade three has scale terms used, melodic patterns (these being comparable to build- ing a vocabulary for reading) and rhythmic patterns are taught. At grade four sight reading begins, chromatics are introduced and rounds are taught preparatory to two part singing. Grade five continues sight reading and two part singing, while grade six starts three part songs. Grades seven and eight continue with three and four part singing, the bass clef being introduced here. If each teacher does her part, no one grade has an abundance of theory or technicalities to learn. We are dealing with human lives, therefore it is advisable to teach according to progress made using the graded outline as a standard.
An outline for listening lessons in grades one through six has been prepared based on the materials available. We still need record players having good tone production and a library of records. This part of the program (listening) is of great importance as the most of our public is a listening rather than preforming public. The boys and girls if given an opportunity to hear and understand good music will, in a few years, become the citizens who will influence the type of music we will have in the United States of Amercia.
New Reports Cards
After three years of preparation, including one year of try-out in selected schools, new type report cards for primary
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LUNCH TIME AT BRAINTREE HIGH SCHOOL CAFETERIA
and intermediate groups have been issued. These are designed reflect the continuous progress program now in effect in the first six grades.
A large majority of the parents appear to favor the issu- ance of this new report card. They now have a more concise and descriptive explanation of their own child's achievement in relation to his ability. It was expected that some opposition to the new report card would develop. Much of this was due to a lack of understanding, and most of the questions which the parents have raised have been answered and explained by the teachers during the parent conferences. Although a few still object, they have agreed to the continued use of the card for the remainder of the year.
A forward step has thus been made in the improvement of our school system. It is up to us to do all that is possible to properly interpret the newer methods and procedures to the parents.
Safety Program
The teaching of safety and operation of the school patrols continues to be most effective. The co-operation of the safety directors, the P. T. A.'s, the Police Department, and the Chamber of Commerce in this effort is most helpful. Many reports come to the Office indicating the Police Officers on
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duty at the various schools contribute much more assistance than could be expected of them.
School Grounds
Each year, in cutting the School Budget, the funds allot- ted for the improvement of school grounds have been elimi- nated. Consequently, nothing much has been done in this area. A reasonable sum of money set aside for this purpose yearly could make considerable impression over a five year period. Among the projects that should be undertaken are :
Repair concrete walks at Highlands and Braintree High School.
Improve driveways at Highlands, Colbert, Noah Torrey, Penniman, Perkins and Lincoln.
Improve Playgrounds at Lincoln and Perkins.
The School Building Program will be treated in a special bulletin to be issued in February. Everyone concerned should recognize the inevitability of the increase of the school popula- tion, and hence the need for additional facilities for an in- crease of approximately three hundred pupils (10 classrooms) every year from 1950 (enrollment 4,236) to 1958 (enroll- ment 6,670).
Preliminary plans for various units, additions,, and build- ings have been prepared. For use in September 1951 the school system requires :
a) two-room unit at the Penniman School.
b) two classrooms plus lunchroom addition to High- lands School.
c) renovation of two classrooms at Pond School.
Funds should also be supplied for the preparation of work- ing drawings for Lakeside School (20 rooms) looking to an appropriation in 1952 for construction and occupancy in Sept- ember 1953.
P. T. A.'s
All P.T.A. Associations continue to be very co-operative and helpful. Most have increased in membership. Many worth- while projects are now in operation or have been successfully completed including : equipment, library books, Christmas parties, etc.
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BRAINTREE HIGH SCHOOL MACHINE SHOP
The Parents' Council has continued to show a very active interest in school affairs and problems, and furnishes a very active forum for discussion of school policies.
Publicity
This report summarizes only the high points of the past years' program. We have attempted to keep the public in- formed of school activities and problems through the publica- tion semi-monthly of the Braintree School News (circula- tion 4,500).
Several special bulletins have also been prepared, and cir- culated. Additional copies are available on request of :
What Parents Ask About Reading Pupil Progress in the Elementary School
In January 1951 the sixth issue of the Braintree School News will be published. In February 1951 a Special School Housing Number will be prepared. In March 1951 the sev- enth issue of the School News will discuss the School Budget.
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Plans are now being formulated for an elaborate All- School Exhibit to be held in Braintree High School and Gym from April 29-May 5, 1951 during which time the work of the schools will be demonstrated and exhibited for a whole week. It is hoped that every citizen of Braintree will visit the exhibit at some time during this week.
Braintree Schools on the Air continues at 10:45 A.M. Thursdays, WJDA-1300.
Conclusion
The school employees: the teachers, custodians, secre- taries and lunchroom workers, special supervisors, and the Superintendent of Schools appreciate the co-operation of the parents, the children, and the School Committee. We extend to them in this, my fifth annual report, our best wishes for the coming year.
Park Department
Earl C. Hollis, Chairman Charles F. Abell, Clerk Harry F. Vinton,Jr.
All parks and play areas under the jurisdiction of the park Commission were maintained properly this year, with the exception of Hollingsworth Park, located in the rear of the Colbert School, Pond Street, South Braintree.
Lack of equipment with which to transport material and equipment to the area forced its abandonment.
With the limited funds made available for the department use, we as a board feel that everything has been done in the remaining sections of the town to provide adequate facilities. Free movies and a block dance for the entertainment of the youth the Night Before the Fourth highlighted our program. Such features should be increased.
We, as a board feel, and have felt for the past years that a full time working supervisor should be retained by the Park Commission; an individual who would handle the entire park maintenance phase and be the head of the Organized Play, thus making a saving of $500.00 during the summer months.
Equipment that could be used to great advantage is a half-ton truck which would be used in a town-wide mainte- nance program for our department. We assumed control of a
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parcel of land off Faxon Street, East Braintree, which could be easily developed with a small amount of money, for skating for the youth of the East section.
We earnestly hope to regain control of Organized Play together with the Care Maintenance of Hollis Field, through the installation of a full-time operated Park Department.
Thayer Public Library REPORT OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Stacy B. Southworth, Chairman
Mabel S. Rogers, Sec.
Clara G. Wetherbee Ralph B. Woodsum Gordon W. Bryant
Two years ago the Town of Braintree committed itself to the project of a new library building by purchasing land for its erection. Last year the town made the first annual ap- propriation for the construction of the building. Clearly the town felt that a series of appropriations should be made until the amount should be sufficient to justify the construction of the new library building. It is, therefore, the hope of the Board of Trustees that the Town Meeting will wisely con- tinue its appropriations in March 1951.
The following vital and up-to-date report of the Librarian concerning the Thayer Public Library and its branches has the unanimous approval of the Board of Trustees. We hope every citizen will give it a careful reading.
REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN Miriam Hall, Librarian
Thayer Public Library Makes Headline News in 1950 Town Appropriates $50,000 Toward New Library Building
The most important news item in the library's history was the actual appropriation of money in 1950 for the new library building, which, all citizens together with the Trustees and the Library Staff are waiting to see completed. This is only a beginning, however, and each year additional funds must be voted : citizens will not be satisfied until they have more space and modern equipment. A woman who has lived in the town for ten years registered for the first time as a borrower in
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1950, and was amazed when she came inside the building. "Is this all there is to it?" A visitor from New Jersey said "Was this built to be a library ?" A new resident in the town former- ly from Bristol, Rhode Island said, "Are you going to get your new library? This is certainly nothing but a storage place for books." Words of a gentleman borrower "Won't it be nice when we have a new building, then you won't have to climb ladders to reach books."
Television Causes Slight Decrease in Books Borrowed from Library-Yet Work of Staff Increases.
The great number of television sets in homes makes less time for reading, yet many times borrowers have returned after an absence of several months, for something to read, having tired of television. In the long run nothing takes the place of a good book. One important fact in connection with this de- crease of books circulated is that the loss has been entirely in the field of Fiction. The use of Non-Fiction has increased. This shows that when a citizen wants information on a par- ticular subject or when he wishes to do serious reading, tele- vision will not interfere. He cannot get along without the library.
This is where the increase in the work of the library arises. Increase in non-fiction inevitably means increase in reference work. This is the phase of the work which takes more time and yet is without tangible measurement, such as circulation figures. Only a few years ago, a staff member on duty at the charging desk found plenty of time to do odd jobs. Now she is busy answering questions, either over the telephone or from readers and borrowers at the desk. It is necessary to have two or three assistants to help in tracking down elusive material.
Television may have some good effects on the library bor- rower. It stimulates him to find information about subjects seen on TV. Many borrowers have told us that they saw some- thing on T V and they wished to know more about it. An in- crease in the use of books on the Opera is accounted for by borrowers watching such programs as Opera excerpts. Library Helps D P's Learn English
Several of our Braintree citizens have come to us seeking help for Displaced Persons who are living in their homes. Books in simple English for adult beginners and books in their native languages, Hungarian, Russian, German, Serbian and Italian aid them in learning English. What can be a more important part of the library's work than helping these new- comers to become better informed citizens of our town. They are most appreciative.
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the
Goose
Step
THE LIBRARY KEEPS UP-TO-DATE IN THE ONLY SPOT AVAILABLE FOR DISPLAY
Selling, Making Cupboards, Design, Mechanics, Television Servicing Lead In Types of Books Asked For.
"May I have the COMPLETE BOOK OF BUILT-INS?" "I'm sorry it is out."
"Will you reserve for me CABINETS, BOOKCASES AND WALL SHELVES?"
"Is the book HOW TO BUILD MODERN KITCHEN CABINETS in ?"
"Do you have anything on Chinese Design?" Anything on Television servicing ?"
"The book HOW I RAISED MYSELF FROM FAIL- URE TO SUCCESS IN SELLING was most helpful."
Such are the questions put to the staff each day. In May we bought a $10.00 book on Chinese design with some fear and trembling as to whether its use would justify the price. We needn't have worried; it has hardly been on the shelf a day.
This has been a year of beautiful, expensive books in the publishing business. Many of these are in the field of art. While we do not feel we can afford to buy every $10 or $15
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book, several this year have been absolute musts if we are to build a good art collection. Books such as
INDIAN ART OF THE AMERICAS
INDEX OF AMERICAN DESIGN
EARLY AMERICAN STENCIL DECORATIONS 200 YEARS OF AMERICAN BLOWN GLASS RENOIR; GAUGUIN
PICTORIAL HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN THEATRE.
Reference books such as DIRECTORY OF NEW ENG- LAND MANUFACTURERS and THOMAS REGISTER OF MANUFACTURERS and the HOTEL RED BOOK are called for a great deal by business men.
New Staff Member Popular With Young Adults
Some day if you go into the reading room and find it full of young people studying or simply reading sprawled out in a characteristic pose, you will know it is due for the most part to the work of Mrs. Jeannette Tovet. Mrs. Tovet began work in September as Librarian in charge of Work with Young Adults. Although we have only room for a tiny corner with four shelves for the Young People, it is most popular and help- ful when they wish to get a book report or look at a fashion magazine.
Before the Christmas vacation Mrs. Tovet visited 25 of the 31 English classes at the High School and talked with the boys and girls about this corner, asking them for their sug- gestions, and if they wanted such a separate corner. Their answer, was most emphatically yes. They do not want to use the children's room ; they are lost in the adult room ; they have a reluctance to ask for things. They are interested in the new field of literature which is developing: books being written especially for them. If the books which they want are put in this corner they can make their selections without too much difficulty. The transition from the children's room to the adult department is thus made more easily and as a result more boys and girls will continue to use the library when they reach the end of their High School days. As a result of these visits to High School there has been an increase in registrations of Young Adults.
It has been especially interesting to hear some of the com- ments and questions asked of Mrs. Tovet on her visits. ARE WE REALLY GOING TO GET A NEW LIBRARY? WILL THERE BE A ROOM ESPECIALLY FOR US IN
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The Gateway To a Better Garder
THE LIBRARY'S PRIZE WINNING EXHIBIT AT THE GARDEN CLUB FLOWER SHOW
THE NEW LIBRARY? OTHER LIBRARIES HAVE A PLACE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. WILL THERE BE A RECORD ROOM? AND PLACE TO LISTEN TO REC- ORDS? CAN WE BORROW RECORDS? WILL THERE BE A LOUNGE WITH COMFORTABLE CHAIRS? Just go to the young people if you don't think we need a new library or if you want to know what should be included in a new library. THEY KNOW AND THEY WILL TELL YOU.
Children's Department In Library Still Shows Increase In Number of Books Sent to Schools.
Children's Librarian Talks With 2540 Children During Book Week.
Mrs. Blair again took her traveling exhibits of new books in November to the Hollis, Penniman, Monatiquot, Noah Tor- rey primary, North Grammar Schools. The children were given an opportunity to look at the books and ask Mrs. Blair about them. Miss Handy of the East Braintree Branch visited the class rooms in the Perkins, Watson and Lincoln schools talking with some 800 children.
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TOTTC ADULTS CORNER: CROWDED FOR SPACE. BUT MUCH USED
Summer Story Hours and Hop-A-Long Cassidy Club Diaw Crowds to Already Crowded Children's Room. Thayer- land's Grade 4 Comes to Library for Books Once Each Week; Grades 5 Once Each Two Weeks; Grades 1 and 2 Come to Library for Story Hour Once Each Two Weeks.
Library Wins Special Award at Flower Show
At the invitation of the Braintree Garden Club, the library staff planned and arranged a most attractive exhibit of Garden- ing Books and Helps at its Flower Show in june. As this was our first major display outside the library, we were justifiably proud when it was given a Gold Star Award for an exhibit of special excellence.
Have you noticed the exhibits on the one table available for display purposes in the hall of the library. Here you will be kept up-to-date with material on current topics changed twice a month such as: SCIENCE, GARDENING, BASE- BALL, GRADUATION AND CAREERS, PHOTOGRA- PHY, HOME IMPROVEMENT, HOBBIES, CURRENT EVENTS.
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CHILDREN LOOK FORWARD TO CHRISTMAS AT THE LIBRARY
Microfilm Replaces Old Newspaper
Another important event in the library's year was the vote of the Trustees to begin microfilming the old Braintree news- papers. For many years Braintree Observers have lain in the cellar dusty and crumbling with age. The only possible way now to preserve them for future use is the process of micro- filming. Much space is saved, as the great volumes are photo- graphed and reduced to a small roll of film which can be kept in a box. The thirty-five years 1878-1913 now have been com- pleted and the library feels that it has made an important start toward putting in more permanent form the local history ma- terial of the town.
Librarian Completes Two Year Term as President of Old Colony Library Club.
In June, the Librarian ended two years as president of the Old Colony Library Club which covers the South Shore Terri- tory and as far south as Middleboro and Plymouth. By virtue of this office, she also served on the Executive Board of the Massachusetts Library Association. Staff members have at- tended these local meetings and also the meetings of the Massa- chusetts Library Association, the Children's Round Table and
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the Round Table of Librarians for Young Adults, on the Ex- ecutive Board of which Miss Handy is now serving. Your library staff is active and alert to modern library problems, and the conditions under which they work are constantly a cause of great chagrin and embarrassment to them, when com- paring notes with other librarians.
The Librarian was also privileged to attend this fall the dedication of the new Youth Library of the Fitchburg Public Library. It was a thrilling experience to see such a modern and up-to-date library building for the city's children and young people alone, and built partly with funds of their own raising. While the Building Committee does not contemplate a building of such modern architecture in Braintree, we urge everyone to make an opportunity to visit this building and acquaint himself with what a new library can mean.
Second Half of Century Holds Much in Store for Thayer Public Library.
As we start on the second half of the century, the librarian and staff feel that much progress has been made and that the new library building is approaching actuality and is not a far distant dream. It will not be too long before the newspapers will carry the headlines :
Throngs Attend the Dedication of the New Library
STATISTICS OF LIBRARY USE 1950
Adults
Total
Borrowers Jan. 1, 1950
7303
Juvenile 1817
9120
Registered 1950
951
550
1501
Cards expired and moved 1950
771
316
1087
Registered Borrowers Dec. 31, 1950-41 % of population.
7483
2051
9534
Volumes Jan. 1, 1950
33359
10059
43418
Book Stock
Volumes added 1950
1263
1037
2300
Volumes withdrawn 1950
1325
148
1473
Books Loaned
Total volumes Dec. 31, 1950
33297
10948
44245
Adult Fiction
63567
33% of total circulation
Adult Non-Fiction
37753
19%
"
66
Juvenile books
93061
48% "
66
Total books loaned
194381
Books loaned from branches
74456
38% "
66
Circulation per capita 8.4 books.
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INTERESTING MID-CENTURY COMPARISONS
In 1900
In 1950
Population 5,981
23,130
Valuation $4,638,650.00
$37,814,525.00
Tax Rate $19.60 $44.00
Cost of School Operation $26,893.54
$675,660.00
Cost per pupil $23.79
$181.00
Cost of building and furnishing an elementary school
(Penniman) $15,000.00
(Ross) $700,000.00
Cost of Ladder Truck for
Fire Department $1,000.00
Fire Dept. called out 36 times
New Fire Engine $14,000.00 671 times
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